bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sewage and community shower drains are environmental reservoirs of Fusarium solani species complex group 1, a human and plant pathogen
Authors: Mehl H. L. , Epstein L.
Published: October 2007

In two recent studies, clinical isolates in the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) were sequenced; one of the most common lineages was FSSC Group 1 (FSSC 1), a phylogenetic species that is synonymous with F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae race 2, a pathogen of cucurbit fruits. FSSC 1 was also identified in sink and shower drains in two hospitals. The environmental sources of FSSC 1 are important for understanding the epidemiology of both human and plant diseases caused by this organism. FSSC 1 was detected in sewage influent at all six tested urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in California with a concentration ranging from 75 to 413 colony‐forming units (cfu) l−1, a mean of 246 ± 52 cfu l−1 and a median of 254 cfu l−1. During the treatment process, the concentration of FSSC 1 in the solid and liquid fractions diminished. FSSC 1 was detected in five and six of 14 community shower drains by culturing and polymerase chain reaction, respectively, whereas FSSC DNA was detected in all drains. FSSC accounted for 17 ± 6% (n = 14) of the total fungal DNA in the drains. FSSC 1 was rarely isolated from post‐harvest cucurbit fruits and was not found in cucurbit fields in California.
Ectopic expression of a wood‐abundant expansin PttEXPA1 promotes cell expansion in primary and secondary tissues in aspen
Authors: Gray‐Mitsumune Madoka , Blomquist Kristina , McQueen‐Mason Simon , Teeri Tuula T. , Sundberg Björn , Mellerowicz Ewa J.
Published: October 2007

Expansins are primary agents inducing cell wall extension, and are therefore obvious targets in biotechnological applications aimed at the modification of cell size in plants. In trees, increased fibre length is a goal of both breeding and genetic engineering programmes. We used an α‐expansin PttEXPA1 that is highly abundant in the wood‐forming tissues of hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. × P. tremuloides Michx.) to evaluate its role in fibre elongation and wood cell development. PttEXPA1 belongs to Subfamily A of α‐expansins that have conserved motifs at the N‐ and C‐termini of the mature protein. When PttEXPA1 was over‐expressed in aspen, an extract of the cell wall‐bound proteins of the transgenic plants exhibited an increased expansin activity on cellulose–xyloglucan composites in vitro, indicating that PttEXPA1 is an active expansin. The transgenic lines exhibited increased stem internode elongation and leaf expansion, and larger cell sizes in the leaf epidermis, indicating that PttEXPA1 protein is capable of increasing the growth of these organs by enhancing cell wall expansion in planta. Wood cell development was also modified in the transgenic lines, but the effects were different for vessel elements and fibres, the two main cell types of aspen wood. PttEXPA1 stimulated fibre, but not vessel element, diameter growth, and marginally increased vessel element length, but did not affect fibre length. The observed differences in responsiveness to expansin of these cell types are discussed in the light of differences in their growth strategies and cell wall composition.
Impact of Beijing Olympic‐related Investments on Regional Economic Growth of China: Interregional Input–Output Approach*
Authors: Zhang Yaxiong , Zhao Kun
Published: October 2007

Using the interregional input–output model, the present paper analyzes the impact of Olympic‐related investments on the economic development of Beijing and its surrounding areas, as well as the rest of China. The interregional input–output model provides a satisfactory simulation and analysis of Olympic‐related investments that are implemented in Beijing and other areas and their spillover effects on other regions. We estimate that from 2002 to 2007, Olympic‐related investments will add 2.02, 0.23 and 0.09 percent annually to gross regional products of Beijing, its surrounding areas and the rest of China, respectively.
Who is Better Off from Trade Liberalization? An Experience from Urban China*
Authors: He Yin
Published: October 2007

Empirical studies have found that the skill wage gap (difference between wages earned by skilled and unskilled workers) narrowed in the case of the ‘Four Asian Dragons’ as they underwent trade liberalization during the 1960s and 1970s, whereas the gap widened in most of the Latin American countries after they liberalized their economies in the 1980s. China's integration into the world economy since 1978 has been used to explain this phenomenon, but few formal studies have been carried out in China regarding the effects of trade liberalization on the skill wage gap because of the limited availability of data. The present study uses unique household surveys conducted in ten provinces of China in 1988 and 1995 to study this issue. Results show that trade liberalization that occurred in China between 1988 and 1995 was responsible for an average increase of 28.73 yuan (approximately 20 percent of the total increase) in average monthly wages. However, trade liberalization significantly widened the urban skill wage gap in China by introducing an increase in income only for those who had 13 years or more of education (at least junior high school graduates). Interestingly, import liberalization also only benefited those who had more than 9 years of schooling; whereas export liberalization brought wage increases for people with 7–12 years of education. Finally, those with specific production skills from technical schools, rather than those with several years of general education, were mostly favored in the labor market in China between 1988 and 1995.
ON THE STRONG LAW OF LARGE NUMBERS UNDER REARRANGEMENTS FOR SEQUENCES OF BLOCKWISE ORTHOGONAL RANDOM ELEMENTS IN BANACH SPACES
Authors: Van Quang Nguyen , Van Thanh Le
Published: October 2007

The condition of the strong law of large numbers is obtained for sequences of random elements in type p Banach spaces that are blockwise orthogonal. The current work extends a result of Chobanyan & Mandrekar (2000)[On Kolmogorov SLLN under rearrangements for orthogonal random variables in a B‐space. J. Theoret. Probab. 13, 135–139.] Special cases of the main results are presented as corollaries, and illustrative examples are provided.
Cosmopolitan Democracy and the EU: The Case of Gender
Authors: Frith Robert
Published: October 2007

Cosmopolitan democracy is one of the most debated models of transnational democracy. As a result of his prominence in this field, David Held has attracted much of the criticism and approval of this position. The critique and comment aimed at cosmopolitanism in general, and Held's work in particular, has provoked cosmopolitan advocates to respond, restate and develop their arguments. However, despite its considerable merit, this debate remains largely theoretical, and little has been done in terms of studying the realisation of cosmopolitanism in real-world settings. This article contributes towards the debate concerning the possibility of its actual application by mapping the principles of cosmopolitan democracy in relation to the EU polity and the issue of gender equality. It argues that the EU articulates certain cosmopolitan-comparable principles, and by studying areas where they are clearly exhibited, such as the issue of gender, that this helps us to critically evaluate their practicability and enables a response to criticisms levelled at cosmopolitan democracy. This article addresses two specific criticisms. Firstly, in view of the justiciable qualities of EU law, and its ability to give rise to formal individual rights, it is argued that claims regarding the inherently fictitious nature of cosmopolitan rights are unfounded. Secondly, while acknowledging that civic engagement takes a principally legal mode in relation to the issue of gender, this article rejects the claim that cosmopolitan democracy neglects the political aspects of citizenship. However, cosmopolitan scholars must extend their understanding of the relation between rights and the wider aspects of citizenship engagement, if they hope to realise the vision of an active citizenry that remains central to the cosmopolitan project.
A Lockean Theory of Territory
Authors: Nine Cara
Published: October 2007

In this article I defend a straightforward application of Lockean property arguments to territorial rights. The article is divided into three parts. In the first part I explain the difference between two rights to land: property rights and territorial rights. In the second part I explain why an individualistic account of a Lockean theory of territory cannot be used to theorise about territorial rights. In the third part I defend a collectivist version of Lockean theory of territory. I argue that it is possible to apply directly Lockean principles regarding land use to territorial rights. I punctuate my defence with examples where Lockean principles are intuitively helpful in resolving conflicts over territorial rights.
Self-Transgressive Enjoyment as a Freedom Fetter
Authors: Glynos Jason
Published: October 2007

This article explores the implications that a particular psychoanalytic insight carries for thinking about freedom in general and Charles Taylor's approach to freedom in particular. Courtesy of the French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan, this insight supplies a logic of enjoyment to explain an aspect of the problem of self-transgression – a problem summarising those situations in which a subject appears both to affirm an ideal and, at the same time, systematically to transgress it. This insight points to a generally neglected source of unfreedom or ‘freedom fetter’ – what I call self-transgressive enjoyment. My argument is that Taylor's account of freedom and its fetters captures something important about the dimension of self-transgressive enjoyment, but that it finds it difficult to elucidate and accommodate what is ultimately at stake in this psychoanalytically informed conception of unfreedom.
A General Approach to Obtain Series Solutions of Nonlinear Differential Equations
Authors: Liao S. , Tan Y.
Published: October 2007

Based on homotopy, which is a basic concept in topology, a general analytic method (namely the homotopy analysis method) is proposed to obtain series solutions of nonlinear differential equations. Different from perturbation techniques, this approach is independent of small/large physical parameters. Besides, different from all previous analytic methods, it provides us with a simple way to adjust and control the convergence of solution series. Especially, it provides us with great freedom to replace a nonlinear differential equation of order n into an infinite number of linear differential equations of order k, where the order k is even unnecessary to be equal to the order n. In this paper, a nonlinear oscillation problem is used as example to describe the basic ideas of the homotopy analysis method. We illustrate that the second‐order nonlinear oscillation equation can be replaced by an infinite number of (2κ)th‐order linear differential equations, where κ≥ 1 can be any a positive integer. Then, the homotopy analysis method is further applied to solve a high‐dimensional nonlinear differential equation with strong nonlinearity, i.e., the Gelfand equation. We illustrate that the second‐order two or three‐dimensional nonlinear Gelfand equation can be replaced by an infinite number of the fourth or sixth‐order linear differential equations, respectively. In this way, it might be greatly simplified to solve some nonlinear problems, as illustrated in this paper. All of our series solutions agree well with numerical results. This paper illustrates that we might have much larger freedom and flexibility to solve nonlinear problems than we thought traditionally. It may keep us an open mind when solving nonlinear problems, and might bring forward some new and interesting mathematical problems to study.
Symmetry Structure of Integrable Nonevolutionary Equations
Authors: Novikov Vladimir S. , Ping Wang Jing
Published: October 2007

We study a class of evolutionary partial differential systems with two components related to second order (in time) nonevolutionary equations of odd order in spatial variable. We develop the formal diagonalization method in symbolic representation, which enables us to derive an explicit set of necessary conditions of existence of higher symmetries. Using these conditions we globally classify all such homogeneous integrable systems, i.e., systems which possess a hierarchy of infinitely many higher symmetries.
Isoform‐specific increase of spastin stability by N‐terminal missense variants including intragenic modifiers of SPG4 hereditary spastic paraplegia
Authors: Schickel J. , Pamminger T. , Ehrsam A. , Münch S. , Huang X. , Klopstock T. , Kurlemann G. , Hemmerich P. , Dubiel W. , Deufel T. , Beetz C.
Published: October 2007

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder selectively affecting axons of spinal cord motoneurons. Classical mutations in the most frequent HSP gene SPAST (spastin protein) act through haploinsufficiency by abolishing the activity of a C‐terminal ATPase domain or by interfering with expression from the affected allele. N‐terminal missense variants have been suggested to represent rare polymorphisms, to cause unusually mild phenotypes, and to aggravate the effect of a classical mutation. We confirm these associations for p.S44L but do not detect two other variants (p.E43Q; p.P45Q) in HSP patients and controls. We show that neither of several disease mechanisms associated with classical SPAST mutations applies to the N‐terminal variants. Instead, all three alterations enhance the stability of one of two alternative spastin isoforms. Their phenotypic effect may thus not be mediated by haploinsufficiency but by increasing isoform competition for interacting proteins, substrates or oligomerization partners.
THE POLITICAL NATURE OF DOCTRINE: A CRITIQUE OF LINDBECK IN LIGHT OF RECENT SCHOLARSHIP
Authors: NICHOLSON HUGH
Published: October 2007

This article argues that the power of religion to shape experience presupposes the mobilization of religious identity through social opposition. This thesis is developed through a critique of George Lindbeck's The Nature of Doctrine. The article first examines Lindbeck's thesis that religion shapes experience in light of Talal Asad's critique of Geertz's concept of religion. It argues that in order to understand how ‘religion’ shapes experience we must look outside the immanent sphere of cultural‐religious meaning that Lindbeck, following Geertz, identifies with ‘religion’. Religious authority ultimately derives from the recognition of a social group. Next, looking at the nature of doctrine in light of Kathryn Tanner's thesis that Christian identity is essentially relational, it argues that church doctrines function to mobilize group identity through social opposition. In this respect they resemble the mobilizing slogans of political discourse more than, as Lindbeck's theory proposes, the grammatical rules governing Wittgensteinian language games.
LOVE, JUSTICE, AND SOCIAL ESCHATOLOGY
Authors: CHRISTOYANNOPOULOS ALEXANDRE J. M. E. , MILNE JOSEPH
Published: October 2007

In this paper, we explore the ontological and theological ground of political institutions in order to then reflect upon the eschatological calling of society. The paper builds on Tillich's ontological insight that love does not simply transcend justice, but that it permeates and drives justice, that justice gives form to love's reunion of the separated. This relation between love and justice is at play in political institutions: these unite human beings under forms of justice that must be transformed ever anew if they are not to lose touch with the dynamic power of love and freeze into increasingly unjust juridicalism. The modern history of Western civilisation bears witness to this ontological tension, and the phenomenon of globalisation is yet another instance of human society's mystical calling. Thus, love heads the dynamic movement that transforms political institutions ever anew. Yet society as a whole must become conscious of its ontology for humanity to truly reach its eschatological potential, and this will require both that theology recovers its ground and that political theory thinks theologically.
Distress in children with learning disabilities at a respite unit: perspectives on their experiences
Authors: Radcliffe Jonathan J. L. , Turk Vicky
Published: October 2007

Accessible summary

This research was done in London with children who went to a respite unit.

All the children had learning disabilities.

Children go to respite units to give their parents a rest.

Some children like going to respite. Other children get very unhappy at respite and miss their home badly.

It can be difficult to tell if children do not like going when they cannot talk very much.

Teachers, respite staff and parents had different opinions about whether the children like going.

We think it is very important to try to find out whether the children get very unhappy so people can try to make things better for them.

Numerous studies have investigated the benefits of respite to families with a disabled child. Far fewer have examined the effects on the child and none have systematically compared information about this from different sources. Reports of behavioural reactions and views on distress were gathered from parents, teachers and respite staff. Children were also asked for their views. Over half the children (54%) were reported to show medium or strong negative reactions lasting for 1 or more days by a parent or teacher. Reported reactions varied widely between home and school and no concordance was found between parents, teachers and respite staff groups regarding distress. Some children’s views differed from those of their parent or teacher. The findings highlight the extent of differences in perspectives and suggest the need for greater awareness of the possible distress to children attending respite. This is discussed in relation to factors such as the potential conflict of interests between parents and children, communication and behavioural difficulties, and the context in which the child is observed.
Evidence for a Founder Effect of the Germline Fumarate Hydratase Gene Mutation R58P causing Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer (HLRCC)
Authors: Heinritz W. , Paasch U. , Sticherling M. , Wittekind C. , Simon J.C. , Froster U.G. , Renner R.
Published: October 2007

We report on the results of clinical investigation, pedigree analysis, mutation screening and haplotyping in a family with the syndrome of multiple cutaneous and uterine leiomyomas (MCUL1) and a germline missense mutation (R58P) in the fumarate hydratase gene (FH). We provide evidence for a founder effect for the identified mutation and distant relationship of our family to another familial case of MCUL1 associated with renal cell cancer, which was recently published with the same mutation.
Admixture and Population Stratification in African Caribbean Populations
Authors: Benn‐Torres J. , Bonilla C. , Robbins C. M. , Waterman L. , Moses T. Y. , Hernandez W. , Santos E. R. , Bennett F. , Aiken W. , Tullock T. , Coard K. , Hennis A. , Wu S. , Nemesure B. , Leske M. C. , Freeman V. , Carpten J. , Kittles R. A.
Published: October 2007

Throughout biomedical research, there is growing interest in the use of ancestry informative markers (AIMs) to deconstruct racial categories into useful variables. Studies on recently admixed populations have shown significant population substructure due to differences in individual ancestry; however, few studies have examined Caribbean populations. Here we used a panel of 28 AIMs to examine the genetic ancestry of 298 individuals of African descent from the Caribbean islands of Jamaica, St. Thomas and Barbados. Differences in global admixture were observed, with Barbados having the highest level of West African ancestry (89.6%± 2.0) and the lowest levels of European (10.2%± 2.2) and Native American ancestry (0.2%± 2.0), while Jamaica possessed the highest levels of European (12.4%± 3.5) and Native American ancestry (3.2%± 3.1). St. Thomas, USVI had ancestry levels quite similar to African Americans in continental U.S. (86.8%± 2.2 West African, 10.6%± 2.3 European, and 2.6%± 2.1 Native American). Significant substructure was observed in the islands of Jamaica and St. Thomas but not Barbados (K=1), indicating that differences in population substructure exist across these three Caribbean islands. These differences likely stem from diverse colonial and historical experiences, and subsequent evolutionary processes. Most importantly, these differences may have significant ramifications for case‐control studies of complex disease in Caribbean populations.
Large Genomic Mutations within the ATM Gene Detected by MLPA, Including a Duplication of 41 kb from Exon 4 to 20
Authors: Cavalieri Simona , Funaro Ada , Pappi Patrizia , Migone Nicola , Gatti Richard A. , Brusco Alfredo
Published: October 2007

Mutation detection remains problematic for large genes, primarily because PCR‐based methodology fails to detect heterozygous deletions and any duplication. In the ATM gene only a handful of multi‐exon deletions have been described to date, and this type of mutation has been considered rare. To address this issue we tested a new MLPA (Multiplex Ligation Probe Amplification) kit that covers 33 of the 66 ATM exons, using for controls two previously characterized genomic deletions in addition to three A‐T patients, taken from a survey of nine, who had missing four mutations unidentified after conventional mutation screening. We identified for the first time: 1) a ∼41 kb genomic duplication spanning exons 4–20 (c.‐30_2816dup41kb)(a.k.a., ATM dup 41 kb); 2) a novel genomic deletion including exon 31, and 3) in hemizygosis a point mutation in the non‐deleted exon 31. In this study we extended mutation detection to nine new Italian A‐T patients, using a combined approach of haplotype analysis, DHPLC and MLPA. Overall we achieved a mutation detection rate of >97%, and can now define a spectrum of ATM mutations based on twenty‐one consecutive Italian families with A‐T.
Assessment of child problem behaviors by multiple informants: a longitudinal study from preschool to school entry
Authors: Kerr David C.R. , Lunkenheimer Erika S. , Olson Sheryl L.
Published: October 2007

Background:  Children's early problem behavior that manifests in multiple contexts is often more serious and stable. The concurrent and predictive validity of ratings of externalizing and internalizing by four informants was examined at preschool and early school age in an at‐risk sample.

Methods:  Two hundred forty children were assessed by mothers and fathers (Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)), and teachers and laboratory examiners (Teacher Report Form (TRF)) at ages 3 and 5 years.

Results:  All informants’ ratings of externalizing converged on a common factor at ages 3 and 5 that showed strong stability over time (β = .80). All informants’ age 3 externalizing ratings significantly predicted the problem factor at age 5; mothers’, fathers’, and teachers’ ratings were independently predictive. Ratings of internalizing (except by examiners at age 3) also converged at both ages; the problem factor showed medium stability (β = .39) over time. Only fathers’ ratings of age 3 internalizing predicted the age 5 problem factor.

Conclusions:  Findings support the value of multi‐informant assessment, uphold calls to include fathers in childhood research, and suggest that examiners provide valid, though non‐unique assessment data. Examiner contributions may prove useful in many research contexts.
Repetitive behaviours in typically developing 2‐year‐olds
Authors: Leekam Susan , Tandos Jonathan , McConachie Helen , Meins Elizabeth , Parkinson Kathryn , Wright Charlotte , Turner Michelle , Arnott Bronia , Vittorini Lucia , Couteur Ann Le
Published: October 2007

Background:  Repetitive behaviours are an essential part of the diagnosis of autism but are also commonly seen in typically developing children. The current study investigated the frequency and factor structure of repetitive behaviours in a large community sample of 2‐year‐olds.

Methods:  A new measure, the Repetitive Behaviour Questionnaire (RBQ‐2) was completed by 679 parents.

Results:  The RBQ‐2 had good psychometric properties. A four‐factor model provided the best fit for the data, accounting for 51% of the variance, and suggested 4 sub‐scales: unusual sensory interests, repetitive motor movements, rigidity/adherence to routine and preoccupations with restricted patterns of interest. These sub‐scales closely resembled repetitive behaviour subtypes within the ICD‐10 criteria for autism. Repetitive behaviours of every type were frequently reported. Higher scores were found for all children, and especially boys, on the subscale relating to preoccupations with restricted patterns of interests.

Conclusion:  The results support the proposal that repetitive behaviours represent a continuum of functioning that extends to the typically developing child population.
A developmental framework for distinguishing disruptive behavior from normative misbehavior in preschool children
Authors: Wakschlag Lauren S. , Briggs‐Gowan Margaret J. , Carter Alice S. , Hill Carri , Danis Barbara , Keenan Kate , McCarthy Kimberly J. , Leventhal Bennett L.
Published: October 2007

Background:  Attaining a developmentally sensitive nosology for preschool disruptive behavior requires characterization of the features that distinguish it from the normative misbehavior of this developmental period. We hypothesize that quality of behavior and its pervasiveness across contexts are critical dimensions for clinical discrimination in young children and propose that structured diagnostic observation provides a systematic method for their identification. We use the Disruptive Behavior Diagnostic Observation Schedule (DB‐DOS) to examine whether: (a) observed quality and pervasiveness of behavior distinguishes preschoolers with clinically concerning disruptive behavior from typically developing preschoolers, and (b) observed pattern of clinically salient behavior predicts impairment above and beyond maternal report of behavioral frequency.

Methods:  Participants are a behaviorally heterogeneous sample of preschoolers (N = 327). Diagnostic methods developed for clinical assessment of preschoolers were used to classify children as (a) Non‐Disruptive, (b) Sub‐Clinical, or (c) Disruptive. Child behavior was coded based on interactions with parent and examiner during the DB‐DOS.

Results:  Quality and pervasiveness of observed behaviors during the DB‐DOS significantly distinguished the three behavioral groups. Discriminative utility varied depending on the comparison. With few exceptions, clinically concerning patterns on the DB‐DOS added significant incremental utility in predicting impairment.

Conclusions:  Observed patterns of clinically salient behavior show promise for advancing developmentally‐informed characterization of disruptive behavior within the preschool period.
Children's perceptions of neighbourhood trustworthiness and safety and their mental health
Authors: Meltzer Howard , Vostanis Panos , Goodman Robert , Ford Tamsin
Published: October 2007

Background:  Many studies have described associations between adult psychiatric disorder among adults and their biographic, socio‐demographic and social capital characteristics. Fewer studies have focused on children, and most of these have looked at structural indicators of the neighbourhood. Our objective was to examine one aspect of social capital – perceived neighbourhood trust and safety in relation to childhood psychopathology.

Methods:  Data on childhood psychopathology and perceived neighbourhood trust and safety were obtained on 3,340 11 to 16‐year‐olds included in a large survey of the mental health carried out in 426 postal sectors in Great Britain. Data were collected on biographic and socio‐demographic characteristics of the child and the family, measures of social capital and neighbourhood prosperity. We entered all these variables into a logistic regression analysis to establish the strength of association between perceived neighbourhood trust and safety separately for emotional and conduct disorders.

Results:  Children's perception of their neighbourhoods in terms of the trustworthiness or honesty of the people who live there or feeling safe walking alone had a strong association with childhood psychopathology, particularly emotional disorders, rather than the nature of the neighbourhood itself. Children's behaviour, however, such as going to the park or shops alone, did not vary by measures of childhood psychopathology.

Conclusions:  Regeneration of less prosperous neighbourhoods is likely to increase children's positive perceptions of trust, honesty and safety which in turn can have a positive effect on their mental health.
Positive and protective: effects of early theory of mind on problem behaviors in at‐risk preschoolers
Authors: Hughes Claire , Ensor Rosie
Published: October 2007

Background:  Exposure to harsh parenting and children's skills in ‘Theory of Mind’ (ToM) show independent and interacting associations with problem behaviors at age 2 (Hughes & Ensor, 2006). This study examined whether these age‐2 measures also predict age‐4 problem behaviors.

Method:  In a socially diverse sample (N = 120), multi‐informant, multi‐measure, multi‐setting ratings indexed problem behaviors at ages 2, 3 and 4; children completed both ToM and verbal‐ability tasks at age 2, while video‐based ratings of maternal negative affect and control within dyadic mother‐child play indexed harsh parenting.

Results:  Age‐2 harsh parenting and ToM were independent and interacting predictors of age‐4 problem behaviors, even with age‐2 problem behaviors, verbal ability and social disadvantage all controlled. The interaction between harsh parenting and ToM distinguished persistent vs. diminishing problem behaviors.

Conclusions:  Both child and family characteristics predict increases in problem behaviors from 2 to 4; adverse effects of harsh parenting are attenuated for children with good ToM skills.
Early concurrent and longitudinal symptoms of ADHD and ODD: relations to different types of inhibitory control and working memory
Authors: Brocki Karin C. , Nyberg Lilianne , Thorell Lisa B. , Bohlin Gunilla
Published: October 2007

Background:  The aim of the present study was to investigate how three different types of inhibitory control – interference control within task, interference control outside task, and prepotent response inhibition – and two types of working memory – verbal and spatial – would relate to early symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), both concurrently and longitudinally.

Methods:  Seventy‐two preschoolers, 1/3 who had been identified as being at risk for developing ADHD and/or ODD, completed neuropsychological tasks designed to measure inhibitory control and working memory. Behavioral symptoms were measured through parental and teacher ratings of the DSM‐IV criteria for ADHD and ODD.

Results:  Our results suggest distinct types of inhibitory control as being good predictors of concurrent and longitudinal symptoms of ADHD, rather than ODD. However, no associations were obtained between working memory and ADHD or ODD symptoms either concurrently or longitudinally.

Conclusions:  This study emphasizes the need to isolate complex executive processes and break them down into components in order to properly understand the neuropsychological roots involved in ADHD and ODD.
Associations between family relationships and symptoms/strengths at kindergarten age: what is the role of children's parental representations?
Authors: Stadelmann Stephanie , Perren Sonja , Von Wyl Agnes , Von Klitzing Kai
Published: October 2007

Background: The quality of the family relationships plays an important role in the development of children's psychopathology and in their socio‐emotional development. This longitudinal study aims to investigate whether family relationships are related to children's symptoms/strengths at kindergarten, and whether family relationships are predictors of changes in children's symptoms/strengths between 5 and 6. Our main interest is to examine the role of children's parental representations.

Methods: One hundred and fifty‐three kindergarten children (67 girls, 86 boys) participated in this study. Children's parental representations were assessed using a story stem task (age 5). The family environment was assessed using parents’ ratings (age 5). A multi‐informant approach (parent, teacher, child) was employed to assess children's symptoms/strengths at 5 and 6. Children were interviewed using a standardised puppet interview. Parents and teachers completed questionnaires.

Results: Children's parental representations as well as the family environment were associated with children's symptoms/strengths at 5 and 6. When controlled for gender, children's representations were the only predictor of changes in symptoms/strengths between 5 and 6. A large number of negative parental representations at 5 predicted an increase in conduct problems. A large number of positive parental representations at 5 predicted an increase in pro‐social behaviour. In terms of emotional symptoms and hyperactivity/inattention, symptoms at 5 were the only predictor for symptoms one year later.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that kindergarten children's narrative representations may elaborate the processes underlying the expression of child disturbance and strengths, and underline the relevance of the play and narration of young children for diagnostics and therapy.
Morphological variation of the Japanese raccoon dog: implications for geographical isolation and environmental adaptation
Authors: Haba C. , Oshida T. , Sasaki M. , Endo H. , Ichikawa H. , Masuda Y.
Published: October 2007

To test the effect of geographical isolation by ‘Blakiston's Line’ and the possibility of Bergmann's rule being valid, we comparatively examined the morphology of the crania, mandible and teeth of two subspecies of raccoon dog allopatrically distributed in Japan: Nyctereutes procyonoides albus and Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus. The Blakiston's Line is a biogeographic border separating mammalian and avian fauna in Japan, including N. p. albus and N. p. viverrinus. Most skull measurements of N. p. albus were larger than those of N. p. viverrinus, suggesting that the body size of N. p. albus could also be larger than that of N. p. viverrinus. Both subspecies were clearly isolated by Blakiston's Line and followed Bergmann's rule, with skulls of the northern subspecies, N. p. albus, larger than N. p. viverrinus. Premolars and molars of N. p. viverrinus were larger than those of N. p. albus, suggesting that N. p. viverrinus may be more frugivorous. The narrow postorbital constriction associated with development of temporal muscles in N. p. albus suggests this subspecies is more carnivorous.
Ranging behaviour of huemul in relation to habitat and landscape
Authors: Gill R. , Saucedo Galvez C. , Aldridge D. , Morgan G.
Published: October 2007

The huemul Hippocamelus bisulcus is an endangered species of deer occupying temperate woodland habitats in the Andes of southern Chile and Argentina. Continuing declines due to a combination of hunting and habitat loss have created a need for more conservation measures. However, current information on ranging behaviour, dispersal and seasonal movements is very limited. Three sites were therefore selected in Aysén, Chilean Patagonia, to study the movements and habitat associations of huemul. Although seasonal migrations in elevation had been reported previously for the species, we found the extent of seasonal movement limited, much less than that reported for other deer species in mountainous environments. Huemul selected mid‐slope elevations, and the winter ranges of most animals overlapped summer ranges. The extent of the seasonal movements that were undertaken were, however, the greatest at the highest site and insignificant at the lowest site. Previously published information shows that habitats used by huemul follow a latitudinal gradient in elevation (reducing c. 100 m °S−1 in latitude), and our results suggest that seasonal movements are likely to be greater in sites above this line. The mean range size differed between sites, ranging from 357 to 656 ha (mean 444 ha; median 506 ha). These estimates excluded long‐distance (>5 km) movements, which were infrequent.
Livestock damage and wolf presence
Authors: Gazzola A. , Capitani C. , Mattioli L. , Apollonio M.
Published: October 2007

Depredation on livestock and wolf pack Canis lupus distribution was investigated in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany, from 1998 to 2001. Although livestock was uniformly distributed, damage level and distribution were focused in the mountainous area inhabited by wolf packs hence there were huge differences between areas with and without wolves. In the whole province a few farms were persistently affected by predation (6%), and they reported 38% of the total attacks and 37% of the total losses. Surplus killing phenomena involved only sheep and goat farms, affecting 18% of the total. Thirty‐five attacks (14% of the total attacks) reported 536 kills (44% of the total livestock killed in the whole province of Arezzo). During the period 1998–2001, compensation costs in the province averaged 86 863 Euros (range: 68 805–99 318 Euros). In the same period, no farmer requested prevention funding from the Tuscan region. During the study period wolf population was stable: wolf packs were distributed on 47% of the whole province (1504 km2), with a density estimated at 2.9±0.7 wolves 100 km−2.
Rapid picture processing: Affective primes and targets
Authors: Flaisch Tobias , Junghöfer Markus , Bradley Margaret M. , Schupp Harald T. , Lang Peter J.
Published: October 2007

In rapid serial visual presentation of pictures, an early ERP component shows enlarged negativity over occipital regions for emotional, compared to neutral, pictures. The present study examined the processing of emotional target pictures as a function of the hedonic valence of a preceding prime picture. Dense sensor ERPs were measured while subjects viewed a continuous stream of pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant pictures, presented for 335 ms each. Two main findings were observed: First, replicating previous results, emotional target pictures were associated with a larger posterior negativity, compared to neutral pictures. Second, the emotional content of the preceding prime picture affected target processing, with pleasant or unpleasant primes resulting in reduced negativity of the following picture, irrespective of its emotional valence. These findings are discussed within a framework of competition among successive pictures.
The skin conductance orienting response to semantic stimuli: Significance can be independent of arousal
Authors: Dindo Lilian , Fowles Don C.
Published: October 2007

The characteristics of stimuli that elicit skin conductance responses (SCRs) have been conceptualized in varied ways, with strong emphasis on the significance or arousing quality of stimuli. Our goal was to determine whether “significance” can be shown to have an effect on SCRs independent of “arousal,” using words as stimuli. Ratings of words indicated that significance is partially independent of arousal. In Study 1, SCRs from 43 participants during presentation of 20 significant, nonarousing words with a negative valence that were either depression related or potentially self‐referent and 20 nonsignificant words matched on valence and arousal showed a main effect of significance. In Study 2 (N=44), significant, nonarousing words were sampled more broadly to examine the effects of self‐reference and valence. Significance, rather than just negativity or self‐reference, elicited SCRs independently of arousal. SCRs to significant words may reflect cognitive and attentional processes that, in turn, might prove useful for the assessment of the cognitive aspects of anxiety.
The coupling of emotion and cognition in the eye: Introducing the pupil old/new effect
Authors: Võ Melissa L.‐H. , Jacobs Arthur M. , Kuchinke Lars , Hofmann Markus , Conrad Markus , Schacht Annekathrin , Hutzler Florian
Published: October 2007

The study presented here investigated the effects of emotional valence on the memory for words by assessing both memory performance and pupillary responses during a recognition memory task. Participants had to make speeded judgments on whether a word presented in the test phase of the experiment had already been presented (“old”) or not (“new”). An emotion‐induced recognition bias was observed: Words with emotional content not only produced a higher amount of hits, but also elicited more false alarms than neutral words. Further, we found a distinct pupil old/new effect characterized as an elevated pupillary response to hits as opposed to correct rejections. Interestingly, this pupil old/new effect was clearly diminished for emotional words. We therefore argue that the pupil old/new effect is not only able to mirror memory retrieval processes, but also reflects modulation by an emotion‐induced recognition bias.
Cutaneous sensibility and peripheral nerve function in patients with unmedicated essential hypertension
Authors: Edwards Louisa , Ring Christopher , McIntyre David , Winer John B. , Martin Una
Published: October 2007

Sensorimotor deficits in patients with essential hypertension may be due to impaired nerve function. Cutaneous sensory thresholds, median nerve sensory and motor conduction velocities, and median nerve sensory action potential amplitudes were assessed in 30 patients with unmedicated essential hypertension and 29 normotensives. Cutaneous sensory thresholds were higher and sensory action potential amplitudes smaller in hypertensives than normotensives whereas sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities did not differ between groups. These data suggest that hypertension may reduce the number of active sensory nerve fibers without affecting myelination. Sensory action potential amplitudes were inversely related to cutaneous sensory thresholds, suggesting that subclinical axonal neuropathy of sensory afferents may help account for perceptual deficits that characterize hypertension.
Source localization of auditory evoked potentials after cochlear implantation
Authors: Debener Stefan , Hine Jemma , Bleeck Stefan , Eyles Julie
Published: October 2007

Little is known about how the auditory cortex adapts to artificial input as provided by a cochlear implant (CI). We report the case of a 71‐year‐old profoundly deaf man, who has successfully used a unilateral CI for 4 years. Independent component analysis (ICA) of 61‐channel EEG recordings could separate CI‐related artifacts from auditory‐evoked potentials (AEPs), even though it was the perfectly time‐locked CI stimulation that caused the AEPs. AEP dipole source localization revealed contralaterally larger amplitudes in the P1–N1 range, similar to normal hearing individuals. In contrast to normal hearing individuals, the man with the CI showed a 20‐ms shorter N1 latency ipsilaterally. We conclude that ICA allows the detailed study of AEPs in CI users.
Comparison of the pharmacological properties of GK11 and MK801, two NMDA receptor antagonists: towards an explanation for the lack of intrinsic neurotoxicity of GK11
Authors: Vandame D. , Desmadryl G. , Becerril Ortega J. , Teigell M. , Crouzin N. , Buisson A. , Privat A. , Hirbec H.
Published: October 2007

Over‐stimulation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) is involved in many neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, developing safe NMDAR antagonists is of high therapeutic interest. GK11 is a high affinity uncompetitive NMDAR antagonist with low intrinsic neurotoxicity, shown to be promising for treating CNS trauma. In the present study, we investigated the molecular basis of its interaction with NMDARs and compared this with the reference molecule MK801. We show, on primary cultures of hippocampal neurons, that GK11 exhibits neuroprotection properties similar to those of MK801, but in contrast with MK801, GK11 is not toxic to neurons. Using patch‐clamp techniques, we also show that on NR1a/NR2B receptors, GK11 totally blocks the NMDA‐mediated currents but has a six‐fold lower IC50than MK801. On NR1a/NR2A receptors, it displays similar affinity but fails to totally prevent the currents. As NR2A is preferentially localized at synapses and NR2B at extrasynaptic sites, we investigated, using calcium imaging and patch‐clamp approaches, the effects of GK11 on either synaptic or extrasynaptic NMDA‐mediated responses. Here we demonstrate that in contrast with MK801, GK11 better preserve the synaptic NMDA‐mediated currents. Our study supports that the selectivity of GK11 for NR2B containing receptors accounts contributes, at least partially, for its safer pharmacological profile.
Kinase activities increase during the development of tauopathy in htau mice
Authors: Kelleher Ian , Garwood Claire , Hanger Diane P. , Anderton Brian H. , Noble Wendy
Published: October 2007

Hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates are the core constituent of neurofibrillary tangles. Recent research has shown a division between the presence of tangles, neurodegeneration and subsequent memory impairment, raising the possibility that an earlier pre‐aggregated form of tau may be toxic. To gain further insight into the relationship between abnormal forms of tau, we have analyzed pathological changes in tau during tauopathy development in tangle‐forming transgenic mice. In addition, we have quantified changes in the endogenous levels of a panel of protein kinases. We show progressive increases in aggregated tau and disease‐specific conformational change, with hyperphosphorylation occurring in an age‐dependent manner at specific sites. There were significant correlations between specific phosphorylation changes and amounts of aggregated tau and and abnormal tau conformations. Of the protein kinases tested, we found increases in phosphorylated (activated) p38 and the cyclin‐dependent kinase‐5 neuronal activators, p35 and p25, with aging, in the htau line, but not in non‐tangle‐forming control mice. Changes in tau kinases correlated with the amount of tau present in abnormal conformations and with insoluble tau in htau mice. These data suggest that cdk5 and p38 may be associated with pathological changes in wild‐type human tau during the progressive development of tauopathy.