bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of the presence of keywords and description meta‐tags on a selected number of Iranian Web sites
Authors: Alimohammadi Dariush
Published: July 2004

Digital information retrieval has been as a problem, and at the same time a research interest for information scientists in recent years. They have planned some solutions to solve problems manifested during the 1990s. Designing meta‐tags and applying them to HTML documents was a remedy in this direction. Meta‐tags can help authors, publishers and indexers of Web pages to analyze intended content more precisely and efficiently. The aim of the present survey is to measure meta‐tags of the Iranian Web sites in accordance with an international criterion. To carry out the research, 346 Iranian Web sites were selected among 3,342, which represented a sample of all Web sites existed in Iranhoo, an Iranian Web directory. The source codes of the sample home pages were reviewed in terms of the presence of keywords and description meta‐tags. The findings of the survey showed that 31.5 percent and 24.6 percent of the Iranian Web sites have keywords and description meta‐tags respectively. The paper concludes that the Iranian Web sites are lower than non‐Iranian Web sites in terms of the use of meta‐tags.
Cybercriminal impacts on online business and consumer confidence
Authors: Smith Alan D.
Published: July 2004

The information revolution, coupled with the strategic leveraging of the Internet, has exposed a number of relatively open societies to the dangers of cybercriminal and cyberterrorist acts, especially in commercial business transactions. With the development of e‐commerce, this commercial dark side has become known as cybercrime and has taken on many forms that affect the perceptions of the way we shop online. Corporations should realize that these threats to their online businesses have strategic implications to their business future and take proper measures to ensure that these threats are eliminated or significantly reduced so that consumer confidence in the Internet as an alternative means of shopping is maintained. These counter measures, coined as cybersecurity, have been developed to ensure the safety of consumer privacy and information and allow for a carefree shopping experience. There is need for the development of models that will allow corporations to study the effects of cybercrime on online consumer confidence and to counter through leveraging the benefits associated with the latest developments in cybersecurity. With these two facets of e‐commerce impacting the online consumer, corporations must ensure that the security measures taken will ultimately prevail to assure that consumers will continue to use the Internet to satisfy their shopping needs.
Citation‐enhanced indexing/abstracting databases
Authors: Jacsó Péter
Published: July 2004

Provides an introductory look at what savvy users should know about the implications of having information about cited references in I/A records. Looks at the more sophisticated, link‐enabled cited references and the novel citation scores in full‐text collections, then discusses the alternatives for searching efficiently by elements of cited references: cited author, cited title, cited source and cited year in I/A databases and full‐text archives.
Limited‐Entry Licensing: Insights from a Duration Model
Authors: Smith Martin D.
Published: July 2004

Limited entry is used to manage many fisheries. Effectiveness depends on a program's ability to control aggregate fishing power, which fleet size and composition both affect. This article analyzes fleet composition and attrition in a limited‐entry fishery, the California red sea urchin fishery. It explores the dynamics of heterogeneity in catch and revenue and applies duration analysis to study individual fisherman attrition using both individual‐level and time‐varying covariates. The results show that the fleet is becoming more homogenous but also more potent and spatially mobile. Regulations such as size limits and season restrictions tend to increase attrition.
Multi‐Output, Nonfrontier Primal Measures of Capacity and Capacity Utilization
Authors: Felthoven Ronald G. , Morrison Paul Catherine J.
Published: July 2004

This article implements an econometric approach for generating primal capacity output and utilization measures for fisheries. In situations where regulatory, environmental, and resource conditions affect catch levels but are not independently identified in the data, frontier‐based capacity models may interpret such impacts as production inefficiency. However, if such inefficiencies are unlikely to be eliminated, the implied potential output increases may be unrealistic. We develop a multi‐output, multi‐input stochastic transformation function framework that permits various assumptions about how output composition may change when operating at full capacity. We apply our model to catcher‐processor vessels in the Alaskan pollock fishery.
Influence of Informed Buyers in Markets Susceptible to the Lemons Problem
Authors: Mahenc Philippe
Published: July 2004

It is shown that the presence of informed buyers is necessary but not always sufficient for producers to use prices as signals of product quality. A sufficiently high fraction of informed buyers eliminates the lemons problem. A small fraction of informed buyers mitigates the lemons problem, provided that buyers' prior belief of high quality is sufficiently pessimistic: price reveals high quality at a signaling cost which increases with market power. However, if buyers' prior belief of high quality is optimistic when the market is poorly informed, then the lemons problem is not overcome.
A Spatial Econometric Approach to the Economics of Site‐Specific Nitrogen Management in Corn Production
Authors: Anselin Luc , Bongiovanni Rodolfo , Lowenberg‐DeBoer Jess
Published: July 2004

The objective of this study is to determine the potential for using spatial econometric analysis of combine yield monitor data to estimate the site‐specific crop response functions. The specific case study is for site‐specific nitrogen (N) application to corn production in Argentina. Spatial structure of the yield data is modeled with landscape variables, spatially autoregressive error and groupwise heteroskedasticity. Results suggest that N response differs by landscape position, and that site‐specific application may be modestly profitable. Profitability depends on the model specification used, with all spatial models consistently indicating profitability, whereas the nonspatial models do not.
The Manure Hits the Land: Economic and Environmental Implications When Land Application of Nutrients Is Constrained
Authors: Kaplan Jonathan D. , Johansson Robert C. , Peters Mark
Published: July 2004

The discharge of manure nutrients into area waters from confined animal feeding operations is considered a leading contributor to U.S. water quality impairments. An option to mitigate these impairments is to constrain land application of manure. When these constraints are particularly binding, due to minimal acceptance of manure as a substitute for commercial fertilizer, potentially large and unanticipated changes in returns to agricultural production and water quality may occur. Moreover, some of the cost of meeting the constraints is passed on to consumers through higher prices and to a portion of rural economies through lower production rates and labor expenditures.
The Activity of Antiepileptic Drugs as Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
Authors: Eyal Sara , Yagen Boris , Sobol Eyal , Altschuler Yoram , Shmuel Miriam , Bialer Meir
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Valproic acid (VPA), one of the widely used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), was recently found to inhibit histone deacetylases (HDACs). HDAC inhibitors of a wide range of structures, such as hydroxamic acids, carboxylic acids, and cyclic tetrapeptides, have various effects on transformed and nontransformed cells, including neuromodulation and neuroprotection. The aim of this study was to assess comparatively the activity of traditional and newer AEDs as HDAC inhibitors.

Methods: After incubation of HeLa cells with the tested AEDs, histone hyperacetylation was assessed by immunoblotting with an antibody specific to acetylated histone H4. Direct HDAC inhibition by AEDs was estimated by using HeLa nuclear extract as an HDACs source and an acetylated lysine substrate.

Results: We found that in addition to VPA, topiramate (TPM) inhibited HDACs with apparent Ki values of 2.22 ± 0.67 mM. Although levetiracetam (LEV) had no direct effect on HDACs, its major carboxylic acid metabolite in humans, 2‐pyrrolidinone‐n‐butyric acid (PBA), inhibited HDACs with Ki values of 2.25 ± 0.78 mM. The AEDs LEV, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, ethosuximide, gabapentin, and vigabatrin did not inhibit HDACs. The compounds that directly inhibited HDACs also induced the accumulation of acetylated histone H4 in HeLa cells. The effects of TPM and PBA on histone acetylation were significant at 0.25 mM and 1 mM, respectively.

Conclusions: We found that in addition to VPA, the newer AED TPM and the major metabolite of LEV, PBA, are able to induce histone hyperacetylation in human cells, although with lower potencies than VPA.
Propofol Treatment of Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Study of 31 Episodes
Authors: Rossetti Andrea O. , Reichhart Marc D. , Schaller Marie‐Denise , Despland Paul‐André , Bogousslavsky Julien
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is a critical medical condition with high mortality. Although propofol (PRO) is considered an alternative treatment to barbiturates for the management of RSE, only limited data are available. The aim of this study was to assess PRO effectiveness in patients with RSE.

Methods: We retrospectively considered all consecutive patients with RSE admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) between 1997 and 2002 treated with PRO for induction of EEG‐monitored burst suppression. Subjects with anoxic encephalopathy showing pathological N20 on somatosensory evoked potentials were excluded.

Results: We studied 31 RSE episodes in 27 adults (16 men, 11 women; median age, 41.5 years). All patients received PRO, and six also subsequently thiopental (THP). Clonazepam (CZP) was administered with PRO, and other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) concomitant with PRO and THP. RSE was successfully treated with PRO in 21 (67%) episodes and with THP after PRO in three (10%). Median PRO injection rate was 4.8 mg/kg/h (range, 2.1–13), median duration of PRO treatment was 3 days (range, 1–9), and median duration of ICU stay was 7 days (range, 2–42). In 24 episodes in which the patient survived, shivering after general anesthesia was seen in 10 episodes, transient dystonia and hyperlipemia in one each, and mild neuropsychological impairment in five. The seven deaths were not directly related to PRO use.

Conclusions: PRO administered with CZP was effective in controlling most of RSE episodes, without major adverse effects. In this setting, PRO may therefore represent a valuable alternative to barbiturates. A randomized trial with these drug classes could definitively assess their respective role in RSE treatment.
Intracellular Calcium Increase in Epileptiform Activity: Modulation by Levetiracetam and Lamotrigine
Authors: Pisani Antonio , Bonsi Paola , Martella Giuseppina , De Persis Cristiano , Costa Cinzia , Pisani Francesco , Bernardi Giorgio , Calabresi Paolo
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Alterations in neuronal calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis are believed to play an essential role in the generation and propagation of epileptiform events. Levetiracetam (LEV) and lamotrigine (LTG), novel antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), were tested on epileptiform events and the corresponding elevations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) recorded from rat neocortical slices.

Methods: Electrophysiological recordings were performed from single pyramidal neurons from a slice preparation. Spontaneous epileptiform events consisting of long‐lasting, repetitive paroxysmal depolarization shifts (PDSs) and interictal spike activity were induced by reducing the magnesium concentration from the solution and by adding bicuculline and 4‐aminopyridine. Simultaneously, microfluorimetric measurements of [Ca2+]i were performed. Optical imaging with Ca2+ indicators revealed a close correlation between Ca2+ transients and epileptiform events.

Results: Both LEV and LTG were able to reduce both amplitude and duration of PDSs, as well as the concomitant elevation in [Ca2+]i, in a dose‐dependent fashion. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings from isolated neocortical neurons revealed that LEV significantly reduced N‐, and partially P/Q‐type high‐voltage‐activated (HVA) Ca2+ currents, whereas sodium currents were unaffected. Interestingly, the inhibitory effects of LEV were mimicked and occluded by LTG or by a combination of ω‐conotoxin GVIA and ω‐agatoxin IVA, selective blockers of N‐ and P/Q‐type HVA channels, respectively, suggesting a common site of action for these AEDs.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that large, transient elevations in neuronal [Ca2+]i correlate to epileptiform discharges. The antagonistic effects of LEV and LTG on [Ca2+]i overload might represent the basis for their anticonvulsant efficacy and could preserve neuronal viability.
Serum Androgen Levels and Testicular Structure during Pubertal Maturation in Male Subjects with Epilepsy
Authors: Mikkonen Kirsi , Tapanainen Päivi , Pakarinen Arto J. , Päivänsalo Markku , Isojärvi Jouko I. T. , Vainionpää Leena K.
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To evaluate reproductive endocrine function in boys and young men with epilepsy taking an antiepileptic drug in a population‐based, controlled study.

Methods: Seventy patients and 70 controls matched for age and pubertal stage participated in this study. Twenty‐eight patients were taking carbamazepine (CBZ); five, lamotrigine (LTG); 12, oxcarbazepine (OXC); and 25, valproate (VPA) as monotherapy for epilepsy. All subjects were examined clinically, and their medical histories were obtained. Serum reproductive hormone and sex hormone–binding globulin concentrations were measured, and testicular ultrasonography was performed.

Results: Serum testosterone levels were within the normal range in young male patients with epilepsy. However, the patients taking VPA had high serum androstenedione levels at all pubertal stages. In prepuberty, their serum androstenedione values were already approximately fivefold compared with the values of the controls (8.7 nM; SD, 4.0 vs. 1.8 nM, SD, 1.0; p < 0.0003), and they were elevated in 64% of the VPA‐treated patients compared with none of the other patients, p = 0.0006. Serum sex hormone–binding globulin levels were increased, and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations decreased in the pubertal patients taking CBZ. The mean testicular volumes did not differ between the patients and the controls.

Conclusions: CBZ and VPA, but not LTG and OXC, are associated with changes in serum sex‐hormone levels in boys and young men with epilepsy. However, the long‐term health consequences of these reproductive endocrine changes during pubertal development remain to be established.
Unilateral Hippocampal Sclerosis with Contralateral Temporal Scalp Ictal Onset
Authors: Mintzer Scott , Cendes Fernando , Soss Jason , Andermann Frederick , Engel Jerome , Dubeau Francois , Olivier Andre , Fried Itzhak
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To investigate the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes in patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis whose scalp ictal EEG recordings localize to the opposite temporal lobe.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of all adult patients who had undergone depth electrode implantation for suspected temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) at UCLA (1993–2000) or the Montreal Neurological Institute (1991–1998) to identify patients who had (a) unilateral hippocampal atrophy, and (b) surface ictal recordings in which the majority of seizures appeared to initiate in the opposite temporal lobe, with few or none that were concordant with the hippocampal atrophy.

Results: Of 109 patients with suspected TLE who underwent depth electrode study at the two centers, five patients met the aforementioned criteria. Four of these five had very severe hippocampal atrophy, whereas the fifth had mild atrophy but extensive signal change on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Depth electrode recordings in four of the five patients yielded clear ictal onset in the mesial temporal lobe ipsilateral to the imaging abnormality (contralateral to apparent scalp ictal onset). One patient had an unusual bitemporal onset pattern, which was nonetheless suggestive of onset in the sclerotic hippocampus. No patient had intracranial ictal onset contralateral to the imaging abnormality. All patients underwent resection of the structurally abnormal temporal lobe. After follow‐up of ≥2 years, four (80%) of five patients were seizure free, while the fifth showed lesser improvement (class III).

Conclusions: Some patients with severe hippocampal sclerosis (sometimes called a “burned‐out hippocampus”) have atypical spread of ictal discharges, resulting in apparent gross discordance between imaging and scalp ictal recordings. These patients nonetheless have excellent surgical outcomes on the whole. Whether such patients may forego intracranial recordings requires further study.
Visual Function in Infants with West Syndrome: Correlation with EEG Patterns
Authors: Randò Teresa , Bancale Adina , Baranello Giovanni , Bini Margherita , De Belvis Anton Giulio , Epifanio Roberta , Frisone Maria Flavia , Guzzetta Andrea , La Torre Giuseppe , Ricci Daniela , Signorini Sabrina , Tinelli Francesca , Biagioni Enrico , Veggiotti Pierangelo , Mercuri Eugenio , Fazzi Elisa , Cioni Giovanni , Guzzetta Francesco
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Several studies have reported behavioral and electrophysiological evidence of visual impairment during the active stage of West syndrome. The underlying mechanisms are, however, poorly understood, and little has been reported about the correlation between visual impairment, EEG patterns, and brain lesions. The aim of the study was to assess visual function at the onset of spasm and 2 months thereafter and relate visual findings to brain lesions and EEG features.

Methods: Twenty‐five infants with West syndrome were enrolled and studied with (a) a full clinical assessment including a battery of tests specifically designed to assess visual function, (b) a video‐polygraphic study, and (c) brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Besides brain neuroimaging and EEG comparison with visual function, an intra‐EEG analysis was performed to investigate the possible relation of EEG patterns to fluctuating visual behavior (fixation and following).

Results: Twenty‐two children had at least one abnormal result on one or more of the tests assessing visual function at T0. Visual impairment at the spasm onset was related to the sleep disorganization rather than to the hypsarrhythmic pattern in awake EEG. After 2 months, both EEG features become significantly linked to visual function. Visual function improved in several cases after 2 months, in parallel with the seizure regression. No relation was found between EEG patterns and fluctuating visual behavior.

Conclusions: The study supplies new evidence of the involvement of visual function in West syndrome. The presence of abnormal visual findings in infants without lesions on brain MRI suggests that visual abnormalities are due not only to brain injury but also to epileptic disorder per se. New insight is also provided into the possible mechanisms underlying clinical and EEG abnormalities.
Neuropsychological Outcome after Selective Amygdalohippocampectomy with Transsylvian versus Transcortical Approach: A Randomized Prospective Clinical Trial of Surgery for Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Lutz Martin T. , Clusmann Hans , Elger Christian E. , Schramm Johannes , Helmstaedter Christoph
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) is a surgical treatment option for patients with medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. In contrast to standard anterior temporal lobectomy, resection of unaffected tissue is limited, although it achieves equal seizure outcomes in selected patients. In SAH, the mesial structures can be approached by different routes, the transsylvian approach and the transcortical approach. Advantages or disadvantages with respect to postoperative cognitive outcome are still a matter of debate.

Methods: Eighty randomized patients were included in the analyses. In 41 patients, the transsylvian approach, and in 39 patients, the transcortical approach was performed. All patients received comprehensive neuropsychological testing of verbal and nonverbal memory, attention, and executive functions before and 6 months or 1 year after SAH.

Results: Seventy‐five percent of patients became completely seizure free with no difference depending on the chosen approach. Repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed that cognitive outcomes after both approaches were essentially the same. The only exception was phonemic fluency, which was significantly improved after transcortical but not after transsylvian SAH.

Conclusions: The results indicate that either surgical approach can be chosen independent of cognitive outcome criteria. Improvement in phonemic fluency after transcortical SAH may reflect selective normalization of cognitive function after epilepsy surgery, whereas frontal lobe manipulation might have hindered recovery of this function after transsylvian SAH.
Psychometric Properties of the Dutch Version of the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory
Authors: Swinkels Wilhelmina A. M. , Kuyk Jarl , Van Dyck Richard , Spinhoven Philip
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: The psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (WPSI) were investigated.

Methods: The dimensional structure, reliability, and validity of the WPSI scales were assessed in 218 patients with epilepsy. The association with relevant patient and epilepsy characteristics also was studied.

Results: An exploratory seven‐factor principal components analysis was compared with a confirmatory factor analysis, and a loss of 3.36% of total variance was found. To increase the homogeneity of the scales, 30 items with low factor loadings or highest factor loading on the wrong clinical scale were excluded. This resulted in a higher amount of explained variance and improvement of the factor loadings of the remaining items. The reliability and validity of the WPSI scales was satisfactory to good. No clinically relevant associations were found between the WPSI scales and patient and epilepsy characteristics.

Conclusions: The factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Dutch translation of the WPSI are good and comparable to the original English version of Dodrill. The results demonstrate that shortening the WPSI makes the inventory more reliable and the clinical scales less dependent on each other.
CA1 Hippocampal Neuronal Loss in Familial Alzheimer's Disease Presenilin‐1 E280A Mutation Is Related to Epilepsy
Authors: Velez‐Pardo Carlos , Arellano Jon I. , Cardona‐Gomez Patricia , Del Rio Marlene Jimenez , Lopera Francisco , De Felipe Javier
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Alzheimer disease (AD) and epilepsy are brain disorders frequently associated with neuronal cell loss in mesial temporal lobe structures, but presenting different patterns of damage. Recently it was proposed that a causal relation may exist between AD pathology and the appearance of epilepsy in some cases with AD. This study aimed to determine the neuronal loss in CA1 hippocampal region from patients bearing the presenilin‐1 [E280A] mutation (PS1[E280A]) associated with seizures.

Methods: Coronal sections from the hippocampal formation (anterior one third) from controls (n = 5) and familial AD (FAD; n = 8) patients were stained by using thionin and thioflavine‐S staining to evaluate the number of neurons in the CA1 field, β‐plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles, respectively.

Results: Two distinct patterns of neuronal loss in the CA1 field of FAD patients were found: (a) diffuse–patchy neuronal loss (three FAD nonepilepsy patients) characterized by both a general decrease of neurons and the presence of multiple, small regions devoid of neurons; and (b) sclerotic‐like neuronal loss (five FAD epilepsy patients) similar to that found typically in the CA1 field of epilepsy patients with hippocampal sclerosis.

Conclusions: This investigation shows for the first time CA1 neuronal depopulation in a subpopulation of patients (five of eight) bearing the PS1[E280A] mutation with epileptic seizures, indicating a relation between hippocampal neuronal loss and epileptic seizures in FAD patients.
Health‐related Quality of Life of People with Epilepsy Compared with a General Reference Population: A Tunisian Study
Authors: Mrabet Hela , Mrabet Amel , Zouari Bechir , Ghachem Rim
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: The goal of the study was to assess the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) of persons with epilepsy (PWE) by using the short form survey 36 (SF‐36), to compare it with that of a control group and to detect factors influencing it.

Methods: We collected clinical and demographic data and information on health status by using the Arabic translation of the SF‐36 questionnaire from two groups: (a) 120 PWE consulting our outpatient clinic during a period of 4 months, and (b) 110 Tunisian citizens, representative of the Tunisian general population, as a control group.

Results: The mean age of PWE group was 32.74 years, and 45.5% were men. Idiopathic generalized epilepsies were observed in 44.5% of cases, and symptomatic partial epilepsies, in 30%. The most commonly prescribed drug was sodium valproate (VPA). For the SF‐36, PWE had lower scores than the control group for only three subscales: general health perception, mental health, and social functioning. Seizure frequency, time since last seizure, and the antiepileptic drug (AED) side effects were the most important variables influencing the HRQOL among PWE. Seizure‐free adults have HRQOL levels comparable to those of the control group. Sociodemographic variables had no influence on the SF‐36 subscales.

Conclusions: HRQOL is impaired in Tunisian PWE. The influencing factors identified in this study differ from the previously published data. Several possible reasons such as family support and cultural and religious beliefs are proposed to explain these cross‐cultural differences. A larger study should be conducted to verify such findings.
Selective Posterior Cerebral Artery Amobarbital Test: Its Role in Presurgical Memory Assessment in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Stabell Kirsten E. , Bakke Søren J. , Andresen Sverre , Bjørnæs Helge , Borchgrevink Hans M. , Due‐Tønnessen Paulina , Heminghyt Einar , Nome Terje , Pedersen Hans‐Kristian , Ramm‐Pettersen Jon , Røste Geir K. , Tennøe. Bjørn
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and risk of complications of selective posterior cerebral artery (PCA) amobarbital anesthesia in memory assessment of patients with epilepsy under consideration for temporal lobe resection.

Methods: Thirty‐two candidates for temporal lobectomy in whom conclusive memory assessment could not be obtained by the standard intracarotid amobarbital procedure were submitted to a selective PCA amobarbital test. A mean dose of 75 mg amobarbital was injected via microcatheter into the P2 segment of the PCA. Ten common objects were presented for naming and remembering while the anesthesia was judged efficient. After return to neurologic baseline, recall and recognition memory were assessed.

Results: In all of the 32 patients, angiography and PCA anesthesia were successfully accomplished without serious adverse events. All but one of the patients remained alert and cooperative for memory testing under the anesthesia, and 28 of these patients showed adequate memory capacity of the hemisphere contralateral to the side targeted for surgery. So far, 19 patients have proceeded to surgery, and no case of global amnesia or serious, material‐specific memory impairment has resulted. Three patients failed the PCA test (fewer than 67% items correctly recognized) and were excluded from surgery, partly on the basis of the PCA test results, but also supported by an overall evaluation of all the diagnostic procedures used.

Conclusions: The selective PCA amobarbital test appears justifiable when performed by interventional neuroradiologists and may significantly reduce the risk of erroneously excluding patients with epilepsy from temporal resection. Further corroboration of the safety of the procedure seems warranted.
Electric Stimulation on Human Cortex Suppresses Fast Cortical Activity and Epileptic Spikes
Authors: Kinoshita Masako , Ikeda Akio , Matsumoto Riki , Begum Tahamina , Usui Keiko , Yamamoto Junichi , Matsuhashi Masao , Takayama Motohiro , Mikuni Nobuhiro , Takahashi Jun , Miyamoto Susumu , Shibasaki Hiroshi
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To investigate underlying mechanisms and adequate parameters for electric cortical stimulation to inhibit epileptic focus in humans.

Methods: A patient with intractable partial epilepsy had subdural electrodes implanted for preoperative evaluation. Cortical functional mapping was performed by using 50‐Hz alternating square pulse of 0.3‐ms duration, 1 to 7 mA, within 5 s. Spike frequency and electrocorticogram (ECoG) power spectra were compared before and after the stimulation when epileptic focus and distant area were stimulated. A similar comparison also was performed in low‐frequency stimulation of 0.9 Hz applied for 15 min.

Results: Interictal spikes were reduced after electric cortical stimulation of the epileptic area at a frequency of 50 Hz as well as 0.9 Hz, with concomitant decrease in the electrographic fast activities at 50‐Hz stimulation.

Conclusions: These data suggest that electric cortical stimulation at both high and low frequency has a suppressive effect on epileptic activities in human cortex, possibly through distinct mechanisms.
NMDA Preconditioning Protects against Seizures and Hippocampal Neurotoxicity Induced by Quinolinic Acid in Mice
Authors: Boeck Carina R. , Ganzella Marcelo , Lottermann Amilcar , Vendite Deusa
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: N‐methyl d‐aspartate (NMDA) preconditioning has been used to prevent cellular death induced by glutamate or NMDA in cultured neurons. Quinolinic acid (QA)‐induced seizures are used to average NMDA receptors–evoked neurotoxicity in animal models. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of NMDA preconditioning against QA‐induced seizures and hippocampal damage in vivo.

Methods: Mice were pretreated with nonconvulsant doses of NMDA for different times before i.c.v. QA infusion and observed for the occurrence of seizures. Hippocampal slices from mice were assayed to measure cellular viability.

Results: NMDA preconditioning presented 53% protection against QA‐induced seizures, as well as QA‐induced cellular death in the hippocampus. The NMDA receptor antagonist, MK‐801, prevented the protection evoked by NMDA preconditioning. The adenosine A1 receptor antagonist, CPT, prevented the protection evoked by NMDA preconditioning against QA‐induced seizures, but not against QA‐induced hippocampal cellular damage. The adenosine A1 receptor agonist, CPA, did not mimic the NMDA preconditioning–evoked protective effects.

Conclusions: These results suggest that in vivo preconditioning with subtoxic doses of NMDA protected mice against seizures and cellular hippocampal death elicited by QA, probably through mechanisms involving NMDA receptors operating with adenosine A1 receptors.
Spasmodic Dysphonia Induced by Valproic Acid
Authors: Oh Jeeyoung , Park Kee Duk , Cho Hyun Ji , Choi Kyoung Gyu , Jung Sung Min
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug (AED) with a broad spectrum of actions. The mechanisms that underlie VPA effects are not clearly elucidated, but may include enhancement of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐mediated inhibition by increasing cerebral GABA levels. Transient extrapyramidal symptoms like parkinsonism have been reported with VPA treatment (1). The precise mechanism of these complications is not clear, although perturbations in basal ganglia neurotransmitters have been suggested. We experienced one case of spasmodic dysphonia in the course of treatment with VPA, which has not been described previously.
Understanding and managing climate change: the UK experience
Authors: Hulme Mike , Turnpenny John
Published: July 2004

Climate change has emerged over the last 25 years not just as a physical reality, affecting global and regional climates, but also as a socio‐cultural phenomenon – an icon of a globalizing world which is increasingly altering the physical fabric of our planet and at the same time demanding new forms of global governance. The UK, both through its scientific research activity and through its development of climate change policy initiatives, has been at the forefront of this emergence. This review traces some of this history from a UK perspective, with an emphasis on the last 10 years. The relationship between climate change science and policy has become increasingly reflexive, leading to new forms of research and institutional structures. The academic discipline of geography has been rather marginalized from this process.
Wealth from waste: local and regional economic development and the environment
Authors: Roberts Peter
Published: July 2004

Sustainable economic development strategies promote mutually‐beneficial environmental, social and economic progress. Such strategies now form an essential basis for local and regional development. Various models of sustainable economic and environmental industry development have been introduced in recent years, some of which have proved to be of particular value. The theory and practice of sustainable economic development has made rapid progress, and this approach to local and regional development is now generally accepted as offering the opportunity to solve a range of environmental and economic problems and to promote new economic activities that can generate jobs in socially excluded communities.
Ecofeminism in the twenty‐first century
Authors: Buckingham Susan
Published: July 2004

This paper considers the influence of ecofeminism on policy concerning gender (in)equality and the environment during the past 20 years. It reviews the broad contours of the ecofeminist debate before focusing on the social construction interpretation of women's relationship with the environment. It will argue that there have been substantial policy shifts in Europe and the UK in both the environmental and equalities fields, and that this is in part a result of lobbying at a range of scales by groups informed by ecofeminist debates. Nevertheless, the paper cautions that these shifts are largely incremental and operate within existing structures, which inevitably limit their capacity to create change. As policy addresses some of the concerns highlighted by ecofeminism, academic discourse and grass roots activity have been moving on to address other issues, and the paper concludes with a brief consideration of contemporary trajectories of ecofeminism and campaigning on issues that link women's, feminist and environment concerns.
‘Just sustainability’: the emerging discourse of environmental justice in Britain?
Authors: Agyeman Julian , Evans Bob
Published: July 2004

Environmental justice is both a vocabulary for political opportunity, mobilization and action, and a policy principle to guide public decision making. It emerged initially in the US, and more recently in the UK, as a new vocabulary underpinning action by community organizations campaigning against environmental injustices. However, as the environmental justice discourse has matured, it has become increasingly evident that it should play a role in the wider agendas for sustainable development and social inclusion. The links between sustainability and environmental justice are becoming clearer and more widely understood in the UK by NGOs and government alike, and it is the potential synergy between these two discourses which is the focus of this paper. This paper argues that the concept of ‘just sustainability’ provides a discourse for policymakers and activists, which brings together the key dimensions of both environmental justice and sustainable development.
The genetic stock structure of larval and juvenile winter flounder larvae in Connecticut waters of eastern Long Island Sound and estimations of larval entrainment
Authors: Crivello J. F. , Danila D. J. , Lorda E. , Keser M. , Roseman E. F.
Published: July 2004

Variability at six microsatellite loci was examined among 536 winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus larvae collected from three locations in eastern Long Island Sound shown to be nursery areas for the species. Substantial genetic differences were seen among the putative source populations and thus appeared to be geographically based. These differences were used to characterize the most likely sources of winter flounder larvae entrained at the Millstone Power Station as well as recruitment to juvenile winter flounder collected in the Niantic River. Samples were classified to the most likely geographical source population both by a conditional maximum likelihood method and by a multi‐layer feed‐forward neural net trained on the differences in microsatellite allele frequencies. The classification of samples by both methods is compared and discussed in the context of winter flounder management.
Dispersal patterns and status change in a co‐operatively breeding cichlidNeolamprologus pulcher: evidence from microsatellite analyses and behavioural observations
Authors: Stiver K. A. , Dierkes P. , Taborsky M. , Balshine S.
Published: July 2004

Genetic techniques and long‐term behavioural observations were combined to investigate dispersal patterns and changes in social position inNeolamprologus pulcher, a co‐operatively breeding cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. Comparisons of genetic variance (FST) across sub‐populations demonstrated that fish were genetically more similar to individuals from proximate sub‐populations compared to individuals from distant sub‐populations. Microsatellite analyses revealed year‐long philopatry for some individuals and that other individuals dispersed to new territories and sub‐populations. Individuals appeared to disperse farther (across many territories in a sub‐population or to new sub‐populations) to achieve breeding status. Non‐breeding group members (or helpers) were observed to inherit breeding positions and male breeders were replaced faster than female breeders. These results demonstrate that important and difficult to obtain life‐history information can be obtained from genetic sampling.
Life history and ecology of seahorses: implications for conservation and management
Authors: Foster S. J. , Vincent A. C. J.
Published: July 2004

We present the first synthesis of the life history and ecology of seahorses, compare relationships for seahorses with other marine teleosts and identify research needs. Seahorses occurred primarily amidst temperate seagrasses and tropical coral reefs. Population densities were generally low, ranging from 0 to 0·51 individuals m−2, but reached 10 m−2in some patches. Inferred life spans ranged from 1 to 5 years. Seahorses consumed live prey and possibly changed diet as they grew. Growth rates are poorly investigated to date. Reproduction and mating systems are the best‐studied aspects of seahorse ecology. The relationship between size at first maturity and maximum size in seahorses conformed to that for other marine teleosts. All seahorse species were monogamous within a cycle, but some were polygamous across cycles. Direct transfer of clutches to the brood pouch of the male fish made it difficult to measure clutch size in live seahorses. After brooding, males released fromc. 5 to 2000 young, depending on species and adult size. Newborn young measured from 2 to 20 mm in length, which was a narrower size range than the 17‐fold difference that occurred in adult size. Newborn body size had no relationship to adult size. Both eggs and young were larger than expected among marine teleosts, even when considering only those with parental care, but brood size at release was lower than expected, perhaps because the young were more developed. The size of adults, eggs and young increased with increasing latitude, although brood size did not. Considerable research is needed to advance seahorse conservation and management, including (a) fisheries‐dependent and fisheries‐independent abundance estimates, (b) age‐ or stage‐based natural and fishing mortalities, (c) growth rates and age at first maturity, and (d) intrinsic rates of increase and age‐ or size‐specific reproductive output. Current data confirm that seahorses are likely to be vulnerable to high levels of exploitation.
Association between environmental factors, smolt size and the survival of wild and reared Atlantic salmon from the Simojoki River in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Kallio‐nyberg I. , Jutila E. , Saloniemi I. , Jokikokko E.
Published: July 2004

The survival of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in the Baltic Sea was examined in relation to smolt traits (length and origin) and annual environmental factors [sea surface temperature (SST) and seasonal North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index], and prey fish abundance (herring Clupea harengus and sprat Sprattus sprattus) in the main basin and the southern Gulf of Bothnia. The study was based on recapture data for Carlin‐tagged hatchery‐reared and wild smolts from the Simojoki, a river flowing into the northern Gulf of Bothnia. The survival of the wild and reared groups was analysed using an ANOVA model and a stepwise regression model, with the arcsin‐transformed proportion of recaptured fish as the response variable. The results demonstrated a combined influence of smolt traits and environmental factors on survival. For the reared Atlantic salmon released in 1986–1998 (28 groups), the increasing annual mean SST in July in the southern Gulf of Bothnia and increasing mean smolt size improved survival. If the SST in July was excluded from the model, the NAO index in May to July also had a positive effect on survival (P < 0·10). The log10‐transformed abundance of 0+ year herring in the southern Gulf of Bothnia entered the model (P < 0·15) if the SST and NAO index were excluded. For the wild Atlantic salmon released in 1972–1993 (21 groups), only the increasing SST in July showed a significant association with improved survival (P = 0·004). Prey fish abundance in the main basin of the Baltic Sea had no influence on the survival of reared or wild smolt groups. The interaction between smolt size and the SST in July was not significant. The origin was a better, but not a significant, predictor of marine survival compared to the smolt size or the SST in July. The mean recapture rate of the wild groups was twice that of the reared groups in the whole data. The results suggest that cold summers in the Gulf of Bothnia reduce the survival of young Atlantic salmon in both wild and reared groups. The larger smolt size of the reared groups compared with the wild groups to some extent compensated for their lower ability to live in the wild.
Temperature and state‐dependence of feeding and gastric evacuation in juvenile Pacific halibut
Authors: Hurst T. P.
Published: July 2004

Relationships between nutritional state, behavioural response to prey and gastric evacuation rates were examined in juvenile Pacific halibutHippoglossus stenolepisfeeding on squid. Pacific halibut reared at 2, 6 and 10° C were fasted for 1 or 7 days to generate variation in energetic state. The 7 day fast resulted in measurable declines in condition indices at 10 and 6° C but not at 2° C. At 10° C, all Pacific halibut consumed the first meal offered, but fish previously fasted for 7 days took significantly longer to locate and consume the meal than fish fasted for only 1 day. At 2° C, Pacific halibut fasted for 7 days did not generally consume the first meal offered, but resumed feeding 2·1 days sooner, on average, than fish fasted for only 1 day. The gastric evacuation rate of the squid meal was best described by a power model with near‐exponential curvature (a = 1·011). The evacuation rate was strongly temperature‐dependent (Q10 = 3·65) but displayed the same degree of variability at each temperature. The evacuation rate in Pacific halibut was not affected by feeding history, body size or energetic state. Furthermore, individual variation in gastric evacuation rate was not correlated with feeding responsiveness at any temperature. These results indicate a general plasticity in the behavioural but not physiological aspects of energy acquisition.
Light intensity, prey detection and foraging mechanisms of age 0 year yellow perch
Authors: Richmond H. E. , Hrabik T. R. , Mensinger A. F.
Published: July 2004

The ability of age‐0 year yellow perch Perca flavescans to detect prey using visual and mechano‐sensory input was examined during laboratory feeding trials at varying light intensities. Perch were highly effective predators and captured Daphnia pulicaria with 94% overall foraging success at light levels ranging from 0 to 3400 lx. Maximum average reaction distances (5·0 ± 0·8 cm, mean ± s.e.) occurred in front of the fish at 3000 lx and significantly decreased as light intensities fell to <2 lx, with minimum reaction distances (2·8 ± 0·1 cm) observed in the dark. Following chemical ablation of the lateral line, yellow perch showed a significant reduction in reaction distance when compared to the untreated fish at 3000 lx, suggesting that the lateral line may augment visual prey detection at high light levels. A model was created to predict reaction distances for fish feeding with multiple sensory systems that can be applied to a variety of photic environments. This study provides a better understanding of the contribution of vision and the lateral line to prey detection, and relates the reaction distance of age‐0 year yellow perch to light intensities similar to those experienced in nature.
Vision and visual variation in the peacock blenny
Authors: White E. M. , GonÇalves D. M. , Partridge J. C. , Oliveira R. F.
Published: July 2004

Microspectrophotometry (MSP) revealed the presence of a rod and at least two cone classes (mid‐ and long‐wavelength sensitive) in the intertidal peacock blenny Salaria pavo. Both rhodopsin and porphyropsin based visual pigments were found in all fish, together with high individual variation in the chromophore ratio. The three morphs (females, males and sneaker males) differed in their spectral sensitivities (as measured with the optomotor response) with sneakers having higher sensitivity at long‐wavelengths than either males or females. This long‐wave displacement of peak sensitivity could be due to elevated proportions of porphyropsin visual pigments in the sneakers’ retinae. The lenses of all morphs exhibited a short‐wavelength cut‐off and an unusual layer of carotenoid was found behind the retinal pigment epithelium and in the outer segments of some cones. These screening pigments could serve a photo‐protective role or to improve visual contrast. No short‐wave photoreceptors were located using MSP. This indicates that this cone class may be absent or present at very low numbers in the retina. This is the first in depth study of the visual system of a blenniid fish and indicates potential within‐species visual variation that may be related to the species’ habitat and morph‐specific behavioural requirements.