bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A global analysis of trait variation and evolution in climbing plants
Authors: Gallagher Rachael V. , Leishman Michelle R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimClimbing plants (lianas, vines, scramblers) are under‐represented in many global datasets that underpin knowledge in functional trait biology, important for ecological theory, conservation and predicting forest dynamics under global change. To address this omission, we tested a set of hypotheses about how the traits of climbers vary with latitude and climate and amongst major biogeographical regions of the world using a comprehensive new, global dataset.LocationGlobal.MethodsData on seed mass, leaf size, specific leaf area, climbing mechanism, dispersal mode, and growth habit were compiled for 1092 species in 34 countries. For each trait we: (1) quantified the strength of latitudinal gradients using analyses across species and across evolutionary divergences, (2) examined underlying relationships between trait variation and climate variables, (3) tested for phylogenetic signal in traits (the tendency for closely related species to exhibit similar traits), and (4) compared trait variation and phylogenetic clustering between four major biogeographical regions of the world (Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australasia).ResultsWe found highly significant relationships between latitude and four traits (growth habit, leaf size, seed mass and specific leaf area, SLA). Leaf size, seed mass and SLA also showed significant relationships with mean annual temperature and precipitation. However, no relationship was found between dispersal mode and latitude or between climbing mechanism and latitude. These results were largely consistent in cross‐species and phylogenetic analyses. All traits, except seed mass, exhibited clear differences between biogeographical regions. SLA and seed mass were the only two traits that did not present a significant phylogenetic signal. Phylogenetic clustering was detected in species from the Americas and Africa, indicating that trait conservatism is important in broad biogeographical regions.Main conclusionsThe functional traits and phylogenetic patterns of climbers differ between biogeographical regions, and from other better‐studied plant growth forms. Species‐level trait differences may hold the key to understanding why climbers are increasing in abundance in some regions of the world, but not in others.
Correlates of restraint and seclusion for adults with intellectual disabilities in community services
Authors: Merineau‐Cote J. , Morin D. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground  Some individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) exhibit aggressive behaviour directed towards themselves, others or the environment. Displaying aggressive behaviour is associated with a number of negative consequences such as the exposure to restrictive interventions. This study aims to identify personal and environmental factors related to the use of restrictive measures among persons with IDs living in the community.Methods  Data for 81 adults with IDs were collected through a mail survey. The questionnaires acquired information on demographic variables, physical health and psychiatric diagnoses, medication, residential setting, support worker experience and prevalence of restraint and seclusion. The type and severity of aggressive behaviours were measured by the Modified Overt Aggression Scale.Results  The prevalence of restrictive measures was 63.0%: 44.4% seclusion, 42.0% physical restraint and 27.2% mechanical restraint. The mode of communication, anxiolytic medication, severity of the aggressive behaviours, presence of a functional assessment on aggressive behaviours, and support workers' experience with persons with IDs were predictors of restrictive measures.Conclusion  The results of this study have several clinical implications for practitioners working with persons with IDs who exhibit aggressive behaviours. More research is needed to expand our understanding of the use of restrictive measures and reduce its frequency.
Is body mass index a useful measure of excess body fatness in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome?
Authors: Bandini L. G. , Fleming R. K. , Scampini R. , Gleason J. , Must A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground  To determine the validity of body mass index (BMI) to identify excess fatness in youth with Down syndrome (DS).Methods  Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth reference, we defined overweight (≥85th percentile) and obesity (≥95th percentile) based on participants' age‐ and sex‐specific BMI z‐scores, calculated from measured height and weight. Percentage body fat was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. We determined sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and efficiency of BMI percentiles to identify excess adiposity relative to elevated percentage body fat cut‐offs developed from the Pediatric Rosetta Body Composition project in 32 youth (20 boys/12 girls), ages 13–21 years with Down syndrome.Results  For adolescents with Down syndrome using the cut‐off points of 95th percentile for BMI (obesity), sensitivity and specificity were 71% and 96% respectively. Positive predictive value was 83% and negative predictive value was 92%. Overall efficiency was 91%. Sensitivity and specificity for BMI cut‐offs above the 85th percentile (overweight) were 100% and 60% respectively. The positive predictive value was 41% and negative predictive value was 100%. Overall efficiency was 69%.Conclusion  On the whole, the obesity (≥95th percentile) cut‐off performs better than the overweight cut‐off (85th–94th percentile) in identifying elevated fatness in youth with DS.
Therapy service use among individuals with fragile X syndrome: findings from a US parent survey
Authors: Martin G. E. , Ausderau K. K. , Raspa M. , Bishop E. , Mallya U. , Bailey D. B. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground  Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is known to be associated with a range of developmental challenges, yet the occurrence and intensity of therapy services along with associated factors have not been determined.Method  In a US national survey, caregivers provided information regarding the therapy services received by their sons (n = 1013) and daughters (n = 283) with FXS (from birth to 63 years; mean = 15.6 years, SD = 10.6). Caregivers reported (1) type, (2) amount, (3) location, and (4) overall satisfaction with services. Associations with other child variables and family income were also examined.Results  Key findings included that 72% of males and 47% of females were currently receiving at least one type of therapy service; the most common services for both males and females were speech–language therapy (ST) and occupational therapy (OT). Overall, males were more likely to receive therapy services as well as a greater number of services than females. Autism status was significantly associated with both males and females receiving ST and males receiving OT and behaviour management therapy. Therapies were provided in a variety of locations, and parents were generally satisfied with the amount and quality of therapy services. Age‐related declines were evident in the use of services for both males and females, with very few individuals receiving any therapy services after 20 years of age.Conclusions  This study provides a baseline description of the current state of therapy services for children with FXS, laying a foundation for future research and recommendations for service provision and policy.
Early identification of autism in fragile X syndrome: a review
Authors: McCary L. M. , Roberts J. E. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractFragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading genetic cause of autism, accounting for approximately 5% of autism cases with as many as 50% of individuals with FXS meeting DSM‐IV‐TR criteria for autistic disorder. Both FXS and idiopathic autism (IA) are attributed to genetic causes; however, FXS is an identified single gene disorder whereas autism is a complex disorder with multiple potential causes, some of which have been identified. Studies in IA have focused on the prospective longitudinal examination of infant siblings of children with autism as a target group due to their high risk of developing the disorder. We propose that this same model be applied to the study of infants with FXS. There is a lack of research focusing on the early development of autism within FXS and debate in the literature regarding how to best conceptualise this co‐morbidity or whether it should be considered a co‐morbid condition at all. Studying the emergence and stability of autism in infants with FXS has multiple benefits such as clarifying the underlying mechanisms of the development of autism in FXS and solidifying similarities and differences between co‐morbid FXS with autism and IA. Infant research in both IA and FXS are discussed as well as conclusions and implications for practice and future research.
Delayed visual orienting responses in children with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities
Authors: Boot F. H. , Pel J. J. M. , Vermaak M. P. , van der Steen J. , Evenhuis H. M. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground  Assessment of higher visual processing functions mostly requires active cooperation of participants, which is problematic in children with intellectual disabilities (ID). To circumvent this, we applied remote eye tracking to quantify (ab)normal visual orienting responses in children with ID in terms of reaction times to visual stimuli.Methods  We presented visual stimuli (cartoon, coherent form, and coherent motion) to 127 children (2–14 years) with developmental and/or ID (risk group) and simultaneously measured their orienting ocular motor responses. Reaction times to fixation (RTF) in the risk group were compared with RTF values of an age‐matched control group.Results  Overall, in 72% of the children in the risk group, RTF values to cartoon were delayed, in 47% to form, and in 38% to motion. The presence of delayed reaction times was highest in the group of children >4 years with ID.Conclusion  Our data show that a majority of children with developmental and/or ID have delayed visual orienting responses. This suggests that this group has increased risk for higher visual processing dysfunctions. Future studies are planned to correlate abnormal orienting responses to type of brain damage and to dissociate the responses from ocular motor disorders.
Musical learning in children and adults with Williams syndrome
Authors: Lense M. , Dykens E. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground  There is recent interest in using music making as an empirically supported intervention for various neurodevelopmental disorders due to music's engagement of perceptual–motor mapping processes. However, little is known about music learning in populations with developmental disabilities. Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental genetic disorder whose characteristic auditory strengths and visual–spatial weaknesses map onto the processes used to learn to play a musical instrument.Methods  We identified correlates of novel musical instrument learning in WS by teaching 46 children and adults (7–49 years) with WS to play the Appalachian dulcimer.Results  Obtained dulcimer skill was associated with prior musical abilities (r = 0.634, P < 0.001) and visual–motor integration abilities (r = 0.487, P = 0.001), but not age, gender, IQ, handedness, auditory sensitivities or musical interest/emotionality. Use of auditory learning strategies, but not visual or instructional strategies, predicted greater dulcimer skill beyond individual musical and visual–motor integration abilities (β = 0.285, sr2 = 0.06, P = 0.019).Conclusions  These findings map onto behavioural and emerging neural evidence for greater auditory–motor mapping processes in WS. Results suggest that explicit awareness of task‐specific learning approaches is important when learning a new skill. Implications for using music with populations with syndrome‐specific strengths and weakness will be discussed.
Hypoglycaemia: Exercise for the Brain?
Authors: Ashford Michael , Beall Craig , McCrimmon Rory 
Published: September 2012

SummaryLow blood sugar, or hypoglycaemia, is detected by specialised sugar sensing neurones in the brain. However, the detection of hypoglycaemia is blunted after repeated hypoglycaemia and this is a result of adaptive mechanisms kicking in within the brain; mechanisms that resemble the ‘training effect’ in muscle. These adaptations most likely not only increase the tolerance of the brain to stress, but also perturb the detection of hypoglycaemia, further increasing the likelihood of hypoglycaemia.
Bidirectional associations between insomnia symptoms and unhealthy behaviours
Authors: HAARIO PEPPI , RAHKONEN OSSI , LAAKSONEN MIKKO , LAHELMA EERO , LALLUKKA TEA 
Published: September 2012

SummaryIt has been suggested that there are associations among insomnia symptoms and unhealthy behaviours. However, previous studies are sparse and mainly cross‐sectional, and have not been focused on several key unhealthy behaviours. The aim of this study was to examine whether the associations are bidirectional, i.e. whether insomnia symptoms are associated with subsequent unhealthy behaviours, and whether unhealthy behaviours are associated with subsequent insomnia symptoms. The data were derived from the Helsinki Health Study prospective cohort study. The baseline data were collected in 2000–02 (n = 8960, response rate 67%) among 40–60‐year‐old employees of the City Helsinki, Finland. The follow‐up data were collected in 2007 (n = 7332, response rate 83%). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations among insomnia symptoms and unhealthy behaviours, including smoking, heavy and binge drinking, physical inactivity and unhealthy food habits. Frequent insomnia symptoms at baseline were associated with subsequent heavy drinking [odds ratio (OR): 1.34; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07–1.68] and physical inactivity (OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.08–1.48) after full adjustment for gender, age, corresponding unhealthy behaviour at baseline, marital status, occupational class, sleep duration and common mental disorders. Additionally, heavy drinking (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.22–1.80) and binge drinking (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.08–1.46) at baseline were associated with subsequent insomnia symptoms at follow‐up after full adjustment. In conclusion, insomnia symptoms were associated with subsequent heavy drinking and physical inactivity, and heavy and binge drinking were also associated with subsequent insomnia symptoms.
Do diet and taxonomy influence insect gut bacterial communities?
Authors: Colman D. R. , Toolson E. C. , Takacs‐Vesbach C. D. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractMany insects contain diverse gut microbial communities. While several studies have focused on a single or small group of species, comparative studies of phylogenetically diverse hosts can illuminate general patterns of host–microbiota associations. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that (i) host diet and (ii) host taxonomy structure intestinal bacterial community composition among insects. We used published 16S rRNA gene sequence data for 58 insect species in addition to four beetle species sampled from the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge to test these hypotheses. Overall, gut bacterial species richness in these insects was low. Decaying wood xylophagous insects harboured the richest bacterial gut flora (102.8 species level operational taxonomic units (OTUs)/sample ± 71.7, 11.8 ± 5.9 phylogenetic diversity (PD)/sample), while bees and wasps harboured the least rich bacterial communities (11.0 species level OTUs/sample ± 5.4, 2.6 ± 0.8 PD/sample). We found evidence to support our hypotheses that host diet and taxonomy structure insect gut bacterial communities (P < 0.001 for both). However, while host taxonomy was important in hymenopteran and termite gut community structure, diet was an important community structuring factor particularly for insect hosts that ingest lignocellulose‐derived substances. Our analysis provides a baseline comparison of insect gut bacterial communities from which to test further hypotheses concerning proximate and ultimate causes of these associations.
Risk factors for the incidence of dengue virus infection in preschool children
Authors: Teixeira Maria G. , Morato Vanessa , Barreto Florisneide R. , Mendes Carlos M. C. , Barreto Maurício L. , Costa Maria da Conceição N. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjective  To estimate the seroincidence of dengue in children living in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil and to evaluate the factors associated.Methods  A prospective serological survey was carried out in a sample of children 0–3 years of age. A multilevel logistic model was used to identify the determinants of seroincidence.Results  The seroprevalence of dengue was 26.6% in the 625 children evaluated. A second survey detected an incidence of 33.2%. Multilevel logistic regression showed a statistically significant association between the seroincidence of dengue and age and the premises index.Conclusion  In Salvador, the dengue virus is in active circulation during early childhood; consequently, children have heterotypic antibodies and run a high risk of developing dengue haemorrhagic fever, because the sequence and intensity of the three dengue virus serotypes currently circulating in this city are very similar to those that were circulating in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2008. Therefore, the authors strongly recommend that the health authorities in cities with a similar epidemiological scenario be aware of this risk and implement improvements in health care, particularly targeting the paediatric age groups. In addition, information should be provided to the population and actions should be implemented to combat this vector.
Neurocircuitry for modeling drug effects
Authors: Noori Hamid R. , Spanagel Rainer , Hansson Anita C. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe identification and functional understanding of the neurocircuitry that mediates alcohol and drug effects that are relevant for the development of addictive behavior is a fundamental challenge in addiction research. Here we introduce an assumption‐free construction of a neurocircuitry that mediates acute and chronic drug effects on neurotransmitter dynamics that is solely based on rodent neuroanatomy. Two types of data were considered for constructing the neurocircuitry: (1) information on the cytoarchitecture and neurochemical connectivity of each brain region of interest obtained from different neuroanatomical techniques; (2) information on the functional relevance of each region of interest with respect to alcohol and drug effects. We used mathematical data mining and hierarchical clustering methods to achieve the highest standards in the preprocessing of these data. Using this approach, a dynamical network of high molecular and spatial resolution containing 19 brain regions and seven neurotransmitter systems was obtained. Further graph theoretical analysis suggests that the neurocircuitry is connected and cannot be separated into further components. Our analysis also reveals the existence of a principal core subcircuit comprised of nine brain regions: the prefrontal cortex, insular cortex, nucleus accumbens, hypothalamus, amygdala, thalamus, substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area and raphe nuclei. Finally, by means of algebraic criteria for synchronizability of the neurocircuitry, the suitability for in silico modeling of acute and chronic drug effects is indicated. Indeed, we introduced as an example a dynamical system for modeling the effects of acute ethanol administration in rats and obtained an increase in dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens—a hallmark of drug reinforcement—to an extent similar to that seen in numerous microdialysis studies. We conclude that the present neurocircuitry provides a structural and dynamical framework for large‐scale mathematical models and will help to predict chronic drug effects on brain function.
Status epilepticus in childhood
Authors: Ng Yu‐Tze , Maganti Rama 
Published: September 2012

AbstractStatus epilepticus (SE) remains a life‐threatening condition that afflicts both adults and children, and may occur at onset of epilepsy, especially in children. Febrile SE is the most common cause in children, while other symptomatic causes are less frequent compared to adults. The aetiological workup that must be undertaken in all cases includes neuroimaging and electroencephalography. The various electroencephalographic patterns seen in patients with SE along with the out‐of‐hospital treatment for SE in children and treatment strategies in cases that are refractory to first‐line medical treatments are discussed. Medically induced coma may be necessary in refractory cases, although the optimal agents to use and degree of electroencephalographic suppression in children remain unclear. Neurosurgery is not a well‐known treatment option that could be considered for refractory cases. Although the prognosis has probably improved over the years, it remains a potential life‐threatening emergency.
Overview of Australian Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera)
Authors: Paretas‐Martínez Jordi , Forshage Mattias , Buffington Matthew , Fisher Nicole , La Salle John , Pujade‐Villar Juli 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAn overview of all families, subfamilies, genera and species of Cynipoidea present in Australia is presented. The Australian cynipoid fauna is very poorly known, with 37 genera recorded: one each for Austrocynipidae, Ibaliidae and Liopteridae; two for Cynipidae; and 32 for Figitidae. The first Australian records are given for the following genera of Eucoilinae: Aganaspis Lin, Areaspis Lin, Chrestosema Förster, Didyctium Riley, Endecameris Yoshimoto, Ganaspis Förster, Leptolamina Yoshimoto, Micreriodes Yoshimoto, Pseudodiranchis Yoshimoto, Sinochresta Lin and Weldia Yoshimoto. Nine new combinations, two new synonymies and one reinstatement are made: Eucoilinae (Figitidae): Hexacola aemilia comb. n., Hexacola florentia comb. n., Hexacola julia comb. n., Hexacola mozarti comb. n., Hexacola thoreauini comb. n., Kleidotoma marguerita comb. n., Leptopilina lonchaeae comb. n., Leptopilina maria comb. n., Trybliographa australiensis stat. rev. (Rhoptromeris unimaculus Girault 1931 syn. n.); Thrasorinae (Figitidae): Thrasorus berlesi comb. n. (Thrasorus rieki Paretas‐Martínez & Pujade‐Villar 2011 syn. n.). Aspects on the systematics, distribution, biology and morphology of all cynipoid families and figitid subfamilies in Australia are given. A multi‐character online key to the genera of Australian Cynipoidea can be found at http://www.ces.csiro.au/keys/Hymenoptera/Australian_Cynipoidea/Australian‐Cynipoidea‐Keys.html.