bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Progressive Course of Neurological Symptoms in Anterior Choroidal Artery Infarcts
Authors: Derflinger Sabine , Fiebach Jochen B. , Böttger Stefanie , Haberl Roman L. , Audebert Heinrich J.
Published: January 2013

Background

Infarctions of the anterior choroidal artery affect multiple anatomical structures, leading to a wide spectrum of neurological deficits with frequent symptom fluctuation or progression.

Aims

To assess etiological mechanisms, frequency, and predicttorsof symptom progression, as well as its impact on prognosis.

Methods

Anterior choroidal artery infarct patients were prospectively identified via predefined infarct locations with ischemic lesions ⩾1·5 cm vertical diameter in cerebral imaging. Definition of neurological progression was ⩾2 National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale points in motor function or ⩾4 in total National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Stroke etiology was determined according to Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification. We assessed demographical data, risk factors, and acute phase parameters in order to find predictors of neurological progression.

Results

Thirty patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Eighteen patients (60%) had neurological progression during days 1–3. Despite similar stroke severity at admission (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in progressive infarcts 4·5 versus 4; P = 0·72), patients with progression had more severe deficits at day 3 (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 9 vs. 3·5; P = 0·04) and worse three-month outcome. Only 31% of patients with progression scored <2 in the modified Rankin Scale compared with 89% without progression ( P = 0·01) after three-months. No statistically significant differences regarding possible predictors of progression were found. Magnetic resonance imaging findings and etiological assessment suggest overlapping mechanisms of small and large vessel disease.

Conclusions

Neurological deterioration is frequent in anterior choroidal artery infarcts and is associated with worse outcome. While mechanisms of small and large vessel disease seem to overlap in anterior choroidal artery infarction, we were not able to identify predictors of neurological progression.
Leucocyte Count in Young Adults with First-Ever Ischaemic Stroke: Associated Factors and Association on Prognosis
Authors: Heikinheimo Terttu , Putaala Jukka , Haapaniemi Elena , Kaste Markku , Tatlisumak Turgut
Published: January 2013

Background

Limited data exist on the associated factors and correlation of leucocyte count to outcome in young adults with first-ever ischaemic stroke.

Aims

Our objectives were to investigate factors associated with elevated leucocyte count and whether there is correlation between leucocyte count and short- and long-term outcomes.

Methods

Of our database of 1008 consecutive patients aged 15 to 49, we included those with leucocyte count measured within the first two days from stroke onset. Outcomes were three-month and long-term disability, death, and vascular events. Linear regression was used to explore baseline variables associated with leucocyte count. Logistic regression and Cox proportional models studied the association between leucocyte count and clinical outcomes.

Results

In our study cohort of 781 patients (61·7% males; mean age 41·4 years), mean leucocyte count was high: 8·8 ± 3·1 × 109 cells/L (Reference range: 3·4–8·2 × 109 cells/L). Higher leucocyte levels were associated with dyslipidaemia, smoking, peripheral arterial disease, stroke severity, and lesion size. After adjustment for age, gender, relevant risk factors, both continuous leucocyte count and the highest quartile of leucocyte count were independently associated with unfavourable three-month outcome. Regarding events in the long-term (follow-up 8·1 ± 4·2 years in survivors), no association between leucocyte count and the event risks appeared.

Conclusions

Among young stroke patients, high leucocyte count was a common finding. It was associated with vascular disease and its risk factors as well as severity of stroke, but it was also independently associated with unfavourable three-month outcome in these patients. There was no association with the long-term outcome. [Correction added on 31 October 2013 after first online publication: In the Results section of the Abstract, the cohort of 797 patients in this study was corrected to 781 patients.]
Affirmative Meritocracy
Authors: Walton Gregory M. , Spencer Steven J. , Erman Sam
Published: January 2013

We argue that in important circumstances meritocracy can be realized only through a specific form of affirmative action we call
affirmative meritocracy.
These circumstances arise because common measures of academic performance systematically underestimate the intellectual ability and potential of members of negatively stereotyped groups (e.g., non‐Asian ethnic minorities, women in quantitative fields). This bias results not from the content of performance measures but from common contexts in which performance measures are assessed—from psychological threats like stereotype threat that are pervasive in academic settings, and which undermine the performance of people from negatively stereotyped groups. To overcome this bias, school and work settings should be changed to reduce stereotype threat. In such environments, admitting or hiring more members of devalued groups would promote meritocracy, diversity, and organizational performance. Evidence for this bias, its causes, magnitude, remedies, and implications for social policy and for law are discussed.
Subtyping Ageism: Policy Issues in Succession and Consumption
Authors: North Michael S. , Fiske Susan T.
Published: January 2013

Ageism research tends to lump “older people” together as one group, as do policy matters that conceptualize everyone over 65 as “senior.” This approach is problematic primarily because it often fails to represent accurately a rapidly growing, diverse, and healthy older population. In light of this, we review the ageism literature, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between the still‐active “young‐old” and the potentially more impaired “old‐old” (Neugarten). We argue that ageism theory has disproportionately focused on the old‐old and differentiate the forms of age discrimination that apparently target each elder subgroup. In particular, we highlight the young‐old's plights predominantly in the workplace and tensions concerning succession of desirable resources; by contrast, old‐old predicaments likely center on consumption of shared resources outside of the workplace. For both social psychological researchers and policymakers, accurately subtyping ageism will help society best accommodate a burgeoning, diverse older population.
Multiple Sulfur Isotope Determination by SIMS: Evaluation of Reference Sulfides for Δ33S with Observations and a Case Study on the Determination of Δ36S
Authors: Whitehouse Martin J.
Published: January 2013

High spatial resolution multiple sulfur isotope studies undertaken by multi‐collector secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) commonly use well‐characterised sulfide reference materials that do not (or are assumed not to) exhibit mass‐independent fractionation in 33S and 36S, taking advantage of the three‐isotope plot to evaluate the extent of such fractionation in unknown targets. As a result, few studies to date have used a mass independently fractionated reference sulfide to demonstrate accuracy of measurement and/or data reduction procedures. This article evaluates two mass independently fractionated sulfides, a pyrite from the 3.7 Ga Isua greenstone belt and a pyrrhotite from a 2.7 Ga gold deposit in Minas Gerais, Brazil, which may be used to provide additional confidence in the obtained multiple sulfur isotope data. Additionally, the article presents a method for measuring quadruple sulfur isotopes by SIMS at a comparable spatial and volume resolution to that typically employed for triple sulfur isotopes. This method has been applied to the Isua pyrite as well as to a sample of 2.5 Ga pyrite from the Campbellrand, Transvaal, South Africa, previously investigated using SIMS for triple sulfur isotopes, illustrating its potential for quadruple sulfur investigations.
Can Short Restrictions Actually Increase Informed Short Selling?
Authors: Kolasinski Adam C. , Reed Adam , Thornock Jacob R.
Published: January 2013

We use the 2008 short selling regulations to test whether short sale restrictions can increase informed short selling. For the preborrow requirement, we find more negative price reactions to short interest announcements though no reliable increase in the price impact of short sales volume. For the stocks with banned short sales, we find an increase in the price impact of short sale volume though no reliable change in the price reaction to short interest announcements. Both restrictions, however, are associated with increased informed trading. Our results suggest that short restrictions will not reduce informed short selling and may actually result in an increase by increasing the proportion of informed short sellers..
Campanula mugeana sp. nov. (Campanulaceae) from western Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Yıldırım Hasan
Published: January 2013

Campanula mugeana Yıldırım (Campanulaceae) is described as a new species. Diagnostic morphological characters, full descriptions and detailed illustrations of the new species are given. Micrographs of seeds and pollen were taken with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Campanula mugeana is restricted to the province of İzmir in western Anatolia, Turkey. It belongs to the section Quinqueloculares, subgenus Campanula based on floral features. Although C. mugeana has no close relatives within sect. Quinqueloculares, it shows some morphological similarities with C. saxatilis and C. davisii.
Screening for impaired glucose tolerance in obese children and adolescents: a validation and implementation study
Authors: Morandi A. , Maschio M. , Marigliano M. , Miraglia Del Giudice E. , Moro B. , Peverelli P. , Maffeis C.
Published: January 2013

What is already known about this subject

Fasting triglycerides above 1.17 mmol/L have been shown to be useful to select obese children and adolescents who may present impaired glucose tolerance in a Canadian cohort.

Fasting plasma glucose is associated with the risk to present impaired glucose tolerance in several cohorts of obese children and adolescents.

What this study adds

When applied to Italian cohorts of obese children and adolescents, the triglycerides cut‐off of 1.17 mmol/L has similar validity as in the Canadian cohort to select patients who may present impaired glucose tolerance.

Fasting plasma glucose and fasting triglycerides can be combined to obtain an accurate criterion to select obese children and adolescents who may present impaired glucose tolerance.

Objectives

We aimed to validate fasting triglycerides > 1.17 mmol L−1, a criterion recently proposed for selecting obese children at risk of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and to assess whether the accuracy of triglycerides (TG) can be improved by the use of other variables.

Methods

We studied an Italian cohort of 817 obese children and adolescents (8–18.4 years) who underwent clinical examination, fasting blood analysis and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The discriminative properties of TG > 1.17 mmol L−1 were assessed and compared with those observed in a Canadian cohort from which this criterion was derived: 71.4 [57.8–85.1]% sensitivity and 64.1 [57.7–70.4]% specificity. The possible contribution of other variables was evaluated by assessing the net reclassification improvement (NRI), i.e., the net increase in the percentage of subjects correctly classified.

Results

Thirty‐nine children (4.7%) had IGT. The 1.17 mmol L−1 TG threshold showed 66.6 [51.8–81.4]% sensitivity and 68.2 [64.9–71.5]% specificity, thus successfully validated. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was independently associated with IGT (odds ratio = 3.86 [2.09–7.14], P < 0.001), besides TG. The bivariate criterion of TG ≥ 1.13 mmol L−1 plus FPG ≥ 4.44 mmol L−1 had a 69.2 [54.7–83.7]% sensitivity and a 78.2 [76.8–79.6]% specificity, thus displaying a 12.6% NRI (P < 0.001) compared with TG>1.17 mmol L−1.

Conclusions

TG > 1.17 mmol L−1 is a useful criterion to detect roughly 66% of obese children with IGT through OGTT performed in about 33% of all obese children. However, the ‘TG≥1.13 mmol L−1 plus FPG≥4.44 mmol L−1’ criterion improved discrimination accuracy, leading to the possibility of detecting even more than 66% of obese children with IGT though limiting OGTT to just 25% of all obese children.
Thermal Properties and Phase Transition of 2ZrO2●P2O5 Studied by In Situ Synchrotron X‐ray Diffraction
Authors: Angelkort Joachim , Apostolov Zlatomir D. , Jones Zachary A. , Letourneau Steven , Kriven Waltraud M.
Published: January 2013

High‐temperature in situ synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction experiments were carried out to investigate the phase transition mechanism of Zr2P2O9 (2ZrO2·P2O5 or “Z2P”). Linear thermal expansion coefficients were calculated for the low‐temperature phase (α‐Z2P) and the high‐temperature phase (β‐Z2P) from temperature‐dependent changes in lattice parameters. The crystal structures of α‐ and β‐Z2P were determined as a function of temperature by performing Rietveld crystal structure refinements. The structural changes at the phase transition are accompanied by an increase in the average atomic distance between neighboring Zr atoms. The occurrence of shorter metal–metal distances in α‐Z2P is interpreted to result from stronger interactions between partly occupied valence orbitals of the d0 metal atoms. The bond valence method was used to calculate the valence sums of the atoms of α‐ and β‐Z2P, respectively, considering also contributions resulting from covalently bonded atoms. As the bond strength between the metal atoms in Z2P decreases with the transition into the high‐temperature phase, notably, the metal–metal interactions are regarded to constitute a prerequisite for the stabilization of the α‐phase over the energetically favored β‐phase.
A suicidal recovery theory to guide individuals on their healing and recovering process following a suicide attempt
Authors: Sun Fan‐Ko , Long Ann
Published: January 2013

Aim

To develop a theory to guide the recovery process of a recent suicide attempt.

Background

Suicide is one of the 10 leading causes of death in many countries. Many nations have set targets to reduce the high incidence of suicide by aiming to prevent people from taking their own lives and also providing care to promote the healing of those who attempt suicide.

Design

A qualitative grounded theory approach was used.

Methods

Data were collected in 2011–2012 in a Taiwanese hospital until data saturation occurred. Twenty participants were interviewed, comprising patients who recovered from suicide attempts (N = 14) and their caregivers (N = 6). Data were analysed using open, axial, and selective coding and using the constant comparison technique.

Findings

A substantive theory was formulated to guide the recovery process of people who have recently attempted suicide. The core category that emerged from the data collected was ‘Striving to accept the value of self‐in‐existence’. Other key categories linked to and embraced in this core category were: becoming flexible and open‐minded, re‐building a positive sense of self, and endeavouring to live a peaceful and contented life.

Conclusion

Nurses could use this theory as a theoretical framework to guide people who are recovering from a suicide attempt by affording them the opportunity to grow and heal, and facilitating the re‐building a positive sense of self, acknowledging the uncertainties of life, and inspiring hope.
Psychosocial influencers and mediators of treatment adherence in haemodialysis patients
Authors: Oh Hyun Soo , Park Ji Suk , Seo Wha Sook
Published: January 2013

Aim

This article is a report of the development and testing of the hypothetical model that illustrates relationships between treatment adherence and its psychosocial influencing factors and to elucidate the direct and indirect (mediating) effects of factors on treatment adherence.

Background

Poor adherence has been consistently reported in haemodialysis patients. Much research has showed various influencing factors of adherence, but these studies have failed to identify consistent influencing factors.

Design

This study was performed using a non‐experimental, cross‐sectional design.

Methods

The study subjects were 150 end‐stage renal failure patients on haemodialysis at a university hospital located in Incheon, South Korea. Data were collected over 10 months (June 2010–April 2011).

Findings

The hypothetical model provided a good fit with data. Haemodialysis‐related knowledge, perceived barrier to adherence, self‐efficacy on adherence, and healthcare provider support had significant effects on adherence. Self‐efficacy was found to mediate barrier–adherence and family support–adherence relationships. Self‐efficacy in combination with barrier, family support, and healthcare provider support was found to mediate the depression–adherence relationship.

Conclusion

Strategies aimed at the development of successful adherence interventions should focus on reducing perceived barriers and enhancing self‐efficacy and knowledge. It can be suggested that efforts to improve the healthcare provider–patient relationship would enhance adherence. In depressive patients, strategies that promote self‐efficacy and the support of family or healthcare providers could diminish the negative impact of depression on adherence.
Selecting thresholds for the prediction of species occurrence with presence‐only data
Authors: Liu Canran , White Matt , Newell Graeme
Published: January 2013

Aim

Species distribution models have been widely used to tackle ecological, evolutionary and conservation problems. Most species distribution modelling techniques produce continuous suitability predictions, but many real applications (e.g. reserve design, species invasion and climate change impact assessment) and model evaluations require binary outputs, and thresholds are needed for these transformations. Although there are many threshold selection methods for presence/absence data, it is unclear whether these are suitable for presence‐only data. In this paper, we investigate mathematically and empirically which of the existing threshold selection methods can be used confidently with presence‐only data.

Location

We used real spatially explicit environmental data derived from the western part of the state of Victoria, south‐eastern Australia, and simulated species distributions within this area.

Methods

Thirteen existing threshold selection methods were investigated mathematically to see whether the same threshold can be produced using either presence/absence data or presence‐only data. We further adopted a simulation approach, created many virtual species with differing prevalences in a real landscape in south‐eastern Australia, generated data sets with different proportions of pseudo‐absences, built eight types of models with four modelling techniques, and investigated the behaviours of four threshold selection methods in these situations.

Results

Three threshold selection methods were not affected by pseudo‐absences, including max SSS (which is based on maximizing the sum of sensitivity and specificity), the prevalence of model training data and the mean predicted value of a set of random points. Max SSS produced higher sensitivity in most cases and higher true skill statistic and kappa in many cases than the other methods. The other methods produced different thresholds from presence‐only data to those determined from presence/absence data.

Main conclusions

Max SSS is a promising method for threshold selection when only presence data are available.
Cutting grass on desert islands: genetic structure of disjunct coastal and central Australian populations of Gahnia trifida (Cyperaceae)
Authors: Clarke Laurence J. , Whalen Molly A. , Mackay Duncan A.
Published: January 2013

Aim

Great Artesian Basin (GAB) springs in central Australia support several plant species otherwise not found in the arid zone. Evolutionary theory predicts that isolated populations will experience reductions in gene flow and genetic diversity, and higher levels of inbreeding. Our aim was to test this prediction by comparing the genetic structure of cutting grass, Gahnia trifida, (Cyperaceae) on disjunct GAB springs with coastal populations that have experienced recent fragmentation.

Location

Naturally isolated GAB springs near Lake Eyre, central Australia, and coastal sites in southern Australia.

Methods

We used 13 microsatellite markers to genotype 267 samples from six GAB spring and four coastal G. trifida populations. These data were used to estimate population genetic statistics and contemporary and historical measures of gene flow in the two regions.

Results

GAB spring populations display lower levels of genetic diversity compared with coastal populations. Furthermore, GAB spring populations displayed much higher levels of genetic differentiation (FST = 0.52) than populations at coastal sites (FST = 0.22). Several coastal populations exhibited historical genetic connectivity, whereas analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) and contemporary migration rate estimates indicate that populations from GAB spring groups are demographically independent.

Main conclusions

Divergence estimates based on microsatellite data suggest restriction of central Australian G. trifida populations to refugial spring habitats since at least 15–28 ka, a period that spans the Last Glacial Maximum. Dispersal amongst spring groups is insufficient to counteract the effect of genetic drift, leading to a loss of genetic diversity. Species persisting in isolated or fragmented habitats are likely to suffer adverse effects on genetic traits, potentially increasing their risk of extinction.
Error‐related brain activity in young children: associations with parental anxiety and child temperamental negative emotionality
Authors: Torpey Dana C. , Hajcak Greg , Kim Jiyon , Kujawa Autumn J. , Dyson Margaret W. , Olino Thomas M. , Klein Daniel N.
Published: January 2013

Background:  There is increasing interest in error‐related brain activity in anxiety disorders. The error‐related negativity (ERN) is a negative deflection in the event‐related potential approximately 50 ms after errors compared to correct responses. Recent studies suggest that the ERN may be a biomarker for anxiety, as it is positively associated with anxiety disorders and traits in adults and older youth. However, it is not known if the ERN in young children is related to risk for anxiety disorders. We addressed this by examining the association of six‐year olds' ERNs with two established risk factors for anxiety: parental anxiety disorder and child temperamental negative emotionality (NE).

Method:  The ERN was assessed using a Go/No‐Go task in a community sample of 413 six‐year olds. In a prior assessment at age 3, child temperament was evaluated using a laboratory observational measure and parental psychopathology was assessed using semi‐structured diagnostic interviews.

Results:  Children of mothers with anxiety disorders and children with greater temperamental NE (particularly fearfulness) exhibited significantly smaller ERNs than their peers. Paternal psychopathology, maternal mood and substance use disorders, and child positive emotionality were not associated with children's ERNs.

Conclusion:  Both maternal anxiety disorders and child NE (particularly fearfulness) were significantly associated with children's ERNs. However, the direction of these associations was opposite to the relations between ERNs and anxiety in older youth and adults. These results suggest that there may be a difference between risk and disorder status in the relation of error‐related brain activity to anxiety between early childhood and late childhood/ early adolescence.
Differential susceptibility to prevention: GABAergic, dopaminergic, and multilocus effects
Authors: Brody Gene H. , Chen Yi‐fu , Beach Steven R. H.
Published: January 2013

Background:  Randomized prevention trials provide a unique opportunity to test hypotheses about the interaction of genetic predispositions with contextual processes to create variations in phenotypes over time.

Methods:  Using two longitudinal, randomized prevention trials, molecular genetic and alcohol use outcome data were gathered from more than 900 youths to determine whether prevention program participation would, across 2 years, moderate genetic risk for increased alcohol use conferred by the dopaminergic and GABAergic systems.

Results:  We found that (a) variance in dopaminergic (DRD2, DRD4, ANKK1) and GABAergic (GABRG1, GABRA2) genes forecast increases in alcohol use across 2 years, and (b) youths at genetic risk who were assigned to the control condition displayed greater increases in alcohol use across 2 years than did youths at genetic risk who were assigned to the prevention condition or youths without genetic risk who were assigned to either condition.

Conclusions:  This study is unique in combining data from two large prevention trials to test hypotheses regarding genetic main effects and gene × prevention interactions. Focusing on gene systems purported to confer risk for alcohol use and abuse, the study demonstrated that participation in efficacious prevention programs can moderate genetic risk. The results also support the differential susceptibility hypothesis that some youths, for genetic reasons, are more susceptible than others to both positive and negative contextual influences.
Cheilitis glandularis: immunohistochemical expression of protein water channels (aquaporins) in minor labial salivary glands
Authors: Nico M.M.S. , Melo J.N. , Lourenço S.V.
Published: January 2013

Background Cheilitis glandularis (CG) is a rare condition in which thick saliva is secreted from dilated ostia of swollen minor salivary glands from the lips. Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane proteins that exhibit channel activity specific for water and small solutes. AQPs are essential for corporal homeostasis, and are widely expressed through human tissues. Most AQPs studies are based on renal and nervous pathophysiology; few involve salivary glands. Some previous investigators hypothesized that minor salivary gland structure and function is normal on CG.

Objectives To study possible salivary synthesis alterations in CG, we compared the expression of AQPs present in minor salivary glands in specimens with CG and controls by using immunohistochemistry.

Methods Seven cases of CG and three normal controls were studied.

Results Intensity and patterns of expression of AQP 1, 2 and 8 differed in CG compared with controls. AQP 4 and 5 (the most important AQP in salivary function) showed identical patterns in CG and controls.

Conclusion Our findings suggest that the expression and arguably, function of some of the AQPs may be altered in CG; consequently, water flow mechanism abnormalities with possible alteration in salivary composition seem to occur. External factors (mainly UV rays) seem to play an important role in CG; nonetheless, our findings suggest that there might be some degree of alteration on water transportation.
Imported ornamental fish are colonized with antibiotic‐resistant bacteria
Authors: Rose S , Hill R , Bermudez L E , Miller‐Morgan T
Published: January 2013

There has been growing concern about the overuse of antibiotics in the ornamental fish industry and its possible effect on the increasing drug resistance in both commensal and pathogenic organisms in these fish. The aim of this study was to carry out an assessment of the diversity of bacteria, including pathogens, in ornamental fish species imported into North America and to assess their antibiotic resistance. Kidney samples were collected from 32 freshwater ornamental fish of various species, which arrived to an importing facility in Portland, Oregon from Colombia, Singapore and Florida. Sixty‐four unique bacterial colonies were isolated and identified by PCR using bacterial 16S primers and DNA sequencing. Multiple isolates were identified as bacteria with potential to cause disease in both fish and humans. The antibiotic resistance profile of each isolate was performed for nine different antibiotics. Among them, cefotaxime (16% resistance among isolates) was the antibiotic associated with more activity, while the least active was tetracycline (77% resistant). Knowing information about the diversity of bacteria in imported ornamental fish, as well as the resistance profiles for the bacteria will be useful in more effectively treating clinical infected fish, and also potential zoonoses in the future.
Rheological Approaches Suitable for Investigating Starch and Protein Properties Related to Cooking Quality of Durum Wheat Pasta
Authors: Marti Alessandra , Seetharaman Koushik , Pagani Maria Ambrogina
Published: January 2013

Starch and protein properties of semolina and pasta samples were investigated using MVAG and GPT, which are generally used for starch and common wheat flour characterization. From two semolina, which have different starch and protein content and pasta‐making qualities, four spaghetti samples were produced and dried using low‐ or high‐temperature drying. Starch and protein arrangements in dried pasta were related to pasta cooking behavior. The tests discriminated semolinas according to their technological quality. Good quality semolina (A) exhibited a high pasting temperature, low hot viscosity, and high and earlier protein aggregation properties. In regard to pasta, when dried at a low temperature, spaghetti from sample A showed lower cooking loss than pasta from poor quality semolina (B), which is probably related to the low starch swelling and a strong network. The use of HT cycle lowered the differences in cooking quality and starch and protein properties related to the raw‐materials features.

Practical Applications

The development of a rapid method for evaluating semolina quality and how it relates to starch, protein properties and pasta cooking quality is of great interest for the pasta‐making industry. This research highlights that MVAG and GPT tests are able to discriminate semolina according to their technological quality in a short time and using a low amount of sample. In addition, the tests gave useful information for understanding the effect of both raw‐materials characteristics and drying conditions on starch and protein macromolecules in determining the final cooking quality.
Agreement between different methods of measuring height in elderly patients
Authors: Frid H. , Thors Adolfsson E. , Rosenblad A. , Nydahl M.
Published: January 2013

Background

The present study aimed to examine the agreement between measurements of standing height and self‐reported height, height measured with a sliding caliper, and height estimated from either demispan or knee height in elderly patients.

Methods

Fifty‐five patients (mean age 79 years) at a Swedish hospital were included in this observational study. The participants' heights were evaluated as the standing height, self‐reported height, height measured in a recumbent position with a sliding caliper, and height estimated from the demispan or knee height.

Results

The measurements made with a sliding caliper in the recumbent position agreed most closely with the standing height. Ninety‐five percent of the individuals' differences from standing height were within an interval of +1.1 to −4.8 cm (limits of agreement). Self‐reported height and height estimated from knee height differed relatively strongly from standing height. The limits of agreement were +5.2 to −9.8 cm and +9.4 to −6.2 cm, respectively. The widest distribution of differences was found in the height estimated from the demispan, with limits of agreements from +11.2 to −9.3 cm.

Conclusions

When measuring the height of patients who find it difficult to stand upright, a sliding caliper should be the method of choice, and the second choice should be self‐reported height or the height estimated from knee height. Estimating height from the demispan should be the method of last resort.
Parathyroid hormone levels in neonates with suspected osteopenia
Authors: Moreira Alvaro , February Melissa , Geary Cara
Published: January 2013

Aim

The goal of this study is to describe secondary hyperparathyroidism in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) neonates and their response to enteral calcium carbonate (CaCO3) supplementation.

Methods

A retrospective case series was conducted on extremely low birth infants, <1000 g birthweight, who survived hospitalisation, had no major congenital anomalies and had all their care in our institution

Results

During this 6‐year period, 231 ELBW infants survived hospitalisation at our institution. Of the 231 patients, parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were performed in 66 of these patients (29%) and were elevated in 54 patients (82% of those tested). The timing of this testing was sporadic and was often performed after recognising osteopenia on radiography. Of the 54 patients with high PTH levels, 44 (81%) were treated with CaCO3 and PTH levels were monitored while on therapy. The average duration of therapy was 41 ± 28 days, with 64% of PTH levels returning to normal before discharge.

Conclusions

PTH is a major hormone responsible for bone resorption, and serum levels may be a useful marker in identifying ELBW neonates at risk for metabolic bone disease. ELBW neonates with secondary hyperparathyroidism may benefit from enteral supplementation with CaCO3. Further studies are needed to better evaluate the incidence, timing and potential treatment of hyperparathyroidism in ELBW infants.
Bad Apples: Political Paralysis and the Quality of Politicians
Authors: LEON GABRIEL
Published: January 2013

Why do elected officials often suffer from political paralysis and fail to implement the best policies available? This paper considers a new and intuitive explanation that focuses on the quality of the politicians competing for office. The key insight is that a “good” incumbent with preferences identical to those of a representative voter will want to keep rent‐seeking politicians out of office; he may do so by distorting his policy choices to signal his type and win reelection. The value of signaling and staying in office increases with the fraction of rent‐seeking types in the population of politicians. Electing good types may therefore not be enough to ensure that the best policies are implemented, especially when rent seeking is widespread. This provides a new explanation for why political failure is particularly severe in corrupt democracies.
A Coordination Game Model of Charitable Giving and Seed Money Effect
Authors: HATSUMI KENTARO
Published: January 2013

If potential donors for a charity project possess the warm‐glow properties in their preferences, we can represent their behavior with a coordination game. Accordingly, we construct a simultaneous incomplete information game model of charitable giving based on a simple global coordination game. We demonstrate that merely by the effect of seed money to shift the threshold requirement of the donations for project success downwards, the proportion of donors and the total amount of donations strictly and continuously increase with the amount of seed money. This result is partially compatible with the field experimental evidence in List and Lucking‐Reiley (2002).
Does Inequality Foster Corruption?
Authors: DUTTA INDRANIL , MISHRA AJIT
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we investigate how inequality affects corruption in the presence of an imperfect credit market. We favor an explanation based on a multimarket framework where corruption in one market (or sector) arises because of imperfections exacerbated by inequality in related markets. We demonstrate that even when an individual's ability to pay bribes and benefit from engaging in corruption are not affected by wealth level, greater (wealth) inequality will lead to an increase in corruption.
Trends in dental health of 35‐ to 44‐year‐olds in West and East Germany after reunification
Authors: Schützhold Svenja , Holtfreter Birte , Hoffmann Thomas , Kocher Thomas , Micheelis Wolfgang
Published: January 2013

Objectives

The German reunification (1990) resulted in huge social upheavals in East Germany involving changes in health‐care systems. We aimed to assess the changes of dental health between 1989 and 2005, hypothesizing that dental health converged in West and East Germany.

Methods

We evaluated data from 855 East and 1,456 West Germans aged 35‐44 years from the cross‐sectional German Oral Health Studies (Deutsche Mundgesundheitsstudien) conducted in 1989/92, 1997, and 2005. Regression models were applied to assess associations between region, survey year, their interactions and variables assessing dental disease status [number of decayed (DT), missing (MT), and filled teeth (FT), the DMFT‐index, the probability of having ≤20 teeth and the number of sound teeth (ST)], adjusting for potential risk factors for caries.

Results

After a slight increase of MT between 1989/92 and 1997 (West: 3.6 to 3.6; East: 4.5 to 4.9), numbers of MT considerably decreased between 1997 and 2005 (West: 3.6 to 2.2; East: 4.9 to 3.1). East Germans had consistently more MT. Numbers of FT, DT, ST, and the DMFT‐index equalized at the latest in 2005. The East German DMFT‐index increased between 1989/92 and 1997 and slightly decreased between 1997 and 2005, whereas the West German DMFT‐index steadily decreased between 1989/92 and 2005.

Conclusions

Dental health converged in West and East Germany, but the higher number of MT in 2005 indicates that East Germany was not able to catch up completely with West Germany.
Medical and pharmacy students' knowledge and perceptions about generic medicines in Bangladesh
Authors: Siam Mohammad Kawsar Sharif , Khan Abbas , Khan Tahir Mehmood
Published: January 2013

Objective

To explore medical and pharmacy students' knowledge and perception towards the use of generic medicines in Bangladesh.

Method

A convenience sample was drawn from six Bangladeshi universities/medical colleges using an 18-item questionnaire. A total of n = 398 pharmacy and medical students were approached to participate. Scoring of responses was done for the 10 items in the perception section (score range 0–10). Data was analysed using SPSS version 13 and the difference among the groups were estimated using independent samples t-test.

Results

A total of 346 students willingly participated in this study, which amounted to a response rate of 86.93%. About 85.5% of the respondents indicated that they had heard about generic and branded medicines. From both groups 70–80% were able to distinguish between generic and branded medicines. There were significant differences in knowledge among the pharmacy (4.86 ± 1.55) and medical (4.20 ± 1.62) students (P < 0.001, t = 3.83, 95% confidence interval 0.323–1.00).

Conclusion

Overall, there were knowledge deficits in both groups with a moderate level of perception about generic medicine.
Competition between young exotic invasive and native dominant plant species: implications for invasions within riparian areas
Authors: Bottollier‐Curtet Marion , Planty‐Tabacchi Anne‐Marie , Tabacchi Eric
Published: January 2013

Questions

The high competitiveness of exotic invasive species has often been demonstrated, but usually with respect to native species known to have low competitive ability. Considering five exotic and five native riparian species with close characteristics regarding competitive ability, habitat and growth form, we addressed the following questions: (i) do the selected invasive plants produce more biomass than the selected native dominants under competitive pressure; and (ii) are the selected invasive species better competitors than the selected native dominants?

Location

Common garden experiment at the Henri Gaussen Botanical Garden, Toulouse, France.

Methods

We selected five native dominant species and five exotic invasive species co‐occurring along a riparian successional gradient of the middle Garonne River (SW France). Young plants of each species were planted in pots in ten intra‐ and 17 inter‐specific combinations in conditions of high water and nutrient availability. To simulate the effects of hydrological disturbance during earlier growth stages, a partial cutting of plants was applied 6 weeks after planting. We measured above‐ground and below‐ground biomass of individuals of each species after 6 mo of growth.

Results

There were large disparities among species performances, regardless of whether the species were exotic or native. The exotic species produced more above‐ground and below‐ground biomass than the natives species for 73% of the selected species pairs. The exotic species had higher competitive ability than the native species, mainly related to the high competitive effect of I. glandulifera. The two species with the highest biomass production and competitive ability were invasive exotics, whereas the two species with the lowest were dominant natives.

Conclusions

Our results predict that competition among young individuals could play a major role for the invasion success of the studied exotic species in European riparian areas.
Vegetation–environment relationships in alpine mires of the West Carpathians and the Alps
Authors: Sekulová Lucia , Hájek Michal , Syrovátka Vít
Published: January 2013

Questions

How do two distant mountain ranges differ in their vegetation–environment relationships, overall species composition and its variability and species richness of vascular plants and bryophytes in alpine fens and bogs? Is the floristic difference consistent along the acidity–alkalinity gradient?

Location

West Carpathians (Poland, Slovakia) and Swiss Alps.

Methods

Vascular plant and bryophyte species compositions and environmental characteristics were sampled along the large acidity–alkalinity gradient within the alpine belts. PERMANOVA was used for testing floristic differences between the regions, DCA for the patterns description, CCA for testing the vegetation–environment relationships and linear models for testing the local species richness determinants. Compositional β‐diversity (rate of compositional turnover) and regional species pool were compared using PERMDISP and sample‐based rarefaction curves.

Results

Most floristic variation was explained by water pH in both regions. Macroclimate was the second most important gradient in the Alps, correlating with the second DCA axis delimiting the moderately poor brown‐moss fens from the Sphagnum bogs. The species composition differed significantly between the regions in all three pH classes, expect for bryophytes in the middle pH class. Bryophytes exhibited higher similarities between the regions, except in acidic mires. Vascular plant composition differed most in the middle pH class. The local species richness was predominantly determined by pH, except for bryophytes in the Alps. As compared to bryophytes, vascular plant local species richness was affected by more factors and showed a clear linear response to pH. Within the particular pH classes, there were few differences in local species richness, compositional β‐diversity and regional species pool between the two mountain ranges.

Conclusions

The pattern in inter‐regional floristic dissimilarities differs between bryophytes and vascular plants, probably because of better dispersal ability of bryophytes, and different causes of these dissimilarities: lower mass effect at extreme ends of the acidity–alkalinity gradient in the case of vascular plants and higher compositional β‐diversity of acidic mires in the case of bryophytes. Contrary to previously explored alpine springs of the same regions, local species richness and composition were determined rather by pH than mineral richness, and all patterns were more consistent between the regions and the taxonomic groups.
Effect of propagule pressure on recovery of aCalifornia grassland after an extreme disturbance
Authors: Larios Loralee , Aicher Rebecca J. , Suding Katharine N.
Published: January 2013

Questions

How is natural regeneration of a patchy landscape affected by within‐patch species interactions and among‐patch dispersal after an extreme disturbance? Do landscape dispersal processes facilitate the invasion of native‐dominated patches by exotic species in adjacent patches?

Location

Irvine Ranch Natural Landmark,Irvine,California,USA.

Methods

We monitored plant community composition in paired grassland patches that were initially dominated by native or exotic grasses at eight sites. We followed recovery of native and exotic grassland species over time, starting in a record drought year prior to an intense fire, and then for 3 yr with more typical rainfall patterns after the fire. Additionally, we compared seed rain of native and exotic species across native and exotic patches, quantifying how seed rain influenced species abundance in the following year. Multivariate and regression analyses were used to assess the potential homogenization of the landscape.

Results

Following the extreme drought/fire disturbance, the exotic annual grasses quickly recovered in abundance in patches that they dominated prior to the disturbance. However, the native grass,Stipa pulchra, was not able to recover in the patches it once dominated. As the exotic grasses gradually increased in the native patches, the paired patch types became more similar in composition over time. Exotic grasses produced up to 28 times more seed than the native dominant grass,Stipa; even in the patches initially dominated byStipa, exotic seed rain was equivalent or greater than the native. Seed rain was positively correlated with the following year's abundance for both exotic and native species.

Conclusions

After an extreme disturbance, recovery of native patches can be stalled by an influx of propagules from neighbouring exotic patches. This exotic seed rain can allow the invasion of areas once dominated by natives, thus inhibiting regeneration. The matrix surrounding remnant native stands can be a critical factor in determining whether an extreme disturbance enhances native diversity vs. increasing its susceptibility to invasion.
The migrating embryo model for disk evolution
Authors: BASU Shantanu , VOROBYOV Eduard I.
Published: January 2013

Abstract– A new view of disk evolution is emerging from self‐consistent numerical simulation modeling of the formation of circumstellar disks from the direct collapse of prestellar cloud cores. This has implications for many aspects of star and planet formation, including the growth of dust and high‐temperature processing of materials. A defining result is that the early evolution of a disk is crucially affected by the continuing mass loading from the core envelope, and is driven into recurrent phases of gravitational instability. Nonlinear spiral arms formed during these episodes fragment to form gaseous clumps in the disk. These clumps generally migrate inward due to gravitational torques arising from their interaction with a trailing spiral arm. Occasionally, a clump can open up a gap in the disk and settle into a stable orbit, revealing a direct pathway to the formation of companion stars, brown dwarfs, or giant planets. At other times, when multiple clumps are present, a low mass clump may even be ejected from the system, providing a pathway to the formation of free‐floating brown dwarfs and giant planets in addition to low mass stars. Finally, it has been suggested that the inward migration of gaseous clumps can provide the proper conditions for the transport of high‐temperature processed solids from the outer disk to the inner disk, and even possibly accelerate the formation of terrestrial planets in the inner disk. All of these features arising from clump formation and migration can be tied together conceptually in a migrating embryo model for disk evolution that can complement the well‐known core accretion model for planet formation.