bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Gender Inequality Reduce Growth in Sub‐Saharan African and Arab Countries?*
Authors: Baliamoune‐Lutz Mina , McGillivray Mark
Published: July 2009

Abstract:  This paper uses 1974 to 2001 panel data for 31 sub‐Saharan African and 10 Arab countries and Arellano–Bond estimations to empirically assess the impact on growth of an important indicator associated with MDG 3; namely the ratio of 15–24‐year‐old literate females to males. Our findings indicate that gender inequalities in literacy have a statistically significant negative effect that is robust to changes in the specification. In addition, it seems that gender inequality has a stronger effect on growth in Arab countries. Interestingly, we find that the interaction between openness to trade and gender inequality has a positive impact. This result suggests that trade‐induced growth may be accompanied by greater gender inequalities.
Why Do White Americans Oppose Race‐Targeted Policies? Clarifying the Impact of Symbolic Racism
Authors: Rabinowitz Joshua L. , Sears David O. , Sidanius Jim , Krosnick Jon A.
Published: July 2009

Measures of symbolic racism (SR) have often been used to tap racial prejudice toward Blacks. However, given the wording of questions used for this purpose, some of the apparent effects on attitudes toward policies to help Blacks may instead be due to political conservatism, attitudes toward government, and/or attitudes toward redistributive government policies in general. Using data from national probability sample surveys and an experiment, we explored whether SR has effects even when controlling for these potential confounds and whether its effects are specific to policies involving Blacks. Holding constant conservatism and attitudes toward limited government, SR predicted Whites' opposition to policies designed to help Blacks and more weakly predicted attitudes toward social programs whose beneficiaries were racially ambiguous. An experimental manipulation of policy beneficiaries revealed that SR predicted policy attitudes when Blacks were the beneficiary but not when women were. These findings are consistent with the claim that SR's association with racial policy preferences is not due to these confounds.
GEOGRAPHICAL IMAGINATION IN DUTCH HISTORICAL SELF‐REPRESENTATION – THE CASE OF THE CULTURAL CANON OF THE NETHERLANDS
Authors: VAN DER VAART ROB
Published: July 2009

Canonisation of ‘essential’ or ‘desirable’ shared knowledge and understanding is a contested process. Nevertheless the project of designing a historical and cultural canon of the Netherlands, commissioned by the national government, was successful in the sense that it induced intensive public and academic debate about history and culture and mobilised a plethora of history‐related initiatives. In this paper, I shall explore to what extent geographical imagination has played a role in the Dutch historical and cultural canon and in the regional, local and thematic ‘canons’ that followed. It will be concluded that the geographical imagination seems to come quite natural with these attempts towards cultural and historical self‐imaging and self‐representation.
Kantian Constructivism, the Issue of Scope, and Perfectionism: O'Neill on Ethical Standing
Authors: Besch Thomas M.
Published: July 2009

Abstract: Kantian constructivists accord a constitutive, justificatory role to the issue of scope: they typically claim that first‐order practical thought depends for its authority on being suitably acceptable within the right scope, or by all relevant others, and some Kantian constructivists, notably Onora O'Neill, hold that our views of the nature and criteria of practical reasoning also depend for their authority on being suitably acceptable within the right scope. The paper considers whether O'Neill‐type Kantian constructivism can coherently accord this key role to the issue of scope while adhering to the universalist, ‘cosmopolitan’ commitments at its core. The paper argues that this is not so. On the one hand, it shows that O'Neill's attempt to ‘fix’ the scope of practical reasoning supposes, rather than establishes, a view of ethical standing and the scope of practical reasoning. On the other hand, the paper argues that Kantian constructivism should endorse a non‐constructivist, perfectionist view of the good to determine that scope. The paper thereby supports the perfectionist conjecture that Kantian constructivism, in order to defend its universalist commitments, should take refuge in non‐constructivist, perfectionist considerations, and that Kantian constructivism should therefore construe perfectionism as a partial, though uneasy, ally.
What limits the spread of two congeneric butterfly species after their reintroduction: quality or spatial arrangement of habitat?
Authors: van Langevelde F. , Wynhoff I.
Published: July 2009

Population growth and spread of recently reintroduced species is crucial for the success of their reintroduction. We analysed what limits the spread of two congeneric butterfly speciesMaculinea teleiusandMaculinea nausithous, over 10 years following their reintroduction. During this time, their distributions appeared to be limited to a few sites although it was thought that more suitable habitats were available. Thus, we question, does the quality or the spatial arrangement of their habitat limit their spread? Although adult individuals of both species can select high‐quality plots, we show that selection of suitable plots in the area of reintroduction is spatially constrained. A low colonization probability of unoccupied distant plots of high quality was found for both species. The abandonment of occupied plots inMa. teleiuswas also found to be dependent on the distance to occupied plots. We conclude that the spatial distribution of the two species during the 10 years following reintroduction was limited by the spatial arrangement of their habitat, rather than by the availability of high‐quality plots. The spatial constraints in movement can explain observed source–sink structures when female butterflies deposit their eggs on low‐quality plots. We conclude that although these species have very similar life histories, they require different approaches to their conservation due to subtle differences in adult habitat use and movement. Conservation ofMa. teleiusshould concentrate on improving local habitat quality, whereas conservation ofMa. nausithousis predicted to be more effective by creating a spatial network of suitable habitat plots, such as along road verges.
The Late Pleistocene Colonization of South America: An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Authors: Rothhammer Francisco , Dillehay Tom D.
Published: July 2009

In this article, we briefly review scenarios for the first peopling of the New World, including the Clovis First/Single Origin, Tripartite, and Dual Migration models. We then discuss bioanthropological, molecular genetic, archaeological and biogeographic evidence for the peopling of the continent. To conclude, we draw on different lines of evidence to make inferences concerning the timing, direction, and type of early human dispersion in South America.
Tensile stress patterns predicted in the articular disc of the human temporomandibular joint
Authors: Koolstra J. H. , Tanaka E.
Published: July 2009

The direction of the first principal stress in the articular disc of the temporomandibular joint was predicted with a biomechanical model of the human masticatory system. The results were compared with the orientation of its collagen fibers. Furthermore, the effect of an active pull of the superior lateral pterygoid muscle, which is directly attached to the articular disc, was studied. It was hypothesized that the markedly antero‐posterior direction of the collagen fibers would be reflected in the direction of the tensile stresses in the disc and that active pull of the superior lateral pterygoid muscle would augment these tensions. It was found that the tensile patterns were extremely dependent on the stage of movement and on the mandibular position. They differed between the superior and inferior layers of the disc. The hypothesis could only be confirmed for the anterior and middle portions of the disc. The predicted tensile principal stresses in the posterior part of the disc alternated between antero‐posterior and medio‐lateral directions.
Thoracolumbar fascia does not influence proprioceptive signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscle spindles in the cat
Authors: Cao Dong‐Yuan , Pickar Joel G.
Published: July 2009

The thoracolumbar fascia attaches to the lumbar spinous processes and encloses the paraspinal muscles to form a muscle compartment. Because muscle spindles can respond to transverse forces applied at a muscle’s surface, we were interested in the mechanical effects this fascia may have on proprioceptive signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscles during vertebral movement. The discharge of paraspinal muscle spindles at rest and in response to muscle history were investigated in the presence and absence of the thoracolumbar fascia in anesthetized cats. Muscle‐history was induced by positioning the L6 vertebra in conditioning directions that lengthened and shortened the paraspinal muscles. The vertebra was then returned to an intermediate position for testing the spindles. Neither resting discharge (P = 0.49) nor the effects of muscle history (P > 0.30) was significantly different with the fascia intact vs. removed. Our data showed that the thoracolumbar fascia did not influence proprioceptive signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscles spindles during small passive vertebral movements in cats. In addition, comparison of the transverse threshold pressures needed to stimulate our sample of muscle spindles in the cat with the thoracolumbar fascia compartmental pressures measured in humans during previous studies suggests that the thoracolumbar fascia likely does not affect proprioceptive signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscle spindles in humans.
Youth meeting symptom and impairment criteria for mania‐like episodes lasting less than four days: an epidemiological enquiry
Authors: Stringaris Argyris , Santosh Paramala , Leibenluft Ellen , Goodman Robert
Published: July 2009

Background:  Little is known about short‐duration episodes of mania‐like symptoms in youth. Here we determine the prevalence, morbid associations, and contribution to social impairment of a phenotype characterised by episodes during which symptom and impairment criteria for mania are met, but DSM‐IV duration criteria are not (bipolar not otherwise specified; BP‐NOS).

Methods:  A cross‐sectional national survey of a sample (N = 5,326) of 8–19‐year‐olds from the general population using information from parents and youth. Outcome measures were prevalence rates and morbid associations assessed by the Developmental and Well‐Being Assessment, and social impairment assessed by the impact scale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Results:  While only seven individuals (.1%) met definite or probable DSM‐IV criteria for BPI or BPII, the prevalence of BP‐NOS was 10‐fold higher, 1.1% by parent report and 1.5% by youth report. Parent–youth agreement was very low: κ = .02, p > .05 for BP‐NOS. Prevalence and episode duration for BP‐NOS did not vary by age. BP‐NOS showed strong associations with externalising disorders. After adjusting for a dimensional measure of general psychopathology, self‐reported (but not parent‐reported) BP‐NOS remained associated with overall social impairment.

Conclusions:  BP meeting full DSM‐IV criteria is rare in youth. BP‐NOS, defined by episodes shorter than those required by DSM‐IV, but during which DSM‐IV symptom and impairment criteria are met, is commoner and may be associated with social impairment that is beyond what can be accounted for by other psychopathology. These findings support the importance of research into these short episodes during which manic symptoms are met in youth but they also call into question the extent to which BP‐NOS in youth is a variant of DSM‐IV BP – superficially similar symptoms may not necessarily imply deeper similarities in aetiology or treatment response.
The pathogenic mechanisms of polyglutamine diseases and current therapeutic strategies
Authors: Bauer Peter O. , Nukina Nobuyuki
Published: July 2009

Expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeat within the coding region of several genes results in the production of proteins with expanded polyglutamine (PolyQ) stretch. The expression of these pathogenic proteins leads to PolyQ diseases, such as Huntington’s disease or several types of spinocerebellar ataxias. This family of neurodegenerative disorders is characterized by constant progression of the symptoms and molecularly, by the accumulation of mutant proteins inside neurons causing their dysfunction and eventually death. So far, no effective therapy actually preventing the physical and/or mental decline has been developed. Experimental therapeutic strategies either target the levels or processing of mutant proteins in an attempt to prevent cellular deterioration, or they are aimed at the downstream pathologic effects to reverse or ameliorate the caused damages. Certain pathomechanistic aspects of PolyQ disorders are discussed here. Relevance of disease models and recent knowledge of therapeutic possibilities is reviewed and updated.
TRANSFUSION PRACTICE: Coagulopathy screening and early plasma treatment for the prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants
Authors: Dani Carlo , Poggi Chiara , Ceciarini Federica , Bertini Giovanna , Pratesi Simone , Rubaltelli Firmino F.
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: Despite the improvement in the assistance and treatment of preterm infants, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) remains a frequent complication in these patients. Our aim was to demonstrate the hypothesis that a coagulopathy screening and the early treatment with fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) of proven coagulopathy may contribute to decrease the occurrence of IVH in infants with gestational age of less than 29 weeks.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study compared two cohorts of infants who received FFP (10 mL/kg) after the evidence of pathologic coagulation tests performed within 2 hours after birth (screening group, n = 127) or after the development of bleedings and evidence of pathologic coagulation tests (no‐screening group, n = 91).

RESULTS: The screening strategy decreased the relative risk (RR) of developing IVH (RR = 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.44‐0.98) compared to no‐screening strategy, but the effect was limited to infants born at 23 to 26 weeks of gestation in whom screening strategy lowered IVH occurrence (34.5% vs. 61.1%, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS: A coagulopathy screening strategy decreases the risk of developing IVH in preterm infants but this effect is limited to infants born at 23 to 26 weeks of gestation.
Sintering Behavior and Conductivity Study of Yttrium‐Doped BaCeO3–BaZrO3 Solid Solutions Using ZnO Additives
Authors: Wang He , Peng Ranran , Wu Xinfeng , Hu Jinlin , Xia Changrong
Published: July 2009

The effect of ZnO on the crystal structure, sintering behavior, and electrical conductivity of yttrium‐doped BaCeO3–BaZrO3 was investigated by unfixing or fixing the yttrium content noted as BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.2−xZnxO2.9−0.5x and BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.2O2.9+yZnO, respectively. Studies on the two series revealed that BaO·ZnO eutectic, rather than ZnO, was responsible for the sintering densification. For BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.2−xZnxO2.9−0.5x, the evaporation of ZnO·BaO eutectic was observed after sintering at 1300°C for 10 h, and few impurities were detected by XRD with x<0.20. For BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.2O2.9+yZnO, the concomitant loss of BaO with ZnO caused A‐site deficiency and led to impurities of Y2O3 for y=0.08 and 0.14, and Y2BaZnO5 for y=0.20 during the sintering. For both series, ZnO enhanced the relative density, which was above 97% with x or y varying from 0.02 to 0.08. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that ZnO hardly entered the perovskite phase. The conductivity study also suggested that ZnO did not serve as a dopant and that yttrium content was essential for sustaining a high ionic conduction. Excessive ZnO was especially detrimental to the grain boundary conduction and thus lowered the total electrical conduction. The optimized composition of BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.2O2.9+0.04ZnO has been obtained, with both a high relative density (∼98.5%) and a high electrical conductivity (1.35 × 10−2 S/cm at 600°C).
Effect of La Doping on the Phase Conversion, Microstructure Change, and Electrical Properties of Bi2Fe4O9 Ceramics
Authors: Miao Ju Hong , Fang Tsang‐Tse , Chung Han‐Yang , Yang Chao‐Wei
Published: July 2009

Undoped and La‐doped Bi2Fe4O9 ceramics were synthesized using a soft chemical method. It is observed that in calcining La‐doped Bi2Fe4O9, Bi(La)FeO3 phase rather than Bi2−xLaxFe4O9 gradually increases with increasing La doping content. The phase conversion from mullite‐type structure of Bi2Fe4O9 to rhombohedrally distorted perovskite one of Bi(La)FeO3 with increasing La doping content indicates that La doping can stabilize the structure of BiFeO3. This is further evidenced that Bi2Fe4O9 can be directly converted to Bi(La)FeO3 by heating the mixtures of nominal composition of Bi2Fe4O9/xLa2O3. Furthermore, the microstructure changes and the room temperature hysteresis loops and leakage current for Bi2−xLaxFe4O9 with x=0 and 0.02 were characterized.
Calcium in the initiation, progression and as an effector of Alzheimer’s disease pathology
Authors: Green Kim N.
Published: July 2009

Introduction

Calcium in the initiation of pathology

Calcium in disease progression

Calcium as a disease effector

Current therapeutics

Conclusions

The cause(s) of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (sAD) are complex and currently poorly understood. They likely result from a combination of genetic, environmental, proteomic and lipidomic factors that crucially occur only in the aged brain. Age‐related changes in calcium levels and dynamics have the potential to increase the production and accumulation of both amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) and τ pathologies in the AD brain, although these two pathologies themselves can induce calcium dyshomeostasis, particularly at synaptic membranes. This review discuses the evidence for a role for calcium dyshomeostasis in the initiation of pathology, as well as the evidence for these pathologies themselves disrupting normal calcium homeostasis, which lead to synaptic and neuronal dysfunction, synaptotoxicity and neuronal loss, underlying the dementia associated with the disease.
Tissue augmentation and esthetics (Working Group 3)
Authors: Klinge B. , Flemmig Thomas F.
Published: July 2009

Introduction: The remit of this working group was to update the existing knowledge base regarding bone augmentation for implant site development and soft‐tissue grafting for esthetic outcomes. Four reviews from the working group formed the basis of this update. Moreover, clinical applications as well as suggestions for further research have been formulated.

Materials and methods:

The papers in the working group critically reviewed the literature. Four manuscripts were produced assessing (a) the outcomes of correcting dehiscence and fenestration defects at implant sites using various graft materials, (b) the outcomes of sinus floor augmentation at maxillary posterior sites with 6 mm or less residual bone height using various graft materials, (c) the association of the horizontal dimensions of buccal and interproximal bone with esthetic outcomes of implant‐supported restorations, and (d) the outcomes of soft‐tissue augmentations.

Results:

The results and conclusions of the review process are presented in the following papers. The group's consensus statements, clinical implications, and directions for future research are presented in this article.
Effects of titanium surface topography on bone integration: a systematic review
Authors: Wennerberg Ann , Albrektsson Tomas
Published: July 2009

Aim: To analyse possible effects of titanium surface topography on bone integration.

Materials and methods: Our analyses were centred on a PubMed search that identified 1184 publications of assumed relevance; of those, 1064 had to be disregarded because they did not accurately present in vivo data on bone response to surface topography. The remaining 120 papers were read and analysed, after removal of an additional 20 papers that mainly dealt with CaP‐coated and Zr implants; 100 papers remained and formed the basis for this paper. The bone response to differently configurated surfaces was mainly evaluated by histomorphometry (bone‐to‐implant contact), removal torque and pushout/pullout tests.

Results and discussion: A huge number of the experimental investigations have demonstrated that the bone response was influenced by the implant surface topography; smooth (Sa<0.5 μm) and minimally rough (Sa 0.5–1 μm) surfaces showed less strong bone responses than rougher surfaces. Moderately rough (Sa>1–2 μm) surfaces showed stronger bone responses than rough (Sa>2 μm) in some studies. One limitation was that it was difficult to compare many studies because of the varying quality of surface evaluations; a surface termed ‘rough’ in one study was not uncommonly referred to as ‘smooth’ in another; many investigators falsely assumed that surface preparation per se identified the roughness of the implant; and many other studies used only qualitative techniques such as SEM. Furthermore, filtering techniques differed or only height parameters (Sa, Ra) were reported.

Conclusions: • Surface topography influences bone response at the micrometre level.

• Some indications exist that surface topography influences bone response at the nanometre level.

• The majority of published papers present an inadequate surface characterization.

• Measurement and evaluation techniques need to be standardized.

• Not only height descriptive parameters but also spatial and hybrid ones should be used.
Reproducibility and accuracy of the ICDAS‐II for occlusal caries detection
Authors: Diniz Michele Baffi , Rodrigues Jonas Almeida , Hug Isabel , De Cássia Loiola Cordeiro Rita , Lussi Adrian
Published: July 2009

Abstract –  Objectives:  The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the inter‐ and intra‐examiner reproducibility and the accuracy of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System‐II (ICDAS‐II) in detecting occlusal caries.

Methods:  One hundred and sixty‐three molars were independently assessed twice by two experienced dentists using the 0‐ to 6‐graded ICDAS‐II. The teeth were histologically prepared and classified using two different histological systems [Ekstrand et al. (1997) Caries Research vol. 31, pp. 224–231; Lussi et al. (1999) Caries Research vol. 33, pp. 261–266] and assessed for caries extension. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and area under the ROC curve (Az) were obtained at D2 and D3 thresholds. Unweighted kappa coefficient was used to assess inter‐ and intra‐examiner reproducibility.

Results:  For the Ekstrand et al. histological classification the sensitivity was 0.99 and 1.00, specificity 1.00 and 0.69 and accuracy 0.99 and 0.76 at D2 and D3, respectively. For the Lussi et al. histological classification the sensitivity was 0.91 and 0.75, specificity 0.47 and 0.62 and accuracy 0.86 and 0.68 at D2 and D3, respectively. The Az varied from 0.54 to 0.73. The inter‐ and intra‐examiner kappa values were 0.51 and 0.58, respectively.

Conclusions:  ICDAS‐II presented good reproducibility and accuracy in detecting occlusal caries, especially caries lesions in the outer half of the enamel.
Topical use of pimecrolimus in atopic dermatitis: Update on the safety and efficacy
Authors: Werfel Thomas
Published: July 2009

Pimecrolimus has been approved for more than five years for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in Germany. An important difference in the safety profile of this drug compared with topical corticosteroids is the lack of potential side effects which are often observed upon prolonged use of topical corticosteroids (skin atrophy, steroid‐induced rosacea or perioral dermatitis). Even after prolonged use in sensitive skin areas, no tolerance to this drug is induced, in contrast to that seen with topical corticosteroids. The most common side effect of pimecrolimus is burning. Placebo‐controlled studies suggest that pimecrolimus is associated with a slightly increased incidence of herpes simplex infections. Compared with topical corticosteroids, pimecrolimus does not increase the overall incidence of skin infections (including recurrent herpes simplex infections). So far, clinical studies with pimecrolimus have not shown any evidence of an increased risk of malignancy. The analysis of spontaneously reported adverse events has also not shown any evidence of malignancy caused by pimecrolimus. This corresponds with the results of a case‐control study from a large U.S. database. According to the German guidelines on atopic dermatitis, topical calcineurin inhibitors are indicated when topical corticosteroids are not indicated or when an anticipated lengthy treatment course would lead to inevitable side effects. On sensitive areas such as face, intertriginous regions and scalp, they are preferred as first‐line choice over topical corticosteroids.
Review article: Emergency department implications of the TASER
Authors: Robb Megan , Close Benjamin , Furyk Jeremy , Aitken Peter
Published: July 2009

The TASER is a conducted electricity device currently being introduced to the Australian and New Zealand police forces as an alternative to firearms in dealing with violent and dangerous individuals. It incapacitates the subject by delivering rapid pulses of electricity causing involuntary muscle contraction and pain. The use of this device might lead to cardiovascular, respiratory, biochemical, obstetric, ocular and traumatic sequelae. This article will summarize the current literature and propose assessment and management recommendations to guide emergency physicians who will be required to review these patients.
Monitoring a free anterolateral thigh flap for pharyngeal reconstruction
Authors: Chiu Tor‐Wo , Chung Wai‐Hang , Vlantis Alexander Chris , Chan Hing‐Sang , Burd Andrew
Published: July 2009

Aim:  To describe a novel way of monitoring a buried fasciocutaneous anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap used for pharyngeal reconstruction.

Methods:  A tubed ALT flap was used to reconstruct a circumferential pharyngeal defect following resection of a carcinoma. An island of skin based on a separate perforator and externalized through the neck incision was used to monitor the flap. It was removed as a bedside procedure on the fifth postoperative day.

Results:  The externalized skin island allowed easy monitoring of the buried tubed free‐flap used to reconstruct the pharynx. Simple clinical parameters such as temperature, colour and capillary refill were used to monitor the flap instead of more complex and invasive methods.

Conclusion:  When feasible, a second skin island based on a separate set of perforator vessels provides an easy, safe and simple method of monitoring a buried free‐flap.
Primary perineal surgeries for the low and intermediate anorectal anomalies: 5‐year results in a developing country
Authors: Osifo Osarumwese David , Evbuomwan Iyekoretin
Published: July 2009

Aim:  The late presentation of clinically unstable children with anorectal anomaly requires the creation of a prior colostomy. The objective of the present study was to examine the feasibility and applicability of primary perineal surgeries for low and intermediate anorectal anomalies without a prior colostomy.

Methods:  A 5‐year experience with consecutive cases of children that had primary perineal surgeries for low/intermediate anorectal anomaly at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, between January 2003 and December 2007.

Results:  A total of 29 children aged between 1 day and 3 years (mean 5.4 months ± 2.7), comprising 17 males and 12 females with a male/female ratio of 1.4:1 had primary perineal surgeries for low 19 (65.5%) and intermediate 10 (34.5%) anorectal anomalies. They accounted for 15.6% of children who underwent gastrointestinal operations, and diagnosis was mainly clinical in the majority of them. Transposition anorectoplasty done in 19 (65.5%) children was the commonest procedure, followed by anterior perineal anorectal pullthrough in six (20.7%) and cutback anoplasty in four (13.8%). Anal stenosis which responded to serial dilatation was the main complication and it was statistically significant for the intermediate group compared to the low group (P < 0.0002). More children among the low group had recurrent constipation, although no significant statistical difference was observed when this was compared (P < 0.6451). Overall, 27 (93.1%) children, comprising 18 low and nine intermediate lesions, were successfully managed whereas one (3.4%) child with intermediate lesion had revision surgery with one (3.4%) mortality recorded due to sepsis.

Conclusion:  Primary perineal surgeries without a prior colostomy in children with low and intermediate anorectal anomaly were feasible, applicable and should be used in our setting.
Young child with recurrent stridor
Authors: Li Xin , Cheng Lik‐Cheung , Yuen Robert Kar‐Ngai , Hui Yau , Chiu Clement Sui‐Wah
Published: July 2009

Stridor is a serious clinical sign that warrants immediate attention. We report a young child who presented with recurrent stridor. The diagnosis was confirmed by bronchoscopy, and computed tomography of the thorax showed that tracheal compression at the lower half portion with an anomalous left pulmonary artery arising from the right main pulmonary artery formed a ‘sling’ around the trachea (i.e. left pulmonary artery sling). She had two severe episodes of noisy respiration. The acute respiratory symptoms appeared because of oedema of the airway associated with infection and was aggravated by bronchial secretions. She underwent successful surgical correction of both lesions. Early diagnosis and expert management of airway problems can reduce morbidity and mortality of this potentially lethal clinical scenario.
Gastrointestinal metastasis from primary lung cancer
Authors: Lo Cheuk‐Kin , Kao Sau‐Shan , Tai Dora Kai‐Chun , Ma Chan‐Chung , Ho Kwok‐Keung , Ko Kai‐Ming , Cheung Moon‐Tong
Published: July 2009

Aim:  Although gastrointestinal metastasis from primary lung cancer is uncommon, the incidence may increase due to widespread application of chemotherapy and positron emission tomography scan. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence and characteristics of patients with gastrointestinal metastasis from primary lung cancer.

Methods:  All patients with curative pulmonary resection for primary lung cancer from January 1994 to December 2006 were reviewed. A total of 10 patients (0.3%) who had gastrointestinal metastases from primary lung cancer were included.

Results:  Eight patients had small bowel metastases and two had gastric metastases. All eight patients who had small bowel metastases underwent emergency laparotomy. Two gastric metastases were diagnosed via endoscopy. None of them survived more than 3 months after diagnosis.

Conclusion:  Gastrointestinal metastasis from primary lung cancer is uncommon and its prognosis is poor. Extensive bowel resection and reconstruction are not recommended.
Bitching about a billboard: Advertising, gender and canine (re)presentations
Authors: Van Stipriaan Burnetta , Kearns Robin A.
Published: July 2009

There is an increasing presence of animal representations in advertising and these are frequently visible in the urban landscape via billboards. We contend that billboards constitute a banal, yet influential, component of the built environment in which subtle, yet powerful, interplays of gender and local culture can literally take place. We consider a controversial billboard campaign that displayed the image of a cross‐dressed dog in Auckland in 1999. An analysis of the image and objections lodged against it allows us to conclude that in conveying a public service message, this campaign mounted by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, unintentionally performed another service: engaging the public in (re)interpreting the gendered nature of animal representation
Why is Agricultural Trade Policy Always So Difficult to Reform? Warum gestaltet sich die Reform der Agrarhandelspolitik jedes Mal so schwierig? Pourquoi la politique commerciale agricole est‐elle toujours si difficile à réformer ?
Authors: Brooks Jonathan
Published: July 2009

Why Is Agricultural Trade Policy Always So Difficult To Reform?

Multilateral trade negotiations have once again foundered, at least in part, over agriculture. In previous rounds, discussions stalled because of the reluctance of some OECD countries to reform their agricultural policies and dismantle protection; this time an impasse was reached over the extent to which developing countries should be expected to do the same. Historically OECD countries have tended to protect their agricultural sectors, whereas developing countries have tended to tax them. The main reasons for this are political. Consumers in high‐income countries spend a smaller share of their budgets on food and are less concerned about the implications of elevated prices. At the same time, farmers account for a much lower share of the workforce, which means that a given transfer to producers imposes a smaller burden on the overall economy. As developing countries have become richer and as labour has started to leave the farm sector, the political calculus has changed, and they too are starting to protect their farmers. Yet there is a lack of consensus on when poorer countries may have a legitimate need to protect their farmers. Clarifying the economic circumstances under which tariff protection may be appropriate is a pre‐requisite for progress in multilateral trade negotiations.
Forecasting the Adoption of Genetically Modified Oilseed Rape Prognosen hinsichtlich der Einführung von gentechnisch verändertem Raps Prévisions sur l’adoption de colza transgénique
Authors: Breustedt Gunnar , Latacz‐Lohmann Uwe , Müller‐Scheeßel Jörg
Published: July 2009

Forecasting the Adoption of Genetically Modified Oilseed Rape

We explore farmers’ willingness to adopt genetically modified oilseed rape prior to its commercial release and estimate the ‘demand’ for the new technology. The analysis is based upon experiments with arable farmers in Germany who were asked to choose among conventional and GM rapeseed varieties with different characteristics. Our analysis has shown that ex ante GM adoption decisions are driven by profit expectations and personal as well as farm characteristics. Monetary and technological determinants such as the gross margin advantage of GM oilseed rape varieties, expected liability from cross pollination and restricted flexibility in returning to conventional oilseed rape growing affect the willingness to adopt GM rape in the expected directions. The results further indicate that neighbourhood effects and public attitudes matter a lot, such that individual farmers may not feel entirely free in their technology choice. Our demand simulations suggest that monopolistic seed prices would be set at between €50 and €100 per hectare, leaving farmers with a small share of the GM rent. This raises the question as to whether the farmers surveyed would actually benefit from the approval of GM rape varieties if the technology were to be provided by a single firm.
Is Memory for Music Special?
Authors: Schulkind Matthew D.
Published: July 2009

Although psychologists since Hermann Ebbinghaus have studied memory, research in this area has focused on visual and verbal stimuli with little attention paid to music. This bias is surprising because of the ubiquity of music in human cultures across history as well as current cultural beliefs that memory for music is “special.” This paper examines the question of whether memory for music is special by addressing two related questions: First, do cultural beliefs about the mnemonic power of music stand up to empirical test? Second, can theories designed to explain memory for non‐musical stimuli be applied to musical stimuli? A review of the literature suggests that music is special in some circumstances but not others and that some theories designed to explain cognitive processing of linguistic stimuli apply reasonably well to musical stimuli. Thus, although the question of whether memory for music is special remains open, the unique structure of musical stimuli strongly suggests that memory for music is indeed special.
How the Melody Facilitates the Message and Vice Versa in Infant Learning and Memory
Authors: Thiessen Erik D. , Saffran Jenny R.
Published: July 2009

Infants are often presented with input in which there are multiple related regularities, as is the case in musical input with both melodic and lyrical structure. Adult learners often learn more easily from complex input containing multiple correlated regularities than from simplified input. Do infants also capitalize on complexity, or instead do they benefit from simplified input? In this series of experiments, infants were presented with music in which melodic and lyrical structure predicted each other, or in which only one type of regularity was presented in isolation (melodies alone, or lyrics presented with no melody). Infants learned lyrics more easily when they were paired with a melody than when they were presented alone; similarly, they learned melodies more easily when they were paired with lyrics than when they were presented alone. There are several potential mechanisms that could explain how infants’ learning is facilitated by complex input, suggesting important implications for learning in infants’ natural environments.
The Contribution of Local Features to Familiarity Judgments in Music
Authors: Bigand Emmanuel , Gérard Yannick , Molin Paul
Published: July 2009

The contributions of local and global features to object identification depend upon the context. For example, while local features play an essential role in identification of words and objects, the global features are more influential in face recognition. In order to evaluate the respective strengths of local and global features for face recognition, researchers usually ask participants to recognize human faces (famous or learned) in normal and scrambled pictures. In this paper, we address a similar issue in music. We present the results of an experiment in which musically untrained participants were asked to differentiate famous from unknown musical excerpts that were presented in normal or scrambled ways. Manipulating the size of the temporal window on which the scrambling procedure was applied allowed us to evaluate the minimal length of time necessary for participants to make a familiarity judgment. Quite surprisingly, the minimum duration for differentiation of famous from unknown pieces is extremely short. This finding highlights the contribution of very local features to music memory.
Impaired Memory for Pitch in Congenital Amusia
Authors: Gosselin Nathalie , Jolicœur Pierre , Peretz Isabelle
Published: July 2009

We examined memory for pitch in congenital amusia in two tasks. In one task, we varied the pitch distance between the target and comparison tone from 4 to 9 semitones and inserted either a silence or 6 interpolated tones between the tones to be compared. In a second task, we manipulated the number of pitches to be retained in sequences of length 1, 3, or 5. Amusics’ sensitivity to pitch distance was exacerbated by the presence of interpolated tones, and amusics’ performance was more strongly affected by the number of pitches to maintain in memory than controls. A pitch perception deficit could not account for the pitch memory deficit of amusics.
Brain Lateralization of Metrical Accenting in Musicians
Authors: Abecasis Donna , Brochard Renaud , Del Río David , Dufour André , Ortiz Tomás
Published: July 2009

The perception of meter, or the alternation of strong and weak beats, was assessed in musically trained listeners through magnetoencephalography. Metrical accents were examined with no temporal disruption of the serial grouping of tones. Results showed an effect of metrical processing among identical standard tones in the left hemisphere, with larger responses on strong than on weak beats. Moreover, processing of occasional increases in intensity (phenomenal accents) varied as a function of metrical position in the left hemisphere, but not in the right. Our findings support the view of a relatively early, left‐hemispheric effect of metrical processing in musicians.
Effects of Early and Late Rest Breaks during Training on Overnight Memory Consolidation of a Keyboard Melody
Authors: Duke Robert A. , Allen Sarah E. , Cash Carla D. , Simmons Amy L.
Published: July 2009

In two experiments, we tested the extent to which overnight procedural memory consolidation is affected by extended rest breaks during training. In the first experiment, nonmusicians practiced a 5‐element keypress sequence with their nondominant hand in 12 30‐s practice intervals separated by 30‐s pauses. In the second experiment, nonpianist musicians practiced a 13‐note keyboard melody using the same procedures. In both experiments, approximately one‐third of the subjects took a 5‐min break after the first three blocks of practice; another third took a break after nine blocks of practice; the remaining participants did not take an extended break. All were trained in the evening and were retested the following morning. Participants in both experiments made dramatic improvements over the course of the training and retest sessions, and participants who took an extended rest break early in practice made the largest gains in performance between the end of training and the beginning of retest.
Training‐induced Neuroplasticity in Young Children
Authors: Schlaug Gottfried , Forgeard Marie , Zhu Lin , Norton Andrea , Norton Andrew , Winner Ellen
Published: July 2009

As the main interhemispheric fiber tract, the corpus callosum (CC) is of particular importance for musicians who simultaneously engage parts of both hemispheres to process and play music. Professional musicians who began music training before the age of 7 years have larger anterior CC areas than do nonmusicians, which suggests that plasticity due to music training may occur in the CC during early childhood. However, no study has yet demonstrated that the increased CC area found in musicians is due to music training rather than to preexisting differences. We tested the hypothesis that approximately 29 months of instrumental music training would cause a significant increase in the size of particular subareas of the CC known to have fibers that connect motor‐related areas of both hemispheres. On the basis of total weekly practice time, a sample of 31 children aged 5–7 was divided into three groups: high‐practicing, low‐practicing, and controls. No CC size differences were seen at base line, but differences emerged after an average of 29 months of observation in the high‐practicing group in the anterior midbody of the CC (which connects premotor and supplementary motor areas of the two hemispheres). Total weekly music exposure predicted degree of change in this subregion of the CC as well as improvement on a motor‐sequencing task. Our results show that it is intense musical experience/practice, not preexisting differences, that is responsible for the larger anterior CC area found in professional adult musicians.
Subjective Appraisal of Music
Authors: Brattico Elvira , Jacobsen Thomas
Published: July 2009

In the neurosciences of music, a consensus on the nature of affective states during music listening has not been reached. What is undeniable is that subjective affective states can be triggered by various and even opposite musical events. Here we review the few recent studies on the neural determinants of subjective affective processes of music, contrasted with early automatic neural processes linked to the objective universal properties of music. In particular, we focus on the evaluative judgments of music by subjects according to its aesthetic and structural values, on music‐specific emotions felt by listeners, and on conscious liking. We then discuss and seek to stimulate further research on the interplay between the emotional attributes of music and the subjective cognitive, psychological, and biographic factors, such as personality traits and cognitive strategies of listening. We finally draw the neuroscientist's attention to the sociocultural context as a relevant variable to study when considering music as an aesthetic domain.
Neural Representation of Transposed Melody in Infants at 6 Months of Age
Authors: Tew Sarah , Fujioka Takako , He Chao , Trainor Laurel
Published: July 2009

We examined adults’ and 6‐month‐old infants’ event‐related potentials in response to occasional changes (deviants) in a 4‐note melody presented at different pitch levels from trial to trial. In both groups, responses to standard and deviant stimuli differed significantly; however, adults produced a typical mismatch negativity (MMN), whereas 6‐month‐old infants exhibited a slow positive wave. We conclude that 6‐month‐old infants, like adults, encode melodic information in terms of relative pitch distances, but that the underlying cortical activity differs significantly from that of adults.
Absolute Pitch in Children prior to the Beginning of Musical Training
Authors: Ross David A. , Marks Lawrence E.
Published: July 2009

Absolute pitch (AP) is a rare skill, historically defined as the ability to name notes. Until now, methodologic limitations made it impossible to directly test the extent to which the development of AP depends on musical training. Using a new paradigm, we tested children with minimal musical experience. Although most children performed poorly, two performed comparably to adult possessors of AP. Follow‐up testing showed that the performance of both children progressed to that of “classic” AP. These data support the theory that AP can result from differences in the encoding of stimulus frequency that are independent of musical experience.
Infants Detect Cross‐modal Cues to Identity in Speech and Singing
Authors: Trehub Sandra E. , Plantinga Judy , Brcic Jelena
Published: July 2009

Little is known about infants’ perception of cross‐modal cues to identity, but the importance of recognizing familiar individuals makes it likely that this skill would be evident early in life. Infants 6–8 months of age were tested on their ability to link dynamic cross‐modal cues to the identity of unfamiliar speakers and singers. After exposure to speech or singing, infants watched two silent videos, one featuring the previously heard speaker or singer. Infants looked significantly longer at the video of the person heard previously, which indicates that they can match auditory and visual cues to the identity of unfamiliar persons.
Brain Research Reveals Automatic Musical Memory Functions in Children
Authors: Huotilainen Minna , Putkinen Vesa , Tervaniemi Mari
Published: July 2009

Even though music has special meanings and values compared to other sounds, it is nonetheless processed in the brain via partly the same neural networks that are built to process all kinds of sounds. The development of these brain areas depends on the input: on the sounds that a child is exposed to and chooses to attend to. We present two brain research paradigms that can be used to assess the specialization of the brain for musical sounds, and show promising results with these paradigms in a group of young children who have music as their hobby.