bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cue usage in financial statement fraud risk assessments: effects of technical knowledge and decision aid use
Authors: Seow Jean‐Lin 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper investigates the effects of technical knowledge and decision aid use on financial statement fraud risk assessments made by directors and students. More extreme fraud risk assessments are made when participants identify and process larger (smaller) numbers of diagnostic (non‐diagnostic) factors, with technical knowledge driving diagnostic factor identification. Significant decision aid‐technical knowledge effects are also found; decision aid use has a detrimental effect on high‐knowledge directors while improving performance in inexperienced, low‐knowledge students. These results suggest that although decision aids can afford gains in performance in inexperienced users, they can have unintended and/or paradoxical behavioural effects on experienced users.
Soap Film Smoothing
Authors: Wood Simon N. , Bravington Mark V. , Hedley Sharon L. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryConventional smoothing methods sometimes perform badly when used to smooth data over complex domains, by smoothing inappropriately across boundary features, such as peninsulas. Solutions to this smoothing problem tend to be computationally complex, and not to provide model smooth functions which are appropriate for incorporating as components of other models, such as generalized additive models or mixed additive models. We propose a class of smoothers that are appropriate for smoothing over difficult regions of R2 which can be represented in terms of a low rank basis and one or two quadratic penalties. The key features of these smoothers are that they do not ‘smooth across’ boundary features, that their representation in terms of a basis and penalties allows straightforward incorporation as components of generalized additive models, mixed models and other non-standard models, that smoothness selection for these model components is straightforward to accomplish in a computationally efficient manner via generalized cross-validation, Akaike's information criterion or restricted maximum likelihood, for example, and that their low rank means that their use is computationally efficient.
Augmentation of serotonin release by sustained exposure to MDMA and methamphetamine in rat organotypic mesencephalic slice cultures containing raphe serotonergic neurons
Authors: Higuchi Megumi , Suzuki Yuichi , Yatani Yumi , Kitagawa Yutaka , Nagayasu Kazuki , Shirakawa Hisashi , Nakagawa Takayuki , Kaneko Shuji 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSeveral lines of evidence suggest the involvement of the raphe‐serotonergic neurons in addiction to psychostimulants and some recreational drugs. In this study, we established rat organotypic mesencephalic slice cultures containing the raphe nuclei and examined the effects of sustained exposure to 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine (METH). Immunostaining for tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) studies revealed that serotonergic neurons were abundant in the slice cultures. Sustained exposure to MDMA and METH (1–1000 μM) for 4 days had little effect on the serotonin tissue content, [3H]citalopram binding, or expression/phosphorylation of TPH. Treatment with MDMA or METH for 30 min increased serotonin release in a concentration‐dependent manner. Slice cultures were exposed to MDMA for 4 days following a 1‐day withdrawal period and then challenged with MDMA (10 μM). Sustained MDMA exposure augmented MDMA‐induced serotonin release in a concentration‐dependent manner, indicating serotonergic sensitization. Similar serotonergic sensitization was observed for METH. The development of MDMA‐induced serotonergic sensitization was attenuated by the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK‐801 (10 μM). These results suggest that in mesencephalic slice cultures sustained MDMA or METH exposure induces serotonergic sensitization through activation of NMDA receptors without serotonergic neurotoxicity. The in vitro model system could help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying drug addiction.
Anticonvulsant effects of linolenic acid are unrelated to brain phospholipid cell membrane compositions
Authors: Porta Natacha , Bourgois Béatrice , Galabert Claude , Lecointe Cécile , Cappy Pierre , Bordet Régis , Vallée Louis , Auvin Stéphane 
Published: July 2008

SummaryPurpose:  Recent studies have revealed that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have anticonvulsive properties. Clinical trials using PUFAs reported conflicting results. It was suggested that PUFAs have anticonvulsant effects via modifications of brain phospholipids. Moreover, some authors suggested that the effect of the ketogenic diet (KD) leads to a high PUFA content. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant properties of a mixture containing α‐linolenic acid (ALA) and linolenic acid (LA).Methods:  Four‐week‐old male Wistar rats were fed one of the following diets for 30 days: KD, standard diet, and standard diet with daily LA/ALA oral supplementation. Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) threshold was used to assess the anticonvulsive effects of the diets. Nutritional status was monitored by body composition evaluation. Fatty acids composition of both plasma and brain phospholipids were also assessed.Results:  Animals fed the KD and those who had the daily LA/ALA supplementation exhibited an increase in PTZ threshold. The animals did not show any modification of body composition or brain phospholipid composition. The plasma fatty acids composition was modified by KD and LA/ALA. A decrease in arachidonic acid (AA) concentrations was observed in both the KD and LA/ALA groups, while an increase in eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and ALA concentrations was only observed in the LA/ALA group.Conclusions:  Our study shows that LA/ALA supplementation exerts anticonvulsive properties comparable to KD. Nutritional status can not explain the anticonvulsive effects of PUFAs supplementation. Brain phospholipids were not different within groups. The anticonvulsive effects of LA supplementation seem to be unrelated to brain phospholipid composition.
Decreased number of interneurons and increased seizures in neuropilin 2 deficient mice: Implications for autism and epilepsy
Authors: Gant John C. , Thibault Oliver , Blalock Eric M. , Yang Jun , Bachstetter Adam , Kotick James , Schauwecker Paula E. , Hauser Kurt F. , Smith George M. , Mervis Ron , Li YanFang , Barnes Gregory N. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryPurpose:  Clinically, perturbations in the semaphorin signaling system have been associated with autism and epilepsy. The semaphorins have been implicated in guidance, migration, differentiation, and synaptic plasticity of neurons. The semaphorin 3F (Sema3F) ligand and its receptor, neuropilin 2 (NPN2) are highly expressed within limbic areas. NPN2 signaling may intimately direct the apposition of presynaptic and postsynaptic locations, facilitating the development and maturity of hippocampal synaptic function. To further understand the role of NPN2 signaling in central nevous system (CNS) plasticity, structural and functional alterations were assessed in NPN2 deficient mice.Methods:  In NPN2 deficient mice, we measured seizure susceptibility after kainic acid or pentylenetetrazol, neuronal excitability and synaptic throughput in slice preparations, principal and interneuron cell counts with immunocytochemical protocols, synaptosomal protein levels with immunoblots, and dendritic morphology with Golgi‐staining.Results:  NPN2 deficient mice had shorter seizure latencies, increased vulnerability to seizure‐related death, were more likely to develop spontaneous recurrent seizure activity after chemical challenge, and had an increased slope on input/output curves. Principal cell counts were unchanged, but GABA, parvalbumin, and neuropeptide Y interneuron cell counts were significantly reduced. Synaptosomal NPN2 protein levels and total number of GABAergic synapses were decreased in a gene dose‐dependent fashion. CA1 pyramidal cells showed reduced dendritic length and complexity, as well as an increased number of dendritic spines.Discussion:  These data suggest the novel hypothesis that the Sema 3F signaling system's role in appropriate placement of subsets of hippocampal interneurons has critical downstream consequences for hippocampal function, resulting in a more seizure susceptible phenotype.
Dose‐dependent anticonvulsant effects of linoleic and α‐linolenic polyunsaturated fatty acids on pentylenetetrazol induced seizures in rats
Authors: Taha Ameer Y. , Filo Elvis , Ma David W. L. , McIntyre Burnham W. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryPurpose:  Linoleic and α‐linolenic polyunsaturated fatty acids, derived from plant oils, have been reported to reduce neuronal excitability ex vivo and in cell culture. The evidence derived from animal seizure models, however, has been contradictory. The goal of the present study was to assess the dose‐dependent anticonvulsant effects of a fatty acid mixture containing linoleic and α‐linolenic acids in a 4 to 1 ratio (the “SR‐3” compound).Methods:  The maximal pentylenetetrazol seizure model and Long‐Evans hooded rats were used.Results:  Daily intraperitoneal injection of SR‐3 for 21 consecutive days raised omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n‐3 PUFA) composition in the unesterified fatty acid fraction of brain lipids (p < 0.05), and increased latency to seizure onset when administered at 200 mg/kg (p < 0.05), but not at 40 mg/kg (p > 0.05). There were no significant effects of SR‐3 on seizure occurrence or on seizure severity (p > 0.05). A toxic effect of the SR‐3 compound on peristalsis was observed at a dose of 400 mg/kg and above.Conclusion:  Linoleic and α‐linolenic polyunsaturated fatty acids in a 4 to 1 ratio raises n‐3 PUFA composition of unesterified fatty acids in the brain and increases resistance to pentylenetetrazol‐induced seizures.
Validity of Pain Behaviors in Persons with Mild to Moderate Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Shega Joseph W. , Rudy Thomas , Keefe Francis J. , Perri Lisa Caitlin , Mengin Olga Telgarska , Weiner Debra K. 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the validity of traditional pain behaviors (guarding, bracing, rubbing, grimacing, and sighing) in persons with and without cognitive impairment and chronic low back pain (CLBP).DESIGN: Prospective observational study.SETTING: Outpatient clinics.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty‐seven cognitively intact and 40 cognitively impaired participants with and without CLBP.MEASUREMENTS: Frequency of traditional pain behaviors.RESULTS: Forty‐six of the participants were pain free, and 31 had CLBP. The internal consistency reliability coefficient of the five pain behaviors was 0.32, suggesting that a unidimensional scale did not exist. Multivariate analysis of variance analysis according to the independent variables pain status (pain free vs CLBP) and cognitive status (intact vs impaired) with the dependent variable frequency of pain behaviors found significant differences according to pain status (F[5,61]=3.06, P=.02) and cognitive status (F[5,61]=5.41, P<.001) but without evidence of an interaction (F[5,61]=1.14, P=.35). Participants with CLBP exhibited significantly higher levels of grimacing (P<.001) and guarding (P=.02) than pain‐free participants. Intact subjects exhibited fewer guarding (P=.02) and rubbing behaviors (P<.001) but a higher number of bracing behaviors (P=.03) than cognitively impaired participants.CONCLUSION: These results support the utility of facial grimacing in assessing pain in patients with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and call into question the validity of guarding and rubbing in assessing pain in persons with mild to moderate cognitive impairment.
Aminolaevulinic acid diffusion characteristics in ‘in vitro’ normal human skin and actinic keratosis: implications for topical photodynamic therapy
Authors: McLoone Nabla , Donnelly Ryan F. , Walsh Maureen , Dolan Olivia M. , McLoone Sean , McKenna Kevin , McCarron Paul A. 
Published: July 2008

Background: The response rate of aminolaevulinic acid (ALA)‐based photodynamic therapy (PDT) in certain subtypes of actinic keratosis (AK), such as hypertrophic and hyperkeratotic lesions, is variable, an effect attributable to a supposed lack of ALA penetration. A detailed and depth‐related profile of spatial ALA permeation in AK following drug administration would lead to a greater understanding of concentrations achievable before protoporphyrin IX biosynthesis and subsequent PDT.Methods: ALA penetration through excised normal human skin (NS) and AK lesions was evaluated using a cryostatic sectioning technique and radio‐isotope counting following drug delivery using a novel, bioadhesive patch, loaded with 19, 38 or 50 mg/cm2 ALA.Results: Distinct differences in ALA concentration with respect to depth between AK and NS samples were shown, particularly within the superficial layers of the tissue structure, down to a depth of 1.0 mm. Patch application times were shown to influence ALA concentrations in tissue, but there was no clear correlation between ALA penetration in AK lesions taken from different body locations and from patients of different age. Similarly, the thickness of stratum corneum was not related to the ALA distribution profiles.Conclusions: Sizable variation in ALA concentration was a prominent feature of profiles through AK lesions, which may explain the variation of observed protoporphyrin IX production seen in the clinical implementation of AK PDT. That said, the results of this study show sufficient ALA penetration to a depth of 1.0 mm, which should be satisfactory for successful treatment of the majority of non‐hyperkeratotic, hypertrophic AK using patch‐based delivery methods.
Factors Influencing Independence in Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Newland Jamesetta A. 
Published: July 2008

PROBLEM:  Factors that predict successful transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescents with sickle cell disease are not fully understood, making transfer decisions difficult. METHODS:  Seventy‐four adolescents (14–21 years) participated in this descriptive correlational study to investigate the relationships of age, gender, knowledge about sickle cell disease, disease severity, and family relationships to independence. FINDINGS:  Knowledge, severity, and family relationships explained only 25% of the variance for independence in the final model; family relationships were inversely correlated. CONCLUSIONS:  Factors exerting stronger influences on independence remain unknown. Cultural factors may be important among this predominantly African American population.
Food Production and Water Conservation in a Recirculating Aquaponic System in Saudi Arabia at Different Ratios of Fish Feed to Plants
Authors: Al‐Hafedh Yousef S. , Alam Aftab , Beltagi Mohamed Salaheldin 
Published: July 2008

Abstract An indoor aquaponic system (i.e., the integration of fish culture with hydroponic plant production in a recirculating setup) was operated for maximizing water reuse and year‐round intensive food production (Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, and leaf lettuce) at different fish feed to plants ratios. The system consisted of a fish culture component, solid removal component, and hydroponic component comprising six long channels with floating styrofoam rafts for holding plants. Fish culture effluents flowed by gravity from the fish culture component to the solid removal component and then to the hydroponic component. Effluents were collected in a sump from which a 1‐horsepower in‐line pump recirculated the water back to the fish culture tanks at a rate of about 250 L/min. The hydroponic component performed as biofilter and effectively managed the water quality. Fish production was staggered to harvest one of the four fish tanks at regular intervals when fish attained a minimum weight of 250 g. Out of the total eight harvests in 13 mo, net fish production per harvest averaged 33.5 kg/m3 of water with an overall water consumption of 320 L/kg of fish produced along with the production of leaf lettuce at 42 heads/m2 of hydroponic surface area. Only 1.4% of the total system water was added daily to compensate the evaporation and transpiration losses. A ratio of 56 g fish feed/m2 of hydroponic surface effectively controlled nutrient buildup in the effluents. However, plant density could be decreased from 42 to 25–30 plants/m2 to produce a better quality lettuce.
Replacement of Soybean Meal in Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Diets with Cottonseed Meal and Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles
Authors: Robinson Edwin H. , Li Menghe H. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract Two pond experiments were conducted to evaluate cottonseed meal (CSM), distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and supplemental lysine as replacements for soybean meal (SBM) in channel catfish diets. In Experiment 1, fish fed diets in which SBM was totally replaced with CSM gained similar weight as fish fed control diet, but fish fed CSM diet in Experiment 2 had 9.5% lower weight gain than fish fed control diet. In both experiments, feed conversion increased significantly for fish fed CSM diet. There were no consistent trends in body composition of fish fed CSM diet versus control diet. Fish fed the DDGS + SMB diet had higher (Experiment 1) or similar (Experiment 2) weight gain than fish fed control diet. Feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in both experiments for fish fed SBM + DDGS diet than that of fish fed control diet. Body fat tended to be higher in fish fed SBM + DDGS diet compared to fish fed control diet. It appears that about 50% of SBM can be replaced with CSM + lysine in catfish diets without negatively affecting fish performance. Further, DDGS can be used up to at least 30% when the diet is supplemented with lysine.
Partial splenic embolization prior to combination therapy of interferon and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C patients with thrombocytopenia
Authors: Miyake Yasuhiro , Ando Masaharu , Kaji Eisuke , Toyokawa Tatsuya , Nakatsu Morihito , Hirohata Mamoru 
Published: July 2008

Aim: A low platelet count leads to dose reduction of interferon (IFN) and is associated with failure to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C patients. However, partial splenic embolization (PSE) is effective for treating thrombocytopenia resulting from hypersplenism.Methods: We compared the clinical features of 10 patients receiving PSE prior to the combination therapy of IFN and ribavirin (RBV) (PSE group) with those of 10 non‐receiving PSE patients (non‐PSE group).Results: In all 10 patients, PSE was successfully performed without serious adverse events. After PSE, leukocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts significantly increased. The period from PSE to the initiation of the combination therapy was 15 (7–21) days. In the PSE group, two of six patients (33%) infected with genotype 1, and all four patients infected with genotype 2, achieved SVR. In the non‐PSE group, only three patients infected with genotype 2 achieved SVR. Two patients in the PSE group and one in the non‐PSE group discontinued the combination therapy. Three patients of the PSE group and five of the non‐PSE group reduced the dose of pegylated IFN‐α‐2b because of thrombocytopenia. In the PSE group, platelet counts during the combination therapy fell to baseline levels; however, they did not fall to lower levels than baseline levels. In the non‐PSE group, platelet counts 1 month after the initiation of the therapy were lower than baseline levels.Conclusion: The increase of platelet counts after PSE may allow the safe use of IFN and RBV and improve the SVR rate in chronic hepatitis C patients with thrombocytopenia.
Metronidazole Resistance in
Clostridium difficile
Is Heterogeneous
Authors: Peláez T. , Cercenado E. , Alcalá L. , Marín M. , Martín-López A. , Martínez-Alarcón J. , Catalán P. , Sánchez-Somolinos M. , Bouza E. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT

At our institution, the prevalence of clinical isolates of
Clostridium difficile
with resistance to metronidazole is 6.3%. We observed that initial metronidazole MICs of 16 to 64 mg/liter against toxigenic, primary fresh
C. difficile
isolates, as determined by agar dilution, decreased to 0.125 mg/liter after the isolates were thawed. In this study, we examined the possibility of heterogeneous or inducible resistance. Totals of 14 metronidazole-resistant and 10 metronidazole-susceptible clinical isolates of toxigenic
C. difficile
were studied. The isolates were investigated for the presence of
nim
genes by PCR. After the isolates were thawed, susceptibility testing was done by agar dilution, by disc diffusion using a 5-μg metronidazole disc, and by the Etest method. An experiment for determining the effect of prolonged exposure to metronidazole was applied to all resistant isolates and to susceptible control strains. None of the isolates presented the
nim
genes. All initially metronidazole-resistant
C. difficile
isolates became susceptible after thawing; however, they presented slow-growing subpopulations within the inhibition zones of both the disk and the Etest strip. All metronidazole-susceptible isolates remained homogeneously susceptible by both methods. After prolonged exposure in vitro to metronidazole, no zone of inhibition was found around the 5-μg disk in any of the metronidazole-resistant isolates, and the MICs as determined by the Etest method ranged from 0.125 to >256 mg/liter, with colonies growing inside the inhibition zone. Our results indicate that (i) resistance to metronidazole was not due to the presence of
nim
genes, (ii) resistance to metronidazole in toxigenic
C. difficile
isolates is heterogeneous, and (iii) prolonged exposure to metronidazole can select for in vitro resistance. We recommend routine performance of the disk diffusion method (5-μg metronidazole disk) with primary fresh
C. difficile
isolates in order to ensure that metronidazole-heteroresistant populations do not go undetected.
Cardiovascular drift in euhydrated prepubertal boys
Authors: Rowland Thomas , Pober David , Garrison Anne 
Published: July 2008

“Classic” cardiovascular drift is characterized by findings of decreasing stroke volume and mean arterial pressure, rising heart rate, and stable cardiac output during sustained constant-load exercise. Recent studies in adults indicate that when dehydration is prevented by fluid intake, this pattern is altered, with no change in stroke volume and progressive rise in cardiac output. This study was designed to examine this influence of hydration in prepubertal subjects and assess the relationship between cardiovascular drift and aerobic drift (changes in VO2). Eight boys (Tanner stage 1, mean age 11.7 ± 0.4 y) cycled at an average of 62.9% ± 3.9% VO2 peak to exhaustion (41.38 ± 6.30 min) in a thermoneutral environment. Rectal temperature rose from 37.6 ± 0.1 °C at rest to 38.1 ± 0.2 °C at end exercise. Between 5 min and end exercise, average heart rate rose by 13.2% and cardiac output rose by 14.9%, systemic vascular resistance fell by 10.5%, and stroke volume remained stable. Increases in cardiac output paralleled those of VO2, with no change in arterial venous oxygen difference. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that cardiovascular drift is a reflection of aerobic drift, a relationship obscured by the superimposed physiological effects of dehydration during sustained constant load. This study also suggests that such patterns are no different in prepubertal boys and young adult men.