bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of reproduction in two populations of the insectivorous bats, Otomops martiensseni, at latitudes 1°5′S and 2°30′S
Authors: Mutere Festo A.
Published: May 2010

The insectivorous bat under review, Otomops martiensseni (Matschie) is essentially an African bat with a distribution from down south to as far north as Kenya. It is cave‐dwelling and does not appear to occur in West Africa. In this study, reproduction of two populations, one at Suswa in the Rift Valley, latitude 1°5′S and the other at Ithundu in the Chyulu Hills, latitude 2°30′S was investigated and compared. Regular monthly samples from both populations were collected commencing in March 1970 and running on to February 1972. The bats were processed in the laboratory for pregnancies, weights of testes and foetuses and other measurements and observations. Seasonality in the occurrence of pregnancies was observed in both populations, that is, from October to January only. Also the adult males realized a peak in their mean testicular weight in August, a short period just before the onset of pregnancies thus indicating the most likely time of mating. The female sexual cycle at Ithundu appears to be geared to the rainfall regime as measured at Makindu Meteorological Station about 10 km away. The male sexual cycle, on the other hand, shows a peak in the very dry months suggesting that such a dry spell may be more important than the rain. Molossid bats exhibit variation in their breeding cycles.

The breeding cycles of two populations of the cave dwelling insectivorous bat, O. martiensseni have been elucidated. In one population at Ithundu, the adult females show evidence of pregnancies from October to January and the adult males exhibit a peak in their sexual cycle in August. In the Suswa population, a similar state of affairs obtains. In both populations, there is the curious tendency for pregnancies to occur also in May at Suswa and Ithundu; and also in June in Ithundu. But as such pregnancies are not sustained in the ensuing months and are of extremely low magnitude, they cannot be regarded as constituting another breeding season. The peak in the adult male cycle occurred during the dry spell from June to September. The peak in pregnancies at Ithundu appears to coincide with the peak rainfall and it is possible that the same is true of Suswa. Considering that these bats are seasonal in their breeding and that they are only monotocous, their recruitment rate as shown by their age distribution is low.
Arthropod phylogeny—a modern synthesis*
Authors: Manton Sidnie M.
Published: May 2010

Factual evidence provided by the fields of functional morphology and of the newer functional studies of embryology using the concept of fate maps indicates that the Arthropoda are probably polyphyletic and that arthropodization has occurred at least three times, forming the phyla Crustacea, Chelicerata and Uniramia (Onychophora, Myriapoda, Hexapoda). When the latter left the sea they probably possessed a soft body and lobopodial limbs and showed incipient cephalization. Only the muscular haemocoelic mechanism of movement of the lobopodium, but not that of a parapodium, could have given rise to the jointed uniramian limbs. The three subphyla of the Uniramia are differentiated by their jaw mechanisms, associated head structure and limb‐bases. The habits associated with the divergence of the four myriapodan classes account for their morphological distinctions. The five hexapod classes differ from one another in leg‐base mechanisms and have probably been evolved independently from five groups of multilegged soft bodied ancestors with a head type contrasting with that of the Myriapoda. Reference is made to the great differences between arachnid adaptations of limbs, gaits, etc., to land life compared with those of the Uniramia. No new evidence is given concerning the status of the Trilobita.
Contamination of Peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) with fulmar stomach oil
Authors: Clarke Andrew
Published: May 2010

Since 1971, four peregrine falcons, Falco peregrinus, coated with an oil‐like contamination, have been received for analysis at Monks Wood Experimental Station. All were from north or west Scotland. The contamination from one bird was examined and found to be a highly weathered oil of recent biological origin. The biochemical evidence did not indicate an unequivocal source for the oil, but was compatible with the hypothesis, for which there is strong circumstantial evidence, of fouling by stomach oil from a fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis. The possible circumstances of the oiling are discussed. Stomach oil production by petrels and albatrosses is unlikely to have evolved solely in response to selection pressure for nest defence. Oiling by fulmars appears to a small, but possibly significant, cause of mortality in coastal peregrines.
Pre‐migratory fattening in three races of the Red‐billed quelea Quelea quelea (Aves: Ploceidae), an intra‐tropical migrant
Authors: Ward P. , Jones P. J.
Published: May 2010

Three races of Quelea quelea, inhabiting East, West and southern Africa, each perform a migration at the beginning of the wet‐season, but the distances involved differ greatly. The quantity of pre‐migratory fat accumulated differs in the three populations and correlates with the respective migration lengths. The timing of fattening is in some way associated with the onset of heavy rain. Though winged termites usually provide the food supply for fattening they do not appear to stimulate the process. Flight muscle hypertrophy accompanies fattening; it is suggested that the extra protein is required for body maintenance during the fasting period of the migration.
Temporal and spatial variation in the benthic invertebrate fauna of Lake George, Uganda
Authors: Darlington Johanna P. E. C.
Published: May 2010

The invertebrate fauna of mud bottoms in Lake George was examined in 1971‐1972. No evidence was found of seasonal changes in the composition or absolute levels of the benthic invertebrate density and biomass, though local changes occurred in some species which were attributed to swarming behaviour or larval settlement patterns. Comparison of the benthic fauna at nine sites showed considerable similarity over the whole lake. Multivariate analysis on the sample data showed that an “inshore/offshore” difference accounted for 30‐40% of the total variation between samples. It is suggested that this difference is related to the texture and stability of the substratum. Comparison with the literature shows that the Lake George benthos is an extreme type, but one that is represented in other inter‐tropical African lakes.
A structural study of the sensilium of two species of bird flea, Ceratophyllus (Insecta: Siphonoptera)
Authors: Greenwood M. T. , HOLDICH D. M.
Published: May 2010

The structure of the sensilium of fleas has been investigated by light, stereoscan and transmission electron microscopy.

This compound sensory structure, which occurs in both sexes, is positioned on the terminal segments and superficially comprises a saddle‐shaped cuticular plate covered with microtrichia between which are dispersed a species‐specific number of pits (16–100) each with a long hair arising from its centre. The cuticular pit is made of two chambers each supported by vertical septa. The apertures in each chamber through which the seta passes vary in diameter allowing an angle of flexure of the hair.

Observations of cellular detail indicate features common with other insect mechano‐receptors, a bipolar neuron making contact with the hair base. The dendrite is divided into distal and proximal segments by a ciliary region in which can be seen supporting scolopale rods. The scolopale cell, the trichogen and tormogen cells ensheath the sensory neuron. The tormogen cell is large and one is characteristically associated with each pit. During development it withdraws from the hair leaving a large extracellular cavity into which protrude numerous microvilli.

In Ceretophyllus styx secretion is found in this extracellular cavity during the Spring period prior to the return of the migrant host.

The tormogen cell wraps around the neuron and is thought to give support to the hair base/neuron (= tubular body) junction giving a measure of increased sensitivity to the system. This sensitivity, it is suggested, could be increased by the presence of the extracellular secretion which is serving to hold the system rigid, any movement of the hair being passed on to the neuron.

C. styx overwinters in a cocoon emerging in the Spring when its migrant host returns. On emergence the system, sensitised by the presence of the secretion, can now be used for the detection of the returning host by mechanical means and/or during the mating process, aligning male with female. Ceratophyllid fleas are known to mate on emergence without the necessity of a blood meal.

Having mated removal of the fluid would make the hair base/neuron junction less sensitive.

If the interpretation of the results is accepted and the presence of fluid in C. styx at least, is a physiological feature at certain times of the year, then two possible roles exist:

(1) That the sensilium is used to detect the presence of the returning host.

(2) That, having emerged from the overwintering cocoon, the sensilium is then used in the mating process.
Winter whitening of Stoats {Mustela erminea) in Scotland and north‐east England
Authors: HEWSON RAYMOND , WATSON ADAM
Published: May 2010

In north‐east Scotland most Stoats turned white in winter, whereas in south‐west Scotland most were pied and in north‐east England few changed colour. These differences were associated with regional differences in the number of days of snowfall and snow‐lie, and in monthly minimum temperature, but not with mean temperature or exposure.
Dispersion and foraging of the Small Indian mongoose, Herpestes auropunctatus (Carnivora: Viverridae) relative to the evolution of social viverrids
Authors: GORMAN MARTYN L.
Published: May 2010

The Small Indian mongoose in Fiji is sedentary, solitary and has overlapping home ranges. It is highly predaceous with 60 % by weight of the prey being vertebrate. It is argued that while social groups in cats, hyenas and dogs allow exploitation of large prey, in viverrids they allow group defence.
Morphometric studies in inbred and hybrid House mice (Mus sp.): Multivariate analysis of size and shape
Authors: Thorpe R. S. , Leamy L.
Published: May 2010

Multiple group principal component analysis is used to investigate the relationship between morphometric characters in inbred and hybrid House mice. Weight is shown to be largely independent of linear size, and character relationships within inbreds are shown to be the same as those within hybrids. Multiple group principal component analysis is largely successful in defining general size and shape components in the Osteometric characters. General size accounts for most of the within‐group variation–in spite of the isogenicity, uniform rearing, and uniform age of the mice. Both size and shape are less variable in hybrids than in inbreds. Heterosis is apparent for general size and one component of shape, whilst dominance is widespread amongst the shape components. Canonical analysis is used to investigate inconsistency in the direction of dominance between individual components and the overall direction of dominance.
Populations of the Bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) and Long‐tailed field mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) on skomer island, Dyfed
Authors: Healing T. D. , Jewell V. T. , Jewell P. A. , Rowlands I. W. , Gipps J. H. W.
Published: May 2010

The methods used to study the populations of the Bank vole and Long‐tailed field mouse on Skomer Island in 1981 are described. The survey was a repeat of one performed in 1960 and the methods used were almost identical.

The distribution of both species of rodent over the island was studied using trap lines and was found to be similar in both surveys.

The vegetation of the island was divided into nine categories and the habitat preferences of both rodent species assessed. These have remained distinct and, as in the previous survey, the voles were found to be most strongly associated with areas of deep bracken with little undercover and the mice with open areas such as cliff tops and rocky outcrops.

A crude survey of the distribution of the nine vegetation categories was undertaken, a vegetation map was prepared, and the area of each category was estimated. Two trapping grids were established in vegetation categories favoured by the voles. The data from these grids were used in conjunction with the vegetation map to estimate the population of voles over the whole island. Insufficient data were available for such an estimate to be made of the size of the population of mice.
Growth of the lymphoid organs in Rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri from one to fifteen months of age
Authors: Grace) Mary F. Tatner (neé , Manning Margaret J.
Published: May 2010

The growth and cellular composition of the thymus, spleen and kidney were monitored in Rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, from 1 to 15 months of age. All organs grew as the fish grew, but they attained their maximum relative weights (expressed as a percentage of body weight) at 2–3 months ofage. The organ weights showed a closer correlation to body weight than they did to age. The total number of leucocytes in the lymphoid organs increased with age; however, the number per gram of lymphoid organ tissue, and per gram of tissue per gram of fish, decreased with age. The number of cells present showed a closer correlation to the weight of their respective organ, than they did to age. A histological study of the lymphoid organs showed gradual changes in the structure of the lymphoid tissues. The thymus showed some signs of involution even at 15 months of age. The spleen and kidney had mixed populations of erythrocytes and leucocytes, with a gradual increase in the amount of melanin as the fish aged. The kidney in particular had a rich variety of leucocytes. The blood picture showed no obvious fluctuations with age or season over the period studied, with the proportion of lymphocytes present remaining remarkably constant.
Morphometric variation of populations of House mice Mus demesticus in Britain and Faroe
Authors: Davis Simon J. M.
Published: May 2010

A multivariate analysis was made of the mandible shape of wild‐caught House mice from the British mainland, various circum‐British islands and Faroe.

Shape variation within any one of the three archipelagoes—Faroe, Shetland, Orkney—is greater than within mainland Britain excluding Caithness. This is probably due to the founder effect, as well as reduced subsequent swamping.

The grouping of Caithness mice with those of Orkney, Shetland and Faroe may reflect their Scandinavian origin.
The evolution of a unique dual jaw‐closing mechanism in caecilians: (Amphibia: Gymnophiona) and its bearing on caecilian ancestry
Authors: Nussbaum Ronald A.
Published: May 2010

Caecilians have evolved a unique, dual jaw‐closing mechanism that consists of the ancestral component in which the M. adductor mandibulae pulls up on the lower jaw in the manner of a third‐order lever, and a novel component in which the M. interhyoideus posterior pulls back and down on the retroarticular process of the lower jaw causing the anterior jaw ramus to pivot upward around the quadrate, as in a first‐order lever. The novel component involves the acquisition of a new function for the M. interhyoideus posterior, which ancestrally is a ventral constrictor. The novel component is relatively poorly developed in rhinatrematids, a family of caecilians that is otherwise relatively primitive and is characterized by skulls with temporal fossae through which the two M. adductor mandibulae extend. The novel component is better developed in the other four caecilian families, all of which are thought to be relatively derived groups, and the members of which mostly have solidly roofed (stegokrotaphic) skulls. The skull of ancestral caecilians is thought to have had temporal fossae, which later became closed as the novel component of jaw‐closure became better developed, perhaps in response to selection pressure for burrowing specialization. If this sequence is correct, then the stegokrotaphic skull of caecilians is secondarily derived, and the hypothesis that caecilians arose from Goniorhynchus‐like microsaurs with stegokrotaphic skulls is incorrect. Lysorophid microsaurs, which have skulls with open temporal regions, are more likely ancestors of caecilians.
The effect of coagulant type on yield and sensory properties of semihard cheese from laboratory‐, pilot‐ and commercial‐scale productions
Authors: JACOB MANDY , JAROS DORIS , ROHM HARALD
Published: May 2010

Using calf rennet or a commercial microbial rennet substitute derived from Rhizomucor miehei cheesemaking experiments were performed at laboratory and pilot scale, and at commercial scale in two industrial dairy plants during regular production. At all levels of scale, the solids transfer from milk to curd was significantly higher (0.50–1.19%) when using calf rennet. There were significant differences in levels of proteolysis during maturation and in levels of bitterness at 12 weeks of ripening between Gouda cheeses produced with calf rennet or with commercial rennet substitute at pilot and at commercial scale.
The position of an arginine residue influences substrate affinity and K+ coupling in the human glutamate transporter, EAAT1
Authors: Ryan Renae M. , Kortt Nicholas C. , Sirivanta Tan , Vandenberg Robert J.
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 565–575.

Glutamate is the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system and extracellular glutamate levels are controlled by a family of transporters known as excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs). The EAATs transport glutamate and aspartate with similar micromolar affinities and this transport is coupled to the movement of Na+, K+, and H+. The crystal structure of a prokaryotic homologue of the EAATs, aspartate transporter from Pyrococcus horokoshii (GltPh), has yielded important insights into the architecture of this transporter family. GltPh is a Na+‐dependent transporter that has significantly higher affinity for aspartate over glutamate and is not coupled to H+ or K+. The highly conserved carboxy‐terminal domains of the EAATs and GltPh contain the substrate and ion binding sites, however, there are a couple of striking differences in this region that we have investigated to better understand the transport mechanism. An arginine residue is in close proximity to the substrate binding site of both GltPh and the EAATs, but is located in transmembrane domain (TM) 8 in the EAATs and hairpin loop 1 (HP1) of GltPh. Here we report that the position of this arginine residue can explain some of the functional differences observed between the EAATs and GltPh. Moving the arginine residue from TM8 to HP1 in EAAT1 results in a transporter that has significantly increased affinity for both glutamate and aspartate and is K+ independent. Conversely, moving the arginine residue from HP1 to TM8 in GltPh results in a transporter that has reduced affinity for aspartate.
Are All Minority Women Equally Buffered from Negative Body Image? Intra-Ethnic Moderators of the Buffering Hypothesis
Authors: Sabik Natalie J. , Cole Elizabeth R. , Ward L. Monique
Published: May 2010

Body dissatisfaction is normative among European American women, and involvement with predominant culture or linking self-worth to weight may intensify the association between body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness for women of color. Our study investigated whether orientation to other ethnic groups (Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure) and weight-based contingency of self-worth moderate the relationship between body satisfaction and drive for thinness (Eating Disorder Inventory) among college-age African American, Asian American, and European American women. Survey responses from undergraduates ( N = 905) were collected, and multiple regression analyses showed that, for African Americans, appearance esteem was positively associated with drive for thinness among those who defined their self-worth as contingent on weight or who identified with ethnic outgroups. Appearance esteem was independently associated with drive for thinness among Asian Americans and European Americans, but no moderation was found. European American women who define self-worth as contingent on weight were higher in drive for thinness, regardless of their body mass index or appearance esteem. Identifying the mechanisms through which some women may be at risk for internalizing restrictive body ideals is key for understanding experiences of the body for diverse women.
Gender Differences in Self-Silencing and Psychological Distress in Informal Cancer Carers
Authors: Ussher Jane M. , Perz Janette
Published: May 2010

This study examined gender differences in self-silencing, the relationship between self-silencing and psychological distress, and reasons for self-silencing in informal cancer carers (329 women, 155 men), using a mixed-method design. Men reported greater self-silencing than women on the Silencing the Self Scale; however, women reported higher depression and anxiety, even though depression and anxiety were significantly correlated with self-silencing. These gender differences in patterns of self-silencing were explored in follow-up interviews with 34 women and 19 men carers, selected to represent a cross-section of cancer type and stage and analyzed using thematic decomposition and positioning theory. Both men and women reported self-silencing because of their desire to prioritize patient needs or to avoid conflict. However, women positioned self-silencing as a requisite for coping and demonstrated awareness of external judgement, reflecting self-policing linked to constructions of idealized femininity, in particular the positioning of women as natural carers. In contrast, men positioned self-silencing as a normal aspect of masculinity, regarding expressions of needs or feelings as signs of weakness and maintaining a positive front as a means of coping. These findings confirm that men and women self-silence for different reasons and with differential consequences for mental health. The significant association of self-silencing with depression and anxiety suggests that it is not an adaptive behavior for caregivers, supporting previous reports that avoidance of emotional discussion in couples living with cancer is detrimental to coping and to mental health.
Can distribution models help refine inventory‐based estimates of conservation priority? A case study in the Eastern Arc forests of Tanzania and Kenya
Authors: Platts Philip J. , Ahrends Antje , Gereau Roy E. , McClean Colin J. , Lovett Jon C. , Marshall Andrew R. , Pellikka Petri K. E. , Mulligan Mark , Fanning Eibleis , Marchant Rob
Published: May 2010

Aim  Data shortages mean that conservation priorities can be highly sensitive to historical patterns of exploration. Here, we investigate the potential of regionally focussed species distribution models to elucidate fine‐scale patterns of richness, rarity and endemism.

Location  Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania and Kenya.

Methods  Generalized additive models and land cover data are used to estimate the distributions of 452 forest plant taxa (trees, lianas, shrubs and herbs). Presence records from a newly compiled database are regressed against environmental variables in a stepwise multimodel. Estimates of occurrence in forest patches are collated across target groups and analysed alongside inventory‐based estimates of conservation priority.

Results  Predicted richness is higher than observed richness, with the biggest disparities in regions that have had the least research. North Pare and Nguu in particular are predicted to be more important than the inventory data suggest. Environmental conditions in parts of Nguru could support as many range‐restricted and endemic taxa as Uluguru, although realized niches are subject to unknown colonization histories. Concentrations of rare plants are especially high in the Usambaras, a pattern mediated in models by moisture indices, whilst overall richness is better explained by temperature gradients. Tree data dominate the botanical inventory; we find that priorities based on other growth forms might favour the mountains in a different order.

Main conclusions  Distribution models can provide conservation planning with high‐resolution estimates of richness in well‐researched areas, and predictive estimates of conservation importance elsewhere. Spatial and taxonomic biases in the data are essential considerations, as is the spatial scale used for models. We caution that predictive estimates are most uncertain for the species of highest conservation concern, and advocate using models and targeted field assessments iteratively to refine our understanding of which areas should be prioritised for conservation.
Headquarters of Terrorists Is “Virtual Ummah”
Authors: ROY OLIVIÉR
Published: May 2010

Though anti‐American terrorism springs these days as much from Yemen and the “virtual ummah” as from Afghanistan, President Obama has nontheless further committed US troops to stabilizing a country well‐known as the graveyard of empires. What can the only Muslim country that belongs to NATO offer by way of advice? How best can the US keep its focus on the terrorist threat despite its diversion in Afghanistan?

Turkey's former envoy to Afghanistan and two of Europe's leading experts on Islamist terrorism offer their views.
Exploring Women's Participation in a U.S. Microcredit Program
Authors: Salt Rebekah J.
Published: May 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this ethnographic study was to explore and describe women's participation in a U.S. microcredit program in the Pacific Northwest and to examine the relationship between the participants’ businesses and their health.

Design and Methodology: In 2006, an ethnographic study was conducted with a microcredit organization in the Pacific Northwest using the following methods: (a) 10 audiotaped, semistructured interviews with clientele; (b) observation of microcredit groups four times a month for 6 months; (c) conversations with organization executive directors; and (d) review of organizational documents. The participants were women 32 to 64 years of age who had received one or more loans from the microcredit organization.

Findings: Four broad themes emerged from the data: (a) Microcredit: The introduction; (b) Microcredit: The place; (c) Stereotypes; and (d) Health. Despite the challenges associated with participation, all of the study participants were enthusiastic about the advantages of microcredit and would recommend it to others.

Conclusions: Many international microcredit organizations have incorporated health care and health education into their programs and have reported successful economic and social outcomes for women. In the United States (US), reports are varied, and there is a lack of literature that explores the economic and health link that is addressed in some international microcredit literature. The findings from this study might be used to initiate discussions around conjoint health education programs and microcredit as a health intervention.

Clinical Relevance: Nurses, as a trusted presence in the community, are in a position to partner with microcredit organizations to improve the health of clientele.
Suffering in a productive world: Chronic illness, visibility, and the space beyond agency
Authors: HAY M. CAMERON
Published: May 2010

Is coping with illness really a matter of agency? Drawing on ethnographic research among people with rheumatological and neurological chronic diseases in the United States, I argue that patients’ coping strategies were informed by a cultural expectation of productivity that I call the “John Wayne Model,” indexing disease as something to be worked through and controlled. People able to adopt a John Wayne–like approach experienced social approval. Yet some people found this cultural model impossible to utilize and experienced their lack of agency in the face of illness as increasing their suffering, which was made all the worse if their sickness was invisible to others. Unable to follow the culturally legitimated John Wayne model, people fell into what I call the “Cultured Response”—the realm beyond the agency embedded in cultural models, in which people do not resist but embrace as ideal the cultural expectations they cannot meet and that oppress their sense of value in the world. [suffering, cultural models, agency, chronic illness, United States, cultural anthropology, medical anthropology]
Mediating “The Voice of the Spirit”: Musical and religious transformations in Nigeria's oil boom
Authors: BRENNAN VICKI L.
Published: May 2010

In this article, I examine a musical recording made by a Yoruba Christian church in the context of Nigeria's oil boom in the 1970s. I focus on the recording as a node of mediation: a site at which multiple forms of mediation converge to bring together institutional orders and individual subjectivities. Those responsible for the recording drew on meaningful cultural forms—in this case, religion, music, and electronic media—to make authoritative claims about morality and experience in the context of profound social change. I seek to understand how religious groups use media to create links between political‐economic transformations and individual experience. [Nigeria, Christianity, mediation, music, religious authority, political economy]
Social Learning Opportunities and the Financial Behaviors of College Students
Authors: Gutter Michael S. , Garrison Selena , Copur Zeynep
Published: May 2010

This study explores the relationship between financial social learning opportunities and financial behaviors of college students. Data were collected from 15,797 college students age 18 and over throughout the United States during spring and fall semesters of 2008. Financial behaviors were related to age, race, marital status, school rank, income level, loan amount, and qualification for financial aid. Results suggest important relationships exist between financial behaviors and financial social learning opportunities. Students who budget and save tended to have higher scores on the social learning opportunities indices than those who do not budget and save. Financial behaviors were positively related to social learning opportunities when controlling for demographic and financial characteristics.
Financial Wellness of Young Adults Age 18–30
Authors: Rutherford Leann G. , Fox Wanda S.
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this study was to assess young adults’ financial wellness. A comprehensive model was developed that assumed that young adults’ financial wellness was a function of objective determinants (income, credit card debt, and healthcare coverage); satisfaction with their financial situation; their financial behaviors; and their subjective perceptions. Financial wellness was measured using two financial ratios and a combination of those ratios. A sample of 458 young adult households headed by an individual between 18 and 30 years old was selected from the 2007 Survey of Consumer Finances. The results showed that 47% met the guideline for the liquidity ratio, 35% met the guideline for the asset allocation ratio, and 28% met the guideline for both ratios. The results suggest that the financial wellness of young adults depends on credit management, healthcare coverage, financial satisfaction, spending behavior, planning horizon, and attitude toward financial risk.
Guillain‐Barré syndrome in a child with pain: lessons learned from a late diagnosis
Authors: Pier Danielle B. , Hallbergson Anna , Peters Jurriaan M.
Published: May 2010

Children with Guillain‐Barré Syndrome (GBS) often do not present like adults with an ascending paralysis and sensory abnormalities, but typically have pain and gait difficulties as predominant symptoms. We present a case of paediatric GBS that was not diagnosed until late in the course because of limited neurological examination, erroneous interpretation of newly acquired data and insufficient familiarity with the disorder in children. Through this case, essentials of paediatric GBS are reviewed.

Conclusion:  pain and gait difficulties can be the main features of paediatric GBS at presentation. In addition, a comprehensive neurological exam in any case of weakness or diffuse pain combined with ongoing critical interpretation of a disease course allows for adjustment of a preliminary diagnosis towards a potentially life‐threatening disease.
Impact of chorioamnionitis and preeclampsia on neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants below 32 weeks gestational age
Authors: Schlapbach Luregn J , Ersch Jörg , Adams Mark , Bernet Vera , Bucher Hans Ulrich , Latal Beatrice
Published: May 2010

Aim:  Intrauterine conditions may interfere with foetal brain development. We compared the neurodevelopmental outcome between infants <32 weeks gestational age after maternal preeclampsia or chorioamnionitis and controls.

Methods:  Case‐control study on infants with maternal preeclampsia, chorioamnionitis and controls (each n = 33) matched for gestational age. Neurodevelopment at 2 years was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II.

Results:  A total of 99 infants were included with a median gestational age of 29 weeks (range 25–32). Median mental developmental index (MDI) was 96 in the control, 90 in the chorioamnionitis and 86 in the preeclampsia group. Preeclampsia infants had a lower MDI compared with the control group (univariate p = 0.021, multivariate p = 0.183) and with the chorioamnionitis group (univariate p = 0.242; multivariate p = 0.027). Median psychomotor index was 80.5 in the control, 80 in the preeclampsia and 85 in the chorioamnionitis group and was not different between these three groups (p > 0.05). Chorioamnionitis or preeclampsia exposure was not associated with major neurodevelopmental impairments (cerebral palsy, MDI<70, PDI<70).

Conclusion:  The results of this preliminary study suggest that preeclampsia and chorioamnionitis play a relatively minor role among risk factors for adverse neurodevelopment outcome. Postnatal factors such as ventilation and bronchopulmonary dysplasia may have a greater impact on neurodevelopmental outcome.
Protocol and Pilot Data for Establishing the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry
Authors: Cadilhac Dominique A. , Lannin Natasha A. , Anderson Craig S. , Levi Christopher R. , Faux Steven , Price Chris , Middleton Sandy , Lim Joyce , Thrift Amanda G. , Donnan Geoffrey A.
Published: May 2010

Background

Disease registries assist with clinical practice improvement. The Australian Stroke Clinical Registry aims to provide national, prospective, systematic data on processes and outcomes for stroke. We describe the methods of establishment and initial experience of operation.

Methods

Australian Stroke Clinical Registry conforms to new national operating principles and technical standards for clinical quality registers. Features include: online data capture from acute public and private hospital sites; opt-out consent; expert consensus agreed core minimum dataset with standard definitions; outcomes assessed at 3 months post-stroke; formal governance oversight; and formative evaluations for improvements.

Results

Qualitative feedback from sites indicates that the web-tool is simple to use and the user manuals, data dictionary, and training are appropriate. However, sites desire automated data-entry methods for routine demography variables and the opt-out consent protocol has sometimes been problematic. Data from 204 patients (median age 71 years, 54% males, 60% Australian) were collected from four pilot hospitals from June to October 2009 (mean, 50 cases per month) including ischaemic stroke (in 72%), intracerebral haemorrhage (16%), transient ischaemic attack (9%), and undetermined (3%), with only one case opting out.

Conclusion

Australian Stroke Clinical Registry has been well established, but further refinements and broad roll-out are required before realising its potential of improving patient care through clinician feedback and allowance of local, national, and international comparative data.
The adaptive compensations in endocrine pancreas from glucocorticoid‐treated rats are reversible after the interruption of treatment
Authors: Rafacho A. , Quallio S. , Ribeiro D. L. , Taboga S. R. , Paula F. M. M. , Boschero A. C. , Bosqueiro J. R.
Published: May 2010

Aim:  Glucocorticoid administration induces insulin resistance (IR) and enhances islet mass and insulin secretion in rodents and humans. Here, we analysed whether these effects are still present after the interruption of dexamethasone treatment.

Methods:  Adult Wistar rats were distributed into CTL (daily injection of saline for five consecutive days), DEX (daily injection of 1 mg kg−1 body wt of dexamethasone for five consecutive days) and DEX10 (5 days of dexamethasone treatment, followed by a period of 10 days without dexamethasone).

Results:  In vivo experiments indicated that the marked hyperinsulinemia found in DEX rats during fasting and fed states was normalized in the DEX10 group. Furthermore, the IR and glucose intolerance observed in DEX were restored in DEX10 rats. Islets from DEX rats secreted more insulin in response to increasing concentrations of glucose and other metabolic and non‐metabolic stimuli, compared with that in the CTL group. The insulin secretion for the most compounds studied returned to CTL values in DEX10 islets. Increased insulin secretion correlated well with the augmentation in β‐cell proliferation and mass in DEX rats, and these morphological alterations were normalized in islets from DEX10 rats. In parallel, the increased levels of proteins involved in β‐cell proliferation such as Cd2 and Cdk4 observed in DEX islets were also normalized in DEX10 islets.

Conclusion:  These data strongly support the view that almost all the morphophysiological alterations induced by dexamethasone in the endocrine pancreas are reverted after discontinuation of the treatment. This information is important, considering the frequent use of glucocorticoids in humans.
Determinants of Household Income Mobility in Rural China
Authors: Shi Xuehua , Liu Xiaoyun , Nuetah Alexander , Xin Xian
Published: May 2010

This article uses multivariate regression and decomposition analyses to assess household income mobility determinants and their contributions to income mobility in rural China from 1989 to 2006. The findings indicate that households with lower initial income level, higher share of wage income, higher educational level of household members, larger number of non‐agricultural employed household members and younger heads are more mobile. Moreover, besides initial income, change in the share of wage income, change in the share of non‐agricultural employed household members, and change in average year of education of household members are the most important factors that account for income mobility. These findings necessitate more emphasis on policies that promote non‐agricultural employment and education to enhance household income mobility in rural China.
Labor Mobility within China: Border Effects on Interregional Wage Differentials
Authors: Li Cheng
Published: May 2010

Labor migration is institutionally restricted within China under the hukou system, China's registration system. However, what is the pecuniary impact of labor immobility on interregional wage inequality? To answer this question, we derive a simple wage gap equation including educational attainment, market potential and provincial border indicators. The regressions based on city and sector‐level data show that, other things being equal, the wage dispersions within Chinese provincial borders are significantly less pronounced than those among provinces. Such border effects on spatial wage differentials, which have been shown to pervasively exist in all sectors considered in the present paper, reflect the distortions generated by migration controls. Finally, we show that despite the recent hukou reforms aimed at relaxing the restrictions on population movement, border effects appear to persisted over the period 2003–2005.
Provincial Disparities in Post‐reform China
Authors: Villaverde José , Maza Adolfo , Ramasamy Bala
Published: May 2010

Using conventional and novel techniques, the present paper analyzes the main characteristics of Chinese provincial disparities during the reform period, specifically between 1978 and 2007. After dismissing the presence of spatial dependence, three main results are obtained: first, provincial inequalities have basically followed a “V” trend; second, grouping China into three large regions shows that inequality mainly lies within each region, particularly in coastal areas; and third, the analysis of intra‐distribution dynamics reveals that, although there was some significant mobility in provincial relative income, particularly until 1990, the whole period persistence in the ranking of income levels is a major feature. This might provoke some changes in the policy approach to dealing with spatial disparities.
A Mexico City–Based Immersion Education Program: Training Mental Health Clinicians For Practice With Latino Communities
Authors: Platt Jason James
Published: May 2010

This article describes the philosophical foundations and educational methods of a Spanish language and cultural immersion program based in Mexico City, Mexico. The program is designed to assist U.S. graduate students in marriage and family therapy and clinical psychology programs to improve clinical service delivery with Latino clients. Utilizing critical pedagogy, the program works with future clinicians to develop multicultural and international competencies; acquire increased Spanish language skills; engage in self‐of‐the‐therapist work; and expand their understanding of the historical and cultural influences shaping the mental healthcare needs of Latin American clients. A report of the themes from postimmersion surveys is provided and the implications for training are discussed.
The Rise and Fall of Science Education: A Content Analysis of Science in Elementary Reading Textbooks of the 19th Century
Authors: Rillero Peter
Published: May 2010

In the 19th century the textbook dominated the curriculum and methods of instruction. The most important textbook was the textbook of reading known as the reader. In the early 1800s science was not established as a separate primary grade subject. The science students encountered in these reading textbooks may have been their only formal science education. This study used content analysis to determine the type of science and the quantity of science in popular U.S. readers of the 19th century. The percent of science rose in the middle of the century and declined at the end. This decline may have been due to the desire to make the study of reading literary based. The percentage of science that was biological increased throughout the century, and the percentage of Earth science declined.
Design and Flow Field Calculations for Transonic and Supersonic Radial Inflow Turbine Guide Vanes
Authors: Reichert A. W. , Simon H.
Published: May 2010

The design of radial inflow turbine guide vanes depends very much on the discharge conditions desired, especially if the choking mass flow is reached. Because of the choking mass flow condition and supersonic discharge Mach numbers, an inverse design procedure based on the method of characteristics is presented. Various designs corresponding to different discharge Mach numbers are shown. Viscous and inviscid flow field calculations for varying discharge conditions show the properties of the guide vanes at design and off-design conditions. In a previous paper (Reichert and Simon, 1994), an optimized design for transonic discharge conditions has been published. In the present paper, additional results concerning the optimum design are presented. For this optimum design an advantageous adjusting mechanism for a variable geometry guide vane has been developed. The effect of guide vane adjustment on the discharge conditions has been investigated using viscous flow field calculations.
Boundary Layer Development in Axial Compressors and Turbines: Part 1 of 4—Composite Picture
Authors: Halstead D. E. , Wisler D. C. , Okiishi T. H. , Walker G. J. , Hodson H. P. , Shin H.-W.
Published: May 2010

Comprehensive experiments and computational analyses were conducted to understand boundary layer development on airfoil surfaces in multistage, axial-flow compressors and LP turbines. The tests were run over a broad range of Reynolds numbers and loading levels in large, low-speed research facilities which simulate the relevant aerodynamic features of modern engine components. Measurements of boundary layer characteristics were obtained by using arrays of densely packed, hot-film gauges mounted on airfoil surfaces and by making boundary layer surveys with hot wire probes. Computational predictions were made using both steady flow codes and an unsteady flow code. This is the first time that time-resolved boundary layer measurements and detailed comparisons of measured data with predictions of boundary layer codes have been reported for multistage compressor and turbine blading. Part 1 of this paper summarizes all of our experimental findings by using sketches to show how boundary layers develop on compressor and turbine blading. Parts 2 and 3 present the detailed experimental results for the compressor and turbine, respectively. Part 4 presents computational analyses and discusses comparisons with experimental data. Readers not interested in experimental detail can go directly from Part 1 to Part 4. For both compressor and turbine blading, the experimental results show large extents of laminar and transitional flow on the suction surface of embedded stages, with the boundary layer generally developing along two distinct but coupled paths. One path lies approximately under the wake trajectory while the other lies between wakes. Along both paths the boundary layer clearly goes from laminar to transitional to turbulent. The wake path and the non-wake path are coupled by a calmed region, which, being generated by turbulent spots produced in the wake path, is effective in suppressing flow separation and delaying transition in the non-wake path. The location and strength of the various regions within the paths, such as wake-induced transitional and turbulent strips, vary with Reynolds number, loading level, and turbulence intensity. On the pressure surface, transition takes place near the leading edge for the blading tested. For both surfaces, bypass transition and separated-flow transition were observed. Classical Tollmien–Schlichting transition did not play a significant role. Comparisons of embedded and first-stage results were also made to assess the relevance of applying single-stage and cascade studies to the multistage environment. Although doing well under certain conditions, the codes in general could not adequately predict the onset and extent of transition in regions affected by calming. However, assessments are made to guide designers in using current predictive schemes to compute boundary layer features and obtain reasonable loss predictions.
Boundary Layer Development in Axial Compressors and Turbines: Part 4 of 4—Computations and Analyses
Authors: Halstead D. E. , Wisler D. C. , Okiishi T. H. , Walker G. J. , Hodson H. P. , Shin H.-W.
Published: May 2010

This is Part Four of a four-part paper. It begins with Section 16.0 and concludes the description of the comprehensive experiments and computational analyses that have led to a detailed picture of boundary layer development on airfoil surfaces in multistage turbomachinery. In this part, the computational predictions made using several modern boundary layer codes are presented. Both steady codes and an unsteady code were evaluated. The results are compared with time-averaged and unsteady integral parameters measured for the boundary layers. Assessments are made to provide guidance in using the predictive codes to locate transition and predict loss. Conclusions from the computational analyses are then presented.