bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adhesion and biologic behavior of human periodontal fibroblast cells to resin ionomer Geristore: a comparative analysis
Authors: Gupta Saurabh Kumar , Saxena Payal , Pant Vandana Aditya , Pant Aditya Bhushan
Published: November 2012

Aim

The resin ionomer Geristore, originally designed for restorative procedures, has been used extensively in treating subgingival defects (such as root resorption and perforations) and as a retrofilling material. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cell adhesion as well as in vitro biocompatibility of human periodontal fibroblast cells with resin ionomer Geristore in comparison with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and glass ionomer cement (GIC).

Material and method

Adhesion, growth, and morphology of human periodontal fibroblasts over test materials were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Biocompatibility was assessed by 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide salt (MTT) assay.

Results

Compared to glass coverslips, cells grew and spread qualitatively better over the surface of Geristore in comparison with the other test materials. In vitro interpretation indicates that Geristore is significantly less cytotoxic to human periodontal ligament cells. Results of statistical analysis revealed that material extracts had significant effect on cell proliferation at both 24 h (F = 547.62, P < 0.05) and at 48 h (F = 6048.18, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study supports that Geristore has enhanced biologic behavior to human periodontal ligament cells and superior biocompatibility in comparison with MTA and GIC, so it can be suggested as a material of choice in root resorption, perforations, and root‐end filling.
Study Abroad and Language Learning
Authors: Howard Martin , Vidal Carmen Pérez
Published: November 2012

Folk Linguistics

The AILA Research Network on Folk Linguistics, convened by Antje Wilton (University of Siegen, Germany) and Martin Stegu (Vienna University of Economics and Business), held a very successful thematic session at the Soliolinguistics Symposium 19 in Berlin. We were very pleased to have our session approved – especially as the Sociolinguistics Symposium has grown into a large and internationally renowned platform for sociolinguists around the world. The call for papers invited contributions on our session topic, Folk linguistics and society: People's ideas about language use and social identity, and was met with an overwhelming response of 35 submissions. Eventually, we managed to hear 19 of them in a tight schedule extending over three days of the entire conference. The papers presented research on non‐linguists' perceptions of language in the formation of social identity from various regions of the world and stressed the necessity of taking such views into account in any situation in which decisions about language are made, such as language teaching and language policy and planning. The session finished with a discussion on folk linguistic issues to which we were able to welcome Prof. Dennis Preston, one of the great figures in and founders of folk linguistics and valued member of our network. Both the paper presentations as well as the final discussion attracted a large and interested audience throughout the session. The session showed clearly that folk linguistic research, its interest and its methodologies have firmly established themselves among the approaches in sociolinguistics as well as applied linguistics. Furthermore, it testifies to the successful work of the Research Network over the last seven years.
Unemployment and psychological distress among young adults in the Nordic countries: A review of the literature
Authors: Reneflot Anne , Evensen Miriam
Published: November 2012

This article reviews Nordic research, published from 1995 and onwards, on the relationship between unemployment and mental health among young adults. Cross‐sectional, longitudinal and time‐series studies are included. Cross‐sectional studies show that the unemployed experience more mental health problems than the non‐unemployed. Leaving unemployment is associated with increased well‐being. Economic problems, feelings of shame and poor social support increase the likelihood of psychological distress. The longitudinal studies show that unemployment increases the risk of psychological distress and attempted suicide, after initial mental health status and confounding factors are accounted for. The relationship remains significant when time‐invariant characteristics of the individuals are controlled for. The time‐series studies found no relationship between unemployment and suicide, but levels of psychological distress were found to vary with changes in the labour market. This relationship remained significant after excluding the non‐employed, indicating that unemployment trends have effects beyond those directly associated with unemployment.
Cranial skeletogenesis and osteology of the redeye tetra Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae
Authors: Walter B. E.
Published: November 2012

The skeletogenesis and osteology of the syncranium of the redeye tetra Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae is described. Skeletal development is rapid, with many elements of the chondrocranium and splanchnocranium well formed prior to the onset of ossification. The chondrocranium develops from an initial set of cartilaginous precursors, and continued elaboration proceeds from a series of processes which expand and converge to form the floor of the cranial vault, the otic capsule, the supraorbital bridge and the ethmoid region. Prodigious growth is observed for a number of splanchnocranial elements, including the Meckel's cartilage and the ceratohyal cartilage. Ossification occurs in overlapping phases with initial ossification of the jaws and neurocranial floor followed by the splanchnocranium, the supraorbital bridges and the ethmoid and cranial vault. Teeth are observed primarily on the premaxilla and dentary, while a single tooth is present on the maxilla. Particular cartilages, which had originally formed in the early larva, appear to degenerate and have no ossified representative in the adult syncranium. The cranial development for M. sanctaefilomenae is compared to those of other characiforms.
Paranthias furcifer (Perciformes: Serranidae), a new alien fish in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Dulčić J. , Dragičević B.
Published: November 2012

A specimen of a creole fish Paranthias furcifer (285 mm total length) was captured in Marina Bay (Croatian coast) in the eastern Adriatic Sea. This is the first Mediterranean record of this species. The possible modes of introduction of species are discussed.
The dynamic response of a fluid‐filled borehole under a normal point load on the free surface
Authors: Ionov Andrei M.
Published: November 2012

The dynamic response of a semi‐infinite fluid‐filled borehole embedded in an elastic half‐space under a concentrated normal surface load is analysed in the long‐wavelength limit. The solution of the problem is obtained with integral transforms in the form of a double integral with respect to the slowness and frequency. The partial P‐ and SV‐wave responses are further transformed to path integrals along Cagniard paths in the complex slowness plane. Unlike the traditional Cagniard‐de Hoop technique based on the Laplace transform of time dependence, this paper is based on the Fourier transform. The tube‐wave response is presented as a causal integral over a slowness range. The resultant representation in the time‐domain is suitable for the numerical evaluation of the complete response in the fluid‐filled borehole, especially at large distances.

Asymptotic analysis of seismic phases arising in the borehole is performed on the basis of the obtained solution. The complete asymptotic wavefield consists in P‐ and SV‐waves, the Rayleigh wave and the low‐frequency Stoneley (tube) wave. Pressure synthetics obtained by the use of the asymptotic formulas are shown to be in good agreement with straightforward calculations.
Dynamic viscoelastic study on the gelation of basil seed gum
Authors: Rafe Ali , Razavi Seyed M. A.
Published: November 2012

Oscillatory measurements were used to investigate the effect of temperature and concentration on the viscoelastic and gelling properties of basil seed gum (BSG). Linear viscoelastic region was determined by strain sweep and it was found in 0.5% strain. Storage modulus (G′) was greater than loss modulus (G″) in all concentrations and they increased by improving BSG concentration. Yield stress value was determined by stress sweep and it increased from 1.40 to 7.47 Pa when BSG concentration increased from 1% to 3%. Frequency sweep showed BSG solution was a typical weak gel, and complex viscosity (η*) had linear correlation with frequency. The effect of temperature on gel forming was investigated during heating (20–90 °C) and cooling (90–20 °C) phases. BSG was characterised as a thermo‐reversible gel and did not have thermal hysteresis. Gelling temperature was raised as BSG concentration was increased. Exhibiting special rheological properties of BSG makes it as a proper synergistic gel, which can be applied in real food systems such as dairy desserts.
Difficult venepuncture – it was all in the head!
Authors: Badami K. G. , Chalmers I. , Soule S. , Walkden D.
Published: November 2012

Aim

To emphasise the importance of careful observations and demonstrate that significant conditions may, on occasion, be detected during blood donation.

Background

Venepunctures, the bread and butter of blood donor services, can be difficult procedures. We describe an unusual presentation of a relatively rare disease detected during routine blood donations because of difficult venepunctures.

Methods

Case report.

Results

A growth hormone‐secreting pituitary adenoma was diagnosed, and successfully treated, following the initial observation of hard‐to‐puncture skin during blood donations.

Conclusions

Seemingly trivial abnormalities may prove clinically important. One presentation of acromegaly is hard‐to‐puncture skin.
Seed germination requirements of Trembleya laniflora (Melastomataceae), an endemic species from neotropical montane rocky savannas
Authors: Rodrigues Elis R.S. , Silveira Fernando A.O.
Published: November 2012

Trembleya laniflora is an endemic shrub from neotropical montane rocky savannas of southeastern Brazil. It has been indicated as a potential candidate for ecological restoration of abandoned iron‐ore mines due to heavy metal accumulation. Here, we evaluated the seed germination requirements of T. laniflora. Seeds collected in 2005 and 2008 were set to germinate under a broad range of temperature and light conditions. Seed viability was estimated by dissecting seeds under a dissecting microscope for embryo presence/absence. Seeds were photoblastic and optimum temperature range was 20–25°C, coinciding with the onset of the rainy season. Seeds were viable after 42 months of storage, which together with small seeds that easily get buried and light requirement for germination suggest formation of soil seed banks. Except the large fraction of embryoless seeds, almost all tested seeds germinated when incubated under light conditions; therefore, T. laniflora should be regarded to have nondormant seeds. Easiness of burial resulting from small seed size and positive photoblastism may both contribute to incorporation into soil seed banks. Our data suggest that the long‐term storage of T. laniflora seeds provides a useful strategy for plant reintroduction.
Preoperative serum sodium is associated with cancer‐specific survival in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma treated by nephroureterectomy
Authors: Fujita Kazutoshi , Tanigawa Go , Imamura Ryoichi , Nakagawa Masahiro , Hayashi Takuji , Kishimoto Nozomu , Hosomi Masahiro , Yamaguchi Seiji
Published: November 2012

Objectives

To assess the impact of preoperative serum sodium concentration on the prognosis of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma treated by nephroureterectomy.

Methods

The clinical records of 139 patients treated for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma by nephroureterectomy were retrospectively reviewed. Recurrence‐free and cancer‐specific survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, with the difference between curves evaluated using the log–rank test. A multivariate analysis was carried out by Cox's proportional hazard model to identify prognostic factors.

Results

The median (range) follow‐up time was 27 (1–139) months. The median (range) preoperative serum sodium was 141 (134–147) mEq/L. Five‐year cancer‐specific survival estimates for patients above and below the median preoperative serum sodium were 81.7% (95% confidence interval: 68.7–89.7) and 50.6% (95% confidence interval: 30.3–67.8), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, preoperative sodium concentration, pathological T stage, and lymphovascular invasion were independent and significant prognostic factors for cancer‐specific survival. A prognostic model of risk classification for cancer‐specific survival involving these parameters was developed, and 5‐year cancer‐specific survival estimates were 29.9% (95% confidence interval: 14.5–47.0) for the poor risk group (hazard ratio 19.95 [95% confidence interval: 8.5–46.6]; P < 0.001), 81.6% (95% confidence interval: 55.2–93.3) for the intermediate risk group (hazard ratio 5.70 [95% confidence interval: 1.27–25.5]; P = 0.022) and 97.9% (95% confidence interval 85.9–99.7) for the favorable risk group.

Conclusion

These findings suggest for the first time that a low preoperative sodium level predicts a poor survival in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma patients treated by nephroureterectomy.
Rules for Cultural Radicals
Authors: Vail John , Hollands Robert
Published: November 2012

Abstract: This article explores the various forms of “social skill”, what we call “rules for cultural radicals”, that the Amber Film and Photography Collective (and primarily its founder and leading visionary, Murray Martin) used to create and sustain an egalitarian arts organization and oppositional cultural movement in the Northeast of England. The collective represented a radical challenge to the world of British filmmaking, featuring innovative practices of cultural work, non‐commodified forms of cultural economy and a commitment to a democratic culture. These “rules” constituted innovative forms of strategic action—visionary leadership, improvisation, risk taking, brokerage—that helped create a durable collective identity and networks of solidarity. We explore the extent to which Amber's “rules” are prefigurative of contemporary forms of cultural activism and radical artistic practice.
Low Altitude Aerial Photography Applications for Digital Surface Models Creation in Archaeology
Authors: Martínez‐del‐Pozo José‐Ángel , Cerrillo‐Cuenca Enrique , Salas‐Tovar Ernesto
Published: November 2012

Low Altitude Aerial Photography (LAAP) is based on the use of small flying platforms to take photographs from very low altitudes. The acquisition of series of Digital Surface Models (DSMs) and orthoimages through photogrammetric and orthorectification processes is one of the main applications. The use of this technique in archaeological sites provides very precise and valuable data, but knowing the reliability of the method is a key to ensuring that the results are valid, since the repeatability of the method is fundamental to multitemporal studies. The present work shows an analysis of the similarity of DSMs obtained from different stereoscopic pairs from the same area. The reliability of the models has been assessed by calculating the Standard Deviation (STD) of the altitude values from the models, to obtain maps displaying the differences among them. Finally, the STD values' spatial distribution has been studied to assess if spatial autocorrelation exists by means of the Moran's Index and Anselin's Local Moran's Index. Results showed good similarity among the models and revealed clearly those areas where the model must be edited.
Transgenerational transmission of indigestible facts: from trauma, deadly ghosts and mental voids to meaning‐making interpretations
Authors: Cavalli Alessandra
Published: November 2012

Abstract:  In this paper1 I will discuss clinical material and make some hypotheses on how to work with patients for whom trans‐generational transmission of trauma is an issue. Basing my hypothesis on two clinical cases, I will propose a way of dealing with undigested facts, the fabric of trauma, which generate deadly ghosts and mental voids that are transmitted from one generation to the next. I will propose a way of formulating interpretations for the unthinkable to become thinkable and find a representation in the mind of patients who suffer from transgenerationally transmitted trauma. Some thoughts will be given to the maternal and the paternal transmitters of trauma in relation to child development issues.
Euroscepticism as a Persistent Phenomenon*
Authors: USHERWOOD SIMON , STARTIN NICK
Published: November 2012

In the two decades since the emergence of the European Union at Maastricht there has been a concerted attempt to build a European political space, typified by the debates on constitutionalization and democratization. Much less noticed, but no less important, has been the mobilization of publics, interest groups and political parties against the integration process. In the light of the failure to realize the Laeken objectives, the stabilization of an anti‐integration bloc in the European Parliament, recurrent ‘no’ votes in national referendums and the emergence of an increasingly co‐ordinated movement of critical interest groups, it is argued in this article that this opposition has become embedded and persistent, at both European and national levels. This will have considerable consequences for the Union itself and the way it has chosen to largely ignore sceptical voices to date.
Does Anticipated Information Impose a Cost on Risk‐Averse Investors? A Test of the Hirshleifer Effect
Authors: BALL RYAN T.
Published: November 2012

This paper theoretically and empirically investigates how the risk of future adverse price changes created by the anticipated arrival of information influences risk‐averse investors’ trading decisions in institutionally imperfect capital markets. Specifically, I examine how the selling activity of individual investors immediately following an earnings announcement is influenced by the tradeoff between risk‐sharing benefits of immediate trade and explicit transaction costs imposed on such trades. Consistent with my theoretically derived predictions, I find that investors’ current trading decisions are less sensitive to the incremental transaction costs created by short‐term capital gains taxes on trading profits, as both the duration and intensity of the risk of future adverse price changes increase. This evidence is consistent with an incremental cost to investors that results from the revelation of precise information, which is commonly referred to as the Hirshleifer Effect.
Blood–brain barrier, epileptogenesis, and treatment strategies in cortical dysplasia
Authors: Kaya Mehmet , Becker Albert J. , Gürses Candan
Published: November 2012

Cortical dysplasia (CD) is one of the most important causes of intractable epilepsy. The precise mechanisms of epileptogenesis in CD are not known. Using CD animal models, we attempted to understand the mechanisms and efficacy of various antiepileptic drugs. In two separate studies, we assessed (1) the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)–kindled rats, and (2) the effects of LEV and topiramate (TPM) on rats with CD and hyperthermia (HT). In the HT‐induced rats with CD study, LEV and TPM decreased both the intensity of seizures and the number of rats with seizure. In these studies, we used immunocytochemistry (occludin, glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], and P‐glycoprotein [Pgp antibodies] and electron microscopy (EM) (sodium fluorescein [NaFlu]) and horseradish peroxidase [HRP]) to assess blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Both LEV and TPM protected BBB. In PTZ‐ kindled rats with CD, both LEV and VNS reduced the duration of seizures. Immunocytochemistry and EM revealed no BBB impairment in any of the treatment groups. In a second set of experiments, we assessed the relationship between disruption of vascular components and epileptogenesis. Astrocytic albumin uptake in focal epileptogenic lesions with vascular components suggested that dysfunction of the BBB contributes immediately to epileptogenesis, rather than simply resulting from seizure activity. Hemosiderin deposits were seen as potential epileptogenic triggers in vascular malformations (e.g., cavernomas [CA] or arteriovenous malformations [AVMs] with or without a dysplastic cortical component). However, we found strikingly high accumulation of astrocytic albumin deposits in surgically removed brain parenchyma in the vicinity of CAs and AVMs from patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy, which suggests different pathophysiologic dispersion pathways for hemosiderin and albumin in vascular lesions.
Simplified Technique for Orbital Prosthesis Fabrication: A Clinical Report
Authors: Veerareddy Chandrika , Nair K. Chandrasekharan , Reddy G. Ramaswamy
Published: November 2012

Loss of orbital content can cause functional impairment, disfigurement of the face, and psychological distress. Rehabilitation of an orbital defect is a complex task, and if reconstruction by plastic surgery is not possible or not desired by the patient, the defect can be rehabilitated by an orbital prosthesis. The prosthetic rehabilitation in such cases depends on the precisely retained, user‐friendly removable maxillofacial prosthesis. Many times, making an impression of the orbital area with an accurate record of surface details can be a difficult procedure. The critical areas are making a facial moulage, mold preparation, and attaching the retention device, particularly when eyeglass frames are used. This case focuses on these hindrance factors. A simple basket was used for the impression tray to obtain the facial moulage. A putty mold was used, and attachment of the prosthesis to a retention device was accomplished with positional distance. This method proves to be an economical and simple way of making an orbital prosthesis.
Chicken Soup for the Out‐of‐Step Scholar's Soul
Authors: Callahan Gene , Leeson Peter T.
Published: November 2012

This paper argues that the long‐standing predominance of a particular approach to science neither makes it uniquely scientific nor superior to rival approaches. To do so it examines the dominant scientific explanation of the 17th and early 18th centuries: the mechanical philosophy. The mechanical philosophy episode demonstrates the fragility of even the most entrenched scientific wisdoms and provides encouragement for out‐of‐step scholars everywhere.
Beyond Kelly Green Golf Shoes: Evaluating the Demand for Scholarship of Free‐Market and Mainstream Economists
Authors: Clark J. R. , Miller‐Wilford Jennifer , Stringham Edward Peter
Published: November 2012

We evaluate statistics from the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) to see how much free‐market economists are being read and ranked compared with mainstream economists. We find that under various rankings using SSRN data, the top free‐market economists rank among the most‐read authors in the economics profession.
Can species distribution models be used to describe plant abundance patterns?
Authors: Van Couwenberghe Rosalinde , Collet Catherine , Pierrat Jean‐Claude , Verheyen Kris , Gégout Jean‐Claude
Published: November 2012

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in modelling of species abundance data in addition to presence data. In this study, we assessed the similarities and differences between presence‐absence distributions and abundance distributions along similar environmental gradients, derived, respectively, from presence‐absence and abundance data. Moreover, we examined the possibility of using presence‐absence distribution models to derive abundance distributions. For this purpose, we used Braun‐Blanquet abundance scores for 243 vascular species at 10 996 French forest sites. Species distribution models were used to analyse the link between the patterns of occurrence, low abundance and high abundance for each species with regard to mean annual temperature, June water balance, and soil pH. For each species, differences in the modelled distributions were characterised by the ecological optimum and ecological amplitude. A comparison of the presence‐absence and abundance distributions for all species revealed similar optima and different amplitudes along the three ecological factors. An abundant‐centre distribution was observed in environmental space, with species abundance being greatest at the optimal conditions and lower at less favourable conditions of the species occurrence response. Geographical habitat mapping also shows centred, high‐abundance suitability within the presence habitat of each species. We conclude that species distribution models derived from presence‐absence data provide useful information about the ecological optima of abundance distributions but overestimate the range of habitats suitable for high species abundance. This study demonstrates the utility of presence‐absence data for ecologist and conservation biologist when they are interested in the optimal conditions of high species abundance.
Habitat quality and population density drive occupancy dynamics of snowshoe hare in variegated landscapes
Authors: Thornton Daniel H. , Wirsing Aaron J. , Roth James D. , Murray Dennis L.
Published: November 2012

The influence of habitat quality and population density on occupancy dynamics may surpass that of traditional metrics of area and isolation, but often this is not considered explicitly in studies of spatially structured populations. In landscapes that are not easily characterized as binary habitat/non‐habitat (e.g. variegated landscapes), this influence may be even more important and occur at both local and landscape levels. It follows that occupancy dynamics may be driven by disparate processes depending on how extinction or colonization relate to habitat quality and population density. We examined the relative influence of area, structural isolation, habitat quality, local population density, and neighborhood population density (i.e. population density in the landscape around a site) on the probability of extinction and colonization of snowshoe hareLepus americanusacross an expansive forest mosaic landscape (encompassing the northern third of Idaho). Habitat quality and population density were highly influential in determining extinction and colonization, whereas patch area and isolation were much less important. Sites with heavier vegetative cover at the site or landscape‐level were more likely to be colonized and less likely to go extinct, and sites with greater local population density in the previous time step had lower probability of extinction. Sites embedded in high density neighborhoods also were less likely to go extinct, but not more likely to be colonized. We found a significant interaction between local and neighborhood population density on extinction in 1 yr, suggesting that the strength of demographic rescue may vary dependent on local site densities. Our results add to a growing literature showing that factors outside of structural metrics of area and isolation are important drivers of occupancy dynamics. Given the multi‐scaled influence of habitat quality and population density on occupancy dynamics, our work also indicates that research on snowshoe hare must extend beyond simply assessing local factors to understand the spatial dynamics of populations.
Corporate Politics, Governance, and Value Before and After Citizens United
Authors: Coates IV John C.
Published: November 2012

How did corporate politics, governance, and value relate to each other in the S&P 500 before and after Citizens United? In regulated and government‐dependent industries, politics is nearly universal, and uncorrelated with shareholder power, agency costs, or value. However, 11 percent of CEOs in 2000 who retired by 2011 obtained political positions after retiring and, in most industries, political activity correlates negatively with measures of shareholder power, positively with signs of agency costs, and negatively with shareholder value. The politics‐value relationship interacts with capital expenditures, and is stronger in regressions with firm and time fixed effects, which absorb many omitted variables. After the shock of Citizens United, corporate lobbying and PAC activity jumped, in both frequency and amount, and firms politically active in 2008 had lower value in 2010 than other firms, consistent with politics at least partly causing and not merely correlating with lower value. Overall, the results are inconsistent with politics generally serving shareholder interests, and support proposals to require disclosure of political activity to shareholders.
Competition in Financial Services: Evidence from British Mutual Funds
Authors: Warburton A. Joseph
Published: November 2012

This article explores the effects of competition on risk‐taking behavior and firm performance within the financial services industry. It does so by exploiting a regulatory change that allowed new players to enter the British mutual fund industry. Exploiting this regulatory shock, we trace nontrivial linkages among industry competition, risk taking, and performance. Greater competition followed the regulatory liberalization, leading to a significant increase in risk‐taking behavior of funds. Competition generated performance efficiencies, forcing underperforming funds to exit and halting earlier value destruction. Competition, however, did not produce tangible cost savings for consumers of investment services.
The Effect of Blinded Experts on Juror Verdicts
Authors: Robertson Christopher T. , Yokum David V.
Published: November 2012

“Blind expertise” has been proposed as an institutional solution to the problem of bias in expert witness testimony in litigation (Robertson ). At the request of a litigant, an intermediary selects a qualified expert and pays the expert to review a case without knowing which side requested the opinion. This article reports an experiment that tests the hypothesis that, compared to traditional experts, such “blinded experts” will be more persuasive to jurors. A national sample of mock jurors (N = 275) watched an online video of a staged medical malpractice trial, including testimony from two medical experts, one of whom (or neither, in the control condition) was randomly assigned to be a blind expert. We also manipulated whether the judge provided a special jury instruction explaining the blinding concept. Descriptively, the data suggest juror reluctance to impose liability. Despite an experimental design that included negligent medical care, only 46 percent of the jurors found negligence in the control condition, which represents the status quo. Blind experts, testifying on either side, were perceived as significantly more credible, and were more highly persuasive, in that they doubled (or halved) the odds of a favorable verdict, and increased (or decreased) simulated damages awards by over $100,000. The increased damages award appears to be due to jurors hedging their damages awards, which interacted with the blind expert as a driver of certainty. Use of a blind expert may be a rational strategy for litigants, even without judicial intervention in the form of special jury instructions or otherwise.
Insecticidal effect on a population ofSpilarctia obliqua(Lepidoptera:Arctiidae)
Authors: Ansari M. Shafiq , Ali Haidar , Shafqat Shazia
Published: November 2012

Survivors ofSpilarctia obliquaderived from 3rdinstars that had ingestedLC50of imidacloprid (0.025%), dichlorvos (0.014%) and endosulfan (0.012%) were studied through the life table method. Survivorship was reduced in insecticide exposed populations as compared to 45‐day in the control groups. Egg hatching was significantly decreased for the insecticide treated populations. Total larval mortality was the highest for endosulfan (36.76%) as compared to the individuals that died among control groups (14.29%). Life expectancy (ex) was decreased gradually over time and stage of development for insecticides tested and the control groups. Dichlorvos (0.014%) has caused a significant reduction in the potential fecundity i.e. 315 females/female/generation, while 415 in the unexposed cohorts. Net reproductive rate (Ro) was the lowest in endosulfan (118.47 females/female/generation) treatment followed by dichlorvos (141.97), imidacloprid (144.49) and the control groups (272.42). Similarly, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was substantially decreased after exposure with endosulfan (0.124 females/female/day) as compared to 0.135 in the unexposed cohort. The finite rate of increase (λ) was not significantly different among the insecticide treatments and control groups. Mean generation time was significantly reduced after exposure to dichlorvos (37.19 days). However, 41.34 days were required to complete one generation byS. obliquain the absence of insecticides. Based on these results, population ofS. obliquawould double in 5.19 days under the influence of dichlorvos while requiring 5.13 days for unexposed cohorts.
Ceropegia pullaiahii sp. nov. (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) from India
Authors: Kullayiswamy K. R. , Sandhyarani S. , Karuppusamy S.
Published: November 2012

Ceropegia pullaiahii Kullayiswamy, Sandhyarani et Karuppusamy sp. nov. (Apocynaceae) is described from open dry deciduous forest of Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Its tubers are eaten by the local people. It is similar to C. mahabalei Hemadri et Ansari but differs in its twining habit and 3‐flowered cyme.
Lectotypification of the Linnaean name Hypochaeris maculata (Asteraceae)
Authors: Iamonico Duilio
Published: November 2012

The typification of the name Hypochaeris maculata L. is discussed. A specimen from the Linnaean Herbarium (LINN) is designated as the lectotype.
Storage and wastage of drug products in Jordanian households: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Abushanab Amani S , Sweileh Waleed M , Wazaify Mayyada
Published: November 2012

Objective

Appropriate household storage and use of drug products can reduce drug wastage and unnecessary hazards. We aimed to quantify the amounts and types of medications that were stored in Jordanian households and the extent of drug wastage in terms of the amount and cost of these medications.

Methods

The setting was households in Amman, Jordan. This was a cross-sectional survey study using a pre-piloted questionnaire. Family members were interviewed in person about use of drug products, and where drug products were stored. The main outcomes were types, storage methods, cost and quantities of drug products in every household.

Key findings

Two hundred and forty-three households were approached, out of which 219 agreed to participate. A total of 2393 (mean 10.9, SD 5.2) drug products were recorded from the 219 households surveyed. A significant positive correlation was noted between the number of drug products in a household and family size (r = 0.19, P < 0.01), the level of the mother's education (r = 0.24, P < 0.01), the level of the father's education (r = 0.28, P < 0.01) and income (r = 0.14, P = 0.034). Eighty nine (40.6%) households had at least one child younger than 6 years of age, and 1122 (46.9%) drug products were stored in unsafe places in the houses, within the reach of children. More than a quarter of drug products (1509, 27.2%) were not in their original containers, 360 (15%) were unused since dispensing, 261 (10.9%) had expired and 44 (1.8%) had no clear expiry date. We estimated that the cost of drug wastage in the 219 households was US$5414. Paracetamol (202, 8.4%), diclofenac (98, 4.1%) and amoxicillin (79, 3.3%) were the most commonly reportedly stored individual drugs.

Conclusion

Drug products are stored in large quantities in Jordanian households. Unsafe storage practices have the potential to pose safety hazards, especially to children.
Macroecological patterns of marine bacteria on a global scale
Authors: Amend Anthony S. , Oliver Tom A. , Amaral‐Zettler Linda A. , Boetius Antje , Fuhrman Jed A. , Horner‐Devine M. Claire , Huse Susan M. , Welch David B. Mark , Martiny Adam C. , Ramette Alban , Zinger Lucie , Sogin Mitchell L. , Martiny Jennifer B. H.
Published: November 2012

Aim

To test whether within‐species and among‐species patterns of abundance and latitudinal range in marine bacteria resemble those found for macro‐organisms, and whether these patterns differ along latitudinal clines.

Location

Global pelagic marine environments.

Methods

Taxon‐specific sequence abundance and location were retrieved from the open‐access V6‐rRNA pyrotag sequence data base VAMPS (http://vamps.mbl.edu/), which holds a massive collection of marine bacterial community data sets from the International Census of Marine Microbes sampling effort of global ocean water masses. Data were randomly subsampled to correct for spatial bias and for differences in sampling effort.

Results

We show that bacterial latitudinal ranges are narrower than expected by chance. When present in both Northern and Southern hemispheres, taxa occupy restricted ranges at similar latitudes on both sides of the equator. A significant and positive relationship exists between sequence abundance and latitudinal range, although this pattern contains a large amount of variance. Abundant taxa in the tropics and in the Northern Hemisphere generally have smaller ranges than those in the Southern Hemisphere. We show that the mean latitudinal range of bacterial taxa increases with latitude, supporting the existence of a Rapoport effect in marine bacterioplankton. Finally, we show that bacterioplankton communities contain a higher proportion of abundant taxa as they approach the poles.

Main conclusions

Macroecological patterns such as the abundance–range relationship, in general, extend to marine bacteria. However, differences in the shape of these relationships between bacteria and macro‐organisms call into question whether the processes and their relative importance in shaping global marine bacteria and macro‐organism distributions are the same.
From antisocial behavior to violence: a model for the amplifying role of coercive joining in adolescent friendships
Authors: Van Ryzin Mark J. , Dishion Thomas J.
Published: November 2012

Background: Aggression is one of the more stable characteristics of child and adolescent development, and violent behavior in early adulthood is often foreshadowed by aggressive behavior in childhood and early adolescence. Considerable evidence has linked coercive family interactions to aggressive behavior in childhood, but less research has been conducted on the joint role of family and peer interaction in the escalation of aggression to violence in adulthood.

Methods: We coded family interactions at age 12–13 and friendship interaction at age 16–17 in a multiethnic sample of youth and families. Violence in young adulthood (age 22–23) was measured using self‐report, criminal records, and parent report. We tested the hypothesis that a process of ‘coercive joining’ in friendship interactions mediated the relationship between coercive family interactions and serious violence.

Results: We found that observed coercive joining in friendships at age 16–17 predicted early‐adulthood violent behavior over and above an established tendency toward antisocial behavior. We also found that observed coercive family interactions at age 12 predicted early‐adulthood violence, and that coercive joining with friends fully mediated this link.

Conclusions: These results significantly extend coercion theory by suggesting that coercive joining in the context of peer groups is an additional mechanism by which coercive processes in the family are extended and amplified to violent behavior in early adulthood. Our findings suggest the importance of addressing both individual interpersonal skills and self‐organizing peer groups when intervening to prevent violent behavior.
Development of Spreadable Halva Fortified with Soy Flour and Optimization of Formulation Using Mixture Design
Authors: Zahedi Younes , Mazaheri‐Tehrani Mostafa
Published: November 2012

A novel spread based on sesame paste fortified with soy flour was developed. A mixture experimental design was used to investigate effect of soy flour and mono‐ and diglycerides addition on the emulsion stability (ES), color, textural properties and sensory attributes of the spreadable halva and to optimize the formulation. The ES of all samples increased as a function of the emulsifier amount. The increase of temperature led to emulsion instability and oil separation intensification. Addition of soy flour had no significant effect on hardness and adhesiveness of different halva samples (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in color parameters (L*, a* and b*) of most halva samples (P > 0.05). Halva samples received scores of 4–7 in all evaluated attributes, and no significant difference was detected among most halva samples in all sensory properties. The range of optimum combination was determined by superimposing the contour plots of the responses.

Practical Applications

Convenience of food consumption is an important factor in product design and development. Using a spreadable food is more favored than the molded ones. Development of spreadable halva can solve difficulty with consumption of molded halva. In addition, spreads are an excellent carrier for nutraceutical components such as soy flour. Spreadable halva can be considered as a carrier of soy flour in order to develop a novel food.
Regulation of Leaf Senescence and Crop Genetic ImprovementF
Authors: Wu Xiao‐Yuan , Kuai Ben‐Ke , Jia Ji‐Zeng , Jing Hai‐Chun
Published: November 2012

Leaf senescence can impact crop production by either changing photosynthesis duration, or by modifying the nutrient remobilization efficiency and harvest index. The doubling of the grain yield in major cereals in the last 50 years was primarily achieved through the extension of photosynthesis duration and the increase in crop biomass partitioning, two things that are intrinsically coupled with leaf senescence. In this review, we consider the functionality of a leaf as a function of leaf age, and divide a leaf's life into three phases: the functionality increasing phase at the early growth stage, the full functionality phase, and the senescence and functionality decreasing phase. A genetic framework is proposed to describe gene actions at various checkpoints to regulate leaf development and senescence. Four categories of genes contribute to crop production: those which regulate (I) the speed and transition of early leaf growth, (II) photosynthesis rate, (III) the onset and (IV) the progression of leaf senescence. Current advances in isolating and characterizing senescence regulatory genes are discussed in the leaf aging and crop production context. We argue that the breeding of crops with leaf senescence ideotypes should be an essential part of further crop genetic improvement.

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[ Hai‐Chun Jing (Corresponding author)]
CAPs‐IDD: Characteristics of Assessment Instruments for Psychiatric Disorders in Persons with Intellectual Developmental Disorders
Authors: Zeilinger E. L. , Nader I. W. , Brehmer‐Rinderer B. , Koller I. , Weber G.
Published: November 2012

Background

Assessment of psychiatric disorders in persons with an intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) can be performed with a variety of greatly differing instruments. This makes the choice of an instrument best suited for the intended purpose challenging. In this study, we developed a comprehensive set of characteristics for the evaluation and description of assessment instruments for psychiatric disorders in adult persons with IDD. This simplifies the search for an instrument as it makes an easy and direct comparison possible and hereby allows a more thorough and appropriate decision making when selecting assessment tools.

Method

A mixed‐methods approach was used. First, a systematic literature search was conducted to identify existing tools for the description and evaluation of assessment instruments. Second, the content of these tools was combined and missing features and IDD‐specific attributes were added. Finally, expert consultations were performed.

Results

The Characteristics of Assessment Instruments for Psychiatric Disorders in Persons with Intellectual Developmental Disorders (CAPs‐IDD) lists characteristics to evaluate and describe instruments for psychiatric disorders in persons with IDD. It comprises two sections: first, the conceptual and measurement model; second, the psychometric properties. Each section consists of various subsections and a detailed response format for coding instruments.

Conclusions

The use of the CAPs‐IDD helps to identify and choose instruments that best suit the respective purpose. Filled with information, it could be made accessible via new technologies to researchers and practitioners and be updated when new information is available. Thus, it contributes to a more reliable and valid assessment of possible psychiatric disorders in persons with IDD.
Psychiatric disorder‐related abnormal behavior and habenulointerpeduncular pathway defects in Wnt1‐cre and Wnt1‐GAL4 double transgenic mice
Authors: Nakajima Mitsunari , Mori Hisamichi , Nishikawa Chisa , Tsuruta Momoko , Okuyama Satoshi , Furukawa Yoshiko
Published: November 2012

The neural crest is a unique structure in vertebrates. Wnt1‐cre and Wnt1‐GAL4 double transgenic (dTg) mice have been used in a variety of studies concerning neural crest cell lineages in which the Cre/loxP or GAL4/UAS system was applied. Here, we show psychiatric disorder‐related behavioral abnormalities and histologic alterations in a neural crest‐derived brain region in dTg mice. The dTg mice exhibited increased locomotor activity, decreased social interaction, and impaired short‐term spatial memory and nesting behavior. The choline acetyltransferase‐ and vesicular glutamate transporter 2‐immunoreactive habenulointerpeduncular fiber tracts that project from the medial habenular nucleus of the epithalamus to the interpeduncular nucleus of the midbrain tegmentum appeared irregular in the dTg mice. Both the medial habenula nucleus and the interpeduncular nucleus were confirmed to be derived from the neural crest. The findings of this study suggest that neural crest‐derived cells have pathogenic roles in the development of psychiatric disorders and that the dTg mouse could be a useful animal model for studying the pathophysiology of mental illness such as autism and schizophrenia. Scientists that use the dTg mice as a cre‐transgenic deleter line should be cautious in its possible toxicity, especially if behavioral analyses are to be performed.