bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endoscopy‐negative acid reflux disease
Authors: SMOUT A. J. P. M.
Published: September 2010

Recent clinical trials have yielded important new information about endoscopy‐negative acid reflux disease. Patients with this disease tend to be younger than those with endoscopy‐positive disease and are more likely to be female, thin and without hiatal hernia. The trials have shown that, in patients with endoscopy‐negative reflux disease, symptoms (particularly heartburn) tend to be less severe and less frequent than in patients with endoscopy‐positive disease. The overlap between the groups is such, however, that the symptoms cannot be used to distinguish reflux patients with oesophagitis from those without. Approximately 50% of patients with endoscopy‐negative disease were found to have levels of oesophageal acid exposure that fell within the normal range. Oesophageal pH monitoring is therefore of limited value in patients with endoscopy‐negative reflux disease, unless the test focuses on analysis of the correlation between symptoms and episodes of reflux. New studies have also made clear, for the first time, that endoscopy‐negative acid reflux disease has a measurable and substantial impact on the patients' general well‐being and quality of life. Patients with endoscopy‐negative disease have quality‐of‐life scores that are similar to those found in patients with oesophagitis.
The effectiveness of the ultrasound bladder scanner in reducing urinary tract infections: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Palese Alvisa , Buchini Sara , Deroma Laura , Barbone Fabio
Published: September 2010

Aim.  To synthesise the evidence available in the literature on the effectiveness of the ultrasound bladder scanner in reducing the risk of urinary tract infection.

Background.  Acute urinary retention is the inability to empty the bladder notwithstanding it being full and is frequent in the postoperative period. Using the ultrasound bladder scanner for the measurement of urinary residue, nurses are able to evaluate the presence of urinary retention, monitor the volume and the excessive relaxation of the bladder and avoid unnecessary catheterisations. The association between urinary catheterisation and urinary tract infection is well documented in the literature.

Design.  A meta‐analysis was conducted.

Method.  An extensive review was carried out by two researchers using multiple databases, including all articles published from 1 January 1986–8 February 2008. No restrictions were adopted with regard to language. Studies on (1) documenting hospitalised patients with a need to evaluate bladder urinary volume, (2) comparing the use of the ultrasound bladder scanner vs. the clinical judgment of the nurses in the evaluation of acute urinary retention followed by a decision regarding whether or not to apply a bladder catheter and (3) those documenting the impact on urinary tract infection associated with catheterisation were included.

Results.  A total of 61 articles were retrieved, of which 58 were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. The overall effectiveness of the bladder ultrasound scanner in the reduction of urinary tract infection associated with catheterisation was OR 0·27 (IC95% 0·16–0·47; p‐value 0·00000294, variance 0·08, weight 12·50).

Discussion.  The ultrasound bladder scanner helps to define and monitor bladder urinary volume and therefore, to catheterise patients only when necessary. Although there were numerous factors affecting the clinical heterogeneity of the included studies, the reduction in risk of urinary tract infection associated with catheterisation was consistent.

Conclusion.  The use of the ultrasound bladder scanner for evaluating and monitoring the residue volume in immediate postoperative patients, aged 18 or above, reduces unnecessary catheterisations and therefore the risk of urinary tract infection associated with catheterisation.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The systematic use of the ultrasound bladder scanner in the peri‐operative period could increase the appropriateness of catheterisation and reduce patient discomfort, costs and days of hospitalisation associated with urinary tract infection associated with catheterisation.
Policy impacts on pedagogical practice and ICT use: an exploration of the results from SITES 2006
Authors: Law N. , Lee M.W. , Chan A.
Published: September 2010

The Second Information Technology in Education Study (SITES) 2006 results reveal that principals' perceived presence of lifelong learning‐related pedagogical activities in their schools had changed markedly since the same data was collected in 1998 in SITES‐M1. More intriguing was the fact that the directions of the changes were quite different depending on the education systems concerned – many of the Asian countries reported very high increases while some of the European countries reported large drops over the same 8‐year period. This paper reports statistical evidence that the observed ‘pendulum swing’ reflects actual changes in teaching practices in these countries. Exploratory multilevel analyses results consistently show that national means of principals' vision can be used as a system‐level indicator predicting national means of pedagogical orientations in schools several years later. These findings also indicate the possibility of the ‘pendulum effect’ being a consequence of system‐level policy differences in the countries participating in the two SITES studies.
Genotypic resistance profile of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in a large cohort of nucleos(t)ide analogue‐experienced Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection
Authors: Liu Y. , Wang C. , Zhong Y. , Li X. , Dai J. , Ren X. , Xu Z. , Li L. , Yao Z. , Ji D. , Wang L. , Zhang L. , Wong V. W. ‐S. , Zoulim F. , Xu D.
Published: September 2010

Summary.  The study investigated the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypic resistance profile in 1803 nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)‐experienced Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection. Serum HBV DNA was extracted, and the reverse transcriptase region was analysed by a high‐sensitive direct PCR sequencing and verified by clonal sequencing if necessary. Drug‐resistant mutations were detected in 560 of the 1803 patients, including 214 of 490 patients who received lamivudine (LAM), 35 of 428 patients who received adefovir (ADV), five of 18 patients who received telbivudine and 306 of 794 patients who received various sequential/combined NA therapies. ADV‐resistant mutations were detected in 36 of 381 patients who received LAM and then switched‐to ADV in contrast to one of 82 patients who received ADV add‐on LAM. Entecavir (ETV)‐resistant mutations were detected not only in LAM‐ and ETV‐treated patients but also in LAM‐treated ETV‐naïve patients. Double mutations rtM204I and rtL180M were detected more frequently in genotype C than in genotype B virus, and patients infected with this mutant had higher alanine transaminase levels than those infected with mutant containing the rtM204I substitution alone. Multidrug‐resistant HBV strains were identified in eight patients, including two novel strains with mutational patterns rtL180M + A181V + S202G + M204V + N236T and rtL180M + S202G + M204V + N236T. The results provide new information on HBV genotypic resistance profiles in a large cohort of Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection and may have important clinical implication for HBV drug resistance management in China.
House‐dust mite content in mattresses in relation to residential characteristics and symptoms in atopic and nonatopic children living in northern Norway
Authors: Dotterud L. K. , Korsgaard J. , Falk E. S.
Published: September 2010

The occurrence of house‐dust mites (HDMs) was investigated in the mattresses of 19 children previously found to be skin prick test (SPT) positive to HDM and in 19 nonatopic children derived from an extensive survey of 424 schoolchildren, all living in northern Norway. Domestic mites were counted and identified microscopically. Mite counts ranging from 10 to 1800 mites per gram mattress dust were found in 10 of the 19 HDM‐sensitized children compared to none in the control group, corresponding to an odds ratio of more than 20. Of the 540 domestic mites found, 70 were identified by species. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) was the only HDM species identified (64 mites), while five were storage mites and one was a Tarsonemus species. Positive radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) to Dpt were demonstrated in 9/10 children with and in 5/9 without mite infestation compared to none in the control group. Elevated IgE levels were also found more frequently in children with mite‐infested mattresses than in those without. IgE levels were within normal levels in all 19 children in the control group. Latent atopy was found in four children, three with and one without mite infestation. There was no correlation between the concentration of mites and the degree of sensitization. Poor ventilation, increased humidity, and water leak(s) were associated with the presence of domestic mites in mattresses. As HDM growth is highly dependent on humidity and microhabitat, it should be possible to avoid HDM exposure and allergy in this region.
Interferon‐alpha treatment for severe atopic dermatitis
Authors: Kimata H. , Akiyama Y. , Kubota M. , Furusho K.
Published: September 2010

Patients with both severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic myeloid leukemia, chronic hepatitis B, or chronic hepatitis C were treated with interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α). IFN‐α treatment improved AD. Moreover, there were also significant decreases in serum IgE and IgG4 levels and in in vitro spontaneous IgE and IgG4 production by patients' mononuclear cells.
Association of NFKB1 ‐94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with susceptibility to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zou Y. F. , Wang F. , Feng X. L. , Tao J. H. , Zhu J. M. , Pan F. M. , Su H.
Published: September 2010

The aim of our study is to assess the association of NFKB1 ‐94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases using a meta‐analysis. We surveyed the studies on the association of NFKB1 ‐94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Meta‐analysis was performed for genotypes DD vs WW, WD vs WW, DD vs WW + WD, WD + DD vs WW, and D allele vs W allele in a fixed/random effect model. Seventeen studies (7312 cases and 6193 controls) were identified. When all groups were pooled, we found no association between NFKB1 ‐94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In ethnic subgroup analyses, we found no association between NFKB1 ‐94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in the Caucasian population. However, an association of NFKB1 ‐94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases was found in the Asian population [D vs W: odds ratio (OR) = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.77–0.99, P = 0.03; WD + DD vs WW: OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.65–0.95, P = 0.01; DD vs WW + WD: OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.73–1.16, P = 0.11; DD vs WW: OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.62–1.03, P = 0.09; WD vs WW: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.65–0.95, P = 0.01]. In disease subgroup analyses, we found no association between NFKB1 ‐94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and inflammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis and Graves' disease. This meta‐analysis suggests a possible association between NFKB1 ‐94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in the Asian population, but not in the Caucasian population. This finding demands further investigation.
Is endoscopic forceps biopsy enough for a definitive diagnosis of gastric epithelial neoplasia?
Authors: Lee Chang Kyun , Chung Il‐Kwun , Lee Suck‐Ho , Kim Sang Pil , Lee Sae Hwan , Lee Tae Hoon , Kim Hong‐Soo , Park Sang‐Heum , Kim Sun‐Joo , Lee Ji‐Hye , Cho Hyun Deuk , Oh Mee‐Hye
Published: September 2010

Background and Aim:  Endoscopic forceps biopsy (EFB) as the primary histological diagnosis of gastric epithelial neoplasia (GEN) is debated in the era of endoscopic resection (ER). Our aim was to investigate the diagnostic reliability of EFB in patients with GEN compared with ER specimens as the reference standard for the final diagnosis in a large consecutive series.

Methods:  This was a cross‐sectional retrospective study at a tertiary‐referral center. A total of 354 consecutive patients with 397 GENs underwent ER (endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection). Discrepancy rates between the histological results from EFB and ER specimens were assessed. Discrepancies that could affect patient outcome or clinical care were considered major.

Results:  The overall histological discrepancy rate between EFB and ER specimens was 44.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39.7–49.5%) among the enrolled patients. The overall discrepancy rate was significantly higher in the intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN) group than in the carcinoma group (49.8% vs 25.6%, P < 0.001). The major discrepancy rate was also significantly higher in the IEN group than in the carcinoma group (36.6% vs 7.0%, P < 0.001). In subgroup analysis of the IEN group, a major histological discrepancy rate of 33.6% (70/208) for low‐grade and 42.7% (44/103) for high‐grade IEN was found, respectively.

Conclusions:  Endoscopic forceps biopsy was insufficient for a definitive diagnosis and therapeutic planning in patients with GEN. ER should be considered as not only definitive treatment but also a procedure for a precise histological diagnosis for lesions initially assessed as GEN by forceps biopsy specimens.
Cellular & molecular Ca2+ microdomains in olfactory cilia support low signaling amplification of odor transduction
Authors: Castillo Karen , Restrepo Diego , Bacigalupo Juan
Published: September 2010

Signal transduction depends critically on the spatial localization of protein constituents. A key question in odor transduction is whether chemotransduction proteins organize into discrete molecular complexes throughout olfactory cilia or distribute homogeneously along the ciliary membrane. Our recordings of Ca2+ changes in individual cilia with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution, by the use of two‐photon microscopy, provide solid evidence for Ca2+ microdomains (transducisomes). Dissociated frog olfactory neurons were preloaded with caged‐cAMP and fluo‐4 acetoxymethyl ester probe Ca2+ indicator. Ca2+ influx through cyclic nucleotide‐gated (CNG) channels was evoked by uniformly photoreleasing cAMP, while ciliary Ca2+ was measured. Discrete fluorescence events were clearly resolved. Events were missing in the absence of external Ca2+, consistent with the absence of internal Ca2+ sources. Fluorescence events at individual microdomains resembled single‐CNG channel fluctuations in shape, mean duration and kinetics, indicating that transducisomes typically contain one to three CNG channels. Inhibiting the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger or the Ca2+‐ATPase prolonged the decay of evoked intraciliary Ca2+ transients, supporting the participation of both transporters in ciliary Ca2+ clearance, and suggesting that both molecules localize close to the CNG channel. Chemosensory transducisomes provide a physical basis for the low amplification and for the linearity of odor responses at low odor concentrations.
Wound fluid lactate concentration: a helpful marker for diagnosing soft‐tissue infection in diabetic foot ulcers? Preliminary findings
Authors: Löffler M. , Zieker D. , Weinreich J. , Löb S. , Königsrainer I. , Symons S. , Bühler S. , Königsrainer A. , Northoff H. , Beckert S.
Published: September 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 175–178 (2011)

Aims  To investigate the impact of wound fluid lactate concentration on diagnosing soft‐tissue infection in diabetic foot ulcers.

Methods  Lactate concentration in wound fluid obtained from diabetic foot ulcers was determined using a lactate analyser and compared with clinical examination findings.

Results  Overall median wound fluid lactate concentration was 21.03 mm (5.58–80.40 mm). Wound lactate levels were significantly higher in infected compared with non‐infected diabetic foot ulcers (P = 0.001). Non‐infected diabetic foot ulcers that healed within 6 months of treatment showed a significantly lower wound fluid lactate concentration at baseline as opposed to those that did not heal (P = 0.007).

Conclusions  Non‐healing diabetic foot ulcers are characterized by high wound fluid lactate levels. Assessment of wound fluid lactate concentration might be helpful for confirming the suspicion of soft tissue infection, particularly when clinical signs are atypical.
An RCT of coping and support groups to reduce burnout among nurses
Authors: Günüşen N.P. , Üstün B.
Published: September 2010

GÜNÜŞEN N.P. & ÜSTÜN B. (2010) An RCT of coping and support groups to reduce burnout among nurses. International Nursing Review

Background:  Burnout is a fundamental problem among nurses. Nurses need to be trained to reduce burnout.

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of coping and support group interventions to reduce burnout among nurses.

Methods:  A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted at a University Hospital in Izmir, Turkey. Level of burnout was measured with Maslach Burnout Inventory before and after the intervention as well as in the following 6 months. A total of 108 nurses met the selection criteria and agreed to participate. To determine the effectiveness of the intervention, two‐factor repeated‐measures analysis of variance and paired t‐test with Bonferroni correction were used when appropriate. All analyses were conducted on an intention‐to‐treat basis.

Results:  Right after the intervention, there was an immediate reduction in emotional exhaustion dimension of burnout with respect to time. However, in 6 months, scores were increased again. No significant difference was noted between groups and from the point of group × time interaction. There was not any change in depersonalization and personal accomplishment dimensions of burnout after the intervention.

Conclusion:  By means of person‐directed interventions, emotional exhaustion level can be decreased. The fact that burnout reduces after the intervention and an increase is observed in 6 months is an important result. Repetitive interventions can render the effect to be long lasting. It is recommended that the number of intervention studies to reduce burnout be increased and that long‐term outcomes be observed.
The Impact of Media Attention on the Use of Alternative Earnings Measures
Authors: KONING MIRIAM , MERTENS GERARD , ROOSENBOOM PETER
Published: September 2010

The practice of reporting earnings measures that deviate from generally accepted accounting principles (non‐GAAP measures) has received negative attention in the media. In a period of increased regulatory concern for these reporting practices, we explore whether there has been a shift away from the use of non‐GAAP metrics. This study focuses on the Dutch situation, where regulators responded conservatively (‘light’) to the accounting scandals. This contrasts with the U.S., where regulators intervened with a radical (‘heavy’) reform of regulation. We analyse a sample of earnings press releases published in the period 2000–05 from companies listed at Euronext Amsterdam. Our findings indicate that Dutch companies report non‐GAAP measures frequently and prominently. However, companies' reporting behaviour changes after a peak in negative media attention for non‐GAAP reporting. The magnitude of the adjustments to GAAP earnings becomes smaller and companies seem to have different reasons to report non‐GAAP measures. The effect of the media attention is stronger when companies have been criticized for their non‐GAAP reporting in the press. Investors seem to have become more hesitant towards the use of non‐GAAP measures for their decision‐making after negative media attention. Together, these findings suggest that the negative media attention for non‐GAAP measures has influenced the decisions of investors and managers.
COGNITIVE MAPPING AND REPERTORY GRIDS FOR QUALITATIVE SURVEY RESEARCH: SOME COMPARATIVE OBSERVATIONS
Authors: Brown Sylvia M.
Published: September 2010

A study of business strategy was carried out in 86 organizations in the crop protection industry. A multi‐operational approach was used to enable validation of data by triangulation, including cognitive mapping used in an unusual way. This provided an unintended opportunity to conduct a comparative evaluation of interactive investigational methods in a relatively controlled, if unsophisticated manner. Results were interesting enough to suggest that further investigation is needed into the impact of various subject‐generated factors such as face validity on methodological effectivness, as well as more traditional criteria such as construct validity of particular methods. Accordingly, process issues affecting repertory grids, cognitive mapping and software for the analysis of cognitive maps (COPE) are described and discussed. Recommendations are made for improvements to mapping and software and further studies suggested.
‘No fair, copycat!’: what children’s response to plagiarism tells us about their understanding of ideas
Authors: Olson Kristina R. , Shaw Alex
Published: September 2010

Adults believe that plagiarizing ideas is wrong, which requires an understanding that others can have ideas and that it is wrong to copy them. In order to test when this understanding emerges, we investigated when children begin to think plagiarism is wrong. In Study 1, children aged 7, 9 and 11 years old, as well as adults, disliked someone who plagiarized compared to someone who drew an original drawing or someone who drew an identical picture by chance. Study 2 investigated the same question with younger children, focusing on children aged 3–6 years old. Children aged 5–6 years old evaluated plagiarizers negatively relative to unique drawers, but 3–4‐year‐olds did not. Study 3 replicated the findings from Study 2 and found that children justify their negative evaluations of plagiarizers by mentioning concerns over copying. These experiments provide evidence that, by age 5 years old, children understand that others have ideas and dislike the copying of these ideas.
BIBLICAL STUDIES AND SCRIPTURE: Biblia Theologica Theological Bible Commentary – Edited by Gail R. O'Day and David L. Petersen
Authors: Peterson Paul Silas
Published: September 2010

This essay reviews the Theological Bible Commentary in reference to the larger movement of explicitly theological Bible commentaries. After taking stock of some of the methods and conclusions of the new commentary, I suggest that although it is successfully employing the sensus litteralis and the sensus moralis/tropologicus the theological weight of the commentary would be further nourished with the sensus spiritualis/allegoricus, and anagogicus.
‘Should I Stay or Should I Go ?’—A Critical Analysis of the Right to Withdraw from the EU
Authors: Hofmeister Hannes
Published: September 2010

This article seeks to answer one of the key questions facing the EU in the future: what effect will the new right to withdraw have on the EU? Will it lead to a gradual fragmentation of what was supposed to be ‘an ever closer union of unlimited duration’? Or will it even mark the beginning of the end of the Union? In order to answer these complex questions, this article first briefly analyses the pre‐Lisbon situation regarding withdrawal. It then critically examines the newly inserted Article 50, which codifies the right to withdraw. Having done so, it will then examine whether non‐legal considerations, such as political and economic reasons, will render withdrawal a theoretical rather than realistic option.
EU Excise Duties and Section 90 of the Australian Constitution
Authors: Puig Gonzalo Villalta , Chaile Roshan
Published: September 2010

The constitutionalisation of the EU has been not without its challenges. However, putting aside the apparent political difficulties of the constitutional process, this article argues that, because the further constitutionalisation of the EU depends on its ability to assimilate some features of a federal state, there are, at least, two reasons why the EU is not yet ready for its constitutionalisation. The first reason is that its excise duty system, which permits discriminatory and protectionist behaviour by Member States, prevents the EU from achieving its fundamental objective of an internal market. The second reason is the EU's budget, which is so small that it is doubtful whether the EU will survive its continuing enlargement. As a solution to this problem, this article introduces section 90 of the Australian Constitution, which provides the Commonwealth of Australia with the exclusive power to levy excise duties. The article argues that the adoption, by the EU, of a similar fiscal arrangement would remove the discriminatory and protectionist operation of its excise duty system and help enlarge the size of the EU's budget by providing it with a self‐ financing mechanism.
Detection of Isolated Occipital Lobe Anomalies During Early Childhood
Authors: Lambert Scott R. , Kriss Anthony , Taylor David
Published: September 2010

The authors report two children with isolated occipital lobe anomalies detected by visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and confirmed by MRI and CT scanning. Both had a markedly asymmetrical occipital distribution of flash and pattern VEPs. One child had acuity reduced to 6/36, and testing on confrontation suggested an homonymous hemianopia. The second child was visually inattentive to one side during infancy. Neither child had band atrophy of the optic disc or an afferent pupillary defect. Isolated abnormalities of the occipital lobes are difficult to detect by clinical examination during infancy and early childhood. Recording VEPs from a horizontal array of occipital electrodes can be helpful in detecting subtle occipital lobe abnormalities.

Détection des anomalies isolées du lobe occipital durant la premère enfance

Les auteurs décrivent deux enfants avec anomalies isolées du lobe occipital détectées par les potentiels évoqués visuels et confirmées par IRM et tomodensitométrie. Dans les deux cas, il y avait une assymétrie marquée dans la distribution occipitale des potentiels évoqués visuels au flash et aux images. L'un des enfants avait une acuité réduite à 6/36 èmes et les épreuves de comparaison suggéraient uine hémianopsie latérale homonyme. Le second enfant avait une innatention visuelle d'un côté durant la première enfance. Aucun des enfants ne présentait d'atrophie en bande de la papille ou de défaut pupillaire afférent. Les anomalies isolées des lobes occipitaux sont difficiles à déceler par examen clinique durant les premières années. L'enregistrement des potentiels évoqués visuels par un réseau horizontal d'électrodes occipitales peut être utile pour détecter des anomalies limitées du lobe occipital.

Isolierte Occipitallappenanomalien im frühen Kindesalter

Die Autoren berichten über zwei Kinder mit isolierten Occipitallappenanomalien, die durch visuell evozierte Potentiale festgestellt und durch MRI und CT Untersuchungen bestätigt wurden. Die visuell evozierten Potentiale beider Patienten hatten eine auffallend asymmetrische occipitale Anordnung. Ein Kind hatte eine Sehschärfenverminderung auf 6/36 und die Untersuchung der Gesichtsfelder ließ an eine homonyme Hemianopsie denken. Das zweite Kind hatte einen einseitigen Gesichtsfeldausfall im Kindesalter. Keins der Kinder hatte eine bandförmige Papillenatrophie oder eine Störung der affarenten Pupillenmotorik. Isolierte Occipitallappenanomalien sind durch klinische Untersuchungen im Kindes‐ und Jugendalter schwer zu erfassen. Die Ableitung der visuell evozierten Potentiale über horizontal, bogenförmig angeordnete Elekroden im Occipitalbereich kann eine Hilfe sein, eine Occipitallappenanomalie zu erkennen.
The role of color in recognizing material changes
Authors: Yoonessi Ali , Zaidi Qasim
Published: September 2010

The chemical and physical properties of objects provide them with specific surface patterns of color and texture. Endogenous and exogenous forces alter these colors and patterns over time. The ability to identify these changes can have great utility in judging the state and history of objects. To evaluate the role of color cues in this process, we used images of 26 materials undergoing real changes. Observers were asked to identify materials and types of changes for color and gray‐scale images. The images were shown in three sets; one image of the surface, two images of the same surface before and after a natural change, and image sequences of the time‐varying appearance. The presence of color cues improved performance in all conditions. Identification of materials improved if observers saw two states of the material, but the complete image sequence did not improve performance.
Chromatic VEP in children with congenital colour vision deficiency
Authors: Tekavčič Pompe Manca , Stirn Kranjc Branka , Brecelj Jelka
Published: September 2010

Visual evoked potentials to chromatic stimulus (cVEP) are believed to selectively test the parvocellular visual pathway which is responsible for processing information about colour. The aim was to evaluate cVEP in children with red‐green congenital colour vision deficiency. VEP responses of 15 colour deficient children were compared to 31 children with normal colour vision. An isoluminant red‐green stimulus composed of horizontal gratings was presented in an onset‐offset manner. The shape of the waveform was studied, as well as the latency and amplitude of positive (P) and negative (N) waves. cVEP response did not change much with increased age in colour deficient children, whereas normative data showed changes from a predominantly positive to a negative response with increased age. A P wave was present in 87% of colour deficient children (and in 100% of children with normal colour vision), whereas the N wave was absent in a great majority of colour deficient children and was present in 80% of children with normal colour vision. Therefore, the amplitude of the whole response (N‐P) decreased linearly with age in colour deficient children, whereas in children with normal colour vision it increased linearly. P wave latency shortened with increased age in both groups. cVEP responses differ in children with congenital colour vision deficiency compared to children with normal colour vision.
Colour rendering of indoor lighting with CIE illuminants and white LEDs for normal and colour deficient observers
Authors: Linhares João M. M. , Felgueiras Paulo E. R. , Pinto Paulo D. , Nascimento S. M. C.
Published: September 2010

The goal of this work was to evaluate the colour rendering of indoor lighting with CIE illuminants and white LEDs by estimating the chromatic diversity produced for normal and colour deficient observers. Reflectance spectra of a collection of scenes made of objects typically found indoors were obtained with hyperspectral imaging. Chromatic diversity was computed for 55 CIE illuminants and five LED light sources by estimating the number of different colours perceived in the scenes analysed. A considerable variation in chromatic diversity was found across illuminants, with the best producing about 50% more colours than the worst. For normal observers, the best illuminant was CIE FL3.8 which produced about 8% more colours than CIE illuminant A and D65; for colour deficient observers, the best illuminants varied with the type of deficiency. When the number of colours produced with a specific illuminant was compared against its colour rendering index (CRI) and gamut area index (GAI), weak correlations were obtained. Together, these results suggest that normal and colour deficient observers may benefit from a careful choice of the illuminant, and this choice may not necessarily be based only on the CRI or GAI.
Experimental study of the individual differences in chromatic perception through blue‐yellow metameric matches of a white‐light continuum
Authors: Suero María I. , Naranjo Francisco L. , Pardo Pedro J. , Pérez Ángel L.
Published: September 2010

A metameric colour matching test was designed to study inter‐observer variability. Blue‐yellow metameric matching to a white‐light continuum was used to define the optimal wavelengths at which each of eight non‐colour‐defective observers achieved a match. The tests involved chromatic stimuli on a 2° bipartite field, with a white‐light continuum presented on the left half, and a mixture of two monochromatic stimuli on the right half. The luminance of these chromatic stimuli was adjusted by the researcher using a staircase method, with the observer providing feedback about the similarity in luminance and chromaticity between the two halves of the field. Two series were performed for each observer, using different fixed yellow wavelengths. Since for each fixed yellow wavelength the match with the target white can be achieved by only one corresponding blue wavelength which is particular for each observer, the initial blue wavelengths were approximations based on the 2° CIE 1931 standard observer. Once the observers had attained an achromatic match, they modified the blue wavelength to achieve a perfect match of both halves. Generally, the observers found this modification of the blue wavelength necessary to achieve the metameric match. Each observer had a particular optimal blue wavelength which differed between the two series. The differences between the deviations from the standard observer for the two series were constant in value among the observers.
Unilateral colour vision defects and the dimensions of dichromat experience
Authors: Broackes Justin
Published: September 2010

The standard view, that protanopes and deuteranopes see only varieties of yellow and blue, is often taken to be supported by the reports of people with one colour‐blind eye and one normal (or near‐normal) eye. Judd’s survey of 89 years of unilateral cases might seem authoritative: ‘The color perceptions of both protanopic and deuteranopic observers are confined to two hues, yellow and blue’, corresponding to 575 and 470 nm (DB Judd, J Research National Bureau Standards, 41: 247–271, 1948). A critical re‐examination reveals, however, that the cases do not support Judd’s claim: the original publications indicate in most cases substantial (though limited) red‐green discrimination with the dichromatic eye under favourable conditions (e.g. with large fields), and evidence of red/green sensation; in the main case where researchers find sensation only of yellow and blue, it is by using experimental methods that are almost guaranteed not to reveal the full range of the subject’s sensation. More recent reports (from the 1950s and later) show that, if the colour experience space of a dichromat eye collapses to a 2D slice through the 3D space of a normal trichromat, the slice may be not flat but curved (and curved in more than one dimension): there are further reasons to think that dichromat colour experience, whether unilateral or bilateral, may not collapse to a plane at all. The unilateral cases are unclear in many ways, but they certainly give no support to a ‘yellow‐and‐blue’ view of dichromat experience.
Color vision impairment in type 2 diabetes assessed by the D‐15d test and the Cambridge Colour Test
Authors: Feitosa‐Santana Claudia , Paramei Galina V. , Nishi Mauro , Gualtieri Mirella , Costa Marcelo F. , Ventura Dora F.
Published: September 2010

Color vision impairment emerges at early stages of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and may precede diabetic retinopathy or the appearance of vascular alterations in the retina. The aim of the present study was to compare the evaluation of the color vision with two different tests – the Lanthony desaturated D‐15d test (a traditional color arrangement test), and the Cambridge Colour Test (CCT) (a computerized color discrimination test) – in patients diagnosed with DM2 without clinical signs of diabetic retinopathy (DR), and in sex‐ and age‐matched control groups. Both color tests revealed statistically significant differences between the controls and the worst eyes of the DM2 patients. In addition, the degree of color vision impairment diagnosed by both tests correlated with the disease duration. The D‐15d outcomes indicated solely tritan losses. In comparison, CCT outcomes revealed diffuse losses in color discrimination: 13.3% for best eyes and 29% for worst eyes. In addition, elevation of tritan thresholds in the DM2 patients, as detected by the Trivector subtest of the CCT, was found to correlate with the level of glycated hemoglobin. Outcomes of both tests confirm that subclinical losses of color vision are present in DM2 patients at an early stage of the disease, prior to signs of retinopathy. Considering the advantages of the CCT test compared to the D‐15d test, further studies should attempt to verify and/or improve the efficiency of the CCT test.
Long‐term phosphorus grassland experiment for beef production – impacts on soil phosphorus levels and liveweight gains
Authors: Tunney H. , Kirwan L. , Fu W. , Culleton N. , Black A. D.
Published: September 2010

Phosphorus is essential for plant and animal health. The aim was to determine the impacts of P fertilizer on changes in Morgan’s soil test P (STP) and liveweight gain (LWG) of mature beef animals over the last 10 yrs (1999–2008) of a 40 yr P experiment on temperate permanent grassland in north‐western Europe. There were three original treatments: 0 (P0), 15 (P15) and 30 (P30) kg/ha/yr P for 40 yrs (1968–2008), and three new treatments on the same area that started in 1999: P0 for 30 yrs then 30 kg P/ha/yr for 10 yrs (P0‐30), P15 then 5 kg P/ha/yr (P15‐5) and P30 then zero P (P30‐0). Six plots (0.18 0.27 ha) per treatment were rotationally grazed by beef animals from April to October. The STP levels on the three original treatments were stable over the last 10 yrs and averaged 2.4 (P0), 5.8 (P15) and 16.0 (P30) mg/L soil. The STP decreased from 18.0 to 8.5 mg/L in the P30‐0 treatment, from 6.5 to 5.0 mg/L in the P15‐5 treatment and increased from 2.4 to 4.8 mg/L in the P0‐30 treatment. Liveweight gains were lowest on P0 but similar on the other treatments (mean of 651 compared to 988 kg/ha/yr). It is concluded that of the order of 4–6 mg/L STP and a fertilizer input of 810 kg/ha/yr P was adequate for beef production on a grazing system under the conditions of this experiment.
The inhibitor of 20‐HETE synthesis, TS‐011, improves cerebral microcirculatory autoregulation impaired by middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice
Authors: Marumo Toshiyuki , Eto Kei , Wake Hiroaki , Omura Tomohiro , Nabekura Junichi
Published: September 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

20‐Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid is a potent vasoconstrictor that contributes to cerebral ischaemia. An inhibitor of 20‐Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid synthesis, TS‐011, reduces infarct volume and improves neurological deficits in animal stroke models. However, little is known about how TS‐011 affects the microvessels in ischaemic brain. Here, we investigated the effect of TS‐011 on microvessels after cerebral ischaemia.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

TS‐011 (0.3 mg·kg−1) or a vehicle was infused intravenously for 1 h every 6 h in a mouse model of stroke, induced by transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery occlusion following photothrombosis. The cerebral blood flow velocity and the vascular perfusion area of the peri‐infarct microvessels were measured usingin vivotwo‐photon imaging.

KEY RESULTS

The cerebral blood flow velocities in the peri‐infarct microvessels decreased at 1 and 7 h after reperfusion, followed by an increase at 24 h after reperfusion in the vehicle‐treated mice. We found that TS‐011 significantly inhibited both the decrease and the increase in the blood flow velocities in the peri‐infarct microvessels seen in the vehicle‐treated mice after reperfusion. In addition, TS‐011 significantly inhibited the reduction in the microvascular perfusion area after reperfusion, compared with the vehicle‐treated group. Moreover, TS‐011 significantly reduced the infarct volume by 40% at 72 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These findings demonstrated that infusion of TS‐011 improved defects in the autoregulation of peri‐infarct microcirculation and reduced the infarct volume. Our results could be relevant to the treatment of cerebral ischaemia.
COX‐2 expression and outcome in canine nasal carcinomas treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy*†
Authors: Belshaw Z. , Constantio‐Casas F. , Brearley M. J. , Dunning M. D. , Holmes M. A. , Dobson J. M.
Published: September 2010

The expression of cyclooxygenase isoform 2 (COX‐2) in canine nasal carcinomas has been well documented. COX‐2 expression has proven to be a prognostic factor in several human tumours. The aims of this study were to assess the correlation between immunohistochemical COX‐2 expression and prognosis using rhinoscopic biopsies from 42 dogs with nasal carcinomas treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy, and to establish a replicable COX‐2 scoring system. Ninety per cent of sections evaluated were COX‐2 positive with a mean score of 6.6 (median 8.0; range 0–12). Neither COX‐2 expression nor tumour type had a significant correlation with survival. There are likely to be many as yet unidentified variants which contribute to length of survival in dogs with nasal carcinomas. Immunohistochemical COX‐2 expression appears unlikely to be of prognostic significance for canine nasal carcinoma.
REVIEW ARTICLE: Prospects of future measures for persons with dementia in Japan
Authors: TAKEDA Akinori , TANAKA Noriyasu , CHIBA Toshio
Published: September 2010

In May 2008, the Japanese government launched the ‘Emergency Project for Improvement of Medical Care and Quality of Life for People with Dementia’ under the idea that it is necessary to build a society, without delay, where people can live life safely without anxiety even after being affected by dementia, where they can be supported by appropriate and integrated services of medical care, long‐term care and community care. We would like to introduce our future dementia policy standing on the outcome of this project, which was published as a report on 10 July 2008. The measures for people with dementia in Japan have gradually achieved good results. For example, public understanding and awareness of dementia has increased through renaming the term for dementia in Japanese from ‘Chiho’ to ‘Ninchi‐sho’ in 2004, and the comprehensive care system was founded focusing on the importance of providing community based long‐term care while maintaining the person's familiar human relationships and residential circumstances. However, case reports show that there are yet some cases that fail to deliver appropriate treatment or long‐term care service as a result of a lack of timely definite diagnosis in an early stage or a lack of coordination between medical care and long‐term care. Therefore, the future dementia policy should be designed by envisaging the flow of the measures that would support the life of the person and his/her family, and improve their quality of life; starting with measures that link early notice of the patient, his/her family or neighbor to early diagnosis, and then measures to develop well‐designed comprehensive care planning that provides appropriate medical and long‐term care services through good coordination, while promoting research and development of diagnosis/treatment technology. In addition, in regard to early‐onset dementia, comprehensive self‐support measures including employment assistance should be promoted.
Decision‐Making in People Who Relapsed to Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Authors: Kasar Muzaffer , Gleichgerrcht Ezequiel , Keskinkilic Cahit , Tabo Abdulkadir , Manes Facundo F.
Published: September 2010

Background:  Alcohol use has been previously associated with neurocognitive impairments, especially in decision‐making cognition. However, some studies have shown little to no decision‐making deficits in relation to different characteristics of people with drinking problems. Relapsing to driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol is an important issue with legal and psychosocial aspects. We evaluated decision‐making performance in second‐time DUI offenders by using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT).

Method:  Thirty‐four male second‐time DUI offenders who had been selected for an official psychoeducational rehabilitation program and 31 healthy controls that were matched for age, education, and alcohol use were included. Along with psychiatric assessment, we applied conventional neuropsychological testing comprising cognitive set‐shifting, response inhibition, attention, and visuospatial abilities. Also, we used the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) to assess personality patterns. A computerized version of IGT was used.

Results:  No significant differences were found between the groups in regard to sociodemographics and conventional neuropsychological testing. DUI participants had significantly higher scores only in “self‐transcendence” subdomain of TCI. On the fifth block of the IGT, DUI participants had significantly lower net scores than controls (U = 380.0, p < 0.05). Also, DUI participants chose significantly more risky decks compared to controls.

Conclusions:  Our results suggest that there may be subtle decision‐making deficits in DUI participants, which goes undetected on conventional neuropsychological testing and which is not correlated with TCI subdomains related with impulsivity patterns.
Reemployment Differences Among Dislocated and Other Workers
Authors: Benedict Mary Ellen , VanderHart Peter
Published: September 2010

Abstract Dislocated workers are often assumed to have a more difficult time becoming reemployed than their non‐dislocated counterparts, especially into jobs in growth sectors of the economy. Evidence presented here suggests that it is not dislocation per se that makes reemployment difficult, but that factors associated with dislocation such as education, experience, and industry‐specific skills in declining industries play the most important roles. The findings are relevant to the matter of workers' retraining programs.
Willingness to pay for brands: a cross‐region, cross‐category analysis
Authors: Jin Yanhong H. , Zilberman David , Heiman Amir , Li Ying
Published: September 2010

Using survey data collected in multiple locations (California and Texas in the United States and Revohot in Israel), we quantify category‐ and location‐specific variations of consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for brand products after controlling for consumer characteristics. We find that consumers have a similar qualitative assessment of brand value in different product categories across different locations. That is, consumers have a stronger preference and higher WTP for brands in consumer electronics, followed by clothing and then processed food, and the lowest in fresh produce. Furthermore, we simulate price premiums and market shares of brands relative to generic products in different categories. Simulation results suggest that brands in fresh produce have the highest price premium but lowest market share. Despite the similarities, the magnitude of WTP for brands as well as the simulated price premium and the corresponding market share in the same product category are location variant. The similarities and dissimilarities suggest validity of having global brand strategies adapted to local conditions, that is, the so‐called “thinking globally and acting locally” strategy.