bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expanded spatial extent of the Medieval Climate Anomaly revealed in lake‐sediment records across the boreal region in northwest Ontario
Authors: Laird Kathleen R. , Haig Heather A. , Ma Susan , Kingsbury Melanie V. , Brown Thomas A. , Lewis C. F. Michael , Oglesby Robert J. , Cumming Brian F.
Published: May 2012

Multi‐decadal to centennial‐scale shifts in effective moisture over the past two millennia are inferred from sedimentary records from six lakes spanning a ~250 km region in northwest Ontario. This is the first regional application of a technique developed to reconstruct drought from drainage lakes (open lakes with surface outlets). This regional network of proxy drought records is based on individual within‐lake calibration models developed using diatom assemblages collected from surface sediments across a water‐depth gradient. Analysis of diatom assemblages from sediment cores collected close to the near‐shore ecological boundary between benthic and planktonic diatom taxa indicated this boundary shifted over time in all lakes. These shifts are largely dependent on climate‐driven influences, and can provide a sensitive record of past drought. Our lake‐sediment records indicate two periods of synchronous signals, suggesting a common large‐scale climate forcing. The first is a period of prolonged aridity during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA, c. 900‐1400 CE). Documentation of aridity across this region expands the known spatial extent of the MCA megadrought into a region that historically has not experienced extreme droughts such as those in central and western north America. The second synchronous period is the recent signal of the past ~100 years, which indicates a change to higher effective moisture that may be related to anthropogenic forcing on climate. This approach has the potential to fill regional gaps, where many previous paleo‐lake depth methods (based on deeper centrally located cores) were relatively insensitive. By filling regional gaps, a better understanding of past spatial patterns in drought can be used to assess the sensitivity and realism of climate model projections of future climate change. This type of data is especially important for validating high spatial resolution, regional climate models.
The effectiveness of adhering to clinical‐practice guidelines for anxiety disorders in secondary mental health care: the results of a cohort study in the Netherlands
Authors: van Dijk Maarten K. , Oosterbaan Desiree B. , Verbraak Marc J. P. M. , van Balkom Anton J. L. M.
Published: May 2012

Background  While studies into the implementation of clinical practice guidelines for mental health care are scarce, studies on the effectiveness of implementing practice guidelines for anxiety disorders appear to be entirely non‐existent.

Objective  To examine whether adherence to anxiety disorder clinical practice guidelines in secondary mental health care yields superior treatment results than non‐adherence.

Method  A closed‐cohort study of 181 outpatients with an anxiety disorder or hypochondriasis who were treated in a routine mental health setting. Preceding the inclusion of these 181 patients, a start was made on the implementation of the Dutch national multidisciplinary practice guidelines for anxiety disorders. Patients were asked to complete several questionnaires before the start of treatment and again 1 year later. The medical records of these patients were reviewed to assess guideline adherence. Ultimately, adherence or non‐adherence to the different treatment algorithms described in the guidelines was related to changes in the severity of psychiatric symptomatology, psychiatric functioning, general well‐being and satisfaction with treatment.

Results  Compared with patients whose treatment did not adhere to the guidelines, those whose treatment adhered to the guidelines were found to have greater symptom reduction after 1 year (P < 0.01). The latter group of patients also rated their satisfaction with their treatment significantly higher (P = 0.01). No significant differences were found after 1 year with respect to changes in impairment of functioning and quality of life in the two groups of patients.

Conclusions  Adherence to anxiety disorder guidelines yields superior treatment results and increased patient satisfaction with treatment when compared with patients whose treatment did not adhere to the clinical guidelines. These results should encourage a more widespread implementation of such guidelines in mental health care facilities.
Evaluating weed diversity with indices of varying complexity in north‐eastern Italy
Authors: OTTO S , VASILEIADIS V P , MASIN R , ZANIN G
Published: May 2012

Otto S, Vasileiadis VP, Masin R & Zanin G (2012). Evaluating weed diversity with indices of varying complexity in north‐eastern Italy. Weed Research52, 373–382.

Weed diversity is one of the focuses of attention of researchers, and it can be evaluated with different indices, mainly based on species richness and community evenness. In intensive cropping systems, much of the diversity is concentrated in semi‐natural areas in the neighbouring habitats of arable fields. This study assessed weed diversity for seedbank and vegetation in an organically farmed valley in north‐eastern Italy. Assessment was carried out with indices based on species abundance, together with Rényi diversity that also considers abundance distribution and Rao’s quadratic entropy, which considers dissimilarity between species. A complete quadratic entropy approach for weeds is described. It is known that landscape context may affect community structure, and as an example of application of diversity indices in weed research, the correlation with the surrounding landscape complexity was evaluated. Results show that a community can be relatively balanced with even just a few species. With diversity indices based on species abundance only, it is therefore difficult to quantify balance. The Rényi diversity can overcome this limit, and the quadratic entropy can isolate extreme communities. In conclusion, the diversity of a weed community can be better evaluated using more diversity indexes, and the quadratic entropy can provide new criteria for ranking the diversity and combine a number of traits into a single numerical descriptor. The correlation between landscape complexity and weed diversity is low but confirms that agro‐environmental schemes should consider the management of fields and landscape together.
Debate: Idiopathic short stature should be treated with growth hormone
Authors: Ambler Geoffrey R , Fairchild Jan , Wilkinson Dominic JC
Published: May 2012

In this paper we outline the case for and against the treatment of idiopathic short stature with growth hormone. Drs Ambler and Fairchild argue that many of those with ‘idiopathic’ short stature are not ‘short, normal children’ and will ultimately receive molecular diagnoses. They also argue that there is a subset of children who suffer negative psychosocial consequences of their stature for whom growth hormone therapy is effective. Growth hormone has a very good safety record and is likely to be as cost‐effective in idiopathic short‐stature as in some other conditions that are currently funded. Dr Wilkinson counters that short stature is not associated with physical or psychological illness, and that there is no evidence that growth hormone improves psychological or physical wellbeing. Moreover, growth hormone for idiopathic short stature represents a form of enhancement rather than treatment, and is not a fair use of resources. Socially mediated disadvantage should be treated by attention to prejudice and not by hormone treatment.
A thermo‐damage strength model for ceramic material including an embedded crack with an arbitrarily shaped front
Authors: LI W. , WANG R. , LI D. , FANG D.
Published: May 2012

A fracture strength model applied at room temperature for the embedded crack was obtained based on the stress intensity factor model for embedded crack with an arbitrarily shaped front and Griffith fracture criterion. With further research on temperature effect on strength of ultra high temperature ceramics (UHTCs), a thermo‐damage strength model including the effects of temperature and crack shape was applied to each temperature phase. The fracture strengths were studied and analyzed. The conclusions were compared with the results obtained using the finite element software ABAQUS. This study will provide a theoretical basis and guidance on the design and preparation of the UHTCs.
Nematomorph parasites indirectly alter the food web and ecosystem function of streams through behavioural manipulation of their cricket hosts
Authors: Sato Takuya , Egusa Tomohiro , Fukushima Keitaro , Oda Tomoki , Ohte Nobuhito , Tokuchi Naoko , Watanabe Katsutoshi , Kanaiwa Minoru , Murakami Isaya , Lafferty Kevin D.
Published: May 2012

Nematomorph parasites manipulate crickets to enter streams where the parasites reproduce. These manipulated crickets become a substantial food subsidy for stream fishes. We used a field experiment to investigate how this subsidy affects the stream community and ecosystem function. When crickets were available, predatory fish ate fewer benthic invertebrates. The resulting release of the benthic invertebrate community from fish predation indirectly decreased the biomass of benthic algae and slightly increased leaf break‐down rate. This is the first experimental demonstration that host manipulation by a parasite can reorganise a community and alter ecosystem function. Nematomorphs are common, and many other parasites have dramatic effects on host phenotypes, suggesting that similar effects of parasites on ecosystems might be widespread.
The evolution of salinity tolerance in Daphnia: a functional genomics approach
Authors: Latta Leigh C. , Weider Lawrence J. , Colbourne John K. , Pfrender Michael E.
Published: May 2012

One route to genetic adaptation in a novel environment is the evolution of ecological generalisation. Yet, identifying the cost that a generalist pays for the increased breadth of tolerance has proven elusive. We integrate phenotypic assays with functional genomics to understand how tolerance to a salinity gradient evolves, and we test the relationship between the fitness cost of this generalisation and the cost of transcription that arises from evolved differences in patterns of gene expression. Our results suggest that a salt‐tolerant genotype of Daphnia is characterised by constitutively expressed genes, which does not incur a loss of fitness or a cost of transcription relative to a salt‐intolerant genotype in low saline environments. We find that many genes whose expression pattern evolved in response to salinity are also involved in the response to predators, suggesting that the cost of generalisation may be due to trade‐offs along other environmental axes.
Preterm infants who are prone to distress: differential effects of parenting on 36‐month behavioral and cognitive outcomes
Authors: Poehlmann Julie , Hane Amanda , Burnson Cynthia , Maleck Sarah , Hamburger Elizabeth , Shah Prachi E.
Published: May 2012

Background:  The differential susceptibility (DS) model suggests that temperamentally prone‐to‐distress infants may exhibit adverse outcomes in negative environments but optimal outcomes in positive environments. This study explored temperament, parenting, and 36‐month cognition and behavior in preterm infants using the DS model. We hypothesized that temperamentally prone to distress preterm infants would exhibit more optimal cognition and fewer behavior problems when early parenting was positive; and less optimal cognition and more behavior problems when early parenting was less positive.

Methods:  Participants included 109 preterm infants (gestation <37 weeks) and their mothers. We assessed neonatal risk and basal vagal tone in the neonatal intensive care unit; infant temperament and parenting interactions at 9 months post‐term; and child behavior and cognitive skills at 36 months post‐term. Hierarchical regression analyses tested study hypotheses.

Results:  Temperamentally prone‐to‐distress infants exhibited more externalizing problems if they experienced more critical parenting at 9 months (β = −.20, p < 0.05) but fewer externalizing problems with more positive parenting. Similarly, variations in maternal positive affect (β = .25, p < .01) and intrusive behaviors (β = .23, p < .05) at 9 months predicted 36‐month cognition at high but not at low levels of infant temperamental distress. Higher basal vagal tone predicted fewer externalizing problems (β = −.19, p < .05).

Conclusions:  Early parenting behaviors relate to later behavior and development in preterm infants who are temperamentally prone to distress, and neonatal basal vagal tone predicts subsequent externalizing behaviors. These findings suggest that both biological reactivity and quality of caregiving are important predictors for later outcomes in preterm infants and may be considered as foci for developmental surveillance and interventions.
Hand posture in the grey mouse lemur during arboreal locomotion on narrow branches
Authors: Reghem E. , Byron C. , Bels V. , Pouydebat E.
Published: May 2012

Primates are typically subdivided into two fundamentally different groups: Strepsirrhini and Haplorrhini. These two suborders are differentiated by several anatomical characteristics, among which are features of the wrist and hand. Whereas strepsirrhines are characterized by an ectaxonic hand with a longer fourth digit, haplorhines display a mesaxonic hand with a longer third digit. Two complementary studies suggest that (1) an ulnarly deviated hand with respect to the forearm during locomotion is typical for ectaxonic hands and thin branches whereas mesaxonic hands display a less‐deviated posture in relation to a more terrestrial type of locomotion; (2) ulnar deviations are not always produced by ectaxonic hands and may rather be associated with locomotion in an arboreal environment. The aim of this study was to explore how arboreal substrates influence the posture of the hand and the wrist in contact with the substrate. In this context, we assessed the grasping ability of the strepsirrhine Microcebus murinus, a highly arboreal species. Here we tested the effect of branch diameter (1 and 3 cm) and orientation (horizontal and vertical) on grasp choice during arboreal locomotion. Our results show that two hand postures were observed on horizontal substrates versus three‐hand postures on vertical substrates. When ulnar deviation was observed, it was typically observed on vertical substrates, particularly on thick ones. In conclusion, our data show that vertical substrates increase the variability in grasping hand postures for M. murinus and include the use of uncommon grasps compared with horizontal substrates. We suggest that more than the arboreal substrate, the frequent use of vertical supports may influence the hand biomechanics towards ulnar deviation as observed for lorisids and indriids.
Resiliency in Adolescents at High Risk for Substance Abuse: Flexible Adaptation via Subthalamic Nucleus and Linkage to Drinking and Drug Use in Early Adulthood
Authors: Weiland Barbara J. , Nigg Joel T. , Welsh Robert C. , Yau Wai‐Ying W. , Zubieta Jon‐Kar , Zucker Robert A. , Heitzeg Mary M.
Published: May 2012

Introduction

The personality trait resiliency is the ability to flexibly adapt impulse control relative to contextual demand. Low resiliency has been linked to later alcohol/drug problems. The underlying psychological and neural mechanisms are unknown, but neurocomputational models suggested relations between resiliency and working memory. Cortical–striatal connectivity has been proposed to underlie adaptive switches between cautious and risky behaviors.

Methods

Working memory was probed in sixty‐seven 18‐ to 22‐year‐olds from a larger community study of alcoholism, using the n‐back task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Functional connectivity between task‐related regions was investigated with psychophysiological interaction analysis. Resiliency was measured in early teen years and related to early adulthood measures of drinking/drug use, task activation, and connectivity. Relationships with risk factors, including family history, age of drinking onset, and number of alcohol problems, were also investigated.

Results

Higher resiliency was related to lower levels of substance use, fewer alcohol problems, and better working memory performance. Whole‐brain regression revealed resiliency negatively correlated with activation of subthalamic nucleus (STN) and pallidum during the n‐back. High and Low resiliency quartile groups (n = 17 each) differed in coupling strength between STN and median cingulate cortex, a region of reduced activation during working memory. The high resiliency group had later onset of drinking, fewer alcohol problems, had used fewer illicit drugs, and were less likely to smoke cigarettes than their low resiliency counterparts.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that resiliency in early adolescence may protect against alcohol problems and drug use, although the direction of this effect is currently unknown. This protective factor may relate to executive functioning as supported by the finding of a neural link shared between resiliency and working memory in basal ganglia structures. The STN, a key basal ganglia structure, may adaptively link flexible impulse control with cognitive processing, potentially modulating substance use outcomes.
Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Physical Activity, and Mortality in Older Community‐Dwelling Women
Authors: Nicklett Emily J. , Semba Richard D. , Xue Qian‐Li , Tian Jing , Sun Kai , Cappola Anne R. , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Ferrucci Luigi , Fried Linda P.
Published: May 2012

Objectives

To examine the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, and all‐cause mortality in older women.

Design

Six Cox proportional hazards models examined independent and additive relationships between physical activity, carotenoids, and all‐cause mortality. Additional models tested whether physical activity and carotenoids were conjointly related to mortality. Models were adjusted for age, education, and race and ethnicity.

Setting

Baltimore, Maryland.

Participants

Seven hundred thirteen women aged 70 to 79 participating in the Women's Health and Aging Studies.

Measurements

Total serum carotenoids, a marker of fruit and vegetable intake, and physical activity were measured at baseline. Physical activity was measured according to kilocalorie expenditure.

Results

During 5 years of follow‐up, 82 (11.5%) participants died. Measured continuously, physical activity improved survival (HR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.41–0.66, P < .001). The most active women were more likely to survive than the least physically active women (HR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.13–0.59, P < .001). Continuous measures of carotenoids improved survival (HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.51–0.89, P = .01). Women in the highest tertile of total carotenoids were more likely to survive those in the lowest (HR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.27–0.91, P = .03). When examined in the same model, continuous measures of physical activity (HR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.42–0.68, P < .001) and carotenoids (HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.59–0.98, P = .04) predicted survival during follow‐up.

Conclusion

The combination of low total serum carotenoids and low physical activity, both modifiable risk factors, strongly predicted earlier mortality. These findings provide preliminary support that higher fruit and vegetable intake and exercise improve survival.
Differences Between Copper‐Oxide‐ and Zinc‐Oxide‐Doped Sodium Potassium Niobate Ceramics
Authors: Yang Song‐Ling , Tsai Cheng‐Che , Liou Yi‐Cheng , Hong Cheng‐Shong , Chen Han‐Chang , Chu Sheng‐Yuan
Published: May 2012

(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3 is doping with ZnO and CuO, respectively, (NKNZx and NKNCx, where x = 0–1 mol%) using a two‐step calcination process (BO method). The X‐ray diffraction profiles of NKNZx ceramics show a few secondary phases because Zn2+ ions cannot substitute Nb5+ ions. Moreover, the binding energies of Nb atoms in CuO‐ and ZnO‐doped NKN ceramics are different, suggesting that oxygen vacancies were induced when CuO was doped into NKN ceramics. The mechanical quality factor (Qm) values of the NKNZx ceramics are not as high as those of NKNCx ceramics due to a lack of oxygen vacancies in the former. The internal bias field is used to demonstrate the presence of oxygen vacancies. In ZnO‐doped NKN ceramics, the piezoelectric properties only improved slightly because ZnO used as a sintering aid enhanced the densification of samples. A high Qm value is obtained for CuO‐doped NKN ceramics mainly due to the formation of oxygen vacancies.
Single port laparoscopic surgery: concept and controversies of a new technique
Authors: SPRINGBORG HENRIK , ISTRE OLAV
Published: May 2012

LESS, or laparo‐endoscopic single site surgery, is a promising new method in minimally invasive surgery. An increasing number of surgical procedures are being performed using this technique; however, its large‐scale adoption awaits results of prospective randomized controlled studies confirming potential benefits. Theoretically, cosmetic outcomes, postoperative pain and complication rates could be improved with use of single site surgery. This study describes introduction of the method in a private hospital in Denmark in which 40 women were treated for benign gynecologic conditions. Although the operations described are the first of their kind reported in Denmark, favorable operating times and very low complication rates are seen. It is the authors’ opinion that in addition to being feasible for hysterectomy, single port laparoscopy may become the preferred method for many simple gynecological procedures.
Histological diagnosis and evaluation of the Swede score colposcopic system in a large cohort of pregnant women with atypical cervical cytology or cervical malignancy signs
Authors: KÄRRBERG CECILIA , RYD WALTER , STRANDER BJÖRN , BRÄNNSTRÖM MATS , RÅDBERG THOMAS
Published: May 2012

Objective. We evaluated the distribution of histological diagnoses in pregnant women with atypical cytology or cervical malignancy signs, as well as the usefulness of the Swede score colposcopic scoring system to reduce the need for diagnostic cervical biopsy. Design. Prospective clinical study. Setting and population. The study comprised 261 pregnant women undergoing colposcopic investigation because of atypical cervical cytology, dysplastic biopsy changes, recurrent non‐obstetric bleeding or pathological appearance of the cervix. Methods. Five colposcopic variables (acetowhiteness, margins plus surface, vessel patterns, lesion size and iodine staining) were scored with 0, 1 or 2 points. Colposcopically directed biopsies or loop electrosurgical excision biopsies were taken from all lesions. Histology was compared with the colposcopic score. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each variable, and the combination of all five variables, with high‐grade lesions (i.e. cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2, CIN3 or adenocarcinoma‐in‐situ (AIS)) as endpoints. Main outcome measures. Colposcopic score (Swede score) and histology (CIN1, 2, 3; AIS; cancer). Results. The specimens consisted of normal tissue in 19.5% of cases, low‐grade lesions (i.e. CIN1, koilocytosis, glandular dysplasia of lower grade than AIS) in 26.1%, high grade lesions in 52.9% and cancer in 1.5%. All high grade lesions and cancers had total Swede scores of ≥5 and ≥8, respectively. Vessel patterns, lesion size and margins plus surface were most important for high grade lesion detection. Conclusion. The Swede score seems to be a useful tool in evaluating atypical cervical cytology in pregnant women and may reduce the need for diagnostic biopsies.
Biofilm formation in long‐term central venous catheters in children with cancer: a randomized controlled open‐labelled trial of taurolidine versus heparin
Authors: Handrup Mette Møller , Fuursted Kurt , Funch Peter , Møller Jens Kjølseth , Schrøder Henrik
Published: May 2012

Taurolidine has demonstrated inhibition of biofilm formation in vitro. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of catheter locking with taurolidine vs heparin in biofilm formation in central venous catheters. Forty‐eight children with cancer were randomized to catheter locking by heparin (n = 22) or taurolidine (n = 26), respectively. After removal, catheters were examined by standardized scanning electron microscopy to assess quantitative biofilm formation. Biofilm was present if morphologically typical structures and bacterial cells were identified. Quantitative and semi‐quantitative cultures were also performed. Biofilm was identified in 23 of 26 catheters from the taurolidine group and 21 of 22 catheters from the heparin group. A positive culture was made of six of the catheters locked with taurolidine and heparin, respectively (p = 0.78). The rate of catheter‐related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) was 0.1 per 1000 catheter‐days using taurolidine and 0.9 per 1000 catheter‐days using heparin (p = 0.03). This randomized trial confirmed that the use of taurolidine as catheter‐lock compared with heparin reduced the rate of CRBSIs; this reduction was not related to a reduction in the intraluminal biofilm formation and the rate of bacterial colonization detected by scanning electron microscopy in the two groups.
The use of sequential organ failure assessment parameters in an awake porcine model of severe Staphylococcus aureus sepsis
Authors: Soerensen Karen E. , Nielsen Ole L. , Birck Malene M. , Soerensen Dorte B. , Leifsson Páll S. , Jensen Henrik E. , Aalbaek Bent , Kristensen Annemarie T. , Wiinberg Bo , Kjelgaard‐Hansen Mads , Heegaard Peter M. H. , Iburg Tine M.
Published: May 2012

The human sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scoring system is used worldwide in intensive care units for assessing the extent of organ dysfunction/failure in patients with severe sepsis. An increasing number of septic cases are caused by Gram‐positive bacteria as Staphylococcus aureus. The aim of the current study was to apply the human SOFA parameters in an awake, porcine model of severe S. aureus sepsis. Five pigs were inoculated intravenously with S. aureus and two control animals were sham‐inoculated. Extensive clinical monitoring and sequential blood sampling was obtained and analysed for SOFA parameters. Dysfunction/failure was observed in the respiratory, haemostatic and hepatic system of all infected animals, together with initial cardiovascular dysfunction. The pulmonary system was the first to fail clinically, which corresponds with similar human findings, whereas the liver was affected earlier in pigs compared to humans. The use of human SOFA parameters was valuable in identifying dysfunctional/failing organs and showed consistency between this porcine model and human severe sepsis. Applying SOFA parameters in this model increased the relevance for comparison to clinical methods of evaluating human severe sepsis. Changes in SOFA parameters may in future porcine studies serve as a target for monitoring the effect of therapeutic intervention.
Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Chronic Oral Mucosal Diseases Questionnaire
Authors: Li Min , He Song‐Lin
Published: May 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2013)42: 194–199

Introduction:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Chronic Oral Mucosal Diseases Questionnaire (COMDQ).

Methods:  A consecutive sample of 200 patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases was enrolled to complete the questionnaire after its translation and cross‐cultural adaptation. The reliability of the Chinese version of COMDQ was determined through internal consistency and test–retest methods. The construct validity of COMDQ was analysed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA).

Results:  Cronbach’s alpha value for the total COMDQ score was 0.894, and the test–retest intraclass correlation coefficient value for the total COMDQ score was 0.83. The EFA extracted four factors, which accounted for 67.89% of the variance. All items showed adequate factor loadings, ranging from 0.487 to 0.947.

Conclusion:  The results suggest that the Chinese version of the COMDQ has satisfactory psychometric properties and is applicable to patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases in China.
Smoking cessation and characteristics of success and failure among female high‐school smokers
Authors: KIM Jung Ae , LEE Chung Yul , LIM Eun Sun , KIM Gwang Suk
Published: May 2012

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a smoking cessation program on female high‐school students and to analyze the characteristics of students who quit smoking compared to those of students who failed to quit.

Methods:  This study used a mixed research design, including a pre‐ and post‐experimental design for measuring the effects of the smoking cessation intervention and a qualitative design using a focus group interview to analyze the characteristics of individuals who successfully quit in comparison to those who failed to stop smoking. Data were collected before and after the intervention through a self‐report questionnaire, a biochemical index, and a focus group interview.

Results:  After the intervention, positive changes in stage in the transtheoretical model for smoking‐cessation behavior increased significantly (P < 0.001), and the number of cigarettes smoked daily (P = 0.001), dependency on nicotine, expiratory CO levels, and positive frequency of urine nicotine levels decreased significantly (P < 0.001). Based on data from the focus group interview, students who stopped smoking showed different intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental characteristics compared to students who failed to stop smoking.

Conclusion:  The results suggest that the smoking‐cessation program could be more effective if it were to involve teachers and family members. In addition, a smoking‐prohibited community environment could assist in the control of adolescents' smoking behavior.
On the sizes of z ≳ 2 damped Lyα absorbing galaxies
Authors: Krogager J.-K. , Fynbo J. P. U. , Møller P. , Ledoux C. , Noterdaeme P. , Christensen L. , Milvang-Jensen B. , Sparre M.
Published: May 2012

Recently, the number of detected galaxy counterparts of z ≳ 2 damped Lyman α absorbers in quasi-stellar object (QSO) spectra has increased substantially so we today have a sample of 10 detections. Møller et al. in the year 2004 made the prediction, based on a hint of a luminosity—metallicity relation for DLAs, that H i size should increase with increasing metallicity. In this Letter we investigate the distribution of impact parameter and metallicity that would result from the correlation between galaxy size and metallicity. We compare our observations with simulated data sets given the relation of size and metallicity. The observed sample presented here supports the metallicity—size prediction: the present sample of DLA galaxies is consistent with the model distribution. Our data also show a strong relation between impact parameter and column density of H i. We furthermore compare the observations with several numerical simulations and demonstrate that the observations support a scenario where the relation between size and metallicity is driven by feedback mechanisms controlling the star formation efficiency and outflow of enriched gas.
Punitiveness and Political Culture
Authors: Green David A.
Published: May 2012

This article draws on an emerging comparative literature indicating the significant effects that political systems can have on the deployment of penal power, and the ways they condition responses to crime and to criminal offenders. It explores two political‐cultural mechanisms that help account for variations in levels of punitiveness between countries. These mechanisms – called here as the insulation and autonomy effect and the populism disincentive effect– are embedded in jurisdiction‐specific political cultures and the structures that sustain them.
Total lipid and fatty acid composition of seaweeds for the selection of species for oil‐based biofuel and bioproducts
Authors: Gosch Björn J. , Magnusson Marie , Paul Nicholas A. , de Nys Rocky
Published: May 2012

We investigated the potential of seaweeds as feedstock for oil‐based products, and our results support macroalgae (seaweeds) as a biomass source for oil‐based bioproducts including biodiesel. Not only do several seaweeds have high total lipid content above 10% dry weight, but in the brown alga Spatoglossum macrodontum 50% of these lipids are in the form of extractable fatty acids. S. macrodontum had the highest fatty acid content (57.40 mg g−1 dw) and a fatty acid profile rich in saturated fatty acids with a high content of C18:1, which is suitable as a biofuel feedstock. Similarly, the green seaweed Derbesia tenuissima has high levels of fatty acids (39.58 mg g−1 dw), however, with a high proportion of PUFA (n‐3) (31% of total lipid) which are suitable as nutraceuticals or fish oil replacements. Across all species of algae the critical parameter of fatty acid content (measured as fatty acid methyl esters, FAME) was positively correlated (R2 = 0.67) with total lipid content. However, the proportion of fatty acids to total lipid decreased markedly with total lipid content, generally between 30% and 50%, making it an inaccurate measure of the potential to identify seaweeds suitable for oil‐based bioproducts. Finally, we quantified within species variation of fatty acids across locations and sampling periods supporting either environmental effects on quantitative fatty acid profiles, or genotypes with specific quantitative fatty acid profiles, thereby opening the possibility to optimize the fatty acid content and quality for oil production through specific culture conditions and selective breeding.
Antipsoriatic activity of extracts and fractions obtained from Memecylon malabaricum leaves
Authors: Dhanabal Sangai Palanisamy , Muruganantham Nithyanantham , Basavaraj Kabbur Hanumanthappa , Wadhwani Asish , Shamasundar Nonavinakere Mannar
Published: May 2012

Objectives

This study involves the evaluation of Memecylon malabaricum Cogn. (Melastomataceae) leaves for antipsoriatic activity.

Methods

Aqueous extract, hydroalcoholic extract and their fractions of M. malabaricum leaves were evaluated for in-vivo antipsoriatic activity by mouse tail test and for in-vitro antipsoriatic activity using HaCaT cells, lipoxygenase inhibition and thymidine phosphorylase inhibition assays. Extracts and fractions were evaluated for total phenol and flavonoid contents. HPTLC was used for screening and fingerprint analysis of the extracts and active fraction.

Key findings

M. malabaricum hydroalcoholic extract (MMHA) and water fraction of MMHA (MMHAW) produced significant (P < 0.05) percent orthokeratosis in the mouse tail test. All samples except MMHA showed a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in epidermal thickness in the mouse tail test when compared with control. Maximum activity against HaCaT cells was shown by chloroform fraction of MMHA (MMHAC). The M. malabaricum decoction (MMD) and water fraction of MMD (MMDW) showed equally good inhibition of lipoxygenase. In thymidine phosphorylase inhibition assay only MMD showed activity.

Conclusions

The findings of this investigation reveal that the leaves of M. malabaricum have good antipsoriatic potential, which provides scope for further detailed research in to this plant for psoriasis.
Diagnosis in the field of psychotherapy: A plea for an alternative to the DSM‐5.x
Authors: Vanheule Stijn
Published: May 2012

Purpose. This paper studies how diagnosis is currently conceptualized in the field of psychiatry, and examines whether this mode of diagnosis is relevant for psychotherapeutic intervention.

Method. Narrative literature review was used in this study.

Results. In the context of the DSM, diagnosis is equated with classification. Symptoms and complaints are approached in terms of a medical semiological model, and are seen as signs of underlying illness processes. In discussing this approach the author makes use of Gottlob Frege's theory, in which three aspects of a sign are discerned: the reference/referent or Bedeutung, the sense or Sinn, and the representation/idea or Vorstellung. Based on this distinction, it is argued that in the transition from the DSM‐III to the DSM‐5 much effort has been taken to disambiguate the sense attributed to symptoms and complaints, while person‐specific ideas and representations have been excluded. This exclusion of the Vorstellung is criticized, both from a psychiatric and a psychotherapeutic perspective. Subsequently it is argued that whereas the DSM‐III and DSM‐IV avoided strong statements on etiology, the DSM‐5 makes clear choices. The DSM‐5, and more recently the RDoC group within the NIMH, aims at developing systems of classification that start from the assumption that psychiatric disorders are brain disorders. It is argued that by doing so a referent is classified that is different from the object of intervention that psychotherapeutic theories are concerned with.

Conclusion. Such a view of diagnosis is not workable for psychotherapy. The exclusion of personal experiences associated with symptoms and complaints is problematic and the referent that recent psychiatric classification uses, that is, brain processes, is not compatible with the referent that psychotherapeutic theories use. Case formulation can be seen as an alternative to standard classification.

Practitioner Points

A clear distinction between classification and diagnosis should be made.

Psychotherapeutic diagnosis cannot exclude information on the embedding of problems in broader life contexts.

Case formulation is a viable alternative to classification.
Positional circulatory control in the sleeping infant and toddler: role of the inner ear and arterial pulse pressure
Authors: Cohen Gary , Vella Silvano , Jeffery Heather , Lagercrantz Hugo , Katz‐Salamon Miriam
Published: May 2012

Key points

Fast‐acting reflexes fine‐tune heart rate and blood pressure as the push and pull of gravity changes from moment to moment.

Circulatory failure may occur if these mechanisms fail to develop normally.

Reactions to routine movements such as head‐up and sideways tilt show how two key reflexes involved develop during sleep, in early infancy.

Sensors that detect motion and arterial pulsations, located in the inner ear and arteries, respectively, produce carefully coordinated changes in heart rate and blood pressure as body position and the force/direction of gravity alters.

Both mechanisms are intact in infants exposed to tobacco, but a mild pulse pressure anomaly reflexively slows their heart and lowers their blood pressure on tilt to upright.

Circulatory dysfunction need not necessarily reflect abnormal development of key reflexes per se, but other factors that inappropriately trigger or inhibit them.

Abstract  Heart rate (HR) and arterial blood pressure (BP) are rapidly and reflexively adjusted as body position and the force/direction of gravity alters. Anomalies in these mechanisms may predispose to circulatory failure during sleep. We analysed the development of two key reflexes involved by undertaking a longitudinal (birth–1 year) comparison of instantaneous HR and BP changes evoked by abrupt upright, sideways or horizontal repositioning. Each manoeuvre triggered an identical rise in HR (tachycardia) followed by a slower rise in diastolic blood pressure (DBP)/systolic blood pressure (SBP) and variable pulse pressure (PP) change. We show that tachycardia is triggered by acceleration (vestibular) sensors located in the inner ear and slight changes in the pulsatile component of BP then signal to the arterial baroreceptors to reinforce or oppose these actions as needed. We also identified a PP anomaly in sleeping 1‐year‐olds of smokers that prematurely slows HR and is associated with mild positional hypotension. We conclude that positional circulatory compensation is initiated pre‐emptively in a feed‐forward manner and that feedback changes in vago‐sympathetic drive to the heart (and perhaps blood vessels) by PP exert a slower but powerful modulating effect. An anomaly in either or both mechanisms may weaken positional compensation in some sleeping infants.
Regulation of blood flow distribution in skeletal muscle: role of erythrocyte‐released ATP
Authors: Ellsworth Mary L. , Sprague Randy S.
Published: May 2012

Abstract  The maintenance of adequate tissue O2 levels in skeletal muscle is vital for normal physiology and requires a well regulated and appropriately distributed convective O2 supply. Inherent in this fundamental physiological process is the requirement for a mechanism which both senses tissue O2 need and locally adjusts flow to appropriately meet that need. Over the past several years we and others have suggested that, in skeletal muscle, O2 carrying erythrocytes participate in the regulation of total blood flow and its distribution by releasing ATP. Importantly, the release of this vasoactive molecule must be both rapid and well controlled if it is to serve an important physiological role. Here we provide insights into three distinct regulated signalling pathways within the erythrocyte that are activated by exposure to reduced O2 tension or in response to binding of agonists to the prostacyclin or β‐adrenergic receptors. Although much has been learned about the role of the erythrocyte in perfusion of skeletal muscle, much remains to be understood. However, what is clear is that the long established passive carrier of O2 also contributes to the regulation of the distribution of microvascular perfusion in skeletal muscle by virtue of its capacity to release ATP.
Direct measurement of quasiparticle lifetimes in graphene using time-resolved photoemission
Authors: Gilbertson Steve , Durakiewicz Tomasz , Zhu Jian-Xin , Mohite Aditya D. , Dattelbaum Andrew , Rodriguez George
Published: May 2012

Graphene has attracted much interest for its potential applications due to its unique band structure. Although much work with graphene has recently been conducted in the time domain, questions about how the electronic properties of graphene behave in the vicinity of the linearly dispersive region remain. In this experiment, the authors use the technique of time-resolved photoemission to directly measure quasiparticle lifetimes. The results are in qualitative agreement with the predictions of a tight-binding model where lifetime is evaluated from the imaginary part of the electron self-energy. The results indicate that the excited carriers decay faster at higher excitation energies—an effect the authors attribute to increasing phase space for electron–electron and electron–phonon interactions for energies away from the Dirac point.
In/ITO whisker and optoelectronic properties of ITO films deposited by ion beam sputtering
Authors: Shen Jung-Hsiung , Yeh Sung-Wei , Teoh Lay Gaik
Published: May 2012

ITO films were deposited on a glass substrate using ion beam sputtering, with oxygen flow rates from 0.5 to 2 sccm. The films consisted of randomly oriented ITO nanoparticles and metallic indium (In) with {101} facets, following the specific crystallographic relationship of [010]In//[110]ITO; (001)In//(001)ITO with habit planes (100)In//(011)ITO, when fabricated using a low oxygen flow rate. Oxygen flow rate in excess of 2.0 sccm results in the growth of amorphous films. The epitaxial In nanoparticles probably act as seeds for the development of curved ITO whiskers as small as 10 nm and extend up to 100 nm in length along the [100] direction, with poorly defined shape, possibly due to the tapering and bending of the whisker to form a tilt boundary about the [011] zone axis of the ITO. The ITO whisker growth was facilitated by the In globular tips in the vapor–liquid–solid growth mechanism. The films prepared using a series of oxygen flow rates showed different chemical-bonding states, electric resistivity and optical transparency; as a result of phase and microstructural changes.
Quantification of scattered radiation in projection mammography: Four practical methods compared
Authors: Salvagnini Elena , Bosmans Hilde , Struelens Lara , Marshall Nicholas W.
Published: May 2012

Purpose:

Four different practical methodologies of quantifying scattered radiation for two different digital mammographic systems are compared. The study considered both grid in and grid out geometries for two different antiscatter grid types, a typical linear grid and a cellular grid design. The aim was to find quick and reproducible methods that could be used in place of the beam stop technique.

Methods:

The scatter to primary ratio (SPR) and the scatter fraction (SF) were used to quantify scattered radiation as a function of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) thickness, grid position, and beam quality. The four scatter estimation methods applied were (1) the beam stop method, (2) a hybrid method that combined measured detector (scatter‐free) modulation transfer function (MTF) data and a Monte Carlo simulation of the scatter point spread function, (3) from the low frequency drop data taken from the system MTF, and (4) from the edge spread function (ESF) measured in the presence of PMMA. Repeatability error was assessed for all methods.

Results:

SPR results acquired with the beam stop method ranged from 0.052 to 0.187 for the system with linear grid and from 0.012 to 0.064 for the cellular grid system, as PMMA thickness was increased from 20 to 80 mm. With the grid removed, beam stop SPR was similar for both systems, ranging between 0.268 and 1.124, for corresponding MTF thicknesses. The direct MTF method had a maximum difference of 24% from the beam stop SPR and SF data for all conditions except the cellular grid in geometry, where maximum difference in SPR was 0.044 (164%). The ESF technique gave large differences from the beam stops for both grid geometries but agreement was within 21% for the grid out geometry. Repeatability error with beam stops was between 1% and 5% for the grid out geometries, while for the grid in cases it was 13% and 87% for the linear and cellular grids, respectively. Repeatability error for the direct MTF method applied to both systems and grid geometries ranged between 3% and 12%.

Conclusions:

All three alternative methods to the beam stop technique gave reasonable estimates of SPR without grid, with a maximum difference of 24% (mean difference 8%). For the grid in geometry, the direct MTF method gave a maximum difference of 24% for the linear grid system, while maximum percentage difference was 119% (absolute difference of 0.042) for the system with the cellular grid, where SPR values were low. Except for cases where the SPR is very low, the direct MTF method offers a quick and reproducible alternative to the beam stop technique.
Roles of GRK2 in Cell Signaling Beyond GPCR Desensitization: GRK2-HDAC6 Interaction Modulates Cell Spreading and MotilityA Presentation from the Cell Signaling Networks Conference and 13th IUBMB Conference, Mérida, Yucatán, México, 22 to 27 October 2011.
Authors: Penela Petronila , Lafarga Vanesa , Tapia Olga , Rivas Verónica , Nogués Laura , Lucas Elisa , Vila-Bedmar Rocío , Murga Cristina , Mayor Federico
Published: May 2012

GRK2 modulates tubulin acetylation dynamics in an HDAC6-dependent manner to affect epithelial cell spreading and motility.