bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The psychological impact of forced displacement and related risk factors on Eastern Congolese adolescents affected by war
Authors: Mels Cindy , Derluyn Ilse , Broekaert Eric , Rosseel Yves
Published: March 2010

Background:  While the current knowledge base on the mental health effects of displacement is mainly limited to refugees residing in industrialised countries, this paper examines the impact of war‐induced displacement and related risk factors on the mental health of Eastern Congolese adolescents, and compares currently internally displaced adolescents to returnees and non‐displaced peers.

Methods:  Data were collected from a community sample of 819 adolescents aged 13 to 21 years, attending one of 10 selected schools across the Ituri district in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Respondents completed culturally adapted self‐report measures of posttraumatic stress symptoms (using the Impact of Event Scale – Revised) and internalising and externalising behaviour problems (by means of the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist – 37 for Adolescents). Associated factors studied were age, sex, parental death, exposure to war‐related violence and daily stressors.

Results:  Internally displaced persons (IDPs) reported highest mean scores for the IES‐R and the HSCL‐37A internalising scale, followed by returnees, while non‐displaced adolescents scored significantly lower. However, ANCOVA tests showed that posttraumatic stress and internalising symptoms were mainly associated with traumatic exposure and daily stressors and not with displacement status. Externalising problem scores were associated with traumatic exposure, daily stressors and displacement. Remarkably, death of father was associated with fewer externalising problems. Sex was differently associated with internalising and externalising problems through traumatic and daily stressors.

Conclusions:  As IDPs are highly exposed to violence and daily stressors, they report most psychological distress, when compared to returnees and non‐displaced peers. The distinct mental health outcomes for returned youngsters illustrate how enhancing current socio‐economic living conditions of war‐affected adolescents could stimulate resilient outcomes, despite former trauma or displacement.
Incorporating sociocultural adaptive capacity in conservation hotspot assessments
Authors: Sexton Jason P. , Schwartz Mark W. , Winterhalder Bruce
Published: March 2010

Aim  To highlight the importance of combining the geographies of sociocultural adaptation and biodiversity risk for creating global change conservation strategies.

Location  Global.

Methods  We review global conservation adaptation strategies and the geographies that influence biological risk, as well as sociocultural capacity to set priorities for a conservation response. We then describe relationships among these geographies and discuss criteria for prioritizing areas that will have the greatest potential for effective adaptive action.

Results  Strategic conservation requires integrating biological geographies with physical and cultural geographies to maximize potential success with limited resources.

Main conclusions  Biogeography is important for strategic conservation, but it is not the only geography that matters. There is a physical geography of global change providing a complex backdrop against which biodiversity is responsive. Additionally, there is a human geography that drives the degree of threat through variations in anthropogenic disturbance of natural systems and also drives variation in potential mitigation through sociocultural capacity for conservation action. Conservation biogeography typically considers the physical geography of change and the biogeography of threat; it must expand to consider the sociocultural geography of intervention, negative and positive, if it is to be effective. Consideration of these varying geographies also drives different choices for how to implement conservation strategies.
Pre‐clinical properties of the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonists varenicline, cytisine and dianicline translate to clinical efficacy for nicotine dependence
Authors: Rollema H , Shrikhande A , Ward KM , Tingley III FD , Coe JW , O'Neill BT , Tseng E , Wang EQ , Mather RJ , Hurst RS , Williams KE , de Vries M , Cremers T , Bertrand S , Bertrand D
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose: Smoking cessation trials with three high‐affinity partial agonists of α4β2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have demonstrated differences in their clinical efficacy. This work examines the origin of the differences by taking into account brain exposure and pharmacological effects at human α4β2 nAChRs.

Experimental approach: Rat plasma and brain pharmacokinetics were characterized and used to predict human steady‐state plasma and brain concentrations following recommended doses of each of the three compounds. The pharmacological characterization includedin vitroaffinities at different nAChR subtypes, functional efficacies and potencies at the human α4β2 nAChR, as well asin vivoeffects on rat mesolimbic dopamine turn‐over.

Key results: A comparison of predicted human brain concentrations following therapeutic doses demonstrated that varenicline and nicotine, but not dianicline and cytisine, can extensively desensitize and, to a lesser extent, activate α4β2 nAChRs. The limited clinical efficacy of dianicline may be accounted for by a combination of weak functional potency at α4β2 nAChRs and moderate brain penetration, while recommended doses of cytisine, despite its highin vitropotency, are predicted to result in brain concentrations that are insufficient to affect α4β2 nAChRs.

Conclusions and implications: The data provide a plausible explanation for the higher abstinence rate in smoking cessation trials following treatment with varenicline than with the two other α4β2 nAChR partial agonists. In addition, this retrospective analysis demonstrates the usefulness of combiningin vitroandin vivoparameters with estimated therapeutic human brain concentrations for translation to clinical efficacy.
Increased morphine analgesia and reduced side effects in mice lacking thetac1gene
Authors: Bilkei‐Gorzo A , Berner J , Zimmermann J , Wickström R , Racz I , Zimmer A
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose: Although morphine is a very effective analgesic, its narrow therapeutic index and severe side effects limit its therapeutic use. Previous studies indicated that the pharmacological responses of opioids are modulated by genetic and pharmacological invalidation of tachykinin receptors. Here we address the role of substance P and neurokinin A, which are both encoded by the tachykinin 1 (tac1) gene, as modulators of opioid effects.

Experimental approach: The analgesic and side effect potential of morphine was compared between wild‐type andtac1null mutant mice.

Key results: Morphine was a more potent analgesic intac1null mutant mice, that is, in the absence of substance P/neurokinin A signalling. Interestingly, the most serious side effect of acute morphine, that is respiratory depression, was reduced intac1−/−animals. Comparing the addictive potential of morphine in wild‐type and knockout animals we found that morphine preference was similar between the genotypes. However, the aversive effect of withdrawal precipitated by naloxone in morphine‐dependent animals was significantly reduced intac1knockout mice. Behavioural sensitization, the underlying mechanism of addiction, was also significantly lower intac1−/−mice.

Conclusion and implications: The analgesic potential of morphine was increased intac1knockout mice. In contrast, both the ventilatory suppressing effect and the addictive potential of morphine were reduced. These results suggest that reducing activity of the tachykinin system may be a possible strategy to improve the pharmacological potential of morphine.
Genistein aglycone improves skin repair in an incisional model of wound healing: a comparison with raloxifene and oestradiol in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Marini H , Polito F , Altavilla D , Irrera N , Minutoli L , Calò M , Adamo EB , Vaccaro M , Squadrito F , Bitto A
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose:  Oestrogen loss at menopause is frequently related to poor wound healing. Genistein has been tested in anti‐ageing cosmetic preparations with interesting results on skin health. Here, we investigated the effects of the genistein aglycones, given systemically, in an incisional model of wound healing, compared to systemic oestradiol and raloxifene.

Experimental approach:  Six months after ovariectomy (OVX), rats were randomly assigned to groups of 12 animals each and treated daily with genistein aglycone (1 and 10 mg·kg−1 s.c.), raloxifene hydrochloride (0.05 and 0.5 mg·kg−1 s.c.) or 17‐α‐ethinyl oestradiol (0.003 and 0.03 mg·kg−1 s.c.) for 12 weeks. Untreated OVX and sham OVX rats were used as controls. Then, 14 or 7 days before the end of the experiment, an incisional wound healing procedure was performed and skin specimens were collected to evaluate molecular, histological and functional measurements.

Key results:  Seven and fourteen days after wounding, samples from OVX rats showed a decrease in transforming growth factor‐β1, tissue transglutaminase 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor compared to samples from sham OVX rats. Oestradiol, raloxifene and genistein all significantly modified this decrease, but the lowest genistein dose exerted a greater effect than the other treatments. Moreover, the lowest dose of genistein was the most effective in improving skin healing and wound tensile strength.

Conclusions and implications:  Genistein aglycone might be an alternative therapy for the management of skin wound healing.
The neuronal nicotinic α4β2 receptor has a high maximal probability of being open
Authors: Li Ping , Steinbach Joe H
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose: A fundamental property of transmitter‐gated ion channels is the probability a channel will be open (Popen) when stimulated by a concentration of agonist that elicits a maximal response. This value is critical for interpreting steady‐state concentration–response relationships in terms of channel activation, and for understanding the actions of drugs that potentiate responses. We used analysis of non‐stationary noise to estimate the maximal probability the nicotinic α4β2 receptor is open.

Experimental approach: HEK293 cells stably transfected to express human α4β2 nicotinic receptors were studied using whole‐cell voltage clamp. Nicotinic agonists (acetylcholine, nicotine, cytisine and 5‐iodo A‐85380) were applied, and the relationship between variance of the elicited whole‐cell current and mean current was analysed.

Key results: The variance did not increase linearly with the mean current. For acetylcholine and nicotine the relationship between variance and mean indicates that the maximalPopenis greater than 0.8. The number of agonist‐activatable channels was estimated to be about 1000 per cell. The mean single channel conductance at −60 mV was indistinguishable when currents were elicited by acetylcholine (18 pS), nicotine (17 pS) or 5‐iodo A‐85380 (17 pS), whereas the value for cytisine was larger (24 pS).

Conclusions and implications: The neuronal nicotinic α4β2 receptor has a maximal probability of being open that is greater than 0.8. This conclusion applies to the receptor containing three α4 and two β2 subunits (the low‐sensitivity stoichiometry), but may not apply to the receptor containing two α4 and three β2 subunits (the high‐sensitivity stoichiometry).

This article is commented on by Papke, pp. 1903–1905 of this issue. To view this commentary visithttp://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2010.00868.x
Celecoxib treatment restores pharmacosensitivity in a rat model of pharmacoresistant epilepsy
Authors: Schlichtiger J , Pekcec A , Bartmann H , Winter P , Fuest C , Soerensen J , Potschka H
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose: A functional link between seizure‐induced P‐glycoprotein overexpression at the blood–brain barrier and therapeutic failure has been suggested by several studies using rodent epilepsy models and human epileptic tissue. Recently, we reported that interference with the mechanisms that up‐regulate P‐glycoprotein in response to seizure activity might provide a novel approach to control its expression in the epileptic brain. Based on these data, we hypothesized that blocking the appropriate signalling cascade by cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibition should improve brain penetration of antiepileptic drugs and help to overcome drug resistance.

Experimental approach: Effects of the selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor celecoxib on the response to the P‐glycoprotein substrate, phenobarbital, was evaluated in a chronic model of drug‐resistant temporal lobe epilepsy in rats. Drug‐resistant rats selected from this model exhibit a marked overexpression of P‐glycoprotein in the hippocampus and other limbic brain regions.

Key results: Responders and non‐responders were selected from a group of rats with spontaneous recurrent seizures after prolonged treatment with phenobarbital at maximum tolerated doses. The efficacy of phenobarbital was re‐evaluated following a 6 day treatment with celecoxib and the frequency of spontaneous recurrent seizures was significantly reduced in both groups of rats, phenobarbital responders or non‐responders selected from the previous drug trial.

Conclusions and implications: Pretreatment with the cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor restored the anticonvulsant activity of phenobarbital in rats that failed to exhibit a relevant response before celecoxib treatment. Our data provide further support for a novel therapeutic approach to overcome transporter‐mediated drug resistance in epilepsies.
National Red Listing Beyond the 2010 Target
Authors: ZAMIN TARA J. , BAILLIE JONATHAN E. M. , MILLER REBECCA M. , RODRÍGUEZ JON PAUL , ARDID ANA , COLLEN BEN
Published: March 2010

Abstract:  Following creation of the 2010 Biodiversity Target under the Convention on Biological Diversity and adoption of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, information on status and trends of biodiversity at the national level has become increasingly important to both science and policy. National red lists (NRLs) of threatened species may provide suitable data for reporting on progress toward these goals and for informing national conservation priority setting. This information will also become increasingly important for developing species‐ and ecosystem‐based strategies for climate change adaptation. We conducted a thorough global review of NRLs in 109 countries and analyzed gaps in NRL coverage in terms of geography and taxonomy to determine priority regions and taxonomic groups for further investment. We then examined correlations between the NRL data set and gross domestic product (GDP) and vertebrate species richness. The largest geographic gap was in Oceania, followed by middle Africa, the Caribbean, and western Africa, whereas the largest taxonomic gaps were for invertebrates, fungi, and lichens. The comprehensiveness of NRL coverage within a given country was positively correlated with GDP and negatively correlated with total vertebrate richness and threatened vertebrate richness. This supports the assertion that regions with the greatest and most vulnerable biodiversity receive the least conservation attention and indicates that financial resources may be an integral limitation. To improve coverage of NRLs, we propose a combination of projects that target underrepresented taxa or regions and projects that provide the means for countries to create or update NRLs on their own. We recommend improvements in knowledge transfer within and across regions as a priority for future investment.
Disability and Incident Coronary Heart Disease in Older Community‐Dwelling Adults: The Three‐City Study
Authors: Plichart Matthieu , Barberger‐Gateau Pascale , Tzourio Christophe , Amouyel Philippe , Pérès Karine , Ritchie Karen , Jouven Xavier , Ducimetière Pierre , Empana Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively assess the association between disability and incident fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease (CHD) in older adults free of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

DESIGN: A French multicenter prospective population‐based cohort of 9,294 subjects, aged 65 and older at baseline, recruited between 1999 and 2001 and followed for 6 years.

SETTING: Three cities in France: Bordeaux in the southwest, Dijon in the northeast, and Montpellier in the southeast.

PARTICIPANTS: Seven thousand three hundred fifty‐four participants with no history of CVD and with available information on disability status. Subjects were categorized at baseline as having no disability, mild disability (mobility only), and moderate or severe disability (mobility plus activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living).

MEASUREMENTS: Incident fatal and nonfatal coronary events (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, revascularization procedures, and CHD death).

RESULTS: At baseline, the mean level of the risk factors increased gradually with the severity of disability. After a median follow‐up of 5.2 years, 264 first coronary events, including 55 fatal events, occurred. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, participants with moderate or severe disability had a 1.7 times (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.0–2.7) greater risk of overall CHD than nondisabled subjects, whereas those with mild disability were not at greater CHD risk. An association was also found with fatal CHD, for which the risk increased gradually with the severity of disability (hazard ratio (HR)mild disability=1.7, 95% CI=0.8–3.6; HRmoderate/severe disability=3.5, 95% CI=1.3–9.3; P for trend=.01).

CONCLUSION: In older community‐dwelling adults, the association between disability and incident CHD is mostly due to an association with fatal CHD.
Variation in Prostate‐Specific Antigen Screening in Men Aged 80 and Older in Fee‐for‐Service Medicare
Authors: Bynum Julie , Song Yunjie , Fisher Elliott
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening in men aged 80 and older in Medicare and to examine geographic variation in screening rates across the U.S.

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of variation across hospital referral regions using administrative data.

SETTING: National random sample in fee‐for‐service Medicare.

PARTICIPANTS: Medicare beneficiaries aged 80 and older in 2003.

MEASUREMENTS: Percentage of men aged 80 and older screened using the PSA test.

RESULTS: The national rate of PSA screening in men aged 80 and older was 17.2%, but there was wide variation across regions (<2–38%). Higher PSA screening in a region was positively associated with greater total costs (correlation coefficient (r)=0.49, P<.001), greater intensive care unit use at the end of life (r=0.46, P<.001), and greater number of unique physicians seen (r=0.36, P<.001). PSA screening was negatively associated with proportion of beneficiaries using a primary care physician as opposed to a medical subspecialist for the predominance of ambulatory care (r=−0.38, P<.001).

CONCLUSION: PSA screening in men aged 80 and older is common practice, although its frequency is highly variable across the United States. Its association with fragmented physician care and aggressive end‐of‐life care may reflect less reliance on primary care and consequent difficulty informing patients of the potential harms and low likelihood of benefit of this procedure.
Delirium: An Independent Predictor of Functional Decline After Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Rudolph James L. , Inouye Sharon K. , Jones Richard N. , Yang Frances M. , Fong Tamara G. , Levkoff Sue E. , Marcantonio Edward R.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether patients who developed delirium after cardiac surgery were at risk of functional decline.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

SETTING: Two academic hospitals and a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

PARTICIPANTS: One hundred ninety patients aged 60 and older undergoing elective or urgent cardiac surgery.

MEASUREMENTS: Delirium was assessed daily and was diagnosed according to the Confusion Assessment Method. Before surgery and 1 and 12 months postoperatively, patients were assessed for function using the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scale. Functional decline was defined as a decrease in ability to perform one IADL at follow‐up.

RESULTS: Delirium occurred in 43.1% (n=82) of the patients (mean age 73.7±6.7). Functional decline occurred in 36.3% (n=65/179) at 1 month and in 14.6% (n=26/178) at 12 months. Delirium was associated with greater risk of functional decline at 1 month (relative risk (RR)=1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.3–2.8) and tended toward greater risk at 12 months (RR=1.9, 95% CI=0.9–3.8). After adjustment for age, cognition, comorbidity, and baseline function, delirium remained significantly associated with functional decline at 1 month (adjusted RR=1.8, 95% CI=1.2–2.6) but not at 12 months (adjusted RR=1.5, 95% CI=0.6–3.3).

CONCLUSION: Delirium was independently associated with functional decline at 1 month and had a trend toward association at 12 months. These findings provide justification for intervention trials to evaluate whether delirium prevention or treatment strategies might improve postoperative functional recovery.
Prevalence and 10‐Year Outcomes of Frailty in Older Adults in Relation to Deficit Accumulation
Authors: Song Xiaowei , Mitnitski Arnold , Rockwood Kenneth
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence and 10‐year outcomes of frailty in older adults in relation to deficit accumulation.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

SETTING: The National Population Health Survey of Canada, with frailty estimated at baseline (1994/95) and mortality follow‐up to 2004/05.

PARTICIPANTS: Community‐dwelling older adults (N=2,740, 60.8% women) aged 65 to 102 from 10 Canadian provinces. During the 10‐year follow‐up, 1,208 died.

MEASUREMENTS: Self‐reported health information was used to construct a frailty index (Frailty Index) as a proportion of deficits accumulated in individuals. The main outcome measure was mortality.

RESULTS: The prevalence of frailty increased with age in men and women (correlation coefficient=0.955–0.994, P<.001). The Frailty Index estimated that 622 (22.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI)=21.0–24.4%) of the sample was frail. Frailty was more common in women (25.3%, 95% CI=23.2–27.5%) than in men (18.6%, 95% CI=15.9–21.3%). For those aged 85 and older, the Frailty Index identified 39.1% (95% CI=31.3–46.9%) of men as frail, compared with 45.1% (95% CI=39.7–50.5%) of women. Frailty significantly increased the risk of death, with an age‐ and sex‐adjusted hazard ratio for the Frailty Index of 1.57 (95% CI=1.41–1.74).

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of frailty increases with age and at any age lessens survival. The Frailty Index approach readily identifies frail people at risk of death, presumably because of its use of multiple health deficits in multidimensional domains.
Competing Risk of Death: An Important Consideration in Studies of Older Adults
Authors: Berry Sarah D. , Ngo Long , Samelson Elizabeth J. , Kiel Douglas P.
Published: March 2010

Clinical studies often face the difficult problem of how to account for participants who die without experiencing the study outcome of interest. In a geriatric population with considerable comorbidities, the competing risk of death is especially high. Traditional approaches to describe risk of disease include Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression, but these methods can overestimate risk of disease by failing to account for the competing risk of death. This report discusses traditional survival analysis and competing risk analysis as used to estimate risk of disease in geriatric studies. Furthermore, it illustrates a competing risk approach to estimate risk of second hip fracture in the Framingham Osteoporosis Study and compares the results with traditional survival analysis. In this example, survival analysis overestimated the 5‐year risk of second hip fracture by 37% and the 10‐year risk by 75% compared with competing risk estimates. In studies of older individuals in which a substantial number of participants die during a long follow‐up, the cumulative incidence competing risk estimate and competing risk regression should be used to determine incidence and effect estimates. Use of a competing risk approach is critical to accurately determining disease risk for elderly individuals and therefore best inform clinical decision‐making.
The New Economic Sociology of Prices: An Analysis Inspired by the Austrian School of Economics
Authors: Fillieule Renaud
Published: March 2010

Abstract

The new economic sociology includes some reference studies on the sociology of prices. They have not until now been studied by economists, and this article attempts to fill that gap by offering a detailed analysis, inspired by the Austrian School of Economics, of their object and approach. We first show that, from a theoretical point of view, the explanations advanced by these sociologists are based implicitly on basic models of economics, such as the “law of supply and demand” and the “law of costs,” and that they cannot therefore replace economic explanations of prices. Secondly, from a methodological point of view, these studies are based on field surveys that provide concrete information on certain markets but they lose sight of an aspect that is fundamental to the Austrian School, the interdependence of prices in different markets. And when this interdependence is taken into account, namely, in the case of the relationship between cost and price, the causal link postulated by sociologists goes from cost to price when Austrian economists argue that it goes in the opposite direction.
From W. N. Hohfeld to J. R. Commons, and Beyond? A “Law and Economics” Enquiry on Jural Relations
Authors: Vatiero Massimiliano
Published: March 2010

Abstract

In this article we try to reformulate the approaches of Wesley Newcomb Hohfeld and John Rogers Commons on jural relations speculating on the concept of positionality as introduced by Fred Hirsch in his original work on positional good and competition. Furthermore, by placing Hohfeld's jural lowest common denominator within the Commonsian transaction, we propose a more structured economic description of the jural relations theory.
From Drafts to Checks: The Evolution of Correspondent Banking Networks and the Formation of the Modern U.S. Payments System, 1850–1914
Authors: JAMES JOHN A. , WEIMAN DAVID F.
Published: March 2010

Checks remained local payments instruments throughout virtually the entire nineteenth century. Their significant use in interregional transactions dates only to the 1890s. We explain their lagged spatial diffusion by the evolution of centralized payments institutions to coordinate transactions among myriad banks, not real technological changes to “annihilate” distance. The pivotal institutions were large correspondent banks, especially in New York. After the Civil War, New York funds constituted a national settlement medium, and the concentration of bankers’ balances in New York yielded liquidity and other externalities smoothing the flow of check payments.
Disinflation Shocks in the Eurozone: A DSGE Perspective
Authors: FÈVE PATRICK , MATHERON JULIEN , SAHUC JEAN‐GUILLAUME
Published: March 2010

We investigate the effects of disinflation policies on key macroeconomic variables. Using euro area data and structural vector autoregressions (SVARs), we identify disinflation shocks as the only shocks that drive nominal variables to a lower long‐run level. We find that in the immediate aftermath of a disinflation shock, the euro area enters in a persistent recession. We use these dynamic responses to estimate a DSGE model with imperfect information about the disinflation shock. We find that both nominal and real frictions and monetary policy gradualism have played a prominent role in the recessionary effect of disinflation shocks. Conversely, allowing for imperfect credibility does not yield a better fit, except when we shut key model's frictions down.
Inflation and Stock Prices: No Illusion
Authors: WEI CHAO
Published: March 2010

Campbell and Vuolteenaho (2004) use VAR results to advocate inflation illusion as the explanation for the positive association between inflation and dividend yields. Using a structural approach, we find that a fully rational dynamic general equilibrium model can generate a positive correlation between dividend yields and inflation as observed in the data. The paper describes a channel by which the technology shock moves both inflation and dividend yields in the same direction, resulting in a positive correlation between the two.
Alternatives for Distressed Banks during the Great Depression
Authors: CARLSON MARK
Published: March 2010

Using data on individual banks during the Great Depression, I find that institutions that failed during periods in which failures were especially numerous, such as the banking panics, appear to have been at least as financially sound as banks that were able to pursue alternative resolution strategies, such as merging with another institution or suspending and recapitalizing, during less extreme periods. This result suggests that problems associated with having numerous banks in distress simultaneously during the Depression may have exacerbated the number of banks closed and the economic downturn.
Debt Maturity Choice of Nonpublic Italian Firms
Authors: MAGRI SILVIA
Published: March 2010

This paper focuses on debt maturity of nonpublic Italian firms of small and medium size by international standards and that mainly use bank loans as source of external financing. Compared to few similar studies, the main contributions are that panel estimations allow to control for unobserved firm heterogeneity; firms are also permitted to choose simultaneously leverage and debt maturity. The evidence is that debt maturity is shorter for companies that are riskier and affected by asymmetric information. In areas of the country with poorer legal enforcement, in choosing debt maturity lenders lay greater emphasis on indicators of firm information opacity.
Tibia and Fibula Stature Formulae for Modern Female Populations Based on Digital Radiographic Measurements
Authors: Kieffer Crystal L.
Published: March 2010

Abstract:  This study demonstrates the feasibility of creating bone lengths and stature databases of significant size for modern living human populations from digital radiographic archives and medical records. Tibia and fibula lengths were taken from digital radiographic images of 250 women. The images, drawn from the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center’s Radiology Department’s General Electric Picture Archiving and Communication System, were taken between 2003 and 2007. Stature measurements were obtained from medical records on 83 individuals, 50 of which were used to regress stature equations for the tibia and fibula. Bone lengths obtained from radiographic images are almost 3 cm longer than those obtained from skeletalized collections. The formulae produce ranges up to 10 cm lower than current formulae. Accuracy could be improved as methods are developed to correct for the small magnification produced by digital images.
Plasma BDNF concentration, Val66Met genetic variant and depression‐related personality traits
Authors: Terracciano A. , Martin B. , Ansari D. , Tanaka T. , Ferrucci L. , Maudsley S. , Mattson M. P. , Costa P. T.
Published: March 2010

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, and BDNF plasma and serum levels have been associated with depression, Alzheimer's disease, and other psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. In a relatively large community sample, drawn from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), we examine whether BDNF plasma concentration is associated with the Val66Met functional polymorphism of the BDNF gene (n = 335) and with depression‐related personality traits assessed with the NEO‐PI‐R (n = 391). Plasma concentration of BDNF was not associated with the Val66Met variant in either men or women. However, in men, but not in women, BDNF plasma level was associated with personality traits linked to depression. Contrary to the notion that low BDNF is associated with negative outcomes, we found lower plasma levels in men who score lower on depression and vulnerability to stress (two facets of Neuroticism) and higher on Conscientiousness and Extraversion. These findings challenge the prevailing hypothesis that lower peripheral levels of BDNF are a marker of depression.
The role of 5‐HT2Areceptor and 5‐HT2A/5‐HT1Areceptor interaction in the suppression of catalepsy
Authors: Naumenko V. S. , Bazovkina D. V. , Kondaurova E. M. , Zubkov E. A. , Kulikov A. V.
Published: March 2010

In the present study, the 5‐HT2Aand 5‐HT1Areceptors functional activity and 5‐HT2Areceptor gene expression were examined in the brain of ASC/Icg and congenic AKR.CBAD13Mit76C mouse strains (genetically predisposed to catalepsy) in comparison with the parental catalepsy‐resistant AKR/J and catalepsy‐prone CBA/Lac mouse strains. The significantly reduced 5‐HT2Areceptor functional activity along with decreased 5‐HT2Areceptor gene expression in the frontal cortex was found in all mice predisposed to catalepsy compared with catalepsy‐resistant AKR/J. 5‐HT2Aagonist DOI (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced catalepsy in ASC/Icg and CBA/Lac, but not in AKR.CBAD13Mit76C mice. Essential increase in 5‐HT1Areceptor functional activity was shown in catalepsy‐prone mouse strains in comparison with catalepsy‐resistant AKR/J mice. However, in AKR.CBAD13Mit76C mice it was lower than in ASC/Icg and CBA/Lac mice. The inter‐relation between 5‐HT2Aand 5‐HT1Areceptors in the regulation of catalepsy was suggested. This suggestion was confirmed by prevention of DOI anticataleptic effect in ASC/Icg and CBA/Lac mice by pretreatment with 5‐HT1Areceptor antagonist p‐MPPI (3 mg/kg, i.p.). At the same time, the activation of 5‐HT2Areceptor led to the essential suppression of 5‐HT1Areceptor functional activity, indicating the opposite effect of 5‐HT2Areceptor on pre‐ and postsynaptic 5‐HT1Areceptors. Thus, 5‐HT2A/5‐HT1Areceptor interaction in the mechanism of catalepsy suppression in mice was shown.
Acting up or acting out? Unlocking children's talk in literature circles
Authors: Pearson Caroline
Published: March 2010

It is generally accepted that talk enriches children's interpretations of texts in literature circle discussions. However, the nature of that talk and exactly how it facilitates interpretation of texts has not been much analysed. This article describes some work undertaken with a class of Scottish children, aged 9–10, to introduce them to the idea of literature circles. The literature circle discussions were then recorded and analysed. The purpose of the project was to record the kinds of exchanges, chains of comment and range of discourses and voices that children used when talking among themselves, and to reflect on their function and value. It was found that a lot of the talk was exploratory though not always in the sense proposed by Mercer. In his terms much was ‘cumulative’. Some talk veered towards anecdotal chat. The children also frequently put on voices not their own, mimicking characters in the story they were reading, and other people they knew. These forms of talk are not always encouraged in the classroom, their effectiveness for learning being in doubt. This article argues that cumulative talk, the telling of anecdotes and the performing of different characters' voices all have a useful function in discussions of books: they can encourage engagement, be helpful in bringing texts to life and advance children's thinking about literature.
Collapse of a molecular cloud core to stellar densities: the radiative impact of stellar core formation on the circumstellar disc
Authors: Bate Matthew R.
Published: March 2010

We present results from the first three-dimensional radiation hydrodynamical calculations to follow the collapse of a molecular cloud core beyond the formation of the stellar core. We find that the energy released by the formation of the stellar core, within the optically thick first hydrostatic core, is comparable to the binding energy of the disc-like first core. This heats the inner regions of the disc, drives a shock wave through the disc, dramatically decreases the accretion rate on to the stellar core and launches a temporary bipolar outflow perpendicular to the rotation axis that travels in excess of 50 au into the infalling envelope.

This outburst may assist the young protostar in launching a conventional magnetic jet. Furthermore, if these events are cyclic, they may provide a mechanism for intense bursts of accretion separated by long periods of relatively quiescent accretion which can potentially solve both the protostellar luminosity problem and the apparent age spread of stars in young clusters. Such outbursts may also provide a formation mechanism for the chondrules found in meteorites, with the outflow transporting them to large distances in the circumstellar disc.
Monitoring the response of canine hyperadrenocorticism to trilostane treatment by assessment of acute phase protein concentrations
Authors: Arteaga A. , Dhand N. K. , McCann T. , Knottenbelt C. M. , Tebb A. J. , Evans H. , Eckersall P. David , Ramsey I. K.
Published: March 2010

Background: Acute phase proteins (APPS) include haptoglobin (Hp), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA). Increased Hp concentrations may be induced by endogenous or exogenous glucocorticoids in dogs.

Objectives: To assess whether control of hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) affects the concentrations of Hp, CRP, SAA, alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) and cholesterol, to determine whether these analytes can be used to assess control of HAC following trilostane treatment, and whether a combination of these tests offers a valid method of assessing disease control.

Methods: Hp, CRP, SAA, ALKP and cholesterol were assessed in 11 dogs with spontaneous HAC before and after treatment with trilostane. Adequate control of HAC was defined as post‐ACTH cortisol less than 150 nmol/l.

Results: Significant reductions in Hp, ALKP, cholesterol and SAA (P<0·05) but not of CRP were found after control of HAC. Only Hp, cholesterol and ALKP were moderately informative (Se& Sp>0·7) of disease control when compared to adrenocorticotropin or corticotropin (ACTH) stimulation test. SAA and CRP were unhelpful (Se & Sp<0·7). The analysis of the combination of the analytes did not improve the correlation with ACTH stimulation test.

ClinicalRelevance: Relying on these analytes does not provide additional information over ACTH stimulation test results when assessing control of HAC treated with trilostane.
Arthroscopic‐assisted management of osteochondritis dissecans in the stifle of a cat
Authors: Bright S. R.
Published: March 2010

An 11‐month‐old, male neutered, domestic short‐haired cat presented for evaluation of sudden onset right pelvic limb lameness. Radiography showed features consistent with unilateral osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the lateral femoral condyle in the right stifle. Arthroscopic examination of the stifle was used to confirm the presence of an articular cartilage lesion and the presence of loose cartilage within the joint. The loose cartilage fragments were removed arthroscopically. One arthroscopy portal was extended into a limited arthrotomy, which was necessary to ensure complete debridement of the defect. Removal of the fragments led to complete resolution of the clinical signs. This case report documents a more minimally invasive technique for the management of stifle OCD in the cat than previously documented and helps to establish a protocol for arthroscopic surgery in the feline stifle.
Complex extrahepatic portocaval shunt with unusual caval features in a cat: computed tomographic characterisation
Authors: Brown J. C. , Chanoit G. , Reeder J.
Published: March 2010

A two‐year‐old, neutered male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for a history of urate calculi, and neurologic signs. Diagnostic imaging revealed an elongated and tortuous single extrahepatic portosystemic shunt which appeared to receive normal tributaries of the caudal vena cava. Surgical correction of the shunt was carried out using cellophane banding. Eight months following surgery, clinical signs had resolved. Computed tomographic angiography allows thorough, rapid imaging of complex vascular anomalies to aid proper surgical correction. Errors in the formation of the portal vein and caudal vena cava can produce complex anomalies of the abdominal vasculature. Persistence of the embryologic left subcardinal vein is proposed to account for the lesion.
Disproportional effects in populations of concern for pandemic influenza: insights from seasonal epidemics in Wisconsin, 1967–2004
Authors: Lofgren Eric T. , Wenger Julia B. , Fefferman Nina H. , Bina David , Gradus Steve , Bhattacharyya Sanjib , Naumov Yuri N. , Gorski Jack , Naumova Elena N.
Published: March 2010

Please cite this paper as: Lofgren et al. (2010) Disproportional effects in populations of concern for pandemic influenza: insights from seasonal epidemics in Wisconsin, 1967–2004. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 4(4), 205–212.

Background  Influenza infections pose a serious burden of illness in the United States. We explored age, influenza strains, and seasonal epidemic curves in relation to influenza‐associated mortality.

Methods  The state of Wisconsin death records for the years 1967–2004 were analyzed for three distinct populations: children, general population, and elderly. Yearly parameters of duration, intensity, and peak timing were obtained from Annual Harmonic Regression coefficients.

Results  Overall, elderly had the highest rate and intensity of influenza mortality. The children and infant subpopulations showed an earlier and wider range in duration of peak timing than elderly. During A/Hong Kong/1/68 pandemic years, the elderly subpopulation showed no change in mortality rates while a sharp increase was observed for the children and infant subpopulations. In epidemic years such as 1966–1969, children and infants showed a dramatic decrease in the severity of influenza outbreaks over time. The elderly had increased baseline mortality in years (1986–1987) where predominant strain was characterized as A/Singapore/6/86.

Conclusions  Our findings indicate that the younger populations may have benefited from the lack of a major shift in viral strains for a number of decades. Furthermore, we demonstrate considerable heterogeneity in the spread of seasonal influenza across age categories, with implications both for the modeling of influenza seasonality, risk assessment, and effective distribution and timing of vaccine and prophylactic interventions.
Psychotherapy Integration: Systems Theory and Self‐Psychology
Authors: Brown Jac
Published: March 2010

This article highlights the distinction between integration and eclecticism, arguing for an integration in teaching psychotherapy by using a meta‐theory. The traditional approach of presenting a sequential range of therapy models may inadvertently advocate an eclectic approach. It begins with a brief consideration of the integration literature, elaborating a meta‐theory for integration. This is followed with the presentation of a meta‐theory as an integrative tool for teaching the divergent models of systems theory and self‐psychology. Using this meta‐theory, an example is presented which conceptualizes the presenting problems of a couple. Finally, a plan for using the integration is discussed.
The End of Free Market Fundamentalism Not of the Mixed Economy*
Authors: Clarke Harry
Published: March 2010

The GFC involved the collapse of the largest asset market bubble in history and a massive consequent deleveraging of firms and consumers. This event has highlighted defects of ‘capitalism’ and suggested an enhanced case for more government control of economies. This view needs refinement. While market regulation has failed, ‘capitalism’ as a whole has not. Modern economies are, for the most part, ‘mixed economies’ already subject to extensive government intervention and regulation but, within which, market failures persist. The GFC suggests that the focus should be on improving the elimination of these failures not on setting aside the efficiencies yielded by markets.
Cicero’s Children: The Worth of the History of Economic Thought for Business Students*
Authors: Millmow Alex
Published: March 2010

The Global Financial Crisis is likely to exert some impact upon the prevailing economic and political philosophy. The big question for economic and business instructors is to ponder whether it will lead to any significant changes in economic and business syllabus at Australian universities. The teaching of mainstream economics is durable and usually resistant to change. Yet the crisis has certainly caused rumblings in the teaching of first‐year economics. There is certainly a great curiosity among the young about what went wrong. Moreover, they wish to know why neoliberalism has failed and why state intervention is resurgent. Young minds must be perplexed about the rapid revision of agenda from containing inflation in 2008 to coping with recession in 2009. This paper argues that an introductory course in the history of economic ideas could help tell them why.
SCIENCE QUESTIONS
Authors: Jones Franklin T.
Published: March 2010

Readers are invited to co‐operate by proposing questions for discussion or problems for solution.

Examination papers, tests, and interesting scientific happenings are very much desired. Please enclose material in an envelope and mail to Franklin T. Jones. 10109 Wilbur Avenue. Cleveland. Ohio.
Book Reviews
Authors: Shroyer Gail
Published: March 2010

Book reviewed in this article:

Blinkers and Buzzers: Building and Experimenting with Electricity and Magnetism, Brnie Zubrowski.

Nature Chain Series: Bird, Butterfly, Flower, and Frog, Moira Butterfield.

The Nature of Science, Fred Aiken.
Impacting the Science Attitudes of Minority High School Youth
Authors: Ellis Ronald S.
Published: March 2010

A study involving urban, minority high school students in a supplemental education program was conducted during 1989 to test the null hypothesis that no relationship exists between exposure to program activities and changes in mathematics performance or attitude towards science. The treatment activities integrated science, with language arts, mathematics, computers and counseling and enabled students to discuss matters of concern and the relationship of these concerns to their academic work and to future success in careers based in science and mathematics. Mathematics performance data were analyzed using ANOVA (premath X group, postmath X group), and t‐test/pairs (premath vs. postmath). Pre‐ and postreatment data on attitude towards science were rank ordered, paired and analyzed using the Wilcoxin Matched‐Pairs Signed Ranks Test.

The findings reveal a significantly positive treatment effect. In spite of the caution suggested by the limited sample, exposure to the treatment has resulted in an increased positive effect, not only upon attitude towards science, but also upon mathematics performance.
Technological Problem‐Solving Activities as a Means of Instruction: The TSM Integration Program
Authors: Sanders Mark
Published: March 2010

The Technology, Science, Mathematics (TSM) Integration Project, funded by the National Science Foundation, has developed a series of middle school activities that involve the application of science and mathematics in the solution of technological problems. The purpose of these activities is to allow students to see “real‐world” applications for science and mathematics. The paper opens with a discussion of the “technological problem solving” method that characterizes each of the TSM Integration Activities. Brief descriptions of the fifteen activities and the corresponding technology, science, and mathematics content they involve are provided. The general structure of the activities and research in support of this methodological approach are also included.