bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in scorpion metabolic rate and rate–temperature relationships: implications for the fundamental equation of the metabolic theory of ecology
Authors: TERBLANCHE J. S. , JANION C. , CHOWN S. L.
Published: March 2007

The fundamental equation of the metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) indicates that most of the variation in metabolic rate are a consequence of variation in organismal size and environmental temperature. Although evolution is thought to minimize energy costs of nutrient transport, its effects on metabolic rate via adaptation, acclimatization or acclimation are considered small, and restricted mostly to variation in the scaling constant,b0. This contrasts strongly with many conclusions of evolutionary physiology and life‐history theory, making closer examination of the fundamental equation an important task for evolutionary biologists. Here we do so using scorpions as model organisms. First, we investigate the implications for the fundamental equation of metabolic rate variation and its temperature dependence in the scorpionUroplectes carinatusfollowing laboratory acclimation. During 22 days of acclimation at 25 °C metabolic rates declined significantly (from 127.4 to 78.2 μW;P = 0.0001) whereas mean body mass remained constant (367.9–369.1 mg;P = 0.999). In field‐fresh scorpions, metabolic rate–temperature (MRT) relationships varied substantially within and among individuals, and therefore had low repeatability values (τ = 0.02) and no significant among‐individual variation (P = 0.181). However, acclimation resulted in a decline in within‐individual variation of MRT slopes which subsequently revealed significant differences among individuals (P = 0.0031) and resulted in a fourfold increase in repeatability values (τ = 0.08). These results highlight the fact that MRT relationships can show substantial, directional variation within individuals over time. Using a randomization model we demonstrate that the reduction in metabolic rate with acclimation while body mass remains constant causes a decline both in the value of the mass‐scaling exponent and the coefficient of determination. Furthermore, interspecific comparisons of activation energy,E, demonstrated significant variation in scorpions (0.09–1.14 eV), with a mean value of 0.77 eV, significantly higher than the 0.6–0.7 eV predicted by the fundamental equation. Our results add to a growing body of work questioning both the theoretical basis and empirical support for the MTE, and suggest that alternative models of metabolic rate variation incorporating explicit consideration of life history evolution deserve further scrutiny.
Quality and Developmental Ability of Dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) Embryos Obtained by IVM/IVF, In Vivo Matured/IVF or In Vivo Matured/Fertilized Oocytes
Authors: Khatir H , Anouassi A , Tibary A
Published: March 2007

Contents

The effect of source of cumulus‐oocytes‐complexes (COCs), maturation and fertilization conditions on developmental competence of dromedary embryos was examined. Thirty‐six adult females were superovulated with equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) injection (3500 IU, IM) and divided in three groups of 12 females each. Group 1 provided 138 COC's collected from follicles ≥ 5 mm 10 days after stimulation prior hCG treatment and matured in vitro for 30 h. Group 2 provided 120 in vivo matured oocytes which were aspirated from their follicles 20 h after hCG (3000 IU, IV) given on day 10 follow eCG injection. Group 3 provided 65 in vivo matured/fertilized oocytes. Females in Group 3 received hCG on day 10 following eCG treatment and then were mated 24 h later. Fertilized oocytes were collected from the oviducts of females 48‐h post‐mating. Quality of the oocytes was assessed after in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) of COCs. All cultures were performed in three replicates (n = 3) at 38.5°C, under 5% CO2 and high humidity (>95%). Only COCs with cumulus and homogenous (dark) cytoplasm were used. Nuclear maturation rate for Groups 1 and 2 was determined by epifluorescence microscopy in a sample of COCs (n = 30) denuded, fixed and stained with Hoechst 33342. To study the viability of obtained embryos, hatched blastocysts from each group were transferred to recipients followed by pregnancy diagnosis using ultrasonography at 15, 60 and 90 days. The percentage of COCs reaching metaphase II (MII) after 30 h of maturation was slightly but not significantly higher for in vivo matured oocytes (28/30; 93%) than those in vitro matured (25/30; 84%). The total rate of cleavage (2 cells to blastocyst stage) was not different for the three groups. However, significantly (p < 0.05) more blastocyst and hatched blastocysts were obtained from in vivo matured and in vivo fertilized oocytes (Group 3; 52% and 73%) than from in vitro fertilized oocytes whether they were matured in vitro (Group 1; 35% and 32%) or in vivo (Group 2; 32% and 45%). Pregnancy rates were not significantly different amongst all groups for the three first months following embryo transfer. All pregnancies were lost after day 90 follow transfer except for in vivo matured and in vivo matured/fertilized groups. Only in vivo matured/in vitro fertilized and in vivo matured/fertilized produced embryos continued normal development until term and resulted in the birth of normal and healthy live calves. Six claves (29%; 6/21) were born from Group 3 and one (8%; 1/13) calf was born from Group 2. This study shows that the IVC system used is able to support camel embryo development. However, developmental competence and viability of dromedary embryos may be directly related to the intrinsic quality (cytoplasmic maturation) of oocytes.
Effects of Increased Ambient Temperature During IVM and/or IVF on the In Vitro Development of Bovine Zygotes
Authors: Sugiyama S , McGowan M , Phillips N , Kafi M , Young M
Published: March 2007

Contents

Previous research by this group (2003) has demonstrated that heat stress during in vitro culture (IVC) significantly increased early embryo mortality. The experiments reported here examine the effects of heat treatment (HT) during in vitro maturation (IVM) and during in vitro fertilization (IVF). One 24 h cycle of HT entailed a series of 0.5°C incubator temperature increases from 39°C to 39.5°C for 2 h, to 40°C for 2 h, to 40.5°C for 4 h, 41°C for 4 h, 40.5°C for 6 h and 40°C for 6 h. This cycle mimics rectal temperatures recorded in high producing, grain fed dairy cows in hot climates. Experiment I studied the effects of one cycle of heat‐treatment during IVF on the rate of cleavage of in vitro matured presumptive zygotes. Total cleavage rate in the HT group (37.8%) was lower than that of the control group (54.6%, p < 0.05). Experiment II repeated the HT of experiment I but preceded it with a cycle of HT during IVM. The total cleavage rates for control and heat treatment groups were 75.5% and 37.9%, respectively, with a significant difference of p < 0.001 identified. Experiment III examined the rates of embryonic development to ≥8‐cell stage (after 72 h IVC) and to morula or blastocyst (M/B) stage (after 144 h IVC) following HT of the oocyte groups during the preceding IVM or IVF. Rates of development to ≥8‐cell stage (at 72 h IVC) and to M/B stage (after 144 h IVC) for the control group were 27.5% and 35.8%. Those of IVM‐only HT and IVF‐only HT groups were 13.8% and 14.6%, and 8.6% and 14.3%, respectively. Both groups of heat treated embryos developed at significantly lower rates (p < 0.05) than did the control group. These results suggest that hyperthermia during oocyte maturation and/or fertilization adversely affects oocyte maturation and fertilization rates and retards further embryonic development.
Genetic Parameters for Semen Production Traits in Austrian Dual‐Purpose Simmental Bulls
Authors: Gredler B , Fuerst C , Fuerst‐Waltl B , Schwarzenbacher H , Sölkner J
Published: March 2007

Contents

Genetic parameters were estimated for semen production traits collected in an Austrian AI centre in the years 2000–2004. In total, 12 746 ejaculates from 301 Austrian dual‐purpose Simmental (Fleckvieh) AI bulls were examined considering different effects on ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, percentage of viable spermatozoa in the ejaculate, total spermatozoa per ejaculate and motility. The model for genetic parameter estimation included the fixed effects age of bull, collection interval, number of collections on collection day, bull handler, semen collector, year and month of collection, a random additive genetic component and a permanent environmental effect. Correlations between estimated breeding values for semen traits and male fertility from the routine evaluation were calculated. The fertility trait considered in the routine evaluation is non‐return rate 90 for the first insemination. All semen production traits were moderately heritable. Heritabilities for volume, concentration, percentage of viable spermatozoa, total number of spermatozoa and motility were 0.18, 0.14, 0.10, 0.22 and 0.04, respectively. Correlations between breeding values for semen quality traits and routinely estimated breeding values for male fertility were low and ranged from 0.08 to 0.17 indicating that semen production traits are rather poor predictors of male fertility.
A Low Oxygen Atmosphere during IVF Accelerates the Kinetic of Formation of In Vitro Produced Ovine Blastocysts
Authors: Leoni GG , Rosati I , Succu S , Bogliolo L , Bebbere D , Berlinguer F , Ledda S , Naitana S
Published: March 2007

Contents

Among the factors that affect in vitro embryo development, oxygen atmosphere is considered to be of great influence. In this study, we evaluated the influence of two different oxygen atmospheres during in vitro fertilization (IVF) of ovine oocytes on their developmental capacity and quality assessed by cryotolerance. Cumulus oocyte complexes derived from ovaries of slaughtered sheep were matured in vitro and subsequently fertilized under low (5%) or high (20%) oxygen atmospheres, and cultured in SOF + aa + 0.4% BSA in 5% CO2 and 5% O2 up to blastocyst stage. The cleavage rates obtained in the fertilization system at 20% O2 were significantly higher than those obtained in the 5% O2 fertilization system (61.2% vs 50.8%; p < 0.01). The distribution of cleaved oocytes at 22, 26 and 40 h of culture intervals was not different in the low or high O2 atmosphere (31.4%, 26.4% and 42.1% vs 28.0%, 29.3% and 42.7% respectively). Blastocysts output on the 6th day post‐fertilization (dpf) was significantly higher when oocytes were fertilized under 5% O2 concentration (63.04% in 5% O2 vs 47.36% in 20% O2), while on the 7th dpf the higher number of blastocysts was obtained in the 20% O2 system (35.10%.in 20% O2 vs 26.09% in 5% O2). After vitrification no differences were observed between low or high oxygen atmosphere in the viability rates of blastocysts obtained on day 6 (93.6% vs 96.5%), on day 7 (46.3% vs 41.7%) and on day 8 (11.1% vs 6.6%). After differential staining, no significant differences were observed in the total cell number and inner cell mass and trophoblastic cells ratio of blastocysts produced on 6 dpf (189.6 ± 51.3 and 0.260 ± 0.07 vs 223.3 ± 45.6 and 0.277 ± 0.09), on 7 dpf (168.3 ± 25.1 and 0.316 ± 0.06 vs 172.1 ± 33,6 and 0.320 ± 0.06) and on 8 dpf (121.2 ± 23,8 and 0.302 ± 0.03 vs 117.0 ± 35.1 and 0.313 ± 0.04) under low or high oxygen atmosphere respectively). In conclusion, our data suggest that low oxygen atmosphere during IVF affects positively the production of high quality ovine blastocysts.
Impairments of social cues recognition and social functioning in Chinese people with schizophrenia
Authors: ZHU CHUN‐YAN , LEE TATIA M. C. , LI XIAO‐SI , JING SHENG‐CHUN , WANG YONG‐GUANG , WANG KAI
Published: March 2007

Abstract  Previous studies have suggested that social cognition deficits, and impaired social functioning, were associated with schizophrenia. However, specificity of the relationships between social cues recognition and social functioning remain largely undefined. The authors speculated that the two were related, and further that recognition of verbal and non‐verbal social cues were impaired in people with schizophrenia. A total of 71 people (40 schizophrenia patients and 31 matched normal controls) voluntarily participated in this study. Social cues recognition abilities were measured by the eye gaze discrimination task and the faux pas recognition task. Social functioning was assessed using the Social Functioning Scale. Correlation analysis revealed a significant association between faux pas and, in particular, the social functioning subscales of the Social Functioning Scale (independence and employment) in patients with schizophrenia. Furthermore, the authors also observed that clinical participants performed significantly worse in both the eye gaze discrimination and faux pas recognition tasks than their healthy counterparts. These findings suggested that impaired social cues recognition in people with schizophrenia may be a possible explanation for their impaired social functioning.
14‐3‐3 protein beta isoform is associated with 3‐repeat tau neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: SUGIMORI KAORU , KOBAYASHI KATSUJI , KITAMURA TATSURU , SUDO SATORU , KOSHINO YOSHIFUMI
Published: March 2007

Abstract 14‐3‐3 proteins play roles in phosphorylation of tau proteins in neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tau is phosphorylated at serine (pSer) and threonine (pThr) in NFT, and NFT morphology varies according to phosphorylated sites and tau isoform. The roles of 14‐3‐3 proteins in NFT morphology remain unknown. This study was performed to examine the relationships between 14 and 3‐3 proteins and tau phosphorylation of NFT. NFT were labeled with Gallyas impregnation, tau and 14‐3‐3 immunohistochemistry in paraffin‐embedded hippocampal sections from seven AD and three control brains. Anti‐tau antisera included monoclonal antisera that recognize pSer262 (pSer262), pSer422 (pSer422), pSer202/pThr205 (AT8), Thr231 (AT180), three‐repeat (RD3) and four‐repeat (RD4) tau isoform. Anti‐14‐3‐3 protein isoform antisera included polyclonal antisera to beta, gamma, zeta, epsilon, tau, mu and sigma isoforms and monoclonal antiserum to beta antiserum (H8‐beta). NFT density was obtained by counting labeled NFT in cornu ammonis (CA) 1–CA4, subiculum and entorhinal cortex. H8‐beta and zeta isoforms were strongly expressed in NFT. Regional densities of NFT positive for pSer262, AT8, AT180, and Gallyas impregnation were similar to RD3‐positive NFT density with high densities in CA1 and entorhinal cortex. NFT positive for pSer422 showed a similar regional distribution to RD4‐positive NFT with high NFT density in CA2–CA4. H8‐beta‐positive NFT showed a similar regional distribution to RD3‐positive NFT. In contrast, zeta isoform‐positive NFT showed no specific distribution. In conclusion, H8‐beta isoform is associated with development of 3‐repeats NFT but a role of 14‐3‐3 zeta isoform in NFT could not be specified.
Postictal suppression correlates with therapeutic efficacy for depression in bilateral sine and pulse wave electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: AZUMA HIDEKI , FUJITA AKIKO , SATO KIYOE , ARAHATA KEIKO , OTSUKI KAZUYUKI , HORI MIKI , MOCHIDA YOSHIHITO , UCHIDA MEGUMI , YAMADA TOMOKO , AKECHI TATSUO , FURUKAWA TOSHI A.
Published: March 2007

Abstract  Ictal electroencephalography (EEG) parameters in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depression reportedly correlate with therapeutic response and stimulus dosage, particularly in right unilateral (RUL) ECT. The authors examined ictal EEG parameters as predictors of therapeutic effectiveness in bilateral (BL) sine and pulse wave ECT. A total of 30 consecutive depressed inpatients who had not responded to standard pharmacotherapy were treated using BL ECT given in either sine or pulse wave mode. Ictal EEG parameters (e.g. regularity, postictal suppression) were manually rated by three trained psychiatrists. Polyspike phase duration was significantly longer in sine wave ECT than in pulse wave ECT. Postictal suppression emerged as the only significant predictor of therapeutic outcome when baseline Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and mode of stimulation were controlled for. Postictal suppression appears to offer a useful predictor of clinical outcome of depression in BL ECT. No EEG parameters were found to be differentially predictive between sine and pulse wave ECT.
Dopamine D2 receptor gene polymorphisms predict well the response to dopamine antagonists at therapeutic dosages in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: SAKUMOTO NOBORU , KONDO TSUYOSHI , MIHARA KAZUO , SUZUKI AKIHITO , YASUI‐FURUKORI NORIO
Published: March 2007

Abstract  Previous reports have shown that both A1 allele carriers of TaqI A and Del allele non‐carriers of −141C Ins/Del for dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene polymorphisms have a better antipsychotic drug response. The present study aimed to examine the validity of a combination of these two DRD2 polymorphisms as predictors for response to DRD2 antagonists. The subjects consisted of 49 acutely exacerbated inpatients with schizophrenia treated with bromperidol (30 cases, 6–18 mg/day) or nemonapride (19 cases, 18 mg/day) for 3 weeks. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser side‐effects rating scale were used for clinical assessments. DRD2 genotypes were determined using a polymerase chain reaction method. In the overall 49 subjects, combined DRD2 polymorphisms weakly predicted the response to DRD2 antagonists (Fisher exact test, P = 0.049), that is, good response in A1(+) or Del(–) subjects and poor response in A1(–) plus Del(+) subjects. In the former subjects, non‐responders with A1(+) or Del(–) showed higher scores of psychic, extrapyramidal and total side‐effects. At therapeutic doses (6–8 mg/day haloperidol equivalent dose) in 30 subjects, the predictability of response was greatly increased (Fisher exact test, P < 0.0045) with higher positive and negative predictive values (78.3% and 85.7%, respectively). These findings suggest that combined DRD2 polymorphisms can be used as a pretreatment marker for response to DRD2 antagonists at therapeutic doses, and that A1(+) or Del(–) subjects are highly sensitive to DRD2 antagonists, expressed as either treatment responders or non‐responders vulnerable to extrapyramidal symptoms.
Association between activity level and situational factors in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in elementary school
Authors: TSUJII NOA , OKADA AKIRA , KAKU REIGETSU , KURIKI NORIKO , HANADA KAZUSHI , MATSUO JUNKO , KUSUBE TAKESHI , HITOMI KAZUHIKO
Published: March 2007

Abstract  The aim of this study was to determine whether the objective activity level of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is associated with situational factors in elementary school. A total of 16 children with combined‐type AD/HD (13 boys, 3 girls) and 20 controls matched for age and gender participated in the study. All the participants wore the objective measurement of activity level for 1 week while attending elementary school. The average activity levels were calculated for the morning and afternoon classes. The classes were categorized into four types: (i) in‐seat classes, in which the participants were expected to learn quietly while sitting in their own seats; (ii) not‐in‐seat classes, in which the participants were not expected to sit in their seats; (iii) physical education classes; and (iv) lunch/recess periods. During the afternoon in‐seat classes, the children with AD/HD were significantly more active than the controls. However, no significant differences based on the group (children with AD/HD or controls) were observed during the other morning or afternoon classes. These findings indicate that in naturalistic settings where the effects of situational demands involving inhibition and the effect of fatigue overlapped, the children with AD/HD exhibited an activity level that was different from that exhibited by the controls. Differences in the activity levels of children with AD/HD and normal controls were identified using an objective measurement of activity level when two situational factors overlapped.
Donepezil in the treatment of musical hallucinations
Authors: UKAI SATOSHI , YAMAMOTO MASAKIYO , TANAKA MICHIO , SHINOSAKI KAZUHIRO , TAKEDA MASATOSHI
Published: March 2007

Abstract  Musical hallucinations (MH) typically occur among elderly individuals and are associated with hearing impairment. The authors describe a patient with features of typical MH who was successfully treated with donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, as a combination therapy and who has not shown any subsequent cognitive decline for approximately 5 years. The efficacy of donepezil in this patient indicates that age‐dependent dysfunction of cholinergic neurons might be related to the development of MH.
Acute confusional state after designer tryptamine abuse
Authors: ITOKAWA MASANARI , IWATA KEN , TAKAHASHI MISAKO , SUGIHARA GEN‐ICHI , SASAKI TAKESHI , ABE YU‐ICHIRO , UNO MINARI , HOBO MIZUE , JITOKU DAISUKE , INOUE KIKUE , ARAI MAKOTO , YASUDA ICHIRO , SHINTANI MASAHIRO
Published: March 2007

Abstract  A 23‐year‐old Japanese woman was brought to the emergency department about 6.5 h after taking liquid and later a half tablet purchased on the street. About 4.5 h prior to presentation, she displayed excited and disorganized behavior. On examination, she was not alert or oriented, with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13, did not answer any questions from doctors while smirking and looking around restlessly, and sometimes exhibited echolalia, imitating the speech of doctors. She was given intravenous infusion of fluid for 8 h, then discharged. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry of urine revealed 5‐methoxy‐diisopropyltryptamine, 5‐methoxy‐N‐methyltryptamine and an unidentified tryptamine. Identifying chemical products based solely on information of users is insufficient, and urinalysis is necessary in cases potentially involving designer drugs.
Is decliningCampanula glomeratathreatened by genetic factors?
Authors: BACHMANN URTE , HENSEN ISABELL
Published: March 2007

Changes in land use lead to increasing destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats. As a consequence, many plant species become rare. Remnant populations are often too small and too isolated to persist over time, and face a high risk of extinction because of genetic, demographic or environmental problems. As the decline of rare species is always a focal point in plant conservation, the aim of this study was to investigate the relative importance of genetics for the probability of survival ofCampanula glomeratapopulations, which are not yet rare but are increasingly on the decline because of land‐use changes. We studied 20 populations in three regions in Germany (Saxony‐Anhalt, Baden‐Wuerttemberg and North‐Rhine Westphalia) to assess: (i) whether there is significant genetic differentiation among and between populations; (ii) whether genetic similarity of populations is associated with the geographic distance separating them; and (iii) whether there are relationships between genetic variation and either population size and/or fitness parameters. The results show that the genetic structure ofC. glomeratapopulations is strongly differentiated on a large, but not on a local, scale. As we found neither a correlation between genetic variation and population size parameters, nor between genetic variation and fitness components such as flower number or seed viability/seed germination, we conclude that to date,C. glomeratapopulations have remained almost unaffected by isolation, inbreeding or genetic drift and are not as yet threatened by genetic factors. We assume that particular life history traits preserve the variability of the populations.
Lifetime sexual dimorphism in Juniperus communis var. communis
Authors: WARD LENA K.
Published: March 2007

The sexes of dioecious Juniperus communis were differentially affected over their lifetime in response to ecological and physiological stress in populations of different ages studied over 23 years in southern England. In a young population, the female survival rate was less than the male rate, with more females dying during a severe attack by rabbits and later with fungus disease in the roots. The sex ratio (female : male) in marked individuals was predicted by age, changing from 1:1.13 in 1983 to 1:1.32 in 2005. In an old senescing population, where two‐thirds of the individuals died, the sex ratio varied, but overall became more male biased (1:1.51–1:2.10). Males had a greater resistance to terminal disease, and were slightly older than females at death (110 years compared to 106). Young females grew less than males, presumably because of greater trade‐offs with reproductive effort: the mean annual shoot growth was 6.7 cm compared to 8.1 cm in males. By approximately 30 years of age, heights of the sexes were significantly different. The annual growth of old females (4.8 cm) was greater than that in males (4.3 cm), possibly because males survived longer in poor health. Sexual differences in height in the old population were progressively lost. Cone abundance in females was less than that in males and cone production had greater periodicity; the young population outperformed the old. There were slightly longer time lags in inverse correlations between growth and reproductive indices in females.
Comparison of the rebound tonometer with the Goldmann applanation tonometer in glaucoma patients
Authors: Sahin Afsun , Niyaz Leyla , Yildirim Nilgun
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Purpose:  To determine the agreement between the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) by the rebound tonometer (RBT) and by the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and to find out the effect of central corneal thickness (CCT) values on IOP measurements in glaucoma patients.

Methods:  IOP was measured with the RBT and GAT, respectively, in 61 eyes of 61 glaucoma patients. CCT was measured using an ultrasonic pachymeter after all IOP determinations had been made. The mean IOP measurement by the RBT was compared with the measurement by the GAT, by Student's t‐test. Bland–Altman analysis was performed to assess the clinical agreement between the two methods. The effect of CCT on measured IOP was explored by linear regression analysis.

Results:  The mean patient age was 56.7 ± 21.1 years (range: 30–80 years). There were 32 (52.46%) women and 29 (47.54%) men in the study group. The mean IOP readings were 18.70 ± 4.76 mmHg using the RBT, and 18.27 ± 3.49 mmHg using the GAT. The difference was not statistically significant (mean difference 0.43 ± 2.55, P = 0.2). A frequency distribution of the differences demonstrated that in more than 80% of cases the IOP readings differed by <2.3 mmHg between the RBT and GAT. There was a strong correlation between the RBT and GAT readings (r = 0.852, P < 0.0001). The IOP measurements with the two methods were correlated with CCT (r = 0.40, P = 0.02 for the RBT and r = 0.48, P < 0.0001 for the GAT). The IOP increased 1.1 mmHg and 8 mmHg for every 100‐μm increase in CCT for the GAT and RBT, respectively.

Conclusion:  The RBT slightly overestimated the IOP value by 0.43 mmHg on average when compared with the GAT. Nevertheless, the RBT readings appeared to be more affected by the various thicknesses of different corneas when compared with those obtained using the GAT.
Aberration and contrast sensitivity comparison of aspherical and monofocal and multifocal intraocular lens eyes
Authors: Zeng Mingbing , Liu Yizhi , Liu Xialin , Yuan Zhaohui , Luo Lixia , Xia Yuanlin , Zeng Yangfa
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Background:  Higher‐order aberrations and contrast sensitivity were evaluated in patients who underwent phacoemulsification cataract extraction followed by implantation of aspherical, monofocal or multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) replacements.

Methods:  In this comparative trial, 124 patients with an average age of 66.8 ± 5.2 years and their 124 eyes were randomly divided into three surgical implantation groups to receive one of three types of IOLs in replacement of cataract lenses. The patients of group 1 were given an aspherical IOL Z9001 (AMO, Santa Ana, CA, USA) replacement, and group 2 was implanted a monofocal IOL SA60AT (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX, USA) and group 3 the multifocal IOL SA40N (AMO). Post‐surgical best‐corrected visual acuity, corneal aberrations, total ocular aberrations, pupil diameters, capsulorhexsis sizes and contrast sensitivity were measured and compared.

Results:  There was no statistical difference for mean best‐corrected visual acuity, pupil diameter, curvilinear capsulorhexis size and corneal aberration among the three groups. For the spherical aberration, fourth‐order higher‐order aberration and total ocular higher‐order aberration, the SA40N group was higher than the SA60AT group and the SA60AT group was higher than the Z9001 group, and the differences between the three groups were statistically significant for these measurements. Contrast sensitivity was higher for the Z9001 group than the SA60AT group and the SA60AT group was higher than the SA40N group, and the difference was statistically significant in all the spatial frequencies of 3, 6, 12 and 18.

Conclusions:  Although the multifocal IOL can provide near vision, it can increase higher‐order aberration and negatively influence contrast sensitivity. However, the aspherical IOL can reduce aberration and improve contrast sensitivity as compared with the monofocal IOL.
The international humanitarian system and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamis
Authors: Telford John , Cosgrave John
Published: March 2007

The December 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamis were an exceptional event. So too was the scale of the response, particularly the level of international funding. Unprecedented donations meant that for once, an international emergency response was largely free of financial constraints. This removal of the funding constraint facilitated observation of the capacity and quality of international disaster aid. The Tsunami Evaluation Coalition conducted five independent thematic assessments in 2005—an impact study was planned, but never implemented. The five evaluations were supported by 44 sub‐studies. Based on this work, this paper compares international disaster response objectives, principles and standards with actual performance. It reaches conclusions on four salient aspects: funding; capacity and quality; recovery; and ownership. It ends by proposing a fundamental reorientation of international disaster response approaches that would root them in concepts of sustainable disaster risk reduction and recovery, based on local and national ownership of these processes.
Natural disasters and older US adults with disabilities: implications for evacuation
Authors: McGuire Lisa C. , Ford Earl S. , Okoro Catherine A.
Published: March 2007

We analysed 2003 and 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from New Orleans‐Metairie‐Kenner, LA to produce estimates of the number of community dwelling people aged 65 years or older with a disability and requiring special equipment.4 Approximately, 47,840 (31.6 per cent) older adults with a disability and 24,938 (16.6 per cent) older adults requiring the use of special equipment were community dwelling and might require assistance to evacuate or a shelter that could accommodate special equipment. Older adults who need special equipment were likely to be female, unmarried and white, and to rate their health as fair or poor. Personnel who plan and prepare for evacuations and temporary shelter during disasters need baseline information on the number of older adults with a disability or who require special equipment. A surveillance system, such as the BRFSS, gathers information that planners can use to prepare for and to deliver services.
Risk of flood‐related mortality in Nepal
Authors: Pradhan Elizabeth Kimbrough , West Keith P. , Katz Joanne , LeClerq Steven C. , Khatry Subarna K. , Shrestha Sharada Ram
Published: March 2007

In July 1993, severe flooding devastated Sarlahi district in Nepal. The next month, a follow‐up study of a large population cohort was undertaken. The study is unique in that a prospective research database was used to verify residency prior to the flood and to confirm vital status afterwards. It evaluated 41,501 children aged between two and nine years and adults aged 15—70 in 7,252 households. Flood‐related fatality rates were 13.3 per 1,000 for girls and 9.4 per 1,000 for boys, 6.1 per 1,000 for women and 4.1 per 1,000 for men. Flood‐related fatality rates for children were six times higher than mortality rates in the same villages a year before the flood (relative risk (RR) = 5.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.0—6.8). Flood‐related fatality was associated with low socio‐economic status preflood (RR=6.4, 95% CI 2.7—20.0), and having a house constructed of thatch (RR=5.1, 95% CI 1.7—24.5).
Are Morally Motivated Decision Makers Insensitive to the Consequences of Their Choices?
Authors: Bartels Daniel M. , Medin Douglas L.
Published: March 2007

Is morally motivated decision making different from other kinds of decision making? There is evidence that when people have sacred or protected values (PVs), they reject trade-offs for secular values (e.g., “You can't put a price on a human life”) and tend to employ deontological rather than consequentialist decision principles. People motivated by PVs appear to show quantity in-sensitivity. That is, in trade-off situations, they are less sensitive to the consequences of their choices than are people without PVs. The current study examined the relation between PVs and quantity insensitivity using two methods of preference assessment: In one design, previous results were replicated; in a second, PVs were related to increased quantity sensitivity. These and other findings call into question important presumed properties of PVs, suggesting that how PVs affect willingness to make tradeoffs depends on where attention is focused, a factor that varies substantially across contexts.
Inhibiting Your Native Language
Authors: Levy Benjamin J. , McVeigh Nathan D. , Marful Alejandra , Anderson Michael C.
Published: March 2007

After immersion in a foreign language, speakers often have difficulty retrieving native-language words—a phenomenon known as first-language attrition. We propose that first-language attrition arises in part from the suppression of native-language phonology during second-language use, and thus is a case of phonological retrieval-induced forgetting. In two experiments, we investigated this hypothesis by having native English speakers name visual objects in a language they were learning (Spanish). Repeatedly naming the objects in Spanish reduced the accessibility of the corresponding English words, as measured by an independent-probe test of inhibition. The results establish that the phonology of the words was inhibited, as access to the concepts underlying the presented objects was facilitated, not impaired. More asymmetry between English and Spanish fluency was associated with more inhibition for native-language words. This result supports the idea that inhibition plays a functional role in overcoming interference during the early stages of second-language acquisition.
Sleep-Associated Changes in the Mental Representation of Spoken Words
Authors: Dumay Nicolas , Gaskell M. Gareth
Published: March 2007

The integration of a newly learned spoken word form with existing knowledge in the mental lexicon is characterized by the word form's ability to compete with similar-sounding entries during auditory word recognition. Here we show that although the mere acquisition of a spoken form is swift, its engagement in lexical competition requires an incubation-like period that is crucially associated with sleep. Words learned at 8 p.m. do not induce (inhibitory) competition effects immediately, but do so after a 12-hr interval including a night's sleep, and continue to induce such effects after 24 hr. In contrast, words learned at 8 a.m. do not show such effects immediately or after 12 hr ofwakefulness, but show the effects only after 24 hr, after sleep has occurred. This time-course dissociation is best accommodated by connectionist and neural models of learning in which sleep provides an opportunity for hippocampal information to be fed into long-term neocortical memory.
Calibration Trumps Confidence as a Basis for Witness Credibility
Authors: Tenney Elizabeth R. , MacCoun Robert J. , Spellman Barbara A. , Hastie Reid
Published: March 2007

Confident witnesses are deemed more credible than unconfident ones, and accurate witnesses are deemed more credible than inaccurate ones. But are those effects independent? Two experiments show that errors in testimony damage the overall credibility of witnesses who were confident about the erroneous testimony more than that of witnesses who were not confident about it. Furthermore, after making an error, less confident witnesses may appear more credible than more confident ones. Our interpretation of these results is that people make inferences about source calibration when evaluating testimony and other social communication.
Discounting of Monetary and Directly Consumable Rewards
Authors: Estle Sara J. , Green Leonard , Myerson Joel , Holt Daniel D.
Published: March 2007

We compared temporal and probability discounting of a nonconsumable reward (money) and three directly consumable rewards (candy, soda, and beer). When rewards were delayed, monetary rewards were discounted less steeply than directly consumable rewards, all three of which were discounted at equivalent rates. When rewards were probabilistic, however, there was no difference between the discounting of monetary and directly consumable rewards. It has been reported that substance abusers discount delayed drug rewards more steeply than delayed money, but this difference may reflect special characteristics of drugs or drug abusers, or it may reflect a general property of consumable rewards. The present findings suggest that abused substances (like beer) share the properties of other directly consumable rewards, whereas delayed monetary rewards are special because they are fungible, generalized (conditioned) reinforcers.
Transfer of Metacognitive Skills and Hint Seeking in Monkeys
Authors: Kornell Nate , Son Lisa K. , Terrace Herbert S.
Published: March 2007

Metacognition is knowledge that can be expressed as confidence judgments about what one knows (monitoring) and by strategies for learning what one does not know (control). Although there is a substantial literature on cognitive processes in animals, little is known about their metacognitive abilities. Here we show that rhesus macaques, trained previously to make retrospective confidence judgments about their performance on perceptual tasks, transferred that ability immediately to a new perceptual task and to a working memory task. We also show that monkeys can learn to request “hints” when they are given problems that they would otherwise have to solve by trial and error. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that nonhuman primates share with humans the ability to monitor and transfer their metacognitive ability both within and between different cognitive tasks, and to seek new knowledge on a need-to-know basis.
Starting Over
Authors: Snedeker Jesse , Geren Joy , Shafto Carissa L.
Published: March 2007

Language development is characterized by predictable shifts in the words children produce and the complexity of their utterances. Because acquisition typically occurs simultaneously with maturation and cognitive development, it is difficult to determine the causes of these shifts. We explored how acquisition proceeds in the absence of possible cognitive or maturational roadblocks, by examining the acquisition of English in internationally adopted preschoolers. Like infants, and unlike other second-language learners, these children acquire language from child-directed speech, without access to bilingual informants. Parental reports and speech samples were collected from 27 preschoolers, 3 to 18 months after they were adopted from China. These children showed the same developmental patterns in language production as monolingual infants (matched for vocabulary size). Early on, their vocabularies were dominated by nouns, their utterances were short, and grammatical morphemes were generally omitted. Children at later stages had more diverse vocabularies and produced longer utterances with more grammatical morphemes.
Action-Video-Game Experience Alters the Spatial Resolution of Vision
Authors: Green C.S. , Bavelier D.
Published: March 2007

Playing action video games enhances several different aspects of visual processing; however, the mechanisms underlying this improvement remain unclear. Here we show that playing action video games can alter fundamental characteristics of the visual system, such as the spatial resolution of visual processing across the visual field. To determine the spatial resolution of visual processing, we measured the smallest distance a distractor could be from a target without compromising target identification. This approach exploits the fact that visual processing is hindered as distractors are brought close to the target, a phenomenon known as crowding. Compared with nonplayers, action-video-game players could tolerate smaller target-distractor distances. Thus, the spatial resolution of visual processing is enhanced in this population. Critically, similar effects were observed in non-video-game players who were trained on an action video game; this result verifies a causative relationship between video-game play and augmented spatial resolution.
On Legal Inferentialism. Toward a Pragmatics of Semantic Content in Legal Interpretation?
Authors: CANALE DAMIANO , TUZET GIOVANNI
Published: March 2007

Abstract.  In this paper we consider whether a pragmatics of semantic content can be a useful approach to legal interpretation. More broadly speaking, since a pragmatic conception of meaning is a component of inferential semantics, we consider whether an inferentialist approach to legal interpretation can be useful in dealing with some problems of this important aspect of law. In other words, we ask whether Legal Inferentialism is a suitable conception for legal interpretation. In Section 1 we briefly consider the semantics/pragmatics debate in contemporary philosophy of language and in relation to legal interpretation. In Section 2 we discuss the relations between a pragmatics of semantic content and an inferentialist conception of content. In Section 3 we consider how Inferentialism can be applied to legal interpretation. Finally, in Section 4 we consider some possible advantages and drawbacks of Inferentialism applied to legal interpretation and adjudication.
Epinomia: Plato and the First Legal Theory
Authors: HEINZE ERIC
Published: March 2007

Abstract.  In comparison to Aristotle, Plato's general understanding of law receives little attention in legal theory, due in part to ongoing perceptions of him as a mystic or a totalitarian. However, some of the critical or communitarian themes that have guided theorists since Aristotle find strong expression in Plato's work. More than any thinker until the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Plato rejects the rank individualism and self‐interest which, in his view, emerge from democratic legal culture. He rejects schisms between legal norms and community values, institutional separation of law from morals, intricate regimes of legislation and adjudication, and a culture of rampant litigation. He rejects the alienation of individuals, from each other and from their communities, that is so easily bred within highly complex political and legal systems. An understanding of his approach to some of the classic questions of legal theory provides insight not only into some central ideas of his own thought, but also into the roots of critical and communitarian critiques of law.
Making evaluations realistic: the challenge of complexity
Authors: TIMMINS PAUL , MILLER CAROL
Published: March 2007

Evaluations of practice have often adopted experimental or quasi‐experimental approaches and have focused heavily on outcomes of innovative programmes. This creates problems in replicating studies and effectively creates obstacles to the sharing of good practice. In this paper, ideas from Pawson and Tilley's (1997) approach to Realistic Evaluation are used. The approach explores contexts, mechanisms and outcomes of programmes, so that the particular characteristics of a setting are accounted for in drawing conclusions about programme effectiveness. As examples, two earlier studies reported in Support for Learning are reexamined from the perspectives of Realistic Evaluation. It is suggested that Realistic Evaluation might be an appropriate framework to assess innovation in education and may also provide opportunities for researchers and practitioners to work together.
Developing levels of consultation in an inner London Borough
Authors: DOWD ROSE , THORNE HILARY
Published: March 2007

Many educational psychology services across the country have changed or are in the process of changing to a consultation approach to service delivery. This paper outlines the experiences of an inner city service in the development of consultation particularly in the area of group consultation. Group consultation involves a pair of educational psychologists working with staff from three schools. The delivery of the service is described and the findings of two evaluations discussed. There is also a discussion as to future developments. The article does not claim to announce innovatory practice, but rather to illustrate a case study of Local Authority development.
Is the use of labels in special education helpful?
Authors: LAUCHLAN FRASER , BOYLE CHRISTOPHER
Published: March 2007

In this article we will address the question: is the use of labels in special education helpful? Within this question there are a number of other questions and issues to consider: what is the relationship between labelling and special educational needs? or the relationship between labelling and the allocation of resources?, as well as the more general issue of the positive and negative outcomes of the use of labels. However, one may legitimately ask: what about the key players in the practice of labelling? In other words, while reflecting upon the use of labels by those working in special education, one must also consider if the same use of labels is helpful to parents, teachers, administrators, and most importantly, the children or young people to whom these labels are attached. The article will discuss each of these issues within the context of helpful (or unhelpful) reasons for the use of labels in special education.
Energy‐GDP relationship for oil‐exporting countries: Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mehrara Mohsen
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this paper is to examine the causality issue between energy consumption and economic growth for three typical oil‐exporting countries: Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. We use two different test methods to test for causality, namely, the error correction model and Toda‐Yamamoto (1995) procedure. The results based on both approaches consistently show a unidirectional long‐run causality from economic growth to energy consumption for Iran and Kuwait and unidirectional strong causality from energy consumption to economic growth for Saudi Arabia. So, the results support the neutrality hypothesis of energy consumption with respect to economic growth for Iran and Kuwait andvice versafor Saudi Arabia. The findings have practical policy implications for decision makers in the area of macroeconomic planning, as energy conservation is a feasible policy with no damaging repercussions on economic growth for Iran and Kuwait. However, increased GDP requires enormous energy consumption in Saudi Arabia. So, it seems misleading to recommend the same policy for different oil‐exporting countries.