bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taking Political Engagement Online: An Experimental Analysis of Asynchronous Discussion Forums
Authors: Smith Graham , John Peter , Sturgis Patrick
Published: October 2012

In this study we analyse the effect of participation in an online asynchronous discussion forum on the direction and magnitude of opinion change and policy preferences relating to youth antisocial behaviour among a large sample of online panel members. Panel members were randomly assigned to conditions that manipulated: (1) the amount of information about youth antisocial behaviour provided; and (2) the extent to which panel members were able to communicate with one another. We find that engagement in online discussion forums can lead to modest shifts in preferences among those who choose to contribute to the discussion. However, because those who choose to engage in this way are a small and self-selecting minority who make little use of background information, questions remain about the utility of online discussion forums as effective means of engaging citizens to generate informed inputs into the policy process.
Parent and child attitudinal factors in a model of children's print‐concept knowledge
Authors: Dobbs‐Oates Jennifer , Pentimonti Jill M. , Justice Laura M. , Kaderavek Joan N.
Published: October 2012

The present study investigates the role of attitudinal variables, such as children's literacy interest and parents’ reading beliefs, in conjunction with home literacy activities (HLA), in predicting children's print‐concept knowledge. The objective of the study is to test a theoretical model describing the relationship among these variables. This study involved 551 low‐income preschool children. Structural equation modelling was used to test the model. The model was a good fit for the data when parental teaching of reading/writing was used as the measure of HLA. In the model, negative parent reading beliefs and parent teaching predicted print‐concept knowledge. Results suggest that practitioners should consider not only the literacy activities children and parents participate in, but also their attitudes towards those activities.
Living within the Sacred Tension: Kierkegaard's Climacean Works as a Guide for Christian Existence
Authors: Nowachek Matthew T.
Published: October 2012

In this paper, I offer a reading of Søren Kierkegaard's Climacean works (Fragments and Postscript) in which I focus on their specific dissimilarities, but also on the important dialectical relationship between them. My central claim is that when we consider Kierkegaard's larger project in his authorship to encourage believers to practice a Christian existence characterized by tension, we begin to see the crucial shared role these works play for Kierkegaard's purposes. To begin, I outline the theological and polemical background to Kierkegaard's account of Christian existence by focusing on one of the central existential dualities in his thought, namely that of grace and works. In order to avoid falling into one extreme or the other, Kierkegaard argues for an account of faith as restlessness, which I identify as crucial to the Christian life. With this framework, I turn to Fragments and Postscript to draw out their respective emphases on gift and task, and I follow this with a discussion of how the dialectical relation between these emphases fulfills and upholds the account of tension that we have developed.
Dwarfism in insular carnivores: a case study of the pygmy raccoon
Authors: McFadden K. W. , Meiri S.
Published: October 2012

Insular dwarfism is common in mammals. Many theories have been put forward to explain it, including competitive release, predation release, resource limitation and limited dispersal abilities. However, recent analyses have challenged many of these assertions and indicate that size evolution is more complex with populations and species developing unique patterns of morphological variation. We explore the evolution of body size in a poorly studied island carnivore, the pygmy raccoon Procyon pygmaeus, and compare it with other mainland and island populations within its genus. We studied 36 males and 42 females of the endemic and endangered pygmy raccoon on Cozumel Island, Mexico, from 2001 to 2003. Insular P. pygmaeus are, on average, 17.5% smaller in linear dimensions than their closest mainland relative. Minimum linear rate of size change was 6.21% per 1000 years or 5.43 darwins. Size reduction is likely to have been an adaptation to fewer resources and predators. Our population genetic examination identified different patterns of divergence than the morphological examination, indicating that the rate of morphological evolution likely exceeds that represented in this genus’ neutral genetic history. This case study highlights the importance of an autecological approach toward examining insular dwarfism given that clear patterns are not visible across the Carnivora.
Understanding performance deficits in developmental coordination disorder: a meta‐analysis of recent research
Authors: WILSON PETER H , RUDDOCK SCOTT , SMITS‐ENGELSMAN BOUWIEN , POLATAJKO HELENE , BLANK RAINER
Published: October 2012

Aim  Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a significant disorder of childhood, characterized by core difficulties in learning fine and/or gross motor skills, and the attendant psychosocial problems. The aim of the meta‐analysis presented here (the first on DCD since 1998) was to summarize trends in the literature over the past 14 years and to identify and describe the main motor control and cognitive deficits that best discriminate children with DCD from those without.

Method  A systematic review of the literature published between January 1997 and August 2011 was conducted. All available journal papers reporting a comparison between a group of children with DCD and a group of typically developing children on behavioural measures were included.

Results  One hundred and twenty‐nine studies yielded 1785 effect sizes based on a total of 2797 children with DCD and 3407 typically developing children. Across all outcome measures, a moderate to large effect size was found, suggesting a generalized performance deficit in children with DCD. The pattern of deficits suggested several areas of pronounced difficulty, including internal (forward) modelling, rhythmic coordination, executive function, gait and postural control, catching and interceptive action, and aspects of sensoriperceptual function.

Interpretation  The results suggest that the predictive control of action may be a fundamental disruption in DCD, along with the ability to develop stable coordination patterns. Implications for theory development and intervention are discussed.
A lifespan comparison of the reliability, test‐retest stability, and signal‐to‐noise ratio of event‐related potentials assessed during performance monitoring
Authors: Hämmerer Dorothea , Li Shu‐Chen , Völkle Manuel , Müller Viktor , Lindenberger Ulman
Published: October 2012

The reliability, stability, and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of event‐related potentials (ERPs) were investigated in children, adolescents, younger adults, and older adults in performance monitoring tasks. P2, N2, P3, and P2‐N2 peak‐to‐peak amplitude showed high odd‐even split reliabilities in all age groups, ranging from.70 to.90. Multigroup analyses showed that test‐retest stabilities (across 2 weeks) of ERP amplitudes did not differ among the four age groups. In contrast, relative to adolescents and younger adults, SNRs were lower in children and older adults, with higher noise levels in children and lower signal power in older adults. We conclude that age differences in the SNR of stimulus‐locked ERPs can be successfully compensated by the averaging procedure with about 40 trials in the average. However, age differences in baseline noise and split‐half reliability should be considered when comparing age groups in single trial measures or time‐varying processes with ERPs.
Transient hyperlipidemia in a litter of kittens
Authors: Blackstock Kelly J. , Schoeffler Gretchen , Wakshlag Joseph J. , Diep Anh N. , Bauer John E.
Published: October 2012

Objective

To describe an entire litter of kittens with severe hyperlipidemia and subsequent successful, low‐cost treatment that included high protein enteral support and parasite control. Previous case studies of similarly affected kittens have focused on a genetic etiology and on advanced interventions. The role of negative energy balance and additional factors influencing hyperlipidemia, as well as treatment and prognosis are discussed.

Case Summary

Three of 6 kittens died or were euthanized due to severe clinical signs attributable to multiorgan failure associated with subacute hyperlipidemia. The remaining 3 kittens, although subclinical, were found to have similar biochemical abnormalities, including severe anemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Flea treatment and weaning with assisted enteral support prevented the worsening of clinical signs and returned biochemical parameters to within reference intervals.

Unique Information Provided

Transient hyperlipidemia in kittens has been previously reported and successfully treated with administration of oxygen, blood transfusion, and diet change; these treatment recommendations may not always be financially feasible, resulting in euthanasia of affected kittens. In contrast, this report describes a successful, low‐cost, outpatient approach of flea control, weaning, and introduction of a high protein enteral diet. It also highlights the importance of screening and treating seemingly unaffected littermates, provides new, previously unreported biochemical and histopathology findings, and proposes that negative energy balance is a significant factor in the development of transient hyperlipidemia in kittens.
Exogenous L‐lactate clearance in adult horses
Authors: De Pedro Pedro , Wilkins Pamela A. , McMichael Maureen A. , Dirikolu Levent , Lascola Kara M. , Clark‐Price Stuart C. , Boston Raymond C.
Published: October 2012

Objective

To determine endogenous production of L‐lactate and the clearance of exogenous sodium L‐lactate (ExLC) in healthy adult horses.

Design

A sodium L‐lactate solution (1 mmol/kg body weight qs to 500 mL final volume in 0.9% NaCl) was adminstered IV over 15 minutes. Blood samples for L‐lactate concentration [LAC] measurement were collected immediately prior to infusion, at 5, 10, and 15 minutes during infusion and at 1 minute intervals for 15 minutes, at 30, 45, 60, 120, and 180 minutes postinfusion. Disposition modeling and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using proprietary software.

Setting

University Teaching Hospital.

Animals

Six clinically healthy adult horses.

Measurements and Main Results

Median (range) baseline [LAC] was 0.43 (0.20–0.72) mmol/L for samples obtained every 3 hours over the 24 hours prior to ExLC and demonstrated variability primarily associated with horse. Median [LAC] immediately prior to ExLC was 0.43 (0.35–0.52) mmol/L. A 2‐compartment model was used to specify the pharmacokinetic parameters. Median (range) ExLC was 1.05 (0.073–1.75) L·h−1·kg−1 and t1/2 β was 29.54 (20.8–38.6) min. Median lactate production based on basal [LAC] immediately prior to ExLC was was 0.49 (0.31–0.93) mmol·h−1·kg−1.

Conclusions

ExLC in healthy adult horses is greater than that of hyperlactemic human patients but similar to normolactemic‐sick human patients examined using the same model, supporting development of species, and disease specific ExLC parameters.
Plasma lactate measurements in healthy cats
Authors: Redavid Lesleigh A. , Sharp Claire R. , Mitchell Mark A. , Beckel Nicole F.
Published: October 2012

Objectives

The primary objective was to determine if venous plasma lactate is affected by struggling during venipuncture in clinically normal, healthy cats. Additional objectives were to evaluate the effects of venipuncture site, age, sex, and time (0–24 h) on plasma lactate concentrations in healthy cats.

Design

Prospective clinical study.

Setting

Private veterinary referral center.

Animals

Twenty‐one healthy, privately owned, sexually altered, adult cats.

Interventions

Blood was collected via jugular or medial saphenous venipuncture at the time of study entry and at 6 and 24 hours later.

Measurements and Main Results

In healthy cats, there were no significant differences in lactate concentrations statified by degree of struggling at time 0 (P= 0.33), time 6 (P= 0.23), or at time 24 (P= 0.41), venipuncture site (P= 0.58), age (P= 0.62), sex (P= 0.06), or time (P= 0.13). Most cats had mild to moderate struggling scores. Venous plasma lactate concentrations for this group of healthy adult cats had a mean of 1.63 mmol/L; 95% CI: 1.34–1.92,SD: 0.62, and a minimum‐maximum range of 0.37‐2.81 mmol/L.

Conclusions

The occurrence of mild to moderate struggling during venipuncture, venipuncture site, age, sex, and time did not affect plasma lactate concentrations in this group of healthy cats. Our results suggest that plasma lactate can be reliably measured in cats. Further studies are warranted in sick cats to determine if plasma lactate measurements can be utilized as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker.
Accelerating Adaptation of Natural Resource Management to Address Climate Change
Authors: Cross Molly S. , McCarthy Patrick D. , Garfin Gregg , Gori David , Enquist Carolyn A.F.
Published: October 2012

Natural resource managers are seeking tools to help them address current and future effects of climate change. We present a model for collaborative planning aimed at identifying ways to adapt management actions to address the effects of climate change in landscapes that cross public and private jurisdictional boundaries. The Southwest Climate Change Initiative (SWCCI) piloted the Adaptation for Conservation Targets (ACT) planning approach at workshops in 4 southwestern U.S. landscapes. This planning approach successfully increased participants’ self‐reported capacity to address climate change by providing them with a better understanding of potential effects and guiding the identification of solutions. The workshops fostered cross‐jurisdictional and multidisciplinary dialogue on climate change through active participation of scientists and managers in assessing climate change effects, discussing the implications of those effects for determining management goals and activities, and cultivating opportunities for regional coordination on adaptation of management plans. Facilitated application of the ACT framework advanced group discussions beyond assessing effects to devising options to mitigate the effects of climate change on specific species, ecological functions, and ecosystems. Participants addressed uncertainty about future conditions by considering more than one climate‐change scenario. They outlined opportunities and identified next steps for implementing several actions, and local partnerships have begun implementing actions and conducting additional planning. Continued investment in adaptation of management plans and actions to address the effects of climate change in the southwestern United States and extension of the approaches used in this project to additional landscapes are needed if biological diversity and ecosystem services are to be maintained in a rapidly changing world.

Acelerando la Adaptación del Manejo de Recursos Naturales para Atender el Cambio Climático
Clinically relevant pain relief with an ibuprofen‐releasing foam dressing: Results from a randomized, controlled, double‐blind clinical trial in exuding, painful venous leg ulcers
Authors: Fogh Karsten , Andersen Maibritt B. , Bischoff‐Mikkelsen Morten , Bause Renzo , Zutt Markus , Schilling Stephan , Schmutz Jean‐Luc , Borbujo Jesús , Jimenez Juan A. , Cartier Hugues , Jørgensen Bo
Published: October 2012

The objective of this 6‐week, 120‐patient, double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial was to investigate if a foam dressing with ibuprofen provided clinically relevant pain relief (PAR) for exuding, painful venous leg ulcers in comparison with a similar foam dressing without ibuprofen. Primary outcome parameter was PAR compared with baseline pain during the first 5 days of the investigation. PAR was registered by the patient morning and evening. Main end point was proportion of patients reporting a summed PAR score of at least 50% of the total maximum PAR (i.e., responders) and the corresponding number needed to treat (NNT). Wound‐related parameters such as ulcer healing, ulcer area reduction, and peri‐ulcer skin condition as well as adverse events were recorded during all 6 weeks of the investigation. PAR was significantly greater in the ibuprofen foam group than the comparator group (p = 0.0438). There were 34% responders in the ibuprofen foam group vs. 19% in the comparator group (NNT = 6.8). When evening data were analyzed separately to evaluate PAR over daytime, NNT was 5.3. Wound healing parameters and adverse events were comparable. In conclusion, in this study, the ibuprofen foam dressing provided clinically relevant PAR for patients with exuding, painful venous ulcers.
Clinical effectiveness of dermal substitution in burns by topical negative pressure: A multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bloemen Monica C. T. , van der Wal Martijn B. A. , Verhaegen Pauline D. H. M. , Nieuwenhuis Marianne K. , van Baar Margriet E. , van Zuijlen Paul P. M. , Middelkoop Esther
Published: October 2012

Previous research has shown clinical effectiveness of dermal substitution; however, in burn wounds, only limited effect has been shown. A problem in burn wounds is the reduced take of the autograft, when the substitute and graft are applied in one procedure. Recently, application of topical negative pressure (TNP) was shown to improve graft take. The aim of this study was to investigate if application of a dermal substitute in combination with TNP improves scar quality after burns. In a four‐armed multicenter randomized controlled trial, a split‐skin graft with or without a dermal substitute and with or without TNP was compared in patients with deep dermal or full‐thickness burns requiring skin transplantation. Graft take and rate of wound epithelialization were evaluated. Three and 12 months postoperatively, scar parameters were measured. The results of 86 patients showed that graft take and epithelialization did not reveal significant differences. Significantly fewer wounds in the TNP group showed postoperative contamination, compared to other groups. Highest elasticity was measured in scars treated with the substitute and TNP, which was significantly better compared to scars treated with the substitute alone. Concluding, this randomized controlled trial shows the effectiveness of dermal substitution combined with TNP in burns, based on extensive wound and scar measurements.
Tissue engraftment of hypoxic‐preconditioned adipose‐derived stem cells improves flap viability
Authors: Hollenbeck Scott T. , Senghaas Annika , Komatsu Issei , Zhang Ying , Erdmann Detlev , Klitzman Bruce
Published: October 2012

Adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) have the ability to release multiple growth factors in response to hypoxia. In this study, we investigated the potential of ASCs to prevent tissue ischemia. We found conditioned media from hypoxic ASCs had increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and enhanced endothelial cell tubule formation. To investigate the effect of injecting rat ASCs into ischemic flaps, 21 Lewis rats were divided into three groups: control, normal oxygen ASCs (106 cells), and hypoxic preconditioned ASCs (106 cells). At the time of flap elevation, the distal third of the flap was injected with the treatment group. At 7 days post flap elevation, flap viability was significantly improved with injection of hypoxic preconditioned ASCs. Cluster of differentiation‐31‐positive cells were more abundant along the margins of flaps injected with ASCs. Fluorescent labeled ASCs localized aside blood vessels or throughout the tissue, dependent on oxygen preconditioning status. Next, we evaluated the effect of hypoxic preconditioning on ASC migration and chemotaxis. Hypoxia did not affect ASC migration on scratch assay or chemotaxis to collagen and laminin. Thus, hypoxic preconditioning of injected ASCs improves flap viability likely through the effects of VEGF release. These effects are modest and represent the limitations of cellular and growth factor‐induced angiogenesis in the acute setting of ischemia.
Aplasia Cutis Congenita of the Arm with Associated Radial Dysplasia: Case Report, Review of the Literature, and Proposed Classification
Authors: Droubi Diana , Rothman Ilene L.
Published: October 2012

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC), congenital absence of skin, is most common on the scalp but may rarely occur on the trunk and limbs. It is a physical finding that can occur in isolation or as part of a heterogeneous group of syndromes. It can affect localized to widespread areas of absent or atrophic, scarred skin at birth. We report a case of ACC of the distal right forearm associated with radial dysplasia in a newborn boy. According to the Frieden classification of ACC, this case, along with other similar reported cases, highlights the need to adjust the classification scheme commonly used for ACC so that it reflects the associated limb abnormalities with ACC of the extremities. Only five cases describing the association of radial dysplasia with ACC of the arm were found in the literature. Greater awareness of this association may allow for early intervention and better outcomes in children with ACC of the extremities.
Association Between Depressive and Anxiety Disorders and Adherence to Antihypertensive Medication in Community‐Living Elderly Adults
Authors: Gentil Lia , Vasiliadis Helen Maria , Préville Michel , Bossé Cindy , Berbiche Djamal
Published: October 2012

Objectives

To identify the determinants of antihypertensive medication adherence in community‐living elderly adults.

Design

Longitudinal observational study.

Setting

Population‐based health survey in the province of Quebec, Canada.

Participants

Data from a representative sample (N = 2,811) of community‐dwelling adults in Quebec aged 65 and older participating in the Étude sur la Santé des Aînés study. The final study sample analyzed consisted of 926 participants taking antihypertensive drugs during the 2 years of the study.

Measurements

Adherence to antihypertensive medication was measured using days of supply obtained during a specified time period. Depression and anxiety disorders were assessed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria, and physical health status was measured using the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Other factors considered were age, education, marital status, annual family income, and number of antihypertensive drugs that participants used.

Results

Mean antihypertensive proportion (percentage) of days supplied in was 92.5% in Year 1 and 59.4% in Year 2. The presence of depression and anxiety disorders and the number of antihypertensive medications significantly predicted medication adherence. The sex by depression and anxiety disorders interaction term was significant.

Conclusion

Adherence to antihypertensive medication was significantly associated with depression and anxiety disorders in men but not women. The treatment of depression and anxiety disorders in individuals with hypertension may be helpful in improving medication adherence rates and healthcare outcomes.
Canine Intervertebral Disc Fenestration Using a Vacuum‐Assisted Tissue Resection Device
Authors: Thomovsky Stephanie A. , Packer Rebecca A. , Lambrechts Nicolaas E. , Moore George E.
Published: October 2012

Objective

Describe the use and feasibility of a novel vacuum‐assisted tissue resection device (VRD) for canine intervertebral disc fenestration, and compare the effectiveness of manual fenestration to the VRD.

Study Design

Randomized prospective study.

Animals

Canine cadavers (n = 15).

Methods

A cadaveric lumbar spine study was performed to compare the use of manual fenestration to a novel VRD for intervertebral disc fenestration. Both fenestration groups were compared to a control group. Effectiveness of fenestration was assessed by calculating a ratio of remaining nuclear weight postfenestration to total nuclear volume. Fenestrated discs with lower ratios were indicative of greater removal of nucleus pulposus.

Results

There was a statistically significant reduction in mean ratio (±SD) of remaining nuclear weight to volume with both fenestration groups compared to controls (0.39 ± 0.07; P < .001). There was an improved ratio using the VRD (0.23 ± 0.09) compared to manual fenestration (0.30 ± 0.10); this was not statistically significant (P = .069). It was technically difficult to fenestrate the disc spaces at L5‐L6 and L6‐L7 because of location and anatomy, resulting in a statistically significant increase in the median ratio of nuclear weight‐to‐volume ratios in both manual and VRD fenestration groups when compared to the more cranial L4‐L5 disc spaces, 0.32 ± 0.08, and 0.35 ± 0.08 versus 0.25 ± 0.13 at L4‐L5 (P = .026 and P = .004, respectively).

Conclusions

The VRD is a feasible instrument for canine intervertebral disc fenestration. It is at least as effective as manual fenestration, and provides additional safety features.
Fracture Repair Using a Polyaxial Locking Plate System (PAX)
Authors: Barnhart Matthew D. , Rides Cristobal F. , Kennedy Shawn C. , Aiken Sean W. , Walls Charles M. , Horstman Christopher L. , Mason David , Chandler Jonathon C. , Brourman Jeff D. , Murphy Sean M. , Pike Frederick , Naber Steven J.
Published: October 2012

Objectives

To report outcomes and complications of dog and cat fractures treated with the polyaxial locking plate system (PAX).

Study Design

Case series.

Animals

Dogs (n = 60) and 2 cats.

Methods

Medical records (December 2009–March 2011) of dogs and cats with fractures treated with thePAXsystem were reviewed. Cases with adequate follow‐up to document a functional union, had surgery performed by an author, had no prior treatment of the fracture(s), and with complete operative records were included. Signalment, body weight, bone(s) fractured, area of bone fractured, fracture classification, concurrent orthopedic injuries, complications, time to functional union, if minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) techniques were used, plate size, number of plates, bone graft use, and ancillary methods of fixation were recorded. Additionally, fracture segment: plate length, screw, number of plate holes, number of empty screw holes overlying/adjacent to the fractures, number of cortices engaged above/below the fracture was evaluated. Variables were evaluated statistically for effect on complications and functional union.

Results

Sixty‐two animals were included. Mean time to functional union was 7.1 weeks. Complications occurred in 12 animals (19%) and plate failure occurred in 3 (5%). Statistically significant factors that affected time to functional union were the presence of multiple injuries and age. Those associated with complications were double plates and number of cortices engaged above and below fractures.

Conclusions

ThePAXsystem allows for multidirectional screw insertion with an overall complication rate and time to functional union similar to other fracture repair implant systems.
Meritocracy Is a Good Thing
Authors: BELL DANIEL A.
Published: October 2012

At the turn of the 20th Century when Western power was at its height, Sun Yat‐Sen sought to blend the Confucian tradition of meritocratic governance and Western‐style democracy in his vision for modern China. With the “rise of the rest” in the 21st Century—led by China—perhaps the political imagination is open once again, this time not only to Western ideas flowing East, but Eastern ideas flowing West as well.

The political imagination has been pried open anew not only because of the sustained success of non‐Western modernity in places like Singapore and China, but because democracy itself has become so dysfunctional across the West, from its ancient birthplace in Greece to its most advanced outpost in California. That liberal democracy is the best form of governance ever achieved in the long arc of history is no longer self‐evident. Today, democracy, which has been captured by a short‐term, special‐interest political culture, has to prove and improve itself by incorporating elements of meritocracy and the long‐term perspective. If not, political decay beckons.

In this section, we evaluate the tradeoeffs and ponder the possibilities of combining a more knowledegable democracy with a more accountable meritocracy.
Political Meritocracy and Direct Democracy: A Hybrid Experiment
Authors: BERGGRUEN NICOLAS , GARDELS NATHAN
Published: October 2012

At the turn of the 20th Century when Western power was at its height, Sun Yat‐Sen sought to blend the Confucian tradition of meritocratic governance and Western‐style democracy in his vision for modern China. With the “rise of the rest” in the 21st Century—led by China—perhaps the political imagination is open once again, this time not only to Western ideas flowing East, but Eastern ideas flowing West as well.

The political imagination has been pried open anew not only because of the sustained success of non‐Western modernity in places like Singapore and China, but because democracy itself has become so dysfunctional across the West, from its ancient birthplace in Greece to its most advanced outpost in California. That liberal democracy is the best form of governance ever achieved in the long arc of history is no longer self‐evident. Today, democracy, which has been captured by a short‐term, special‐interest political culture, has to prove and improve itself by incorporating elements of meritocracy and the long‐term perspective. If not, political decay beckons.

In this section, we evaluate the tradeoeffs and ponder the possibilities of combining a more knowledegable democracy with a more accountable meritocracy.
Germany Must Shift from a Crisis Agenda to Building Europe
Authors: PRODI ROMANO
Published: October 2012

Three years into the protracted Eurocrisis “all choices are ugly,” as former British prime minister Tony Blair comments. Indeed, the high cost of bad options is prompting some to question whether Europe is worth saving the euro.

Along with Tony Blair, the former Italian prime minister Romano Prodi as well as two of the best financial minds around—Nouriel Roubini and Mohamed el‐Erian—warn of the dire consequences of a euro breakup. One of France's most prominent philosophers, André Glucksmann, wonders whether the idea of a united Europe—a reaction to the horrors of World War II—can hold everyone together in the future when peace is the norm.
Absolute standards as a useful addition to the avian quantitative PCR telomere assay
Authors: Barrett Emma L. B. , Boner Winifred , Mulder Ellis , Monaghan Pat , Verhulst Simon , Richardson David S.
Published: October 2012

Bird populations provide excellent systems to investigate variation in longevity in the wild since individuals can often be monitored over their lifetime. A number of recent studies suggest that the dynamics of protective telomere chromosome caps (telomere length and rate of loss) are indicative of biological state and potentially useful as indicators of future longevity. Currently, Terminal Restriction Fragment (TRF) analysis and relative quantitative PCR (qPCR) are used to measure telomeres in birds, but with limitations. TRF analysis is time consuming, while relative qPCR gives a within‐study relative value making it difficult to compare across experiments. Utilising an approach first developed in humans of using synthetic oligomer telomeric (TTAGGG)nand normaliser gene standards of known length to calibrate qPCR values, we describe a methodological adaptation to the avian qPCR telomere assay to make results comparable within, and potentially between, bird species. We evaluate this absolute qPCR method in the Seychelles warblerAcrocephalus sechellensisagainst relative qPCR measurements on the same samples. Telomere estimates from both methods showed an age‐related decline in telomere length, and were highly correlated (r = 0.99). Absolute qPCR avian telomere analysis may prove a useful means of estimating telomere lengths in a calibrated, sensitive, and efficient way using small amounts of archived bird sample.
Effects of geographical extent on the determinants of woody plant diversity
Authors: Wang Zhiheng , Rahbek Carsten , Fang Jingyun
Published: October 2012

Despite a long history of study, the mechanisms underlying the geographical patterns of species richness are still controversial. Patterns and determinants of species richness are well‐known to vary with spatial scale. However, most studies on the effects of scale have focused on grain size whereas the quantitative effects of geographical extent are rarely tested. Here, using distribution maps of 11 405 woody species found in China and associated environmental data to the domain, we investigated the influence of geographical extent on the determinants of species richness patterns. Our results revealed consistent extent dependence of all species, narrow‐ and wide‐ranged species: with the expansion of geographical extents, the explanatory power of climate (i.e. environmental energy, water availability and climatic seasonality) increased, while the explanatory power of habitat heterogeneity and human activities decreased. Although the primary determinant of species richness patterns varied significantly at small to meso‐geographical extent, we showed that species richness was predominantly determined by environmental energy at large extent. Our findings indicate that differences in geographical extent may have led to the controversies regarding the primary determinants of richness patterns in previous studies, and that a multi‐scale perspective not only with regard to grain‐size but also extent is likely to shed new light on this old debate of what determines richness patterns.
Adaptive foraging allows the maintenance of biodiversity of pollination networks
Authors: Valdovinos Fernanda S. , Moisset de Espanés Pablo , Flores José D. , Ramos‐Jiliberto Rodrigo
Published: October 2012

Pollination systems are recognized as critical for the maintenance of biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, the understanding of mechanisms that promote the integrity of those mutualistic assemblages is an important issue for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem function. In this study we present a new population dynamics model for plant–pollinator interactions that is based on the consumer–resource approach and incorporates a few essential features of pollination ecology. The model was used to project the temporal dynamics of three empirical pollination network, in order to analyze how adaptive foraging of pollinators (AF) shapes the outcome of community dynamics in terms of biodiversity and network robustness to species loss. We found that the incorporation of AF into the dynamics of the pollination networks increased the persistence and diversity of its constituent species, and reduced secondary extinctions of both plants and animals. These findings were best explained by the following underlying processes: 1) AF increased the amount of floral resources extracted by specialist pollinators, and 2) AF raised the visitation rates received by specialist plants. We propose that the main mechanism by which AF enhanced those processes is (trophic) niche partitioning among animals, which in turn generates (pollen vector) niche partitioning among plants. Our results suggest that pollination networks can maintain their stability and diversity by the adaptive foraging of generalist pollinators.
Social support and health of older people inMiddleEastern countries: A systematic review
Authors: Tajvar Maryam , Fletcher Astrid , Grundy Emily , Arab Mohammad
Published: October 2012

The aim of this study is to systematically review quantitative studies exploring the association between social support (SS) and the health of older people inMiddleEastern countries. Sixteen electronic databases and other resources were searched to identify studies that met the inclusion criteria of the review. Abstracts of identified papers were screened for relevancy, following which the authors determined eligibility, applied quality criteria and extracted the data. Twenty‐two studies met the inclusion criteria. Even allowing for the diversity of the studies included, this review offered strong and consistent evidence for a positive relation betweenSSand mental health, while there was inconsistent evidence of an association betweenSSand other health outcomes. The limited evidence for theMiddleEastern region confirms findings from other settings on the importance ofSSfor mental health in later life. Current evidence is inadequate to assess whetherSSis associated with physical health.
Is Emergency Department length of stay associated with inpatient mortality?
Authors: Chong Carol P , Haywood Cilla , Barker Anna , Lim Wen Kwang
Published: October 2012

Aims

To determine whether Emergency Department length of stay (EDLOS) greater than 8 hours (EDLOS > 8 hours) and less than 4 hours (EDLOS < 4 hours) were independently associated with inpatient mortality taking into account patient comorbidities and age; and to determine the impact of EDLOS on inpatient length of stay (IPLOS).

Methods

This was a retrospective data analysis of emergency presentations and inpatient admissions during 2007 at The Northern Hospital, Victoria.

Results

Taking into account age and disease states, EDLOS > 8 hours was not associated with inpatient mortality (odds ratio 1.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9–1.4, P = 0.4), nor was EDLOS < 4 hours (odds ratio 0.9; 95% CI 0.6–1.4, P = 0.6) associated with reduced mortality. EDLOS > 8 hours was significantly associated with longer inpatient length of stay (IPLOS) (P < 0.001) adjusting for medical comorbidities. Mean EDLOS and IPLOS were significantly longer for patients over 75 years of age.

Conclusion

EDLOS > 8 hours and EDLOS < 4 hours are not independently associated with mortality. A longer EDLOS is independently associated with longer IPLOS.
Study of Electrical Power Facilities and Measures for Planned Outages in Japanese Hemodialysis Clinics After the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Ishida Kai , Sawa Manami , Fujiwara Kousaku , Hirose Minoru , Tsuruta Harukazu , Takeuchi Akihiro , Ikeda Noriaki
Published: October 2012

The Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011 caused major damage in northeastern Japan. The Kanto region experienced a massive electrical power shortage in the summer of 2011. A questionnaire was submitted to 354 hemodialysis clinics in Kanagawa prefecture and the Tokyo metropolitan area, excluding isolated islands, and 176 responses were analyzed (49.7%). The questions included evaluation of the availability of a private electricity generator, countermeasures in case of a planned outage, awareness of saving electricity, and improvement of safety of medical devices or electrical facilities after the earthquake. Only 12% of the clinics had private electricity generators and many clinics had no plans to introduce this facility. However, 96% of the clinics had established countermeasures to deal with a planned outage. Many clinics planned to provide dialysis on a different day or at a different time. All clinics had tried hard to establish procedures to save electricity in the summer of 2011, and 84% of the clinics had reconsidered and improved the safety of medical devices or electricity facilities after the earthquake. These results show that the awareness of crisis management was greatly improved in the wake of the earthquake.
Increased Plasma Angiogenin Level is Associated and May Contribute to Decreased T‐Cell Zeta‐Chain Expression in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Eleftheriadis Theodoros , Kartsios Charalambos , Pissas Georgios , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Antoniadi Georgia , Galaktidou Grammati , Stefanidis Ioannis
Published: October 2012

Hemodialysis (HD) patients are characterized by impaired T‐cell function at least in part because of T‐cell zeta‐chain downregulation due to inflammation. Angiogenin responds as an acute phase reactant, is increased in HD patients, suppresses T‐cell function and increased angiogenin level is co‐localized with T‐cell zeta‐chain downregulation in various pathologies. Angiogenin can inhibit translation of proteins, which lack internal ribosomal entry sites in the corresponding mRNAs. In this study, the possible effect of angiogenin on T‐cell zeta‐chain downregulation was evaluated. Thirty HD patients and 21 healthy volunteers participated. T‐cell zeta‐chain expression was assessed with flow cytometry, plasma angiogenin and serum IL‐6 with ELISA and serum C‐reactive protein with an immunoturbidimetric method. Two available software tools were used for predicting the presence or not of internal ribosomal entry sites in T‐cell zeta‐chain mRNA sequence. In silico analysis of T‐cell zeta‐chain mRNA sequence failed to reveal the presence of internal ribosomal entry sites. T‐cell zeta‐chain expression was lower in HD patients than in healthy volunteers (1.86 ± 0.63 vs. 4.73 ± 3.22). In HD patients, C‐reactive protein as well as IL‐6 were higher than in healthy volunteers (10.04 ± 15.13 mg/L vs. 3.43 ± 0.98 mg/L and 15.06 ± 13.08pg/mL vs. 2.11 ± 2.10 pg/mL respectively). Angiogenin was higher in HD patients than in healthy volunteers (483.20 ± 154.07 ng/mL vs. 259.98 ± 64.15 ng/mL). Neither C‐reactive protein, nor IL‐6 was associated with angiogenin or T‐cell zeta‐chain expression. Angiogenin concentration was negatively related to the expression of T‐cell zeta‐chain (r = −0.410, P = 0.025). Increased angiogenin may contribute to decreased T‐cell zeta‐chain expression in HD patients.
Validation and evaluation of a commercially available ELISA for the detection of antibodies specific to bovine viral diarrhoea virus (bovine pestivirus)
Authors: Lanyon SR , Anderson ML , Bergman E , Reichel MP
Published: October 2012

Objective

To compare the performance of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies specific to bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) with a virus neutralisation test (VNT) and agarose gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test.

Design

A total of 125 cattle serum samples were tested by a commercially available ELISA for antibodies specific to BVDV and by a VNT as the reference standard. A comparison between AGID and ELISA for detection of BVDV antibodies was also carried out, using 1182 serum samples from unvaccinated South Australian cattle.

Methods

Two‐graph receiver operating characteristics (TG‐ROC) analysis was used to confirm that the manufacturer's recommended cut‐off value for the ELISA was appropriate. Two‐by‐two tables were constructed to analyse the concordance of serological results among the three assays. McNemar tests were used to assess the agreement among serological tests.

Results and conclusions

Using the manufacturer's cut‐off threshold, supported by TG‐ROC analysis, the ELISA's sensitivity and specificity were calculated to be 96.7% and 97.1%, respectively, compared with the VNT. Compared with AGID, ELISA with specific BVDV antibodies may be more sensitive and detect 5.8% more samples than AGID. McNemar test also showed a significant difference (P < 0.001) between AGID and ELISA.
Chronic scrotal pain syndrome (CSPS): the widespread use of antibiotics is not justified
Authors: Strebel R. T. , Schmidt C. , Beatrice J. , Sulser T.
Published: October 2012

Data supporting the widespread use of antibiotics in patients with chronic scrotal pain syndrome (CSPS) are not available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of bacteria in the genitourinary tract in patients presenting with CSPS. From July 2005 to July 2007 we prospectively enrolled patients presenting with CSPS in our outpatient clinic. The evaluation consisted of a detailed patient's history, physical examination and ultrasound examination of the scrotum. A blood and urinalysis, a Meares‐Stamey four‐glass test for bacterial cultures and PCR testing for Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae as well as a semen culture were performed. We assessed the symptom severity with the chronic epididymitis symptom index (CESI) score according to Nickel et al. (J Urol 2002, 167:1701; based on the NIH‐CPSI). A total of 55 eligible men (median age 34 years) with CSPS were enrolled in the study. The median CESI score was 17 (range 4–26). The majority of patients (n = 39; 71%) were seen by a general practitioner or an urologist before. Of these, 25 patients (64%) were treated with antibiotics and 26 (67%) with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, respectively. A significant bacterial colony count in at least one specimen was detected in 21 of 55 patients (38%). The predominantly detected microorganisms were an Alpha‐haemolytic Streptococcus (11 patients) and coagulase‐negative staphylococci (10 patients). Thus, only in 12 of 55 (22%) patients isolated bacteria were considered to be of clinical relevance. No factor or condition predictive for a bacterial aetiology for CSPS could be identified. In our microbiological assessment of patients presenting with CSPS we found no evidence for the widely held belief that CSPS is predominantly the result of a chronic bacterial infection. We therefore conclude that the widespread use of antibiotic agents in the treatment of patients with CSPS is not justified.
Association between obstructive sleep apnoea and chronic periodontitis: a population‐based study
Authors: Keller Joseph J. , Wu Chuan‐Song , Chen Yi‐Hua , Lin Herng‐Ching
Published: October 2012

Aim

This study set out to explore the association between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and prior chronic periodontitis (CP) by utilizing a population‐based data set with a case‐control design in Taiwan.

Materials and Methods

We included 7673 subjects with OSA as cases, and randomly selected 21,963 subjects without a history of OSA as controls. We performed conditional logistic regression analyses to explore the association between OSA and having been previously diagnosed with CP.

Results

There was a significant difference in the prevalence of prior CP between cases and controls (33.8% versus 22.6%, p < 0.001). Conditional logistic regression analysis suggested that the odds ratio of prior CP for cases was 1.75 (95% CI = 1.68–1.88) times greater than that of controls after adjusting for monthly income and geographical location, as well as hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidaemia, obesity, tobacco use disorder, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and alcohol abuse.

Conclusion

Our study detected an association between OSA and a prior diagnosis of CP.
Salivary biomarkers of oral health – a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Rathnayake Nilminie , Åkerman Sigvard , Klinge Bjorn , Lundegren Nina , Jansson Henrik , Tryselius Ylva , Sorsa Timo , Gustafsson Anders
Published: October 2012

Aim

Saliva is a useful diagnostic fluid for oral‐related diseases. Monitoring salivary biomarkers for oral and systemic diseases could become an important complement to clinical examinations in epidemiological surveys. Recent findings indicate that it is possible to detect biomarkers for oral diseases within saliva samples. The aim of this study was to investigate if known salivary biomarkers could be used for epidemiological studies for detection of periodontitis.

Materials and Methods

A randomly selected sample of adults (20–89 years) living in Southern Sweden were invited to participate. Four hundred and fifty‐one individuals were examined clinically using standard examination procedures. Stimulated saliva samples were collected and analysed for concentrations of IL‐1β, ‐6, ‐8, lysozyme, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)‐8 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)‐1 using ELISA, immunofluorometric assay or Luminex assays.

Results

Patients with severe periodontitis presented with elevated salivary concentrations of IL‐1β (p < 0.001) and MMP‐8 (p < 0.001). In addition, the MMP‐8/TIMP‐1 ratio was significantly higher in the severe periodontitis group (p < 0.001). Smokers compared with non‐smokers showed slightly lower concentrations of IL–8 (p < 0.05) and MMP‐8 (p = 0.052).

Conclusion

This investigation shows that IL‐1β, MMP‐8 and the ratio of MMP‐8/TIMP‐1 could be used as markers of periodontal disease in larger patient populations.