bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy in Children with Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders: Consensus Statement of a UK Multidisciplinary Working Party
Authors: Robb PJ , Bew S , Kubba H , Murphy N , Primhak R , Rollin A-M , Tremlett M
Published: July 2009

During 2008, ENT-UK received a number of professional enquiries from colleagues about the management of children with upper airway obstruction and uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). These children with sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) are usually referred to paediatricians and ENT surgeons.

In some district general hospitals, (DGHs) where paediatric intensive care (PICU) facilities to ventilate children were not available, paediatrician and anaesthetist colleagues were expressing concern about children with a clinical diagnosis of OSA having routine tonsillectomy, with or without adenoidectomy.

As BAPO President, I was asked by the ENT-UK President, Professor Richard Ramsden, to investigate the issues and rapidly develop a working consensus statement to support safe but local treatment of these children.

The Royal Colleges of Anaesthetists and Paediatrics and Child Health and the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists nominated expert members from both secondary and tertiary care to contribute and develop a consensus statement based on the limited evidence base available.

Our terms of reference were to produce a statement that was brief, with a limited number of references, to inform decision-making at the present time.

With patient safety as the first priority, the working party wished to support practice that facilitated referral to a tertiary centre of those children who could be expected, on clinical assessment alone, potentially to require PICU facilities. In contrast, the majority of children who could be safely managed in a secondary care setting should be managed closer to home in a DGH.

BAPO, ENT-UK, APA, RCS-CSF and RCoA have endorsed the consensus statement; the RCPCH has no mechanism for endorsing consensus statements, but the RCPCH Clinical Effectiveness Committee reviewed the statement, concluding it was a ‘concise, accurate and helpful document’.

The consensus statement is an interim working tool, based on level-five evidence. It is intended as the starting point to catalyze further development towards a fully structured, evidence-based guideline; to this end, feedback and comment are welcomed. This and the constructive feedback from APA and RCPCH will be incorporated into a future guideline proposal.
Do reduced hours create better safety for patients?
Authors: Worrall Matthew
Published: July 2009

The debate between the government and the surgical profession surrounding the introduction of the 48-hour working limit has been technical and complicated. At the heart of the government argument for the shortening of working time is that doctors are tired and that being tired they make mistakes that harm patient care. But does the evidence exist to demonstrate that working over 48 hours per week is a direct cause of severe fatigue?
Health care infections – an update
Authors: Edwards Simon , Webster Daniel
Published: July 2009

We have recently witnessed a rapid fall in the MRSA and C difficile rates that once dominated newspaper headlines and the government maintains unrelenting pressure on trusts to adhere to new regulations and standards of cleanliness. But are we losing sight of the broader picture? Is this focus on a few significant factors now preventing an understanding of what our true priorities should be?
Evaluation of the viability of Posidonia oceanica transplants associated with a marina expansion
Authors: Sánchez-Lizaso Jose L. , Fernández-Torquemada Yolanda , González-Correa Jose M.
Published: July 2009

In March 2005, a preliminary Posidonia oceanica transplantation was carried out as a restoration measure prior to enlargement of a marina. Seagrass sods of approximately 1 m2 surface area and 40 cm depth (including rhizome and sediment) were cut free from the area expected to be impacted by harbor expansion. These fragments were transferred to nearby areas lacking P. oceanica, viz. in bare areas within the nearest meadows and at the same depth as the donor site (∼10 m). The present work was carried out with the aim of evaluating the feasibility of this technique through estimating the vitality of transferred plants (measured as density and cover) for comparison with plants from a nearby meadow with similar conditions. There was a high level of mortality among transplants and a considerable degradation of the shoots that remained alive at the time of the sampling. When results were expressed in terms of global density, the rate of survival of transplanted shoots decreased to 15% (50 vs. 361 shoots m-2 of meadow in transplant and control plots, respectively). These results indicate that transplant techniques for P. oceanica on a large scale are not feasible.
From Microcognition to Macrocognition: Architectural Support for Adversarial Behavior
Authors: Lebiere Christian , Best Bradley J.
Published: July 2009

Asymmetric adversarial behavior is a complex naturalistic domain that involves multiple macrocognitive processes. Traditional techniques that have been applied to that domain from game theory and artificial intelligence have generalized poorly from simplified paradigms to real-world conditions. We describe a competing approach rooted in cognitive architectures and distinguished by multiple levels of processes that involve complex interactions of microcognitive constructs. The naturalistic requirements of the task impose upon the cognitive architecture additional constraints beyond those involved in modeling laboratory experiments. We describe a number of improvements to the cognitive architecture designed to boost its robustness in uncertain, unpredictable, and adaptive environments characteristic of adversarial behavior. What emerges is a symbiotic relation between macrocognitive processes that drive improvements in microcognitive constructs, which in turn provide a computational account of the realization of those processes in human cognition.
BRAF V600E mutation analysis increases diagnostic accuracy for papillary thyroid carcinoma in fine-needle aspiration biopsies
Authors: Zatelli Maria Chiara , Trasforini Giorgio , Leoni Stefania , Frigato Gemma , Buratto Mattia , Tagliati Federico , Rossi Roberta , Cavazzini Luigi , Roti Elio , degli Uberti Ettore C
Published: July 2009

Objective

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) represents the majority of differentiated thyroid cancers, presenting the V600E activating BRAF mutation in 29–83% of cases. The aim of our study is to analyze the influence of BRAF mutation analysis on the diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in patients with suspected PTC.

Design and methods

Thyroid cytoaspirates from 469 nodules (size: 1.1±0.8 cm) with ultrasonographic features suspicious of malignant lesion, performed in 374 patients, were submitted to cytological evaluation and to biomolecular analysis, carried out after somatic DNA isolation, specific PCR amplification, and subsequent automated direct sequencing. All PCR fragments were also processed by specific enzyme restriction analysis.

Results

BRAF V600E mutation was found in 48 samples, 41 of which were also cytologically diagnosed as PTC, with histologic confirmation after thyroidectomy. Total thyroidectomy was perfomed also in seven patients with negative cytology but positive BRAF mutation, with histological confirmation of PTC in all. Among the 429 BRAF-negative samples, 407 had negative cytology for PTC, while 22 were diagnosed as suspected PTC and underwent total thyroidectomy with histological diagnosis of PTC in 17 and benign lesion in five. The prevalence of BRAF V600E mutation among histologically diagnosed PTC patients was 64%. Biomolecular analysis significantly increased cytology sensitivity for PTC from 77.3 to 86.7% (P<0.01).

Conclusions

These data indicate that BRAF V600E mutation analysis can significantly improve FNAB diagnostic accuracy. However, biomolecular analysis is complementary to cytology, which should always be performed.
Germline VHL gene mutations in Hungarian families with von Hippel–Lindau disease and patients with apparently sporadic unilateral pheochromocytomas
Authors: Gergics Peter , Patocs Attila , Toth Miklos , Igaz Peter , Szucs Nikolette , Liko Istvan , Fazakas Ferenc , Szabo Istvan , Kovacs Balazs , Glaz Edit , Racz Karoly
Published: July 2009

Objective

Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease is a hereditary tumor syndrome caused by mutations or deletions of theVHLtumor-suppressor gene. GermlineVHLgene alterations may be also present in patients with apparently sporadic pheochromocytoma (ASP), although a wide variation in mutation frequencies has been reported in different patient cohorts.

Design

Herein, we report the analysis of theVHLgene in Hungarian families with VHL disease and in those with ASP.

Methods

Seven families (35 members) with VHL disease and 37 unrelated patients with unilateral ASP were analyzed. Patients were clinically evaluated and theVHLgene was analyzed using direct sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and real-time PCR with SYBR Green chemistry.

Results

Disease-causing genetic abnormalities were identified in each of the seven VHL families and in 3 out of the 37 patients with ASP (one nonsense and six missense mutations, two large gene deletions and one novel 2 bp deletion). Large gene deletions and other genetic alterations resulting in truncated VHL protein were found only in families with VHL type 1, whereas missense mutations were associated mainly, although not exclusively, with VHL type 2B and type 2C.

Conclusions

The spectrum ofVHLgene abnormalities in the Hungarian population is similar to that observed in Western, Japanese, or Chinese VHL kindreds. The presence ofVHLgene mutations in 3 out of the 37 patients with ASP suggests that genetic testing is useful not only in patients with VHL disease but also in those with ASP.
Downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and its coactivators in liver and skeletal muscle mediates the metabolic adaptations during lactation in mice
Authors: Gutgesell Anke , Ringseis Robert , Schmidt Eileen , Brandsch Corinna , Stangl Gabriele I , Eder Klaus
Published: July 2009

Previous studies have shown that genes involved in fatty acid uptake, fatty acid oxidation, and thermogenesis are downregulated in liver and skeletal muscle of rats during lactation. However, biochemical mechanisms underlying these important metabolic adaptations during lactation have not yet been elucidated. As all these genes are transcriptionally regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (Pparα), we hypothesized that their downregulation is mediated by a suppression of Pparα during lactation. In order to investigate this hypothesis, we performed an experiment with lactating and nonlactating Pparα knockout and corresponding wild-type mice. In wild-type mice, lactation led to a considerable downregulation of Pparα, Ppar coactivators Pgc1α and Pgc1β, and Pparα target genes involved in fatty acid uptake, fatty acid oxidation, and thermogenesis in liver and skeletal muscle (P<0.05). Pparα knockout mice had generally a lower expression of all these Pparα target genes in liver and skeletal muscle. However, in those mice, lactation did not lower the expression of genes involved in fatty acid utilization and thermogenesis in liver and skeletal muscle. Expression levels of Pparα target genes in lactating wild-type mice were similar than in lactating or nonlactating Pparα knockout mice. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that downregulation of Pparα and its coactivators in tissues with high rates of fatty acid catabolism is responsible for the reduced utilization of fatty acids in liver and skeletal muscle and the reduced thermogenesis occurring in the lactating animal, which aim to conserve energy and metabolic substrates for milk production in the mammary gland.
Cellular approaches to central nervous system remyelination stimulation: thyroid hormone to promote myelin repair via endogenous stem and precursor cells
Authors: Calzà Laura , Fernandez Mercedes , Giardino Luciana
Published: July 2009

Brain and spinal cord repair is a very difficult task in view of the extremely limited repair capability of the mature central nervous system (CNS). Thus, cellular therapies are regarded as a new frontier for both acute and chronic neurological diseases characterized by neuron or oligodendroglia degeneration. Although cell replacement has been considered as the primary goal of such approaches, in recent years greater attention has been devoted to the possibility that new undifferentiated cells in damaged nervous tissue might also act in autocrine–paracrine fashion, regulating the micro-environment through the release of growth factor and cytokines, also regulating immune response and local inflammation. In this review, repair of demyelinating disease using endogenous cells will be discussed in view of the critical role played by thyroid hormones (THs) during developmental myelination, focusing on the following points: 1) endogenous stem and precursor cells during demyelinating diseases; 2) TH homeostasis in the CNS; 3) cellular and molecular mechanism regulated by TH during developmental myelination and 4) a working hypothesis to develop a rationale for the use of THs to improve remyelination through endogenous stem and precursor cells in the course of demyelinating diseases.
Abnormal fluid homeostasis in apelin receptor knockout mice
Authors: Roberts Emma M , Newson Michael J F , Pope George R , Landgraf Rainer , Lolait Stephen J , O'Carroll Anne-Marie
Published: July 2009

The apelinergic system, comprised of apelin and its G protein-coupled receptor (APJ; APLNR as given in MGI Database), is expressed within key regions of the central nervous system associated with arginine vasopressin (AVP) synthesis and release as well as in structures involved in the control of drinking behaviour, including the magnocellular neurones of the hypothalamus, circumventricular organs, and the pituitary gland. This localisation is indicative of a possible functional role in fluid homeostasis. We investigated a role for APJ in the regulation of fluid balance using mice deficient for the receptor. Male APJ wild-type and knockout (APJ−/−) mice were housed in metabolic cages to allow determination of water intake and urine volume and osmolality. When provided with free access to water, APJ−/− mice drank significantly less than wild-types, while their urine volume and osmolality did not differ. Water deprivation for 24 h significantly reduced urine volume and increased osmolality in wild-type but not in APJ−/− mice. Baseline plasma AVP concentration increased comparably in both wild-type and APJ−/− mice following dehydration; however, APJ−/− mice were unable to concentrate their urine to the same extent as wild-type mice in response to the V2 agonist desmopressin. Analysis of c-fos (Fos as given in MGI Database) mRNA expression in response to dehydration showed attenuation of expression within the subfornical organ, accentuated expression in the paraventricular nucleus, but no differences in expression in the supraoptic nucleus nor median pre-optic nucleus in APJ−/− mice compared with wild-type. These findings demonstrate a physiological role for APJ in mechanisms of water intake and fluid retention and suggest an anti-diuretic effect of apelin in vivo.
Efficacy of request presentation on compliance
Authors: Vaughn Aaron J. , Firmin Michael W. , Hwang Chi-en
Published: July 2009

The present study was an exploration of the effects of request presentation on compliance with a sample of college students in a test cheating milieu. The effect of a request seemed to have a negative effect on compliance seeking, contrary to the hypothesis proposed. However, when a
simple request was preceded by the word "please," the rate of compliance increased, whereas a simple request generated the lowest rate of compliance. An analysis of gender effects showed an overall significant relationship between request condition and compliance in females only. A detailed
analysis of individual responses to each confederate response revealed no significant variation. In sum, females in our sample appeared to react strongly to simple (direct) requests. Potential explanations for the results are explored in the context of theoretical and empirical research found
in the literature.
The sources of work stress for Chinese high school teachers
Authors: Wang Peng , Lin Ping , Cao Hui , Jiao Ting , Xu Yanli , Gao Fengqiang , Mashumba Life P.
Published: July 2009

This article relates the development of the Work Stressor Scale for high school teachers in China. In total, 798 school teachers took part in the research. Factor analyses of the generated items produced 8 factors, namely Leadership and Management, Workload, Examination for entering
a higher school, Students, Interpersonal Relations, Self and Body-Mind, Society, Occupational Development and Promotion. Reliability was strong, with a Cronbach's α = 0.938 for homogeneity reliability and r = 0.830 for split-half reliability. This scale shows promise as
a measure of work stressors in the Chinese context.
Measurement of the conjunction error in social judgment: Answer choice and answer justification
Authors: Knoth Russell L. , Benassi Victor A. , Geher Glenn
Published: July 2009

People often judge the probability of two events occurring together to be more probable than the less probable of each of these events occurring separately, thereby demonstrating the conjunction error. "Correct" responses are those in which participants rank a single-element statement
of low probability as more probable than a conjunction consisting of a low-probability statement and an additional statement. We demonstrated in two studies that task structure was related to the number of people who chose the single-element statement as more probable. However, relatively
few participants provided a rationale for their answer choice based on the conjunction rule. In a third study, responses on the answer choice and answer justification measures converged. In addition to serving as a sensitive dependent measure, participants' justifications when answering conjunction
problems may provide insight into their reasoning.
The leadership competency modeling of military academy cadets
Authors: Tian Jian-quan , Miao Danmin , Xu Yongyong , Yang Yebing
Published: July 2009

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a four-year study about the development and validation of a leadership competency model for military academy cadets in the People's Liberation Army. Based on a literature review and experts' judgment, 11 components were selected to compose the
leadership competency model. The model was validated by the academic and leadership performance of cadets after graduation. Results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between competency evaluation and summated leadership performance assessment. The leadership performance
assessment was significantly different between cadets who had higher and average competency evaluations. The results indicated that the competency model had good concurrent and predictive validity for the leadership performance of Chinese military academy cadets.
Self-concept and dangerous driving proclivity in male and female Israeli drivers
Authors: Rosenbloom Tova , Ben-Eliyahu Adar , Nemrodov Dan
Published: July 2009

The aim of this paper was to see whether there is an association between drivers' self-concept, gender, and proclivity for dangerous driving. Participants' self-concept was measured using the brief Hebrew version of the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS; Fitts, 1965). Tendency to commit
traffic violations and to engage in dangerous driving was assessed using the Dangerous Driving Questionnaire (DDQ; Berger, 1995). The regression analysis showed that out of all TSCS scales only moral self-concept correlated significantly with general dangerous driving. In addition, ANOVA revealed
that male drivers and drivers with low self-concept report more dangerous driving than do females and drivers with high self-concept, correspondingly. Results give evidence in favor of a hypothesis that low self-concept is connected to dangerous driving.
Effect of Ultrasonic Versus Manual Cementation on the Fracture Strength of Resin Composite Laminates
Authors: Özcan M. , Mese A.
Published: July 2009

Clinical Relevance

Indirect composite laminates, when cemented ultrasonically, resulted in repairable failures as opposed to indirect composite laminates cemented under hand pressure.
Two-year Clinical Evaluation of IPS Empress II Ceramic Onlays/Inlays
Authors: Tagtekin D. A. , Özyöney G. , Yanikoglu F.
Published: July 2009

Clinical Relevance

The two-year success rate of restorations reported in the current study demonstrates that IPS Empress II ceramics are clinically acceptable for onlay/inlay restorations on molars.
Analgesic effect of butorphanol in ponies following castration
Authors: Love E. J. , Taylor P. M. , Clark C. , Whay H. R. , Murrell J.
Published: July 2009

Reasons for performing study: In the UK butorphanol has a marketing authorisation for administration to horses for sedation in combination with detomidine, and at a higher dose (0.1 mg/kg bwt), for the alleviation of pain. There is only a limited number of clinical studies designed to examine the analgesic effects of butorphanol administration following surgery.

Objective: To investigate the effect of premedication with butorphanol on post operative pain following castration under general anaesthesia in ponies.

Hypothesis: Ponies receiving butorphanol would experience less pain after castration than ponies that did not receive butorphanol.

Methods: A randomised, observer blinded clinical study in which 20 ponies received butorphanol and detomidine (Group B) or detomidine alone (Group C). Anaesthesia was induced with ketamine and diazepam and open castration performed. Pain was assessed by one individual using a dynamic interactive visual analogue scale (DIVAS) 100 mm in length (0 = no pain, 100 mm the maximum possible pain for that procedure). ‘Rescue’ analgesia was administered when DIVAS >50 mm and was butorphanol i.v. On the second occasion DIVAS was >50 mm, flunixin was administered i.v. Data from the DIVAS were analysed using a Mann Whitney Test.

Results: Only one animal did not require rescue analgesia after surgery (Group C). DIVAS were not significantly different between groups (P = 0.063).

Conclusions and potential relevance: Castration is sufficiently painful that administration of a single preoperative dose of butorphanol does not provide adequate post operative analgesia.
Management and assessment of prognosis aftergastrocnemiusdisruption in Thoroughbred foals: 28 cases (1993–2007)
Authors: Tull T. M. , Woodie J. B. , Ruggles A. J. , Reimer J. R. , Embertson R. M. , Hopper S. A. , Bramlage L. R.
Published: July 2009

Reasons for performing study: Few studies have evaluated the athletic prognosis of foals affected bygastrocnemiusdisruption.

Objective: To examine the diagnosis and management ofgastrocnemiusdisruption in Thoroughbred (TB) foals, determine short‐term survival rate and assess future racing performance. The hypothesis was that Thoroughbred foals withgastrocnemiusdisruption are able to perform as racehorses comparably to their age matched maternal siblings.

Methods: The medical records of foals diagnosed withgastrocnemiusmuscle disruption were reviewed. Information on training and racing was acquired from published works and race records. Pairedttests were utilised to compare performance variables of affected racehorses to their maternal siblings in starts, earnings and earnings/start for their 2‐ and 3‐year‐old racing seasons. Fisher's exact tests were employed to determine the association between sex, limb affected, age on admission, degree of caudal reciprocal apparatus dysfunction, concurrent disease, antibiotic therapy, complications, abscess formation and likelihood of entering training or starting a race.

Results: Sample size was too small to detect significant differences in performance variables between affected horses and controls. Of 28 foals, 17 (61%) presented with concomitant illness; foals without concurrent disease were more likely to achieve race training or start a race (P = 0.04); 23 (82%) were short‐term survivors defined as survival to discharge. Of these 23 survivors, 7 were aged <2 years at the time of the study. Eighty‐one percent (13/16) of the survivors that were of racing age were in training or had started a race.

Conclusions: In this population, 82% of TB foals affected withgastrocnemiusdisruption were able to achieve training or start a race. Foals presenting forgastrocnemiusdisruption have a high prevalence of concurrent disease processes.

Potential relevance: The assessment of athletic prognosis and treatment complications provides useful information to clinicians treatinggastrocnemiusmuscle disruption in foals and making recommendations to clientele.
Results and complications of a novel technique for primary castration with an inguinal approach in horses
Authors: Kummer M. , Gygax D. , Jackson M. , Bettschart‐Wolfensberger R. , Fürst A.
Published: July 2009

Reasons for performing study: Complications associated with equine castration can have medical and financial consequences. This retrospective study investigated a novel method of castration via an inguinal approach in mature stallions and compared the incidence of complications with other methods.

Hypothesis: Castration via an inguinal approach has a low complication rate at the site of surgery compared with other castration techniques.

Methods: Mature stallions (n = 238) were castrated under general anaesthesia in dorsal recumbency using an inguinal approach. The vaginal process was incised, the spermatic cord ligated twice and the testis removed. After suturing, the vaginal process and one or 2 layers of fascia, the subcutis and cutis were closed in a simple continuous pattern.

Results: Five of 238 (2.1%) horses had post operative haemorrhage and a haematoma in the scrotal region, which required additional treatment. All horses made a full recovery. Five of 238 (2.1%) of the horses had a post operative respiratory infection, which resolved with antibiotic therapy. Sixteen of 238 (8.8%) had transient signs of colic shortly after surgery.

Conclusion: This technique of castration with an inguinal approach had a low incidence of complications at the site of surgery compared with other methods. An inguinal approach and leaving the vaginal tunic in situ may cause less soft tissue trauma than a scrotal approach.
International Equine Ophthalmology Consortium (IEOC) Symposium
Authors: Gilger B. C. , Brooks D. E.
Published: July 2009

This first IEOC symposium met its goals of gathering a group of leading equine ophthalmology clinicians and researchers to identify the challenges of the field. To facilitate collaboration, notes from round‐table discussions, including the ideas and plans that were discussed are being complied and will be distributed to the attendees. Development of an IEOC membership organisation and website was discussed and supported by the group in an effort further to advance the science of equine ophthalmology. To present results from the collaborations made at this first IEOC meeting, an IEOC mini‐symposium will be held at the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists Annual Meeting in Chicago Illinois, on 6th November 2009. The second annual IEOC symposium will be held in Vienna, Austria on 4th and 5th June 2010.
Climate Research and Climate Change: Reconsidering Social Science Perspectives
Authors: Conrad Jobst
Published: July 2009

The article provides a general overview of social sciences perspectives to analyze and theorize climate research, climate discourse, and climate policy. First, referring to the basic paradigm of sociology, it points out the feasible scope and necessary methodology of environmental sociology as a social science concerning the analysis of physical nature. Second, it illustrates this epistemological conception by few examples, summarizing main results of corresponding climate-related social science investigations dealing with the development dynamics of climate research, the role of scientific (climate impact) assessments in politics, varying features and changes of climate discourses, climate policy formation, and knowledge diffusion from climate science. The receptivity of climate discourse and climate policy to the results of problem-oriented climate research is strongly shaped and limited by its multifarious character as well as by their own (internal) logics. The article shows that social sciences contribute their specific (conceptual) competences to problem-oriented research by addressing climate change and corresponding adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Contesting the Irish Countryside: Rural Sentiment, Public Space, and Identity
Authors: Leonard Liam
Published: July 2009

This article examines the nature and trajectory of various conservationist campaigns in Ireland that have focused on the integrity of the landscape and the protection of public space. “Issue histories” of disputes over Ireland's natural and built heritage such as protests at the historic Viking site at Woodquay in Dublin and at the ancient site of the High Kings at Tara are used to show how conservation advocacy is part of a much wider movement that contests dominant notions of development. This paper conceptualizes “rural sentiment” as a reflexive form of conservation, which has shaped many heritage campaigns in a changing Ireland where rapid economic growth and unchecked property development have threatened the integrity of many rural and urban environments.
The Greening of White Separatism: Use of Environmental Themes to Elaborate and Legitimize Extremist Discourse
Authors: Mix Tamara L.
Published: July 2009

Employing an interpretive content analysis of online forums, the author examines use of environmental themes by the United States white separatist movement in its efforts to seek legitimacy and garner a broad base of support. The contemporary white separatist movement draws upon latent National Socialist environmental discursive frames linked to history, spirituality, and stewardship. The lack of a specific position on the environment in the movement permits the manipulation of environmental themes to appeal to a wide range of audiences. Appeals to right wing environmental, population, and anti-environmental audiences include a discourse of environmental skepticism, concerns about immigration and overpopulation and discussion of rights to nature and land. Appeals to left wing and mainstream audiences involve expressions of environmental concern, preservation, stewardship, and rights of nature. A narrative of networking using environmentalism's broad appeal, perceived concerns regarding immigration and population growth, and similarities in racial characteristics was also evident.
Structural and Ideological Determinants of Household Waste Recycling: Results from an Empirical Study in Cologne, Germany
Authors: Best Henning
Published: July 2009

This article aims to empirically test the so called low-cost hypothesis. The hypothesis posits that cost moderates the strength of the relationship between environmental concern and behavior. The effects of the behavioral cost and environmental concern on household waste recycling were evaluated, using empirical data collected from 2,695 respondents in Cologne, Germany. Empirically, a clear effect of both behavioral cost and environmental concern can be identified. Recycling rates are higher when a curbside scheme is implemented or the distance to collection containers is low. In addition, the probability of recycling participation rises when the actor has a pronounced environmental concern. This effect of environmental attitudes does not vary with behavioral cost and opportunities. Therefore, the low-cost hypothesis is not supported by the study.
The Political Economy of Environmental Justice: Evidence on Global and Local Scales
Authors: Elvers Horst-Dietrich
Published: July 2009

Phil Brown. Toxic Exposures: Contested Illnesses and the Environmental Health Movement. New York: Columbia University Press, 2007.

David Naguib Pellow. Resisting Global Toxics: Transnational Movements for Environmental Justice. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2007.
The selective amygdalohippocampectomy for intractable temporal limbic seizures
Authors: Yaşargil M. Gazi , Krayenbühl Niklaus , Roth Peter , Hsu Sanford P. C. , Yaşargil Dianne C. H.
Published: July 2009

Object

The proximal (anterior) transsylvian approach through a pterional craniotomy was developed by the senior author (M.G.Y.) in 1967 for the microsurgical treatment of saccular aneurysms of the circle of Willis, frontoorbital and temporobasal arteriovenous malformations, cavernomas, and extrinsic and intrinsic tumors. The acquired positive surgical experiences on this large series enabled the senior author, in 1973, to apply this approach for the selective amygdalohippocampectomy in patients with intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

Methods

The proximal (anterior) transsylvian-transamygdala approach to the mesial temporal structures permits the selective two-thirds resection of the amygdala and hippocampus-parahippocampus in an anteroinferior to posteroinferior exploration axis along the base of the semicircular temporal horn. This strategy ensures preservation of the overlying neopallial temporal convolutions such as the T1, T2, T3, and T4 gyri as well as the related subcortical connective fiber systems and other essential components of the temporal white matter.

The application of rigid brain self-retaining retractor systems was strictly avoided during the entire procedure. Computer-assisted navigation was never used. On routine postoperative CT scanning and MR imaging studies, infarction was not observed in any patient. The availability of tractography technology has proven that the connective fiber system around the resected mesial temporal area remains intact.

Results

The surgical outcome and results on neoplastic and vascular lesions of the mesiobasal temporal region have been presented in Volumes II, IIIB, and IVB of Microneurosurgery. The surgical outcomes and results in 102 patients with mesial temporal seizures who underwent surgery performed by the senior author in Zürich have been previously published.

In this paper, 73 patients who underwent surgery between 1994 and September 2006 in Little Rock, Arkansas, are presented, and 13 other patients are excluded who underwent surgery after September 2006. Altogether, among 188 patients who underwent surgery, there was no surgical mortality or morbidity, and no neurological deficits, new neurocognitive dysfunction, or impairments of the preoperative incapacities.

Conclusions

The surgical outcome in terms of seizures was rewarding in the majority of patients, particularly in those who exhibited the following irregularities on preoperative investigations: regular local dysfunctions on electroencephalography, dysmorphic changes in the mesiobasal temporal parenchyma on MR imaging studies, and hypometabolism in the anterior third of the temporal lobe on PET studies.
Characterization and Purification of Polydisperse Reconstituted Lipoproteins and Nanolipoprotein Particles
Authors: Blanchette Craig  D. , Segelke Brent  W. , Fischer Nicholas , Corzett Michele  H. , Kuhn Edward  A. , Cappuccio Jenny  A. , Benner William Henry , Coleman Matthew  A. , Chromy Brett  A. , Bench Graham , Hoeprich Paul  D. , Sulchek Todd  A.
Published: July 2009

Heterogeneity is a fact that plagues the characterization and application of many self-assembled biological constructs. The importance of obtaining particle homogeneity in biological assemblies is a critical goal, as bulk analysis tools often require identical species for reliable interpretation of the results—indeed, important tools of analysis such as x-ray diffraction typically require over 90% purity for effectiveness. This issue bears particular importance in the case of lipoproteins. Lipid-binding proteins known as apolipoproteins can self assemble with liposomes to form reconstituted high density lipoproteins (rHDLs) or nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs) when used for biotechnology applications such as the solubilization of membrane proteins. Typically, the apolipoprotein and phospholipids reactants are self assembled and even with careful assembly protocols the product often contains heterogeneous particles. In fact, size polydispersity in rHDLs and NLPs published in the literature are frequently observed, which may confound the accurate use of analytical methods. In this article, we demonstrate a procedure for producing a pure, monodisperse NLP subpopulation from a polydisperse self-assembly using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with high resolution particle imaging by atomic force microscopy (AFM). In addition, NLPs have been shown to self assemble both in the presence and absence of detergents such as cholate, yet the effects of cholate on NLP polydispersity and separation has not been systematically examined. Therefore, we examined the separation properties of NLPs assembled in both the absence and presence of cholate using SEC and native gel electrophoresis. From this analysis, NLPs prepared with and without cholate showed particles with well defined diameters spanning a similar size range. However, cholate was shown to have a dramatic affect on NLP separation by SEC and native gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, under conditions where different sized NLPs were not sufficiently separated or purified by SEC, AFM was used to deconvolute the elution pattern of different sized NLPs. From this analysis we were able to purify an NLP subpopulation to 90% size homogeneity by taking extremely fine elutions from the SEC. With this purity, we generate high quality NLP crystals that were over 100 μm in size with little precipitate, which could not be obtained utilizing the traditional size exclusion techniques. This purification procedure and the methods for validation are broadly applicable to other lipoprotein particles.
Organic Analysis of Peridotite Rocks from the Ashadze and Logatchev Hydrothermal Sites
Authors: Bassez Marie-Paule , Takano Yoshinori , Ohkouchi Naohiko
Published: July 2009

This article presents an experimental analysis of the organic content of two serpentinized peridotite rocks of the terrestrial upper mantle. The samples have been dredged on the floor of the Ashadze and Logatchev hydrothermal sites on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In this preliminary analysis, amino acids and long chain n-alkanes are identified. They are most probably of biological/microbial origin. Some peaks remain unidentified.
3-Methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl 2-Bromo-3-furan-carboxylate
Authors: Holzer Wolfgang , Guo Changbin , Schalle Karin
Published: July 2009

The reaction of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one and 2-bromo-3-furoyl chloride in the presence of Ca(OH)2 in 1,4-dioxane gave the title compound. The latter was also obtained in much higher yield upon reaction of the starting materials in the system dichloromethane / triethylamine. Detailed spectroscopic data (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 15N NMR, IR, MS) are presented.
The Reaction of 4,5-Dichloro-1,2,3-dithiazolium Chloride with Sulfimides: A New Synthesis of N-Aryl-1,2,3-dithiazolimines
Authors: Kalogirou Andreas S. , Koutentis Panayiotis A.
Published: July 2009

N-Aryl-S,S-dimethylsulfimides 3(Ar = 4-NO2C6H4), 4 (Ar = Ph) and 5 (Ar = 4-Tol)react with Appel salt 1 to give the corresponding N-aryl-(4-chloro-5H-1,2,3-dithiazolylidene)benzenamines 8 (Ar = 4-NO2C6H4), 9 (Ar = Ph) and 10 (Ar = 4-Tol) in 84, 94 and 87% yields, respectively. The reaction proceeds in the absence of base and a proposed reaction mechanism is given.
Similarity Measures of Remotely Sensed Multi-Sensor Images for Change Detection Applications
Authors: Alberga Vito
Published: July 2009

Change detection of remotely sensed images is a particularly challenging task when the time series data come from different sensors. Indeed, many change indicators are based on radiometry measurements, used to calculate differences or ratios, that are no longer meaningful when the data have been acquired by different instruments. For this reason, it is interesting to study those indicators that do not rely completely on radiometric values. In this work a new approach is proposed based on similarity measures. A series of such measures is employed for automatic change detection of optical and SAR images and a comparison of their performance is carried out to establish the limits of their applicability and their sensitivity to the occurred changes. Initial results are promising and suggest similarity measures as possiblechange detectors in multi-sensor configurations.
Sampling and Kriging Spatial Means: Efficiency and Conditions
Authors: Wang Jin-Feng , Li Lian-Fa , Christakos George
Published: July 2009

Sampling and estimation of geographical attributes that vary across space (e.g., area temperature, urban pollution level, provincial cultivated land, regional population mortality and state agricultural production) are common yet important constituents of many real-world applications. Spatial attribute estimation and the associated accuracy depend on the available sampling design and statistical inference modelling. In the present work, our concern is areal attribute estimation, in which the spatial sampling and Kriging means are compared in terms of mean values, variances of mean values, comparative efficiencies and underlying conditions. Both the theoretical analysis and the empirical study show that the mean Kriging technique outperforms other commonly-used techniques. Estimation techniques that account for spatial correlation (dependence) are more efficient than those that do not, whereas the comparative efficiencies of the various methods change with surface features. The mean Kriging technique can be applied to other spatially distributed attributes, as well.
Automatic Roof Plane Detection and Analysis in Airborne Lidar Point Clouds for Solar Potential Assessment
Authors: Jochem Andreas , Höfle Bernhard , Rutzinger Martin , Pfeifer Norbert
Published: July 2009

A relative height threshold is defined to separate potential roof points from the point cloud, followed by a segmentation of these points into homogeneous areas fulfilling the defined constraints of roof planes. The normal vector of each laser point is an excellent feature to decompose the point cloud into segments describing planar patches. An objectbased error assessment is performed to determine the accuracy of the presented classification. It results in 94.4% completeness and 88.4% correctness. Once all roof planes are detected in the 3D point cloud, solar potential analysis is performed for each point. Shadowing effects of nearby objects are taken into account by calculating the horizon of each point within the point cloud. Effects of cloud cover are also considered by using data from a nearby meteorological station. As a result the annual sum of the direct and diffuse radiation for each roof plane is derived. The presented method uses the full 3D information for both feature extraction and solar potential analysis, which offers a number of new applications in fields where natural processes are influenced by the incoming solar radiation (e.g., evapotranspiration, distribution of permafrost). The presented method detected fully automatically a subset of 809 out of 1,071 roof planes where the arithmetic mean of the annual incoming solar radiation is more than 700 kWh/m2.
Psychometric comparison of paper-and-pencil and online personality assessments in a selection setting
Authors: Joubert Tina , Kriek Hendrik J.
Published: July 2009

The goal of the study was to determine whether the Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ32i) yielded comparable results when two different modes of administration, namely paper and-pencil and Internet- based administration, were used in real-life, high-stakes selection settings. Two studies were conducted in which scores obtained online in unproctored settings were compared with scores obtained during proctored paper-and-pencil settings. The psychometric properties of the paper-and-pencil and Internet-based applications were strikingly similar. Structural equation modelling with EQS indicated substantial support for the hypothesis that covariance matrices of the paper-and-pencil and online applications in both studies were identical. It was concluded that relationships between the OPQ32i scales were not affected by mode of administration or supervision.
Production of Polyclonal Antisera
Authors: Cooper Helen M. , Paterson Yvonne
Published: July 2009

Much of modern biology and biochemistry relies on the availability of highly specific antibodies for use in such ubiquitous techniques as immunohistochemistry, ELISAs, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting. Thus, the generation of large quantities of specific antibodies directed against proteins or peptides of interest is essential to the success of both basic and applied research programs. In addition, with the advent of antibody‐based proteomic strategies for profiling protein expression and post‐translational modification, a requirement for timely production of specific antibodies has been exemplified. Polyclonal antibodies derived from animals immunized with purified proteins or peptides are particularly valuable for use in the laboratory. This unit provides protocols for the production of polyclonal antisera specific for protein antigens using rabbits, rats, mice, and hamsters.Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 48:5.5.1‐5.5.10. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Detection and Quantification of Neurotransmitters in Dialysates
Authors: Zapata Agustin , Chefer Vladimir I. , Shippenberg Toni S. , Denoroy Luc
Published: July 2009

Sensitive analytical methods are needed for the separation and quantification of neurotransmitters obtained in microdialysate studies. This unit describes methods that permit quantification of nanomolar concentrations of monoamines and their metabolites (high‐pressure liquid chromatography electrochemical detection), acetylcholine (HPLC‐coupled to an enzyme reactor), and amino acids (HPLC‐fluorescence detection; capillary electrophoresis with laser‐induced fluorescence detection).Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 48:7.4.1‐7.4.30. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Simple Behavioral Assessment of Mouse Olfaction
Authors: Yang Mu , Crawley Jacqueline N.
Published: July 2009

This unit presents two basic protocols that offer rapid assessments of anosmia (the absence of a sense of smell) in mice. The buried food test is used to check for the ability to smell volatile odors. The olfactory habituation/dishabituation test is used to test whether the animal can detect and differentiate different odors, including both nonsocial and social odors. A non‐contact method of odor presentation, along with a general method for collecting urine samples, is given as an alternate protocol. The tests described in this unit only require simple equipment and can be adopted readily by most laboratories.Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 48:8.24.1‐8.24.12. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Assessing Reproductive Status/Stages in Mice
Authors: Caligioni Claudia S.
Published: July 2009

The short reproductive cycle length observed in rodents, called the estrous cycle, makes them an ideal animal model for investigation of changes that occur during the reproductive cycle. Most of the data in the literature about the estrous cycle is obtained from rats because they are easily manipulated and they exhibit a clear and well‐defined estrous cycle. However, the increased number of experiments using knockout mice requires identification of their estrous cycle as well, since (in)fertility issues may arise. In mice, like rats, the identification of the stage of estrous cycle is based on the proportion of cell types observed in the vaginal secretion. The aim of this unit is to provide guidelines for quickly and accurately determining estrous cycle phases in mice.Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 48:A.4I.1‐A.4I.8. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.