bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reading motivation, perceptions of reading instruction and reading amount: a comparison of junior and senior secondary students in Hong Kong
Authors: Lau Kit‐Ling
Published: June 2009

This study examined the relations between students' reading motivation, perceptions of reading instruction and reading amount, together with grade differences, in a Chinese educational context. A total of 1,146 students from 19 secondary schools in Hong Kong voluntarily responded to a questionnaire that measured these three sets of variables. The study's findings indicated that students' intrinsic motivation was most strongly related to their reading amount. Students' perceptions of the reading instruction they received in their Chinese language class were significantly related to their reading motivation, but were only indirectly related to their reading amount, being mediated through reading motivation. Consistent with previous studies, significant grade differences were found in all types of reading motivation, students' perceptions of reading instruction and students' reading amount. The findings indicated that junior secondary students had better self‐efficacy, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and social motivation than senior secondary students. The largest grade difference was in students' self‐efficacy. Junior secondary students also perceived the reading instruction in their Chinese language class as more mastery‐oriented and read more frequently than senior secondary students. The implications of these findings for understanding Chinese students' reading motivation and for planning effective reading instruction to enhance their motivation are discussed.
Simple but complex: components of the simple view of reading across grade levels
Authors: Tilstra Janet , McMaster Kristen , Van den Broek Paul , Kendeou Panayiota , Rapp David
Published: June 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the simple view of reading (SVR) and contributions of verbal proficiency and reading fluency to reading comprehension for fourth‐, seventh‐ and ninth‐grade readers (N=271). The SVR explained a significant proportion of variance in reading comprehension for all grades with decreasing explained variance in higher grades. The variance explained by decoding decreased from fourth grade to higher grades. The variance explained by listening comprehension increased from fourth‐ to seventh‐grade, but did not change from seventh‐ to ninth‐grade. In all grades, verbal proficiency and reading fluency contributed substantial additional variance to reading comprehension beyond the SVR. Changes in the predictive relation between listening and reading comprehension and factors influencing reading comprehension in each grade are discussed.
SINGULAR PERTURBATION TECHNIQUES APPLIED TO MULTIASSET OPTION PRICING
Authors: Duck Peter W. , Yang Chao , Newton David P. , Widdicks Martin
Published: June 2009

It is well known that option valuation problems with multiple‐state variables are often problematic to solve. When valuing options using lattice‐type techniques such as finite‐difference methods, the curse of dimensionality ensures that additional‐state variables lead to exponential increases in computational effort. Monte Carlo methods are immune from this curse but, despite advances, require a great deal of adaptation to treat early exercise features. Here the multiunderlying asset Black–Scholes problem, including early exercise, is studied using the tools of singular perturbation analysis. This considerably simplifies the pricing problem by decomposing the multi‐dimensional problem into a series of lower‐dimensional problems that are far simpler and faster to solve than the full, high‐dimensional problem. This paper explains how to apply these singular perturbation techniques and explores the significant efficiency improvement from such an approach.
Non‐Relativist Contextualism about Free Will
Authors: Willaschek Marcus
Published: June 2009

Abstract:Contextualist accounts of free will recently proposed by Hawthorne and Rieber imply that the same action can be both free and unfree (depending on the attributor's context). This paradoxical consequence can be avoided by thinking of contexts not as constituted by arbitrary moves in a conversation, but rather by (relatively stable) social practices (such as the practices of attributing responsibility or of giving scientific explanations). The following two conditions are suggested as each necessary and jointly sufficient for free will: (i) the agent is able to form considered practical judgements and to act accordingly, and (ii) the agent (or some agent‐involving event) is the original cause of her actions. A contextualist reformulation of the second condition is developed according to which only contexts in which responsibility is attributed are relevant for the kind of original causation required for free will, which allows for a non‐relativist contextualism about free will.
Due Processes of Governance: Terror, the Rule of Law, and the Limits of Institutional Design
Authors: MASHAW JERRY L.
Published: June 2009

The George W. Bush administration was more aggressive than most in asserting independent executive competence pursuant to the president's joint roles as commander in chief of the armed forces and as head of the executive branch. One of its legacies is that the rule of law is an unsettled matter, both intellectually and practically. While constitutional reform to provide a framework for law‐based governance under emergency conditions may be required, it is unlikely to occur. Analysis should consider how to improve the design and operation of microstructures within the executive branch. This article surveys options for instituting design changes but concludes that no such option is compelling, given the requirements of good lawyering about contentious issues within the executive branch. It recommends systematic deliberation about “best practices” in executive branch lawyering—with the ambition of articulating a practical theory on the due processes of governance that encompasses the special circumstances of emergency conditions.
Smoking, sun exposure, number of nevi and previous neoplasias are risk factors for melanoma in older patients (60 years and over)
Authors: Nagore E , Hueso L , Botella‐Estrada R , Alfaro‐Rubio A , Serna I , Guallar JP , González I , Ribes I , Guillen C
Published: June 2009

Background  Malignant melanoma risk factors have been studied in different geographical area populations. However, no study has focused on risk factors which are more frequently associated to the over 60's age group.

Methods  A case‐control study was performed that included 160 patients age ≥ 60 years diagnosed of cutaneous melanoma and 318 controls matched for age and sex. Both groups were assessed, by personal interview and physical examination, for different phenotype characteristics (hair and eye color, phototype), the presence of other cutaneous lesions (solar lentigines, actinic keratoses and nevi), degree and type of solar exposure and personal and family past history of cutaneous or non‐cutaneous cancer. Differences were evaluated by contingency tables and univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results  Of 17 factors, those risk factors with a strong effect on the development of melanoma in the elderly were: fair eyes, severe sunburns, years of occupational sun exposure, smoking, > 50 melanocytic nevi and personal history of NMSC and other non‐cutaneous neoplasias.

Conclusions  Tobacco smoking is an independent risk factor for cutaneous melanoma in the elderly. Intense (both acute and chronic) sun exposure and constitutional features, such as tumor susceptibility (NMSC, non‐cutaneous neoplasias, and multiple nevi) are also associated with melanoma risk. All these factors should help to better design educational campaigns in older people.
Stress in Yucatan spider monkeys: effects of environmental conditions on fecal cortisol levels in wild and captive populations
Authors: Rangel‐Negrín A. , Alfaro J. L. , Valdez R. A. , Romano M. C. , Serio‐Silva J. C.
Published: June 2009

In the Yucatán Peninsula, spider monkeys Ateles geoffroyi yucatanensis are generally found in two contrasting conditions: large tracts of conserved forest or small fragments surrounded by human populations. In the present study, we analyzed fecal cortisol levels of spider monkeys to investigate whether environmental conditions have an influence on stress; specifically, we compared fecal cortisol across individuals living in conserved forests, fragmented forests and captive conditions (zoos and pets). Radioimmunoanalysis of fecal samples from 121 individuals indicated significant differences in mean cortisol for A. g. yucatanensis based on habitat type, with the lowest levels found in the conserved forest condition. The higher cortisol levels in both fragmented forest populations and in captive individuals may be the result of metabolic and behavioral stress. The mean male fecal cortisol concentration was significantly higher than that of females, and the fecal cortisol concentration was higher in the dry season compared with the wet season in a conserved habitat. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of considering sex and seasonality when monitoring fecal cortisol concentrations of spider monkeys, and more generally of frugivores, as they face a seasonal variation in food availability. Finally, our results suggest that forest fragmentation may create long‐term stressors for spider monkeys, affecting the viability of populations living under such conditions.
Facial musculature in the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta): evolutionary and functional contexts with comparisons to chimpanzees and humans
Authors: Burrows Anne M. , Waller Bridget M. , Parr Lisa A.
Published: June 2009

Facial expression is a common mode of visual communication in mammals but especially so in primates. Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) have a well‐documented facial expression repertoire that is controlled by the facial/mimetic musculature as in all mammals. However, little is known about the musculature itself and how it compares with those of other primates. Here we present a detailed description of the facial musculature in rhesus macaques in behavioral, evolutionary and comparative contexts. Formalin‐fixed faces from six adult male specimens were dissected using a novel technique. The morphology, attachments, three‐dimensional relationships and variability of muscles were noted and compared with chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and with humans. The results showed that there was a greater number of facial muscles in rhesus macaques than previously described (24 muscles), including variably present (and previously unmentioned) zygomaticus minor, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, depressor septi, anterior auricularis, inferior auricularis and depressor supercilii muscles. The facial muscles of the rhesus macaque were very similar to those in chimpanzees and humans but M. mulatta did not possess a risorius muscle. These results support previous studies that describe a highly graded and intricate facial expression repertoire in rhesus macaques. Furthermore, these results indicate that phylogenetic position is not the primary factor governing the structure of primate facial musculature and that other factors such as social behavior are probably more important. The results from the present study may provide valuable input to both biomedical studies that use rhesus macaques as a model for human disease and disorder that includes assessment of facial movement and studies into the evolution of primate societies and communication.
Identification of a stem cell niche in the zone of Ranvier within the knee joint
Authors: Karlsson Camilla , Thornemo Maria , Henriksson Helena Barreto , Lindahl Anders
Published: June 2009

A superficial lesion of the articular cartilage does not spontaneously self‐repair and has been suggested to be partly due to lack of progenitor cells within the joint that can reach the site of injury. To study whether progenitor cells are present within the joint, 3‐month‐old New Zealand white rabbits were exposed to bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) for 12 consecutive days and were then sacrificed 4, 6, 10, 14, 28 and 56 days after the first BrdU administration. Presence of BrdU and localization of progenitor markers were detected using immunohistochemistry. After 10 days of BrdU exposure, BrdU‐positive cells, i.e. proliferating cells, were abundantly detected in the epiphyseal plate, the perichondrial groove of Ranvier, and in all zones of the articular cartilage. After a wash‐out period, BrdU‐positive cells were still present, i.e. those considered to be progenitor cells, in these regions of the knee except for the proliferative zone of the epiphyseal plate. Cells in the perichondrial groove of Ranvier were further positive for several markers associated with progenitor cells and stem cell niches, including Stro‐1, Jagged1, and BMPr1a. Our results demonstrate that a small population of progenitor cells is present in the perichondrial groove of Ranvier as well as within the articular cartilage in the knee. The perichondrial groove of Ranvier also demonstrates the properties of a stem cell niche.
Global patterns of foliar nitrogen isotopes and their relationships with climate, mycorrhizal fungi, foliar nutrient concentrations, and nitrogen availability
Authors: Craine Joseph M. , Elmore Andrew J. , Aidar Marcos P. M. , Bustamante Mercedes , Dawson Todd E. , Hobbie Erik A. , Kahmen Ansgar , Mack Michelle C. , McLauchlan Kendra K. , Michelsen Anders , Nardoto Gabriela B. , Pardo Linda H. , Peñuelas Josep , Reich Peter B. , Schuur Edward A. G. , Stock William D. , Templer Pamela H. , Virginia Ross A. , Welker Jeffrey M. , Wright Ian J.
Published: June 2009

Ratios of nitrogen (N) isotopes in leaves could elucidate underlying patterns of N cycling across ecological gradients. To better understand global‐scale patterns of N cycling, we compiled data on foliar N isotope ratios (δ15N), foliar N concentrations, mycorrhizal type and climate for over 11 000 plants worldwide. Arbuscular mycorrhizal, ectomycorrhizal, and ericoid mycorrhizal plants were depleted in foliar δ15N by 2‰, 3.2‰, 5.9‰, respectively, relative to nonmycorrhizal plants. Foliar δ15N increased with decreasing mean annual precipitation and with increasing mean annual temperature (MAT) across sites with MAT ≥ −0.5°C, but was invariant with MAT across sites with MAT < −0.5°C. In independent landscape‐level to regional‐level studies, foliar δ15N increased with increasing N availability; at the global scale, foliar δ15N increased with increasing foliar N concentrations and decreasing foliar phosphorus (P) concentrations. Together, these results suggest that warm, dry ecosystems have the highest N availability, while plants with high N concentrations, on average, occupy sites with higher N availability than plants with low N concentrations. Global‐scale comparisons of other components of the N cycle are still required for better mechanistic understanding of the determinants of variation in foliar δ15N and ultimately global patterns in N cycling.
The Lumpen and the Popular: Guillermo Cabrera Infante and Julio García Espinosa
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ‐FALCÓN OLGA
Published: June 2009

This article deals with the post‐1959 re‐definitions of the concept of ‘popular culture’ and its relation to the cultural legacy of Havana's nightlife during the 1950s. After the 1959 Revolution, many Euro‐Cuban cultural producers saw and represented the cultural expressions of the Afro‐Cuban poor in the capital as being central to Cuban ‘popular culture’. This article focuses mainly on two Euro‐Cuban authors, writer Guillermo Cabrera Infante and filmmaker Julio García Espinosa, whose works during the first years of the 1960s were highly influenced by Havana's nightlife culture. What both authors shared was a view of the nocturnal in Havana as the heterotopical space and time—following Foucault's concept of ‘heterotopia’ (1998: 175‐185)—where the divisions between high and low art in Cuba could be transcended through the encounters of the different cultural traditions then cohabiting in the city.
‘Am I the same?’ Decision‐making processes during the transition from school
Authors: Dee Lesley
Published: June 2009

This paper describes the kinds of decisions that young people with special educational needs and their families have to make as the time to leave school approaches. While these choices may be familiar, what is less familiar is how such decisions are made. The Code of Practice (DfE, 1994; DfES, 2001) provides guidance on the support to be provided during the transition from school, but this only partially reflects the complexities of reality. The seven types of decision‐making processes that are identified here are an attempt to describe some of these complexities as experienced by young people and their parents or carers. The paper concludes by suggesting that these insights could contribute to the emerging role of the Connexions Service Personal Advisers in providing more sensitive and effective support during the transition phase.
Exhumation during oblique transpression: The Feiran–Solaf region, Egypt
Authors: ABU‐ALAM T. S. , STÜWE K.
Published: June 2009

The Feiran–Solaf metamorphic complex of Sinai, Egypt, is one of the highest grade metamorphic complexes of a series of basement domes that crop out throughout the Arabian‐Nubian Shield. In the Eastern Desert of Egypt these basement domes have been interpreted as metamorphic core complexes exhumed in extensional settings. For the Feiran–Solaf complex an interpretation of the exhumation mechanism is difficult to obtain with structural arguments as all of its margins are obliterated by post‐tectonic granites. Here, metamorphic methods are used to investigate its tectonic history and show that the complex was characterized by a single metamorphic cycle experiencing peak metamorphism at ∼700–750 °C and 7–8 kbar and subsequent isothermal decompression to ∼4–5 kbar, followed by near isobaric cooling to 450 °C. Correlation of this metamorphic evolution with the deformation history shows that peak metamorphism occurred prior to the compressive deformation phaseD2, while the compressiveD2andD3deformation occurred during the near isothermal decompression phase of theP–Tloop. We interpret the concurrence of decompression of theP–Tpath and compression by structural shortening as evidence for the Najd fault system exhuming the complex in an oblique transpressive regime. However, final exhumation from ∼15 km depth must have occurred due to an unrelated mechanism.
Natural history and mortality of chronic epilepsy in an untreated population of rural Bolivia: A follow‐up after 10 years
Authors: Nicoletti Alessandra , Sofia Vito , Vitale Giuseppina , Bonelli Sara Irene , Bejarano Vladimir , Bartalesi Filippo , Tran Duc‐Si , Preux Pierre‐Marie , Zappia Mario , Bartoloni Alessandro
Published: June 2009

Purpose:  To evaluate the natural history and mortality of chronic epilepsy in an untreated prevalence cohort of people with epilepsy (PWE) in a rural area of Bolivia.

Methods:  During 1994–1996 we carried out an epidemiologic survey in a sample of 9,995 subjects in the Cordillera province. At the end of the survey we identified 130 PWE, of whom 118 were classified as having “active epilepsy.” We revisited this cohort 10 years after the prevalence survey.

Results:  We were able to trace 103 (87.3%) of the 118 PWE previously identified. Ten of the 103 subjects died during the follow‐up period. Of the 93 PWE still alive, adequate information on the occurrence of seizures was available for 71 subjects, of whom 31 (43.7%) were seizure‐free for more than 5 years; only 3 of these 31 subjects have taken an antiepileptic drug (AED) for more than 1 year. Generalized seizures were associated with a better prognosis. Mortality rate in our prevalent cohort was 10.0/1,000 person‐year at risk [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.5–18.3], without a significant increased risk respect to the general population [standardized mortality rate (SMR) 1.34; 95% CI 0.68–2.39]; a significant increased risk of death was found for patients with remote symptomatic epilepsy (SMR 3.0; 95% CI 1.2–6.3) but not with idiopathic epilepsy. Three of the 10 subjects died of causes possibly related to epilepsy.

Discussion:  Our data suggest that spontaneous remission of epilepsy occurs in a substantial proportion of untreated patients affected by chronic epilepsy; concerning mortality, we found a 3‐fold increased mortality in patients with remote symptomatic epilepsy.
Long‐term efficacy and tolerability of topiramate as add‐on therapy in refractory partial epilepsy: An observational study
Authors: Cho Yang‐Je , Heo Kyoung , Kim Won‐Joo , Jang Sang Hyun , Jung Yo Han , Ye Byoung Seok , Song Dong Beom , In Lee Byung
Published: June 2009

Purpose:  To evaluate the long‐term efficacy and tolerability of topiramate (TPM) as add‐on therapy in patients with refractory partial epilepsy.

Methods:  This is a retrospective, single‐center, long‐term observational study. Patients fulfilling the criteria of medical intractability proposed by Berg et al. were entered into the study if they were newly prescribed TPM as add‐on therapy between January 2000 and June 2002. The usual starting dosage of TPM was 50 mg/day and optimal‐dose adjustments were made according to individual clinical responses. Efficacy and tolerability were analyzed every year during 5‐year follow‐up in the “intention‐to‐treat (ITT) population.” Retention rate was estimated by Kaplan‐Meyer analysis.

Results:  A total of 125 patients were included in the study and 107 patients (85.6%) were followed for 5 years. Retention rate was 87.2% at 1 year and 64% at 5 years. At the end of 5 years, the median seizure frequency reduction rate was 69.0% and responder rate was 43.2% in the ITT population. Cumulative seizure‐free rate (SFR) was 30.4% and the terminal 1‐year SFR was 12.8% in the ITT population (20.0% in completers) at 5‐year follow‐up. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 39.2% of patients, including significant AEs leading to antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal in 14.4%. The most common AEs were anorexia (16.0%), weight loss (10.4%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (8.8%). Concomitant AEDs were reduced in 25.0% of the completers.

Discussion:  Low‐dose and slow‐dose escalation of TPM in add‐on therapy for patients with refractory partial epilepsy is effective and well tolerated in long‐term, individualized clinical practice.
High seizure frequency prior to antiepileptic treatment is a predictor of pharmacoresistant epilepsy in a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Löscher Wolfgang , Brandt Claudia
Published: June 2009

Purpose:  Progress in the management of patients with medically intractable epilepsy is impeded because we do not fully understand why pharmacoresistance happens and how it can be predicted. The presence of multiple seizures prior to medical treatment has been suggested as a potential predictor of poor outcome. In the present study, we used an animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy to investigate whether pharmacoresistant rats differ in seizure frequency from pharmacoresponsive animals.

Methods:  Epilepsy with spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) was induced by status epilepticus. Frequency of SRS was determined by video/EEG (electroencephalography) monitoring in a total of 33 epileptic rats before onset of treatment with phenobarbital (PB).

Results:  Thirteen (39%) rats did not respond to treatment with PB. Before treatment with PB, average seizure frequency in PB nonresponders was significantly higher than seizure frequency in responders, which, however, was due to six nonresponders that exhibited > 3 seizures per day. Such high seizure frequency was not observed in responders, demonstrating that high seizure frequency predicts pharmacoresistance in this model, but does not occur in all nonresponders.

Discussion:  The data from this study are in line with clinical experience that the frequency of seizures in the early phase of epilepsy is a dominant risk factor that predicts refractoriness. However, resistance to treatment also occurred in rats that did not differ in seizure frequency from responders, indicating that disease severity alone is not sufficient to explain antiepileptic drug (AED) resistance. These data provide further evidence that epilepsy models are useful in the search for predictors and mechanisms of pharmacoresistance.
A Multimodal Aging and Dying Course for First‐Year Medical Students Improves Knowledge and Attitudes
Authors: Eskildsen Manuel A. , Flacker Jonathan
Published: June 2009

When medical schools change their curricula, this opens up opportunities for the development of new material and often eliminates previously designed courses. Emory University's School of Medicine revised its curriculum in 2007, combining clinical medicine and basic sciences in the first 18 months. As part of its first section on “The Healthy Human,” it included a weeklong module on aging. The main objective of this study was to evaluate attitudes and knowledge about aging issues before and after the course. The course included 5 days of sessions on topics ranging from molecular biology to societal aspects of aging. Students completed a survey including demographics, the University of California at Los Angeles Geriatrics Attitudes Scale (UCLA‐GAS), and the Facts on Aging Quiz‐1 (FAQ1) before and after the course. The UCLA‐GAS measures attitudes toward geriatric patients on a 5‐point Likert scale, and the FAQ1 is a 25‐item true–false test on knowledge of aging. All 130 first‐year students completed the precourse survey, and 129 completed the postcourse survey. Four students said they planned to pursue specialty training in geriatrics before the module, and 10 planned to do so after the course (P=.28 using Fisher exact test). Mean UCLA‐GAS score was 3.7±0.4 before the class and 3.8±0.4 after (P<.001 using paired t‐test). Mean of correct answers on FAQ1 was 16.1±2.4 before the class and 17.5±2.3 after (P<.001 using paired t‐test). This weeklong course on aging for first‐year medical students at Emory improved their attitudes toward elderly people and their knowledge base on aging.
Localization of Left Atrial Ganglionated Plexi in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: PO SUNNY S. , NAKAGAWA HIROSHI , JACKMAN WARREN M.
Published: June 2009

Background.
The intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system (ICANS), which forms a neural network, has been shown to be a critical element responsible for the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). We developed a technique to localize and ablate the ganglionated plexi (GP), which serves as the “integration centers” of the ICANS.

Method.
The four major atrial GP are localized by delivering high frequency stimulation (HFS; 20 Hz, 10–150 V, 1–10 ms pulse width) to atrial tissue where GP are presumed to be located. Sites showing a parasympathetic response, which is arbitrarily defined as ≥50% increase in mean R‐R interval during AF, was assigned as a GP site. Radiofrequency current is then applied to that site to eliminate the parasympathetic response. All patients received ablation of the four major atrial GP, followed by pulmonary vein antrum ablation.

Results.
Our preliminary results showed that all the four major atrial GP can be identified in the vast majority of patients. The parasympathetic response can be eliminated by applying radiofrequency current. In the first 83 patients, the percent of patients free of symptomatic AF or atrial tachycardia after a single ablation procedure was 80% at 12 months and 86% at a mean follow‐up of 22 months.

Conclusion.
These results indicate additional benefits of GP ablation to PV antrum ablation and improvement with time, particularly ≥ 12 months after ablation. We postulate that this late benefit may result from destruction of the autonomic neurons in the GP that cannot regenerate.
Patients with Scar‐Related Right Ventricular Tachycardia: Determinants of Long‐Term Outcome
Authors: WIJNMAALEN ADRIANUS P. , SCHALIJ MARTIN J. , BOOTSMA MARIANNE , KIES PHILIPPINE , DE ROOS ALBERT , PUTTER HEIN , BAX JEROEN J. , ZEPPENFELD KATJA
Published: June 2009

Introduction: Patients with established arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) based on task force (TF) criteria and ventricular tachycardia (VT) are at risk of VT recurrence and sudden death. Data on patients with VT due to right ventricular (RV) scar not fulfilling TF criteria are lacking. The purpose of this study was to assess the long‐term arrhythmia recurrence rate and outcome in patients with scar‐related right VT with and without a diagnosis of ARVC/D.

Methods: Sixty‐four patients (age 43.5 ± 15 years, 49 males) presenting with nonischemic scar‐related VT of RV origin were studied. Scar was identified by electroanatomical mapping, contrast echocardiography, and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients were evaluated and treated according to a standard institute protocol.

Results: Twenty‐nine (45%) patients were diagnosed with ARVC/D according to TF criteria (TF+) and 35 (55%) with RV scar of undetermined origin (TF–) at the end of follow‐up (64 ± 42 months). Patients were treated with antiarrhythmic drugs, radiofrequency catheter ablation, and/or implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) implantation. VT recurrence‐free survival for TF+ and TF– was 76% versus 74% at 1 year and 45% versus 50% at 4 years (P = ns). Patients with fast index VT (cycle length [CL]≤ 250 ms, n = 31) were more likely to experience a fast VT during follow‐up than patients with a slow index VT (CL > 250 ms, n = 33) (61% vs 3%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Scar‐related RV VTs have a high recurrence rate in TF+ and TF– patients. Patients presenting with a fast index VT are at high risk for fast VT recurrence and may benefit most from ICD therapy.
Effect of Metoprolol on Quality of Life in the Prevention of Syncope Trial
Authors: SHELDON ROBERT S. , AMUAH JOSEPH E. , CONNOLLY STUART J. , ROSE SARAH , MORILLO CARLOS A. , TALAJIC MARIO , KUS TERESA , FOUAD‐TARAZI FETNAT , KLINGENHEBEN THOMAS , KRAHN ANDREW D. , KOSHMAN MARY‐LOU , RITCHIE DEBBIE
Published: June 2009

Introduction:
Vasovagal syncope is common, often recurrent, and reduces quality of life. No therapies have proven useful to improve quality of life in adequately designed randomized clinical trials. Beta‐blockers have mixed evidence for effectiveness in preventing syncope.

Methods:
The Prevention of Syncope Trial was a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, multinational, clinical trial that tested the hypothesis that metoprolol improves quality of life in adult patients with vasovagal syncope in a 1‐year observation period. Randomization was stratified in strata of patients <42 and ≥42 years old. The quality of life questionnaires Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) and Euroqol EQ‐5D were completed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of treatment by 204, 132, and 121 patients, respectively.

Results:
There were 208 patients, mean age 42 ± 18, of whom 134 (64%) were females. All had positive tilt tests. There was no improvement in quality of life during the trial in the entire group or in either treatment arm. Patients in the metoprolol treatment arm did not have improved quality of life compared to the patients in the placebo arm using either the SF‐36 or EQ5D after either 6 or 12 months. Finally, there was no improvement in quality of life associated with metoprolol use in patients either <42 or ≥42 years of age.

Conclusion:
Metoprolol does not improve quality of life in patients with recurrent vasovagal syncope and a positive tilt test.
Sotalol and a Broken Heart
Authors: FRIEDMAN PETER L. , MONTGOMERY SARAH , MATAS NICHOLAS
Published: June 2009

Sotalol and a Broken Heart.  An 82‐year‐old woman with persistent atrial fibrillation underwent successful electrical cardioversion and was begun on sotalol. After 3 days of in‐hospital observation she had only mild lengthening of the QT interval. Two weeks later in clinic, the day after her husband's unexpected death, she was noted to have profound QT interval prolongation. Although she was asymptomatic and echocardiography did not disclose regional wall motion abnormalities consistent with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, she probably had a forme fruste of stress cardiomyopathy. Following emotional trauma, a period of heightened vigilance for ventricular proarrhythmia is probably warranted in women treated with antiarrhythmic drugs that lengthen repolarization. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 207‐210, February 2010)
Manifestation of Left Atrial Events and Interatrial Frequency Gradients in the Surface Electrocardiogram During Atrial Fibrillation: Contributions from Posterior Leads
Authors: PETRUTIU SIMONA , SAHAKIAN ALAN V. , FISHER WESTBY , SWIRYN STEVEN
Published: June 2009

Background:
In most patients, atrial fibrillation (AF) is initiated and maintained by pulmonary vein foci, but the relationship between left atrial (LA) events and the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) is largely unknown. We investigated whether LA events are reflected in the surface ECG and whether additional information can be obtained from recording posterior leads in patients with AF.

Methods and Results:
In 10 patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation of AF, we identified 103 5‐second segments with a significant frequency gradient between right (RA) and left (LA) intraatrial electrograms, or with frequency changes from segment to segment in the same patient. QRS‐T cancellation methods were used to isolate atrial activity in the surface ECG and peak frequencies were computed. Peak frequencies of different posterior leads were very similar (6.0 ± 1.3 Hz for V10, 6.0 ± 0.9 Hz for V9, 5.9 ± 1.4 Hz for V8, 6.0 ± 1.3 Hz for V7). We found a strong correlation between V1 and RA and between V9 and LA, 0.89 and 0.88, respectively, while the lowest correlation was found between lead V1 and LA, 0.62, P < 0.0001. Magnitude‐squared coherence values were highest between V1 and RA and between V9 and LA.

Conclusion:
We have demonstrated that, by recording additional surface ECG leads from posterior locations, RA and LA electrical events and interatrial frequency gradients can be monitored noninvasively.
Cardiac Calsequestrin: The New Kid on the Block in Arrhythmias
Authors: CHOPRA NAGESH , KNOLLMANN BJÖRN C.
Published: June 2009

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare inherited disease characterized by physical or emotional stress‐induced ventricular arrhythmias in the absence of any structural heart disease or QT prolongation. Thus far, mutations in genes encoding the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release channel (RYR2) and the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ binding protein cardiac calsequestrin (CASQ2) have been identified in CPVT patients. Here, we review the role of cardiac calsequestrin in health and disease, with a particular focus on how calsequestrin deficiency can cause arrhythmia susceptibility. Clinical implications and a promising new drug therapy for CPVT are discussed.
Environmentally Enhanced Fracture of Glass: A Historical Perspective
Authors: Freiman Stephen W. , Wiederhorn Sheldon M. , Mecholsky, Jr. John J.
Published: June 2009

In this paper, we review the phenomenon of delayed failure, a life‐limiting process for glasses that are subjected to tensile stresses. With the development of crack‐weakening theories (Ingles and Griffith) and the observation that surface damage enhances delayed failure, the scientific community recognized that delayed failure in glass is caused by the growth of cracks that are subjected to tensile stresses. Fracture mechanics techniques were used to quantify crack growth rates in terms of applied stress, temperature, and the chemical environments that cause subcritical crack growth. We review the theories that have been developed to rationalize subcritical crack growth data, including theories based on plastic deformation at the crack tip, chemical adsorption of the reacting species, and direct chemical reaction of the environment with the strained bonds at the crack tip. The latter theory seems to be most consistent with the finding that water reacts directly with the strained Si–O bond because of the ability of water to donate both electrons and protons to the strained bond. Other chemicals having this characteristic also cause subcritical crack growth. Finally, we review the quantum mechanical calculations that have been used to quantify the chemical reactions involved in subcritical crack growth.
Le volet social des restructurations d'entreprises: évolution de la négociation collective en Allemagne, en France et en Italie
Authors: BONI Guido
Published: June 2009

Face à l'évolution rapide des marchés, du fait de la mondialisation, les entreprises européennes se restructurent sans cesse pour maintenir leur compétitivité. Afin de limiter les pertes d'emplois, les partenaires sociaux ont conçu divers mécanismes qui donnent plus de flexibilitéà l'échelle de l'entreprise sans remettre fondamentalement en cause les modèles nationaux de négociation collective: «clauses d'ouverture» en Allemagne, «accords dérogatoires» et négociation obligatoire de la «gestion prévisionnelle des emplois» en France, «accords territoriaux» tripartites en Italie. Après les avoir examinés, l'auteur conclut en plaidant pour l'instauration d'un cadre européen de prise en compte du volet social des restructurations.
Selection for Cry1F resistance in the European corn borer and cross‐resistance to other Cry toxins
Authors: Pereira Eliseu J.G. , Lang Bruce A. , Storer Nicholas P. , Siegfried Blair D.
Published: June 2009

Evolution of resistance by insect pests is the greatest threat to the continued success of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins used in insecticide formulations or expressed by transgenic crop plants such as Cry1F‐expressing maize [(Zea mays L.) (Poaceae)]. A strain of European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), obtained from field collections throughout the central US Corn Belt in 1996 was selected in the laboratory for resistance to Cry1F by exposure to the toxin incorporated into artificial diet. The selected strain developed more than 3000‐fold resistance to Cry1F after 35 generations of selection and readily consumed Cry1F expressing maize tissue; yet, it was as susceptible to Cry1Ab and Cry9C as the unselected control strain. Only a low level of cross‐resistance (seven‐fold) to Cry1Ac was observed. These lacks of cross‐resistance between Cry1F and Cry1Ab suggest that maize hybrids expressing these two toxins are likely to be compatible for resistance management of O. nubilalis.
Kairomonal response of the parasitoid Anagyrus spec. nov. near pseudococci to the sex pheromone of the vine mealybug
Authors: Franco J.C. , Silva E.B. , Cortegano E. , Campos L. , Branco M. , Zada A. , Mendel Z.
Published: June 2009

The occurrence of a kairomonal response of the parasitoid Anagyrus spec. nov. near pseudococci (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) to (+)‐(1R,3R)‐cis‐2,2‐dimethyl‐3‐isopropenyl‐cyclobutanemethanol acetate (PcA, namely, planococcyl acetate) and (S)‐(+)‐lavandulyl senecioate (LS), the respective female sex pheromones of its hosts, the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso) and the vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) was investigated. Attraction to the pheromones was tested by employing pheromone traps in field trials and by static air olfactometer bioassays in the laboratory. Female wasps showed a significant response to LS, in both field and olfactometer experiments. No significant response was registered to the sex pheromone of P. citri. Despite the similarity between the structures of LS and its analogue (S)‐(+)‐lavandulyl isovalerate (LI), no significant response to the latter compound was observed. It seems that differences between the structures of the carboxylate moiety of the respective molecules (LS and LI) markedly affect the kairomonal attractiveness to the parasitoid. The kairomonal response of Anagyrus spec. nov. near pseudococci was neither influenced by the host habitat nor by the host species on which it developed. This suggested innate behaviour of Anagyrus spec. nov. near pseudococci, possibly derived from evolutionary relationships between the parasitoid and P. ficus. The practical implications of the results are discussed.
Does sibling competition have a sex‐specific effect on offspring growth and development in the burying beetleNicrophorus vespilloides?
Authors: Gibbs Melanie , Breuker Casper J. , Smiseth Per T. , Moore Allen J.
Published: June 2009

During offspring growth, reduction in resource availability through competitive interactions will restrict how large individuals can become. Given that selection to mature at a large size will be greater for the sex in which large size provides the highest fitness return, sex‐specific differences in response to a decrease in resource availability may be expected. UsingNicrophorus vespilloidesHerbst (Coleoptera: Silphidae) we examined the sex‐specific response of offspring to resource availability through sibling competition. We found that males and females were affected similarly by an increase in the level of sibling competition as brood size increased. Interestingly, although maleN. vespilloideswere consistently heavier than females, over a range of brood sizes, they were only significantly heavier than females at intermediate brood sizes. At present, the causes behind this finding remain unclear.
Early healing of implants placed into fresh extraction sockets: an experimental study in the beagle dog. II: ridge alterations
Authors: Vignoletti Fabio , De Sanctis Massimo , Berglundh Tord , Abrahamsson Ingemar , Sanz Mariano
Published: June 2009

Aims: To describe the early phases of healing at the alveolar ridge around dental implants placed into fresh extraction sockets and to study whether (i) the dimension of the socket and (ii) a new implant surface nano‐topography may have any influence.

Materials and Methods: Sixteen beagle dogs received 64 test (new surface) and control implants randomly placed at the distal socket of 3P3 and 4P4. The implant shoulder was levelled with the marginal buccal bone crest. Animals were sacrificed at 4 h, 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks for histological examination.

Results: Bone loss occurred at the buccal crest between the 4‐h and 1‐week healing intervals, being more pronounced at the third premolar site [vertical bone loss between day 0 and 8 weeks 1.1 (0.5) mm]. The corresponding loss at the fourth premolar site was 0.3 (0.5) mm. Test sites containing implants with discrete crystalline deposition nano‐particles' surface exhibited less buccal bone resorption than control sites at 8 weeks.

Conclusion: Dimensions of the socket influenced the process of wound healing of implants placed into fresh extraction sockets, with more bone loss in the narrower sockets; however, the implant surface nano‐topography seemed to have a limited effect in the healing of this implant surgical protocol.
Mandibular overdentures supported by two Brånemark, IMZ or ITI implants: a ten‐year prospective randomized study
Authors: Meijer Henny J. A. , Raghoebar Gerry M. , Batenburg Rutger H. K. , Vissink Arjan
Published: June 2009

Objectives: The aim of this prospective comparative study was to evaluate the survival rate, condition of peri‐implant tissues, patient satisfaction and surgical and prosthetic aftercare of the IMZ‐implant system (two‐stage cylinder type), the Brånemark‐implant system (two‐stage screw type) and the ITI‐implant system (one‐stage screw type) supporting a mandibular overdenture during a 10‐year follow‐up period.

Materials and Methods: Three groups of 30 edentulous patients were treated with two endosseous implants in the interforaminal region of the mandible. Clinical and radiographic parameters were evaluated immediately after completion of the prosthetic treatment and after 1, 5 and 10 years of functional loading. Prosthetic and surgical aftercare was scored during the evaluation period, as well as patient satisfaction.

Results: The 10‐year survival rate was 93% for the IMZ group, 98% for the Brånemark group and 100% for the ITI group (IMZ<ITI, p<0.05). Mean marginal bone loss was limited over a period of 10 years. No differences in satisfaction and aftercare were observed between the groups.

Conclusion: It is concluded that two implants placed in the interforaminal region, connected with a bar, supply a proper base for the support of a mandibular overdenture in the edentulous patient. After10 years, no relevant changes had developed between the three implant systems.
Plexiform pattern in cutaneous granular cell tumors
Authors: Aldabagh Bishr , Azmi Furrukh , Vadmal Manjunath , Neider Stephanie , Usmani Arif S.
Published: June 2009

Granular cell tumors, considered to be of peripheral nerve sheath origin, can involve various parts of the body with skin and tongue being the most common organs involved. In the skin, the granular cell tumors usually form an ill‐defined mass of round to oval cells with abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and central or eccentric bland nuclei. Here we present nine cases of granular cell tumors, which display features different from the classical cutaneous granular cell tumor and have features similar to the earlier described plexiform granular cell tumors. Plexiform pattern in granular cell tumors may be more common than is reported.
The combined expression of HOXA4 and MEIS1 is an independent prognostic factor in patients with AML
Authors: Zangenberg Mike , Grubach Lykke , Aggerholm Anni , Silkjaer Trine , Juhl‐Christensen Caroline , Nyvold Charlotte Guldborg , Kjeldsen Eigil , Ommen Hans Beier , Hokland Peter
Published: June 2009

HOXA4 gene expression is a predictor for outcome in normal karyotypic acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients. Given that Meis1 is a co‐factor for Hox genes, we hypothesized that the combined expression of HOXA4 and MEIS1 might add prognostic information in these patients. When diagnostic samples from 246 AML patients were divided into three main groups based on gene expression levels of HOXA4 combined with MEIS1 we found that within the group of patients exhibiting low levels of HOXA4, those with a high expression of MEIS1 had a significantly worse outcome than those exhibiting low MEIS1 expression (P = 0.025). Moreover, this prediction was independent of cytogenetics, mutational status of the NPM1 and FLT3 genes as well as upon WBC and age. To evaluate the possible contribution of regulatory events underlying these observations, 157 patient samples were subjected to promoter hypermethylation analysis. We observed that 77% were HOXA4‐ and 15%MEIS1 hypermethylated and that this epigenetic alteration was highly correlated to the gene expression level (MEIS1: P = 0.001; HOXA4: P = 0.007). Finally, we found a higher expression level and a higher frequency of hypermethylation of HOXA4 among patients with NPM1 mutations. In conclusion, our data show that the combination of low HOXA4 and low MEIS1 gene expression is a favourable predictor for outcome in all AML patients and that the expression levels are governed by the methylation state of these genes.