bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PW01-219 - Alcohol Use In French Medical Residents
Authors: Speicher C. , Khodabux N. , Lacerre F. , Hiar S. , Schmitt L. , Bui E.
Published: June 2010

Objectives

Although the literature suggest that alcohol misuse is common in medical students, few studies have investigated it in French medical residents. The present study aims at exploring the prevalence and associated characteristics of alcohol misuse in French medical residents

Methods

Medical residents working in one of 3 University Hospital in France (n=292) were invited to fill out an online survey using the mailing lists of the participating centers. Alcohol use was assessed with the 10-item self-report Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) (range 0-40) which provides scores for hazardous alcohol use, dependency symptoms and harmful alcohol use. Background variables were also collected.

Results

Mean participants’ age was 27.7 (SD=1.7) and 65.5% (n=190) of them were of female gender. Mean weekly hours of work at the hospital was 57.8 (SD=13.6) and mean number of validated rotations at the time of the assessment was 5.1 (SD=2.4). Mean AUDIT score was 4.5 (SD=3). Forty-four (15.1%) participants scored on the AUDIT above the cut-off (>7) for problem use and 51 of them (17.5%) reported binge drinking at least once a month. AUDIT total score was positively correlated with male gender (r=0.26) and cannabis use (r=0.40) while negatively associated with weekly hours of work (r=-0.12) and number of rotations validated (-0.13). In a regression analysis, only male gender predicted alcohol use.

Conclusions

Alcohol problem use is prevalent in French medical residents, is predicted by male gender and is strongly associated with cannabis use. Future research is needed to confirm these results.
PW01-223 - Comparison Of Personality Traits And Religious Orientation Between Addicted And Nonaddicted People
Authors: Galavi T. , Homayouni A.
Published: June 2010

Objective

Religion and to be religious can play an important role in human's individual and social life. The religion can be entered in many aspects of human behaviour and can affect on their behaviour and reduce probably of abnormal functions.So the study was aimed to investigate personality traits and religious orientation in two groups of addicted and nonaddicted people.

Methods

91 addicts people(in prisons)selected and were compared with 91 nonaddicted people. McCare & Costa's Five-factor personality test (NEO-PIR) and Alport's religious orientation scale (AROS)was adminidtered on them.T independent test was used to analyze the data.

Results

Results showed significant difference between personality traits and religious orientation in tow groups. Nonaddicted people are more conscientiousness and less extrinsic religious orientation than addicted people.

Conclusions

Based on results it is suggested to do plans to increase intrinsic religious orientation related to personality traits in order to decrease tendency to addiction.
PW01-224 - Neuropsychiatric Symptoms In Smokers Quitting With Varenicline Or Placebo: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study
Authors: Garza D. , Murphy M. , Tseng L.-J. , Riordan H. , Chatterjee A.
Published: June 2010

Objective

Varenicline is an α4β2 partial nicotinic agonist approved for smoking cessation. There have been spontaneous postmarketing reports of neuropsychiatric adverse events (NPAEs) in smokers without a history of psychiatric illness quitting with varenicline.

Methods

110 smokers without history of psychiatric illness (screened by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM) were randomized to 12 weeks of varenicline (n=55) (1mg bid) or placebo. Adverse events were solicited systematically. Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, aggression and irritability were measured at baseline and weekly using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression-rating scale (MADRS), the Hamilton Anxiety scale (HAM-A), and the Overt Aggression scale-modified (OAS-m). The Profile of Mood States (POMS) was administered daily. Mixed Model analysis of repeated measures was conducted to compare mean changes in scores between groups across the study period.

Results

Smokers had a mean age of 33; smoked on average 22 cigarettes/day with mean Fagerstrom score for Nicotine Dependence >7 at baseline. Reported NPAEs were similar between groups. No suicidal events were reported. There were no significant differences between groups for the MADRS (treatment difference vs. placebo [TD] = 0.03, 95% CI: -0.68, 0.73; NS), HAM-A (TD = 0.14, 95% CI: -0.62, 0.90; NS), OAS-m irritability subscale (TD = 0.08, 95% CI: -0.17, 0.34; NS), OAS-m aggression subscale (TD = 0.5, 95% CI: -1.18, 2.18, NS) and the POMS total scores (TD = 0.5, 95% CI: -0.52, 1.53; NS).

Conclusions

There were no significant differences between groups on measures of depressive symptoms, anxiety and aggression/hostility. Systematically solicited NPAEs were similar between varenicline and placebo.
PW01-227 - Analysis The Emotional Status, Social Support And Coping Styles Of Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients
Authors: Guoquan Z. , Weidong J. , Zhenghui F. , Zhiqiang L. , Min Z.
Published: June 2010

Objective

Investigate the emotional status and social support of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients to provide guidance for a pertinent intervention.

Methods

We conducted a case-control study between 86 patients of Shanghai Changning community based methadone maintenance treatment and 93 controls from Shanghai Changning district. They were investigated via questionnaires, including Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Social Support Scale.

Results

The SDS scores were significantly higher in MMT group than in control group (52.7±11.4 vs 39.9±6.4, P< 0.01); the total scores of social support and subjective support, objective support and the 3 factors of support utilization were lower in MMT group compared with control group ([17.9±6.5 vs 20.3±7.8], [5.2±1.7 vs 7.4±1.4], P< 0.05); the scores of problem solving and recourse factors were lower in MMT group than in control group ([0.74±0.18 vs 0.91±0.06], [0.64±0.20 vs 0.69±0.06], P< 0.05).

Conclusion

The depression symptoms are prevalent in patients. The social support is low and the problem solving and recourse approaches are less utilized in patients. Our results show that it is necessary to implement the integrative intervention of MMT patients for improving the full recovery of their social function.
PW01-251 - Alcohol Consumption: Links Between Sleep And Diurnal Preference
Authors: Voinescu B. , Coogan A. , Orasan R. , Thome J.
Published: June 2010

Objective

To evaluate diurnal preference and sleep patterns in relation to alcohol consumption.

Methods

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Sleep Disorders Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Pittsburgh Insomnia Rating Scale, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory II and the Composite Scale of Morningness (all in Romanian translation) were used. Subjects, aged over 18, were recruited from the Psychiatric facilities of the Baia Mare County Hospital, Romania, as well as from patients’ families or acquaintances and from students attending the Faculty of Psychology in Cluj-Napoca. We excluded people suffering from certain conditions that impair sleep (e.g. sleep apnoea).

Results

Three hundred and six people (age: 41.2±15.7) were included in this study. Based on AUDIT scores, we created three groups (low, medium and high alcohol use). We found that alcohol consumption influenced sleep and sleep quality: the higher the alcohol consumption was, the more disrupted the sleep and the more severe the sleep loss consequences (fatigue, daytime sleepiness, depression) were. About a half of the high alcohol consumers (48.5%) experienced insomnia, lasting more than a month and impairing their functionality (compared to 18% of the low consumers and 25% of the medium consumers; X=19.5, P=0.001). Individuals with evening or morning preference and moderate or high alcohol use tended to score higher in the AUDIT compared to those of intermediate preference.

Conclusions

These results indicate that alcohol consumption is linked with sleep disturbances and that diurnal preference may also influence alcohol intake.
PW01-256 - Suicide Attempts In Psychiatric Patients: ‘naive’ Probands, Single and Multiple Attempters
Authors: Pompili M. , Innamorati M. , Szanto K. , Di Vittorio C. , Conwell Y. , Lester D. , Tatarelli R. , Girardi P. , Amore M.
Published: June 2010

Objective

This study examined specific risk factors discriminating psychiatric inpatients who were never suicidal from those who reported one or more suicide attempts, and compared characteristics discriminating first-time attempters from first-time and multiple repeaters (recent attempters with one or more previous attempts).

Method

716 inpatients admitted to the Division of Psychiatry of a University Hospital were evaluated for their suicidal history, psychiatric diagnosis, current and past stressors, and other clinical and sociodemographic risk factors.

Results

Of the 358 attempters, 86 were first-time attempters, 219 first-time repeaters, and 53 multiple repeaters. There were significant differences between the nonattempters and the attempters in sociodemographic variables, DSM-IV-TR diagnosis (attempters were diagnosed more frequently with eating disorders, and less frequently with DSM-IV Axis II disorders than nonattempters), and clinical history. First-time attempters had fewer lifespan stressors (M=1.86; SD=0.90) than repeaters (first-time repeaters: M=2.26 [SD=0.89]; multiple repeaters: M=2.28 [SD=1.13]). Furthermore, repeaters were more likely to have personality disorders (ORs=2.71-3.83), low social support (OR=4.96-6.88), and previous hospitalizations (ORs=37.23-556.69) than first-time attempters.

Conclusions

In repeaters, stressors may have a specific effect and a cumulative effect. They can predispose to attempts at an earlier age and, through a process of “kindling” start a “suicide career.” Alternately, an accumulation of stressors can produce a “last straw” effect. In repeaters hospitalization can be seen as another factor contributing to the kindling phenomenon, and brief intensive care in hospital settings must be weighed accurately for efficacy and for its possible negative effects.
YPS01-01 - The International Resident/Trainee Burnout Study: Boss International
Authors: Beezhold J. , Jovanovic N. , Andlauer O. , Podlesek A. , Papp S. , Ferrari S. , Mihai A.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

There is little or no information comparing working experience, including burnout, amongst psychiatry residents internationally. We present preliminary findings from six of the first countries to complete data collection.

Objectives and aims

To obtain data from psychiatric residents in over twenty countries regarding rates of burnout, depression and suicidality and their associations with working conditions and personality traits.

Methods

An online survey incorporating the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey (MBI-GS), Areas of Work Life Survey (AWLS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Suicide Ideation and Behaviour Questionnaire (SIBQ), Big Five Inventory - 10 (BFI-10) and questions on demographics and working circumstances was designed, and checked by national co-ordinators for suitability in each participating country, prior to agreeing the final version. This was then translated and back-translated before being sent to participants. A stratified hierarchy sample methodology was developed and used to obtain the best possible study population in each country. This allowed us to maximise participation despite major differences in ease of access to residents across the study countries. The aim of studying the whole resident population was achieved in a large number of countries. Data was then analysed by the study statistician using SPSS. No funding was received for the study.

Results and conclusions

Data from Croatia (n=106), France (n=374), Hungary (n=81), Italy (n=180), Romania (n=52) and United Kingdom (n>2000) revealed marked differences between countries in the factors studied including in working circumstances, rates of burnout and suicidality. The associations discovered may help further improve psychiatric training experience internationally.
YSW01-02 - Forensic Telepsychiatry In Uk
Authors: Salem Y.
Published: June 2010

Having developed the first Forensic Tele-psychiatry Service in UK in 2005 the presenter would like to share this experience with the attendees of the symposia. Recommendations under Part III of the Mental Health Act 1983 have also been made. They have been accepted by both the Magistrates’ as well as Crown Courts. Assessments were primarily undertaken using the already existent video-link facilities within local Magistrates’/Crown courts and HM Prisons. The above experience supports the view that this saves time, cost and improves access to psychiatric services.

The presenter has also developed a Forensic Telepsychiatry Steering Group, with a research sub-committee, based in Nottingham. They are coordinating several research projects, exploring the use of teleconferencing facilities within forensic psychiatry. The session will discuss how the above is relevant to Forensic Psychiatrists and also address its importance to the training of forensic psychiatrists.

Tele-psychiatry has been used by other services in UK in Forensic settings albeit in a narrow remit not involving actual gate keeping assessments, preparation of Court Reports etc. The session will discuss how it is crucial for services across the UK and beyond to share experiences and promote innovative practices. It will aim to explore ways to succeed with regard to delivering timely, easily accessible and clinically sound psychiatric services, with the additional spotlight on cost-efficiency, saving valuable professional time and ‘going green’ with respect to health service delivery.
YPSP01-06 - The Bio-Psycho-Social Trauma Of Migration: A Case Report
Authors: Ferrari S. , La Porta F. , Brancolini S.
Published: June 2010

Objectives

The process of migration has been described as a “trauma”, with psychic consequences conceptualized as post-traumatic stress disorder. As many clinical and extra-clinical variables are involved, there is a need for a better understanding.

Methods

A case report is described and discussed, under the joint perspective of three different approaches to human suffering, namely that of a neuro-rehabilitation physician, a psychiatrist and a social worker.

Results

M. B. is a 36 year-old male, single and high school-educated, who migrated from Morocco to Italy in 2003. In 2006, he fell accidentally from a scaffolding at work, causing himself a traumatic brain injury with transient loss of consciousness, occipital fracture and bilateral frontal haematomas. He was taken in charge by Social Services. Over the following months, he developed multi-sensorial pseudohallucinations and hallucinosis, changes in character and behaviour, demoralisation, insomnia. M.B. was referred to psychiatry and to a neuro-rehabilitative outpatient service, where he was found to be suffering from severe dysexecutive syndrome, attention deficits and verbal working and long-term memory impairments. Integration of neuro-rehabilitative, psychiatric and social interventions was established to deal with M.B.’s complex needs.

Conclusions

In the experience of M.B., the biological head trauma pairs with the social trauma of migration and the psychological trauma of forced interruption in the migration parabola. The interrelated meanings of trauma - breaking up of a psycho-somatic balance with consequences on cognition, emotions, behaviour and social functioning - require a narrative and collaborative approach to care, addressing complex bio-psycho-social needs.
YPSP01-07 - Mental Health Services Utilisation Of Migrants In Modena
Authors: Giubbarelli C. , Ferrari S. , Mimmi S. , Rigatelli M.
Published: June 2010

Objectives

There are concerns regarding a general underutilisation of mental health services (MHS) by migrants, with a high use of emergency services. This is probably related to factors such as cultural differences and language barriers. Aim of this study is to analyze and to compare the characteristics of migrant population attended to MHS in Modena.

Methods

We studied migrant population attended to 3 Mental Health Centres (MHC), to Psychiatric Hospital (PH), to Psychiatric Consultation Service (PCS) and to Accident&Emergency (AE) during the month of September 2009, in Modena.

Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected by means of a structured culturally-oriented form.

Results

63 patients referred to all MHS (74.6% MHC; 11.1% PH; 14.3% PCS). 46% of all diagnosis were Psychotic Disorders. PH sample presented opposite characteristics to MHC ones: 71.43% were young men (< 30 years-old) without a work, 85.71% were alone, 28.57% hadn’t the residence permit (p=0.01) and 42.86% reported psycho-social migration trauma. 57.14% had language difficulties with use of a cultural interpreter (p=0.01). Half of the sample was recently migrated (< 5 years).

Migrants had a higher rate of compulsory admission in PH than Italians (0.28 vs. 0.22) and a higher rate of AE admission (0.034 vs. 0.028).

Conclusions

We confirmed the frequent emergency services utilisation of migrants. People referred to MHC seem to be adjusted, well integrated and more “accultured” according the new country issues, while people admitted in the PH seem to be more weak, with socio-economic difficulties and shortly integrated.
YPSP01-09 - Psychosis, Deafness And Auditory Hallucinations: Making Sense Of The Paradox
Authors: Correia De Castro L. , Queirós O. , Gomes Moscoso A. , Monteiro P.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Some studies in the literature have reported voice hallucinations in prelingually deaf patients with psychosis. There has been scientific debate on whether those correspond to the real experience of deaf patients with psychosis or are simply a reflex of the limitations of psychiatric terminology or insufficient knowledge of the neurobiology of hallucinations.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to review literature on hallucinations in deaf people based on a clinical vignette of a case of an adolescent with psychosis, congenital deafness and hallucinations.

Methods

Literature review of peer reviewed studies in PubMed and Medline using the terms deafness, auditory verbal hallucinations and psychosis.

Results

There are only few studies addressing the characteristics of hallucinations in deaf patients with psychosis. The hallucinatory experience of deaf people is very diverse, and seems to be related with the individual experience with language, sensorial input and grade of residual hearing.

Conclusions

The perceptual characteristics of the hallucinations in persons with deafness seem to be related to the individual auditory experience and to the patient language modality. This group of patients consist of a minority within a minority and their unique psychopathology is a challenge to the current understanding of psychiatric symptoms and classifications. Further research on this area can bring new insights to the understanding of the neurobiology of hallucinations and contribute to improved diagnosis and management of these rare cases.
YPSP01-14 - CD28 Gene Polymorphism With Respect To Affective Symptoms In Schizophrenia
Authors: Frydecka D. , Karabon L. , Beszlej J.A. , Pawlak E. , Dobrzynska E. , Szewczuk-Boguslawska M. , Kiejna A.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Schizophrenia is complex and clinically heterogeneous psychiatric disorder that has an evidenced genetic basis. Several reports indicate a possible role of the activation of the immune system in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. CD28 is a molecule expressed on T-cells that provides the major co-stimulatory signal required for activation of immune response. For many years now, it has been strongly advocated that biological underpinnings of schizophrenia should be investigated with respect to subpopulations of subjects defined by homogenous symptomatology.

Objectives

To investigate the association of polymorphism of the CD28 gene (T17int3C) with respect to schizophrenia symptomatology.

Material and methods

105 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to ICD-10 criteria and 380 controls were included in the study. The patients were diagnosed using the Operational Criteria for Psychotic Illness checklist (OPCRIT). Based on confirmatory factor analysis on OPCRIT items performed by Serretti et al. (2004), in our study we considered five factors of symptomatology (mania, positive symptoms, disorganization, depression and negative symptoms).

Results

There was significant difference in distribution of genotypes between patients with schizophrenia with co-occurring manic symptoms and without co-occurring manic symptoms (respectively CC and/or TC: 23% vs. 47%, TT: 77% vs. 53%, p=0,040). There was also difference in distribution of genotypes between patients with schizophrenia with co-occurring depressive symptoms and without cooccurring depressive symptoms (respectively CC and/or TC: 24% vs. 47%, TT: 76% vs. 53%, p=0,043).

Conclusion

We have shown that CD28 gene polymorphism might increase risk for affective (depressive and/or manic) symptom dimension in schizophrenic patients.
Behavioral and Rational Explanations of Stock Price Performance around SEOs: Evidence from a Decomposition of Market-to-Book Ratios
Authors: Hertzel Michael G. , Li Zhi
Published: June 2010

We examine the extent to which investment opportunities and/or mispricing motivate equity issuance and contribute to post-issue stock underperformance. We decompose market-to-book ratios into misvaluation and growth option components and find that issuing firms are both overvalued and have greater growth opportunities relative to nonissuers. Firms with greater growth opportunities invest more in capital expenditures and research and development (R&D) after issuance but do not experience lower post-issue stock returns. In contrast, issuing firms with greater mispricing tend to decrease long-term debt and/or increase cash holdings and do earn lower returns. Our findings are consistent with behavioral explanations for post-issue stock price underperformance.
Extradural cartilage inlay graft in cerebrospinal fluid fistula repair
Authors: Das P Thulasi , Balasubramanian D
Published: June 2010

Objective:

To present our experience in managing cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea using the cartilage inlay (underlay) technique to repair skull base defects larger than 4 mm.

Study design:

Retrospective study involving patients presenting with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea between 1994 and 2008.

Setting:

Patients were treated in a tertiary referral centre for nose and sinus diseases. Patients' medical records were reviewed and analysed.

Results:

A total of 62 patients were operated upon using a cartilage inlay technique to repair bony skull base defects ranging in size from 4 to 20 mm (widest diameter). Of these 62 patients, 16 constituted revisions of earlier procedures undertaken elsewhere. The success rate of the technique was 100 per cent. Patient follow up ranged from six months to 16 years, with a median follow up of 15 months. Three patients had minor post-operative sinus infections; no serious complications were encountered.

Conclusion:

Extradural cartilage inlay appears to be an effective technique in the management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea, especially for large defects and revision procedures. To our knowledge, the described patients represent the largest reported series of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea cases managed using the cartilage inlay technique. We believe that the crucial factors in our high success rate for cerebrospinal fluid fistula repair are: precise identification of the bony defect; meticulous preparation of the graft bed; careful elevation of the dura; judicious use of just enough graft tissue; and adequate graft support.
Immunohistochemical localisation of endothelin receptor subtypes in the cochlear lateral wall
Authors: Xu D-Y , Zhang Q-X , Ma Y-Q , Zheng X-L , Liu S-X
Published: June 2010

Objective:

Endothelin has many biological activities, including regulation of the functions of the cochlear lateral wall. The present study aimed to analyse the expression of endothelin receptors in the cochlear lateral wall, and to investigate the significance of such receptors in maintaining the homeostatic environment of the cochlea.

Methods:

The cochleae of healthy guinea pigs were fixed, decalcified, embedded in paraffin and serially sectioned. Expression of the endothelin receptor subunits A and B in the cochlear lateral wall was examined using an immunohistochemical technique.

Results:

Different degrees of endothelin receptor subunit A and endothelin receptor subunit B like activity were found distributed in the cells of the cochlear lateral wall.

Conclusion:

These findings support the theory that endothelin, via its receptors, plays an important role in maintaining the homeostatic environment of the cochlea.
Unilateral tongue angioedema caused by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor
Authors: Ee Y S , Sow A J , Goh B S
Published: June 2010

Objective:

We report a case of an elderly man receiving treatment with perindopril, who presented with angioedema of the left side of the tongue, floor of the mouth and upper neck. This affected his speech and swallowing, and occurred one day after a burr hole and evacuation procedure undertaken to treat a subdural haematoma. The patient was kept under close observation and treated with intravenous hydrocortisone. The angioedema resolved completely in two days. This is the third reported case of unilateral tongue angioedema occurring secondary to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use.

Method:

Case report and literature review concerning angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor induced angioedema.

Conclusion:

Unilateral angioedema of the tongue is a rare adverse reaction to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Early recognition may prevent unnecessary surgical intervention and complications.
Low Calcium Diet Increases Radical Production of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes from Mice
Authors: Takaya Junji , Yamato Fumiko , Tsuji Shoji , Kaneko Kazunari
Published: June 2010

Although calcium is an essential mineral for bones, little is known about its effect on inflammatory or oxidative regulation. We hypothesize that calcium plays the role in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Our purpose was to determine the relationship of NO and ROS produced from PMNs, taking into account the role of calcium and magnesium in diet. Using flow cytometry, we compared ROS and NO production from PMNs after the stimulation by S. aureus or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). PMNs taken from three murine groups were analyzed: C57BL/6 wild-type mice, low-calcium diet (Low Ca Group), or low-magnesium diet fed for 2 weeks. ROS production at baseline in the Low Ca Group was highest among the groups. PMA- and S. aureus-stimulated ROS production was also highest in the Low Ca Group. On the contrary, NO production at baseline in the Low Ca Group was lowest among the groups, while there was no significant difference among the groups in S. aureus-stimulated PMNs. A low-calcium diet increases ROS production from stimulated PMNs and decreases NO production at baseline. This finding suggests that calcium regulates ROS production from PMNs.
Zur Dimensionalität rezeptiver englischsprachiger Kompetenzen
Authors: Leucht Michael , Retelsdorf Jan , Möller Jens , Köller Olaf
Published: June 2010

Der vorliegende Beitrag befasst sich mit der empirischen Dimensionalität von Aufgaben zur Erfassung von Lese- und Hörverstehensleistungen im Fach Englisch. Auf Basis linguistischer Vorstellungen wird einerseits untersucht, inwieweit sich die Verarbeitungsstrategien des selektiven und genauen Verstehens innerhalb der Kompetenzen Lese- und Hörverstehen empirisch voneinander abgrenzen lassen. Andererseits prüfen wir anknüpfend an jüngere kognitionspsychologische Vorstellungen zum Textverstehen sowie Diskussionen zur Struktur von Fremdsprachenfähigkeit, inwieweit eine Zusammenfassung der Lese- und Hörverstehensindikatoren zu einem übergreifenden Faktor englischsprachigen Textverstehens empirisch zulässig erscheint. Es werden die Daten von N = 1191 Schülerinnen und Schülern der 8. Jahrgangsstufe analysiert. Wie die Ergebnisse zeigen, sind die Verarbeitungsstrategien für eine Modellierung der englischsprachigen Lese- und Hörverstehensleistungen nahezu unerheblich. Die Dimensionen zum Lese- und Hörverstehen dagegen sind hoch korreliert, in Bezug auf Zusammenhänge zu Drittvariablen nahezu identisch und können faktoranalytisch nicht gegenüber einem übergreifenden Textverstehensfaktor abgesichert werden. Aus differenzialpsychologischer Perspektive sind die Daten damit hinreichend durch ein Generalfaktor-Modell beschrieben. Implikationen für eine zukünftige Erfassung von englischsprachigem Lese- und Hörverstehen werden verdeutlicht.
Effekte eines induktiven Denktrainings auf die Denk- und Sprachentwicklung bei Vorschulkindern und Erstklässlern in benachteiligten Stadtteilen
Authors: Marx Edeltrud , Keller Karsten
Published: June 2010

Bei 153 Erstklässlern und 133 Kindertagesstättenkindern aus sozial benachteiligten Stadtteilen wurde die Wirkung eines Vorschulprogramms zum induktiven Denken auf die Entwicklung der Intelligenz- und Sprachleistung experimentell überprüft. Im Prätest wiesen die Kinder unterdurchschnittliche Werte in den Spracherwerbsdimensionen Semantik, Syntax und Morphologie bei durchschnittlicher nonverbaler Intelligenz auf. Sowohl die Erstklässler als auch die Vorschulkinder profitierten deutlich vom Training. Während die Vorschulkinder drei Monate nach Trainingsende hohe bis sehr hohe Steigerungen ihrer Sprachleistung und ihrer nonverbalen Intelligenz erreichen, sind die Effekte – mit Ausnahme der Wortfindung – bei den Schulkindern substanziell, aber geringer.
Klassenprimus bei durchschnittlicher Intelligenz
Authors: Sparfeldt Jörn R. , Buch Susanne R. , Rost Detlef H.
Published: June 2010

In einer explorativen Studie werden Overachiever (Jahrgangsstufenbeste, durchschnittliche Intelligenz) unter Kontrolle von Geschlecht, Klassenstufe (9. Klasse), Schulform (Gymnasium) und sozioökonomischem Status mit Average Achievern (vergleichbare durchschnittliche Intelligenz; niedrigere, aber durchschnittliche Schulleistungen) und mit High Achievern (vergleichbare exzellente Schulleistungen; höhere, deutlich überdurchschnittliche Intelligenz) in diversen Variablen (Selbstkonzeptfacetten, schulbezogene Kompetenz- und Kontrollüberzeugungen, Attributionen in Mathematik und Deutsch, Motivation, Abiturquoten, Abiturdurchschnittsnoten, Studienquoten) verglichen. Overachiever wiesen (bei vergleichbaren Abiturleistungen und Studierendenquoten) in einigen schulnahen Variablen ungünstigere Ausprägungen als High Achiever auf (Begabungseffekt). Deutlichere Unterschiede zeigten sich beim Vergleich der Overachiever mit Average Achievern zugunsten der Overachiever (z. B. in schulischen Selbstkonzepten; Schulleistungseffekt). Mehr Overachiever als Average Achiever machten Abitur (mit besseren Zensuren) und begannen ein Studium.
Three‐dimensional simulation of energetic outer zone electron dynamics due to wave‐particle interaction and azimuthal advection
Authors: Su Zhenpeng , Zheng Huinan , Wang Shui
Published: June 2010

We present a three‐dimensional code treating the local resonant interaction with various waves and azimuthal advection around the Earth to evaluate storm‐time energetic outer zone electron phase space density (PSD) evolution at a constant L shell without radial diffusion. Assuming a model distribution of wave characteristics at L = 4.5, we show that energetic (∼MeV) electron PSD can decrease by about three orders over all pitch angles with a visible azimuthal asymmetry during the main phase and enhance by about 30 times of magnitude with a weak azimuthal asymmetry during the recovery phase. The differences between magnetic local time (MLT)‐dependent and MLT‐averaged simulations are also investigated in detail under cases of different wave characteristics. When a single type of wave is present, the differences between MLT‐averaged and MLT‐dependent simulations are fairly small. Energetic (∼MeV) electron PSD is found to be overestimated by a factor of 2 at larger pitch angles for chorus or hiss alone, and underestimated by a factor of 5–10 near the loss cone for electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves alone under the MLT‐averaged approximation. When multiple types of waves are taken into account, there are considerable differences between MLT‐averaged and MLT‐dependent simulations. MLT‐averaged simulations can overestimate the energetic (∼MeV) electron PSD by a factor of 5–50 during the main phase and 9–13 during the recovery phase. Additional control experiments show that larger drift speed tends to diminish the azimuthal asymmetry of MLT‐dependent simulations as well as the difference between MLT‐dependent and MLT‐averaged simulations. These numerical results suggest that azimuthal advection can play an important role in the radiation belt electron dynamics, which should be incorporated in future radiation belt models for space weather application.
Vertical fluctuation energy in United States high vertical resolution radiosonde data as an indicator of convective gravity wave sources
Authors: Gong Jie , Geller Marvin A.
Published: June 2010

Convectively generated internal gravity waves at extratropical latitudes are difficult to identify by climatological analysis of the temperature and horizontal wind fields from radiosonde profiles using traditional analysis methods. Here, we show that, by analyzing ascent rate profiles (we define a new variable, “vertical fluctuation energy (VE)”), we can identify convection sources in climatological analyses. Analysis of a 9‐year time series (1998–2006) of United States high vertical resolution radiosonde data shows that VE maximizes in summer in midlatitudes within the troposphere (2–8.9 km), and peaks at local afternoon–early evening during the summer over most of the contiguous United States. Furthermore, the apparent dominant vertical wavelength based on Fourier analysis of the low‐pass filtered ascent rate fluctuations also increase and decrease with VE, both on diurnal and seasonal timescales. VE in the lower stratosphere, however, does not show this same relationship to convection, but analysis of the vertical wavelength does show some of the features seen in tropospheric VE. Unlike midlatitude stations, VE within both the troposphere and the lower stratosphere over tropical western Pacific island stations is highly correlated with convective precipitation and inversely correlated with outgoing longwave radiation. We interpret this difference by using the 4‐D Gravity Wave Regional or Global Ray Tracer ray‐tracing model with a source spectrum representative of a convection source.
Performance of soil moisture retrieval algorithms using multiangular L band brightness temperatures
Authors: Piles M. , Camps A. , Vall‐llossera M. , Monerris A. , Talone M. , Sabater J. M.
Published: June 2010

The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission of the European Space Agency was successfully launched in November 2009 to provide global surface soil moisture and sea surface salinity maps. The SMOS single payload is the Microwave Imaging Radiometer by Aperture Synthesis (MIRAS), an L band two‐dimensional aperture synthesis interferometric radiometer with multiangular and polarimetric imaging capabilities. SMOS‐derived soil moisture products are expected to have an accuracy of 0.04 m3/m3 over 50 × 50 km2 and a revisit time of 3 days. Previous studies have remarked the necessity of combining SMOS brightness temperatures with auxiliary data to achieve the required accuracy. However, the required auxiliary data and optimal soil moisture retrieval setup need yet to be optimized. Also, the satellite operation mode (dual polarization or full polarimetric) is an open issue to be addressed during the commissioning phase activities. In this paper, an in‐depth study of the different retrieval configurations and ancillary data needed for the retrieval of soil moisture from future SMOS observations is presented. A dedicated L2 Processor Simulator software has been developed to obtain soil moisture estimates from SMOS‐like brightness temperatures generated using the SMOS End‐to‐End Performance Simulator (SEPS). Full‐polarimetric brightness temperatures are generated in SEPS, and soil moisture retrievals are performed using vertical (Tvv) and horizontal (Thh) brightness temperatures and using the first Stokes parameter (TI). Results show the accuracy obtained with the different retrieval setups for four main surface conditions combining wet and dry soils with bare and vegetation‐covered surfaces. Soil moisture retrievals using TI exhibit a significantly better performance than using Thh and Tvv in all scenarios, which indicates that the dual‐polarization mode should not be disregarded. The uncertainty of the ancillary data used in the minimization process and its effect on the retrievals is thoroughly evaluated, and an optimum soil moisture retrieval configuration is devised.
Untangling the uncertainties about combined effects of temperature and concentration on nutrient uptake rates in the ocean
Authors: Smith S. Lan
Published: June 2010

I show that assumptions about how uptake rates depend on concentration strongly impact the interpretation of field observations, specifically with respect to the combined effects of temperature, T, and nitrate concentration, [NO3], on nitrate uptake. The standard assumption that maximum uptake rate, Vmax, is independent of ambient nutrient concentration, Sa, contrasts with the prediction of the recently developed Optimal Uptake kinetics that Vmax should increase hyperbolically with Sa. Assuming Arrhenius T dependence, I fit the respective equations to field observations of chlorophyll‐specific Vmax, T and [NO3]. The inferred sensitivity to T differs by a factor of two. Considerable uncertainty therefore remains about the T dependence of uptake rates, and therefore about biological production and biogeochemical cycles. Given that both climate change and anthropogenic nutrient inputs are altering the relationship between T and nutrients in the ocean, these uncertainties limit our understanding of the direct effects and associated feedbacks.
Clustering phenotype populations by genome‐wide RNAi and multiparametric imaging
Authors: Fuchs Florian , Pau Gregoire , Kranz Dominique , Sklyar Oleg , Budjan Christoph , Steinbrink Sandra , Horn Thomas , Pedal Angelika , Huber Wolfgang , Boutros Michael
Published: June 2010

Genetic screens for phenotypic similarity have made key contributions to associating genes with biological processes. With RNA interference (RNAi), highly parallel phenotyping of loss‐of‐function effects in cells has become feasible. One of the current challenges however is the computational categorization of visual phenotypes and the prediction of biological function and processes. In this study, we describe a combined computational and experimental approach to discover novel gene functions and explore functional relationships. We performed a genome‐wide RNAi screen in human cells and used quantitative descriptors derived from high‐throughput imaging to generate multiparametric phenotypic profiles. We show that profiles predicted functions of genes by phenotypic similarity. Specifically, we examined several candidates including the largely uncharacterized gene DONSON, which shared phenotype similarity with known factors of DNA damage response (DDR) and genomic integrity. Experimental evidence supports that DONSON is a novel centrosomal protein required for DDR signalling and genomic integrity. Multiparametric phenotyping by automated imaging and computational annotation is a powerful method for functional discovery and mapping the landscape of phenotypic responses to cellular perturbations.
Automated identification of pathways from quantitative genetic interaction data
Authors: Battle Alexis , Jonikas Martin C , Walter Peter , Weissman Jonathan S , Koller Daphne
Published: June 2010

High‐throughput quantitative genetic interaction (GI) measurements provide detailed information regarding the structure of the underlying biological pathways by reporting on functional dependencies between genes. However, the analytical tools for fully exploiting such information lag behind the ability to collect these data. We present a novel Bayesian learning method that uses quantitative phenotypes of double knockout organisms to automatically reconstruct detailed pathway structures. We applied our method to a recent data set that measures GIs for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) genes, using the unfolded protein response as a quantitative phenotype. The results provided reconstructions of known functional pathways including N‐linked glycosylation and ER‐associated protein degradation. It also contained novel relationships, such as the placement of SGT2 in the tail‐anchored biogenesis pathway, a finding that we experimentally validated. Our approach should be readily applicable to the next generation of quantitative GI data sets, as assays become available for additional phenotypes and eventually higher‐level organisms.
Regulatory and metabolic rewiring during laboratory evolution of ethanol tolerance in E. coli
Authors: Goodarzi Hani , Bennett Bryson D , Amini Sasan , Reaves Marshall L , Hottes Alison K , Rabinowitz Joshua D , Tavazoie Saeed
Published: June 2010

Understanding the genetic basis of adaptation is a central problem in biology. However, revealing the underlying molecular mechanisms has been challenging as changes in fitness may result from perturbations to many pathways, any of which may contribute relatively little. We have developed a combined experimental/computational framework to address this problem and used it to understand the genetic basis of ethanol tolerance in Escherichia coli. We used fitness profiling to measure the consequences of single‐locus perturbations in the context of ethanol exposure. A module‐level computational analysis was then used to reveal the organization of the contributing loci into cellular processes and regulatory pathways (e.g. osmoregulation and cell‐wall biogenesis) whose modifications significantly affect ethanol tolerance. Strikingly, we discovered that a dominant component of adaptation involves metabolic rewiring that boosts intracellular ethanol degradation and assimilation. Through phenotypic and metabolomic analysis of laboratory‐evolved ethanol‐tolerant strains, we investigated naturally accessible pathways of ethanol tolerance. Remarkably, these laboratory‐evolved strains, by and large, follow the same adaptive paths as inferred from our coarse‐grained search of the fitness landscape.
Diabetes impairs arteriogenesis in the peripheral circulation: review of molecular mechanisms
Authors: Ruiter Matthijs S. , van Golde Jolanda M. , Schaper Nicolaas C. , Stehouwer Coen D. , Huijberts Maya S.
Published: June 2010

Patients suffering from both diabetes and PAD (peripheral arterial disease) are at risk of developing critical limb ischaemia and ulceration, and potentially requiring limb amputation. In addition, diabetes complicates surgical treatment of PAD and impairs arteriogenesis. Arteriogenesis is defined as the remodelling of pre-existing arterioles into conductance vessels to restore the perfusion distal to the occluded artery. Several strategies to promote arteriogenesis in the peripheral circulation have been devised, but the mechanisms through which diabetes impairs arteriogenesis are poorly understood. The present review provides an overview of the current literature on the deteriorating effects of diabetes on the key players in the arteriogenesis process. Diabetes affects arteriogenesis at a number of levels. First, it elevates vasomotor tone and attenuates sensing of shear stress and the response to vasodilatory stimuli, reducing the recruitment and dilatation of collateral arteries. Secondly, diabetes impairs the downstream signalling of monocytes, without decreasing monocyte attraction. In addition, EPC (endothelial progenitor cell) function is attenuated in diabetes. There is ample evidence that growth factor signalling is impaired in diabetic arteriogenesis. Although these defects could be restored in animal experiments, clinical results have been disappointing. Furthermore, the diabetes-induced impairment of eNOS (endothelial NO synthase) strongly affects outward remodelling, as NO signalling plays a key role in several remodelling processes. Finally, in the structural phase of arteriogenesis, diabetes impairs matrix turnover, smooth muscle cell proliferation and fibroblast migration. The review concludes with suggestions for new and more sophisticated therapeutic approaches for the diabetic population.
Controlling plasmonic resonances in binary metallic nanostructures
Authors: Gu Ying , Li Jia , Martin Olivier J. F. , Gong Qihuang
Published: June 2010

Investigation on the interplay of plasmonic resonances in binary nanostructures indicated that, at a fixed wavelength, with a variation in the difference permittivity ratio η=(ϵ2−ϵ0/ϵ1−ϵ0), resonances exhibit the dielectric effect, resonance chaos, collective resonance, resonance flat, and new branch regions. This means that plasmonic resonances can be controlled by material parameters ϵ1 and ϵ2. In this work, using the Green’s matrix method of solving the surface plasmon resonances, we first study the resonance combination of symmetrical binary three-nanostrip systems. Several resonance branches extend across the above mentioned regions. Near fields within the gaps and at the ends of nanostrips are greatly enhanced due to the influence of neighboring metallic material. Then, along each resonance branch, resonances in the dielectric permittivity region are mapped into the wavelength region of gold. Through adjusting material parameters ϵ1 and ϵ2, the resonance wavelength is tuned from λR=500 to 1500 nm, while for a single nanostrip it is only at λR=630 nm. We also find that comparable permittivity parameters ϵ1 (or ϵ2) and ϵAu(ω) can control resonance wavelength and intensity effectively. High dielectric permittivity of the neighboring metal has also an advantage in a giant enhancement of the near field. These findings provide new insights into design of hybrid plasmonic devices as plasmonic sensors.
Impurity transport driven by ion temperature gradient turbulence in tokamak plasmas
Authors: Fülöp T. , Braun S. , Pusztai I.
Published: June 2010

Impurity transport driven by electrostatic turbulence is analyzed in weakly collisional tokamak plasmas using a semianalytical model based on a boundary layer solution of the gyrokinetic equation. Analytical expressions for the perturbed density responses are derived and used to determine the stability boundaries and the quasilinear particle fluxes. For moderate impurity charge number Z, the stability boundaries are very weakly affected by the increasing impurity charge for constant effective charge, while for lower impurity charge the influence of impurities is larger, if the amount of impurities is not too small. Scalings of the mode frequencies and quasilinear fluxes with charge number, effective charge, impurity density scale length, and collisionality are determined and compared to quasilinear gyrokinetic simulations with GYRO [J. Candy and R. E. Waltz, J. Comput. Phys. 186, 545 (2003)] resulting in very good agreement. Collisions do not affect the mode frequencies, growth rates, and impurity fluxes significantly. The eigenfrequencies and growth rates depend only weakly on Z and Zeff but they are sensitive to the impurity density gradient scale length. An analytical approximate expression of the zero-flux impurity density gradient is derived and used to discuss its parametric dependencies.