bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LEARNING AND VERIFYING SAFETY CONSTRAINTS FOR PLANNERS IN A KNOWLEDGE‐IMPOVERISHED SYSTEM
Authors: Levine Geoffrey , Kuter Ugur , Rebguns Antons , Green Derek , Spears Diana
Published: April 2012

We present a Bayesian approach to learning flexible safety constraints and subsequently verifying whether plans satisfy these constraints. Our approach, called the Safety Constraint Learner/Checker (SCLC), infers safety constraints from a single expert demonstration trace and minimal background knowledge, and applies these constraints to the solutions proposed by multiple planning agents in an integrated and heterogeneous ensemble. The SCLC calculates how much to blame plan fragments (partial solutions) generated by the individual planning agents. This information is used when composing these fragments into a final overall plan. In particular, fragments whose safety violations exceed a threshold are rejected. This facilitates the generation of safe plans. We have integrated the SCLC within the Generalized Integrated Learning Architecture, which was designed for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)’s Integrated Learning (IL) program. The main goal of the IL program is to promote the development and success of sophisticated systems that learn to solve challenging real‐world problems based on a simple demonstration by a human expert and exiguous domain knowledge. We present experimental results showing the advantages of the SCLC on two multiagent problem‐solving tasks that were benchmark applications in DARPA’s IL program.
MULTI‐DOCUMENT SUMMARIZATION OF EVALUATIVE TEXT
Authors: Carenini Giuseppe , Cheung Jackie Chi Kit , Pauls Adam
Published: April 2012

In many decision‐making scenarios, people can benefit from knowing what other people's opinions are. As more and more evaluative documents are posted on the Web, summarizing these useful resources becomes a critical task for many organizations and individuals. This paper presents a framework for summarizing a corpus of evaluative documents about a single entity by a natural language summary. We propose two summarizers: an extractive summarizer and an abstractive one. As an additional contribution, we show how our abstractive summarizer can be modified to generate summaries tailored to a model of the user preferences that is solidly grounded in decision theory and can be effectively elicited from users. We have tested our framework in three user studies. In the first one, we compared the two summarizers. They performed equally well relative to each other quantitatively, while significantly outperforming a baseline standard approach to multidocument summarization. Trends in the results as well as qualitative comments from participants suggest that the summarizers have different strengths and weaknesses. After this initial user study, we realized that the diversity of opinions expressed in the corpus (i.e., its controversiality) might play a critical role in comparing abstraction versus extraction. To clearly pinpoint the role of controversiality, we ran a second user study in which we controlled for the degree of controversiality of the corpora that were summarized for the participants. The outcome of this study indicates that for evaluative text abstraction tends to be more effective than extraction, particularly when the corpus is controversial. In the third user study we assessed the effectiveness of our user tailoring strategy. The results of this experiment confirm that user tailored summaries are more informative than untailored ones.
A REVIEW OF TREE CONVEX SETS TEST
Authors: Sheng Bao Forrest , Zhang Yuanlin
Published: April 2012

A collection of sets may have some interesting properties which help identify efficient algorithms for constraint satisfaction problems and combinatorial auction problems. One of the properties is tree convexity. A collection S of sets is tree convex if we can find a tree T whose nodes are the union of the sets of S and each set of S is the nodes of a subtree of T. This concept extends that of row convex sets each of which is an interval over a total ordering of the elements of the union of these sets. An interesting problem is to find efficient algorithms to test whether a collection of sets is tree convex. It is not known before if there exists a linear time algorithm for this test. In this paper, we review the materials that are the key to a linear algorithm: hypergraphs, a characterization of tree convex sets and the acyclic hypergraph test algorithm. Some typos in the original paper of the acyclicity test are corrected here. Some experiments show that the linear algorithm is significantly faster than a well‐known existing algorithm.
READING HAUERWAS IN THE CORNBELT: The Demise of the American Dream and the Return of Liturgical Politics
Authors: Northcott Michael S.
Published: April 2012

In this paper I examine criticism of Hauerwas's critique of American democracy and liberalism, and of American violence and war, as sectarian and politically irrelevant. This twin account has the merit of engaging his critics from left and right. I show that his critique of American Christians, and their support of America's ways of promoting justice and freedom at home and in the world, has analogies with Foucault's genealogical project in France, and represents a more powerful critique of American imperialism and militarism, and of a compliant church, than efforts to sustain the purchase of rights talk or liberal justice in contemporary theological ethics.
VOCATION AND CREATION: BEYOND THE GENTILE‐HOMOSEXUAL ANALOGY
Authors: Perry John
Published: April 2012

One strand of the church's conversation about homosexuality compares present‐day acceptance of homosexuals to the church's acceptance of Gentiles in Acts 15. In a previous article, “Gentiles and Homosexuals,” I presented the history of that strand. In a reply to my article, Olson proposes to reimagine the analogy via the “radical new perspective on Paul” and argues that doing so exposes problems with my original analysis. I defend myself against these criticisms, while also entering into the spirit of Olson's reimagined analogy. Expanding the scope beyond Acts to Paul opens up important facets that might otherwise be obscured. In particular, it includes voices that are sometimes silenced, and presses both sides for an account of sexuality grounded in vocation and God's purposes in creation.
Politics and Insurgencies
Authors: Siqueira Kevin , Sekeris Petros G.
Published: April 2012

The article provides an analytical approach to capturing the population‐centric view of insurgency and allows for the inclusion of politics in describing its earliest stages. The outcome of the politico‐military contest over population support now becomes not only a function of the proposed governing policies of the two contestants, the government and insurgents, but also a function of such factors as the sensitivity of the population to the proposed policies and efforts of the two parties, the effectiveness of their mobilization efforts, and the strategic value of the region to insurgents. We also look at two different scenarios in which the government can and cannot mobilize against the insurgency and establish conditions in which a government may actually choose not to mobilize against a possible domestic threat. We also determine conditions under which insurgents may engage in less rent extraction than the government in order to increase their chances of gaining population support.
The Balancing Act: Meeting the Needs of all Children Including an Adolescent with Disabilities
Authors: Koch Cecelia , Mayes Rachel
Published: April 2012

Background  The aim of this study was to explore parents’ experiences and strategies used when meeting the needs of all their children, including an adolescent with disabilities.

Materials and methods  A qualitative study design was employed. The study was conducted in two phases. (i) Secondary analysis of ecocultural interviews with 12 parent‐carers of more than one child, including an adolescent (10–21 years) with intellectual disabilities. (ii) In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with a sub‐sample (n = 4) of parent‐carers. Data was analysed using Strauss & Corbin’s (1998) constant comparative method.

Results  Parents balanced their children’s needs through a combination of strategies driven by their goals, beliefs and values. Parents found this very challenging. They were always conscious of the needs of all of their children, although they could not necessarily meet all their children’s needs equally. Strategies that attended to all children simultaneously were preferred by most parents, but could not always be used. Parents, at times, used strategies that prioritized the needs of the adolescent with disabilities or siblings.

Conclusions  Findings add to knowledge on what families of adolescents with disabilities do day to day and specifically reveal how these parents meet the needs of their children. Practitioners, together with disability and mainstream services and systems, need to recognize parents’ goals, beliefs and values and the needs of the adolescent with disabilities. This will effectively aid the adolescent with disabilities, their siblings, parents and the whole of family life.
Characterization of the high affinity Zn transporter from Noccaea caerulescens, NcZNT1, and dissection of its promoter for its role in Zn uptake and hyperaccumulation
Authors: Milner Matthew J. , Craft Eric , Yamaji Naoki , Koyama Emi , Ma Jian Feng , Kochian Leon V.
Published: April 2012

In this paper, we conducted a detailed analysis of the ZIP family transporter, NcZNT1, in the zinc (Zn)/cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulating plant species, Noccaea caerulescens, formerly known as Thlaspi caerulescens. NcZNT1 was previously suggested to be the primary root Zn/Cd uptake transporter. Both a characterization of NcZNT1 transport function in planta and in heterologous systems, and an analysis of NcZNT1 gene expression and NcZNT1 protein localization were carried out.

We show that NcZNT1 is not only expressed in the root epidermis, but also is highly expressed in the root and shoot vasculature, suggesting a role in long‐distance metal transport. Also, NcZNT1 was found to be a plasma membrane transporter that mediates Zn but not Cd, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) or copper (Cu) uptake into plant cells.

Two novel regions of the NcZNT1 promoter were identified which may be involved in both the hyperexpression of NcZNT1 and its ability to be regulated by plant Zn status.

In conclusion, we demonstrate here that NcZNT1 plays a role in Zn and not Cd uptake from the soil, and based on its strong expression in the root and shoot vasculature, could be involved in long‐distance transport of Zn from the root to the shoot via the xylem.
Rising ozone concentrations decrease soybean evapotranspiration and water use efficiency whilst increasing canopy temperature
Authors: VanLoocke Andy , Betzelberger Amy M. , Ainsworth Elizabeth A. , Bernacchi Carl J.
Published: April 2012

Here, we investigated the effects of increasing concentrations of ozone ([O3]) on soybean canopy‐scale fluxes of heat and water vapor, as well as water use efficiency (WUE), at the Soybean Free Air Concentration Enrichment (SoyFACE) facility.

Micrometeorological measurements were made to determine the net radiation (Rn), sensible heat flux (H), soil heat flux (G0) and latent heat flux (λET) of a commercial soybean (Glycine max) cultivar (Pioneer 93B15), exposed to a gradient of eight daytime average ozone concentrations ranging from approximately current (c. 40 ppb) to three times current (c. 120 ppb) levels.

As [O3] increased, soybean canopy fluxes ofλETdecreased andHincreased, whereasRnandG0were not altered significantly. Exposure to increased [O3] also resulted in warmer canopies, especially during the day. The lowerλETdecreased season total evapotranspiration (ET) byc. 26%. The [O3]‐induced relative decline inETwas half that of the relative decline in seed yield, driving a 50% reduction in seasonal WUE.

These results suggest that rising [O3] will alter the canopy energy fluxes that drive regional climate and hydrology, and have a negative impact on productivity and WUE, key ecosystem services.
Event‐related EEG time–frequency analysis and the Orienting Reflex to auditory stimuli
Authors: Barry Robert J. , Steiner Genevieve Z. , De Blasio Frances M.
Published: April 2012

Sokolov's classic works discussed electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha desynchronization as a measure of the Orienting Reflex (OR). Early studies confirmed that this reduced with repeated auditory stimulation, but without reliable stimulus‐significance effects. We presented an auditory habituation series with counterbalanced indifferent and significant (counting) instructions. Time–frequency analysis of electrooculogram (EOG)‐corrected EEG was used to explore prestimulus levels and the timing and amplitude of event‐related increases and decreases in 4 classic EEG bands. Decrement over trials and response recovery were substantial for the transient increase (in delta, theta, and alpha) and subsequent desynchronization (in theta, alpha, and beta). There was little evidence of dishabituation and few effects of counting. Expected effects in stimulus‐induced alpha desynchronization were confirmed. Two EEG response patterns over trials and conditions, distinct from the full OR pattern, warrant further research.
Enhanced error‐related negativity on flanker errors: Error expectancy or error significance?
Authors: Maier Martin E. , di Pellegrino Giuseppe , Steinhauser Marco
Published: April 2012

The present study investigated whether the error‐related negativity, an electrophysiological marker for performance monitoring, reflects (1) the expectancy of errors, or (2) the significance of errors for the current task goal. In the first case, a larger error‐related negativity is predicted for less expected errors, whereas in the second case, a larger error‐related negativity is predicted for errors with greater significance. To test these predictions, we varied flanker size in a flanker task. With large flankers, more errors occurred by executing the response associated with the flankers (flanker errors) leading to a greater expectancy of flanker errors. As revealed by a multinomial model, these additional flanker errors represented highly significant attention errors, leading to an increased error significance. The error‐related negativity was larger for flanker errors with large flankers, which supports the error significance account.
An event‐related potentials study of face naming: Evidence of phonological retrieval deficit in the tip‐of‐the‐tongue state
Authors: Buján Ana , Galdo‐Álvarez Santiago , Lindín Mónica , Díaz Fernando
Published: April 2012

A famous‐face naming task was used to establish the electrophysiological characterization of the tip‐of‐the‐tongue (TOT) state, successful naming (K), and nonrecognition (DK). The differences in the direct event‐related potentials (ERPs) and in the lateralized readiness potential between those categories were studied. The ERP correlates of recognition and access to semantic and lexical information were similar between K and TOT, but showed amplitude differences with respect to DK. A delayed onset of the response selection was obtained in TOT in comparison with K, suggesting an insufficient activation of phonological information from 360 ms onwards. The continuous search for the name and the conflict monitoring in TOT led to differences in ERP amplitudes between TOT and the other categories from 750 ms onwards as well as to a delayed onset of response preparation, indicating a continuous engagement of processing resources.
Elemental status (Cu, Mo, Co, B, S and Zn) of Scottish agricultural soils compared with a soil‐based risk assessment
Authors: Edwards A. C. , Coull M. , Sinclair A. H. , Walker R. L. , Watson C. A.
Published: April 2012

Concentrations of six elements copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), cobalt (Co), boron (B), sulphur (S) and zinc (Zn) are summarized for Scottish advisory soil samples collected during the period 1996–2008. Accompanying cropping information indicated that the majority of samples collected for Co analysis were from grassland compared with B, S and Zn where sampling was predominantly prior to either potatoes or vegetables. The proportion of samples measured as potentially deficient [very low (VL) or low categories] were 80% for Co, compared with 50, 40, 38, 25 and 18% for Mo, S, Zn, Cu and B, respectively. Only S displayed a significant decline (ca. 2 mg S/kg) over this 13‐year period. However, comparison of Cu and Co data with some collected from an earlier time period (1973–1980) suggested little difference for Cu but a smaller number of VL and low Co status samples. A predicted risk assessment using soil parent material, texture and drainage status suggested that 22, 38 and 40% of the agricultural area of Scotland were at a high, medium and low risk of Cu deficiency; comparable numbers for Co were 48, 30 and 22%. The reliability of the risk assessment was tested using a sub‐set of advisory samples with specific information on soil series. Of the soils predicted to have a high risk of Cu deficiency, 52% actually fell into the ‘deficient’ status. A similar comparison for Co indicated 90% of the samples predicted as having a high risk of deficiency were measured as VL or low.
Rehospitalization in a National Population of Home Health Care Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Madigan Elizabeth A. , Gordon Nahida H. , Fortinsky Richard H. , Koroukian Siran M. , Piña Ileana , Riggs Jennifer S.
Published: April 2012

Objective

Patients with heart failure (HF) have high rates of rehospitalization. Home health care (HHC) patients with HF are not well studied in this regard. The objectives of this study were to determine patient, HHC agency, and geographic (i.e., area variation) factors related to 30‐day rehospitalization in a national population of HHC patients with HF, and to describe the extent to which rehospitalizations were potentially avoidable.

Data Sources

Chronic Condition Warehouse data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort design.

Data Extraction

The 2005 national population of HHC patients was matched with hospital and HHC claims, the Provider of Service file, and the Area Resource File.

Principal Findings

The 30‐day rehospitalization rate was 26 percent with 42 percent of patients having cardiac‐related diagnoses for the rehospitalization. Factors with the strongest association with rehospitalization were consistent between the multilevel model and Cox proportional hazard models: number of prior hospital stays, higher HHC visit intensity category, and dyspnea severity at HHC admission. Substantial numbers of rehospitalizations were judged to be potentially avoidable.

Conclusions

The persistently high rates of rehospitalization have been difficult to address. There are health care‐specific actions and policy implications that are worth examining to improve rehospitalization rates.
Why do Victims of the Tsunami Return to the Coast?
Authors: UEDA KYOKO , TORIGOE HIROYUKI
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this paper is to clarify why people continuously live in places where a specific natural disaster comes with apparent frequency. Even after a natural disaster of tremendous scale occurs, some victims attempt to remain or later return “home” while inviting the risk of experiencing further catastrophe. Why do people opt to continuously live where they are prone to natural disasters instead of living at a distance from the coastline? Especially for those who have just experienced the tsunami; what motivates them to make the decision to go back to the coast?

As the case study of a community in a fishing village indicates, people know that life near the coast is inevitably entwined with both the severity and fertility of the sea. In other words, what people know is that they cannot have one without the other. Both sides of the sea have conditioned the life of people and that is what they have adapted to. Because of their closeness to the sea, the fertility they have enjoyed and the vulnerability as a coastal community are inseparable for them. When the tsunami struck, they did not know how to save all members of the community, their homes, nor their ships. Whereas, they did know how they should adapt to the inherent instability of their coastal community and how they should revive the community. This process would unfold only after having an understanding of the way in which they needed to adapt to their local bay. As a coastal community they were ready to accept their vulnerability, even immediately after the destruction of the tsunami, as it was the condition in which to enjoy the fertility of the sea as their ancestors had done throughout history.
The Nuclear Power Plant as God
Authors: OHSAWA MASACHI
Published: April 2012

There is a theological meaning to the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plants. I can clarify this meaning through a sociological investigation of the significance of nuclear power in post‐war Japan. First, as preparation, I will compare the ideology of Christ to that of John the Baptist. Christ thought that we had already arrived at the Kingdom of God. This idea led to the activist aspect of Christ. Second, I will show that nuclear power was considered as a key for the gate to the Kingdom of God in Japan. We can distinguish three stages in Japan's post‐war period: the ideal, the fictive and the impossible. It was nuclear power that embodied the ideal during the first era. Third, I will explain how the Japanese fascination with nuclear power has been compatible with Japanese aversion toward it. For the Japanese, the nuclear power plant seemed to be like non‐alcoholic beer. In the fourth and fifth parts, I will prove that the nuclear disaster implies a message equivalent to Christ's announcement. Theodicy is an answer to the question of irrational misfortune in a world created by God. However the Book of Job as ultimate theodicy shows paradoxically the incompetence of God. This situation is similar to the disaster at Fukushima, which demonstrated the incompetence of nuclear power (as God). The distance between Job and Christ is short, because if God plays the role of Job himself, it becomes Christ. We will explain why Christ's message can be a call for revolutionary social movement.
Disaster‐time Economy and an Economy of Morals: A Different Economic Order from the Market Economy under Globalization*
Authors: NITAGAI KAMON
Published: April 2012

With the experience of two severe disasters (the Hanshin Awaji Earthquake disaster of 1995 and the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster of 2011), I wish to consider “subsistence” as human life, existence equaling the basic activities of life, an essential mutual act‐like existence economy. In this paper, I pursue a positive development of “disaster‐time economics” as a research object under the larger framework of the formation of a “moral economy,” as part of a critical process. In this paper, in order that a stricken area and society may aim at the realization of a new methodology about “creative revival” for newly developing independent research involving the state of the revival fund of a wide sense is carried out.

Nevertheless, there is an overall understanding of who, in what areas, and using what methodology, has conducted research in the restoration and revival process, as well as the weak points that tend to hinder the process. There is no research on the rationality and function of public finance expenditures or national sources expenditures.

Therefore, in this paper, the term “disaster‐time economy” is newly prepared. From this concept, many activities of the project, service, support, self‐efforts etc. of a social and private domain are grasped from a public sphere in connection with the process of maintenance/restoration under the disaster. The feature and subject point of the process are clarified. The market economy order that is going to be produced in this process does the basic work and determines the economic order for another self‐subsistence over life.
Partner‐AMP and well‐being: Evidence for an implicit secure base script?
Authors: BANSE RAINER , IMHOFF ROLAND , STEFFENS MELANIE , SCHRAMM NICOLE , RöSCH ANDREAS , ROBERTS MEGAN , STANGIER ULRICH
Published: April 2012

The current research presents an adapted Affect Misattribution Procedure (AMP) to assess the aspects of the relational schema of romantic partners that are difficult to verbalize and tests the prediction that a positive implicit image of the partner constitutes a psychological resource that increases well‐being. In Study 1, the partner‐AMP predicted well‐being in student participants even after controlling for explicit partner attitudes and socially desirable responding. In Study 2, the partner‐AMP was assessed in women with a recent history of physical abuse and a control group. As expected, the partner‐AMP was related to group membership and predicted well‐being over and above explicit partner attitudes and battering experience. The results are compatible with the notion of an implicit secure base schema.
The complementarity of behavioral styles among female same‐gender romantic couples
Authors: MARKEY PATRICK , MARKEY CHARLOTTE
Published: April 2012

This study extended previous research on complementarity through the examination of female same‐gender romantic dyads. One‐hundred and forty‐four women (72 couples) completed interpersonal circumplex ratings of their romantic partner and a relationship measure of love and harmony. Results indicated that high levels of relationship quality were reported by participants who were warm and submissive or who had partners who possessed these characteristics. Additionally, members of female same‐gender couples tended to complement each other in terms of dominance but not warmth. However, consistent with past research stressing the unique importance female same‐gender couples tend to prescribe to relationship equality, dyads that contained members who were equivalent in terms of dominance tended to experience high levels of relationship quality.
Cardiovascular abnormalities in obstructive cholestasis: the possible mechanisms
Authors: Moezi Leila , Dehpour Ahmad R.
Published: April 2012

Cholestatic liver disease is associated with widespread derangements in the cardiovascular system, such as bradycardia, hypotension, QT prolongation and peripheral vasodilation; it is also associated with increased susceptibility to postoperative renal failure and haemorrhagic shock. A number of cellular signalling pathways have been shown to contribute to these abnormalities. In this article, we briefly review recent in vivo and in vitro findings in the field in an attempt to highlight the areas of agreement and areas of controversy. In this review, we will summarize pathogenic mechanisms underlying cardiac and vascular abnormalities in obstructive cholestasis. It seems that cardiovascular dysfunction is likely because of bile acids as one of the predominant factors. Other important factors which might play roles in these abnormalities are increased nitric oxide, endogenous opioids and endocannabinoids. These three factors interact with each other to exert vasodilation and impaired cardiovascular responses to sympathetic stimulation.
“Spice” and “K2” Herbal Highs: A Case Series and Systematic Review of the Clinical Effects and Biopsychosocial Implications of Synthetic Cannabinoid Use in Humans
Authors: Gunderson Erik W. , Haughey Heather M. , Ait‐Daoud Nassima , Joshi Amruta S. , Hart Carl L.
Published: April 2012

Cannabis, the most commonly used illicit substance, exerts its primary psychoactive effect via delta‐9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9‐THC) agonism of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1). Some users develop a cannabis use disorder and physical dependence manifested by withdrawal symptoms during abstinence. Hence, there is growing public health concern about increasing use of a new generation of synthetic cannabinoid (SC) agonists (eg, JWH‐018, CP 47,497) marketed as natural herbal incense mixtures under brand names such as “Spice” and “K2.” Anecdotal reports suggest overlapping effects with marijuana when the mixtures are smoked, however, systematic evaluation of SC‐related psychoactive properties and adverse effects is lacking. We conducted a systematic review of published reports on SC clinical effects in humans. Most highlight potential toxicity such as acute anxiety and psychosis. In addition, we carefully document three cases in which experienced marijuana users meeting criteria for cannabis dependence with physiologic dependence smoked SC products regularly. The SC mixture effects were reportedly similar to marijuana and well tolerated. The individuals all reported that SC product use effectively alleviated cannabis withdrawal. Biopsychosocial factors associated with SC initiation and usage by the cases help to shed light on psychopharmacologic, clinical, and public health aspects of SC product consumption. (Am J Addict 2012:00:1–7)
Long‐term outcome after cognitive and behavioral regression in nonlesional epilepsy with continuous spike‐waves during slow‐wave sleep
Authors: Seegmüller Caroline , Deonna Thierry , Mayor Dubois Claire , Valenti‐Hirsch Maria‐Paula , Hirsch Edouard , Metz‐Lutz Marie‐Noëlle , de Saint Martin Anne , Roulet‐Perez Eliane
Published: April 2012

Purpose: To present the long‐term follow‐up of 10 adolescents and young adults with documented cognitive and behavioral regression as children due to nonlesional focal, mainly frontal, epilepsy with continuous spike‐waves during slow wave sleep (CSWS).

Methods: Past medical and electroencephalography (EEG) data were reviewed and neuropsychological tests exploring main cognitive functions were administered.

Key Findings: After a mean duration of follow‐up of 15.6 years (range, 8–23 years), none of the 10 patients had recovered fully, but four regained borderline to normal intelligence and were almost independent. Patients with prolonged global intellectual regression had the worst outcome, whereas those with more specific and short‐lived deficits recovered best. The marked behavioral disorders resolved in all but one patient. Executive functions were neither severely nor homogenously affected. Three patients with a frontal syndrome during the active phase (AP) disclosed only mild residual executive and social cognition deficits. The main cognitive gains occurred shortly after the AP, but qualitative improvements continued to occur. Long‐term outcome correlated best with duration of CSWS.

Significance: Our findings emphasize that cognitive recovery after cessation of CSWS depends on the severity and duration of the initial regression. None of our patients had major executive and social cognition deficits with preserved intelligence, as reported in adults with early destructive lesions of the frontal lobes. Early recognition of epilepsy with CSWS and rapid introduction of effective therapy are crucial for a best possible outcome.
Ethanol Drinking Microstructure of a High Drinking in the Dark Selected Mouse Line
Authors: Barkley‐Levenson Amanda M. , Crabbe John C.
Published: April 2012

Background

The High Drinking in the Dark (HDID) selected mouse line was bred for high blood ethanol (EtOH) concentration (BEC) following the limited access drinking in the dark (DID) test and is a genetic animal model of binge‐like drinking. This study examines the microstructure of EtOH drinking in these mice and their control line during 3 versions of the DID test to determine how drinking structure differences might relate to overall intake and BEC.

Methods

Male mice from the HDID‐1 replicate line and HS/Npt progenitor stock were tested in separate experiments on 2‐ and 4‐day versions of the DID test, and on a 2‐day 2‐bottle choice DID test with 20% EtOH and water. Testing took place in home cages connected to a continuous fluid intake monitoring system, and drinking during the DID test was analyzed for drinking microstructure.

Results

HDID‐1 mice had more drinking bouts, shorter interbout interval, larger bout size, greater total EtOH intake, and higher BECs than HS/Npt mice on the second day of the 2‐day DID test. The 4‐day DID test showed greater bout size, total EtOH intake, and BEC in the HDID‐1 mice than the HS/Npt mice. Total EtOH intake and BECs for the HDID‐1 mice in the DID tests averaged 2.6 to 3.0 g/kg and 0.4 to 0.5 mg/ml, respectively. The 2‐bottle choice test showed no genotype differences in drinking microstructure or total consumption but did show greater preference for the EtOH solution in HDID‐1 mice than HS/Npt.

Conclusions

These results suggest that inherent differences in EtOH drinking structure between the HDID‐1 and HS/Npt mice, especially the larger bout size in the HDID‐1 mice, contribute to the difference in intake during the standard DID test.
Development and validation of a prediction model for low hemoglobin deferral in a large cohort of whole blood donors
Authors: Baart A. Mireille , de Kort Wim L.A.M. , Atsma Femke , Moons Karel G.M. , Vergouwe Yvonne
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND: Each year, approximately 5% of the invited blood donors is eventually deferred from donation because of low hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Estimating the risk of Hb deferral in blood donors can be helpful in the management of the donation program. We developed and validated a prediction model for Hb deferral in whole blood donors, separately for men and women.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data from a Dutch prospective cohort of 220,946 whole blood donors were used to identify predictors for Hb deferral using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Validity of the prediction models was assessed with a cross‐validation.

RESULTS: A total of 12,865 donors (5.8%) were deferred because of a low Hb level. The strongest predictors of Hb deferral were Hb level measured at the previous visit, age, seasonality, difference in Hb levels between the previous two visits, time since the previous visit, deferral at the previous visit, and the total number of whole blood donations in the past 2 years for both men and women. The prediction models had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.89 for men and 0.84 for women. Cross‐validation showed similar results and good calibration.

CONCLUSION: Using a limited number of easy‐to‐measure characteristics enables a good prediction of Hb deferral risk in whole blood donors. The prediction models may guide the decision which donors to invite for a next donation and for which donors the invitation should be postponed. Potentially, this could decrease the number of Hb deferrals in blood donors.
Impact of the mobilization regimen and the harvesting technique on the granulocyte yield in healthy donors for granulocyte transfusion therapy
Authors: Ikemoto Junko , Yoshihara Satoshi , Fujioka Tatsuya , Ohtsuka Yoshitoshi , Fujita Noriko , Kokubunji Akira , Okamoto Noriaki , Ono Junichiro , Taniguchi Kyoko , Kaida Katsuji , Ikegame Kazuhiro , Okada Masaya , Tanizawa Takakuni , Ogawa Hiroyasu , Kai Shunro
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte mobilization and harvesting, the two major phases of granulocyte collection, have not been standardized.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The data on 123 granulocyte collections were retrospectively investigated for the effect of the mobilization regimen and the harvesting technique. After a single subcutaneous dose (600 µg) of granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) with (n = 68) or without (n = 40) 8 mg of orally administered dexamethasone, 108 granulocyte donors underwent granulocyte collections. Moreover, 15 peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors who had received 400 µg/m2 or 10 µg/kg G‐CSF for 5 days underwent granulocyte collections on the day after the last PBSC collections (PBSC‐GTX donors). Granulocyte harvesting was performed by leukapheresis with (n = 108) or without (n = 15) using high‐molecular‐weight hydroxyethyl starch (HES).

RESULTS: Granulocyte donors who received mobilization with G‐CSF plus dexamethasone produced significantly higher granulocyte yields than those who received G‐CSF alone (7.2 × 1010 ± 2.0 × 1010 vs. 5.7 × 1010 ± 1.7 × 1010, p = 0.006). PBSC‐GTX donors produced a remarkably high granulocyte yield (9.7 × 1010 ± 2.3 × 1010). The use of HES was associated with better granulocyte collection efficiency (42 ± 7.8% vs. 10 ± 9.1%, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: G‐CSF plus dexamethasone produces higher granulocyte yields than G‐CSF alone. Granulocyte collection from PBSC donors appears to be a rational strategy, since it produces high granulocyte yields when the related patients are at a high risk for infection and reduces difficulties in finding granulocyte donors. HES should be used in apheresis procedures.
Evidence‐Based Strategies for Improving the Reading Comprehension of Secondary Students: Implications for Students with Learning Disabilities
Authors: Watson Silvana M. R. , Gable Robert A. , Gear Sabra B. , Hughes Kimberly C.
Published: April 2012

Reading comprehension is a complex skill that places significant demands on students, beginning with elementary school and continuing through the secondary grades. In this article, we provide an overview of possible factors associated with problems in reading comprehension among secondary students with learning disabilities. Discussion underscores the fact that comprehension problems are evidenced by a heterogeneous group of students. We argue that it is important for teachers to align an intervention with a specific area of difficulty (e.g., teaching prefixes and suffixes to increase reading vocabulary). We highlight research‐based interventions advocated by the National Reading Panel and offer ways that teachers can match specific strategies with the individual needs of students with problems in reading comprehension. Finally, we emphasize that whatever strategy is selected, it should be structured, explicit, scaffolded, and intense (Williams et al., 2005).
Vascular access for chronic hemodialysis in a patient with epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica Hallopeau‐Siemens
Authors: Sakan Sanja , Basic‐Jukic Nikolina , Tomasevic Boris , Kes Petar , Bandic Pavlovic Daniela , Peric Mladen
Published: April 2012

Epidermolysis bullosa is a rare genetic hereditary disease characterized with mechanobullous dermatosis. Except cutaneous, these patients have various extracutaneous manifestations and some types of epidermolysis bullosa comprise almost all organ systems. Because of prolonged life span, chronic renal insufficiency has become an important cause of morbidity and death in these patients. Establishment of functional vascular dialysis access is a great challenge for both the doctors and the patients. Multidisciplinary approach is essential. We present a case of successful establishment of dialysis access via Tesio catheter in a young woman suffering from epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica Hallopeau‐Siemens and end‐stage renal disease. Since then, the Tesio catheter inserted via the right internal jugular vein has been the functional mean of dialysis. The patient was given the opportunity to lead a quality and active life in spite of disabling disease. Several cases of successful dialysis access establishment with dialysis catheters via central veins have been reported. We report the successful establishment of long‐term dialysis access via Tesio catheter and suggest this approach as ideal for these patients. This is the first report dealing with vascular access in this group of patients.
Effects of diversity and identity of the neighbouring plant community on the abundance of arthropods on individual ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) plants
Authors: Kostenko Olga , Grootemaat Saskia , van der Putten Wim H. , Bezemer T. Martijn
Published: April 2012

The diversity of plant community can greatly affect the abundance and diversity of arthropods associated to that community, but can also influence the composition or abundance of arthropods on individual plants growing in that community. We sampled arthropods and recorded plant size of individual ragwort, Jacobaea vulgaris Gaertner ssp. vulgaris [synonym Senecio jacobaea L. (Asteraceae)], plants transplanted into 70 experimental grassland plots that differed in plant diversity (1–9 species) or that were kept without vegetation. The arthropod fauna was dominated by the specialist aphid Aphis jacobaeae Schrank (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The abundance of aphids on ragwort plants decreased significantly with increasing plant diversity. The abundance of other arthropod species was not affected by the diversity of the surrounding plant community. Plant size was also not affected by the diversity of the surrounding plant community, but varied significantly among monocultures. Ragwort plants were largest in monocultures of legumes. Aphid abundance on ragwort plants, however, was not related to the size of the individual ragwort plants, but was high in monocultures consisting of Tanacetum vulgare L. (Asteraceae) plants. This plant is morphologically similar to ragwort. Even though we observed significant effects of plant diversity, ragwort plants were considerably larger – and the abundance of aphids and other arthropods on ragwort plants substantially higher – in plots without vegetation than in vegetated plots. Our results show that the presence and the diversity of neighbouring plants can provide associational resistance to focal plants growing in that community. We conclude that the surrounding plant community directly affects the abundance of arthropods on focal ragwort plants, and not via the effects of neighbouring plants on the performance of the focal plants.
Impact of water fluoride concentration on the fluoride content of infant foods and drinks requiring preparation with liquids before feeding
Authors: Zohoori Fatemeh V. , Moynihan Paula J. , Omid Narges , Abuhaloob Lamis , Maguire Anne
Published: April 2012

Objectives

To measure the fluoride (F) content of infant foods and drinks requiring reconstitution with liquids prior to consumption and to determine the impact of water F concentration on their F content, as consumed, by measuring F content before and after preparation.

Methods

In total, 58 infant powdered formula milks, dry foods and concentrated drinks were prepared with deionized water (<0.02 ppm F) nonfluoridated (0.13 ppm F) and fluoridated (0.90 ppmF) water. The F concentrations of drink samples were measured directly using a fluoride‐ion‐selective electrode after addition of TISAB III, and food samples and formula milks measured indirectly by an acid diffusion method.

Results

The overall range of F concentrations of all the nonreconstituted samples, in their prepreparation dry or concentrated forms, was from 0.06 to 2.99 μg/g with the highest F concentration for foods found in the dry ‘savoury meals’ (a combination of vegetables and chicken or cheese or rice) group. However, when the samples were reconstituted with nonfluoridated water, the mean F concentrations of prepared ‘concentrated juices’, ‘pasta and rice’, ‘breakfast cereals’, ‘savoury meals’ and ‘powdered infant formula milks’ were 0.38, 0.26, 0.18, 0.16 and 0.15 μg/g, respectively. The corresponding mean F concentrations were 0.97, 1.21, 0.86, 0.74 and 0.91 μg/g, respectively, when the same samples were prepared with fluoridated water.

Conclusion

Although some nonreconstituted infant foods/drinks showed a high F concentration in their dry or concentrated forms, the concentration of F in prepared foods/drinks primarily reflected the F concentration of liquid used for their preparation. Some infant foods/drinks, when reconstituted with fluoridated water, may result in a F intake in infants above the suggested optimum range (0.05–0.07 mg F/kg body weight) and therefore may put infants at risk of developing dental fluorosis. Further research is necessary to determine the actual F intake of infants living in fluoridated and nonfluoridated communities using reconstituted infant foods and drinks.
A blended learning approach to teaching pre‐clinical complete denture prosthodontics
Authors: Faraone K. L. , Garrett P. H. , Romberg E.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The current study tested the hypothesis that a blended learning curriculum would develop competency in both pre‐clinical laboratory and didactic learning with less direct supervision than in a traditional curriculum, and be positively accepted by both the students and the faculty. With the ability to efficiently deliver course material electronically came the ability to blend the traditional delivery of course material with an asynchronous approach involving online lecture presentations and online laboratory demonstrations.

Methods

The class was divided into two groups with bench space available to accommodate self‐paced learning. All audio‐visual and written support materials for both didactic and laboratory procedures were provided to the students at the beginning of the semester on a DVD. These materials included online access through the Blackboard Learning System™.

Results

Students' performance and satisfaction in the course as well as the supporting faculty response to the course were very favourable to the new blended curriculum.

Conclusions

Making use of the technologically advanced environment, the blended curriculum fostered student‐focused learning to develop the didactic and laboratory skills necessary for competency in a pre‐clinical setting.
Revascularization and tissue regeneration of an empty root canal space is enhanced by a direct blood supply and stem cells
Authors: Srisuwan Tanida , Tilkorn Daniel J. , Al‐Benna Sammy , Abberton Keren , Messer Harold H. , Thompson Erik W.
Published: April 2012

Abstract –  Background:  Regenerative endodontics is an innovative treatment concept aiming to regenerate pulp, dentin and root structures. In the diseased or necrotic tooth, the limitation in vascular supply renders successful tissue regeneration/generation in a whole tooth challenging. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of vascularized tissue to develop within a pulpless tooth using tissue engineering techniques. Materials and methods:  A pulpless tooth chamber, filled with collagen I gel containing isolated rat dental pulp cells (DPC) and angiogenic growth factors, was placed into a hole created in the femoral cortex or into its own tooth socket, respectively. The gross, histological and biochemical characteristics of the de novo tissue were evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks post‐transplantation. Results:  Tooth revascularization and tissue generation was observed only in the femur group, confirming the important role of vascular supply in tissue regeneration. The addition of cells and growth factors significantly promoted connective tissue production in the tooth chamber. Conclusion:  Successful revascularization and tissue regeneration in this model demonstrate the importance of a direct vascular supply and the advantages of a stem cell approach.