bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Axon guidance during establishment of electroreceptor innervation in the catfish Kryptopterus
Authors: Roth Anton
Published: March 2006

The principles were studied, according to which the characteristic electroreceptor distribution pattern consisting of organ rows and clusters on the tail of the catfish Kryptopterus spec. is formed. As each electroreceptor is induced by its future afferent (‘electrosensory’) nerve fibre at the site where the outgrowing fibre reaches the epidermis, it is the fibre navigation which controls the organ distribution. Three navigation principles of the outgrowing electrosensory fibres were found. (i) The electrosensory fibre courses are bound to the tail segmentation. Nerve displacement experiments suggest that the fibres are guided by the intersegmental connective tissue sheaths, i.e. the myosepta and myocommata. (ii) The individual fibres have no specificity for a certain route or target area on the tail, but can grow in any direction and into any tail area and induce organs there. This is indicated by experiments with nerve elimination and nerve deflection. (iii) An outgrowing fibre's only orientation is towards a nearby ‘free site’; i.e. it aims for a place in clusters with fewer organs than their actual capacity allows. The capacity increases continuously with the specimen's age, so that free sites progressively develop. So, it depends on chance which outgrowing fibre occupies which ‘free site’; a free site is targeted by whatever outgrowing fibre happens to be the nearest. The mechanisms of development of the somatotopic projection of the electrosensory fibres to the central nervous system (CNS) are discussed.
Hippocampal vulnerability following traumatic brain injury: a potential role for neurotrophin‐4/5 in pyramidal cell neuroprotection
Authors: Royo N. C. , Conte V. , Saatman K. E. , Shimizu S. , Belfield C. M. , Soltesz K. M. , Davis J. E. , Fujimoto S. T. , McIntosh T. K.
Published: March 2006

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes selective hippocampal cell death, which is believed to be associated with cognitive impairment observed both in clinical and experimental settings. Although neurotrophin administration has been tested as a strategy to prevent cell death following TBI, the potential neuroprotective role of neurotrophin‐4/5 (NT‐4/5) in TBI remains unknown. We hypothesized that NT‐4/5 would offer neuroprotection for selectively vulnerable hippocampal neurons following TBI. Measurements of NT‐4/5 in rats subjected to lateral fluid percussion (LFP) TBI revealed two–threefold increases in the injured cortex and hippocampus in the acute period (1–3 days) following brain injury. Subsequently, the response of NT‐4/5 knockout (NT‐4/5–/–) mice to controlled‐cortical impact TBI was investigated. NT‐4/5–/– mice were more susceptible to selective pyramidal cell loss in Ahmon's corn (CA) subfields of the hippocampus following TBI, and showed impaired motor recovery when compared with their brain‐injured wild‐type controls (NT‐4/5wt). Additionally, we show that acute, prolonged administration of recombinant NT‐4/5 (5 µg/kg/day) prevented up to 50% of the hippocampal CA pyramidal cell death following LFP TBI in rats. These results suggest that post‐traumatic increases in endogenous NT‐4/5 may be part of an adaptive neuroprotective response in the injured brain, and that administration of this neurotrophic factor may be useful as a therapeutic strategy following TBI.
Reparatory effects of nicotine on NMDA receptor‐mediated synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal CA1 region of chronically lead‐exposed rats
Authors: Wang Hui‐Li , Chen Xiang‐Tao , Luo Le , Lou Zhi‐Yi , Wang Shu , Chen Ju‐Tao , Wang Ming , Sun Li‐Guang , Ruan Di‐Yun
Published: March 2006

Activation of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) modulates the induction of long‐term potentiation (LTP): a possible cellular mechanism of learning. To investigate the effect of nicotine on synaptic plasticity in chronically lead‐exposed rats, field excitatory postsynaptic potentials and paired‐pulse facilitation (PPF) were recorded in the CA1 area of hippocampal slices from chronically lead‐exposed 23–30‐day‐old rats. The results showed the following. (1) Nicotine (1 µm) facilitated the induction of LTP in CA1 by a weak tetanic stimulation (100 Hz, 20 pulses), which does not by itself produce LTP in lead‐exposed rats. This effect was significantly suppressed by mecamylamine, a nicotinic antagonist, suggesting that the facilitation of LTP was through nAChRs. (2) The nicotine‐facilitated LTP was blocked by dihydro‐β‐erythroidine (DHβE), a non‐α7 nAChR antagonist, whereas long‐term depression (LTD) was produced by the combination of nicotine and methyllycaconitine, a α7‐nAChR antagonist. This type of LTD was blocked by DHβE. This suggested that several nAChR subtypes were involved in the nicotine‐facilitated synaptic plasticity. (3) Nicotine enhanced PPF in the hippocampal CA1 region, and the nicotine‐facilitated LTP in lead‐exposed rats was blocked by eitherd‐(–)‐2‐amino‐5‐phosphonopentanoic acid, theN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, or picrotoxin, an antagonist of γ‐aminobutyric acidAreceptors. We suggest that nicotine‐facilitated synaptic plasticity was due to the activation of NMDARs by disinhibition of pyramidal cells through presynaptic nAChRs. This may represent the cellular basis of nicotine‐facilitated cognitive enhancement observed in chronically lead‐exposed rats.
The value of a second transurethral resection for T1 bladder cancer
Authors: SCHWAIBOLD HARTWIG E. , SIVALINGAM SIVAPRAKASAM , MAY FLORIAN , HARTUNG RUDOLF
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a series of repeat transurethral resections (TURs) of tumour in patients with T1 bladder cancer, usually used to ensure a complete resection and to exclude the possibility muscle‐invasive disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 136 consecutive patients had a second TUR because of a histopathological diagnosis of T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) after their initial TUR. Of the 136 patients, 101 were first presentations and 35 had recurrent tumours. The second TUR was done 4–6 weeks later. The evaluation included the presence of previously undetected residual tumour, changes to histopathological staging/grading, and tumour location.

RESULTS

In all, 71 patients (52%) had residual disease according to findings from specimens obtained during the second TUR. The staging was: no tumour, 65 (48%); Ta, 11 (8%); T1, 32 (24%); Tis, 15 (11%); and ≥ T2, 13 (10%). Histopathological changes that worsened the prognosis (>T1 and or concomitant Tis) were found in 21% of patients. Residual malignant tissue was found in the same location as the first TUR in 86% of the patients, and at different locations in 14%. Overall, 28 patients (21% of the original 136) had a radical cystectomy as a consequence of the second TUR findings.

CONCLUSIONS

A routine second TUR should be advised in patients with T1 TCC of the bladder, to achieve a more complete tumour resection and to identify patients who should have a prompt cystectomy.
A re‐staging transurethral resection predicts early progression of superficial bladder cancer
Authors: HERR HARRY W. , DONAT S. MACHELE
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether pathology on a re‐staging transurethral resection (TUR) predicts the early progression of superficial bladder cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 710 patients presenting with multiple superficial bladder cancers were evaluated by re‐staging TUR and followed for 5 years. Tumours were classified by stage as confined to mucosa (Ta) or invading submucosa (T1), and by grade (low‐ or high‐grade). Pathology on re‐staging TUR was correlated with the endpoints of tumour recurrence and stage progression.

RESULTS

Of the 710 patients, 490 (69%) had a recurrence and 149 (21%) progressed over 5 years. Eighty patients had high‐grade invasive (T1G3) cancer on re‐staging TUR and 61 (76%) progressed to muscle invasion (median time to progression 15 months), compared with 88 of 630 (14%) who had no evidence of tumour (T0) or other than T1 tumours detected on re‐staging TUR.

CONCLUSION

A re‐staging TUR identifies patients with superficial bladder cancer who are at high risk of early tumour progression.
Optimizing outcomes and quality of life in the hormonal treatment of prostate cancer
Authors: MOTTET NICOLAS , PRAYER‐GALETTI TOMMASO , HAMMERER PETER , KATTAN MICHAEL W. , TUNN ULF
Published: March 2006

We review the effectiveness of androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) in the management of prostate cancer, and the effect that this treatment has on a patient’s quality of life (QoL), based on discussions held at a European symposium on the management of prostate cancer. The overall QoL is reduced in asymptomatic men, and there are known decreases in cognitive function, self‐esteem, libido and sexual function. Hot flashes are also a frequent problem. Prolonged ADT can lead to osteoporosis and subsequently fractures. Various effective methods exist to manage and minimize these side‐effects; some are specific to the side‐effect, whereas other more general methods include lifestyle changes, specific drugs and added hormonal manipulations. Intermittent ADT for patients taking luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone agonists offers a promising method to reduce adverse effects, and possibly increases the time to androgen independence. Initial studies indicate that prostate‐specific antigen‐based progression with intermittent ADT is similar to that seen with continuous ADT, but there is a reduction in side‐effects, leading to an improvement in QoL.
Using prostate‐specific antigen screening and nomograms to assess risk and predict outcomes in the management of prostate cancer
Authors: HAMMERER PETER G. , KATTAN MICHAEL W. , MOTTET NICOLAS , PRAYER‐GALETTI TOMMASO
Published: March 2006

In this section there are two reviews concerning prostate cancer, both from the same group of authors. In the first, they describe the combination of nomograms with PSA screening to assess risk and to predict outcomes in the management of prostate cancer. In the second, they indicate how outcomes and quality of life can be optimised in the hormonal treatment of prostate cancer.

Botulinum toxin has become very popular in the management of a whole range of conditions both inside and outside the urinary tract. Now it has been extended to prostatic disorders, and the mini‐review presented here has evaluated reports and the authors’ personal experience in the mechanisms of action and clinical efficacy of Botulinum toxin in the prostate.

Finally, there is a mini‐review of FISH in bladder cancer, particularly its development, applications, and its potential for the future.

We review the role of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and the importance of patient education in the management of prostate cancer, based on discussions held at a European symposium on managing prostate cancer. Although PSA is the most widely used serum marker for detecting prostate cancer and for monitoring treatment responses, its use as a diagnostic marker is controversial due to concerns of over‐diagnosis and low specificity. PSA isoforms, as well as PSA doubling time, might improve the specificity for earlier prostate cancer detection and can be used as surrogate markers for treatment efficacy. Patients can differ considerably in the importance they place on health‐related quality of life aspects and fear of cancer progression. Consequently, there needs to be active, educated discussion of risk and outcomes between physicians and patients. Risk assessment tools, e.g. validated nomograms, enable clinicians to improve their decision analysis and form the basis for subsequent discussion of treatment options between the physician and patient, thereby enabling informed consent and appropriate decision‐making.
The potential and promise of using botulinum toxin in the prostate gland
Authors: CHUANG YAO‐CHI , GIANNANTONI ANTONELLA , CHANCELLOR MICHAEL B.
Published: March 2006

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) has been called the ‘most poisonous poison’ and a potential bioterrorist weapon. However, it is possible to use the elegant and specific activity of this toxin to treat various medical conditions. Recently, the application of BoNT was extended to prostate disorders, and we review published reports on the mechanisms of action and clinical efficacy of BoNT in the prostate. The information was gathered from Medline, abstracts from recent urological meetings, and from personal experience. BoNT has shown promising preliminary results for male lower urinary tract symptoms, and translational research suggests a novel mechanism of action of BoNT in the prostate. Importantly, the application of BoNT in the prostate is not approved by the regulatory agencies and caution should be used until larger randomized clinical studies are completed.
Tourism administration in the Northern Territory in the era of Country Liberal Party governance 1978–2001
Authors: Pforr Christof
Published: March 2006

Particularly since the 1980s, tourism has become an important vehicle to advance the Northern Territory's future development and economic growth, a prime concern for successive governments. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the Northern Territory (NT) government has played an active role in the sector's promotion and development. Starting with a general overview of some of the main characteristics of the Territory's political system the article outlines the NT government's involvement in tourism during the era of the Country Liberal Party governance (1978–2001) and specifically discusses the administrative framework for tourism management and development in the Territory in greater detail. It provides a historical overview of the tourism portfolio and the varying responsibilities of the government agencies involved.
Do Australian public sector employees have the type of culture they want in the era of new public management?
Authors: Bradley Lisa , Parker Rachel
Published: March 2006

New public management theory proposes that public sector organisations should be managed more like private sector organisations. It is therefore expected that public sector managers will have preferences for an organisational culture that will reflect the culture of private sector organisations, with an external rather than internal orientation. The current research investigated the idea that managers' perceptions of ideal organisational culture would be different to the bureaucratic model of culture (internally oriented), which has traditionally been associated with public sector organisations. Responses to a competing values culture inventory were received from 925 public sector employees. Results indicated that the bureaucratic model is still pervasive; however, managers prefer a culture that is more external, and less control focussed, as expected. Lower level employees expressed a desire for a culture that emphasised human relations values.
Community engagement and public administration: Of silos, overlays and technologies of government
Authors: Boxelaar Lucia , Paine Mark , Beilin Ruth
Published: March 2006

The public policy process in Australia is changing towards a more interactive, collaborative model, where governments seek to develop partnerships with civil society and private sector organisations to manage complex policy challenges. This article discusses research conducted into a project implemented by a Victorian government department that sought to involve stakeholders in addressing natural resource management issues in the agricultural sector. The research revealed that public administration practices associated with the new public management approach impeded the ability of the project to facilitate participation by diverse stakeholders in the decision‐making process. The article challenges the view that the discourse of collaboration and community engagement takes public administration down a constructivist path and suggests that agencies need to become reflexive about the way in which public administration practices are constitutive of the community engagement process if they are to facilitate genuine participation of other stakeholders.
Mercy Mercy Me: Social Injustice and the Prevention of Environmental Pollutant Exposures Among Ethnic Minority and Poor Children
Authors: Dilworth‐Bart Janean E. , Moore Colleen F.
Published: March 2006

Children's lead and pesticide exposures are used as examples to examine social disparities in exposure reduction efforts as well as environmental policies impacting children in poverty and minority children. The review also presents an estimate of the effect of social disparities in lead exposure on standardized test performance. Because including measures of pollutants with potential behavioral effects can alter the observed effects of race/ethnicity, income, and other variables, suggestions are made for including measures of pollutants in longitudinal studies and studies of multiple and cumulative risk. Continued basic research on developmental correlates and effects of pollution exposure, participatory action‐research with at‐risk and underrepresented populations, and contributions to public awareness and education are important leadership areas for developmental researchers.
The Birth of Words: Ten‐Month‐Olds Learn Words Through Perceptual Salience
Authors: Pruden Shannon M. , Hirsh‐Pasek Kathy , Golinkoff Roberta Michnick , Hennon Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2006

A core task in language acquisition is mapping words onto objects, actions, and events. Two studies investigated how children learn to map novel labels onto novel objects. Study 1 investigated whether 10‐month‐olds use both perceptual and social cues to learn a word. Study 2, a control study, tested whether infants paired the label with a particular spatial location rather than to an object. Results show that 10‐month‐olds can learn new labels and do so by relying on the perceptual salience of an object instead of social cues provided by a speaker. This is in direct contrast to the way in which older children (12‐, 18‐, and 24‐month‐olds) learn and extend new object names.
Regression and Reorganization of Intonation Between 6 and 23 Months
Authors: Snow David
Published: March 2006

The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern in which English‐speaking children acquire intonation. A second goal was to account for emerging intonation from a theoretical perspective. Six groups of 10 children each between the ages of 6 and 23 months participated in individual play sessions with their mothers and an experimenter. Pitch contours were acoustically analyzed in monosyllabic utterances produced by each child. The observed nonlinear shape of intonation development suggested a linguistically based pattern of regression and reorganization. However, the precocious expression of intonation in the youngest infants also pointed to the role of physiological universals and emotional experience. It is concluded that children's early intonation reflects biological, affective, and linguistic influences.
Stability, Change, and Correlates of the Peer Relationships of Young Children With Mild Developmental Delays
Authors: Guralnick Michael J. , Hammond Mary A. , Connor Robert T. , Neville Brian
Published: March 2006

The peer relationships of young children with mild developmental (cognitive) delays recruited at 4–6 years of age were examined in a longitudinal study across a 2‐year period. Results revealed only modest increases in children's peer interactions, a high degree of intraindividual stability, and the existence of a poorly organized and conflict‐prone pattern of peer interactions. Child cognitive and language levels as well as family stress and support were associated with children's peer interactions. A subgroup was identified of initially low interactors who were at especially high risk for future peer interaction problems. These findings further underscore the importance of designing and implementing early intervention programs in the area of peer relationships for children with mild developmental delays.
Developmental and Individual Differences in Conditional Reasoning: Effects of Logic Instructions and Alternative Antecedents
Authors: Daniel David B. , Klaczynski Paul A.
Published: March 2006

In Study 1, 10‐, 13‐, and 16‐year‐olds were assigned to conditions in which they were instructed to think logically and provided alternative antecedents to the consequents of conditional statements. Providing alternatives improved reasoning on two uncertain logical forms, but decreased logical responding on two certain forms; logic instructions improved reasoning among adolescents. Correlations among inferences and verbal ability were found primarily when task conditions created conflict between automatic and controlled inferences. In Study 2, when the cognitive demands of the logic instructions were reduced, 10‐year‐olds made more logically correct inferences, but only when a conditional's consequents were strongly associated with alternative antecedents. Discussion focuses on the ability to inhibit invited inferences and the role of automatically activated memories.
Maternal Accuracy in Predicting Toddlers' Behaviors and Associations With Toddlers' Fearful Temperament
Authors: Kiel Elizabeth J. , Buss Kristin A.
Published: March 2006

Past research provides associations between maternal parenting behaviors and characteristics such as depression and toddlers' fearful temperament. Less is known about how maternal cognitive characteristics and normal personality relate to fearful temperament. This study examined associations among the maternal cognitive characteristic of accuracy, maternal personality, toddler gender, context, and 24‐month‐old toddlers' fearful temperament. Mothers were more accurate in predicting their daughters' emotional reactions in fear‐eliciting contexts. High maternal approach personality was related to increased maternal accuracy for boys. High maternal approach personality, in conjunction with lower accuracy, however, was associated with higher levels of toddlers' fearful temperament. Results suggest implications for the current understanding of toddlers' fearful temperament.
Early Risk, Attention, and Brain Activation in Adolescents Born Preterm
Authors: Carmody Dennis P. , Bendersky Margaret , Dunn Stanley M. , DeMarco J. Kevin , Hegyi Thomas , Hiatt Mark , Lewis Michael
Published: March 2006

The relations among early cumulative medical risk, cumulative environmental risk, attentional control, and brain activation were assessed in 15–16‐year‐old adolescents who were born preterm. Functional magnetic resonance imaging found frontal, temporal, and parietal cortex activation during an attention task with greater activation of the left superior‐temporal and left supramarginal gyri associated with better performance. Individual differences in early cumulative risk are related to patterns of brain activation such that medical risk is related to left parietal cortex activation and environmental risk is related to temporal lobe activation. The findings suggest that early risk is related to less mature patterns of brain activation, including reduced efficiency of processing and responding to stimuli.
Children's Thinking About Counterfactuals and Future Hypotheticals as Possibilities
Authors: Beck Sarah R. , Robinson Elizabeth J. , Carroll Daniel J. , Apperly Ian A.
Published: March 2006

Two experiments explored whether children's correct answers to counterfactual and future hypothetical questions were based on an understanding of possibilities. Children played a game in which a toy mouse could run down either 1 of 2 slides. Children found it difficult to mark physically both possible outcomes, compared to reporting a single hypothetical future event, “What if next time he goes the other way …” (Experiment 1: 3–4‐year‐olds and 4–5‐year‐olds), or a single counterfactual event, “What if he had gone the other way …?” (Experiment 2: 3–4‐year‐olds and 5–6‐year‐olds). An open counterfactual question, “Could he have gone anywhere else?,” which required thinking about the counterfactual as an alternative possibility, was also relatively difficult.
God Does Not Play Dice: Causal Determinism and Preschoolers' Causal Inferences
Authors: Schulz Laura E. , Sommerville Jessica
Published: March 2006

Three studies investigated children's belief in causal determinism. If children are determinists, they should infer unobserved causes whenever observed causes appear to act stochastically. In Experiment 1, 4‐year‐olds saw a stochastic generative cause and inferred the existence of an unobserved inhibitory cause. Children traded off inferences about the presence of unobserved inhibitory causes and the absence of unobserved generative causes. In Experiment 2, 4‐year‐olds used the pattern of indeterminacy to decide whether unobserved variables were generative or inhibitory. Experiment 3 suggested that children (4 years old) resist believing that direct causes can act stochastically, although they accept that events can be stochastically associated. Children's deterministic assumptions seem to support inferences not obtainable from other cues.
Mother and Infant Talk About Mental States Relates to Desire Language and Emotion Understanding
Authors: Taumoepeau Mele , Ruffman Ted
Published: March 2006

This study assessed the relation between mother mental state language and child desire language and emotion understanding in 15–24‐month‐olds. At both time points, mothers described pictures to their infants and mother talk was coded for mental and nonmental state language. Children were administered 2 emotion understanding tasks and their mental and nonmental state vocabulary levels were obtained via parental report. The results demonstrated that mother use of desire language with 15‐month‐old children uniquely predicted a child's later mental state language and emotion task performance, even after accounting for potentially confounding variables. In addition, mothers' tendency to refer to the child's over others' desires was the more consistent correlate of mental state language and emotion understanding.
Locating Impropriety: Street Drinking, Moral Order, and the Ideological Dilemma of Public Space
Authors: Dixon John , Levine Mark , McAuley Rob
Published: March 2006

Drawing on research in urban sociology, cultural geography, and social psychology, this paper explores some of the moral rules that govern social relations in public places. In particular, we consider how certain practices become classified as everyday incivilities—infractions of the moral order that sustains public life. In order to develop this notion, we draw illustrations from an ongoing research project that is investigating social attitudes towards “street drinking,” an activity that has led to the creation of “alcohol‐free zones” in over 100 British cities during the past decade. As an emergent theme, this research has suggested that the classification of street drinking as either acceptable or unacceptable conduct is contingent upon the social construction of public space that users invoke. This theme is discussed in the context of wider struggles over citizenship and social control in the public domain—struggles manifest within “ideological dilemmas” (Billig et al., 1988) over the limits of free conduct, the tension between open and closed public spaces, and the attempt to distinguish “admissible” from “inadmissible” publics.
“We are an island”: Geographical Imagery in Accounts of Citizenship, Civil Society, and National Identity in Scotland and in England
Authors: Abell Jackie , Condor Susan , Stevenson Clifford
Published: March 2006

In this article we question recent psychological approaches that equate the constructs of citizenship and social identity and which overlook the capacity for units of governance to be represented in terms of place rather than in terms of people. Analysis of interviews conducted in England and Scotland explores how respondents invoked images of Britain as “an island” to avoid social identity constructions of nationality, citizenship, or civil society. Respondents in Scotland used island imagery to distinguish their political commitment to British citizenship from questions relating to their subjective identity. Respondents in England used island imagery to distinguish the United Kingdom as a distinctive political entity whilst avoiding allusions to a common or distinctive identity or character on the part of the citizenry. People who had moved from England to Scotland used island imagery to manage the delicate task of negotiating rights to social inclusion in Scottish civil society whilst displaying recognition of the indigenous population's claims to distinctive national culture and identity.
Young People's Deliberations on Geographic Mobility: Identity and Cross‐Border Relocation
Authors: Hopkins Nick , Reicher Steve , Harrison Kate
Published: March 2006

This paper considers how social identities may shape group members' spatial behaviour. Specifically, it reports a small‐scale interview study (n = 30) conducted with young people (17 years of age) living in a Scottish town close to a national border (with England). This border has very little physical presence. However, the psychological significance of a Scottish identification remains strong, and we investigate the ways in which national identities are implicated in young people's deliberations about their future geographic mobility throughout the United Kingdom. Our data suggest that national identity‐related considerations are not always salient in our participants' deliberations. Yet, when national identity is salient and mobility is framed in national terms, we find our participants are often cautious about relocating to England. However, our data also suggest that the ways in which a national framing of self and mobility may be consequential is itself diverse.
Individual Characteristics of Political Leaders and the Use of Analogy in Foreign Policy Decision Making
Authors: Dyson Stephen Benedict , Preston Thomas
Published: March 2006

The linkages between individual characteristics of political leaders and their usage of historical analogy during foreign policy decision‐making episodes were examined. The individual characteristics studied were conceptual complexity and policy expertise, while usage of analogy was studied in terms of the sophistication and source of historical comparisons. The great majority of the analogies used by low‐complexity individuals were nonsophisticated, whereas high‐complexity individuals consistently used more sophisticated analogies. Low‐complexity individuals drew analogies solely from their own generational and cultural context, while high‐complexity leaders drew their analogies from a wider range of sources. More expert leaders drew from their personal experiences to a marginally greater degree than less expert individuals but, interestingly, both types of individual relied on generally available rather than personally experienced events for their analogies. The value added of the approach is to demonstrate that different types of leaders use history differently during political decision making.
War‐Related Dream Themes in Germany from 1956 to 2000
Authors: Schredl Michael , Piel Edgar
Published: March 2006

Based on the continuity hypothesis of dreaming, the effects of World War II on the dreams of German persons have been studied. The present study included four representative samples from 1956 to 2000 (repeated cross‐sectional surveys). Although a decline of war‐related dream themes over time was found, the heightened rate of these themes in the oldest age group (60 years and older) in the year 2000 indicate the long‐lasting effect of emotionally salient life experiences on dreams. The present findings indicate that the method of dream content analysis is a very informative approach to study the effects of political events on the inner life of people and, thus, of value for the field of political science.
A Simple Estimator of Error Correlation in Non‐parametric Regression Models
Authors: PARK BYEONG U. , LEE YOUNG KYUNG , KIM TAE YOON , PARK CHEOLYONG
Published: March 2006

Abstract. It is well known that major strength of non‐parametric regression function estimation breaks down when correlated errors exist in the data. Positively (negatively) correlated errors tend to produce undersmoothing (oversmoothing). Several remedies have been proposed in the context of bandwidth selection problem, but they are hard to implement without prior knowledge of error correlations. In this paper we propose a simple estimator of error correlation which is ready to implement and reports a reasonably good performance.
On the reading and interpretation of the month‐line in the gothic calendar1
Authors: Landau David
Published: March 2006

Using a digital image processing method I demonstrate that a reading from 1833 of the month‐line of the Gothic calendar is incorrect. According to that reading, the line includes the word Naubaimbair‘November’, in addition to fruma jiuleis ·l·. In this article I endeavour to demonstrate that there is no Naubaimbair in the original manuscript.
Post‐verbal subjects in early east slavonic
Authors: Turner Sarah
Published: March 2006

In Contemporary Standard Russian (CSR) the subject typically appears before the verb (SV order). The high proportion of clauses in which the verb appears before the subject (VS order) in some early medieval sources of East Slavonic provenance is striking by comparison. This paper investigates the phenomenon against the background of the complex linguistic situation of the period. It uses the concepts of Functional Sentence Perspective (FSP) as set out in the Academy Grammar of Russian (Kovtunova 1980: 190–214) as basic tools for analysis and finds that, with a slight expansion of one of its central ideas, FSP can account for many of the VS orders in the medieval material. It suggests that clause patterns which resist interpretation in these terms can be understood as features characteristic of the different text types proposed by Benveniste (1966: 238–42) and Weinrich (1971).
Relations between socio‐cultural factors, the home literacy environment and children's literacy development in the first years of primary education
Authors: Van Steensel Roel
Published: March 2006

This paper deals with the relation between children's home literacy environments (HLE) and their literacy development in the first phase of primary school. On the basis of a broad conceptualisation of the HLE, we identified three home literacy profiles (rich, child‐directed and poor HLE). Firstly, we related these profiles to socio‐cultural factors (more specifically, ethnicity and socio‐economic status [SES]). We found an association between the HLE and ethnicity/SES, indicating that (Dutch) majority children and children from high SES families had, in general, the most stimulating HLEs. On the other hand, we observed considerable variability in HLEs within ethnic minority and low SES groups. Subsequently, we related the HLE profiles to literacy outcomes in kindergarten, first and second grade. We found that, after controlling for relevant background characteristics, the HLE had an effect on children's vocabulary scores in first grade, and their general reading comprehension both in first and second grade.
Reading strategy use between Chinese good and poor readers: a think‐aloud study
Authors: Lau Kit‐Ling
Published: March 2006

This study aimed to explore the differences between Chinese good and poor readers in their strategy use by using a think‐aloud method. Eight grade 7 students in Hong Kong, four good readers and four poor readers, received a think‐aloud task and an interview in the study. Consistent with the Western studies, findings of this study indicated that Chinese good readers used more strategies and had better ability and knowledge of strategy use than did poor readers. In addition to the cognitive deficiencies, poor readers were also found to have poorer intrinsic motivation than did good readers. The combined problems of poor reading ability and motivation made them reluctant to process the text at a deeper level and they gave up easily when they encountered reading difficulties. Implications of these findings for studying the reading problems of Chinese students and implementing effective reading instruction in Hong Kong Chinese language teaching are discussed.
Dynamics of Model Overfitting Measured in terms of Autoregressive Roots
Authors: Granger Clive W. J. , Jeon Yongil
Published: March 2006

Abstract.  One method of describing the properties of a fitted autoregressive model of order p is to show the p roots that are implied by the lag operator. Considering autoregressive models fitted to 215 US macro series, with lags chosen by either the Bayesian or Schwarz information criteria or Akaike information criteria, the roots are found to constitute a distinctive pattern. Later analysis suggests that much of this pattern occurs because of overfitting of the models. An extension of the results shows that they have some practical multivariate time‐series modelling implications.
A Stationarity Test in the Presence of an Unknown Number of Smooth Breaks
Authors: Becker Ralf , Enders Walter , Lee Junsoo
Published: March 2006

Abstract.  Macroeconomic variables have been shown to display a wide variety of structural breaks of unknown number, duration and form. This poses a challenge since improperly modelled breaks can result in a seriously misspecified model. In this paper, we develop a new test for stationarity that approximates the unknown form of structural breaks using a selected frequency component from a Fourier approximation. Our proposed test performs quite well when breaks are gradual, and shows reasonable power. The appropriate use of the test is illustrated by examining real exchange rates in the post‐Bretton Woods period.
Paroxysmal Hemicrania in a Family
Authors: Cohen AS , Matharu MS , Goadsby PJ
Published: March 2006

Paroxysmal hemicrania (PH) is a trigeminal autonomic cephalgia, characterised by unilateral attacks responsive to indomethacin. There are no published reports of a family history in PH. We report a mother and daughter both with PH. The daughter and her sister also had migraine.
MRI and Ultrasonographic Imaging of a Patient with Carotidynia
Authors: Kuhn J , Harzheim A , Horz R , Bewermeyer H
Published: March 2006

A patient presented with a painful, pulsating nodosity with marked tenderness on the right side of her neck. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exhibited pathological signal changes in the perivascular tissue of the carotid bifurcation area and around the external carotid artery. Similarly, Doppler sonography revealed an echo-poor wall change with outward bulging and slight narrowing of the affected vessel lumen. The clinical symptoms and our findings led to the diagnosis of carotidynia. We proposed that cervical MRI and Doppler sonography could be used for diagnosing carotidynia.
Horizontal advancement flap for lateral dorsal nasal defects
Authors: Ascari‐Raccagni A , Righini MG
Published: March 2006

Background  Repairing dorsal nasal defects is a frequent challenge for dermatologic surgeons, mainly due to the high frequency of basal cell carcinomas on this site. Obvious scars, mismatched skin and distortion of the nasal contour are the surgical hazards that must be avoided in these cases.

Aim  Our aim was to perform surgery involving a simple flap in order to repair medium to large defects on the dorsal side of the nose.

Methods  The dorsal horizontal advancement flap was studied in 12 patients, in order to evaluate the benefits and limits of this surgical procedure.

Results  The resulting scars on most of our patients were well‐camouflaged among their natural skin lines, and there was neither distortion of the alar contour nor the nostril.

Conclusions  This flap is easy to perform and, in selected cases, provides an outstanding alternative to second‐intention healing, full‐thickness skin grafts, transposition, rotation and pedicle flaps.
Stevens–Johnson syndrome in two patients treated with cranial irradiation and phenytoin
Authors: Aydin F , Cokluk C , Senturk N , Aydin K , Canturk MT , Turanli AY
Published: March 2006

Stevens‐Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a severe cutaneous eruption that most often appears as an adverse reaction to medication. In this report, we present two patients diagnosed with SJS, which developed in patients with brain tumour, after receiving cranial irradiation and phenytoin. Concomitant application of these two therapies may play an important role in the occurrence of the disease.
Calorie restriction mimetics: an emerging research field
Authors: Ingram Donald K. , Zhu Min , Mamczarz Jacek , Zou Sige , Lane Mark A. , Roth George S. , DeCabo Rafael
Published: March 2006

When considering all possible aging interventions evaluated to date, it is clear that calorie restriction (CR) remains the most robust. Studies in numerous species have demonstrated that reduction of calories 30–50% below ad libitum levels of a nutritious diet can increase lifespan, reduce the incidence and delay the onset of age‐related diseases, improve stress resistance, and decelerate functional decline. A current major focus of this research area is whether this nutritional intervention is relevant to human aging. Evidence emerging from studies in rhesus monkeys suggests that their response to CR parallels that observed in rodents. To assess CR effects in humans, clinical trials have been initiated. However, even if results from these studies could eventually substantiate CR as an effective pro‐longevity strategy for humans, the utility of this intervention would be hampered because of the degree and length of restriction required. As an alternative strategy, new research has focused on the development of ‘CR mimetics’. The objective of this strategy is to identify compounds that mimic CR effects by targeting metabolic and stress response pathways affected by CR, but without actually restricting caloric intake. For example, drugs that inhibit glycolysis (2‐deoxyglucose), enhance insulin action (metformin), or affect stress signaling pathways (resveratrol), are being assessed as CR mimetics (CRM). Promising results have emerged from initial studies regarding physiological responses which resemble those observed in CR (e.g. reduced body temperature and plasma insulin) as well as protection against neurotoxicity (e.g. enhanced dopamine action and up‐regulated neurotrophic factors). Ultimately, lifespan analyses in addition to expanded toxicity studies must be accomplished to fully assess the potential of any CRM. Nonetheless, this strategy clearly offers a very promising and expanding research endeavor.
Thymic output and functionality of the IL‐7/IL‐7 receptor system in centenarians: implications for the neolymphogenesis at the limit of human life
Authors: Nasi Milena , Troiano Leonarda , Lugli Enrico , Pinti Marcello , Ferraresi Roberta , Monterastelli Elena , Mussi Chiara , Salvioli Gianfranco , Franceschi Claudio , Cossarizza Andrea
Published: March 2006

During aging, the thymus undergoes a marked involution that is responsible for profound changes in the T‐cell compartment. To investigate the capacity of the thymus to produce new cells at the limit of human lifespan, we analyzed some basic mechanisms responsible for the renewal and maintenance of peripheral T lymphocytes in 44 centenarians. Thymic functionality was analyzed by the quantification of cells presenting the T‐cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (TREC). A new method based upon real‐time PCR was used, and we found that most centenarians (84%) had undetectable levels of TREC+ cells. Six‐color cytofluorimetric analysis revealed that centenarians had an extremely low number of naïve T cells; central memory and effector memory T cells were greatly increased, while terminally differentiated cells were as numerous as in young (aged 20–45) or middle‐aged (aged 58–62) donors. Interleukin (IL)‐7 and IL‐7 receptor α‐chain (CD127) levels were the same at all ages, as shown by ELISA, flow cytometry and real‐time PCR. However, IL‐7 plasma levels were higher in centenarian females than males. The presence of TREC+ cells and of very few naïve T lymphocytes suggests that in centenarians such cells could either derive from residues of thymic lymphopoietic islets, or even represent long‐living lymphocytes that have not yet encountered their antigen. IL‐7 could be one of the components responsible, among others, for the higher probability of reaching extreme ages typical of females.
Last of the censuses? The future of small area population data
Authors: Martin David
Published: March 2006

This paper assesses future population data collection in the UK with reference to international trends, which suggest a retreat from census‐taking in the face of enumeration challenges and the emergence of potential administrative sources. Some of the greatest strengths and weaknesses of contemporary censuses are explicitly geographical in nature. Key requirements of a geographical base for the transition from censuses to administrative sources are examined and the need for research on appropriate definitions and address‐level georeferencing identified. The design of future output geographies is considered and an assessment undertaken of the possibility of maintaining current output geography as the basis for neighbourhood‐level research.
Invalid theory impedes our understanding: a critique on the persistence of the language of NIMBY
Authors: Wolsink Maarten
Published: March 2006

The key thesis in Hubbard's paper ‘Accommodating Otherness: anti‐asylum centre protest and the maintenance of white privilege’ is that racial dimensions of opposition to asylum seekers centres are part of cultural NIMBYism. This connection of complex issues with an invalid concept obscures our understanding of the role of ‘otherness’ in facility siting discussions. The deconstruction of the contested NIMBY concept is illustrated by a brief review of wind power, which was mentioned as a field in which ‘otherness’ had not been incorporated.
Postcolonial geographies of privilege: diaspora space, the politics of personhood and the ‘Sri Lankan Women's Association in the UK’
Authors: Jazeel Tariq
Published: March 2006

This paper explores diaspora spatialities infrequently evoked within postcolonial geography: those of early twentieth‐century South Asian migrants to Britain who occupied privileged positions of class and status in their countries of origin. Specifically, I explore the collective practices of members of a London‐based, upper middle‐class/elite Sri Lankan women's association, formed in 1949. By closely exploring the group's historically contingent social practices, the paper evokes a problematic set of postcolonial geographies. Members’ performative expression of feminized and respectable modes of Sri Lankan‐ness, underpinned by the ‘trusteeship’ that characterized Ceylon's late colonial relationship with Britain and familiar to them from their privileged backgrounds, have cultivated spatialities that remain imbued with colonial ideology. In this diaspora space, dimensions of late colonial modernity continue to problematically shape members’ subjectivities and social relations amidst an expanding Sri Lankan community in London. This paper shows how the Association's ongoing performance of late colonial, privileged and elite modes of Sri Lankan‐ness has (re)produced space for the possibility of the negotiation of a politics of personhood for women whose bodies were racially and sexually marked as outside in post‐imperial London. The paper contributes a better understanding of the wide range of postcolonial formations that occur in variable ways and distinct settings.