bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beneficial Effect of Treatment with a Monoclonal Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Antibody on Markers of Coagulation and Fibrinolysis in Patients with Active Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Hommes D.W. , van Dullemen H.M. , Levi M. , van der Ende A. , Woody J. , Tytgat G.N.J. , van Deventer S.J.H.
Published: May 2009

Crohn’s disease has frequently been associated with coagulation abnormalities, causing intravascular deposition of fibrin and local infarction which can subsequently compromise the gut mucosa. Also, arterial and venous thromboembolic complications of larger vessels appear to be associated with Crohn’s disease. Coagulation activation in patients with Crohn’s disease could be a result of increased serum and tissue levels of cytokines, as reported. We prospectively studied parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis in 10 patients with active Crohn’s disease, who were subsequently treated with a monoclonal anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) antibody. Ten consecutive patients with active Crohn’s disease (CDAI > 150), not responding to a daily dose of at least 20 mg predniso-lone, received a single infusion of human/mouse chimeric anti-TNF antibody cA2. All evaluable patients attained complete clinical and endoscop-ic remission within 4 weeks. Pretreatment plasma concentrations of markers of thrombin generation, thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complexes and Fl + 2, were increased (22.1 ± 11.8 μg/1 and 3.46 ± 1.2 nmol/l, respectively). After treatment with cA2, these levels almost completely normalized within 2 weeks. D dimer plasma levels were increased at baseline (377 ± 61.3 μg/1) and decreased to normal levels after cA2 treatment. The levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) were elevated before treatment and slowly decreased hereafter. The levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) remained unchanged. Von Willebrand factor (vWf) levels were increased at baseline (159 ± 21%) and showed a downward trend after 2 weeks (121.3 ± 24%, NS). In conclusion, anti-TNF antibody infusion resulted in a decrease of thrombin generation and endothelium activation markers in patients that were suffering from steroid-refractory Crohn’s disease. These findings support the notion that active Crohn’s disease is associated with the activation of coagulation and may indicate that this coagulation activation is mediated by TNF.
Diurnal Variation in Serum Remnant-Like Lipoproteins, Platelet Aggregation and Fibrinolysis in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Rydzewski A. , Urano T. , Nagai N. , Takada Y. , Katoh-Oishi Y. , Taminato T. , Yoshimi T. , Takada A.
Published: May 2009

Postprandial triglyceridemia and ‘remnantemia’ may better reflect the atherosclerotic risk than triglyceride (TG) levels in the fasting state. Recently, a new method was developed based on a monoclonal antibody recognizing an epitope distal to the carboxyl end of apo B48 which allows easy measurement of remnant-like lipoproteins (RLP). This study was performed in order to investigate RLP response to a standardized fat meal and establish a normal diurnal pattern of RLP in blood and compare it to platelet aggregation and fibrinolysis in healthy young men. We investigated 7 male volunteers (age range 18-23 years) who received a standardized fat meal (Othsuka Pharmaceutical Company, Japan) containing 32.9% lipids, 2.5% protein, 2.5% carbohydrate, 0.3% calcium and 0.1% phospholipids, and 74 mg/100 g cholesterol (C) at 7:30. The energetic value of this cocktail was 341 kcal/l00 g. Area under curve (AUC) responses in TG, RLP-TG and RLP-C after the meal were as follows: for TG 28.66 ± 8.94; for RLP-TG 17.54 ± 5.55; for RLP-C 1.27 ± 0.42 mg × dl-1 × h-1. These responses were correlated to each other. Surprisingly, collagen-induced platelet aggregation in whole blood was negatively related to RLP-C AUC. Fluctuation patterns of TG, RLP-TG and RLP-C concentrations during the day were remarkably similar, peaking in this particular group of subjects at 10:00-12:00 and at about 23:00, whereas cholesterol was decreasing late in the night and very early in the morning. This pattern was different from those of platelet aggregation and fibrinolysis parameters. Fibrinolysis parameters (t-PA, total PAI-1 free PAI-1 euglobulin clot lysis time) showed a diurnal profile peaking in the morning with nadir between 14:00 and 23:00. ACTH and cortisol profiles (determined on a separate occasion) were remarkably similar to variations in t-PA, total and free PAI-1. Suppression of endogenous ACTH and cortisol synthesis by dexa-methasone did not influence morning levels of t-PA, total PAI-1 free PAI-1 and PAI-1 in complex with tPA. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that in young healthy men circadian changes in serum lipids, such as RLP-C, RLP-TG, total C and TG have little influence on platelet aggregation. Their time course during the day was also different from fibrinolytic components. It seems that the diurnal rhythm of these processes is determined by different mechanisms.
Intrinsic Fibrinolytic Capacity and Systemic Inflammation: Novel Risk Factors for Arterial Thrombotic Disease
Authors: Ridker Paul M.
Published: May 2009

Traditional risk factors, e.g. hyperlipidemia, cigarette consumption, blood pressure, family history, and diabetes, predict < 50% of all future cardiovascular events. This paper reviews the use of novel hemostatic and thrombotic markers, such as intrinsic fibrinolysis and systemic micro-inflammation, for the prediction of the risk of arterial thrombotic disease. It has been hypothesized that relative abnormalities in the hemostatic and thrombotic systems are common on a population basis, and that they predispose certain individuals to clinically pathologic thrombosis. Abnormal levels of fibrinolytic parameters have been shown to predict future cardiovascular events, and tissue-type plasminogen activator antigen appears to be the most useful of these markers. Low-grade chronic inflammation may play an important role in athero-genesis. Of the newer inflammatory parameters, C-reactive protein has been the best studied and evidence suggests that elevated levels of C-reactive protein can predict the future risk of both myocardial infarction and stroke, both in healthy individuals and in patients with known coronary artery disease. Results from clinical trials to evaluate whether modification of novel risk factors results in a net clinical benefit are limited at present. However, novel markers will probably provide new directions in both thrombosis research and disease prevention.
The Management of Gaucher Disease in Developing Countries: A Successful Experience in Southern Brazil
Authors: Krug B.C. , Schwartz I.V. , Lopes de Oliveira F. , Alegra T. , Campos Martins N.L. , Todeschini L.A. , Picon P.D.
Published: May 2009

Objective: Gaucher disease (GD) is a genetic disease caused by glucocerebrosidase deficiency. GD is treated by enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with imiglucerase, a high-cost drug provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health (BMH). This study reports the implementation of the BMH guidelines for GD in the southernmost state of the country. Methods: We review the clinical and laboratorial data for patients seen at the reference center for GD from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (July 2003 to June 2006). Results: Twenty-five patients were included in this study. At baseline, 19/20 were on ERT (mean dosage of imiglucerase = 51.8 U/kg/infusion), 3/17 presented anemia, and 5/16 thrombocytopenia. The amount of imiglucerase prescribed to these patients was adjusted according to the guidelines in July 2003; out of them, 18 were receiving ERT in the reference center at month 36 (mean dosage of imiglucerase = 27.5 U/kg/infusion), 2/18 presented anemia, and 4/18 presented thrombocytopenia. The analysis of the liver, spleen, and bone data presented some limitations, but the available information suggests that patients did not deteriorate. GD patients who initiated ERT after July 2003 (n = 5) received lower dosage of imiglucerase since the beginning of the treatment; most of them demonstrated clinical and laboratorial response. From baseline to month 36, the consumption of imiglucerase by the reference center showed a significant reduction, which represented savings of USD 3 million to the public health system. Conclusions: The model of care of GD patients suggested by the BMH guidelines appears to be cost-effective and could be an example for management of rare diseases in underdeveloped countries.
Psychological and Behavioral Responses to Genetic Test Results Indicating Increased Risk of Obesity: Does the Causal Pathway from Gene to Obesity Matter?
Authors: Sanderson S.C. , Persky S. , Michie S.
Published: May 2009

Background: Common obesity-associated genetic variants may exert their effects through increasing eating or decreasing metabolism. Such differences might influence individual responses to obesity genetic test results.Methods: This was an experimental analogue study: 191 participants were asked to imagine they had received a genetic test result indicating high eating-based (n = 37) or high metabolism-based (n = 41) risk of obesity, an enzyme test result indicating high eating-based (n = 35) or high metabolism-based (n = 41) risk of obesity, or no risk information (n = 37). Outcomes included perceived risk, self-efficacy (confidence in ability to eat healthily), response-efficacy (confidence that eating healthily will reduce risk), and intention to eat healthily. Results: The groups receiving increased obesity risk information reported greater perceived risk and intention to eat healthily than the no risk information group (both p < 0.01). There were main effects of test type on perceived risk (genetic vs. enzyme: 3.91 vs. 3.55, p = 0.031) and of causal pathway on worry (eating vs. metabolism: 3.33 vs. 2.86, p = 0.049), but no effects of either manipulation on any other outcomes. Conclusion: Personal risk information indicating increased obesity risk may increase motivation to eat healthily, regardless of whether the risk is described as genetic or non-genetic or as acting through an eating-based or metabolism-based causal pathway.
Subcutaneous Reconstruction Using Ileocolon with Preserved Ileocolic Vessels following Esophagectomy or in Esophageal Bypass Operation
Authors: Kawano Tatsuyuki , Nishikage Tetsuro , Kawada Kenro , Nakajima Yasuaki , Kojima Kazuyuki , Nagai Kagami
Published: May 2009

Background: When forming an esophageal substitute with an ileocolon in esophageal reconstruction with cervical anastomosis, the ileocolic vessels should be divided in many cases and this may be followed by the occurrence of poor blood circulation in the pulled-up substitute. Methods: Twenty-two consecutive esophageal reconstructions using an all-main-vessel-preserving ileocolon had been performed in the past 4 years and we evaluated the usefulness of this surgical modality. Results: In every case, the extension length of the ileocolon was sufficient for esophageal reconstruction. There were no serious surgical complications concerning the esophageal substitutes such as necrosis of the pulled-up ileocolon. Conclusions: Although it was thought that the surgical techniques shown here were possible only in selected patients, successful esophageal reconstructions were achieved with this new concept in 22 consecutive patients with various backgrounds. The procedures shown here are not new; however, the concept of using the all-main-vessel-preserving ileocolon as an esophageal substitute for every patient requiring esophageal reconstruction is new.
Role of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase-2 in Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma-Mediated Modulation of Blood Pressure and Renal Vascular Reactivity in SHR
Authors: Yousefipour Zivar , Oyekan Adebayo , Newaz Mohammad
Published: May 2009

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a nuclear transcription factor, modulates the expression/activity of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), but its role in GPCR signaling is not clear. Increased GPCR kinase-2 (GRK-2) activity and receptor desensitization have been reported in hypertension. Method: In this study we investigated the role of GRK-2 in PPARγ-mediated blood pressure regulation in hypertension. SHR or WKY rats were treated with GW1929, a selective PPARγ ligand (0.5 mg/kg/day), or vehicle for 2 months. Systolic blood pressure (tail cuff plethysmography), whole kidney perfusion (laser scanner) and renal vascular reactivity (isolated perfused kidney) was determined. Results: GW1929 significantly reduced blood pressure (20 ± 1%) and increased renal perfusion (61 ± 3%) in SHR compared to WKY rats. Vasoconstriction to phenylephrine (100 μg) in the isolated perfused kidney was greater in SHRs (29 ± 1%) compared to WKY rats and this was abolished by GW1929. GW1929 enhanced acetylcholine-induced (30–300 μg) and sodium nitroprusside-induced vasodilatation in SHR by 46 ± 2% (p < 0.05) and 33 ± 2% (p < 0.05), respectively. Isoprenalin-induced (5–30 μg) vasodilatation was 43 ± 2% lower in SHR compared to WKY and GW1929 enhanced this vasodilatation by 55 ± 2%. In SHR kidney, GW1929 enhanced expression of PPARγ mRNA (34 ± 1%) but reduced that of GRK-2 (31 ± 3%). Conclusion: We suggest that downregulation of PPARγ but upregulation of GRK-2 increases blood pressure and impaired renal vascular reactivity in SHR and that PPARγ-mediated improvement in hypertension may involve transcriptional regulation of GRK-2 function.
Adaptive Cellular Memetic Algorithms
Authors: Huy Nguyen Quang , Soon Ong Yew , Hiot Lim Meng , Krasnogor Natalio
Published: May 2009

A cellular genetic algorithm (CGA) is a decentralized form of GA where individuals in a population are usually arranged in a 2D grid and interactions among individuals are restricted to a set neighborhood. In this paper, we extend the notion of cellularity to memetic algorithms (MA), a configuration termed cellular memetic algorithm (CMA). In addition, we propose adaptive mechanisms that tailor the amount of exploration versus exploitation of local solutions carried out by the CMA. We systematically benchmark this adaptive mechanism and provide evidence that the resulting adaptive CMA outperforms other methods both in the quality of solutions obtained and the number of function evaluations for a range of continuous optimization problems.
Two Phases of V1 Activity for Visual Recognition of Natural Images
Authors: Camprodon Joan A. , Zohary Ehud , Brodbeck Verena , Pascual-Leone Alvaro
Published: May 2009

Present theories of visual recognition emphasize the role of interactive processing across populations of neurons within a given network, but the nature of these interactions remains unresolved. In particular, data describing the sufficiency of feedforward algorithms for conscious vision and studies revealing the functional relevance of feedback connections to the striate cortex seem to offer contradictory accounts of visual information processing. TMS is a good method to experimentally address this issue, given its excellent temporal resolution and its capacity to establish causal relations between brain function and behavior. We studied 20 healthy volunteers in a visual recognition task. Subjects were briefly presented with images of animals (birds or mammals) in natural scenes and were asked to indicate the animal category. MRI-guided stereotaxic single TMS pulses were used to transiently disrupt striate cortex function at different times after image onset (SOA). Visual recognition was significantly impaired when TMS was applied over the occipital pole at SOAs of 100 and 220 msec. The first interval has consistently been described in previous TMS studies and is explained as the interruption of the feedforward volley of activity. Given the late latency and discrete nature of the second peak, we hypothesize that it represents the disruption of a feedback projection to V1, probably from other areas in the visual network. These results provide causal evidence for the necessity of recurrent interactive processing, through feedforward and feedback connections, in visual recognition of natural complex images.
Integrating Speech and Iconic Gestures in a Stroop-like Task: Evidence for Automatic Processing
Authors: Kelly Spencer D. , Creigh Peter , Bartolotti James
Published: May 2009

Previous research has demonstrated a link between language and action in the brain. The present study investigates the strength of this neural relationship by focusing on a potential interface between the two systems: cospeech iconic gesture. Participants performed a Stroop-like task in which they watched videos of a man and a woman speaking and gesturing about common actions. The videos differed as to whether the gender of the speaker and gesturer was the same or different and whether the content of the speech and gesture was congruent or incongruent. The task was to identify whether a man or a woman produced the spoken portion of the videos while accuracy rates, RTs, and ERPs were recorded to the words. Although not relevant to the task, participants paid attention to the semantic relationship between the speech and the gesture, producing a larger N400 to words accompanied by incongruent versus congruent gestures. In addition, RTs were slower to incongruent versus congruent gesture–speech stimuli, but this effect was greater when the gender of the gesturer and speaker was the same versus different. These results suggest that the integration of gesture and speech during language comprehension is automatic but also under some degree of neurocognitive control.
Item Retrieval and Competition in Noun and Verb Generation: An fMRI Study
Authors: Crescentini Cristiano , Shallice Tim , Macaluso Emiliano
Published: May 2009

Selection between competing responses and stimulus-response association strength is thought to affect performance during verb generation. However, the specific contribution of these two processes remains unclear. Here we used fMRI to investigate the role of selection and association within frontal and BG circuits that are known to be involved in verb production. Subjects were asked to generate verbs from nouns in conditions requiring either high or low selection, but with constant association strength, and in conditions of weak or strong association strength, now with constant selection demands. Furthermore, we examined the role of selection and association during noun generation from noun stimuli. We found that the midpart of the left inferior frontal gyrus was more active in conditions requiring high compared with low selection, with matched association strength. The same left inferior frontal region activated irrespective of verb or noun generation. Results of ROI analyses showed effects of association strength only for verb generation and specifically in the anterior/ventral part of the left inferior frontal gyrus. Moreover, the BG were more active when weakly associated verbs had to be produced relative to weakly associated nouns. These results highlight a functional segregation within the left inferior frontal gyrus for verb generation. More generally, the findings suggest that both factors of selection between competing responses and association strength are important during single-word production with the latter factor becoming particularly critical when task-irrelevant stimuli interfere with the current task (here nouns during verb production), triggering additional activation of the BG.
Single-trial EEG Power and Phase Dynamics Associated with Voluntary Response Inhibition
Authors: Yamanaka Kentaro , Yamamoto Yoshiharu
Published: May 2009

Human voluntary response inhibition has frequently been investigated using go/no-go RT tasks. Recent studies have indicated that not only the traditional averaging waveforms of EEG activities (ERPs) but also the power and phase dynamics of single-trial EEG are important in studying the neural correlates of various human cognitive functions. Therefore, here, we aimed to undertake a detailed study of the time/frequency power and phase dynamics of single-trial EEG during go/no-go RT tasks, with focus particularly on the no-go-specific power and phase dynamics, which are presumed to involve the voluntary response inhibition processes. Thus, we demonstrated no-go-specific theta band EEG power increases and intertrial phase-locking in the midline-frontal areas, which are related to no-go-specific midline-frontal negative–positive ERP waveforms (no-go N2/no-go P3). In addition, we observed no-go-specific alpha band EEG intertrial phase-locking with an adjacent dephasing phenomenon, which is mainly associated with the early part of no-go N2. The estimated time point when the no-go-specific midline-frontal dephasing phenomenon occurred corresponded to the initial part of the voluntary response inhibition process (decision to withhold). Moreover, the no-go-specific phase dynamics in the midline-frontal areas just before and around the no-go N2 peak latency, unlike the power modulations, were affected by changes in the no-go stimulus probability, suggesting the dependence of only phase dynamics on no-go stimulus probability. From these results, we conclude that the complex power and phase dynamics of the theta and alpha band EEG in the midline-frontal areas are specific to no-go trials, being the underlying bases of the no-go-specific ERP waveforms, and suggest that the phase dynamics just before and around the no-go N2 peak latency may involve, at least, the initial part of the voluntary response inhibition process (decision to withhold).
Disruption of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Facilitates the Consolidation of Procedural Skills
Authors: Galea Joseph M. , Albert Neil B. , Ditye Thomas , Miall R. Chris
Published: May 2009

In explicit sequence learning tasks, an improvement in performance (skill) typically occurs after sleep—leading to the recent literature on sleep-dependent motor consolidation. Consolidation can also be facilitated during wakefulness if declarative knowledge for the sequence is reduced through a secondary cognitive task. Accordingly, declarative and procedural consolidation processes appear to mutually interact. Here we used TMS to test the hypothesis that functions in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) that support declarative memory formation indirectly reduce the formation of procedural representations. We hypothesize that disrupting the DLPFC immediately after sequence learning would degrade the retention or the consolidation of the sequence within the declarative memory system and thus facilitate consolidation within procedural memory systems, evident as wakeful off-line skill improvement. Inhibitory theta-burst TMS was applied to the left DLPFC (n = 10), to the right DLPFC (n = 10), or to an occipital cortical control site (n = 10) immediately after training on the serial reaction time task (SRTT). All groups were retested after eight daytime hours without sleep. TMS of either left or right DLPFC lead to skill improvements on the SRTT. Increase in skill was greater following right DLPFC stimulation than left DLPFC stimulation; there was no improvement in skill for the control group. Across all participants, free recall of the sequence was inversely related to the improvements in performance on the SRTT. These results support the hypothesis of interference between declarative and procedural consolidation processes and are discussed in the framework of the interactions between memory systems.
Single-trial fMRI Shows Contralesional Activity Linked to Overt Naming Errors in Chronic Aphasic Patients
Authors: Postman-Caucheteux Whitney Anne , Birn Rasmus M. , Pursley Randall H. , Butman John A. , Solomon Jeffrey M. , Picchioni Dante , McArdle Joe , Braun Allen R.
Published: May 2009

We used fMRI to investigate the roles played by perilesional and contralesional cortical regions during language production in stroke patients with chronic aphasia. We applied comprehensive psycholinguistic analyses based on well-established models of lexical access to overt picture-naming responses which were evaluated using a single trial design that permitted distinction between correct and incorrect responses on a trial-by-trial basis. Although both correct and incorrect naming responses were associated with left-sided perilesional activation, incorrect responses were selectively associated with robust right-sided contralesional activity. Most notably, incorrect responses elicited overactivation in the right inferior frontal gyrus that was not observed in the contrasts for patients' correct responses or for responses of age-matched control subjects. Errors were produced at slightly later onsets than accurate responses and comprised predominantly semantic paraphasias and omissions. Both types of errors were induced by pictures with greater numbers of alternative names, and omissions were also induced by pictures with late acquired names. These two factors, number of alternative names per picture and age of acquisition, were positively correlated with activation in left and right inferior frontal gyri in patients as well as control subjects. These results support the hypothesis that some right frontal activation may normally be associated with increasing naming difficulty, but in patients with aphasia, right frontal overactivation may reflect ineffective effort when left hemisphere perilesional resources are insufficient. They also suggest that contralesional areas continue to play a role—dysfunctional rather than compensatory—in chronic aphasic patients who have experienced a significant degree of recovery.
Seeing is Believing: On the Relative Priority of Visual and Verbal Perception of the Divine
Authors: Savran George
Published: May 2009

In comparing the modes of perception of the divine in the Bible, one finds a clear preference for hearing the word of God. The idea of seeing God in a variety of different manifestations is noticeably present, but is generally seen as less important than auditory perception. In theophany narratives this is often expressed in the order of events—a visual manifestation is followed by some spoken word of God. However, in a number of cases where seeing and hearing are both present, seeing is presented as the preferable mode. This dynamic is explored in three texts. In Exod. 24:1-11 seeing is contrasted with the reading of the Book of the Covenant to the people in order to bring out the superior nature of the experience of Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and the seventy elders. In Num. 22 Balaam first hears from God twice in night auditions, but seeing the angel of the Lord in a daytime manifestation brings home the message to him in a way that the spoken word did not. In a somewhat different fashion, Job's ideas about seeing God are contrasted with the attitude of the friends toward direct revelation. This distinction points to the significance of his statement in 42:5 about the superiority of seeing God to hearing. Job's statement here is not intended to describe a vision of God, but rather an appreciation of the perspective of the divine which Job did not possess prior to the whirlwind theophany.
Reading the Sotah Text (Numbers 5:11-31): Holiness and a Hermeneutic Fit for Suspicion
Authors: Briggs Richard
Published: May 2009

The sotah text of Num. 5:11-31 is a striking and ethically problematic passage concerned with a husband's jealousy and suspicion of his wife for adultery either real or imagined. It is argued that despite frequent labelling to the contrary, it is actually a passage about jealousy rather than adultery per se, and that historical-critical attempts to locate the described ritual in its ancient Near Eastern context are inconclusive with regard to substantial matters of interpretation. Various strategies for handling the ethical dimensions of the text are explored, including gender-specific and symbolic angles of approach. These are considered to be of limited value. The ethical issues presented by the text are then discussed with regard to its present canonical location in the book of Numbers. It is argued that owing to a unique combination of factors, an expected reading of the sotah text in its canonical context is one which is suspicious of the suspicion described in the passage. Some hermeneutical dimensions of this analysis are evaluated with a view to the wider question concerning theologically problematic passages in scripture.
Ideologies of Male Beauty and the Hebrew Bible
Authors: Macwilliam Stuart
Published: May 2009

It might be expected that expressions of male beauty in the Hebrew Bible symbolise power, prestige and divine favour, in contrast to those of female beauty, which operates as the object of male desire and often expresses vulnerability. In this queer theoretical study of the use of the word when applied to men, it is argued that, contrary to the assumptions of successive (male) readers and commentators, such a binary distinction is subverted within the text itself. Of the three main examples of applied to named men in the Hebrew Bible, Joseph's beauty denotes vulnerability as much as divine favour, David's undercuts a conventional notion that male beauty=muscle and Absalom's is used to underscore his rôle as a tragic figure, who pays the price of David's failings.
Natural history of the New Caledonian whiptailed skink Tropidoscincus variabilis (Bavay, 1869) (Squamata: Scincidae)
Authors: Shea Glenn , Jourdan Hervé , Sadlier Ross , Bauer Aaron
Published: May 2009

Tropidoscincus variabilis is a medium-sized, long-limbed and long-tailed
skink from New Caledonia with strong ontogenetic change in coloration,
juveniles being very brightly coloured. It is primarily an inhabitant of
forested habitats, but also occurs in maquis heathlands. Mature females are
similar in size to mature males, but have proportionally longer bodies and
shorter heads and limbs, and a less brightly orange venter. Body length
(axilla-groin length) increases in positive allometry to snout-vent length
(SVL), while limb lengths and head length increase in negative allometry to
SVL (except in males, where limb length increases isometrically). Head width
and depth increase in positive allometry to head length, while tail length
increases in isometry with SVL. Reproduction is seasonal in both sexes, with
gonadal cycles peaking in late spring. Females lay 2-4 eggs in summer, and
young hatch in late summer. More than one year of growth is required to
attain maturity. Diet consists of a wide range of invertebrates,
particularly arthropods, and with large numbers of spiders and crickets.
Juveniles eat more spiders, bugs and isopods than adults. The long limbs and
ontogenetic change in coloration of this species are not explained by its
known biology.
Biogeography of Chilean herpetofauna: distributional patterns of species richness and endemism
Authors: Vidal Marcela A. , Soto Eduardo R. , Veloso Alberto
Published: May 2009

We analyze the geographic distribution pattern of Chilean amphibian and
reptile species between 18°20′S (Arica) to 56°S (Magellanic Area) by the
identification of centers of higher richness and endemism and we infer the
biological processes that could have promoted these patterns from a
biogeographic point of view, comparing our results with the present location
of National Parks found in the National System of State Wildlife Protected
Areas. Our results provide evidence that richness and endemism shows clear
latitudinal trends along Chile, with highest values at mid-latitudes (31°S
to 44°S). Five areas of endemism for phenetic analysis and six for PAE
(Parsimony analysis of endemism) were found that agree with bioclimatic
boundaries. We suggest that the richness and endemism patterns registered
for Chilean herpetological taxa may be explained by an historical mechanism,
in accordance with previous biogeographical proposals. To improve the
conservation efforts for amphibians and reptiles we suggest inclusion of new
protected areas at the regional level for the Mediterranean region of
south-central Chile and for local northern and southern quadrats with high
species richness and endemism.
Description of two new species from Venezuela in the highly diverse dipsadine genus Atractus (Serpentes: Colubridae)
Authors: Passos Paulo , Fuenmayor Gilson Rivas , Barrio-Amorós Cesar
Published: May 2009

Two new species of Atractus are described from Venezuela uplands and
highlands on two northern Andean cordilleras. Atractus acheronius, known
only from Sierra de Perijá, can be distinguished from congeners by having 17
dorsal scale rows, presence of preocular scales, seven upper and lower
labials, seven maxillary teeth, 166 ventrals in the single female, 23
subcaudals, dorsum brown with small dark brown dots, large body size, huge
body diameter, and small tail size. Atractus multidentatus, known only from
north versant of the Cordillera de Mérida, can be distinguished from
congeners by having 17 dorsal scale rows, eight upper and lower labials, 18
maxillary teeth, 153 ventrals in the single female, nine subcaudals, dorsum
reddish brown with five longitudinal dark brown stripes, small body size,
small body diameter, and small tail size. Additionally, a discussion
concerning the species description of Atractus based on unique specimens is
provided.
Biogeographical patterns derived from remote sensing variables: the amphibians and reptiles of the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Sillero  , Brito  , Skidmore  , Toxopeus
Published: May 2009

The biogeographic patterns in species density of herptiles were analysed in
the Iberian Peninsula. Geoclimatic regions were identified using a PCA.
Individual habitat suitability (HS) models for 23 amphibians and 35 reptiles
at 10 × 10 km scale were calculated with ENFA, using 12 environmental
factors established with Remote Sensing (RS) techniques. The species
presence proportion in each geoclimatic region was calculated through a
cross-tabulation between each potential occurrence model and the geoclimatic
regions. Species chorotypes were determined through Hierarchical Cluster
Analysis using Jaccard's index as association measure and by the analysis of
marginality and tolerance factors from individual HS models. Predicted
species density maps were calculated for each geoclimatic region. Probable
under-sampled areas were estimated through differences between the predicted
species density maps and observed (Gap analysis). The selected PCA
components divided the Iberian Peninsula in two major geoclimatic regions
largely corresponding to the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates. The
Jaccard's index clustered herptiles in two main taxonomic groups, with
distribution similar to the Atlantic and Mediterranean geoclimatic regions
(7 amphibian + 13 reptile species in three Atlantic subgroups and 16
amphibian + 22 reptile species in four Mediterranean subgroups). Marginality
and tolerance factor scores identified species groups of herptile
specialists and generalists. The highest observed and predicted species
density areas were broadly located in identical regions. Predicted gaps are
located in north-western, north-east and central Iberia. RS is a useful tool
for biogeographical studies, as it provides consistent environmental data
from large areas with high accuracy.
Differential Relationships between Experiential and Interpretive Dimensions of Mysticism and Schizotypal Magical Ideation in a University Sample
Authors: Byrom Greg N.
Published: May 2009

This study applied a body of knowledge derived from the common core thesis of mysticism to investigate the hypothesis that similarities in belief significantly contribute to the appearance of overlap between mystical and positive dimension schizotypal phenomena. Data from 211 university students who completed Hood's Mysticism Scale and Eckblad and Chapman's Magical Ideation Scale were submitted to correlational analyses. Contrary to the hypothesis, results indicated that positive schizotypy correlates more strongly with the experiential dimensions of mysticism than with the interpretive dimension of mysticism. These correlation differences suggest criteria for distinguishing mystical and schizotypal experiences and identify specific points of overlap. Suggestions for future research into this relationship, and implications for schizotypy research, are noted.
Cognitive Conflict and Well-Being among Muslim Clergy
Authors: Ok Üzeyir
Published: May 2009

This paper surveys the relationship between Clergy Vocational Conflict, cognitive conflict (religious conflict and Quest) and psychological well-being in a sample of 178 Muslim clergy in Turkey. It was found that Clergy Vocational Conflict is accompanied by religious conflict and Quest. Those who experienced Clergy Vocational Conflict and religious conflict (but not Quest) suffered from poor psychological well-being. Quest, which does not affect psychological well-being, and religious conflict, which adversely affects it, are more common among the younger stratum of the sample. However, well-being prevails among the older layer and among the more educated clergy. Finally, psychological well-being, self-esteem, Quest and religious conflict were found as predictors for Clergy Vocational Conflict.
Cross-Cultural Insight into the Association between Religiousness and Authoritarianism
Authors: Flere Sergej , Klanjšek Rudi
Published: May 2009

The current study investigated the possible existence of a relationship between authoritarianism and religiousness and the possible strength of this potential relationship. The study involved samples from four cultural environments known to differ substantially in terms of religious salience and content: Slovenia (predominantly Catholic), Serbia (predominantly Eastern Orthodox), Bosnia and Herzegovina (predominantly Muslim), and the United States (predominantly Protestant). Religiousness was assessed by way of religious orientation (including intrinsic and extrinsic orientation) as proposed by Allport (1950), whereas authoritarianism was tapped by a modified Lane scale (1955). Results from zero-order correlations indicated a strong and positive association between authoritarianism and all types of religious orientation, regardless of the sample analyzed. Residualizing the main study constructs by demographic variables did not alter the results. The association changed only when each dimension of religious orientation was controlled for the effect of other dimensions. Results did not lend support to the hypothesis that authoritarianism is more strongly linked to those who are more extrinsically oriented.
Opinions regarding Polygamy among LDS Church Members: Demographic Predictors
Authors: Nielsen Michael
Published: May 2009

People's opinions toward polygamy were examined in a study of 1369 adults who were current or former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Questions addressed several areas: polygamy and the law, respondents’ perceptions of polygamous women, the potential link between legalizing gay marriage and legalizing polygamy, polygamists’ reliance on social welfare programs, and the ability of teens raised in polygamy to leave that lifestyle. Consistent with the contact hypothesis, multiple regression analyses showed that people who knew a polygamist held more favorable opinions of polygamy. Polygamists, men, infrequent church attenders, and older people also tended to hold more favorable opinions of polygamy. Educational attainment showed weak associations with opinions, while marital status failed to predict opinions toward polygamy.
Post-Mortem Existence and Resurrection of the Body in Paul
Authors: Sumney Jerry
Published: May 2009

When read in both their broader historical and epistolary contexts 1 Corinthians 15, 2 Corinthians 4-5, 1 Thessalonians 4, and Philippians 1 suggest that Paul thinks most people (including believers) cease to exist at death. Martyrs and others of exceptional faithfulness (including apostles who die for the faith) may be exceptions to this general rule and thus possess a limited existence with God before the parousia. Paul does not seem to envision any sort of conscious or even unconscious intermediate state for most people who have died. They simply await the parousia to receive life with the resurrection body that is patterned after the body of the resurrected Christ. This is the form of existence that God intends for humans and that is appropriate for human fulfillment. Embodiment is an essential aspect of this full existence for Paul.
The Specter of Exile in the Story of Jonah
Authors: Downs David
Published: May 2009

Focusing particularly on elements of spatial setting in the narrative, this essay explores the ways in which memories of exile haunt the story of Jonah. While Jonah is not a book about exile, the traumatic experience of expatriation and captivity casts a spectral shadow across Jonah's narrative. At the same time, intimations of God's openness towards Israel's enemies—even those ultimately responsible for the violent deportation from the land—reflect a strand of Jewish discourse with a markedly positive view of the nations. Violent nationalism, either that of Israel or that of its oppressors, is not allowed the final word in Jonah, in spite of the frightening reality of exile that serves as the subtext for both Jonah and much of the biblical literature.
Where Has Yahweh Gone? Reclaiming Unsavory Images of God in New Testament Studies
Authors: Metzger James
Published: May 2009

It is argued that recent publications in New Testament Studies, including those deploying its most progressive reading strategies, betray a strong predilection for an omnibenevolent, just, compassionate deity who does not offend our sensibilities. Given the rich, variegated profusion of alternative representations of the deity in the Hebrew Bible, a primary intertext for scholars constructing God in the New Testament writings, it is surprising that so few of these portraits are ever invoked or seriously engaged, which suggests a proclivity to religionism in the discipline. After delineating several benefits of the Bible's unsavory portrayals of God and disadvantages to today's fashionable deity of love, mercy, and justice, it is proposed that a broadening of our intertextual repertoire to include unflattering representations of the divine might open up new avenues in our hermeneutical explorations.
Quasi-Stationary, Extreme-Rain-Producing Convective Systems Associated with Midlevel Cyclonic Circulations
Authors: Schumacher Russ S. , Johnson Richard H.
Published: May 2009

This study identifies and examines the common characteristics of several nocturnal midlatitude mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) that developed near mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs) or cutoff lows. All of these MCSs were organized into convective clusters or lines that exhibited back-building behavior, remained nearly stationary for 6–12 h, and produced locally excessive rainfall (greater than 200 mm in 12 h) that led to substantial flash flooding. Examination of individual events and composite analysis reveals that the MCSs formed in thermodynamic environments characterized by very high relative humidity at low levels, moderate convective available potential energy (CAPE), and very little convective inhibition (CIN). In each case, the presence of a strong low-level jet (LLJ) and weak midlevel winds led to a pronounced reversal of the wind shear vector with height. Most of the MCSs formed without any front or preexisting surface boundary in the vicinity, though weak boundaries were apparent in two of the cases. Lifting and destabilization associated with the interaction between the LLJ and the midlevel circulation assisted in initiating and maintaining the slow-moving MCSs. Based on the cases analyzed in this study and past events described in the literature, a conceptual model of the important processes that lead to extreme rainfall near midlevel circulations is presented.
Complex Health Communication
Authors: Jones Liz , Watson Bernadette
Published: May 2009

The articles presented in this special issue represent key issues for current day health communication scholars. The articles were commissioned by the International Association of Language and Social Psychology Taskforce and presented at the 2008 International Communication Association in Montreal. Each article tackles a specific health dilemma and demonstrates the need for immediate but theoretically based interventions.
Effective Health Communication in Native Populations in North America
Authors: Kalbfleisch Pamela J.
Published: May 2009

Effective communication for Native Americans living in North America and Hawaii includes taking time in conversation and providing information indirectly through story-telling, example, and metaphor. It also includes listening and using humor to build relationships through communication. Modern medical community members communicate by moving quickly in a time efficient manner to learn symptoms, make diagnoses, and relay health information to assist as many patients as possible. Native Americans may not understand the response they receive from the modern medical community and may not trust or follow the recommended treatment. Examining effective communication for Native Americans and those who treat them is essential as Native Americans are at greater risk for life-threatening illness than other minority groups in North America and Hawaii. This article examines effective communication for Native American health care, the existing problems, and the potential impact of these problems. Measures to improve communication in this health context are outlined.
Peer Support and Breastfeeding Intentions Among Black WIC Participants
Authors: Mickens Astrid D. , Modeste Naomi , Montgomery Susanne , Taylor Maxine
Published: May 2009

The purpose of this study was to identify what factors impact low-income women's infant feeding decisions. A cross-sectional convenience sample of 109 black pregnant women, ages 18 to 45, regularly attending Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) clinics and associated programs in the Inland Empire Region of California were recruited to complete a structured questionnaire about their breastfeeding beliefs and intentions. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore participant's intentions to breastfeed. After adjusting for confounding factors, results indicate that women who attended support groups were more than twice as likely to intend to breastfeed compared with women who did not. These results highlight the importance of social influences on the decision to breastfeed, and indicate the need for broadened community-based education for the promotion of breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 25(2):157-162.
Qualitative Analysis of Cancer Patients' Experiences Using Donated Human Milk
Authors: Rough Susanne M. , Sakamoto Pauline , Fee Caroline H. , Hollenbeck Clarie B.
Published: May 2009

This represents the first published account from the patient's perspective of the use of human milk as cancer therapy. Purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 10 participants. Five were patients and 5 were family proxies. Individual interviews were conducted using confirmatory interviewing technique to obtain individual perspectives on the motivation for cancer patients to take donated human milk. Human milk therapy improved the quality of life (QOL) measures in the physical, psychological, and spiritual domains for most patients interviewed. The patients continued their use of human milk despite cost, taste, and discouragement from the conventional medical community. The study results support the theory that QOL may be more important to cancer patients than cancer outcomes and may improve patient medical care overall. These interviews offer information to cancer patients, their practitioners, and donor milk banks on outcomes and symptom relief from this therapy. J Hum Lact. 25(2):211-219
Do We Agree? Using a Delphi Technique to Develop Consensus on Skills of Hand Expression
Authors: Becker Genevieve E. , Roberts Trudie
Published: May 2009

The Delphi technique provides a structured process for collecting and examining group agreement on a topic. It facilitates anonymity and thus reduces the risk of stronger members dominating the group discussion, and it allows geographical spread of the participants as well as low cost and timely return. This article describes the use of Delphi to examine agreement and lack of agreement among an expert panel on what skills a mother needs to learn for hand expression. A Delphi technique can be used for a variety of topics and participants. J Hum Lact. 25(2):220-225.