bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of attention deficit, rapid eye movement latency and slow wave sleep in schizophrenia patients
Authors: Chang Yu‐San , Hsu Chung‐Yao , Tang Shu‐Hui , Lin Ching‐Yu , Chen Ming‐Chao
Published: March 2009

Aim:  Schizophrenia patients present both reduced slow wave sleep (SWS) and shortened rapid eye movement latency (REML) in polysomnographic (PSG) profiles, which have been linked to dopaminergic and muscarinic impairment, respectively. Two main selective attentional systems involve different anatomical structures. The first system is the parietal cortical areas and thalamic areas, which are linked to cholinergic neurotransmission. This is responsible for automatic attention response. The second system is the frontal regions, which are linked to dopaminergic neurotransmission. This is responsible for voluntary control of attentional resources. It was hypothesized that low attentional performance in schizophrenia patients is associated with shortened REML and reduced SWS.

Methods:  The PSG profile was correlated with the continuous performance test (CPT) in 15 schizophrenia inpatients under treatment with risperidone. Schizophrenia was diagnosed according to DSM‐IV criteria, and clinical symptoms were evaluated on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale.

Results:  REML was negatively correlated with errors of omission (P < 0.05), reaction time (RT; P < 0.05) and positively correlated with hit rate (HR; P < 0.05). No association was found between SWS and CPT performance.

Conclusions:  The significant indicators of CPT represent different attention processes. Errors of omission, which are linked to the problems with automatic attention processing, RT, which represent the speed of automatic processing, and HR, are involved in the integration of autonomic and voluntary attention control. The present results suggest that REML is associated with thalamus‐related automatic attention response. Due to study limitations, however, confirmation of these findings in a large‐scale controlled study of drug‐naïve patients is needed.
Impact of psychiatric morbidity on quality of life after motor vehicle accident at 1‐month follow up
Authors: Matsuoka Yutaka , Nishi Daisuke , Nakajima Satomi , Yonemoto Naohiro , Noguchi Hiroko , Otomo Yasuhiro , Kim Yoshiharu
Published: March 2009

The aim of the present study was to investigate the development of, prediction of, protection against, and the course of psychological distress and well‐being in a sample of patients with motor vehicle accident‐related injuries, in a cohort study. In a secondary analysis, the question of whether psychiatric morbidity was associated with quality of life in 95 injured patients after motor vehicle accident at 1‐month follow up, was investigated. Results indicated that psychiatric morbidity has an adverse effect on quality of life.
Utility of the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development in cognitive assessment of children with pervasive developmental disorders
Authors: Koyama Tomonori , Osada Hirokazu , Tsujii Hiromi , Kurita Hiroshi
Published: March 2009

Based on the clinical records of 74 children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD; mean age, 45.2 months; 62 boys), the utility of the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development in cognitive assessment of young and/or mentally retarded PDD children was investigated. Because the overall developmental quotient (DQ) had the highest correlation with the IQ (Pearson's r, 0.88) and the Cognitive–Adaptive DQ showed a non‐significant difference in mean (65.8) from the IQ (66.4), they both seem useful as an equivalent to an IQ. The test would enable clinicians to carry out continual developmental assessments and to develop appropriate remedial programs for those children from infancy.
Reliability and validity of the Thai version of the WHO‐Five Well‐Being Index in primary care patients
Authors: Saipanish Ratana , Lotrakul Manote , Sumrithe Sutida
Published: March 2009

Aims:  Because of the high patient load in Thailand, we need a practical measurement to help primary physicians detect depression. This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Thai version of the World Health Organization‐Five Well‐Being Index (WHO‐5‐T), which is short and easy to use as a screening tool for major depression in primary care patients.

Methods:  The English version of the WHO‐Five Well‐Being Index was translated into Thai. Back‐translations, cross‐cultural adaptation and field testing of the pre‐final version with final adjustments were performed accordingly. The WHO‐5‐T was administered randomly to 300 patients in our primary care clinic. Then the patients were further assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression as the gold standard of diagnosis and symptom severity, respectively.

Results:  Completed data were obtained from 274 respondents. Their mean age was 44.6 years [standard deviation (SD) = 14.7] and 73.7% of them were female. The mean WHO‐5‐T score was 14.32 (SD = 5.26). The WHO‐5‐T had a satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87) and showed moderate convergent validity with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (r = −0.54; P < 0.001). The optimal cut‐off score of the WHO‐5‐T <12 revealed a sensitivity of 0.89 and a specificity of 0.71 in detecting depression. The area under the curve in this study was 0.86 (SD = 0.03, 95% confidence interval 0.81 to 0.89).

Conclusions:  The Thai version of the WHO‐Five Well‐Being Index was found to be a reliable and valid self‐assessment to screen for major depression in primary care setting at a cut‐off point of <12.
The association between harmful alcohol use and Internet addiction among college students: Comparison of personality
Authors: Yen Ju‐Yu , Ko Chih‐Hung , Yen Cheng‐Fang , Chen Cheng‐Sheng , Chen Cheng‐Chung
Published: March 2009

Aims:  This study aimed to (i) evaluate the association between Internet addiction and harmful alcohol use, and (ii) evaluate the associated personality characteristics of Internet addiction as well as harmful alcohol use.

Methods:  A total of 2453 college students were invited to complete the Chen Internet Addiction Scale, Behavior Inhibition System and Behavior Approach System Scale(BIS/BAS scale), and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test from May 2005 to May 2006.

Results:  The results demonstrated Internet addiction was associated with harmful alcohol use among college students. College students with Internet addiction had higher scores on the BIS and BAS fun‐seeking subscales. However, college students with harmful alcohol use had higher scores on the BAS drive and fun‐seeking subscales, and lower scores on the BIS subscale.

Conclusions:  Internet addiction is associated with harmful alcohol use. Furthermore, fun seeking was the shared characteristic of these two problem behaviors and might contribute to the association. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate the underlying mechanisms accounting for the association between Internet addiction and harmful alcohol use.
Relationship between expression of Pad1 homologue and multidrug resistance of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Ma Zuxiang , Gao Xiaojie , Zhao Weiling , Li Yongbai , Li Changgang , Li Chengrong
Published: March 2009

Background:  Multidrug resistance is an occasionally seen phenomenon in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), but the mechanism of multidrug resistance is not clear as yet. The purpose of the present study was to investigated whether expression of Pad1 homologue (POH1) plays a role in the onset of multidrug resistance of INS.

Methods:  Comparison was done of the mRNA level of POH1 on real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells among children with multidrug‐resistant INS, children with steroid‐sensitive INS and healthy controls.

Results:  The POH1 mRNA level of the onset INS group (5852.3 ± 2676.4 copies/µg) was significantly lower than that of the control group (10 877.1 ± 2386.6 copies/µg; P < 0.05). The POH1 mRNA level of the onset INS group with multidrug resistance was not significantly higher than that of the onset INS group without multidrug‐resistance before treatment (6977.1 ± 6312.3 copies/µg vs 5281.3 ± 1926.7 copies/µg; P > 0.05), but significantly higher than that of the onset INS group without multidrug resistance after treatment (436 579.6 ± 99 727.4 copies/µg vs 38 438.2 ± 16 772.5 copies/µg; P < 0.001). The POH1 mRNA level of non‐onset multidrug‐resistant INS group (337 446.4 ± 107 423.5 copies/µg) after treatment was not significantly higher than that of the onset INS group with multidrug resistance after treatment (436 579.6 ± 99 727.4 copies/µg; P > 0.05), but was significantly higher than that of the onset INS group without multidrug resistance after treatment (38 438.2 ± 16 772.5 copies/µg; P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  Disorder of POH1 expression is involved in the onset of INS, and confers multidrug resistance in children with INS.
Association between serum adipocytokine and cholesterol levels in cord blood
Authors: Nakano Yuya , Itabashi Kazuo , Maruyama Takeshi
Published: March 2009

Background:  Serum leptin and adiponectin levels are strongly associated with lipid metabolism in adults. These adipocytokines play a role in intrauterine and postnatal growth but the association between cord blood levels of these adipocytokines and cholesterol at birth remains unclear.

Methods:  The study involved 52 appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age (AGA) infants (25 male, 27 female, 37–41 weeks of gestational age) born at Keiai Hospital without any maternal complications. Cord blood concentrations of leptin, total adiponectin, total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), other neonatal characteristics, and maternal factors were assessed to investigate the association between cord blood leptin or adiponectin levels and cholesterol levels.

Results:  Cord blood leptin levels were significantly higher in girls. Simple regression analysis indicated that cord blood leptin levels were significantly associated with birthweight, gestational age, birthweight SD score, body mass index (BMI), ponderal index, LDL‐C, and TC; but total adiponectin levels were not significantly associated with any neonatal characteristics or maternal factors. A multiple regression analysis indicated that cord leptin levels were significantly associated with BMI (β= 0.407, P= 0.001), LDL‐C (β=−0.345, P= 0.004), and infant's gender (β=−0.332, P= 0.006); adiponectin levels were significantly associated with only gestational age (β= 0.279, P= 0.047).

Conclusion:  Cord leptin level is significantly associated with cord cholesterol level at birth, anthropometry, and infant gender. The present study suggests that cord blood leptin may be a key hormone for controlling fetal lipid metabolism.
Protein–energy malnutrition as the first manifestation of cystic fibrosis in infancy
Authors: Fustik Stojka , Jacovska Tanja , Spirevska Lidija , Koceva Svetlana
Published: March 2009

Background:  The protein–energy malnutrition (PEM) that is characterized by hypoproteinemia, edema, and anemia has been reported in 5–13% of infants with cystic fibrosis (CF). Due to the surprising higher incidence of PEM as the first presenting manifestation of CF in Macedonia, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible risk factors in its development.

Methods:  Clinical and laboratory profiles (hemoglobin, red blood cell count, total serum protein, serum albumin and liver enzyme levels) and genotype data were analyzed in 115 newly diagnosed infants with CF, during the period 1990–2006.

Results:  PEM manifested in 39 CF infants (33%), usually within the first 5 months of life and in breast‐fed infants. Mean hemoglobin, red blood cell count, total serum protein and serum albumin values in the PEM subgroup were, respectively, 76.0 g/L, 2.4 × 1012/L, 38.0 g/L and 16.6 g/L. Clinically significant liver involvement was found in 22 patients (56.4%) with PEM. Concerning the molecular basis of CF in these patients, PEM was always associated with ▵F508, G542X, N1303K and other severe mutations.

Conclusion:  PEM is a common manifestation of CF in infancy. Early infant age, breast‐feeding, impaired liver function and the presence of severe cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutations are predisposing factors for the development of PEM.
Fourteen months of seed rain in three Australian semi‐arid communities
Authors: PAGE M. J. , HARRINGTON R. A.
Published: March 2009

The abundance and composition of seed rain was measured over 14 months (February 2004 to March 2005) in Currawinya National Park, western Queensland. The experimental design included four measurement periods, three vegetation communities and two grazing regimes. A total of 12 586 seeds from 104 species were captured. There were significantly more seeds and species captured during the measurement period with the least rainfall, although no significant correlation was found between the amount of rainfall and the number of seeds or species captured. More seeds and species were captured where native and feral grazing pressure was removed, but this was only significant for the number of species. The above‐ground vegetation showed no significant difference between grazing treatments over the study period and exhibited far fewer species than the seed rain. However, the majority of species found in the above‐ground vegetation were represented in the seed rain. Hypotheses are explored as an attempt to understand the apparent lack of a relationship between seed rain and rainfall. The effects of grazing and seed movement and storage are also discussed.
The influence of increasing population size and vegetation productivity on elephant distribution in the Kruger National Park
Authors: YOUNG KIM D. , FERREIRA SALAMON M. , Van AARDE RUDOLPH J.
Published: March 2009

Decisions to reduce the impacts of large herbivores on biodiversity in protected areas are often based on controlling their numbers. However, numbers per se may not be the foremost consideration when managing impacts. This is because density‐related changes in distribution can also affect habitat utilization and hence, impact. In this study we tested whether changes in the distribution of African elephants are associated with increasing population size. We used spatially explicit count data collected during the dry seasons from 1998 to 2004 in South Africa's Kruger National Park. We did this at five spatial scales and in landscapes defined by vegetation, geology, climate and soils. We then investigated whether observed distributions and grid‐cell‐specific densities were associated with the remotely sensed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as a measure of productivity and therefore food resource availability at the landscape scale. Consistent with density mediated changes, we found that elephant grid‐cell occupancy increased with population size, while grid‐cell‐specific density became less variable. In addition, the combined distribution of bull groups and breeding herds became less clumped with increasing population size. We further found that within landscapes elephants were present on grid‐cells with higher NDVI values, but that the influence of NDVI during the dry season on densities among landscapes may be weak. These results suggest that NDVI was more indicative of structural habitat choices such as woody vegetation than food availability per se. Our study highlights the need to consider factors other than population size alone when formulating management decisions to reduce large herbivore impacts on biodiversity in protected areas.
Flooding and grazing promote germination and seedling establishment in the perennial grass Paspalum dilatatum
Authors: CORNAGLIA PATRICIA S. , SCHRAUF GUSTAVO E. , DEREGIBUS V. ALEJANDRO
Published: March 2009

Seed germination and seedling emergence are key processes for population recruitment. Flooding and grazing are disturbances forming gaps that may strongly influence recruitment patterns in space and time, but their combined effects and action mechanisms have rarely been addressed. In this study we analysed the effects of microhabitat conditions associated with winter flooding and spring‐summer defoliation on seed germination and seedling establishment of Paspalum dilatatum, a dominant perennial C4 grass in native grasslands of the Flooding Pampa, Argentina. The dynamics of seedling emergence from natural seed banks and buried seeds was studied in a factorial experiment with flooding and defoliation treatments applied to soil monoliths (mesocosms) collected from natural grassland. Additional laboratory experiments were applied to investigate seed germination under different combinations of temperature, light quality and simulated flooding. Seed germination and seedling emergence of P. dilatatum were promoted by flooding and high intensity defoliation. Gaps generated by flooding were maintained by high intensity defoliation exercising a synergistic effect on survival seedlings. Flooding resulted in the breaking of seed dormancy and higher germination rates associated with alternating temperature and the activation of the phytochrome system. Our results indicate that microhabitat conditions associated with the disturbances forming gaps, such as flooding and heavy grazing, synergistically promote the recruitment process of this dominant grass species.
Vehicle fatigue damage caused by road irregularities
Authors: BOGSJÖ K. , RYCHLIK I.
Published: March 2009

Road roughness causes fatigue‐inducing loads in travelling vehicles. Road sections with a high degree of roughness are of special interest because these have a significant impact on vehicle's fatigue life. This study is focused on the statistical description and analysis of vehicle damage caused by irregularities. Standard statistical analysis tools are not straightforwardly applicable because of the non‐stationary property of the irregularities. However, it is found that the road irregularities' influence on vehicles can be accurately described using a ‘local’ narrow‐band approximation of the fatigue damage intensity.
Changes in alternative brain‐derived neurotrophic factor transcript expression in the developing human prefrontal cortex
Authors: Wong Jenny , Webster Maree J. , Cassano Hope , Weickert Cynthia S.
Published: March 2009

In this study, we determined when and through which promoter brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) transcription is regulated during the protracted period of human frontal cortex development. Using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, we examined the expression of the four most abundant alternative 5′ exons of the BDNF gene (exons I, II, IV, and VI) in RNA extracted from the prefrontal cortex. We found that expression of transcripts I–IX and VI–IX was highest during infancy, whereas that of transcript II–IX was lowest just after birth, slowly increasing to reach a peak in toddlers. Transcript IV–IX was significantly upregulated within the first year of life, and was maintained at this level until school age. Quantification of BDNF protein revealed that levels followed a similar developmental pattern as transcript IV–IX. In situ hybridization of mRNA in cortical sections showed the highest expression in layers V and VI for all four BDNF transcripts, whereas moderate expression was observed in layers II and III. Interestingly, although low expression of BDNF was observed in cortical layer IV, this BDNF mRNA low‐zone decreased in prominence with age and showed an increase in neuronal mRNA localization. In summary, our findings show that dynamic regulation of BDNF expression occurs through differential use of alternative promoters during the development of the human prefrontal cortex, particularly in the younger age groups, when the prefrontal cortex is more plastic.
Differential representation of Pavlovian–instrumental transfer by prefrontal cortex subregions and striatum
Authors: Homayoun Houman , Moghaddam Bita
Published: March 2009

Environmental cues that once predicted reward can restore extinguished behavior directed toward that reward. This process may be modeled by the Pavlovian–instrumental transfer (PIT) paradigm where a previously learned Pavlovian conditioned stimulus (CS) elicits a representation of the reward associated with that CS, prompts motivation toward the absent reward, and triggers an instrumental action. We recorded in the medial and orbital prefrontal cortex (mPFC and OFC) and dorsal striatum (DS) of freely moving rats during PIT and found that a Pavlovian CS, as compared with neutral or no stimuli, amplified the phasic neuronal responses to instrumental nosepokes (‘transfer’ event). In mPFC and OFC, but not the DS, representation of the transfer event correlated with the strength of PIT behavior. Neurons in all three regions showed CS‐selective amplification of Pavlovian approaches toward the reward delivery site. Whereas striatal neurons represented transfer and approach behavior through mostly segregated neuronal subsets, overlapping subsets represented these events in the mPFC and OFC. These findings suggest that parallel phasic activation of mPFC and OFC neuronal subsets participates in the transfer from Pavlovian incentives to instrumental actions.
The natriuretic effect of oxytocin blocks medial tuberomammillary polydipsia and polyuria in male rats
Authors: Mahía Javier , Bernal Antonio , García del Rio C. , Puerto Amadeo
Published: March 2009

Lesions of the tuberomammillary complex, a neuroanatomical system closely related to the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, induce strong polydipsia in male rats. It was recently demonstrated that this increase in water intake is immediate, persistent, follows circadian rhythms and appears to be related to sodium regulation. The present study found that urine osmolality was significantly lower in tuberomammillary‐lesioned animals vs. their respective controls at 8:00 h after surgery. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the natriuretic effect of intraperitoneal oxytocin (OT) administration on medial ventral tuberomammillary nucleus (E3) polydipsia and polyuria of lesioned and control male rats. At 24:00 h post‐lesion, OT blocked the hyperdipsic and polyuric responses of E3‐lesioned animals but not those of non‐lesioned controls, which did however significantly increase their water intake. Moreover, urinary osmolality and sodium excretion increased in E3 ‐lesioned animals that received OT but not in lesioned controls receiving physiological saline (992 ± 187.19 vs. 215.83 ± 23.39 mOsm/kg; 1.68 ± 0.13 vs. 0.47 ± 0.1 mEq/L). At 48:00 h post‐lesion, OT administration also induced a higher intake of water and of simultaneously offered hypertonic NaCl (1.5%) in E3‐lesioned animals. These results are interpreted in terms of the hypothalamic systems involved in sodium and water homeostasis.
EVALUATING ALTERNATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE CHOICE SETS IN MODELS OF LABOR SUPPLY
Authors: Aaberge R. , Colombino U. , Wennemo T.
Published: March 2009

Abstract During the last two decades, the discrete choice modeling of labor supply decisions has become increasingly popular. Within the literature adopting this approach, however, there are two potentially important issues that so far have not been given the attention they might deserve. A first issue concerns the procedure by which the discrete alternatives are selected to enter the choice set. Most authors choose (not probabilistically) a set of fixed points identical for every individual. Some authors adopt instead a sampling procedure and also assume that the choice set may differ across households. A second issue concerns the availability of the alternatives. Most authors assume all the values of hours of work within some range are equally available. At the other extreme, some authors assume only two or three alternatives (for example, nonparticipation, part‐time and full‐time) are available for everyone. Some studies account instead for the fact that not all the hour opportunities are equally available to everyone specifying a probability density function of opportunities for each individual. In this paper we explore by simulation the implications of (i) the procedure used to build the choice set (fixed alternatives versus sampled alternatives); (ii) accounting or not accounting for a different availability of alternatives. The results of the evaluation performed in this paper show that the way the choice set is represented has little impact on the fitting of observed values, but a more significant and important impact on the out‐of‐sample prediction performance. Thus, the treatment of the choice sets might have a crucial effect on the result of policy evaluations.
Why the Rigour–Relevance Gap in Management Research Is Unbridgeable
Authors: Kieser Alfred , Leiner Lars
Published: March 2009

abstract

In this paper we discuss, on the basis of system theory, the rigour–relevance gap in management research and the proposal to overcome it. From a system theory perspective, social systems are self‐referential or autopoietic, which means that communication elements of one system, such as science, cannot be authentically integrated into communication of other systems, such as the system of a business organization. Social systems can only irritate – provoke – each other, i.e. alter conditions in such a way that other systems are forced to respond. Because of the differences between management science and practice it is impossible to assess relevance of research output within the system of science. On the basis of our analysis we show that neither action research nor Mode 2 research nor recent approaches to collaborative research can succeed in producing research that is rigorous as well as relevant. Researchers and practitioners cannot collaboratively produce research, they can only irritate each other. However, sometimes irritations or provocations turn out inspiring.
TopoPlan: a topological path planner for real time human navigation under floor and ceiling constraints
Authors: Lamarche F.
Published: March 2009

In this article we present TopoPlan, a topological planner dedicated to real‐time humanoid path‐planning and motion adaptation to floor and ceiling constraints inside complex static environments. This planner analyzes unstructured 3D triangular meshes in order to automatically determine their topology. The analysis is based on a prismatic spatial subdivision which is analyzed, taking into account humanoid characteristics, in order to extract navigable surfaces and precisely identify environmental constraints such as floors, ceilings, walls, steps and bottlenecks. The technique also provides a lightweight roadmap computation covering all accessible free space. We demonstrate the properties of our topological planner within the context of two reactive motion control processes: an on‐the‐fly trajectory optimization and foot print generation process that correctly handles climbing of complex staircases, and a reactive ceiling adaptation process that handles beam avoidance and motion adaptation to irregular floors and ceilings. We further show that the computation cost of these processes is compatible with the real time animation of several dozens of virtual humans.
Example‐Based Rendering of Eye Movements
Authors: Banf Michael , Blanz Volker
Published: March 2009

This paper describes a model for example‐based, photo‐realistic rendering of eye movements in 3D facial animation. Based on 3D scans of a face with different gaze directions, the model captures the motion of the eyeball along with the deformation of the eyelids and the surrounding skin. These deformations are represented in a 3D morphable model.

Unlike the standard procedure in facial animation, the eyeball is not modeled as a rotating 3D sphere located behind the skin surface. Instead, the visible region of the eyeball is part of a continuous face mesh, and displacements of the iris as well as occlusions by the lids are modeled in a texture mapping approach. The algorithm avoids artifacts that are widely encountered in 3D facial animation, and it presents a new concept of handling occlusions and discontinuities in morphing algorithms.
Sudden Death and Gradual Decay in Visual Working Memory
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Luck Steven J.
Published: March 2009

General Douglas MacArthur remarked that “old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” For decades, researchers have concluded that visual working memories, like old soldiers, fade away gradually, becoming progressively less precise as they are retained for longer periods of time. However, these conclusions were based on threshold-estimation procedures in which the complete termination of a memory could artifactually produce the appearance of lower precision. Here, we use a recall-based visual working memory paradigm that provides separate measures of the probability that a memory is available and the precision of the memory when it is available. Using this paradigm, we demonstrate that visual working memory representations may be retained for several seconds with little or no loss of precision, but that they may terminate suddenly and completely during this period.
Caregiving Behavior Is Associated With Decreased Mortality Risk
Authors: Brown Stephanie L. , Smith Dylan M. , Schulz Richard , Kabeto Mohammed U. , Ubel Peter A. , Poulin Michael , Yi Jaehee , Kim Catherine , Langa Kenneth M.
Published: March 2009

Traditional investigations of caregiving link it to increased caregiver morbidity and mortality, but do not disentangle the effects of providing care from those of being continuously exposed to an ailing loved one with serious health problems. We explored this possible confound in a national, longitudinal survey of elderly married individuals ( N = 3,376). Results showed that spending at least 14 hr per week providing care to a spouse predicted decreased mortality for the caregiver, independently of behavioral and cognitive limitations of the care recipient (spouse), and of other demographic and health variables. These findings suggest that it may be premature to conclude that health risks for caregivers are due to providing active help. Indeed, under some circumstances, caregivers may actually benefit from providing care.
Recollection Is a Continuous Process
Authors: Mickes Laura , Wais Peter E. , Wixted John T.
Published: March 2009

Dual-process theory, which holds that recognition decisions can be based on recollection or familiarity, has long seemed incompatible with signal detection theory, which holds that recognition decisions are based on a singular, continuous memory-strength variable. Formal dual-process models typically regard familiarity as a continuous process (i.e., familiarity comes in degrees), but they construe recollection as a categorical process (i.e., recollection either occurs or does not occur). A continuous process is characterized by a graded relationship between confidence and accuracy, whereas a categorical process is characterized by a binary relationship such that high confidence is associated with high accuracy but all lower degrees of confidence are associated with chance accuracy. Using a source-memory procedure, we found that the relationship between confidence and source-recollection accuracy was graded. Because recollection, like familiarity, is a continuous process, dual-process theory is more compatible with signal detection theory than previously thought.
Sinning Saints and Saintly Sinners
Authors: Sachdeva Sonya , Iliev Rumen , Medin Douglas L.
Published: March 2009

The question of why people are motivated to act altruistically has been an important one for centuries, and across various disciplines. Drawing on previous research on moral regulation, we propose a framework suggesting that moral (or immoral) behavior can result from an internal balancing of moral self-worth and the cost inherent in altruistic behavior. In Experiment 1 , participants were asked to write a self-relevant story containing words referring to either positive or negative traits. Participants who wrote a story referring to the positive traits donated one fifth as much as those who wrote a story referring to the negative traits. In Experiment 2 , we showed that this effect was due specifically to a change in the self-concept. In Experiment 3 , we replicated these findings and extended them to cooperative behavior in environmental decision making. We suggest that affirming a moral identity leads people to feel licensed to act immorally. However, when moral identity is threatened, moral behavior is a means to regain some lost self-worth.
Does Export Openness Increase Firm‐level Output Volatility?
Authors: Buch Claudia M. , Döpke Jörg , Strotmann Harald
Published: March 2009

There is a widespread concern that increased trade may lead to increased instability and thus risk at the firm level. Greater export openness can indeed affect firm‐level volatility by changing the exposure and the reaction of firms to macroeconomic developments. The net effect is ambiguous from a theoretical point of view. This paper provides firm‐level evidence on the link between openness and volatility. Using comprehensive data on more than 21,000 German manufacturing firms for the period 1980–2001, we analyse the evolution of firm‐level output volatility and the link between volatility and export openness. Our paper has three main findings. First, firm‐level output volatility is significantly higher than the level of aggregate volatility, but it displays similar patterns. Second, increased export openness lowers firm‐level output volatility. This effect is primarily driven by variations along the extensive margin, i.e. by the distinction between exporters and non‐exporters. Variations along the intensive margin, i.e. the volume of exports, tend to have a dampening impact on volatility as well. Third, small firms are more volatile than large firms.
Tumefactive demyelinating disease treated with decompressive craniectomy
Authors: Nilsson P. , Larsson E.‐M. , Kahlon B. , Nordström C.‐H. , Norrving B.
Published: March 2009

Background:  Tumefactive demyelinating disease (TDD) is a rare primary demyelinating disease with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Methods and results:  We report a 50‐year old woman with TDD successfully treated with decompressive craniectomy and corticosteroids. The patient presented with seizures, subacute progressive hemispheric syndrome, and a tumourlike abnormality on MRI. Demyelinating disease was initially considered unlikely. Due to a rapidly evolving herniation syndrome hemicraniectomy was performed. Outcome was favourable with only very mild neurological deficits 6 weeks later.

Conclusion:  TDD should be considered as a differential diagnosis in tumour‐like presentations, and appears to have distinctive neuroimaging features. In the advent of treatement failure from high dose corticosteroids and plasmapheresis and development of severe mass effect, decompressive hemicraniectomy is an important treatment option.
What are we saving? Developing a standardized approach for conservation action
Authors: Sitas N. , Baillie J. E. M. , Isaac N. J. B.
Published: March 2009

Are all species equal in terms of conservation attention? We developed a novel framework to assess the level of conservation attention given to 697 threatened mammals and 100 critically endangered amphibian species. Our index of conservation attention provides a quantitative framework for assessing how conservation resources are allocated, based on the degree to which conservation interventions have been proposed and implemented. Our results provide evidence of the strong biases in global conservation attention. We find that most threatened species receive little or no conservation, and that the small number receiving substantial attention is extremely biased. Species most likely to receive conservation attention are those which are well‐studied, charismatic and that live in the developed world. Conservation status and evolutionary distinctiveness appear to have little importance in conservation decision‐making at the global scale. Most species inhabit the tropics and are both poorly known and uncharismatic. Therefore, the majority of biodiversity is being ignored by current conservation action.
Longevity and survival of female pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) on the Vale of York, England
Authors: THOMPSON M. J. A.
Published: March 2009

Female pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus Schreber) form large nursery colonies in summer. Between 1977 and 1984, around York in the north of England, 1328 pipistrelle bats were ringed. Ninety adult females were ringed in 1977, and from capture, release and recapture data life tables for an unaged female cohort were constructed. Age‐specific survival rate for adult females on the Vale of York was 0–64 per year. Three bats from the original 1977 cohort were recaptured in 1984 and are likely to have been at least eight years old. Juvenile female pipistrelles appear to survive less well than adults.
The biology of Pholcus phalangioides (Araneae, Pholcidae): predatory versatility, araneophagy and aggressive mimicry
Authors: JACKSON R. R. , BRASSINGTON ROXANNE J.
Published: March 2009

Predatory versatility occurs in Pholcus phalangioides (Fuesslin). In addition to building prey‐catching space webs, P. phalangioides invades webs of other spiders and feeds on the occupants. It acts as an aggressive mimic by performing specialized vibratory behaviours to which the prey‐spider responds as it normally would to its own prey. Prey (spiders and insects) is attacked by wrapping. Prey that trips over lines at the edge of a web of P. phalangioides, but fails to enter the web, is successfully attacked: P. phalangioides leans out of its web to throw silk over the prey, keeping as few as two legs on the silk. However, P. phalangioides does not attack prey that is completely away from webs. Occasionally, P. phalangioides feeds on eggs of other spiders and on ensnared insects it encounters in alien webs. Experimental evidence indicates that vision is of little or no importance in the predatory behaviour of P. phalangioides. Although P. phalangioides invades diverse types of webs, in addition to using its own web, its efficiency as a predator varies with web‐type. It is most efficient as a predator of spiders and, especially, insects on its own web, and least efficient as a predator of amaurobiids on their cribellate sheet webs. Sensory, locomotory and other factors which influence differential predatory efficiency are discussed. The behaviour of P. phalangioides is compared to that of Portia, an araneophagic web‐invading salticid, and the results of this study are discussed in relation to hypotheses concerning salticid evolution.
Functional aspects of the mucus‐producing glands of the Systellommatophoran slug, Veronicella floridana
Authors: COOK ANTHONY
Published: March 2009

The mucus‐producing glands of the tropical slug Veronicella floridana Leidy were examined histochemically. The bulk of the dorsal mucus is a carboxylated mucopolysaccharide produced by deeply embedded gland cells which contribute to inflated common ducts. Little mucus is apparent on the dorsal surface of an unirritated slug, giving the dorsal aspect of the animal a dry appearance. Measurements of the rate of water loss of whole animals indicate that water is lost significantly more slowly than from the equivalent area of water.

The foot possesses regular transverse ridges and the pedal mucus is produced largely by a set of gland cells associated with each ridge. This mucus is a mixture of mucopolysaccharides and protein. The suprapedal gland which also contributes to the pedal mucus is extremely small and produces a weakly acidic and neutral mucopolysaccharide and a protein. There is no specialization in the leading edge of the foot and no Semper's organ. The cleft between the foot and the body is unciliated and bears few specialized gland cells.

Compared with the mucus produced by Limax pseudoflavus, the pedal mucus of Veronicella is of comparable function and composition though produced by glands of different derivations. The dorsal mucus is histochemically different from that of Limax though similar in physical appearance. Whilst the dorsal mucus of Limax is freely distributed over exposed surfaces, that of Veronicella is held in reserve in inflated ducts resulting in a dry leathery appearance and a depressed rate of water loss.
Graphical analyses of bimodal frequency distributions with an example using Cancer pagurus
Authors: ALDRICH JOHN C.
Published: March 2009

Mixtures of two normal distributions were generated to serve as guides for probability paper analyses. Three families of curves are presented, with three relative proportions of vertical range in distributions ‘A’ and ‘B’ (1:0‐5, 1:1, 1:2), three proportional ranges on the probability scale (0‐5:0‐5, 0–75:0‐25,0–88:0‐12), and degrees of overlap from 0 to 83 %. These plots are better guides to the appearance of such mixed distributions than several published formulae, and have the advantage that the results can be ‘seen’. A practical example of the use of these plots is presented, based upon oxygen consumption in the crab Cancer pagurus L.
Influence of moderate nutritional stress during gestation on reproduction of Collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu)
Authors: LOCHMILLER R. L. , HELLGREN E. C. , GRANT W. E.
Published: March 2009

This study examined the influences of moderate restrictions in maternal energy and protein intake during gestation on reproductive success and foetal development in the Collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu). Sixteen captive females from southern Texas were bred during January 1983 and randomly assigned to one of four experimental rations for the duration of gestation. Experimental diets were formulated in a factorial design with two levels of energy (HE = high, ME = moderate) and protein (HP = high, MP = moderate). Only females on the HEHP diet gained weight during gestation. Moderate restrictions of energy or protein had no influence on the number of young born alive, litter size, litter weight and length of gestation. Foetal development was only minimally affected by prolonged restrictions in protein intake. This study suggests that nutrition‐related prenatal mortality between implantation and parturition may not be the most important mechanism limiting herd recruitment during moderate periods of drought in southern Texas.
The reproductive biology of Common frog (Rana temporaria) populations from different altitudes in northern England
Authors: BEATTIE R. C.
Published: March 2009

The study investigated the ecophysiological differences between populations of the Common frog(Rana temporaria L.) from different altitudes in northern England. Frog embryos in upland northern ponds experience very low temperatures during the period of embryonic development. These embryos were found to have a lower lethal limit for 50% normal development of2–8 °C, compared with3–8 °C for lowland embryos. These values are below most of the lower limiting temperature estimates previously obtained for R. temporaria. Embryos from upland ponds developed faster at low temperatures than embryos from lowland ponds. This may be an adaptation to the shorter growing season and lower temperatures at higher altitudes. Upland female frogs were found to be shorter and produced fewer eggs than lowland females. The differences found between lowland and upland frogs are discussed in terms of their potential adaptive significance.
Phylogenetic aspects of tooth and jaw structure of the Medaka, Oryzias latipes, and other beloniform fishes
Authors: PARENTI LYNNE R.
Published: March 2009

Tooth structure is described for adult male, female, and juvenile Oryzias latipes (Temminck & Schlegel), the Medaka. Adult males have enlarged, unicuspid teeth posteriorly on the premaxilla and dentary. Oral teeth are smaller and more numerous in females, in which no tooth is notably larger than the others. Juveniles have numerous small teeth from about 3 mm SL (standard length) onwards. By about 16 mm SL, males begin to develop the large posterior teeth, as well as other secondary sexual characters. Lower and upper pharyngeal teeth of both males and females are fine, and in numerous even rows.

The large, posterior oral teeth of males are fully‐ankylosed to the attachment bone, and, hence, are not depressible. In female Medaka, as in the Halfbeak Dermogenys pusillus van Hasselt, the oral teeth have a ring of unmineralized collagen at the base, and are not depressible. Pharyngeal teeth of Medaka have a ring of unmineralized collagen at the base, and a distinct wedge of collagen absent posteriorly, such that the pharyngeal teeth may be depressed.

Bone in adult Medaka is acellular. Incompletely mineralized teeth, acellular bone, a protrus‐ible upper oral jaw, and a mobile branchial apparatus with an interhyal bone, form a complex characteristic of advanced teleosts. The Medaka differs in several ways from the model advanced teleost: absence of an interhyal bone, ascending and articular processes of the premaxilla, and the rostral cartilage, as well as presence of cartilaginous symphyses between the dentaries and premaxillae, all contribute to the fixed or nonprotrusible jaws.

Reduction in the premaxilla is a derived character within beloniform fishes for which an enlarged, beaked outer jaw is considered plesiomorphic.
Ecology of an Indian grassland millipede Streptogonopus phipsoni (Diplopoda: Polydesmoidea)
Authors: Bhakat Som Nath
Published: March 2009

Each of stadia II‐VII and adults (stadia VIII) of Streptogonopus phipsoni (Pocock) can be distinguished by segment numbers, length, breadth and paired legs. Sexes are separate from stadium IV and sex ratios in immature stages were more or less 50% throughout the year, but high proportions of adult females are noted from June to September. High ratios of immature to adult were related to the breeding periods, from May to October, and in other months adults increased in proportion as a result of heavy mortality of immatures.

Adults were aggregated in distribution from April to October while solitary individuals were common in other months of the year.

Population density of S. phipsoni varied from 0.25 to 98 m‐2 on the soil surface and 1 to 11.75 m‐2 in the lower layer (0–7 cm deep). Biomass ranged from 12.25 to 2253 mg‐2 on the surface and 50.75 to 424.75 mg‐2 in the lower layer (0–7 cm deep).

A positive and significant correlation was found between mean monthly population density and mean monthly rainfall.

Streptogonopus phipsoni appears to complete its life cycle in one or two years
Predation by and activity patterns of ‘parasitic’ beetles of the genus Amblyopinus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)
Authors: Ashe J. S. , Timm R. M.
Published: March 2009

This study explores the relationship between staphylinid beetles of the genus Amblyopinus and their small mammal hosts. Previous studies had concluded that these beetles were parasitic and fed directly on blood, skin exudates, or other epidermal derivatives of their hosts. We examined the mode of attachment, behaviour, and feeding activities of 254 Amblyopinus (A. tiptoni and A. emarginatus) on 69 hosts which were captured in Sherman live traps. In addition, similar information and diurnal activity patterns were monitored for 11 beetles kept on two hosts (Peromyscus nudipes) over a period of 14 days. Beetles were found to be attached to the host only by grasping clumps of fur in their mandibles. No sign of damage to the skin of the host could be found. Feeding by the beetles on parasitic arthropods was observed and concluded to be the primary feeding habit. Beetles showed a strong circadian activity pattern, in which they are attached to the host during night‐time hours and actively hunt in the nest during daylight hours. Attachment to the host is hypothesized to be primarily a vehicle for tracking prey of the beetles within the variety of nests used by any individual host. We conclude that these beetles are not parasitic but, instead, highly specialized predators on ectoparasitic arthropods, with specialized behavioural and morphological adaptations for their unique life style.