bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization of anti‐Parkinson drugs in Australia: 1995–2009
Authors: Hollingworth Samantha A , Rush Amanda , Hall Wayne D , Eadie Mervyn J
Published: February 2011

Purpose

To examine trends in the prescribing of anti‐Parkinsonian drugs (APD) in Australia from 1995 to 2009.

Methods

We analyzed the Medicare Australia and Drug Utilisation Sub‐Committee (DUSC) databases for prescription data for overall APD dispensed use from 1995. We were able to examine prescribing by gender, age, and type of prescriber between 2002 and 2009. Prescriptions were converted to defined daily doses (DDD)/1000 population/day using Australian Bureau of Statistics population data.

Results

Dispensed use of levodopa + carbidopa remained steady from 1995 to 2009 (0.76–0.82 DDD/1000 population/day); levodopa + benserazide use increased from 0.34 to 0.55 DDD/1000 population/day. Since 2005 dispensed use of levodopa + carbidopa + entacapone has steadily increased, from 0.03 to 0.10 DDD/1000 population/day. In July 2009 levodopa + carbidopa was the most widely used agent, followed by levodopa + benserazide, then benztropine. Cabergoline increased from 1999, peaked in 2006, and thereafter declined. APD use peaked in males and females aged 60–69 years. Age‐adjusted utilization was slightly higher in males than females.

Conclusions

The amount of levodopa dispensed has slowly increased with levodopa + benserazide increasing faster than levodopa + carbidopa. Use of cabergoline fell when pramipexole became available and the risk of ergot‐related serosal adverse effects was more widely appreciated. Use of centrally acting anti‐cholinergics decreased over a period of time when use of atypical anti‐psychotic agents increased. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of an evidence‐based algorithm on quality of care in pediatric parapneumonic effusion and empyema
Authors: Shomaker Kyrie L. , Weiner Tim , Esther Charles R.
Published: February 2011

Objective

To determine whether implementation of a collaborative, evidence‐based algorithm for care of pediatric parapneumonic effusion and empyema (PPE) can improve the quality of care delivered.

Study Design

Prospective cohort with retrospective control comparison of children aged 1 month to 18 years admitted with a clinical diagnosis of PPE. Quality improvement techniques were used to develop an algorithm, which was implemented September 2008. Primary outcome measures were decreased median and variability in length of stay (LOS), reduction in the use of chest computed tomography (CT), reduction in the total number of painful procedures, and increased initial use of effective drainage procedures when drainage was indicated.

Results

Compared with controls, algorithm implementation substantially reduced use of chest CT (0% vs. 41% of patients, P = 0.01) with no observed negative impact on LOS. Reductions in median LOS were not significant, but variability in LOS was reduced (P < 0.01 by F‐test). Changes in number of procedures and use of effective drainage when indicated were in the predicted direction but not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Quality improvement techniques are an effective means for incorporating evidence‐based medicine into pediatric care. PPE can be managed safely without the use of chest CT. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:722–728. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular beam epitaxy growth of GaN/AlGaN quantum cascade structure using droplet elimination by thermal annealing technique
Authors: Terashima Wataru , Hirayama Hideki
Published: February 2011

We studied on the radio‐frequency molecular beam epitaxial (RF‐MBE) growth of GaN/AlGaN quantum cascade (QC) structure grown on a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD)‐GaN template by employing the droplet elimination by thermal annealing (DETA) technique, in order to realize the successful fabrication of a QC structure with a large number of periods and to increase the radiant intensity from terahertz‐quantum cascade lasers (THz‐QCL) sample. DETA is a technique in which the metal droplets that form on the surface are evaporated and eliminated by temporarily increasing the substrate temperature, utilizing the property whereby the equilibrium vapor pressures of the metal components (Ga, Al) are larger than those of the resulting nitrides (GaN, AlN). DETA is a useful method which not only makes it possible to increase the number of periods in the QC structure, but also to improve the surface and structural properties of the QC structure. We could successfully increase the radiant intensity from a THz‐QCL sample by increasing the number of periods in the stacked QC structure by using the DETA technique.
Free electron properties and hydrogen in InN grown by MOVPE
Authors: Darakchieva V. , Xie M.‐Y. , Rogalla D. , Becker H.‐W. , Lorenz K. , Alves E. , Ruffenach S. , Moret M. , Briot O.
Published: February 2011

In this work we present a comprehensive study on the hydrogen impurities, free electron, and structural properties of MOVPE InN films with state‐of‐the‐art quality. We find a correlation between the decrease of free electron concentration and the reduction of bulk hydrogen in the films upon thermal annealing, while no changes in the dislocation densities and strain are observed. Our results suggest that hydrogen is a major source for the unintentional n‐type doping in MOVPE InN.
Boron diffusion behavior in silicon during shallow p+/n junction formation by non‐melt excimer laser annealing
Authors: Aid Siti Rahmah , Matsumoto Satoru , Fuse Genshu
Published: February 2011

Boron diffusion in silicon during the formation of a shallow p+/n junction has been studied. Low‐energy/high‐dose boron was implanted in germanium preamorphized silicon. Preannealing involving rapid thermal annealing for 10 s, followed by annealing involving non‐melt laser annealing for several nanoseconds were then performed to regrow the amorphous layer and to activate dopants. We found that this combination of processes results in anomalous diffusion of boron (despite the annealing being performed within several nanoseconds), which increases the junction depth of annealed samples.
Field‐effect transistor performance of zinc oxide thin films derived from molecular based alkoxyalkyl zinc compounds
Authors: Hoffmann Rudolf C. , Dilfer Stefan , Issanin Alexander , Schneider Jörg J.
Published: February 2011

Solution processed zinc oxide thin films are derived from different organometallic alkoxyalkyl zinc compounds [Zn(OR1)R2]4 and their performance in field‐effect transistors (FETs) has been studied systematically. The influence of various residues R1 or R2 on the decomposition behaviour of the organometallic precursors and the resulting film morphology is discussed. The performance of the FETs could be enhanced by employment of a post‐processing treatment with hydrogen plasma, leading to higher electron carrier mobilities as well as stable on/off ratios.

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Demonstration of diamond field effect transistors by AlN/diamond heterostructure
Authors: Imura Masataka , Hayakawa Ryoma , Watanabe Eiichiro , Liao Meiyong , Koide Yasuo , Amano Hiroshi
Published: February 2011

This is the first report on an AlN/diamond heterojunction field effect transistor (HFET). The AlN epilayer is grown on oxygen‐terminated (111) diamond substrates using metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy at a temperature as high as 1240 °C. The transistor and gate capacitance–voltage characteristics indicate that the HFET behaves as a p‐channel FET with a normally‐on depletion mode. The HFET channel is located at the AlN/diamond interface, and holes are accumulated in diamond close to the interface. The development of the AlN/diamond HFET creates a new possibility for diamond‐based power electronics. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An integration design optimization framework of robust design, axiomatic design, and reliability‐based design
Authors: Lijuan Shen , Jun Yang , Yu Zhao
Published: February 2011

Robust design, axiomatic design, and reliability‐based design provide effective approaches to deal with quality problems, and their integration will achieve better quality improvement. An integration design optimization framework of robust design, axiomatic design, and reliability‐based design is proposed in this paper. First, the fitted response model of each quality characteristic is obtained by response surface methodology and the mean square error (MSE) estimation is given by a second‐order Taylor series approximation expansion. Then the multiple quality characteristics robust design model is developed by the MSE criteria. Finally, the independence axiom constraints for decoupling and reliability constraints are integrated into the multiple quality characteristics robust design model, and the integration design optimization framework is formulated, where the weighted Tchebycheff approach is adopted to solve the multiple objective programming. An illustrative example is presented at the end, and the results show that the proposed approach can obtain better trade‐offs among conflicting quality characteristics, variability, coupling degree and reliability requirements. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐agent deployment for visibility coverage in polygonal environments with holes
Authors: Obermeyer Karl J. , Ganguli Anurag , Bullo Francesco
Published: February 2011

This article presents a distributed algorithm for a group of robotic agents with omnidirectional vision to deploy into nonconvex polygonal environments with holes. Agents begin deployment from a common point, possess no prior knowledge of the environment, and operate only under line‐of‐sight sensing and communication. The objective of the deployment is for the agents to achieve full visibility coverage of the environment while maintaining line‐of‐sight connectivity with each other. This is achieved by incrementally partitioning the environment into distinct regions, each completely visible from some agent. Proofs are given of (i) convergence, (ii) upper bounds on the time and number of agents required, and (iii) bounds on the memory and communication complexity. Simulation results and description of robust extensions are also included. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐Dimensional Fluidic Self‐Assembly by Axis Translation of Two‐Dimensionally Fabricated Microcomponents in Railed Microfluidics
Authors: Chung Su Eun , Jung Yoonseok , Kwon Sunghoon
Published: February 2011

A method for high‐throughput 3D self‐assembly of 2D photopatterned microstructures using railed microfluidics is presented. Vertical device patterning of heterogeneous materials requires high‐level integration using conventional microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology; however, 3D railed assembly enables easy and fast self‐assembly via a fluidic axis‐translation process and simple material exchange in microfluidic channels. Individually photopatterned 2D microstructures are axis‐translated from in‐plane to out‐of‐plane and fluidically self‐assembled, guided by side‐rails in microfluidic channels to form a 3D morphology. Since the structures are fabricated in fluidic environments, there are no fixed initial points on the channel substrate allowing fluidic horizontal stacking of erected 2D structures. The guiding mechanism of railed microfluidics enables efficient fluidic handling and deterministic 3D self‐assembly of heterogeneous components such as electronic components or polymeric microstructures using only fluidic force.
Evaluation of a high‐volume, low‐latency market data processing system implemented with IBM middleware
Authors: Park Yoonho , King Richard , Nathan Senthil , Most Wesley , Andrade Henrique
Published: February 2011

A stock market data processing system that can handle high data volumes at low latencies is critical to market makers. Such systems play a critical role in algorithmic trading, risk analysis, market surveillance, and many other related areas. The current systems tend to use specialized software and custom processors. We show that such a system can be built with general‐purpose middleware and run on commodity hardware. The middleware we use is IBM System S which includes transport technology from IBM WebSphere MQ Low Latency Messaging (LLM). Our performance evaluation consists of two parts. First, we determined the effectiveness of each system optimization that the hardware and software infrastructure makes available. These optimizations were implemented at all software levels—application, middleware, and operating system. Second, we evaluated our system on different hardware platforms. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biokompatible und bioaktive polymere Beschichtungen
Authors: Voit Brigitte , Gramm Stefan , Steinert Volker , Werner Carsten , Zschoche Stefan
Published: February 2011

In biomedizinischen Anwendungen müssen die polymeren Materialien häufig mit einer biokompatiblen Oberfläche ausgerüstet werden. Wir stellen verschiedene Methoden vor, biokompatible und auch bioaktive Hydrogele auf Polymeroberflächen zu immobilisieren. Dabei werden einerseits Makroinitiator‐Reaktivschichten eingesetzt, die es erlauben, z. b. Polyacrylsäurehydrogele auf Polykondensaten durch „grafting‐from”︁ aufwachsen zu lassen.

Auf der anderen Seite können vorgefertigte hydrophile Polymere über Plasma und Elektronenstrahlimmobilisierung kovalent an verschiedenen Oberflächen gebunden werden. Die Stabilität, Quellfähigkeit und Biokompatibilität der Hydrogelschichten konnte verifiziert werden. Über das Einbringen von ph bzw. thermoresponsiven Gruppen kann das Quellverhalten der Schichten auch extern gesteuert werden.
Falls recall—limitations of the most used inclusion criteria
Authors: Freiberger Ellen , de Vreede Paul
Published: February 2011

The demographic changes in the industrialized countries place new and important challenges to health care providers, politicians, and modern society. Many older persons wish to maintain independence and mobility as long as possible. Falls and their consequences constitute a serious threat to these most important goals of the older person, and they do occur frequently in the community-dwelling cohort of people aged 65 years and older. This article discusses the limitations of one of the most important independent risk factors to predict future falls: a positive fall history. Several issues arise with assessing fall history in an older population. Firstly, several studies indicated that self-reported recall of falls may lead to underreporting and that older persons perceive a fall differently compared to health professionals and researchers. Secondly, falls can be reported retrospectively or prospectively. In general, a prospective design is favored by researchers with “daily fall calendar” considered the golden standard. Thirdly, different research has been conducted to find the most reliable time frame for self-recorded falls in the past. Self-reported recall of falls by older persons may lead to underreporting due to older persons not recognizing (the severity of) a fall or not remembering a fall and due to different interpretation of “a fall”. Data on fall history should be expanded with questions about trips, slips, and self-perceived problems in balance, gait or mobility and preferably fear of falling or a quick physical assessment. In general, a prospective design is favored by researchers with “daily fall calendar” considered the golden standard. Computerized interactive response technology may be of additional value to prospectively monitoring falls in older persons. The best time frame for obtaining self-reported falls seems a period of 12 months, ruling out any seasonal influence.
Incidence and associated risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma in a dural hepatitis B and C virus endemic area: A surveillance study
Authors: Chang Kuo‐Chin , Lu Sheng‐Nan , Chen Pao‐Fei , Hung Chao‐Hung , Kee Kwong‐Ming , Yen Yi‐Hao , Wang Jing‐Houng
Published: February 2011

The purposes of this study were to determine the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in dual hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) endemic areas and to assess the associated risk factors of HCC development in the community. During April 2004 to November 2005, 4,127 residents of Tainan County, aged 40 years or older, had participated in a comprehensive health examination. Among them, residents with HBV or HCV infection; platelet count less than or equal to 150 × 109/L; and no hepatic tumor, by liver ultrasonography, were invited to this study. Alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) screening and ultrasonography for HCC surveillance were performed. Once hepatic tumor was detected, the subjects were referred to medical centers for further confirmation and treatment. A total of 1,133 residents were eligible for this study, and 413 (36.5%), including 197 men and 216 women, with a mean age of 64.5 years, were enrolled. There were 21 cases with suspected HCC. Of the 21 cases, 18 (85.7%) accepted further studies and 11 (52.4%) were confirmed to be affected with HCC. All HCCs were unifocal with a diameter less than or equal to 4 cm. In the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, the 2‐year cumulative incidence of HCC was 4.7%. Based on the same analysis with log rank test, AFP greater than or equal to 20 ng/mL (p = 0.007), platelet count less than or equal to 100 × 109/L (p < 0.001), and liver cirrhosis (p < 0.001) were found to be the associated risk factors of HCC development. In summary, the 2‐year cumulative incidence of HCC was 4.7% among adult residents with chronic HBV or HCV infection in this dual HBV and HCV endemic area. Platelet count less than 100 × 109/L, AFP level greater than 20 ng/mL, and liver cirrhosis were the associated risk factors for HCC development.
Consumption of a plant sterol-based spread derived from rice bran oil is effective at reducing plasma lipid levels in mildly hypercholesterolaemic individuals
Authors: Eady Sarah , Wallace Alison , Willis Jinny , Scott Russell , Frampton Chris
Published: February 2011

To establish the effectiveness of a new phytosterol-containing spread derived from rice bran oil (RBO), a randomised, double-blind, cross-over human clinical trial was conducted over 12 weeks. A total of eighty mildly hypercholesterolaemic (total blood cholesterol level ≥ 5 and ≤ 7·5 mmol/l with a serum TAG level of ≤ 4·5 mmol/l) individuals were randomised into two groups (n40). Group 1 consumed spread only daily for 4 weeks. They were randomised to consume 20 g RBO spread (RBOS), 20 g standard spread (SS) or 20 g phytosterol-enriched spread (PS). After a 4-week period, individuals changed to the next randomised treatment until all three treatments had been consumed. Group 2 consumed spread plus oil daily for 4 weeks. They consumed 20 g RBOS plus 30 ml RBO, 20 g SS plus 30 ml sunflower oil or 20 g RBOS. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of lipid parameters, and 3 d diet records were collected. Compared with SS, RBOS significantly reduced total cholesterol by 2·2 % (P = 0·045), total cholesterol:HDL by 4·1 % (P = 0·005) and LDL-cholesterol by 3·5 % (P = 0·016), but was not as effective overall as PS, which reduced total cholesterol by 4·4 % (P = 0·001), total cholesterol:HDL by 3·4 % (P = 0·014) and LDL-cholesterol by 5·6 % (P = 0·001). In group 2, the addition of RBO to the RBOS produced no differences in cholesterol levels. These results confirm that RBOS is effective in lowering serum cholesterol when consumed as part of a normal diet.
Geographical distribution of drinking-water with high iodine level and association between high iodine level in drinking-water and goitre: a Chinese national investigation
Authors: Shen Hongmei , Liu Shoujun , Sun Dianjun , Zhang Shubin , Su Xiaohui , Shen Yanfeng , Han Hepeng
Published: February 2011

Excessive iodine intake can cause thyroid function disorders as can be caused by iodine deficiency. There are many people residing in areas with high iodine levels in drinking-water in China. The main aim of the present study was to map the geographical distribution of drinking-water with high iodine level in China and to determine the relationship between high iodine level in drinking-water and goitre prevalence. Iodine in drinking-water was measured in 1978 towns of eleven provinces in China, with a total of 28 857 water samples. We randomly selected children of 8–10 years old, examined the presence of goitre and measured their urinary iodine in 299 towns of nine provinces. Of the 1978 towns studied, 488 had iodine levels between 150 and 300 μg/l in drinking-water, and in 246 towns, the iodine level was >300 μg/l. These towns are mainly distributed along the original Yellow River flood areas, the second largest river in China. Of the 56 751 children examined, goitre prevalence was 6·3 % in the areas with drinking-water iodine levels of 150–300 μg/l and 11·0 % in the areas with drinking-water iodine >300 μg/l. Goitre prevalence increased with water and urinary iodine levels. For children with urinary iodine >1500 μg/l, goitre prevalence was 3·69 times higher than that for those with urinary iodine levels of 100–199 μg/l. The present study suggests that drinking-water with high iodine levels is distributed in eleven provinces of China. Goitre becomes more prevalent with the increase in iodine level in drinking-water. Therefore, it becomes important to prevent goitre through stopping the provision of iodised salt and providing normal drinking-water iodine through pipelines in these areas in China.
A new approach for determining rice critical nitrogen concentration
Authors: CONFALONIERI R. , DEBELLINI C. , PIRONDINI M. , POSSENTI P. , BERGAMINI L. , BARLASSINA G. , BARTOLI A. , AGOSTONI E. G. , APPIANI M. , BABAZADEH L. , BEDIN E. , BIGNOTTI A. , BOUCA M. , BULGARI R. , CANTORE A. , DEGRADI D. , FACCHINETTI D. , FIACCHINO D. , FRIALDI M. , GALUPPINI L. , GORRINI C. , GRITTI A. , GRITTI P. , LONATI S. , MARTINAZZI D. , MESSA C. , MINARDI A. , NASCIMBENE L. , OLDANI D. , PASQUALINI E. , PERAZZOLO F. , PIROVANO L. , POZZI L. , ROCCHETTI G. , ROSSI S. , ROTA L. , RUBAGA N. , RUSSO G. , SALA J. , SEREGNI S. , SESSA F. , SILVESTRI S. , SIMONCELLI P. , SORESI D. , STEMBERGER C. , TAGLIABUE P. , TETTAMANTI K. , VINCI M. , VITTADINI G. , ZANIMACCHIA M. , ZENATO O. , ZETTA A. , BREGAGLIO S. , CHIODINI M. E. , PEREGO A. , ACUTIS M.
Published: February 2011

A reliable evaluation of crop nutritional status is crucial for supporting fertilization aiming at maximizing qualitative and quantitative aspects of production and reducing the environmental impact of cropping systems. Most of the available simulation models evaluate crop nutritional status according to the nitrogen (N) dilution law, which derives critical N concentration as a function of above-ground biomass. An alternative approach, developed during a project carried out with students of the Cropping Systems Masters course at the University of Milan, was tested and compared with existing models (N dilution law and approaches implemented in EPIC and DAISY models). The new model (MAZINGA) reproduces the effect of leaf self-shading in lowering plant N concentration (PNC) through an inverse of the fraction of radiation intercepted by the canopy. The models were tested using data collected in four rice (Oryza sativaL.) experiments carried out in Northern Italy under potential and N-limited conditions. MAZINGA was the most accurate in identifying the critical N concentration, and therefore in discriminating PNC of plants growing under N-limited and non-limited conditions, respectively. In addition, the present work proved the effectiveness of crop models when used as tools for supporting education.
The Global Rise of the Value-Weighted Portfolio
Authors: Bhattacharya Utpal , Galpin Neal
Published: February 2011

We first develop a theory-based metric to judge the popularity of value weighting in a stock market. We then use our metric to document that although value weighting is less popular in emerging markets than in developed markets, its popularity is increasing almost everywhere. Finally, as we have better data for the United States, we explore why value weighting is becoming more popular in the United States.
Shock propagation through a bubbly liquid in a deformable tube
Authors: ANDO KEITA , SANADA T. , INABA K. , DAMAZO J. S. , SHEPHERD J. E. , COLONIUS T. , BRENNEN C. E.
Published: February 2011

Shock propagation through a bubbly liquid contained in a deformable tube is considered. Quasi-one-dimensional mixture-averaged flow equations that include fluid–structure interaction are formulated. The steady shock relations are derived and the nonlinear effect due to the gas-phase compressibility is examined. Experiments are conducted in which a free-falling steel projectile impacts the top of an air/water mixture in a polycarbonate tube, and stress waves in the tube material and pressure on the tube wall are measured. The experimental data indicate that the linear theory is incapable of properly predicting the propagation speeds of finite-amplitude waves in a mixture-filled tube; the shock theory is found to more accurately estimate the measured wave speeds.
Dispersion relation of transverse oscillation in relativistic plasmas with non-extensive distribution
Authors: LIU SAN-QIU , CHEN XIAO-CHANG
Published: February 2011

The generalized dispersion equation for superluminal transverse oscillation in an unmagnetized, collisionless, isotropic and relativistic plasma with non-extensiveq-distribution is derived. The analytical dispersion relation is obtained in an ultra-relativistic regime, which is related toq-parameter and temperature. In the limitq→ 1, the result based on the relativistic Maxwellian distribution is recovered. Using the numerical method, we obtain the full dispersion curve that cannot be given by an analytic method. It is shown that the numerical solution is in good agreement with the analytical result in the long-wavelength and short-wavelength region for ultra-relativistic plasmas.
The population structure and biology of the ocean quahog,Arctica islandica, in Belfast Lough, Northern Ireland
Authors: Ridgway I.D. , Richardson C.A. , Scourse J.D. , Butler P.G. , Reynolds D.J.
Published: February 2011

The spatial distribution, density, growth rate, longevity, mortality and recruitment patterns of the long-lived clamArctica islandicain Belfast Lough, Northern Ireland, UK are described. TheA. islandicapopulation at Belfast Lough appears to be restricted to a small area at the mouth of the Lough. Additional searches for specimens further into the Lough and into deeper waters found no evidence of a larger more widespread population and we report population densities of 4.5 individuals m−2. The ages of the clams were determined from the number of internal annual growth lines in acetate peel replicas of shell sections. The population growth curve was fitted using the Von Bertalanffy growth equation: Lt = 93.7 mm (1−e−0.03(t–1.25)). Based on catch curve analysis, the Belfast Lough population has an estimated longevity of 220 years and a natural mortality rate of 0.02. We compare growth characteristics and life history traits in this population with other analogousA. islandicapopulations. The overall growth performance and the phi-prime index were used to compare growth parameters with data from the literature and we observed no significant relationship between the growth performance indices and longevity or latitude. Analysis of the age-structure and reconstructed dates of settlement indicate that this population has experienced almost continual recruitment over the last century with a gap in successful recruitment into the population 90–100 years ago and another 140–150 years ago. The size-structure revealed a scarcity of small individuals which we believe may be an artefact of the dredge sampling process.
Eukaryotic systematics: a user's guide for cell biologists and parasitologists
Authors: WALKER GISELLE , DORRELL RICHARD G. , SCHLACHT ALEXANDER , DACKS JOEL B.
Published: February 2011

Single-celled parasites like Entamoeba, Trypanosoma, Phytophthora and Plasmodium wreak untold havoc on human habitat and health. Understanding the position of the various protistan pathogens in the larger context of eukaryotic diversity informs our study of how these parasites operate on a cellular level, as well as how they have evolved. Here, we review the literature that has brought our understanding of eukaryotic relationships from an idea of parasites as primitive cells to a crystallized view of diversity that encompasses 6 major divisions, or supergroups, of eukaryotes. We provide an updated taxonomic scheme (for 2011), based on extensive genomic, ultrastructural and phylogenetic evidence, with three differing levels of taxonomic detail for ease of referencing and accessibility (see supplementary material at Cambridge Journals On-line). Two of the most pressing issues in cellular evolution, the root of the eukaryotic tree and the evolution of photosynthesis in complex algae, are also discussed along with ideas about what the new generation of genome sequencing technologies may contribute to the field of eukaryotic systematics. We hope that, armed with this user's guide, cell biologists and parasitologists will be encouraged about taking an increasingly evolutionary point of view in the battle against parasites representing real dangers to our livelihoods and lives.
Parasite diversity as an indicator of environmental change? An example from tropical grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) mariculture in Indonesia
Authors: PALM H. W. , KLEINERTZ S. , RÜCKERT S.
Published: February 2011

Fish parasites are used to monitor long-term change in finfish grouper mariculture in Indonesia. A total of 210Epinephelus fuscoguttatuswere sampled in six consecutive years between 2003/04 and 2008/09 and examined for parasites. The fish were obtained from floating net cages of a commercially run mariculture facility that opened in 2001. The fauna was species rich, consisting of ten ecto- and 18 endoparasite species. The ectoparasite diversity and composition was relatively stable, with the monogeneansPseudorhabdosynochusspp. (83–100% prevalence, Berger-Parker Index of 0·82–0·97) being the predominant taxon. Tetraphyllidean larvaeScolex pleuronectisand the nematodesTerranovasp. andRaphidascarissp. 1 were highly abundant in 2003/04–2005/06 (max. prevalenceS. pleuronectis40%,Terranovasp. 57%,Raphidascarissp. 1 100%), and drastically reduced until 2008/09. These parasites together with the prevalence ofTrichodinaspp., ecto-/endoparasite ratio and endoparasite diversity illustrate a significant change in holding conditions over the years. This can be either referred to a definite change in management methods such as feed use and fish treatment, or a possible transition of a relatively undisturbed marine environment into a more affected habitat. By visualizing all parameters within a single diagram, we demonstrate that fish parasites are useful bioindicators to monitor long-term change in Indonesian grouper mariculture. This also indicates that groupers can be used to monitor environmental change in the wild. Further taxonomic and systematic efforts in less sampled regions significantly contributes to this new application, supporting fish culture and environmental impact monitoring also in other tropical marine habitats.
The place of implementation science in the translational medicine continuum
Authors: Thornicroft G. , Lempp H. , Tansella M.
Published: February 2011

There is a growing consensus that the transfer of knowledge from biomedical discoveries into patient and public benefit should be accelerated. At the same time there is a persistent lack of conceptual clarity about the precise nature of the phases of the translational continuum necessary to implement this. In this paper, we: (i) propose an integrated schema to understand the five sequential phases that link basic biomedical research with clinical science and implementation; (ii) discuss the nature of three blocks along this translational pathway; (iii) outline key issues that need to be addressed in removing such barriers. The five research phases described are: (0) basic science discovery; (1) early human studies; (2) early clinical trials; (3) late clinical trials; (4) implementation (which includes adoption in principle, early implementation and persistence of implementation). This schema also sets out three points at which communication blocks can occur. The application of ‘implementation science’ is in its early stages within mental health and psychiatric research. This paper therefore aims to develop a consistent terminology to understand the discovery, development, dissemination and implementation of new interventions. By better understanding the factors that promote or delay knowledge to flow across these blocks, we can accelerate progression along translational medicine pathways and so realize earlier patient benefit.
A way out of the Euthyphro dilemma
Authors: ZANGWILL NICK
Published: February 2011

I defend the view that morality depends on God against the Euthyphro dilemma by arguing that the reasons that God has for determining the moral–natural dependencies might be personal reasons that have non-moral content. I deflect the ‘arbitrary whim’ worry, but I concede that the account cannot extend to the goodness of God and His will. However, human moral–natural dependencies can be explained by God's will. So a slightly restricted version of divine commandment theory is defensible.
Researcher and informant roles in narrative interactions: Constructions of belonging and foreign-ness
Authors: De Fina Anna
Published: February 2011

In this article I focus on the influence of researcher/informant roles on the types of narratives that are produced and on the ways in which storytelling interactions are managed in research contexts. In particular, I show that storytelling activities and story types both reflect and shape relationships among participants based, among other factors, on their local management of situational and portable identities. I argue that one important methodological consequence of the analysis is the recognition of the fact that all data produced in interaction (including interviews) are irreducibly context-bound and that therefore an analytical separation between observer and observed is impossible. I also discuss how a treatment of the research event and of storytelling in it as a real interactional encounter can shed light on issues related to the insider-outsider status of the researcher and the Observer's Paradox (Labov 1972b). (Narrative, interviews, interactional roles, immigrants, identities).
The application of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or an immunofluorescent assay test leads to different estimates of seroprevalence ofCoxiella burnetiiin the population
Authors: BLAAUW G. J. , NOTERMANS D. W. , SCHIMMER B. , MEEKELENKAMP J. , REIMERINK J. H. J. , TEUNIS P. , SCHNEEBERGER P. M.
Published: February 2011

The diagnosis and epidemiological studies of Q fever depend on serology. Among the main methods employed are the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the immunofluorescent assay test (IFAT). We show that two commercial assays representing the two methods with two different cut-off titres can lead to significant differences in diagnostic and seroprevalence estimates. This in turn emphasizes the need for a standardized gold method to compare the various assays; whether this standard is ‘in-house’ or commercially obtained.
Bentham and the Development of the British Critique of Colonialism
Authors: CAIN PETER J.
Published: February 2011

This article examines Bentham's contribution to anti-colonial thought in the context of the development of the British radical movement that attacked colonialism on the grounds that it advantaged what Bentham called the ‘Few’ at the expense of the ‘Many’. It shows that Bentham was influenced as much by Josiah Tucker and James Anderson as by Adam Smith. Bentham's early economic critique is examined, and the sharp changes in his arguments after 1800 assessed, in the context of the American and French Revolutions and the effects of British industrialization. The article also highlights the importance of Bentham's writings inspired by the Spanish colonial crisis of the early 1820s. They show developments in his economic analysis and include some very acute discussions of the psychological satisfactions that elites could gain from colonialism. The article ends with a brief comparison between Bentham and later radical thinkers to put his ideas in context.
Why Women Hug their Chains: Wollstonecraft and Adaptive Preferences
Authors: BERGES SANDRINE
Published: February 2011

In a recent article,1Amartya Sen writes that one important influence on his theory of adaptive preferences is Wollstonecraft's account of how some women, though clearly oppressed, are apparently satisfied with their lot. Wollstonecraft's arguments have received little attention so far from contemporary political philosophers, and one might be tempted to dismiss Sen's acknowledgment as a form of gallantry.2That would be wrong. Wollstonecraft does have a lot of interest to say on the topic of why her contemporaries appeared to choose what struck her as oppression, and her views can still help us reflect on contemporary problems such as the ones identified and discussed by Amartya Sen. In this article I will argue that a close look at Wollstonecraft's arguments may lead us to rethink some aspects of Sen's discussion of the phenomenon of adaptive preferences.
Fairness and Fair Shares
Authors: HORTON KEITH
Published: February 2011

Some moral principles require agents to do more than their fair share of a common task, if others won't do their fair share – each agent's fair share being what she would be required to do if all contributed as they should. This seems to provide a strong basis for objecting to such principles. For it seems unfair to require agents who have already done their fair share to do more, just because other agents won't do their fair share. The philosopher who has written most about this issue, however, Liam Murphy, argues that it is not unfair to do so, at least in the standard sense of that term. In this article, I give Murphy's reasons for saying this, explain why I think he's wrong, and then say a little about why this issue might be important.
Reply to Crisp
Authors: OTSUKA MICHAEL , VOORHOEVE ALEX
Published: February 2011

We are grateful for, but unconvinced by, Roger Crisp's defence of the Priority View against our critique. In this reply, we show that Crisp fails to grapple with, much less defeat, the central claim of our critique. We also show that an example that Crisp offers in support of the Priority View in fact lends support to our critique of that view.
Do You Deserve To Be Talented?
Authors: SPECTOR EZEQUIEL
Published: February 2011

Are inborn characteristics deserved or undeserved? Using Bertrand Russell's theory of descriptions and Peter Strawson's objection to this theory, I argue that this question does not make sense. In order to know whether a person deserves something she has, it is necessary to evaluate what she did before having it. But people did not exist before their birth, so they did not exist before having their inborn characteristics. Therefore, talking about people deserving their inborn characteristics does not make sense: these characteristics are neither deserved nor undeserved.
Health benefits of cereal fibre: a review of clinical trials
Authors: Smith Caren E. , Tucker Katherine L.
Published: February 2011

Cereal fibre and whole-grain intakes have been consistently associated in the epidemiological literature with reduced mortality and risk of chronic disease including obesity, CVD and type 2 diabetes. The present review focuses on intervention trials with three primary aims: (1) understanding the mechanisms through which fibre consumption improves health (for example, examination of intermediate endpoints reflecting improved lipid, glucose and energy metabolism); (2) close evaluation of qualitative factors which modify fibre's effectiveness including physiochemical properties (for example, solubility, fermentability and viscosity), fibre extract molecular weight, fibre particle size and botanical structure of the fibre source grain; and (3) identification of areas in which additional research is needed. The first two aims typify the goals of nutrition research, in that improved understanding of the specific factors which determine fibre's health benefits has critical implications for dietary recommendations as well as improving understanding of physiological mechanisms. The third aim acknowledges the substantial gap between recommended and actual fibre intakes in many developed countries including the USA and the UK. In recognition of this deficit in total fibre intake, food manufacturing processes increasingly utilise fibre extracts and concentrates as food additives. However, whether fibre extracts provide similar health benefits to the fibre supplied in the constituents of whole grain is largely unexplored. The relative benefits of fibre extracts compared with whole-grain fibre sources therefore represent a critical area in which additional research is needed.
Using size-class structure to monitor growth of underdeveloped embryos in seeds of threeAristolochiaspecies: implications for seed ecology
Authors: Adams Christopher A. , Baskin Jerry M. , Baskin Carol C.
Published: February 2011

Size-class structure was used to monitor the growth of underdeveloped embryos in two seed cohorts ofAristolochia macrophylla,A. tomentosaandA. californicaand the results are related briefly to differences in seed dormancy among and within the three species. The size-class method of presenting embryo growth data allows more insight to be gained into the embryo-level cause(s) of seed dormancy than does the cumulative growth curve. This appears to be the first report on use of size-class structure to monitor growth of underdeveloped embryos.
Granivore seed-size preferences
Authors: Radtke Troy M.
Published: February 2011

Although seed-size preference by granivores is relative to the sizes of seeds offered by researchers, preferences are often inappropriately discussed and interpreted as if they are for absolute seed sizes. Granivores often prefer relatively small seeds in forests and relatively large seeds in herbaceous communities, although the absolute size of preferred seeds in each is often similar. These results are consistent with predictions of optimal foraging theory. Researchers are encouraged to take heed of optimal foraging theory and both relative and absolute seed size when interpreting seed-size preferences.
The Evolution of the Cover Time
Authors: BARLOW MARTIN T. , DING JIAN , NACHMIAS ASAF , PERES YUVAL
Published: February 2011

The cover time of a graph is a celebrated example of a parameter that is easy to approximate using a randomized algorithm, but for which no constant factor deterministic polynomial time approximation is known. A breakthrough due to Kahn, Kim, Lovász and Vu [25] yielded a (log logn)2polynomial time approximation. We refine the upper bound of [25], and show that the resulting bound is sharp and explicitly computable in random graphs. Cooper and Frieze showed that the cover time of the largest component of the Erdős–Rényi random graphG(n, c/n) in the supercritical regime withc> 1 fixed, is asymptotic to ϕ(c)nlog2n, where ϕ(c) → 1 asc↓ 1. However, our new bound implies that the cover time for the critical Erdős–Rényi random graphG(n, 1/n) has ordern, and shows how the cover time evolves from the critical window to the supercritical phase. Our general estimate also yields the order of the cover time for a variety of other concrete graphs, including critical percolation clusters on the Hamming hypercube {0, 1}n, on high-girth expanders, and on tori ℤdnfor fixed larged. This approach also gives a simpler proof of a result of Aldous [2] that the cover time of a uniform labelled tree onkvertices is of orderk3/2. For the graphs we consider, our results show that theblankettime, introduced by Winkler and Zuckerman [45], is within a constant factor of the cover time. Finally, we prove that for any connected graph, adding an edge can increase the cover time by at most a factor of 4.
Is the function of all cardiac valves after the arterial switch operation influenced by an associated ventricular septal defect?
Authors: Gabriel J. , Scheld H.-H. , Tjan T.D.T. , Osada N. , Krasemann Thomas
Published: February 2011

A ventricular septal defect in transposition of the great arteries is frequently closely related to the cardiac valves. The valvar function after arterial switch operation of patients with transposition of the great arteries and ventricular septal defect or intact ventricular septum was compared. We analysed the function of all cardiac valves in patients who underwent the arterial switch operations pre- and post-operatively, 1 year after the procedure and on follow-up. The study included 92 patients – 64 with transposition of the great arteries/intact ventricular septum and 28 with transposition of the great arteries/ventricular septal defect. The median age at surgery was 5.5 days in transposition of the great arteries/intact ventricular septum (0–73 days) and 7.0 days in transposition of the great arteries/ventricular septal defect (4–41 days). Follow-up was 51.7 months in transposition of the great arteries/intact ventricular septum (3.3–177.3 months) and 55 months in transposition of the great arteries/ventricular septal defect (14.6–164.7 months). Neo-aortic, neo-pulmonary, and mitral valvar function did not differ. Tricuspid regurgitation was more frequent 1 year post-operatively in transposition of the great arteries/ventricular septal defect (n = 4) than in transposition of the great arteries/intact ventricular septum. The prevalence of neo-aortic regurgitation and pulmonary stenosis increased over time, especially in patients with transposition of the great arteries/intact ventricular septum. The presence of a ventricular septal defect in patients undergoing arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries only has a minor bearing for the development of valvar dysfunction on the longer follow-up.
Cognitive Bias Modification in the Treatment of Social Anxiety in Early Psychosis: A Single Case Series
Authors: Turner Ruth , Hoppitt Laura , Hodgekins Joanne , Wilkinson Judith , Mackintosh Bundy , Fowler David
Published: February 2011

Background: Social anxiety is a common problem among people who are recovering from psychosis. At present there is no evidence based psychological treatment targeting social anxiety in this population. Cognitive Bias Modification for Interpretation (CBM-I) has been shown to be effective in reducing social anxiety in people who do not have a history of psychosis. Aims: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the CBM-I methodology for use in a clinical setting with people who are experiencing social anxiety following an episode of psychosis. Method: Eight participants with social anxiety were recruited from an early intervention service. A single session of computerized CBM-I was conducted, with mood and cognitive interpretation bias being assessed before and after the session. Results: All participants reported an improvement in mood immediately following the CBM-I session (n = 8). For those participants who had a negative interpretation bias, none became more negative following the CBM-I session, with three out of six participants showing a beneficial change. Conclusion: These results suggest that CBM-I is acceptable for use with people who are experiencing social anxiety following a psychotic episode. Further research looking at how CBM-I could be made more interactive and producing more applicable scenarios for use in a clinical setting is recommended.
Raising: Dutch Between English and German
Authors: van der Auwera Johan , Noël Dirk
Published: February 2011

As a complement to C. B. van Haeringen's classic comparative study (1956) that positioned the grammar of Dutch in between the grammars of English and German, this study compares the productivity of three kinds of “raising” patterns in these languages: Object-to-Subject, Subject-to-Object, and Subject-to-Subject raising. It establishes the extent to which Dutch, as well as English and German, have evolved from the old West Germanic starting point these languages are assumed to have shared in this area of grammar. The results are a test case for Hawkins' (1986) case syncretism account of the difference in “explicit-ness” between the grammars of English and German.*