bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extending DerSimonian and Laird's methodology to perform multivariate random effects meta‐analyses
Authors: Jackson Dan , White Ian R. , Thompson Simon G.
Published: April 2009

Multivariate meta‐analysis is increasingly used in medical statistics. In the univariate setting, the non‐iterative method proposed by DerSimonian and Laird is a simple and now standard way of performing random effects meta‐analyses. We propose a natural and easily implemented multivariate extension of this procedure which is accessible to applied researchers and provides a much less computationally intensive alternative to existing methods. In a simulation study, the proposed procedure performs similarly in almost all ways to the more established iterative restricted maximum likelihood approach. The method is applied to some real data sets and an extension to multivariate meta‐regression is described. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cell Docking in Double Grooves in a Microfluidic Channel
Authors: Khabiry Masoud , Chung Bong Geun , Hancock Matthew J. , Soundararajan Harish Chandra , Du Yanan , Cropek Donald , Lee Won Gu , Khademhosseini Ali
Published: April 2009

Microstructures that generate shear‐protected regions in microchannels can rapidly immobilize cells for cell‐based biosensing and drug screening. Here, a two‐step fabrication method is used to generate double microgrooves with various depth ratios to achieve controlled double‐level cell patterning while still providing shear protection. Six microgroove geometries are fabricated with different groove widths and depth ratios. Two modes of cell docking are observed: cells docked upstream in sufficiently deep and narrow grooves, and downstream in shallow, wide grooves. Computational flow simulations link the groove geometry and bottom shear stress to the experimental cell docking patterns. Analysis of the experimental cell retention in the double grooves demonstrates its linear dependence on inlet flow speed, with slope inversely proportional to the sheltering provided by the groove geometry. Thus, double‐grooved microstructures in microfluidic channels provide shear‐protected regions for cell docking and immobilization and appear promising for cell‐based biosensing and drug discovery.
Finding failures from passed test cases: improving the pattern classification approach to the testing of mesh simplification programs
Authors: Chan W. K. , Ho Jeffrey C. F. , Tse T. H.
Published: April 2009

Mesh simplification programs create three‐dimensional polygonal models similar to an original polygonal model, and yet use fewer polygons. They produce different graphics even though they are based on the same original polygonal model. This results in a test oracle problem. To address the problem, our previous work has developed a technique that uses a reference model of the program under test to train a classifier. Using such an approach may mistakenly mark a failure‐causing test case as passed. It lowers the testing effectiveness of revealing failures. This paper suggests piping the test cases marked as passed by a statistical pattern classification module to an analytical metamorphic testing (MT) module. We evaluate our approach empirically using three subject programs with over 2700 program mutants. The result shows that, using a resembling reference model to train a classifier, the integrated approach can significantly improve the failure detection effectiveness of the pattern classification approach. We also explain how MT in our design trades specificity for sensitivity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sulfur dioxide and benzo(a)pyrene modulates CYP1A and tumor‐related gene expression in rat liver
Authors: Qin Guohua , Meng Ziqiang
Published: April 2009

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) are common industrial and environmental contaminants. However, few data are available on the effects of SO2on proto‐oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, as well as the interactions between SO2and other xenobiotics regulating proto‐oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes expression. To investigate the interactions between SO2and B(a)P, male Wistar rats were exposed to intratracheally instilled with B(a)P or SO2inhalation alone or together. We detected mRNA expression ofCYP1A1and1A2, 7‐ethoxyresorufinO‐deethylase (EROD), and methoxyresorufinO‐demethylase (MROD) activities in livers. The mRNA and protein levels of several cancer‐related genes were analyzed in livers by real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blot, respectively. The EROD/MROD activities andCYP1A1/2expression were down‐regulated by SO2but up‐regulated by B(a)P alone. Exposure of SO2alone induced c‐fos, c‐jun, c‐myc, H‐ras, and p53 expression, and depressed p16 and Rb expression in livers. The effects of B(a)P on the above gene were similar to SO2except c‐fos expression. Furthermore, SO2+ B(a)P exposure increased the expression of c‐fos, c‐jun, c‐myc, and p53, and decreased p16 and Rb expression in livers compared with exposed to SO2or B(a)P alone. However, no synergistic effects were observed on H‐ras and CYP1A1/2 after SO2+ B(a)P exposure. Our findings indicate that multiple cell cycle regulatory proteins play key roles in the toxicity of SO2and B(a)P in livers. It might involve the activation of c‐fos, c‐jun, c‐myc, and p53. And p16‐Rb pathway might also participate in the progress. Although the gene products we studied are classed as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, their functions actually relate to more general processes of control of cell proliferation, survival, and/or apoptosis. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2010.
Crosslinking of plasticized PVC used in coated fabrics
Authors: Zadhoush A. , Esmaeili M. , Ghaeli I.
Published: April 2009

Crosslinking is effective in improving the properties of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PPVC), such as mechanical, chemical, and thermal resistance. In this study, the crosslinking was carried out using di‐tert‐butyl peroxide as an initiator in the presence of 1,1,1‐trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) as a crosslinking agent at two different curing temperatures. The degree of crosslinking was measured in terms of gel content and tensile strength. Upon increasing the amount of peroxide to an optimum level, the gel content and tensile strength increased to a maximum point, and above this level, the peroxide caused a slight decrease in crosslinking, which was due to the scission of PPVC chains during thermal degradation. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Characterization of 1,5‐pentanediol dibenzoate as a potential “green” plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Firlotte Nicolas , Cooper David G. , Marić Milan , Nicell James A.
Published: April 2009

1,5‐Pentanediol dibenzoate (PDDB) was evaluated as a potential “green” plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) at concentrations ranging between 20 and 80 parts by weight per hundred parts of resin. The results of glass transition temperature (Tg) and tensile tests of PDDB blends with PVC were compared with those for blends of the commercial plasticizers di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di(ethylene glycol) dibenzoate (DEGDB), and di(propylene glycol) dibenzoate (DPGDB) in PVC. The depression in Tg and the tensile properties were comparable for a PDDB/PVC blend at a fixed composition to those of blends with DEHP, DEGDB, and DPGDB. The PDDB was subjected to biodegradation using co‐metabolism by the common soil bacterium Rhodococcus rhodochrous (ATCC 13808). After 16 days of growth, nearly all of the PDDB was degraded, and only small amounts of transient, unidentified metabolites were observed in the growth medium during the experiment. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence cross‐correlation spectroscopy
Authors: Digman Michelle A. , Gratton Enrico
Published: April 2009

This article focuses on methods based on fluctuation correlation spectroscopy to determine the formation of protein complexes in living cells. We present the principles of the fluctuation method applied to cells. We discuss the novelty and the promises of this approach. The emphasis is in the discussion of the underlying statistical assumptions of the image correlation spectroscopy analysis rather than in reviewing applications of the method. Although one example of the application of the fluctuation method is given, this article also contains simulations that are better suited to illustrate and support the basic assumptions of the method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Proteomics Methods
Leisure activities and adolescent psychological well‐being
Authors: Trainor Sarah , Delfabbro Paul , Anderson Sarah , Winefield Anthony
Published: April 2009

We examined the validity of the reported link between well‐being and leisure participation in adolescents. Nine hundred and forty‐seven, Year 10 students from 19 schools in Adelaide, South Australia, were recruited. Participants completed a questionnaire concerning participation in social, non‐social and unstructured leisure activities as well as measures of personality. As expected, personality variables were better predictors of adolescent well‐being than spare‐time use, although engagement in less structured leisure activities was associated with poorer psychological well‐being and substance use. These findings support previous personality research which suggests that spare‐time use may be related to well‐being only insofar as individuals who are psychologically healthy tend to be involved in structured leisure activities. The implications of these findings for school policy and future research concerning the links between leisure involvement and psychological well‐being are discussed.
Dietary intakes of children with Crohn's disease
Authors: Pons Rachel , Whitten Kylie E. , Woodhead Helen , Leach Steven T. , Lemberg Daniel A. , Day Andrew S.
Published: April 2009

Approximately 25 % of individuals with Crohn's disease (CD), a life-long relapsing-remitting disease, are diagnosed during childhood and adolescence. Symptoms of CD, including abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhoea, can lead to reduced food intake, which may negatively have an impact on nutritional status during this critical period of growth and development. The aims of the present study were to assess the growth and adequacy of dietary intakes of children with CD at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, and compare with healthy controls. Sixty-three subjects aged 10–16 years were recruited, including: children with active CD (n18), children with CD in remission (n23) and healthy controls (n22). Dietary intake was assessed using a FFQ and compared with current Australian recommended dietary intakes (RDI). Growth and dietary intakes were compared between groups. Subjects with active CD had lower weight and BMIZscores than children in remission and controls. The energy intakes of children with active CD and those in remission were significantly lower than estimated energy requirements (P = 0·001 andP = 0·03 respectively). Children with active CD did not meet the RDI for Fe and their Ca intake was lower than the RDI (P = 0·04). In conclusion, the dietary intake of children with active CD was impaired, with inadequate intakes of energy, Ca and Fe. Reduced energy intakes during active disease may contribute to poor weight gain and impaired growth. Quantifying nutrient intake and ascertaining requirements for nutritional supplementation are essential components of successful management in paediatric CD.
Leptin concentrations and the immune-mediated reduction of feed intake in sheep infected with the nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis
Authors: Greer Andrew W. , Boisclair Yves R. , Stankiewicz Miroslaw , McAnulty Robin W. , Jay Nigel P. , Sykes Andrew R.
Published: April 2009

The hypothesis that increases in the concentration of the anorectic peptide leptin may be responsible for the immune-mediated reduction in feed intake (FI) during gastrointestinal parasitism in sheep was investigated. In a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design, the first factor was age at the start of infection (5 months old v. 17 months old). The second factor was parasite infection (no infection v. administration of eighty L3 infective Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae/kg live weight (LW) per d three times per week for 77 d). The third factor was immunosuppressive therapy with a corticosteroid (no therapy or weekly intramuscular injection of 40 mg methylprednisolone acetate/30 kg LW). Relative to their uninfected counterparts, a 20 % reduction in FI per unit LW (FI/LW; g DM/kg LW) was observed in infected non-suppressed 5-month-old lambs from 21 to 63 d post-infection (P < 0·001) but not in comparable17-month-old ewes or in corticosteroid-treated lambs or ewes (P>0·05 for all), allowing the suggestion that the anorexia was a consequence of the developing immune response. The reduction in FI/LW in 5-month-old lambs was not associated with an increase in plasma leptin concentration. Furthermore, plasma leptin concentrations were greater in corticosteroid-treated animals (P < 0·001) and in 17-month-old animals (P < 0·001), none of which displayed an infection-induced reduction in FI/LW. Plasma leptin was positively correlated with carcass fat percentage in both 5-month-old (P = 0·016) and 17-month-old (P < 0·001) animals and did not appear to provide a direct feedback mechanism that restricted energy intake. The results do not support the hypothesis that an increase in circulating leptin is directly responsible for the immune-mediated anorexia in lambs during T. colubriformis infection.
Quercetin reduces systolic blood pressure and plasma oxidised low-density lipoprotein concentrations in overweight subjects with a high-cardiovascular disease risk phenotype: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over study
Authors: Egert Sarah , Bosy-Westphal Anja , Seiberl Jasmin , Kürbitz Claudia , Settler Uta , Plachta-Danielzik Sandra , Wagner Anika E. , Frank Jan , Schrezenmeir Jürgen , Rimbach Gerald , Wolffram Siegfried , Müller Manfred J.
Published: April 2009

Regular consumption of flavonoids may reduce the risk for CVD. However, the effects of individual flavonoids, for example, quercetin, remain unclear. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of quercetin supplementation on blood pressure, lipid metabolism, markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and body composition in an at-risk population of ninety-three overweight or obese subjects aged 25–65 years with metabolic syndrome traits. Subjects were randomised to receive 150 mg quercetin/d in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over trial with 6-week treatment periods separated by a 5-week washout period. Mean fasting plasma quercetin concentrations increased from 71 to 269 nmol/l (P < 0·001) during quercetin treatment. In contrast to placebo, quercetin decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 2·6 mmHg (P < 0·01) in the entire study group, by 2·9 mmHg (P < 0·01) in the subgroup of hypertensive subjects and by 3·7 mmHg (P < 0·001) in the subgroup of younger adults aged 25–50 years. Quercetin decreased serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations (P < 0·001), while total cholesterol, TAG and the LDL:HDL-cholesterol and TAG:HDL-cholesterol ratios were unaltered. Quercetin significantly decreased plasma concentrations of atherogenic oxidised LDL, but did not affect TNF-α and C-reactive protein when compared with placebo. Quercetin supplementation had no effects on nutritional status. Blood parameters of liver and kidney function, haematology and serum electrolytes did not reveal any adverse effects of quercetin. In conclusion, quercetin reduced SBP and plasma oxidised LDL concentrations in overweight subjects with a high-CVD risk phenotype. Our findings provide further evidence that quercetin may provide protection against CVD.
Perceiving Credible Commitments: How Independent Regulators Shape Elite Perceptions of Regulatory Quality
Authors: Bertelli Anthony M. , Whitford Andrew B.
Published: April 2009

Numerous recent studies have addressed how the investment choices of firms depend on elite perceptions of the quality of national regulatory regimes. Likewise, other studies show that government structures can help to support credible commitments that protect market mechanisms. The authors provide the first analytic discussion of elite perceptions of national regulatory quality as a function of the independence of regulators in a country’s political system. Their central claims are that market operations depend on perceptions of regulatory quality and that independent regulators facilitate elite perceptions of regulatory quality because they check actors in domestic political systems. Cross-national statistical evidence suggests that regulatory independence supports elite perceptions of high regulatory quality. This article also provides evidence that regulatory independence is more likely where political competition shapes incentives to intervene in business markets.
INFLUENCE OF THE SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION ON RICE YIELD AND NITROGEN AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY WITH DIFFERENT N APPLICATION RATES
Authors: ZHAO LIMEI , WU LIANGHUAN , LI YONGSHAN , LU XINGHUA , ZHU DEFENG , UPHOFF NORMAN
Published: April 2009

Field experiments were conducted in 2005 and 2006 to investigate the impacts of alternative rice cultivation systems on grain yield, water productivity, N uptake and N use efficiency (ANUE, agronomic N use efficiency; PFP, partial factor productivity of applied N). The trials compared the practices used with the system of rice intensification (SRI) and traditional flooding (TF). The effects of different N application rates (0, 80, 160 and 240 kg ha−1) and of N rates interacting with the cultivation system were also evaluated. Resulting grain yields with SRI ranged from 5.6 to 7.3 t ha−1, and from 4.1 to 6.4 t ha−1 under TF management. On average, grain yields under SRI were 21% higher in 2005 and 22% higher in 2006 than with TF. Compared with TF, SRI plots had higher harvest index across four fertilizer N rates in both years. However, there was no significance difference in above-ground biomass between two cultivation systems in either year. ANUE was increased significantly under SRI at 80 kg N ha−1 compared with TF, while at higher N application rates, ANUE with SRI was significantly lower than TF. Compared with TF, PFP under SRI was higher across all four N rates in both years, although the difference at 240 kg N ha−1 was not significant. As N rate increased, the ANUE and PFP under both SRI and TF significantly decreased. Reduction in irrigation water use with SRI was 40% in 2005 and 47% in 2006, and water use efficiency, both total and from irrigation, were significantly increased compared to TF. With both SRI and TF, the highest N application was associated with decreases in grain yield, N use efficiency and water use efficiency. This is an important finding given current debates whether N application rates in China are above the optimum, especially considering consequences for soil and water resources. Cultivation system, N rates and their interactions all produced significant differences in this study. Results confirmed that optimizing fertilizer N application rates under SRI is important to increase yield, N use efficiency and water use efficiency.
THE CUP QUALITY OF DISEASE-RESISTANT CULTIVARS OF ARABICA COFFEE (Coffea arabica)
Authors: VAN DER VOSSEN H. A. M.
Published: April 2009

Traditional cultivars of arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) are susceptible to coffee leaf rust (CLR, Hemileia vastatrix) and coffee berry disease (CBD, Colletotrichum kahawae). CLR is of worldwide importance, while CBD is still restricted to Africa. Host resistances present in C. canephora to both destructive diseases have been successfully introgressed into C. arabica, after several decades of breeding and selection notably in Brazil, Colombia, India and for CBD resistance in East Africa. CLR resistant cultivars have since been grown on hundreds of thousands of hectares in Latin America and elsewhere, while CBD (and CLR) resistant cultivars are now increasingly being planted in East and South Eastern Africa. They contribute to ecologically sustainable coffee production and to considerable socio-economic benefits for the coffee growers. Nevertheless, some representatives of the international coffee trade continue to be sceptical about the cup quality of these modern cultivars. This paper presents an overview of the considerable amount of scientific evidence accumulated over the years showing that, with all environmental factors at optimum level, disease-resistant cultivars can produce quality coffees as good as those from the best traditional varieties.
Analytical and experimental approaches in plasma displacement measurement in IR-T1 tokamak
Authors: EMAMI M. , GHORANNEVISS M. , ELAHI A. SALAR , RAD A. RAHIMI
Published: April 2009

In this paper two methods for determining plasma position in the IR-T1 tokamak are presented: a multipole moments method and an analytical solution of the equilibrium problem using the Grad–Shafranov equation. Based on the multipole moments method, modified Rogowski and saddle coils were designed and constructed for measuring plasma column displacement. Good agreement in comparison between the analytical and experimental approaches in determining plasma displacement in the IR-T1 tokamak is achieved.
Effects of a non-monotonic safety factor on the particle transport and diffusion in the case of a reversed magnetic shear
Authors: GHABBOURI M. , SAIFAOUI D. , BOULEZHAR A. , DEZAIRI A. , EL MOUDEN M.
Published: April 2009

This work is based on a numerical study of particle transport and diffusion using ITER parameters. In particular, the effects of introducing a non-monotonic safety factor (NMSF) in the case of a reversed magnetic shear are shown. These results are compared with those found by using a monotonic safety factor (MSF). Double internal transport barriers are detected influencing the transport and diffusion of particles. The choices of the mode (m, n) and the m/n values play a dominant role for the particle diffusion, which leads to an improvement of the magnetic confinement.
Cultural construction of illness, festival and music in Southeast Asia
Authors: Ali Muhamad
Published: April 2009

Southeast Asia remains a rich region for students and scholars interested in understanding the place of culture within a variety of human activities. Three recent studies under review, Acts of integration, Bridges to the ancestors and Listening to an earlier Java, particularly demonstrate the ways in which culture plays a pertinent role in the health, performance and music of contemporary Southeast Asians. Although Acts of integration focuses on mental images, Bridges to the ancestors on a festival, and Listening to an earlier Java on musical sound, the studies shared the recognition of the interplay between two opposite yet interactive forces: sacred and secular; inner and outer; order and chaos; male and female. They argue that mental normality, aesthetics and music represent, shape and are shaped by culture characterised by such dichotomous categories. Amidst other studies which try to deconstruct culture as more fluid and hybrid, however, these works serve as a reminder of the place of culture as an underlying persistent force in shaping the views and lives of many Southeast Asian peoples.
Symposium 9: Competent to care A train-the-trainer method of teaching as a way of implementing the correct use of the ‘Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool’ in Norfolk: is it effective?
Authors: Lee Rachel , Scott Fiona
Published: April 2009

Malnutrition is frequently undetected in care homes. It is recommended that residents are screened on admission and at suitable intervals thereafter. It is aimed to implement the ‘Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool’ (‘MUST’) in all care homes in Norfolk in order to fulfil this recommendation. Following a pilot of successful (but time-consuming) ‘MUST’ training a train-the-trainer package was developed as a practical way of achieving this goal. Courses were held in 2007, each comprising a study day and an assessment of each trainer delivering training. Trainers were provided with a dossier of training support materials. Data were collected at the study day and 3 months after the course to evaluate its effectiveness. Sixty-seven trainers were trained, all of whom rated the course as effective in preparing them to deliver training. At their assessments 96% were able to explain ‘MUST’ accurately. Of the new trainers 44% returned follow-up questionnaires and copies of sample care plans. The majority of care plans showed ‘MUST’ scores had been calculated accurately and appropriate nutrition care plans had been set up and evaluated. The train-the-trainer model is an effective method of training large numbers of care-home staff to use ‘MUST’. One of the unexpected benefits observed was the ownership taken by the trainers, which was demonstrated by the enthusiasm and confidence with which they subsequently trained their colleagues.
Isolation and characterization of viableToxoplasma gondiiisolates revealed possible high frequency of mixed infection in feral cats (Felis domesticus) from St Kitts, West Indies
Authors: DUBEY J. P. , MOURA L. , MAJUMDAR D. , SUNDAR N. , VELMURUGAN G. V. , KWOK O. C. H. , KELLY P. , KRECEK R. C. , SU C.
Published: April 2009

Cats are essential in the epidemiology ofToxoplasma gondiibecause they are the only hosts that can excrete the environmentally resistant oocysts in nature. Samples of serum, feces, and tissues from feral cats from St Kitts, West Indies were examined forT. gondiiinfection. Antibodies toT. gondiiwere assayed by the modified agglutination test, and found in 71 of 96 (73·9%) of cats with titres of 1:10 in six, 1: 20 in six,1:40 in seven,1: 80 in three, 1: 160 in 10, 1:320 in 13, 1:640 in nine, and 1:1,280 or higher in 17. Tissues of 10 cats were bio-assayed in mice.Toxoplasma gondiiwas isolated from tissues of 7 cats; from hearts of 6, from tongue of 5, and brains of 3 cats. All 7 isolates were avirulent for mice.Toxoplasma gondiioocysts were not found in the feces of 51 cats. Genotyping of these 7T. gondiiisolates by 10 multi-locus PCR-RFLP markers, including SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and an apicoplast marker, Apico, revealed 4 genotypes, including clonal Type II, Type III and 2 unique genotypes. Five of the 7 cats had infection with 2 genotypes, indicating high frequency of mixed infection in the cat population on the St Kitts island.
The Toxoplasma gondii Plastid replication and Repair Enzyme Complex, PREX
Authors: MUKHOPADHYAY A. , CHEN C-Y. , DOERIG C. , HENRIQUEZ F. L. , ROBERTS C. W. , BARRETT M. P.
Published: April 2009

A plastid-like organelle, the apicoplast, is essential to the majority of medically and veterinary important apicomplexan protozoa including Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium. The apicoplast contains multiple copies of a 35 kb genome, the replication of which is dependent upon nuclear-encoded proteins that are imported into the organelle. In P. falciparum an unusual multi-functional gene, pfprex, was previously identified and inferred to encode a protein with DNA primase, DNA helicase and DNA polymerase activities. Herein, we report the presence of a prex orthologue in T. gondii. The protein is predicted to have a bi-partite apicoplast targeting sequence similar to that demonstrated on the PfPREX polypeptide, capable of delivering marker proteins to the apicoplast. Unlike the P. falciparum gene that is devoid of introns, the T. gondii prex gene carries 19 introns, which are spliced to produce a contiguous mRNA. Bacterial expression of the polymerase domain reveals the protein to be active. Consistent with the reported absence of a plastid in Cryptosporidium species, in silico analysis of their genomes failed to demonstrate an orthologue of prex. These studies indicate that prex is conserved across the plastid-bearing apicomplexans and may play an important role in the replication of the plastid genome.
The Ontological Fallacy: a rejoinder on the status of scientific realism in international relations
Authors: CHERNOFF FRED
Published: April 2009

This article argues that scientific and critical realism have embraced several mistaken claims, among them that social science enquiry cannot proceed unless the theoretical objects of study are specified in advance. The article argues, rather, that although pre-scientific, observable objects and events must be specified from the outset, theoretical objects come to our attention only in the course of formulating theories. The article advances an alternative to scientific realist and critical realist foundations, namely, causal conventionalism, which is an adaptation to the social sciences of several elements of Pierre Duhem's conventionalist account of physical science. The article argues that major goals of theorising that scientific realism and critical realism seek to fulfill are better satisfied by the conventionalist alternative. In an effort to clarify some important issues, the article identifies and responds to a series of related criticisms of my views offered by Colin Wight in his recent article ‘A Manifesto for Scientific Realism in IR: Assuming the Can-Opener Won't Work!’ in ‘Millennium’, and in his book, Agents, Structures and International Relations: Politics as Ontology.1
MINIMIZING MAKESPAN IN A MULTICLASS FLUID NETWORK WITH PARAMETER UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Büke Burak , Hasenbein John J. , Morton David P.
Published: April 2009

We introduce and investigate a new type of decision problem related to multiclass fluid networks. Optimization problems arising from fluid networks with known parameters have been studied extensively in the queueing, scheduling, and optimization literature. In this article, we explore the makespan problem in fluid networks, with the assumption that the parameters are known only through a probability distribution. Thus, the decision maker does not have complete knowledge of the parameters in advance. This problem can be formulated as a stochastic nonlinear program. We provide necessary and sufficient feasibility conditions for this class of problems. We also derive a number of other structural results that can be used in developing effective computational procedures for solving stochastic fluid makespan problems.
EXPANSIONS FOR SUMS OF RAYLEIGHS
Authors: Withers Christopher S. , Nadarajah Saralees
Published: April 2009

Expressions for the distribution, density, and percentiles of weighted sums of Rayleigh random variables are given, including the tilted Edgeworth expansion.
Evidence for an attentional bias for washing- and checking-relevant stimuli in obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: MORITZ STEFFEN , VON MÜHLENEN ADRIAN , RANDJBAR SARAH , FRICKE SUSANNE , JELINEK LENA
Published: April 2009

There is equivocal evidence whether or not patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) share an attentional bias for concern-related material and if so, whether this reflects hypervigilance towards or problems to disengage from disorder-related material. In a recent study, we failed to detect an attentional bias in OCD patients using an emotional variant of the inhibition of return (IOR) paradigm containing OCD-relevant and neutral words. We reinvestigated the research question with a more stringent design that addressed potential moderators. A new IOR paradigm was set up using visual stimuli. Forty-two OCD patients and 31 healthy controls were presented with neutral (e.g., cup), anxiety-relevant (e.g., shark), checking-relevant (e.g., broken door), and washing-relevant (e.g., dirty toilet) cue pictures at one of two possible locations. Following a short or long interval sensitive to automatic versus controlled processes, a simple target stimulus appeared at either the cued or the uncued location. OCD patients responded significantly slower to targets that were preceded by an OCD-relevant cue. Results lend support to the claim that OCD patients share a processing abnormality for concern-related visual material. (JINS, 2009, 15, 365–371.)
Functional magnetic resonance imaging changes in amnestic and nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment during encoding and recognition tasks
Authors: MACHULDA MARY M. , SENJEM MATTHEW L. , WEIGAND STEPHEN D. , SMITH GLENN E. , IVNIK ROBERT J. , BOEVE BRAD F. , KNOPMAN DAVID S. , PETERSEN RONALD C. , JACK CLIFFORD R.
Published: April 2009

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) shows changes in multiple regions in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). The concept of MCI recently evolved to include nonamnestic syndromes, so little is known about fMRI changes in these individuals. This study investigated activation during visual complex scene encoding and recognition in 29 cognitively normal (CN) elderly, 19 individuals with aMCI, and 12 individuals with nonamnestic MCI (naMCI). During encoding, CN activated an extensive network that included bilateral occipital–parietal–temporal cortex; precuneus; posterior cingulate; thalamus; insula; and medial, anterior, and lateral frontal regions. Amnestic MCI activated an anatomic subset of these regions. Non-amnestic MCI activated an even smaller anatomic subset. During recognition, CN activated the same regions observed during encoding except the precuneus. Both MCI groups again activated a subset of the regions activated by CN. During encoding, CN had greater activation than aMCI and naMCI in bilateral temporoparietal and frontal regions. During recognition, CN had greater activation than aMCI in predominantly temporoparietal regions bilaterally, while CN had greater activation than naMCI in larger areas involving bilateral temporoparietal and frontal regions. The diminished parietal and frontal activation in naMCI may reflect compromised ability to perform nonmemory (i.e., attention/executive, visuospatial function) components of the task. (JINS, 2009, 15, 372–382.)
Is “clinical” insight the same as “cognitive” insight in schizophrenia?
Authors: DONOHOE GARY , HAYDEN JUDY , McGLADE NICOLA , O’GRÁDA CARA , BURKE TERESA , BARRY SANDRA , BEHAN CARAGH , DINAN TIMOTHY G. , O’CALLAGHAN EADBHARD , GILL MICHAEL , CORVIN AIDEN P.
Published: April 2009

Poor insight is associated with impaired cognitive function in psychosis. Whether poor clinical insight overlaps with other aspects of self-awareness in schizophrenia, such as cognitive self-awareness, is unclear. We investigated whether awareness of clinical state (“clinical insight”) and awareness of cognitive deficits (“cognitive insight”) overlap in schizophrenia in a sample of 51 stabilized patients with chronic schizophrenia. Cognitive insight was assessed in terms of the agreement between subjective self-report and neuropsychological assessment. Patients who show good cognitive insight did not necessarily show good clinical insight. By contrast, self-report and objective neuropsychological assessment only correlated for patients in the intact clinical insight group and not for those in the impairment clinical insight group. We conclude that while good cognitive insight may not be necessary for good clinical insight, good cognitive awareness is at least partly reliant on the processes involved in clinical insight. (JINS, 2009,15, 471–475.)
Source memory and frontal functioning in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: DRAG LAUREN L. , BIELIAUSKAS LINAS A. , KASZNIAK ALFRED W. , BOHNEN NICOLAAS I. , GLISKY ELIZABETH L.
Published: April 2009

The most extensively described pathological abnormality in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the ventral tegmental area, with degeneration of their striatal terminals. Because of the intimate connections between the striatum and the frontal lobes, individuals with PD often demonstrate impairments on those tasks relying on the prefrontal cortex (e.g., tests of executive functioning). Source memory, or memory for context, is believed to rely on the prefrontal cortex and has been previously associated with executive functioning performance, although it has received little attention in the PD literature. Executive functioning and source memory were measured in a group of nondemented PD patients and healthy control participants. Within the PD group, an anti-Parkinson’s medication withdrawal manipulation was used to examine whether source memory was affected by phasic changes in dopamine levels. Compared to healthy control participants, PD patients were impaired in source memory (both on- and off-medication) and on a composite measure of executive functioning. Within the PD group, medication administration improved motor performance but did not have a significant effect on source memory. (JINS, 2009, 15, 399–406.)
Prospective memory in amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Authors: KARANTZOULIS STELLA , TROYER ANGELA K. , RICH JILL B.
Published: April 2009

Individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) often complain of difficulty remembering to carry out intended actions, consistent with findings of impaired prospective memory (PM) in this population. In this study, individuals with aMCI (N = 27) performed worse than healthy controls (N = 27) on the Memory for Intentions Screening Test (Raskin, 2004), including on time- and event-based subscales, and recognition of the intentions. The aMCI participants made more errors overall, but the proportion of the various error types did not differ between the two groups. Across all error types, both groups made more retrospective than prospective errors, especially on event-based PM tasks. Overall, the findings suggest that PM impairment in aMCI is associated with deficient cue detection involving both automatic (as in event-based tasks) and more strategic detection (as in time-based tasks) processes. These difficulties are likely due to a combination of problematic retrospective episodic memory (e.g., reduced encoding and/or consolidation of cue–intention pairings) and executive functions (e.g., decreased self-initiation, attention switching, and/or inhibition on memory tasks). Formal assessment of PM may help characterize the nature of the memory impairment among individuals with aMCI in clinical neuropsychological evaluations. (JINS, 2009, 15, 407–415.)
Partial measurement equivalence of French and English versions of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging neuropsychological battery
Authors: TUOKKO HOLLY A. , CHOU PAK HEI BENIDITO , BOWDEN STEPHEN C. , SIMARD MARTINE , SKA BERNADETTE , CROSSLEY MARGARET
Published: April 2009

Neuropsychological batteries are often translated for use across populations differing in preferred language. Yet, equivalence in construct measurement across groups cannot be assumed. To address this issue, we examined data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, a large study of older adults. We tested the hypothesis that the latent variables underlying the neuropsychological battery administered in French or English were the same (invariant). The best-fitting baseline model, established in the English-speaking Exploratory sample (n = 716), replicated well in the English-speaking Validation sample (n = 715), and the French-speaking sample (FS, n = 446). Across the English- and FSs, two of the factors, Long-term Retrieval and Visuospatial speed, displayed invariance, that is, reflected the same constructs measured in the same scales. In contrast, the Verbal Ability factor showed only partial invariance, reflecting differences in the relative difficulty of some tests of language functions. This empirical demonstration of partial measurement invariance lends support to the continued use of these translated measures in clinical and research contexts and illustrates a framework for detailed evaluation of the generality of models of cognition and psychopathology, across groups of any sort. (JINS, 2009, 15, 416–425.)
Construct validity of the Trail Making Test: Role of task-switching, working memory, inhibition/interference control, and visuomotor abilities
Authors: SÁNCHEZ-CUBILLO I. , PERIÁÑEZ J.A. , ADROVER-ROIG D. , RODRÍGUEZ-SÁNCHEZ J.M. , RÍOS-LAGO M. , TIRAPU J. , BARCELÓ F.
Published: April 2009

The aim of this study was to clarify which cognitive mechanisms underlie Trail Making Test (TMT) direct and derived scores. A comprehensive review of the literature on the topic was carried out to clarify which cognitive factors had been related to TMT performance. Following the review, we explored the relative contribution from working memory, inhibition/interference control, task-switching ability, and visuomotor speed to TMT performance. Forty-one healthy old subjects participated in the study and performed a battery of neuropsychological tests including the TMT, the Digit Symbol subtest [Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (Third Version) (WAIS-III)], a Finger Tapping Test, the Digits Forward and Backward subtests (WAIS-III), Stroop Test, and a task-switching paradigm inspired in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Correlation and regression analyses were used in order to clarify the joint and unique contributions from different cognitive factors to the prediction of TMT scores. The results suggest that TMT-A requires mainly visuoperceptual abilities, TMT-B reflects primarily working memory and secondarily task-switching ability, while B-A minimizes visuoperceptual and working memory demands, providing a relatively pure indicator of executive control abilities. (JINS, 2009, 15, 438–450.)
The impact of multiple sclerosis on patients’ performance on the Stroop Test: Processing speed versus interference
Authors: DENNEY DOUGLAS R. , LYNCH SHARON G.
Published: April 2009

Deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients’ performance on the Stroop Test have been attributed to problems with processing speed and selective attention. Data for 248 MS patients and 178 controls on all three trials of the Stroop were combined using various scoring formulas proposed for assessing processing speed, color difficulty, and interference. The greatest differences between patients and controls involved processing speed. Formulas purporting to measure interference yielded highly inconsistent results: Significant differences between groups were found on two of the most common measures but were in opposite directions. This contradiction stems from the failure of both measures to effectively control for processing speed when assessing interference. Three alternative measures, using relative, ratio, and residualized scores, offer much better indices of interference. When assessed with these alternative measures, interference increased with age, but no differences between patients and controls were found. Difficulties that MS patients have with the Stroop Test are confined to processing speed. (JINS, 2009, 15, 451–458.)
Food and nutrient intakes of 9-month-old infants in Adelaide, Australia
Authors: Conn Jennifer A , Davies Michael J , Walker Ruth B , Moore Vivienne M
Published: April 2009

Objective

To describe the food and nutrient intakes of 9-month-old infants.

Design

A survey undertaken as part of a longitudinal study of child growth and development. Infant diet was characterised through a structured interview in which consumption frequency and portion size of foods were obtained. This method was compared with a 4 d diary and had adequate relative validity.

Setting

Adelaide, Australia.

Subjects

Three hundred and forty-one infants for whom dietary data were plausible according to pre-specified criteria.

Results

At 9 months of age, the median body weights for 161 girls and 180 boys were 8·8 and 9·6 kg, respectively. Differences in intakes between boys and girls largely reflected differences in size. Median daily energy intake was 3541 kJ and median contributions of protein, fat and carbohydrate to total energy were 13 %, 36 % and 50 %. Using published Estimated Average Requirements, Zn intake was inadequate for <1 % of children not breast-fed at this age while Fe intake was inadequate for 9 %. Infants who were still breast-fed (35 %) had more diversity in the foods that provided additional energy, compared with those not receiving breast milk, and were less likely to consume nutrient-displacing drinks such as juice or cordial. Cow’s milk was the main drink for 5 % of infants.

Conclusions

In a group of Australian-born children, an important proportion had weaning diets that were low in Fe. Fat intake of many children was below current recommendations and cow’s milk was the main milk source for a small minority.
Sugar and total energy content of household food purchases in Brazil
Authors: Levy Renata Bertazzi , Claro Rafael Moreira , Monteiro Carlos Augusto
Published: April 2009

Objective

To study the role of energy derived from sugar (both table sugar and sugar added to processed foods) in the total energy content of food purchases in Brazil.

Design

Food purchase data were collected during a national household budget survey carried out between June 2002 and July 2003 on a probabilistic sample representative of all households in the country. The amount of food purchased in this 12-month period was transformed into energy and energy from sugar using food composition tables. Multiple linear regression models were used to study the association between amount of energy from sugar and total energy content of food purchases, controlling for sociodemographic variables and potential interactions between these variables and sugar purchases.

Results

There was a positive and significant association between energy from sugar and total household energy purchases. A 1 kJ increase in sugar purchase corresponded to a 3·637 kJ increase in total energy. In the absence of expenditure on meals outside the home, i.e. when household food purchases tend to approximate actual food consumption by household members, sugar purchase of 1926·35 kJ/d (the 90th percentile of the distribution of sugar purchases in Brazil) was associated, depending on income strata, with total energy purchase over 40–60 % of the recommended daily value for energy intake in Brazil.

Conclusions

The present results corroborate the recommendations of the WHO and the Brazilian Ministry of Health regarding limiting the consumption of sugar.
Association between educational level and vegetable use in nine European countries
Authors: Prättälä Ritva , Hakala Samu , Roskam Albert-Jan R , Roos Eva , Helmert Uwe , Klumbiene Jurate , Van Oyen Herman , Regidor Enrique , Kunst Anton E
Published: April 2009

Objective

The relationship of socio-economic status and vegetable consumption is examined in nine European countries. The aim is to analyse whether the pattern of socio-economic variation with regard to vegetable consumption is similar in all studied countries with high v. low vegetable availability and affordability, and whether education has an independent effect on vegetable consumption once the effects of other socio-economic factors have been taken into account.

Design

The data for the study were obtained from national surveys conducted in Finland, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, France, Italy and Spain, in 1998 or later. These surveys included data on the frequency of use of vegetables. Food Balance Sheets indicated that the availability of vegetables was best in the Mediterranean countries. The prices of vegetables were lowest in the Mediterranean countries and Germany.

Results

Educational level was positively associated with vegetable consumption in the Nordic and Baltic countries. In the Mediterranean countries, education was not directly associated with the use of vegetables but, after adjusting for place of residence and occupation, it was found that those with a lower educational level consumed vegetables slightly more often. Manual workers consumed vegetables less often than non-manual workers, but otherwise there was no systematic association with occupation.

Conclusions

The Mediterranean countries did not show a positive association between educational level and vegetable consumption. The positive association found in the Northern European countries is linked to the lower availability and affordability of vegetables there and their everyday cooking habits with no long-standing cultural tradition of using vegetables.