bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Exercise of Choice by Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Literature Review
Authors: Stalker Kirsten , Harris Philip
Published: March 2010

This paper reviews recent research concerning the exercise of choice by people with intellectual disabilities, drawing on the fields of social policy and psychology. The concept of choice has been treated differently at policy level, in theories of decisionmaking and within experimental research, although many studies of choice‐making offer no definition of the term. At a methodological level, the difficulties inherent in measuring outcomes and a tendency to seek only the views of staff and carers, rather than people with intellectual disabilities themselves, lead to limitations in some studies. While many writers assert the importance and benefits of choice, others have argued that the right to choose may be at odds with the goals of rehabilitation. Although people living in community settings generally have opportunities to make choices about day‐to‐day matters, relatively few are encouraged to make decisions about major life events. A range of factors which facilitate or inhibit the exercise of choice are identified from the literature, including those affecting people with profound intellectual disabilities. The reported outcomes of exercising choice are reviewed and, finally, some implications for future research are drawn out.
Consent to Psychological Research by People with an Intellectual Disability
Authors: Arscott Katy , Dagnan Dave , Kroese Biza Stenfert
Published: March 2010

This study investigated the ability of people with an intellectual disability to consent to psychological research. The criteria employed were based on the three elements of informed consent: information, competence and voluntariness. Participants were 40 people with an intellectual disability who had agreed to take part in a larger research study investigating their ability to consent to behavioural or medical treatment. A brief questionnaire consisting of six questions was administered to each participant to discover the extent of their ability to consent to take part in the larger study. A scoring protocol was developed to determine whether participants had answered each question satisfactorily. People appeared to understand the nature of the research, but had a limited understanding of the risks and benefits involved or of their right to refuse to participate or to drop out of the study. It is concluded that researchers must carefully assess the ability of people with an intellectual disability to consent before recruiting them to research studies and must be aware of the potential for this client group to agree to participate without fully understanding the implications.
Financial Costs and Benefits of Two Supported Employment Agencies in Wales
Authors: Beyer Stephen , Kilsby Mark
Published: March 2010

The costs and financial benefits accruing from two employment agencies were analysed over the two years of their operation. The analysis determined the net costs for society as a whole, the taxpayer and the supported employees, when reductions in welfare benefit payments and costs to previous day services, and increases in tax were taken into account. The results indicated that supported workers generally benefited financially as a result of their uptake of paid work but that costs outstripped financial benefits for the taxpayer and society as a whole. There were significant differences in net costs between the two agencies. The results also indicated that the cost‐benefit performance of the two agencies was improving overtime, suggesting that the financial benefits of providing the service could ultimately outweigh the costs involved. This is in line with the general trends found in research in the USA, but progress towards a break‐even point was much slower.
Predictors of Job Satisfaction and Burnout Among the Direct Care Staff of a Community Learning Disability Service
Authors: Dyer Steve , Quine Lyn
Published: March 2010

This study examined occupational stress amongst direct care staff in an NHS community service for people with learning disabilities. A questionnaire was designed to investigate which characteristics of work had an effect on job satisfaction and burnout. Payne's (1979) model of occupational stress was tested. Payne posits that stress is a function of the interaction between demands, supports and constraints. Empirical support for Payne's model was found and five important demand factors were highlighted: role conflict, role ambiguity, role overload, resident characteristics and non‐participation in decision‐making. The results suggest that occupational stress amongst staff caring for people with learning disabilities is best reduced by increasing support, since the job is likely to remain demanding. Suggestions are made concerning how support may be increased.
The Treatment of Two Stalkers with Intellectual Disabilities Using a Cognitive Approach
Authors: Lindsay William R. , Olley Susan , Jack Caroline , Morrison Frederick , Smith Anne H.W.
Published: March 2010

This paper reviews the classification of the sex offence of stalking and describes two men with an intellectual disability who have been convicted of offences consistent with stalking. Treatment issues are outlined and a treatment method described. One man was seen in a group for sex offenders and the other was seen in individual sessions. The man seen in a group had a successful outcome while the other participant reoffended after 9 months. The processes of cognitive change for both men are outlined and compared by assessing attitudes across the offending areas of rape, voyeurism, exhibitionism and dating abuse. The outcomes are discussed in terms of both individual participants and the population of sex offenders with an intellectual disability.
A Factor Analysis of Sleep Problems and their Psychological Associations in Children with Down's Syndrome
Authors: Stores Rebecca , Stores Gregory , Fellows Brian , Buckley Sue
Published: March 2010

The aims of the study were (a) to identify statistically derived sleep disturbance factors in children with Down's syndrome and (b) to explore the possibility that these factors have different psychological associations when compared to each other. Principal components analysis was performed on the results of a parental sleep questionnaire survey on 91 children with Down's syndrome. Three significant sleep disturbance factors were obtained: (a) those where the problem was primarily one of getting the child to go to bed and/or settling to sleep (sleep onset problems); (b) those where the problem was characterised by disturbances during the night, i.e. nocturnal wakings and restlessness (sleep maintenance problems); and (c) those where the problem was primarily one of disordered breathing during sleep. Children showing any one of these types of sleep problems had significantly higher daytime behaviour problem and maternal stress scores than children showing none. Children showing disturbances through the night had higher daytime behaviour scores than all the other groups on virtually all the daytime scales. The findings of the study are discussed along with further research possibilities.
Parents with Intellectual Disability in Germany: Results of a Nation‐wide Study
Authors: Pixa‐Kettner Ursula
Published: March 2010

A nation‐wide questionnaire survey conducted in Germany found 969 persons with intellectual disabilities who had become parents of 1366 children. Thirty examples of parenthood were investigated further by interviewing mothers, fathers or adult children and staff members or assisting relatives. High levels of psychosocial stress were often found. Unhelpful reactions to the pregnancies of mothers with intellectual disabilities were more the rule than the exception. Nevertheless, mothers and fathers with intellectual disabilities often looked forward to having a baby, seemed to be proud of their children and reported having good emotional relationships with them, even when the children did not live with them. Institutional support services, if any, were not always judged to be helpful.
The Conceptualisation of Dreams by People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Kroese Biza Stenfert , Cushway Delia , Hubbard Charmian
Published: March 2010

In order to investigate the conceptualisation of dreams in adults with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities, the paradigm introduced by Woolley & Wellman (1992) was employed in addition to a number of open‐ended questions. Fifty‐four people participated in the study and it was found that 40% of their replies in answer to questions regarding the non‐physical, private nature of dreams were incorrect and that less than a third of the sample (N= 16) were confident that individuals cannot share the same dream. Furthermore, a large proportion of the sample did not consider it possible to dream about fictional entities. The results are discussed in the context of the benefits and barriers for therapists who wish to incorporate clients' reported dreams and nightmares into their therapeutic interactions.
Brief Report: Changes in Admissions to a Hospital for People with Intellectual Disabilities Following the Development of Alternative Community Services
Authors: Allen David
Published: March 2010

Admissions to a hospital for people with intellectual disabilities over a 20‐year period were examined against the background of changes in community‐based social and health‐care provision. Short‐ and long‐term admissions were analysed in the three phases: baseline (prior to the development of community support teams), community support teams only and community support teams plus specialist services for behavioural/psychiatric and social needs. The development of community support teams had no significant impact on the rate of overall hospital admissions but was associated with a reduction in long‐stay admissions (an increase also occurred in community residential provision, however). The introduction of specialist services was associated with reductions in rates of both long‐ and short‐term admissions. The new infrastructure of community services appeared to reduce the dependency on hospital provision over the study period, although it had not proved possible to completely eradicate new long‐stay admissions. Methodological problems with the study are discussed.
A Comparison of the Abilities, Health and Behaviour of 23 People with Tuberous Sclerosis at Age 5 and as Adults
Authors: Hunt A.
Published: March 2010

The abilities, health and behaviour of 23 people with tuberous sclerosis were assessed at five years of age and as adults. There was little increase in abilities for those most severely handicapped and epilepsy had fluctuated, with overall control of seizures in the group not changing much even with new medications. Autistic and hyperactive behaviours had decreased, but those with lack of anger control or with few emotional responses remained very similar. The cortical brain tubers in tuberous sclerosis could be responsible for the lack of progress over ten years but education and behavioural treatment that did not take into account the autism and attention deficit problems associated with tuberous sclerosis might also have contributed to this failure.
The Neuropsychological Assessment of Age Related Cognitive Deficits in Adults with Down's Syndrome
Authors: Crayton Lissa , Oliver Chris , Holland Anthony , Bradbury June , Hall Scott
Published: March 2010

There is substantial evidence that older adults who have Down's syndrome are at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. However, whilst the neuropathological signs of Alzheimer's disease are almost always apparent in those over the age of 30, the clinical signs may not be evident. This may be because the neuropathological changes are not sufficiently advanced to impair performance or because detecting neuropsychological deficits is more difficult in the presence of substantial, global cognitive impairment. In this study, 70 adults with Down's syndrome were assessed using a battery of neuropsychological tests, some of which had been used to assess dementia arising from Alzheimer's disease in the general population. Participants were screened to rule out advanced dementia or a pre‐existing degree of cognitive impairment which would preclude participation in the tests. Analysis of test results for those under the age of 40, showed significant negative correlations between the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales and performance on all neuropsychological tests, thus demonstrating the effect of pre‐existing global cognitive impairment on these particular tests. The results of a cross‐sectional age group comparison, showed no difference between age groups on neuropsychological deficits which may indicate advanced dementia. This was almost certainly due to the screening procedure. However, the older age groups showed significantly impaired performance on memory tests in comparison to the younger age group. It is concluded that the more subtle cognitive impairments which associate to Alzheimer's disease can be identified in the presence of a global cognitive impairment with sufficiently sensitive tests.
Functional Communication Training and Naltrexone Treatment of Self‐Injurious Behaviour: An Experimental Case Report
Authors: Symons Frank J. , Fox Nichole D. , Thompson Travis
Published: March 2010

The self‐injurious behaviour of people with intellectual disabilities, autism, and related developmental disabilities remains one of the most difficult behaviour problems to treat clinically. Two promising approaches to effective treatment involve teaching the person communication skills that are functionally equivalent to the self‐injury or administering opiate antagonist medication. Here an experimental case study, in which naltrexone was combined with functional communication training, is reported. Using a within‐subject ABCDC experimental design, reductions in rate of self‐injury were observed during the naltrexone alone phase as well as during combined treatment phases. The implications of conducting a functional assessment prior to behavioural and pharmacological intervention are discussed.
A Descriptive Analysis of the Relationships Between Social Context, Engagement and Stereotypy in Residential Services for People with Severe and Complex Disabilities
Authors: Emerson Eric , Hatton Chris , Robertson Janet , Henderson Dawn , Cooper Janet
Published: March 2010

Observational data on 40 people with severe intellectual disabilities and sensory impairments were analysed to determine the relationship between user engagement, stereotypy and the nature of staff support received. The results indicated that (1) practical support was associated with an increased probability of engagement for 94% and decreased stereotypy for 98% of participants; (2) other forms of contact were associated with a decreased probability of engagement for 77% and decreased stereotypy for 79% of participants; (3) episodes of no contact were associated with significantly elevated rates of stereotypy in all participants; (4) practical support was significantly more likely to be associated with an increase in the odds of engagement than either no contact or other forms of contact; (5) no contact was significantly more likely to be associated with an increase in the odds of stereotypy than either practical support or other forms of contact; (6) practical support appeared to have more impact on engagement in less institutionalised services, services which experienced lower rates of staff sickness, and in services which provided more regularly scheduled social activities.
Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Challenging Behaviour in Supported Employment: Initial Findings
Authors: Martin Neil , Johnston Gayle , Stevens Peter
Published: March 2010

A supported employment service for adults with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour was evaluated. Outcome measures of interest were related primarily to productivity although challenging behaviour/intervention use was also recorded. The results showed increases in productivity level and/or decreases in the number of prompts used although there was no consistent pattern of change for challenging behaviours. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Development and Behaviour in Genetic Syndromes: Prader‐Willi Syndrome
Authors: Boer Harm , Clarke David
Published: March 2010

Development and behaviour was investigated in samples of 210 children and adults with Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) using the Society for the Study of Behavioural Phenotypes Postal Questionnaire. There were few differences between males and females. Children and adults were compared. Most adults with PWS had good self‐care skills and good use of speech. Most adults walked without problems but many needed help to dress. PWS adults had more problems than children with daytime sleepiness and other sleep problems, unusual routines and self‐injury; and fewer problems with faddy eating, verbal abuse and stubbornness. Changeable mood was a problem for both adults and children, adults had more problems with low mood.
Structured Teaching for Special School Staff: A Comparison of Two Training Packages
Authors: Stevens Trevor , Williams Tim I. , Gaffan E. A.
Published: March 2010

As part of a special school training programme, 16 staff (eight teachers, eight non‐teaching assistants) were given two behavioural training packages: EDY and ACT. Staff selected 16 children aged 4–19 with challenging behaviours for the training and results were compared 6 months after completion with other similar and different children for maintenance and generalisation of skills learnt. A crossover design was employed to test for differences in the order of presenting the two training packages. The staff's and children's behaviours were video‐recorded and half of the staff were filmed prior to the start of training to control for effects of repeated filming and untrained improvement. Coded behaviours included rewards, recording and prompting by the teachers and correct and incorrect task responses by children. Most behaviours showed clear improvements as a result of training, and staff's skills were maintained and generalised to other children at follow‐up. There were no major differences between the two packages and no effects of order of presentation. Teachers and non‐teaching assistants benefited equally from training.
Discerning the Appropriate Role and Status of ‘Quality of Life’ Assessment for Persons with Intellectual Disability: A Reply to Cummins
Authors: Ager Alastair , Hatton Chris
Published: March 2010

Three major issues arising from Cummins' (1997) review of quality of life (QOL) assessment for persons with intellectual disability are identified. First, Cummins' analysis of pre‐existing measures relevant to the analysis of QOL is argued to be inadequate. Second, the relationship between ‘objective’ and ‘subjective’ measures of life experience is proposed to be more complex than that implied by the earlier review. Third, discussion of the appropriate role and status of attempts to measure QOL indicates such measurement may be more empowering of service providers than service users.
In search of genes associated with risk for psychopathic tendencies in children: a two‐stage genome‐wide association study of pooled DNA
Authors: Viding Essi , Hanscombe Ken B. , Curtis Charles J.C. , Davis Oliver S.P. , Meaburn Emma L. , Plomin Robert
Published: March 2010

Background:  Quantitative genetic data from our group indicates that antisocial behaviour (AB) is strongly heritable when coupled with psychopathic, callous‐unemotional (CU) personality traits. We have also demonstrated that the genetic influences for AB and CU overlap considerably. We conducted a genome‐wide association scan that capitalises on these findings in an attempt to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that may increase risk for psychopathic tendencies (AB+/CU+).

Methods:  Teacher ratings at age 7 were used to screen 8374 twins with available DNA samples for individuals that were high vs. low on both AB and CU. In Stage 1, we screened for allele frequency differences in 642,432 autosomal single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using the Affymetrix 6.0 GeneChip with pooled DNA for high‐scoring (AB+/CU+) versus low‐scoring children (N = ∼300/group). In Stage 2, we tested the 3000 most strongly associated SNPs from Stage 1 for association in the same direction in a second sample of high‐ versus low‐scoring children from the same twin study (18% co‐twins).

Results:  Using allele frequencies estimated from pooled DNA, we found suggestive evidence for enrichment of association in the second stage of our two‐stage genome‐wide association design and focus on reporting the 30 top‐ranking SNPs nominally associated with psychopathic tendencies. These SNPs include neurodevelopmental genes such as ROBO2.

Conclusions:  Although none of the SNPs reached genome‐wide statistical significance we have generated a list of SNPs that are potentially associated with psychopathic tendencies, which we believe warrant verification and replication in large independent and clinical samples.
Characteristics of woods used recently and historically by Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers Dendrocopos minor in England
Authors: CHARMAN ELISABETH C. , SMITH KEN W. , GRUAR DEREK J. , DODD STEPHEN , GRICE PHILIP V.
Published: March 2010

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor numbers have declined greatly in England since the early 1980s for reasons that are not yet fully understood. It has been suggested that the species’ decline may be linked to the increase in Great Spotted Woodpeckers Dendrocopos major, changes in woodland habitat quality (such as deadwood abundance) and landscape‐scale changes in tree abundance. We tested some of these hypotheses by comparing the characteristics of woods in southern England where the species is still relatively numerous with those of woods used in the 1980s before the major decline. In each time period, habitat, predator and landscape information from woods known to be occupied by Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers was compared with those found to be unoccupied during surveys. Before the main period of decline, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers used oak‐dominated, mature, open woods with a large amount of standing deadwood. Habitat use assessed from recent data was very similar, the species being present in mature, open, oak‐dominated woodlands. There was a strong relationship between wood use probability and the extent of woodland within a 3‐km radius, suggesting selection for more heavily wooded landscapes. In recent surveys, there was no difference in deadwood abundance or potential predator densities between occupied and unoccupied woods. Habitat management should focus on creating and maintaining networks of connected woodlands in areas of mature, open woods. Finer‐scale habitat selection by Lesser Spotted Woodpecker within woodlands should be assessed to aid development of beneficial management actions.
Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1, p53, and thioredoxin are linked in control of aging inC. elegans
Authors: Schlotterer Andreas , Hamann Andreas , Kukudov Georgi , Ibrahim Youssef , Heckmann Britta , Bozorgmehr Farastuk , Pfeiffer Michael , Hutter Harald , Stern David , Du Xueliang , Brownlee Michael , Bierhaus Angelika , Nawroth Peter , Morcos Michael
Published: March 2010

Deletions in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) accumulate during aging. Expression of theCaenorhabditis elegansapurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) orthologexo‐3, involved in DNA repair, is reduced by 45% (P < 0.05) during aging ofC. elegans. Suppression ofexo‐3by treatment with RNAi resulted in a threefold increase in mtDNA deletions (P < 0.05), twofold enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (P < 0.01), distortion of the structural integrity of the nervous system, reduction of head motility by 43% (P < 0.01) and whole animal motility by 38% (P < 0.05). Suppression ofexo‐3significantly reduced life span: mean life span decreased from 18.5 ± 0.4 to 15.4 ± 0.1 days (P < 0.001) and maximum life span from 25.9 ± 0.4 to 23.2 ± 0.1 days (P = 0.001). Additional treatment ofexo‐3‐suppressed animals with a mitochondrial uncoupler decreased ROS levels, reduced neuronal damage, and increased motility and life span. Additional suppression of theC. elegansp53 orthologcep‐1inexo‐3RNAi‐treated animals similarly decreased ROS levels, preserved neuronal integrity, and increased motility and life span. In wild‐type animals, suppression ofcep‐1, involved in downregulation ofexo‐3, increased expression ofexo‐3without a significant effect on ROS levels, preserved neuronal integrity, and increased motility and life span. Suppression of theC. elegansthioredoxin orthologstrx‐1andtrx‐2, involved in the redox chaperone activity ofexo‐3, overrides the protective effect ofcep‐1RNAi treatment on neuronal integrity, neuronal function, mean and maximum life span. These results show that APE1/EXO‐3, p53/CEP‐1, and thioredoxin affect each other and that these interactions determine aging as well as neuronal structure and function.
ESTIMATING SPATIAL CONSUMER PRICE INDICES THROUGH ENGEL CURVE ANALYSIS
Authors: Coondoo Dipankor , Majumder Amita , Chattopadhyay Somnath
Published: March 2010

In this paper we propose a method of estimating spatial multilateral price index numbers from cross‐section consumer expenditure data on different items using Engel curve analysis. The novelty of the procedure is that it overcomes the problem of data inadequacy, a problem that is shared by most of the developing countries. The procedure does not require item‐specific price/unit value data and price index numbers can be calculated from consumer expenditure data grouped by per capita income/total consumer expenditure class in a situation where unit level data are not available. To illustrate the method, we use published state‐specific data of the 50th round (1993–94) and 55th round (1999–2000) consumer expenditure surveys of India's National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) and calculate the spatial consumer price index numbers for 15 major states of India, with All‐India taken as base, separately for the rural and the urban sector for each round.
INCOME POVERTY AND MULTIDIMENSIONAL DEPRIVATION: LESSONS FROM CROSS‐REGIONAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Ayala Luis , Jurado Antonio , Pérez‐Mayo Jesús
Published: March 2010

The study of multidimensional deprivation has become one of the most relevant lines of research in the analysis of low‐income households. The search for significant relationships between multidimensional deprivation and income poverty has been a central issue and most empirical studies have found a very weak link. This paper aims at examining the possibility of an aggregation bias in national‐level studies, which could conceal disparities between regions. As regional differences and decentralization processes stand out in Spain as compared to other OECD countries, we focus the analysis on this country. Latent class models are used to define deprivation indices using the Spanish EU‐SILC. The results seem to show that the absence of significant relationships between both phenomena still holds at a regional level. The decomposition methods used in the paper show that it might be due to some regional singularities in some determining factors of income and multidimensional poverty.
Use of an Action‐Selection Framework for Human‐Carnivore Conflict in the Bangladesh Sundarbans
Authors: BARLOW ADAM C. D. , GREENWOOD CHRISTINA J. , AHMAD ISHTIAQ U. , SMITH JAMES L. D.
Published: March 2010

Abstract:  Human–carnivore conflict is manifested in the death of humans, livestock, and carnivores. The resulting negative local attitudes and retribution killings imperil the future of many endangered carnivores. We tailored existing management tools to create a framework to facilitate the selection of actions to alleviate human–carnivore conflict and applied the framework to the human–tiger conflict in the Bangladesh Sundarbans. We identified potential actions that consider previous management efforts, local knowledge, cost‐effectiveness, fieldwork experience of authors and project staff, previous research on tiger ecology by the authors, and recommendations from human–carnivore conflict studies in other countries. Our framework includes creation of a profile to improve understanding of the nature of the conflict and its underlying causality. Identified actions include deterrents, education, direct tiger management, and response teams. We ranked actions by their potential to reduce conflict and the monetary cost of their implementation. We ranked tiger‐response teams and monitoring problem tigers as the two best actions because both had relatively high impact and cost‐effectiveness. We believe this framework could be used under a wide range of human–wildlife conflict situations because it provides a structured approach to selection of mitigating actions.
Conservation Planning as a Transdisciplinary Process
Authors: REYERS BELINDA , ROUX DIRK J. , COWLING RICHARD M. , GINSBURG AIMEE E. , NEL JEANNE L. , FARRELL PATRICK O’
Published: March 2010

Abstract:  Despite substantial growth in the field of conservation planning, the speed and success with which conservation plans are converted into conservation action remains limited. This gap between science and action extends beyond conservation planning into many other applied sciences and has been linked to complexity of current societal problems, compartmentalization of knowledge and management sectors, and limited collaboration between scientists and decision makers. Transdisciplinary approaches have been proposed as a possible way to address these challenges and to bridge the gap between science and action. These approaches move beyond the bridging of disciplines to an approach in which science becomes a social process resolving problems through the participation and mutual learning of stakeholders. We explored the principles of transdisciplinarity, in light of our experiences as conservation‐planning researchers working in South Africa, to better understand what is required to make conservation planning transdisciplinary and therefore more effective. Using the transdisciplinary hierarchy of knowledge (empirical, pragmatic, normative, and purposive), we found that conservation planning has succeeded in integrating many empirical disciplines into the pragmatic stakeholder‐engaged process of strategy development and implementation. Nevertheless, challenges remain in engagement of the social sciences and in understanding the social context of implementation. Farther up this knowledge hierarchy, at the normative and purposive levels, we found that a lack of integrated land‐use planning and policies (normative) and the dominant effect of national values (purposive) that prioritize growth and development limit the effectiveness and relevance of conservation plans. The transdisciplinary hierarchy of knowledge highlighted that we need to move beyond bridging the empirical and pragmatic disciplines into the complex normative world of laws, policies, and planning and become engaged in the purposive processes of decision making, behavior change, and value transfer. Although there are indications of progress in this direction, working at the normative and purposive levels requires time, leadership, resources, skills that are absent in conservation training and practice, and new forms of recognition in systems of scientific reward and funding.
Phylogenetic Comparative Methods Strengthen Evidence for Reduced Genetic Diversity among Endangered Tetrapods
Authors: FLIGHT PATRICK A.
Published: March 2010

Abstract:  The fitness of species with little genetic diversity is expected to be affected by inbreeding and an inability to respond to environmental change. Conservation theory suggests that endangered species will generally demonstrate lower genetic diversity than taxa that are not threatened. This hypothesis has been challenged because the time frame of anthropogenic extinction may be too fast to expect genetic factors to significantly contribute. I conducted a meta‐analysis to examine how genetic diversity in 894 tetrapods correlates with extinction threat level. Because species are not evolutionarily independent, I used a phylogenetic regression framework to address this issue. Mean genetic diversity of tetrapods, as assessed by protein heterozygosity, was 29.7–31.5% lower on average in threatened species than in their nonthreatened relatives, a highly significant reduction. Within amphibians as diversity decreased extinction risk increased in phylogenetic models, but not in nonphylogenetic regressions. The effects of threatened status on diversity also remained significant after accounting for body size in mammals. These results support the hypothesis that genetic effects on population fitness are important in the extinction process.
Femorotibial Contact Mechanics and Meniscal Strain after Serial Meniscectomy
Authors: Pozzi Antonio , Tonks Catherine A. , Ling Hang‐Yin
Published: March 2010

Objective: To evaluate changes in femorotibial contact areas (CA) and pressures and meniscal strain after serial meniscectomies of the caudal pole of the medial meniscus.

Study Design: Ex vivo biomechanical study.

Sample Population: Unpaired pelvic limbs from 8 adult dogs weighing 28–35 kg.

Methods: All specimens underwent sequentially, a 30% radial width partial meniscectomy, a 75% radial width partial meniscectomy, and a segmental caudal pole hemi‐meniscectomy. Digital pressure sensors were used to measure lateral and medial peak and mean contact pressures and areas before and after serial meniscectomies. Meniscal strain was measured under load in the intact meniscus and after 30% and 75% radial width meniscectomy. Repeated measures analysis of variance with a post hoc Bonferroni's test (P<.05) was used for statistical analysis.

Results: A 30% radial width meniscectomy had no significant effect on contact mechanics. A 75% radial width caused a 60.9% increase and hemi‐meniscectomy an 87.4% increase in peak contact pressures compared with control. Medial CA decreased by 34.7% after 75% radial width meniscectomy and 47.2% after hemi‐meniscectomy. A 30% radial width meniscectomy resulted in 38.5%, and a 75% radial width meniscectomy a 69.2%, decrease in medial meniscal strain compared with control, but these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions: In this cadaveric model, smaller (30%) partial meniscectomies had minimal effect on the biomechanics of meniscal function, whereas larger partial (75%) and segmental meniscectomies resulted in significant changes in meniscal and femorotibial contact mechanics.

Clinical Relevance: This ex vivo data should be considered in clinical decision making for treatment of meniscal problems in dogs.
Patent Foramen Ovale among Patients with Mild Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Unexplained Hypoxia
Authors: Kilic Harun , Balcı Mustafa M. , Aksoy Murat N. , Bilgin Esra , Gülsoy Kevser G. , Yeter Ekrem , Acikel Sadik , Akdemir Ramazan
Published: March 2010

Purpose: To evaluate whether patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a contributing factor to hypoxia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Twenty‐one patients over 40 years of age with mild COPD (Forced expiratory volume (FEV1)/Forced Vital Capacity (FVC): > 50%) who had hypoxia (PO2 < 80 mmHg, SaO2 < 95%) that could not be explained by COPD alone were included in this study. Arterial oxygen pressures (PO2) and arterial oxygen saturations (SaO2) were recorded from laboratory evaluations of arterial blood gases. Respiratory function tests were performed to analyze the degree of COPD. Standard and contrast echocardiography was used to calculate pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) levels and to determine patients with a PFO. Results: The mean age of the patients was 64 ± 12 years. Four patients (19%) had a PFO. The mean PO2, mean SaO2, and mean PAP levels were 57.4 ± 6.8 mmHg, 90 ± 3.2%, and 33.8 ± 5.4 mmHg, respectively, in patients without PFO. The mean PO2, mean SaO2, and mean PAP levels were 46.5 ± 13.7 mmHg, 79.3 ± 12.8%, and 42.5 ± 6.5 mmHg, respectively, in patients with PFO. There were no statistically significant differences noted between the two groups in the PO2 levels (P = 0.172) and SaO2 levels (P = 0.065). A comparison of the PAP levels revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups, with values that were more elevated in the PFO group than in the non‐PFO group (P = 0.031). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that PFO is not a contributing factor to deep hypoxia in COPD patients with lower PO2 and SaO2 levels; however, higher PAP levels were detected in patients with a PFO. Further studies involving a larger number of patients are needed to be conclusive. (Echocardiography 2010;27:687‐690)
Contractile Reserve Assessed Using Dobutamine Echocardiography Predicts Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling after Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Prospective Validation in Patients with Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony
Authors: Sénéchal Mario , Lancellotti Patrizio , Magne Julien , Garceau Patrick , Champagne Jean , Blier Louis , Molin Frank , Philippon François , Marie Moonen , O’Hara Gilles , Dubois Michelle
Published: March 2010

Background: The presence of viable myocardium may predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The aim of this study is to evaluate in patients with left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony whether response to CRT is related to myocardial viability in the region of the pacing lead. Methods: Forty‐nine consecutive patients with advanced heart failure, LV ejection fraction < 35%, QRS duration > 120 ms and intraventricular asynchronism ≥ 50 ms were included. Dobutamine stress echocardiography was performed within the week before CRT implantation. Resting echocardiography was performed 6 months after CRT implantation. Viability in the region of LV pacing lead was defined as the presence of viability in two contiguous segments. Response to CRT was defined by evidence of reverse LV remodeling (≥15% reduction in LV end‐systolic volume). Results: Thirty‐one patients (63%) were identified as responders at follow‐up. The average of viable segments was 5.9 ± 2 in responders and 3.2 ± 3 in nonresponders (P = 0.0003). Viability in the region of the pacing lead had a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 67%, a positive predictive value of 83%, and a negative predictive value of 86% for the prediction of response to CRT. Conclusions: In patients with LV dyssynchrony, reverse remodeling after CRT requires viability in the region of the pacing lead. This simple method using echocardiography dobutamine for the evaluation of local viability (i.e., viability in two contiguous segments) may be useful to the clinician in choosing the best LV lead positioning. (Echocardiography 2010;27:668‐676)
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Comorbidities, and Mortality among Emergency Department–Admitted ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients in Florida
Authors: PATHAK ELIZABETH BARNETT , STROM JOEL A.
Published: March 2010

Background: Risk of mortality following an ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be significantly reduced by prompt percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). National guidelines specify primary PCI as the preferred recommended treatment for STEMI. In this study, we examined same‐day PCI as an independent predictor of in‐hospital mortality, after adjustment for comorbidities, other patient factors, and hospital PCI‐volume using unselected surveillance data from Florida.

Methods: We analyzed hospital discharge data for adults, 18+ years old, with a primary diagnosis of STEMI who were admitted to PCI‐capable hospitals through the emergency department during 2001–2005 (n = 43,849). Hierarchical (multilevel) logistic regression models were used for analysis.

Results: Overall, 4,143 STEMI patients (9.4%) did not survive to hospital discharge. In late 2005, the in‐hospital mortality rates were 1.9% for those who received same‐day PCI versus 13.0% for those who did not. After adjustment for multiple patient factors, same‐day PCI was a significant predictor of in‐hospital survival with a strong protective effect (adjusted OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.31–0.38 P < 0.0001). Restriction of the analysis to those patients who survived the first day of admission did not appreciably change this result (adjust OR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.33–0.42, P < 0.0001). Hospital PCI‐volume did not significantly impact mortality risk.

Conclusions: Same‐day PCI markedly reduced the risk of in‐hospital mortality among STEMI patients after multivariate adjustment. Serious comorbidities and complications, older age, and female gender continued to predict elevated risk of mortality after control for treatment status. Our results provide additional evidence in support of national clinical recommendations and aggressive treatment of STEMI. (J Interven Cardiol 2010;23:205–215)
Multiple McNemar Tests
Authors: Westfall Peter H. , Troendle James F. , Pennello Gene
Published: March 2010

Summary Methods for performing multiple tests of paired proportions are described. A broadly applicable method using McNemar's exact test and the exact distributions of all test statistics is developed; the method controls the familywise error rate in the strong sense under minimal assumptions. A closed form (not simulation‐based) algorithm for carrying out the method is provided. A bootstrap alternative is developed to account for correlation structures. Operating characteristics of these and other methods are evaluated via a simulation study. Applications to multiple comparisons of predictive models for disease classification and to postmarket surveillance of adverse events are given.
Comparison of serum albumin, C‐reactive protein and carotid atherosclerosis as predictors of 10‐year mortality in hemodialysis patients
Authors: KATO Akihiko , TAKITA Takako , FURUHASHI Mitsuyoshi , MARUYAMA Yukitaka , HISHIDA Akira
Published: March 2010

Serum albumin, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and the intima‐medial thickness of the common carotid artery (CA‐IMT) are associated with clinical outcomes in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, it remains unclear which parameters are more reliable as predictors of long‐term mortality. We measured serum albumin, CRP, and CA‐IMT in 206 HD patients younger than 80 years old, and followed them for the next 10 years. One hundred sixty‐eight patients (age: 57 ± 11 years, time on HD: 11 ± 7 years) were enrolled in the analyses. We divided all patients into three tertiles according to their albumin levels, and conducted multivariate analyses to examine the impact on 10‐year mortality. Seventy‐three (43.5%) patients had expired during the follow‐up. Serum albumin was significantly lower in the expired patients than in the surviving patients (3.8 ± 0.3 vs. 4.0 ± 0.3, P<0.01), while CRP (4.7 ± 5.0 vs. 2.8 ± 3.5 g/L, P=0.01) and CA‐IMT (0.70 ± 0.15 vs. 0.59 ± 0.11 mm, P<0.01) were significantly higher in the expired group. The multivariate analysis revealed that there was a significantly higher risk for total mortality in HD patients with serum albumin <3.8 g/dL (odds ratio 5.04 [95% CI: 1.30–19.60], P=0.02) when compared with those with albumin >4.1 g/dL. In contrast, CRP and CA‐IMT did not associate with total death. It follows from these findings that serum albumin is more superior as a mortality predictor compared with CRP and CA‐IMT in HD patients.
Enhanced Thermoelectric Properties of Textured Ca3Co4O9Thick Film by Aerosol Deposition
Authors: Yoon Woon‐Ha , Ryu Jungho , Choi Jong‐Jin , Hahn Byung‐Dong , Choi Joon Hwan , Lee Byoung‐Kuk , Cho Jae‐Hyung , Park Dong‐Soo
Published: March 2010

Calcium cobaltite (Ca3Co4O9; CCO349) films with ac‐axis texture and a thickness of 60 μm were fabricated by aerosol deposition (AD). The films exhibited superior characteristics to those grown by other methods. The pole figure measurements indicated that almost 65% of the films had theirc‐axis tilted from the surface normal by 30°. The Seebeck voltage and resistivity of the films in the measurement range between room temperature and 900 K were 175 μV/K and <20 mΩ·cm, respectively. Based on these results, the AD‐CCO349 film is a promising material for thermoelectric generation.
Spark Plasma‐Sintered WC–ZrO2–Co Nanocomposites with High Fracture Toughness and Strength
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Amartya , Chakravarty Dibyendu , Basu Bikramjit
Published: March 2010

In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time how partial/full replacement of Co (metallic phase) with ZrO2 (ceramic phase) in WC–Co system, along with spark plasma sintering, can lead to the development of high‐performance WC‐based ceramic nanocomposites. Convergent beam electron diffraction analysis, in combination with transmission electron microscopy, reveal the dispersion of nanosized t‐ZrO2 particles, as well as the Co phase, in the dense WC–ZrO2–Co nanocomposites. In order to obtain reliable measures of strength and fracture toughness properties, four‐point bending configuration, and single‐edge V‐notch beam techniques, respectively, were used. Among the investigated nanocomposites, WC–6 wt% ZrO2 inter/intragranular nanocomposite exhibited the optimum combination of mechanical properties such as high hardness (∼20 GPa), flexural strength (∼1.3 GPa), and fracture toughness (∼10 MPa·m1/2). The flexural strength was superior by ∼18% to that measured with the reference WC–6 wt % Co cermet, while the fracture toughness was only modestly lower by ∼16%. Theoretical estimates, based on residual stress‐induced toughening, were found to be insignificant to explain the high toughness of the nanocomposites. The ability to maintain considerably high fracture toughness has been attributed partly to the transformation toughening by the t‐ZrO2 phase. Additional contributions from other toughening mechanisms originate from the change in fracture mode from intergranular (WC–6 wt% Co cermet) to transgranular in the presence of nanosized ZrO2 particles, crack bridging, and crack deflection by the ZrO2 particles. Based on finer scale microstructural analysis as well as mechanical property measurement, an effort has been made to establish the structure–property relationship in the investigated ceramic nanocomposite system.
TiO2 Supported on Porous Aluminosilicate Prepared in Cationic Surfactant Solution for Acetaldehyde Decomposition with a Protection of Organic Base Materials
Authors: Nikaido Masanori , Furuya Sachiko , Kondo Soichi , Iijima Motoyuki , Kamiya Hidehiro
Published: March 2010

In our previous study, we observed that TiO2 supported on aluminosilicate prepared in a cationic surfactant solution were able to prevent the decomposition of base materials such as paper and resin by photocatalysis without drastically decreasing the photocatalytic decomposition behavior of a hazardous volatile organic compound, that is, formaldehyde. In this study, the effects of cationic surfactant addition on the decomposition of acetaldehyde and protection of a base acrylic resin were evaluated. The decomposition effect did not change between 0 and 2.5 wt% of the additive content but drastically reduced at 25 wt% addition. The excess adsorption of the cationic surfactant on aluminosilicate inhibited the initial adsorption of acetaldehyde on aluminosilicate, which led to the reduction of the decomposition behavior of acetaldehyde. In terms of the protection function, the 2.5 wt% addition prevented the weight loss of the resin better than 0 and 25 wt% additions. The effect of the surface interaction between TiO2 and aluminosilicate on the protection effect was determined by using a colloid probe atomic force microscope method. The protection effect became effective when a decrease in the adhesive force and a weak repulsive force were observed between TiO2 nanoparticles and aluminosilicate during the preparation of TiO2 supported on aluminosilicate.