bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A PhoQ/P‐regulated small RNA regulates sensitivity of Escherichia coli to antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Moon Kyung , Gottesman Susan
Published: November 2009

Non‐coding small RNAs (sRNAs) play a major role in post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Of the 80 sRNAs that have been identified in E. coli, one‐third bind to the RNA chaperone Hfq. Hfq both stabilizes these sRNAs in vivo and stimulates pairing to targets in vitro. A novel Hfq‐dependent RNA, called here MgrR, was identified by its ability to bind Hfq. Expression of MgrR requires the PhoQ/PhoP two‐component system; the PhoP response regulator is active under low Mg2+ concentrations and is an important virulence regulator in Salmonella; mgrR is also found in Salmonella species. Negatively regulated targets of MgrR identified using microarrays include eptB, involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modification, and ygdQ, encoding a hypothetical protein. Cell sensitivity to the antimicrobial polymyxin B is affected by LPS modifications, and cells carrying an mgrR deletion were approximately 10 times more resistant than wild‐type cells to polymyxin B. Thus, lower Mg2+ concentrations, sensed by PhoQ/PhoP, lead to expression of MgrR, changing LPS. sRNAs have previously been shown to regulate many outer membrane proteins. This work demonstrates that LPS, a major contributor of bacterial interactions with mammalian cells, is also subject to regulation by sRNAs.
BosR (BB0647) governs virulence expression in Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Ouyang Zhiming , Kumar Manish , Kariu Toru , Haq Shayma , Goldberg Martin , Pal Utpal , Norgard Michael V.
Published: November 2009

Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), the Lyme disease spirochaete, encodes a potential ferric uptake regulator (Fur) homologue, BosR (BB0647). Thus far, a role for BosR in Bb metabolism, gene regulation or pathogenesis has not been determined, largely due to the heretofore inability to inactivate bosR in low‐passage, infectious Bb isolates. Herein, we report the generation of the first bosR‐deficient mutant in a virulent strain of Bb. Whereas the bosR mutant persisted normally in ticks, the mutant was unable to infect mice, indicating that BosR is essential for Bb infection of a mammalian host. Moreover, transcriptional profiling of the bosR mutant showed that a number of genes were either positively or negatively influenced by BosR deficiency, suggesting that BosR may function both as a global repressor and activator in Bb. Strikingly, our study showed that BosR controls the expression of two major virulence‐associated Bb lipoproteins, OspC and DbpA, likely via an influence on the alternative sigma factor, RpoS. This study thus not only has elucidated another key virulence gene of Bb, but also provides new insights into a previously unknown layer of gene regulation governing RpoS in Bb.
Roles of the extreme N‐terminal region of FliH for efficient localization of the FliH–FliI complex to the bacterial flagellar type III export apparatus
Authors: Minamino Tohru , Yoshimura Shinsuke D. J. , Morimoto Yusuke V. , González‐Pedrajo Bertha , Kami‐ike Nobunori , Namba Keiichi
Published: November 2009

Most bacterial flagellar proteins are exported by the flagellar type III protein export apparatus for their self‐assembly. FliI ATPase forms a complex with its regulator FliH and facilitates initial entry of export substrates to the export gate composed of six integral membrane proteins. The FliH–FliI complex also binds to the C ring of the basal body through a FliH–FliN interaction for efficient export. However, it remains unclear how these reactions proceed within the cell. Here, we analysed subcellular localization of FliI–YFP by fluorescence microscopy. FliI–YFP was localized to the flagellar base, and its localization required both FliH and the C ring. The ATPase activity of FliI was not required for its localization. FliI–YFP formed a complex with FliHΔ1 (missing residues 2–10) but the complex did not show any localization. FliHΔ1 did not interact with FliN, and alanine‐scanning mutagenesis revealed that only Trp‐7 and Trp‐10 of FliH are essential for the interaction with FliN. Overproduction of the FliH–FliI complex improved the export activity of the fliN mutant whereas neither of the FliH(W7A)‐FliI nor FliH(W10A)‐FliI complexes did, suggesting that Trp‐7 and Trp‐10 of FliH are also required for efficient localization of the FliH–FliI complex to the export gate.
Application of an automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation device for kidney transplantation from uncontrolled donation after cardiac death donors in the emergency department
Authors: Morozumi Junya , Matsuno Naoto , Sakurai Etsuo , Nakamura Yuki , Arai Takao , Ohta Shoichi
Published: November 2009

Morozumi J, Matsuno N, Sakurai E, Nakamura Y, Arai T, Ohta S. Application of an automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation device for kidney transplantation from uncontrolled donation after cardiac death donors in the emergency department. Clin Transplant 2009 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01140.x. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Vital‐organ transplantation has become acceptable as the treatment of choice for end‐stage organ failure. If the patient, facing the end of life, wishes to donate organs after cardiac arrest (CA), donation after cardiac death (DCD) is increasingly important for the realization of the patient’s desires after CA. In Japan, kidney transplantation from uncontrolled DCD donors, who are identified in modified Maastricht categories II or V, is one of the critical factors in expanding the donor pool. However, according to the forensic code for post‐mortems and the requirement of legal consent for transplantation, the time required to meet all procedural requirements has sometimes prohibited organ procurement from uncontrolled DCD donors. We have therefore attempted to use an automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device and maintain arterial pressure for uncontrolled DCD donors during all interim procedures after sudden CA. Comparing kidneys procured from standard DCD donors (n = 10) and uncontrolled DCD donors (n = 4), significant differences were seen in warm ischemic time (WIT), defined as the time from CA to initiation of cooling in situ. However, our early experience showed good tolerance and viability of uncontrolled DCD kidneys. Immediate availability of an automated CPR device might provide a bridge to kidney procurement from uncontrolled DCD donors.
Changes in faecal microbiota of infants with cow’s milk protein allergy – a Spanish prospective case–control 6‐month follow‐up study
Authors: Thompson‐Chagoyan Oscar C. , Vieites Jose M. , Maldonado Jose , Edwards Christine , Gil Angel
Published: November 2009

Thompson‐Chagoyan OC, Vieites JM, Maldonado J, Edwards C, Gil A. Changes in faecal microbiota of infants with cow’s milk protein allergy – a Spanish prospective case–control 6‐month follow‐up study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: e394–e400. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Major differences have been found in gut microbiota between healthy and allergic children, and a possible association between allergy and altered microbiota patterns have been postulated. The main object of the study was to compare the faecal microbiota between healthy and cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) infants at the baseline immediately after the diagnosis, and to evaluate the changes in the faecal microbiota after 6 months of treatment of CMPA infants fed on extensively cow’s milk protein hydrolyzed formulae without pre‐ or probiotics, compared with healthy children fed on standard milk formulae. The population comprised 92 infants aged 2–12 months who were non‐allergic (n = 46) or diagnosed with IgE‐mediated CMPA (n = 46). At baseline and at 6 months, faecal samples were collected into sterile plastic tubes, immediately placed into anaerobic jars and processed within 2 h of their collection. Weighed faeces samples were diluted from 10−1 to 10−7 and cultured in selective media for total count of aerobes, anaerobes, enterobacteria, bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, clostridia and yeasts. Samples from non‐allergic and allergic infants were compared at baseline and at 6 months using appropriate statistical tests, considering p < 0.05 to be significant. In comparison with healthy infants, CMPA infants had higher total bacteria and anaerobic counts and a lower yeast count at baseline, finding no difference in the proportions of each bacterial group between groups. After 6 months, CMPA infants showed higher anaerobic and lactobacilli counts, a higher proportion of lactobacilli, a lower count and proportion of bifidobacteria, and lower proportions of enterobacteria and yeasts. Comparison of faecal samples from CMPA infants between baseline and at 6 months showed an increase in count and proportion of lactobacilli and a decrease in counts and proportions of enterobacteria and bifidobacteria. Differences in the composition of gut microbiota between CMPA and healthy infants may influence in the development of or protection from this allergy.
Mate Choice for Genetic Benefits: Time to Put the Pieces Together
Authors: Hettyey Attila , Hegyi Gergely , Puurtinen Mikael , Hoi Herbert , Török János , Penn Dustin J.
Published: November 2009

It is thought that mate choice allows individuals to obtain genetic benefits for their offspring, and although many studies have found some support for this hypothesis, several critical questions remain unresolved. One main problem is that empirical studies on mate choice and genetic benefits have been rather piecemeal. Some studies (1) aimed to test how mate choice affects offspring fitness, but have not examined whether the benefits are because of genetic effects. Other studies tested whether mate choice provides (2) additive or (3) non‐additive genetic benefits and only a few studies (4) considered these genetic effects together. Finally, some studies (5) examined whether the potential benefits that might be gained from mate choice are due to additive genetic effects vs. non‐additive effects, and although they found evidence for both, they did not examine whether mate choice is relevant. Furthermore, previous studies have usually not controlled for non‐genetic sources of variation in offspring fitness. Thus, there remain gaping holes in our understanding, and it is the connections among the research approaches that now need more attention. We suggest that studies are needed that measure non‐genetic effects, the potential benefits from both additive and non‐additive genetic effects, and also determine whether mate choice exploits these potential benefits. Such integrative studies are necessary to put the pieces together and clarify the role of genetic benefits in the evolution of mate choice.
Relative Abundance ofXiphophorusFishes and Its Effect on Sexual Communication
Authors: Fisher Heidi S. , Rosenthal Gil G.
Published: November 2009

As major river drainages separated and stream capture occurred, some populations ofXiphophorusfishes became geographically isolated from one another, while others came into contact with newXiphophorusspecies. Sexual communication and mechanisms of reproductive isolation were likely influenced by the variation in community structure each population experienced. One swordtail species,Xiphophorus birchmanni, occurs both in streams where otherXiphophorusspecies are rare, or more typically with large populations of congeners. Using theX. birchmannisystem, we tested the theory that species recognition should be favored when the opportunity for hybridization is high. We found that at a site where the congener,X. variatus, is the predominant species, femaleX. birchmannihave a strong preference for conspecific cues; however, femaleX. birchmannifrom a location whereX. variatusare rare do not discriminate between conspecific and heterospecific cues. Moreover, we show evidence that chemosignals used by maleX. birchmannito attract females are unique between the two populations that differ in community structure. Our findings suggest that not only can the presence or absence of a congener influence sexual communication, both in terms of female preference and male trait, but the abundance of congeners may also be an equally important source of interpopulation variation.
A national evaluation of the Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (1994): A multistakeholder perspective
Authors: Rodger Sylvia , Clark Michele , Banks Rebecca , O’Brien Mia , Martinez Kay
Published: November 2009

This paper summarises results from an evaluation of the adequacy and utility of the Australian Competency Standards for Entry‐Level Occupational Therapists © (OT AUSTRALIA, 1994a). It comprised a two‐part study, incorporating an online survey of key national stakeholders (n = 26), and 13 focus groups (n = 152) conducted throughout Australia with occupational therapy clinicians, academics, OT AUSTRALIA association and Occupational Therapy Registration Board representatives, as well as university program accreditors. The key recommendations were that: (i) urgent revision to reflect contemporary practice, paradigms, approaches and frameworks is required; (ii) the standards should exemplify basic competence at graduation (not within two years following); (iii) a revision cycle of five years is required; (iv) the Australian Qualifications Framework should be retained, preceded by an introduction describing the scope and nature of occupational therapy practice in the national context; (v) access to the standards should be free and unrestricted to occupational therapists, students and the public via the OT AUSTRALIA (national) website; (vi) the standards should incorporate a succinct executive summary and additional tools or templates formatted to enable occupational therapists to develop professional portfolios and create working documents specific to their workplace; and (vii) language must accommodate contextual variation while striking an appropriate balance between providing instruction and encouraging innovation in practice.
Rater reliability of the adapted scoring criteria of the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment for children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Tam Cynthia , Ryan Stephen E. , Rigby Patty , Sophianopoulos Mary‐Beth
Published: November 2009

Background/aim: Current handwriting assessment tools are standardised mostly on typically developing students. This study estimated the intrarater and interrater reliabilities of the adapted scoring criteria, titled the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment‐Cerebral Palsy (MHA‐CP), for evaluating the effectiveness of handwriting interventions for children with cerebral palsy.

Methods: We scored two batches of 20 random samples each from 80 handwriting samples produced by 30 children with cerebral palsy using the MHA‐CP to estimate the intrarater and interrater reliabilities, respectively.

Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients exceeded 0.95 for both intrarater and interrater reliabilities for all quality subscales of the MHA‐CP.

Conclusions: The MHA‐CP is shown to be a reliable measure of the manuscript handwriting performance of children with cerebral palsy who are in Grades 1 and 2. Further empirical testing is recommended to confirm its validity as an outcome measure for this population.
A comparison of international occupational therapy competencies: Implications for Australian standards in the new millennium
Authors: Rodger Sylvia , Clark Michele , Banks Rebecca , O’Brien Mia , Martinez Kay
Published: November 2009

Background/aim:  A timely evaluation of the Australian Competency Standards for Entry‐Level Occupational Therapists© (1994) was conducted. This thorough investigation comprised a literature review exploring the concept of competence and the applications of competency standards; systematic benchmarking of the Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (OT AUSTRALIA, 1994) against other national and international competency standards and other affiliated documents, from occupational therapy and other cognate disciplines; and extensive nationwide consultation with the professional community. This paper explores and examines the similarities and disparities between occupational therapy competency standards documents available in English from Australia and other countries.

Methods:  An online search for national occupational therapy competency standards located 10 documents, including the Australian competencies.

Results:  Four ‘frameworks’ were created to categorise the documents according to their conceptual underpinnings: Technical‐Prescriptive, Enabling, Educational and Meta‐Cognitive. Other characteristics that appeared to impact the design, content and implementation of competency standards, including definitions of key concepts, authorship, national and cultural priorities, scope of services, intended use and review mechanisms, were revealed.

Conclusion:  The proposed ‘frameworks’ and identification of influential characteristics provided a ‘lens’ through which to understand and evaluate competency standards. While consistent application of and attention to some of these characteristics appear to consolidate and affirm the authority of competency standards, it is suggested that the national context should be a critical determinant of the design and content of the final document. The Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (OT AUSTRALIA, 1994) are critiqued accordingly, and preliminary recommendations for revision are proposed.
A qualitative study of mental health nurse identities: Many roles, one profession
Authors: Hurley John
Published: November 2009

The aim of the study was to clarify and build upon current understandings of mental health nurse (MHN) identity. The study adopted a framework of social constructionism and qualitative methodology. Semistructured interviews were conducted, which were thematically analyzed using Nvivo software. Twenty‐five MHN were recruited across three geographical sites in the UK. Participants constructed a cluster of seven MHN identity characteristics that constituted a unique contribution to talk‐based therapies. These themes of characteristics are: (i) the MHN as generic specialist; (ii) the MHN as adopting a service‐user focus; (iii) the MHN as positioning and utilizing the personal self; (iv) the MHN as spending time with the service user; (v) the MHN as delivering talk‐based therapies in versatile ways; (vi) the MHN as having an everyday attitude; and (vii) the MHN as having transferable skills. The distinctiveness, and thus, professional identity of mental health nursing, must be understood as a cluster of capabilities rather than a search for a singular point of difference. The breadth of capabilities employed by MHN highlights the value and worth of their contribution to service‐user care.
Comparison of mental health nurses' attitudes towards smoking and smoking behaviour
Authors: Dwyer Trudy , Bradshaw Julie , Happell Brenda
Published: November 2009

Smoking is widely recognized as an important public health issue for the general population and in the mental health field where the rates are particularly high. Mental health nurses are well positioned to take an active role in encouraging and supporting people diagnosed with mental illness to cease smoking. Information about smoking behaviour and the attitudes of mental health nurses is necessary to develop strategies to prepare nurses for this important role. A cross‐sectional study was conducted to examine the smoking behaviour and attitudes of mental health nurses in Queensland, Australia, through a random selection of mental health nurses (n = 289). Smoking rates (16%) in this study were lower than those for the Australian population. Smokers were significantly (P < 0.001) less likely to agree that health‐care facilities should promote a healthy environment. All participants, but predominantly those who smoked (P < 0.001), supported the individual's right to smoke. Participants believed they possessed appropriate skills to deliver the antismoking message effectively, although stronger beliefs were characteristic of non‐smokers. Participants who smoked perceived that their smoking status assisted in facilitating interactions with consumers (P < 0.001). The findings have implications for the health promotion activities of mental health nurses.
Treatment regimes in a psychiatric hospital and apparent contradictions: Report from field work in a lock‐up ward illustrated with a constructed case
Authors: Skorpen Aina , Anderssen Norman , Øye Christine , Bjelland Anne Karen
Published: November 2009

The medical approach dominates in Norwegian psychiatry, but mental health nurses and other ward staff hold that milieu therapy constitutes an additional and important treatment approach for psychiatric patients. In this study, we wanted to explore these approaches as they are implemented in inpatient treatment. We conducted a 9‐month ethnographic study in two lock‐up psychiatric wards in a Norwegian psychiatric hospital. In this article, we present a constructed case, Mary, to illustrate the voices, experiences, and perspectives of patients and staff as observed primarily in the patients' smoking room, the corridor, and the staffroom. From the perspective of staff, we identified at least two professional perspectives concerning patients' daily life: a strong medical–psychiatric view and a weaker therapeutic milieu, which seemed difficult to implement. When considering the view of people in care, we observed that patients' experiences and points of view occurred and remained to a large degree in their smoking room, and patients seemed to have little impact on their own treatment programmes. This stands in sharp contrast to patients' legal rights to participate in any important decisions regarding their treatment and to the espoused person‐centred orientation in health care today.
A clinical improvement project to develop and implement a decision‐making framework for the use of seclusion
Authors: Hyde Sandra , Fulbrook Paul , Fenton Keryn , Kilshaw Michael
Published: November 2009

The use of seclusion within acute psychiatric settings is contentious. As evidenced by its use in practice, seclusion continues to be supported by mental health‐care professionals. However, there is a growing evidence base that indicates that it is viewed negatively by patients and causes symptoms of severe distress. In Australia and several other countries, the use of restraint and seclusion is now being questioned, and there are now policy directives to reduce or abandon these practices. Despite mental health‐care professionals' awareness of the potential detrimental effects of seclusion, the practice is strongly embedded in Australian mental health settings. This paper describes an improvement project to develop and implement a clinical decision‐making framework around the use of seclusion. The setting was an acute mental health‐care facility servicing a large health district in south east Queensland, Australia. The impetus for this project was driven by concerns expressed by consumers of the service and our own need to reduce the incidence of seclusion and the length of time of seclusion events to below 4 hours' duration. This improvement project employed practice development and action research principles to engage colleagues in the development of the framework. The project duration was 6 months, and resulted in two decision‐making frameworks around the use of seclusion: the decision to seclude and the decision to release.
Alone together: A grounded theory study of experienced burden, coping, and support needs of spouses of persons with a bipolar disorder
Authors: Van Der Voort Trijntje Y. G. , Goossens Peter J. J. , Van Der Bijl Jaap J.
Published: November 2009

Bipolar disorder is a chronic and severe mental disorder. Little is known about the experiences of the spouses of such patients. A grounded theory study was undertaken to examine the burden for spouses living with a partner with a bipolar disorder and to explore how they cope and what support they need. Fifteen spouses and ex‐spouses were interviewed; they experienced heavy burden and found themselves to be ‘alone together.’ Their coping process is found to involve appraisal of the situation and attempts to achieve a balance between self‐effacement and self‐fulfilment. While support can clearly reduce experienced burden, the spouses surprisingly receive virtually no professional support. A theory is developed that constitutes a starting point for the development of adequate support for spouses.
Analysis of the late outcome of laparoscopic heminephrectomy in children with duplex kidneys
Authors: You Dalsan , Bang Jeong Kyoon , Shim Myungsun , Ryu Dong Soo , Kim Kun Suk
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Therapy (case series)  Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVES

To report our experience with laparoscopic heminephrectomy (LHN) in children with duplex kidneys, highlighting the late outcomes, including anatomical and functional aspects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the medical records of 17 children (18 renal units) with duplex kidneys who underwent LHN (15) and heminephroureterectomy (three). Before surgery, all patients were evaluated using ultrasonography, voiding cysto‐urethrography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging with urography, and nuclear scintigraphy. After surgery patients were evaluated using ultrasonography and nuclear scintigraphy, and by voiding cysto‐urethrography if there was a refluxing ureter.

RESULTS

All laparoscopic surgery (17 transperitoneal and one retroperitoneal approach), were completed as planned with no intraoperative complications. Complications after surgery included prolonged urine leakage from a refluxing ureteric stump in one heminephroureterectomy, and a complete functional loss of the remnant pole in one retroperitoneal LHN. The function of the remnant pole was preserved in 17 patients (94%); in these 17 the mean decrease in renal function was 2.8%. Follow‐up ultrasonography showed asymptomatic cystic structures in six patients. There was an asymptomatic remnant ureteric stump in two cases (one refluxing, one nonrefluxing).

CONCLUSION

The loss of function caused by surgery is subtle but some remnant pole will be fully lost while experience is gained. Because the functional impairment due to vasospasm or vascular injury might not be recognized, all remnant kidneys must be evaluated using postoperative nuclear scintigraphy.
Partner Selection Decisions in Interfirm Collaborations: The Paradox of Relational Embeddedness
Authors: Meuleman Miguel , Lockett Andy , Manigart Sophie , Wright Mike
Published: November 2009

abstract

By combining insights from relational network theory and agency theory we identify the boundary conditions to the embeddedness approach to partner selection decisions in interfirm collaborations. Employing a longitudinal dataset comprising the investment syndicates for the population of UK management buyouts between 1993 and 2003, we find that relational embeddedness is less important for selecting partners when agency risks are low, allowing firms to expand their networks. Furthermore, reputational capital may act as a partial substitute for relational embeddedness, again permitting firms to expand their networks. Our findings enhance understanding of the boundary conditions associated with the relational network approach to partner selections and network behaviour.
Boards, Uncertainty, and the Use of Fairness Opinions
Authors: Frye Melissa B. , Wang Weishen
Published: November 2009

Manuscript Type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: We propose and test a new perspective on why the boards of some acquiring firms purchase a fairness opinion (FO). Specifically, we examine whether the board's knowledge explains the use of an FO and the market reaction to the FO.

Research Findings/Insights: We find that FOs are more likely to be purchased when the acquiring firm's board feels uncertain about the deal. Specifically, we find that boards with more outside directors are more likely to use an FO, while boards whose directors hold more outside appointments (busy boards) are less likely to seek an FO. Moreover, we find that although the market reacts negatively to the FO, board characteristics both moderate and exacerbate the reaction. When an FO is used by a busy board, the market reacts more negatively to the merger announcement. In contrast, board independence and the average service years for directors seem to moderate the market's reaction to the FO.

Theoretical/Academic Implications: The results of this study are consistent with the idea that a lack of knowledge and underlying transaction uncertainty motivates the board to purchase an FO. In addition, our empirical evidence supports a sophisticated market reaction, where the market recognizes the board's knowledge when assessing the necessity of the FO.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study provides a new perspective on why boards use FOs. A board with more outside directors may be strong on monitoring, but may lack knowledge on the deal. This essentially provides an example of a cost associated with an independent board. Further, we show that the market can differentiate the types of boards that use an FO.
Aging and Information Technology Use
Authors: Charness Neil , Boot Walter R.
Published: November 2009

Why are older adults reluctant to adopt new technology, such as the Internet, given its potential to improve the quality of their lives? We review evidence indicating that attitudes and abilities are among the most powerful predictors of technology use. We conclude that normative age-related changes in ability must be taken into account when designing products and training programs for aging adults, and we discuss new tools to support designers. The most promising emerging technologies likely lie in training cognitive abilities and augmenting or substituting for impaired abilities. We discuss reasons to expect that the lag in technology adoption between younger and older adults may lessen but will not disappear in future generations.
Cognition Without Control
Authors: Thompson-Schill Sharon L. , Ramscar Michael , Chrysikou Evangelia G.
Published: November 2009

The prefrontal cortex is crucial for the ability to regulate thought and control behavior. The development of the human cerebral cortex is characterized by an extended period of maturation during which young children exhibit marked deficits in cognitive control. We contend that prolonged prefrontal immaturity is, on balance, advantageous and that the positive consequences of this developmental trajectory outweigh the negative. Particularly, we argue that cognitive control impedes convention learning and that delayed prefrontal maturation is a necessary adaptation for human learning of social and linguistic conventions. We conclude with a discussion of recent observations that are relevant to this claim of evolutionary trade-offs in a wide range of research areas, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, creativity, and sleep.
Socioeconomic Status and Health
Authors: Gallo Linda C. , de los Monteros Karla Espinosa , Shivpuri Smriti
Published: November 2009

A robust, linear association between socioeconomic status (SES) and health has been identified across many populations and health outcomes. This relationship is typically monotonic, so that each step down the SES hierarchy brings increased vulnerability to disease and premature mortality. Despite growing attention to health disparities, scientists and policymakers have made little progress toward confronting their causes and implementing effective solutions. Using the reserve capacity model (Gallo & Matthews, 2003) as an organizing framework, the current article examines the contribution of resilient psychosocial resources to socioeconomic disparities in physical health. Findings suggest that deficient psychosocial resources, such as low perceptions of control and social support, may be one of many factors that connect low SES with poor health. Additional research is needed to test these relationships and their underlying mechanisms, to consider interventions to enhance reserve capacity, and to evaluate the efficacy of such efforts in fostering resilience to socioeconomic hardship.
Social Emotions and Intertemporal Choice
Authors: DeSteno David
Published: November 2009

Individuals regularly confront situations in which acceptance of short-term costs may lead to long-term gains. Given that individuals frequently discount the utility of future benefits with respect to more immediate ones, successfully solving such intertemporal choice dilemmas has been theorized to involve self-regulation aimed at controlling emotional responses that are sensitive to immediate rewards. In this article, I argue for a more multifaceted view of the role played by emotions in intertemporal choice. In support of this view, I review emerging evidence demonstrating the ability of specific, socially oriented emotions to facilitate behaviors designed to build social and economic capital in the long run.
The Role of Parental Control in Children's Development in Western and East Asian Countries
Authors: Pomerantz Eva M. , Wang Qian
Published: November 2009

Decades of research in Western countries such as the United States have supported the idea that parental control undermines children's psychological development. In recent years, investigators have asked whether this is also true in East Asian countries such as China, given that several aspects of East Asian culture have the potential to make children more accepting of parental control. We review research indicating that the effects of parental control on children's psychological functioning are similarly negative in the United States and China, the two countries where most research on this subject has been conducted. However, we also highlight specific contexts in which the effects may be stronger in the West.
From Fragments to Geometric Shape
Authors: Smith Linda B.
Published: November 2009

Visual object recognition is foundational to processes of categorization, tool use, and real-world problem solving. Despite considerable effort across many disciplines and many specific advances, there is no comprehensive or well-accepted account of this ability. Moreover, none of the extant approaches consider how human object recognition develops. New evidence indicates a period of rapid change in toddlers' visual object recognition between 18 and 24 months that is related to the learning of object names and to goal-directed action. Children appear to shift from recognition based on piecemeal fragments to recognition based on geometric representations of three-dimensional shape. These findings may lead to a more unified understanding of the processes that make human object recognition as impressive as it is.
The Pursuit of Status in Social Groups
Authors: Anderson Cameron , Kilduff Gavin J.
Published: November 2009

Status differences are ubiquitous and highly consequential. Yet with regard to human social groups, basic questions persist about how status differences develop. In particular, little is known about the processes by which individuals pursue status in social groups. That is, how do individuals compete and jockey for status with their peers? The current paper reviews recent research that helps fill this gap in our knowledge. Specifically, studies of a variety of face-to-face groups show that individuals pursue status by enhancing the apparent value they provide to their group. Individuals compete for status not by bullying and intimidating others, as some theorists have proposed, but by behaving in ways that suggest high levels of competence, generosity, and commitment to the group.
Alternatives to Randomized Experiments
Authors: West Stephen G.
Published: November 2009

Randomized experiments are preferred for making inferences about causality when they can be implemented and their assumptions are met. Yet assumptions can fail (e.g., attrition, treatment noncompliance) or randomization may be unethical or infeasible. I describe alternative design and statistical approaches that permit testing causal hypotheses and present current empirical evidence related to alternative designs. Alternative designs permit a wider range of research questions to be answered and permit more direct generalization of causal effects; however, when using such designs, estimates of the magnitude of the causal effect may be more uncertain.
Social Learning Mechanisms and Cumulative Cultural Evolution
Authors: Caldwell Christine A. , Millen Ailsa E.
Published: November 2009

Cumulative cultural evolution has been suggested to account for key cognitive and behavioral attributes that distinguish modern humans from their anatomically similar ancestors, but researchers have yet to establish which cognitive mechanisms are responsible for this kind of learning and whether they are unique to humans. Here, we show that human participants' cumulative learning is not always reliant on sources of social information commonly assumed to be essential. Seven hundred participants were organized into 70 microsocieties and completed a task involving building a paper airplane. We manipulated the availability of opportunities for imitation (reproducing actions), emulation (reproducing end results), and teaching. Each condition was independently sufficient for participants to show cumulative learning. Because emulative learning can elicit cumulative culture on this task, we conclude that accounts of the unusual complexity of human culture in terms of species-unique learning mechanisms do not currently provide complete explanations and that other factors may be involved.
Destination Memory: Stop Me if I've Told You This Before
Authors: Gopie Nigel , MacLeod Colin M.
Published: November 2009

Everyone has recounted a story or joke to someone only to experience a nagging feeling that they may already have told this person this information. Remembering to whom one has told what, an ability that we term destination memory, has been overlooked by researchers despite its important social ramifications. Using a novel paradigm, we demonstrate that destination memory is more fallible than source memory—remembering the person from whom one has received information (Experiment 1). In Experiments 2 and 3, we increased and decreased self-focus, obtaining support for a theoretical framework that explains relatively poor destination memory performance as being the result of focusing attention on oneself and on the processes required to transmit information. Along with source memory, destination memory is an important component of episodic memory that plays a critical role in social interactions.
Finite‐Dimensional Integrable Hamiltonian Systems Related to the Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Zhou Ruguang
Published: November 2009

A complete treatment of the binary nonlinearizations of spectral problems of the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with the choice of distinct eigenvalue parameters is presented. Two kinds of constraints between the potentials and the eigenfunctions of the NLS equation are considered. From the first constraint, a pair of new finite‐dimensional completely integrable Hamiltonian systems which constitute an integrable decomposition of the NLS equation are obtained. From the second constraint, a novel finite‐dimensional integrable Hamiltonian system, which includes the system of multiple three‐wave interaction as a special case, is obtained. It is found that the eigenvalue parameters real or not can lead to completely different symplectic structures of the restricted NLS flows. In addition, a relationship between the binary restricted Ablowitz–Kaup–Newell–Segur flows and the restricted NLS flows is revealed.
On Two Useful Identities in the Theory of Ellipsoidal Harmonics
Authors: Dassios G. , Fokas A. S.
Published: November 2009

Two identities on ellipsoidal harmonics, which appear naturally in the theory of boundary value problems, are stated and proved. The first involves the ellipsoidal analogue of the Beltrami operator in spherical coordinates (also known as surface Laplacian). The second identity includes the tangential surface gradient operator defined as the cross product of the unit normal with the gradient operator on an ellipsoidal surface. In both cases, the basic spectral properties of these two operators, as they act on the surface ellipsoidal harmonics, are provided.
Extracting new patterns for cardiovascular disease prognosis
Authors: Mena Luis , Gonzalez Jesus A. , Maestre Gladys
Published: November 2009

Abstract: Cardiovascular diseases constitute one of the main causes of mortality in the world, and machine learning has become a powerful tool for analysing medical data in the last few years. In this paper we present an interdisciplinary work based on an ambulatory blood pressure study and the development of a new classification algorithm named REMED. We focused on the discovery of new patterns for abnormal blood pressure variability as a possible cardiovascular risk factor. We compared our results with other classification algorithms based on Bayesian methods, decision trees, and rule induction techniques. In the comparison, REMED showed similar accuracy to these algorithms but it has the advantage of being superior in its capacity to classify sick people correctly. Therefore, our method could represent an innovative approach that might be useful in medical decision support for cardiovascular disease prognosis.
Applying a belief rule‐base inference methodology to a guideline‐based clinical decision support system
Authors: Kong Guilan , Xu Dong‐Ling , Liu Xinbao , Yang Jian‐Bo
Published: November 2009

Abstract: A critical issue in the clinical decision support system (CDSS) research area is how to represent and reason with both uncertain medical domain knowledge and clinical symptoms to arrive at accurate conclusions. Although a number of methods and tools have been developed in the past two decades for modelling clinical guidelines, few of those modelling methods have capabilities of handling the uncertainties that exist in almost every stage of a clinical decision‐making process. This paper describes how to apply a recently developed generic rule‐base inference methodology using the evidential reasoning approach (RIMER) to model clinical guidelines and the clinical inference process in a CDSS. In RIMER, a rule base is designed with belief degrees embedded in all possible consequents of a rule. Such a rule base is capable of capturing vagueness, incompleteness and non‐linear causal relationships, while traditional IF–THEN rules can be represented as a special case. Inference in such a rule base is implemented using the evidential reasoning approach which has the capability of handling different types and degrees of uncertainty in both medical domain knowledge and clinical symptoms. A case study demonstrates that employing RIMER in developing a guideline‐based CDSS is a valid novel approach.
Intelligent and nature inspired optimization methods in medicine: the Pap smear cell classification problem
Authors: Marinakis Yannis , Marinaki Magdalene , Dounias Georgios , Jantzen Jan , Bjerregaard Beth
Published: November 2009

Abstract: The classification problem consists of using some known objects, usually described by a large vector of features, to induce a model that classifies others into known classes. Feature selection is widely used as the first stage of the classification task to reduce the dimension of the problem, decrease noise and improve speed by the elimination of irrelevant or redundant features. The present paper deals with the optimization of nearest neighbour classifiers via intelligent and nature inspired algorithms for a very significant medical problem, the Pap smear cell classification problem. The algorithms used include tabu search, genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization and ant colony optimization. The proposed complete algorithmic scheme is tested on two sets of data. The first consists of 917 images of Pap smear cells and the second set consists of 500 images, classified carefully by expert cyto‐technicians and doctors. Each cell is described by 20 numerical features, and the cells fall into seven classes representing a variety of normal and abnormal cases. Nevertheless, from the medical diagnosis viewpoint, a minimum requirement corresponds to the general two‐class problem of correct separation between normal and abnormal cells.
Environmental dew point and skin and lip weathering
Authors: Devillers C , Piérard GE , Quatresooz P , Piérard S
Published: November 2009

Xerosis represents a physiological response of the stratum corneum (SC) to environmental threats. The influence of the environmental dew point (DP) is not fully understood. This parameter is the air temperature at which the relative humidity is maximum. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the environmental DP and the water‐holding capacity of the skin and lower lip vermilion. For comparison, SC property was evaluated after occlusive application of cooled and uncooled hydrogel pads. Electrometric measurements using a dermal phase meter (DPM) device were performed on the back of the hands, the cheeks and the lower lip of 40 healthy menopausal women. Assessments were performed in the outdoor conditions during winter and spring. The same measurements were recorded after hydrogel pads, at room temperature or cooled to 4 °C, were placed for 15 min on the test sites. The environmental DP was recorded at each evaluation time. The SC water‐holding capacity was discretely influenced by the DP. In the open‐air environmental conditions, a positive linear relationship was found on the cheeks between the DP and DPM values. The relationship was weaker on the lips. Conversely, a consistent increase in DPM values was recorded immediately after removal of the cooled and uncooled hydrogel pads. The observations made in the open‐air testing conditions are consistent with the predicted events following the Arrhenius law. By contrast, the combination of cooling and occlusion by the hydrogel pads is responsible for the reverse effect on the SC.
Seborrheic dermatitis among Oxford renal transplant recipients1
Authors: Lally A , Casabonne D , Newton R , Wojnarowska F
Published: November 2009

Background  Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory dermatosis with a prevalence of 1–3% in the general population. It is recognized more commonly in those infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). No studies have looked at Seborrheic dermatitis in the context of immunosuppression secondary to organ transplantation. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of Seborrheic dermatitis in a renal transplant population and characteristics of those affected.

Methods  A prospective study of 308 renal transplant recipients (RTRs) was carried out. All participants were examined for Seborrheic dermatitis. Descriptive statistics were employed and associations with Seborrheic dermatitis were examined using Fisher’s exact test to calculate P‐exact values, and Student’s t‐test was used to compare mean ages and time since transplantation. Statistical analysis was carried out using spss version 14.0 for Windows.

Results  Seborrheic dermatitis was identified in 29/308 (9.5%) patients and was more common in males (P‐exact = 0.004) and in those who had been transplanted for longer (P = 0.02). The disease was mild–moderate severity in the majority but an unusual flexural appearance was recorded in 7/29 patients. Seborrheic dermatitis was less likely in those taking prednisolone (P‐exact = 0.006) or tacrolimus (P‐exact = 0.008). Seborrheic dermatitis was significantly associated with cutaneous malignancy, in particular squamous cell carcinoma (P‐exact < 0.0001).

Discussion  Seborrheic dermatitis is more common than other inflammatory dermatoses in immunosuppressed RTRs, but is not as frequent as in those immunosuppressed secondary to HIV. Degree and duration of exposure to immunosuppression and increased colonization with Malassezia yeast genus are likely be important in the aetiology of Seborrheic dermatitis in RTRs. Further studies are required to clarify this.