bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Snow cover variability in the Himalayan–Tibetan region
Authors: Singh S. K. , Rathore B. P. , Bahuguna I. M. , Ajai
Published: April 2013

Snow cover in the Himalayan–Tibetan region is highly variable in space and time, and influences the hydrology and climate at regional and global scales. Monthly MODIS snow cover and land surface temperature (LST) data have been analysed for the period 2000–2011. The details of the snow cover pattern during accumulation and ablation has been studied for the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins. These river basins have shown a unique pattern of snow accumulation and ablation. The Indus and Ganga Basins have shown high snow cover percentage than the Brahmaputra during ablation period. The maximum snow cover for the three basins altogether is approximately 85% of the total geographic area which reduces to approximately 10% during ablation. Accumulation and ablation variations are clearly depicted by the LST variations of the respective basins. However, the Indus Basin has shown a unique increasing trend in snow cover, whereas the Ganga and Brahmaputra Basins have shown no significant trend in this decade. Snow cover for Tibetan region during March (accumulation) and September (ablation) months have not shown either increasing or decreasing trend from 2000 to 2011. Analysis of monthly average basin LST data has shown that Indus Basin experiences subfreezing conditions and delay in rise of peaks in comparison to Ganga and Brahmaputra which shows high LST during accumulation. This study shows that the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra Basins have shown different patterns in the snow cover variations during the last 12 years.
Mapping the role of tropical cyclones on the hydroclimate of the southeast United States: 2002–2011
Authors: Brun Julien , Barros Ana P.
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

The role of tropical cyclones (TCs) in the water budget of 3211 watersheds in the southeast United States (SE US) over the last decade (2002–2011) is examined in detail at daily and longer time‐scales towards mapping regional hydro‐climatic vulnerabilities. The work documents highly heterogeneous spatial and inter‐annual patterns of variability in the contribution of TC events to the annual cycle of rainfall from below 5% (e.g. 2011) to 65–70% (e.g. 2004 and 2005) at the watershed scale. The data indicate that, with average return periods of 1–3 years, singular TCs are key agents of drought demise redressing watershed precipitation deficits by 30–100%, and a key mechanism of regional meteorological drought mitigation at seasonal and inter‐annual time‐scales. Flood response and drought mitigation impacts of TCs are stronger for storms with terrestrial tracks predominantly on the Atlantic region and, or aligned with the Appalachian Mountains (AM) where orographic effects are evident in high precipitation amounts and high runoff ratios. Locally, rainfall‐runoff response along the terrestrial tracks of TCs increases when inter‐storm arrivals are short (<2 weeks), but evidence of the cumulative impact of antecedent precipitation on available soil moisture storage capacity at the seasonal scale is lacking except where groundwater‐tables are shallow in the Piedmont and in the Coastal Plain. Flood peaks do not exceed the 2‐year flood magnitude event at over 90% of gauged locations for any one storm. Thus, whereas increases in intensity and frequency of TCs should have a positive impact on regional water resources by reducing or interrupting and eliminating severe drought, especially in the Piedmont and Coastal Plains, the impact on river discharge should mostly affect the magnitude of the bank‐full and low hydroperiodicity flooding (≤5‐year events) that are tightly linked to the functional resiliency of natural and developed landscapes.
Reduction in Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Congolese Refugees Practicing Transcendental Meditation
Authors: Rees Brian , Travis Fred , Shapiro David , Chant Ruth
Published: April 2013

This matched single‐blind pilot study tested the effect of Transcendental Meditation® (TM) practice on symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS) in Congolese refugees. Urban refugees (N = 102) staying around Kampala, Uganda attended introductory meetings. After initial random assignment to the TM group, 30 refugees who revealed that they were unable to attend all meetings and were eliminated from the study. The remaining 21 TM group participants were then instructed in TM and matched with refugees in the control group on age, sex, and baseline scores on the Post‐traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist–Civilian (PCL‐C). All participants completed the PCL‐C measure of PTS symptoms at baseline, and 30‐day and 135‐day posttests. The PCL‐C scores in the control group trended upward. In contrast, the PCL‐C scores in the TM group went from 65 on average at baseline indicating severe PTS symptoms to below 30 on average after 30 days of TM practice, and remained low at 135 days. Effect size was high (d > 1.0). Compliance with TM practice was good; most reported regular practice throughout the study. There were no adverse events. All refugees who learned TM completed the study and were able to practice TM successfully, with subsequent substantial reduction in PTS symptoms.
Preliminary Findings of the Relationship of Lower Heart Rate Variability with Military Sexual Trauma and Presumed Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Lee Elizabeth A. D. , Bissett Joe K. , Carter Michael A. , Cowan Patricia A. , Pyne Jeffrey M. , Speck Patricia M. , Theus Sue A. , Tolley Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2013

Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) occurs with physical and psychological disorders and is a predictor of cardiac and all‐cause mortality. This study was the first of which we are aware to examine and report the relationship between military sexual trauma (MST) and HRV measures. In a historical cohort study of female veterans with (n = 27) and without (n = 99) MST who received Holter and electrocardiogram evaluation at a Veteran Affairs medical center during 2007–2010, we examined the relationship between MST and the standard deviation of all R‐R intervals (SDNN) and the square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent R‐R intervals (RMSSD). Female veterans with MST were younger, p = .002, frequently had a probable posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis, 80% versus 15%, p = < .0001, and had lower SDNN, p = .0001, and RMSSD, p = .001, than those without MST. The SDNN and RMSSD of a 25‐year‐old female veteran with MST were comparable to that of female veterans aged 69 to 81 years without MST. Further research is needed to evaluate relationships between MST and HRV measures.
Metrics in Sponsorship Research—Is Credibility an Issue?
Authors: Meenaghan Tony , O'Sullivan Paul
Published: April 2013

Sponsorship has been one of the fastest growing marketing platforms in recent decades, yet while marketing expenditures generally are being increasingly subjected to the requirement and discipline of accountability, it would seem that sponsorship practice behaves as if impervious to this changed climate. Considering both the extent to which business fails to measure sponsorship effectiveness at all and where measured, the problematic nature of the metrics employed, it is probably an understatement to conclude that a “measurement deficit” exists in sponsorship. This paper proposes a critique of current practice in the evaluation of sponsorship effectiveness and in particular examines in detail inherent problems arising from the use of the two main metrics currently employed by the industry, “Media Exposure” and “Sponsorship Awareness.” It illustrates the latitude provided by these metrics and the variability of outcomes that can be extracted from their use or in some cases potential abuse. Such latitude in conceptualization and application can extend to having the same sponsorship program receive quite radically different evaluations based on the same raw data. This raises serious questions about the credibility and effectiveness of current sponsorship measurement. The paper further suggests that in order to secure the future of sponsorship and exploit its competitive media advantage, there is a need for the industry to reposition itself in terms of delivering brand experience, engagement, and involvement rather than mere exposure.
New Challenges in Sponsorship Evaluation Actors, New Media, and the Context of Praxis
Authors: Meenaghan Tony , McLoughlin Damien , McCormack Alan
Published: April 2013

This paper seeks to address a number of changes taking place in sponsorship, which have implications for performance measurement. One such change is the extent to which major sponsors now view sponsorship more holistically and strategically as a platform to address the entire range of stakeholder groups enabled by sponsorship. A second challenge involves the increased usage of social media in sponsorship and its capacity to engage and connect with sponsorship audiences. Both of these changes represent important challenges for the evaluation of sponsorship effects. These challenges are considered against the backdrop of key principles regarding evaluation and the current state of industry practice with regard to sponsorship evaluation.
In vitro toxicological characterization of two arsenosugars and their metabolites
Authors: Leffers Larissa , Ebert Franziska , Taleshi Mojtaba S. , Francesconi Kevin A. , Schwerdtle Tanja
Published: April 2013

Scope

In their recently published Scientific Opinion on Arsenic in Food, the European Food Safety Authority concluded that a risk assessment for arsenosugars is currently not possible, largely because of the lack of relevant toxicological data. To address this issue, we carried out a toxicological in vitro characterization of two arsenosugars and six arsenosugar metabolites.

Methods and results

The highly pure synthesized arsenosugars, DMAV‐sugar‐glycerol and DMAV‐sugar‐sulfate, investigated in this study, as well as four metabolites, oxo‐dimethylarsenoacetic acid (oxo‐DMAAV), oxo‐dimethylarsenoethanol (oxo‐DMAEV), thio‐DMAAV and thio‐DMAEV, exerted neither cytotoxicity nor genotoxicity up to 500 μM exposure in cultured human bladder cells. However, two arsenosugar metabolites, namely dimethyl‐arsinic acid (DMAV) and thio‐dimethylarsinic acid (thio‐DMAV), were toxic to the cells; thio‐DMAV was even slightly more cytotoxic than arsenite. Additionally, intestinal bioavailability of the arsenosugars was assessed applying the Caco‐2 intestinal barrier model. The observed low, but significant transfer rates of the arsenosugars across the barrier model provide further evidence that arsenosugars are intestinally bioavailable.

Conclusion

In a cellular system that metabolizes arsenosugars, cellular toxicity likely arises. Thus, in strong contrast to arsenobetaine, arsenosugars cannot be categorized as nontoxic for humans and a risk to human health cannot be excluded.
Denoising diffusion‐weighted magnitude MR images using rank and edge constraints
Authors: Lam Fan , Babacan S. Derin , Haldar Justin P. , Weiner Michael W. , Schuff Norbert , Liang Zhi‐Pei
Published: April 2013

Purpose

To improve signal‐to‐noise ratio for diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance images.

Methods

A new method is proposed for denoising diffusion‐weighted magnitude images. The proposed method formulates the denoising problem as an maximum a posteriori} estimation problem based on Rician/noncentral χ likelihood models, incorporating an edge prior and a low‐rank model. The resulting optimization problem is solved efficiently using a half‐quadratic method with an alternating minimization scheme.

Results

The performance of the proposed method has been validated using simulated and experimental data. Diffusion‐weighted images and noisy data were simulated based on the diffusion tensor imaging model and Rician/noncentral χ distributions. The simulation study (with known gold standard) shows substantial improvements in single‐to‐noise ratio and diffusion tensor estimation after denoising. In vivo diffusion imaging data at differentb‐values were acquired. Based on the experimental data, qualitative improvement in image quality and quantitative improvement in diffusion tensor estimation were demonstrated. Additionally, the proposed method is shown to outperform one of the state‐of‐the‐art nonlocal means‐based denoising algorithms, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Conclusion

The single‐to‐noise ratio of diffusion‐weighted images can be effectively improved with rank and edge constraints, resulting in an improvement in diffusion parameter estimation accuracy.Magn Reson Med 71:1272–1284, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cardiac functional assessment without electrocardiogram using physiological self‐navigation
Authors: Kolbitsch Christoph , Prieto Claudia , Schaeffter Tobias
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Electrocardiogram (ECG)‐gated cine MRI provides highly accurate functional assessment of the heart. Nevertheless, reliable ECG signals are not always available due to patient's electrophysiology or due to high MR field strengths. Here, a novel framework for cardiac functional assessment using physiological information is presented, which is obtained from MR image data.

Methods

Multiple long‐axis slices rotated around the center axis of the left ventricle are acquired using a 2D Golden Radial acquisition scheme. This sampling approach allows for both real‐time data and retrospectively reordered cine images with different temporal resolutions. Functional information from the left ventricle is used for retrospective reordering of the data to reconstruct cine images without an external ECG signal. Afterward, individual 2D cine slices are synchronized using physiological information on the mitral valve closure. The proposed approach was assessed in 15 volunteers and applied in four patients for feasibility.

Results

Physiological gating signals obtained with our approach show great correlation with an ECG reference signal. Functional parameters determined with the presented method show a relative difference of less than 1.3% when compared with an ECG‐gated approach.

Conclusion

It is successfully demonstrated that functional assessment of the heart is possible using physiological information obtained directly from MR image data. Magn Reson Med 71:942–954, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The dominant eigenvalue of an essentially nonnegative tensor
Authors: Zhang L. P. , Qi L. Q. , Luo Z. Y. , Xu Y.
Published: April 2013

It is well known that the dominant eigenvalue of a real essentially nonnegative matrix is a convex function of its diagonal entries. This convexity is of practical importance in population biology, graph theory, demography, analytic hierarchy process, and so on. In this paper, the concept of essentially nonnegativity is extended from matrices to higher‐order tensors, and the convexity and log convexity of dominant eigenvalues for such a class of tensors are established. Particularly, for any nonnegative tensor, the spectral radius turns out to be the dominant eigenvalue and hence possesses these convexities. Finally, an algorithm is given to calculate the dominant eigenvalue, and numerical results are reported to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma Deposition of an Organophosphorus Coating at Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Hilt Florian , Duday David , Gherardi Nicolas , Frache Gilles , Bardon Julien , Choquet Patrick
Published: April 2013

Plasma polymerisation of an organophosphorus monomer in atmospheric pressure‐dielectric barrier discharge was studied. Phosphate‐based molecules were introduced as a vapour into a nitrogen plasma at atmospheric pressure and a phosphorus‐containing coating was obtained. Scanning electron microscopy and ellipsometry revealed the morphology of the coating while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated a hybrid organic–inorganic coating containing phosphate, organophosphate and different N‐containing groups. The new polymer structure of the coating was highlighted by secondary ion mass spectrometry.

magnified image
A course in constructing effective displays of data for pharmaceutical research personnel
Authors: Bradstreet Thomas E. , Nessly Michael L. , Short Thomas H.
Published: April 2013

Interpreting data and communicating effectively through graphs and tables are requisite skills for statisticians and non‐statisticians in the pharmaceutical industry. However, the quality of visual displays of data in the medical and pharmaceutical literature and at scientific conferences is severely lacking. We describe an interactive, workshop‐driven, 2‐day short course that we constructed for pharmaceutical research personnel to learn these skills. The examples in the course and the workshop datasets source from our professional experiences, the scientific literature, and the mass media. During the course, the participants are exposed to and gain hands‐on experience with the principles of visual and graphical perception, design, and construction of both graphic and tabular displays of quantitative and qualitative information. After completing the course, with a critical eye, the participants are able to construct, revise, critique, and interpret graphic and tabular displays according to an extensive set of guidelines. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Secondary psychoses: an update
Authors: Keshavan Matcheri S. , Kaneko Yoshio
Published: April 2013

Psychotic disorders due to a known medical illness or substance use are collectively termed secondary psychoses. In this paper, we first review the historic evolution of the concept of secondary versus primary psychosis and how this distinction supplanted the earlier misleading classification of psychoses into organic and functional. We then outline the clinical features and approach to the diagnosis of secondary psychotic disorders. Features such as atypical presentation, temporal relation to detectable medical cause, evidence of direct physiological causal relationship to the etiological agent, and the absence of evidence of a primary psychotic illness that may better explain the presentation suggest consideration of a secondary psychosis. Finally, we discuss how careful studies of secondary psychotic disorders can help elucidate the pathophysiology of primary, or idiopathic, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. We illustrate this issue through a discussion of three secondary psychotic disorders — psychoses associated with temporal lobe epilepsy, velocardiofacial syndrome, and N‐methyl D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis — that can, respectively, provide neuroanatomical, genetic, and neurochemical models of schizophrenia pathogenesis.
The Breivik case and what psychiatrists can learn from it
Authors: Melle Ingrid
Published: April 2013

In the afternoon of July 22, 2011, Norwegian Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 persons, many of them children and youths, in two separate events. On August 24, 2012, he was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Breivik went through two forensic evaluations: the first concluded that he had a psychotic disorder, thus being legally unaccountable, whereas the second concluded that he had a personality disorder, thus being legally accountable. This article first describes Breivik's background and his crimes. This is followed by an overview of the two forensic evaluations, their methods, contents and disagreements, and how these issues were handled by the court in the verdict. Finally, the article focuses on some lessons psychiatrists can take from the case.
Understanding and addressing religion among people with mental illness
Authors: Pargament Kenneth I. , Lomax James W.
Published: April 2013

This article reviews recent advances in the domain of psychiatry and religion that highlight the double‐edged capacity of religion to enhance or damage health and well‐being, particularly among psychiatric patients. A large body of research challenges stereotyped views of religion as merely a defense or passive way of coping, and indicates that many people look to religion as a vital resource which serves a variety of adaptive functions, such as self‐regulation, attachment, emotional comfort, meaning, and spirituality. There is, however, a darker side to religious life. Researchers and theorists have identified and begun to study problematic aspects of religiousness, including religiously‐based violence and religious struggles within oneself, with others, and with the divine. Religious problems can be understood as a by‐product of psychiatric illness (secondary), a source of psychiatric illness (primary), or both (complex). This growing body of knowledge underscores the need to attend more fully to the potentially constructive and destructive roles of religion in psychiatric diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. In fact, initial evaluative studies of the impact of spiritually integrated treatments among a range of psychiatric populations have shown promising results. The article concludes with a set of recommendations to advance future research and practice, including the need for additional psychiatric studies of people from diverse cultures and religious traditions.
Appraisal of Staging Endoscopic Ultrasonography in a Modern High‐Volume Esophageal Program
Authors: O’Farrell Naoimh J. , Malik Vinod , Donohoe Claire L. , Johnston Ciaran , Muldoon Cian , Reynolds John V. , O’Toole Dermot
Published: April 2013

Background

Accurate pretreatment staging is essential to decision making for patients with esophageal and junctional cancers, particularly when choosing endoscopic therapy or a multimodal approach. As the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has been reported as variable, we assessed it prospectively in a large cohort from a high‐volume center.

Methods

The EUS data from 2007 to 2011 were reviewed and analyzed. We conducted a comparative analysis with computed tomography‐positron emission tomography (CT‐PET) staging and pathology. Survival was analyzed by Kaplan–Meier testing on EUS‐predicted T‐ and N‐stage cohorts.

Results

Altogether, 222 patients underwent EUS. Among patients undergoing primary surgical resection, preoperative EUS diagnosed the T stage correctly in 71 % (55/77) of cases. Sensitivity and specificity for T1, T2, and T3 tumors were 94 and 89 %, 55 and 80 %, and 66 and 93 %, respectively. Mean maximum standard uptake volume on CT‐PET correlated moderately with the EUS T stage (r = 0.42, p < 0.0001). EUS accuracy for nodal disease was 65 %. Survival was statistically better for the EUS T1 group than for those with T3 tumors (p = 0.01). Nodal metastases diagnosed on EUS predicted a significantly worse prognosis than EUS‐negative nodes on both univariate and multivariate analyses (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.005 respectively).

Conclusions

There was a significant relation between EUS T and N stages and overall survival. EUS demonstrated 71 % accuracy for the overall T stage. Staging accuracy of EUS for large lesions was less effective than for T1 tumors, underlining the need for a multimodal investigative approach to stage esophageal tumors accurately.
Continuous Flow Methylene Blue Active Substances Method for the Determination of Anionic Surfactants in River Water and Biodegradation Test Samples
Authors: Wyrwas Bogdan , Zgoła‐Grześkowiak Agnieszka
Published: April 2013

Anionic surfactants are commonly determined with the use of the methylene blue active substances (MBAS) standard method, which is time‐consuming and labor‐intensive. Therefore, new methods for determination of anionic surfactants are needed. In this study, the standard MBAS method for determination of anionic surfactants was modified and adjusted to work in a continuous flow system combined with spectrophotometric measurement. The developed method was found to be satisfactory in terms of sensitivity and precision, with a short time of analysis. The quantification limit for anionic surfactants was at 16 μg L−1, with a relative standard deviation of 1.3 % for a model sample and 3.8 % for a river water sample. The results obtained for environmental samples were comparable to those obtained by using the standard MBAS method; however, the developed continuous flow method is faster, more sensitive and consumes smaller doses of chemical reagents.
Terminating constraint set satisfiability and simplification algorithms for context-dependent overloading
Authors: Ribeiro Rodrigo , Camarão Carlos , Figueiredo Lucília
Published: April 2013

Algorithms for constraint set satisfiability and simplification of Haskell type class constraints are used during type inference in order to allow the inference of more accurate types and to detect ambiguity. Unfortunately, both constraint set satisfiability and simplification are in general undecidable, and the use of these algorithms may cause non-termination of type inference. This paper presents algorithms for these problems that terminate on any given input, based on the use of a criterion that is tested on each recursive step. The use of this criterion eliminates the need of imposing syntactic conditions on Haskell type class and instance declarations in order to guarantee termination of type inference in the presence of multi-parameter type classes, and allows program compilation without the need of compiler flags for lifting such restrictions. Undecidability of the problems implies the existence of instances for which the algorithm incorrectly reports unsatisfiability, but we are not aware of any practical example where this occurs.
Lidocaine versus ropivacaine for perineal infiltration post‐episiotomy
Authors: Gutton Christophe , Bellefleur Jean‐Pierre , Puppo Séverine , Brunet Julie , Antonini Francois , Leone Marc , Bretelle Florence
Published: April 2013

Objective

To evaluate maternal analgesia after an episiotomy during delivery.

Methods

The present case–control study compared 2 protocols of post‐episiotomy infiltration: period A, 20 mL of lidocaine 10 mg/mL; period B, 20 mL of ropivacaine 7.5 mg/mL. The primary study endpoint was the visual analog scale (VAS) score at 24 hours after episiotomy; secondary endpoints were the VAS scores during suturing and at 2 and 48 hours, and patient satisfaction at 48 hours.

Results

In total, 102 women were included in the study. The median VAS score at 24 hours was significantly lower during the ropivacaine period (3 [1.5–4]) than during the lidocaine period (4 [2–6]; P = 0.004). A VAS score below 4 at 24 hours was significantly more frequent with ropivacaine (71% versus 43%; P = 0.009). The VAS scores at 2 and 48 hours were also lower in the ropivacaine group (2 hours, 0 [0–1] versus 1 [0–3], P = 0.01; and 48 hours, 2 [0–3] versus 3 [2–5], P < 0.001). Maternal satisfaction was significantly higher in the ropivacaine group.

Conclusion

Analgesia and maternal satisfaction were improved during the period when ropivacaine was used as opposed to lidocaine. The effect lasted for up to 48 hours.
The Value of Marriage to Family Firms
Authors: Bunkanwanicha Pramuan , Fan Joseph P. H. , Wiwattanakantang Yupana
Published: April 2013

This paper presents the first empirical evidence showing that the marriage of a member of the controlling family adds value to public corporations. The results, based on a uniquely comprehensive data set from Thailand, show that the family firm’s stock price increases when the partner is from either a prominent business or a political family. Abnormal returns tend to be higher for firms whose operation depends on extensive networks. In contrast, marriages to ordinary citizens are not associated with any abnormal returns. These findings are generally supportive of the value of networks in general and marriage in particular.
Diversity and distribution of Blastocystis sp. subtypes in non-human primates
Authors: ALFELLANI MOHAMMED A. , JACOB ALISON S. , PEREA NATALI ORTIZ , KRECEK ROSINA C. , TANER-MULLA DERYA , VERWEIJ JACO J. , LEVECKE BRUNO , TANNICH EGBERT , CLARK C. GRAHAM , STENSVOLD C. RUNE
Published: April 2013

Blastocystis SSU-rDNA sequence data from 317 captive and free-living non-human primates (NHPs) representing 30 genera of apes, Old and New World (OW and NW) monkeys and prosimians were analysed to investigate subtype (ST) and allele distribution among hosts. Excluding 20 mixed ST infections, 27% of the sequences belonged to ST1, 22% to ST2, 34% to ST3, 1% to ST4, 4% to ST5, 11% to ST8, <1% to ST13 and 1% to ST15. The study confirmed cryptic host specificity of ST1 and ST3; conversely, considerable overlap in ST2 alleles exists among humans and NHPs. Subtype distribution in humans and NHPs differs mainly in that ST4 is rarely reported in NHPs while ST5 and ST8 are both unusual in humans. This may be due to host specificity and/or the apparent geographically restricted range of some subtypes. While the distribution of ST1, ST2 and ST3 was independent of NHP group or geographical association, ST5 was seen only in apes and OW monkeys and ST8 primarily in arboreal NHPs and only in species native to Asia or South America.
The antifungal activity of the cuticular and internal fatty acid methyl esters and alcohols inCalliphora vomitoria
Authors: GOŁĘBIOWSKI MAREK , CERKOWNIAK MAGDALENA , DAWGUL MAŁGORZATA , KAMYSZ WOJCIECH , BOGUŚ MIECZYSŁAWA I. , STEPNOWSKI PIOTR
Published: April 2013

The composition of the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and alcohol fractions of the cuticular and internal lipids ofCalliphora vomitorialarvae, pupae and male/female adults was obtained by separating these two fractions by HPLC–LLSD and analysing them quantitatively using GC–MS. Analysis of the cuticular lipids of the worldwide, medically important ectoparasiteC. vomitoriarevealed 6 FAMEs with odd-numbered carbon chains from C15:0to C19:0in the larvae, while internal lipids contained 9 FAMEs ranging from C15:1to C19:0. Seven FAMEs from C15:0to C19:0were identified in the cuticular lipids of the pupae, whereas the internal lipids of the pupae contained 10 FAMEs from C13:0to C19:0. The cuticular lipids of males and females and also the internal lipids of males contained 5, 7 and 6 FAMEs from C15:0to C19:0respectively. Seven FAMEs from C13:0to C19:0were identified in the internal lipids of females, and 7, 6, 5 and 3 alcohols were found in the cuticular lipids of larvae, pupae, males and females respectively. Only saturated alcohols with even-numbered carbon chains were present in these lipids. Only 1 alcohol (C22:0) was detected in the internal lipids ofC. vomitorialarvae, while just 4 alcohols from – C18:0to C24:0– were identified in the internal lipids of pupae, and males and females. We also identified glycerol and cholesterol in the larvae, pupae, males and females ofC. vomitoria. The individual alcohols and FAMEs, as well as their mixtures isolated from the cuticular and internal lipids of larvae, pupae, males and females ofC. vomitoria, demonstrated antimicrobial activity against entomopathogenic fungi.
Specificity of basic information processing and inhibitory control in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Salum G. A. , Sergeant J. , Sonuga-Barke E. , Vandekerckhove J. , Gadelha A. , Pan P. M. , Moriyama T. S. , Graeff-Martins A. S. , de Alvarenga P. Gomes , do Rosário M. C. , Manfro G. G. , Polanczyk G. , Rohde L. A. P.
Published: April 2013

Background

Both inhibitory-based executive functioning (IB-EF) and basic information processing (BIP) deficits are found in clinic-referred attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) samples. However, it remains to be determined whether: (1) such deficits occur in non-referred samples of ADHD; (2) they are specific to ADHD; (3) the co-morbidity between ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD) has additive or interactive effects; and (4) IB-EF deficits are primary in ADHD or are due to BIP deficits.

Method

We assessed 704 subjects (age 6–12 years) from a non-referred sample using the Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) and classified them into five groups: typical developing controls (TDC; n = 378), Fear disorders (n = 90), Distress disorders (n = 57), ADHD (n = 100), ODD/CD (n = 40) and ADHD+ODD/CD (n = 39). We evaluated neurocognitive performance with a Two-Choice Reaction Time Task (2C-RT), a Conflict Control Task (CCT) and a Go/No-Go (GNG) task. We used a diffusion model (DM) to decompose BIP into processing efficiency, speed–accuracy trade-off and encoding/motor function along with variability parameters.

Results

Poorer processing efficiency was found to be specific to ADHD. Faster encoding/motor function differentiated ADHD from TDC and from fear/distress whereas a more cautious (not impulsive) response style differentiated ADHD from both TDC and ODD/CD. The co-morbidity between ADHD and ODD/CD reflected only additive effects. All ADHD-related IB-EF classical effects were fully moderated by deficits in BIP.

Conclusions

Our findings challenge the IB-EF hypothesis for ADHD and underscore the importance of processing efficiency as the key specific mechanism for ADHD pathophysiology.
Peer problems are associated with elevated serum leptin levels in children
Authors: Kohlboeck G. , Romanos M. , Tiesler C. , Koletzko S. , Kratzsch J. , Thiery J. , Bauer C.-P. , von Berg A. , Berdel D. , Hoffmann B. , Schaaf B. , Lehmann I. , Herbarth O. , Heinrich J. ,   GINI-plus and LISA-plus study groups
Published: April 2013

Background

Leptin is thought to act as an important mediator in stress reactions. To date, no study has examined the association between psychological stress and leptin levels in children. This study aimed to assess the association between emotional symptoms and peer problems and serum leptin levels in children aged 10 years of the two population-based GINI-plus and LISA-plus birth cohorts.

Method

Cross-sectional data from 2827 children aged 10 years were assessed with regard to leptin concentrations in serum and behavioral problems using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Linear regression modeling was applied to determine the likelihood of elevated leptin levels in children with emotional symptoms and peer problems, controlling for socio-economic status (SES), body mass index (BMI), fasting serum leptin levels, pubertal development and sex hormones.

Results

We found that increases in emotional symptoms (expβadj = 1.03,s.e. = 0.02,p < 0.04) and peer problems (expβadj = 1.05,s.e. = 0.01,p = 0.0001) were significantly associated with higher serum leptin levels controlled for BMI and sociodemographic factors. Similar results were found when the fasting serum leptin sample was examined (expβadj = 1.08,s.e. = 0.04,p = 0.0294). Gender-stratified analyses showed a significant relationship between serum leptin and peer problems in girls (expβadj = 1.05,s.e. = 0.02,p = 0.03), and a borderline significant association in boys (expβadj = 1.04,s.e. = 0.02,p = 0.05).

Conclusions

Children with peer problems have higher stress and eat more, acquire a higher body fat mass and thus, through increased leptin resistance, exhibit higher leptin levels.
King Makers: Local Leaders and Ethnic Politics in Africa
Authors: Koter Dominika
Published: April 2013

Much of the literature on electoral politics in Africa has focused on one mechanism of electoral mobilization: reliance on shared ethnic identity between politicians and voters. On the contrary, the author argues that politicians pursue two distinct modes of nonprogrammatic electoral mobilization: (1) bydirectlyrelying on the support of voters from one's own ethnic background, and (2) byindirectlyworking through electoral intermediaries—local leaders who command moral authority, control resources, and can influence the electoral behavior of their dependents. Yet the power of local leaders varies greatly; hence the option to use electoral intermediaries is not available in all settings. The choice of electoral mobilization affects national electoral outcomes: by severing the direct link between politicians and voters, intermediaries reduce a campaign's reliance on shared identity and create cross-ethnic electorates. The evidence for this argument is based on original interviews with political leaders collected during fieldwork in Senegal and Benin during the 2006–7 electoral season, media coverage of elections, and a historical analysis of first mass elections in the 1950s.
The Left and Organized Labor in Low-Inflation Times
Authors: Simoni Marco
Published: April 2013

This article presents fresh empirical data showing that policy alignment between center-left governments and trade unions was a sustained feature of European politics between 1974 and 2005. this contradicts expectations of a wide delinkage between the electoral left and labor as a consequence of globalization, deindustrialization, and unionization decline. However, structural economic change has altered the policy field so that sustained policy alignment can no longer be explained by existing theoretical frameworks.

Based on a theoretical argument and a multivariate empirical test, the article contends that policy alignment is likelier to occur if labor plays an important role in economic management at the microlevel and the industry level and if unions are politically cohesive agents thanks to powerful confederation leadership supported by democratic decision-making practices. in making its case, the article bridges the literatures on comparative capitalism and party politics, in order to account for change and continuity in policy-making processes.
Separatist Conflict in the Former Soviet Union and Beyond: How Different Was Communism?
Authors: Smith Benjamin
Published: April 2013

Recent research on separatist nationalism has focused on the most common location of new states in the international system—the postcommunist world. While providing the largest number of cases for exploration, the arguably unique features of the Soviet system may have effects that do not easily translate to other parts of the world. This article reviews a recent set of books that highlights this question, focusing on the legacies of Soviet ethnofederalism in catalyzing secession, separatist war, and nation-state crisis. These books share in common a tendency to deemphasize the historical lineages of separatist nationalism and to focus more proximately on institutions. The article builds on the discussion of recent research by engaging two separate cross-national data sets to explore the role of ethnofederal institutions and of historical legacies. It concludes by arguing for a return to historically situated studies of center-minority conflicts and for greater engagement across regional lines of expertise.
Transmission of shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coliO104:H4 at a family party possibly due to contamination by a food handler, Germany 2011
Authors: DIERCKE M. , KIRCHNER M. , CLAUSSEN K. , MAYR E. , STROTMANN I. , FRANGENBERG J. , SCHIFFMANN A. , BETTGE-WELLER G. , ARVAND M. , UPHOFF H.
Published: April 2013

We investigated a cluster of shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) O104:H4 infections after a family party during a large STEC O104:H4 outbreak in Germany. To identify the vehicle we conducted a retrospective cohort study. Stool samples of party guests, and food and environmental samples from the catering company were tested for STEC. We defined cases as party guests with gastrointestinal symptoms and laboratory-confirmed STEC infection. We found 23 cases among 71 guests. By multivariable analysis consumption of salmon [odds ratio (OR) 15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·3–97], herb cream (OR 6·5, 95% CI 1·3–33) and bean salad (OR 6·1, 95% CI 1·4–26) were associated with STEC infection. STEC O104:H4 was detected in samples of bell pepper and salmon. The food handler developed STEC infection. Our results point towards transmission via several food items contaminated by a food handler. We recommend regular education of food handlers emphasizing their role in transmitting infectious diseases.
Serotype and surface protein gene distribution of colonizing group B streptococcus in women in Egypt
Authors: SHABAYEK S. , ABDALLA S. , ABOUZEID A. MH.
Published: April 2013

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. We determined the distribution of serotypes and surface protein encoding genes of GBS strains from pregnant and non-pregnant women in Egypt. Vaginal swabs from 364 women were screened by culture and 100 (27·4%) yielded GBS. Serotype V was the most predominant (33%), followed by serotypes II (17%), III (15%), Ia (14%), VI (12%), Ib (8%) and IV (1%). The most common surface protein genes were epsilon (27%), alp3 (26%), bca (18%), rib (16%) and alp2 (10%). Two isolates were negative for surface protein genes. The distribution of serotypes and surface proteins was similar to reports from other parts of the world but the relatively high frequency of serotype VI was a notable feature of the strains from women in Egypt.
Behavioural effects of compounds co-consumed in dietary forms of caffeinated plants
Authors: Haskell C. F. , Dodd F. L. , Wightman E. L. , Kennedy D. O.
Published: April 2013

Research into the cognitive and mood effects of caffeine in human subjects has highlighted some fairly robust and well-accepted effects. However, the majority of these studies have focused on caffeine in isolation; whilst caffeine is normally consumed in the form of plant-derived products and extracts that invariably contain other potentially bioactive phytochemicals. The aim of the present review is to consider the possible mechanisms of action of co-occurring phytochemicals, and any epidemiological evidence suggesting that they contribute to potential health benefits ascribed to caffeine. Intervention studies to date that have been conducted to explore the effects on brain function of the non-caffeine components in caffeine-bearing plants (coffee, tea, cocoa, guaraná), either alone or in combination with caffeine, will also be summarised. Research is beginning to accumulate showing independent effects for several of the phytochemicals that co-occur with caffeine, and/or a modulation of the effects of caffeine when it is co-consumed with these naturally concomitant phytochemicals. The present review highlights that more research aimed at understanding the effects of these compounds is needed and, more importantly, the synergistic relationship that they may have with caffeine.
Raptor habitat use in the Lake Chad Basin: insights into the effect of flood-plain transformation on Afrotropical and Palearctic raptors
Authors: BUIJ RALPH , CROES BARBARA M.
Published: April 2013

West African flood-plains have undergone major land-use transformations in the second half of the 20th century. To obtain insight in the effect of flood-plain development for irrigated rice cultivation on the abundance, richness, and diversity of Palearctic and Afrotropical raptors, we conducted monthly transect surveys covering dry and wet seasons in four major habitats on the Waza-Logone flood-plain of Cameroon: dry grasslands, cultivated grasslands, rice fields, and seasonally flooded grasslands resembling natural flood-plain vegetation. We recorded 36 raptor species among 2,533 individuals, dominated by Black Kite Milvus migrans, which comprised 42% of counts. Although richness and diversity were not related to land-use for Palearctic raptors, Afrotropical raptor diversity was higher on the flooded grasslands compared to the newly created cultivated habitats and dry grasslands. The abundance of Afrotropical raptors did not significantly differ across habitats but was lower in rice-fields when Black Kite and Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus were excluded. Conversely, Palearctic raptor abundance was highest in post-harvest rice fields, demonstrating the importance of the rice fields as foraging habitat for Palearctic raptors. Further transformation of West Africa’s flood-plains is expected, reducing their capacity for Afrotropical raptors, while Palearctic raptors may benefit from expansion of rice-fields, but more research is needed on their vulnerability to pesticide use.
Antidepressants and the placebo response
Authors: Kirsch Irving
Published: April 2013

Aims – To evaluate new generation antidepressants in relation to the placebo response. Methods – I review meta-analyses in which response to antidepressant medication and response to placebo were calculated. Results – All but one of these meta-analyses included unpublished as well as published trials. Most trials failed to show a significant advantage of SSRIs over inert placebo, and the differences between drug and placebo are not clinically significant for most depressed patients. Documents obtained from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed an explicit decision to keep this information from the public and from prescribing physicians. Conclusions – Because they do not incur drug risks, exercise and psychotherapy, which show at benefits at least equal to those of antidepressants, may be a better treatment choice for depressed individuals.

Declaration of Interest: The author has not in the last 2 years received any support, including that from drug companies and honoraria for lectures and consultancies, from interests potentially in conflict with this work.
Tract-Based Spatial Statistics Reveal Altered Relationship Between Non-verbal Reasoning Abilities and White Matter Integrity in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Ellmore Timothy M. , Li Hai , Xue Zhong , Wong Stephen T.C. , Frye Richard E.
Published: April 2013

Altered brain connectivity accompanies autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the relationship between connectivity and intellectual abilities, which often differs within ASD, and between ASD and typically developing (TD) children, is not understood. Here, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to explore the relationship between white matter integrity and non-verbal intelligence quotients (IQ) in children with ASD and in age- and gender-matched TD children. Tract-based spatial statistical analyses (TBSS) of DTI fractional anisotropy (FA) revealed altered relationships between white matter and IQ. Different relationships were found using within-group analyses, where regions of significant (p< .05, corrected) correlations in ASD overlapped minimally with regions of FA-IQ correlations in TD subjects. An additional between-groups analysis revealed significant correlation differences in widespread cortical and subcortical areas. These preliminary findings suggest altered brain connectivity may underlie some differences in intellectual abilities of ASD, and should be investigated further in larger samples as a function of development. (JINS, 2013,19, 1–6)
Early language experience facilitates the processing of gender agreement in Spanish heritage speakers
Authors: MONTRUL SILVINA , DAVIDSON JUSTIN , DE LA FUENTE ISRAEL , FOOTE REBECCA
Published: April 2013

We examined how age of acquisition in Spanish heritage speakers and L2 learners interacts with implicitness vs. explicitness of tasks in gender processing of canonical and non-canonical ending nouns. Twenty-three Spanish native speakers, 29 heritage speakers, and 33 proficiency-matched L2 learners completed three on-line spoken word recognition experiments involving gender monitoring, grammaticality judgment, and word repetition. All three experimental tasks required participants to listen to grammatical and ungrammatical Spanish noun phrases (determiner–adjective–noun) but systematically varied the type of response required of them. The results of the Gender Monitoring Task (GMT) and the Grammaticality Judgment Task (GJT) revealed significant grammaticality effects for all groups in accuracy and speed, but in the Word Repetition Task (WRT), the native speakers and the heritage speakers showed a grammaticality effect, while the L2 learners did not. Noun canonicity greatly affected processing in the two experimental groups. We suggest that input frequency and reduced language use affect retrieval of non-canonical ending nouns from declarative memory in L2 learners and heritage speakers more so than in native speakers. Native-like processing of gender in the WRT by the heritage speakers is likely related to context of acquisition and particular experience with oral production.