bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Absent, Full and Partial Responsibility of the Psychopaths
Authors: ZAVALIY ANDREI G. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTThe research into the typical behavioral pattern, motivational structure, and the value system of psychopaths can shed light on at least three aspects related to the analysis of the moral agency. First, it can help elucidating the emotive and cognitive conditions necessary for moral performance. Secondly, it can provide empirical evidence supporting the externalist theories of moral motivation. Finally, it can bring into greater focus our intuitive notion of the limits of moral responsibility. In this paper I shall concentrate on the last one—the question of responsibility of the amoralists, but the discussion will have an indirect bearing on the other two themes as well. My main reason for holding psychopaths morally responsible breaks down into two claims: the assumption that most ordinary people are morally responsible for their intentional actions (i.e., the rejection of hard determinism) and the denial that the psychopaths are qualitatively different from the non‐psychopaths. This thesis is further defended against two objections. First, I am arguing that the genetically based emotive deficiency of the psychopaths cannot be seen the factor condemning them to amoral existence, and thus cannot be cited as an exempting condition. Secondly, my position is defended against the claim that psychopaths are partly responsible for their actions. It is argued that the notion of partial responsibility is either incoherent or else rests on a false empirical premise. My conclusion is in agreement with, and provides a theoretical justification for, the position of most classifications of the persons with antisocial personality disorder in the DSM IV.
Nifedipine concentration in maternal and umbilical cord blood after nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system for tocolysis
Authors: Silberschmidt A‐L , Kühn‐Velten WN , Juon A‐M , Zimmermann R , Von Mandach U 
Published: February 2008

Objective  To determine nifedipine concentrations in maternal plasma at steady state, and maternal and umbilical cord plasma at delivery, after tocolysis with nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) tablets.Design  Prospective clinical pharmacokinetic study.Setting  Department of Obstetrics at the Zurich University Hospital.Population  Pregnant women treated for threatened preterm labour.Methods  GITS dosage titrated to clinical response (30–150 mg/day). Nifedipine concentrations by high‐performance liquid chromatography and turbo ion spray tandem mass spectrometry.Main outcome measures  Steady‐state nifedipine concentrations in maternal blood and nifedipine concentrations in maternal and corresponding umbilical cord blood at delivery.Results  Steady‐state nifedipine concentrations (micrograms/l, mean ± SE) were 54 ± 6 (all doses, n = 31), 38 ± 8 (60 mg/day, n = 13), and 92 ± 12 (150 mg/day, n = 7) (P < 0.002). Umbilical cord and maternal concentrations both declined in a ln‐linear regression with elimination half‐lives of 20.4 and 17.4 hours. Linear regression showed a correlation between umbilical and maternal concentrations of 0.77 ± 0.1 (n = 21, mean ± SE).Conclusions  Steady‐state plasma nifedipine concentrations after repeated dosing with nifedipine GITS 30–150 mg/day in pregnant women with preterm labour do not exceed 100 micrograms/l; fetal levels are 77% of maternal levels.
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND JUST SHARING OF BENEFITS IN MEXICO
Authors: PÁEZ RICARDO , DE ALBA JAVIER E. GARCÍA 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTInternational research enrolling human subjects has raised an ethical concern regarding the just distribution of benefits between the countries that design the research and the host communities. Although several universal declarations have expressed this concern, a gap between theory and practice continues to exist, as well as a significant divergence between the design of the research protocol and the social context where it will be implemented. Although institutional review boards have made a valuable effort to evaluate international research, their sensitivity to the just sharing of research benefits as well as their attention to the social context must be evaluated. This article analyzes the distribution of benefits in a review of international research in Mexico and produces an ethical reflection based on the results.
A MOLECULAR SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO EXPLORE DIVERSITY WITHIN THE SELLAPHORA PUPULA SPECIES COMPLEX (BACILLARIOPHYTA)1
Authors: Evans Katharine M. , Wortley Alexandra H. , Simpson Gillian E. , Chepurnov Victor A. , Mann David G. 
Published: February 2008

The common and cosmopolitan freshwater benthic diatom Sellaphora pupula (Kütz.) Mereschk. is a model system for studying the nature of species in microalgae; the biological significance of morphological variation in this species complex has been widely demonstrated. The aim of this study was to establish a two‐gene phylogeny (18S rDNA and rbcL) for 23 Sellaphora taxa, including 19 S. pupula aggregate (agg.) demes or species, S. bacillum (Ehrenb.) D. G. Mann, and S. laevissima (Kütz.) D. G. Mann. A range of analyses on separate and combined data sets indicated that Sellaphora is a monophyletic group containing four major clades. Of the traditionally recognized species, S. bacillum and S. laevissima are natural groups, but S. pupula is paraphyletic or polyphyletic because S. bacillum groups with S. pupula“small lanceolate” and S. lanceolata. Thickened bars at the poles of valves within the core “pupula–bacillum” group may be a morphological synapomorphy; the fossil record suggests that this group is at least 12 million years old. Otherwise, there was no clear pattern in the distribution of different morphologies among the major clades; each clade was also heterogeneous with respect to mating system. More intensive and extensive sampling will doubtless uncover even greater diversity; the challenge lies in its interpretation. Our results demonstrate the limitations of paleoecological, ecological, and biogeographical research based on morphospecies.
The influence of blood volume‐controlled ultrafiltration on hemodynamic stability and quality of life
Authors: SENTVELD Bas , VAN DEN BRINK Mandy , BRULEZ Harald F.H. , POTTER VAN LOON Bert‐Jan , WEIJMER Marcel C. , SIEGERT Carl E.H. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDialysis hypotension occurs frequently and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and may influence quality of life. We investigated the influence of blood volume (BV)‐controlled ultrafiltration on hemodynamic stability and quality of life in a prospective multiple crossover study. Nineteen patients were consecutively treated with standard hemodialysis (HD), BV‐controlled ultrafiltration, and again with standard ultrafiltration during 3‐week phases, during which different hemodynamic parameters, ultrafiltrate quantities, dry weight, and quality of life were measured. Blood volume‐controlled ultrafiltration resulted in increased hemodynamic stability: systolic blood pressure was significantly higher after treatment with BV‐controlled HD compared with both standard treatments (p=0.018 and 0.043, respectively). Also, systolic blood pressure reduction, as a measure of blood pressure stability, was significantly smaller during the BV‐controlled phase (−3.9 mmHg) compared with both standard phases (−13.7 and −11.0 mmHg): p=0.003 and 0.035, respectively. No difference was found in the occurrence of large decreases of blood pressure (>30 mmHg), decreases below 90 mmHg systolic pressure, or subjective complaints during treatment or after treatment between both treatment modalities. During the course of the study, the dry weight decreased significantly from mean 73.3 to mean 70.9 kg, and the amount of ultrafiltrate was significantly larger using BV‐controlled HD compared with standard treatment (mean 2407 vs. mean 2266 mL; p=0.035). Quality of life, measured by visual analog scales (VAS), showed discrete but no consistent differences between study phases. We conclude that BV‐controlled HD increases hemodynamic stability and ultrafiltrate amount compared with a standard treatment. No consistent change in quality of life is found between both treatment modalities.
Validation Set Correlates of Anogenital Injury after Sexual Assault
Authors: Drocton Peter , Sachs Carolyn , Chu Lawrence , Wheeler Malinda 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectives:  Forensic investigators remain unsure exactly why some sexual assault victims display acute injury while others do not. This investigation explores potential reasons for these differential findings among female victims.Methods:  This cross‐sectional analysis examined data from consecutive female sexual assault victims, at least 12 years old, who agreed to a forensic exam between November 1, 2002, and November 30, 2006. Exams utilized colposcopy, anoscopy, macrodigital imaging, and toluidine blue dye to delineate anogenital injury (AGI), which was defined as the presence of recorded anogenital abrasions, tears, or ecchymosis. Demographic variables of the victim, including sexual experience and reproductive parity, and assault characteristics were recorded in the database for bivariate and multivariate analysis with AGI.Results:  Forty‐nine percent of the initial 3,356 patients displayed AGI. Of this total, 2,879 cases included complete data for all variables and were included in the multivariate logistic regression model. A statistically significant increased risk for AGI was noted with: educational status (odds ratio [OR] 1.53, 95% CI = 1.25 to 1.87); vaginal or attempted penetration using penis (OR 2.29, 95% CI = 1.74 to 3.01), finger (OR 1.61, 95% CI = 1.88 to 1.94), or object (OR 3.19, 95% CI = 1.52 to 6.68); anal–penile penetration (OR 2.00, 95% CI = 1.57 to 2.54); alcohol involvement (OR 1.25, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.50); and virgin status of victim (OR 1.38, 95% CI = 1.11 to 1.71). Victims were less likely to display AGI with a longer postcoital interval (OR 0.50, 95% CI = 0.39 to 0.65) and increased parity (OR 0.76, 95% CI = 0.57 to 0.99).Conclusions:  Approximately half the patients displayed AGI. This rate is higher than earlier studies, but consistent with current investigations utilizing similar injury detection methods. The correlates of injury found reinforce the findings of prior studies, while prompting questions for future study.
RNA interference‐mediated silencing of the polo‐like kinase 1 gene enhances chemosensitivity to gemcitabine in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Yu C. , Zhang X. , Sun G. , Guo X. , Li H. , You Y. , Jacobs J. L. , Gardner K. , Yuan D. , Xu Z. , Du Q. , Dai C. , Qian Z. , Jiang K. , Zhu Y. , Li Q. Q. , Miao Y. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractGemcitabine is the first‐line chemotherapeutic agent for advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas; however, chemoresistance to gemcitabine remains a major cause of failure for the clinical treatment of this disease. Polo‐like kinase 1 (Plk‐1) is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer cell lines and pancreatic tumour tissues, and is involved in a wide variety of cell cycle processes. Nevertheless, its biological role and implication for gemcitabine resistance are not clearly defined. In this study, we used RNA‐interference (RNAi)‐mediated depletion of Plk‐1 to determine its potential for sensitizing pancreatic tumour cells to gemcitabine. We showed that the level of Plk‐1 protein was correlated significantly with gemcitabine resistance in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells and that overexpression of Plk‐1 reduced sensitivity to gemcitabine in these cells. In addition, small interfering RNA (siRNA)‐mediated knockdown of Plk‐1 caused cell cycle arrest at G2/M and the reduction of cellular proliferation. More importantly, the treatment of pancreatic cancer cells with Plk‐1 siRNA followed by exposure to gemcitabine dramatically decreased cell viability and increased cellular apoptosis, as compared with treatment with either agent alone. These observations indicate that down‐regulation of Plk‐1 expression by RNAi enhances gemcitabine sensitivity and increases gemcitabine cytotoxicity in pancreatic tumour cells. This is the first demonstration that the combination of Plk‐1 gene therapy and gemcitabine chemotherapy has synergistic anti‐tumour activity against pancreatic carcinoma in vitro. This combination treatment warrants further investigation as an effective therapeutic regimen for patients with resistant pancreatic cancer and other tumours.
Bereavement Therapy With Adolescents: Facilitating a Process of Spiritual Growth
Authors: Leighton Sharon 
Published: February 2008

TOPIC:  Bereavement therapy as a catalyst for spiritual growth. PURPOSE:  This study aims to review the literature and reflect on the bereavement therapy undertaken with two adolescents who had been bereaved during childhood. SOURCES:  Research articles and books identified through a combination of electronic and manual searches. CONCLUSIONS:  It would appear that grief therapy could facilitate spiritual growth in such circumstances. Further in‐depth studies are required to identify how typical or atypical this experience is, and to contribute to the evidence base for working with bereaved children and adolescents.
Vaccination of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) using iophenoxic acid as a simulated vaccine
Authors: Cowled BD , Lapidge SJ , Smith Ml , Staples LD 
Published: February 2008

Objectives  To develop an encapsulation method for delivery of vaccines to feral pigs, and quantify the effect of iophenoxic acid on captive feral pig blood iodine concentrations to assist in investigation of factors affecting vaccine uptake.Design and methods  Feral pigs were administered iophenoxic acid by oral gavage, and consumption was assessed for different encapsulation methods in baits. Blood iodine concentrations were monitored for eight days after consumption. The relationship between dose rate, time since dosing and blood iodine concentration was assessed for gavaged and baited captive feral pigs. Wild feral pigs were baited with PIGOUT® baits containing 20 mg of encapsulated iophenoxic acid to simulate a vaccination program. Using knowledge from the pen studies, bait uptake and factors affecting bait uptake were investigated.Results  Bait‐delivered iophenoxic acid led to variable and inconsistent changes in blood iodine concentrations, in contrast to pigs receiving iophenoxic acid by gavage. This precluded accurate assessment of the quantity consumed, but still allowed a conservative determination of bait uptake. Iophenoxic acid in smaller capsules was consumed readily. Increasing baiting intensity appeared to increase bait uptake by wild feral pigs, and pigs of varying sexes, ages and weights appeared equally likely to consume baits.Conclusions  Encapsulated liquids can be delivered to feral pigs within baits, should the need to vaccinate feral pigs for fertility or disease management arise. High baiting intensities may be required.
MORPHOGENETIC RESPONSES OF EPICOTYL HOOK, PRIMARY LEAVES AND FIRST INTERNODE OF CITRUS SEEDLINGS TO IRRADTANCE*
Authors: Monselise S. P. , Kadman‐Zahavi Avishag 
Published: February 2008

Abstract— Dark germinated citrus seeds produce a characteristic epicotyl hook which opens in white light.The effects of white, red and far red irradiation, in different combinations on the opening of hooks, the increase in length of primary leaves and the reduction in length of epicotyl have been studied. Broadly speaking, morphogenetic effects of light are similar to those usual for annual plants.One single red cycle coming after a long period of intermittent far red seems to be more effective than coming after a long period of darkness. It is also at least as effective as a long period of intermittent red irradiance. These features are of interest and deserve further study.Elongation of leaves and opening of hooks are correlated when treatment means are considered, but not in individual seedlings, possibly indicating independence of these two effects of radiation.
EFFECT OF AMINO ACIDS ON THYMINE DIMERIZATION*
Authors: Balis M. Earl 
Published: February 2008

Abstract— The effect of several amines on the U.V. catalyzed dimerization of thymine was determined at 25† and — 20†. Most amino acids and EDTA had no effect. Histidine, phosphoserine and phosphoethanolamine increased the net yield of dimer at 25†, but decreased the yield at — 20†. Histidine stimulates the cleavage of dilute solutions of thymine dimer at 25†. It is suggested that these compounds might prevent the orientation of thymine molecules necessary for their photoactivation. These findings stress the potential role of the surrounding medium in photoreactions involving DNA both in vitro and in vivo.Attempts to cause photodimerization of thymine with proflavin as pholoactivator were unsuccessful. This is contrasted with the observed effects of this dye on DNA which mimic those of U.V.
LIGHT REACTION SYSTEMS IN CYANOPHYCEAE*
Authors: Nultsch W. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract— In the blue green algae, Phormidium uncinatum and Ph. autumnale, movement in the dark is arrested by 2 × 10‐‐4 M DCPIP†, whereas photokinesis, i.e. the acceleration of the movement by light, is not markedly impaired. Thus at this concentration movement occurs in the light, but not in the dark. Obviously, the dark movement is coupled with oxidative phosphoiylation and the inhibitory effect of DCPLP is probably due to trapping of electrons from the cytochrome chain and uncoupling of the oxidative phosphorylation whereas photophosphorylation in vivo is not uncoupled and accordingly photokinesis is not inhibited. On the other hand, the dark movement is not influenced by 10‐‐4 M DCMU, a high concentration, which otherwise stops both cyclic and non‐cyclic photophosphorylation and hence photokinesis. The inhibition by DCMU of that part of the light induced movement which is due to non‐cyclic phosphorylation is reversible by the addition of ferrocyanide (10‐‐2 to 10‐‐4 M) as external electron donor.The photo‐phobotactic response is less sensitive to DCMU and is not completely suppressed even at 10‐‐3 M. The inhibition is not significantly reversible by the addition of ferrocyanide. However, 10‐‐4 M DCPIP, that does not considerably impair photokinesis, suppresses the photo‐phobotactic responx completely. Thus, contrary to Links' hypothesis, photo‐phobotaxis cannot be linked with photophosphorylation. But there is some evidence that photo‐phobotaxis is coupled with the non‐cyclic electron transport of photosynthesis at another point, which seems to lie between electron supply from oxygen and the inhibition point of DCMU, probably in the region of the acmssory pigments.
Bacterial colonisation of lower airways in health and chronic lung disease
Authors: Weinreich U. M. , Korsgaard J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground:  To evaluate the colonisation rate and type in different groups of patients with chronic lung diseases, bronchial lavage (BL) fluid was investigated for bacteria.Methods:  All patients underwent fibre‐optic bronchoscopy as part of routine investigation for remote haemoptysis or nodule investigation. The standard procedure included BL and microbiological culture providing the total number of colony forming units (cfu)/mL and the number of potential pathogenic bacteria (ppb)/mL. Three groups of patients were included: 48 persons had a final diagnosis of no pathology, 53 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a stable phase and 32 patients with a final diagnosis of bronchiectasis.Results:  The median number of cfu cultured from patients with bronchiectasis was 105 cfu/mL compared to 5 103 cfu/mL in patients with COPD and 104 cfu/mL in persons with no pathology. The ppb colonisation rate varied from 10% in persons with no pathology to 43% in patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 63% in patients with bronchiectasis. The most frequent bacteria isolated was Haemophilus influenzae. Colonisation rates were associated with frequencies of respiratory infections; patients with bronchiectasis reported a median of three infections per year, patients with COPD reported one infection per year, and persons without pathology reported 0 infections per year (P < 0.05). Within each group a large patient‐to‐patient variation was found.Conclusions:  Different groups of patients with chronic pulmonary diseases have very different colonisation rates. Patients with bronchiectasis have the highest colonisation rate. This correlates to the reported frequency of lower respiratory tract infections.Please cite this paper as: Weinreich UM and Korsgaard J. Bacterial colonisation of lower airways in health and chronic lung disease. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 116–122.
Precipitation and Latent Heating Characteristics of the Major Tropical Western Pacific Cloud Regimes
Authors: Jakob Christian , Schumacher Courtney 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
An objective tropical cloud regime classification based on daytime averaged cloud-top pressure and optical thickness information from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) is combined with precipitation and latent heating characteristics derived using the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR). TRMM precipitation information is stratified into the ISCCP regimes in the tropical western Pacific (TWP), revealing the following three major precipitation regimes: a heavy (12 mm day−1) precipitation regime dominated by stratiform precipitation and top-heavy latent heating; a regime with moderate (5 mm day−1) precipitation amounts, mostly convective in nature with more midlevel latent heating; and a low (2 mm day−1) precipitation regime with a relatively large rain contribution from shallow convection, compared to the other regimes. Although three of the ISCCP cloud regimes are linked to the more convective, moderate precipitation regime, only one of the cloud regimes is associated with the more stratiform, top-heavy latent heating regime, making the ISCCP regimes a potentially useful tool for the further study of this dynamically important tropical weather state. Similarly, only one cloud regime is associated with the more shallow convective precipitation regime.
In terms of the TWP, precipitation and latent heating are dominated by the relatively infrequent (15%) occurrence of the strongly precipitating top-heavy latent heating state and by the frequent (&gt;30%) occurrence of one of the more moderately precipitating convective states. The low precipitation/shallow cumulus regime occurs often (i.e., 25% of the time) but does not contribute strongly to the overall precipitation and latent heating. Each of these regimes also shows distinct geographical patterns in the TWP, thus providing insight into the distribution of convective and stratiform rain across the tropics. This study confirms the potential usefulness of the objective regime classification based on ISCCP, and it opens several new avenues for studying the interaction of convection with the large-scale tropical circulation.