bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative fecundity and oocyte size of Aristaeomorpha foliacea and Aristeus antennatus in the Greek Ionian Sea (E. Mediterranean) (Decapoda: Aristeidae)
Authors: Kapiris Kostas , Thessalou‐Legaki Maria 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAbsolute and relative fecundity of 49 ripe gonads (from the cephalic and the abdominal sections of the same specimen) of Aristaeomorpha foliacea and 71 ripe gonads of Aristeus antennatus caught in the Ionian Sea (E. Mediterranean) and their oocyte size were studied. Both average absolute and relative fecundities estimated for A. antennatus were statistically higher than those estimated for A. foliacea; the average absolute fecundity of A. foliacea was 151 936 oocytes/female and that of A. antennatus was 200 472 oocytes/female and the average relative fecundity of A. foliacea was 5477 oocytes/g and that of A. antennatus was 9386 oocytes/g. Fecundity in both red shrimp species is linearly related to carapace length, body and gonad weight, although, the most precise estimation is provided by the relationship of body weight and fecundity. In the present study, the oocyte size (diameter, volume) of both species could be considered very large. In conclusion, A. foliacea shows lower fecundity than A. antennatus, having a lower ovogenetic activity, but it produces larger oocytes. This is in accordance with the highest value of the gonad weight and gonad volume of A. foliacea exhibited in relation to A. antennatus.
Arenophilic mantle glands in the Laternulidae (Bivalvia: Anomalodesmata) and their evolutionary significance
Authors: Sartori André Fernando , Passos Flávio Dias , Domaneschi Osmar 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe mantle margins of several anomalodesmatans bear multicellular arenophilic glands, the mucoid secretions of which attach sand grains and other foreign particles to the outer surface of the periostracum. These glands have been recorded for many of the anomalodesmatan families and are used as a key morphological character in recent attempts to unravel the evolutionary relationships within the Anomalodesmata. The glands occur in Laternula elliptica, L. truncata, L. boschasina and L. marilina, discharging from the top of muscular papillae at the distal tip of the siphons. The secretions are laid down as threads organized in longitudinal lines along the length of the periostracum that covers the siphonal walls. This is the first record of arenophilic mantle glands in members of the Laternulidae, a finding that not only broadens our current knowledge of the family's morphology, but assists in the reconstruction of anomalodesmatan evolutionary history.
External morphology of the short‐beaked common dolphin, Delphinus delphis: growth, allometric relationships and sexual dimorphism
Authors: Murphy Sinéad , Rogan Emer 
Published: September 2006

AbstractGrowth, allometric relationships and sexual dimorphism are described from measurements of 105 male, 149 female and 38 unsexed specimens of short‐beaked common dolphin, Delphinus delphis, stranded along the Irish coastline (53.8% of the sample) or by‐caught in fisheries (46.2% of the sample), from 1990 to 2003. For each dolphin, 24 external body length measurements were recorded. Ages were determined for 183 dolphins by analysis of growth layer groups in the dentine. Males ranged in total body length (TBL) from 105 to 231 cm and females from 93 to 230 cm, with a maximum age of 25 years obtained for both sexes. Using a single Gompertz growth curve, asymptotic values obtained for TBL were 211.6 cm and 197.4 cm for males and females, respectively. Asymptotic lengths were attained at 11 years in males and 9 years in females. The gestation period was estimated to last approximately 11.5 months. Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) was evident, with males being significantly larger than females for 20 of the characters measured, and an SSD ratio of 1.06 was obtained. Sexual shape dimorphism was lacking, except for the presence of prominent postanal humps in mature males.
Sperm aggregations in the spermatheca of the red back salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Authors: Sever David M. , Siegel Dustin S. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe spermatheca of Plethodon cinereus is a compound tubular gland that stores sperm from mating in early spring (March–April) to oviposition in summer (June–July). The seasonal variation of sperm storage in this species has previously been studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. In this paper, sperm aggregations, interaction of sperm with the spermathecal epithelium, and spermathecal secretions are studied using scanning electron microscopy. Within spermathecal tubules, relatively small groups of sperm are aligned along their entire lengths in parallel arrays. This pattern is similar to other plethdontids with complex spermathecae. Lumina of spermathecal tubules are filled with secretory material in April prior to the arrival of sperm, and after sperm appear, a coating of secretory material persists on the apices of the spermathecal epithelium. Sperm peripheral to the central luminal mass can become embedded in the secretory matrix or pushed deeper into the spermathecal epithelium. The spermathecal secretions may serve to attract and prolong the viability of sperm, but sperm that become enmeshed in the secretions or epithelium are phagocytized. Sperm and spermathecal secretions are largely absent after ovulation and in summer months, and new secretory vacuoles are formed in fall, although mating does not occur until spring.
Revisiting dandruff
Authors: Piérard‐Franchimont C. , Xhauflaire‐Uhoda E. , Piérard G. E. 
Published: September 2006

SynopsisDandruff is a common scalp disorder affecting almost half of the postpubertal population of any ethnicity and both genders. It may, however, represent a stubborn esthetical disturbance often source of pruritus. Skin biocenosis, in particular the Malassezia spp. flora, plays a key aetiologic role, in combination with the unusual capacity of some corneocytes to be coated by these yeasts. Substantial evidence indicates that keratinocytes play an active role in the generation and expression of immunopathological reactions. This is probably the case in dandruff. Upon stimulation of a critical colonization of corneocytes by Malassezia yeasts, the release of pro‐inflammatory mediators is increased. This could lead to the subclinical microinflammation present in dandruff. In seborrheic dermatitis, local deposits of immunoglobulins and the release of lymphokines are responsible for the recruitment and local activation of leukocytes leading to the eventual amplification of the inflammatory reaction. Some ancillary non‐microbial causes of dandruff may operate through physical or chemical irritants. Many methods have been described for rating dandruff. Our favourite tools are clinical examination and squamometry. Dandruff can precipitate telogen effluvium and exacerbate androgenic alopecia. Antidandruff formulations exhibiting some direct or indirect anti‐inflammatory activity can improve both dandruff and its subsequent hair cycle disturbance.
Effects of environmentally realistic levels of ozone on stratum corneum function
Authors: He Q. C. , Tavakkol A. , Wietecha K. , Begum‐Gafur R. , Ansari S. A. , Polefka T. 
Published: September 2006

SynopsisThe impact of troposphere ozone (O3), the major oxidant in photochemical smog, on the overall wellbeing of skin is of considerable interest. To date, limited information is available on the impact of O3 on human skin. Using a specially designed O3 exposure chamber, we provide the first evidence that exposure of human skin to O3 (0.8 ppm, 2‐h time‐weighted average) significantly reduced vitamin E by 70% and concomitantly increased lipid hydroperoxides by 2.3 fold in the superficial stratum corneum (SC). Although the dose of O3 used here reduced the resident microflora population by 50% and created a state of oxidative stress within the SC, it did not affect several key enzymes involved in SC homeostasis including the redox‐sensitive transglutaminase and the SC tryptic (KLK5) and chymotryptic (KLK7) proteases. Importantly, no signs of skin dryness or erythema were observed. We hypothesize that the limited effects of low doses of O3 on SC function is attributable to several factors including: (i) protection provided by the anti‐oxidant defence system; (ii) inability of O3 to penetrate the SC; and (iii) limited water available to catalyse the Criegee reaction. Although chronic exposure to O3 may produce a different outcome than that reported here, our data suggest that exposure to environmentally relevant doses of O3, at best, induces a moderate state of oxidative stress, without producing a visible clinical response. In our opinion, exposure of skin to UV radiation is a much more significant threat than exposure to ground‐level O3.
Can the Large Swings in Russian Life Satisfaction be Explained by Ups and Downs in Real Incomes?*
Authors: Frijters Paul , Geishecker Ingo , Haisken‐DeNew John P. , Shields Michael A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractRussians reported large changes in their life satisfaction over the post‐transition years. In this paper, we explore the factors that drove these changes, focusing on exogenous income changes, using panel data from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey over the period 1995 to 2001 and implementing a recently developed ordinal fixed‐effects estimator. We apply a causal decomposition technique that allows for bias arising from panel attrition when establishing aggregate trends in life satisfaction. Changes in real household incomes explained 10% of the total change in reported life satisfaction between 1996 and 2000, but up to 30% of some year‐on‐year changes.
Linear association between maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index and risk of caesarean section in term deliveries
Authors: Barau G , Robillard P‐Y , Hulsey TC , Dedecker F , Laffite A , Gérardin P , Kauffmann E 
Published: September 2006

Objective  Maternal obesity is a well‐known risk factor for caesarean delivery. The aim of this study is to determine whether all the spectrum of pre‐pregnancy maternal corpulence (body mass index [BMI]) is associated with the risk of caesarean delivery.Design  Observational study over 4.5 years (2001–05).Setting  Groupe Hospitalier Sud‐Réunion’s maternity (island of La Réunion, French overseas department, Indian Ocean).Population  All consecutive singleton live births having delivered at the maternity.Methods  Data have been analysed according to different risk factors. Maternal corpulence has been defined as the maternal pre‐pregnancy weight. BMIs have been studied by multiples of 5 kg/m2 from 10–14.9 kg/m2 to 40–44.9 kg/m2.Main outcome measure  Rate of caesarean section.Results  There were 17 462 singleton live births during the period, of which 16 952 (97.1% of the total) pre‐pregnancy BMIs have been determined. There is a linear association (χ2 for linear trend, P < 0.001) between maternal corpulence and risk of caesarean deliveries, the leanest mothers having the best rate of vaginal delivery. This linear association exists in a model controlling for diagnosis of gestational diabetes, term deliveries (≥37 weeks), very short maternal height (<1.50 m), primiparity and maternal age ≥ 35 years (adjusted χ2, P < 0.001).Conclusion  There is a significant linear association between pre‐pregnancy maternal corpulence and risk of caesarean deliveries in pregnancies at term. The authors discuss several interpretations including the adaptability of fetal birthweights to maternal corpulence and the concept of soft‐tissue dystocia.
The Establishment of a Triage System in a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic in Hong Kong
Authors: Lai Kelly Yee Ching 
Published: September 2006

Background:  The problems of long waiting time and non‐attendance prompted the implementation of a triage procedure in a child and adolescent psychiatry clinic in Hong Kong.Method:  A two‐stage triage procedure was set up, incorporating an initial screening by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, followed by a semi‐structured telephone triage interview scored according to pre‐set criteria. Results from the triage interview were compared with clinicians’ rating of urgency.Results:  The procedure was successful in identifying cases that were in need of urgent assessment, whose waiting time was shortened substantially. The non‐attendance rate also improved.Conclusions:  The triage procedure helped to streamline the service in a grossly under‐resourced clinic, but further refinement is still needed.
Child Mental Health is Everybody's Business: The Prevalence of Contact with Public Sector Services by Type of Disorder Among British School Children in a Three‐Year Period
Authors: Ford Tamsin , Hamilton Helena , Meltzer Howard , Goodman Robert 
Published: September 2006

Method:  A third of the children from the 1999 British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Survey were followed‐up over 3 years. Parents provided summary information on service contacts in relation to mental health; selected subgroups provided more detailed information by telephone interview.Results:  Common overlaps in service use were between health services, between teachers and educational specialists, and between the latter and CAMHS or social services. Services other than primary health care saw more children with externalising disorders, while children with anxiety disorders were less likely than children with other psychiatric disorders to be in contact with any service.Conclusions:  Child mental health is everybody's business, and professionals need to be alert(ed) to the types of disorders that children using their service may have.
Does the Market Value Racial and Ethnic Concordance in Physician–Patient Relationships?
Authors: Brown Timothy T. , Scheffler Richard M. , Tom Sarah E. , Schulman Kevin A. 
Published: September 2006

Objective. To determine if the market‐determined earnings per hour of physicians is sensitive to the degree of area‐level racial/ethnic concordance (ALREC) in the local physician labor market.Data Sources. 1998–1999 and 2000–2001 Community Tracking Study Physician Surveys and Household Surveys, 2000 U.S. Census, and the Area Resource File.Study Design. Population‐averaged regression models with area‐level fixed effects were used to estimate the determinants of log earnings per hour for physicians in a two‐period panel (N=12,886). ALREC for a given racial/ethnic group is measured as the percentage of physicians who are of a given race/ethnicity less the percentage of the population who are of the corresponding race/ethnicity. Relevant control variables were included.Principal Findings. Average earnings per hour for Hispanic and Asian physicians varies with the degree of ALREC that corresponds to a physician's race/ethnicity. Both Hispanic and Asian physicians earn more per hour in areas where corresponding ALREC is negative, other things equal. ALREC varies from negative to positive for all groups. ALREC for Hispanics is negative, on average, due to the small percentage of the physician workforce that is Hispanic. This results in an average 5.6 percent earnings‐per‐hour premium for Hispanic physicians. However, ALREC for Asians is positive, on average, due to the large percentage of the physician workforce that is Asian. This results in an average 4.0 percent earnings‐per‐hour discount for Asian physicians. No similar statistically significant results were found for black physicians.Conclusions. The market‐determined earnings per hour of Hispanic and Asian physicians are sensitive to the degree of ALREC in the local labor market. Larger sample sizes may be needed to find statistically significant results for black physicians.
Aβ induces endoplasmic reticulum stress causing possible proteasome impairment via the endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation pathway
Authors: KANAYAMA Daisuke , KUDO Takashi , KIMURA Ryo , TABUCHI Nobuhiko , FUKUMORI Akio , MORIHARA Takeshi , TAGAMI Shinji , TANII Hisashi , OKOCHI Masayasu , KAMINO Kojin , TANAKA Toshihisa , IMAIZUMI Kazunori , TABIRA Takeshi , TAKEDA Masatoshi 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground:  Accumulation of β‐amyloid is a major pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As in other neurodegenerative diseases, it is also reported that proteasome activity is deteriorated in post‐mortem brains of AD patients. However, the mechanism of proteasomal dysfunction in AD remains unexplained. There is, however, increasing reported evidence that the unfolded protein response (UPR) is involved in AD pathology. Here we show that Aβ causes not only the UPR leading to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress mediated cell death, but also proteasomal dysfunction in cultured cells.Methods:  Mouse primary cultured neurons and other cultured cells such as HEK 293T or SH‐SY5Y were treated with Aβ or other reagents, such as thapsigargin and lactacystin, to study UPR or proteasome activity. The UPR was investigated using proteins or mRNA expression. To ascertain proteasome activity, we also recruited SH‐SY5Y cells stably transfected with GFPu.Results:  In vitro study showed that UPR, phosphorylation of eIF‐2α and BiP degradation preceded proteasome dysfunction. It is known that the UPR of ER occurs with the assistance of proteasome as ER‐associated protein degradation (ERAD).Conclusion:  This evidence, taken together, suggests that Aβ may induce proteasome dysfunction by preceding the UPR through ER‐associated protein degradation.
Family caregiver burden and quality of home care in the context of the Long‐Term Care insurance scheme: an overview
Authors: ARAI Yumiko 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis review outlines the findings of 22 studies conducted between 1997 and 2005 by Arai and 19 collaborators regarding caregiver burden and assessment of quality of home care for the elderly. The published research covers the following: cross‐sectional studies on caregiver burden; changes in caregiver burden; appropriateness of the Long‐Term Care insurance assessment scheme; attitudes towards caregiving among caregivers; the development of the short Japanese version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (J‐ZBI_8); and the effectiveness of service use in reducing caregiver burden and development of a Home Care Quality Assessment Index (HCQAI).
Central anticholinergic syndrome secondary to atropine treatment of organophosphate poisoning*
Authors: DOĞAN EROL Demet , GEÇİCİ Ömer 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAnticholinergic syndrome is a common phenomenon because of the frequent administration of atropine in organophosphate poisoning. This diagnosis should be considered in patients with altered mental state following therapy with atropine. We report a case of delirium 48 h after atropine treatment for organophosphate poisoning.
Options and the Bubble
Authors: BATTALIO ROBERT , SCHULTZ PAUL 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTMany believe that a bubble existed in Internet stocks in the 1999 to 2000 period, and that short‐sale restrictions prevented rational investors from driving Internet stock prices to reasonable levels. In the presence of such short‐sale constraints, option and stock prices could decouple during a bubble. Using intraday options data from the peak of the Internet bubble, we find almost no evidence that synthetic stock prices diverged from actual stock prices. We also show that the general public could cheaply short synthetically using options. In summary, we find no evidence that short‐sale restrictions affected Internet stock prices.
The Evolution of Security Designs
Authors: NOE THOMAS H. , REBELLO MICHAEL J. , WANG JUN 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTWe consider a competitive and perfect financial market in which agents have heterogeneous cash flow valuations. Instead of assuming that agents are endowed with rational expectations, we model their behavior as the product of adaptive learning. Our results demonstrate that adaptive learning affects security design profoundly, with securities mispriced even in the long run and optimal designs trading off underpricing against intrinsic value maximization. The evolutionary dominant security design calls for issuing securities that engender large losses with a small but positive probability, but that otherwise produce stable payoffs, almost the exact opposite of the pure state claims that are optimal in the rational expectations framework.
Dynamic Portfolio Selection by Augmenting the Asset Space
Authors: BRANDT MICHAEL W. , SANTA‐CLARA PEDRO 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTWe present a novel approach to dynamic portfolio selection that is as easy to implement as the static Markowitz paradigm. We expand the set of assets to include mechanically managed portfolios and optimize statically in this extended asset space. We consider “conditional” portfolios, which invest in each asset an amount proportional to conditioning variables, and “timing” portfolios, which invest in each asset for a single period and in the risk‐free asset for all other periods. The static choice of these managed portfolios represents a dynamic strategy that closely approximates the optimal dynamic strategy for horizons up to 5 years.
Liquidity and Autocorrelations in Individual Stock Returns
Authors: AVRAMOV DORON , CHORDIA TARUN , GOYAL AMIT 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTThis paper documents a strong relationship between short‐run reversals and stock illiquidity, even after controlling for trading volume. The largest reversals and the potential contrarian trading strategy profits occur in high turnover, low liquidity stocks, as the price pressures caused by non‐informational demands for immediacy are accommodated. However, the contrarian trading strategy profits are smaller than the likely transactions costs. This lack of profitability and the fact that the overall findings are consistent with rational equilibrium paradigms suggest that the violation of the efficient market hypothesis due to short‐term reversals is not so egregious after all.
Executive Stock Options: Early Exercise Provisions and Risk‐taking Incentives
Authors: BRISLEY NEIL 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTTraditional executive stock option plans allow fixed numbers of options to vest peri‐odically, independent of stock price performance. Because such options may climb deep in‐the‐money long before the manager can exercise them, they can exacerbate risk aversion in project selection. Making the proportion of options that vest a gradually increasing function of the stock price can ensure that appropriate numbers of options are retained while they provide risk‐taking incentives, but are exercised once they have lost their convexity. “Progressive performance vesting” can allow the firm more efficiently to rebalance the manager's risk‐taking incentives.