bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studying reliability using identical handheld lactate analyzers
Authors: Stewart Mark T. , Stavrianeas Stasinos
Published: June 2008

Accusport analyzers were used to generate lactate performance curves in an investigative laboratory activity emphasizing the importance of reliable instrumentation. Both the calibration and testing phases of the exercise provided students with a hands-on opportunity to use laboratory-grade instrumentation while allowing for meaningful connections to be made between data collection and analysis. Pairs of student teams tested individual aerobically trained participants exercising to voluntary exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. The analysis of four volunteers' postexercise blood samples revealed lactate data that, although highly correlated, showed small but statistically significant differences between devices. This laboratory activity provides a useful platform for introducing students to the reliability of instrumentation, in particular noting its relevance to designs employing repeated measures.
Is physiology the locus of health/health promotion?
Authors: Zbilut Joseph P.
Published: June 2008

A current trend in physiology education involves the use of clinical vignettes to demonstrate the importance of knowing normal physiology to appreciate pathophysiology. Although laudable, in effect, such tactics promote the so-called “disease” model of medicine while at the same time suggesting that the only utility for the knowledge of physiology is to understand pathophysiology. This would seem to be at odds with health professions and institutions, who maintain their goal is to promote health. Yet, a search for the locus of “health” education in typical curricula is not easily found. Given the developing interest in biological systems as well as aging, it is suggested that these topics may provide a basis for locating physiology as the locus for understanding “health.”
Genes, exercise, growth, and the sedentary, obese child
Authors: Teran-Garcia Margarita , Rankinen Tuomo , Bouchard Claude
Published: June 2008

It is still not possible to provide an evidence-based answer to the question of whether regular exercise is essential for normal growth. It is also unclear whether very low levels of exercise result in growth deficits. Regular exposure to exercise is characterized by heterogeneity in responsiveness, with most individuals experiencing improvements in fitness traits but a significant proportion showing only very minor gains. Whether a sedentary mode of life during the growing years results in a permanent deficit in cardiorespiratory fitness or a diminished ability to respond favorably to regular exercise later in life remains to be investigated. Although several genes have been associated with fitness levels or response to regular exercise, the quality of the evidence is weak mainly because studies are statistically underpowered. The special case of the obese, sedentary child is discussed, and the importance of the “energy gap” in the excess weight gain during growth is highlighted. Obese, sedentary children have high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, elevated glycemia and type 2 diabetes, hepatic steatosis, respiratory problems, orthopedic complications, and other health disorders more frequently than normal weight, physically active children. The role of genetic differences in the inclination to be sedentary or physically active is reviewed. An understanding of the true role of genetic differences and regular exercise on the growth of children will require more elaborate paradigms incorporating not only DNA sequence variants and exercise exposure but also information on nutrition, programming, and epigenetic events during fetal life and early postnatal years.
Bioinformatic Tools for Inferring Functional Information from Plant Microarray Data: Tools for the First Steps
Authors: Page Grier P. , Coulibaly Issa
Published: June 2008

Microarrays are a very powerful tool for quantifying the amount of RNA in samples; however, their ability to query essentially every gene in a genome, which can number in the tens of thousands, presents analytical and interpretative problems. As a result, a variety of software and web-based tools have been developed to help with these issues. This article highlights and reviews some of the tools for the first steps in the analysis of a microarray study. We have tried for a balance between free and commercial systems. We have organized the tools by topics including image processing tools (Section 2), power analysis tools (Section 3), image analysis tools (Section 4), database tools (Section 5), databases of functional information (Section 6), annotation tools (Section 7), statistical and data mining tools (Section 8), and dissemination tools (Section 9).
Extended Nonnegative Tensor Factorisation Models for Musical Sound Source Separation
Authors: FitzGerald Derry , Cranitch Matt , Coyle Eugene
Published: June 2008

Recently, shift-invariant tensor factorisation algorithms have been proposed for the purposes of sound source separation of pitched musical instruments. However, in practice, existing algorithms require the use of log-frequency spectrograms to allow shift invariance in frequency which causes problems when attempting to resynthesise the separated sources. Further, it is difficult to impose harmonicity constraints on the recovered basis functions. This paper proposes a new additive synthesis-based approach which allows the use of linear-frequency spectrograms as well as imposing strict harmonic constraints, resulting in an improved model. Further, these additional constraints allow the addition of a source filter model to the factorisation framework, and an extended model which is capable of separating mixtures of pitched and percussive instruments simultaneously.
Tratamiento actual del estreñimiento infantil
Authors: Liem Olivia , Di Lorenzo Carlo , Taminiau Jan A.J.M , Mousa Hayat M. , Benninga Marc A.
Published: June 2008

El estreñimiento infantil es un problema mundial. Es una de las molestias más comunes que tienen que afrontar tanto los pediatras generales como los gastroenterólogos pediátricos. El tratamiento del estreñimiento crónico es problemático, a menudo exige un seguimiento a largo plazo y el uso de medicamentos. A pesar de su elevada frecuencia, se han realizado pocos ensayos aleatorizados para investigar la eficacia de las diferentes intervenciones utilizadas para tratar este proceso. En esta revisión comentaremos las opciones terapéuticas actuales para el estreñimiento infantil y abordaremos algunas de las preguntas planteadas más frecuentemente y los conceptos erróneos detectados entre los padres y los médicos.
Cardiac Arrhythmias after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Risk Factors and Impact on Outcome
Authors: Frontera Jennifer A. , Parra Augusto , Shimbo Daichi , Fernandez Andres , Schmidt J. Michael , Peter Patricia , Claassen Jan , Wartenberg Katja E. , Rincon Fred , Badjatia Neeraj , Naidech Andrew , Connolly E. Sander , Mayer Stephan A.
Published: June 2008

Objective: Serious cardiac arrhythmias have been described in approximately 5% of patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study was to identify the frequency, risk factors and clinical impact of cardiac arrhythmia after SAH. Methods: We prospectively studied 580 spontaneous SAH patients and identified risk factors and complications associated with the development of clinically significant arrhythmia. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios for the effect of arrhythmia on hospital complications and 3-month outcome, as measured by the modified Rankin Scale, after controlling for age, neurological grade, APACHE-2 physiologic subscore, brain herniation and aneurysm size. Results: Arrhythmia occurred in 4.3% (n = 25) of patients. Atrial fibrillation and flutter were the most common arrhythmias, occurring in 76% (n = 19) of these patients. Admission predictors of cardiac arrhythmia included older age, history of arrhythmia and abnormal admission electrocardiogram (all p < 0.05). After adjusting for length of stay, hospital complications associated with arrhythmia included myocardial ischemia, hyperglycemia, and herniation (all p < 0.05). Arrhythmia was associated with an excess ICU stay of 5 days (p = 0.002). After adjusting for other predictors of outcome, arrhythmia was associated with an increased risk of death (adjusted OR 8.0, 95% confidence interval 1.9–34.0, p = 0.005), and death or severe disability (adjusted OR 6.9, 95% confidence interval 1.5–32.0, p = 0.014). Conclusions: Clinically important arrhythmias, most often atrial fibrillation or flutter, occurred in 4% of SAH patients. Arrhythmias are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular comorbidity, prolonged hospital stay and poor outcome or death after SAH, after adjusting for other predictors of poor outcome.
A Search for Helicobacter pyloriin Localized Vulvodynia
Authors: Geva Adam , Sabo Edmond , Levy Josef , Blumenthal Monique , Ophir Ella , Geva Hana , Bornstein Jacob
Published: June 2008

Background: We noted that several patients presenting with both localized vulvodynia (vulvar vestibulitis) and peptic symptoms reported a resolution of dyspareunia after receiving a full treatment course for Helicobacter pylori. Methods: Women with localized vulvodynia were interviewed regarding symptoms of peptic disease. Those with peptic symptoms underwent a blood test for the presence of antibodies to H. pylori and were referred to a gastroenterology consultation. In all women, vestibular biopsies were obtained and stained for H. pylori. Healthy vestibular tissues as well as archival negative and positive gastric tissues served as controls. Results: Of the blood antibody tests, 12 (80%) were positive. None of the patients had evidence of H. pylori in the vestibule. Eleven women received triple therapy for eradication of H. pylori. Eight (73%) reported complete relief of dyspareunia and of gastric symptoms. Conclusion: Our study found no immunohistochemical evidence of H. pylori infection in the vestibule but suggested a possible role for anti-H. pylori treatment in localized vulvodynia.
Respiratory Allergy to Lipid Transfer Protein
Authors: Borghesan Franco , Mistrello Gianni , Roncarolo Daniela , Amato Stefano , Plebani Mario , Asero Riccardo
Published: June 2008

Background: Due to unclear reasons, allergy to lipid transfer protein (LTP) is frequent in Mediterranean countries but rare in Northern Europe. Objective: We report a paradigmatic case of primarily airborne sensitization to LTP that might explain the geographical distribution of this type of food allergy. Methods: A 21-year-old woman began having severe perennial rhinitis 6 months after she started working in a wholesale fruit storehouse in Southern Italy where large amounts of fruits, including peaches, were handled; symptoms subsided when she left the workplace for >5 days and relapsed as soon as she was back at work. Later on, she developed severe food allergies to peach, hazelnut, peanut, apricot, plum and tomato. The patient underwent a nasal challenge with peach peel extract, and IgE reactivity was assessed by immunoblot analysis. Results: In vivo and in vitro analyses showed sensitivity to LTP. The nasal challenge with peach peel extract (6 µg protein) induced acute, severe respiratory symptoms. On immunoblot with peach peel extract patient’s serum reacted uniquely against LTP, as demonstrated by inhibition assays with the recombinant peach protein. Conclusion: LTP may induce sensitization via the respiratory tract due to inhalation of air-dispersed food particles, and this may precede the onset of food allergy. If this way of sensitization were effective in the majority of LTP allergic patients (e.g. by exposure to peaches showing intact fuzz in areas where peaches are grown and directly sold on the market) our findings could explain the strange geographical distribution of this type of food allergy.
Cube Copying Test in Combination with rCBF or CSF Aβ42Predicts Development of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Buchhave Peder , Stomrud Erik , Warkentin Siegbert , Blennow Kaj , Minthon Lennart , Hansson Oskar
Published: June 2008

Background/Aim: The aim was to identify subjects with incipient Alzheimer’s disease (AD) among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using brief cognitive tests. Methods: A total of 147 MCI patients were followed for 4–6 years and the incidence of AD was 11.6%/year. At baseline, the cube copying test, clock drawing test, MMSE and measurements of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) β-amyloid1–42 (Aβ42) were performed. Results: The cube copying test, but not the clock drawing test, could predict AD among MCI patients with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.64 (p < 0.01). The relative risk for future AD was increased in MCI subjects with impaired cube copying test (sex- and age-adjusted hazard ratio = 1.8, p < 0.05) and the incidence of AD was 18.2% in this subgroup. Combining the cube copying test with either rCBF or CSF Aβ42 had additive effects on the risk assessment for future development of AD. MCI patients achieving high scores on both MMSE and cube copying test had a very low risk of developing AD (incidence of AD = 1.6%). Conclusion: In conclusion, combinations of the cube copying test with MMSE, rCBF and CSF Aβ42 measurements can identify subgroups of MCI subjects with either substantially reduced or increased risk for future development of AD.
COX-2 Expression in Oral Lichen Planus
Authors: Lysitsa Stella , Samson Jacky , Gerber-Wicht Christine , Lang Ursula , Lombardi Tommaso
Published: June 2008

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause, which possesses the potential for malignant transformation. Cyclooxygenases (COX) 1 and 2 are two enzymes known to convert arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. Recent studies have shown an overexpression of COX-2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its precursor lesions. The present study investigated the expression of the COX-2 protein in OLP by Western blot analysis. Thirty patients with different degrees of histologically confirmed disease activity participated in the study: 9 patients had a recent onset of active OLP, 12 patients had atrophic OLP with moderate or low activity, and 9 patients presented with atrophic OLP with complete loss of activity. The results showed a high expression of COX-2 in all OLP patients in comparison with the control group. The differences in COX-2 expression in the various stages of OLP were not statistically significant. In conclusion, our results suggest that COX-2 is present during the various clinical forms of OLP. The resulting sustained overexpression of COX-2 in the late stage of the disease could play a role in the malignant transformation of some OLP.
β-Arrestins Regulate Atherosclerosis and Neointimal Hyperplasia by Controlling Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration
Authors: Kim Jihee , Zhang Lisheng , Peppel Karsten , Wu Jiao-Hui , Zidar David A. , Brian Leigh , DeWire Scott M. , Exum Sabrina T. , Lefkowitz Robert J. , Freedman Neil J.
Published: June 2008

Atherosclerosis and arterial injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia involve medial smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and migration into the arterial intima. Because many 7-transmembrane and growth factor receptors promote atherosclerosis, we hypothesized that the multifunctional adaptor proteins β-arrestin1 and -2 might regulate this pathological process. Deficiency of β-arrestin2 in
ldlr
−/−
mice reduced aortic atherosclerosis by 40% and decreased the prevalence of atheroma SMCs by 35%, suggesting that β-arrestin2 promotes atherosclerosis through effects on SMCs. To test this potential atherogenic mechanism more specifically, we performed carotid endothelial denudation in congenic wild-type, β-arrestin1
−/−
, and β-arrestin2
−/−
mice. Neointimal hyperplasia was enhanced in β-arrestin1
−/−
mice, and diminished in β-arrestin2
−/−
mice. Neointimal cells expressed SMC markers and did not derive from bone marrow progenitors, as demonstrated by bone marrow transplantation with green fluorescent protein-transgenic cells. Moreover, the reduction in neointimal hyperplasia seen in β-arrestin2
−/−
mice was not altered by transplantation with either wild-type or β-arrestin2
−/−
bone marrow cells. After carotid injury, medial SMC extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation and proliferation were increased in β-arrestin1
−/−
and decreased in β-arrestin2
−/−
mice. Concordantly, thymidine incorporation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation and migration evoked by 7-transmembrane receptors were greater than wild type in β-arrestin1
−/−
SMCs and less in β-arrestin2
−/−
SMCs. Proliferation was less than wild type in β-arrestin2
−/−
SMCs but not in β-arrestin2
−/−
endothelial cells. We conclude that β-arrestin2 aggravates atherosclerosis through mechanisms involving SMC proliferation and migration and that these SMC activities are regulated reciprocally by β-arrestin2 and β-arrestin1. These findings identify inhibition of β-arrestin2 as a novel therapeutic strategy for combating atherosclerosis and arterial restenosis after angioplasty.
Follistatin-Like 1 Is an Akt-Regulated Cardioprotective Factor That Is Secreted by the Heart
Authors: Oshima Yuichi , Ouchi Noriyuki , Sato Kaori , Izumiya Yasuhiro , Pimentel David R. , Walsh Kenneth
Published: June 2008

Background—

The Akt protein kinase is an important mediator of cardiac myocyte growth and survival. To identify factors with novel therapeutic applications in cardiac diseases, we focused on the identification of factors secreted from Akt1-activated cells that have cardioprotective effects through autocrine/paracrine mechanisms.

Methods and Results—

Using an inducible Akt1 transgenic mouse model, we have found that follistatin-like 1 (Fstl1) protein and transcript expression are increased 4.0- and 2.0-fold, respectively, by Akt activation in the heart (
P
<0.05). Fstl1 transcript was also upregulated in response to myocardial stresses including transverse aortic constriction, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and myocardial infarction. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Fstl1 protected cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis (
P
<0.01), and this protective effect was dependent on the upregulation of both Akt and ERK activities. Conversely, knockdown of Fstl1 in cardiac myocytes decreased basal Akt signaling and increased the frequency of apoptotic death in vitro (
P
<0.01). The intravenous administration of an adenoviral encoding Fstl1 to mice resulted in a 66.0% reduction in myocardial infarct size after ischemia/reperfusion injury that was accompanied by a 70.9% reduction in apoptosis in the heart (
P
<0.01).

Conclusions—

These results indicate that Fstl1 is a cardiac-secreted factor that functions as an antiapoptotic protein. Fstl1 could play a role in myocardial maintenance and repair in response to harmful stimuli.
Mortality Rates for Stroke in England From 1979 to 2004
Authors: Goldacre Michael J. , Duncan Marie , Griffith Myfanwy , Rothwell Peter M.
Published: June 2008

Background and Purpose—

Stroke mortality appears to be declining more rapidly in the UK than in many other Western countries. To understand this apparent decline better, we studied trends in mortality in the UK using more detailed data than are routinely available.

Methods—

Analysis of datasets that include both the underlying cause and all other mentioned causes of death (together, termed “all mentions”): the Oxford Record Linkage Study from 1979 to 2004 and English national data from 1996 to 2004.

Results—

Mortality rates based on underlying cause and based on all mentions showed similar downward trends. Mortality based on underlying cause alone misses about one quarter of all stroke-related deaths. Changes during the period in the national rules for selecting the underlying cause of death had a significant but fairly small effect on the trend. Overall, mortality fell by an average annual rate of 2.3% (95% confidence interval 2.1% to 2.5%) for stroke excluding subarachnoid hemorrhage; and by 2.1% (1.7% to 2.6%) per annum for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Coding of stroke as hemorrhagic, occlusive, or unspecified varied substantially across the study period. As a result, rates for hemorrhagic and occlusive stroke, affected by artifact, seemed to fall substantially in the first part of the study period and then leveled off.

Conclusion—

Studies of stroke mortality should include all mentions as well as the certified underlying cause, otherwise the burden of stroke will be underestimated. Studies of stroke mortality that include strokes specified as hemorrhagic or occlusive, without also considering stroke overall, are likely to be misleading. Stroke mortality in the Oxford region halved between 1979 and 2004.
The Relocation of Villagers into Public Housing: Some Suggestive Findings from a Singaporean Stud*1
Authors: Spiro Shimon E.
Published: June 2008

The relocation of villagers into modern high-rise housing estates is, in most countries, the exception rather than the rule. The urbanization of rural populations is, more typically, a gradual process. Rural migrants first settle in inner-city slums and squatter areas of the urban fringe, where they are often able to maintain some of the living arrangements and patterns of social organization which are characteristically rural Only after additional movements within these areas of first settlement, and after sufficient time had elapsed to allow for some assimilation into urban life, will some of the migrants, or their descendants, move into high rise public housing estates. This form of housing is, in many respects, the ultimate in urban living. It is characterized by nuclear families, occupying rigidly defined space, living among strangers, and subject to bureaucratic rules and controls. However, the fact that families typically move to housing estates after having experienced some form of urban living may ease the transition. Also, the fact that slum dwellings are often of physically inferior quality compared to estate housing3 may increase the willingness of new residents to accept some of the constraints of estate living.
A Projection for Labour Demand and Supply in Singapore to 1985
Authors: Ker S.T.
Published: June 2008

The purpose of this paper is to project the demand for labour in various sectors of the Singapore economy to 1985. The supply of labour will also be forecast and compared with labour demand. A labour demand equation will be specified and tested by the data of the period 1960-1974. Part I will discuss the specification of the model and data collection. Part II reports the regression results and Part III provides a projection based on average growth rate of variables in the labour demand equation. The final part compares the projected labour demand and labour supply for the period 1975-1985. Observations will be derived and implications discussed in the same section.
Fetal Pig:The High School Dissection Experience
Authors: Barr Gracia , Herzogl Harold
Published: June 2008

Using qualitative methods, we observed a series of fetal pig dissection sessions in a high school biology course and interviewed 17 students in the class.The students' responses to dissection varied considerably. Most felt that dissection was a positive experience, but a substantial minority viewed it primarily in negative terms. Almost all the students had some ambivalence about aspects of the fetal pig lab and believed that alternatives should be provided for students who object to the practice. We argue that dissection remains a viable educational tool but should be an optional rather than compulsory component of the curriculum.
English Almanacs and Animal Health Care in the Seventeenth Century
Authors: Hill Curthl Louise
Published: June 2008

In seventeenth-century England, the health and welfare of nonhuman animals rested almost solely on the shoulders of their keepers. Veterinary institutions had not yet been founded, and academically trained animal doctors did not exist. Laymen, however, had access to a great deal of information on animal health care. A range of printed publications were available that offered medical advice.The most accessible and easily understood were the ubiquitous almanacs. This article will examine the type of medical guidance offered in these cheap, annually-produced reference books. The major focus was on preventative practices because it was recognized that it was far easier to maintain a state of health than to cure illnesses. When such efforts failed, readers could also obtain recipes for remedies and treatments in almanacs.
Animals in Psychology Education and Student Choice
Authors: Cunninghaml Paul F.
Published: June 2008

This article identifies some of the important issues that underlie student-teacher conflicts regarding animal experimentation and dissection in psychology education. Understanding the reasons why students object to animal laboratories, why some teachers may refuse students access to non-animal alternatives, and why other teachers support student choice is an important first step in resolving student-teacher disputes regarding the use of animals in the psychology classroom.The article discusses why establishing an openly declared student choice policy at schools that use animals in psychology education is a reasonable thing to do and describes how a student choice policy works in practice.
Three Transgressions: Nietzsche, Heidegger, Derrida
Authors: Caputo John D.
Published: June 2008

Nietzsche, Heidegger and Derrida: these are not merely the names of three authors, but of three matters for thought, of three ways beyond metaphysics, three transgressions. I want to offer here a reflection, first, upon the dynamics of these transgressions—how each conceives metaphysics and where each makes its move against metaphysics—and, then, upon the relationships of the three to one another, on the interplay of their transgressive practices.
Automatic Designation of the Melting Layer with a Polarimetric Prototype of the WSR-88D Radar
Authors: Giangrande Scott E. , Krause John M. , Ryzhkov Alexander V.
Published: June 2008

A new polarimetric melting layer detection algorithm (MLDA) is utilized to estimate the top (melting level) and bottom boundaries of the melting layer and is tailored for operational deployment. Melting layer designations from a polarimetric prototype of the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) in central Oklahoma are validated using radiosonde and model temperature analysis. It is demonstrated that the MLDA estimates the top of the melting layer with a root-mean-square error of about 200 m within 60 km of the radar. There is evidence that the polarimetric radar might yield better spatial and temporal designation of the melting layer within the storm than that obtained from existing numerical model output and soundings.
A Midlatitude Precipitating Cloud Database Validated with Satellite Observations
Authors: Chaboureau Jean-Pierre , Söhne Nathalie , Pinty Jean-Pierre , Meirold-Mautner Ingo , Defer Eric , Prigent Catherine , Pardo Juan R. , Mech Mario , Crewell Susanne
Published: June 2008

The simulations of five midlatitude precipitating events by the nonhydrostatic mesoscale model Méso-NH are analyzed. These cases cover contrasted precipitation situations from 30° to 60°N, which are typical of midlatitudes. They include a frontal case with light precipitation over the Rhine River area (10 February 2000), a long-lasting precipitation event at Hoek van Holland, Netherlands (19 September 2001), a moderate rain case over the Elbe (12 August 2002), an intense rain case over Algiers (10 November 2001), and the “millennium storm” in the United Kingdom (30 October 2000). The physically consistent hydrometeor and thermodynamic outputs are used to generate a database for cloud and precipitation retrievals. The hydrometeor vertical profiles that were generated vary mostly with the 0°C isotherm, located between 1 and 3 km in height depending on the case. The characteristics of this midlatitude database are complementary to the GPROF database, which mostly concentrates on tropical situations. The realism of the simulations is evaluated against satellite observations by comparing synthetic brightness temperatures (BTs) with Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU), Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), and Meteosat observations. The good reproduction of the BT distributions by the model is exploited by calculating categorical scores for verification purposes. The comparison with 3-hourly Meteosat observations demonstrates the ability of the model to forecast the time evolution of the cloud cover, the latter being better predicted for the stratiform cases than for others. The comparison with AMSU-B measurements shows the skill of the model to predict rainfall at the correct location.
The Effect of Irrigation on Regional Temperatures: A Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Trends in California, 1934–2002
Authors: Lobell David B. , Bonfils Céline
Published: June 2008

The response of air temperatures to widespread irrigation may represent an important component of past and/or future regional climate changes. The quantitative impact of irrigation on daily minimum and maximum temperatures (Tmin and Tmax) in California was estimated using historical time series of county irrigated areas from agricultural censuses and daily climate observations from the U.S. Historical Climatology Network. Regression analysis of temperature and irrigation changes for stations within irrigated areas revealed a highly significant (p < 0.01) effect of irrigation on June–August average Tmax, with no significant effects on Tmin (p > 0.3). The mean estimate for Tmax was a substantial 5.0°C cooling for 100% irrigation cover, with a 95% confidence interval of 2.0°–7.9°C. As a result of small changes in Tmin compared to Tmax, the diurnal temperature range (DTR) decreased significantly in both spring and summer months. Effects on percentiles of Tmax within summer months were not statistically distinguishable, suggesting that irrigation’s impact is similar on warm and cool days in California. Finally, average trends for stations within irrigated areas were compared to those from nonirrigated stations to evaluate the robustness of conclusions from previous studies based on pairwise comparisons of irrigated and nonirrigated sites. Stronger negative Tmax trends in irrigated sites were consistent with the inferred effects of irrigation on Tmax. However, Tmin trends were significantly more positive for nonirrigated sites despite the apparent lack of effects of irrigation on Tmin from the analysis within irrigated sites. Together with evidence of increases in urban areas near nonirrigated sites, this finding indicates an important effect of urbanization on Tmin in California that had previously been attributed to irrigation. The results therefore demonstrate that simple pairwise comparisons between stations in a complex region such as California can lead to misinterpretation of historical climate trends and the effects of land use changes.
A Revised U.S. Climate Extremes Index
Authors: Gleason Karin L. , Lawrimore Jay H. , Levinson David H. , Karl Thomas R. , Karoly David J.
Published: June 2008

A revised framework is presented that quantifies observed changes in the climate of the contiguous United States through analysis of a revised version of the U.S. Climate Extremes Index (CEI). The CEI is based on a set of climate extremes indicators that measure the fraction of the area of the United States experiencing extremes in monthly mean surface temperature, daily precipitation, and drought (or moisture surplus). In the revised CEI, auxiliary station data, including recently digitized pre-1948 data, are incorporated to extend it further back in time and to improve spatial coverage. The revised CEI is updated for the period from 1910 to the present in near–real time and is calculated for eight separate seasons, or periods.

Results for the annual revised CEI are similar to those from the original CEI. Observations over the past decade continue to support the finding that the area experiencing much above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures in recent years has been on the rise, with infrequent occurrence of much below- normal mean maximum and minimum temperatures. Conversely, extremes in much below-normal mean maximum and minimum temperatures indicate a decline from about 1910 to 1930. An increasing trend in the area experiencing much above-normal proportion of heavy daily precipitation is observed from about 1950 to the present. A period with a much greater-than-normal number of days without precipitation is also noted from about 1910 to the mid-1930s. Warm extremes in mean maximum and minimum temperature observed during the summer and warm seasons show a more pronounced increasing trend since the mid-1970s. Results from the winter season show large variability in extremes and little evidence of a trend. The cold season CEI indicates an increase in extremes since the early 1970s yet has large multidecadal variability.
Warming Trend of the Indian Ocean SST and Indian Ocean Dipole from 1880 to 2004*
Authors: Ihara Chie , Kushnir Yochanan , Cane Mark A.
Published: June 2008

The state of the Indian Ocean dipole representing the SST anomaly difference between the western and southeastern regions of the ocean is investigated using historical SST reconstructions from 1880 to 2004. First, the western and eastern poles of the SST-based dipole mode index are analyzed separately. Both the western and eastern poles display warming trends over this period, particularly after the 1950s. The western pole tends to be anomalously colder than the eastern pole from 1880 to 1919, whereas in the interval 1950–2004 the SST anomalies over the western pole are comparable to those over the eastern pole though there are occasional outliers where the eastern pole is anomalously colder than the western pole.

The tendencies of the occurrences of positive and negative dipole events in September–November show three distinct regimes during the period analyzed. In 1880–1919, negative dipole events associated with La Niña events occur more frequently than positive events. In 1920–49, some weak positive events occur relatively independently of El Niño events over the Pacific. The period of 1960–2004 is characterized by strong and frequent occurrences of positive events associated with El Niño events.
Lyme Arthritis Presenting as Transient Synovitis of the Hip
Authors: Saulsbury Frank T.
Published: June 2008

Transient synovitis of the hip is a common cause of hip pain in children. The etiology of transient synovitis of the hip is unknown. Lyme arthritis is characterized by brief, often recurrent episodes of oligoarthritis. Lyme arthritis most often affects a single knee, but hip involvement is uncommon. This report describes 2 children with Lyme arthritis who presented with features of transient synovitis of the hip. Lyme arthritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of transient synovitis of the hip in children.
Governance: A code of multiple colours
Authors: Ezzamel Mahmoud , Reed Mike
Published: June 2008

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of some of the major theoretical perspectives on governance developed within the field of business and management. We critically review conceptualizations of governance in the mainstream literature, and contrast this with the relevant literature from the governmentality and institutionalist perspectives. This article emphasizes the diversity of conceptions of governance promoted by these different theories, and argues that this rich multiplicity offers genuine scope for gaining a more rounded understanding of the inherent complexities of contemporary governance forms and practices.
Mobile robot control using hand-shape recognition
Authors: Jae Sik Chang  , Eun Yi Kim  , Hang Joon Kim
Published: June 2008

This paper presents a vision-based walking robot control system using hand-shape recognition. To recognize hand shapes, the accurate hand boundary needs to be tracked in an image obtained from a moving camera. For this, we use an active contour model-based tracking approach with mean shift, which reduces the dependency of the active contour model on the location of the initial curve. The proposed system consists of four modules: a hand detector, a hand tracker, a hand-shape recognizer and a robot controller. The hand detector detects a skin-colour region, which has a specific shape, as a hand in an image. Then, hand tracking is performed using an active contour model with mean shift. Thereafter, hand-shape recognition is performed using Hu moments. To assess the validity of the proposed system, we tested the proposed system on a walking robot, KHR-1. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed system.
Topical Review: Acute Neurologic Complications in Children With Systemic Cancer
Authors: Antunes Nuno Lobo
Published: June 2008

Neurologic complications are common in children with cancer, but the literature dealing with this subject is sparse. Using a symptoms and signs approach, the most common causes for requesting a neurologic evaluation for this population are reviewed. The spectrum of neurologic symptoms in children with cancer differs from adults and requires the consulting neurologist to have a thorough knowledge of childhood cancer and its effects on the nervous system. (J Child Neurol 2000;15:705-716).
Migrating Partial Seizures in Infancy: Two New Cases
Authors: Wilmshurst Jo M. , Appleton D. Barry , Grattan-Smith Padraic J.
Published: June 2008

Two infants presented at 3 weeks and 3 months of age with intractable partial seizures. Extensive investigations failed to identify an underlying cause. There was no response to antiepileptic drug therapy and no developmental progress following the onset of the seizures. In both infants there was a distinctive pattern of seizures that arose independently from multiple regions of both hemispheres. Interictal electroencephalograms revealed multifocal epileptiform activity. The infants died aged 9 and 12 months. One underwent postmortem examination, which was normal with no hippocampal sclerosis. These infants fulfill the diagnostic criteria of the syndrome of migrating partial seizures in infancy described by Coppola and colleagues in 1995. (J Child Neurol 2000;15:717-722).
Central Conduction Time of Magnetic Brain Stimulation in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Uclés Paulino , Serrano José-Luis , Rosa Francisco
Published: June 2008

Twenty-seven children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 years, fulfilling the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, were included in this study. The diagnosis was determined by a pediatric neurologist and a psychologist examined all 27 subjects with tests that included the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and reading, writing, handedness, personality, and anxiety scores. Subjects with histories of epilepsy, head injury, drug abuse, or psychotic disorders were excluded. Culturally based causes or emotional disorders were also excluded. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was performed on all subjects, with recording of the motor evoked potential at the biceps brachii. Central motor conduction time was calculated by cervical root stimulation. Due to shape variability, the amplitude of the motor responses was not measured in the study. The mean value of central conduction time in the subjects was very significantly increased (P < .001) compared to that in a group of normal controls, case-matched for IQ, age, and sex. A central motor conduction time greater than 12 ms indicates abnormality. A second finding in the subjects was the significant difference of central conduction time on the side-to-side stimulation (P = .03). These findings are correlated with delay in the maturation of the corticomotoneuronal system and might provide neurophysiologic data for diagnosis. (J Child Neurol 2000;15:723-728).
A 15-Year Follow-Up of a Boy With Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)-Dependent Seizures With Autism, Breath Holding, and Severe Mental Retardation
Authors: Burd Larry , Stenehjem Amy , Franceschini Lisa A. , Kerbeshian Jacob
Published: June 2008

Pyridoxine (vitamin B 6) (2q31) dependency is a rare autosomalrecessive disorder that causes a severe seizure disorder of prenatal or neonatal onset. The abnormality appears to inhibit the binding of vitamin B6 to the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase-1, which is needed for the biosynthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Most patients with pyridoxine-dependent seizures require lifelong treatment with pyridoxine. The full range of associated symptomatology is unknown since fewer than 100 cases have been reported. A majority of cases are mentally retarded. We report a 15-year-old boy with pyridoxine-dependent seizures, nonpyridoxine-dependent seizures, severe mental retardation, autistic disorder, aerophagia, breath holding, and self-injury. This complex outcome should alert clinicians to the wide range of neuropsychiatric outcomes associated with this disorder. ( J Child Neurol 2000;15: 763-765).
New-Onset Tic Disorder Following Acute Hemorrhage of an Arteriovenous Malformation
Authors: Yochelson Michael R. , David Ronald G.
Published: June 2008

The etiology of tic disorder includes idiopathic, postencephalitic, head injury, carbon monoxide poisoning, stroke, and developmental syndromes. We report a case of new-onset complex motor and vocal tics that began after hemorrhage of an arteriovenous malformation located in the left frontal lobe. We have found no reported cases of new-onset tics related to arteriovenous malformations or hemorrhage into the frontal lobes. The patient is a 16-year-old right-hand-dominant boy who presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Evaluation, including magnetic resonance imaging, revealed a left frontal arteriovenous malformation, confirmed by angiogram. Following resection, there was an intraparenchymal hemorrhage of the left frontal lobe with intraventricular hemorrhage, noted most prominently in the left lateral and IIIrd ventricles, and a subdural hematoma caudal to the craniotomy. The postoperative course was complicated by hemiparesis and global aphasia. During recovery, the patient developed what was thought to be a complex partial seizure evidenced by head turning to the right with vocalization and left upper extremity clonic jerks. These were brief and occurred multiple times per day. A trial of carbamazepine was given with no improvement. It was noted that the spells occurred more frequently under stress, as when the patient was frustrated with communication. The diagnosis was changed to complex motor tics and the therapy changed to clonidine. The tics subsequently improved by 80%, although they were still present. We believe the development of complex motor tics due to frontal hemorrhage represents a unique etiology and could complicate postsurgical recovery in similar cases. (J Child Neurol 2000;15:769-771).
Vanishing White Matter Disease: The First Reported Chinese Patient
Authors: Wong Sheila S. N. , Luk David C. K. , Wong Virginia C. N. , Scheper Gert C. , van der Knaap Marjo S.
Published: June 2008

Vanishing white matter disease is a rare neurological disease. The majority of patients reported are Caucasian individuals. We describe the first Chinese patient with typical clinical and radiological features genetically confirmed to have vanishing white matter disease for a mutation in EIF2B4, followed by a brief review of the disease.
A Trial of Selenium and Vitamin E in Boys With Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Gamstorp I. , Gustavson K.H. , Hellström O. , Nordgren B.
Published: June 2008

The administration of selenium and vitamin E was tried in a group of 20 boys with muscular dystrophy. Muscular strength was measured at intervals of 6 months. The boys were treated for 1 year (selenium 6 μg/kg for 6 months and 20 μg/kg for 6 months), followed by 1 year of no treatment. The whole series was completed in 16 boys, nine of whom had classical Duchenne muscular dystrophy and the rest who had more benign variants. No boy showed any side effects. The decrease of muscle strength was slightly more rapid during the second year (no treatment) than during the first year (with treatment) of the trial. The difference was, however, slight and could conceivably be explained by the increase of age. No boy showed any practically usable increase of muscle strength during the year of treatment. The minimal muscle strength required for walking is presented. ( J Child Neurol 1986;1:211-214)
Head Circumference, Brain Weight, and Tumor Burden
Authors: Alvord Ellsworth C.
Published: June 2008

The failure to diagnose an ependymoma at an appropriately early age led to an incomplete excision and a tumor burden too great for radiotherapy to control. The development of normative curves for brain weight correlated with head circumference allowed for the estimates of the extremes of possible growth rates of the tumor. The importance of early diagnosis and combined surgical and radiotherapies is emphasized since ependymomas are locally recurrent but curable by x-irradiation (and host macrophages?) if the tumor burden is small. ( J Child Neurol 1986;1:240-250)
Manic-Depressive Illness in Children: Treatment With Lithium Carbonate
Authors: Younes Robert P. , DeLong G. Robert , Neiman George , Rosner Bernard
Published: June 2008

A behavior questionnaire was used retrospectively in 21 manic-depressive children to quantitate manic-depressive behaviors before and after treatment with lithium carbonate. The study children were matched with 21 control children for age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status. The study children had significantly more seizures, relatives with psychotic disorders, allergies, food sensitivities, headaches, and abnormal behaviors in all categories measured. During treatment, manic-depressive children had a statistically significant reduction in disturbed behavior. This behavior, however, was still significantly more disturbed than normal control children. ( J Child Neurol 1986;1:364-368)
Headache and Acute Illness in Children
Authors: Kandt Raymond S. , Levine Robert M.
Published: June 2008

Thirty-seven children with headaches who were seen in a walk-in clinic were matched to 37 headache-free controls. Thirty percent of the headache group and 11% of the headache-free control group had a body temperature above 38°C (p < 0.05). Nonrhythmic pain was more commonly associated with fever than was rhythmic pain (p < 0.05). Of 34 headache subjects who completed questionnaires, those with more intense headaches reported a greater number of headache-exacerbating factors (p < 0.01).Bilateral headaches were more painful than unilateral headaches, and in two thirds of the subjects, the intensity of pain paralleled the course of the underlying illness. A family history of migraine was more common in the headache group as compared to the headache-free control group (p < 0.05). Headaches associated with acute illnesses may be a precursor to later migraine. ( J Child Neurol 1987;2:22-27)
Progressive Necrotizing Myelopathy Associated With Leukemia: Clinical, Pathologic, and MRI Correlation
Authors: Gieron Maria A. , Margraf Linda R. , Korthals Jan K. , Gonzalvo Americo A. , Murtagh Reed F. , Hvizdala Eva V.
Published: June 2008

We describe a patient with progressive, irreversible, necrotizing myelopathy associated with myelomonocytic leukemia. The neuropathologic lesions consisted of diffuse necrosis, most pronounced in the cervical cord and affecting both the gray and white matter. These areas corresponded to areas of increased T2 on magnetic resonance imaging scans of the patient. We felt that there was no causal relationship of these lesions to any single antileukemic agent the patient received, and no other local or systemic causes were found to explain the lesions at necropsy. It is suggested that our case is an example of paraneoplastic necrotizing myelopathy. To our knowledge, this is the third case of necrotizing myelopathy associated with leukemia reported in the English medical literature, and the first one demonstrating usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of necrotizing myelopathy. ( J Child Neurol 1987;2:44-49).