bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Ideology Divides Generations: The 2002 and 2004 South Korean Elections
Authors: Kang Won-Taek
Published: June 2008

Abstract.An interesting phenomenon in recent South Korean electoral politics is the generation gap. In the 2002 presidential and the 2004 National Assembly elections, voting behaviour was sharply split between different age groups. A main question of this article is to figure out the underlying characteristics of the generational differences in the two elections and of the ideological division in the South Korean context. Findings show that the generation gap reflects different assessments of the authoritarian period and its inheritance. Young voters took a libertarian view and a negative assessment of the authoritarian era, while older voters, especially in their fifties and older, had a positive attitude toward the authoritarian legacies. Roh Moo-hyun's victory was largely attributed to his successful mobilization of young voters' generational rebellion.

Résumé.Un des phénomènes intéressants dans la vie politique électorale sud-coréenne concerne les différences de générations. Les groupes d'âge différents ont montré un comportement électoral différencié dans les élections présidentielles de 2002 et les législatives de 2004. L'interrogation majeure de cet article est de trouver les principales caractéristiques des différences générationnelles dans les deux élections, ainsi que les clivages idéologiques dans le contexte sud-coréen. Les résultats de cette étude montrent que les différences générationnelles reflètent celles du jugement sur la période du régime autoritaire et de ses héritages. Les jeunes électeurs possèdent une vision libertaire et un jugement négatif sur la période du régime autoritaire, tandis que les électeurs plus âgés, notamment ceux qui ont plus de 50 ans, font preuve d'une attitude positive sur les héritages de la période autoritaire. La victoire de Roh Moo-hyun s'explique en grande partie par la mobilisation réussie de la révolte générationnelle de jeunes électeurs.
Bivariate genome linkage analysis suggests pleiotropic effects on chromosomes 20p and 3p for body fat mass and lean mass
Authors: ZHAO JIAN , XIAO PENG , GUO YAN , LIU YONG-JUN , PEI YU-FANG , YANG TIE-LIN , PAN FENG , CHEN YUAN , SHEN HUI , ZHAO LAN-JUAN , PAPASIAN CHRISTOPHER J. , DREES BETTY M. , HAMILTON JAMES J. , DENG HONG-YI , RECKER ROBERT R. , DENG HONG-WEN
Published: July 2008

Total body fat mass (TBFM) and total body lean mass (TBLM) are the major components of the human body. Although these highly correlated phenotypic traits are frequently used to characterize obesity, the specific shared genetic factors that influence both traits remain largely unknown. Our study was aimed at identifying common quantitative trait loci (QTLs) contributing to both TBFM and TBLM. We performed a whole genome-linkage scan study in a large sample of 3255 subjects from 420 Caucasian pedigrees. Bivariate linkage analysis was carried out in both the entire sample and gender-specific subsamples. Several potentially important genomic regions that may harbour QTLs important for TBFM and TBLM were identified. For example, 20p12-11 achieved a LOD score of 2·04 in the entire sample and, in the male subsample, two genomic regions, 20p12 (LOD=2·08) and 3p26-25 (LOD=1·92), showed suggestive linkage. In addition, two-point linkage analyses for chromosome X showed suggestive linkages on Xp22 in the entire sample (LOD=2·14) and significant linkage on Xp22 in the female subsample (LOD=3·05). Complete pleiotropy was suggested for 20p12 and 3p26-25 in males. Our results suggest that QTLs on chromosomes 20p12, 3p26-25 and Xp22 may jointly influence TBFM and TBLM. Further fine mapping and gene identification studies for these pleiotropic effects are needed.
Convective instability and transient growth in steady and pulsatile stenotic flows
Authors: BLACKBURN H. M. , SHERWIN S. J. , BARKLEY D.
Published: June 2008

We show that suitable initial disturbances to steady or long-period pulsatile flows in a straight tube with an axisymmetric 75%-occlusion stenosis can produce very large transient energy growths. The global optimal disturbances to an initially axisymmetric state found by linear analyses are three-dimensional wave packets that produce localized sinuous convective instability in extended shear layers. In pulsatile flow, initial conditions that trigger the largest disturbances are either initiated at, or advect to, the separating shear layer at the stenosis in phase with peak systolic flow. Movies are available with the online version of the paper.
Near-inertial parametric subharmonic instability
Authors: YOUNG W. R. , TSANG Y.-K. , BALMFORTH N. J.
Published: June 2008

New analytic estimates of the rate at which parametric subharmonic instability (PSI) transfers energy to high-vertical-wavenumber near-inertial oscillations are presented. These results are obtained by a heuristic argument which provides insight into the physical mechanism of PSI, and also by a systematic application of the method of multiple time scales to the Boussinesq equations linearized about a ‘pump wave’ whose frequency is close to twice the inertial frequency. The multiple-scale approach yields an amplitude equation describing how the 2f0-pump energizes a vertical continuum of near-inertial oscillations. The amplitude equation is solved using two models for the 2f0-pump: (i) an infinite plane internal wave in a medium with uniform buoyancy frequency; (ii) a vertical mode one internal tidal wavetrain in a realistically stratified and bounded ocean. In case (i) analytic expressions for the growth rate of PSI are obtained and validated by a successful comparison with numerical solutions of the full Boussinesq equations. In case (ii), numerical solutions of the amplitude equation indicate that the near-inertial disturbances generated by PSI are concentrated below the base of the mixed layer where the velocity of the pump wave train is largest. Based on these examples we conclude that the e-folding time of PSI in oceanic conditions is of the order of ten days or less.
Flow structure behind two staggered circular cylinders. Part 2. Heat and momentum transport
Authors: HU J. C. , ZHOU Y.
Published: June 2008

This work aims to study flow structures, heat and momentum transport in the wake of two staggered circular cylinders. In order to characterize heat transport in the flow, both cylinders were slightly heated so that heat generated could be treated as a passive scalar. The velocity and temperature fluctuations were simultaneously measured by traversing a three-wire (one cross-wire plus one cold wire) probe across the wake, along with a fixed cross-wire, which acted to provide a reference signal. Four distinct flow structures, i.e. two single-street modes (S-I and S-II) and two twin-street modes (T-I and T-II), are identified based on the phase-averaged vorticity contours, sectional streamlines, and their entrainment characteristics. Mode S-I is characterized by a vortex street approximately antisymmetric about the centreline. This mode is further divided into S-Ia and S-Ib, which differ greatly in the strength of vortices. The vortex street of Mode S-II is significantly asymmetric about the centreline, the strenth of vortices near the downstream cylinder exceeding by 50% that on the other side. Mode T-I consists of two alternately arranged vortex streets; the downstream-cylinder-generated street is significantly stronger than that generated by the upstream cylinder. In contrast, Mode T-II displays two streets approximately antisymmetrical about the wake centreline. Free-stream fluid is almost equally entrained from either side into the wake in Modes S-Ia and T-II, but largely entrained from the downstream cylinder side in Modes S-II and T-I. The entrainment motion in Mode S-Ib is very weak owing to the very weak vortex strength. Vortices decay considerably more rapidly in the twin-street modes, under vigorous interactions between the streets, than in the single-street modes. This rapid decay is particularly evident for the inner vortices near the wake centreline in Modes T-II and T-I. Other than flow structures, heat and momentum transport characteristics are examined in detail. Their possible connection to the initial conditions is also discussed.
Optimal linear growth in spiral Poiseuille flow
Authors: HEATON C. J.
Published: June 2008

Computations are presented of the optimal linear growth in spiral Poiseuille flow(SPF). The aim is to complement a recent presentation of the complete neutral curves for this flow (Cotrell & Pearlstein, J. Fluid Mech. vol. 509, 2004, p. 331) with a study of the transient growth possible in the stable parameter regions. Maximum growth is computed over the full range of axial and azimuthal wavenumbers for the same three test cases as considered by Cotrell & Pearlstein: radius ratio η = −0.5 and rotation rate ratio μ= -0.5, 0 and 0.5. A connection is established between two regimes of optimal transients in spiral Poiseuille flow. The first occurs for axial Reynolds number Re≫1 and Taylor number Ta=O(1), with transient growth of streamwise disturbances analogous to that in non-swirling shear flows. In the second regime Ta≫1, and we find centrifugal transients of a different type. In this latter regime we obtain the first numerical verification of a recently conjectured scaling for centrifugal transient growth. Our results imply different transition scenarios, triggered by either transient growth or asymptotic instabilities, in the small-Re and large-Re regimes, consistent with previous experimental data. We also study a model for the secondary instability of the optimal transients, as a proposed explanation for the subcritical and delayed transition seen in experiments at moderately large Re. The model is found to favour delayed onset for smaller μ and subcritical onset for larger μ, in good qualitative agreement with the experimental data.
Torsional oscillations of the large-scale circulation in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection
Authors: FUNFSCHILLING DENIS , BROWN ERIC , AHLERS GUENTER
Published: June 2008

Measurements over the Rayleigh-number range 108 ≲ R ≲ 1011 and Prandtl-number range 4.4≲σ≲29 that determine the torsional nature and amplitude of the oscillatory mode of the large-scale circulation (LSC) of turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection are presented. For cylindrical samples of aspect ratio Γ=1 the mode consists of an azimuthal twist of the near-vertical LSC circulation plane, with the top and bottom halves of the plane oscillating out of phase by half a cycle. The data for Γ=1 and σ=4.4 showed that the oscillation amplitude varied irregularly in time, yielding a Gaussian probability distribution centred at zero for the displacement angle. This result can be described well by the equation of motion of a stochastically driven damped harmonic oscillator. It suggests that the existence of the oscillations is a consequence of the stochastic driving by the small-scale turbulent background fluctuations of the system, rather than a consequence of a Hopf bifurcation of the deterministic system. The power spectrum of the LSC orientation had a peak at finite frequency with a quality factor Q≃5, nearly independent of R. For samples with Γ≥2 we did not find this mode, but there remained a characteristic periodic signal that was detectable in the area density ρp of the plumes above the bottom-plate centre. Measurements of ρp revealed a strong dependence on the Rayleigh number R, and on the aspect ratio Γ that could be represented by ρp ~ Γ2.7±0.3. Movies are available with the online version of the paper.
Dimensionality and morphology of particle and bubble clusters in turbulent flow
Authors: CALZAVARINI ENRICO , KERSCHER MARTIN , LOHSE DETLEF , TOSCHI FEDERICO
Published: June 2008

We conduct numerical experiments to investigate the spatial clustering of particles and bubbles in simulations of homogeneous and isotropic turbulence. On varying the Stokes parameter and the densities, striking differences in the clustering of the particles can be observed. To quantify these visual findings we use the Kaplan–Yorke dimension. This local scaling analysis shows a dimension of approximately 1.4 for the light bubble distribution, whereas the distribution of very heavy particles shows a dimension of approximately 2.6. However, clearly different parameter combinations yield the same dimensions. To overcome this degeneracy and to further develop the understanding of clustering, we perform a morphological (geometrical and topological) analysis of the particle distribution. For such an analysis, Minkowski functionals have been successfully employed in cosmology, in order to quantify the global geometry and topology of the large-scale distribution of galaxies. In the context of dispersed multiphase flow, these Minkowski functionals – being morphological order parameters – allow us to discern the filamentary structure of the light particle distribution from the wall-like distribution of heavy particles around empty interconnected tunnels. Movies are available with the online version of the paper.
Numerical and theoretical study of the shock stand-off distance in non-equilibrium flows
Authors: BELOUAGGADIA N. , OLIVIER H. , BRUN R.
Published: June 2008

A theoretical model based on a quasi-one-dimensional formulation is developed which allows determination of the shock stand-off distance at the stagnation point of blunt bodies in hypersonic non-equilibrium flows. Despite the simple ideal dissociating gas model implemented in the theoretical approach, it gives insight into the main physics governing the shock stand-off problem. More detailed and precise data are obtained by a numerical simulation where vibrational and chemical relaxation processes as well as their interactions are taken into account. The physical modelling of these processes is based on a kinetic approach and on a generalized Chapman–Enskog method of solving the Boltzmann equation. Explicit formulae for rate constants and vibrational energy consumption are derived and incorporated into the general conservation equations. Good agreement between theoretical, numerical and experimental results is achieved which ensures a reliable and mutual validation of the different methods.
Morphology of a stream flowing down an inclined plane. Part 2. Meandering
Authors: BIRNIR B. , MERTENS K. , PUTKARADZE V. , VOROBIEFF P.
Published: June 2008

A stream of fluid flowing down a partially wetting inclined plane usually meanders, unless the volume flow rate is maintained at a highly constant value. Here we investigate whether the meandering of this stream is an inherent instability. In our experiment, we eliminate meandering on several partially wetting substrates by reducing perturbations entering the flow. By re-introducing controlled fluctuations, we show that they are responsible for the onset of the meandering. We derive a theoretical model for the stream shape, %from first principles which includes stream dynamics and forcing by external noise. The deviationh(x) from a straight linear streamh(x)=0 shows considerable variability as a function of downstream distancex. However, for an ensemble average of stream shapes acquired at different times, the power spectrumS(k) as a function of wavenumberkhas a power-law scalingS(k) ~k5/2. Moreover, the areaA(x) swept by the stream at the distancexgrows asA(x) ~x1.75.
Modelling phase transition in metastable liquids: application to cavitating and flashing flows
Authors: SAUREL RICHARD , PETITPAS FABIEN , ABGRALL REMI
Published: June 2008

A hyperbolic two-phase flow model involving five partial differential equations is constructed for liquid–gas interface modelling. The model is able to deal with interfaces of simple contact where normal velocity and pressure are continuous as well as transition fronts where heat and mass transfer occur, involving pressure and velocity jumps. These fronts correspond to extra waves in the system. The model involves two temperatures and entropies but a single pressure and a single velocity. The closure is achieved by two equations of state that reproduce the phase diagram when equilibrium is reached. Relaxation toward equilibrium is achieved by temperature and chemical potential relaxation terms whose kinetics is considered infinitely fast at specific locations only, typically at evaporation fronts. Thus, metastable states are involved for locations far from these fronts. Computational results are compared to the experimental ones. Computed and measured front speeds are of the same order of magnitude and the same tendency of increasing front speed with initial temperature is reported. Moreover, the limit case of evaporation fronts propagating in highly metastable liquids with the Chapman–Jouguet speed is recovered as an expansion wave of the present model in the limit of stiff thermal and chemical relaxation.
Direction reversal of a rotating wave in Taylor–Couette flow
Authors: ABSHAGEN J. , HEISE M. , HOFFMANN Ch. , PFISTER G.
Published: June 2008

In Taylor–Couette systems, waves, e.g. spirals and wavy vortex flow, typically rotate in the same direction as the azimuthal mean flow of the basic flow which is mainly determined by the rotation of the inner cylinder. In a combined experimental and numerical study we analysed a rotating wave of a one-vortex state in small-aspect-ratio Taylor–Couette flow which propagates either progradely or retrogradely in the inertial (laboratory) frame, i.e. in the same or opposite direction as the inner cylinder. The direction reversal from prograde to retrograde can occur at a distinct parameter value where the propagation speed vanishes. Owing to small imperfections of the rotational invariance, the curves of vanishing rotation speed can broaden to ribbons caused by coupling between the end plates and the rotating wave. The bifurcation event underlying the direction reversal is of higher codimension and is unfolded experimentally by three control parameters, i.e. the Reynolds number, the aspect ratio, and the rotation rate of the end plates.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue: a 25-year, single institution experience
Authors: Mosleh-Shirazi M S , Mohammadianpanah M , Mosleh-Shirazi M A
Published: June 2008

Aim:

To report the characteristics, prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of 102 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue treated and followed up at a single institution over a 25-year period.

Patients and methods:

This retrospective study was carried out by auditing the medical records of 102 patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue and treated at our institution between 1982 and 2007. Patient follow up ranged from nine to 310 months (median 35 months). Fifty per cent of the patients were treated with surgery followed by a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (43.1 per cent received concurrent chemoradiation and 6.9 per cent received sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy), whereas 29.4 per cent received surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy alone. The remaining patients (20.6 per cent) did not undergo surgery and were treated with definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy.

Results:

There were 48 men and 54 women. The age at presentation was 19–85 years (median 57 years). The peak incidence was observed between 60 and 70 years. Resection margins were clear in 75 per cent of patients and involved in 25 per cent. Stage I disease was found in 11.8 per cent of patients, stage II in 34.3 per cent, stage III in 22.5 per cent and stage IV in 31.4 per cent. The five-year disease-free survival and overall survival were 65.7 and 72.5 per cent, respectively. Thirty-five patients suffered recurrence after treatment, 74.0 per cent of them at the site of initial cervical nodal involvement. Univariate analysis for overall survival revealed the following as prognostic factors: treatment schedule (surgical vs non-surgical; p < 0.001); age (<60 years vs ≥60 years; p = 0.038); extent of cervical lymph node involvement (p = 0.015); primary tumour stage (p < 0.001); node stage (p = 0.034); and disease stage (p = 0.013). However, on multivariate analysis, only non-surgical treatment (p = 0.001) and advanced disease stage (p = 0.05) were found to have a negative influence on survival.

Conclusions:

Our limited data suggest that, in Iran, squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue tends to present at a locally advanced stage, with a high frequency of locoregional failure and a poor outcome. Combined modality therapy should be considered for the majority of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
Botulinum toxin A injection into corrugator muscle for frontally localised chronic daily headache or chronic tension-type headache
Authors: de Ru J A , Buwalda J
Published: June 2008

Objective:

To describe our results with botulinum toxin type A injection for headache in carefully selected patients, and to present the rationale behind this therapy.

Setting:

Tertiary referral centre.

Patients and methods:

This article describes a case series of 10 consecutive patients with frontally localised headache, whose pain worsened when pressure was applied at the orbital rim near the supratrochlear nerve. The patients received a local anaesthetic nerve block with Xylocaine 2 per cent at this site. If this reduced the pain, they were then offered treatment with botulinum toxin.

Intervention:

Injection with 12.5 IU of botulinum toxin A into the corrugator supercilii muscle on both sides (a total of 25 IU).

Main outcome measure:

Pain severity scoring by the patients, ranging from zero (no pain) to 10 (severe pain) on a verbal scale.

Results:

Following injection, all patients had less pain for approximately two months. This treatment did not appear to have lasting side effects.

Conclusion:

Xylocaine injection is a good predictor of the effectiveness of botulinum toxin injection into the corrugator muscle as treatment of frontally localised headache. We hypothesise that this pain is caused by entrapment of the supratrochlearis nerve in the corrugator muscle. Furthermore, we found botulinum toxin injection to be a safe and effective means of achieving pain relief in this patient group.
Do patients with schizophrenia exhibit aberrant salience?
Authors: Roiser J. P. , Stephan K. E. , den Ouden H. E. M. , Barnes T. R. E. , Friston K. J. , Joyce E. M.
Published: June 2008

Background

It has been suggested that some psychotic symptoms reflect ‘aberrant salience’, related to dysfunctional reward learning. To test this hypothesis we investigated whether patients with schizophrenia showed impaired learning of task-relevant stimulus–reinforcement associations in the presence of distracting task-irrelevant cues.

Method

We tested 20 medicated patients with schizophrenia and 17 controls on a reaction time game, the Salience Attribution Test. In this game, participants made a speeded response to earn money in the presence of conditioned stimuli (CSs). Each CS comprised two visual dimensions, colour and form. Probability of reinforcement varied over one of these dimensions (task-relevant), but not the other (task-irrelevant). Measures of adaptive and aberrant motivational salience were calculated on the basis of latency and subjective reinforcement probability rating differences over the task-relevant and task-irrelevant dimensions respectively.

Results

Participants rated reinforcement significantly more likely and responded significantly faster on high-probability-reinforced relative to low-probability-reinforced trials, representing adaptive motivational salience. Patients exhibited reduced adaptive salience relative to controls, but the two groups did not differ in terms of aberrant salience. Patients with delusions exhibited significantly greater aberrant salience than those without delusions, and aberrant salience also correlated with negative symptoms. In the controls, aberrant salience correlated significantly with ‘introvertive anhedonia’ schizotypy.

Conclusions

These data support the hypothesis that aberrant salience is related to the presence of delusions in medicated patients with schizophrenia, but are also suggestive of a link with negative symptoms. The relationship between aberrant salience and psychotic symptoms warrants further investigation in unmedicated patients.
Is executive impairment associated with schizophrenic syndromes? A meta-analysis
Authors: Dibben C. R. M. , Rice C. , Laws K. , McKenna P. J.
Published: June 2008

Background

A key neuropsychological proposal in schizophrenia is that negative and disorganization symptoms are associated with different patterns of impairment on executive tasks.

Method

Studies reporting correlations between positive, negative or disorganization symptoms and any type of executive test were meta-analysed. The influence of moderating factors was also examined, including age, treatment and stage of illness and whether symptoms were relapsing or persistent. The magnitudes of the correlations were compared with those for general intellectual impairment.

Results

Pooled correlations between executive impairment and both negative symptoms and disorganization were significant in the small-to-moderate range. That for positive symptoms (‘reality distortion’), however, was close to zero. The pattern of correlations among different executive tests differed significantly for negative symptoms and disorganization. Patients with stable clinical pictures showed significantly higher correlations with executive impairment than those with relapsing and remitting illnesses. Both negative symptoms and disorganization also correlated significantly with general intellectual function as indexed by current IQ.

Conclusions

Meta-analysis supports the view that negative symptoms and disorganization are associated with partially dissociable patterns of executive impairment. However, co-existent general intellectual impairment has been an important confounding factor in the studies to date.
Personality traits among ADHD adults: implications of late-onset and subthreshold diagnoses
Authors: Faraone S. V. , Kunwar A. , Adamson J. , Biederman J.
Published: June 2008

Background

Diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is difficult when diagnosticians cannot establish onset prior to the DSM-IV criterion of age 7 or if the number of symptoms does not achieve the DSM threshold for diagnosis. Previous work has assessed the validity of such diagnoses based on psychiatric co-morbidity, family history and neuropsychological functions but none of these studies have used personality as a validation criterion.

Method

We compared four groups of adults: (1) full ADHD subjects who met all DSM-IV criteria for childhood-onset ADHD; (2) late-onset subjects who met all criteria except the age at onset criterion, (3) subthreshold subjects who did not meet full symptom criteria and (4) non-ADHD subjects who did not meet any of the above criteria. Diagnoses were made by using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was used to assess personality traits.

Results

We found that full ADHD and late-onset ADHD showed similar personality profiles with significant deviations on all TCI scales except reward dependence and self-transcendence. By contrast, subthreshold cases only showed deviations on novelty seeking and self-directiveness.

Conclusions

These data call into question the stringent age of onset of ADHD symptom criteria for adults when making retrospective diagnoses of ADHD. Subthreshold ADHD seems to be a milder form of the disorder that is consistent with dimensional views of the disorder.
Can welfare-rights advice targeted at older people reduce social exclusion?
Authors: MOFFATT SUZANNE , SCAMBLER GRAHAM
Published: June 2008

It is known that, in general, people of pensionable age have gained in income compared to other age groups in the British population over the last two decades, but that a substantial minority still experience relative poverty. This paper reports a small qualitative study into the effectiveness of a welfare-rights advice and acquisition service for men and women aged 60 or more years that was provided through a local primary health-care service. Additional financial and non-financial resources were obtained by accessing previously unclaimed state-welfare benefits. It was found that these significantly improved the participants' quality of life. Fourteen of the 25 participants received some type of financial award as a result of the service offered, with the median income gain being £57 (€84 or US $101) per week. The impact of additional resources was considerable and included: increased affordability of necessities and occasional expenses; increased capacity to cope with emergencies; and reduced stress related to financial worries. Knowledge of and access to welfare-rights services also appeared to have a positive effect. It is argued that a level of material resources above a basic level is necessary for social relations and for accessing services and civic activities, and can reduce social exclusion among older people.
The trade-off between home-ownership and pensions: individual and institutional determinants of old-age poverty
Authors: DEWILDE CAROLINE , RAEYMAECKERS PETER
Published: June 2008

This article reports an analysis ofEuropean Community Household Panel(ECHP) data to test the hypothesis suggested by Kemeny (1981) and Castles (1998) of a trade-off between the extent of home-ownership and the generosity of old-age pensions. To this end, we evaluate the impact of a range of both pensions arrangements and housing policies on the risk of poverty in old age. The most important analytical innovation is the inclusion of social housing provision as an important policy alternative to the encouragement of home-ownership. Although we found substantial empirical support for the trade-off hypothesis, the findings raise several issues for discussion and further research. Firstly, we found that neither generous pensions nor high ownership rates had the strongest poverty-reducing potential, for this was most strongly associated with the provision of social housing for older people. Furthermore, the analysis identified a group of older people who are faced with a double disadvantage, in the sense that in high home-ownership countries, those who did not possess their own homes also tended to receive low pension benefits. Although this effect arises at least partly as a result of selection – the larger the ownership sector, the more selective the group of people who do not own their homes – the high poverty risk among ‘non-owners’ was apparently not countered by the pension system.
Sex biases in parasitism of neotropical bats by bat flies (Diptera: Streblidae)
Authors: Patterson Bruce D. , Dick Carl W. , Dittmar Katharina
Published: July 2008

We describe levels of parasitism of ectoparasitic bat flies (Hippoboscoidea: Streblidae) on male and female bats from an extensive Neotropical survey. The collection resulted from coordinated vertebrate-parasite surveys undertaken by the Smithsonian Venezuelan Project (SVP) from 1965–1968, which sexed 24 978 bats of 130 species. Streblid parasites were recovered from 6935 individuals of 87 bat species, but only 47 species were captured frequently enough (≥ 20 infested individuals) to permit reliable estimates of streblid parasitism on males and females. Well-sampled species included 39 phyllostomids, four mormoopids, two noctilionids, one natalid and one molossid. Prevalence of streblid parasitism (proportion of individuals infested) of male and female bats was generally not significantly different, and averaged 0.34 across infested species. In species-level analyses assessed against captures, significant sex differences in infestation levels were noted in six species; all had mean prevalence below 0.5 and females were parasitized disproportionately in each. Sex differences in total numbers of flies were noted in 21 species, and in 16 of these, females carried disproportionately heavy loads. Sex differences were also found for eight species of bat in the number of fly species infesting an individual; seven of eight showed heavier female parasitism. In analyses weighted by infestation levels, sex differences in total number of flies were found in only 12 species, with seven showing excessive parasitism of females, and no species showed sex differences in the number of fly species infesting them. These significant biases were not associated with sexual size dimorphism among the bat species. Generally higher levels of parasitism among female bats accords with theory, given their generally higher survivorship and enhanced probabilities of lateral and vertical transmission of host-specific parasites, but contrasts with patterns shown by many other parasitic arthropods. Future analyses should target social groupings of bats, not passively sampled foragers, to better address the mechanisms responsible for this pattern.
Changes in seed rain during secondary succession in a tropical montane cloud forest region in Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: del Castillo R. F. , Ríos M. A. Pérez
Published: July 2008

Seed dispersal is the first stage of colonization, and potentially affects recruitment. This process deserves more attention in tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF), since secondary succession is common owing to episodic disturbances. We studied annual seed rain in 10 nearby forest stands, ≈7 to ≈100 y following shifting agriculture, and one primary forest stand in southern Mexico to test the hypothesis that seed rain is limited at the scale of neighbouring fragments and that such limitation differs among species with different dispersal modes and successional origin. Annual seed rain was heterogeneous among forest fragments probably due to the prevalence of local seed dispersal, differences in stand age and the proportion of zoochory, and may help explain the patchy distribution of species observed in TMCF. Seed rain abundance and species diversity per unit trap area increased with the age of the stand. Biotically dispersed seeds increased towards older stands relative to abiotically dispersed seeds. Late-successional seeds were rarer in early successional stands than pioneer seeds in late-successional stands, suggesting that long-distance dispersal is generally more common for pioneer plants. Seed dispersal appears to constrain forest regeneration and to influence fragment species composition as a function of the distance from the source forests.
Feasibility of collecting oral fluid samples in the home setting to determine seroprevalence of infections in a large-scale cohort of preschool-aged children
Authors: BARTINGTON S. E. , PECKHAM C. , BROWN D. , JOSHI H. , DEZATEUX C.
Published: June 2008

Oral fluid is a non-invasive biological sample, which can be returned by post, making it suitable for large-scale epidemiological studies in children. We report our experience of oral fluid collection from 14 373 preschool-aged children in the UK Millennium Cohort Study. Samples were collected by mothers in the home setting following the guidance of trained interviewers, and posted to the laboratory. Samples were received from 11 698 children (81·4%). Children whose mothers were of Black Caribbean ethnicity and who lived in non-English-speaking households were less likely to provide a sample, and those with a maternal history of asthma more likely to provide a sample [adjusted risk ratio (95% CI) 0·85 (0·73–0·98), 0·87 (0·77–0·98) and 1·03 (1·00–1·05) respectively]. Collection of oral fluid samples is feasible and acceptable in large-scale child cohort studies. Formal interpreter support may be required to increase participation rates in surveys that collect biological samples from ethnic minorities.
Gelification and mass transport in a static non-isothermal waxy solution
Authors: FASANO A. , FUSI L. , OCKENDON J. R. , PRIMICERIO M.
Published: June 2008

We consider a solution of a mono-component oil and wax. The latter is dissolved in the oil if the temperature is above the so-called cloud point (which depends on the concentration) and it segregates in the form of solid crystals if temperature is below the cloud point. As the solid fraction of wax increases, the diffusivity of liquid wax in the oil decreases (gelification), eventually vanishing. We study a one-dimensional model where temperature is initially above the cloud point and then it is lowered to induce diffusion and gelification. We formulate the relevant mathematical problem (a free boundary problem), studying its well-posedness and showing some qualitative results.
Coherence of subsumption for monadic types
Authors: SCHWINGHAMMER JAN
Published: June 2008

One approach to give semantics to languages with subtypes is by translation to target languages without subtyping: subtypingsA≤Bare interpreted via conversion functionsA→B. This paper shows how to extend the method to languages with computational effects, using Moggi's computational metalanguage.
Is neurocardiovascular instability a risk factor for cognitive decline and/or dementia? The science to date
Authors: Collins Orla , Kenny Rose Anne
Published: June 2008

Neurocardiovascular instability (NCVI) is defined as ‘age-related changes in blood pressure and heart-rate behaviour, predominantly resulting in hypotension and bradyarrhythmia’ The four most common presentations of NCVI are orthostatic hypotension (OH), carotid sinus hypersensitivity/syndrome (CSH/CSS), vasovagal syncope (VVS) and post-prandial hypotension (PPH), although there is considerable overlap between these conditions. The criteria for diagnosis of these syndromes are given in Table 1. Clinically, these conditions manifest as dizziness, falls, pre-syncope and syncope. Older people are more susceptible to NCVI because of age-related physiological changes in the cardiovascular system, the autonomic nervous system, and humoral control of blood pressure. These neurocardiovascular changes are further complicated by co-morbidity and polypharmacy in older people.
Determinants of successful retirement in a Portuguese population
Authors: Fonseca António M
Published: June 2008

Attitudes and adjustment to lifespan transitions such as retirement remained fairly stable and predictable in Portugal and the rest of Europe until the 1980s. After this time, transformations in the labour market, economy and social and welfare policies, began to take place. At the present time, in Portugal, as in all European countries, the number of retired people continues to rise, transforming the lives of both individuals and societies.
Order out of Chaos. Linnaean Plant Names and their Types. Charlie Jarvis.
Authors: Leong-Škorničková J.
Published: July 2008

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Prevalence of mitral valvar prolapse in young athletes
Authors: Hepner Absalom D. , Morrell Holly , Greaves Seaneen , Greaves Jeff , Movahed Mohammad Reza
Published: June 2008

Background

The prevalence of mitral valvar prolapse has been reported to be between 0.6 and 21%. The goal of our study was to evaluate its prevalence in young athletes who underwent hand-held echocardiography as a screening mostly in southern California.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 1742 echocardiograms that were performed as a part of a cardiac screening of teenage athletes. The total prevalence of mitral valvar prolapse was calculated and stratified based on gender.

Results

We screened a total of 1172 male and 570 female high school athletes. The echocardiographic prevalence of mitral valvar prolapse was 0.9%. The prevalence was similar in both genders, at 1.2% in male and 0.7% in female athletes.

Conclusion

The prevalence of mitral valvar prolapse in young athletes mostly in southern California was found to be less than 1%, and was similar in both genders.
From ‘quickly’ to ‘fairly’: on the history ofrather
Authors: RISSANEN MATTI
Published: July 2008

In this article I describe the semantic and syntactic development of the moderatorratherfrom Old to Present-day English using a variationist approach.Ratheroriginates in an Old English comparative adverb indicating speed, and hence time, but the loss of the indication of speed and movement can already be traced in the Old English period. In Middle English the ‘preferential’ senses ofrather(e.g. the type ‘I would rather do X than Y’) become more common than the temporal senses. This contrastive meaning constitutes the unmarked use ofratherin Early Modern English, but it gradually weakens in the course of the Modern English period. The moderator use becomes popular in the second half of the eighteenth century. The semantic development outlined above goes hand in hand with a syntactic development from an original adjunct into a subjunct and conjunct, and finally into a modifier of adjectives and adverbs.
UV photolysis of polyynes at λ=254 nm and at λ>222 nm
Authors: Cataldo Franco , Strazzulla Giovanni , Iglesias-Groth Susana
Published: June 2008

For the first time the kinetic rate constants of the UV photolysis of polyynes C6H2, C8H2, C10H2, C12H2 and C14H2 under rigorously inert atmosphere have been determined in three different solvents: n-hexane, n-heptane and decalin. First- or pseudofirst-order kinetics appear suitable to describe the photolysis of these molecules and k values in the range between 3.0×10−3 s−1 and 4.6×10−3 s−1 have been determined. The unique exception is represented by C6H2 which photolyses more slowly with k=3.2×10−4 s−1. Two different UV sources have been used in the present study: a low-pressure mercury lamp having a monochromatic emission at 253.7 nm and a medium-to high-pressure lamp with a continuous emission between 222 nm and 580 nm. The results are of interest in the understanding, and also the modelling, of the fate of polyynes released by carbon-rich stars in the interstellar medium or the polyynes released by comets in their active phase.
Social and political influences on agricultural systems
Authors: Archer David W. , Dawson Julie , Kreuter Urs P. , Hendrickson Mary , Halloran John M.
Published: June 2008

Agricultural systems are situated within social and political environments that have tremendous influence on how they operate. If agricultural systems are to be sustainable, it is critical to understand how they are influenced by social and political factors. An expert panel approach was used to identify and rank the importance of social and political factors on agricultural systems in the US and to provide some insights into their impacts, interactions and mechanisms of influence. The panel identified a wide range of social and political factors that affect agricultural systems. The factors were divided into three categories: internal social factors, external social factors and political factors. Factors from each of the three categories were highly ranked, indicating that no single category dominated the others. Although there were contrasting views about the importance of some factors, there was strong consensus about many of them. Globalization and low margins that require increased scale and efficiency were identified as the two most important factors affecting agricultural systems. Several newly emerging factors were identified as well as factors needing further research. A comprehensive understanding of these factors is imperative to help guide scientific research so that beneficial discoveries are accepted and used, and to ensure that policy decisions enhance the future sustainability of agricultural production.
Principles of integrated agricultural systems: Introduction to processes and definition
Authors: Hendrickson John R. , Hanson J.D. , Tanaka Donald L. , Sassenrath Gretchen
Published: June 2008

Agriculture has been very successful in addressing the food and fiber needs of today's world population. However, there are increasing concerns about the economic, environmental and social costs of this success. Integrated agricultural systems may provide a means to address these concerns while increasing sustainability. This paper reviews the potential for and challenges to integrated agricultural systems, evaluates different agricultural systems in a hierarchical systems framework, and provides definitions and examples for each of the systems. This paper also describes the concept of dynamic-integrated agricultural systems and calls for the development of principles to use in developing and researching integrated agricultural systems. The concepts in this paper have arisen from the first in a series of planned workshops to organize common principles, criteria and indicators across physiographic regions in integrated agricultural systems. Integrated agricultural systems have multiple enterprises that interact in space and time, resulting in a synergistic resource transfer among enterprises. Dynamic-integrated agricultural systems have multiple enterprises managed in a dynamic manner. The key difference between dynamic-integrated agricultural systems and integrated agricultural systems is in management philosophy. In an integrated agricultural system, management decisions, such as type and amount of commodities to produce, are predetermined. In a dynamic-integrated system, decisions are made at the most opportune time using the best available knowledge. We developed a hierarchical scheme for agricultural systems ranging from basic agricultural production systems, which are the simplest system with no resource flow between enterprises, to dynamic-integrated agricultural systems. As agricultural systems move up in the hierarchy, their complexity, amount of management needed, and sustainability also increases. A key aspect of sustainability is the ability to adapt to future challenges. We argue that sustainable systems need built-in flexibility to achieve this goal.
Organic premiums of US fresh produce
Authors: Lin Biing-Hwan , Smith Travis A. , Huang Chung L.
Published: June 2008

The study uses the 2005 Nielsen Homescan panel data to estimate price premiums and discounts associated with product attributes, market factors, and consumer characteristics, focusing on the organic attribute for five major fresh fruits and five major fresh vegetables in the United States. The results suggest that the organic attribute commands a significant price premium, which varies greatly from 13 cents per pound for bananas to 86 cents per pound for strawberries among fresh fruits and from 13 cents per pound for onions to 50 cents per pound for peppers among fresh vegetables. In terms of percentages, the estimated organic price premiums vary from 20% above prices paid for conventional grapes to 42% for strawberries among fresh fruits and from 15% above prices paid for conventional carrots and tomatoes to 60% for potatoes. Furthermore, prices paid for fresh produce are found to vary by other product attributes, market factors, and household characteristics.
Economics of organic and conventional hazelnut production in the Terme district of Samsun, Turkey
Authors: Demiryurek Kursat , Ceyhan Vedat
Published: June 2008

Understanding the economics of organic agriculture is crucial to support of organic production by policy-makers and to facilitate producers converting their lands to organic production. The aim of this research was to compare organic and conventional hazelnut producers, in terms of their socio-economic characteristics, production systems and economic performance. The main data were gathered with surveys of 64 randomly selected conventional hazelnut producers and all the organic hazelnut producers (39) living in villages of the Terme district of Samsun, Turkey in 2005. Results revealed that, compared to conventional hazelnut producers, organic hazelnut producers were more educated, had larger hazelnut areas and spent more time on agricultural activities. The current research also used cluster analysis to define relatively similar farmers from both production systems and to compare variables. Organic producers needed more labor, especially hired workers, and used more lime, organic fertilizer and insect traps, while conventional producers used more synthetic inputs. Organic producers had lower costs of production and had higher income. It is recommended that the organic producers be supported financially, and assisted by research and extension services to produce and use their own inputs, rather than purchasing from outside. They should also be encouraged to establish associations to increase their marketing efficiency.