bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The new South African insider Trading Act: Sound law reform or legislative overkill?
Authors: Osode Patrick C.
Published: July 2009

This article provides a detailed analysis of the Insider Trading Act, 1998, of South Africa. While it welcomes those provisions designed to proscribe insider trading by creating offences and introducing severe sanctions, it criticizes the Act for doing little to promote the goals of corporate compensation and market efficiency. The article adopts a comparative approach and draws widely on legislative attempts in other jurisdictions to control insider trading.
The jurisdiction of State High Courts in Nigeria
Authors: Essien Enefiok
Published: July 2009

The jurisdiction of State High Courts in Nigeria is to be found in section 236(1) of the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The section provides:

“236(1). Subject to the provisions of this constitution and in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by law, the High Court of a State shall have unlimited jurisdiction to hear and determine any civil proceedings in which the existence or extent of a legal right, power, duty, liability, privilege, interest, obligation or claim is in issue or to hear and determine any criminal proceedings involving or relating ot any penalty, forfeiture, punishment or other liability in respect of an offence committed by any person.”
Abortion Laws in African Commonwealth Countries
Authors: Cook Rebecca J. , Dickens Bernard M.
Published: July 2009

The problem of abortion is not primarily a problem of law. The law clearly addresses the social practice of abortion, it influences the means of practice and may, at its best, resolve the social consequences of abortion, but the problem of abortion is located in social experience and prevailing social philosophies, rather than in statute books and judicial decisions. Abortion lies at the heart of a number of concerns of particular sensitivity, but it can also have a severe medical and personal impact.
Transfer of Technology to Nigeria and the Patents and Designs Act 1970
Authors: Date-Bah S. K.
Published: July 2009

The patent system has been claimed to be one of the ways of facilitating the transfer of technology from the industrialised North to the less developed countries of the South. It is by no means the only way in which this can be done. For one thing, not all technology is patented. Also, quite often before a patented process can be successfully worked there is need for the transfer of unpatented know-how along with the technology covered by the patent. Besides, it is not the patent itself which enables the transfer of the technology; rather, by making the title and exclusive rights of the patentee secure, it emboldens him to transfer his technology to others for commercial exploitation. Nevertheless, the patent is an important factor in the technology transfer process. As one United Nations report has put it:
Local Level Dispute Processes in Botswana: The Yeyi Moot Encapsulated
Authors: Sutherland Alistair J.
Published: July 2009

This paper aims to describe dispute settlement processes among Yeyi, a Bantu-speaking people living in the Okavango Delta, North West Botswana. The account is contemporary and focuses on a single neighbourhood, North Valley, which lies in the floodplains in the northern half of the Delta. North Valley is a small egalitarian community which is encapsulated within a larger administrative and economic order. As part of this larger order, it is subject to a plurality of influences which intrude on it from the outside. Its population is well aware of this larger order and strives to maintain a fair measure of independence from it, particularly from Riverside, the local administrative centre. I aim to show how North Valley people actively negotiate their autonomy in a specific institutional context, that of the neighbourhood moot. I describe how they do this, by borrowing and inverting the formal legal procedures and language of the dominant Tswana culture in an effort to preserve and protect local Yeyi values and interests. Their model for Tswana legal procedures is taken mainly from Riverside where, tempered by modern influences, the local government court operates along traditional Tswana lines. With the aid of case material, I illustrate how North Valley elders adapt Tswana idioms, symbols and legal procedures to suit their local circumstances.
The Controversy on the Statutes of General Application in Malawi
Authors: Nzunda C. M. S.
Published: July 2009

In the Department of Law, University of Malawi, if not also in the chambers of law officers and legal practitioners, the controversy is whether statutes of general application still form part of the sources of law in Malawi. This article will argue (in support of Mr. Haynes and Dr. Wanda) that these statutes are no longer applicable in Malawi; it will argue further that some of these statutes have been adopted nominatim by some independent legislation. Finally, it will suggest that the legislature should intervene in the controversy by making declaratory provisions.
Some Reflections on the Natal Code
Authors: Cassim N. A.
Published: July 2009

This article attempts to reflect upon the present state of indigenous customary law in South Africa, more particularly as codified in Natal, and to assess the suitability of the system today, as well as its place in the South African legal order. Verloren van Themaat has argued for the retention of indigenous law as follows:

“Die reg is deel van ’n volk se kultuur, en elke besondere volk het sy eie kultuurpatroon. Die eiesoortigheid van n kultuur verdwyn nie sonder meer met opvoeding en beskawing nie, die kultuur van een groep is nie maar net die kultuur van ’n ander groep in vroeëre stadium van ontwikkeling nie.”3
The Minimum Sentences Act, 1972, of Tanzania
Authors: Williams David
Published: July 2009

In 1963 a Minimum Sentences Act2 was passed which restricted discretion previously available to judges and magistrates when sentencing convicted persons. No new substantive offences were created by the Act but minimum sentences of imprisonment and corporal punishment were made mandatory for certain itemized property offences (“scheduled offences”). The Act aroused considerable interest both inside and outside this country and there is a long bibliography of comments on it.3 Much of the controversy concerned the mandatory infliction of corporal punishment, of at least 24 strokes, as part of the minimum sentence.4 Many members of the National Assembly were enthusiastic supporters of the corporal punishment provisions,5 although the Government leaders were more restrained: “They are not policies which we like”, said the Second Vice-President, Mr. Kawawa, “and I am convinced that Prisons Officers do not like them either; to administer corporal punishment is an unpleasant thing for any civilised person to do. But we have to make people recognize that to commit an offence against the nation or any of its citizens, is an evil thing which is a disgrace to the man who does it”.6
Some Aspects of the Sudan Law of Homicide
Authors: Medani Amin M.
Published: July 2009

The Sudan Penal Code (henceforth abbreviated as S.P.C.) was, with minor modifications, copied in 1899 from the Indian Penal Code (henceforth abbreviated as I.P.C.), which in its turn was to some extent based on 19th-century English criminal law. Since its enactment, the S.P.C. has been revised and re-enacted once in 1925, but no significant changes were then effected. Law makers in the Sudan are at present engaged in the revision and reformulation of the laws of the country in an attempt to bring them into line with the modern needs of a changing society. It is the feeling of the present writer that the field of criminal law warrants the least intervention or modification because the S.P.C has, in its 75 years of existence, been largely satisfactorily interpreted and applied, resulting in what could legitimately be called the criminal law of the Sudan. This, however, is by no means tantamount to saying that the Code is satisfactory in all aspects and that there is no room for improvement. At any rate, it is not intended to discuss in this article what possible changes should be brought about in the Code as a whole, a task which would evidently need much more time and space. It is merely hoped to discuss critically some aspects of the law of homicide as laid down in the Code (and applied by the courts). In so doing it is hoped to show that in some respects the Sudanese law of homicide calls for modification of some of the provisions, while other provisions of the Code are so satisfactory that they may contribute to the resolution of problems faced by other legal systems.
The Award of Blood Money in East African Manslaughter Cases
Authors: Morris H. F.
Published: July 2009

In a recent case, reported below,1 the East African Court of Appeal held (SPRY, V.-P. dissenting) that, provided certain conditions were satisfied, compensation in the form of blood money might be awarded under section 176 of the Tanganyika Criminal Procedure Code. SPRY, V.-P., however, was unable to agree “that the award of blood money is authorised by section 176 of the Criminal Procedure Code”.
Introduction and Report of Proceedings: Perspectives for the 1980s
Authors: Slinn Peter , Allott Antony
Published: July 2009

We cannot discuss international law and its possible evolution towards a new international law of development without briefly reminding ourselves of what law is and how it emerges. What makes law, in other words? Law, a legal system, first of all presupposes a community. In the international case this is a community of autonomous states. Next—to achieve an effective system—there must be consensus on both the means and the ends of regulation of relations within that community or an authority with power to execute the rules of that system. At the end of the day the international community has depended, and continues to depend, on a blend of consensus and authority. Next, there must be structure, an organised network of institutions for the determination of rules (“sources”), for the resolution of conflicts and for the carrying into effect of decisions on those rules and conflicts. Thus law cannot exist without purpose; the law embodies goals which may be limited or extensive in their reach—the law is for something, some end. Lastly, of course, there must be rules which specify how the system is to work, and the actual content of the relations prescribed. In the evolution which we have witnessed since the Second World War international law has moved in all these respects; and this movement is quite vital for the theme of international law and development.
The International Monetary Fund in Economic Development: Equality and Discrimination
Authors: Parkinson F.
Published: July 2009

While the demand for economic development by underdeveloped countries has a long history, two landmarks call for brief comment: 1960, when a massinflux of newly-independent underdeveloped countries lent political strength to their clamours; and 1973, when the spectacular rise in oil prices became a potential weapon of the developing countries. The chief political forum of the latter has been the General Assembly of the United Nations, but battle has also been done in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), chief forum on international trade. Some concessions have been wrested from the developed countries, but progress in the two chief fora of public international finance, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, has been slow. Both of these international institutions have become the focus of manoeuvre between the developing and the developed countries.
The International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade
Authors: Flory Maurice
Published: July 2009

The United Nations is entering the third development decade designated by a resolution which is part of the series now consisting of three texts which have guided the efforts of the United Nations over the last 20 years. The present document took a long time to produce and was the object of particular care and attention. The General Assembly resolution of 17 December, 1977, provided that:

— all negotiations should be conducted within the framework of U.N. institutions

— an extraordinary session of the General Assembly should be held in 1980 to assess and to identify the new strategy for development

— a plenary committee should be established, open to all member states, to prepare for the meeting of the Extraordinary Session in 1980.

On the one hand the third decade was to open “global negotiation” and the plenary committee was to prepare the ground for these negotiations; on the other hand, a committee was to devise the new strategy and to present it to the Eleventh Special Session. Those were the two aims; and the Group of 77 were determined to link them in a single ten-year-plan, in what is called in the U.N. terminology a ten years strategy. Three of these strategies have been adopted so far. The General Assembly in its resolutions A/1710 (XVI) and A/1715 (XVI), 19 December, 1961, declared the period 1960–70 the first U.N.Decadeof development: a period in which special efforts should be made by all, in favour of those who live in the less developed countries.
Personal law in the Sudan—trends and developments
Authors: Akolawin Natale Olwak
Published: July 2009

The Republic of the Sudan, born on January 1st, 1956, is, like many other independent states in Africa, a political, and not an ethnic unit. It ranks high among the countries with extraordinary ethnic and cultural diversity. Besides the Arab tribes which constitute 39% of its population, there are numerous non-Arab tribes of several racial and linguistic families.
An end to slavishness? a note on Alli v. Okulaja
Authors: Cottrell Jill
Published: July 2009

“At present, indeed, the Nigerian courts tend slavishly to follow any English decision”. This recent decision of the High Court of Lagos State, however, appears to be the first example of a judicial refusal to follow an English precedent, other than in cases involving the measure of damages, or interpretation of statutes similar to those in force in Nigeria, but not identical. BECKLEY, J., said of Edmeades v. Thomas Board Mills Ltd.:
Trespass and Title to Land in the Northern States of Nigeria
Authors: McDowell C. M.
Published: July 2009

The case of Oguche v. Iliyasu & Ors. raises several interesting issues in the law of the Northern States of Nigeria, in particular the definitions of “native” and “non-native” and the powers of the Commissioner under the Land Tenure Law, the relationship between title to land and the rules governing trespass to land, the protection afforded by the Public Officers (Protection) Law and the award of exemplary damages for oppressive acts by public officers. The facts of the case will be given first, followed by a summary of the judgment and comment on the issues raised.
Tswana Concepts of Custom and Law
Authors: Schapera I.
Published: July 2009

When discussing rules or modes of conduct, Tswana generally referred to them collectively asmekgwa lemelao(plural forms respectively ofmokgwaandmolao; le- is a conjunctive formative). In the standard Tswana dictionary,mokgwais defined as “a custom, a habit, a peculiarity”, andmolaoas “a law”; and when used together in a single phrase they were usually translated “custom(s) and law(s)” or, since the word order was flexible, “Law(s) and custom(s)”. The following are some examples, taken from written texts:

In a Malete case (27.1938), a widow claimed and was awarded her late husband's cattle, but the judge told her that,kamokgwa lemolao waSeiswana, “according to Tswana custom and law”, she could not take them with away from her husband's ward.
Legal Duality: Conflict or Concord in Botswana?
Authors: Griffiths Anne
Published: July 2009

This paper is concerned with the relationship that exists between Customary and Common law in Botswana. Does it promote conflict or concord? This will be explored with reference to the general relationship between the two systems and in the particular context of marriage, divorce and division of property. One may argue for the conflict approach if one views the systems as ppositional or one may argue that there is concord by acquiescence, given the subordinate position occupied by Customary law within the national legal system of Botswana. The aim of this paper is to do neither, but rather, to show that “duality” with its implications of separateness is inappropriate, that the two systems are linked and have a symbiotic relationship, one which involves a process of mutual adaptation. The aim of this paper is to show that any conflict or concord that exists should not be defined in terms of systems viewed as independent isolated units or in terms of labels such as “Common” or “Customary” law but rather in terms of values which relate to mode of life and attach themselves to certain kinds of property. Within the national legal system of Botswana Customary and Common law co-exist. Customary law is defined as being “in relation to any particular tribe or tribal community the customary law of that tribe or tribal community so far s it is not incompatible with the provisions of any written law or contrary tomorality, humanity or natural justice”.
The Law of Succession in Zambia: Recent Proposals for Reform
Authors: Coldham Simon
Published: July 2009

The 1982 Report on the Law of Succession (the Report) was the first report to be published by the Law Development Commission (the Commission) sinceit was established in 1974. This almost certainly indicates the importance which the government of Zambia attaches to the reform of the law of succession, and perhaps marks a change of attitude on its part towards customary law, which could also have implications for the law of marriage and divorce. Statements by government ministers indicate that legislation along the lines proposed by the Commission is likely in the near future. It seems appropriate, therefore, to appraise these proposals and to compare them with reforms carried out elsewhere in Commonwealth Africa.
Research on Customary Law in German East Africa
Authors: Redmayne Alison , Rogers Christine
Published: July 2009

German scholars contributed an impressive amount to many different disciplines in their studies of German East Africa and other German colonies, particularly between about 1890 and 1910. Much research was undertaken and a considerable amount was published. Then, after the First World War, when Germany lost her colonies, some valuable work was abandoned. One important project which suffered was the collection of data on customary law in the former German colonies. The sets of answers to a questionnaire were the main source used in compiling a large two volume study,Das Eingeborenenrecht(1929 and 1930), which is available in research libraries outside Germany. However, the original printed sets of answers are a more valuable source of ethnographic and legal data than the book; but they are little known and appear to have been generally unavailable outside Germany and Tanganyika. Rhodes House Library, Oxford, now has a copy of the original German questionnaire and a microfilm of the sets of answers for German East Africa. The purpose of this article is to explain how the original German research project developed, to present an English translation of the final version of the questionnaire (see Appendix A, below), a check list of the most important facts about each of the sets of answers collected in German East Africa (see Appendix B, below), and a brief assessment of the value of this data.

This research is interesting when it is seen from any of the following points of view;
Shareholder-Initiated Class Action Lawsuits: Shareholder Wealth Effects and Industry Spillovers
Authors: Gande Amar , Lewis Craig M.
Published: July 2009

This paper documents significantly negative stock price reactions to shareholder-initiated class action lawsuits. We find that shareholders partially anticipate these lawsuits based on lawsuit filings against other firms in the same industry and capitalize part of these losses prior to a lawsuit filing date. We show that the more likely a firm is to be sued, the larger the partial anticipation effect (shareholder losses capitalized prior to a lawsuit filing date) and the smaller the filing date effect (shareholder losses measured on the lawsuit filing date). Our evidence suggests that previous research that typically focuses on the filing date effect understates the magnitude of shareholder losses, and that such an understatement is greater for firms with a higher likelihood of being sued.
Variation in faecal water content may confound estimates of gastro-intestinal parasite intensity in wild African herbivores
Authors: Turner W.C. , Cizauskas C.A. , Getz W.M.
Published: July 2009

Estimates of parasite intensity within host populations are essential for many studies of host–parasite relationships. Here we evaluated the seasonal, age- and sex-related variability in faecal water content for two wild ungulate species, springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) and plains zebra (Equus quagga). We then assessed whether or not faecal water content biased conclusions regarding differences in strongyle infection rates by season, age or sex. There was evidence of significant variation in faecal water content by season and age for both species, and by sex in springbok. Analyses of faecal egg counts demonstrated that sex was a near-significant factor in explaining variation in strongyle parasite infection rates in zebra (P = 0.055) and springbok (P = 0.052) using wet-weight faecal samples. However, once these intensity estimates were re-scaled by the percent of dry matter in the faeces, sex was no longer a significant factor (zebra, P = 0.268; springbok, P = 0.234). These results demonstrate that variation in faecal water content may confound analyses and could produce spurious conclusions, as was the case with host sex as a factor in the analysis. We thus recommend that researchers assess whether water variation could be a confounding factor when designing and performing research using faecal indices of parasite intensity.
A wake up call for urinary schistosomiasis: reconciling research effort with public health importance
Authors: ROLLINSON D.
Published: July 2009

This review considers the current status of urinary schistosomiasis, caused by infection withSchistosoma haematobium, and argues that greater research effort and focus are needed to improve understanding of this neglected tropical disease (NTD). The inappropriateness of relying solely on data concerning the much more extensively studied intestinal form of schistosomiasis caused byS. mansoniis highlighted. The current lack of genome and transcriptome information forS. haematobiumis directly hindering further targeted research and must be quickly rectified. Recent molecular phylogenies caution the expectation of similarities between schistosome species and highlight the close relationships of species within theS. haematobiumgroup. Treatment, current and prospective drugs and vaccines, together with diagnosis are considered, highlighting the differences associated with urinary schistosomiasis. This infection has a significant and specific impact on the urino-genital system and has a strong association with bladder cancer, leading to severe and chronic morbidity. There is a clear need for new clinical initiatives in this area to better quantify the disease burden. Furthermore, emerging associations with HIV and other pathogens need to be closely monitored. Research is urgently needed to improve current knowledge in order to develop the next generation of control tools.
Cold tolerance in sealworm (Pseudoterranova decipiens) due to heat-shock adaptations
Authors: STORMO S. K. , PRÆBEL K. , ELVEVOLL E. O.
Published: July 2009

Third-stage larvae ofPseudoterranova decipienscommonly infect whitefish such as cod, and the parasite can be transferred to humans through lightly prepared (sushi) meals. Because little is known about the nematode's cold tolerance capacity, we examined the nematode's ability to supercool, and whether or not cold acclimation could induce physiological changes that might increase its ability to tolerate freezing conditions. Even if third-stagePseudoterranova decipienslarvae have some supercooling ability, they show no potential for freezing avoidance because they are not able to withstand inoculative freezing. Still, they have the ability to survive freezing at high subzero temperatures, something which suggests that these nematodes have a moderate freeze tolerance. We also show that acclimation to high temperatures triggers trehalose accumulation to an even greater extent than cold acclimation. Trehalose is a potential cryoprotectant which has been shown to play a vital role in the freeze tolerance of nematodes. We suggest that the trehalose accumulation observed for the cold acclimation is a general response to thermal stress, and that the nematode's moderate freeze tolerance may be acquired through adaptation to heat rather than coldness.
Ligula intestinalis(Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) in Kenya: a field investigation into host specificity and behavioural alterations
Authors: BRITTON J. R. , JACKSON M. C. , HARPER D. M.
Published: July 2009

Within the distribution ofLigula intestinalis, a tapeworm affecting freshwater fishes, there are genetically distinct and well-separated phylogenetic clusters. East Africa is represented by a single monophyletic clade which is understudied compared with Euro-Mediterranean clades. The present field investigation in the Lake Baringo and Naivasha catchments, Kenya, revealed that thisL. intestinalisclade was highly host-specific, present in only 2 of 12 fishes examined;Barbus paludinosusin Naivasha andBarbus lineomaculatusin Baringo. In infected fish, cestodes comprised up to 20% of body weight. Only 1 parasite was recorded per fish, a contrast to infected fishes in Europe where mixed infections are commonplace. InB. lineomaculatusin Baringo, only fish of greater than 64 mm in length were parasitized. The highest parasite prevalence was recorded in fish of 70–77 mm in length, and reduced for lengths of 78–84 mm. Parasitized fish were significantly associated with a particular type of habitat, occurring most frequently in shallow littoral areas, and being absent from open water and rocky shore habitats. Uninfected fish were present in all habitats. This relationship between spatial occupancy and parasite prevalence is suggested to arise from behavioural alterations induced by the parasite that promotes completion of the parasite life cycle.
Cytotoxicity of quahog parasite unknown (QPX) toward hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) haemocytes and interactions between different pathogen isolates and host strains
Authors: PERRIGAULT MICKAEL , ALLAM BASSEM
Published: July 2009

The ability of pathogens to neutralize host defence mechanisms represents a fundamental requisite in the successful establishment of an infection. Host-pathogen interactions between quahog parasite unknown (QPX) and its hard clam host are poorly understood. Our prior in vivo investigations have shown that different QPX isolates display varying levels of pathogenicity toward clams. Similarly, field investigations and laboratory transmission studies revealed some variations in the susceptibility of different hard clam stocks to QPX infection. An in vitro approach was developed in this study to evaluate the toxicity of QPX cells and extracellular products toward haemocytes using a neutral red uptake assay. Results demonstrated that QPX produces virulence factors that are cytotoxic to M. mercenaria haemocytes. This cytotoxicity appears to be induced by clam factors, suggesting that it may play an important role in supporting QPX infection and proliferation within the host. Moreover, application of this technique to different QPX isolates and clam broodstocks indicates variations of QPX cytotoxicity in agreement with previous in vivo experiments, strengthening the existence of different QPX strains.
Increased neural response to fear in patients recovered from depression: a 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Norbury R. , Selvaraj S. , Taylor M. J. , Harmer C. , Cowen P. J.
Published: July 2009

Background

Previous imaging studies have revealed that acute major depression is characterized by altered neural responses to negative emotional stimuli. Typically, responses in limbic regions such as the amygdala are increased while activity in cortical regulatory regions such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is diminished. Whether these changes persist in unmedicated recovered patients is unclear.

Method

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine neural responses to emotional faces in a facial expression-matching task in 16 unmedicated recovered depressed patients and 21 healthy controls.

Results

Compared with controls, recovered depressed patients had increased responses bilaterally to fearful faces in the DLPFC and right caudate. Responses in the amygdala did not distinguish the groups.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that clinical recovery from depression is associated with increased activity in the DLPFC to negative emotional stimuli. We suggest that this increase may reflect a compensatory cortical control mechanism with the effect of limiting emotional dysregulation in limbic regions such as the amygdala.
Cognitive/personality pattern and triplet expansion size in adult myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1): CTG repeats, cognition and personality in DM1
Authors: Sistiaga A. , Urreta I. , Jodar M. , Cobo A. M. , Emparanza J. , Otaegui D. , Poza J. J. , Merino J. J. , Imaz H. , Martí-Massó J. F. , López de Munain A.
Published: July 2009

Background

Although central nervous system (CNS) involvement in adult myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) was described long ago, the large number of variables affecting the cognitive and personality profile have made it difficult to determine the effect of DM1 on the brain. The aim of this study was to define the cognitive and personality patterns in adult DM1 patients, and to analyse the relationship between these clinical patterns and their association with the underlying molecular defect.

Method

We examined 121 adult DM1 patients with confirmed molecular CTG repeat expansion and 54 control subjects using comprehensive neuropsychological tests and personality assessments with the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI)-II. We used a multiple linear regression model to assess the effect of each variable on cognition and personality adjusted to the remainders.

Results

Patients performed significantly worse than controls in tests measuring executive function (principally cognitive inflexibility) and visuoconstructive ability. In the personality profile, some paranoid and aggressive traits were predominant. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation between the CTG expansion size and many of the neuropsychological and personality measures. The molecular defect also correlated with patients' daytime somnolence.

Conclusions

Besides muscular symptomatology, there is significant CTG-dependent involvement of the CNS in adult DM1 patients. Our data indicate that the cognitive impairment predominantly affects the fronto-parietal lobe.
Combining dimensional and categorical representation of psychosis: the way forward for DSM-V and ICD-11?
Authors: Demjaha A. , Morgan K. , Morgan C. , Landau S. , Dean K. , Reichenberg A. , Sham P. , Fearon P. , Hutchinson G. , Jones P. B. , Murray R. M. , Dazzan P.
Published: July 2009

Background

There is good evidence that psychotic symptoms segregate into symptom dimensions. However, it is still unclear how these dimensions are associated with risk indicators and other clinical variables, and whether they have advantages over categorical diagnosis in clinical practice. We investigated symptom dimensions in a first-onset psychosis sample and examined their associations with risk indicators and clinical variables. We then examined the relationship of categorical diagnoses to the same variables.

Method

We recruited 536 patients as part of a population-based, incidence study of psychosis. Psychopathology was assessed using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). A principal axis factor analysis was performed on symptom scores. The relationship of dimension scores with risk indicators and with clinical variables was then examined employing regression analyses. Finally, regression models were compared to assess the contribution of dimensionsversusdiagnosis in explaining these variables.

Results

Factor analysis gave rise to a five-factor solution of manic, reality distortion, negative, depressive and disorganization symptom dimensions. The scores of identified dimensions were differentially associated with specific variables. The manic dimension had the highest number of significant associations; strong correlations were observed with shorter duration of untreated psychosis, acute mode of onset and compulsory admission. Adding dimensional scores to diagnostic categories significantly increased the amount of variability explained in predicting these variables; the reverse was also true but to a lesser extent.

Conclusions

Categorical and dimensional representations of psychosis are complementary. Using both appears to be a promising strategy in conceptualising psychotic illnesses.
Neurology out-patients with symptoms unexplained by disease: illness beliefs and financial benefits predict 1-year outcome
Authors: Sharpe M. , Stone J. , Hibberd C. , Warlow C. , Duncan R. , Coleman R. , Roberts R. , Cull R. , Pelosi A. , Cavanagh J. , Matthews K. , Goldbeck R. , Smyth R. , Walker A. , Walker J. , MacMahon A. , Murray G. , Carson A.
Published: July 2009

Background

Patients whose symptoms are ‘unexplained by disease’ often have a poor symptomatic outcome after specialist consultation, but we know little about which patient factors predict this. We therefore aimed to determine predictors of poor subjective outcome for new neurology out-patients with symptoms unexplained by disease 1 year after the initial consultation.

Method

The Scottish Neurological Symptom Study was a 1-year prospective cohort study of patients referred to secondary care National Health Service neurology clinics in Scotland (UK). Patients were included if the neurologist rated their symptoms as ‘not at all’ or only ‘somewhat explained’ by organic disease. Patient-rated change in health was rated on a five-point Clinical Global Improvement (CGI) scale (‘much better’ to ‘much worse’) 1 year later.

Results

The 12-month outcome data were available on 716 of 1144 patients (63%). Poor outcome on the CGI (‘unchanged’, ‘worse’ or ‘much worse’) was reported by 482 (67%) out of 716 patients. The only strong independent baseline predictors were patients' beliefs [expectation of non-recovery (odds ratio [OR] 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40–2.96), non-attribution of symptoms to psychological factors (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.51–3.26)] and the receipt of illness-related financial benefits (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.37–3.86). Together, these factors predicted 13% of the variance in outcome.

Conclusions

Of the patients, two-thirds had a poor outcome at 1 year. Illness beliefs and financial benefits are more useful in predicting poor outcome than the number of symptoms, disability and distress.
Living like common people: emotion, will, and divine passibility
Authors: SCRUTTON ANASTASIA
Published: July 2009

This paper explores the perennial objection to passibilism (conceived as susceptibility to or capacity for emotion) that an omnipotent being could not experience emotions because emotions are essentially passive and outside the subject's control. Examining this claim through the lens of some recent philosophy of emotion, I highlight some of the ways in which emotions can be chosen and cultivated, suggesting that emotions are not incompatible with divine omnipotence. Having concluded that divine omnipotence does not exclude emotional experience in general, I go on to address an objection to the idea that God experiences the emotions involved in suffering in particular, suggesting one possible way of arguing that God's suffering is chosen while also maintaining the authenticity of divine suffering.
THE ‘HAUNTED’ SHOSTAKOVICH AND THE CO-PRESENCE OF BACH
Authors: Johnson Lee
Published: July 2009

My theoretical purpose is to distinguish between musical allusions and musical co-presences. A musical allusion is usually a citation of a melody or phrase from a work by a predecessor. In Shostakovich's Fifteenth Symphony, for example, references to Rossini's William Tell and to Wagner's Ring have tantalized listeners and provoked speculation on what these allusions could mean. In general, Shostakovich's music is notable for containing numerous allusions, often ironic, to previous composers. By contrast, Shostakovich's 24 Preludes and Fugues and the Eighth String Quartet show more than mere allusions to Bach: the very methods and forms of the Baroque master are incorporated into the later composer's works, as if Bach were a co-creator with Shostakovich; and those methods and forms are not employed ironically. That is to say, the music of Bach has a special significance for Shostakovich, a presence that goes beyond any topical value.
Note sur les opérations de Grothendieck et la réalisation de Betti
Authors: Ayoub Joseph
Published: July 2009

Le but de cette note est de prouver que la réalisation de Betti des motifs est compatible avec les six opérations de Grothendieck et les foncteurs cycles proches qui, dans le monde motivique, ont été étudiés par l'auteur. On reprend d'abord la construction de la réalisation de Betti. On établit ensuite des critères abstraits qui, appliqués à la réalisation de Betti, fournissent les compatibilités souhaitées, sauf celle qui concerne les foncteurs cycles proches. Ces derniers seront traités dans une section à part.
Microbial community structure in the North Pacific ocean
Authors: Brown Mark V , Philip Gayle K , Bunge John A , Smith Matthew C , Bissett Andrew , Lauro Federico M , Fuhrman Jed A , Donachie Stuart P
Published: July 2009

We report a ribosomal tag pyrosequencing study of the phylogenetic diversity of Archaea, Bacteria and Eucarya over a depth profile at the Hawaii Ocean Time-Series Station, ALOHA. The V9 region of the SSU rRNA gene was amplified from samples representing the epi- (10 m), meso- (800 m) and bathy- (4400 m) pelagia. The primers used are expected to amplify representatives of ∼80% of known phylogenetic diversity across all three domains. Comparisons of unique sequences revealed a remarkably low degree of overlap between communities at each depth. The 444 147 sequence tags analyzed represented 62 975 unique sequences. Of these, 3707 (5.9%) occurred at two depths, and only 298 (0.5%) were observed at all three depths. At this level of phylogenetic resolution, Bacteria diversity decreased with depth but was still equivalent to that reported elsewhere for different soil types. Archaea diversity was highest in the two deeper samples. Eucarya observations and richness estimates are almost one order of magnitude higher than any previous marine microbial Eucarya richness estimates. The associations of many Eucarya sequences with putative parasitic organisms may have significant impacts on our understanding of the mechanisms controlling host population density and diversity, and point to a more significant role for microbial Eucarya in carbon flux through the microbial loop. We posit that the majority of sequences detected from the deep sea that have closest matches to sequences from non-pelagic sources are indeed native to the marine environment, and are possibly responsible for key metabolic processes in global biogeochemical cycles.
Food Form and Portion Size Affect Postprandial Appetite Sensations and Hormonal Responses in Healthy, Nonobese, Older Adults
Authors: Leidy Heather J. , Apolzan John W. , Mattes Richard D. , Campbell Wayne W.
Published: July 2009

Data are limited concerning the dietary factors that influence appetite control in older adults. This study examined the effects of food form and portion size on appetite in 43 older adults (age: 72 ± 1 years; BMI: 25.6 ± 0.3 kg/m2). Subjects were assigned to groups based on portion size of the test meal (12.5% (n = 18) vs. 25% (n = 25) of estimated energy need). Subjects randomly consumed, on two separate days, the respective solid or beverage test meal. Appetite sensations and hormonal responses were measured over 4 h. Main effects of food form (P < 0.05) and/or portion size (P < 0.05) were observed for each appetite sensation. Postprandial hunger and desire to eat were greater following beverage vs. solid meal (between 12.5% vs. 25%), whereas fullness was lower after beverage vs. solid meal (P < 0.05). Main effects of food form and/or portion size were observed for glucose, insulin, and ghrelin. Postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations were lower after beverage vs. solid meal (between 12.5% vs. 25%; all comparisons, P < 0.05) whereas beverage meal led to greater 4‐h ghrelin vs. solid meal (P = 0.09). No main effects were observed for glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) or cholecystokinin (CCK). When adjusting for age, food form remained significant for postprandial hunger and fullness; portion size remained significant for postprandial glucose. Greater hunger and reduced satiety with accompanying glucose, insulin, and ghrelin following the beverage vs. solid meals, and to some extent, in smaller vs. larger portions suggest that appetite control is influenced by food form and portion size in older adults. These findings may enhance the development of appropriate dietary strategies that help to regulate energy balance.
Membrane proteins in nanotechnology
Authors: Curnow Paul
Published: July 2009

Integral membrane proteins are important biological macromolecules with structural features and functionalities that make them attractive targets for nanotechnology. I provide here a broad review of current activity in nanotechnology related to membrane proteins, including their application as nanoscale sensors, switches, components of optical devices and as templates for self-assembled arrays.
Structural integrity of β-sheet assembly
Authors: Marshall Karen E. , Serpell Louise C.
Published: July 2009

The folding of a protein from a sequence of amino acids to a well-defined tertiary structure is one of the most studied and enigmatic events to take place in biological systems. Relatively recently, it has been established that some proteins and peptides are able to take on conformations other than their native fold to form long fibres known as amyloid. In vivo, these are associated with misfolding diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Type 2 diabetes and the amyloidoses. In vitro, peptide assembly leads to amyloid-like fibres that have high stability, resistance to degradation and high tensile strength. Remarkably, despite the lack of any obvious sequence similarity between these fibrillogenic proteins and peptides, all amyloid fibrils share common structural characteristics and their underlying structure is known as ‘cross-β’. Nature is rich in β-sheet protein assemblies such as spider silk and other ‘useful’ amyloids such as curli from Escherichia coli, where the strength of fibrils is fundamental to their function.
Silk-inspired polymers and proteins
Authors: Hardy John G. , Scheibel Thomas R.
Published: July 2009

The biocompatibility and biodegradability of natural silk fibres and the benign conditions under which they (with impressive mechanical properties) are produced represent a biomimetic ideal. This ideal has inspired people in both academia and industry to prepare silk-mimetic polymers and proteins by chemical and/or biotechnological means. In the present paper, we aim to give an overview of the design principles of such silk-inspired polymers/proteins, their processing into various materials morphologies, their mechanical and biological properties, and, finally, their technical and biomedical applications.
From biominerals to biomaterials: the role of biomolecule–mineral interactions
Authors: Perry Carole C. , Patwardhan Siddharth V. , Deschaume Olivier
Published: July 2009

Interactions between inorganic materials and biomolecules at the molecular level, although complex, are commonplace. Examples include biominerals, which are, in most cases, facilitated by and in contact with biomolecules; implantable biomaterials; and food and drug handling. The effectiveness of these functional materials is dependent on the interfacial properties, i.e. the extent of molecular level ‘association’ with biomolecules. The present article gives information on biomolecule–inorganic material interactions and illustrates our current understanding using selected examples. The examples include (i) mechanism of biointegration: the role of surface chemistry and protein adsorption, (ii) towards improved aluminium-containing materials, and (iii) understanding the bioinorganic interface: experiment and modelling. A wide range of experimental techniques (microscopic, spectroscopic, particle sizing, thermal methods and solution methods) are used by the research group to study interactions between (bio)molecules and molecular and colloidal species that are coupled with computational simulation studies to gain as much information as possible on the molecular-scale interactions. Our goal is to uncover the mechanisms underpinning any interactions and to identify ‘rules’ or ‘guiding principles’ that could be used to explain and hence predict behaviour for a wide range of (bio)molecule–mineral systems.
Rational design and protein engineering of growth factors for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering
Authors: Moss Andrew J. , Sharma Shikha , Brindle Nicholas P.J.
Published: July 2009

Growth factors provide key instructive cues for tissue formation and repair. However, many natural growth factors are limited in their usefulness for tissue engineering and regenerative applications by their poor retention at desired sites of action, short half-lives in vivo, pleiotropic actions and other features. In the present article, we review approaches to rational design of synthetic growth factors based on mechanisms of receptor activation. Such synthetic molecules can function as simplified ligands with potentially tunable specificity and action. Rational and combinatorial protein engineering techniques allow introduction of additional features into these synthetic growth molecules, as well as natural growth factors, which significantly enhance their therapeutic utility.
Separating derived from ancestral features of mouse and human genomes
Authors: Ponting Chris P. , Goodstadt Leo
Published: July 2009

To take full advantage of the mouse as a model organism, it is essential to distinguish lineage-specific biology from what is shared between human and mouse. Investigations into shared genetic elements common to both have been well served by the draft human and mouse genome sequences. More recently, the virtually complete euchromatic sequences of the two reference genomes have been finished. These reveal a high (∼5%) level of sequence duplications that had previously been recalcitrant to sequencing and assembly. Within these duplications lie large numbers of rodent- or primate-specific genes. In the present paper, we review the sequence properties of the two genomes, dwelling most on the duplications, deletions and insertions that separate each of them from their most recent common ancestor, approx. 90 million years ago. We consider the differences in gene numbers and repertoires between the two species, and speculate on their contributions to lineage-specific biology. Loss of ancient single-copy genes are rare, as are gains of new functional genes through retrotransposition. Instead, most changes to the gene repertoire have occurred in large multicopy families. It has been proposed that numbers of such ‘environmental genes' rise and fall, and their sequences change, as adaptive responses to infection and other environmental pressures, including conspecific competition. Nevertheless, many such genes may be under little or no selection.