bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The differing impact of induced astigmatic blur on crowded and uncrowded paediatric visual acuity chart results
Authors: Little Julie Anne , Molloy Jaclyn , Saunders Kathryn J
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Vision screening programs often rely on acuity measures to detect significant refractive error and clinicians use measures of acuity to monitor refractive treatment. This study investigated the effects of induced astigmatism on visual acuity (VA) using several paediatric acuity tests: the Keeler LogMAR crowded and single letter acuity tests, the single letter Sheridan Gardiner chart, and the crowded and single Kay picture tests.

Methods

Six fully‐corrected emmetropic adults had induced astigmatic blur imposed at different axes of astigmatism (90°, 180°, 135°, 45°). Astigmatic errors ranged from 0.75 to 3.50 DC. Monocular VA was measured with induced astigmatic blur for each acuity test. Participants and examiner were masked to the axis and power of the astigmatism.

Results

All participants demonstrated similar variability in performance across acuity charts (p = 0.54). For all charts, there was a linear reduction in VA with increasing amounts of induced astigmatism. The Keeler crowded LogMAR acuity test required the least amount of astigmatic blur to exceed a 0.2 LogMAR threshold (1.17 D, for 90° induced astigmatism), while the crowded and single Kay pictures required the largest magnitudes (2.09 and 2.85 D for 90° induced astigmatism respectively). The most variable acuities were recorded within and between participants with the Sheridan Gardiner chart.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that none of the acuity charts under test are likely to detect uncorrected astigmatic refractive error unless the magnitude of astigmatism is large. Given the limitations of other paediatric acuity charts under test, it is important that practitioners use a crowded, LogMAR letter chart as soon as it is feasible.
Predicting Interactions among Fishing, Ocean Warming, and Ocean Acidification in a Marine System with Whole‐Ecosystem Models
Authors: Griffith Gary P. , Fulton Elizabeth A. , Gorton Rebecca , Richardson Anthony J.
Published: September 2012

An important challenge for conservation is a quantitative understanding of how multiple human stressors will interact to mitigate or exacerbate global environmental change at a community or ecosystem level. We explored the interaction effects of fishing, ocean warming, and ocean acidification over time on 60 functional groups of species in the southeastern Australian marine ecosystem. We tracked changes in relative biomass within a coupled dynamic whole‐ecosystem modeling framework that included the biophysical system, human effects, socioeconomics, and management evaluation. We estimated the individual, additive, and interactive effects on the ecosystem and for five community groups (top predators, fishes, benthic invertebrates, plankton, and primary producers). We calculated the size and direction of interaction effects with an additive null model and interpreted results as synergistic (amplified stress), additive (no additional stress), or antagonistic (reduced stress). Individually, only ocean acidification had a negative effect on total biomass. Fishing and ocean warming and ocean warming with ocean acidification had an additive effect on biomass. Adding fishing to ocean warming and ocean acidification significantly changed the direction and magnitude of the interaction effect to a synergistic response on biomass. The interaction effect depended on the response level examined (ecosystem vs. community). For communities, the size, direction, and type of interaction effect varied depending on the combination of stressors. Top predator and fish biomass had a synergistic response to the interaction of all three stressors, whereas biomass of benthic invertebrates responded antagonistically. With our approach, we were able to identify the regional effects of fishing on the size and direction of the interacting effects of ocean warming and ocean acidification.

Predicción de Interacciones entre Pesca, Calentamiento de Océanos y Acidificación de Océanos en un Sistema Marino con Modelos de Ecosistemas Completos
TIPE2, a Novel Biomarker for Clinical Chronic Kidney Allograft Rejection
Authors: Jia Lining , Gui Baosong , Tian Puxun , Yao Ganglian , Fu Ronguo , Wang Li , Ge Heng , Ou Yan
Published: September 2012

Tumor necrosis factor‐a—induced protein 8‐like 2 (TIPE2) has an essential role in immune homeostasis, yet the relationship between TIPE2 expression and allograft rejection has not been addressed. Dependent on clinical diagnosis, 96 kidney transplant recipients were divided into three groups, long‐term survival group, acute rejection group (AR) and chronic rejection group (CR). Thirty‐two healthy volunteers were used as a control group. The expression of TIPE2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and kidney biopsy samples was performed using reverse transcript‐polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The expression of TIPE2 in PBMC of CR group was significantly higher than that of the healthy control (P < 0.001), but TIPE2 expression in AR group was lower than that of control individuals (P < 0.05). The renal expression of TIPE2 in allograft tissue of CR was significantly lower and its expression in AR slightly lower than in normal kidneys. The positive correlation between TIPE2 expression in PBMCs and the CR of allo‐kidney grafts indicates that detection of TIPE2 in the blood samples may be used as one of the diagnosis molecular markers in clinical monitoring kidney chronic rejection.
Polymorphisms of the CD14 Genes are Associated with Susceptibility to Alcoholic Liver Disease in Greek Patients
Authors: Nezi Vasiliki , Deutsch Melanie , Gazouli Maria , Alexopoulou Alexandra , Paparrigopoulos Thomas , Liappas Ioannis A. , Dourakis Spyros P.
Published: September 2012

Background

The incidence and severity of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in chronic drinkers has been found to correlate with some environmental factors and especially with the dose of alcohol consumption, but it is obvious that other parameters clearly contribute to individual alcohol susceptibility. Chronic ethanol exposure leads to continuous endotoxin‐mediated Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR‐4) and CD14 activation and subsequent cytokine release resulting in chronic inflammation with continued hepatocellular damage. Therefore, genetic studies of polymorphism in TLR‐4 and CD14 genes seem to be appropriate in determining genetic susceptibility to ALD. Our aim is to evaluate in a series of Greek drinkers, the possible association of polymorphisms in the TLR‐4 and CD14 genes with ALD.

Methods

In 96 patients with ALD polymorphism of TLR‐4 and CD14 genes were studied compared with 104 patients with cirrhosis of other etiology, 100 healthy subjects, and 50 patients with a history of alcohol abuse but without liver disease.

Results

No association between ALD and the presence of the Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms in the TLR‐4 gene could be documented in our patients. Regarding the CD14 −159 (C/T) genotypes, TT genotype and T allele were found to be overrepresented in alcoholic patients compared with patients with nonalcohol‐induced liver disease and healthy controls. On the other side, when compared patients with ALD and patients with alcohol abuse and no liver disease, TT genotype was found to be significantly less frequent. There is no statistically significant association with the presence of the T allele and the severity of ALD, suggesting that CD14 polymorphism does not influence disease severity in advanced stages of the disease.

Conclusions

In our series in Greek patients with alcohol abuse and alcoholic cirrhosis, a significant negative association with the CD14 endotoxin receptor gene polymorphism (TT genotype) but not with the TLR‐4 gene polymorphism was documented.
Polymer Adhesion to Geopolymer via Silane Coupling Agent Additives
Authors: Glad Brayden E. , Han Chan , Kriven Waltraud M.
Published: September 2012

Silane coupling agents were successfully incorporated into alkali‐activated aluminosilicate geopolymers (GP) through simple mixing into the precursor liquid. This allowed for synthesis of thick coatings with meaningful long‐term shear and tensile adhesion to organic polymer substrates. Adhesion of GP to high‐impact polystyrene sheets and extruded polystyrene foam was quantitatively evaluated. GP drying shrinkage and coating‐substrate thermal expansion mismatch were identified as the major obstacles to adhesion, and these were mitigated by the easy yielding of polystyrene foam. The coupling agent‐modified GP experienced decreased splitting strength, but Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy were used to verify that the coupling agent addition did not inhibit geopolymerization.
Survivors of Torture: Prevalence in an Urban Emergency Department
Authors: Hexom Braden , Fernando Dinali , Manini Alex F. , Beattie Lars K.
Published: September 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:1158–1165 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Objectives:  Torture has been documented in 132 countries, and approximately 400,000 survivors of torture reside in the United States. It is unknown if torture survivors seek medical care in emergency departments (EDs). The authors set out to estimate the prevalence of survivors of torture presenting to an urban ED.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey of ED patients was performed by convenience sampling from October 2008 to September 2009 in a large urban teaching hospital in New York City. ED patients not of a vulnerable population were consented and entered into the study. Participants were asked two screening questions to ascertain if they were self‐reported survivors of torture. For exploratory purposes only, these individuals were further queried about their experiences. The detailed responses of these self‐reported survivors of torture were compared to the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) definition by a blinded, independent panel.

Results:  Of 470 study participants, 54 individuals (11.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.6% to 14.4%) self‐reported torture. Nine (16.7%) had ongoing physical disabilities, 30 (55.6%) had recurrent intrusive and distressing memories, 42 (77.8%) never had a physician inquire about torture, and only eight (14.8%) had requested political asylum. Of these self‐reported survivors of torture, 29 (53.7%) met the UNCAT definition, for an adjudicated prevalence of 6.2% (95% CI = 4.3% to 8.7%).

Conclusions:  Self‐reported survivors of torture presented to this urban ED, and a significant proportion of them met the UNCAT definition of a torture survivor. Continuing torture‐related medical and psychological sequelae were identified, yet there was a low rate of asylum‐seeking. Only a minority were previously identified by a physician. These data suggest an unrecognized public health concern and an opportunity for emergency physicians to intervene and refer survivors of torture to existing community resources.
The Effect of Ketamine on Intraocular Pressure in Pediatric Patients During Procedural Sedation
Authors: Halstead Sarah M. , Deakyne Sara J. , Bajaj Lalit , Enzenauer Robert , Roosevelt Genie E.
Published: September 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:1145–1150 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Objectives:  Ketamine is one of the most commonly used procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) agents in pediatric emergency departments (PEDs). It is considered a very safe and reliable agent, with limited respiratory suppression, hemodynamic effects, and adverse outcomes. However, physicians are often reluctant to use ketamine for patients with eye injuries due to a concern that ketamine might increase intraocular pressure (IOP). The objective was to measure IOP in previously healthy children receiving ketamine for PSA for a reason other than eye injury.

Methods:  This was a prospective noninferiority study of patients seen in an academic tertiary care children’s hospital emergency department (ED) who required ketamine for PSA. The authors measured IOP in the right eye as soon as possible after ketamine had been administered and then at 2.5, 5, and 10 minutes after ketamine had been administered.

Results:  Eighty patients were enrolled (28 between 1 and 5 years of age, 26 between 6 and 10 years, 26 between 11 and 15 years); 49 (61%) were male. Procedures requiring PSA included fracture/dislocation reduction (63%), abscess incision and drainage (16%), laceration repair (11%), dental abscess incision and drainage (6%), and other (4%). The mean total ketamine dosage was 1.6 mg/kg (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4 to 1.7). The mean initial IOP was 17.5 mm Hg (95% CI = 16.4 to 18.6 mm Hg) and at 2.5 minutes was 18.9 mm Hg (95% CI = 17.9 to 19.9 mm Hg). The mean difference was 1.4 mm Hg (95% CI = 0.4 to 2.4 mm Hg). Using a noninferiority margin of 2.6 mm Hg (15%), noninferiority (no significant elevation in IOP) was demonstrated with 95% confidence between the first and second readings.

Conclusions:  Ketamine does not significantly increase IOP in pediatric patients without eye injuries receiving typical PSA dosages in the PED. Further study should assess its safety in patients with ocular injury.
A Fatality Following Ingestion of the Designer Drug Meta‐Chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) in an Asthmatic—HPLC‐MS/MS Detection in Biofluids and Hair
Authors: Gaillard Yvan P. , Cuquel Anne‐Claire , Boucher Alexandra , Romeuf Ludovic , Bevalot Fabien , Prevosto Jen‐Michel , Menard Jean‐Marie
Published: September 2012

A 20‐year‐old man, a cocaine addict and regular ecstasy user, with a medical history of allergic asthma died after ingesting half a tablet earlier the same day. The white tablet, stamped with a “smiling sun” logo looked very much like an ecstasy tablet and was sold as such. He experienced a severe asthma attack just after ingesting the half tablet and it evolved over the next few hours into fatal cardiorespiratory arrest. Biological samples, taken after embalming, were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS). Analysis revealed meta‐chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) in concentrations of 45.8 mg in a similar tablet obtained later from the drug dealer, 5.1 ng/mL in the bile, 0.3 ng/g in the liver, 15.0 ng/mL in the urine, and its absence in a hair sample (<0.02 ng/mg), which indicated he was not a regular user (whereas strong concentrations of MDMA and cocaine were found in the hair). Interrogated by the police after his arrest, the dealer said that he had sold the victim and for the very first time two tablets with the same “smiling sun” logo. The tablet used for analysis was from the same brand as the one ingested by the victim. The autopsy excluded other causes of death, while the histological analyses showed a large number of polynuclear eosinophils in the bronchial walls, confirming the asthmatic pathology. None of the other organs examined (larynx, liver, heart, adrenal glands, and kidneys) showed any distinctive signs, and in particular no inflammatory infiltrate. The death was the result of an asthma attack in an asthmatic person, violently decompensated following ingestion of approximately 20 mg of mCPP.
Toward High‐Quality Divorce Agreements: The Influence of Facilitative Professionals
Authors: Baitar Rachid , Buysse Ann , Brondeel Ruben , de Mol Jan , Rober Peter
Published: September 2012

Studies have reported that mediation has higher settlement rates than litigation. The quality of these agreements as experienced by the parties as well as the processes that contribute to this subjective experience remains underexamined, however. In a large, representative, and multidisciplinary study of divorcing couples, we studied the relationship between the practices of lawyers and mediators and the quality of agreements experienced by their clients. We used multiple regression analysis to reveal that divorce mediation is significantly more likely than litigation to produce high‐quality divorce settlements. Furthermore, we found that high‐quality divorce agreements were more likely to occur when mediators and lawyers were perceived to have worked facilitatively. In addition, we found that pre‐divorce conflict levels were inversely correlated with the quality of agreements. Which party initiated the divorce, the parties' gender, and the type of legal divorce did not explain variances in the quality of the agreements. In this article, we also discuss the training and practice implications of our findings.
The Day‐to‐Day Life of a Dean: Engaging in Negotiations and negotiations
Authors: McKersie Robert B.
Published: September 2012

This article analyzes the negotiating strategies and tactics that proved useful during my eight‐year stint as dean of the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations during the 1970s. David Lax and James Sebenius have paved the way with their pioneering work on The Manager as Negotiator. By taking this perspective to the academic setting, I have identified a portfolio of tactics that are helpful in understanding how an administrator operates in a complex environment. The examples presented in this article help flesh out the standard categories of distributive and integrative bargaining as well as forcing and fostering strategies for implementing change.
Competition, facilitation and the Allee effect
Authors: Lutscher Frithjof , Iljon Tzvia
Published: September 2012

Individuals of different species may interact in many different ways, such as competition, mutualism, or predation, to name but a few. Recent theory and experiments reveal that whether an interaction is beneficial or detrimental to the dynamics of a population often depends on species densities and other environmental factors. Here, we explore how, for suitable densities, facilitation may arise between two competing species with an Allee effect. We consider two different mechanisms for the Allee effect: 1) plant species with obligate insect pollination, and 2) generalist predation. In the first case, a second plant species, competing for nutrients, may have a facilitative effect by attracting more pollinators. In the second case, another potentially competing species may serve to satiate the same generalist predator and thereby have a facilitative effect. We explore three aspects of facilitation in each of the two systems. The focal species may benefit from the presence of a ‘competitor’ if it experiences 1) the removal of the Allee threshold, 2) a lowering of the Allee threshold, or 3) an increase in carrying capacity. We find that the latter two effects occur in both study systems whereas the first only occurs for the generalist predation system but not for the plant‐pollination system. We give precise conditions on when such a facilitative effect can be expected. We also demonstrate several unexpected outcomes of these two‐species interactions with multiple steady states, such as obligate co‐occurence; we draw parallels to the dynamics of species known as ‘ecosystem engineers’, and we discuss implications for conservation and management.
Reciprocal facilitation and non‐linearity maintain habitat engineering on coral reefs
Authors: Bozec Yves‐Marie , Yakob Laith , Bejarano Sonia , Mumby Peter J.
Published: September 2012

Ecosystem engineers that create habitats facilitate the coexistence of many interacting species. This biotic response to habitat engineering may result in non‐intuitive cascading interactions, potentially including feedbacks to the engineer. Such feedback mechanisms, either positive or negative, may be especially important for the maintenance of biogenic habitats and their community‐wide facilitation. Here, we describe the complex interactions and feedbacks that link marine habitat‐forming engineers, the reef‐building corals, and a group of herbivores, the parrotfishes; the latter preventing the overgrowth of macroalgae, a major competitor of corals. Using density data of eight parrotfish species on a Caribbean reef, we first describe the form of the response of parrotfish abundance to increasing topographic complexity generated by coral growth. Topographic complexity enhanced parrotfish abundance by promoting habitat suitability, but the shape (linear vs asymptotic) and strength of this response varied across species and size. Parrotfish grazing intensity, estimated from data on abundance and species‐, size‐ and life phase‐specific grazing rates also increased with topographic complexity despite an increase in the surface area over which parrotfish graze. Depending on fish species, this functional response was found to be linear or asymptotic. Using a simple analytical model we then explored the effects of topographic complexity and fishing pressure on coral‐algal competition, with particular emphasis on the implications of non‐linearities in the intensity of grazing. Simulations demonstrate that fishing and habitat degradation impair the performance of grazing, but that an asymptotic response of grazing intensity to topographic complexity increases the ecological resilience of coral reefs. Parrotfish and corals are mutually beneficial by creating a loop of positive, indirect feedbacks that maintain their own structure and function: coral growth promotes habitat suitability for parrotfish, concordantly enhancing grazing intensity, which in turn facilitates coral growth by reducing competitive exclusion by macroalgae. We conclude that the resilience of biogenic habitats is enhanced by non‐linear biotic responses to engineering and by the emergence of reciprocal facilitation linking habitat engineering and response organisms.
Early warning signals also precede non‐catastrophic transitions
Authors: Kéfi Sonia , Dakos Vasilis , Scheffer Marten , Van Nes Egbert H. , Rietkerk Max
Published: September 2012

Synthesis

The quickly expanding literature on early warning signals for critical transitions in ecosystems suggests that critical slowing down is a key phenomenon to measure the distance to a tipping point in ecosystems. Such work is broadly misinterpreted as showing that slowing down is specific to tipping points. In this contribution, we show why this is not the case. Early warning signals based on critical slowing down indicate a broader class of situations where a system becomes increasingly sensitive to perturbations.

Ecosystem responses to external changes can surprise us by their abruptness and irreversibility. Models have helped identifying indicators of impending catastrophic shifts, referred to as ‘generic early warning signals’. These indicators are linked to a phenomenon known as ‘critical slowing down’ which describes the fact that the recovery rate of a system after a perturbation decreases when the system approaches a bifurcation – such as the classical fold bifurcation associated to catastrophic shifts. However, contrary to what has sometimes been suggested in the literature, a decrease in recovery rate cannot be considered as specific to approaching catastrophic shifts. Here, we analyze the behavior of early warning signals based on critical slowing down in systems approaching a range of catastrophic and non‐catastrophic situations. Our results show that slowing down generally happens in situations where a system is becoming increasingly sensitive to external perturbations, independently of whether the impeding change is catastrophic or not. These results highlight that indicators specific to catastrophic shifts are still lacking. More importantly, they also imply that in systems where we have no reason to expect catastrophic transitions, slowing down may still be used in a more general sense as a warning signal for a potential decrease in stability.
Measuring fractions of beta diversity and their relationships to nestedness: a theoretical and empirical comparison of novel approaches
Authors: Carvalho José C. , Cardoso Pedro , Borges Paulo A. V. , Schmera Dénes , Podani János
Published: September 2012

Beta diversity and nestedness are central concepts of ecology and biogeography and evaluation of their relationships is in the focus of contemporary ecological and conservation research. Beta diversity patterns are originated from two distinct processes: the replacement (or turnover) of species and the loss (or gain) of species leading to richness differences. Nested distributional patterns are generally thought to have a component deriving from beta diversity which is independent of replacement processes. Quantification of these phenomena is often made by calculating a measure of beta diversity, and the resulting value being subsequently partitioned into a contribution by species replacement plus a fraction shared by beta diversity and nestedness. Three methods have been recently proposed for such partitioning, all of them based on pairwise comparisons of sites. In this paper, the performance of these methods was evaluated on theoretical grounds and tested by a simulation study in which different gradients of dissimilarity, with known degrees of species replacement and species loss, were created. Performance was also tested using empirical data addressing land‐use induced changes in endemic arthropod communities of the Terceira Island in the Azores. We found that the partitioning of βcc (dissimilarity in terms of the Jaccard index) into two additive fractions, β‐3 (dissimilarity due to species replacement) plus βrich (dissimilarity due to richness differences) reflects the species replacement and species loss processes across the simulated gradients in an ecologically and mathematically meaningful way, whilst the other two methods lack mathematical consistency and prove conceptually self‐contradictory. Moreover, the first method identified a selective local extinction process for endemic arthropods, triggered by land‐use changes, while the latter two methods overweighted the replacement component and led to false conclusions. Their basic flaw derives from the fact that the proposed replacement and nestedness components (deemed to account for species loss) are not scaled in the same way as the measure that accounts for the total dissimilarity (Sørensen and Jaccard indices). We therefore recommend the use of βcc=β‐3+βrich, since its components are scaled in the same units and their responses are proportional to the replacement and the gain/loss of species.
Advanced therapeutic options for endodontic biofilms
Authors: Kishen Anil
Published: September 2012

Limitations in endodontic disinfection are collectively due to the biofilm mode of bacteria in root canal systems, anatomical complexities, dentin structure/composition, and limitations associated with chemical disinfectants. Consequently, advanced disinfection strategies are developed and tested in Endodontics. The primary aim of these advanced anti‐biofilm strategies is to eliminate biofilm bacteria from the uninstrumented portions and anatomical complexities of the root canal system without inducing untoward effects on healthy tissues. This article outlines various challenging factors in root canal disinfection, and describes in detail different advanced therapeutic strategies for endodontic biofilms such as antibacterial nanoparticles, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, laser‐assisted root canal disinfection, ozone, and herbal/enzyme alternatives.
Expectations associated with the use of music in neonatal intensive care: A survey from the viewpoint of parents
Authors: Pölkki Tarja , Korhonen Anne , Laukkala Helena
Published: September 2012

Purpose.

The purpose of this study was to describe parents' expectations concerning the use of music in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to reveal any related background factors.

Design and Methods.

A cross‐sectional, descriptive, and correlational design guided a survey of 197 parents from five NICUs in Finland.

Results.

Most parents agreed that the preferred music could have positive effects on the infants, staff, and parents in the NICU.

Practice Implications.

When nurses consider making use of music in the NICU, it is also important to take into account the parents' viewpoints.
Gender differences in associations between parental problem drinking and early adolescents' Internet addiction
Authors: Jang Mi Heui , Ji Eun Sun
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose was to examine gender differences between parental problem drinking (PPD) and early adolescents' Internet addiction (IA).

Design and Methods

This was a cross‐sectional, correlational design with 519 (266 boys and 253 girls) early adolescents.

Results

PPD had a significant direct effect on IA in boys but not in girls. Significant indirect effects of PPD on IA were evidenced via anxiety‐depression and aggression for boys and via family function and aggression for girls.

Practice Implications

Findings suggest that tailored interventions for the prevention of IA should consider gender.
Effect of small-scale density perturbations on the formation of dark matter halo profiles
Authors: Pilipenko S. V. , Doroshkevich A. G. , Lukash V. N. , Mikheeva E. V.
Published: September 2012

With the help of a set of toy N-body models of dark halo formation, we study the impact of small-scale initial perturbations on the inner density profiles of haloes. We find a significant flattening of the inner slope to α=−0.5 in some range of scales and amplitudes of the perturbations (while in the case of absence of these perturbations, the Navarro–Frenk–White profile with α=−1 is reproduced). This effect may be responsible for the formation of cuspless galactic haloes.
Notes on Casmara agronomaMeyrick (Lepidoptera, Oecophoridae) in Korea
Authors: Byun Bong‐Kyu , Park Young Mi , Kim Sora , Lee Bong‐Woo , Bang Namsik
Published: September 2012

In this paper, we report C. agronoma Meyrick for the first time from South Korea. Photographs of adults and genitalia are provided, with brief comments on distribution and biology.
Antibacterial effect of extracts of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae against Gram‐negative bacteria
Authors: Choi Won‐Hyung , Yun Ji‐Hye , Chu Jong‐Phil , Chu Ki‐Back
Published: September 2012

Larvae of the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens are well‐known fly larvae that inhabit many countries around the world. Antimicrobial agents derived from the larvae may be among the substances that are produced in the body for their survival. This study was carried out to identify the antimicrobial effects of H. illucens larvae that commonly inhabit animal waste and food waste. To evaluate the pharmacological effects of H. illucens larvae extracts, the larvae were extracted by various organic solvents, and their antibacterial effects were determined by antimicrobial methods, such as agar disk diffusion and turbidometric assays. The methanol extracts (ME) indicated antibacterial effects against the proliferation of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Shigella sonnei. However, antibacterial effects were not induced in Gram‐positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus mutans and Sarcina lutea. The bacterial growth treated with ME was strongly inhibited from 20 mg/mL in a dose‐dependent manner compared with other extracts, and antibacterial activity gradually decreased after 24 h. Moreover, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of ME against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Shigella sonnei for 12 h were measured as 44.74 mg/mL, 43.98 mg/mL and 43.96 mg/mL, respectively. These results demonstrate that ME of H. illucens larvae not only has antibacterial activity which strongly inhibits the growth and proliferation of the bacteria but also unique properties which effectively block the viability of the bacteria.
The caddisfly genus OecetisMcLachlan (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) in Korea
Authors: Lee Song Ji , Hwang Jung Hoon , Bae Yeon Jae
Published: September 2012

The leptocerid caddisfly genus Oecetis (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) is reviewed in Korea. It includes four species newly recorded from the Korean Peninsula: Oecetis dilata Yang and Morse, Oe. notata (Rambur), Oe. caucula Yang and Morse, and Oe. antennata (Martynov), and three species newly recorded from South Korea, Oe. nigropunctata (Ulmer), Oe. testacea kumanskii Yang and Morse, and Oe. yukii Tsuda. The female of Oe. antennata (Martynov) is described for the first time. Male and female keys to the Korean Oecetis species, synonyms, redescriptions, diagnoses, distributions, taxonomic remarks, and illustrations of diagnostic characters are provided.
Genetic diversity of the dung beetle, Copris tripartitus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), that is endangered in Korea
Authors: Kang Ah Rang , Kim Ki‐Gyoung , Park Joong Won , Kim Iksoo
Published: September 2012

The dung beetle, Copris tripartitus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is an endangered insect in Korea. In order to establish a conservation strategy, a preliminary investigation on the genetic diversity of Korean populations was performed using mitochondrial COI (658 bp), CytB (433 bp), and nuclear ITS2 (411 nucleotide positions). Sequencing of 69 individuals collected from five localities showed substantially higher variability (5.02% for COI, 4.62% for CytB, and 8.03% for ITS2). The resulting networks for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes exhibited two star‐like phylogenies, which might indicate that Korean populations have recently expended from two small populations. The ITS2 network, which was presented in the form of a star‐like phylogeny, confirmed that a recent population expansion occurred. Considering the high genetic diversity and gene flow in C. tripartitus populations, one issue regarding conservation seems to be the recovery of previous habitats.
Age estimates based on aspartic acid racemization for bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) harvested in 1998–2000 and the relationship between racemization rate and body temperature
Authors: Rosa Cheryl , Zeh Judith , Craig George J. , Botta Oliver , Zauscher Melanie , Bada Jeffrey , O'Hara Todd M.
Published: September 2012

Fifty‐two eyes were collected and analyzed to estimate ages of 42 bowhead whales using the aspartic acid racemization aging technique. Between‐eye and within‐eye variance components for the ratio of the D and L optical isomers (D/L ratio) were estimated via analysis of variance using multiple measurements from nine whales with both eyes sampled and analyzed. For whales with more than one (D/L)act value, an inverse variance weighted average of the values was used as (D/L)act for the whale. Racemization rate (kAsp) and D/L ratio at birth (D/L)0 were estimated using (D/L)act from 27 bowhead whales with age estimates based on baleen or ovarian corpora data and two term fetuses. The estimates were kAsp = 0.977 × 10−3/yr and (D/L)0 = 0.0250. The nonlinear least squares analysis that produced these estimates also estimated female age at sexual maturity as ASM = 25.86 yr. SE(age) was estimated via a bootstrap that took into account the SE of (D/L)act and the variances and covariance of kAsp and (D/L)0. One male exceeded 100 yr of age; the oldest female was 88. A strong linear relationship between kAsp and body temperature was estimated by combining bowhead data with independent data from studies of humans and fin whales. Using this relationship, we estimated kAsp and ASM for North Atlantic minke whales.
Physicochemical, Microstructural, and Antibacterial Properties of β‐Chitosan and Kudzu Starch Composite Films
Authors: Zhong Yu , Li Yunfei , Zhao Yanyun
Published: September 2012

Abstract:  This study investigated physicochemical, microstructural, and antibacterial properties of β‐chitosan–kudzu starch composite films with addition of 0%, 20%, 60%, or 100% kudzu starch (w starch/w chitosan) in 1% chitosan solution. Molecular interactions between chitosan and kudzu starch and the crystal structure of the films were also determined. Adding 60% kudzu starch reduced water vapor permeability and solubility of pure β‐chitosan film by about 15% and 20%, respectively, whereas mechanical strength and flexibility of the film were increased about 50% and 25%, respectively. Micrograph showed that β‐chitosan film was totally amorphous, and the composite films generally became rougher with more starch added. Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray diffraction spectra showed that the 2 film‐forming components were compatible with each other. Pure β‐chitosan film resulted in 9.5 and 11.5 log CFU/mL reduction in Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua based on plate count method, respectively. Addition of kudzu starch reduced the antibacterial activity of film, but still achieved 8.3 and 10.3 log CFU/mL reduction in E. coli and L. innocua, respectively when kudzu starch to chitosan weight ratio was 1:1. Reduced antibacterial activity might attribute to the interaction of amino groups in β‐chitosan with the hydroxyl groups in kudzu starch. This study demonstrated that kudzu starch effectively improved water barrier of β‐chitosan film, and the composite films retained strong antibacterial ability.

Practical Application:  One percent of β‐chitosan containing 60% kudzu starch (w/w chitosan) composite films possessed better mechanical and water barrier properties than pure β‐chitosan films, and showed strong antibacterial activity against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. The films may be used as wraps or coatings to prolong the shelf life of different foods or other similar applications.
Passion for Work and Emotional Exhaustion: The Mediating Role of Rumination and Recovery
Authors: Donahue Eric G. , Forest Jacques , Vallerand Robert J. , Lemyre Pierre‐Nicolas , Crevier‐Braud Laurence , Bergeron Éliane
Published: September 2012

The purpose of the present research is to present a model pertaining to the mediating roles of rumination and recovery experiences in the relationship between a harmonious and an obsessive passion (Vallerand et al., 2003) for work and workers' emotional exhaustion. Two populations were measured in the present research: namely elite coaches and nurses. Study 1's model posits that obsessive passion positively predicts rumination about one's work when being physically away from work, while harmonious passion negatively predicts ruminative thoughts. In turn, rumination is expected to positively contribute to emotional exhaustion. The results of Study 1 were replicated in Study 2. In addition, in the model of Study 2, obsessive passion was expected to undermine recovery experiences, while harmonious passion was expected to predict recovery experiences. In turn, recovery experiences were expected to protect workers from emotional exhaustion. Results of both studies provided support for the proposed model. The present findings demonstrate that passion for work may lead to some adaptive and maladaptive psychological processes depending on the type of passion that is prevalent.
Quality of life and psychological well‐being among endodontic patients: a case‐control study
Authors: Liu P , McGrath C , Cheung GSP
Published: September 2012

Background:  Much is already known about the consequences of endodontic disease from clinicians’ perspectives; a significant omission is an understanding from patients’ perspectives. This study aimed to determine oral health‐related quality of life (OHQoL) and psychological distress among subjects referred for endodontic care compared to patients in periodontal maintenance.

Methods:  This was a case‐control study involving 200 patients; 100 patients requiring endodontic treatment and 100 control subjects (periodontal maintenance patients). OHQoL was assessed using the short form Oral Health Impact Profile measure (OHIP‐14) and psychological well‐being using the short form of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12). Variations in OHIP‐14 and GHQ‐12 scores between the ‘case’ and ‘control’ group were determined, and the magnitude of such differences through effect size (ES) calculations.

Results:  There were significant differences in OHIP‐14 summary scores between the case and control groups (p < 0.001) and significant differences across all seven domain scores (p < 0.05). The ES was moderate (0.63) with respect to summary OHIP‐14 scores. There were also significant differences in GHQ‐12 scores between the case and control groups (p < 0.05), but the ES was small (0.36).

Conclusions:  OHQoL and psychological well‐being is compromised among patients seeking endodontic treatment, and to a greater magnitude than patients in periodontal maintenance.
Impact of ADMA (asymmetric dimethylarginine) on physiology with respect to diabetes mellitus and respiratory system BEAS-2B cells (human bronchial epithelial cells)
Authors: Galal Omneya , Podlogar Julia , Verspohl Eugen J
Published: September 2012

Objectives

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a non-selective nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. This study aimed to investigate ADMA with respect to both diabetes and respiratory disease.

Methods

Glucose was determined by hexokinase method, insulin by a radioimmunoassay. Griess test was used for NO assay and cytokinines were assayed by ELISA. Ciliary beat frequency was determined by high speed video using a microscope.

Key findings

ADMA induced an increase in blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in rats; the ratio of these effects indicates the induction of a diabetic situation (insulin resistance). l-arginine increased blood glucose and initially slightly decreased plasma insulin. A pretreatment with ADMA abolished these effects. ADMA shows similar effects in vitro (insulin-secreting cell line, INS-1 cells). l-arginine increased production of NO, which was reversed by ADMA (INS-1 cells). ADMA also reduced NO production positively modulated by various substances, namely metformin, ciglitazone, losartan and nateglinide, but nevertheless inhibited insulin release induced by these compounds. ADMA stimulated the production of cytokines such as interleukin (IL-6) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) (rat IL-8 analogue) from INS-1 cells. 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR), a direct adenosine monophosphate protein kinase (AMPK) activator and anti-inflammatory agent, induced NO production and reduced cytokine release. In contrast to diabetes parameters, ADMA had no effect of on the respiratory system (cytokine secretion from BEAS-2B cells (IL-8, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted, and tumour necrosis factor-α), ciliary beat frequency and smooth muscle contraction of rat trachea).

Conclusions

ADMA has a pathophysiological impact leading to a diabetic situation but has no impact on the respiratory system.
Antecedents and consequences of situational interest
Authors: Linnenbrink‐Garcia Lisa , Patall Erika A. , Messersmith Emily E.
Published: September 2012

Background

There is a growing body of research on situational interest (SI). Yet, we still know relatively little about how SI is supported in the classroom and the academic benefits of SI.

Aim

The current study investigated (1) contextual antecedents of SI; (2) potential benefits of SI for academic outcomes; and (3) SI as a mediator of classroom practices to academic outcomes.

Sample

Participants were 126 male and female adolescents (mean age = 14.6 years) who took part in a science course during a 3‐week residential summer programme for talented adolescents.

Method

Participants completed self‐report measures prior to the start of the summer programme and at the end of the programme. Summer programme instructors completed ratings of students' engagement during the programme.

Result

Multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate the three study aims. After controlling for initial individual interest, perceived choice, instructor approachability, and course connections to real life were statistically significant predictors of SI during the summer programme, with varying associations observed based on the form of SI (triggered, maintained‐feeling, and maintained‐value). SI was positively related to individual interest and perceived competence in science at the end of the programme as well as teacher‐rated engagement; SI also mediated the associations of classroom practices with these outcomes.

Conclusion

Results suggest that classroom practices shape SI. In turn, SI supports motivation and engagement. Moreover, differentiated antecedents and outcomes of the three sub‐components of SI were identified, highlighting the utility of this three‐component approach for studying SI.
Epistemological and methodological significance of quantitative studies of psychomotor activity for the explanation of clinical depression
Authors: Terziivanova Petya , Haralanov Svetlozar
Published: September 2012

Rationale, aims and objectives

Psychomotor disturbances have been regarded as cardinal symptoms of depression for centuries and their objective assessment may have predictive value with respect to the severity of clinical depression, treatment outcome and prognosis of the affective disorder.

Methods

Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM‐A). Psychomotor indicators of activity and reactivity were objectively recorded and measured by means of computerized ultrasonographic craniocorpography.

Results

We found a statistically significant correlation between disturbances in psychomotor indicators and MADRS total score (r = 0.4; P < 0.0001). The severity of HAM‐A total score had no statistically significant correlation with psychomotor indicators (P > 0.05). We found that different items of MADRS and HAM‐A correlated with psychomotor disturbances of different strength and significance. Objectively, measured psychomotor retardation was associated with greater severity of depressive symptoms assessed at the clinical level.

Conclusions

Integration between different methods is needed in order to improve understanding of the psychopathology and the neurobiology of a disputable diagnosis such as clinical depression.
Body site matters: an evaluation and application of a novel histological methodology on the quantification of mucous cells in the skin of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.
Authors: Pittman K , Pittman A , Karlson S , Cieplinska T , Sourd P , Redmond K , Ravnøy B , Sweetman E
Published: September 2012

Mucous cell size and distribution were investigated in the skin of five salmon using a novel stereology‐based methodology: one (48 cm) fish to test 15 tissue treatment combinations on measures of cell area and density on the dorsolateral region and, using the most suitable treatment, we mapped mucous cell differences between body regions on four (52 cm) salmon, comprising a male and a female on each of two diets. The section site, decalcification, embedding medium and plane of sectioning all impacted significantly on mucous cell size, whereas mucous cell density is more robust. There were highly significant differences in both mucosal density and mean mucous cell size depending on body site: the dorsolateral skin of the four salmon had significantly denser (about 8% of skin area) and larger (mean about 160 μm2) mucous cells, whereas the lowest mean density (about 4%) and smallest mean area (115 μm2) were found on the head. We found that 100 random measurements may be sufficient to distinguish differences >7 μm2 in mean mucous cell areas. The results further suggest that salmon exhibit a dynamic repeatable pattern of mucous cell development influenced by sex, diet and possibly strain and season.