bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of management choices on the sustainability and economic performance of a mixed fishery: a simulation study
Authors: Kraak S. B. M. , Buisman F. C. , Dickey-Collas M. , Poos J. J. , Pastoors M. A. , Smit J. G. P. , van Oostenbrugge J. A. E. , Daan N.
Published: April 2008

Kraak, S. B. M., Buisman, F. C., Dickey-Collas, M., Poos, J. J., Pastoors, M. A., Smit, J. G. P., van Oostenbrugge, J. A. E., and Daan, N. 2008. The effect of management choices on the sustainability and economic performance of a mixed fishery: a simulation study. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 697–712. Alternative management scenarios were evaluated in a simulation framework that mimicked the recent exploitation of sole and plaice in the North Sea. A large proportion of plaice is taken as bycatch of the beam trawl fleet targeting sole, yet current management of the two stocks assumes no interaction in their exploitation. The evaluation criteria included biological and economic sustainability, and stability in the management measures. The fishery was assumed to respond to management restrictions by dropping the least profitable trips. We investigated two contrasting management strategies, single-species total allowable catches, and effort regulation. Under the assumptions made, the latter strategy performed better. The results suggest that, given assessment error and bias, a strategy that accounts for the mixed nature of a fishery and that occasionally results in perceived underexploitation may work best. Stability in fishing mortality reinforces itself, through lower assessment bias, and management corrections become less frequent. The common assumption in many stock assessments in EC waters that fishing mortality in the most recent year should resemble the value obtained in previous years (“shrinkage”) had a negative effect on the stability of control measures.
Neutron powder diffraction studies of two spin transition FeIIcomplexes under pressure
Authors: Legrand Vincent , Le Gac Frédéric , Guionneau Philippe , Létard Jean-François
Published: April 2008

The pressure dependences of the lattice parameters of two spin transition compounds have been derived from neutron powder diffraction measurements at ambient temperature. The study of Fe(PM–AzA)2(NCS)2[PM isN-2′-pyridylmethylene and AzA is 4-(phenylazo)aniline] has been used to validate this new type of investigation of spin crossover compounds, and the study of Fe(PM–BiA)2(NCS)2(BiA is 4-aminobiphenyl) has allowed the atypical spin crossover behaviour of this compound under pressure to be explained. In addition, this complex exhibits a pressure-induced structural transition with an associated symmetry change, inducing the transformation of Fe(PM–BiA)2(NCS)2into a different polymorph that avoids a first-order spin transition in favour of continuous transition.
Microvesicles in haemoglobinopathies offer insights into mechanisms of hypercoagulability, haemolysis and the effects of therapy
Authors: Westerman Maxwell , Pizzey Arnold , Hirschman Jocelyn , Cerino Mario , Weil‐Weiner Yonit , Ramotar Prya , Eze Ada , Lawrie Andrew , Purdy Gordon , Mackie Ian , Porter John
Published: April 2008

Levels of circulating red blood cell (RBC)‐derived vesicles are increased in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and thalassaemia intermedia (TI) but the mechanisms, effects and controlling factors may differ. This study found that levels of vesicles and intravascular haemolysis were linked as shown by the correlation between levels of vesicles and plasma Hb. Vesicle levels were 6‐fold greater in SCA and 4‐fold greater in TI than in controls. The proportion of plasma Hb within vesicles was increased in SCA and TI with a significantly higher proportion in TI. We examined whether subpopulations of RBC expressing phosphatidylserine (PS) were a source of PS(+) vesicles and observed a significant association. Thrombin generation was promoted by the vesicles in which 40–50% expressed PS. In TI, markers of thrombin generation were significantly related to PS(+) RBC. Splenectomy in TI had significant effects including greater increases in vesicle levels, plasma Hb, PS(+) RBCs and thrombin generation markers than in unsplenectomised patients. In hydroxycarbamide (HC)‐treated SCA patients these measures were decreased compared with untreated controls. The relationship between vesicle levels and plasma Hb suggests a mechanism linking vesiculation to haemolysis and consequently nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and suggests a means by which HC treatment improves NO bioavailability.
The expression of ΔNTP73, TATP73 and TP53 genes in acute myeloid leukaemia is associated with recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities and in vitro susceptibility to cytarabine cytotoxicity
Authors: Lucena‐Araujo Antonio R. , Panepucci Rodrigo A. , Dos Santos Guilherme A. S. , Jácomo Rafael H. , Santana‐Lemos Bárbara A. A. , Lima Ana S. G. , Garcia Aglair B. , Araújo Amélia G. , Falcão Roberto P. , Rego Eduardo M.
Published: April 2008

TP73 encodes for two proteins: full‐length TAp73 and ΔNp73, which have little transcriptional activity and exert dominant‐negative function towards TP53 and TAp73. We compared TATP73 and ΔNTP73 expression in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) samples and normal CD34+ progenitors. Both forms were more highly expressed in leukaemic cells. Amongst AML blasts, TATP73 was more expressed in AML harbouring the recurrent genetic abnormalities (RGA): PML‐RARA, RUNX1‐RUNX1T1 and CBFB‐MYH11, whereas higher ΔNTP73 expression was detected in non‐RGA cases. TP53 expression did not vary according to ΔNTP73/TATP73 expression ratio. Leukaemic cells with higher ΔNTP73/TATP73 ratios were significantly more resistant to cytarabine‐induced apoptosis.
Estimation of the density of the protocatechuate‐degrading bacterial community in soil by real‐time PCR
Authors: El Azhari N. , Bru D. , Sarr A. , Martin‐Laurent F.
Published: April 2008

The β‐ketoadipate pathway is the major route for degradation of aromatic compounds by various soil microorganisms. Protocatechuate 3,4‐dioxygenase, a key enzyme of this pathway and which is encoded by pcaGH genes, catalyses the ring cleavage of protocatechuate. Microorganisms harbouring pcaGH genes are widely distributed in the environment but little is known about their relative abundance within the total microflora. Hence, this paper reports the development of a real‐time PCR assay to quantify the bacterial pcaH sequence that encodes the β sub‐unit of the protocatechuate 3,4‐dioxygenase. This real‐time PCR assay was linear over seven orders of magnitude with a calculated efficiency of 99% and sensitive up to 102 copies of the pcaH sequence per assay. Real‐time PCR analyses performed on six soils with different physico‐chemical properties, revealed pcaH densities ranging from 103 to 104 copies of pcaH ng−1 of soil DNA, which corresponded to approximately 0.2–10.9% of the total bacterial community. The sequencing of real‐time PCR amplicons yielded 48 deduced amino acid sequences that exhibited 44–100% identity to known bacterial PcaH sequences, thereby confirming the accuracy of this real‐time PCR assay.
On effective linearity of soil process models
Authors: Corstanje R. , Lark R. M.
Published: April 2008

There are various circumstances in which it is important to know whether we can treat a model of a soil process as linear with respect to its parameters. In particular this is necessary when we decide how to apply that model so as to generate outputs at different spatial scales. Very few, if any, interesting soil models are strictly linear. However, the assumption of linearity might not be unreasonable if, for the region of interest, the variation of a particular input is fairly limited, or is limited to certain regions of the model’s parameter space, or both. For this reason we propose the concept of effective linearity.

We propose that the effective linearity of a model is quantified by the mean square deviation of the model output from a best linear approximation, given some distribution of inputs. This can be computed for a full set of inputs, or for one input with the other inputs assumed to have an independent non‐linear effect.

We computed these measures of non‐linearity for a model of ammonia volatilization from the soil. We computed them for regions of different size, given a particular geostatistical model of the spatial covariation of the inputs of interest. This showed that, except for small regions, the model could not be regarded as effectively linear because of the model response to soil pH. As a result the mean square deviation of model predictions relative to a best linear approximation is large by comparison to the analytical variance of the model output.
Interannual and seasonal variability of the diversity and structure of ichthyoplankton assemblages in the central Mexican Pacific
Authors: FRANCO‐GORDO C. , GODÍNEZ‐DOMÍNGUEZ E. , SUÁREZ‐MORALES E. , FREIRE J.
Published: April 2008

We examined larval fish diversity and assemblage structure off the central coast of the Mexican Pacific from December 1995 through December 1998, including the 1997–98 El Niño event. A total of 132 taxa were recorded, the dominant species being Bregmaceros bathymaster, Dormitator latifrons, and Harengula thrissina (90, 1.9, and 0.8% of the total abundance, respectively). Only B. bathymaster, D. latifrons, and Gobionellus sp. occurred in all samples. The effects of the 1997–98 El Niño on ichthyoplankton diversity were significant, but typical seasonal patterns were also detected. Diversity null models were used to determine the structural changes in the assemblage related to El Niño; both richness and evenness of the species were highest during this event. The most parsimonious models of assemblage organization include El Niño and seasonality as the most significant environmental variability sources. The small‐scale spatial variability expressed as the cross‐shore gradient was not significant. The dominant species group formed by B. bathymaster, D. latifrons, and Vinciguerria lucetia typifies, in terms of similarity, both the pre‐El Niño and El Niño periods; abundance differed between periods. The El Niño period was characterized locally by the dominant Bentosema panamense and H. thrissina, by the rare Euthynnus lineatus, and species of Lutjanus. Seasonality produced changes also in the relative frequencies of the dominant species plus the occurrence of rare forms. The average taxonomical distinctness, considered herein as an indicator of functional diversity, reflected the seasonal variability of the assemblages, aside from El Niño; this index showed lowest values during tropical and transitional periods, both characterized by warm, oligotrophic waters. The high dominance of B. bathymaster in the area and its effect on diversity stabilized the local ichthyoplankton assemblage. An upgraded analysis of diversity allowed a more detailed description of the variability in this assemblage, thus stressing the differential effects of El Niño at distinct latitudes.
Ethical issues in research with homeless youths
Authors: Ensign Josephine , Ammerman Seth
Published: April 2008

Title.  Ethical issues in research with homeless youths.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to documente researcher, healthcare provider and programme administrators’ experiences with ethical issues in research with homeless youths in North America.

Background.  While there are legal and ethical guidelines for research with adolescents and with vulnerable populations in general, there are no specific guidelines for the ethical conduct of research with homeless youths.

Methods.  Using a web‐based questionnaire, healthcare and social service providers, programme administrators and researchers working with homeless young people throughout the United States of America and Canada were surveyed in 2005. The survey group consisted of 120 individuals; a total of 72 individuals completed the survey. Survey questions included experiences with using incentives in research with homeless youths, consent and experiences with ethics review boards. Numerical data were analysed using frequencies and cross‐tabulations. Text data were analysed qualitatively.

Findings.  Researchers doing mental health and/or substance use research tended to use money as a research incentive, whereas healthcare providers and programme administrators tended to use non‐monetary incentives. The majority of respondents reported using written consent for research from homeless youths, including minors. Respondents reporting difficulties with ethics review boards were mainly involved with intervention research.

Conclusion.  Consensus is needed from a variety of stakeholders, including homeless youths and service providers, on use of various types of research incentives for different types of research, as well as use of consent for homeless youths who are minors.
Re‐examination of risk factors for non‐Clostridium difficile‐associated diarrhoea in hospitalized patients
Authors: Thorson Melissa A.L. , Bliss Donna Zimmaro , Savik Kay
Published: April 2008

Title.  Re‐examination of risk factors for non‐Clostridium difficile‐associated diarrhoea in hospitalized patients.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to determine the incidence of non‐Clostridium difficile‐associated diarrhoea in hospitalized patients and to re‐evaluate clinical characteristics and other risk factors related to non‐C. difficile‐associated diarrhoea.

Background.  Numerous factors are thought to be responsible for diarrhoea in hospitalized patients. Reports about the diarrhoeal effects of some medications administered concomitantly with tube feeding have stimulated reappraisal of the influence of tube feeding as a potential cause.

Method.  This study was a secondary analysis of data of 154 hospitalized patients collected during a prospective epidemiological study from 1992 to 1993. The secondary analysis was completed in 2006 in order to investigate unanswered questions of current importance.

Findings.  The sample was predominantly male and middle aged; approximately 50% were tube fed, and 25% were in an intensive care unit. The incidence of diarrhoea was 35%. Increased severity of illness as well as the combination of sorbitol‐containing medication administration and tube feeding were found to be statistically significant factors in the development of diarrhoea.

Conclusion.  As diarrhoea in hospitalized patients appears to be multifactorial, use of an algorithm to systematically evaluate and manage related factors is recommended.
A review of termination of pregnancy: prevalent health care professional attitudes and ways of influencing them
Authors: Lipp Allyson
Published: April 2008

Aim.  To review the literature on attitudes of health care professionals to termination of pregnancy and draw out underlying themes.

Background.  The controversy surrounding therapeutic abortion is unremitting with public opinion often polemic and unyielding. Nurses and midwives are at the centre of this turmoil, and as more termination of pregnancies are being performed using pharmacological agents, they are becoming ever more involved in direct care and treatment. Attitudes towards termination of pregnancy have been found to vary depending on the nationality of those asked, the professionals involved, experience in abortion care, as well as personal attributes of those asked such as their obstetric history and religious beliefs. The reasons for women undergoing abortion were also found to influence attitudes to a greater or lesser extent.

Conclusion.  This paper explores research studies undertaken into attitudes of health care professionals towards termination of pregnancy, to appreciate the complexity of the debate. It is possible that the increased involvement of nurses in termination of pregnancy, that current methods demand, may lead to change in attitudes. Consideration is given to a number of remedies to create an optimum environment for women undergoing termination of pregnancy.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This paper establishes via a literature review that attitudes in those working in this area of care depend upon a variety of influences. Suggestions are made for measures to be put into place to foster appropriate attitudes in those working in termination of pregnancy services.
Cascading transcriptional effects of a naturally occurring frameshift mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: BROWN KYLE M. , LANDRY CHRISTIAN R. , HARTL DANIEL L. , CAVALIERI DUCCIO
Published: April 2008

Gene‐expression variation in natural populations is widespread, and its phenotypic effects can be acted upon by natural selection. Only a few naturally segregating genetic differences associated with expression variation have been identified at the molecular level. We have identified a single nucleotide insertion in a vineyard isolate of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that has cascading effects through the gene‐expression network. This allele is responsible for about 45% (103/230) of the genes that show differential gene expression among the homozygous diploid progeny produced by a vineyard isolate. Using isogenic laboratory strains, we confirm that this allele causes dramatic differences in gene‐expression levels of key genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis. The mutation is a frameshift mutation in a mononucleotide run of eight consecutive T's in the coding region of the gene SSY1, which encodes a key component of a plasma‐membrane sensor of extracellular amino acids. The potentially high rate of replication slippage of this mononucleotide repeat, combined with its relatively mild effects on growth rate in heterozygous genotypes, is sufficient to account for the persistence of this phenotype at low frequencies in natural populations.
Response of endophytic Biscogniauxia mediterranea to variation in leaf water potential of Quercus cerris
Authors: Vannini A. , Lucero G. , Anselmi N. , Vettraino A. M.
Published: April 2008

Endophytic behaviour of Biscogniauxia mediterranea, the causal agent of charcoal disease of oak, was studied over two growing seasons on Quercus cerris in a forest in central Italy. Isolation of the fungus from asymptomatic tissues varied with tissue type, period of sampling and year. Presence of the fungus in asymptomatic plants was significantly higher in fall, compared with that in spring and summer. However, a significant effect of tissue water content on the presence of B. mediterranea was recognized. The results suggest that proliferation of B. mediterranea is favoured during the endophytic phase by a decrease in host water potential.
Host Range of Australian Phoma ligulicola var. inoxydablis Isolates from Pyrethrum
Authors: Pethybridge S. J. , Hay F. S. , Clarkson R. A. , Groom T. , Wilson C. R.
Published: April 2008

Ray blight, caused by Phoma ligulicola var. inoxydablis is one of the most damaging diseases of pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium [Trevir.] Sch. Bip.) in Australia. The pathogenicity of P. ligulicola var. inoxydablis to a range of ornamental and other plant species was tested to determine potential sources of inoculum into pyrethrum crops. Differences were identified in the host range of P. ligulicola var. inoxydablis isolates in this study in comparison with isolates reported from garden chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium L.), most likely to be P. ligulicola var. ligulicola. Australian P. ligulicola var. inoxydablis isolates were unable to infect and cause disease following repeated inoculation to zinnia (Zinnia elegans L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), dahlia (Dahlia variabilis Desf.), and several cultivars of crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) was recorded as a susceptible host for this pathogen for the first time. Moreover, the susceptibility of annual chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum carinatum L.) to infection by P. ligulicola var. inoxydablis was confirmed. Implications for disease management in Tasmanian pyrethrum fields are discussed.
Effects of neonatal dexamethasone or methylprednisolone on rat growth and neurodevelopment
Authors: Kilic Ilknur , Dagdeviren Erol , Kaya Ertugrul
Published: April 2008

Background: Clinical studies have demonstrated that premature infants receiving long‐term dexamethasone therapy have reduced linear growth, decreased weight gain, and smaller head circumferences. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of the same equivalent doses for anti‐inflammatory potency of neonatal dexamethasone and methylprednisolone on rat growth and neurodevelopment.

Methods: The pups were randomly separated into three treatment groups on postnatal day (PD) 3. At postnatal 3–5 days, tapering doses of corticosteroids or sterile saline were administered subcutaneously. Group 1 was the dexamethasone group (n = 12; PD 3, 0.5 mg/kg; PD 4, 0.25 mg/kg; PD 5, 0.125 mg/kg; PD 6, 0.05 mg/kg s.c.); group 2, methylprednisolone group (n = 12; PD 3, 2.6 mg/kg; PD 4, 1.3 mg/kg; PD 5, 0.650 mg/kg; PD 6, 0.325 mg/kg; group 3, control group (n = 12; normal saline injected). Weight was recorded on PD 3–6, 8, 14, 22, length was recorded on PD 3, 7, 14, 21 for each group. Neurological responses and physical development were tested on PD 7, 14, 21.

Results: On PD 4–6, 8, 14, 22 the weight in the dexamethasone and methylprednisolone groups was lower than in the control group, but the weight in the dexamethasone group was the lowest (P < 0.05). The length in the dexamethasone group was significantly shorter than in the methylprednisolone group on PD 14 and 21. Dexamethasone‐treated animals had a reduced total neurological score compared with the methylprednisolone and control groups on PD 7, 14, 21. Although methylprednisolone‐treated animals had lower total neurological score than that of the control group on PD 7 and PD 14 (P < 0.05), total neurological scores were not different in the methylprednisolone and control groups on PD 21.

Conclusions: Postnatal methylprednisolone treatment might be safer than dexamethasone treatment in newborns.
Haemophilus influenzae type b antibodies in vaccinated and non‐vaccinated children
Authors: Arvas Ahmet , Gur Emel , Bahar Hrisi , Torun Muzeyyen M. , Demirci Mehmet , Aslan Mustafa , Kocazeybek Bekir
Published: April 2008

Background: Invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection has a high morbidity among young children, but the burden of disease and rate of Hib are different in different regions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of Hib antibodies and the oropharyngeal Hib prevalence in young children.

Methods: One hundred‐fifty nine healthy children aged 19–36 months of age were included in this cross‐sectional study. Anti‐polyribosylribitol phosphate (anti‐PRP) antibody concentrations were measured using commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and serotyping of isolated Hib strains was conducted by slide agglutination with specific antisera.

Results: Of the study participants, 57 (35.8%) were fully vaccinated (group 1A); 17 (10.7%) were incompletely vaccinated (group 1B), and 85 (53.5%) were non‐vaccinated (group 2). Geometric mean titer (GMT) of anti‐PRP antibody was 3.8 μg/mL, 2.2 μg/mL and 0.49 μg/mL in group 1A, group 1B and group 2, respectively. While all children in group 1 (n = 74) had seroprotective antibody concentrations (≥0.15 μg /mL), of the children in group 2 (n = 85) 31.8% did not have seroprotective anti‐PRP levels (P < 0.0001). A total of 68.2% in group 2 had natural immunity. Nineteen children (33.3%) in group 1, and 46 (54.1%) in group 2 had oropharyngeal Hib colonization (P = 0.0004).

Conclusions: Hib conjugate vaccine is immunogenic and reduces Hib colonization. Each country should investigate the burden of Hib disease and the natural immunity in young children, and should determine antigenic dose, number of doses administered and dose intervals before deciding whether to introduce Hib conjugate vaccine in routine immunization programs.
Food Crises, Crisis Response and Emergency Preparedness: The Sudan Case
Authors: ELDREDGE ELIZABETH , RYDJESKI DENIS
Published: April 2008

Food security problems should be seen as “normal” in and endemic to subsistence agricultural groups in semi‐arid zones of developing countries. Natural, popular response mechanisms exist that address these problems when they are at “normal” levels. All response mechanisms in developing countries can be expected to be swamped in times of a major food emergency. During major crises international relief assistance will continue to play a crucial role. Attempts at imposing centralized, institutional social security systems that address the normal “pockets of need” syndrome will be extremely expensive, not self‐sustaining, and prone to failure. In that these efforts may undermine natural response mechanisms and draw scarce resources away from more logical, decentralized relief agencies these efforts may prove dangerously counter‐productive.
Nutrition Assessment Through the Use of a Nutritional Scoring System
Authors: AUTIER PHILIPPE
Published: April 2008

In 1984 and 1985, Chad was affected by a large scale drought. In order to ensure rapid decision making for the allocation of food and because of the practical problems encountered when using the classical nutritional survey methods, a Nutritional Score System (N.S.S) was developed. This method was based on the use of social, economic and nutritional indicators and allowed comparison of nutritional status between communities. This paper discusses how the N.S.S. was developed and applied, and how it compared with the classical survey methods.
Social networks and a new venture's innovative capability: the role of trust within entrepreneurial teams
Authors: Chen Ming‐Huei , Wang Ming‐Chao
Published: April 2008

This paper examines the effects of social networks and trust on a new venture's innovative capability. The concept of social networks is studied as the configuration of internal and external social networks for entrepreneurial team members. This study collected information about 112 technology‐based entrepreneurial teams from the 65 research‐based incubators in Taiwan. The results indicate that both internal and external social networks have marginally positive impacts on a new venture's innovative capability, and trust within the entrepreneurial teams is found to be as important a moderator for the relationship between external social networks and innovative capability. Moreover, results reveal that a higher level of trust between entrepreneurial team members can reduce the external social networks spanning the boundaries of the new venture and therefore may cause a ‘not invented here’ syndrome which will reduce its innovative capability.
New directions in R&D: current and prospective challenges
Authors: Howells Jeremy
Published: April 2008

This paper investigates the paradox of research and development (R&D), that is being increasingly undervalued by firms and nations, and yet continues to grow and prosper in terms of overall size and reach. The analysis outlines key developments that are currently affecting the growth and development of R&D activity and highlights the issues and problems that R&D managers and policymakers may likely face over the next decade.
Documenting the Quick and the Dead: A Study of Suicide Case Files in a Coroner's Office
Authors: Langer Susanne , Scourfield Jonathan , Fincham Ben
Published: April 2008

In keeping with recent critiques of literature on the body and the life course, the argument of this paper is that social identities can, to a certain extent, be constructed post-mortem and in the absence of a living body. The authors make this case with reference to a sociological autopsy study of a hundred suicide case files in a coroner's office in a medium-sized British city. The research draws on ethnographic approaches to the study of documents. There is discussion of some of the diverse artefacts in the coroners’ files: medical reports, witness statements and suicide notes. The identity work revealed in these sources is as much about the living as the dead and is especially bound up in the process of avoiding blame.
Middle Class Identities in a Neoliberal Age: Tensions between Contested Authenticities
Authors: María Luisa Méndez L.
Published: April 2008

This paper explores in-depth interviews on aspects of middle class identity in a neoliberal age, taking the case of Chile's rapid and stark transition to a neoliberal economic model which was imposed by a dictatorship but later reproduced during democracy. 1 The paper reveals that there are no challenges to middle class identities (eg from the working class, or peasants). In this respect, these are neo-liberal middle class identities in that their way of thinking is preconditioned by market dominance. Informed by Bourdieu's views on class identities, this article emphasises the horizontal, non-hierarchical nature of contemporary class taste, and contributes to debates on stratification and culture, settling accounts with older class theory which perceives contests between the popular and middle classes. Notwithstanding this, however, I argue that processes of horizontal differentiation do involve tensions between cultural and moral boundaries. This article therefore also offers an alternative approach for exploring how middle class identities experience processes of individualization. It is argued that individualization processes should be placed in social and ethical registers as they could be in tension with various ways of understanding authenticity: being true to oneself or to one's origins.
Re-Invigorating Democracy?: White Middle Class Identities and Comprehensive Schooling
Authors: Reay Diane , Crozier Gill , James David , Hollingworth Sumi , Williams Katya , Jamieson Fiona , Beedell Phoebe
Published: April 2008

Recent research on social class and whiteness points to disquieting and exclusive aspects of white middle class identities. This paper focuses on whether ‘alternative’ middle class identities might work against, and disrupt, normative views of what it means to be ‘middle class’ at the beginning of the 21st Century. Drawing on data from those middle classes who choose to send their children to urban comprehensives, we examine processes of ‘thinking and acting otherwise’ in order to uncover some of the commitments and investments that might make for a renewed and reinvigorated democratic citizenry. The difficulties of turning these commitments and investments into more equitable ways of interacting with class and ethnic others which emerge as real challenges for this left leaning, pro-welfare segment of the middle classes. Within a contemporary era of neo-liberalism that valorises competition, individualism and the market even these white middle classes who express a strong commitment to community and social mixing struggle to convert inclinations into actions.
Art Work or Money: Conflicts in the Construction of a Creative Identity
Authors: Taylor Stephanie , Littleton Karen
Published: April 2008

The identity projects of novice creative practitioners must take account of the economy of art work. It has been suggested ( McRobbie, 2002a ) that in the contemporary cultural industries in the UK, a new understanding of the connection between creative work and money has replaced past ‘anti-commercial’ notions. This claim is investigated through a narrative-discursive analysis of interviews from a longitudinal study with current and recent Art and Design postgraduates. Their ongoing identity projects are shaped by established understandings of creative work and the prospects it offers for earning and employment, and also by more local discursive resources given by personal life contexts. An analysis of two interviews with a single speaker shows how these resources are taken up within her ongoing and distinctive identity project. Both old and new repertoires of art and money are in play in her talk. She must negotiate dilemmas and potentially troubled positionings in order to reconcile a creative identity with relationships and responsibilities towards others. Coherence is only achieved momentarily and is disrupted by new life circumstances. By investigating an identity project at the level of talk, the analysis shows the complexity of the speaker's work to construct and claim a creative identity.
Monocular fixation with the optic nerve head: a case report
Authors: Vera‐Diaz Fuensanta A. , Peli Eli
Published: April 2008

Purpose:  To document and discuss the case of a patient with left esotropia (ET) who uses the left optic nerve head (ONH) for monocular ‘fixation’.

Case report:  The patient was an 80‐year‐old male with left ET from early childhood. Retinal tracking monocular fixation measurements with a Nidek MP‐1 revealed stable fixation within the left ONH area. In an attempt to challenge the initial observation, further assessments of fixation were performed with a smaller target size and requiring various gaze positions. MP‐1 fixation data showed remarkably stable monocular fixation (±1° over 30 s) mostly within the left ONH for all the target sizes and positions of gaze tested. Additional clinical binocular evaluations showed concomitant left ET ∼28Δ, no movement with cover test regardless of fixation target and no significant monocular motility restrictions. Visuoscopy also revealed fixation at the left ONH. There was a strong family history of ET, but none of the other affected descendants tested (n = 3) demonstrated the same behaviour.

Conclusions:  This is the first report documenting an abnormally developed monocular ocular motor system, with principal visual direction and zero retinomotor value shifted from the fovea to the ONH. We do not believe that there is any direct visual input from the ONH. The patient may use visual information obtained by glancing with peri‐papillary areas to determine the target position (although this was largely ruled out), or obtain position information from the average luminance produced by scattered light around the ONH margin. The abnormal oculocentric direction might then be combined with extraretinal information (efferent copy or extraocular muscle proprioception) of the eye location in the orbit to stabilize the fixation. This patient does not have the blind spot syndrome (Swan, 1948). We propose the use of a retinal perimeter for documentation of eccentric fixation in strabismus.
Usefulness of post‐assessment reports in a paediatric low vision clinic: a questionnaire survey of parents and education professionals
Authors: Lennon Julie , Harper Robert , Lloyd Chris , Biswas Sus
Published: April 2008

This survey aimed to evaluate how helpful parents and those working in the educational setting found written low vision assessment reports. A questionnaire survey was sent to 25 parents and to the corresponding and relevant member of the educational team for each of the 25 children. All were satisfied with the level of information contained in the report and agreed that the report was easy to understand and that the level of explanations given regarding visual function were clear. The main disparities between parents and teaching professionals were concerning the amount of medical terminology used in the report, with only 7% (n = 1) of those from the educational setting, but 30% (n = 6) of parents feeling there was too much. Adaptations were also more likely to have been implemented in the educational setting [82% (n = 11)] as compared with 62% (n = 16) in the home. Eighty‐three per cent (n = 43) of respondents reported that low vision aids were used at either home or school on at least a weekly basis.
The effect of positive‐lens addition and base‐in prism on accommodation accuracy and near horizontal phoria in Chinese myopic children
Authors: Cheng Desmond , Schmid Katrina L. , Woo George C.
Published: April 2008

The effect of positive‐lens addition (0, +0.75, +1.50, +2.25, +3.00 D each eye) and base‐in prism power (0, 1.5, 3 Δ each eye) on both near focusing errors and latent horizontal deviations was evaluated in 29 Chinese myopic children (age: 10.3 ± 1.9 years, refractive error: −2.73 ± 1.31 D). Accommodation response and phoria were measured by the Shin‐Nippon auto‐refractor (right eye) and Howell–Dwyer near phoria card at 33 cm with each of the 15 lens/prism combinations in random order. The initial accommodative error was −0.96 ± 0.67 D (lag) and near phoria was −0.8 ± 5.0 Δ (exophoria). The positive‐lens addition decreased the accommodative lag but increased the exophoria as the power increased (e.g. up to −9.1 ± 4.1 Δ with +3 D). A 6‐Δ base‐in prism totally controlled the exophoria induced by a +1.50 D addition (−0.3 ± 4.3 Δ), but the accommodative lag was still considerable (−0.69 ± 0.54 D). In the graphical analysis of the data, a lens addition of +2.25 D combined with a 6‐Δ base‐in prism minimized both the lag and lens‐induced exophoria to −0.33 D and −2.4 Δ respectively (regression analysis). This lens and prism combination decreased the lens‐induced exophoria by 4.5 Δ compared with that measured with +2.25 D alone (−2.4 Δ vs −6.9 Δ). The results suggest that incorporating near base‐in prism when prescribing bifocal lenses for young progressing myopes with exophoria could reduce the positive lens‐induced oculomotor imbalance.
On the compensation of horizontal coma aberrations in young human eyes
Authors: Lu Fan , Wu Jiangxiu , Shen Yeyu , Qu Jia , Wang Qinmei , Xu Chenchen , Chen Shihao , Zhou Xiangtian , He Ji C.
Published: April 2008

The nature of the compensation of horizontal coma (Z31) between optical elements of the human eye has been studied and the compensative mechanism has been attributed to a passive process linked to angle kappa of the eye. We measured the horizontal coma in the anterior cornea, the whole eye and the internal optics for 221 young subjects. Thirty‐three eyes with minimum angle lambda and 53 eyes with relatively large angle lambda were selected from these eyes to test the hypothesis that horizontal coma compensation is linked to angle kappa. Significant horizontal coma in the anterior cornea was observed for the group with minimum angle lambda in both the right (−0.12 ± 0.07 μm) and left eyes (0.12 ± 0.10 μm), and this was well compensated by the internal optics so that the level of horizontal coma in the whole eye over a 6‐mm pupil size was very low (−0.05 ± 0.07 μm for OD and 0.02 ± 0.08 μm for OS). The horizontal coma in the anterior cornea was significantly correlated to the horizontal coma in the internal optics for both the right and the left eye. The results suggest that there is another source of horizontal coma, in addition to that linked to angle kappa, in the anterior cornea, and also a new compensative mechanism to balance the corneal coma, perhaps in the posterior cornea or the lens.
Discharge Setting for Patients with Hip Fracture: Trends from 2001 to 2005
Authors: Nguyen‐Oghalai Tracy U. , Kuo Yong‐fang , Zhang Dong D. , Graham James E. , Goodwin James S. , Ottenbacher Kenneth J.
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVES: To examine recent trends in discharge disposition after hospitalization for hip fracture.

DESIGN: Retrospective observational study using data from the 5% random sample of Medicare claims data from 2001 to 2005 that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services makes available for research purposes.

SETTING: Inpatient medical rehabilitation pre‐ and postimplementation of prospective payment (2001–2005).

PARTICIPANTS: Forty‐four thousand six hundred eighty‐four Medicare patients.

MEASURES: Postacute discharge setting (home, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facility, and long‐term care nursing home/hospital/hospice).

RESULTS: Bivariate analyses showed that discharge from acute care to inpatient rehabilitation increased from 12.2% in 2001 to 23.9% in 2005. The odds of discharge to inpatient medical rehabilitation were 2.26 (95% confidence interval=2.09–2.45) greater in 2005 than in 2001 after adjustment for patient characteristics (age, sex, and race or ethnicity), admitting diagnoses, type of treatment (internal fixation vs arthroplasty), and length of stay.

CONCLUSION: The move from fee for service to prospective payment for postacute services for persons with hip fracture was associated with greater use of inpatient medical rehabilitation. Further research is necessary to confirm the trend in discharge setting and determine whether it is related to changes in reimbursement for postacute care.
Dispermic chimerism identified during HLA typing for stem cell transplantation
Authors: Draper Nicole L. , Conley Cheryl , Smith Clayton , Benson Kaaron
Published: April 2008

BACKGROUND: Chimerism is defined as the presence of two genetically distinct cell populations in an organism. Few cases of phenotypically normal dispermic chimeras have been reported and most showed abnormalities on blood typing.

CASE REPORT: A 32‐year‐old man was diagnosed with acute myelomonocytic leukemia. He clearly typed as group A, D−. No abnormalities of sexual development were identified on multiple physical exams, previous exploratory surgery, or CT scans. Molecular HLA typing (sequence‐specific primers) in preparation for stem cell transplant showed the patient to have three HLA‐B* and three HLA‐Cw* alleles. Initial serologic HLA typing reported two haplotypes, but on subsequent review reactions for a third HLA‐B antigen that were initially deemed to be false‐positive reactions were identified. Two of 10 microsatellite short tandem repeat (STR) loci also showed three distinct alleles in blood and buccal samples. In all studies the third allele was attributable to a dual paternal contribution.

CONCLUSION: This case represents dispermic chimerism, with one maternal and two paternal haplotypes variably distributed throughout body tissues in a phenotypically normal man without abnormalities in blood typing. The presence of additional alleles that may have been undetected or dismissed by serologic typing should be carefully investigated and verified by molecular techniques. Molecular HLA typing may increase the accurate identification of phenotypically normal chimeras and aid in selecting proper donors for transplantation to reduce graft‐versus‐host disease and transplant rejection in these patients.
Clinical Implications of QRS Duration and QT Peak Prolongation in Patients with Suspected Coronary Disease Referred for Elective Cardiac Catheterization
Authors: Attar M. Nadeem , Wong Kenneth , Groves David G. , Newall Nick , Ramsdale David R. , Moore Roger K.
Published: April 2008

Background: The electrocardiogram (ECG) remains a simple, universally available, and prognostically powerful investigation in heart failure, and acute coronary syndromes. We sought to assess the prognostic utility of clinical, angiographic, and simple ECG parameters in a large cohort of patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization (CC) for known or suspected coronary artery disease.

Methods: Consecutive consenting patients undergoing CC for coronary disease were enrolled at a single tertiary center. Patient data, drug therapy, catheter reports, and ECG recordings were prospectively recorded in a validated electronic archive. The primary outcome measure was death or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) over 1 year or until percutaneous or cardiac surgical intervention. Independent prognostic markers were identified using the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results: A total of 682 individuals were recruited of whom 17(2.5%) died or suffered a nonfatal MI in 1 year. In multivariate analysis QRS duration (ms) (HR 1.03 95% CI 1.01–1.05, P = 0.003), extent of coronary disease (HR 2.01 95% CI 1.24–3.58, P = 0.006), and prolonged corrected QT peak interval in lead I (HR 1.02 95% CI 1.00–1.03, P = 0.044) were independently associated with death or nonfatal MI. Receiver‐operator characteristic (ROC) analysis for the multivariate model against the primary end point yielded an area under the curve of 0.759 (95% CI 0.660–0.858), P < 0.001.

Conclusions: QRS duration and QT peak are independently associated with increased risk of death or nonfatal MI in stable patients attending for coronary angiography.
Adverse Effects of Continuous Ventricular Pacing in Patients with Slower Atrial Fibrillation and Normal Left Ventricular Systolic Function
Authors: Chiladakis John A. , Koutsogiannis Nikolaos , Kalogeropoulos Andreas , Arvanitis Panagiotis , Alexopoulos Dimitrios
Published: April 2008

Background: Both heart rate irregularity during chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular desynchronization imposed by ventricular pacing may compromise ventricular function. We investigated whether heart rhythm regularization achieved through ventricular overdrive pacing (VP) gives additional benefit over rate control alone in patients with AF.

Methods: We studied 27 patients (mean age 72 ± 7 years) with AF and normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function who were implanted with a common VVIR pacemaker. Cardiac function was assessed by using serial echocardiographic conventional, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and color M‐Mode (CMM) examinations, together with B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurements. Baseline data were obtained during AF (mean heart rate 58 ± 5 beats/minute) with the pacemakers programmed to ventricular mere back‐up pacing. These data were compared to the corresponding measurements following a 2‐week VP period after the devises had been programmed to a lower rate of 70 beats/min, ensuring most of the time continuing VP.

Results: Continuous VP compared to AF, reduced the LV cardiac index (2.28 ± 0.44 l/min/m2 vs 2.33 ± 0.39 l/min/m2, P < 0.05), increased the LV end‐systolic volume (38 ± 14 mL vs 35 ± 11 mL, P < 0.05), and decreased the TDI‐derived systolic and diastolic mitral velocity (8.1 ± 1.8 cm/s vs 8.3 ± 1.6 cm/s, and 8.1 ± 1.8 cm/s vs 8.3 ± 1.6 cm/s, respectively, both P < 0.05) and the CMM‐derived transmitral early diastolic flow propagation velocity (37.6 ± 9.2 vs 41.5 ± 9.7, P < 0.05). Following VP, both ratios E/Ea and E/Vp showed a trend toward increase (P = NS), whereas BNP rose up to 25.5% (median value, from 111 pg/mL to 165 pg/mL, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: VP may be considered disadvantageous compared to slower AF.
Resting Magnetocardiography Predicts 3‐Year Mortality in Patients Presenting with Acute Chest Pain without ST Segment Elevation
Authors: Park Jai‐Wun , Leithäuser Boris , Hill Peter , Jung Friedrich
Published: April 2008

Objective: Magnetocardiography (MCG) as a noninvasive, noncontact and risk‐free diagnostic method predicts ischemic coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with acute chest pain at admission with high accuracy. However, it remains unclear whether MCG findings can add prognostic information.

Method: A cohort of 402 consecutive patients presenting at the intensive care unit (ICU) with acute chest pain without ST segment elevation (NSTEMI) were included in a prospective registry. In order to prove the prognostic value of MCG a head‐to‐head comparison of the admission MCG, ECG, TnI, and ECHO tests was made.

Results: In 43 patients (10.7%) the MCG could not be analyzed due to insufficient signal‐to‐noise ratio. Complete follow‐up over a period of up to 3 years was obtained in 355 out of the 359 patients (98.9%). Age at admission was 67.2 ± 10.3 years, 59.7% males. In the group of patients with an abnormal MCG at admission, 43 out of 249 patients (17.3%) died in the follow‐up period, while in the group of patients with a normal MCG at admission only 4 out of 106 patients died (3.77%). The relative risk was 4.58 (95% confidence intervals: 1.68–12.42). A multivariate regression analysis revealed the highest mortality risk for patients with diabetes mellitus and an abnormal MCG at admission (RR = 18.0; 95% CI: 2.49–133.3).

Conclusion: Resting MCG at hospital admission predicts 3‐year mortality in patients presenting with acute chest pain without ST segment elevation in the ECG. MCG seems to be valuable in identifying chest pain patients at highest risk.