bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Halophilic archaea in the human intestinal mucosa
Authors: Oxley Andrew P. A. , Lanfranconi Mariana P. , Würdemann Dieco , Ott Stephan , Schreiber Stefan , McGenity Terry J. , Timmis Kenneth N. , Nogales Balbina
Published: April 2010

The human gastrointestinal tract microbiota, despite its key roles in health and disease, remains a diverse, variable and poorly understood entity. Current surveys reveal a multitude of undefined bacterial taxa and a low diversity of methanogenic archaea. In an analysis of the microbiota in colonic mucosal biopsies from patients with inflammatory bowel disease we found 16S rDNA sequences representing a phylogenetically rich diversity of halophilic archaea from the Halobacteriaceae (haloarchaea), including novel phylotypes. As the human colon is not considered a salty environment and haloarchaea are described as extreme halophiles, we evaluated and further discarded the possibility that these sequences originated from pre‐colonoscopy saline lavage solutions. Furthermore, aerobic enrichment cultures prepared from a patient biopsy at low salinity (2.5% NaCl) yielded haloarchaeal sequence types. Microscopic observation after fluorescence in situ hybridization provided evidence of the presence of viable archaeal cells in these cultures. These results prove the survival of haloarchaea in the digestive system and suggest that they may be members of the mucosal microbiota, even if present in low numbers in comparison with methanogenic archaea. Investigation of a potential physiological basis of this association may lead to new insights into gastrointestinal health and disease.
Meta‐analysis of individual patient data to assess the risk of hypoglycaemia in people with type 2 diabetes using NPH insulin or insulin glargine
Authors: Home P. D. , Fritsche A. , Schinzel S. , Massi‐Benedetti M.
Published: April 2010

Aim: To estimate absolute and relative incidence rates of hypoglycaemia when using once‐daily evening or morning regimens of insulin glargine (glargine) versus once‐daily evening NPH insulin (NPH) using individual patient data (IPD).

Materials and methods: Randomized controlled trials with accessible IPD and including white European people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) using glargine or NPH once‐daily (with oral glucose‐lowering drugs) were identified. Two study pools were analysed: evening glargine versus evening NPH (pool 1); and morning glargine versus evening NPH (pool 2). The number‐needed‐to‐treat to avoid hypoglycaemia was calculated for glargine versus NPH.

Results: In study pool 1 (n = 2711), the risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia was approximately halved with glargine compared with NPH [odds ratios (OR): 0.44–0.52, p < 0.001–0.047]. This led to a significant reduction in anytime risk of symptomatic hypoglycaemia [plasma glucose (PG) <3.9 mmol/l, OR: 0.64, p = 0.018; PG <2.0 mmol/l, OR: 0.51, p < 0.001]. In study pool 2 (n = 470), although a strong numerical reduction in all types of nocturnal hypoglycaemia was observed (OR: 0.16–0.64), statistical significance was reached only for symptomatic hypoglycaemia with PG <3.9 mmol/l (p < 0.001). Eight (pool 1) or five (pool 2) people with T2DM needed to use glargine rather than NPH to avoid one person from experiencing a nocturnal symptomatic hypoglycaemic event within a median of about 25 weeks of starting insulin.

Conclusions: This meta‐analysis of open‐label studies provides confidence that reductions of around 50% of risk for nocturnal hypoglycaemia can be achieved with using glargine instead of NPH.
The role of vacuum pump therapy to mechanically straighten the penis in Peyronie’s disease
Authors: Raheem Amr Abdel , Garaffa Giulio , Raheem Tarek Abdel , Dixon Michelle , Kayes Amanda , Christopher Nim , Ralph David
Published: April 2010

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

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of vacuum therapy in mechanically straightening the penile curvature of Peyronie’s disease (PD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Modelling of the tunica albuginea has been shown to be possible during penile implant surgery and this principle has been applied as an alternative conservative therapy. In all, 31 patients with PD (mean duration 9.9 months; mean age 51 years, range 24–71) completed the study. Over a 12‐week period, the patients used a vacuum device (Osbon ErecAid®, MediPlus, High Wycombe, UK) for 10 min twice daily. The assessment at study entry and at completion after 12 weeks included the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire, a perceived pain intensity score, stretched penile length measurement and the angle of penile deformity after an intracavernous injection with prostaglandin E1.

RESULTS

There was a clinically and statistically significant improvement in penile length, angle of curvature and pain after 12 weeks of using the vacuum pump. Of the 31 patients, 21 had a reduction in the angle of curvature by 5–25°, three had worsening of the curvature and there was no change in the remaining seven. The curvature was corrected surgically in 15 patients while the remaining 16 (51%) were satisfied with the outcome.

CONCLUSION

Vacuum therapy can improve or stabilize the curvature of PD, is safe to use in all stages of the disease, and might reduce the number of patients going on to surgery.
Advances in the management of blunt traumatic bladder rupture: experience with 36 cases
Authors: Wirth Gregory J. , Peter Robin , Poletti Pierre‐Alexandre , Iselin Christophe E.
Published: April 2010

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

OBJECTIVE

To assess how advances in urology, radiology and orthopaedics are changing the current management of bladder ruptures, by reviewing patients treated for bladder ruptures after blunt trauma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Our database was screened for patients admitted with bladder ruptures between 1980 and 2008. Charts were reviewed for demographics, clinical variables, diagnostics, treatment and outcome.

RESULTS

Thirty‐six patients with extraperitoneal (EPR, 61%) and intraperitoneal (IPR) or combined ruptures (39%) were identified; 81% of them presented pelvic‐ring fractures. Diagnosis relied on computed tomography cystography (CT‐C), which has replaced plain‐film cystography. The sensitivity of either type of cystography was >90%. However, three bladder ruptures (11%) were missed on CT‐C performed with insufficient bladder distension. All 14 patients with IPRs had immediate surgical repair, four of them by laparoscopy. Twelve of 22 EPRs (55%) were sutured during concomitant orthopaedic/visceral surgery or because of the urologist’s apprehension of infection. Only eight of 22 patients with EPR (36%) completed conservative treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis relies increasingly on CT‐C, allowing simultaneous assessment of multiple organ systems. However, only specific CT‐C guarantees an adequate sensitivity. Orthopaedists increasingly use open reductions and fixation of pelvic‐ring fractures, prompting urologists to suture EPRs simultaneously. Our data indicate that this proactive management reduces infectious complications, and we have adopted it as the standard of care in our institution. Laparoscopic suture is an advantageous treatment of isolated IPR.
Poisson‐Based Weight Reduction of Animated Meshes
Authors: Landreneau Eric , Schaefer Scott
Published: April 2010

While animation using barycentric coordinates or other automatic weight assignment methods has become a popular method for shape deformation, the global nature of the weights limits their use for real‐time applications. We present a method that reduces the number of control points influencing a vertex to a user‐specified number such that the deformations created by the reduced weight set resemble that of the original deformation. To do so we show how to set up a Poisson minimization problem to solve for a reduced weight set and illustrate its advantages over other weight reduction methods. Not only does weight reduction lower the amount of storage space necessary to deform these models but also allows GPU acceleration of the resulting deformations. Our experiments show that we can achieve a factor of 100 increase in speed over CPU deformations using the full weight set, which makes real‐time deformations of large models possible.
Public Spending, Public Deficits and Government Coalitions
Authors: Blais André , Kim Jiyoon , Foucault Martial
Published: April 2010

This study examines the relationship between types of government and level of public spending. There are two competing perspectives about the consequences of coalition governments for the size of public expenditures. The most common argument is that government spending increases under coalition governments, compared with one-party governments. Another line of thought contends that coalition governments are often stalled in the status quo due to the veto power of each member. Our analysis of public spending in 33 parliamentary democracies between 1972 and 2000 confirms the latter argument that coalition governments have a status quo bias. We find, particularly, that single-party governments are apt to modify the budget according to the current fiscal condition, which enables them to increase or decrease spending more flexibly. By contrast, coalition governments find it difficult not only to decrease spending under difficult fiscal conditions but also to increase it even under a more favorable context, because each member of the coalition has a veto power.
HIGH VACANCY RATES AND RISING HOUSE PRICES: THE SPANISH PARADOX
Authors: HOEKSTRA JORIS , VAKILI‐ZAD CYRUS
Published: April 2010

In a ‘normal’ housing market, one would expect that rising house prices go together with low vacancy rates and vice versa. However, in Spain, this has not been the case. Until very recently, Spain was characterised by strongly rising house prices as well as by a high rate of vacant dwellings. This is the Spanish paradox. This exploratory paper attempts to explain this paradox from a welfare regime perspective. The Spanish welfare and housing system has a number of specific characteristics, such as a political ideology and culture of homeownership, a history of strong rural to urban migration, a large role for the family, and a relatively strict rent regulation and tenant protection. The paper will show that all these characteristics contribute to the Spanish paradox. The paper will also indicate how the Spanish paradox relates to the speculative bubble in the Spanish property sector that has recently burst.
URBAN GROWTH IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION OF INDIA: TESTING THE DIFFERENTIAL URBANISATION MODEL
Authors: MOOKHERJEE DEBNATH , GEYER MANIE (H.S.)
Published: April 2010

Recent research on the differential urbanisation (DU) model has examined the successive stages of concentration and dispersal of population in a set of hierarchy of cities at the national scale in many countries. Delhi, the capital city of India, and its adjoining areas, have experienced dramatic growth in recent years. In order to mitigate the adverse impact of growth, a National Capital Region (NCR) was delineated for co‐ordinating growth related activities within the region. Based on the postulates of the DU model, we explore the urban structural pattern of the NCR over the past three decades. Our empirical findings of the growth of cities and towns within the core and periphery of the NCR support the usefulness of the DU approach in assessing the urban regional development patterns. Urbanisation trends, as observed in the hierarchical restructuring of population would have implications for regional development policies and programmes.
THE GEOGRAPHICAL CONNECTEDNESS OF CHINESE SEAPORTS WITH FORELAND MARKETS: A NEW TREND?
Authors: WANG JAMES JIXIAN , NG ADOLF KOI YU
Published: April 2010

This paper analyses the geographical connectedness of Chinese container ports with international foreland markets. Simulated results indicate that the hub‐and‐spoke network only forms part of the overall picture, where several different layers with diversified strategies can be statistically identified within the Chinese seaport hierarchical system. This paper addresses the question of whether there are alternatives for non‐hub seaports within an established hub‐and‐spoke global shipping network other than just accepting their roles as feeder or spoke seaports. Also, it enhances our understanding on how China is divided by globalisation through trade relations with different regions around the world.
EXAMINING THE PRACTICAL RELEVANCE OF PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING RESEARCH
Authors: Van Helden G. Jan , Northcott Deryl
Published: April 2010

Concerns exist that practical relevance is becoming devalued as accounting scholars respond to signals about what sort of research ‘counts’. We categorize public sector management accounting papers in six leading journals according to two criteria: the practical orientation of the research objective(s), and whether the conclusions communicate issues of practical relevance. The findings reveal that most of the papers are directed towards understanding or critiquing the use of management accounting techniques, while other practically oriented research objectives are largely absent. Although half of the papers identify practical research implications, few suggest guidelines for practice. Reflections are offered on the role of leading journals in shaping how practical relevance is valued in accounting research.
Deep brain stimulation therapy for Parkinson’s disease using frameless stereotaxy: comparison with frame‐based surgery
Authors: Tai C.‐H. , Wu R.‐M. , Lin C.‐H. , Pan M.‐K. , Chen Y.‐F. , Liu H.‐M. , Lu H.‐H. , Tsai C.‐W. , Tseng S.‐H.
Published: April 2010

Background and purpose:  Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery has been performed using frame‐based stereotaxy traditionally; however, in recent years, it has also been performed using frameless stereotaxy. The purpose of this study was to compare the experience at our centre in performing DBS surgery using frameless surgery for patients with Parkinson’s disease with that of using frame‐based surgery.

Methods:  Twenty‐four patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease underwent DBS surgery, 12 with frameless and 12 with frame‐based stereotaxy. After identifying the subthalamus by microelectrode recording (MER), the DBS electrodes were implanted and connected to an implanted programmable generator in all patients. Programming was started 1 month after the operation and the outcome of the patients was followed up regularly for at least 12 months.

Results:  After 1 year of follow‐up, the patients who received frameless surgery showed no difference in the degree of improvement in clinical motor function compared with the patients who received frame‐based surgery (P = 0.819); the average improvement was 60.9% and 56.9%, respectively, in the stimulation alone/medication‐off state, as evaluated by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale‐III motor subscore. However, the frameless group had significantly shorter total MER time (P = 0.0127) and a smaller number of trajectories (P = 0.0096) than the frame‐based group.

Conclusions:  Our data indicate that frameless DBS surgery has a similar outcome when compared with frame‐based surgery; however, frameless surgery can decrease the operation time, MER time, and MER trajectory number.
One hundred years of money, welfare and death: mortality, economic growth and the development of the welfare state in 17 OECD countries 1900–2000
Authors: Kangas Olli
Published: April 2010

Kangas O. One hundred years of money, welfare and death: mortality, economic growth and the development of the welfare state in 17 OECD countries 1900–2000

Int J Soc Welfare 2010: ••: ••–••© 2010 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and International Journal of Social Welfare.

The article focuses on the role played by the welfare state vis‐à‐vis GDP in the increase of life expectancy in 17 OECD countries 1900–2000. The article shows that money matters, war kills and the welfare state is good for health. There is a curvilinear relationship between prosperity and longevity: after a certain level, the marginal utility of an extra dollar levels off. In the longer run, growth is a necessary but not sufficient condition. The welfare state plays its role, too. Bigger is better, be it with regard to social spending or the generosity or coverage of social protection. For the life expectancy of a population to increase, it is better to have broader coverage or universal access to care than to have more generous benefits, which are channelled to a limited circle of citizens. It is better to give adequately to all than lavishly to too few.
Considerations of scale in biodiversity conservation
Authors: Du Toit J. T.
Published: April 2010

The dilemma of conservation practice lies in weighing the urgency for action against the need for sustainable long‐term solutions, with urgent responses incurring the risk of failure and long‐term solutions incurring the cost of time. Wisdom of hindsight reveals that sustainable solutions are not achieved when conservation action is initiated at an inappropriate scale. Here, I review recent studies that have included considerations of scale to illustrate how conservation problems and solutions might be unapparent, or even counterintuitive, to conservation practitioners responding to issues at the scales at which they were first perceived. Case studies cover the conservation of ecosystems, ecosystem services, species and populations. These studies collectively illustrate how most biodiversity conservation efforts can be improved by considering the problem at a broader spatiotemporal scale than that at which local natural resource management has traditionally operated. Globalization is increasingly challenging conservation practitioners to search for solutions across an ever‐wider range of spatiotemporal scales and institutional levels. Identifying real problems and threats at relevant scales is part of conservation triage, when opportunity costs and cost efficiencies of alternative interventions are evaluated and ranked, before action is implemented through the appropriate institutional levels.
Farm management and economic analyses of leopard conservation in north‐central Namibia
Authors: Stein A. B. , Fuller T. K. , Damery D. T. , Sievert L. , Marker L. L.
Published: April 2010

We investigated the livestock farms surrounding the Waterberg Plateau Park in north‐central Namibia to assess farmer attitudes, management techniques, financial impacts, as well as the potential benefits of tourism and trophy hunting, with respect to leopard Panthera pardus conservation. Farmers were asked about their use of six livestock husbandry techniques and farmers who employed at least one had 85% less reported conflict than farmers not employing any. Livestock farmers lost on average 3.8% of their calves to depredation annually (US$1370 per farm per year) but were willing to lose 3.3%, a difference of only US$180 per farm or US$3064 regionally. Where losses were higher than stated tolerance, we found that potential benefits from tourism and trophy hunting could offset losses. Surveys with tourists and professional hunters in the region strengthened this conclusion.
Psychosocial mediators and moderators of the effect of peer‐victimization upon depressive symptomatology
Authors: Hunter Simon C. , Durkin Kevin , Heim Derek , Howe Christine , Bergin Dermot
Published: April 2010

Background:  Intervention strategies and developmental models of stress have been criticized for failing to integrate social psychological variables. This study investigates both self‐referential cognitive mediators (perceived threat and control) and a social psychological moderator (ethnic/religious identity) of the effect of peer‐victimization upon depressive symptomatology.

Methods:  Self‐report questionnaires were completed by 924 students (46% female), aged 8 to 12 years. Experiences of discriminatory and non‐discriminatory peer‐victimization, threat and control appraisals, depressive symptoms, and strength of main identity were assessed.

Results:  Perceived threat partially mediated the effect of peer‐victimization (regardless of whether it was discriminatory or not) on depressive symptoms. Perceived control partially mediated the effect of non‐discriminatory peer‐victimization on depressive symptoms. Strength of ethnic/religious identity buffered the effect of peer‐victimization on depressive symptoms. Victimization perceived to be discriminatory in nature was more strongly associated with depressive symptoms than non‐discriminatory victimization.

Conclusions:  Findings support calls for a greater emphasis to be placed on social psychological variables in explaining depressive symptomatology. For clinical, counseling and intervention purposes, it is important to examine whether victims perceive peer‐victimization as discriminatory and whether their own strength of identity affects symptomatology.
Adaptations of skin peptide defences and possible response to the amphibian chytrid fungus in populations of Australian green‐eyed treefrogs, Litoria genimaculata
Authors: Woodhams Douglas C. , Kenyon Nicole , Bell Sara C. , Alford Ross A. , Chen Shuo , Billheimer Dean , Shyr Yu , Rollins‐Smith Louise A.
Published: April 2010

Aim  Rapidly evolving pathogens may exert diversifying selection on genes involved in host immune defence including those encoding antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Amphibian skin peptides are one important defence against chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). We examined the population‐level variation in this innate immune defence to understand its relationship with disease dynamics.

Location  Queensland, Australia.

Methods  We examined skin peptide defences in five geographically distinct populations of Australian green‐eyed treefrogs, Litoria genimaculata. Skin peptide samples were collected from 52 frogs from three upland populations that previously declined as chytridiomycosis emerged, but subsequently recovered, and from 34 frogs in two lowland populations that did not decline. Historical samples of skin peptides preceding Bd emergence were not available from any population.

Results  In general, lowland populations had more effective peptide defences than upland populations. Peptide profiles were similar among populations, although relative amounts of peptides expressed differed significantly among populations and were more variable in the uplands. Infected frogs in upland populations carried a significantly higher infection burden compared to lowland populations. The presence of effective AMPs in the skin of L. genimaculata does not eliminate infection; however, more effective peptide defences may limit infection intensity and the progression of disease.

Main conclusions  The population bottleneck in upland populations caused by chytridiomycosis emergence did not appear to produce responses to selection for more effective peptide defences against chytridiomycosis compared to lowland populations of L. genimaculata. This does not exclude the possibility that current peptide defences have adapted in response to disease emergence. A suggestive (P < 0.10) interaction between infection status and population indicates that in lowland populations, infected individuals tend to be those with lower relative intensities of AMPs, whereas in the upland populations, infected and uninfected individuals are similar. Thus, both the AMPs and the environment may act to mediate resistance to Bd infection.
Current dynamics and predicted vulnerability to sea‐level rise of a threatened Bittern Botaurus stellaris population
Authors: GILBERT GILLIAN , BROWN ANDREW F. , WOTTON SIMON R.
Published: April 2010

The decline of the Bittern Botaurus stellaris has long been symbolic of wetland habitat loss and fragmentation across western Europe. Wetland restoration and creation activity, targeted at Bittern, has been ongoing in the UK for more than 10 years and the overall numbers of occupied sites has increased five‐fold in that time. The strong recovery, whilst cause for celebration, disguises the continued precariousness of the population. This recovery has predominantly been fuelled by chick productivity from three sites in coastal Suffolk and there is increasing awareness that these sites are in immediate danger from rising sea levels. A key question is whether any loss of these key sites to coastal flooding matters to the UK Bittern population. A cautious approach to mathematical modelling of the sensitivity of the UK Bittern population to sea‐level rise events suggests that we should be concerned about the long‐term future. Our models demonstrate the sensitivity of the UK population to changes in chick survival and suggest that the growth of the UK Bittern population would be negatively affected by the loss of even a proportion of nests from these three key sites. These findings prompt the need for a multi‐layered conservation strategy to meet this dynamic challenge. A potential way forward is discussed.
Practical integration of river basin and land use planning: lessons learned from two Finnish case studies
Authors: ALAHUHTA JANNE , HOKKA VILLE , SAARIKOSKI HELI , HELLSTEN SEPPO
Published: April 2010

Land use planning was modernised in Finland at the turn of the millennium. Simultaneously, river basin planning based on the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) markedly changed the environmental goals for water bodies. The WFD's main objective is to achieve good ecological status in all water bodies by the year 2015. To meet this objective, traditional water protection measures are planned for preventing and reducing eutrophication in water bodies suffering from diffuse pollution, which is the major obstacle reaching a good ecological status in Finnish waterbodies. The need for an alternative and broader selection of water protection methods is nevertheless evident due to the low efficiency and high costs of traditional means. We have studied the potential to integrate water protection objectives into land use planning and found several interfaces between river basin planning and land use planning in Finland. The emphasis is on the prevention of diffuse pollution originating from different land use practices. Our study highlights the linkages between the two planning processes and proposes ideas for further integration by drawing on the experiences gained from two pilot studies focusing mainly on water protection measures, which provide support to achieving the ecological objectives of WFD.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND NATIONAL INCOME ACCOUNTING
Authors: Nakamura Leonard I.
Published: April 2010

In this paper I relate the measurement of intangibles to the project of measuring the sources of growth. I focus on three related and difficult areas of the measurement of national income: the measurement of new goods, the deflation of intangible investment, and the divergence between the social and private valuations of intangible assets. I argue that the economic theory and practice underlying measurement of these items is currently controversial and incomplete, and I point toward how concretely to move forward.
How to Understand High Food Prices
Authors: Gilbert Christopher L.
Published: April 2010

Agricultural price booms are better explained by common factors than by market‐specific factors such as supply shocks. A capital asset pricing model‐type model shows why one should expect this and Granger causality analysis establishes the role of demand growth, monetary expansion and exchange rate movements in explaining price movements over the period since 1971. The demand for grains and oilseeds as biofuel feedstocks has been cited as the main cause of the price rise, but there is little direct evidence for this contention. Instead, index‐based investment in agricultural futures markets is seen as the major channel through which macroeconomic and monetary factors generated the 2007–2008 food price rises.
Assessing Sustainability at Multiple Scales in a Rotational Bushmeat Hunting System
Authors: KÜMPEL NOËLLE F. , MILNER‐GULLAND E. J. , COWLISHAW GUY , ROWCLIFFE J. MARCUS
Published: April 2010

Abstract: Results of many studies show unsustainable levels of bushmeat hunting across West/Central Africa. Nevertheless, these results are usually derived from snapshot sustainability indices in which critical parameters are often taken from the literature. Simple, more informative tools for assessing sustainability are needed. We evaluated the impact of bushmeat hunting across a range of temporal, spatial, and taxonomic scales in a comparison of different measures of sustainability. Over 15 months in 2002–2004 in and around a village close to Equatorial Guinea's Monte Alén National Park, we collected data via a village offtake survey, hunter‐camp bushmeat‐consumption diaries, hunter interviews, and following hunters during hunts. We compared 2003 data with a previous offtake survey (1998–1999) and interview reports back to 1990. In the past 14 years, average distance from the village at which hunters operated remained constant, with hunters switching back and forth between long‐established camps, although trapping effort increased. In the past 5 years, overall offtake and number of active hunters did not change substantially, although catch per unit effort (CPUE) decreased slightly. Although the proportion of the two most commonly trapped species (Cephalophus monticolaandAtherurus africanus) and gun‐hunted primates increased in the offtake, species presumably less robust to trapping decreased slightly. Apparent sustainability in economic terms may be masking gradual local extirpation of more vulnerable species before and during this study. Our results suggest that changes in prey profiles and CPUE may be the most accurate indicators of actual sustainability; these indices can be monitored with simple village‐based offtake surveys and hunter interviews to improve community management of bushmeat hunting.
The Effectiveness of Surrogate Taxa for the Representation of Biodiversity
Authors: LEWANDOWSKI ADAM S. , NOSS REED F. , PARSONS DAVID R.
Published: April 2010

Abstract: Biodiversity is too complex to measure directly, so conservation planning must rely on surrogates to estimate the biodiversity of sites. The species richness of selected taxa is often used as a surrogate for the richness of other taxa. Surrogacy values of taxa have been evaluated in diverse contexts, yet broad trends in their effectiveness remain unclear. We reviewed published studies testing the ability of species richness of surrogate taxa to capture the richness of other (target) taxa. We stratified studies into two groups based on whether a complementarity approach (surrogates used to select a combination of sites that together maximize total species richness for the taxon) or a richness‐hotspot approach (surrogates used to select sites containing the highest species richness for the taxon) was used. For each comparison of one surrogate taxon with one target, we used the following predictor variables: biome, spatial extent of study area, surrogate taxon, and target taxon. We developed a binary response variable based on whether the surrogate taxon provided better than random representation of the target taxon. For studies that used an evaluation approach that was not based on better than random representation of target taxa, we based the response variable on the interpretation of results in the original study. We performed a categorical regression to elucidate trends in the effectiveness of surrogate taxa with regard to each of the predictor variables. A surrogate was 25% more likely to be effective with a complementarity approach than with a hotspot approach. For hotspot‐based approaches, biome, extent of study, surrogate taxon, and target taxon significantly influenced effectiveness of the surrogate. For complementarity‐based approaches, biome, extent, and surrogate taxon significantly influenced effectiveness of the surrogate. For all surrogate evaluations, biome explained the greatest amount of variation in surrogate effectiveness. From most to least, extent, surrogate taxon, and target taxon explained the most variation after biome. Surrogate taxa were most effective in grasslands and in some cases boreal zones, deserts, and tropical forests; surrogate taxa also were more effective in studies examining larger areas. Herpetofauna were the most effective taxon as both surrogate and target when a richness‐hotspot approach was used; however, herpetofauna were analyzed in fewer studies, so this result is tentative. For complementarity approaches, taxa that are easy to measure and tend to have a large number of habitat specialists distributed collectively across broad environmental gradients (e.g., plants, birds, and mammals) were the most effective surrogates.
Use of Coarse‐Resolution Models of Species’ Distributions to Guide Local Conservation Inferences
Authors: BARBOSA A. MÁRCIA , REAL RAIMUNDO , VARGAS J. MARIO
Published: April 2010

Abstract:  Distribution models are used increasingly for species conservation assessments over extensive areas, but the spatial resolution of the modeled data and, consequently, of the predictions generated directly from these models are usually too coarse for local conservation applications. Comprehensive distribution data at finer spatial resolution, however, require a level of sampling that is impractical for most species and regions. Models can be downscaled to predict distribution at finer resolutions, but this increases uncertainty because the predictive ability of models is not necessarily consistent beyond their original scale. We analyzed the performance of downscaled, previously published models of environmental favorability (a generalized linear modeling technique) for a restricted endemic insectivore, the Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus), and a more widespread carnivore, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), in the Iberian Peninsula. The models, built from presence–absence data at 10 × 10 km resolution, were extrapolated to a resolution 100 times finer (1 × 1 km). We compared downscaled predictions of environmental quality for the two species with published data on local observations and on important conservation sites proposed by experts. Predictions were significantly related to observed presence or absence of species and to expert selection of sampling sites and important conservation sites. Our results suggest the potential usefulness of downscaled projections of environmental quality as a proxy for expensive and time‐consuming field studies when the field studies are not feasible. This method may be valid for other similar species if coarse‐resolution distribution data are available to define high‐quality areas at a scale that is practical for the application of concrete conservation measures.
Reducing the Maladaptive Attractiveness of Solar Panels to Polarotactic Insects
Authors: HORVÁTH GÁBOR , BLAHÓ MIKLÓS , EGRI ÁDÁM , KRISKA GYÖRGY , SERES ISTVÁN , ROBERTSON BRUCE
Published: April 2010

Abstract:  Human‐made objects (e.g., buildings with glass surfaces) can reflect horizontally polarized light so strongly that they appear to aquatic insects to be bodies of water. Insects that lay eggs in water are especially attracted to such structures because these insects use horizontal polarization of light off bodies of water to find egg‐laying sites. Thus, these sources of polarized light can become ecological traps associated with reproductive failure and mortality in organisms that are attracted to them and by extension with rapid population declines or collapse. Solar panels are a new source of polarized light pollution. Using imaging polarimetry, we measured the reflection–polarization characteristics of different solar panels and in multiple‐choice experiments in the field we tested their attractiveness to mayflies, caddis flies, dolichopodids, and tabanids. At the Brewster angle, solar panels polarized reflected light almost completely (degree of polarization d ≈100%) and substantially exceeded typical polarization values for water (d ≈30–70%). Mayflies (Ephemeroptera), stoneflies (Trichoptera), dolichopodid dipterans, and tabanid flies (Tabanidae) were the most attracted to solar panels and exhibited oviposition behavior above solar panels more often than above surfaces with lower degrees of polarization (including water), but in general they avoided solar cells with nonpolarizing white borders and white grates. The highly and horizontally polarizing surfaces that had nonpolarizing, white cell borders were 10‐ to 26‐fold less attractive to insects than the same panels without white partitions. Although solar panels can act as ecological traps, fragmenting their solar‐active area does lessen their attractiveness to polarotactic insects. The design of solar panels and collectors and their placement relative to aquatic habitats will likely affect populations of aquatic insects that use polarized light as a behavioral cue.
Electrical Stimulation of Sphenopalatine Ganglion for Acute Treatment of Cluster Headaches
Authors: Ansarinia Mehdi , Rezai Ali , Tepper Stewart J. , Steiner Charles P. , Stump Jenna , Stanton‐Hicks Michael , Machado Andre , Narouze Samer
Published: April 2010

(Headache 2010;50:1164‐1174)

Introduction.— Cluster headaches (CH) are primary headaches marked by repeated short‐lasting attacks of severe, unilateral head pain and associated autonomic symptoms. Despite aggressive management with medications, oxygen therapy, nerve blocks, as well as various lesioning and neurostimulation therapies, a number of patients are incapacitated and suffering. The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of CH and has been a target for blocks, lesioning, and other surgical approaches. For this reason, it was selected as a target for an acute neurostimulation study.

Methods.— Six patients with refractory chronic CH were treated with short‐term (up to 1 hour) electrical stimulation of the SPG during an acute CH. Headaches were spontaneously present at the time of stimulation or were triggered with agents known to trigger clusters headache in each patient. A standard percutaneous infrazygomatic approach was used to place a needle at the ipsilateral SPG in the pterygopalatine fossa under fluoroscopic guidance. Electrical stimulation was performed using a temporary stimulating electrode. Stimulation was performed at various settings during maximal headache intensity.

Results.— Five patients had CH during the initial evaluation. Three returned 3 months later for a second evaluation. There were 18 acute and distinct CH attacks with clinically maximal visual analog scale (VAS) intensity of 8 (out of 10) and above. SPG stimulation resulted in complete resolution of the headache in 11 attacks, partial resolution (>50% VAS reduction) in 3, and minimal to no relief in 4 attacks. Associated autonomic features of CH were resolved in each responder. Pain relief was noted within several minutes of stimulation.

Conclusion.— Sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation can be effective in relieving acute severe CH pain and associated autonomic features. Chronic long‐term outcome studies are needed to determine the utility of SPG stimulation for management and prevention of CH.
The Sexagenarian with Unrelenting Headache
Authors: Evans Randolph W. , Lenaerts Marc E.
Published: April 2010

(Headache 2010;50:863‐868)
Gordon Gekkos, Frat Boys and Nice Guys: The Content, Dimensions, and Structural Determinants of Multiple Ethnic Minority Groups' Stereotypes About White Men
Authors: Conley Terri D. , Rabinowitz Joshua L. , Rabow Jerome
Published: April 2010

We documented the content and dimensions of non‐White groups' stereotypes about White men, then ascertained differences between ethnic groups in perception of those stereotypes. Stereotypes generally fell into dimensions of Gordon Gekkos, nice guys, and frat boys. African Americans generally listed (Study 1a), recognized (Study 1b), and endorsed (Study 2) fewer positive and more negative stereotypes than the other two ethnic groups, consistent with the stereotype content model (SCM). Also consistent with SCM, in Study 2, stereotypes about White men's competence were correlated with perception of Whites' societal status. Stereotypes about White men's coldness were correlated with measures of competition with Whites. These effects were especially strong among African Americans.
Effect of Aging on Coronal Microleakage in Access Cavities through Metal Ceramic Crowns Restored with Resin Composites
Authors: Al‐Maqtari Ali Abdullah Alwan , Lui Joo Loon
Published: April 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine if packable resin composite with/without flowable resin composite has the ability to prevent coronal leakage in restored endodontic access openings following aging.

Materials and Methods: Eighty simulated standardized access cavities of metal‐ceramic crowns were fabricated and fixed on Vitrebond cavities filled with an epoxy resin. The specimens were randomly divided into two main groups: (1) Group A—Access cavities filled with only packable composite (Filtek P60); (2) Group B—Access cavities filled with Filtek P60 and a flowable composite (Filtek Z350) as liner. Each main group was further subdivided randomly into four subgroups according to water storage and thermocycling periods. All specimens were immersed in blue ink solution for 24 hours and then sectioned into quadrants. The extension of blue ink along the metal‐ceramic crown/composite resin interface was measured linearly using image analyzer and then analyzed by three‐way ANOVA and independent t‐test with a Mann‐Whitney test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: All tested subgroups demonstrated different levels of microleakage. There was no significant difference related to restorative technique; however, there was a significant difference related to water storage and thermocycling.

Conclusions: All tested techniques and materials in this study showed microleakage. Packable composite while a flowable liner showed a marginally better result than packable composite alone. Excessive thermocycling resulted in significant differences among the test groups.
Effect of Anchorage on the Accuracy of Fit in Removable Partial Denture Framework
Authors: Gowri Veena , Patil Narendra P. , Nadiger Ramesh K. , Guttal Satyabodh S.
Published: April 2010

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of anchorage on the accuracy of fit in removable partial denture framework.

Materials and Methods: Twenty‐four partially edentulous maxillary refractory casts were duplicated from a machine‐milled metal cast. Twelve of these were included in the test group, which had the provision for anchorage in the refractory cast, and the remaining 12 were taken as control group, which did not have provision for anchorage. Identical wax patterns for the maxillary strap major connector were invested and cast in cobalt chromium alloy. The accuracy of fit of the cast partial major connector frameworks were measured at two selected points using a profile projector. The resultant data were analyzed using student's t‐test and unpaired t‐test.

Results: Student's t‐test showed statistically significant improvement in the fit of the major connectors of the test group at point A (p= 0.0003) and P (p= 0.0074). Unpaired t‐test was performed for the control and test group. The results of the unpaired t‐test for the control group exhibited a greater gap discrepancy (0.44 ± 0.20 mm) than for the test group at point A (0.16 ± 0.10 mm). Similarly, the gap was more at Point P for the specimens in the control group (0.65 ± 0.10 mm) than the test group (0.42 ± 0.24 mm).

Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study it is concluded that the accuracy of fit of the palatal major connector was significantly better in the test group than the control group, with 0.1% level of significance at point P. The accuracy was significantly improved in both groups at point A by 1% level of confidence.
Effects of Abutment Screw Coating on Implant Preload
Authors: Park Jae‐Kyoung , Choi Jin‐Uk , Jeon Young‐Chan , Choi Kyung‐Soo , Jeong Chang‐Mo
Published: April 2010

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of tungsten carbide carbon (WC/CTa) screw surface coating on abutment screw preload in three implant connection systems in comparison to noncoated titanium alloy (Ta) screws.

Materials and Methods: Preload of WC/CTa abutment screws was compared to noncoated Ta screws in three implant connection systems. The differences in preloads were measured in tightening rotational angle, compression force, initial screw removal torque, and postload screw removal torque after 1 million cyclic loads. Preload loss percent was calculated to determine the efficacy of maintaining the preload of two abutment screw types in relation to implant connection systems.

Results: WC/CTa screws provided 10° higher tightening rotational angle than Ta screws in all three connection systems. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). External‐hex butt joint implant connections had a higher compression force than the two internal conical implant connections. WC/CTa screws provided a statistically significantly higher compression force than Ta screws in all three implant connections (p < 0.05). Ta screws required statistically higher removal torque than WC/CTa screws in all three implant connections (p < 0.05); however, Ta screws needed statistically lower postload removal torque than WC/CTa screws in all three implant connections (p < 0.05). Ta screws had a statistically higher preload loss percent than WC/CTa screws in all three implant connections (p < 0.05), indicating that WC/CTa screws were superior in maintaining the preload than Ta screws.

Conclusions: Within the limits of present study, the following conclusions were made: (1) WC/CTa screws provided higher preload than noncoated Ta screws in all three implant connection systems. (2) The initial removal torque for Ta screws required higher force than WC/CTa screws, whereas postload removal torque for Ta screws was lower than WC/CTa screws. Calculated Ta screw preload loss percent was higher than for WC/CTa screws, suggesting that WC/CTa screws were more effective in maintaining the preload than Ta screws. (3) Internal conical connections were more effective in maintaining the screw preload in cyclic loads than external‐hex butt joint connections.
RHD positive among C/E+ and D− blood donors in Denmark
Authors: Christiansen Mette , Sørensen Betina S. , Grunnet Niels
Published: April 2010

BACKGROUND: Many different partial and weak D types have been reported, and most of these are easily detected by serology. However, 17 Del types have also been described, with a very low expression of the D antigen, only detectable by absorption‐elution techniques, and these may elicit the development of an anti‐D. A genomic test of C/E+ and D− blood donors was initiated, to be able to categorize them correctly as D+ or −.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed all C/E+ and D− donors within our donor population of 22,000 donors with an initial test for RHD Exon 10. In case of a positive reaction, the genotype was further analyzed by sequence‐specific polymerase chain reaction or nucleotide sequencing of the RHD gene.

CONCLUSIONS: Of 233 donors analyzed, seven were found positive for RHD Exon 10, and four of these were Del, corresponding to 1.7%. We report here a new mutation in the RHD gene. A correct assignment of all blood donors as D+ or D− is not possible using serotyping alone; genotyping offers the only exact categorization of all cases.