bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Development and Utilization of a Scale to Measure Adolescents' Attitudes Toward Peers Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices
Authors: Beck Ann R. , Thompson James R. , Kosuwan Kullaya , Prochnow Jessica M. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose
Study 1 developed the Assessment of Attitudes Toward Augmentative and Alternative Communication—2 (AATAAC–2) to assess adolescents' attitudes toward peers who use AAC. Study 2 used the AATAAC–2 to examine influences of familiarity with people with disabilities; type of AAC device; and various combinations of gender of rater, AAC user, and communication partner on adolescents' attitudes.

Method
In Study 1, 194 adolescents viewed videotapes depicting adolescents using AAC, then completed AATAAC–2. Study 2 utilized 8 videotapes depicting 4 different gender combinations of AAC user and communication partner as experimental stimuli. Each gender combination was filmed twice: once with a static touch screen device, and once with a dynamic touch screen device. One-hundred thirty-six adolescents were randomly assigned to view 1 of the 8 videos. Participants then completed AATAAC–2.

Results
Study 1 demonstrated that AATAAC–2 has adequate psychometric properties. Raters' responses in Study 2 indicated no main effect of device type; girls were more positive than boys; and familiarity with peers with disabilities was associated with more positive attitudes. No 2-way interactions were significant; 3-way interaction of level of familiarity, gender, and type of device used was significant.

Conclusions
Familiarity and gender contribute to adolescents' attitudes; type of AAC device combined with these factors to influence attitudes.
Outcome measures for aphasia therapy: It's not what you do, it's the way that you measure it
Authors: Hesketh Anne , Hopcutt Beverley 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe development of outcome measures is now seen as crucial within the National Health Service (NHS), and the outcome of aphasia therapy is an area which has for some years been under particular scrutiny. Many districts have developed their own measures and others have taken part in cross‐district pilot schemes, but it is not clear how widely used measures are, nor what form they take. This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey of speech and language therapy services in England and Wales regarding their use of outcome measures for aphasia therapy. The questionnaire requested factual information about the use of measures, and therapists' opinions of their benefits and drawbacks, and also asked for examples of outcome measures currently in use. We summarise the results of the questionnaire and discuss the therapists' and our own perceptions of the merits of the different approaches reported.
The utility of the Right Hemisphere Language Battery in patients with brain tumours
Authors: Thomson Ann‐Marie , Taylor Robert , Frser Diane , Whittle Ian R. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe Right Hemisphere Language Battery (RHLB) (Bryan, 1989) was devised to assess the presence of language disorders in patients with damage to the right cerebral hemisphere and to permit an evaluation of the efficacy of therapeutic techniques. To evaluate the utility and sensitivity of the RHLB in patients with solitary right hemispheric brain tumours 20 patients were assessed before and after neurosurgery. Twenty control subjects with no signs or symptoms of brain disease who were undergoing lumbar spinal surgery were also assessed. On six of the seven RHLB subtests there was no significant difference between the scores obtained preoperatively by patients with right hemispheric brain tumours and the control subjects. There was also no significant change in the scores of the patients with tumours before and after resection of the lesion. The RHLB is therefore not recommended for either evaluating communication deficits or for measuring the efficacy of therapeutic techniques in patients with right hemisphere brain tumours. This study does, however, show that there are statistically significant differences between the control and brain tumour groups on the discourse analysis subtest preoperatively. The implications of the study are discussed together with possible reasons for the findings.
Description of an Influenza Vaccination Campaign and Use of a Randomized Survey to Determine Participation Rates
Authors: Tao Xuguang (Grant) , Giampino Janine , Dooley Deborah A. , Humphrey Frances E. , Baron David M. , Bernacki Edward J. 
Published: December 2009

Objectives.To describe the procedures used during an influenza immunization program and the use of a randomized survey to quantify the vaccination rate among healthcare workers with and without patient contact.Design.Influenza immunization vaccination program and a randomized survey.Setting.Johns Hopkins University and Health System.Methods.The 2008/2009 Johns Hopkins Influenza Immunization Program was administered to 40,000 employees, including 10,763 healthcare workers. A 10% randomized sample (1,084) of individuals were interviewed to evaluate the vaccination rate among healthcare workers with direct patient contact.Results.Between September 23, 2008, and April 30, 2009, a total of 16,079 vaccinations were administered. Ninety-four percent (94.5%) of persons who were vaccinated received the vaccine in the first 7 weeks of the campaign. The randomized survey demonstrated an overall vaccination rate of 71.3% (95% confidence interval, 68.6%-74.0%) and a vaccination rate for employees with direct patient contact of 82.8% (95% confidence interval, 80.1%-85.5%). The main reason (25.3%) for declining the program vaccine was because the employee had received documented vaccination elsewhere.Conclusions.The methods used to increase participation in the recent immunization program were successful, and a randomized survey to assess participation was found to be an efficient means of evaluating the workforce's level of potential immunity to the influenza virus.
On chaos synchronization and secure communication
Authors: Kinzel W. , Englert A. , Kanter I. 
Published: December 2009

Chaos synchronization, in particular isochronal synchronization of two chaotic trajectories to each other, may be used to build a means of secure communication over a public channel. In this paper, we give an overview of coupling schemes of Bernoulli units deduced from chaotic laser systems, different ways to transmit information by chaos synchronization and the advantage of bidirectional over unidirectional coupling with respect to secure communication. We present the protocol for using dynamical private commutative filters for tap-proof transmission of information that maps the task of a passive attacker to the class of non-deterministic polynomial time-complete problems.
On the origin of chaos in autonomous Boolean networks
Authors: Cavalcante Hugo L. D. de S. , Gauthier Daniel J. , Socolar Joshua E. S. , Zhang Rui 
Published: December 2009

We undertake a systematic study of the dynamics of Boolean networks to determine the origin of chaos observed in recent experiments. Networks with nodes consisting of ideal logic gates are known to display either steady states, periodic behaviour or an ultraviolet catastrophe where the number of logic-transition events circulating in the network per unit time grows as a power law. In an experiment, the non-ideal behaviour of the logic gates prevents the ultraviolet catastrophe and may lead to deterministic chaos. We identify certain non-ideal features of real logic gates that enable chaos in experimental networks. We find that short-pulse rejection and asymmetry between the logic states tend to engender periodic behaviour, at least for the simplest networks. On the other hand, we find that a memory effect termed ‘degradation’ can generate chaos. Our results strongly suggest that deterministic chaos can be expected in a large class of experimental Boolean-like networks. Such devices may find application in a variety of technologies requiring fast complex waveforms or flat power spectra, and can be used as a test-bed for fundamental studies of real-world Boolean-like networks.
Increasing Sucrose Uptake Capacity of Wheat Grains Stimulates Storage Protein Synthesis
Authors: Weichert Nicola , Saalbach Isolde , Weichert Heiko , Kohl Stefan , Erban Alexander , Kopka Joachim , Hause Bettina , Varshney Alok , Sreenivasulu Nese , Strickert Marc , Kumlehn Jochen , Weschke Winfriede , Weber Hans 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIncreasing grain sink strength by improving assimilate uptake capacity could be a promising approach toward getting higher yield. The barley (Hordeum vulgare) sucrose transporter HvSUT1 (SUT) was expressed under control of the endosperm-specific Hordein B1 promoter (HO). Compared with the wild type, transgenic HOSUT grains take up more sucrose (Suc) in vitro, showing that the transgene is functional. Grain Suc levels are not altered, indicating that Suc fluxes are influenced rather than steady-state levels. HOSUT grains have increased percentages of total nitrogen and prolamins, which is reflected in increased levels of phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, isoleucine, and leucine at late grain development. Transcript profiling indicates specific stimulation of prolamin gene expression at the onset of storage phase. Changes in gene expression and metabolite levels related to carbon metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis suggest deregulated carbon-nitrogen balance, which together indicate carbon sufficiency and relative depletion of nitrogen. Genes, deregulated together with prolamin genes, might represent candidates, which respond positively to assimilate supply and are related to sugar-starch metabolism, cytokinin and brassinosteroid functions, cell proliferation, and sugar/abscisic acid signaling. Genes showing inverse expression patterns represent potential negative regulators. It is concluded that HvSUT1 overexpression increases grain protein content but also deregulates the metabolic status of wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains, accompanied by up-regulated gene expression of positive and negative regulators related to sugar signaling and assimilate supply. In HOSUT grains, alternating stimulation of positive and negative regulators causes oscillatory patterns of gene expression and highlights the capacity and great flexibility to adjust wheat grain storage metabolism in response to metabolic alterations.
Vested Interests in Addiction Research and Policy Alcohol policies out of context: drinks industry supplanting government role in alcohol policies in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Bakke Øystein , Endal Dag 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTBackground In this paper, we describe an analysis of alcohol policy initiatives sponsored by alcohol producer SABMiller and the International Center on Alcohol Policies, an alcohol industry‐funded organization. In a number of sub‐Saharan countries these bodies have promoted a ‘partnership’ role with governments to design national alcohol policies.Methodology A comparison was conducted of four draft National Alcohol Policy documents from Lesotho, Malawi, Uganda and Botswana using case study methods.Findings The comparison indicated that the four drafts are almost identical in wording and structure and that they are likely to originate from the same source.Conclusions The processes and the draft policy documents reviewed provide insights into the methods, as well as the strategic and political objectives of the multi‐national drinks industry. This initiative reflects the industry's preferred version of a national alcohol policy. The industry policy vision ignores, or chooses selectively from, the international evidence base on alcohol prevention developed by independent alcohol researchers and disregards or minimizes a public health approach to alcohol problems. The policies reviewed maintain a narrow focus on the economic benefits from the trade in alcohol. In terms of alcohol problems (and their remediation) the documents focus upon individual drinkers, ignoring effective environmental interventions. The proposed policies serve the industry's interests at the expense of public health by attempting to enshrine ‘active participation of all levels of the beverage alcohol industry as a key partner in the policy formulation and implementation process’.
Genetic variation in flowering phenology and avoidance of seed predation in native populations of Ulex europaeus
Authors: ATLAN A. , BARAT M. , LEGIONNET A. S. , PARIZE L. , TARAYRE M. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe genetic variation in flowering phenology may be an important component of a species’ capacity to colonize new environments. In native populations of the invasive species Ulex europaeus, flowering phenology has been shown to be bimodal and related to seed predation. The aim of the present study was to determine if this bimodality has a genetic basis, and to investigate whether the polymorphism in flowering phenology is genetically linked to seed predation, pod production and growth patterns. We set up an experiment raising maternal families in a common garden. Based on mixed analyses of variance and correlations among maternal family means, we found genetic differences between the two main flowering types and confirmed that they reduced seed predation in two different ways: escape in time or predator satiation. We suggest that this polymorphism in strategy may facilitate maintain high genetic diversity for flowering phenology and related life‐history traits in native populations of this species, hence providing high evolutionary potential for these traits in invaded areas.
Are you my mother? Kin recognition in the ant Formica fusca
Authors: EL‐SHOWK S. , Van ZWEDEN J. S. , D’ETTORRE P. , SUNDSTRÖM L. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIn social insects, workers trade personal reproduction for indirect fitness returns from helping their mother rear collateral kin. Colony membership is generally used as a proxy for kin discrimination, but the question remains whether recognition allows workers to discriminate between kin and nonkin regardless of colony affiliation. We investigated whether workers of the ant Formica fusca can identify their mother when fostered with their mother, their sisters, a hetero‐colonial queen or hetero‐colonial workers. We found that workers always displayed less aggression towards both their mother and their foster queen, as compared to an unfamiliar hetero‐colonial queen. In support of this finding, workers maintain their colony hydrocarbon profile regardless of foster regime, yet show modifications when exposed to different environments. This indicates that recognition entails environmental and genetic components, which allow both discrimination of kin in the absence of prior contact and learning of recognition cues based on group membership.
Innate Predator Recognition and the Problem of Introduced Trout
Authors: Gall Brian G. , Mathis Alicia 
Published: December 2009

AbstractInnate predator recognition typically only occurs when there is an evolutionary history between predator and prey. Predator introductions thus can pose a substantial threat to native fauna that rely heavily on inherent identification of predators. In permanent aquatic habitats prey often encounter a variety of predatory and non‐predatory fish species, and the ability to distinguish between the two is essential to avoid wasted time and energy spent in unnecessary antipredatory efforts. Here, we present a study evaluating the ability of lab‐reared larvae of an endangered fully aquatic salamander (hellbenders: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) to recognize chemical cues from native and introduced fish predators. We recorded responses of hellbender larvae to chemical stimuli from native and non‐native predatory fishes, a non‐predatory fish and a blank control. Eastern hellbender larvae (C. a. alleganiensis) significantly reduced activity in response to chemical stimuli from native predators (Micropterus salmoides, Micropterus dolomieu, Ambloplites rupestris, Sander vitreus, and Cottus carolinae), but responses to non‐native rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown (Salmo trutta) trout were not significantly different from responses to the non‐predatory control (redhorse sucker, Moxostoma spp.). Responses of larval Ozark hellbenders (C. a. bishopi) to brown trout were similar to that of the native fishes and different from the blank control, but responses to rainbow trout did not differ from the blank control. The generally weak responses of larval hellbenders to chemical cues from introduced predatory trout could lead to increased predation in the wild, which may have exacerbated the decline of hellbender populations.
Flight and crawling activities of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in relation to morphometric traits
Authors: Li H. , Toepfer S. , Kuhlmann U. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractMorphometric traits and body weight are often used to study changes in fitness. For the invasive alien maize pest, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, little information is available regarding the possible relationship between morphometric traits and adult activity, which reflects the ability to disperse and invade. Flight and crawling activities of D. v. virgifera adults were investigated in relation to six different morphometric traits as well as body weight, sex and age. This laboratory study revealed that flight activity of D. v. virgifera differed between sexes and changed with age. Young adults of both sexes flew more frequently and took off faster than mature adults. Males flew more frequently and took off faster than females, regardless of age‐class. No such differences were found for crawling frequency, but young males crawled faster than young females. Further analysis revealed that fresh body weight and morphometric traits of young adults were better predictors of flight and crawling activity than the same measurements made on mature adults. Particularly pronotum and elytra measurements on young adults are recommended for bioassay studies on activity parameters of D. v. virgifera.
Molecular Characterization and Epidemiology of Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 biovar 2 Causing Brown Rot of Potato in Mauritius
Authors: Khoodoo Michel Hans Rodney , Ganoo Edhabye Shandra , Saumtally Abdess Salem 
Published: December 2009

AbstractOutbreaks of brown rot disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 biovar 2 have resulted in losses of 291 t of potato, worth approximately USD 171 000 since 2005 over three growing seasons. The gradual spread of this quarantine disease in Mauritius has warranted a study of the population of the pathogen. The epidemiological and ecological groupings of R. solanacearum isolated from outbreaks in Mauritius from 2005 to 2008 were examined following a study of their genetic relatedness by PCR‐based marker amplified with REP and IS1112 PCR primers. The band‐based genomic fingerprint data clustered strains in two major groups B and C, and one minor group A. Group B comprised exclusively of strains that caused the outbreaks in 2008 and appeared to originate from a different clonal lineage from strains clustered in groups A and C. Nucleotide polymorphisms within each group and shared markers suggest that group B strains could represent a novel introduction of the pathogen compared to the initial population of strains responsible for the outbreaks in 2005 and 2006. The clustering of strains isolated from imported ware potatoes obtained from the local market support the hypothesis that this could be a source of entry of the pathogen in Mauritius.
FEASIBILITY OF ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE ON HEMODIALYSIS
Authors: Goto Osamu , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Kodashima Shinya , Ono Satoshi , Niimi Keiko , Yamamichi Nobutake , Omata Masao 
Published: December 2009

Background:  Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is expected as a curative method for node‐negative gastrointestinal cancers. Little is known about ESD for patients with end‐stage chronic renal failure (CRF) on hemodialysis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ESD for patients with CRF on hemodialysis.Methods:  Ten consecutive patients with 12 lesions who underwent ESD (stomach, seven; colorectum, three) between March 2002 and August 2007 were retrospectively investigated in terms of the technical feasibility and complications.Results:  All the lesions were resected in a single piece and en‐bloc and R0 resection rate was 100%. Histology revealed that all the lesions fulfilled the criteria of node‐negative cancers. Delayed bleeding requiring blood transfusion on the day after ESD, and shunt occlusion, which necessitated a radiological intervention 7 days after ESD, occurred in one stomach case. Delayed perforation followed by emergency surgery 2 days after ESD occurred in one colorectal case.Conclusions:  ESD for CRF patients may be technically feasible, but substantial risks should be considered. Early detection of late‐onset complications is essential with intensive medical check‐up for at least 1 week in order to prevent complications from becoming severe.
Outcome and long‐term function of restorative proctocolectomy for Crohn’s disease: comparison to patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Grucela A. L. , Bauer J. J. , Gorfine S. R. , Chessin D. B. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAim  Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) is the most common operation for chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC), as it provides excellent functional outcome. However, among patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), RPC is generally not recommended, as outcome and long‐term function may be poor. Our purpose was to compare matched cohorts of CD and CUC patients to determine whether there are differences in outcome or function.Method  We queried our prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent RPC from 1991 to 2008. We identified patients who underwent RPC for CD and compared them with a matched cohort of patients who underwent RPC for CUC.Results  We identified 13 patients with CD (seven women, median age 34 years) and 39 patients with CUC (21 women, median age 35 years). The patients were well matched for gender, clinical and demographic variables. Seven patients (54%) with CD had proctitis, but none had perianal or ileal disease. There were four (30.8%) postoperative complications and no anastomotic leaks. The CD group experienced significantly fewer median daily bowel movements (P = 0.02), incontinence for liquids (P < 0.01) and pouchitis (P < 0.01). With a median follow up of 44 months, pouch excision rate was significantly higher in the Crohn’s group (2 vs 0%, P < 0.01).Conclusion  In patients with CD, RPC may result in fewer daily bowel movements, less liquid incontinence and a lower incidence of pouchitis compared with CUC patients who undergo RPC. However, risk of pouch loss is higher in patients with CD. Therefore, in properly selected patients with CD, RPC provides an acceptable long‐term functional outcome.