bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of parathyroid adenoma and familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia in a teenager
Authors: Brachet C , Boros E , Tenoutasse S , Lissens W , Andry G , Martin P , Bergmann P , Heinrichs C
Published: May 2009

Objective

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH) is clinically characterized by mild to moderate parathyroid hormone (PTH)-dependent hypercalcaemia, autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, and normal to frankly reduced urinary calcium excretion in spite of a high serum calcium (clearance (Ca)/clearance (Cr)<0.01). FHH has a benign course and should be differentiated from primary hyperparathyroidism. It is usually caused by a heterozygous loss-of-function mutation in the calcium-sensing receptor gene (CASR).

Design

We report the case of a 16-year-old patient with hypercalcaemia and a mixed family history of parathyroid adenoma and mild hypercalcaemia. Serum calcium was 14 mg/dl with a serum iPTH of 253 pg/ml.

Results

A neck 99mTc-sesta MIBI tomoscintigraphy showed a definite hyperactivity in the left upper quadrant. A surgical four-gland exploration confirmed a single parathyroid adenoma. After surgical resection of a left superior parathyroid adenoma, the patient's hypercalcemia improved but did not normalize, returning to a level typical of FHH. An inactivating mutation in exon 4 of the CASR gene, predicting a p.Glu297Lys amino acid substitution was found.

Conclusions

Thus, this 16-year old patient presented with the association of FHH and a single parathyroid adenoma. The young age of the patient and the association of parathyroid adenoma and FHH in his grandmother argue for a causal link between CASR mutation and parathyroid adenoma in this family. This case contributes to illustrate the expanding clinical spectrum of CASR loss-of-function mutations.
Spermatozoal transcriptome profiling for bull sperm motility: a potential tool to evaluate semen quality
Authors: Bissonnette Nathalie , Lévesque-Sergerie Jean-Philippe , Thibault Catherine , Boissonneault Guylain
Published: May 2009

Regarding bull fertility, establishing an association betweenin vitrofindings and field fertility requires a multi-parametric approach that measures the integrity of various structures and dynamic functions, such as motion characteristics, among others. The heterogeneous RNA pattern of spermatozoa could be used in genomic analysis for evaluating both spermatogenesis and fertility potential of semen, mainly because of the static status of the transcriptome of this particular differentiated cell. In a previous study, we determined that some spermatozoal transcripts identified by PCR-based cDNA subtraction are associated with non-return rate, a field fertility index. In the present study, the microarray technology was used in conjunction with differential RNA transcript extraction. We have shown that among these genes, some transcripts are also associated with the motility status of a population of sperm cells fractionated from the same ejaculate. We highlighted a systematic data analysis and validation scheme important for the identification of significant transcripts in this context. With such an approach, we found that transcripts encoding a serine/threonine testis-specific protein kinase (TSSK6) and a metalloproteinase non coding RNA (ADAM5P) are associated with high-motility status (P<0.001), also confirmed by quantitative PCR (P=0.0075). This association was found only when transcripts were extracted using the hot-TRIzol protocol, whereas the cold-TRIzol RNA extract comprised mitochondrial transcripts. These results demonstrate that some transcripts previously identified in association with field fertility are also found associated within vitromotility provided that a stringent RNA extraction protocol is used.
Simultaneous Harvesting of Cancellous Iliac Bone for Alveolar Cleft Closure and Dermis for Augmentation of Median Tubercle
Authors: Steinbacher Derek M. , Padwa Bonnie L. , Mulliken John B.
Published: May 2009

Children with repaired cleft lip/palate require secondary closure of the alveolar cleft and, often, nasolabial revision. We describe a technique performed in 61 patients for harvesting bone for the alveolar defect and dermis for augmentation of the median tubercle, taking both from the posterior iliac region. The advantages of the posterior approach are as follows: (1) the same donor site is used for cancellous bone and dermal graft and (2) the child's appearance is improved along with alveolar cleft grafting.
Modified Von Langenbeck Cleft Palate Repair Using an Anterior Triangular Flap: Decreased Incidence of Anterior Oronasal Fistulas
Authors: Stewart Tara Lynn , Fisher David M. , Olson Jaret L.
Published: May 2009

Objective:

A complication following cleft palate surgery is the development of oronasal fistulas. Despite recent advances aimed at addressing this concern, rates of postoperative fistulas have remained unchanged and are reported at between 3% and 60%. Oronasal fistulas commonly occur between the hard and soft palate and at the anterior portion of the cleft. These fistulas lead to functional problems with nasal emission, hypernasal speech, and food regurgitation through the nose. For clefts of the secondary palate, we developed a modification of the Von Langenbeck technique in which an anterior triangular flap is used to decrease the incidence of postoperative fistulas.

Method:

A triangular flap composed of oromucosa was designed for isolated clefts of the secondary palate only. It is based at the anterior margin of the cleft and is used as a turnover flap to allow closure of the often very tight anterior nasal side. A retrospective chart analysis was performed from 2000 to 2007. All patients who had isolated clefts of the secondary palate and had undergone a modified Von Langenbeck procedure were included in the study. Patients were evaluated 4 to 8 weeks postoperatively for the presence of oronasal fistulas.

Results:

With the introduction of the anterior triangular flap, we show that 0 of 182 patients developed a postoperative oronasal fistula.

Conclusions:

This modification of the standard Von Langenbeck uses an anterior triangular flap and confers the advantage of assisting in nasal side closure of the anterior margin of the cleft; in doing so, it reduces the rate of fistula formation.
Lateral Approach to the Levator Veli Palatini: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Nanda Vipul , Tuli Puneet , Sharma Ramesh Kumar
Published: May 2009

The abnormal anatomy in the cleft palate has been of interest to surgeons for a long time. Different authors have independently evolved the techniques of radical reconstruction of the palatal musculature and have suggested the medial approach to dissect the levator. We hereby report the technique in which the levator is identified through the lateral incision of the soft palate. This lateral approach helps in the complete release of the levator from all abnormal attachments and ensures reconstruction of an effective sling. This technique is of particular benefit in a palate re-repair.
Biomechanical Properties of the Human Soft Palate
Authors: Birch M. J. , Srodon P. D.
Published: May 2009

Objective:

To measure biomechanical properties of the human soft palate and the variation across anatomic regions.

Design:

Ex vivo analysis of human tissue.

Patients/participants:

Ten palates harvested from 10 normal adult human cadavers (age range, 37 to 90 years).

Interventions:

Computer-controlled uniaxial stress-relaxation mechanical properties tested in physiological saline at 37°C.

Main Outcome Measures:

Measurement of Young modulus, Poisson ratio, and determination of viscoelastic constants c, τ1, and τ2 by curve-fitting of the reduced relaxation function to the data.

Results:

One hundred sections were tested from the 10 palates, representative of 10 anatomic zones. The mean Young modulus range was 585 Pa at the posterior free edge to 1409 Pa at regions of attachment. The mean Poisson ratio in the inferior-superior direction was 0.45 (SD 0.26) and in the lateral direction, was 0.30 (SD 0.21). The mean viscoelastic constants for 1-mm extensions were C  =  −0.1056 (±0.1303), τ1  =  11.0369 (±9.1865) seconds, and τ2  =  0.2128 (±0.0792) seconds, and for 2-mm extensions were C  =  −0.1111 (±0.1466), τ1  =  14.3725 (±5.2701) seconds, and τ2  =  0.2094 (±0.0544) seconds.

Conclusions:

The results show agreement with values of the Young modulus estimated by authors (Ettema and Kuehn, 1994; Berry et al., 1999) undertaking finite element modeling of the palate. However, other modulus measurements based on closing pressure are considerably different. The spatial distribution of viscoelastic parameters across the palate shows good consistency.
Throat Swabs Taken on the Operating Table Prior to Cleft Palate Repair and Their Relevance to Outcome: A Prospective Study
Authors: Rennie Andrew , Treharne Linda J. , Richard Bruce
Published: May 2009

Objective:

The main objective of this study was to determine whether bacteria cultured from oral swabs taken at the time of surgery predicted postoperative fistula formation.

Design:

The study was a prospective longitudinal audit.

Setting:

The setting was a designated U.K. N.H.S. cleft center.

Patients:

Subjects consisted of the patients of a single cleft surgeon who were undergoing surgery for cleft palate repair or cleft fistula repair.

Interventions:

Oral microbiological swabs were taken from patients while they were on the operating table just before surgery.

Main outcome measures:

The results from microbiological culture of the swabs were recorded, as was the presence or absence of a fistula at 6 months postoperatively. Additional collected information was related to the severity of the cleft, whether the operating microscope was used during surgery, and whether the patient had developed a postoperative upper respiratory tract infection.

Results:

Positive swab cultures were not significantly associated with fistula formation. Use of the operating microscope was not associated with an increase or decrease in the number of fistulas. A fistula developed in all patients who experienced a postoperative upper respiratory tract infection.

Conclusions:

The practice of performing routine preoperative mouth swabs should be abandoned because the presence of bacteria in the mouth does not increase the risk of fistula formation.
The Frequency of Palatal Anomalies in Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome
Authors: Stoler Joan M. , Rogers Gary F. , Mulliken John B.
Published: May 2009

Objective:

Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome (SCS) is an autosomal dominant disorder with widespread phenotypic variability. Cardinal features include coronal synostosis, blepharoptosis, and limb abnormalities. Cleft palate can also occur, but there are few reports on its frequency. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of palatal anomalies in this population.

Design:

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 51 patients with SCS seen at Children's Hospital Boston over the past 30 years. Palatal findings in our patients were compared with those in the literature. To illustrate the phenotypic variability in SCS, we describe an unusual infant who presented for evaluation of cleft palate and blepharoptosis. Her father had only blepharoptosis; this was the clue to the diagnosis, which was confirmed by finding a deletion in the TWIST gene.

Results:

In our patients, high-arched palate was noted in 43%, bifid uvula in 10%, and cleft palate in 6%. These figures differed slightly from the combined percentages in published reports: 24% with high-arched palate, 2% with bifid uvula, and 5% with cleft palate.

Conclusions:

Palatal anomalies are relatively common in SCS. This entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a child with cleft palate, particularly in the presence of blepharoptosis, nasal deviation, and limb abnormalities in the patient or in family members.
Name change for Sansabella tumida Hoare, 2008
Authors: Hoare Richard D.
Published: May 2009

Eugen Karl Kempf, Frechen, Germany has pointed out that Sansabella tumida Hoare, 2008 is preoccupied by Sansabella tumida Coryell and Sohn, 1938. the name is here changed to Sansabella yochelsoni, named for the late Ellis L. Yochelson of the U.S. Geological Survey.
Shell orientation terminology among the Bivalvia (Mollusca): Problems and proposed solutions
Authors: Bailey Jack Bowman
Published: May 2009

Traditional terms used to describe shell orientation in bivalves are unsatisfactory in three important ways: 1) for poorly known bivalve taxa, unbiased and directionally neutral terms are sometimes needed to replace anterior and posterior where data are incomplete; 2) there is a striking absence of simple terms to apply to the long and short ends of the shell; and 3) the term lateral is either incorrectly or inconsistently applied. in the following discussion, I shall explore each of these issues and suggest remediation.
New occurrences of the Pennsylvanian index ammonoidDunbaritesfrom the North American midcontinent
Authors: Work David M. , Mapes Royal H.
Published: May 2009

Ten newly recoveredDunbaritesspecimens significantly extend the known stratigraphic range ofDunbarites.These include the first documented Midcontinent Basin records of the Missourian type speciesDunbarites rectilateralis(Miller, 1930) from north-central Oklahoma. Additional species ofDunbaritesfrom south-central Oklahoma and north-central and West Texas are described asDunbarites wewokensisn. sp. andDunbarites boardmanin. sp. AlthoughDunbaritesis an extremely rare component (~0.025 percent) of Middle and Upper Pennsylvanian ammonoid assemblages, Ruzhencev and Bogoslovskaya (1971, 1978) suggested thatDunbaritesandParashumarditesRuzhencev, 1939 be used as genozone markers for the Kasimovian [Zhigulevian] Stage (Missourian in North America). As demonstrated by this report, the range ofDunbaritesis not confined to the Kasimovian, thereby precluding its use as a Kasimovian Stage indicator.
Closed-form solution for plastic zone formation around a circular tunnel in half-space obeying Mohr–Coulomb criterion
Authors: MASSINAS S.A. , SAKELLARIOU M.G.
Published: May 2009

A closed-form solution for the problem of the plastic zone and stress distribution around a circular tunnel in an elastic–plastic half space, derived using bipolar coordinates, is the main scope of this paper. By assuming a uniformly applied surface loading, the whole semi-infinite space is under uniform pressure: thus the gravitational effect is neglected, while the plastic zone formation around the circular tunnel is controlled by the applied internal support pressure. The plastic behaviour of the half space is described by the Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion, and the soil is assumed to be homogeneous and isotropic with earth pressure coefficient K0 equal to unity. The critical internal pressure, where the initial yielding occurs at the tunnel wall, is derived, along with equations describing the plastic zone and plastic stresses. These equations are functions of the soil properties, which are cohesion and friction angle. This derived closed-form solution is validated through mathematical and computational analysis, and is also compared with numerical models under gravitational load, solved using the finite difference method. This innovative closed-form solution has a significant impact in practical problems by introducing a simple and effective method that allows the quick estimation of a shallow tunnel's behaviour, since it gives, in principle, the opportunity for quick and accurate calculation of the plastic zone and stress distribution around the circular tunnel. By applying different values of support pressure, the tunnel designer can easily evaluate the feasibility of different design alternatives, such as shotcrete shell and tunnel-boring machine support pressure. As a result, an efficient and innovative method of solving shallow tunnelling problems in cohesive-frictional soil is introduced.
A graphical method for producing yield surfaces for soils
Authors: CHANDLER H.W. , SANDS C.M.
Published: May 2009

A procedure is described by which three-dimensional yield criteria and flow rules can be derived graphically by drawing envelopes. Using computer graphics, this provides the modeller with a simple, clear, precise and flexible method with which to generate data that can be compared with results obtained analytically or experimentally. As illustrative examples, yield surfaces are constructed in the constant-pressure plane in principal stress space using the Drucker–Prager and Frossard's dissipation functions, and two modified forms of Houlsby's dissipation function. For constant-volume flow these produce the Drucker–Prager, Mohr–Coulomb and Matsuoka–Nakai yield surfaces. Each is paired with both an isotropic and an anisotropic dilatancy rule. The direction of plastic flow at yield, consistent with the choice of dissipation function and dilatancy rule, can be determined from these constructions. One of the yield surfaces produced is compared with the results from true triaxial tests where the rate of dilatancy has been determined. An example of Rowe's stress–dilatancy plots is also produced.
Urban information systems in Turkey
Authors: Çete M. , Durduran S. Savas , Geymen A.
Published: May 2009

Geographical information system (GIS) projects were initiated during the 1980s in Turkey. The numbers of those projects increased both in public and private sectors during the 1990s, encouraged by the rapid developments in technology. One of the types of institutions most eager to use GIS technology is municipalities in the country. The administrators of the municipalities consider that effective management of the large amount of data in cities to access correct, up-to-date and comprehensive data is only possible with the use of information technologies. This idea has led them to establish urban information systems (UISs). However, they face technical, organisational and legal issues in their efforts. There is therefore a need for solutions to make UISs effective. In this context, this paper presents an overview of the UIS projects which have been implemented in Turkey. The issues faced during those projects are discussed, along with recommendations for solving those issues.
Dispersal in heterogeneous habitats: thresholds, spatial scales, and approximate rates of spread
Authors: Dewhirst Sebastian , Lutscher Frithjof
Published: May 2009

What is the effect of landscape heterogeneity on the spread rate of populations? Several spatially explicit simulation models address this question for particular cases and find qualitative insights (e.g., extinction thresholds) but no quantitative relationships. We use a time‐discrete analytic model and find general quantitative relationships for the invasion threshold, i.e., the minimal percentage of suitable habitat required for population spread. We investigate how, on the relevant spatial scales, this threshold depends on the relationship between dispersal ability and fragmentation level. The invasion threshold increases with fragmentation level when there is no Allee effect, but it decreases with fragmentation in the presence of an Allee effect. We obtain simple formulas for the approximate spread rate of a population in heterogeneous landscapes from averaging techniques. Comparison with spatially explicit simulations shows an excellent agreement between approximate and true values. We apply our results to the spread of trees and give some implications for the control of invasive species.
Laser use vs. handpiece for tooth preparation: A preliminary in vitro study
Authors: Gökçe B. , Özpinar B. , Artunç C. , Aksoy G.
Published: May 2009

The key fields of research of dental lasers have focused on the use of different wavelengths on hard and soft tissues; however it is not clear whether they can be used for tooth preparation for full coverage restorations or not. The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of tooth preparation for full coverage restorations using a scanner assembly added-on Er:YAG laser system and compare the tooth preparation durations performed with dental drills and the laser. The 20 freshly extracted human molar teeth were allocated to two groups (A and B) of 10. Group A was prepared with dental drills, whereas group B was prepared with a scanner assembly added-on Er:YAG laser system. The preparation duration means of the groups were calculated and analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. The difference between group A (20, 2±1, 9 min) and B (45, 2±|3, 1 min) (P<0.01) was significant. Laser preparation took more time than the conventional rotary instrumentation. The recommended amount of tooth reduction for full coverage restorations could be accomplished by the laser tooth preparation. Tooth preparation using Er:YAG laser with laser application for wide area system took more time than the rotary instruments.
Relations between Locus of Control and Sources of Work Motivation amongst Government Workers
Authors: Barbuto John E. , Story Joana S.
Published: May 2009

This field study tested the relationship between locus of control and sources of work motivation for a sample of 382 government employees, selected as part of a leadership development initiative. Their mean age was 46 yr., 53% were women, and 42% had earned bachelor's degrees. Analysis showed a significant positive relationship between follower's locus of control and self-concept external motivation ( r = .11), self-concept internal work motivation ( r = .14), and goal internalization ( r = .14); however, these relationships accounted for 2% or less of the common variance in the data. Other relationships tested were not significant. The psychometric structure of the abbreviated locus of control measure was reliable. More complex models and definitive experimental designs are recommended to generalize further.
A Practical Method for Analyzing Factorial Designs with Heteroscedastic Data
Authors: Vallejo Guiillermo , Fernández M. Paula , Ato Manuel , Livacic-Rojas Pablo E.
Published: May 2009

The Type I error rates and powers of three recent tests for analyzing nonorthogonal factorial designs under departures from the assumptions of homogeneity and normality were evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation. Specifically, this work compared the performance of the modified Brown-Forsythe procedure, the generalization of Box's method proposed by Brunner, Dette, and Munk, and the mixed-model procedure adjusted by the Kenward-Roger solution available in the SAS statistical package. With regard to robustness, the three approaches adequately controlled Type I error when the data were generated from symmetric distributions; however, this study's results indicate that, when the data were extracted from asymmetric distributions, the modified Brown-Forsythe approach controlled the Type I error slightly better than the other procedures. With regard to sensitivity, the higher power rates were obtained when the analyses were done with the MIXED procedure of the SAS program. Furthermore, results also identified that, when the data were generated from symmetric distributions, little power was sacrificed by using the generalization of Box's method in place of the modified Brown-Forsythe procedure.
Dimensionality of Subscales for Emotional Support in the Bosch Support Measure for Survivors of Domestic Abuse
Authors: Bosch Kathy R. , Schumm Walter R.
Published: May 2009

Items from the Emotional Support Subscale of the Bosch Support Measure were administered in a small survey of 56 formerly abused rural women in the midwestern USA. Maximum likelihood factor analyses were performed on a total of 21 items. A 5-factor solution appeared to produce the best results, but only 3 factors suggested viable subscales with Cronbach alphas greater than .80. Informal support networks in the rural areas studied here appeared to provide survivors of domestic violence with general emotional support to a greater extent than guidance on accessing professional resources and help.
Averaging to Minimize or Eliminate Regression toward the Mean to Measure Pure Experimental Effects
Authors: Toh Rex S. , Hu Michael Y.
Published: May 2009

This paper explains how regression toward the mean can contaminate diary data, making it difficult to measure the pure effects of an experimental variable over time. Using a large scale real-life database collected by AT& T, a method of measuring this mathematical artifact is advanced. It is shown to manifest very quickly as a result of a spontaneous reaction toward happenstance, with the most extreme initial values gravitating most toward the mean. Then averaging over longer and longer periods of time to define use categories is shown to dilute happenstance increasingly, and therefore progressively minimizes or eliminates regression toward the mean. Finally, regression toward the mean is very pervasive and very persistent.
Computer-Related Stress and Learning Style
Authors: Ballance Collin T.
Published: May 2009

100 students having various undergraduate majors were surveyed using Hudiburg's updated Computer Technology Hassles Scale and an internet learning styles questionnaire. Participation was voluntary and solicited through mathematics courses in which the students were enrolled. Groups of students organized by learning style were formed. Multivariate comparison of these groups based upon five stress variables suggested that computer stress was not associated with the learning styles of these students.
Social Integration and Suicide in the Western Pacific Islands
Authors: Bridges F. Stephen
Published: May 2009

In the Western Pacific Islands, the rate of suicide was more common in those islands with faster growing populations, but not among the islands with larger total populations or with greater population densities. This offers partial support for some of the propositions of Durkheim and Lester.
An Evaluation of the Italian Version of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence
Authors: Fekketich Amy K. , Fossati Roldano , Apolone Giovanni
Published: May 2009

This study examined the psychometric properties of an Italian version of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence in a sample of 593 smokers who were enrolled in a randomized Phase IV clinical trial to compare bupropion to placebo, This version was administered at baseline, and from each participant an expired air carbon monoxide (CO) measure was taken. Spearman correlations between the Total score and CO concentration were .27 in the combined sample and .27 and .25 among men and women, With respect to the internal consistency reliability, the coefficient alpha was low (alpha =.55) in the combined sample and among men (.59) and women (.50). While the Total score predicted abstinence at 7 wk., it was not significantly related to continuous abstinence at 12 mo. postrandomization. The properties of the Italian version of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence appear to be consistent with other versions described in the literature.
Receiver Operating Characteristics for the Brief Symptom Inventory Depression, Paranoid Ideation, and Psychoticism Scales in a Large Sample of Clinical Inpatients
Authors: Johnson Mark E. , Chipp Cody L. , Brems Christiane , Neal David B.
Published: May 2009

A commonly used screening tool for psychopathology, the Brief Symptom Inventory, provides normative data for assessing current mental functioning across multiple domains. Using data from 654 psychiatric inpatients, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were conducted for three scales, Depression, Paranoid Ideation, and Psychoticism. t ratios identified significant group differences on the Depression scale between patients diagnosed with or without depression but no differences on the Paranoid Ideation and Psychoticism scales between patients diagnosed with or without schizophrenia. Area under the curve for Depression was .65, indicating that the scale improved diagnostic prediction somewhat beyond chance; for Paranoid Ideation, the area was .52 and for Psychoticism, the area was .53, indicating that these two scales did not significantly improve diagnostic prediction beyond chance.
Cronbach Alpha Reliability and Concurrent Validity of the Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale in a Turkish Sample
Authors: Zeyrek Emek Yüce , Lester David
Published: May 2009

In a sample of 100 Turkish undergraduates, the Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale had adequate interitem reliability and adequate concurrent validity with Templer's Death Anxiety Scale.
Apathy in Dementia: Relations with Depression, Functional Competence, and Quality of Life
Authors: Yeager Catherine A. , Hyer Lee
Published: May 2009

This study set out to clarify the association of apathy and depression in dementia as well as apathy's association with basic (ADLs) and instrumental (IADLs) activities of daily living and quality of life. 68 outpatients with mild dementia were assessed on apathy, depression, global cognition, traditional ADLs/IADLs, complex daily living activities requiring intact executive functioning (DAD: Disability Assessment for Dementia Scale), and quality of life. The sample was stratified into high and low global cognition groups and compared. While no relationship was found between scores on apathy and depression in the high cognition group, there was a significant relationship between apathy and depression in the low cognition group. Further, high and low cognition groups differed in the relationship between apathy and ability to perform basic and complex activities of daily living. Specifically, in the high cognition group, increased apathy was correlated with diminished ability to perform traditional IADLs as well as those activities requiring intact executive functioning (i.e., DAD). In the low cognition group, increased apathy was associated with poor performance on traditional ADLs and IADLs, but was not related to performance on independent daily activities demanding good executive functioning. Finally, increased apathy was significantly associated with worse quality of life, but this held for the high cognition group only, suggesting that dementia patients with better cognition have insight into their deficits and, perhaps, experience poor quality of life as a result.
Attractive but Guilty: Deliberation and the Physical Attractiveness Bias
Authors: Patry Marc W.
Published: May 2009

The current study examined the effect of jury deliberation on the tendency for mock jurors to find attractive defendants guilty less often. It was expected that there would be an interaction between group deliberation (yes or no) and defendant's appearance (plain-looking or attractive). It was hypothesized that mock jurors who did not deliberate would be more likely to find a plain-looking defendant guilty and that deliberation would mitigate this effect. The study was a 2 × 2 between-subjects factorial design. Participants were assigned randomly to one of four conditions: attractive defendant/deliberation, attractive defendant/no deliberation, plain-looking defendant/deliberation, and plain-looking defendant/no deliberation. A total of 172 undergraduates from a small, rural college in Vermont contributed to this study: mock jurors were 70 men and 52 women, ages ranged from 18 to 52 years ( M=20.5, SD = 4.9). The hypothesis was supported. Mock jurors who did not deliberate were more likely to find the plain-looking defendant guilty, whereas mock jurors who deliberated were more likely to find the attractive defendant guilty.
Women and Suicide in Islamic Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Lester David
Published: May 2009

Research on suicide among Islamic women in sub-Saharan Africa was reviewed. The few reports available do not specify the ethnicity and religious affiliation of the cases, making interpretation of the reports difficult.
Cognitive Style and Sex: A Study of Stereotypical Thinking
Authors: Meric Havva J. , Capen Margaret M.
Published: May 2009

Differences between Cognitive Style Index mean scores of female and male undergraduate business students were tested using a general linear model. Among 286 undergraduate business students, women scored higher (more analytical) than men. The comparison of undergraduate business students with and without work experience related to their major shows that students with such related work experience were more intuitive than peers with no work experience related to their major.
Sex Differences in Nintendo Wii™ Performance as Expected from Hunter-Gatherer Selection
Authors: Cherney Isabelle D. , Poss Jordan L.
Published: May 2009

To test the hunter-gatherer theory of cognitive sex differences, men and women each played four video games on a Wii™ console: two games simulating skills necessary for hunting (navigation and shooting) and two games simulating skills necessary for gathering (fine motor and visual search). Men outperformed women on the two hunting games, whereas there were no sex differences on the gathering skill games. The findings are discussed in terms of evolutionary psychology theory.
Measuring Students' Attitudes toward College Education's Role in Addressing Social Issues
Authors: Weber James E. , Weber Paula S. , Craven Barney L.
Published: May 2009

As service-learning projects have spread throughout academia, efforts to assess the service-learning experience have assumed a greater importance. The BERSI scale (Business Education's Role in addressing Social Issues) was developed as a measure of business students' attitudes toward social issues being addressed as part of a business education. As such, it was intended to be useful in assessing attitudinal outcomes of service learning. In order for the BERSI to be useful for nonbusiness students, the scale would need to be reconceptualized and revalidated. This study modified the BERSI items with a focus on college students in general rather than business students, making the resulting scale, College Education's Role in addressing Social Issues (CERSI), potentially helpful to service-learning researchers in a broader setting. The CERSI scale was then validated using standard techniques and normative data were reported.
Mind Wandering and Retrieval from Episodic Memory: A Pilot Event-Related Potential Study
Authors: Riby Leigh Martin , Smallwood Jonathan , Gunn Valerie P.
Published: May 2009

The present study investigated the effects of mind wandering (task-unrelated thought) on the subcomponents of episodic memory as reflected by event-related potentials (ERPs). Specifically, individual differences in the pattern of ERP episodic ‘old/new’ effects (left-parietal, right-frontal and central-negativity effects) were examined across groups of participants experiencing either high or low frequencies of task-unrelated thought during encoding. Twenty participants studied lists of words and line drawings in one of two contexts (red versus green coloured boxes). At test, participants discriminated between target (old words or line drawings presented in one colour) and nontargets (old items from the other colour and new items). On completion of the memory task, participants completed the ‘thinking’ component of the Dundee Stress State Questionnaire to provide a retrospective measure of task-unrelated thought. Behavioural data indicated that irrespective of the presence of task-unrelated thought, participants were able to complete the memory task equally well. However, an analysis of ERPs across High and Low task-unrelated thought groups revealed differences in retrieval strategy. Those individuals with infrequent episodes of task-unrelated thought at study used a ‘pure’ recollection strategy (left-parietal effect only). Conversely, those participants experiencing frequent episodes of task-unrelated thought were unable to recollect the stimuli with ease, as indexed by a diminished parietal effect. As a consequence, these participants employed additional strategic processes for task completion, as indexed by an elevated amplitude of central negativity effects. These data are consistent with the decoupling hypothesis of mind wandering which suggests impaired recollection when attention becomes directed away from the task.
Evaluation of School Architecture Postoccupancy
Authors: Jacobsen Thomas , Miesler Linda , Riesel Anja , Schönheit Anika
Published: May 2009

A questionnaire for the postoccupancy evaluation of school architecture was developed. It contains distinct modules covering different parts of a school building. A module of the questionnaire comprises a semantic differential section and items covering six content domains which were selected based on a literature review, namely, aesthetics, equipment, room climate, spatial cognition, privacy and publicity, and personalization of and identification with space. The questionnaire is available in the German language and can be used with students age 10 years or older and teachers.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Nepsy for Younger and Older School-Age Children
Authors: Mosconi Matthew , Nelson Lauren , Hooper Stephen R.
Published: May 2009

Using the standardization sample from the NEPSY, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the factor structure for ages 5 through 12 of the NEPSY sample, as well as for the younger (5 to 8 years, n = 400) and older (9 to 12 years, n = 400) age bands, to explore possible differences in test structure at different developmental epochs. Using four standard fit indices, results indicated that a 5-factor model was less than adequate for the entire sample and produced negative error variance for the younger and older age groups, making any solutions for the two subgroups inadmissible. A 4-factor model without the Attention/Executive Function subtests produced satisfactory fit statistics for the entire sample and the younger group, but did not fit the data as well for the older group. A 1-factor model did not fit well for the full sample. These results indicated that the structure for the NEPSY is not invariant across development, with the 4-factor model best fitting the data for the younger age group and for the entire school-age sample.
Reliability, Factorial Validity, and Means on the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale: A UK University Sample
Authors: Abdel-Khalek Ahmed M. , Maltby John
Published: May 2009

A sample of 243 (114 men and 129 women) British university undergraduates ( M age = 22.5 yr., 52? = 5.8; M age = 22.0 yr., SD = 5.7, respectively) completed the English version of the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale. Principal components analysis with the use of parallel analysis and a scree test suggest that in the current sample the items form a single factor and show a coefficient alpha of .92, denoting high internal consistency. No significant mean difference was found by sex. By and large, the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale can be recommended for use in research among college students in the United Kingdom.
Month and Season of Birth are Not Associated with Extraversion and Neuroticism in an Egyptian Sample
Authors: Abdel-Khalek Ahmed M.
Published: May 2009

In a sample of 828 (383 men and 445 women) Egyptian undergraduates ( M age = 19.6 yr., SD=1.7), scores on Extraversion and Neuroticism scales of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire were neither associated with the month nor the season of birth.
Multivariate Autoregressive Cross-Lagged Modeling of the Reciprocal Longitudinal Relationship between Perceived Control and Academic Achievement
Authors: Hong Sehee , You Sukkyung , Kim Eun-Joo , Kim Joohan
Published: May 2009

Although many studies have demonstrated positive associations between perceived control and academic achievement, few studies have actually explored which of the two constructs is the determinant of the other. There are only a few longitudinal studies on the relationship of perceived control and academic achievement. The present study examined the reciprocal longitudinal relation between perceived control and academic achievement. Further, considering the multiethnic background of the USA, this study investigated how the relationship between two constructs varies with ethnicity. Using a randomly selected sample of 1,500 students from Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White groups in the National Education Longitudinal Study data, Autoregressive Cross-lagged Modeling was performed to get a complete picture of the longitudinal relationship. Results showed a positive longitudinal effect of academic achievement on perceived control across the ethnic groups. Explanations for these findings are discussed.
Association of Suicide Rates for Elderly Age Bands with Gender Equality
Authors: Shah Ajit
Published: May 2009

A lower sex ratio (male to female) of elderly suicide rates in several Asian countries have been attributed to gender inequality on several parameters. The association of two proxy measures of gender equality (value of the gender empowerment measure and the gender-related development index) and the male to female sex ratio of suicide rates in the age bands 65–74 yr. and 75+ yr. was examined using multiple linear regression. The two proxy measures of gender equality did not account for significant variance in the male to female sex ratio of suicide rates in the age bands 65–74 yr. and 75+ yr. Association of gender equality with the male to female sex ratio of suicide rates requires further clarification in both cross-sectional studies across different countries and longitudinal studies within individual countries for all age bands. Such studies should, in addition to the GEM and the GDI, include other measures of gender equality including sex differences in educational attainment, income, poverty, housing, employment, access to healthcare and social welfare services, and urbanisation.
Relationships between being Traditional and Sense of Gratitude among Taiwanese High School Athletes
Authors: Kee Ying Hwa , Tsai Ying-Mei , Chen Lung Hung
Published: May 2009

This study examined the association of scores on measures of traditionality and gratitude. Briefly defined, traditionality refers to how strongly one endorses the traditional value of submission to authority for harmony and benefits in a collective group. Traditional Taiwanese culture is linked with collectivism, and the society tends to encourage members to respect authority and harmony. As people of a collectivistic view seek to maintain harmony within the group, gratitude and reciprocity of good is expected from members. Nevertheless, traditionality of values differs among group members, as is also true for gratitude. It is not known how scores on traditionality might relate to feelings of gratitude among athletes in the competitive sports setting. 289 Taiwanese high school athletes were administered the Sport-domain Gratitude Questionnaire by Chen and Kee and the Traditionality Scale by Kao and Lu. Data, subjected to structural equation modeling, show that traditionality scores were related to those on gratitude. Implications and limitations were discussed.
Microswitch for Vocalization Responses: Comparing Single- versus Dual-Microphone Arrangements for a Man with Multiple Disabilities
Authors: Lancioni G. E. , O'Reilly M. F. , Singh N. N. , Sigafoos J. , Oliva D.
Published: May 2009

Microswitches are technical devices designed to enable persons with multiple disabilities to control environmental events, generally preferred stimuli such as music and lights, using simple/feasible responses. For example, a sound-detecting microswitch may allow a person to turn on brief periods of preferred stimulation through simple vocal responses. This study compared the accuracy of two versions of a sound-detecting microswitch, i.e., one using a throat microphone and the other both throat and airborne microphones, for a man with multiple disabilities. Analysis showed that the latter microswitch version radically reduced the false activations present with the former microswitch version. Thus, the latter version seemed to have a clear accuracy advantage over the former with important practical implications.
How people react to a deadline: time distribution of conference registrations and fee payments
Authors: Alfi Valentina , Gabrielli Andrea , Pietronero Luciano
Published: May 2009

In this paper we present two simple mathematical models to describe human behavior in reaction to deadlines. When a real commitment (e.g. money) is involved, as in the case of a payment deadline, the expected reaction is to postpone it as close as possible to the deadline to minimize the risk of loosing the value. For low risk commitments this tendency is still present but expected to be looser. In order to test these predictions in a quantitative way, we performed data analysis for the total number of registrations and fee payments vs. time for the recent scientific conference “Statphys 23”, comparing it with the data of another conference in order to recover universal features. Two related models respectively for registrations (weak engagement) and fee payment (strong engagement) are then introduced which are able to explain in a simple way both behaviors, and which show an excellent agreement with real data.
Discrete angle rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in a Ga matrix
Authors: Be’er Avraham , Kofman Richard , Lereah Yossi
Published: May 2009

Spontaneous instabilities of nanoparticles are known to be influenced by the temperature, and strongly depend on the particle size. However, it is not clear what is the role of the surrounding material that is in contact with the particle. Here we report on the difference between spontaneous rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in amorphous SiO and those embedded in liquid Ga. The phenomenon was studied quantitatively by time resolved transmission electron microscopy using Fourier Transform analysis of highresolution electron microscopy images. While rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in amorphous SiO occur by all angles, the rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in liquid Ga occur by discrete angles. Our results point quantitatively, for the first time, to the role and importance of the contacting surrounding surface during the rotation of nanoparticles.
Glycosylated Oligo(ethynylene)s via a Pd/Zn-Mediated Cross-Coupling Reaction
Authors: Hoheisel Tobias N. , Frauenrath Holger
Published: May 2009

The synthesis of higher oligo(ethynylene)s represents a challenge in modern organic chemistry, because of their decreasing stability with increasing length and side-product formation during the reaction. Recently, we reported the development of a mild and convenient sp–sp
carbon heterocoupling protocol for the preparation of glycosylated oligo(ethynylene)s based on the Negishi reaction. The application of this protocol in combination with a one-step desilylation-bromination allowedfor the sequential synthesis of glycosylated oligo(ethynylene)s up to the octayne.
Brain edema formation and neurological impairment after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats
Authors: Thal Serge C. , Sporer Sonja , Klopotowski Mariusz , Thal Simone E. , Woitzik Johannes , Schmid-Elsaesser Robert , Plesnila Nikolaus , Zausinger Stefan
Published: May 2009

Object

Global cerebral edema is an independent risk factor for early death and poor outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In the present study, the time course of brain edema formation, neurological deficits, and neuronal cell loss were investigated in the rat filament SAH model.

Methods

Brain water content and neurological deficits were determined in rats randomized to sham (1-, 24-, or 48-hour survival), SAH by endovascular perforation (1-, 24-, or 48-hour survival), or no surgery (control). The neuronal cell count (CA1–3) was quantified in a separate set of SAH (6-, 24-, 48-, or 72-hour survival) and shamoperated animals.

Results

Brain water content increased significantly 24 (80.2 ± 0.4% [SAH] vs 79.2 ± 0.1% [sham]) and 48 hours (79.8 ± 0.2% [SAH] vs 79.3 ± 0.1% [sham]) after SAH. The neuroscore was significantly worse after SAH (33 ± 15 [24 hours after SAH] vs 0 ± 0 points [sham]) and correlated with the extent of brain edema formation (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). No hippocampal damage was present up to 72 hours after SAH.

Conclusions

Brain water content and neurological dysfunction reached a maximum at 24 hours after SAH. This time point, therefore, seems to be optimal to test the effects of therapeutic interventions on brain edema formation. Neuronal cell loss was not present in CA1–3 up to 72 hours of SAH. Therefore, morphological damage needs to be evaluated at later time points.