bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlates of Motivation to Change in Pathological Gamblers Completing Cognitive‐Behavioral Group Therapy
Authors: Gómez‐Peña Mónica , Penelo Eva , Granero Roser , Fernández‐Aranda Fernando , Álvarez‐Moya Eva , Santamaría Juan José , Moragas Laura , Neus Aymamí Maria , Gunnard Katarina , Menchón José M. , Jimenez‐Murcia Susana
Published: May 2012

Objectives

The present study analyzes the association between the motivation to change and the cognitive‐behavioral group intervention, in terms of dropouts and relapses, in a sample of male pathological gamblers. The specific objectives were as follows: (a) to estimate the predictive value of baseline University of Rhode Island Change Assessment scale (URICA) scores (i.e., at the start of the study) as regards the risk of relapse and dropout during treatment and (b) to assess the incremental predictive ability of URICA scores, as regards the mean change produced in the clinical status of patients between the start and finish of treatment.

Method

The relationship between the URICA and the response to treatment was analyzed by means of a pre‐post design applied to a sample of 191 patients who were consecutively receiving cognitive‐behavioral group therapy. The statistical analysis included logistic regression models and hierarchical multiple linear regression models.

Results

The discriminative ability of the models including the four URICA scores regarding the likelihood of relapse and dropout was acceptable (area under the receiver operating haracteristic curve: .73 and .71, respectively). No significant predictive ability was found as regards the differences between baseline and posttreatment scores (changes in R2 below 5% in the multiple regression models).

Conclusions

The availability of useful measures of motivation to change would enable treatment outcomes to be optimized through the application of specific therapeutic interventions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Clin. Psychol. 68:732‐744, 2012
Patient's assessment of discomfort during ultrasound‐guided injection of Morton's neuroma: Selecting the optimal approach
Authors: Yap Lee Pheng , McNally Eugene
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Assess patient discomfort during two different methods of injection of Morton's neuroma.

Methods

Sixty‐eight patients referred for ultrasound‐guided injection of Morton's neuroma had punctures performed dorsal or plantar to the interdigital skin crease, with and without preliminary subcutaneous local anesthesia (LA). Patients rated discomfort during skin puncture (SP) and needle advancement (NA) using a visual analog scale.

Results

Average pain score was 4.4 ± 2.3 (1 SD) for the plantar approach and 2.9 ± 2.0 for the dorsal approach. This difference was statistically significant during SP (p< 0.01) and NA (p< 0.05). During the plantar approach with LA, mean pain score during SP was 4.4 (±2.1) and 3.9 (±2.8) during NA. This plantar approach without LA resulted in a pain score of 4.3 (±2.6) and 3.8 (±3.1), respectively. Mean pain scores for patients injected from the dorsal approach with LA during SP were 3.8 (±2.7) and NA were 2.2 (±2.0) and without LA were 2.6 (±1.9) and 3.0 (±2.1). There was no statistical significance in mean pain score difference during SP and NA, with and without LA for either the plantar (p> 0.05) or the dorsal (p> 0.05) approach.

Conclusions

Injection of Morton's neuroma was better tolerated via a dorsal approach and use of preliminary LA did not confer any benefit. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2012
Atypically located pericardial cyst compressing the left ventricle during the whole cardiac cycle: A case report
Authors: Bi Wenjing , Qiao Wei , Shang Cong , Sun Feifei , Ren Weidong
Published: May 2012

We report the uncommon case of a pericardial cyst with unremitting compression of the left ventricle during the whole cardiac cycle, but normal ejection fraction. On CT scan, the cyst was found at an atypical location, lateral to the pulmonary artery, the ascending aorta, and the right ventricular outflow tract in the left anterior mediastinum. The radio‐density of the cyst was 41 Hounsfield units (HU), higher than other cases reported in the literature. As the cyst was stable, conservative treatment was adopted. The usefulness of echocardiography for the diagnosis and follow‐up of pericardial cysts is discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 41:386–388, 2013
Sonography of the adrenal glands in the adult
Authors: Kim Kyoung Won , Kim Jeong Kon , Choi Hyuck Jae , Kim Mi‐hyun , Lee Jeongjin , Cho Kyoung‐Sik
Published: May 2012

Although its capability has been overlooked, sonography can be a useful screening tool for adrenal lesion in adults. In this article, we discuss scan technique, patient positioning, and anatomic consideration for adrenal sonography in adults and illustrate sonographic appearance of normal adrenal gland as well as adrenal tumors and tumor‐like lesions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2012;
Magnetic resonance imaging in valvular heart disease: Clinical application and current role for patient management
Authors: Sommer Gregor , Bremerich Jens , Lund Gunnar
Published: May 2012

Noninvasive imaging provides important information on cardiac anatomy and function and is a key element in clinical management of valvular heart disease (VHD). Beside echocardiography, which is still considered the first‐line modality for assessment of valvular anatomy and longitudinal evaluation of VHD, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has evolved during the last two decades as an essential tool for evaluation of cardiac diseases. Today, CMR not only represents the reference standard for measuring cardiac volumes, function, and mass, but also enables accurate assessment of morphology and function of cardiac valves. It can play an important role in clinical decision‐making for patients with VHD. This review addresses current applications and limitations of CMR imaging techniques that are used in VHD including cine‐balanced steady‐state free precession (b‐SSFP), phase contrast MR (pcMR), gradient‐recalled echo (GRE), and turbo‐spin echo (TSE) sequences. Moreover, it describes their application for evaluation of valvular pathologies and gives an overview on the current role of valvular CMR in patient management. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:1241–1252. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Beneficial effect of hydrogen‐rich saline on cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats
Authors: Hong Yuan , Guo Songxue , Chen Sheng , Sun Chongran , Zhang Jianmin , Sun Xuejun
Published: May 2012

Cerebral vasospasm (CV) remains a common and devastating complication in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Despite its clinical significance and extensive research, the underlying pathogenesis and therapeutic perspectives of CV remain incompletely understood. Recently, it has been suggested that molecular hydrogen (H2) can selectively reduce levels of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and ameliorate oxidative and inflammatory injuries to organs in many models. However, whether H2 can ameliorate CV after SAH is still unknown. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of H2 in preventing SAH‐induced CV. Experimental SAH was induced in Sprague‐Dawley rats using cisterna magna blood injection. Hydrogen‐rich saline (HS) was injected intraperitoneally (5 ml/kg) immediately and at 24 hr after injury. All rats were sacrificed 48 hr after the neurological examination scores had been recorded following SAH. Levels of oxidative stress and inflammation were evaluated. Basilar artery vasospasm was assessed by histological examination using light and transmission electron microscopy. HS treatment significantly improved neurological outcomes and attenuated morphological vasospasm of the basilar artery after SAH. In addition, we found that the beneficial effects of HS treatment on SAH‐induced CV were associated with decreased levels of lipid peroxidation, increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the basilar artery. These results indicate that H2 has the potential to be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of CV after SAH, and its neuroprotective effect might be partially mediated via limitation of vascular inflammation and oxidative stress. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with gas chromatography for extraction and determination of class 1 residual solvents in pharmaceuticals
Authors: Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Goushjuii Leila , Djozan Djavanshir , Mohammadi Javad Kompani
Published: May 2012

The present study reports a new method for analyzing class 1 residual solvents (RSs), 1,1‐dichloroethene (1,1‐DCE), 1,2‐dichloroethane (1,2‐DCE), 1,1,1‐trichloroethane (1,1,1‐TCE), carbon tetrachloride (CT), and benzene (Bz), in pharmaceutical products using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) combined with gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC‐FID). Unlike common DLLME methods, solvents of high boiling point were selected as dispersive and extraction solvents in order to prevent their chromatographic peaks from overlapping with those of analytes that have short retention times. Therefore N,N‐dimethyl formamide (DMF) and 1,2‐dibromoethane (1,2‐DBE) were chosen as dispersive and extraction solvents, respectively. Analytical parameters of the proposed method were determined and good linearities and broad linear ranges (LRs) were obtained. Taking 500 mg samples, limit of detections for the tested pharmaceuticals were obtained as 0.11, 0.03, 0.05, 0.05, and 0.006 μg g−1 for CT, 1,1‐DCE, 1,2‐DCE, 1,1,1‐TCE, and Bz, respectively, which are considerably much lower than their permissible limits in pharmaceuticals.
Simultaneous determination of six isoflavonoids in rat plasma after administration of total flavonoid from Gegen by ultra‐HPLC‐MS/MS
Authors: Zhao Xing , Zhao Yun‐Li , Liu Xiao‐Ming , Han Wei , Yu Zhi‐Guo
Published: May 2012

A simple, specific, and sensitive ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 3′‐hydroxypuerarin, 6′′‐O‐xylosylpuerarin, mirificin, puerarin, 3′‐methoxypuerarin and daidzin in rat plasma. After the addition of methanol containing 0.1% formic acid and 10% ascorbic acid, the analytes and rutoside were obtained by protein precipitation, then separated on a Thermo Syncronis C18 column (2.1 mm × 10 cm, 1.7 μm) by gradient elution and monitored using an electrospray ionization interface operating in positive ion and selective reaction monitoring acquisition mode. The calibration curves of these analytes showed good linearity (r > 0.99) within the test ranges. The lower limit of quantification was 0.0200 μg/mL for 3′‐hydroxypuerarin, 0.0101 μg/mL for 6′′‐O‐xylosylpuerarin, 0.0100 μg/mL for mirificin and puerarin, 0.0098 μg/mL for 3′‐methoxypuerarin, and 0.0090 μg/mL for daidzin. The intraday and interday precision and accuracy were all within 15%. The extraction recoveries were from 74.0 to 95.8%. The validated method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of the six isoflavonoids in rat plasma after intravenous administration of total flavonoids from Gegen.
Comprehensive evaluation of lipophilicity of biogenic amines and related compounds using different chemically bonded phases and various descriptors
Authors: Casoni Dorina , Sârbu Costel
Published: May 2012

The retention behavior for a series of biogenic amines and related sympathomimetic drugs has been investigated in reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography using RP‐2, RP‐8, RP‐18W, and Diol stationary phase and mixtures of phosphate buffer (pH = 7.10) and methanol in different proportions as mobile phases. Several methodologies like arithmetic mean of experimental retention values, extrapolation to zero methanol concentration procedure and principal component analysis were applied to retention data values (RM) in order to determine relevant parameters (mean of RM − mRM, RM0, and scores corresponding to the first principal component − PC1/RM respectively) encoding information on the lipophilic behavior of compounds. High similarities in lipophilicity behavior of investigated amines were highlighted by mRM and PC1/RM lipophilicity indices for all of the studied stationary phases. The experimental results were compared with some computed lipophilicity parameters expressed as distribution coefficients at working pH (logD), partition coefficients (logPN, logPI, and diff(logPN–I)) concerning both neutral and fully protonated species and difference between both species, and also with various lipophilicity values (logP) generated by different commonly used software. Significant correlations were observed between the experimental lipophilicity indices mRM respectively PC1/RM and diff(logPN–I) values in all cases.
Rapid and sensitive determination of carbohydrates in foods using high temperature liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection
Authors: Terol Amanda , Paredes Eduardo , Maestre Salvador E. , Prats Soledad , Todolí José L.
Published: May 2012

In the present work, an evaporative light scattering detector was used as a high‐temperature liquid chromatography detector for the determination of carbohydrates. The compounds studied were glucose, fructose, galactose, sucrose, maltose, and lactose. The effect of column temperature on the retention times and detectability of these compounds was investigated. Column heating temperatures ranged from 25 to 175°C. The optimum temperature in terms of peak resolution and detectability with pure water as mobile phase and a liquid flow rate of 1 mL/min was 150°C as it allowed the separation of glucose and the three disaccharides here considered in less than 3 min. These conditions were employed for lactose determination in milk samples. Limits of quantification were between 2 and 4.7 mg/L. On the other hand, a temperature gradient was developed for the simultaneous determination of glucose, fructose, and sucrose in orange juices, due to coelution of monosaccharides at temperatures higher than 70°C, being limits of quantifications between 8.5 and 12 mg/L. The proposed hyphenation was successfully applied to different types of milk and different varieties of oranges and mandarins. Recoveries for spiked samples were close to 100% for all the studied analytes.
Kinetic isotope effects and rate constants for the gas‐phase reactions of three deuterated toluenes with OH from 298 to 353 K
Authors: Kim Daekyun , Stevens Philip S. , Hites Ronald A.
Published: May 2012

The rate constants for the gas‐phase reactions of three deuterated toluenes with hydroxyl radicals were measured using the relative rate technique over the temperature range 298–353 K at about 1 atm total pressure. The OH radicals were generated by photolysis of H2O2, and helium was used as the diluent gas. The disappearance of reactants was followed by online mass spectrometry, which resulted in high time resolution, allowing for a large amount of data to be collected and used in the determination of the Arrhenius parameters. The following Arrhenius expressions have been determined for these reactions (in units of cm3 molecule−1 s−1): k=(6.42−0.99+1.17)×10−13exp [(661±54)/T] for toluene‐d3, k=(2.11−0.69+1.03)×10−12exp [(287±128)/T]for toluene‐d5, and k=(1.40+0.44−0.33)×10−12exp [(404±88)/T]for toluene‐d8. The kinetic isotope effects (KIEs, kH/kD) of these reactions were 1.003 ± 0.042 for all three compounds at 298 K. The KIE for toluene‐d3 was temperature dependent; at 350 K, its KIE was 1.122+0.048−0.046. The KIE of toluene‐d5 and toluene‐d8 did not vary significantly with temperature. These KIE results suggest that methyl H‐atom abstraction is more important than aromatic OH addition at higher temperatures. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 821–827, 2012
Surgical and postpartum hereditary brachial plexus attacks and prophylactic immunotherapy
Authors: Klein Christopher J. , Barbara David W. , Sprung Juraj , Dyck Peter J. , Weingarten Toby N.
Published: May 2012

Introduction:

Surgery and childbirth can trigger attacks of hereditary brachial plexus neuropathy (HBPN), and inflammation was suggested as a component of the pathogenesis.

Methods:

HBPN patients who underwent surgery or parturition from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2009 were studied.

Results:

Twenty‐five HBPN patients underwent 48 surgeries or parturitions. Seventeen patients (68%) had attacks, including 13 periprocedural and 7 postpartum by varied anesthesia types. Three patients who had 8 earlier combined attacks (after thyroidectomy, laminectomy, and Caesarean section) were given prophylactic immunosuppressive therapy (corticosteroids ± immunoglobulin). None suffered postoperative attacks, which is uncharacteristic of their prior experience. Five had perioperative attacks as their first HBPN manifestation. Median follow‐up was 11 months (3–48 months). Attacks occurred in the operated limb (n = 6) or distant (n = 7) to surgical sites. All attacks interfered with daily living, with frequent incomplete recovery. Five patients had a SEPT9 mutation.

Conclusions:

Corticosteroids may prevent parturition and surgical HBPN attacks in some patients. Diverse surgeries, anesthesia, and childbirth frequently trigger HBPN attacks. Muscle Nerve, 2013
Assessing informational website communications during emergencies and disasters
Authors: Schmalzried Hans D. , Fleming Fallon L. , Harper Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2012

Relief services for victims and others affected by emergencies and disasters are essential during these events and are often provided by nonprofit and voluntary organizations. The focus of this study was to assess informational communications provided through websites, focusing on emergency and disaster relief to determine if they communicated information with maximum effectiveness. The availability of information provided on these websites can directly affect how victims and the public are served. American Red Cross (ARC) chapters provided a convenient sample for study. We identified 646 ARC chapters in the United States; homepages were located for 588 (91.0%). We reviewed each homepage to document the availability (or absence) of nine elements recognized as being important for improving communications related to the provision of disaster and emergency services. ARC chapter website homepages had a mean of 3.4 (± 1.4) communication elements. Providing four examples, 74.3% included the organization's phone number, 32.0% provided links to other organizations involved in disaster response, 23.0% allowed visitors to sign up for automatic alerts or notifications, and 16.5% listed an email address for their organization. Emergencies and disasters are unpredictable. Having more communication elements available increases the likelihood that individuals affected by such events will connect with an organization's website and receive services. We suggest that our nine communication elements be considered when an organization develops or updates its homepage. Such contents can reinforce an organization's communication efforts by providing a recognizable source of consistent and reliable information for people experiencing emergency or disaster situations.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced light trapping in solar cells using snow globe coating
Authors: Basch Angelika , Beck Fiona , Söderström Thomas , Varlamov Sergey , Catchpole Kylie R.
Published: May 2012

A novel method, snow globe coating, is found to show significant enhancement of the short circuit current JSC (35%) when applied as a scattering back reflector for polycrystalline silicon thin‐film solar cells. The coating is formed from high refractive index titania particles without containing binder and gives close to 100% reflectance for wavelengths above 400 nm. Snow globe coating is a physicochemical coating method executable in pH neutral media. The mild conditions of this process make this method applicable to many different types of solar cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pediatric fiberoptic bronchoscopy as adjunctive therapy in acute asthma with respiratory failure
Authors: Maggi J. Carlos , Nussbaum Eliezer , Babbitt Christopher , Maggi Flavio E. , Randhawa Inderpal
Published: May 2012

Background

Status asthmaticus respiratory failure is associated with thickened mucus secretions necessitating aggressive pulmonary clearance. The role of bronchoscopy in pediatric mechanically ventilated asthmatic patients has not been published.

Methods

A chart review was performed on all pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) asthmatics with respiratory failure over 13 years. Forty‐four patients were identified. Patients were managed per standardized guidelines for status asthmaticus with mechanical ventilation. Ventilator management prioritized spontaneous breathing with pressure support. Extubation criteria included spontaneous tidal volumes of 5–7 cm3/kg on low‐pressure support. Standard endotracheal tube pulmonary toilet were implemented. Twenty‐nine patients underwent bronchoscopy as an adjunctive therapy. Indications for bronchoscopy included: Pathogen identification via bronchoalveolar ravage, atelectasis, mucus obstruction resulting in severe air trapping, suspected aspiration, and poor response to standard therapy. Clinical outcomes of this intervention were compared to the fifteen patient cohort who did not undergo bronchoscopy.

Results

Bronchoscopies revealed thick mucus plugs, secretions, and bronchial casts. The large airways were lavaged for clearance of obstructive secretions with normal saline. All patients tolerated the procedure without any complications. Demonstrable improvement in pulmonary compliance was noted. The median time of intubation for the bronchoscopy group was 10 hr compared to 20.5 hr for the control group (P < 0.0005). The mean intensive care unit length of stay was 3.06 days for the bronchoscopy group versus 3.4 days for the non‐bronchoscopy group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Flexible bronchoscopy with bronchial lavage is a safe adjunctive therapy in pediatric asthmatics with respiratory failure resulting in reduced mechanical ventilation and intensive care length of stay. Restoring lung volume in certain asthmatics during respiratory failure may be deemed beneficial. Further validated studies are necessary to recommend bronchoscopy to the present, accepted treatment regimen in pediatric asthmatic respiratory failure. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012; 47:1180–1184. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A symmetry adapted approach to the dynamic Jahn‐Teller problem: Application to mixed‐valence polyoxometalate clusters with keggin structure
Authors: Tsukerblat Boris , Palii Andrew , Clemente‐Juan Juan M. , Gaita‐Ariño Alejandro , Coronado Eugenio
Published: May 2012

In this article, we present a symmetry‐adapted approach aimed to the accurate solution of the dynamic vibronic problem in large scale Jahn‐Teller (JT) systems. The algorithm for the solution of the eigen‐problem takes full advantage of the point symmetry arguments. The system under consideration is supposed to consist of a set of electronic levels mixed by the active JT and pseudo JT vibrational modes. Applying the successive coupling of the bosonic creation operators, we introduce the irreducible tensors that are called multivibronic operators. Action of the irreducible multivibronic operators on the vacuum state creates the vibrational symmetry adapted basis that is subjected to the Gram‐Schmidt orthogonalization at each step of evaluation. Finally, the generated vibrational basis is coupled to the electronic one to get the symmetry adapted electron‐vibrational (vibronic) basis within which the full matrix of the JT Hamiltonian is blocked according to the irreducible representations (irreps) of the point group. The proposed approach is a part of our study of the nanosized mixed valence (MV) clusters with large number of delocalized electrons that are at the border line between quantum and classical objects. Here, we illustrate in detail the developed technique by the application to the 2e‐reduced MV dodecanuclear Keggin anion in which the electronic pair is delocalized over 12 sites (overall symmetryTd) giving rise to the (1T2+1E+1A1)⊗(e+t2) (3T1+3T2)⊗(e+t2) combined JT/pseudo JT problems for the spin‐singlet and spin‐triplet states. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assembly of Single‐Stranded DNA Onto HOPG Surface at Different Temperature: Atomic Force Microscopy Study
Authors: Liu Zhiguo , Zhao Lin , Zhou Zhen , Sun Tongze , Zu Yuangang
Published: May 2012

Assembly of long single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) and short oligodeoxynucleotides onto bare highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) at different temperature has been studied. It was indicated that both long ssDNA and oligodeoxynucleotides can sequentially form network, straight chains, and layer structures when the adsorption temperature was changed from room temperature, 37–55°C. High‐resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging of the layer structures revealed that they are composed of parallel ssDNA chains with relatively higher height and tend to form patterns with three‐fold symmetry. These new findings are significantly important for understanding assembly characterization of ssDNA. In addition, this assembly method for ssDNA is expected to be used for preparation of DNA structures in biosensing and DNA‐based nanodevices. SCANNING 34: 302–308, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Remarkable increase of thermoelectric power factor using plasma treatment in layered InGaO3(ZnO)m thin films
Authors: Seo Dong Kyu , Kim Jun Hyeon , Kim Jae Hyun , Cho Hyung Koun
Published: May 2012

Thermoelectric (TE) InGaZnO thin films grown on sapphire substrates by sputtering were optimized using a radio‐frequency (RF) argon plasma treatment. The oxide thin films exhibited layered InGaO3(ZnO)2 superlattices with excellent crystallinity by using ZnO buffer layers and a post‐annealing process at 900 °C. The plasma treatment under various RF powers induced excellent improvements in the electrical conductivity without structural changes. The carrier concentration was gradually increased as the RF power increased, and as a result, the TE power factor (PF) was significantly enhanced despite the reduced Seebeck coefficient. A maximum PF value was observed to be ~0.2×10−5 at 500 K in the sample that was plasma treated at 150 W, where the carrier concentration was 4.9×1019 cm−3. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chronic methylphenidate administration in mice produces depressive‐like behaviors and altered responses to fluoxetine
Authors: Brookshire Bethany R. , Jones Sara R.
Published: May 2012

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a psychostimulant used in the treatment of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adults. Increasing abuse rates of this drug have raised questions regarding the effects of chronic, high‐dose MPH administration. Although the effects of chronic MPH exposure have been well‐documented in regard to reward‐related behaviors in adolescent and adult animals, there are few studies of the effects of MPH on depressive‐like behaviors and antidepressant responses, particularly in adult models. We examined the effects of chronic (14 days) high‐dose (20 mg/kg i.p.) MPH exposure on locomotor activity and forced swim test behavior in C57Bl/6J mice. We show that MPH treatment ameliorates the locomotor suppression seen in response to fluoxetine. In addition, chronic MPH treatment produces depressive‐like effects in the forced swim test, with decreased latency to first immobility and a trend toward increased immobility. These effects are reversed with acute fluoxetine administration, in contrast to saline‐treated animals, which show no response to fluoxetine. The induction of depressive‐like behaviors after chronic MPH treatment in adult mice is in agreement with previous studies in adolescent rats, and the marked alterations in fluoxetine responses implicate alterations in the serotonin system and possibly the dopamine system produced by MPH. Synapse 66:844–847, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An improved exclusive region scheduling algorithm‐based timeslot allocation scheme for mmWave WPANs
Authors: Zou Weixia , Hu Yucong , Li Bin , Zhou Zheng , Cui Zhifang
Published: May 2012

This article focuses on improving the system capacity of 60‐GHz wireless personal area networks (WPANs) and presents an effective time slot allocation scheme for spatial reuse, which combines the existing exclusive region (ER)‐based scheduling algorithm with simple power control. In the study, the concept of ER for concurrent transmissions is introduced first. Considering the large path loss in the millimeter‐wave band and the characteristics of typical indoor multipath channels, we generalize the signal propagation model as well as ER radius for 60‐GHz WPANs. Then, we propose an improved ER‐based scheduling algorithm, which employs power control instead of constant transmitting power. In this algorithm, devices are assumed to receive data at the receiver sensitivity, which refers to the minimum receiving power to ensure the reliability for communications. Implementation feasibility is provided within the current standards framework. Some more practical analysis based on the beamforming codebook specified by of the IEEE 802.15.3c standard is also developed. In addition, the impact of the antenna radiation efficiency and receiver sensitivity is discussed. Computer simulations validate the excellent performance of the proposed scheme, which can significantly improve the channel capacity under different antenna configurations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using the Criterion-Predictor Factor Model to Compute the Probability of Detecting Prediction Bias with Ordinary Least Squares Regression
Authors: Culpepper Steven Andrew
Published: May 2012

The study of prediction bias is important and the last five decades include research studies that examined whether test scores differentially predict academic or employment performance. Previous studies used ordinary least squares (OLS) to assess whether groups differ in intercepts and slopes. This study shows that OLS yields inaccurate inferences for prediction bias hypotheses. This paper builds upon the criterion-predictor factor model by demonstrating the effect of selection, measurement error, and measurement bias on prediction bias studies that use OLS. The range restricted, criterion-predictor factor model is used to compute Type I error and power rates associated with using regression to assess prediction bias hypotheses. In short, OLS is not capable of testing hypotheses about group differences in latent intercepts and slopes. Additionally, a theorem is presented which shows that researchers should not employ hierarchical regression to assess intercept differences with selected samples.
An Isotonic Partial Credit Model for Ordering Subjects on the Basis of Their Sum Scores
Authors: Ligtvoet Rudy
Published: May 2012

In practice, the sum of the item scores is often used as a basis for comparing subjects. For items that have more than two ordered score categories, only the partial credit model (PCM) and special cases of this model imply that the subjects are stochastically ordered on the common latent variable. However, the PCM is very restrictive with respect to the constraints that it imposes on the data. In this paper, sufficient conditions for the stochastic ordering of subjects by their sum score are obtained. These conditions define the isotonic (nonparametric) PCM model. The isotonic PCM is more flexible than the PCM, which makes it useful for a wider variety of tests. Also, observable properties of the isotonic PCM are derived in the form of inequality constraints. It is shown how to obtain estimates of the score distribution under these constraints by using the Gibbs sampling algorithm. A small simulation study shows that the Bayesian p-values based on the log-likelihood ratio statistic can be used to assess the fit of the isotonic PCM to the data, where model-data fit can be taken as a justification of the use of the sum score to order subjects.
Stigmatisation of Cities. The Vulnerability of Local Identities
Authors: Bürk Thomas , Kühn Manfred , Sommer Hanna
Published: May 2012

The vulnerability of cities is often discussed in terms of physical hazards and disasters such as earthquakes, floods or terrorist attacks. In contrast, this paper opens up a social-constructivist perspective, describing the vulnerability of cities as a result of discursive based communications. The article looks at the extent to which collective identities in cities are vulnerable to stigmatisation in the media and the ways in which local actors find to cope with this. Key terms of stigma and identity research are presented and the transferability of stigma and identity concepts of social groups to cities is discussed. Taking the examples of Sangerhausen and Pirmasens, which have for several decades been affected by peripheralisation, the article describes stigma processes in the national media, how this is addressed in the city and what coping strategies the actors have developed. Finally the key findings are summarised and conclusions with regard to the vulnerability of collective identities are interpreted.
Moderne Logistik – Anforderungen an Standorte und Raumentwicklung
Authors: Langhagen-Rohrbach Christian
Published: May 2012

The importance of logistics has increased during the last few years. Globalization and international division of labour have helped to integrate global supply chains. So distribution centers and depots of small package service have spread across the country. Their spatial impact is very high, concerning traffic as well as land consumption or catchment area of jobs. But in spatial planning logistics does not matter. This text is trying to explain the different fields of logistics, the link between logistics and international supply chains and the consequences for the placement of logistic centers. For different fields in market different profiles on locations are explained. Those locations are often subject to rapid change. Often the time between the first idea for a logistic center and the planned date for its opening is short as well. This text is trying to show how spatial planning can manage logistics settlements. This meets interests of spatial planning and industry: Spatial planning e.g. can find a way to reduce land consumption or bundle traffic. Investors profit because a location that is part of a spatial of land use plan offers to opportunity for a fast project realization.
Leisure Inequality in the United States: 1965–2003
Authors: Sevilla Almudena , Gimenez-Nadal Jose I. , Gershuny Jonathan
Published: May 2012

This article exploits the complex sequential structure of the diary data in the American Heritage Time Use Study (AHTUS) and constructs three classes of indicators that capture the quality of leisure (pure leisure, co-present leisure, and leisure fragmentation) to show that the relative growth in leisure time enjoyed by low-educated individuals documented in previous studies has been accompanied by a relative decrease in the quality of that leisure time. These results are not driven by any single leisure activity, such as time spent watching television. Our findings may offer a more comprehensive picture of inequality in the United States and provide a basis for weighing the relative decline in earnings and consumption for the less-educated against the simultaneous relative growth of leisure.
Editorial
Authors: Lehmann Jennifer
Published: May 2012

Welcome to the first issue of Children Australia for 2012. This year Rachael and I are continuing in our roles as co-editors with the continued support of our editorial consultants, and OzChild staff. However, this year I will be taking long service leave and leaving the journal in the safe hands of Rachael for the months of May and June. This break will give me a chance to travel and I am hoping to meet with a couple of our editorial consultants in New Zealand and Tasmania along the way.
Effects of breaking seed tubers on yield components of the tuber crop Plectranthus edulis
Authors: TAYE MULUGETA , LOMMEN W. J. M. , STRUIK P. C.
Published: May 2012

Plectranthus edulis is an ancient tuber crop, cultivated in Ethiopia, which produces stem tubers on stolons below the ground; however, agronomic and physiological information on this crop is scarce. Three field experiments were carried out at each of two locations (Awassa and Wondogenet, Ethiopia). Expt 1 dealt with the effects of breaking a seed tuber into different numbers of seed pieces before planting, Expt 2 assessed the effect of the weight of the seed tuber piece and Expt 3 investigated the effect of planting different numbers of seed pieces per planting hole. Cultivar Lofuwa was planted in Awassa, whereas cvar Chankua was planted in Wondogenet. Breaking seed tubers in Expt 1 resulted in more main stems/hill, more tubers and smaller individual tubers. In Wondogenet, the tuber yield also increased. Breaking did not affect the number of stolons/m2. Expt 2 indicated that when only one seed piece was planted per planting hole, smaller seed pieces gave fewer stems, fewer stolons and fewer tubers/m2, smaller tubers and lower tuber yields. Expt 3 showed that planting more seed pieces/planting hole gave more stems, more stolons and more tubers/m2, thus increasing tuber fresh yield/m2, whereas the mean tuber weight was not consistently affected. Across all experiments, the tuber yield increased when the number of main stems increased up to three main stems/m2. Higher tuber yields resulting from experimental treatments were either achieved by an effect on number of tubers alone or by combined effects on number of tubers and mean tuber weight, but not by an effect on mean tuber weight alone. The number of small tubers was high in all experiments. Breaking a seed tuber into two or three pieces before planting them in one planting hole consistently resulted in increased numbers of main stems and tuber yield.
Ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in response to bone-conducted vibration in patients with probable inferior vestibular neuritis
Authors: Manzari L , Burgess A M , Curthoys I S
Published: May 2012

Background and aims:

Previous evidence shows that the n10 component of the ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential indicates utricular function, while the p13 component of the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential indicates saccular function. This study aimed to assess the possibility of differential utricular and saccular function testing in the clinic, and whether loss of saccular function affects utricular response.

Methods:

Following vibration conduction from the mid-forehead at the hairline, the ocular n10 component was recorded by surface electromyograph electrodes beneath both eyes, while the cervical p13–n23 component was recorded by surface electrodes over the tensed sternocleidomastoid muscles.

Results:

Fifty-nine patients were diagnosed with probable inferior vestibular neuritis, as their cervical p13–n23 component was asymmetrical (i.e. reduced or absent on the ipsilesional side), while their ocular n10 component was symmetrical (i.e. normal beneath the contralesional eye).

Conclusion:

The sense organ responsible for the cervical and the ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials cannot be the same, as one response was normal while the other was not. Reduced or absent saccular function has no detectable effect on the ocular n10 component. On vibration stimulation, the ocular n10 component indicates utricular function and the cervical p13–n23 component indicates saccular function.
Obstacles to Nationalization on the Hungarian-Romanian Language Frontier
Authors: Nemes Robert
Published: May 2012

In 1863, the geologist Adolf Schmidl published a thick book on the Bihar/Bihor Mountains, a highland region on the border between the Hungarian Kingdom and Transylvania. Calling the Bihar/Bihor Mountains one of the “least known regions in the Austrian Monarchy,” Schmidl offered his work as small contribution toVaterlandskundeand one, he hoped, that would inspire others to follow him into the region. The book provided a detailed analysis of the mountains' hydrography, topography, flora, and fauna. The biological diversity of the region especially excited Schmidl, and his discoveries included four new species of plants and a new species of animal (a leech found only in thermal waters). Schmidl was no less impressed by the ethnographic diversity of this region. Although Romanians belonging to the Greek Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches comprised the vast majority of the population, Schmidl counted six ethnic groups and as many religions in the mountains. According to Schmidl, “national agitation” was “entirely foreign” to the region, whose inhabitants enjoyed peaceful and fraternal relations with one another. The Romanians, he underlined, “are among the most loyal in the Austrian monarchy and their devotion to the dynasty is unfeigned and unshakeable.”
Racializing Jewishness: Zionist Reponses to National Indifference in Interwar Czechoslovakia
Authors: Lichtenstein Tatjana
Published: May 2012

In anticipation of Czechoslovakia's 1930 population census, one observer, writing in the ZionistJüdische Volksstimme, assessed the importance of this statistical event for the Jewish nationalist movement:

To us the upcoming census is more than merely a way to obtain reliable data about changes and demographic developments among the Jewish people. We are anticipating an increase in the number of Jews choosing “Jewish nationality,” and thus for us the census, much more so than for other peoples in this state, is an event of national importance […] once the Jewish public becomes aware of the significance of the census, it will be pointless for the other nationalities to attempt to restore their own ranks by decimating the Jewish nation in Czechoslovakia.
Putting Transylvania on the Map: Cartography and Enlightened Absolutism in the Habsburg Monarchy
Authors: Veres Madalina-Valeria
Published: May 2012

After touring Transylvania in 1773, Joseph II, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and co-regent of the Habsburg monarchy, wrote to Empress Maria Theresa complaining about the state of the province's economy and its administrative corruption. Such problems required urgent reform of the sort that could be carried out only by a strong, centralized government acting in the spirit of Enlightened Absolutism. However, success in these endeavors required something more. In Joseph II's words: “We have to remember that the best intentions fail often and the lack of knowledge of local realities makes such a real difference in governance, that what is often considered the best and wisest decisions, cannot be applied locally efficiently; the total ignorance of Your Majesty's advisers at the court and the Transylvanian Chancellery is a real hindrance and harm for the administration.”
The effects of ageing and website ergonomic quality on internet information searching
Authors: CHEVALIER ALINE , DOMMES AURÉLIE , MARTINS DANIEL
Published: May 2012

Since the 1990s, the number of websites and web users, especially older users, has increased extensively. Despite the rapid growth in the number of websites, a significant number of ergonomic violations still hinder the information search activity performed by web users. As ageing is associated with reduced working memory capacity, inhibition failure, slowing of processing speed and more generally impaired executive functioning, older adult web users may experience difficulties while searching for information, especially when the website includes ergonomic violations, such as usability and accessibility violations. In this experiment, the navigation activities of younger and older web users were compared while they were searching for information on a website that met ergonomic guidelines and on a website that included ergonomic violations. The participants then performed a free, delayed-recall task to assess their mental representation of the website they had just navigated. The main findings showed that ageing had a negative impact on search performance but few effects on mental representation built by participants. On the contrary, the ergonomic quality of the website had an impact on search performance and mental representation built by the participants.
‘Anonymity is the Essence’: in Search of Adolphe Appia
Authors: Beacham Richard
Published: May 2012

The long neglect of the work and influence of the Swiss designer Adolphe Appia has begun to be remedied in recent decades; but as Richard Beacham points out in the following article, Appia's own character was in part responsible for his ‘anonymity’. Where his friend Edward Gordon Craig was a tireless self-promoter, whose work remained influential despite being little utilized by practitioners in his lifetime, Appia tended to withdraw from contact with the wider world, and indeed chose to spend the last years of his life in the seclusion of a sanatorium. Here Beacham traces the twin threads which for long kept Appia's life a sealed book – the problems and delays over the publication of his writings, and the misplaced ‘discretion’ of those controlling the rights concerning Appia's homosexuality, a ‘condition’ which, in the early twentieth century, caused him much distress, and contributed to the long periods of deep depression, lassitude, and debilitation in his life. With the dedicated Appia scholar Walther Volbach, Beacham himself was at last able to edit and publish Adolphe Appia: Essays, Scenarios, and Designs in 1989. He contributed earlier studies of Appia to this journal in the two-part ‘Adolphe Appia, Emile Jaques-Dalcroze, and Hellerau’, in NTQ 2 and 3 (May and August 1985), and ‘“Brothers in Suffering and Joy”: the Appia-Craig Correspondence’, in NTQ 15 (August 1988). Richard Beacham was one of the founders of the Department of Theatre Studies, University of Warwick, and besides his work on Appia has published extensively on ancient theatre practice. He has implemented ways of visualizing the study of theatre history as founding director of the King's Visualization Lab in the Department of Digital Humanities, King's College London, where he served as Professor of Digital Culture.
Theatre and Memory in Utrecht
Authors: Tyszka Juliusz
Published: May 2012

Report on the seventeenth Conference of Performance Studies International in Utrecht, 25–29 May 2011.
Developing a framework for the use of discount rates in actuarial work ‐ Abstract of the London discussion
Authors: Cowling Charles
Published: May 2012

This abstract relates to the following paper:

CowlingC.A., FranklandR., HailsR.T.G., KempM.H.D., LosebyR.L., OrrJ.B., and SmithA.D.Developing a framework for the use of discount rates in actuarial work. British Actuarial Journal, doi:10.1017/S1357321712000013
Routinization and medicalization of palliative care: Losses, gains and challenges
Authors: Floriani Ciro Augusto , Schramm Fermin Rolland
Published: May 2012

This article investigates some of the criticisms that have been directed at the hospice movement in the process of interaction with the traditional Western healthcare system, such as those relative to its routinization and medicalization. It also aims to review some of the consequences of this process of institutionalisation for the field of end-of-life care: surveillance and control over the process of dying, at the expense of decisions preferably based on the patient and that patient's ability to decide how to die, with the loss of wider objectives originally established by the movement, such as unconditional reception for the patient. Based on these criticisms, some considerations are made regarding the moral implications and risks related to this specific mode of action, the hospice way of care.