bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Fusion Frequency of Flicker in the Central and Peripheral Field with Photopic Levels of Surround Luminance
Authors: Ettlinger George 
Published: April 2008

Flicker-fusion frequencies have been measured against a photopic level of surround luminance in the four quadrants of the visual field and the critical fusion frequences (c.f.f.s.) taken in direct vision compared with those determined at 15° and 35° in the periphery. The central c.f.f.s. of 47 subjects exceeded the peripheral values only in just over half of all the quadrants tested, although smaller differential thresholds were given almost without exception in the centre than in the periphery by the same observers and under similar conditions on a test of brightness discrimination. Likewise higher central than peripheral c.f.f.s. were recorded in the great majority of all quadrants when determinations were made against a dark surround. The contrasting types of flicker response observed against the photopic ground were shown to be relatively reproducible, and the same pattern was as a rule found in at least three quadrants of any one visual field. It was ascertained that the different patterns might result from a reciprocal shift of fusion frequencies either in central or peripheral vision. Interpretations of the higher peripheral c.f.f.s which adduce the effect of accentuated pupillary constriction with central stimulation mere contra-indicated since such patterns of flicker perception survive after the photopupillary reflex has been abolished. Some evidence was, however, forthcoming for the view that peripheral fusion frequencies tend to exceed central values when the test object is larger than about 1·5° in angular size and more intense than the surround. It was suggested that the contrasting types of flicker response might be related to individual differences in the effect that stimulus size has on the flicker pattern.
The Effect of Lack of Sleep on Visual Watch-Keeping
Authors: Wilkinson R. T. 
Published: April 2008

Sixteen subjects performed a test of visual watch-keeping twice, at the same hour of the same day of successive weeks. The test lasted 40 min. On one of these occasions the test was done after normal sleep the previous night; signals were detected at a steady rate throughout. On the other occasion the subjects had no sleep the previous night; they passed the time in innocuous leisure activities. Here a similar level of performance was maintained for the first 20 min. of the test. After this the rate of signal detection declined steadily. In the final quarter of the test the rate was roughly one third that of the first quarter. Signals missed were divided into three categories, ( a) signals missed while watching the display, ( b) signals missed while not watching, and, ( c) signals missed while asleep. Lack of sleep produced increases in all three of these categories. These results support previous suggestions that a test has to be prolonged before performance is affected by moderate loss of sleep; they also suggest that it is the simpler, or perhaps the more predictable, tests which are more affected.
On the Failure to Eliminate Hypotheses in a Conceptual Task
Authors: Wason P. C. 
Published: April 2008

This investigation examines the extent to which intelligent young adults seek (i) confirming evidence alone (enumerative induction) or (ii) confirming and discontinuing evidence (eliminative induction), in order to draw conclusions in a simple conceptual task. The experiment is designed so that use of confirming evidence alone will almost certainly lead to erroneous conclusions because (i) the correct concept is entailed by many more obvious ones, and (ii) the universe of possible instances (numbers) is infinite. Six out of 29 subjects reached the correct conclusion without previous incorrect ones, 13 reached one incorrect conclusion, nine reached two or more incorrect conclusions, and one reached no conclusion. The results showed that those subjects, who reached two or more incorrect conclusions, were unable, or unwilling to test their hypotheses. The implications are discussed in relation to scientific thinking.
Does alcohol increase the risk of overdose death: the need for a translational approach
Authors: Hickman Matt , Lingford‐Hughes Anne , Bailey Chris , Macleod John , Nutt David , Henderson Graeme 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTBackground We argue for a translational approach to addiction science, using an important current research question as a case study.Case study What is the evidence in support of the hypothesis that alcohol increases the risk of a heroin/opiate overdose through a pharmacological interaction?Findings The positive epidemiological evidence shows that opiate overdose deaths rarely involve a single drug; that alcohol is the most common other drug involved; that there is a negative association between alcohol and morphine concentration at post mortem; and that post‐mortem levels of morphine are often below the levels expected of highly tolerant individuals. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that heroin users who drink may require less heroin to overdose than those who do not drink (all other factors being equal) because of a pharmacological interaction. However, the evidence is consistent with, and does not rule out, other causal (and non‐causal) pathways. Alcohol could be associated negatively with tolerance, or confounded by other factors. Experimental evidence is required which is unlikely to be obtained through further epidemiological study or through randomized clinical trials.Conclusions We believe that animal models could provide the key evidence to test the hypothesis for a ‘pharmacodynamic’ or ‘pharmacokinetic’ interaction, which could be corroborated in clinical challenge studies and epidemiological studies. Such a translational approach demands greater collaboration between addiction scientists from basic to applied science and from neuroscience to social science, and would be able to address other key research questions and hypotheses in addiction.
High density genome‐wide DNA profiling reveals a remarkably stable profile in hairy cell leukaemia
Authors: Forconi Francesco , Poretti Giulia , Kwee Ivo , Sozzi Elisa , Rossi Davide , Rancoita Paola M. V. , Capello Daniela , Rinaldi Andrea , Zucca Emanuele , Raspadori Donatella , Spina Valeria , Lauria Francesco , Gaidano Gianluca , Bertoni Francesco 
Published: April 2008

SummaryHairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is a rare B‐cell neoplasm for which the molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. High‐density genome‐wide DNA profiling was performed with Affymetrix 250K arrays to analyse copy number (CN) changes and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in 16 cases of HCL. Four of 16 cases (25%) demonstrated gross non‐recurrent CN deletions. Within the affected regions, we identified genes involved in bone marrow fibrosis (FGF12) and response to treatment (TP53) in individual cases. Large regions (>5 Mb) of LOH without any concomitant DNA CN changes were identified in 5/16 (31%) HCL and were indicative of uniparental disomy UD. The germline origin of UD was demonstrated in one case for which a matched normal sample was available. Overall analysis of LOH showed that identical loci were recurrently targeted in chromosomes 1, 2 and 6. As a whole, however, HCL showed a remarkably stable genome. This finding adds to several other features that are unique to HCL among mature B‐cell tumours.
Creative connections: parenting capacity, reading with children and practitioner assessment and intervention
Authors: Seden Janet 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper presents some findings from a study of the views of 33 parents from a diversity of backgrounds with children between 0 and 12. Twenty‐two parents were using family support services. They were asked about their views on ‘parenting capacity’ based on the dimensions of The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and Their Families (Department of Health et al.) which are now incorporated into the Common Assessment Framework used in Every Child Matters (Department for Education and Skills). They were also asked about reading with their children and how this enhanced their parenting capacities. Their responses were analysed using the parenting capacity dimensions of The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and Their Families. It became apparent that this common activity (parent/child reading) contributed much to children's development and to the quality of the child/parent relationship. It also enhanced parenting capacity as described in the parenting capacity dimensions. This paper presents that part of the findings which illustrates the creative connections that exist between the activity of parents and children reading together and the parenting capacity dimensions social workers use in assessment and intervention. These findings are relevant to practitioners working within current policy and practice agendas in children's services, which promote multidisciplinary working and non‐stigmatizing assessments and interventions.
Molecular cloning and developmental expression of the vitellogenin gene in the endoparasitoid, Pteromalus puparum
Authors: Ye G.‐Y. , Dong S.‐Z. , Song Q.‐S. , Shi M. , Chen X.‐X. , Hu C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA cDNA of the vitellogenin (Vg) protein gene was isolated from the endoparasitoid Pteromalus puparum and characterized. The putative coding sequence was found to be 5634 bp long, encoding 1803 amino acids in a single open reading frame. The chemically determined N‐terminal amino acid sequence of vitellin completely matched the deduced amino acid sequence that follows a putative signal peptide of 17 amino acid residues. The Vg mRNA was detected in the fat body of late female pupae, whereas the ovary and male fat body lacked the Vg transcript. The Vg mRNA level in the fat body depended significantly on the developmental stage, reaching the highest level 0 h after eclosion. The haemolymph Vg titre appeared 24 h after the appearance of Vg transcript. A positive correlation between the titre and transcript level of Vg in individual female wasps was found.
Input ‐ output devices: some ways forward
Authors: McDougall A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn spite of technological advances, the QWERTY typewriter keyboard still predominates as the person‐computer interface. Some reasons are first given, then the later sections of the paper discuss other devices that are increasingly used in commerce and industry but which, as yet, have had little educational impact. The argument is for support for research and development of these devices in educational contexts, and this could be particularly beneficial for learners with special needs.
Information technology in art and design: visual sensitivity, learning and assessment
Authors: Genin T. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract Current changes in the structure of British Art Education provide new opportunities for Information Technology to support the difficult task of teaching and evaluating. In the light of the 1988 Education Reform Act, this paper considers the use of microcomputers to develop visual sensitivity and skills. A test model is discussed which examines an experiential approach towards the teaching, evaluation and interpretation of colour theory.This is an interim report, the work is ongoing and no overriding conclusions have yet been made.
The St. Thomas's Hospital maternity case notes study: A randomised controlled. trial to assess the effects of giving expectant mothers their own maternity case notes
Authors: Lovell Alice , Zander Luke I. , James Catherine E. , Foot Sarah , Swan Anthony V. , Reynolds Angela 
Published: April 2008

Summary. At an antenatal clinic in St. Thomas's Hospital, London, 246 expectant mothers were randomly allocated to hold either their own maternity case notes or the standard co‐operation card. Information was collected on three occasions during their care on attitudes and health behaviour. Clinical outcomes were recorded and the effects of the two systems on clinic administration were observed. More of the notes group expressed satisfaction with most aspects of their care and delivery and significantly more of the notes group felt well informed and satisfied with their companion during labour.There were no differences in clinical outcomes between the two groups except that, for no identifiable systematic reason, there were more assisted deliveries among the notes group.A number of administrative advantages resulted from mothers holding their own notes and although initial reservations were found amongst professional staff interviewed at the start of the study, the results proved persuasive and the practice of giving mothers their own notes is now to be extended throughout the department.
What matters in developmental assessment?*
Authors: Illingworth Ronald 
Published: April 2008

SummaryMany feel the urge to calculate a score or figure for a child's development by submitting him to some objective test of readily scorable items, without regard to the child as a whole. I suggest that instead of merely determining a score for a child's development we should try to understand development, and particularly the purpose of developmental tests, their limitations and the reasons for those limitations. We should continue to learn about development by following up all those many children in which for a variety of reasons the assessment was unusual or difficult.
Postneonatal mortality, sudden infant death syndrome: factors preventing the decline of infant mortality in France from 1979 to 1985
Authors: Bouvier‐Colle M.H. , Inizan J. , Michel E. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is known to be associated with a peak in mortality rates at 3 months of age, and a seasonal peak in winter. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the month of death, month of birth and age at death for cohorts of monthly births in France between 1979 and 1985. Statistics concerning the causes of death were collected and used to calculate life‐tables firstly from SIDS and secondly from all other causes. They show that the specific age distribution at death was not the same for babies born in late summer or autumn as for other newborns. Total infant death rates were higher for cohorts born in the autumn, because of the peak in deaths from SIDS at about three months of age.
Reflex anal dilatation: a clinical epidemiological evaluation
Authors: Harvey Ian M. , Nowlan W. Anthony 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe recent controversy surrounding the use of the reflex anal dilatation (RAD) sign in cases of suspected sexual abuse is a general illustration of the difficulties clinicians face in determining which symptoms, signs or laboratory tests to use in their daily practice. The evidence required fully to evaluate RAD is incomplete. The specificity in particular is uncertain. Sufficient evidence is, however, available to permit a quantitative examination of the test's performance under various circumstances. Our analysis suggests that, at the prevalence of anal abuse reported in one large series of children referred to paediatricians with suspected sexual abuse (13%), only if the specificity of the test is 99% or greater, may the positive predictive value of RAD be as high as 90%. At the likely prevalence of anal abuse in the general child population (less than 0.5%), however, an even higher specificity of 99.99% would be necessary to achieve a similar positive predictive value.
Developmental outcome of infants treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the neonatal period: is the evidence all in?
Authors: Page Jacqueline , Frisk Virginia , Whyte Hilary 
Published: April 2008

Summary. The North American literature was reviewed regarding the developmental outcome of infants treated with ECMO therapy versus those infants who received conventional medical therapy for treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. The literature reviewed included all ECMO follow‐up investigations published in medical journals cited in CD‐ROM between January 1980 and July 1992, as well as abstracts presented at the Society for Pediatric Research 1990 — 1992. The literature was examined with respect to the incidence, prevalence and nature of morbidity, with particular attention paid to the neurodevelopmental domains assessed, test measures used, age at assessment and criteria for normal and abnormal outcome.Rough comparison of the published outcome statistics for the cohorts of infants who received neonatal ECMO therapy or conventional medical therapy (CMT) suggest equivalent amounts of morbidity within the first few years of life. Without appropriate systematic comparison at the same ages on the same measures and in infants with equivalent severity of illness, the current observations remain tentative at best. Longitudinal investigations are needed in order to identify specific medical and developmental markers in infancy of good and poor long‐term outcome in this population, together with comparisons of outcome in the group treated with ECMO versus the group treated with CMT. Fine‐grained, sensitive measures must be employed that record transient or permanent delays and/or qualitative deficits in specific skills.
Perinatal mortality survey in Jamaica: aims and methodology
Authors: Ashley Deanna , McCaw‐Binns Affette , Golding Jean , Keeling Jean , Escoffery Carlos , Coard Kathleen , Foster‐Williams Karen 
Published: April 2008

Summary. The Jamaican Perinatal Mortality Survey was designed to identify the true perinatal mortality rate, and assess the factors which could contribute towards a reduction in perinatal mortality on the island.All births in a 2‐month period (n= 10527) were compared with all perinatal deaths occurring over a 12‐month period (n= 2069). Over half the deaths (n= 1058) received a detailed post‐mortem examination.Use of the Wigglesworth classification identifies the major component of perinatal death in this country to be associated with intrapartum asphyxia (44% of deaths). Deaths due to congenital malformations and miscellaneous causes contribute relatively little (< 10%) to the overall mortality rate. Over a quarter of deaths apparently occur before the onset of labour, and a fifth are prematurely liveborn but die of causes related to immaturity.
Associations between social and environmental factors and perinatal mortality in Jamaica
Authors: Golding Jean , Greenwood Rosemary , McCaw‐Binns Affette , Thomas Peter 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Social and environmental factors in Jamaica were compared between 9919 mothers delivering in a 2‐month period a singleton who survived the early neonatal period and 1847 mothers who were delivered of a singleton perinatal death in a contiguous 12‐month period.Logistic regression showed independent positive statistically significant increased odds of having a perinatal death among mothers who lived in rural parishes, older mothers (aged 30+), single parents, no other children in the household, large number of adults in the household, mother unemployed, the major wage earner of the household not being in a managerial, professional or skilled non‐manual occupation, the household not having sole use of toilet facilities, smaller mothers and those classified as obese or undernourished.Variations were found for different categories of death. Intrapartum asphyxia deaths were not related to union (marital) status, occupation of major wage earner, number of adults nor to the use of the toilet. Antepartum fetal deaths did not vary significantly with occupation of major wage earner or maternal height, but did show a relationship with maternal education, mothers with lowest levels having reduced risk. Deaths from immaturity were significantly related only to occupation of major wage earner, number of children in the household, number of social amenities available (negative relationships) and maternal age (<17 at highest risk).In conclusion there was little to indicate that social deprivation per se was related to perinatal death, although specific features of the environment showed strong relationships.
Functional characterization of two cold shock domain proteins from Oryza sativa
Authors: CHAIKAM VIJAY , KARLSON DALE 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTTwo novel rice cold shock domain (CSD) proteins were cloned and characterized under different stress treatments and during various stages of development. OsCSP1 and OsCSP2 (Oryza sativa CSD protein) encode putative proteins consisting of an N‐terminal CSD and glycine‐rich regions that are interspersed by 4 and 2 CX2CX4HX4C (CCHC) retroviral‐like zinc fingers, respectively. In vivo functional analysis confirmed that OsCSPs can complement a cold‐sensitive bacterial strain which lacks four endogenous cold shock proteins. In vitro ssDNA binding assays determined that recombinant OsCSPs are capable of functioning as nucleic acid‐binding proteins. Both OsCSP transcripts are transiently up‐regulated in response to low‐temperature stress and rapidly return to a basal level of gene expression. Protein blot analysis determined that OsCSPs are maintained at a constant level subsequent to a cold treatment lasting over a period of several days. Both the transcript and protein data are in sharp contrast to those previously obtained for winter wheat WCSP1. A time‐coursed study through various stages of rice development confirmed that both OsCSP proteins and transcripts are highly accumulated in reproductive tissues and tissues which exhibit meristematic activity.
Direct fluconazole susceptibility testing of positive Candida blood cultures by flow cytometry
Authors: Rudensky Bernard , Broide Ellen , Berko Nathanel , Wiener‐Well Yonit , Yinnon Amos M. , Raveh David 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe standard methods for yeast susceptibility testing require 24–48 h of incubation. As there has been an increase in incidence of non‐albicans Candida species, the clinician is very often wary of initiating therapy with fluconazole until a final susceptibility report is generated, especially when treating very sick patients. A rapid reliable susceptibility testing method would enable the clinician to prescribe fluconazole, thus avoiding more toxic or expensive therapy. To determine the feasibility of direct susceptibility testing of Candida species to fluconazole by a rapid flow cytometric method, 50 Candida strains were seeded into blood culture bottles and were tested for susceptibility to fluconazole directly from the bottles after their being flagged as positive by the blood culture instrument. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determined by fluorescent flow cytometry (FACS) showed excellent agreement to that determined by macrodilution. Following the seeding experiments, 30 true patient specimens were tested directly from positive blood cultures, and MIC determined by both methods showed excellent agreement. Antifungal susceptibility testing by FACS directly from positive blood culture bottles is a reliable, rapid method for susceptibility testing of Candida to fluconazole. The method allows same‐day results, does not require subculture to agar media, and can greatly assist in the selection of appropriate antifungal therapy.