bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The PAS‐ADD assessments and their continuing conceptual development
Authors: Moss Steve 
Published: January 2012

PurposeThe PAS‐ADD assessments (Psychiatric Assessment Schedules for Adults with Developmental Disabilities) have their origins in work that was being conducted over 20 years ago on the health status of older people with intellectual disability. Since that time, the assessments have undergone continuous development and refinement, and now encompass children as well as adults. This paper seeks to discuss some of these fundamental issues and how the PAS‐ADD instruments have attempted to meet these challenges.Design/methodology/approachThe paper includes discussion of theoretical and practical issues that have shaped the development of the assessments.FindingsThe fundamental aim of the modern PAS‐ADD system is to improve case detection and assessment by supporting and enhancing the skills of clinical staff, rather than attempting to replace the need for those skills. The assessor makes the final judgement about diagnosis. The PAS‐ADD assessments are based on existing psychiatric classification rules for the general population and are conceptually different from instruments derived from psychometric principles. These factors have major implications, both for instrument design and for the evaluation of effectiveness.Originality/valueThe PAS‐ADD assessments have become widely used in the field of intellectual disability mental health. The theoretical issues discussed here are a central part of the ongoing effort to understand and improve the mental health of people with intellectual disabilities.
Using service user and clinical opinion to develop the SAINT: a guided self‐help pack for adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Chaplin Eddie , Craig Tom , Bouras Nick 
Published: January 2012

PurposeIn spite of the greater prevalence of mental ill‐health in people with intellectual disabilities, there has been little work specifically aimed at how this group recognise threats to their mental health and the strategies used to minimise them. This study aims to look at the first stage of development of a guided self‐help (GSH) pack called the Self Assessment and INTervention pack (SAINT).Design/methodology/approachDelphi methods and focus groups were employed to gather opinions from two expert groups: professionals or clinical experts (ranged N=15‐33); and service users (n=9), to inform the contents of the SAINT. The Delphi was conducted by e‐mail. Results from each round were shared between the two groups to develop a consensus.FindingsRetention rates for clinical experts were 45.45 per cent, during the Delphi and 100 per cent for the service user experts in the focus groups. Both groups were able to reach a consensus of the items that would make up the SAINT. Delphi methods combined with focus groups were able generate the contents of the SAINT and demonstrated versatility in this dual approach by being able to gain a consensus from both groups.Research limitations/implicationsThere is no consensus as to how many people are ideal for a Delphi. Although the final number in round 3 was low, it can be argued that those remaining had most interest in the subject.Practical implicationsThe aim is to produce and pilot the SAINT, a GSH package for people with intellectual disabilities, following reliability and validity testing.Social implicationsCurrently GSH is widely used for mild depression in Primary Care and other disorders such as mild anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other related conditions. However, there are no specific GSH packages for people with intellectual disabilities. Currently the GSH tools that are available are not designed for people with cognitive impairments and do not reflect the lifestyles of many people with intellectual disabilities.Originality/valueThis paper should be of value to anyone with an interest in supporting people with intellectual disabilities to recognise and manage specific symptoms or feelings that threaten the person's mental well being.
Improving health and lives: The Learning Disabilities Public Health Observatory
Authors: Emerson Eric , Glover Gyles , Turner Sue , Greig Rob , Hatton Chris , Baines Susannah , Copeland Alison , Evison Felicity , Roberts Hazel , Robertson Janet , Welch Victoria 
Published: January 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the first 15 months of operation of an innovative specialist national public health observatory for intellectual disability.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a narrative account of aims and achievements of the service.FindingsIn the first 15 months of operation the observatory has: made available to those involved in commissioning health and social care services, a wealth of information on the health needs of people with intellectual disabilities; identified specific improvements that could viably be made to increase the quality of future information; and begun working with local agencies to support them in making the best use of the available information.Originality/valuePeople with intellectual disabilities experience significant health inequalities. This paper describes an innovative approach to helping local agencies make the best use of available information in order to commission services that may reduce these inequalities.
Knowledge of mental capacity issues in residential services for people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Willner Paul , Bridle Jennifer , Price Vaughn , John Elinor , Hunt Sarah 
Published: January 2012

PurposeAn earlier study of health and social services professionals in community teams for people with intellectual disabilities (CTIDs) identified a number of significant gaps in their knowledge of mental capacity issues. The present study aims to ascertain the knowledge of staff working in residential services for people with intellectual disabilities.Design/methodology/approachParticipants were staff working in three specialist residential settings catering to people with intellectual disabilities: qualified nurses working in the UK National Health Service (NHS) and in independent‐sector continuing health care settings; and senior staff in residential houses. They were administered the same structured interview as in the earlier study, which was constructed around three scenarios concerning a financial/legal issue, a health issue, and a relationships issue, as well as a set of ten “true/false” statements. Their performance was compared with that of two reference groups, the earlier CTID participants, and a group of staff working in generic (i.e. other than specialist intellectual disability) NHS services.FindingsNo differences in interview performance were found between the three groups of residential carers, who performed better than generic NHS staff but worse than CTID professionals. However, the three residential groups did differ in their self‐ratings of how well‐informed and confident they felt in relation to mental capacity issues.Originality/valueThe study shows that staff working in residential services for people with intellectual disabilities have only a limited understanding of mental capacity issues and their confidence in their own knowledge may not be a good guide to their ability to deal with such issues when they arise in practice.
Effects of prolonged breastfeeding and colostrum fatty acids on allergic manifestations and infections in infancy
Authors: Morales E. , García‐Esteban R. , Guxens M. , Guerra S. , Mendez M. , Moltó‐Puigmartí C. , Lopez‐Sabater M. C. , Sunyer J. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryBackgroundIn developed countries World Health Organization recommendation of 6 months’ exclusive breastfeeding is under debate.ObjectiveWe assessed the impact of predominant breastfeeding (PBF) duration and colostrum long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFAs) profile on the risk of allergic manifestations (wheezing and atopic eczema) and infections [low respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and gastroenteritis] in infancy.MethodsInformation on child feeding practices was obtained from 580 infants of a pregnancy cohort. Presence of infant's health outcomes was documented through questionnaires at 6 and 14 months of age. The LC‐PUFAs were measured in colostrum. Adjusted odds ratios (adjOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models.ResultsIn comparison with never breastfeeding, PBF for 4–6 months was associated with lower risk of wheezing (adjOR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.32, 0.89), LRTIs (adjOR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.31, 0.83) and atopic eczema (adjOR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.32, 1.04) between months 7 and 14 of life. Results of a risk period‐specific analysis (restricted to infants at risk for outcome onset after 6 months of age), showed no indication for reverse causation (results were not very different compared with an overall analysis). Predominantly breastfeeding for 4–6 months was associated with lower risk of gastroenteritis during the first 6 months of life (adjOR = 0.34; 95% CI, 0.18, 0.64). Among breastfed infants higher doses of arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid, and total n‐3 in were associated with a decreased risk of gastroenteritis, but no association was found for allergic manifestations or LRTI.Conclusions and Clinical RelevancePromotion of PBF for 4–6 months could reduce the burden of allergic manifestations and infections in infancy. Beneficial effects of breastfeeding on gastroenteritis were explained in part by exposure to higher doses of n‐3 and AA received from colostrum. No significant effects from fatty acid dose were found on risk of allergic manifestations or LRTIs.
Climate‐sensitive ecosystem carbon dynamics along the soil chronosequence of the Damma glacier forefield, Switzerland
Authors: Smittenberg Rienk H. , Gierga Merle , Göransson Hans , Christl Iso , Farinotti Daniel , Bernasconi Stefano M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe performed a detailed study on the carbon build‐up over the 140‐year‐long chronosequence of the Damma glacier forefield, Switzerland, to gain insights into the organic carbon dynamics during the initial stage of soil formation and ecosystem development. We determined soil carbon and nitrogen contents and their stable isotopic compositions, as well as molecular‐level composition of the bulk soils, and recalcitrance parameters of carbon in different fractions. The chronosequence was divided into three age groups, separated by small end moraines that resulted from two glacier re‐advances. The net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) showed an exponential increase over the last decades, with mean annual values that range from 100 g C m−2 yr−1 in the youngest part to over 300 g C m−2 yr−1 in a 60–80 years old part. However, over the entire 140‐year chronosequence, the NECB is only 20 g C m−2 yr−1, similar to results of other glacier forefield studies. The difference between the short‐ and long‐term NECB appears to be caused by reductions in ecosystem carbon (EC) accumulation during periods with a colder climate. We propose that two complementary mechanisms have been responsible: 1) Reductions in net primary productivity down to 50% below the long‐term mean, which we estimated using reconstructed effective temperature sums. 2) Disturbance of sites near the terminus of the re‐advanced glacier front. Stabilization of soil organic matter appeared to play only a minor role in the coarse‐grained forefield. We conclude that the forefield ecosystem, especially primary productivity, reacts rapidly to climate changes. The EC gained at warm periods is easily lost again in a cooling climate. Our conclusions may also be valid for other high mountain ecosystems and possibly arctic ecosystems.
Parapatric species and the implications for climate change studies: a case study on hares in Europe
Authors: Acevedo Pelayo , Jiménez‐Valverde Alberto , Melo‐Ferreira José , Real Raimundo , Alves Paulo Célio 
Published: January 2012

AbstractParapatry is a biogeographical term used to refer to organisms whose ranges do not overlap, but are immediately adjacent to each other; they only co‐occur – if at all – in a narrow contact zone. Often there are no environmental barriers in the contact zones, hence competitive interaction is usually advocated as the factor that modulates species distribution ranges. Even though the effects of climate change on species distribution have been widely studied, few studies have explored these effects on the biogeographical relationships between closely related, parapatric, species. We modelled environmental favourability for three parapatric hare species in Europe – Lepus granatensis, L. europaeus and L. timidus – using ecogeographical variables and projected the models into the future according to the IPCC A2 emissions scenario. Favourabilities for present and future scenarios were combined using fuzzy logic with the following aims: (i) to determine the biogeographical relationships between hare species in parapatry, that is L. granatensis/L. europaeus and L. europaeus/L. timidus and (ii) to assess the effects of climate change on each species as well as on their interspecific interactions. In their contact area L. granatensis achieved higher favourability values than L. europaeus, suggesting that if both species have a similar population status, the former species may have some advantages over the latter if competitive relationships are established. Climate change had the most striking effect on the distribution of L. timidus, especially when interspecific interactions with L. europaeus were taken into account, which may compromise the co‐existence of L. timidus. The results of this study are relevant not only for understanding the distribution patterns of the hares studied and the effects of climate change on these patterns, but also for improving the general application of species distribution models to the prediction of the effects of climate change on biodiversity.
A decade of climate change experiments on marine organisms: procedures, patterns and problems
Authors: Wernberg Thomas , Smale Dan A. , Thomsen Mads S. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe first decade of the new millennium saw a flurry of experiments to establish a mechanistic understanding of how climate change might transform the global biota, including marine organisms. However, the biophysical properties of the marine environment impose challenges to experiments, which can weaken their inference space. To facilitate strengthening the experimental evidence for possible ecological consequences of climate change, we reviewed the physical, biological and procedural scope of 110 marine climate change experiments published between 2000 and 2009. We found that 65% of these experiments only tested a single climate change factor (warming or acidification), 54% targeted temperate organisms, 58% were restricted to a single species and 73% to benthic invertebrates. In addition, 49% of the reviewed experiments had issues with the experimental design, principally related to replication of the main test‐factors (temperature or pH), and only 11% included field assessments of processes or associated patterns. Guiding future research by this inventory of current strengths and weaknesses will expand the overall inference space of marine climate change experiments. Specifically, increased effort is required in five areas: (i) the combined effects of concurrent climate and non‐climate stressors; (ii) responses of a broader range of species, particularly from tropical and polar regions as well as primary producers, pelagic invertebrates, and fish; (iii) species interactions and responses of species assemblages, (iv) reducing pseudo‐replication in controlled experiments; and (v) increasing realism in experiments through broad‐scale observations and field experiments. Attention in these areas will improve the generality and accuracy of our understanding of climate change as a driver of biological change in marine ecosystems.
Variation in soil carbon stocks and their determinants across a precipitation gradient in West Africa
Authors: Saiz Gustavo , Bird Michael I. , Domingues Tomas , Schrodt Franziska , Schwarz Michael , Feldpausch Ted R. , Veenendaal Elmar , Djagbletey Gloria , Hien Fidele , Compaore Halidou , Diallo Adama , Lloyd Jon 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe examine the influence of climate, soil properties and vegetation characteristics on soil organic carbon (SOC) along a transect of West African ecosystems sampled across a precipitation gradient on contrasting soil types stretching from Ghana (15°N) to Mali (7°N). Our findings derive from a total of 1108 soil cores sampled over 14 permanent plots. The observed pattern in SOC stocks reflects the very different climatic conditions and contrasting soil properties existing along the latitudinal transect. The combined effects of these factors strongly influence vegetation structure. SOC stocks in the first 2 m of soil ranged from 20 Mg C ha−1 for a Sahelian savanna in Mali to over 120 Mg C ha−1 for a transitional forest in Ghana. The degree of interdependence between soil bulk density (SBD) and soil properties is highlighted by the strong negative relationships observed between SBD and SOC (r2 > 0.84). A simple predictive function capable of encompassing the effect of climate, soil properties and vegetation type on SOC stocks showed that available water and sand content taken together could explain 0.84 and 0.86 of the total variability in SOC stocks observed to 0.3 and 1.0 m depth respectively. Used in combination with a suitable climatic parameter, sand content is a good predictor of SOC stored in highly weathered dry tropical ecosystems with arguably less confounding effects than provided by clay content. There was an increased contribution of resistant SOC to the total SOC pool for lower rainfall soils, this likely being the result of more frequent fire events in the grassier savannas of the more arid regions. This work provides new insights into the mechanisms determining the distribution of carbon storage in tropical soils and should contribute significantly to the development of robust predictive models of biogeochemical cycling and vegetation dynamics in tropical regions.
Geothermal reservoir characterization: a thermofacies concept
Authors: Sass Ingo , Götz Annette E. 
Published: January 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 142–147, 2012AbstractThe thermofacies concept is based on new measurements of about 11 000 plug samples drilled from sedimentary rocks and investigated at TU Darmstadt from 2007 to 2011. Some hundred representative thin sections were analysed for facies interpretation. The thermofacies concept was developed for low and mid enthalpy geothermal systems linked to graben settings and deep sedimentary basins located in Central Europe. The understanding of the spatio‐temporal development of sedimentary facies within a specific geothermal exploration area may contribute to establish integrated structural 3D reservoir models. Thus, thermofacies – the facies dependence of geothermal parameters – become a key feature for reservoir prognosis, reservoir stimulation and efficient reservoir utilization.
Feedback inhibition by thiols outranks glutathione depletion: a luciferase‐based screen reveals glutathione‐deficient γ‐ECS and glutathione synthetase mutants impaired in cadmium‐induced sulfate assimilation
Authors: Jobe Timothy O. , Sung Dong‐Yul , Akmakjian Garo , Pham Allis , Komives Elizabeth A. , Mendoza‐Cózatl David G. , Schroeder Julian I. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryPlants exposed to heavy metals rapidly induce changes in gene expression that activate and enhance detoxification mechanisms, including toxic‐metal chelation and the scavenging of reactive oxygen species. However, the mechanisms mediating toxic heavy metal‐induced gene expression remain largely unknown. To genetically elucidate cadmium‐specific transcriptional responses in Arabidopsis, we designed a genetic screen based on the activation of a cadmium‐inducible reporter gene. Microarray studies identified a high‐affinity sulfate transporter (SULTR1;2) among the most robust and rapid cadmium‐inducible transcripts. The SULTR1;2 promoter (2.2 kb) was fused with the firefly luciferase reporter gene to quantitatively report the transcriptional response of plants exposed to cadmium. Stably transformed luciferase reporter lines were ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenized, and stable M2 seedlings were screened for an abnormal luciferase response during exposure to cadmium. The screen identified non‐allelic mutant lines that fell into one of three categories: (i) super response to cadmium (SRC) mutants; (ii) constitutive response to cadmium (CRC) mutants; or (iii) non‐response and reduced response to cadmium (NRC) mutants. Two nrc mutants, nrc1 and nrc2, were mapped, cloned and further characterized. The nrc1 mutation was mapped to the γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase gene and the nrc2 mutation was identified as the first viable recessive mutant allele in the glutathione synthetase gene. Moreover, genetic, HPLC mass spectrometry, and gene expression analysis of the nrc1 and nrc2 mutants, revealed that intracellular glutathione depletion alone would be insufficient to induce gene expression of sulfate uptake and assimilation mechanisms. Our results modify the glutathione‐depletion driven model for sulfate assimilation gene induction during cadmium stress, and suggest that an enhanced oxidative state and depletion of upstream thiols, in addition to glutathione depletion, are necessary to induce the transcription of sulfate assimilation genes during early cadmium stress.
Scavenging of NADPH oxidase‐derived superoxide anions improves depressed baroreflex sensitivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Guimarães DD , Carvalho CC , Braga VA 
Published: January 2012

Summary

In pathological conditions, such as hypertension, there is impairment in the autonomic control of blood pressure resulting in changes in baroreflex sensitivity. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that acute superoxide scavenging would restore the depressed baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
Male 10‐week‐old SHR (n = 14) and their controls (Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats; n = 14) underwent femoral artery and vein catheterization for conscious blood pressure recording and drug administration. The BRS was obtained by the drug‐induced method using phenylephrine (8 μg/kg, i.v.) and sodium nitroprusside (25 μg/kg, i.v.) before and after the administration of tiron (30 mg/kg, i.v.), a superoxide dismutase mimetic, or apocynin (30 μg/kg), an NADPH oxidase inhibitor.
Spontaneously hypertensive rats was significantly hypertensive compared with WKY rats (160 ± 7 vs 105 ± 2 mmHg, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in heart rate between the two groups (388 ± 10 vs 370 ± 20 b.p.m.). In addition, SHR exhibited a diminished BRS compared with WKY rats (−1.34 ± 0.11 vs −2.91 ± 0.20 b.p.m./mmHg, respectively). Administration of tiron improved BRS in SHR (from −1.34 ± 0.11 to 2.26 ± 0.21 b.p.m./mmHg), as did apocynin (to −2.14 ± 0.23 b.p.m./mmHg).
Serum samples from SHR (n = 20) and WKY rats (n = 20) were collected for thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances assays before and after tiron or apocynin to confirm the reduction in oxidative stress. There was considerably greater oxidative stress in SHR compared with WKY rats (36.2 ± 3.0 vs 13.3 ± 2.6 nmol/L, respectively). Both apocynin and tiron treatment reduced the oxidative stress in SHR (from 36.2 ± 3.0 to 21.5 ± 3.0 nmol/L and from 37.2 ± 3.9 to 21.9 ± 1.6 nmol/L, respectively).
The data suggest that acute scavenging of NADPH oxidase‐derived superoxide improves baroreflex sensitivity in SHR.