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Second Year (second + year)
Terms modified by Second Year Selected AbstractsClinical and Electrographic Features of Epileptic Spasms Persisting Beyond the Second Year of LifeEPILEPSIA, Issue 6 2002Márcio A. Sotero De Menezes Summary: ,Purpose: Few reports detailing the electroclinical features of epileptic spasms persisting beyond infancy have been published. We sought to characterize this unique population further. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and video-EEG data on 26 patients (4,17 years; mean, 93 months) with a confirmed diagnosis of epileptic spasms and who were evaluated at our tertiary referral center between 1993 and 2000. Results: In half of our cases, epileptic spasms were associated with disorders of neuronal migration, severe perinatal asphyxia, and genetic anomalies. Interictal EEGs showed generalized slowing in the majority of patients, and a slow-wave transient followed by an attenuation of the background amplitude was the most common ictal EEG pattern associated with an epileptic spasm (19 cases). Other seizure types (number of cases in parentheses) included tonic seizures with or without a preceding spasm (13), partial seizures (11), myoclonic seizures (11), generalized tonic,clonic seizures (six), atypical absence seizures (two), and atonic seizures (one). Cases with a more organized EEG background (especially with frequencies ,7 Hz) were more likely to have better cognition. Continued disorganization of the EEG background and persistence of hypsarrhythmia were associated with poor developmental outcome. Conclusions: Patients with epileptic spasms persisting beyond age 2 years constitute a truly refractory population, one that should be better recognized by clinicians. Interestingly, although many therapies resulted in a >50% reduction in seizures, neither neurocognitive function nor quality of life was substantially improved with intervention. The interictal EEG background is the most helpful in predicting neurologic outcome. [source] An Emerging Market's Reaction to Initial Modified Audit Opinions: Evidence from the Shanghai Stock Exchange,CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNTING RESEARCH, Issue 3 2000CHARLES J. P. CHEN Abstract This study investigates the valuation effect of modified audit opinions (MAOs) on the emerging Chinese stock market. Here, the term MAO refers to both qualified opinions and unqualified opinions with explanatory notes. The latter can be considered an alternative form of a qualified opinion in China. The institutional setting in China enables us to find compelling evidence in support of the monitoring role of independent auditing as an institution. First, we find a significantly negative association between MAOs and cumulative abnormal returns after controlling for effects of other concurrent announcements. Further, results from a by-year analysis suggest that investors did not reach negative consensus about MAOs' valuation effect until the second year, exhibiting the learning process of a market without prior exposure to MAOs. Second, we do not observe significant differences between market reaction to non-GAAP- and GAAP-violation-related MAOs. Third, no significant difference is found between market reaction to qualified opinions and market reaction to unqualified opinions with explanatory notes. [source] Stability of medication in early psychosis: a comparison between second-generation and low-dose first-generation antipsychoticsEARLY INTERVENTION IN PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2009Stein Opjordsmoen Abstract Aim: This naturalistic study aims to compare discontinuation rates for low-dose first-generation versus second-generation antipsychotics in first-episode psychotic patients. Methods: The prescription of antipsychotic medication in 301 consecutively admitted patients with first-episode psychosis from four catchment areas is described. For the first year of inclusion a first-generation antipsychotic in low dose was recommended as the first medication. From the second year a second-generation antipsychotic was recommended as first choice. Switching was allowed when any drug was judged to be ineffective or to have serious side-effects. Switching during the first 2 years after inclusion is described. Results: Switching from a low-dose first-generation antipsychotic was more frequent than from a second-generation antipsychotic (90.7 vs. 58.4%). Lack of therapeutic effect and side-effects were the more frequently recorded reasons for changing in the first-generation group. Akathisia, parkinsonism, dyskinesias, dystonia and dysphoria were more often reported in patients on first-generation drugs. Weight gain and sedation were more often reported in patients on second-generation drugs. Conclusion: The findings suggest a better adherence to and tolerability for second-generation antipsychotics than for low-dose first-generation antipsychotics in first-episode psychosis. [source] Family members of people with alcohol or drug dependence: health problems and medical cost compared to family members of people with diabetes and asthmaADDICTION, Issue 2 2009G. Thomas Ray ABSTRACT Aims To compare the medical costs and prevalence of health conditions of family members of people with an alcohol or drug dependence (AODD) diagnosis to family members of people with diabetes and asthma. Setting Kaiser Permanente of Northern California (KPNC). Participants Family members of people diagnosed with AODD between 2002 and 2005, and matched samples of family members of people diagnosed with diabetes and asthma. Measurements Logistic regression was used to determine whether the family members of people with AODD were more likely to be diagnosed with medical conditions than family members of people with diabetes or asthma. Multivariate models were used to compare health services cost and utilization of AODD family members and diabetes and asthma family members. Analyses were for the year before, and 2 years following, initial diagnosis of the index person. Findings In the year before initial diagnosis of the index person, AODD family members were more likely to be diagnosed with substance use disorders, depression and trauma than diabetes or asthma family members. AODD family members had higher total health-care costs than diabetes family members in the year following, and the second year following, the index date ($217 and $293, respectively). AODD family members had higher total health-care costs than asthma family members in the year before, and second year following, the index date ($104 and $269, respectively). Conclusions AODD family members have unique patterns of health conditions compared to the diabetes and asthma family members and have similar, or higher, health-care cost and utilization. [source] A longitudinal evaluation of medical student knowledge, skills and attitudes to alcohol and drugsADDICTION, Issue 6 2006Gavin Cape ABSTRACT Aim To examine the knowledge, skills and attitudes of medical students to alcohol and drugs as training progresses. Design A longitudinal, prospective, cohort-based design. Setting The four schools of medicine in New Zealand. Participants All second-year medical students (first year of pre-clinical medical health sciences) in New Zealand were administered a questionnaire which was repeated in the fourth (first year of significant clinical exposure) and then sixth years (final year). A response rate of 98% in the second year, 75% in the fourth year and 34% in the sixth year, with a total of 637 respondents (47.8% male) and an overall response rate of 68%. Questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of 43 questions assessing knowledge and skills,a mixture of true/false and scenario stem-based multiple-choice questions and 25 attitudinal questions scored on a Likert scale. Demographic questions included first language, ethnicity and personal consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Findings The competence (knowledge plus skills) correct scores increased from 23.4% at the second year to 53.6% at the fourth year to 71.8% at the sixth year, being better in those students who drank alcohol and whose first language was English (P < 0.002). As training progressed the student's perceptions of their role adequacy regarding the effectiveness of the management of illicit drug users diminished. For example, at second year 21% and at sixth year 51% of students felt least effective in helping patients to reduce illicit drug use. At the sixth year, 15% of sixthyear students regarded the self-prescription of psychoactive drugs as responsible practice. Conclusion Education on alcohol and drugs for students remains a crucial but underprovided part of the undergraduate medical curriculum. This research demonstrated that while positive teaching outcomes were apparent, further changes to medical student curricula need to be considered to address specific knowledge deficits and to increase the therapeutic commitment and professional safety of medical students to alcohol and drugs. [source] Outcome of vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy in BudapestEPILEPSIA, Issue 2010Katalin Müller Summary Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a nonpharmacologic therapeutic option for patients with intractable epilepsy. Better clinical outcomes were recorded in nonfocal and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). We conducted a 2-year, open label, prospective study to measure the seizure outcome of 26 VNS patients. The seizure numbers were assessed using clinician's global impression scale (CGI) and patient diaries. The average seizure reduction was 23% at the first year and 22% at the second year. Seizure reduction was more pronounced among patients with nonfocal than with focal epilepsy. The response rate was 50% at first year and 30% at the second year. The best CGI record for clinically significant improvement was 15% in the LGS group. The only statistically significant result was the reduction of the generalized tonic,clonic seizures (GTCS). The side-effect profile was good; however, the large number of mild and reversible effects influenced the stimulation parameters and thus probably the effectiveness of the therapy. We suggest that VNS is an optional treatment mostly in cases of therapy-resistant Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Patients with GTCS may experience improvement such as reduction of seizure severity. We conclude that VNS is a safe neuromodulatory treatment, but future developments of neuromodulatory approaches are needed. [source] A survey on two years of medication regulation in horse races in IranEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010S. LOTFOLLAHZADEH Summary Reasons for performing study: The present survey evaluated the use of prohibited substances cases in the first 2 years of medication regulation in horseracing in Iran so that the impact of these regulations on the level of positive cases over the period could be assessed. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of positive tests for prohibited substances in horse races during 2 years of a drugs testing programme in Iran. Methods: A total of 656 horses that were winners or second in races were tested during the 2 year study. In the first year 354 horses (209 males and 145 females) and in the second year 302 horses (155 males and 147 females) were tested. In the 2 years, 306 were found to be positive. Urine samples were taken from candidate horses and sent to the Central Doping Laboratory. Blood samples were taken from those horses where a urine sample could not be taken within one hour. Detection and measurement of prohibited substances were carried out by ELISA, GC and HPLC using standard methods. Results: Thirty-two percent of males were positive for prohibited substances, which was not significantly different from the percentage of females (25.5%). In the second year, of the 302 horses tested for prohibited substances, 33.5% of males were positive, again similar to females (33.3%). Almost 83% of horses tested positive for prohibited substances once in the first year, 15% tested positive twice and 2% tested positive 3 times. In the second year 78% tested positive once, 15% tested positive twice and 7% tested positive 3 times. Morphine was the most used prohibited substance and was detected 42 times during the survey, followed by caffeine and phenylbutazone. Morphine was also the most used drug in combination with other drugs in both years. Conclusions: Morphine and caffeine were the most popular prohibited substances found in the measurements. As these substances were found in the environment and food stuffs, their presence in the samples may be due to unintentional feeding of contaminated materials (bread, hay and chocolate). [source] Information and communication technology among undergraduate dental students in FinlandEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 4 2002Jorma I. Virtanen Use of information and communication technology (ICT) is rapidly increasing in medical and dental education. The aim of the present study was to determine the knowledge, skills and opinions of dental undergraduate students regarding ICT and to analyze possible shifts in the acquisition of these resources. For these purposes a survey of all undergraduate dental students at the University of Oulu, Finland, was conducted during the spring term 2000. All the students in the 5 years of study (n = 140) were asked to answer a questionnaire presented during a lecture or demonstration. An overall response rate of 95% was achieved. The frequencies and percentage distributions of the items were analyzed separately for each year (1,5). All the students in the faculty are provided with personal e-mail addresses at the beginning of their studies and special emphasis has been laid on the utilization of their ICT knowledge and skills. An overwhelming majority of the students, more than 95%, judged themselves to have good or satisfactory skills in word processing, but only a slight majority considered that they could manage some advanced operating system functions. Use of ICT services was high, as about 60% of the students used e-mail and one-third WWW services daily. Literature retrieval was widely employed, so that almost 80% of the students had used literature databases (including Ovid Medline and collections of electronic full-text articles), which were introduced and provided by the Medical Library when the students were in their second year. More than 50% had received educational material in electronic form often or sometimes, and almost 80% had communicated by e-mail with a faculty teacher. A clear trend (P < 0.05) was found for the younger students to use ICT services in general and for educational purposes more often than the older ones. In conclusion, e-mail and WWW have been widely adopted for both private and educational purposes by dental students in Finland and are employed together with WWW-based medical and dental publication databases. The younger students have more interest in ICT and better skills, which presents a challenge for dental education in the future. [source] Age-related movement patterns and population structuring in southern garfish, Hyporhamphus melanochir, inferred from otolith chemistryFISHERIES MANAGEMENT & ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2009M. A. STEER Abstract, The southern garfish, Hyporhamphus melanochir (Val.), is an important inshore fishery species in South Australia. Over the past few years there have been concerns with this fishery, which is now considered to be over-exploited. Currently, the fishery is assumed to consist of two separate stocks, but there is no understanding of movement patterns both within and between these two stocks to justify this assumption. Otolith chemistry was used to infer age-related patterns of movement, delineate potential sub-populations and determine the extent of mixing within South Australian coastal waters. Results indicated that the population structuring of garfish is more complex than previously assumed and it seems that stocks can be discriminated at a much finer spatial scale. Garfish collected from sites separated by <60 km displayed significantly different chemical signatures (relative concentrations of 7Li, 24Mg, 55Mn, 88Sr and 138Ba) in their otoliths, especially during their second year of growth, indicating that they had inhabited different water bodies. From a broader perspective, South Australian garfish can be partitioned into six regional components with various levels of inter-mixing. From these results, it was suggested that assessment and management of the fishery may have to be restructured to align with the smaller spatial units. [source] Strategies for Success: Profiling the Effective Learner of GermanFOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS, Issue 3 2001Jennifer Bruen The primary objective of this study is to identify the language-learning strategies associated with the achievement of higher levels of oral proficiency in German for 100 Irish students about to complete their second year at Dublin City University. It also investigates the way in which these strategies are used by those with higher and lower levels of proficiency. The methodology combines quantitative assessment (using questionnaires)with in-depth, qualitative interviews. The article begins by explaining key concepts in the field of language learning strategy research and then reviews a selection of relevant studies. An experiment designed to achieve the above objectives is then described. The results indicate that more-proficient students use more language-learning strategies, in particular more cognitive and metacognitive strategies. Furthermore, ten. strategies correlate with higher levels of oral proficiency at a significant level. These provide a tentative strategic profile of the more effective learner of German. Finally, the qualitative findings suggest that more-proficient students use language-learning strategies in a more structured and purposeful manner and apply them to a wider range of situations and tasks. Finally, implications for future research and for the language classroom are discussed. [source] Increased growth and recruitment of piscivorous perch, Perca fluviatilis, during a transient phase of expanding submerged vegetation in a shallow lakeFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 12 2005ANDERS HARGEBY Summary 1. In this study, we examine how a 7-year period of expanding submerged stonewort (Chara spp.) vegetation during a shift from turbid to clear water in a shallow lake influenced individual growth and population size structure of perch (Perca fluviatilis). We expected that a shift from phytoplankton to macrophyte dominance and clear water would improve feeding conditions for perch during a critical benthivorous ontogenetic stage, and enhance the recruitment of piscivorous perch. 2. Growth analysis based on opercula showed that growth during the second year of life was significantly higher in years with abundant vegetation than in years with turbid water and sparse vegetation. Growth was not affected during the first, third and fourth year of life. Stable isotope analyses on opercula from 2-year-old perch showed that the increase in growth coincided with a change in carbon source in the diet. Stable nitrogen ratio did not change, indicating that the increased growth was not an effect of any change in trophic position. 3. Following the expansion of submerged vegetation, perch size range and abundance of piscivorous perch increased in central, unvegetated areas of the lake. In stands of stoneworts, however, mainly benthivorous perch were caught, and size range did not change with time. 4. Our findings provide empirical support for the notion that establishment of submerged vegetation may lead to increased recruitment of piscivorous perch, because of improved competitive conditions for perch during the benthivorous stage. This is likely to constitute a benthic-pelagic feedback coupling, in which submerged vegetation and clear water promote the recruitment of piscivorous perch, which, in turn, may increase water clarity through top-down effects in the pelagic. [source] Land-use influences macroinvertebrate community response following a pulse disturbanceFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 8 2003Kevin J. Collier Summary 1.,We tested the hypothesis that interactions between disturbance types can influence invertebrate community response and recovery in two streams draining pasture (press-pulse disturbance) and native forest (pulse disturbance) catchments before and after a one-in-28-year flood. We also sampled drift and adult insects to gain insights into the relative importance of these two postdisturbance recolonisation pathways. 2.,Taxa numbers and total density declined markedly at the forested site after the flood, but there was a delayed response at the pasture site, reflecting greater initial resistance to this pulse disturbance among taxa adapted to the underlying press disturbance. 3.,Community composition was less stable at the pasture site where per cent abundance of taxa was highly variable prior to the flood and over the 2-year postflood sampling period. After the flood, the pasture stream fauna was more heavily dominated by vagile taxa, including several chironomid species and hydroptilid caddisflies. 4.,Taxa numbers and densities recovered to preflood levels within 5,7 months at both sites, but a range of taxa-specific responses was observed that took up to 18 months to recover to preflood densities. Community stability at the pasture site had not returned to preflood composition by 2 years postflood. 5.,Changes in drift densities of several common stream invertebrates at the pasture site reflected postflood changes in benthic densities and seasonally low drift in winter. Terrestrial invertebrates dominated drift at the pasture site for 3 months postflood whereas Ephemeroptera were most common at the native forest site. 6.,Flight patterns of selected adult aquatic insects showed a strongly seasonal pattern. Abundance of adults at the pasture site in the second year following the flood increased in line with the recovery of the non-Dipteran benthic fauna. Significant upstream flight occurred for several caddisfly species at the native forest site, and weakly directional or downstream flight was evident for most common Plecoptera and Ephemeroptera. 7.,This study indicates that the magnitude and duration of responses to major pulse disturbances can depend on the presence or absence of an underlying press disturbance. This finding has implications for monitoring, and suggests that a knowledge of disturbance history beyond 2 years may be required to interpret mechanisms contributing to observed land-use impacts. [source] Reproduction of interspecific hybrids of Atlantic salmon and brown trout in a stream environmentFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2003Eva Garcia-Vazquez SUMMARY 1.,Reproduction between Atlantic salmon males and interspecific hybrid Salmo salar × Salmo trutta females was monitored in a controlled flow channel diverted from a south European river located at the edge of Atlantic salmon natural geographic distribution in Europe. 2.,Post-F1 hybrids were viable and survived in the wild, at least until dispersal from redds. After transfer to hatchery conditions, 67% survived into the second year. 3.,The hybrids possessed 98 chromosomes: two sets of Atlantic salmon(2n = 58) and one set of brown trout (n = 40) chromosomes. 4.,The existence of a low proportion of allotriploid individuals can be expected in rivers where Atlantic salmon and brown trout populations coexist. [source] Competition for light and nitrogen among grassland species: a simulation analysisFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2001Schippers P. Abstract 1.,A plant competition model to analyse the competition among perennial grassland species was developed. It was used to find out whether complex perennial competition processes could be simulated accurately on the basis of ecophysiological principles; what crucial parameters and processes determine succession; and how spatial heterogeneity affects interspecies competition for light and nitrogen. 2.,Simulation results were compared with results of a 2-year replacement experiment involving Holcus lanatus, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Festuca ovina. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the importance of processes and parameters. 3.,The model's sensitivity to plant height, specific leaf area and turnover and the large interspecific differences indicated that these were key determinants of competition between species. Festuca's low shoot turnover enabled it to survive the winter better and gave it an advantage in spring; this resulted in an unexpected recovery after winter in the second year. 4.,Spatially explicit simulations showed that species patchiness reduced competitive asymmetry, especially under nutrient-poor conditions. 5.,The model's ability to simulate complex perennial competition processes as observed in the experiment indicates its potential for analysing vegetation processes related to succession. [source] The effects of organic and inorganic fertilizer applications to Miscanthus×giganteus, Arundo donax and Phalaris arundinacea, when grown as energy crops in Wales, UKGCB BIOENERGY, Issue 4 2010R. SMITH Abstract Two pot trials and one field trial were established to investigate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizer applications to energy crops grown in mid-Wales. Chicken litter and sewage cake applied at a high level in excess of MAFF recommendations produced an increased yield response in Miscanthus and Arundo plants. Miscanthus plants exhibited an increased growth response to all fertilizers applied in its second year. Fertilizer applications in accordance with MAFF recommendations produced no significant differences in yields for Miscanthus or Arundo potted plants. In the field there was an increased yield response of Miscanthus to inorganic nitrogen applications compared with organic manures, but not with control plots. Analysis of the Miscanthus plant material at harvest showed significant differences in the nitrogen, potassium and copper content between treatments. No mineral content differences were shown for Miscanthus rhizome material or Arundo plant material. The Phalaris plants did not exhibit significant differences in growth or yield parameters, but their plant matter showed differences in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulphur and boron content between treatments. [source] Genes, Brain and Behavior entering its second yearGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 1 2003Wim E. Crusio No abstract is available for this article. [source] Effects of tractor wheeling on root morphology and yield of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)GRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 3 2008Summary The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of soil compaction on the herbage yield and root growth of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.). A field experiment was conducted on a silty loam Mollic Fluvisols soil in 2003,2006. Herbage yield and root morphology, in terms of root length density, mean root diameter, specific root length and distribution of dry matter (DM) in roots, were measured. Four compaction treatments were applied three times annually by tractor using the following number of passes: control without experimental traffic, two passes, four passes and six passes. The tractor traffic changed the physical properties of the soil by increasing bulk density and penetration resistance. Soil compaction also improved its water retention properties. These changes were associated with changes in root morphology and distribution of the DM in roots. Soil compaction resulted in higher proportions of the DM in roots, especially in the upper, 0,10 cm, soil horizon. Decreases in the root length density were observed in a root diameter range of 0·1,1·0 mm. It was also found that roots in a more compacted soil were significantly thicker. An effect of the root system of lucerne on soil compaction was observed. The root system of lucerne decreased the effects of soil compaction that had been recorded in the first and the second year of the experiment. An increase in the number of passes resulted in a decrease in the DM yield of herbage in the second and third harvests each year. [source] Argentine rangeland quality influences reproduction of yearling pregnant heifers?GRASSLAND SCIENCE, Issue 2 2009Liliana G. Hidalgo Abstract The Flooding Pampa natural grasslands are gradually being transformed into croplands to increase the economic returns of ranches. It is therefore becoming necessary for stockmen to increase beef cattle efficiency to compete with crops and to maintain the native grassland and its associated fauna. However, natural grasslands during winter have the lowest content of nutrients of the year. We intend to demonstrate that, with breeding weights of over 65% of cow mature weight, low forage quality of rangelands during winter does not have a negative effect on reproduction. These higher breeding weights were obtained by selecting early born female calves and by grazing annual and cultivated pastures. Pregnant Aberdeen Angus yearling heifers (n = 90) were evaluated using a pregnancy test (May 2005) until the second calving (July 2006). At the beginning of the experiment, yearling heifers with live weight ranging 360,514 kg (mean, 425 kg ± 3.5 SE) were used. Cattle grazed native grasslands (humid mesophytic meadows and humid prairie grasslands) and old mixed pastures. The second pregnancy was high (100%), with the same mean calving date as in the first pregnancy (227 Julian days). Heifers which calved later in the first calving year were early calvers in the second year, resulting in the relatively constant average calving dates across the animals. [source] Age at Acquisition of Helicobacter pylori in a Pediatric Canadian First Nations PopulationHELICOBACTER, Issue 2 2002Samir K. Sinha Abstract Background. Few data exist regarding the epidem-iology of Helicobacter pylori infections in aboriginal, including the First Nations (Indian) or Inuit (Eskimo) populations of North America. We have previously found 95% of the adults in Wasagamack, a First Nations community in Northeastern Manitoba, Canada, are seropositive for H. pylori. We aimed to determine the age at acquisition of H. pylori among the children of this community, and if any association existed with stool occult blood or demographic factors. Materials and Methods. We prospectively enrolled children resident in the Wasagamack First Nation in August 1999. A demographic questionnaire was administered. Stool was collected, frozen and batch analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for H. pylori antigen and for the presence of occult blood. Questionnaire data were analyzed and correlated with the presence or absence of H. pylori. Results. 163 (47%) of the estimated 350 children aged 6 weeks to 12 years, resident in the community were enrolled. Stool was positive for H. pylori in 92 (56%). By the second year of life 67% were positive for H. pylori. The youngest to test positive was 6 weeks old. There was no correlation of a positive H. pylori status with gender, presence of pets, serum Hgb, or stool occult blood. Forty-three percent of H. pylori positive and 24% of H. pylori negative children were < 50th percentile for height (p = 0.024). Positive H. pylori status was associated with the use of indoor pail toileting (86/143) compared with outhouse toileting (6/20) (p = 0.01). Conclusions. In a community with widespread H. pylori infection, overcrowded housing and primitive toileting, H. pylori is acquired as early as 6 weeks of age, and by the second year of life 67% of children test positive for H. pylori. [source] The Role of Declarative Pointing in Developing a Theory of MindINFANCY, Issue 3 2004Luigia Camaioni It has been suggested that the child's capacity to represent and influence another person's attentional state about an object or event in triadic interactions (declarative communication) is an early manifestation of social understanding in the second year of life. This study tested the following predictions: First, in typically developing children declarative pointing emerges later than imperative pointing. Second, the capacity to use declarative pointing is linked to the understanding of other's intentions (i.e., to the capacity to reproduce other's intended acts after seeing failed attempts to perform these acts). The study was conducted in 2 phases. In the first phase, the parents of 133 typically developing infants completed the Questionnaire on Pointing Gesture, which allowed the identification of babies able to use pointing in familiar contexts. Of these children, 40 participated in the experiment and were tested on 2 tasks: a new task designed to elicit production and comprehension of imperative and declarative pointing, and a modified version of Meltzoff's (1995) task designed to assess understanding of others' intentions. Tasks were administered to each participant in 2 sessions carried out at 3-month intervals. Children were 12 months old on average at the 1st session and 15 months old on average at the 2nd session. Results showed that children produced and understood declarative pointing later than imperative pointing. Furthermore, production of declarative pointing was clearly linked to understanding of others' intentions. No relation was found between production and comprehension of imperative pointing and intention understanding. Implications from the association between declarative pointing and inferring other's intentions are discussed. [source] Toddlers' use of cues in a search taskINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2008Rachel Keen Abstract Search for a ball that has undergone hidden motion rapidly improves during the second year of life (Dev. Psychol., 2000; 36:394,401). In three experiments we investigated whether the poor performance of younger toddlers was due to attentional failure by highlighting the major cue for the hidden object. We observed only slight improvement in search behaviour. We performed two other experiments that tested the depth of understanding of 3-year-olds in this task and found that their performance was robust to changes in the apparatus and experimental procedures. Overall, the results point to a rapidly developing ability in the second year of life to either reason about space or select the correct motor response in search tasks. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A model for predicting behavioural sleep problems in a random sample of Australian pre-schoolersINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2007Wendy A. Hall Abstract Behavioural sleep problems (childhood insomnias) can cause distress for both parents and children. This paper reports a model describing predictors of high sleep problem scores in a representative population-based random sample survey of non-Aboriginal singleton children born in 1995 and 1996 (1085 girls and 1129 boys) in Western Australia. Longitudinal repeated data were collected up to age 4 years by caregiver report. Children's sleep rhythmicity levels in their first year, as well as conflicted and lax parenting in their second year, predicted higher scores on the sleep problem scale from the Child Behaviour Checklist/2,3 in the children's third year. Higher scores on the sleep problem scale in the children's third year predicted higher scores on the aggressive behaviour subscale of the Child Behaviour Checklist/4,16. The results support a model in which sleep problems mediated the relationship between parental conflict and aggressive behaviour, even when controlling for maternal depression, which has been associated with children's aggressive behaviour. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Postneonatal mental and motor development of infants exposed in utero to opioid drugsINFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 3 2001Sydney L. Hans We compared the mental and motor development of 33 infants from innercity, African American families whose mothers used opioid drugs during pregnancy with that of 45 infants from demographically comparable families where the mothers were not users of opioids. We found that during the first 2 years of life, the children exposed to opioid drugs showed poorer functioning on Bayley Scales mental and psychomotor development indices as well as on Infant Behavior Record ratings of mental and motor functioning. Although both groups of children performed in the normal range during infancy, both groups showed sharp declines in their developmental scores during the second year of life relative to norms. The poorer performance of the opioid-exposed group in mental development was related to social-environmental risk factors; in psychomotor development, to reduced birth weight. © 2001 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health. [source] Quality of life in dementia: a 2-year follow-up studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 12 2007Pierre Missotten Abstract Objectives To examine the evolution of quality of life (QOL) in demented subjects at base-line, one and 2 years later and to determine clinical variables associated with QOL. Method Longitudinal study of a cohort of 127 subjects living at home or in a long-term care institution. A QOL measure (Alzheimer Disease Related Quality of Life; ADRQL) was administered three times. In addition, several clinical instruments (MMSE, IADL, ADL and CDR/M) were also administered. Results ADRQL data analysis did not reveal significant modifications of QOL over the 2-year period, whereas results from clinical instruments showed a significant deterioration. On the group, the variations of ADRQL scores were limited, with some improvement after the first year followed by some deterioration after the second year. On the other hand, ADRQL scores fluctuated every year by at least 10 points for more than 50% of subjects. With dementia evolution, it was observed that the clinical variables were more strongly correlated with ADRQL scores and were more significant predictors. This varied from 5.9% (MMSE) in 2002 to 40.01% in 2004 (MMSE and CDR/M). Conclusions QOL did not develop in a strictly linear manner following the deterioration of clinical state. This suggests that the evolution of QOL is also determined by other variables relating to the physical and social environment of the patients. Their role seems particularly important for the mild to moderate stages of dementia. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Care management, dementia care and specialist mental health services: an evaluationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 4 2002David Challis Abstract Objective To evaluate a model of intensive case management for people with dementia based in a community-based mental health service for older people. Method Quasi-experimental design. Individuals in one community team setting received case management and were compared with those in a similar team without such a service. Fortythree matched pairs were identified. Eligible older people and their carers were interviewed at uptake and again at 6 and 12 months. Results The impact of the scheme upon placement occurred in the second year at the end of which 51% of the experimental group remained at home compared with 33% of the comparison group. For the experimental group significant improvements in the social contacts of older people were noted; a decrease in the stress of their carers was observed, together with a reduction in their input to the care of the client; and there were significant improvements on ratings of overall need reduction, aspects of daily living and level of risk. Differences between the two groups based on service receipt showed higher costs for the experimental group. Discussion The benefits to older people and their carers confirms previous findings that the most effective case management interventions are those targeted on a highly specific client group. Issues which influence the cost-effectiveness of intensive case management are discussed. The benefits of locating this service within a specialist mental health team are explored in the context of current initiatives to promote greater service integration between health and social services. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Interest in Geriatric Medicine in Canada: How Can We Secure a Next Generation of Geriatricians?JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 3 2006FRCP(C), Laura L. Diachun MEd In Canada, there is minimal training of geriatrics for physicians, a shortage of geriatricians, and extremely low numbers of students entering geriatrics. This study explored student interest in and barriers and enticements to geriatric medicine as a career choice. Medical students attending a university in Ontario, Canada, were surveyed in their first year (N=121), after a geriatric education session, and again in their second year (N=118) about their interest in a career in geriatrics. In the first year, less than 20% of students were interested in geriatrics; in the second year this decreased to 16%. In both years, female students were more interested than male students. Those students interested in geriatrics had higher hopes that their practice would involve primarily adults and seniors. Students not interested in geriatrics rated performing procedures and technical skills, not wanting to work with chronically ill patients, and caring for younger patients as important practice characteristics. Although the importance of prestige was low for all students, it was significantly higher for those not interested in geriatrics. Although changes to prestige, income, lifestyle, and length of residency training were identified as potential enticements to geriatrics, they were not major deterrents to a career in geriatrics. The findings suggest strategies that may affect student interest in geriatrics, such as increased and early student exposure to geriatrics with emphasis on fostering and nurturing student interest, consideration of various enticements to this specialty, and the development of health system,specific solutions to this problem. Knowledge of student and practice characteristics that increase the likelihood of selecting geriatrics as a specialty may allow for early identification and support of future geriatricians. [source] The sensitive hare: sublethal effects of predator stress on reproduction in snowshoe haresJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Michael J. Sheriff Summary 1.,Prey responses to high predation risk can be morphological or behavioural and ultimately come at the cost of survival, growth, body condition, or reproduction. These sub-lethal predator effects have been shown to be mediated by physiological stress. We tested the hypothesis that elevated glucocorticoid concentrations directly cause a decline in reproduction in individual free-ranging female snowshoe hares, Lepus americanus. We measured the cortisol concentration from each dam (using a faecal analysis enzyme immunoassay) and her reproductive output (litter size, offspring birth mass, offspring right hind foot (RHF) length) 30 h after birth. 2.,In a natural monitoring study, we monitored hares during the first and second litter from the population peak (2006) to the second year of the decline (2008). We found that faecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) concentration in dams decreased 52% from the first to the second litter. From the first to the second litter, litter size increased 122%, offspring body mass increased 130%, and offspring RHF length increased 112%. Dam FCM concentrations were inversely related to litter size (r2 = 0·19), to offspring birth mass (r2 = 0·32), and to offspring RHF length (r2 = 0·64). 3.,In an experimental manipulation, we assigned wild-caught, pregnant hares to a control and a stressed group and held them in pens. Hares in the stressed group were exposed to a dog 1,2 min every other day before parturition to simulate high predation risk. At parturition, unsuccessful-stressed dams (those that failed to give birth to live young) and stressed dams had 837% and 214%, respectively, higher FCM concentrations than control dams. Of those females that gave birth, litter size was similar between control and stressed dams. However, offspring from stressed dams were 37% lighter and 16% smaller than offspring from control dams. Increasing FCM concentration in dams caused the decline of offspring body mass (r2 = 0·57) and RHF (r2 = 0·52). 4.,This is the first study in a free-ranging population of mammals to show that elevated, predator-induced, glucocorticoid concentrations in individual dams caused a decline in their reproductive output measured both by number and quality of offspring. Thus, we provide evidence that any stressor, not just predation, which increases glucocorticoid concentrations will result in a decrease in reproductive output. [source] Gonadal development and spawning cycle in the digynic hermaphrodite sharpsnout seabream Diplodus puntazzo (Sparidae) off the Canary Islands, northwest of AfricaJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 1 2008J. G. Pajuelo Summary Diplodus puntazzo is a species characterized by a rudimentary hermaphroditism, with a low level of protandry. The study found that the overall sex ratio was one male to 2.03 females, diverging significantly from 1 : 1, and that there was a ratio of one male to 0.11 transitional fish. The sex ratio varied with season: during the reproductive period the ratio was 1 : 1.86 (male : female), significantly lower than in the non-reproductive period in which the sex ratio was approximately 1 : 2.26. Both sexes had similar size distributions; however, females were predominant in all size intervals, especially in the larger ones. No significant difference in mean total length (TL) between females (330 mm), males (319 mm) or transitionals (321 mm) was found. The smallest functional female and male analysed were 159 and 157 mm TL, and the largest were 520 and 510 mm TL, respectively. No significant difference in length at first level of maturity, attained at the second year of life, was found between males (281 mm) and females (292 mm), respectively. A protracted spawning season was identified for the species: from September to February, with a peak in November. GSI values followed the same pattern for males and females, with values of females being similar to those of males; the highest values occurred between September and December, with a maximum in November. Occurrence of transitional fish was significantly higher during the month with highest values of GSI than in the resting period. The study found that vitellogenesis did not begin synchronously for all females, and the simultaneous presence of oocytes in all stages of development indicated an asynchronous mode of ovarian development. The presence of postovulatory, together with tertiary yolk vesicle oocytes, indicated that the species is a multiple spawner. [source] Training the Scientists and Engineers of Tomorrow: A Person-Situation Approach,JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2001Susan E. Cross The United States may face a shortage of well-trained scientists and engineers in the near future. This prospective study examined the issue of women's low rates of participation in these fields from a Person × Situation perspective, focusing on the early years of graduate school. Although men and women were similar in many respects (e.g., in Graduate Record Exam scores and grades), women evaluated their abilities related to intelligence lower than did men. There were no gender differences in students'perceptions of the academic climate. Longitudinal analyses revealed that students' self-evaluations and gender moderated the effects of perceived supportiveness of their academic departments on changes in well-being from the end of their first year to the end of their second year. [source] Cautious response of inexperienced birds to conventional signal of stronger threatJOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2007Tomasz S. Osiejuk Several studies demonstrated that bird song functions as a first line of territorial defence. The efficiency of deterring rivals depends strongly on the strategy of singing used (e.g. alternating/overlapping singing, singing with low/high rate, matching song type of a rival or singing different type). Causes of between males variation during countersinging are still not fully understood, especially when different signals have similar production costs and their meaning is assigned by arbitrary convention (conventional signalling). We tested whether an oscine bird with small repertoire size, the ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulana, differentiate strategy of responding to song of an intruder in relation to its age and threat value of signals. We performed playback experiments to measure response of second year (SY) and after second year (ASY) males to a song of low (eventual variety singing) and high (immediate variety singing) threat value. We found substantial differences in response to playback, which were related both to the type of stimuli used and age of responding males. Both SY and ASY males gave more calls than songs in response to immediate variety playback, which suggest stronger vocal response to the signal of higher threat value. Approaching loudspeaker was similar for both age classes when lower threat value signal was played back, while simultaneously SY males clearly avoided approaching loudspeaker when stronger threat values signal was played back. We conclude that ortolan bunting differentiate response to signal of different threat value and that the strength of response depends on the age of a male. This study provides experimental evidence that age of receiver affects its response to a territorial intruder. It also demonstrates that observed in many studies variation in response to playback may be an effect of age differences between males, which rarely is controlled. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||