bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distances to on‐ and off‐premise alcohol outlets and experiences of alcohol‐related amenity problems
Authors: WILKINSON CLAIRE , LIVINGSTON MICHAEL
Published: September 2011

Introduction and Aims. There are a number of studies in recent years that have examined the relationship of alcohol outlets to the incidence of alcohol‐related problems. Only a small number of these studies examine the types of alcohol‐related problems which may be considered amenity problems, such as neighbourhood disturbance, litter and noise. This paper examines the association between the proximity of someone's home to alcohol outlets and their experience of public amenity problems.

Design and Methods. Data came from an Australian general population survey: the Alcohol's Harm to Others Survey (2008). Two thousand six hundred and forty‐nine Australians aged 18 years and over were asked about their experiences of a number of amenity‐type problems and the distance they lived to the nearest on‐ and off‐premise alcohol outlet.

Results. Bivariate results showed that respondents living closer to on‐ and off‐premise outlets reported more problems, with minor differences by distance to on‐ and off‐premise outlet. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, controlling for possible confounding effects of the respondent and neighbourhood characteristics, living closer to on‐premise outlets was independently associated with reporting being kept awake or disturbed at night and living closer to an off‐premise outlet was independently associated with reporting property damage.

Discussion and Conclusions. A possible interpretation of the results is that respondents living close to on‐ and off‐premise outlets experience more amenity problems than those living further away, but that these experiences are concentrated among demographic groups who live in these areas. Direction of influence cannot be inferred from these cross‐sectional findings.[Wilkinson C, Livingston M. Distances to on‐ and off‐premise alcohol outlets and experiences of alcohol‐related amenity problems. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:394–401]
Baseline assessment of community knowledge and attitudes toward drug use and harm reduction in Kabul, Afghanistan
Authors: STANEKZAI MOHAMMAD RAZA , TODD CATHERINE S. , ORR MARK G. , BAYAN SHAIRSHAH , RASULI MOHAMMAD ZAFAR , WARDAK SAIFUR‐REHMAN , STRATHDEE STEFFANIE A.
Published: September 2011

Introduction and Aims. Problem drug use has been identified as a significant public health problem in Afghanistan. The study aim was to assess community knowledge and attitude toward drug use and harm reduction in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Design and Methods. A cross‐sectional convenience sample of community representatives of 10 possible professions were recruited, distributed between the 17 Kabul city districts in 2007. A questionnaire measured sociodemographic characteristics and awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward drug use and harm reduction. Logistic regression and cluster analysis were performed to test for associations with participant attitude.

Results. Of 210 participants, mean age was 36.7 years. Most (98.6%) were Afghan and employed (87.6%). Most (88.6%) were aware of problem drug use in Afghanistan, primarily attributed to unemployment. The majority of participants agreed that addiction is a disease (88.6%) and believed more and better treatment and vocational training facilities were needed (90.5%). Use of only punitive measures in response to drug use was favoured by few (7.1%) participants. Only 33.3% of participants could correctly identify legal consequences of drug use.

Discussion and Conclusions. Community acknowledgement of problem drug use and support for addiction treatment are present in Kabul, Afghanistan. However, knowledge gaps concerning drug laws and harm reduction should be addressed in efforts to introduce culturally appropriate harm reduction programming.[Stanekzai MR, Todd CS, Orr MG, Bayan S, Rasuli MZ, Wardak S‐R, Strathdee SA. Baseline assessment of community knowledge and attitudes toward drug use and harm reduction in Kabul, Afghanistan. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:451–460]
Permit Trading: Merely an Efficiency‐Neutral Redistribution away from Climate‐Change Victims?*
Authors: Godal Odd , Holtsmark Bjart
Published: September 2011

In this paper, we present a climate‐policy game with international emissions trading, where governments first select their amounts of emissions permits. These permits are transferred to firms, and then traded competitively on an international market. Compared with a game without trading, we find that the potential efficiency gains from permit trading, which have been identified in other studies, are totally undone if governments also employ a tax or subsidy on domestic emissions. The only effect of permit trading in this case is a redistribution of income away from those most affected by climate change.
Events, Politics and Patterns of Policy‐Making: Impact of Major Incidents on Health Sector Regulatory Reforms in the UK and Japan
Authors: Kodate Naonori
Published: September 2011

This article examines the major malpractice incidents in the late 1990s through early 2000s in the UK and Japan, comparing how these incidents opened up pathways for a new type of hospital regulation in each case. Applying John Kingdon's three‐stream model of agenda‐setting and policy change, the article argues that governance arrangements as well as the policy instruments that a government has at its disposal determine how an event could be translated into a political agenda by throwing light on the problems within the public domain. The long‐term effect of such adverse events is therefore determined by how open the relevant institutional arrangements are, and is enhanced if actors constantly scrutinize the system by proactively setting the agenda. A higher level of political accountability in the UK led to British politicians taking a greater role in promoting patient‐led reforms than Japanese counterparts. However, a political system with clear accountability is more conscious of its own involvement and any potential blame it might receive for policy failures. Therefore, the political class could become more engaged in continuous reforms and the delegation of tasks rather than a constant search for remedial actions. The article sheds light on the interactive aspects of the particular triggering events discussed through the decade of regulatory developments in the two health‐care systems.
Childhood attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder as an extreme of a continuous trait: a quantitative genetic study of 8,500 twin pairs
Authors: Larsson Henrik , Anckarsater Henrik , Råstam Maria , Chang Zheng , Lichtenstein Paul
Published: September 2011

Background:  Although the clinical utility of categorically defined attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is well established, there is also strong evidence supporting the notion of ADHD as an extreme of a continuous trait. Nevertheless, the question of whether the etiology is the same for different levels of DSM–IV ADHD symptoms remains to be investigated. The aim of this study was to assess genetic links between the extreme and the subthreshold range of ADHD symptoms.

Method:  Parents of all Swedish 9‐ and 12‐year‐old twins born between 1992 and 2000 were interviewed for DSM–IV ADHD symptoms and associated conditions. Two validated cutoff values were used for screening and assigning research diagnoses. Response rate was 80%. Twin methods were applied to investigate the extent to which ADHD is etiologically distinct from subthreshold variations in ADHD symptoms.

Results:  Extremes analyses indicated a strong genetic link between the extreme and the subthreshold variation, with almost identical group heritability estimates around .60 for the diagnostic (prevalence 1.78%) and screening (prevalence 9.75%) criteria of ADHD.

Conclusion:  A strong genetic link between the extreme and the subthreshold variation of DSM–IV based assessments of ADHD symptoms was found. The data suggest that ADHD is best viewed as the quantitative extreme of genetic and environmental factors operating dimensionally throughout the distribution of ADHD symptoms, indicating that the same etiologic factors are involved in the full range of symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Ethanol‐induced increase in Fyn kinase activity in the dorsomedial striatum is associated with subcellular redistribution of protein tyrosine phosphatase α
Authors: Gibb Stuart L. , Hamida Sami Ben , Lanfranco Maria Fe , Ron Dorit
Published: September 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 879–889.

In vivo exposure of rodents to ethanol leads to a long‐lasting increase in Fyn kinase activity in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS). In this study, we set out to identify a molecular mechanism that contributes to the enhancement of Fyn activity in response to ethanol in the DMS. Protein tyrosine phosphatase α (PTPα) positively regulates the activity of Fyn, and we found that repeated systemic administration or binge drinking of ethanol results in an increase in the synaptic localization of PTPα in the DMS, the same site where Fyn resides. We also demonstrate that binge drinking of ethanol leads to an increase in Fyn activity and to the co‐localization of Fyn and PTPα in lipid rafts in the DMS. Finally, we show that the level of tyrosine phosphorylated (and thus active) PTPα in the synaptic fractions is increased in response to contingent or non‐contingent exposure of rats to ethanol. Together, our results suggest that the redistribution of PTPα in the DMS into compartments where Fyn resides is a potential mechanism by which the activity of the kinase is increased upon ethanol exposure. Such neuroadaptations could be part of a mechanism that leads to the development of excessive ethanol consumption.
Climate Change, Vulnerability, and Responsibility
Authors: Cuomo Chris J.
Published: September 2011

In this essay I present an overview of the problem of climate change, with attention to issues of interest to feminists, such as the differential responsibilities of nations and the disproportionate “vulnerabilities” of females, people of color, and the economically disadvantaged in relation to climate change. I agree with others that justice requires governments, corporations, and individuals to take full responsibility for histories of pollution, and for present and future greenhouse gas emissions. Nonetheless I worry that an overemphasis on household and personal‐sphere fossil fuel emissions distracts from attention to higher‐level corporate and governmental responsibilities for addressing the problem of climate change. I argue that more attention should be placed on the higher‐level responsibilities of corporations and governments, and I discuss how individuals might more effectively take responsibility for addressing global climate change, especially when corporations and governments refuse to do so.
Unity and Difference: A Critical Appraisal of Polarizing Gender Identities
Authors: Adair Stephanie
Published: September 2011

In The Phenomenology of Spirit, Hegel draws out the interdependency of unity and difference. In order to have a unity, there must be differences that compose it, as a unity unifies different elements. At the same time, in unifying these elements, they must not cease to be different from one another, as that would reduce the unity to a simple singularity.

In this paper, I take up this interdependency of unity and difference, applying it to gender identities. I follow the psychoanalytically oriented exchange between Judith Butler and Adam Phillips, in which they agree that gender identities are a farce, superimposed upon ungendered subjects, but disagree about the extent to which this artificial binary should be disassembled. Picking up their conversation at this point, I investigate how binary systems of identity can be both injurious and useful. Should they be cast off or does it make sense to keep them? Following this vein of thought, I end with a discussion of good and bad hate, arguing that there is an inescapable need for psychologically productive hate neutralized through empathy.
The Sensory Field and Repeatability of the Cutaneous Trunci Muscle Reflex of the Dog
Authors: Muguet‐Chanoit Audrey C. , Olby Natasha J. , Babb Kellett M. , Lim Ji‐Hey , Gallagher Ryan , Niman Zachary , Dillard Stacy , Campbell James
Published: September 2011

Objective

To describe the cutaneous trunci muscle (CTM) reflex in dogs.

Study Design

Prospective descriptive study.

Animals

Normal dogs (n = 155) and 10 dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathies.

Methods

The CTM reflex caudal border was assessed from the ilial crests moving cranially until a CTM contraction was elicited. The lateral borders were evaluated at 4 levels and the distance from the midline to the lateral border was expressed as a percentage of the trunk hemicircumference. The caudal border was assessed in 10 dogs with myelopathies by 4 different observers and by 1 observer on 3 occasions; the inter‐ and intraobserver kappa coefficient was calculated.

Results

The CTM reflex was elicited in all dogs. Its caudal border was at L5 or L6 in 153 dogs and at L1 and L3 in 2 dogs. The lateral field of the reflex occupied >50% of the hemicircumference of the trunk at each level tested. The mean difference in measurement of the reflex caudal border was 0.55 cm between observers and 0.28 cm for the same observer. The inter‐ and intraobserver kappa coefficient was 0.67 and 0.87, respectively.

Conclusions

The CTM reflex is elicited caudal to L5 in most normal dogs, and the lateral sensory field extends to 50% or more of the circumference of the trunk. Inter‐ and intraobserver differences in assessment of the caudal border are low.
Prospective Comparison of Cisterna Chyli Ablation to Pericardectomy for Treatment of Spontaneously Occurring Idiopathic Chylothorax in the Dog
Authors: McAnulty Jonathan F.
Published: September 2011

Objective

Prospective comparison of cisterna chyli ablation (CCA) or pericardectomy (PC) for chylothorax.

Study Design

Randomized prospective study.

Subject Population

Dogs with idiopathic chylothorax (n= 23).

Methods

Dogs were treated by thoracic duct ligation (TDL) with eitherCCA(n= 12) orPC(n= 11). Long‐term outcomes, intraoperative central venous pressures (CVPs) and pericardial histology were assessed. Dogs with persistent chylothorax were offered retreatment by the alternative procedure.

Results

Ten (83%) dogs treated byCCA‐TDLand 6 (60%) treated byPC‐TDLresolved their chylothorax. Retreatment in 4 dogs resulted in resolution in 2 dogs and 2 perioperative deaths. Four dogs developed nonchylous effusions; 2 of which resolved after initiating steroid therapy, 1 of which was unsuccessfully treated byPC, and 1 continues to be managed by thoracocentesis 6.5 years later.CVPs were normal in most dogs and unaffected byPC. On histology, pericardial tissues had extensive external surface fibrosis with mild inflammation. On follow‐up (≤6.5 years), no recurrence of pleural effusions occurred after initial resolution.

Conclusions

CCA‐TDLappears to offer improved outcomes over historical results withTDL. Results withPC‐TDLwere more variable for unknown reasons. Venous pressure measurements did not support the hypothesis that venous hypertension was involved in chylothorax or response to therapy in these dogs.
Improved Oxidation Resistance of Zirconium Carbide at 1500°C by Lanthanum Hexaboride Additions
Authors: Zhao Liyou , Jia Dechang , Duan Xiaoming , Yang Zhihua , Zhou Yu
Published: September 2011

Addition of LaB6 is adopted to improve the oxidation resistance of ZrC at 1500°C. Mixed powder of ZrC‐25 vol% LaB6 is reactively hot pressed at 1900°C for 30 min under vacuum with an applied pressure of 25 MPa. The LaB6 reacts with ZrC to form ZrB2 and a layered La‐containing phase. ZrB2 improves the oxidation resistance of ZrC in static air. The La‐containing phase is beneficial to increasing the relative density of oxide scale during oxidation and in enhancing the oxide scale stability during exposure to thermal cycles.
Sintering Effect on Microstructure and Properties of (K,Na)NbO3 Ceramics
Authors: Zhang Shujun , Lee Hyeong Jae , Ma Cheng , Tan Xiaoli
Published: September 2011

(K,Na)NbO3 (KNN) lead‐free ceramics were fabricated using conventional solid‐state reaction method. The domain configurations were studied with transmission electron microscopy and found to be closely related to the sintering temperature and cooling rate. High density ceramics with uniform compositions were obtained when sintered at 1200°C with a slow cooling rate, resulting in the improved piezoelectric properties, with d33 on the order of 150–160 pC/N, which is comparable to the hot pressed KNN ceramics. The microstructures of the ceramics synthesized at various conditions were explained in terms of the solid‐solution characteristics of KNN system, based on the high temperature phase diagram. The relationship of processing parameter–microstructure–property established herein will lead to further improvements in the piezoelectric properties of KNN lead‐free materials.
Temperature Dependence of the Piezoelectric Coefficient in BiMeO3‐PbTiO3 (Me = Fe, Sc, (Mg1/2Ti1/2)) Ceramics
Authors: Leist Thorsten , Chen Jun , Jo Wook , Aulbach Emil , Suffner Jens , Rödel Jürgen
Published: September 2011

The piezoelectric coefficient of high temperature piezoelectric ceramics, denoted as Bi(Me)O3‐PbTiO3, (Me = Fe, Sc, (Mg1/2Ti1/2)) was investigated as a function of temperature by using a custom‐designed test frame. Utilizing laser vibrometry, it was possible to assess the piezoelectric coefficient in situ in the range from room temperature to 500°C. The constraints on the sample geometry as they exist in the commonly used resonance/antiresonance technique such as those encountered during poling were circumvented by the use of the converse piezoelectric effect. Comparison with literature data revealed that the current method is a useful alternative for determining the depolarization temperature (Td), defined as the inflection point in a temperature‐dependent d33 plot. Measured Td for each poled specimen was compared with that determined by dielectric permittivity as well as temperature‐dependent X‐ray diffraction data to understand a possible origin of Td. It was also shown that Td matches with the temperature where the dielectric anomaly initiates, and hence Td from the d33 measurement is consistently lower than that from the dielectric permittivity measurement. It is proposed that this discrepancy in the position of Td is due to the fact that the depolarization occurs in two steps.
Assessment of Bone Age Based on Morphometric Study of the Upper End of the Humerus*
Authors: Zydek Leszek , Barzdo Maciej , Meissner Ewa , Berent Prof. Jaroslaw
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  Assessment of changes in the spongy bone structure of the upper end of the humerus is one of the common methods of age estimation. This method was devised many years ago (1894) and has never been verified in an objective numerical testing. We projected an objective morphometric method assessment of the upper end of the humerus. The study was carried out on humeri from cadavers of 88 men and 84 women. The surface area of atrophy of the spongy structure (medullary cavity) was calculated on the longitudinal section of the humerus. A new morphometric method was applied, which allowed numerical presentation of results. The results of the study show a lack of statistical correlation between atrophy of the spongy structure within the upper end of the humerus and the chronological age. Therefore, it can be concluded that the assessment of humerus structure should be omitted in the forensic medical age estimation.
Forensic Scatology: Preliminary Experimental Study of the Preparation and Potential for Identification of Captive Carnivore Scat
Authors: Gilmour Rebecca J. , Skinner Mark F.
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  Carnivore scats recovered from animal attack and/or scavenging contexts frequently contain forensic evidence such as human bone fragments. Forensic cases with carnivore involvement are increasingly prevalent, necessitating a methodology for the recovery and analysis of scat evidence. This study proposes a method for the safe preparation of carnivore scat, recovery of bone inclusions, and quantification and comparison of scat variables. Fourteen scats (lion, jaguar, lynx, wolf, and coyote) were prepared with sodium‐acetate‐formalin fixative; analytical variables included carnivore individual, species, body size, and taxonomic family. Scat variables, particularly bone fragment inclusions, were found to vary among carnivore individuals, families, species, and sizes. The methods in this study facilitate safe scat processing, the complete recovery of digested evidence, and the preliminary identification of involved animals. This research demonstrates that scat collected from forensic contexts can yield valuable information concerning both the victim and the carnivore involved.
Vps26A and Vps26B Subunits Define Distinct Retromer Complexes
Authors: Bugarcic Andrea , Zhe Yang , Kerr Markus C. , Griffin John , Collins Brett M. , Teasdale Rohan D.
Published: September 2011

The trimeric Vps29–Vps35–Vps26 sub‐complex of retromer mediates retrograde transport of transmembrane proteins from endosomes to the trans‐Golgi network. Our group has recently identified a Vps26 paralogue, Vps26B, which is able to suppress the expression of Vps26A when exogenously expressed in mammalian cells and defines a distinct retromer complex (Vps26B‐retromer) in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we use HEK293 cells stably expressing either Vps26A‐myc or Vps26B‐myc to address the role of retromer cargo transport and subcellular localization of the two core retromer complexes as defined by the two mammalian‐specific Vps26 paralogues. Vps26B‐retromer, like Vps26A‐retromer, associates with TBC1D5 and GOLPH3. In contrast, no interaction between Vps26B‐retromer and cation‐independent mannose 6‐phosphate receptor (CI‐M6PR) was detected, leading to a degradation of this receptor and an increase in cathepsin D secretion. Colocalization of Vps26 paralogues with different endosomally located Rab proteins shows prolonged association of Vps26B‐retromer with maturing endosomes relative to Vps26A‐retromer. Interestingly, the cycling of CI‐M6PR is restored upon deletion of the variable Vps26B C‐terminal region indicating that this region is directly responsible for the differential function of the two paralogues. In summary, we show that the two distinct retromer complexes defined by different Vps26 paralogues are not functionally equivalent and that the Vps26B C‐terminal region can control cargo selection of the Vps26B‐retromer.
Association of P1635 and P1655 polymorphisms in dysbindin (DTNBP1) gene with schizophrenia
Authors: Alizadeh Fatemeh , Tabatabaiefar Mohammad Amin , Ghadiri Mohammad , Yekaninejad Mir Saeed , Jalilian Nazanin , Noori-Daloii Mohammad Reza
Published: September 2011

Objectives: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 1% in most of the populations studied. SCZ is multifactorial with the contribution of multiple susceptibility genes that could act in conjunction with epigenetic processes and environmental factors. There is some evidence supporting the association between genetic variants in dysbindin (DTNBP1) gene and SCZ in populations. In this study, we investigated the association between polymorphisms P1635 and P1655 in dysbindin gene with SCZ.

Methods: Totally, 115 unrelated patients with SCZ and 117 unrelated healthy volunteers were studied. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood. Genotyping was done with the PCR-RFLP method. The allele and genotype associations were analysed with X2 test. The Benjamini-Hochberg procedure was used to correct p values for multiple comparisons.

Results: The results showed no significant difference between patients and controls in allelic frequencies or genotypic distributions of SNP P1635 (p = 0.809), but a significant difference between the case and control groups for SNP P1655 (p = 0.009) was found. We could also find a significant positive association between A-C haplotype and SCZ (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.18–2.42; p = 0.004, pc = 0.02) and a protective effect for A-G haplotype (p = 0.003, OR = 0.57, 95% CI 1.18–2.42; p = 0.003, pc = 0.02).

Conclusion: This study may provide further support for the association between SNP polymorphisms in DTNBP1 and SCZ in the Iranian population. Studies with more markers and subjects for various populations will be necessary to understand the genetic contribution of the gene to the development of SCZ.
Changes of ultrastructure and downregulation of heat shock protein 70 and fibroblast growth factor 2 in gastric mucosa of rats with depressive-like behaviour
Authors: Hou Gonglin , Tang Mingming , Yan Linlin , Wang Mingming
Published: September 2011

Objective: To understand the underlying mechanism of gastric symptoms in patients with depressive disorder.

Methods: This study tested in the rat depression model evoked with chronic mild stress whether the microstructure gastric mucosa is injured using scanning electronic microscopy and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). In addition, the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) proteins in the gastric mucosa were measured by Western blotting.

Results: We found that the gastric epithelial cells were ruptured and the gastric pits were widened in rats with depression. The amount of mucous granules was also reduced in the surface mucous cells. Moreover, parietal cells became active, and the secretory canaliculi were magnified. Expression of HSP70 and FGF2 was reduced in the gastric mucosa.

Conclusions: These findings suggested that gastric symptoms in rats with depressive-like behaviour were caused by the injury of the gastric mucosa, AQ1 and HSP70 and FGF2 may be key molecules in the pathogenesis.
Linoleic acid positioning in psi factor producing oxygenase A, a fusion protein with an atypical cytochrome P450 activity
Authors: Koch Christian , Fielding Alistair J. , Brodhun Florian , Bennati Marina , Feussner Ivo
Published: September 2011

Psi factor producing oxygenases (Ppos) are fusion proteins consisting of a peroxidase‐like functionality in the N‐terminus and a P450‐fold in the C‐terminal part of the polypeptide chain. It was shown that they are responsible for the production of oxidized fatty acids that play a pivotal role in the control of fungal colonization of plant and mammalian hosts. The similarity of the primary structure of the single domains to various host‐derived oxylipin‐forming enzymes and functional conservation of these enzymatic activities was the basis for prediction of the 3D conformations of the single domains of a prototype Ppo enzyme. We were able to predict a putative substrate binding pocket in the N‐terminal domain of the enzyme and support this finding by site‐directed mutagenesis. With the proposed substrate binding mode all known determinants of oxygen insertion are in a reasonable spatial arrangement for catalysis. Additionally, we could identify an arginine and show its involvement in substrate binding by kinetic analysis of the respective variant. While substrate position in the dioxygenase domain is well defined, our results indicate that the substrate binding to the P450 domain is rather unconstrained. Nevertheless an asparagine residue within the I‐helix is shown to be involved in catalysis and promotes a shortcut of the typical P450 reaction cycle. Taken together, the results presented here exemplify that fatty acids are oxidized in all kingdoms of life by structural and functional highly conserved enzymes.
Dissociation of Blood Pressure and Resistance Artery Structure: Potential Clinical Implications
Authors: Christensen Kent L. , Buus Niels H.
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  Essential hypertension (EH) is associated with structural changes in small arteries (SMASCH) in terms of wall thickening and lumen narrowing throughout the entire resistance circulation. This remodelling process occurs early in EH development and is an important contributor to the elevation of vascular resistance. SMASCH also decreases the vasodilatory capability leading to demand‐related organ dysfunction (e.g. microvascular angina) and later contributes to organ failure as seen in hypertensive heart and renal failure. In large groups of patients, office blood pressure (BP) precisely predicts strokes and myocardial infarctions, but it is difficult to apply risk prediction equations based on studies of large numbers of patients in individual patients. Office BP may be a rather poor predictor of future cardiovascular events. Adding other risk factors unrelated to BP (SCORE factors) improves risk prediction, and in subgroups with intermediate risk, there may be added value of considering BP‐related parameters such as albuminuria or left ventricular hypertrophy. Being directly related to the process of hyper‐resistance and dissociated from BP itself, measurements of SMASCH may contribute to risk over and above office BP and other traditional risk parameters. Furthermore, as only antihypertensive treatment regimens resulting in vasodilatation seem to improve SMASCH, this parameter has the potential to guide and improve the management of EH. SMASCH can be assessed, for example, by plethysmography in the forearm or by echocardiography in the heart. These techniques are accurate and reproducible and could constitute part of the diagnostic apparatus for EH patients. This review focuses on methodological issues of SMASCH, haemodynamic consequences, implementation in the clinical setting and suggestions for future research.
Sudomotor responses from glabrous and non‐glabrous skin during cognitive and painful stimulations following passive heating
Authors: Machado‐Moreira C. A. , Taylor N. A. S.
Published: September 2011

Aim:  It is widely accepted that thermal and psychological sweating are independently controlled and respectively restricted to non‐glabrous (hairy) and glabrous skin. These assumptions were evaluated in six experiments conducted across eight body segments, in which 38 glabrous and non‐glabrous skin surfaces were investigated.

Methods:  Sweating was measured in 30 passively heated individuals using ventilated sweat capsules, with passive heating used to first establish steady‐state sweating, averaging 0.30 mg cm−2 min−1 (±0.03) across all sites, prior to the application of cognitive and painful stimuli.

Results:  These non‐thermal (psychological) stimulations significantly increased sweat secretion at more than 70% of the sites investigated [cognitive: 28 of 38 sites (P < 0.05); pain: 23 of 32 sites (P < 0.05)], eliciting peak sweat rates averaging 0.51 mg cm−2 min−1 (±0.05) and 0.47 mg cm−2 min−1 (±0.4 respectively) across all sites. Furthermore, non‐thermal sweating was evident from both the glabrous and non‐glabrous surfaces and occurred without mean body or local skin temperatures changes (P > 0.05). Indeed, neither thermal nor psychological sweating was restricted to discrete skin surfaces, and there were no consistent sudomotor differences between these two skin classifications. Finally, at no site was thermal sweating inhibited during a non‐thermal stimulation.

Conclusion:  These generalized sudomotor responses challenge the hypotheses that glabrous skin sweating is driven by psychological stimuli, and that thermal sweating is a phenomenon restricted to the non‐glabrous skin surfaces.
Brain areas involved in synaesthesia: A review
Authors: Rouw Romke , Scholte H. Steven , Colizoli Olympia
Published: September 2011

Despite a recent upsurge of research, much remains unknown about the neurobiological mechanisms underlying synaesthesia. By integrating results obtained so far in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies, this contribution sheds light on the role of particular brain regions in synaesthetic experiences. First, in accordance with its sensory nature, it seems that the sensory brain areas corresponding to the type of synaesthetic experience are activated. Synaesthetic colour experiences can activate colour regions in occipito‐temporal cortex, but this is not necessarily restricted to V4. Furthermore, sensory and motor brain regions have been obtained that extend beyond the particular type of synaesthesia studied. Second, differences in experimental setup, number and type of synaesthetes tested, and method to delineate regions of interest may help explain inconsistent results obtained in the BOLD‐MRI (Blood Oxygen Level Dependent functional MRI) studies. Third, an overview of obtained results shows that a network of brain areas rather than a single brain region underlies synaesthesia. Six brain regions of overlapping results emerge, these regions are in sensory and motor regions as well as ‘higher level’ regions in parietal and frontal lobe. We propose that these regions are related to three different cognitive processes inherently part of synaesthesia; the sensory processes, the (attentional) ‘binding’ processes, and cognitive control processes. Finally, we discuss how these functional and structural brain properties might relate to the development of synaesthesia. In particular, we believe this relationship is better understood by separating the question what underlies the presence of synaesthesia (‘trait’) from what determines particular synaesthetic associations (‘type’).
An independent component analysis of fMRI data of grapheme–colour synaesthesia
Authors: Specht Karsten , Laeng Bruno
Published: September 2011

The independent component analysis (ICA) method was applied to fMRI data from two synaesthetes and their matched controls while they performed the coloured‐word Stroop task and the single‐letter (synaesthetic) Stroop task. ICA identified an ‘attention’ network, a ‘perceptual’ network as well as a ‘conflict monitoring’ network. Increased activity was observed in right V4 during the single‐letter Stroop task for synaesthetes only. The finding confirms that the same neural substrate that is known to support the experience of physical colours also supports the experience of synaesthetic colours.
The automaticity of vantage point shifts within a synaesthetes’ spatial calendar
Authors: Jarick Michelle , Jensen Candice , Dixon Michael J. , Smilek Daniel
Published: September 2011

Time–space synaesthetes report that time units (e.g., months, days, hours) occupy idiosyncratic spatial locations. For the synaesthete (L), the months of the year are projected out in external space in the shape of a ‘scoreboard 7’, where January to July extend across the top from left to right and August to December make up the vertical segment from top to bottom. Interestingly, L can change the mental vantage point (MVP) from where she views her month‐space depending on whether she sees or hears the month name. We used a spatial cueing task to demonstrate that L's attention could be directed to locations within her time–space and change vantage points automatically – from trial to trial. We also sought to eliminate any influence of strategy on L's performance by shortening the interval between the cue and target onset to only 150 ms, and have the targets fall in synaesthetically cued locations on only 15% of trials. If L's performance was attributable to intentionally using the cue to predict target location, these manipulations should eliminate any cueing effects. In two separate experiments, we found that L still showed an attentional bias consistent with her synaesthesia. Thus, we attribute L's rapid and resilient cueing effects to the automaticity of her spatial forms.
Handedness and calendar orientations in time–space synaesthesia
Authors: Brang David , Teuscher Ursina , Miller Luke E , Ramachandran Vilayanur S. , Coulson Seana
Published: September 2011

In one common variant of time–space synaesthesia, individuals report the consistent experience of months bound to a spatial arrangement, commonly described as a circle extending outside of the body. Whereas the layout of these calendars has previously been thought to be relatively random and to differ greatly between synaesthetes, Study 1 provides the first evidence suggesting one critical aspect of these calendars is mediated by handedness: clockwise versus counter‐clockwise orientation. A study of 34 time–space synaesthetes revealed a strong association between handedness and the orientation of circular calendars. That is, left‐handed time–space synaesthetes tended to report counter‐clockwise arrangements and right‐handed synaesthetes clockwise. Study 2 tested whether a similar bias was present in non‐synaesthetes whose task was to memorize and recall the spatial configuration of a clockwise and counter‐clockwise calendar. Non‐synaesthetes’ relative performance on these two sorts of calendars was significantly correlated with their handedness scores in a pattern similar to synaesthetes. Specifically, left‐handed controls performed better on counter‐clockwise calendars compared to clockwise, and right‐handed controls on clockwise over counter‐clockwise. We suggest that the implicit biases seen in controls are mediated by similar mechanisms as in synaesthesia, highlighting the graded nature of synaesthetic associations.
The cross‐activation theory at 10
Authors: Hubbard Edward M. , Brang David , Ramachandran Vilayanur S.
Published: September 2011

In 2001, Ramachandran and Hubbard introduced the cross‐activation model of grapheme‐colour synaesthesia. On the occasion of its 10‐year anniversary, we review the evidence from experiments that have been conducted to test the model to assess how it has fared. We examine data from behavioural, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), anatomical studies (diffusion tensor imaging and voxel‐based morphometry), and electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies of grapheme‐colour synaesthesia. Although much of this evidence has supported the basic cross‐activation hypothesis, our growing knowledge of the neural basis of synaesthesia, grapheme, and colour processing has necessitated two specific updates and modifications to the basic model: (1) our original model assumed that binding and parietal cortex functions were normal in synaesthesia; we now recognize that parietal cortex plays a key role in synaesthetic binding, as part of a two‐stage model. (2) Based on MEG data we have recently collected demonstrating that synaesthetic responses begin within 140 ms of stimulus presentation, and an updated understanding of the neural mechanisms of reading as hierarchical feature extraction, we present a revised and updated version of the cross‐activation model, the cascaded cross‐tuning model. We then summarize data demonstrating that the cross‐activation model may be extended to account for other forms of synaesthesia and discuss open questions about how learning, development, and cortical plasticity interact with genetic factors to lead to the full range of synaesthetic experiences. Finally, we outline a number of future directions needed to further test the cross‐activation theory and to compare it with alternative theories.
Is synaesthesia one condition or many? A large‐scale analysis reveals subgroups
Authors: Novich Scott , Cheng Sherry , Eagleman David M.
Published: September 2011

Synaesthesia is a broadly defined neural phenomenon in which stimulation of a sense or concept triggers a second perception not normally associated with the stimulus. For example, letters or numbers may trigger a colour experience, sounds may trigger a taste sensation, or tastes may trigger a feeling of touch. Dozens of forms of synaesthesia have been reported, but the relationship between the different forms has not been studied: is someone with a particular form of synaesthesia likely to possess other types? If so, which ones? As an inroad to illuminating underlying mechanisms, we here examine which different synaesthesia types tend to co‐occur. We analyzed reports of the forms of synaesthesia experienced by 19,133 participants who completed the Synaesthesia Battery (Eagleman, Kagan, Nelson, Sagaram, & Sarma, 2007), using correlation analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and multidimensional scaling (MDS). Our analyses converged on the finding of five distinct groupings of synaesthesia forms. We label these coloured sequence synaesthesias (CSSs), coloured music synaesthesias, non‐visual sequela synaesthesias, spatial sequence synaesthesia (SSS), and coloured sensation synaesthesias. Collectively, our findings reveal that synaesthesia is an umbrella term that encompasses several distinct groups with independent probabilities of expression, and this may in turn suggest distinct underlying mechanisms and the possibility of different genetic bases.
Understanding grapheme personification: A social synaesthesia?
Authors: Amin Maina , Olu‐Lafe Olufemi , Claessen Loes E. , Sobczak‐Edmans Monika , Ward Jamie , Williams Adrian L. , Sagiv Noam
Published: September 2011

Much of synaesthesia research focused on colour, but not all cross‐domain correspondences reported by synaesthetes are strictly sensory. For example, some synaesthetes personify letters and numbers, in additional to visualizing them in colour. First reported in the 1890s, the phenomenon has been largely ignored by scientists for more than a century with the exception of a few single‐case reports. In the present study, we collected detailed self‐reports on grapheme personification using a questionnaire, providing us with a comprehensive description of the phenomenology of grapheme personification. Next, we documented the behavioural consequences of personifying graphemes using a congruity paradigm involving a gender judgement task; we also examined whether personification is associated with heightened empathy as measured using Empathy Quotient and found substantial individual differences within our sample. Lastly, we present the first neuroimaging case study of personification, indicating that the precuneus activation previously seen in other synaesthesia studies may be implicated in the process. We propose that frameworks for understanding synaesthesia could be extended into other domains of cognition and that grapheme personification shares more in common with normal cognition than may be readily apparent. This benign form of hyper‐mentalizing may provide a unique point of view on one of the most central problems in human cognition – understanding others’ state of mind.
Stromal Cell Derived Factor‐1 (SDF‐1) Targeting Reperfusion Reduces Myocardial Infarction in Isolated Rat Hearts
Authors: Jang Young‐Ho , Kim June‐Hong , Ban Changill , Ahn Kyohan , Cheong Jae‐Hun , Kim Hyung‐Hoi , Kim Jung‐Soo , Park Yong‐Hyun , Kim Jun , Chun Kook‐Jin , Lee Gyeong‐ Ho , Kim Miju , Kim Cheolmin , Xu Zhelong
Published: September 2011

Recent studies have shown that stromal cell derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1), first known as a cytokine involved in recruiting stem cells into injured organs, confers myocardial protection in myocardial infarction, which is not dependent on stem cell recruitment but related with modulation of ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the effect of SDF has been studied only in a preischemic exposure model, which is not clinically relevant if SDF is to be used as a therapeutic agent. Our study was aimed at evaluating whether or not SDF‐1 confers cardioprotection during the reperfusion period. Hearts from SD rats were isolated and perfused with the Langendorff system. Proximal left coronary artery ligation, reperfusion, and SDF perfusion in KH buffer was done according to study protocol. Area of necrosis (AN) relative to area at risk (AR) was the primary endpoint of the study. Significant reduction of AN/AR by SDF in an almost dose‐dependent manner was noted during both the preischemic exposure and reperfusion periods. In particular, infusion of a high concentration of SDF (25 nM/L) resulted in a dramatic reduction of infarct size, which was greater than that achieved with ischemic pre‐ or postconditioning. SDF perfusion during reperfusion was associated with a similar significant reduction of infarct size as preischemic SDF exposure. Further studies are warranted to assess the potential of SDF as a therapeutic agent for reducing I/R injury in clinical practice.
A comparative study of proximal hindlimb flexion in horses: 5 versus 60 seconds
Authors: ARMENTROUT A. R. , BEARD W. L. , WHITE B. J. , LILLICH J. D.
Published: September 2011

Reasons for performing study:The flexion test is routinely used in lameness and prepurchase examinations. There is no accepted standard for duration of flexion or evidence that interpretation of results would differ with different durations of flexion.

Hypothesis:There will be no difference in interpretation of proximal hindlimb flexion for 5 or 60 s.

Methods:Video recordings of lameness examinations of 34 client‐owned horses were performed that included: baseline lameness, proximal hindlimb flexion for 60 s, and flexion of the same limb for 5 s. Videos were edited to blind reviewers to the hypothesis being tested. The baseline lameness video from each horse was paired with each flexion to make 2 pairs of videos for each case. Twenty video pairs were repeated to assess intraobserver repeatability. Fifteen experienced equine clinicians were asked to review the baseline lameness video followed by the flexion test and grade the response to flexion as either positive or negative. Potential associations between the duration of flexion and the likelihood of a positive flexion test were evaluated using generalised linear mixed models. A kappa value was calculated to assess the degree of intraobserver agreement on the repeated videos. Significance level was set at P<0.05.

Results:Proximal hindlimb flexion of 60 s was more likely to be called positive than flexion of 5 s (P<0.0001), with the likelihood of the same interpretation 74% of the time. The first flexion performed was more likely to be called positive than subsequent flexions (P = 0.029). Intra‐assessor agreement averaged 75% with κ= 0.49.

Conclusions:Proximal hindlimb flexion of a limb for 5 s does not yield the same result as flexing a limb for 60 s.

Potential relevance:Shorter durations of flexion may be useful for clinicians that have good agreement with flexions of 5 and 60 s.
Narrative identity and forensic psychology: A commentary on Youngs and Canter
Authors: Ward Tony
Published: September 2011

Purpose. In this commentary, I will take a closer look atYoungs and Canter's (2011)paper on narrative roles in offending and examine the ideas underpinning their study and its methodology.

Methods. I briefly overview some important theoretical ideas within the area of narrative research and highlight a number of unresolved and crucial issues. I then summarize the Youngs and Canter paper, concentrating on explicating its findings and identifying the major assumptions underpinning the study. Finally, I critically examine the paper in light of narrative research and theory.

Result. There are three classes of problems evident in the paper, which map onto issues evident within the broader field of narrative theory and research. These problems are definitional vagueness, lack of clarity concerning the nature of the self and its relationship to narrative roles, and methodological problems involving reliability and validity.

Conclusion. The Youngs and Canter paper makes an important contribution to the application of narrative theory to the forensic and correctional areas although there are some areas of weakness.