bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intrauterine lidocaine plus buccal misoprostol in the endometrial biopsy
Authors: Güney M. , Oral B. , Mungan T.
Published: February 2007

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intrauterine lidocaine plus buccal misoprostol in reducing the discomfort caused by endometrial biopsy with a suction curette. Methods: In this double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial 126 women undergoing endometrial biopsy were administered a 200‐μg tablet of misoprostol buccally, followed by a 5‐mL uterine instillation of either of 2% lidocaine or a saline solution. The main outcome measures were the intensity of pain during, immediately following, and 20 min following the biopsy, as assessed on a 10‐cm visual analog scale. Statistical analysis was performed using the Friedman test with the Bonferroni correction, the t test, and the χ2 test. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the study and control groups in mean age, parity, or relevant medical history. A statistically significant difference in pain scores was noted in premenopausal women during the procedure (lidocaine, 4.93 ± 1.67; placebo, 6.17 ± 1.26; P < 0.001) as well as immediately later (lidocaine, 4.12 ± 1.14 vs. placebo, 5.42 ± 1.08; P < 0.001) and 20 min later (lidocaine, 3.60 ± 1.10; placebo, 4.22 ± 1.46; P < 0.001). No significant differences in pain scores were observed in postmenopausal women for any of the 3 time points (6.72 ± 2.01, 5.18 ± 1.22, and 4.56 ± 0.80, respectively; P > 0.05). The number needed to treat was 2.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.9–4.8). Conclusion: Intrauterine lidocaine plus buccal misoprostol appears to be effective in decreasing pain in premenopausal women undergoing endometrial biopsy with a suction curette.
Fetal acid‐base and neonatal status after general and neuraxial anesthesia for elective cesarean section
Authors: Tonni G. , Ferrari B. , De Felice C. , Ventura A.
Published: February 2007

Objective: To analyze the relation between fetal acid‐base and neonatal status in an observational cohort study of 900 consecutive women with singleton pregnancies at term undergoing elective cesarean section. Methods: The women were divided into 3 groups according to the type of anesthesia administered. Fetal acid‐base status was assessed from umbilical cord blood (both artery and vein) and intermediate neonatal outcome was noted. Results: Epidural anesthesia was associated with the highest pH. The lowest pH and the highest pC02 values were associated with spinal anesthesia. Although maternal general anesthesia was associated with the highest values for partial pressure and saturation of oxygen in umbilical arterial blood, the newborns were more likely to be depressed than those born following spinal (P = 0.0016) or epidural (P = 0.0002) anesthesia. Conclusions: If fetal oxygenation is the goal, general anesthesia provides the highest values for partial pressure and saturation of oxygen in umbilical arterial blood. However, epidural anesthesia was associated with better fetal and neonatal status than either spinal or general anesthesia.
What drives the market value of firms in the defense industry?
Authors: Capelle‐Blancard Gunther , Couderc Nicolas
Published: February 2007

This article assesses the relative importance of different types of news in driving significant stock price changes in the defense industry. We implement a systematic event study with the 58 largest publicly listed companies in the defense industry, over the time period 1995–2005. We first identify, for each firm, the statistically significant abnormal returns over the time period. Then, we look for information releases likely to cause such stock price movements. Most of the key drivers in the defense industry are the same as in other industries (key role of formal earnings announcements and analysts’ recommendations) but we also identify some specific features, in particular the influence of geopolitical events and the relevance and frequency of bids and contracts on stock prices. Finally, we examine the impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks on defense firms.
Defence and firm financial structure in France
Authors: Belin Jean , Guille Marianne
Published: February 2007

European defence firms are progressively being privatized and the recourse to private finance in the defence sector is increasing. We use data on French firms to examine at the firm level the impact of defence dependence on firms' financial structure at the end of a period characterised by a decline of defence purchasing. In terms of leverage and financial ratios, we find many significant differences between defence and non‐defence firms but also between different categories of defence firms. The results provide some support for the hypothesis of a relationship between defence dependence and financial structure.
Increased satiety after intake of a chocolate milk drink compared with a carbonated beverage, but no difference in subsequent ad libitum lunch intake
Authors: Harper Angela , James Anita , Flint Anne , Astrup Arne
Published: February 2007

The rising rate of obesity has been blamed on increased consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks, such as carbonated sodas, which fail to satisfy hunger. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect on appetite and energy intake of a sugar-sweetened beverage (cola) and a chocolate milk drink, matched for energy content and volume. It was hypothesised that chocolate milk may be more satiating because of its protein content. Twenty-two healthy young men (age 23 (sd 1·8) years) of normal weight (BMI 22·2 (sd 1·5) kg/m2) were recruited to the randomised cross-over study. Visual analogue scales were used to record subjective appetite ratings every 30 min on each of two test days. A drink of 500 ml cola or chocolate milk (900 kJ) was ingested 30 min before an ad libitum lunch. Satiety and fullness were significantly greater (P = 0·0007, P = 0·0004, respectively) 30 min after chocolate milk than after cola. Ratings of prospective consumption and hunger were significantly greater after cola than after chocolate milk, both immediately after preload intake (P = 0·008, P = 0·01, respectively) and 30 min afterwards (P = 0·004, P = 0·01, respectively). There was no significant difference (P = 0·42) in ad libitum lunch intake after ingestion of chocolate milk (3145 (sd 1268) kJ) compared with cola (3286 (sd 1346) kJ). The results support the hypothesis that sweetened soft drinks are different from milk products in their impact on short-term hunger and satiety, although differences in subjective appetite scores were not translated into differences in energy intake.
Alcohol consumption and distinct molecular pathways to colorectal cancer
Authors: Bongaerts Brenda W. C. , de Goeij Anton F. P. M. , de Vogel Stefan , van den Brandt Piet A. , Goldbohm R. Alexandra , Weijenberg Matty P.
Published: February 2007

High alcohol consumption is related to colorectal cancer (CRC). Our objective was to study associations between alcohol consumption and risk of CRC according to characteristics of aetiological pathways: the chromosomal instability (CIN) and the microsatellite instability (MIN) pathway. We classified CIN+ tumours (tumours with either a truncating APC mutation, an activating K-ras mutation or overexpression of p53), MIN+ tumours (tumours lacking hMLH1 expression) and CIN− /MIN−  tumours (tumours without these defects). In the Netherlands Cohort Study on diet and cancer, 120 852 men and women, aged 55–69 years, completed a questionnaire on risk factors for cancer at baseline (1986). Case–cohort analyses were conducted using 573 CRC cases with complete data after 7·3 years of follow-up, excluding the first 2·3 years. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (RR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Compared with abstaining, alcohol consumption of ≥ 30 g/d was positively associated with the risk of CRC irrespective of genetic or molecular aberrations present, although statistical significance was not reached (RR 1·35 (95 % CI 0·9–2·0) for the CIN+ tumours, RR 1·59 (95 % CI 0·4–5·8) for the MIN+ tumours and RR 1.15 (95 % CI 0·5–2·7) for the CIN− /MIN−  tumours). Beer, wine and liquor consumption were, independent of their alcoholic content, not consistently associated with the risk of CRC within the defined subgroups. In conclusion, our results indicate that a daily alcohol consumption of ≥ 30 g is associated with an increase in risk of CRC, independent of the presence or absence of the studied characteristics of different aetiological pathways.
The fatty acid composition of muscle and adipose tissue of steers offered unwilted or wilted grass silage supplemented with sunflower oil and fishoil
Authors: Noci F. , Monahan F. J. , Scollan N. D. , Moloney A. P.
Published: February 2007

The effects of the type of grass silage and dietary inclusion of fish oil (FO) on the fatty acid profile of bovine intramuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissue were investigated. Eighty Friesian steers were assigned (n10) to unwilted or wilted silage, and to one of four rations which contained, per kg, 80 g of sunflower oil and either 0, 10, 20 or 40 g of FO replacing lard. Animals were slaughtered after 108 d and the fatty acid profile of the neutral, polar and total lipid fractions of theM. longissimus dorsi, and the total lipid fraction of the subcutaneous adipose tissue were determined. Wilting of grass prior to ensiling increased the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in intramuscular total lipid (P < 0·01), but did not affect then-6:n-3 PUFA ratio. Increasing FO supply linearly increased (P < 0·05) the concentration of thecis-9,trans-11 andtrans-10,cis-12 isomers of CLA andtrans-11 18 : 1 predominantly in the neutral lipid fraction of intramuscular total lipid, and linearly decreased then-6:n-3 PUFA ratio. Wilting of grass prior to ensiling increased the concentration of CLA in subcutaneous adipose tissue (P < 0·001), while increasing FO supply linearly increased the concentration ofcis-9,trans-11 CLA. From a human nutrition perspective, increasing the level of FO in the ration or wilting of grass prior to ensiling appear to modify the fatty acid composition of beef muscle favourably. However, the health implications of associated increases intransfatty acids remain to be elucidated.
Validation of a FFQ to estimate the intake of PUFA using plasma phospholipid fatty acids and weighed foods records
Authors: McNaughton S. A. , Hughes M. C. , Marks G. C.
Published: February 2007

Due to the growing knowledge about the role of specific fatty acids in health and disease, dietary intake measurements of individual fatty acids or classes of fatty acids are becoming increasingly important. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the Nambour FFQ to estimate intakes of specific fatty acids, particularly PUFA. The study population was a sub-sample of adult participants in a randomised controlled trial of β-carotene and sunscreen in the prevention of skin cancer (n43). Dietary intake was assessed by a self-administered FFQ and a weighed food record (WFR). Non-fasting blood samples were collected and analysed for plasma phospholipid fatty acids. Median intakes on the FFQ were generally higher than the WFR except for then-3 PUFA groups, where the FFQ estimated higher intakes. Correlations between the FFQ and WFR were moderate (r0·32–0·59) except fortransfatty acids (r0·03). Correlations between each of the dietary assessment methods and the plasma phospholipids were poor for all fatty acids other than the PUFA. Using the methods of triads approach, the FFQ validity coefficients for totaln-3 fatty acids, total long chainn-3 fatty acids, EPA, arachidonic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and DHA were 0·50, 0·63, 0·45 and 0·62 and 0·62, respectively. For most fatty acids, the FFQ adequately estimates group mean fatty acid intakes and can adequately rank individuals; however, the ability of this FFQ to estimatetransfatty acids was poor.
Dispersion relation for azimuthal electromagnetic surface waves on a magnetized annular plasma in a metal waveguide with coaxial anisotropic dielectric inner coating
Authors: DARYANOOSH S. , MEHDIAN H.
Published: February 2007

The dispersion relation of azimuthal electromagnetic surface waves on a magnetized annular plasma surrounded by a metallic cylindrical coaxial anisotropic dielectric lined waveguide is obtained. The thickness of the dielectric and its location in the waveguide are studied with respect to their effects on the number of spectra observed. The graphs of frequency spectra against the ratio of radii of the annular plasma and η = ωpe/Ωe are plotted. Finally, surface E-modes for coaxial anisotropic and isotropic dielectrics have been investigated.
Cruelty's rewards: The gratifications of perpetrators and spectators
Authors: Nell Victor
Published: February 2007

Cruelty is the deliberate infliction of physical or psychological pain on other living creatures, sometimes indifferently, but often with delight. Though cruelty is an overwhelming presence in the world, there is no neurobiological or psychological explanation for its ubiquity and reward value. This target article attempts to provide such explanations by describing three stages in the development of cruelty. Stage 1 is the development of the predatory adaptation from the Palaeozoic to the ethology of predation in canids, felids, and primates. Stage 2, through palaeontological and anthropological evidence, traces the emergence of the hunting adaptation in the Pliocene, its development in early hominids, and its emotional loading in surviving forager societies. This adaptation provides an explanation for the powerful emotions – high arousal and strong affect – evoked by the pain-blood-death complex. Stage 3 is the emergence of cruelty about 1.5 million years ago as a hominid behavioural repertoire that promoted fitness through the maintenance of personal and social power. The resulting cultural elaborations of cruelty in war, in sacrificial rites, and as entertainment are examined to show the historical and cross-cultural stability of the uses of cruelty for punishment, amusement, and social control.

Effective violence prevention must begin with perpetrators, not victims. If the upstream approaches to violence prevention advocated by the public-health model are to be effective, psychologists must be able to provide violence prevention workers with a fine-grained understanding of perpetrator gratifications. This is a distasteful task that will compel researchers to interact with torturers and abusers, and to acknowledge that their gratifications are rooted in a common human past. It is nonetheless an essential step in developing effective strategies for the primary prevention of violence.
Neuroscientists need to be evolutionarily challenged
Authors: Barton Robert A.
Published: February 2007

Evolutionary theory and methods are central to understanding the design of organisms, including their brains. This book does much to demonstrate the value of evolutionary neuroscience. Further work is needed to clarify the ways that neural systems evolved in general (specifically, the interaction between mosaic and coordinated evolution of brain components), and phylogenetic methods should be given a more prominent role in the analysis of comparative data.
Heterogeneity in fluid cognition and some neural underpinnings
Authors: Benga Oana
Published: February 2007

In agreement with Blair, I favor the idea of dissociative patterns in cognitive performance, even more when it comes to development. However, such dissociations are present not only between fluid cognition and general intelligence, but also within fluid cognition itself. Heterogeneity of executive attention, even when indexed with a single paradigm, is further discussed in relation to anterior cingulate cortex.
What good are facts? The “drug” value of money as an exemplar of all non-instrumental value
Authors: Ainslie George
Published: February 2007

An emotional value for money is clearly demonstrable beyond its value for getting goods, but this value need not be ascribed to human preparedness for altruism or play. Emotion is a motivated process, and our temptation to “overgraze” positive emotions selects for emotional patterns that are paced by adequately rare occasions. As a much-competed-for tool, money makes an excellent occasion for emotional reward – a prize with value beyond its tool value – but this is true also of the other facts by which we pace our emotions.
Practical use of evolutionary neuroscience principles
Authors: Clancy Barbara
Published: February 2007

As Striedter explores the concerted principles that drive brain evolution and the departures that create uniqueness, he scrutinizes and ultimately supports the (unnecessarily controversial) Finlay/Darlington model in which mathematical relationships across mammalian neural development are identified (Finlay & Darlington 1995). Pragmatic impact includes the ability to make novel comparisons across developing species, including humans.
Putting humans in their proper place
Authors: Dunbar R. I. M.
Published: February 2007

Striedter's account of human brain evolution fails on two key counts. First, he confuses developmental constraints with selection explanations in the initial jump in hominid brain size around two MYA. Second, he misunderstands the Machiavellian Intelligence explanation.
Exactly how are fluid intelligence, working memory, and executive function related? Cognitive neuroscience approaches to investigating the mechanisms of fluid cognition
Authors: Burgess Gregory C. , Braver Todd S. , Gray Jeremy R.
Published: February 2007

Blair proposes that fluid intelligence, working memory, and executive function form a unitary construct: fluid cognition. Recently, our group has utilized a combined correlational–experimental cognitive neuroscience approach, which we argue is beneficial for investigating relationships among these individual differences in terms of neural mechanisms underlying them. Our data do not completely support Blair's strong position.
Make love, not war: Both serve to defuse stress-induced arousal through the dopaminergic “pleasure” network
Authors: Dallman Mary F.
Published: February 2007

Nell restricts cruelty to hominids, although good evidence suggests that secondary aggression in rodents and particularly primates may be considered cruel. A considerable literature shows that glucocorticoid secretion stimulated by stress facilitates learning, memory, arousal, and aggressive behavior. Either secondary aggression (to a conspecific) or increased affiliative behavior reduces stressor-induced activity, suggesting the reward system can be satisfied by other behaviors than cruelty.
Scaling patterns of interhemispheric connectivity in eutherian mammals
Authors: Gilissen Emmanuel
Published: February 2007

Because network scaling costs tend to limit absolute brain size, Striedter suggests that large cetacean brains must have evolved some novel ways to cope with these costs. A new analysis of available data shows that the scaling pattern of interhemispheric connectivity in cetaceans is isometric and differs from that observed in terrestrial mammals.
Neurobiological bases of aggression, violence, and cruelty
Authors: de Aguirre María Inés
Published: February 2007

Aggression, violence, and cruelty are symptoms of psychiatric illness. They reflect abnormalities in the regulation of the stress and emotion circuitries. The functioning of these circuitries depends upon the interaction between genetics and environment. Abuse and neglect during infancy, as well as maternal stress and poor quality of maternal care, are some of the causes that produce these types of abnormal behavior. Research on the neurobiological bases of emotion regulation will allow the detection of the population at risk.
Interaction promotes cognition: The rise of childish minds
Authors: Cowley Stephen J.
Published: February 2007

Life history shaped language as, cascading in time, social strategies became more verbal. Although the insight is important, Locke & Bogin (L&B) also advocate a code model of language. Rejecting this input-output view, I emphasize the interpersonal dynamics of dialogue. From this perspective, childish minds as well as language could be derived from the selective advantages of a total interactional history.
Has the brain evolved to answer “binding questions” or to generate likely hypotheses about complex and continuously changing environments?
Authors: Dresp Birgitta , Barthaud Jean Charles
Published: February 2007

We question the ecological plausibility as a general model of cognition of van der Velde's & de Kamps's combinatorial blackboard architecture, where knowledge-binding in space and time relies on the structural rules of language. Evidence against their view of the brain and an ecologically plausible, alternative model of cognition are brought forward.
Early intervention and the growth of children's fluid intelligence: A cognitive developmental perspective
Authors: Ford Ruth M.
Published: February 2007

From the stance of cognitive developmental theories, claims that general g is an entity of the mind are compatible with notions about domain-general development and age-invariant individual differences. Whether executive function is equated with general g or fluid g, research into the mechanisms by which development occurs is essential to elucidate the kinds of environmental inputs that engender effective intervention.
Road to language: Longer, more believable, more relevant
Authors: Gardner R. Allen
Published: February 2007

A realistic developmental view of language acquisition recognizes vocabulary and pragmatics as well as grammar with a lengthy period of growth in a favorable environment. Cross-fostering is a tool of behavioral biology for studying the interaction between genetic endowment and developmental environment. Sign language studies of cross-fostered chimpanzees measure development in a nearly human environment.
An evolutionary niche for quantitative theoretical analyses?
Authors: Roudi Yasser , Treves Alessandro
Published: February 2007

Striedter's book offers precious insight into the comparative neuroanatomy of vertebrate brains, but it stops short of addressing what their evolution is all about: how effectively neural networks process information important for survival. To understand the principles of brain evolution, neuroanatomy needs to be combined not only with genetics, neurophysiology, and ethology, but also with quantitative network analyses.
The cruelty of older infants and toddlers
Authors: Kraemer Sebastian
Published: February 2007

Cruelty is evident in the play and interactions of quite small children. This is almost certainly normal, though it is more evident in children who have themselves been harshly treated (Amato & Fowler 2002; Luk et al. 1999).
Blackboards in the brain
Authors: Müller Ralph-Axel
Published: February 2007

Although van der Velde's de Kamps's (vdV&dK) attempt to put syntactic processing into a broader context of combinatorial cognition is promising, their coverage of neuroscientific evidence is disappointing. Neither their case against binding by temporal coherence nor their arguments against recurrent neural networks are compelling. As an alternative, vdV&dK propose a blackboard model that is based on the assumption of special processors (e.g., lexical versus grammatical), but evidence from the cognitive neuroscience of language, which is, overall, less than supportive of such special processors, is not considered. As a consequence, vdV&dK's may be a clever model of syntactic processing, but it remains unclear how much we can learn from it with regard to biologically based human language.
Apes, humans, and M. C. Escher: Uniqueness and continuity in the evolution of language
Authors: King Barbara J.
Published: February 2007

Ontogeny, specifically the role of language in the human family now and in prehistory, is central to Locke & Bogin's (L&B's) thesis in a compelling way. The unique life-history stages of childhood and adolescence, however, must be interpreted not only against an exceptionally “high quality” human infancy but also in light of the evolution of co-constructed, emotionally based communication in ape, hominid, and human infancy.
On the unproductiveness of language and linguistics
Authors: Powers David M. W.
Published: February 2007

van der Velde & de Kamps (dvV&dK) present a response to Jackendoff's four challenges in terms of a computational model. This commentary supports the position that neural assemblies mediated by recurrence and delay indeed have sufficient theoretical power to deal with all four challenges. However, we question the specifics of the model proposed, in terms of both neurophysiological plausibility and computational complexity.
Knowledge of language and phrasal vocabulary acquisition
Authors: Kuiper Koenraad
Published: February 2007

Locke & Bogin's (L&B's) main thesis can be extended to the acquisition of the phrasal vocabulary in that the acquisition of much phrasal vocabulary combines the acquisition of linguistic knowledge with pragmatics and performance and in that the apprenticeship system for such learning begins to flower in adolescence.
Shame, violence, and perpetrators' voices
Authors: Potter Nancy Nyquist
Published: February 2007

Fostering shame in societies may not curb violence, because shame is alienating. The person experiencing shame may not care enough about others to curb violent instincts. Furthermore, men may be less shame-prone than are women. Finally, if shame is too prevalent in a society, perpetrators may be reluctant to talk about their actions and motives, if indeed they know their own motives. We may be unable accurately to discover how perpetrators think about their own violence.
Executive function and language deficits associated with aggressive-sadistic personality
Authors: Ruocco Anthony C. , Platek Steven M.
Published: February 2007

Aggressive-sadistic personality disorder (SPD) involves derivation of pleasure from another's physical or emotional suffering, or from control and domination of others. Findings from a head-injured sample indicate that SPD traits are associated with neuropsychological deficits in executive function and language, suggesting difficulties in frontal-lobe-mediated self-regulation of aggressive and emotional impulses. Implications for rehabilitation of aggressive offenders are discussed.
Can fluid and general intelligence be differentiated in an older adult population?
Authors: Zook Nancy A. , Davalos Deana B.
Published: February 2007

The question of whether fluid intelligence can be differentiated from general intelligence in older adults is addressed. Data indicate that the developmental pattern of performance on fluid tasks differs from the pattern of general intelligence. These results suggest that it is important to identify changes in fluid cognitive functions associated with frontal lobe decline, as they may be early indicators of cognitive decline.
Toward a revised theory of general intelligence: Further examination of fluid cognitive abilities as unique aspects of human cognition
Authors: Blair Clancy
Published: February 2007

Primary issues raised by the commentaries on the target article relate to (1) the need to differentiate distinct but overlapping aspects of fluid cognition, and (2) the implications that this differentiation may hold for conceptions of general intelligence. In response, I outline several issues facing researchers concerned with differentiation of human cognitive abilities and suggest that a revised and expanded theory of intelligence is needed to accommodate an increasingly diverse and varied empirical base.
Sadistic cruelty and unempathic evil: Psychobiological and evolutionary considerations
Authors: Stein Dan J.
Published: February 2007

Understanding the origins of evil behaviour is one of our most important intellectual tasks. A distinction can perhaps be drawn between overt sadistic cruelty and the lack of empathy to suffering that is a hallmark of evil. There is increasing data available on the prevalence, proximal psychobiological underpinnings, and distal evolutionary basis for these contrasting phenomena.
Epigenetic effects of child abuse and neglect propagate human cruelty
Authors: Swain James E.
Published: February 2007

The nature of children's early environment has profound long-term consequences. We are beginning to understand the underlying molecular programming of the stress-response system, which may mediate the destructive long-term effects of cruelty to children, explain the evolutionary stability of cruelty, and provide opportunities for its reversal of early trauma.
Money motives, moral philosophy, and biological explanations
Authors: Walsh Adrian J.
Published: February 2007

Lea & Webley (L&W) provide two alternative biological accounts of human monetary motivations, the Tool Theory and the Drug Theory. They argue that both are required for an adequate explanation. I explore the applicability of these models to philosophical discussions of how we might justify such motivations. I argue their approach is not entirely satisfactory for normative questions, since it precludes the possibility of rational non-instrumental attitudes towards money.
Melody as a primordial legacy from early roots of language
Authors: Wermke Kathleen , Mende Werner
Published: February 2007

The stormy development of vocal production during the first postnatal weeks is generally underestimated. Our longitudinal studies revealed an amazingly fast unfolding and combinatorial complexification of pre-speech melodies. We argue that relying on “melody” could provide for the immature brain a kind of filter to extract life-relevant information from the complex speech stream.
Cruelty and the psychology of history
Authors: Nell Victor
Published: February 2007

This response deals with seven of the major challenges the commentators have raised to the target article. First, I show that the historical-anecdotal method I have followed has its roots in sociology, and that there is a strong case for the development of a “psychology of history.” Next, the observational data suggesting that intentional cruelty cannot be restricted to humans is rebutted on the grounds that cruelty requires not only an intention to inflict pain, but to do so because that pain would cause the victim to suffer – which requires a theory of mind. Third, in the light of the commentaries, I recognise that not only predation but also intraspecific aggression contributes to the development of cruelty. Fourth, I contrast nativists and environmentalists, the former regarding cruelty as a universal human capacity and the latter holding the view that cruelty is acquired through social learning, and argue that there is an otherworldly quality to the environmentalist view. I then show (the fifth challenge) that the target article does generate testable hypotheses. Sixth is a consideration of the implications of the target article for the re-admission of the concept of evil to the psychological lexicon; and seventh, a consideration of the commentaries which note that the cultivation of compassion is a tool for the prevention of cruelty. The last section of the response replies to questions of detail and rebuts some misrepresentations of my argument.
Utility of phylogenetic studies in the identification ofLeptospirastrains
Authors: RESCH G. , AWAD-MASALMEH M. , BAKOSS P. , JAREKOVÁ J.
Published: February 2007

A phylogenetic tree, which distinguishes between the serovars and serogroups of leptospires common in Central Europe was constructed using an established RAPD procedure together with digital reading and evaluation (using different computer software programs) of the generated amplified DNA patterns. The application of this procedure has revealed a consistent correspondence between serogroup and genotype (position in constructed tree) in 69 cases, and serovar and genotype in 72 cases, of wild strains of leptospires. There was an agreement between serovar and genotype in cases of strains of Grippotyphosa, Pomona, Mozdok, Arborea and Sorexjalna as well as between serogroup and genotype in cases of Australis, Bataviae and Sejroe. With the procedure used in this study, it was not possible to distinguish between reference strains of serovars Jalna, Bratislava and Lora (all serogroup Australis) as well as between serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae and Copenhageni (both of serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae). In contrast to this, wild strains belonging to serogroup Sejroe were distributed between Polonica, Istrica, Saxkoebing and Sejroe serovars. Endemic strains of leptospires tested, were also distinguishable.
Structured surveillance of infantile gastroenteritis in East Anglia, UK: incidence of infection with common viral gastroenteric pathogens
Authors: GÓMARA M. ITURRIZA , SIMPSON R. , PERAULT A. M. , REDPATH C. , LORGELLY P. , JOSHI D. , MUGFORD M. , HUGHES C. A. , DALRYMPLE J. , DESSELBERGER U. , GRAY J.
Published: February 2007

The aim of this study was to investigate the burden of disease associated with gastroenteric viruses (rotavirus, norovirus, sapovirus, astrovirus and enteric adenovirus) using structured surveillance of children aged <6 years in the community. Faecal samples were collected between 2000 and 2003 from 685 children with symptoms of gastroenteritis. The children comprised three groups; 223 in the structured surveillance cohort, 203 in a community cohort and 259 in a cohort of hospitalized children. All samples were tested for the presence of viral pathogens using molecular methods. Questionnaires were sent to the parents/carers of the children recruited to the structured surveillance cohort in order to collect data that would allow an estimation of the severity of illness by means of the Vesikari score, and of the cost associated with gastrointestinal disease in this age group. A viral aetiological agent was detected in 53·5% of samples tested. Rotavirus was the most common pathogen found in all three cohorts followed by norovirus and enteric adenoviruses. Multiple viruses were found in 8% of the samples, and commonly involved rotavirus and any other virus. G1P[8] was the most commonly detected rotavirus strain and there was no significant difference in the distribution of rotavirus genotypes among the three cohorts. Analysis of the questionnaires indicated that rotavirus infections were likely to be more severe than any other virus infection, and children from whom a viral pathogen was identified were more likely to require rehydration therapy.
Estimating the burden and cost of infectious intestinal disease in the Maltese community
Authors: GAUCI C. , GILLES H. , O'BRIEN S. , MAMO J. , STABILE I. , RUGGERI F. M. , CALLEJA N. , SPITERI G.
Published: February 2007

The aim of this study was to estimate the burden of infectious intestinal disease (IID) and cost of illness at the community level from a societal aspect. A retrospective, age-stratified cross-sectional telephone study was carried out in Malta in 2004–2005. The number of cases, resources used and cost of resources were computed. The resources involved direct costs (health-care services, stool culture tests, medicines and personal costs) and indirect costs (costs from lost employment by cases and caregivers). This study estimated 0·421 (95% CI 0·092–0·771) separate episodes of IID per person per year in Malta which corresponds to 164 471 (95% CI 35 941–301 205) episodes of IID per year or 450 (95% CI 98–825) episodes of IID each day. The largest proportion of cost is due to provision of health-care services with €10 454 901 [Maltese liri (Lm) 4 558 970] per year; followed by €963 295 (Lm 2 209 393) in lost productivity; €1 286 286 (Lm 561 078) in medicines; €152 335 (Lm 66 452) in stool culture testing and €71 487 (Lm 31 183) in personal costs, giving a total cost of illness of over €16 million (7 million Lm) per year. The burden and cost of IID are high enough to justify efforts to control the illness. Such estimates are important to assess the cost-effectiveness of proposed specific interventions.
Solidification of a two-dimensional high-Reynolds-number flow and its application to laser percussion drilling
Authors: SMITH W. R. , MATTHEIJ R. M. M.
Published: February 2007

The competition between inertia and solidification for the high-Reynolds-number flow of molten aluminium across a cool solid aluminium surface is investigated. A two-dimensional molten aluminium droplet is of finite extent and is surrounded by a passive gas. The droplet initially freezes due to rapid thermal conduction into the solid. Depending on the initial velocity of the molten aluminium, one of two situations may develop: (i) If the molten aluminium has a non-decreasing initial velocity profile, solidification continues until the passing of the trailing edge of the liquid/gas interface or the flow is engulfed; (ii) If the molten aluminium has a decreasing initial velocity profile, the droplet narrows and thickens resulting in a reduction in the heat flux and in the rate of solidification; this will eventually lead to fluid clumping and shock formation. The rate of solidification may also be reduced by increasing the ambient temperature. The results are interpreted in terms of the recast observed during the solidification phase of laser percussion drilling.
Comparison of recurrence rate and hemodynamic effect among various technical approaches for ligations of great saphenous vein in treatment of varicose veins
Authors: Hirai  , Iwata  , Sawazaki
Published: February 2007

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the recurrence rate and hemodynamic effect retrospectively among various technical approaches for ligations of the great saphenous vein in the treatment of primary varicose veins. Patients and methods: 455 limbs with primary uncomplicated great saphenous varicose veins, which underwent ligations of the great saphenous vein followed by sclerotherapy, were classified into 5 groups according to different ligation techniques. The recurrence rate and hemodynamic effect, evaluated by the photoplethysmographic technique, were compared among the 5 groups at one year intervals up to 5 years. Results: The 3-ligation technique, in which the great saphenous vein was resected at the groin, thigh, and calf, showed a significantly lower recurrence rate at the 5-year follow-up. The recurrence rates were 27.7, 62.0, 58.5, and 91.9% in the 3-ligation group, 2-ligation group at the groin and thigh, 2-ligation group at the thigh and calf, and 1-ligation group at the thigh, respectively. A lower hemodynamic improvement was observed in the latter two groups. A significantly higher recurrence rate was shown even in the 3-ligation group, when all tributaries were not dissected at the sapheno-femoral junction (50.2 vs. 27.7%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The 3-ligation technique followed by sclerotherapy, which includes the resection of the great saphenous vein for as long as possible, and dissection of all tributaries at the groin, thigh, and calf, is one of the important choices of minimum invasive treatments for varicose veins, although this technique is not a fully alternative procedure to the stripping operation.
Endovascular treatment of tumor-induced axillary artery hemorrhage
Authors: Mroczkowski  , Eder  , Effenberger  , Halloul
Published: February 2007

Hemorrhage caused by tumor invasion of the axillary artery is a rare, but serious complication. A 70-year-old female with a history of inflammatory breast cancer was diagnosed with hypovolemic shock caused by arterial bleeding into the left axilla. After successful reanimation an emergency arteriography was performed. The bleeding site was localized in the proximal part of the axillary artery. A self-expanding endoluminal graft was positioned across the lesion. The final angiography showed a correct placement of the stent with excellent distal flow, and no signs of bleeding. On the seventh day, the patient was discharged with ambulatory follow up.
Dilatative Kardiomyopathie als Zufallsbefund
Authors: Schafroth Török  , Keller
Published: February 2007

Wir berichten über eine 25-jährige Patientin, bei der Auffälligkeiten im Ruhe-EKG zu weiteren Abklärungen und zur Diagnose einer DCM geführt haben. Zur Diagnosestellung einer idiopathischen DCM müssen verschiedene sekundäre Ursachen sowie familiäre Formen ausgeschlossen werden. Die Therapie besteht aus einer ursächlichen Therapie der Grunderkrankung, falls möglich, sowie einer Herzinsuffizienztherapie.
Impact of upscaling on solute transport: Traveltimes, scale dependence of dispersivity, and propagation of uncertainty
Authors: Fernàndez‐Garcia D. , Gómez‐Hernández J. J.
Published: February 2007

Efficiency constraints in applying numerical models to real problems force the use of a coarse discretization of the domain compared with the detailed scale required for the most adequate description of the system. Upscaling encompasses the methods that transfer small‐scale information to the computational scale. The loss of small‐scale information by upscaling aquifer properties to construct a numerical model largely modifies the true heterogeneous structure of the aquifer compromising the final predictions of solute transport. We present extensive Monte Carlo solute transport simulations in heterogeneous porous media to investigate (1) the impact of upscaling on the evolution of solute plumes and (2) the propagation of uncertainty through upscaling. In doing this we analyze the benefits of using enhanced block dispersion tensors in the advection‐dispersion equation to compensate for the loss of information. It is shown that upscaling does not affect the median traveltimes of particles reaching a control location, but the tail of breakthrough curves is largely underestimated. It is also observed that normal upscaled transport models can largely underestimate the spreading of solute plumes even if block dispersivities are calculated as being representative of within‐block heterogeneity. Discrepancies are mainly attributed to the mass transfer interaction between grid blocks of the numerical model and the use of a simplistic representation of the block hydraulic conductivity tensor. Using the small‐perturbation stochastic approach, we found that mass transfer effects are still significant, even for block sizes of the numerical model greater than 30 correlation scales. Moreover, upscaling is shown to have a substantial impact on the uncertainty predicted by solute transport models, which is not compensated by the use of enhanced block dispersion tensors. For very heterogeneous media, simulation results showed the inability of the classical advection‐dispersion equation to simultaneously reproduce the tail of the breakthrough curve and its uncertainty in the upscaled model. In those cases, results indicated that either a mass transfer model allowing solute mass exchange between high‐ and low‐conductivity zones, encountered within a grid block of the numerical model, or the continuous time random walk model expressing the retardation of solute particles passing through low‐conductivity regions inside a grid block by means of a transition time distribution function might suppose a better upscaled transport model.
Effect of predeformational basin geometry in the kinematic evolution of a thin‐skinned orogenic wedge: Insights from three‐dimensional finite element modeling of the Provo salient, Sevier fold‐thrust belt, Utah
Authors: Kwon Sanghoon , Mitra Gautam , Perucchio Renato
Published: February 2007

In fold‐thrust belts, sedimentary cover rocks are detached from undeformed basement and undergo crustal‐scale shortening and internal deformation. We have investigated a three‐dimensional (3‐D), nonlinear, elastic‐plastic finite element model using the restored Provo salient of the Sevier belt as our initial configuration. In the model the deformed sedimentary prism displays large‐scale geometries that are seen in many natural fold‐thrust belts (e.g., arcuate salient, wedge‐shaped cross section) and kinematics that are compatible with observations in the internal and external portions of the Provo salient; these suggest that the model can be used to predict geologic information that is generally not available from detailed observational studies in natural fold‐thrust belts (e.g., strain history, material displacements, stress conditions). The model results indicate symmetric, noncoaxial, plane strain paths with consistent stress and strain orientations and material displacement directions in the middle of the 3‐D wedge, and fully 3‐D, nonsymmetric, noncoaxial, nonplane strain paths with out‐of‐transport material displacements over the lateral boundaries. The results from test runs further suggest that oblique ramps with strike direction less than 20° from the regional transport direction behave like lateral ramps, and those with strike direction greater than 80° from the regional transport direction behave similar to frontal ramps. Oblique ramps with dips greater than 60° behave like tear faults. These variations in different parts of the wedge are caused mainly by interaction between the transport parallel motion of the moving wedge and the preexisting footwall template of ramps and flats that the wedge has to ride over during its evolution.
Seasonal rainfall predictions over the southeast United States using the Florida State University nested regional spectral model
Authors: Cocke Steven , LaRow T. E. , Shin D. W.
Published: February 2007

Seasonal rainfall predictions over the southeast United States using the recently developed Florida State University (FSU) nested regional spectral model are presented. The regional model is nested within the FSU coupled model, which includes a version of the Max Plank Institute Hamburg Ocean Primitive Equation model. The southeast U.S. winter has a rather strong climatic signal due to teleconnections with tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures and thus provides a good test case scenario for a modeling study. Simulations were done for 12 boreal winter seasons, from 1986 to 1997. Both the regional and global models captured the basic large‐scale patterns of precipitation reasonably well when compared to observed station data. The regional model was able to predict the anomaly pattern somewhat better than the global model. The regional model was particularly more skillful at predicting the frequency of significant rainfall events, in part because of the ability to produce heavier rainfall events.