bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Historical demography of a wild lemur population (Propithecus verreauxi) in southwest Madagascar
Authors: Lawler Richard R. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe human colonization of Madagascar is associated with the extinction of numerous lemur species. However, the degree to which humans have negatively influenced the historical population dynamics of extant lemur species is not well understood. This study employs genetic and demographic analyses to estimate demographic parameters relating to the historical population dynamics of a wild lemur population, Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi). The genetic analyses are used to determine whether this population experienced a historically recent (i.e., within the last 2000 years) population bottleneck, as well as to estimate the historical population growth rate and the timing of any changes in population size in the past. In addition, a retrospective demographic analysis is used to determine sources of variation and covariation in the sifaka life cycle and how variation in life‐cycle transitions contributes to variation in population growth rate. The genetic analyses indicate that the sifaka population did not experience a recent population bottleneck; however, the historical population growth rate was negative, indicating that the ancestral population size was much larger than the current size. The timing of the ancestral population decline has a point estimate of 2300 years ago, but with large credible intervals: 3611–1736 years ago. This point estimate corresponds with the first evidence for human arrival to Madagascar. Climatic variation has also likely influenced past (and current) population dynamics due to stochastic annual rainfall patterns and climatic desiccation, the latter of which began in southwestern Madagascar around 4000 years ago. Variation in the survival of 2‐year‐old animals as well as large adult females makes the largest contribution to variation in population growth rate. In the absence of more explicit models pertaining to historical population dynamics, it is difficult to attribute the negative population growth rate of this species solely to a single factor (e.g., hunting, habitat destruction).
Somatosensory processing in neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Cascio Carissa J. 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
The purpose of this article is to review the role of somatosensory perception in typical development, its aberration in a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, and the potential relations between tactile processing abnormalities and central features of each disorder such as motor, communication, and social development. Neurodevelopmental disorders that represent a range of symptoms and etiologies, and for which multiple peer-reviewed articles on somatosensory differences have been published, were chosen to include in the review. Relevant studies in animal models, as well as conditions of early sensory deprivation, are also included. Somatosensory processing plays an important, yet often overlooked, role in typical development and is aberrant in various neurodevelopmental disorders. This is demonstrated in studies of behavior, sensory thresholds, neuroanatomy, and neurophysiology in samples of children with Fragile X syndrome, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and cerebral palsy (CP). Impaired somatosensory processing is found in a range of neurodevelopmental disorders and is associated with deficits in communication, motor ability, and social skills in these disorders. Given the central role of touch in early development, both experimental and clinical approaches should take into consideration the role of somatosensory processing in the etiology and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Towards the convergence of digital TV systems
Authors: Soares Luiz Fernando Gomes , Moreno Marcelo Ferreira , de Resende Costa Romualdo Monteiro , Moreno Marcio Ferreira 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
To allow producing digital TV applications independently from receiver’s hardware and operating system, and also to provide better support to application designs, middleware layer is introduced in digital TV system architectures. At first, middleware systems were developed aiming at specific transport platforms (IPTV, terrestrial DTV, etc.), offering support to services specifically designed for those platforms. However, the next generation of digital TV pulls all TV services present in all current platforms together into a single core of distributed services, as a result of the transport platforms convergence. In this hybrid TV, transport systems shall be concealed by the middleware to applications, as other operating system and hardware resources are hidden.
This paper emphasizes the middleware natural role as key technology for this upcoming convergent digital TV, raising some requirements to be committed. NCL and Ginga-NCL features—technologies recommended by ITU-T for IPTV services, and ISDB standards for terrestrial DTV—are used as examples of some proposed solutions, as well as to illustrate some issues which deserve future research attention and new better results.
Neonatal arthritis disturbs sleep and behaviour of adult rat offspring and their dams
Authors: Roizenblatt Suely , Andersen Monica L. , Bignotto Magda , D'Almeida Vania , Martins Paulo J.F. , Tufik Sergio 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the impact of neonatal arthritis on adult pain threshold, sleep and general behaviours in rats and their lactating dams. Male pups were injected in the hind paw with complete Freund's adjuvant or saline on postnatal day (PN) 1. After weaning, dams were tested for anxiety, sleep recording or hormone profiling (ACTH, corticosterone and prolactin) and brain sampling (pineal melatonin and hippocampus serotonin). At adulthood (PN90), distinct subgroups of neonatal arthritic (AR) and control rats (CR) were also assessed for anxiety and pain thresholds, sleep recording, and blood/brain sampling. Compared to their respective controls at PN12, dams of arthritic rats (DAR) showed a longer latency in expressing pup retrieval and dam–pup interaction. DAR and AR showed a lower pain threshold, anxiety‐like behaviour, and sleep fragmentation. Compared to controls, DAR displayed longer sleep latency, reduced paradoxical sleep latency and sleep efficiency, a decrease in prolactin and serotonin levels and increased melatonin levels. This model of unilateral hindpaw inflammation has a wide range of long‐term effects in both lactating dams and their adult offspring.
Expression of leucine‐rich‐repeat‐kinase 2 (LRRK2) during embryonic development
Authors: Zechel Sabrina , Meinhardt Andreas , Unsicker Klaus , von Bohlen und Halbach Oliver 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe LRRK2 gene was recently found to have multiple mutations that are causative for the most common inherited form of late onset Parkinson's disease. In the adult brain, LRRK2 mRNA is broadly expressed, also in regions other than the nigrostriatal system. In order to establish a basis for assessing more detailed functional implications of LRRK2 in development, we provide here an in‐depth analysis of its mRNA expression patterns in neural and extra‐neural tissues with a focus on murine embryonic development. LRRK2 mRNA is detectable at E8.5 in non‐neural and at E10.5 in neural tissues. From E12.5 to E16.5, LRRK2 mRNA is prominently expressed throughout the neocortex and subsequently highly concentrated in ventricular and subventricular zones and cortical plate. In addition, developing cerebellar granule and Purkinje neurons and spinal cord neurons display robust LRRK2 expression. In non‐neural tissues LRRK2 was highly expressed in limb interdigital zones, developing kidney glomeruli, and spermatogenetic cells. Together, our results suggest roles for LRRK2 in controlling proliferation, migration, and differentiation of neural cells as well as in morphogenesis of extra‐neural tissues.
Delinquent drug takers. A study of the social profile and drug taking habits of a sample of Borstal trainees
Authors: Ellis Mary 
Published: April 2010

Feltham Borstal and its psychiatric and medical resources caters for a large percentage of drug abusers admitted to the Borstal system. This paper is concerned with findings derived from an assessment of a sample of 98 boys seen before the law was altered and the availability of hard drugs reduced, and a second sample of 87 boys who were assessed later.Some of the statements made about the drug culture and its devotees are examined, some of the author's hypotheses are tested and an attempt to identify characteristics that would predict who might become an injecting adult has been made.The study was made in preparation for a follow‐up, the results of which will appear in a later issue of the Journal.
The introduction of small group work to an adolescent unit
Authors: Steinberg Derek , Merry Jaqueline , Collins Suzanne 
Published: April 2010

Some principles on which small group work with adolescents can be based are described, and an account is given of its introduction to a unit where the high number of transient staff in training could militate against the successful operation of group work. Problems presented by two important aspects of the unit's policies—emphasis on multidisciplinary work, and the wide range of diagnoses among the boys and girls admitted to the unit—are discussed. It is concluded that small group work can be introduced and maintained in such settings and that it enables staff to enahance their skills in working together and with adolescents.Whilst we have as yet no positive research data proving its efficacy, our impression nevertheless is that patients benefit sufficiently to justify continuing with small group work. Attempts are planned to define the various aims of group work more closely and to devise means of assessing results.
Out‐patient treatment of severe school phobia
Authors: Framrose R. 
Published: April 2010

Four case descriptions are offered to illustrate the principles of an outpatient management approach to severe school phobia, (i) Active therapeutic intervention is necessary to challenge the adolescent's omnipotent fantasies and help overcome his anxiety. (2) Concurrent family work is needed to capitalise on the powerful re‐structuring effect of this intervention. (3) Liaison with other agencies is often important in reinforcing the therapeutic confrontation. Details of an escorting procedure are described.This active approach can promote major therapeutic change, even in severe and longstanding cases.
Excellent agreement between genetic and hydrogen breath tests for lactase deficiency and the role of extended symptom assessment
Authors: Pohl D. , Savarino E. , Hersberger M. , Behlis Z. , Stutz B. , Goetze O. , Eckardstein A. v. , Fried M. , Tutuian R. 
Published: April 2010

Clinical manifestations of lactase (LCT) deficiency include intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms. Lactose hydrogen breath test (H2-BT) is considered the gold standard to evaluate LCT deficiency (LD). Recently, the single-nucleotide polymorphism C/T− 13 910has been associated with LD. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the agreement between genetic testing of LCT C/T− 13 910and lactose H2-BT, and the diagnostic value of extended symptom assessment. Of the 201 patients included in the study, 194 (139 females; mean age 38, range 17–79 years, and 55 males, mean age 38, range 18–68 years) patients with clinical suspicion of LD underwent a 3–4 h H2-BT and genetic testing for LCT C/T− 13 910. Patients rated five intestinal and four extra-intestinal symptoms during the H2-BT and then at home for the following 48 h. Declaring H2-BT as the gold standard, the CC− 13 910genotype had a sensitivity of 97 % and a specificity of 95 % with a κ of 0·9 in diagnosing LCT deficiency. Patients with LD had more intense intestinal symptoms 4 h following the lactose challenge included in the H2-BT. We found no difference in the intensity of extra-intestinal symptoms between patients with and without LD. Symptom assessment yielded differences for intestinal symptoms abdominal pain, bloating, borborygmi and diarrhoea between 120 min and 4 h after oral lactose challenge. Extra-intestinal symptoms (dizziness, headache and myalgia) and extension of symptom assessment up to 48 h did not consistently show different results. In conclusion, genetic testing has an excellent agreement with the standard lactose H2-BT, and it may replace breath testing for the diagnosis of LD. Extended symptom scores and assessment of extra-intestinal symptoms have limited diagnostic value in the evaluation of LD.
Eliciting Substance from ‘Hot Air’: Financial Market Responses to EU Summit Decisions on European Defense
Authors: Bechtel Michael M. , Schneider Gerald 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe results of deliberations in multilateral fora are often considered ineffective. Decision making in the European Union (EU) and in particular its key intergovernmental body, the European Council, poses no exception. Especially in the domain of EU foreign and security affairs, the unanimity requirement governing this institution allegedly allows nationalist governments to torpedo any attempt to build up a credible European defense force and a unified foreign policy stance. In this article, we take issue with the claim that multilateral summits merely result in “hot air” by looking at whether and how decisions made during EU summit meetings affect the European defense industry. We argue that investors react positively to a successful strengthening of Europe's military component—a vital part of the intensified cooperation within the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP)—since such decisions increase the demand for military products and raise the expected profits in the European defense industry. Our findings lend empirical support to the view that financial markets indeed evaluate the substance of European Council meetings and react positively to those summit decisions that consolidate EU military capabilities and the ESDP. Each of the substantial council decisions studied increased the value of the European defense sector by about 4 billion euros on average. This shows that multilateral decisions can have considerable economic and financial repercussions.
The Enforcement Problem in Coercive Bargaining: Interstate Conflict over Rebel Support in Civil Wars
Authors: Schultz Kenneth A. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis article explores the strategic problems that arise when a state seeks to use military force to compel changes in another state's policies. Although the costs associated with military action mean that there generally exist compromises that both sides prefer to conflict, bargaining may fail if such deals are not enforceable in the face of temptations to renege on policy concessions. This study develops a model that shows that inefficient conflict can occur when states bargain over policies that one of them can change unilaterally and covertly. I then show that this theory is useful for understanding a common source of international conflict: conflicts that arise when one state supports rebel groups engaged in a civil war with another state. Episodes of rebel support are associated with a substantial increase in the risk of interstate militarized disputes, the lethality of these disputes, and the likelihood of repeated violence. Agreements to limit rebel support are unlikely to reduce interstate violence unless they are coupled with concessions by the target state and/or monitoring mechanisms, both of which are shown theoretically to mitigate the enforcement problem.
Credible Commitments and the International Criminal Court
Authors: Simmons Beth A. , Danner Allison 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe creation of an International Criminal Court (ICC) to prosecute war crimes poses a real puzzle. Why was it created, and more importantly, why do states agree to join this institution? The ICC represents a serious intrusion into a traditional arena of state sovereignty: the right to administer justice to one's one nationals. Yet more than one hundred states have joined. Social scientists are hardly of one mind about this institution, arguing that it is (alternately) dangerous or irrelevant to achieving its main purposes: justice, peace, and stability. By contrast, we theorize that the ICC is a mechanism to assist states in self-binding, and draw on credible commitments theory to understand who commits to the ICC, and the early consequences of such commitments. This approach explains a counterintuitive finding: the states that are both the least and the most vulnerable to the possibility of an ICC case affecting their citizens have committed most readily to the ICC, while potentially vulnerable states with credible alternative means to hold leaders accountable do not. Similarly, ratification of the ICC is associated with tentative steps toward violence reduction and peace in those countries precisely least likely to be able to commit credibly to foreswear atrocities. These findings support the potential usefulness of the ICC as a mechanism for some governments to commit to ratchet down violence and get on the road to peaceful negotiations.
Exchange Rate Proclamations and Inflation-Fighting Credibility
Authors: Guisinger Alexandra , Singer David Andrew 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIf governments choose economic policies that often run counter to their public commitments, are those commitments meaningless? We argue that government proclamations can be critical in signaling economic policy intentions. We focus on the realm of exchange rate policy, in which countries frequently implement an exchange rate regime that differs from the officially declared regime. We argue that the official exchange rate regime is one of the most important signals of a government's economic policy preferences. When a government makes ade jurepublic commitment to a fixed exchange rate, it sends a signal to domestic and international markets of its strict monetary-policy priorities. In contrast, a government that proclaims a floating exchange rate signals a desire to retain discretion over monetary policy, even if it has implemented ade factofixed rate. We use data on 110 developed and developing countries from 1974 to 2004 to test two hypotheses: first, that governments that adoptde factofixed exchange rates will experience less inflation when they back up their actions with official declarations; and second, that governments that abide by their commitments—as demonstrated by a history of following through on their public declarations of a fixed exchange rate regime—will establish greater inflation-fighting credibility. Within developing countries, democratic institutions enhance this credibility. Results from fixed-effects econometric models provide strong support for our hypotheses.
Economic Liberalization via IMF Structural Adjustment: Sowing the Seeds of Civil War?
Authors: Hartzell Caroline A. , Hoddie Matthew , Bauer Molly 
Published: April 2010

AbstractPrevious studies that have explored the effects of economic liberalization on civil war have employed aggregate measures of openness and have failed to account for potential endogeneity bias. In this research note, we suggest two improvements to the study of the relationship between liberalization and civil war. First, emphasizing that it is processes that systematically create new economic winners and losers rather than particular levels of economic openness that have the potential to generate conflict, we consider the effects of one oft-used means of liberalizing economies: the adoption by countries of International Monetary Fund (IMF) structural adjustment programs. Second, we use a bivariate probit model to address issues of endogeneity bias. Analyzing all data available for the period between 1970 and 1999, we identify an association between the adoption of IMF programs and the onset of civil war. This finding suggests that IMF programs to promote economic openness unintentionally may be creating an environment conducive to domestic conflict.
An abattoir-based study on the prevalence and economic losses due to cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered herbivores in Ahwaz, south-western Iran
Authors: Ahmadi N.A. , Meshkehkar M. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractA 10-year (1998–2008) retrospective study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and long-term trend of hydatid disease in slaughtered herbivores in the large complex abattoir of Ahwaz (the capital of Khuzestan province, south-western Iran). A total of 3,583,417 animals including 2,815,982 sheep, 427,790 goats and 339,645 cattle were inspected macroscopically for hydatid cysts in the 10-year period, and overall 155,555 (4.24%) livers and 228,172 (6.37%) lungs were condemned. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) was responsible for 36.08% and 48.04% of total liver and lung condemnations, respectively. The prevalence of pulmonary hydatid disease in sheep, goats and cattle was 2.22, 5.43 and 6.99%, respectively; on the other hand, the prevalence of hepatic hydatid disease for those animals was 1.26, 2.57 and 2.80%, respectively. Data showed an overall downward long-term trend for CE in all livestock slaughtered during the study period (P < 0.01). Lung condemnation due to CE was significantly more common than liver condemnation for each animal separately (P < 0.001). The prevalence of liver and lung hydatidosis in sheep was significantly lower than that in other livestock (P < 0.001). The prevalence of hydatid disease recovered from the sheep, cattle and goats varied in different seasons, but there was no statistical difference between various seasons. The odds ratio of lung and liver condemnations due to hydatidosis showed a slightly different pattern in some years; however, the overall declining trend was still observed. The total annual economic loss incurred due to hydatidosis in all ruminants slaughtered at Ahwaz municipal abattoir was estimated to be US$459,659.6, based on the market prices in the year 2008. This number corresponds to a loss of US$300,620.4 for cattle, US$123,490.0 for sheep and US$35,549.2 for goats. The current results provide baseline data for the future monitoring of this potentially important disease in the region, and also suggest that a thorough investigation leading to a disease control strategy is required to reduce the economic and public health consequences of CE.
Protection of high-riding aberrant innominate artery during open tracheotomy
Authors: Netzer A , Ostrovsky D , Bar R , Westerman S T , Golz A 
Published: April 2010

AbstractPurpose:Variations of the normal anatomy of the aortic great vessels can lead to severe complications if not recognised pre- or peri-operatively. One such anomaly is a high-riding aberrant innominate artery.Study design:Retrospective review of case series.Materials and methods:We present our experience with seven patients in whom a high aberrant innominate artery was encountered just before or during open tracheotomy. We describe a procedure designed to protect the artery from erosion due to the tracheotomy tube, using an inferiorly based, U-shaped flap from the anterior tracheal wall averted over the innominate artery.Results:None of the patients had any bleeding from the tracheotomy site, during a follow-up period of nine to 46 months.Conclusion:The technique described is simple to perform and prevents any damage to a high aberrant innominate artery, as assessed over a long follow-up period.