bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A dehydrin gene in Physcomitrella patens is required for salt and osmotic stress tolerance
Authors: Saavedra Laura , Svensson Jan , Carballo Valentina , Izmendi Darwin , Welin Björn , Vidal Sabina 
Published: December 2005

SummaryWe isolated a dehydrin‐like (DHN‐like) gene fragment, PpDHNA, from the moss Physcomitrella patens by PCR amplification using degenerate primers directed against conserved amino acid segments of DHNs of higher plants. The full‐length cDNA was found to encode a 59.2‐kDa glycine‐rich protein, DHNA, with typical characteristics of DHNs, including the presence of several Y repeats and one conserved K segment. DHNA had a high sequence similarity with a protein from Tortula ruralis, Tr288, which is thought to be involved in cellular dehydration tolerance/repair in this moss. Northern and Western analysis showed that PpDHNA is upregulated upon treatment of plants with abscisic acid, NaCl or mannitol, indicating a similar expression pattern to DHNs from higher plants. To analyze the contribution of DHNA to osmotic stress tolerance, we generated a knockout mutant (dhnA) by disruption of the gene using homologous recombination. Growth and stress response studies of the mutant showed that dhnA was severely impaired in its capacity to resume growth after salt and osmotic‐stress treatments. We provide direct genetic evidence in any plant species for a DHN exerting a protective role during cellular dehydration allowing recovery when returned to optimal growth conditions.
Field validity, reproducibility and feasibility of diagnostic tests for visceral leishmaniasis in rural Nepal
Authors: Chappuis François , Rijal Suman , Jha Uma Kant , Desjeux Philippe , Karki Bal Man Singh , Koirala Shekhar , Loutan Louis , Boelaert Marleen 
Published: December 2005

SummaryObjectives  To assess the field accuracy, reproducibility and feasibility of the formol gel test (FGT), the urine latex agglutination test (KAtex) and a rK39 antigen‐based dipstick for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in rural Nepal.Method  Patients with clinical suspicion of VL were recruited at Rangeli District Hospital (DH), a 15‐bed government hospital located in south‐eastern Nepal. FGT, KAtex and rK39 dipstick tests were performed on site and later repeated at a reference kala‐azar diagnostic laboratory to assess reproducibility. Diagnosis of VL was confirmed by either a positive bone marrow aspirate examination or a positive direct agglutination test (DAT titre ≥1:3200) in patients who later responded to anti‐leishmanial therapy.Results  Of 155 patients initially recruited, 142 (85 with VL and 57 with another diagnosis) were included in the study. The sensitivity of the rK39 dipstick [89%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 81–94] was significantly higher than that of the KAtex (57%; 95% CI: 46–67) and the FGT (52%; 95% CI: 41–62). All three tests had a specificity of at least 90%. Agreement was higher for the rK39 dipstick (κ = 0.87) than for the FGT (0.68) and the KAtex (0.43). All tests required ≤20 min of actual work and ≤40 min to obtain the results.Conclusion  The rK39 dipstick was easy to do, more accurate and reproducible than other rapid diagnostic tests for VL in a DH of rural Nepal. It should be integrated into the field diagnostic algorithm of VL in this region and mechanisms to secure its availability should be found.
Atropine‐induced lens extrusion in an open eye surgery
Authors: CHHABRA ANJOLIE , MISHRA SAILESH , KUMAR ARUN , TITIYAL JEEWAN SINGH 
Published: December 2005

SummaryA 2‐month‐old male baby undergoing penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) under general anesthesia developed bradycardia and a decrease in heart rate to 53 b·min−1 when stay sutures were taken through the superior and inferior rectii. A bolus of 0.1 mg intravenous atropine resulted in tachycardia of up to 180–220 b·min−1, which persisted for 35 min. After corneal trephination was performed the eyeball seemed to pulsate with the heartbeat. Spontaneous extrusion of the lens and vitreous occurred, which necessitated a lensectomy and vitrectomy in addition to PKP. The role of atropine in corneal transplant surgery is discussed here.
A pilot study of the rectus sheath block for pain control after umbilical hernia repair
Authors: ISAAC LISA A. , McEWEN JUDITH , HAYES JASON A. , CRAWFORD MARK W. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryBackground : Umbilical hernia repair, a common day surgery procedure in children, is associated with significant postoperative discomfort. The rectus sheath block may offer improved pain management following umbilical hernia repair. In this pilot study, we compared the efficacy of the rectus sheath block with that of our current standard practice – local anesthetic infiltration into the surgical wound – for pain control after umbilical hernia repair in children.Methods : Fourteen children, aged 1–8 years, undergoing umbilical hernia repair were randomly assigned to receive either a rectus sheath block or local anesthetic infiltration into the surgical wound at completion of surgery. Anesthetic management was standardized. Each analgesic technique was performed using 0.8 ml·kg−1 of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1 : 200 000. Postoperatively, an investigator who was blinded to the analgesic technique recorded the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) scores and sedation scores every 10 min, and administered intravenous morphine 50 μg·kg−1 for cases with CHEOPS scores ≥8. Total morphine dose was recorded. Parents were telephoned the day after surgery to determine the overall satisfaction with pain control.Results : Total postoperative morphine consumption did not differ significantly between groups, averaging 0.10 ± 0.09 and 0.10 ± 0.07 mg·kg−1 for the local infiltration and rectus sheath groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in pain or sedation scores, and no complications related to either analgesic technique.Discussion : Our results suggest that the rectus sheath block has no advantage over infiltration of local anesthetic into the surgical wound for postoperative pain management in children undergoing umbilical hernia repair.
Complete upper airway obstruction after induction of anesthesia in a child with undiagnosed lingual tonsil hypertrophy
Authors: ARRICA MAURO , CRAWFORD MARK W. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryWe present a case of a 9‐year‐old patient with previously undiagnosed lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH) that caused sudden and complete airway obstruction and inability to ventilate on induction of anesthesia. More frequently described in adults than in children, LTH can complicate mask ventilation, intubation or both, with the potential for catastrophic consequences.
Heating capabilities of the Hotline® and Autoline® at low flow rates
Authors: SCHNOOR JOERG , WEBER INGO , MACKO STEPHAN , HEUSSEN NICOLE , ROSSAINT ROLF 
Published: December 2005

SummaryBackground : At low flow rates, fluid warmers using coaxial warming tubes are superior in preventing heat loss. This laboratory investigation was performed in order to compare the heating capabilities of two coaxial fluid warmers.Methods : The Hotline® and the Autoline® were investigated by using normal saline at various flow rates (10–99 ml · h−1). Final infusion temperatures were measured six times in a row at the end of the tubing by using a rapid‐response thermometer. Final temperatures were compared with those of infusions, which passed through disposable i. v. tubing covered and warmed using an ‘off label’ convective air warming system (WarmTouch®). Measurements were performed at two different room temperatures (20 and 24°C). Each group was analyzed with respect to differences between various flow rates as well as differences between the groups at comparable flow rates by using a three‐way anova with multiple comparisons according to Tukey's procedure. Significance was defined at P < 0.05.Results : Both devices heat infusions at low flow rates efficiently above 34°C, with the Hotline® being more effective than the Autoline® (P < 0.0001). Except for the lowest flow rate (10 ml·h−1), the Hotline® delivered infusion temperatures between 38 and 39°C, while the Autoline® warmed the infusions upto 36°C. While heating capability of the Hotline® was improved with elevated room temperatures at low flow rates (10–60 and 80 ml·h−1), the Autoline® demonstrated lower infusion temperatures throughout elevated room temperature at flow rates between 20 and 90 ml·h−1. Both devices heated infusions more efficiently compared with ‘off label used’ convective air warmer (each with P < 0.0001).Conclusions : Both the Hotline® and the Autoline® heated infusions sufficiently at low flow rates. However, the heating capability of the Hotline® was superior and can further be increased at low flow rates by increasing the room temperature.
NEUROETHICS
Authors: GLANNON WALTER 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACTNeuroimaging, psychosurgery, deep‐brain stimulation, and psychopharmacology hold considerable promise for more accurate prediction and diagnosis and more effective treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Some forms of psychopharmacology may even be able to enhance normal cognitive and affective capacities. But the brain remains the most complex and least understood of all the organs in the human body. Mapping the neural correlates of the mind through brain scans, and altering these correlates through surgery, stimulation, or pharmacological interventions can affect us in both positive and negative ways. We need to carefully weigh the potential benefit against the potential harm of such techniques. This paper examines some of these techniques and explores the emerging ethical issues in clinical neuroscience.
Electoral Registration: Time for Change
Authors: MARSHALL BEN , STEWART DOUGLAS 
Published: December 2005

Electoral registration is the key building block for the administration of elections. It is the gateway to voting: people cannot vote at elections in the UK if their name is not on the register. In recent times there has been much debate in media and Westminster circles about current arrangements for electoral registration and the related issue of the future of postal voting.This article presents new research published by the Electoral Commission in September 2005 investigating non‐registration and its causes. It reviews the case for reform, considers the current policy debate and outlines some of the challenges involved in maximising registration rates. It summarises the Commission's policy recommendations and the reasoning behind them, focusing in particular on the suggested move from the current household‐based system of registration to a system of individual registration
Multiscale Poisson Data Smoothing
Authors: Jansen Maarten 
Published: December 2005

SummaryThe paper introduces a framework for non-linear multiscale decompositions of Poisson data that have piecewise smooth intensity curves. The key concept is conditioning on the sum of the observations that are involved in the computation of a given multiscale coefficient. Within this framework, most classical wavelet thresholding schemes for data with additive homoscedastic noise can be used. Any family of wavelet transforms (orthogonal, biorthogonal or second generation) can be incorporated in this framework. Our second contribution is to propose a Bayesian shrinkage approach with an original prior for coefficients of this decomposition. As such, the method combines the advantages of the Haar–Fisz transform with wavelet smoothing and (Bayesian) multiscale likelihood models, with additional benefits, such as extendability towards arbitrary wavelet families. Simulations show an important reduction in average squared error of the output, compared with the present techniques of Anscombe or Fisz variance stabilization or multiscale likelihood modelling.
Semiparametric Estimation in General Repeated Measures Problems
Authors: Lin Xihong , Carroll Raymond J. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryThe paper considers a wide class of semiparametric problems with a parametric part for some covariate effects and repeated evaluations of a nonparametric function. Special cases in our approach include marginal models for longitudinal or clustered data, conditional logistic regression for matched case–control studies, multivariate measurement error models, generalized linear mixed models with a semiparametric component, and many others. We propose profile kernel and backfitting estimation methods for these problems, derive their asymptotic distributions and show that in likelihood problems the methods are semiparametric efficient. Although generally not true, it transpires that with our methods profiling and backfitting are asymptotically equivalent. We also consider pseudolikelihood methods where some nuisance parameters are estimated from a different algorithm. The methods proposed are evaluated by using simulation studies and applied to the Kenya haemoglobin data.
On Properties of Functional Principal Components Analysis
Authors: Hall Peter , Hosseini-Nasab Mohammad 
Published: December 2005

SummaryFunctional data analysis is intrinsically infinite dimensional; functional principal component analysis reduces dimension to a finite level, and points to the most significant components of the data. However, although this technique is often discussed, its properties are not as well understood as they might be. We show how the properties of functional principal component analysis can be elucidated through stochastic expansions and related results. Our approach quantifies the errors that arise through statistical approximation, in successive terms of orders n−1/2, n−1, n−3/2, …, where n denotes sample size. The expansions show how spacings among eigenvalues impact on statistical performance. The term of size n−1/2 illustrates first-order properties and leads directly to limit theory which describes the dominant effect of spacings. Thus, for example, spacings are seen to have an immediate, first-order effect on properties of eigenfunction estimators, but only a second-order effect on eigenvalue estimators. Our results can be used to explore properties of existing methods, and also to suggest new techniques. In particular, we suggest bootstrap methods for constructing simultaneous confidence regions for an infinite number of eigenvalues, and also for individual eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
Collapsibility of Distribution Dependence
Authors: Ma Zongming , Xie Xianchao , Geng Zhi 
Published: December 2005

SummaryCox and Wermuth proposed that the partial derivative of the conditional distribution function of a random variable Y given another X is used for measuring association between two variables with arbitrary distributions. The paper presents a necessary and sufficient condition for uniform collapsibility of this association measure over a third variable W.
Expansionary Fiscal Shocks and the US Trade Deficit*
Authors: Erceg Christopher J. , Guerrieri Luca , Gust Christopher 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn this paper, we use a dynamic general equilibrium model of an open economy to assess the quantitative effects of fiscal shocks on the trade balance in the United States. We examine the effects of two alternative fiscal shocks: a rise in government consumption, and a reduction in the labour income tax rate. Our salient finding is that a fiscal deficit has a relatively small effect on the US trade balance, irrespective of whether the source is a spending increase or tax cut. In our benchmark calibration, we find that a rise in the fiscal deficit of 1 percentage point of gross domestic product (GDP) induces the trade balance to deteriorate by 0.2 percentage point of GDP or less. Noticeably larger effects are only likely to be elicited under implausibly high values of the short‐run trade price elasticity, or of the share of liquidity‐constrained households in the economy. From a policy perspective, our analysis suggests that even reducing the current US fiscal deficit (of 3% of GDP) to zero would be unlikely to narrow the burgeoning US trade deficit significantly.
Monetary Policy in a Liquidity Trap: What Have We Learned, and to What End?*
Authors: Fujiwara Ippei , Hara Naoko , Hirakata Naohisa , Watanabe Shinichiro , Yoshimura Kentaro 
Published: December 2005

AbstractReflecting recent economic developments in Japan, there is a growing interest in how monetary policy should be conducted under low inflation and nominal interest rates. Among several proposed solutions, the conventional wisdom seems to be to commit to lower future short‐term nominal interest rates through some variation on price‐level targeting. We confirm the effectiveness of such a policy in a large‐scale dynamic general equilibrium model: the Japanese Economic Model. However, uncertainty – which affects how monetary policy should be conducted – increases in the presence of the zero bound on nominal interest rates. We posit that the increased uncertainty may explain why the central bank cannot fully commit to a certain fully specified policy scheme far into the future when the economy is caught in a liquidity trap.
Are Constant Interest Rate Forecasts Modest Policy Interventions? Evidence from a Dynamic Open‐Economy Model*
Authors: Adolfson Malin , Laséen Stefan , Lindé Jesper , Villani Mattias 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThis paper uses an estimated open‐economy dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model for the euro area to examine if during 1993Q4–2002Q4 constant interest rate forecasts (CIRFs), commonly used by inflation‐targeting central banks, are viewed as being in line with the central bank's historical policy behaviour. In the sense of Leeper and Zha (2003), a CIRF is defined as a modest intervention of the policy rule if it does not trigger the agents to revise their expectations about the inflation‐targeting policy. Using univariate modesty statistics, we show that the modesty of the policy interventions depends on the assumptions about the uncertainty in the future shock realizations. Taking the joint effects of the policy interventions on all variables into consideration, we find that the CIRFs are not modest policy interventions in the latter part of the sample (1998Q4–2002Q4), and thereby affect the expectations formation of the agents. Consequently, the constant interest rate assumption has arguably led to conditional forecasts at the two‐year horizon that cannot be considered economically meaningful during this period, and should not be used as a communication device by inflation‐targeting central banks.
Credibility and Inflation Targeting in an Emerging Market: Lessons from the Chilean Experience*
Authors: Céspedes Luis F. , Soto Claudio 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThis paper assesses the challenges that the lack of credibility poses for the implementation of inflation targeting, and for the design of inflation stabilization processes in emerging market economies. We also discuss the role that credibility has played in rationalizing the main elements of the disinflationary process in Chile during the 1990s and in explaining the grounds behind the monetary policy framework's changes in Chile at the end of the last decade.
Structural equation analysis of a hypothesised symptom model in the autism spectrum
Authors: van Lang Natasja D.J. , Boomsma Anne , Sytema Sjoerd , de Bildt Annelies A. , Kraijer Dirk W. , Ketelaars Cees , Minderaa Ruud B. 
Published: December 2005

Background:  Several studies showed a different symptom structure underlying the spectrum of autistic‐like disorders from the behaviour triad as mentioned in the DSM‐IV. In the present study, a hypothesised symptom model for autism was constructed, based on earlier explorative findings, and was put to a confirmatory test.Method:  Items from the Autism Diagnostic Interview‐Revised (ADI‐R) were used to examine the goodness of fit of the DSM‐IV model, the hypothesised symptom model, and two additional models for autism. All models were tested in a group of 255 verbal and nonverbal individuals with minor to severe autistic symptomatology.Results:  The DSM‐IV model encountered estimation problems. Conversely, the hypothesised symptom model had no such problems and proved to have a better fit to the sample data than the two additional models for autism. However, some of the observed variables were weak indicators of the three latent factors in the model.Conclusions:  The hypothesised symptom model appeared to be a plausible model in a group of individuals with a broad range of autistic behaviours and levels of functioning. Nevertheless, the stability of the model needs further examination in a larger group of individuals with disorders in the autism spectrum, and with varying degrees of intellectual functioning.
Emotion regulation strategies in offspring of childhood‐onset depressed mothers
Authors: Silk Jennifer S. , Shaw Daniel S. , Skuban Emily M. , Oland Alyssa A. , Kovacs Maria 
Published: December 2005

Background:  This study examines emotion regulation strategies used by children of mothers with childhood‐onset depression (COD) and children of never‐depressed mothers (NCOD).Methods:  Participants were 49 COD offspring (ages 4–7) and 37 NCOD offspring (ages 4–7) and their mothers. Emotion regulation strategies were assessed observationally during a laboratory mood induction paradigm.Results:  COD offspring were more likely to focus on the delay object or task than NCOD offspring. Daughters of COD mothers were also more likely to wait passively and less likely to engage in active distraction than daughters of NCOD mothers. These findings were replicated using number of maternal depressive episodes.Conclusions:  COD offspring, especially daughters, exhibit a more passive style of regulating emotion that may place them at risk for developing psychopathology.
Discrimination of temporal synchrony in intermodal events by children with autism and children with developmental disabilities without autism
Authors: Bebko James M. , Weiss Jonathan A. , Demark Jenny L. , Gomez Pamela 
Published: December 2005

Background:  This project examined the intermodal perception of temporal synchrony in 16 young children (ages 4 to 6 years) with autism compared to a group of children without impairments matched on adaptive age, and a group of children with other developmental disabilities matched on chronological and adaptive age.Method:  A preferential looking paradigm was used, where participants viewed non‐linguistic, simple linguistic or complex linguistic events on two screens displaying identical video tracks, but one offset from the other by 3 seconds, and with the single audio track matched to only one of the displays.Results:  As predicted, both comparison groups demonstrated significant non‐random preferential looking to violations of temporal synchrony with linguistic and non‐linguistic stimuli. However, the group with autism showed an impaired, chance level of responding, except when presented with non‐linguistic stimuli.Conclusions:  Several explanations are offered for this apparently autism‐specific, language‐specific pattern of responding to temporal synchrony, and potential developmental sequelae are discussed.