bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stem-Boring Caterpillars of Switchgrass in the Midwestern United States
Authors: Prasifka Jarrad R , Buhay Jennifer E , Sappington Thomas W , Heaton Emily A , Bradshaw Jeffrey D , Gray Michael E 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Lepidopteran stem borers were collected from switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L., tillers showing symptoms of infestation at seven locations in Illinois and Iowa, with additional observations made on larval and adult activity. Blastobasis repartella (Dietz) (Coleophoridae), whose only known host is switchgrass, was common in plots grown for &gt;5 yr, whereas the polyphagous stalk borer, Papaipema nebris (Guenée) (Noctuidae), was abundant in newly established (i.e., first- and second-year) switchgrass. Haimbachia albescens Capps (Crambidae) was collected from two locations in Illinois, making switchgrass the first known host for this species. Entry holes made by B. repartella and H. albescens were usually 1–2 cm above the soil surface, precluding discrimination between these species based on external appearance of damage. Although P. nebris often entered stems within 5 cm of the soil surface, they also seemed to move between stems and were the only species entering stems at heights &gt;15 cm. Adults of B. repartella were active on and above the switchgrass canopy by 2130 hours, with peak activity at ≈0230 hours. Activity of B. repartella adults seemed greatly reduced on one night with relatively cool temperatures and low wind speeds. Data from switchgrass and giant ragweed, Ambrosia trifida L., suggest P. nebris larvae move out of switchgrass during July in search of hosts with larger diameter stems, although by then hosts such as corn, Zea mays L., or Miscanthus spp. may have outgrown the potential for serious damage. However, switchgrass could contribute to greater adult populations of P. nebris if thick-stemmed hosts such as giant ragweed are not managed.
Allometric Slopes Not Underestimated by Ordinary Least Squares Regression: A Case Study with Enchenopa Treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae)
Authors: Al-Wathiqui Nooria , Rodríguez Rafael L 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
The scaling of traits on body size—allometry—is a subject of broad interest in ecology and evolutionary biology, and one in which studies on insects and spiders have featured prominently. Allometric relationships are described with the slope of regressions of trait size (y) on body size (x). A common method—ordinary least squares (OLS) regression—is often expected to underestimate allometric slopes. The reason for this expectation is that OLS regression assumes that x is determined without error, which is expected to bias slope estimates unless the error in y is much larger than the error in x. However, alternative methods such as reduced major axis (RMA) regression suffer from problems of interpretability. Here, we test the hypothesis that OLS regression will underestimate allometric slopes. We used a natural experiment that arose in the course of training to measure insect genitalia, wherein measurement error for genitalia was larger before training than after training, and also differed by a very large amount between traits. Comparing allometric slopes estimated before and after training, and allometric slopes of traits having very different measurement errors, suggests that OLS regression is robust to measurement error in x and that it does not underestimate allometric slopes.
Prevalence and Demographic and Clinical Associations of Health Literacy in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis
Authors: Green Jamie A. , Mor Maria K. , Shields Anne Marie , Sevick Mary Ann , Palevsky Paul M. , Fine Michael J. , Arnold Robert M. , Weisbord Steven D. 
Published: May 2011

Summary

Background and objectives
Although limited health literacy is estimated to affect over 90 million Americans and is recognized as an important public health concern, there have been few studies examining this issue in patients with chronic kidney disease. We sought to characterize the prevalence of and associations of demographic and clinical characteristics with limited health literacy in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
As part of a prospective clinical trial of symptom management strategies in 288 patients treated with chronic hemodialysis, we assessed health literacy using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM). We defined limited health literacy as a REALM score ≤60 and evaluated independent associations of demographic and baseline clinical characteristics with limited health literacy using multivariable logistic regression.

Results
Of the 260 patients who completed the REALM, 41 demonstrated limited health literacy. African-American race, lower educational level, and veteran status were independently associated with limited health literacy. There was no association of limited health literacy with age, gender, serologic values, dialysis adequacy, overall symptom burden, quality of life, or depression.

Conclusions
Limited health literacy is common among patients receiving chronic hemodialysis. African-American race and socioeconomic factors are strong independent predictors of limited health literacy. These findings can help inform the design and implementation of interventions to improve health literacy in the hemodialysis population.
Le temps retrouvé de l'endettement interne en Afrique ? Le cas de l'UEMOA
Authors: Guérineau Samuel , Guillaumont Sylviane 
Published: May 2011

Domestic Borrowing : an Option for Financing Public Expenditures whose Time has Come in Africa ? TheCaseofWAEMU
Following a series of debt cancellations, the public debt of many developing countries has reached low levels. These countries are being urged to extent public spending to reach The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but can not exclusively rely on external financing. Consequently, is an increase in the domestic debt possible and desirable ? This paper investigates this issue in the case of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), of which several countries have benefited from important debt cancellations. We show that an increase in the domestic debt is not only possible, since there exists excess bank liquidity and that institutional constraints may be overcome, but also desirable since the main risks linked to the rise of public debt (debt distress, crowding out of private investment and real exchange rate appreciation) seem weak at the moment.
L'écart de niveaux de vie s'est-il creusé entre les Etats-Unis et la France ?
Authors: Ponthière Gregory 
Published: May 2011

Has the Differential in Standards of Living Grown Between the United States and France?
Whereas ordinary consumption statistics suggest that France has lost ground against its economic partners — and, in particular, against the U.S. — during the last three decades, this paper aims at re-examining the French décrochage thesis in the light of extended measures of consumption incorporating, under the form of monetary imputations, other aspects of standards of living, such as longevity, leisure time and economic insecurity. The comparison of those measures over the period 1970-2003 reveals that the existence and the size of a French décrochage depend on the preferences used as a reference, on the adherence to an absolute or relative measure of the gap between the two countries, on the treatment of public consumption expenditures, and on the estimation of the value of a statistical life used for the calibration of preferences parameters.
Les effets redistributifs des systèmes de retraite en Europe
Authors: Lefèbvre Mathieu 
Published: May 2011

The Redistributive Effects of Pension Systems in Europe
Pension systems differ across European countries according to various characteristics. But every one operates some redistribution within cohort. This paper analyses the comparative intra- generational redistributive performances of public pension transfers using data from the Luxembourg Income Study. The analysis shows that there is wide variation among the countries but that these differences can be explained by the characteristics of the systems. It is also shown that redistribution does not occur the same way among subgroups of population and that older women are the less favoured by the pension systems.
Sur l'arbitrage entre heures travaillées et emploi
Authors: Saint-Paul Gilles 
Published: May 2011

On the Trade-off between Working Hours and Employment
This note studies the impact of restrictions on overtime on employment. It is shown that the effect depends on the level of the fixed cost of employing a worker. the higher the fixed cost, the more likely it is that restricting overtime harms employment. The reason is that the option value of using overtime increases the value of a job to the firm, making it more likely to cover the fixed cost. With a high fixed cost, restrictions on overtime have a larger adverse effect on the total hourly labor cost. The model then implies that overtime restrictions are likely to be more harmful in sectors with higher training costs, higher dismissal costs, and more volatile demand.
Les contrats nouvelles embauches : quelles effets sur les flux d'embauches et de licenciements ?
Authors: Junod Bérengère , Rémy Véronique 
Published: May 2011

Le contrat nouvelles embauches: quels effets sur les flux d'embauches et de licenciements?
Cet article présente une maquette du marché du travail à la Mortensen et Pissarides [ 1994] où coexistent trois types d'emplois: des emplois à durée indéterminée (CDI), des emplois à durée déterminée (CDD) et des emplois de type contrat nouvelle embauche (CNE), réservés aux petites entreprises. Le salaire minimum est supposé s'appliquer à tous les emplois. Les entreprises décident d'un investissement en capital humain différencié par type de contrat qui vient accroître la productivité de l'emploi. Les résultats du modèle montrent que l'introduction du CNE induit une baisse du chômage, plus élevée lorsque l'on ne tient pas compte de l'investissement en capital humain. Lorsque les entreprises décident d'investir en capital humain, la baisse du chômage s'accroît avec l'investissement associé au CNE. Le recours au CNE conduit à une hausse des créations et des destructions d'emplois, la rotation des emplois étant plus importante lorsqu'il se substitue au CDI qu'au CDD. L'allongement de la durée de la période de consolidation entraîne également une réduction du taux de chômage. L'extension du CNE à toutes les entreprises ne conduit pas à une hausse exactement proportionnelle de l'emploi.
Les syndicats ont-ils un effet différencié sur les salaires des hommes et des femmes ?
Authors: Petit Pascale 
Published: May 2011

Do Unions have a Different Effect on Male and Female Wages?
In this article, we investigate unions’ effect on female wages and gender wage gap, in the light of theoretical and empirical economic literature. Unions may have an impact on the gender wage gap on the one hand, if union wage premiums depend on gender, everything else equal, and on the other hand, if male and female workers are differently allocated in activities or industries with large union wage premiums. Empirical studies find that union wage premiums are higher for women. However, unions’ wage effect is higher in activities that are predominantly male.
Ultra-Wide–Field Green-Light (532-nm) Autofluorescence Imaging in Chronic Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease
Authors: Heussen Florian M. , Vasconcelos-Santos Daniel V. , Pappuru Rajeev R. , Walsh Alexander C. , Rao Narsing A. , Sadda Srinivas R. 
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To assess the prevalence of peripheral fundus autofluorescence (FAF) abnormalities in chronic Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
A retrospective review of cases at the Doheny Eye Institute between December 2009 and April 2010. Patients with chronic VKH who had ultra-wide–field FAF and pseudo-color imaging performed were included. All images were reviewed independently by two reading center certified retina specialists.

RESULTS:
Twenty eyes of 10 patients were included in this analysis. Fourteen eyes of 7 patients (70%) showed peripheral changes on FAF images outside the posterior pole. Three different patterns were observed: multifocal hypofluorescent spots (n = 11 eyes), hyperfluorescent spots (n = 8 eyes), and a unique lattice-like pattern in both eyes of one patient. There were noticeable disparities between FAF and color images.

CONCLUSION:
Peripheral FAF abnormalities are frequent in chronic VKH and are readily revealed by wide-field FAF imaging and manifesting with distinct patterns. Further investigation in prospective studies is warranted.
Comparison of Disc Diffusion Methods for the Detection of Extended-Spectrum Beta Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Giriyapur Ravi S , Nandihal Namratha W , S. Krishna B V , Patil Asha B , R. Chandrasekhar M 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTBackground: Resistance to broad-spectrum β lactams, mediated by extended-spectrum β lactamases (ESBLs), is an increasing problem world wide. This resistance poses problems for in vitro testing and reporting. Increased prevalence of ESBLs among Enterobacteriaceae creates a great need for laboratory testing methods that will accurately identify their presence.Materials and Methods: During the study, the Enterobacteriaceae isolated were tested for the presence of ESBL by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) screening test, Jarlier double disc synergy (approximation) test (DDST) and NCCLS phenotypic confirmatory test (PCT), and compared their efficiency in detection.Results: A total of 313 Enterobacteriaceae were isolated and tested for the presence of ESBL. NCCLS PCT identified 200 (63.89%) as ESBL producers and DDST identified 176 (56.23%), with a P-value of <0.001. Among the screening agents, ceftazidime had a better sensitivity (89.49%) and specificity (95.74%).Conclusions: Close monitoring of the susceptibility pattern of isolates and careful spacing with specific discs can identify many ESBL producers. Ceftazidime has a better sensitivity and specificity as a screening agent. A combination of different tests can be useful for accurate identification.
Objective assessment of utility of intraoperative ultrasound in resection of central nervous system tumors: A cost-eff ective tool for intraoperative navigation in neurosurgery
Authors: Moiyadi Aliasgar , Shetty Prakash 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT
Background: Localization and delineation of extent of lesions is critical for safe maximal resection of brain and spinal cord tumors. Frame-based and frameless stereotaxy and intraoperative MRI are costly and not freely available especially in economically constrained nations. Intraoperative ultrasound has been around for a while but has been relegated to the background. Lack of objective evidence for its usefulness and the perceived “user unfriendliness” of US are probably responsible for this. We recount our experience with this “forgotten” tool and propose an objective assessment score of its utility in an attempt to revive this practice. Materials and Methods: Seventy seven intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) studies were carried out in patients with brain and spinal cord tumors. Seven parameters were identifi ed to measure the “utility” of the IOUS and a “utility score” was devised (minimum 0 and maximum 7). Individual parameter and overall scores were calculated for each case. Results: IOUS was found to be useful in many ways. The median overall score was 6 (mean score 5.65). There were no scores less than 4 with the majority demonstrating usefulness in 5 or more parameters (91%). The use of the IOUS signifi cantly infl uenced the performance of the surgery in these cases without signifi cantly prolonging surgery. Conclusions: The IOUS is a very useful tool in intraoperative localization and delineation of lesions and planning various stages of tumor resection. It is easy, convenient, reliable, widely available, and above all a cost-eff ective tool. It should be increasingly used by neurosurgeons in the developing world where costlier intraoperative localization and imaging is not available freely.
Single photon emission computed tomography scanning: A predictor of outcome in vegetative state of head injury
Authors: Nayak Pralaya , Mahapatra Ashok K 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT
Background: Neurotrauma is one of the most important causes of death and disability. Some of the severely head injured patients, failed to show significant improvement despite aggressive neurosurgical management and ended up in a vegetative state. Aims: To assess the outcome at six months and one year using Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), in this prospective study on patients with severe head injury, who remained vegetative at one month. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out in the department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, over a period of a year and a half (March 2002 through July 2003). Materials and Methods: In patients with severe head injury (GCS < 8), post resuscitation, neurological assessment was done with Glasgow coma scale (GCS), pupillary light reflex, doll’s eye movement and cold caloric test in all cases. Fifty patients, who remained vegetative post injury according to the criteria of Jennett and Plum, at one month, were considered for the study. Brain SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) Scanning was carried out in selected cases. Statistical analysis: Data analysis was done by Pearson’s chi-square test on computer software SPSS, Version 10 (California, USA). Results: Patients with preserved brainstem reflex and with no perfusion defect on SPECT scan had statistically significant favorable outcome. More than 40% of vegetative patients regained consciousness by the end of one year, of whom 24% had favorable outcome in the form of moderate disability and good recovery. Conclusion: SPECT is better than computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) as it assesses the cerebral perfusion and functional injury rather than detecting the lesions only. Further study with a control group is necessary to establish the role of SPECT in head injury.
Depression in elderly patients with Alzheimer dementia or vascular dementia and its infl uence on their quality of life
Authors: Winter Yaroslav , Korchounov Alexei , Zhukova Tatyana V , Bertschi Natalia Epifanova 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT
Background: Alzheimer dementia (AD) and vascular dementia (VD) are the most common causes of dementia in the elderly. Depression is an important co-morbid disorder in these diseases, which is often challenging to recognize. We investigated the prevalence of depression in patients with AD and VD and estimated the influence of depression on the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in these patients. Materials and Methods: We evaluated prevalence of depression in consecutively recruited patients with AD or VD (n= 98). Depression was diagnosed according to criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and scored using the Geriatric Depression Scale. The EuroQol (EQ-5D and visual analogue scale) was applied to evaluate HrQoL. The severity of cognitive impairment was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors predicting severity of depression. Results: The prevalence of depression in AD/VD was 87%. In comparison to the general population, HrQoL measured on the visual analogue scale was reduced by 54% in patients with AD/VD. In the dimension “anxiety/depression” of the EQ-5D, 81% of patients with AD/VD had moderate or severe problems. Depression showed significant association with reduced HrQoL (P < 0.01). Independent predictors of more severe depression were older age, male gender, better MMSE scores and being not married. Conclusions: Depression is a prevalent psychiatric co-morbidity in patients with AD/VD, which is often under-diagnosed being masked by cognitive impairment. Depression is a predictor of reduced HrQoL in elder people with AD/VD. Therefore, they should be screened for presence of depressive symptoms and receive adequate antidepressant treatment.
Watering flowers in the rain: The elusive nature of executive dysfunction in HIV
Authors: Lewis Elizabeth L , Lawler Kathy 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTIndividuals infected with human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV) frequently experience both neurocognitive and psychiatric dysfunction. Apathy is a prominent neuropsychiatric symptom associated with HIV and is related to neurologic dysfunction. In contrast, depression is independent of neurocognitive impairment in HIV. This case report illustrates the importance of behavioral observations from family members of HIV-positive (HIV+) individuals as a valuable source of information. These behavioral observations can be particularly important in rural resource-limited settings, where cognitive testing is often limited to standardized mental status examinations.
Correlative study between neuron-specifi c enolase and blood sugar level in ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Pandey Aparna , Verma Meena , Bharosay Anuradha , Saxena Kiran 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT
Background: A study to investigate the level of the neurobiochemical marker, Neuron-Specific Enolase (NSE), at the time of admission and its correlation with the blood sugar level in ischemic stroke patients. Patients and Methods: We investigated 90 patients with complete stroke who were admitted to the Stroke Unit of the Department of Neurology at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences. NSE was measured with commercially available quantitative 'sandwich' enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits obtained from R and D Systems. Hyperglycemia was defined as blood glucose concentration ≥ 7 mmol/L, and measured using the glucose oxidase method immediately. Results: Significantly increased NSE and lipid profile levels were found in ischemic stroke patients as compared to the control. Hyperglycemic ischemic stroke patients had increased levels of NSE, lipid profile, and National Institute of Health stroke scale scores (NIHSS score) compared to normoglycemic ischemic stroke patients. In addition the serum NSE level of hyperglycemic stroke patients was also positively correlated with the blood sugar level (r = 0.734 P < 0.001). Conclusions: Hyperglycemia predicts an increased risk of poor outcome after ischemic stroke and it is reflected by a significantly increased level of Neuron-Specific Enolase.
Dolichoectasia of vertebrobasilar arteries as a cause of hydrocephalus
Authors: Kansal Ritesh , Mahore Amit , Dange Nitin , Kukreja Sanjay 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTDolichoectasia of vertebrobasilar artery is a condition in which the vertebral/basilar artery is elongated, distended and tortuous. It is usually asymptomatic. It may present with compressive or ischemic symptoms. Hydrocephalus as a complication of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is rare. We present a case of a 60-year-old male with dolichoectasia of the basilar artery causing compression of the third ventricular outflow and, thus, presenting with noncommunicating hydrocephalus.
Horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in a fighter pilot
Authors: Xie Su-Jiang , Wang Jiang-Chang , Ding Li , Xi-Qing Sun 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTBenign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common disorder of the peripheral vestibular system, characterized by intense, positional provoked vertigo. BPPV is thought to occur due to canalithiasis of the posterior semicircular canal. Recently, a new entity of BPPV, known as horizontal canal (HC)-BPPV, has been recognized. Although only 3 to 8% of BPPV is due to horizontal canal involvement, HC-BPPV is not rare. We present a case of a naval fi ghter pilot who had an incident of HC-BPPV on the ground. The pilot aeromedical evaluation and considerations are discussed.