bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interventions and service need following mild and moderate head injury: the Oxford Head Injury Service
Authors: King NS , Crawford S. , Wenden FJ , Moss Neg , Wade DT
Published: July 2008

Objective: To describe the interventions given by the Oxford Head Injury Service (OXHIS) to patients seen after head injury, predominantly mild or moderate, over the first six months after their injuries.

Design: Descriptive data of the amounts of early intervention provided by OXHIS in relation to severity of head injury and the amount of service need identified at six month follow-up.

Setting: OXHIS aimed to register all patients aged 16-65 with a head injury of any severity, resident in Oxfordshire. It contacted and provided interventions for a random half of those registered at 7-10 days post-injury as part of a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of early follow-up. At six months post-injury, independent assessment of all those registered was undertaken to evaluate outcome and identify continuing service needs.

Subjects: The data come from the 579 patients (of the 1156 registered), randomized to receive the new service at 7-10 days post-injury. All but eight of these received some form of service, and 252 of the randomized patients were available for interview at six months post-injury to assess their continuing service need.

Results: In the first five months after head injury: 240 patients received postal information alone and were not otherwise in contact with the service; 127 had telephone contact, advice and information; 93 were seen in person, assessed and given advice and information; 78 needed more help and support from the OXHIS team over the telephone; and 33 required further face-to-face contact either from OXHIS or other services. Extensive use was made of standardized leaflets but only accompanied by individualized assessment and advice. At six months 252 of the 579 patients were interviewed: 101 had no problems; 136 needed further reassurance; and 15 required further intervention. Patients with longer periods of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) were more likely to receive a higher level of service, but the majority of patients who received the more extensive services were those with 'mild' and 'moderate' head injuries.

Conclusions: Although the amount of service provided at 7-10 days post injury increased with severity of head injury, most service was in fact given to patients with milder head injuries which were much more common. The majority of patients seen at six months post-injury needed reassurance, advice or other services, and monitoring of patients for some time after their head injuries does seem warranted. A population of 560 000 people could receive service from three whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff using these assessment and management protocols.
Grade 4 in manual muscle testing: the problem with submaximal strength assessment
Authors: Dvir Zeevi
Published: July 2008

Objective: To compare the static moment of force required for a muscle group to support a limb segment against gravity with the maximal dynamic moment it can generate.

Design: Based on anthropometric measures of both sexes and theoretical calculations, the estimated anti-gravity static muscular moments (MGM) at the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee joints were compared with published data relating to the isokinetic strength (MIM) of the same muscle groups.

Results: The ratio of static to dynamic moment, MGM/MIM, was drastically higher in muscles operating on the proximal compared with the more distal joints. In women, the values of this ratio in the shoulder, hip, elbow and knee muscles were 7-27%, 5-65%, 7% and 5-10% respectively. The corresponding figures in men were 7-21 %, 4-44%, 8-10% and 5-8%. The ratios relating to the abductors, flexors and extensors of the hip joint were substantially higher in women than in men.

Conclusions: Since MGM and MIM correspond to grades 3 and 5 in manual muscle testing, the findings of this theoretical analysis indicate that elbow and knee muscles assessed as having grade 4 may generate as low as 10% of their maximal strength. With regard to shoulder and hip muscles the corresponding values are typically around 20% and 30-40%. Coupled with the very limited human precision in sensing of force, these findings indicate that where quantitative targets in muscle strength conditioning are set or when an accurate measure of impairment is being sought, grade 4 cannot and should not serve as a valid criterion.
The scalability of the Rivermead Motor Assessment in nonacute stroke patients
Authors: Adams SA , Pickering RM , Ashburn A. , Lincoln NB
Published: July 2008

Objective: To examine the scalability of the Rivermead Motor Assessment (RMA) with nonacute stroke patients in the community.

Design: This was a prospective study of the patients after discharge from hospital. All subjects were assessed on the RMA at six and 12 months after discharge home from hospital. Coefficients of scalability and reproducibility were calculated for each of the three sections of the RMA at each assessment.

Subjects: Subjects were nonacute stroke patients aged 65 years and over, nonacute stroke patients aged under 65 years, and a selected group of those aged under 65 years.

Results: Only the items in the gross function section met scaling criteria with nonacute strokes in both age groups, which suggests that the items in this section were in appropriate order of difficulty. The items in the leg and trunk section were not in hierarchical order and were in fact closer to scaling if the present order were reversed.

Conclusions: The clinical and research value of the RMA, as an ordered scale, are questioned. Changes in treatment styles and philosophies may mean that some of the items themselves are out-dated.
A minimally obtrusive, secure mask for prevention of access to the mouth
Authors: Taylor MB , Walker RA
Published: July 2008

Several childhood neurological conditions can lead to problems with unintended access to the mouth. Earlier workers have demonstrated benefits in the use of a helmet restricting mouth access, within a behavioural modification programme. Conventionally, such headgear is very obtrusive. This paper presents a simple technique using conventional plaster-based moulding, which has been successfully used in making secure, minimally obtrusive masks. Masks produced for two children have been readily accepted and have been successful. Any such headgear should be used only within a managed behavioural modification programme.
Effects of electrical stimulation on flexion contractures in the hemiplegic wrist
Authors: Pandyan AD , Granat MH , Stott DJ
Published: July 2008

Objective: To study the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) on flexion contractures in the hemiplegic wrist.

Design: The investigation was carried out following an OFF (two weeks with rehabilitation only) - ON (two weeks with ES treatment and rehabilitation) - OFF (two weeks rehabilitation only) fixed protocol.

Setting: A stroke ward and an outpatient stroke service.

Subjects: Eleven hemiplegic subjects with reduced range of extension and increased resistance to passive movement at the wrist.

Main measure: Quantitative measures of the hemiplegic posture at the wrist, passive range of extension and resistance to passive extension of the wrist. Measurements were taken at the start of the study and then at two-weekly intervals. Two extra measurements were taken at the end of the ON period.

Results: Following two weeks treatment with ES the posture of the wrist improved and the passive range of extension increased. However, there were no significant changes in the resistance to passive movement. These benefits appeared largely to be lost two weeks after ES was discontinued.

Conclusions: Short-term ES gives temporary improvements in contractures at the wrist in poststroke hemiplegia.
Comparison of postal version of the Frenchay Activities Index with interviewer-administered version for use in people with stroke
Authors: Carter Judy , Mant Frances , Mant Jonathan , Wade Derick , Winner Simon
Published: July 2008

Objective: To assess the agreement between postal and interviewer-administered versions of the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) and to assess the criterion validity of the postal version, using interviewer administration as a gold standard.

Design: Comparison of responses to FAI administered by post and then by interview (median delay 10 days).

Subjects: Forty-eight Oxfordshire residents admitted to hospital with acute stroke between 1 August 1994 and 31 January 1995 and discharged alive within six months of their stroke.

Results: The limits of agreement of the total FAI score are from -5.4 to 7.2. The kappa statistic for each of the 15 individual items that make up the FAI ranged from 0.35 to 1. For nine items, agreement was moderate or fair, and for six items, agreement was good or very good. The mean difference between the overall scores was 0.9 (95% confidence interval: -0.1 to 1.9). The correlation between the overall scores was 0.94 (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient).

Conclusion: The postal version of the FAI is a satisfactory alternative to direct administration, but poor agreement in scores for individual patients emphasizes that the two approaches should not be used sequentially to monitor individual patients.
Subjective well-being one year after stroke
Authors: Wyller Torgeir Bruun , Sveen Unni , Sødring Karen Margrethe , Pettersen Anne Marie , Bautz-Holter Erik
Published: July 2008

Objective: To compare the subjective well-being of stroke patients with that of a reference group, and to study its relationship to patient characteristics.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Interviews performed in the respondents' homes, tests performed at the outpatient clinic.

Subjects: Sixty patients one year after stroke (median age 74 years, interquartile range (IQR) 68-80), and 419 reference individuals (median age 75 years, IQR 71-80).

Measures: Subjective well-being assessed with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20). Explanatory variables were demographic and medical characteristics of the individuals and scores on validated tests: Barthel Index, Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), Sodring Motor Evaluation of Stroke Patients, Assessment of Cerebral Stroke and other Brain Damage, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Results: A significantly higher proportion of the stroke patients than of the controls rated their subjective well-being as low, also after adjustment for age and gender (adjusted odds ratio 20.1, 95% confidence interval 9.6-42.0 by logistic regression). In bivariate analyses, leg and arm motor impairment, visuospatial impairment, apraxia, aphasia, low Barthel score, low FAI score, low MMSE score, and institutionalization were highly significant predictors of low subjective well-being (p-values <0.01). In multiple linear regression, a model with gender (p = 0.3) and upper extremity motor score (p <0.01 ) fitted the data well, and explained 48% of the variance in GHQ.

Conclusion: Subjective well-being is decreased one year after stroke, and this is mainly attributed to arm motor impairments.
Abnormal illness behaviour in rehabilitation from stroke
Authors: Clark Michael S , Smith Dennis S
Published: July 2008

Objective: To examine the effect of abnormal illness behaviour (AIB) on rehabilitation outcome following stroke.

Design: A longitudinal design, with assessments on admission to and discharge from rehabilitation, and six and 12 months after discharge.

Setting: The study was undertaken in the rehabilitation unit at Repatriation General Hospital, in Adelaide, South Australia.

Subjects: Ninety-four 12-month stroke survivors who had undergone an inpatient rehabilitation programme.

Main outcome measures: AIB was assessed using the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire. Additional psychological measurements comprised the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, General Health Questionnaire, and a visual analogue mood scale. Functional ability was assessed with the Australian ADL Index, and lifestyle activities with the Frenchay Activities Index.

Results: Cluster analysis of discharge data was used to define a rule for identifying patients with AIB. AIB was apparent in nearly 30% of patients at discharge, and persisted for 12 months. Patients with AIB scored more poorly than non-AIB patients on functional, social and psychological indicators.

Conclusions: AIB emerged as a key determinant of long-term disability. It is important to consider why AIB develops during rehabilitation, and how to identify patients at risk.
The effects of common peroneal stimulation on the effort and speed of walking: a randomized controlled trial with chronic hemiplegic patients
Authors: Burridge JH , Taylor PN , Hagan SA , Wood DE , Swain ID
Published: July 2008

Objective: To measure the effect of the Odstock Dropped Foot Stimulator (ODFS), a common peroneal stimulator, on the effort and speed of walking. Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Subjects: Hemiplegic patients who had suffered a single stroke at least six months prior to the start of the trial whose walking was impaired by a drop-foot.

Interventions: The treatment, functional electrical stimulation (FES) group, used the stimulator and received a course of physiotherapy; the control group received physiotherapy alone.

Main outcome measures: Changes in walking speed measured over 10 m and the effort of walking measured by physiological cost index (PCI).

Results: Thirty-two subjects completed the trial, 16 in the FES group and 16 in the control group. Mean increase in walking speed between the beginning and end of the trial was 20.5% in the FES group (when the stimulator was used), and 5.2% in the control group. Improvement was also measured in PCI with a reduction of 24.9% in the FES group (when the stimulator was used) and 1 % in the control group. No improvement in these parameters was measured in the FES group when the stimulator was not used.

Conclusion: Walking was statistically significantly improved when the ODFS was worn but no 'carry-over' was measured. Physiotherapy alone, in this group of subjects with established stroke, did not improve walking.
Practical guidelines for independent assessment in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of rehabilitation
Authors: Siemonsma PC , Walker MF
Published: July 2008

Objective: To provide guidelines for conducting independent assessments in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of rehabilitation. The article aims to assist those who plan to put independent assessment into practice and to be an introduction for those who are new to independent assessment.

Issues: Possible causes of unblinding to group allocation are discussed, such as unblinding by other people, the environment, patients and assessors themselves. Other issues discussed in this paper are bias during assessment and monitoring levels of unblinding.

Conclusion: The importance of monitoring levels of unblinding is stressed. Although it may not be possible to always keep an assessor blind in RCTs of rehabilitation, we should strive for perfection. It is therefore advocated that levels of unblinding should be reported.
Early supported hospital discharge following acute stroke: pilot study results
Authors: Rodgers Helen , Soutter Jennifer , Kaiser Wendy , Pearson Pauline , Dobson Ruth , Skilbeck Clive , Bond John
Published: July 2008

Objective: To establish the feasibility and method of evaluation of an early supported hospital discharge policy for patients with acute stroke.

Design: A randomized controlled trial comparing an early supported discharge service to conventional care.

Setting: Three acute hospitals in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Subjects: Ninety-two eligible patients with acute stroke admitted between 1 February 1995 and 31 January 1996.

Main outcome measures: Placement, length of stay, readmission rates, mortality, functional ability (Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale), handicap (Oxford Handicap Scale), global health status (Dartmouth Coop Function Charts) and carer stress (General Health Questionnaire 30 item).

Results: The median length of stay for patients randomized to early supported discharge was 13 days compared to 22 days in the conventional care group (p = 0.02). The median Barthel ADL Index at seven days post stroke of patients randomized to early supported discharge was 15, and 13 for those randomized to conventional care (NS). At three months post stroke the median Nottingham EADL score of patients randomized to early supported discharge was 10 compared to 7 for those who received conventional care (NS). There were no statistically significant differences in the global health status of patients or carer stress.

Conclusion: An early supported discharge service following acute stroke with individualized rehabilitation in the community is feasible and can be evaluated by a randomized controlled trial but a larger multicentre trial is needed before such a service is widely adopted.
The Barthel Index and its relationship to nursing dependency in rehabilitation
Authors: AI-Khawaja Imad , Wade Derick T , Turner Fiona
Published: July 2008

Objectives: To investigate the clinical application of the Barthel Index as an indicator of nursing dependency in a younger disabled unit.

Design: A prospective study of 132 patients (mean age 49) with chronic neurological problems.

Setting: A younger disabled unit at a District General Hospital, Oxford.

Main outcome measures: The Barthel Index, and total nursing hours.

Results: The Median Barthel Index was 7 (95% confidence interval 6-9). The mean nursing hours were 2.7 ± 1.7 (Cl 2.41-2.99). Spearman rank order correlation coefficient between the Barthel Index and nursing hours was r = -0.69 (CI -0.79 to -0.59).

Conclusions: Regression analysis showed that it was possible to use the Barthel Index as an indicator of nursing dependency particularly in physical care, and that it was independent of age and diagnosis.
Variations in Dogmatism and Leader-Supplied Information: Determinants of Perceived Behavior in Task-Oriented Groups
Authors: Fiechtner Susan Brown , Krayer Karl J.
Published: July 2008

Perception of group interaction were measured varying four levels of leader-supplied information and respondents' levels of dogematism. Qualitative and quantitative dimensions of leader-supplied information were varied in the study. Dogmatism was found to be a significant factor in the satisfaction respondents had with the group decision. The quality of leader-supplied information was found to have a greater impact upon the dependent measures in the study than the quantity of that information. Implications for leaders of small groups and future small group research are discussed.
Personality and Ability Predictors of Training Performance for Flight Attendants
Authors: Ferris Gerald R. , Bergin T. Gregory , Gilmore David C.
Published: July 2008

The present study examined the selection-utility implications of employing personality and ability predictors versus an employment interview in the selection of candidates for a flight attendant training program for a large domestic airline. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis identified four predictors, which included mental ability, social skill, imagination, and flexibility, that significantly contributed to the proportion of variance explained in training performance. Furthermore, the results of the utility analysis demonstrated a per selectee cost savings of over $100 based upon the incremental gain in validity.
Towards a Renewed Universalism in Law
Authors: Fauvarque-Cosson Bénédicte
Published: July 2008

Despite the phenomena of internationalization and Europeanization, legal process remains essentially national in character. However, certain domains of law are already unified. Focusing mainly on the French tradition and its contribution to the construction of a European legal space, this paper: a) criticizes the traditional methods used to manage diversity in law – unifying the law and co-ordinating those legal codes likely to be conflictual; b) studies the debate between universalism and particularism in private international law, a discipline whose essential object is the resolution of the difficulties derived from pluralism; and c) attempts to discern an appropriate path towards a ‘renewed universalism' by pursuing a comparative approach which can open the way towards unification but must also be able to preserve the irreducible diversity of law.
Snapshots from the Development of the Natural Sciences
Authors: Toulouse Gérard
Published: July 2008

This paper focuses on how the practitioners of the exact and natural sciences can make a contribution to the project of the social sciences to break free of a reductive Eurocentrism in order to achieve a renewed universalism. Focusing in particular on the last 50 years, the paper: a) describes the 1955–60 turning point that can be perceived in techno-scientific development and its relationship with society; b) analyzes technical developments under the two modes of gigantism and miniaturization, putting them in close relation with the political evolution of the world (Cold War and post-Cold War era) as well as with the phenomena of divergence/convergence among disciplines; c) explains the ‘ethical movement in science' namely by introducing the idea of moral revaluation defined by similarity/contrast with the older and now well-accepted concept of scientific revolution; and d) sketches a typology of the scientific community's varied responses to the growing social protests around topics such as nuclear installations, health crises, genetically modified organisms, nanotechnologies and so on.
Effect of Glutathione Modulation On the Distribution and Transplacental Uptake of 2-[14C]-Chloroacetonitrile (Can) Quantitative Whole-Body Autoradiographic Study in Pregnant Mice
Authors: Jacob Sam , Abdel-Aziz Abdel-Aziz H. , Shouman Samia A. , Ahmed Ahmed E.
Published: July 2008

Chloroacetonitrile (CAN), a drinking water disinfectant by-product, has mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. CAN is known to deplete glutathione (GSH), and previous studies reported an enhanced molecular interaction of CAN after GSH depletion in the uterine and fetal tissues of mice. The present report may help to understand the potential mechanisms involved in such molecular interactions by examining the disposition, transplacental uptake and covalent interaction of the chemical in normal and GSH depleted pregnant mice (at 13th day of gestation). Both normal and GSH depleted (by administration of Diethylmaleate (DEM), 0.6 mL/kg, i.p.) pregnant mice were given an equitoxic i.v. dose of 2-[14C]-CAN (333 μCi/kg equivalent to 77 mg/kg). Animals were processed for whole-body autoradiography (WBA) at 1, 8 and 24 hr after treatment. Tissue distribution of radioactivity in the autoradiographs was quantitated using computer aided image analysis. With few exceptions, a rapid high uptake (at I hr) of radioactivity was observed in all major maternal (liver, lung, urinary bladder, gastrointestinal mucosa, cerebellum, uterine luminal fluid) and fetal (liver, brain) organs of both normal and GSH depleted mice. This pattern of distribution was observed, with lesser intensity, at 8 hr following treatment. At a later time period (24 hr), there was a significant higher retention and covalent interaction of radioactivity in GSH depleted mouse tissues especially in the liver as compared to normal mouse. This study suggests that 2-[14C]-CAN and/or its metabolites are capable of crossing the placental barrier. The observed higher uptake and retention of the radioactivity in the maternal liver, kidney, cerebellum, nasal turbinates and fetal liver may pose toxicity of the chemical to these organs. The increased covalent interaction of radioactivity in GSH depleted mice liver may indicate the potential utilization of GSH pathway by this organ in the detoxication of CAN derived metabolites and thus exerting hepatotoxicity.
The Impact of Sleep Timing and Bright Light Exposure on Attentional Impairment during Night Work
Authors: Santhi Nayantara , Aeschbach Daniel , Horowitz Todd S. , Czeisler Charles A.
Published: July 2008

The prevalence of hazardous incidents induced by attentional impairment during night work and ensuing commute times is attributable to circadian misalignment and increased sleep pressure. In a 10-day shift work simulation protocol (4 day shifts and 3 night shifts), the efficacies of 2 countermeasures against nighttime (2300 to 0700 h) attentional impairment were compared: (1) Morning Sleep (0800 to 1600 h; n = 18) in conjunction with a phase-delaying light exposure (2300 to 0300 h), and (2) Evening Sleep (1400 to 2200 h; n = 17) in conjunction with a phase-advancing light exposure (0300 to 0700 h). Analysis of the dim light salivary melatonin onset indicated a modest but significant circadian realignment in both sleep groups (evening sleep: 2.27 ± 0.6 h phase advance, p < 0.01; morning sleep: 4.98 ± 0.43 h phase delay, p < 0.01). Daytime sleep efficiency and total sleep time did not differ between them or from their respective baseline sleep (2200 to 0600 h; p > 0.05). However, on the final night shift, the evening sleep subjects had 37% fewer episodes of attentional impairment (long response times: 22 ± 4 vs. 35 ± 4; p = 0.02) and quicker responses ( p < 0.01) on the Psychomotor Vigilance Task than their morning sleep counterparts. Their response speed recovered to near daytime levels ( p = 0.47), whereas those of the morning sleep subjects continued to be slower than their daytime levels ( p = 0.008). It is concluded that partial circadian realignment to night work in combination with reduced homeostatic pressure contributed to the greater efficacy of a schedule of Evening Sleep with a phase-advancing light exposure as a countermeasure against attentional impairment, over a schedule of Morning Sleep with a phase-delaying light exposure. These results have important implications for managing patients with shift work disorder.
Circadian Regulation of Bioluminescence in the Prey-Luring Glowworm, Arachnocampa flava
Authors: Merritt David J. , Aotani Sakiko
Published: July 2008

The glowworms of New Zealand and Australia are bioluminescent fly larvae that generate light to attract prey into their webs. Some species inhabit the constant darkness of caves as well as the dim, natural photophase of rain-forests. Given the diversity of light regimens experienced by glowworms in their natural environment, true circadian rhythmicity of light output could be present. Consequently the light emission characteristics of the Australian subtropical species Arachnocampa flava, both in their natural rainforest habitat and in artificial conditions in the laboratory, were established. Larvae were taken from rainforest and kept alive in individual containers. When placed in constant darkness (DD) in the laboratory they maintained free-running, cyclical light output for at least 28 days, indicating that light output is regulated by an endogenous rhythm. The characteristics of the light emission changed in DD: individuals showed an increase in the time spent glowing per day and a reduction in the maximum light output. Most individuals show a free-running period greater than 24 h. Manipulation of the photophase and exposure to skeleton photoperiods showed that light acts as both a masking and an entraining agent and suggests that the underlying circadian rhythm is sinusoidal in the absence of light-based masking. Manipulation of thermoperiod in DD showed that temperature cycles are an alternative entraining agent. Exposure to a period of daily feeding in DD failed to entrain the rhythm in the laboratory. The endogenous regulation of luminescence poses questions about periodicity and synchronization of bioluminescence in cave glowworms.
Genetic Differences in Human Circadian Clock Genes among Worldwide Populations
Authors: Ciarleglio Christopher M. , Ryckman Kelli K. , Servick Stein V. , Hida Akiko , Robbins Sam , Wells Nancy , Hicks Jennifer , Larson Sydney A. , Wiedermann Joshua P. , Carver Krista , Hamilton Nalo , Kidd Kenneth K. , Kidd Judith R. , Smith Jeffrey R. , Friedlaender Jonathan , McMahon Douglas G. , Williams Scott M. , Summar Marshall L. , Johnson Carl Hirschie
Published: July 2008

The daily biological clock regulates the timing of sleep and physiological processes that are of fundamental importance to human health, performance, and well-being. Environmental parameters of relevance to biological clocks include (1) daily fluctuations in light intensity and temperature, and (2) seasonal changes in photoperiod (day length) and temperature; these parameters vary dramatically as a function of latitude and locale. In wide-ranging species other than humans, natural selection has genetically optimized adaptiveness along latitudinal clines. Is there evidence for selection of clock gene alleles along latitudinal/photoperiod clines in humans? A number of polymorphisms in the human clock genes Per2, Per3, Clock, and AANAT have been reported as alleles that could be subject to selection. In addition, this investigation discovered several novel polymorphisms in the human Arntl and Arntl2 genes that may have functional impact upon the expression of these clock transcriptional factors. The frequency distribution of these clock gene polymorphisms is reported for diverse populations of African Americans, European Americans, Ghanaians, Han Chinese, and Papua New Guineans (including 5 subpopulations within Papua New Guinea). There are significant differences in the frequency distribution of clock gene alleles among these populations. Population genetic analyses indicate that these differences are likely to arise from genetic drift rather than from natural selection.
RNA Interference of the Clock Gene period Disrupts Circadian Rhythms in the Cricket Gryllus bimaculatus
Authors: Moriyama Yoshiyuki , Sakamoto Tomoaki , Karpova Svetlana G. , Matsumoto Akira , Noji Sumihare , Tomioka Kenji
Published: July 2008

Periodic expression of so-called clock genes is an essential part of the circadian clock. In Drosophila melanogaster the cyclic expression of per and tim through an autoregulatory feedback loop is believed to play a central role in circadian rhythm generation. However, it is still elusive whether this hypothesis is applicable to other insect species. Here it is shown that per gene plays a key role in the rhythm generation in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. Measurement of per mRNA levels in the optic lobe revealed the rhythmic expression of per in light cycles with a peak in the late day to early night, persisting in constant darkness. A single injection of per double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into the abdomen of the final instar nymphs effectively knocked down the mRNA levels as adult to about 50% of control animals. Most of the per dsRNA-injected crickets completely lost the circadian locomotor activity rhythm in constant darkness up to 50 days after the injection, whereas those injected with DsRed2 dsRNA as a negative control clearly maintained it. The electrical activity of optic lobe efferents also became arrhythmic in the per dsRNA-injected crickets. These results not only suggest that per plays an important role in the circadian rhythm generation also in the cricket but also show that RNA interference is a powerful tool to dissect the molecular machinery of the cricket circadian clock.
A multiproxy palaeolimnological investigation of Holocene environmental change, between c. 10 700 and 7200 years BP, at Holebudalen, southern Norway
Authors: Panizzo V.N. , Jones V.J. , Birks H.J.B. , Boyle J.F. , Brooks S.J. , Leng M.J.
Published: July 2008

Geochemical analyses (x-ray fluorescence, δ13C and C/N ratios) were used to reconstruct early Holocene environments (between 10685 and 7260 cal. yr BP) at a small lake near Holebudalen, southern Norway. Results show a period of increasing stability, with reduced catchment inwash (shown by titanium and potassium minerals), vegetation stabilization and increasing aquatic productivity (C/N ratios). However, periods of instability (loss on ignition (LOI) decrease) are also seen (most notably at c. 9060 cal. yr BP). Chironomid-inferred July temperature (CI-T) reconstructions show a cooling of c. 2°C (RMSEP = 1.0°C) between c. 8400 and 8000 cal. yr BP and so high-resolution (5 mm; c. 20 yr) diatom analyses were conducted between 8675 and 7830 cal. yr BP in order to further investigate this change. Between c. 8270 and 8000 cal. yr BP there were large reductions (> 50%) in the abundance of tychoplanktonic diatoms (eg, Aulacoseira species) and absolute increases in periphytic diatom communities (eg, Navicula pupula, Pinnularia mesolepta). The multiproxy analyses suggest a period of increased lake ice cover with associated reductions in turbulence during this time. Diatom flora changes are concomitant with a fall in percent LOI and increased catchment erosion at the site and other evidence of regional climatic perturbations in the early Holocene. Therefore, superimposed upon an early Holocene warming trend at Holebudalen, there are climatic perturbations, for example reflected between c. 8200 and 8000 cal. yr BP by diatom communities.
Changes in fire regime explain the Holocene rise and fall of Abies balsamea in the coniferous forests of western Québec, Canada
Authors: Ali Adam A. , Asselin Hugo , Larouche Alayn C. , Bergeron Yves , Carcaillet Christopher , Richard Pierre J.H.
Published: July 2008

The coniferous boreal forest of northeastern North America is characterized by large and severe fire events and dominated by black spruce ( Picea mariana ), with scattered patches of balsam fir ( Abies balsamea), a species otherwise predominant in the more southern mixedwood boreal forests, characterized by smaller and less severe fire events. Because balsam fir is a late-successional species ill-adapted to fire, this study aimed at determining if the scattered balsam-fir patches found in the coniferous forest were relics of a former fire regime characterized by less frequent and/or severe conflagrations. Fire and vegetation history were assessed for a coniferous forest site through analyses of charcoal, pollen and plant macroremains preserved in lake sediments, peat and hydromorphic forest soil. Pollen and macroremains analyses show that black spruce dominated the local vegetation since deglaciation ( c. 8000 cal. yr BP). Balsam fir was abundant around the site during the warm and humid summers of the Hypsithermal (between c. 7000 and 3500 cal. yr BP), before gradually declining during the cool and dry Neoglacial, which was characterized by increased fire frequency and severity. Scattered balsam fir patches in the coniferous forest result from the fragmentation of formerly larger populations and are presently in disequilibrium with climate.
The evolution of the Pinus sylvestris L. area in the Iberian Peninsula from the last glacial maximum to 2100 under climate change
Authors: Garzón Marta Benito , Sánchez de Dios Rut , Sainz Ollero Helios
Published: July 2008

We model the past and future distribution of Pinus sylvestris in the Iberian Peninsula using the random forest algorithm, a machine learning technique that implements an automatic combination of tree predictors. In order to model the past, we chose two of the most climatically significant events recognized affecting the species distribution: the last glacial maximum (LGM, 21 000 cal. BP), and the mid Holocene (6000 cal. BP). In order to model the distributions, we based the future scenarios of climate change upon the four storylines projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (A1, A2, B1 and B2). The results obtained for the past show a contraction in the distribution area during the LGM and a subsequent expansion, coinciding with an improvement in climate in the mid Holocene. The presence of isolated populations of Pinus sylvestris at low altitudes could support the existence of refuges for Northern European taxa. The results obtained for the future, even in the least aggressive scenario, show a rapid decrease in this species' distribution and a vertical migration as a response to climate change. Pinus sylvestris populations would be restricted in the future to the higher altitudes of the mountains in the north of the Iberian Peninsula (mainly the Pyrenees), and the species would disappear from the central and southern mountain ranges. These results identify a risk to high-mountain forest species in the Iberian Peninsula from the effects of global warming.
Assessing the effects of volcanic disasters on human settlement in the Willaumez Peninsula, Papua New Guinea: a Bayesian approach to radiocarbon calibration
Authors: Petrie Cameron A. , Torrence Robin
Published: July 2008

Bayesian statistical approaches to calibrating radiocarbon determinations can make a significant contribution to disaster studies by adding precision to the dating of both the environmental forcing agent and the consequent human responses. An archaeological case study in the Willaumez Peninsula region of New Britain, Papua New Guinea uses radiocarbon dating to examine the chronology of five major volcanic events and the timing and nature of recolonization. The results demonstrate the general applicability of Bayesian-based approaches for building a sound tephrochronology and for evaluating the impacts of volcanic hazards on human history.
Comparing historic records of storm frequency and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) chronology for the Azores region
Authors: Andrade C. , Trigo R.M. , Freitas M.C. , Gallego M.C. , Borges P. , Ramos A.M.
Published: July 2008

The storminess of the Azores region was investigated using newspaper records from AD 1836 onwards. The information obtained was rank-ordered for intensity and the time series of storm frequency analysed for interannual- to century-scale variability. The documentary data set was validated by comparison with objective cyclones intensity for the period AD 1958—2000. Results indicate that four periods of contrasting storm frequency are present (AD 1836—1870, 1870—1920, 1920—1940 and 1940—1998). The average storm lasts for 2.3 days and the average secular storm frequency is 3.1 storms/yr. Low intensity events occur four times every five years whereas an extreme storm occurs on average once every seven years. The documentary index of storminess is highly variable at different timescales, which is consistent with other studies of storminess in the North Atlantic. Nevertheless, an objective comparison between late nineteenth- and late twentieth-century storm frequency does not reveal a significant difference. Between AD 1865 and the late twentieth century the winter NAO and storminess indices show a statistically significant anti-correlation pattern at the monthly and seasonal scales. In the late nineteenth century and between AD 1950 and 1970 the NAO index was low and the storminess index high, whilst the opposite occurred from the early twentieth century until the middle 1950s; since AD 1970 both indexes reveal positive trends and are predominantly positive. The NAO mode of circulation is partially responsible for the storminess spatial pattern and temporal distribution over the Azores region since AD 1865 and for about a century, however this relation appears to have weakened since the 1960s.
Designing and testing to BS 4533
Authors: Barnes J.S. , Hodgin G.
Published: July 2008

BS 4533 has replaced BS 3820 as the British Standard for most types of luminaire. The new standard takes account of the relevant international standards and is in two Parts. General requirements and tests are specified in Part 1, and those requirements applicable to a particular group of luminaires are given in the relevant section of Part 2. The paper describes the tests applicable to a general purpose luminaire, and discusses the steps that should be taken by the designer to ensure compliance with the requirements.
Assessment of discomfort glare in motor vehicle lighting
Authors: Schmidt-Clausen H.-J. , Bindels J. Th. H.
Published: July 2008

Discomfort glare in motor vehicle lighting has been investigated experimentally using a scale model with stationary test and glare fields. Influences of the size of glare source and age of observer were not investigated Results indicate that the effects of glare illuminance, adaptation luminance, angle of glare and number of glare sources on discomfort glare assessment can be described mathematically. Each parameter was examined individually and the assessments are compared with those obtained previously for disability glare. A general formula is derived which allows the discomfort glare to be calculated for arbitrarily selected combinations of the parameters. The results relate to motor vehicle lighting but are also applicable to street lighting.
Psychometric Assessment of Dynamic Risk Factors for Child Molesters
Authors: Allan Michael , Grace Randolph C. , Rutherford Bronwyn , Hudson Stephen M.
Published: July 2008

To explore the relationship between dynamic risk factors and recidivism in child molesters, we studied a sample of men (N=495) who completed an intensive, prison-based treatment program in New Zealand. During the follow-up period (M=5.8 years), 9.9% were reconvicted for a sexual offense. A self-report psychometric battery was administered at pre-treatment that assessed a range of variables related to sexual attitudes and beliefs, emotional functioning, and interpersonal competency. Factor analysis showed that individual differences in the battery could be described by four dimensions—Social Inadequacy, Sexual Interests, Anger/Hostility, and Pro-Offending Attitudes. Factor scores for each dimension were significantly correlated with sexual recidivism. Logistic regression analyses confirmed that the Sexual Interests and Pro-Offending Attitudes factor scores, as well as an Overall Deviance score which combined the dimensions, provided significant additional validity for predicting recidivism beyond the Static-99 (Hanson and Thornton Law and Human Behavior 24:119-136, 2000). When added to the Static-99, the Overall Deviance score increased the area under the Receiver-Operating Characteristic curve (AUC) from 0.72 to 0.81. These results show that psychometric self-reports can provide valid measures of dynamic risk factors, and that inclusion of such measures can improve risk prediction beyond that achievable by static factors alone.
Outcomes in a Community Sex Offender Treatment Program: A Comparison Between Polygraphed and Matched Non-polygraphed Offenders
Authors: McGrath Robert J. , Cumming Georgia F. , Hoke Stephen E. , Bonn-Miller Marcel O.
Published: July 2008

This study compared a group of 104 adult male sex offenders who received community cognitive-behavioral treatment, correctional supervision, and periodic polygraph compliance exams with a matched group of 104 sex offenders who received the same type of treatment and supervision services but no polygraph exams. Polygraph exams focused on whether participants were following their conditions of community supervision and treatment and had avoided committing new sexual offenses. The two groups were exact pair-wise matched on three variables: (1) Static-99 risk score (Hanson & Thornton 2000, Law and Human Behavior, 24, 119-136), (2) status as a completer of prison sex offender treatment, and (3) date placed in the community. At fixed 5-year follow-up periods, the number of individuals in the polygraph group charged with committing a new non-sexual violent offense was significantly lower than in the no polygraph group (2.9% versus 11.5%). However, there were no significant between-group differences for the number of individuals charged for new sexual (5.8% versus 6.7%), any sexual or violent (8.7% versus 16.3%), or any criminal offense (39.4% versus 34.6%). The results are discussed in terms of their clinical and research implications.
Physical Height in Pedophilic and Hebephilic Sexual Offenders
Authors: Cantor James M. , Kuban Michael E. , Blak Thomas , Klassen Philip E. , Dickey Robert , Blanchard Ray
Published: July 2008

Adult men's height reflects, not only their genetic endowment, but also the conditions that were present during their development in utero and in childhood. We compared the adult heights of men who committed one or more sexual offenses and who were erotically interested in prepubescent children (pedophilic sexual offenders; n=223), those who were erotically interested in pubescent children (hebephilic sexual offenders; n=615), and those who were erotically interested in adults (teleiophilic sexual offenders; n=187), as well as men who had no known sexual offenses and who were erotically interested in adults (teleiophilic nonoffender controls; n=156). The pedophilic and the hebephilic sexual offenders were significantly shorter than the teleiophilic nonoffender controls. The teleiophilic sexual offenders were intermediate in height between the nonoffenders and the pedophilic and hebephilic sexual offenders and not significantly different from any of the other groups. This suggests that—regardless of whatever psychological sequelae might also have followed from the conditions present during early development—pedophilic and hebephilic sexual offenders were subject to conditions capable of affecting their physiological development.
Evaluation for Civil Commitment of Sex Offenders: A Survey of Experts
Authors: Jackson Rebecca L. , Hess Derek T.
Published: July 2008

At this study's commencement, 17 states had enacted sex offender civil commitment legislation. Although each statute outlines broad criteria that must be met, civil commitment evaluators are given considerable latitude in how to conduct their assessment. Forty-one experts who conduct sex offender civil commitment evaluations were surveyed to identify the usual practice of these evaluators. A great deal of agreement exists across experts regarding the conduct of sex offender civil commitment evaluations. However, these patterns appear quite different from the usual practice outlined in other types of forensic evaluations. Experts in sex offender civil commitment endorsed documentation as the core method for evaluation. The majority of evaluators reported the assessment of paraphilias, substance abuse, other Axis I disorders, Axis II disorders, and psychopathy as essential to the evaluation. Virtually all survey respondents utilized actuarial risk assessment measures, primarily the Static-99, in assessing for risk of future sexual violence. Although several approaches to assessing volitional impairment were described, the majority of respondents reported that a history of sex offending combined with a personality disorder or a paraphilia established the necessary link between mental abnormality and risk of future sexual violence. An overwhelming majority of experts indicated that it was essential for evaluators to report their ultimate opinion as to whether criteria had been met for civil commitment. Future research regarding the use and incorporation of documentation should be conducted to determine whether the heavy reliance on documentation is unique to sex offender civil commitment evaluations, or whether it is commonly used in other forensic evaluations.
Characteristics of Internet Child Pornography Offenders: A Comparison with Child Molesters
Authors: Webb L. , Craissati J. , Keen S.
Published: July 2008

The aim of this exploratory study was to compare internet sex offenders with a matched group of child molesters in the Greater London Area. Over an 8-month period 210 subjects were assessed, of whom 90 were internet sex offenders and 120 were child molesters. A wide range of background data was collected, including a number of psychometric measures to determine risk and personality traits. The research identified a number of similarities between internet sex offenders and child molesters on background variables. Specifically, in comparison to the child molesters, the internet offenders reported more psychological difficulties in adulthood and fewer prior sexual convictions. The socio-affective characteristics of internet offenders and child molesters look similar, but the antisocial variables, such as, 'acting out' and breaking social rules underlines their difference. The follow up research was carried out after a short period of time at risk—averaging 18 months—but suggested that internet sex offenders were significantly less likely to fail in the community than child molesters in terms of all types of recidivism.