bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Femoral diaphyseal endoprosthetic reconstruction after segmental resection of primary bone tumours
Authors: Hanna S. A. , Sewell M. D. , Aston W. J. S. , Pollock R. C. , Skinner J. A. , Cannon S. R. , Briggs T. W. R.
Published: May 2010

Segmental resection of malignant bone disease in the femoral diaphysis with subsequent limb reconstruction is a major undertaking. This is a retrospective review of 23 patients who had undergone limb salvage by endoprosthetic replacement of the femoral diaphysis for a primary bone tumour between 1989 and 2005.

There were 16 males and seven females, with a mean age of 41.3 years (10 to 68). The mean overall follow-up was for 97 months (3 to 240), and 120 months (42 to 240) for the living patients. The cumulative patient survival was 77% (95% confidence interval 63% to 95%) at ten years. Survival of the implant, with failure of the endoprosthesis as an endpoint, was 85% at five years and 68% (95% confidence interval 42% to 92%) at ten years. The revision rate was 22% and the overall rate of re-operation was 26%. Complications included deep infection (4%), breakage of the prosthesis (8%), periprosthetic fracture (4%), aseptic loosening (4%), local recurrence (4%) and metastases (17%). The 16 patients who retained their diaphyseal endoprosthesis had a mean Musculoskeletal Tumour Society score of 87% (67% to 93%). They were all able to comfortably perform most activities of daily living.

Femoral diaphyseal endoprosthetic replacement is a viable option for reconstruction following segmental resection of malignant bone disease. It allows immediate weight-bearing, is associated with a good long-term functional outcome, has an acceptable complication and revision rate and, most importantly, does not appear to compromise patient survival.
Pronating osteotomy of the radius for forearm supination contracture in high-level tetraplegic patients
Authors: Coulet B. , Boretto J. G. , Allieu Y. , Fattal C. , Laffont I. , Chammas M.
Published: May 2010

We report the results of performing a pronating osteotomy of the radius, coupled with other soft-tissue procedures, as part of an upper limb functional surgery programme in tetraplegic patients with supination contractures.

In total 12 patients were reviewed with a mean follow-up period of 60 months (12 to 109). Pre-operatively, passive movement ranged from a mean of 19.2° pronation (−70° to 80°) to 95.8° supination (80° to 140°). A pronating osteotomy of the radius was then performed with release of the interosseous membrane. Extension of the elbow was restored postoperatively in 11 patients, with key-pinch reconstruction in nine.

At the final follow-up every patient could stabilise their hand in pronation, with a mean active range of movement of 79.6° (60° to 90°) in pronation and 50.4° (0° to 90°) in supination. No complications were observed. The mean strength of extension of the elbow was 2.7 (2 to 3) MRC grading.

Pronating osteotomy stabilises the hand in pronation while preserving supination, if a complete release of the interosseous membrane is also performed. This technique fits well into surgical programmes for enhancing upper limb function.
The orthopaedic manifestations and management of children with Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome
Authors: Hassan A. , Whately C. , Letts M.
Published: May 2010

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome is an autosomal-recessive disorder characterised by bowing of the long bones, progressive scoliosis, episodic hyperthermia and respiratory distress, usually resulting in death in infancy. We reviewed five children with the condition who had been followed since birth and who survived into childhood with a mean age at operation of 7.8 years (5 to 14). There was marked functional impairment with dysplasia of the long bones and scoliosis. Treatment of the triplanar deformities of the femora involved the use of the Ilizarov technique with the Taylor Spatial Frame.

Walking was preserved and improved in three children along with considerable enhancement of the appearance. Early insertion of a growing rod to control the progressive juvenile scoliosis was beneficial. The use of the Taylor Spatial Frame is strongly recommended to address the major complex deformities of the lower limbs which are encountered in this condition and to prevent their progression.
Effect of Mitomycin-C on post-operative adhesions in tendon surgery
Authors: Kocaoglu B. , Agir I. , Nalbantoglu U. , Karahan M. , Türkmen M.
Published: May 2010

We investigated the effect of mitomycin-C on the reduction of the formation of peritendinous fibrous adhesions after tendon repair. In 20 Wistar albino rats the tendo Achillis was cut and repaired using a modified Kessler technique. The rats were divided into two equal groups. In group 1, an injection of mitomycin-C was placed between the tendon and skin of the right leg. In group 2, an identical volume of sterile normal saline was injected on the left side in a similar fashion. All the rats received mitomycin-C or saline for four weeks starting from the day of operation. The animals were killed after 30 days. The formation of peritendinous fibrous tissue, the inflammatory reaction and tendon healing were evaluated. The tensile strength of the repaired tendons was measured biomechanically. Microscopic evidence of the formation of adhesions and inflammation was less in group 1. There was no significant difference in the tensile load required to rupture the repaired tendons in the two groups.

Mitomycin-C may therefore provide a simple and inexpensive means of preventing of post-operative adhesions.
Radiological outcome analysis of transtrochanteric curved varus osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head at a mean follow-up of 12.4 years
Authors: Zhao G. , Yamamoto T. , Ikemura S. , Motomura G. , Mawatari T. , Nakashima Y. , Iwamoto Y.
Published: May 2010

We investigated the factors related to the radiological outcome of a transtrochanteric curved varus osteotomy in patients with osteonecrosis of the hip. We reviewed 73 hips in 62 patients with a mean follow-up of 12.4 years (5 to 31.1). There were 28 men and 34 women, with a mean age of 33.3 years (15 to 68) at the time of surgery. The 73 hips were divided into two groups according to their radiological findings: group 1 showed progression of collapse and/or joint-space narrowing; group 2 had neither progressive collapse nor joint-space narrowing. Both of these factors and the radiological outcomes were analysed by a stepwise discriminant analysis. A total of 12 hips were categorised as group 1 and 61 as group 2. Both the post-operative intact ratio and the localisation of the necrotic lesion correlated with the radiological outcome. The cut-off point of the postoperative intact ratio to prevent the progression of collapse was 33.6%, and the cut-off point to prevent both the progression of collapse and joint-space narrowing was 41.9%.

The results of this study indicate that a post-operative intact ratio of 33.0% is necessary if a satisfactory outcome is to be achieved after this varus osteotomy.
Long-term outcome of a cementless, hemispherical, press-fit acetabular component
Authors: Emms N. W. , Stockley I. , Hamer A. J. , Wilkinson J. M.
Published: May 2010

Between 1988 and 1998 we implanted 318 total hip replacements (THRs) in 287 patients using the Plasmacup (B. Braun Ltd, Sheffield, United Kingdom) and a conventional metal-on-polyethylene articulation. The main indications for THR were primary or secondary osteoarthritis.

At follow-up after a mean 11.6 years (7.6 to 18.4) 17 patients had died and 20 could not be traced leaving a final series of 280 THRs in 250 patients. There were 62 revisions (22.1%) in 59 patients. A total of 43 acetabular shells (15.4%) had been revised and 13 (4.6%) had undergone exchange of the liner. The most frequent indications for revision were osteolysis and aseptic loosening, followed by polyethylene wear. The mean Kaplan-Meier survival of the Plasmacup was 91% at ten years and 58% at 14 years. Osteolysis was found around 36 (17.1%) of the 211 surviving shells. The median annual rate of linear wear in the surviving shells was 0.12 mm/year and 0.25 mm/year in those which had been revised (p < 0.001). Polyethylene wear was a strong independent risk factor for osteolysis and aseptic loosening. The percentage of patients with osteolysis increased proportionately with each quintile of wear-rate.

There is a high late rate of failure of the Plasmacup. Patients with the combination of this prosthesis and bearing should be closely monitored after ten years.
Lateral subvastus approach with osteotomy of the tibial tubercle for total knee replacement
Authors: Hay G. C. , Kampshoff J. , Kuster M. S.
Published: May 2010

The lateral subvastus approach combined with an osteotomy of the tibial tubercle is a recognised, but rarely used approach for total knee replacement (TKR). A total of 32 patients undergoing primary TKR was randomised into two groups, in one of which the lateral subvastus approach combined with a tibial tubercle osteotomy and in the other the medial parapatellar approach were used. The patients were assessed radiologically and clinically using measurement of the range of movement, a visual analogue patient satisfaction score, the Western Ontario McMasters University Osteoarthritis Index and the American Knee Society score. Four patients were lost to the complete follow-up at two years.

At two years there were no significant differences between the groups in any of the parameters for clinical outcome. In the lateral approach group there was one complication due to displacement of the tibial tubercle osteotomy and two osteotomies took more than six months to unite. In the medial approach group, one patient had a partial tear of the quadriceps. There was a significantly greater incidence of lateral patellar subluxation in the medial approach group (3 of 12) compared with the lateral approach group (0 of 16) (p = 0.034), but without any apparent clinical detriment.

We conclude that the lateral approach with tibial tubercle osteotomy is a safe technique with an outcome comparable with that of the medial parapatellar approach for TKR, but the increased surgical time and its specific complications do not support its routine use. It would seem to be more appropriate to reserve this technique for patients in whom problems with patellar tracking are anticipated.
Minor histocompatibility antigen HA-1 and HA-2 polymorphisms in Taiwan: frequency and application in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Lio Hoi-Yan , Tang Jih-Luh , Wu Jui , Wu Shang-Ju , Lin Chun-Ying , Yang Ya-Chien
Published: May 2010

Background: Minor histocompatibility antigens influence the occurrence of graft-vs.-host disease and graft-vs.-leukemia effects after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We determined the population frequencies of HA-1 and HA-2 alleles in Taiwan and exploited their potential applications in allogeneic HSCT.

Methods: HA-1 and HA-2 were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism in healthy controls (221 for HA-1 and 306 for HA-2) and HLA-matched donor-recipient sibling pairs with HSCT (92 for HA-1 and 38 for HA-2). The association of genetic polymorphisms with HSCT outcome was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results: The allele frequencies in controls were 35.3% and 64.7% for HA-1

H
and HA-1

R
, and 89.0% and 11.0% for HA-2

V
and HA-2

M
, respectively. HA-1 disparity was denoted in 16.3% of HLA-matched donor-recipient sibling pairs, while it was not associated with HSCT outcome. HA-2 disparity was not observed in the donor-recipient pairs studied. The possibilities of using HA-1 and HA-2 variabilities as molecular markers for hematopoietic chimerism after HSCT were 39.2% and 18.4%, respectively.

Conclusions: Our data provide the information on allele and genotype frequencies of HA-1 and HA-2 in a Taiwanese population, and suggest that prospective genomic typing for HA-1 and HA-2 alleles of the donor and recipient could be a useful approach for molecular identification of hematopoietic chimerism after HSCT, rather than prognosis of clinical outcome.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1287–93.
A Binary Tree Representation for the 2-Adic Valuation of a Sequence Arising From a Rational Integral
Authors: Sun Xinyu , Moll Victor H.
Published: May 2010

We analyze properties of the 2-adic valuation of an integer sequence that originates from an explicit evaluation of a quartic integral. We present a tree that encodes this valuation.
On a Variant of Van Der Waerden's Theorem
Authors: Vijay Sujith
Published: May 2010

Given positive integers
Note on a Result of Haddad and Helou
Authors: Tang Chi-Wu , Tang Min
Published: May 2010

Let
Square-Full Divisors of Square-Full Integers
Authors: Ledoan A. H. , Zaharescu A.
Published: May 2010

We consider some general real moments associated with square-full divisors of square-full numbers and compute the contribution to these moments given by the square divisors.
Lower Bounds for the Principal Genus of Definite Binary Quadratic Forms
Authors: Hopkins Kimberly , Stopple Jeffrey
Published: May 2010

We apply Tatuzawa's version of Siegel's theorem to derive two lower bounds on the size of the principal genus of positive definite binary quadratic forms.
A rigid triple of conjugacy classes in G 2
Authors: Liebeck Martin W. , Litterick Alastair J. , Marion Claude
Published: May 2010

We produce a rigid triple of classes in the algebraic group
On convergence of regularized modified Newton's method for nonlinear ill-posed problems
Authors: George Santhosh
Published: May 2010

In this paper we consider regularized modified Newton's method for approximately solving the nonlinear ill-posed problem F(x) = y, where the right hand side is replaced by noisy data yδ
∈ Y with ‖y – yδ
‖ ≤ δ and F : D(F) ⊂ X → Y is a nonlinear operator between Hilbert spaces X and Y. Under the assumption that Fréchet derivative F′ of F is Lipschitz continuous, a choice of the regularization parameter and a stopping rule based on a majorizing sequence are presented. We prove that under a general source condition on , the error between the regularized approximation and the solution of optimal order.
An inverse problem for a linearized model in the theory of combustion
Authors: Colombo Fabrizio
Published: May 2010

In the recent paper [Colombo, Physica D 236: 81–89, 2007] the author investigates an inverse problem arising in the theory of combustion. The problem studied is: determine the temperature u and the convolution memory kernel k in the evolution equation

given suitable initial-boundary conditions and the following additional restriction on u:

∫
Ω
φ(x)u(t, x) dx = g(t),

where φ and g are given functions. The main results are a local in time existence theorem and a global in time uniqueness result. In this paper we complete the study considering the linearized version of the model. We prove that, if F(u(t, x), ∇u(t, x)) is sublinear, then the inverse problem has a unique global in time solution.
Listeners use vowel harmony and word-final stress to spot nonsense words: A study of Turkish and French
Authors: Kabak Barış , Maniwa Kazumi , Kazanina Nina
Published: May 2010

The study explores the role of stress and vowel harmony as cues for speech segmentation. Both in French and in Turkish stress is demarcative, typically falling on word-final syllables. Additionally, Turkish (but not French) has a regular front-back vowel harmony which dictates that all vowels within a word must be either front or back. French and Turkish participants performed a target detection task in which they had to spot nonsense words embedded in a longer auditory string. The results show that word-final stress can successfully signal an upcoming word boundary and is used for speech segmentation by speakers of both languages. In the Turkish group but not in the French group we also found a facilitatory effect of vowel disharmony. We conclude that both vowel harmony and stress can independently signal word boundaries and suggest that listeners can exploit these phonological regularities during speech segmentation.
DEMAND EQUATIONS FOR QUALITATIVELY DIFFERENT FOODS UNDER FIXED‐RATIO SCHEDULES: A COMPARISON OF THREE DATA CONVERSIONS
Authors: Foster T. Mary , Sumpter Catherine E. , Temple William , Flevill Amanda , Poling Alan
Published: May 2010

Concurrent schedules were used to establish 6 hens' preferences for three foods. The resulting biases suggested wheat was preferred over honey‐puffed and puffed wheat, and puffed wheat was the least preferred food. The hens then responded under fixed‐ratio schedules for each food in 40‐min (excluding reinforcer time) sessions, with the response requirement doubling each session until no reinforcers were received. At the smaller ratios, the less preferred the food, the faster the hens' overall response rates (mainly as a result of shorter postreinforcement pauses) and the more reinforcers they received. The relations between the logarithms of the number of reinforcers obtained (consumption) and the response ratio (price) were well fitted by curvilinear demand functions. Wheat produced the smallest initial consumption (ln L), followed by honey‐puffed and puffed wheat, respectively. The response requirement at which the demand functions predicted maximal responding (Pmax) were larger for wheat than for the other foods. Normalizing consumption and price, as suggested by Hursh and Winger (1995), moved the data for the three foods towards a single demand function; however, the Pmax values were generally largest for puffed wheat. The results of normalization, as suggested by Hursh and Silberberg (2008), depended on the k value used. The parameter k is related to the range of the data, and the same k value needs to be used for all data sets that are compared. A k value of 8.0 gave significantly higher essential values (smaller α values) for puffed wheat as compared to honey‐puffed wheat and wheat, and the Pmax values, in normalized standard price units, were largest for puffed wheat. Normalizing demand by converting the puffed and honey‐puffed wheat reinforcers to wheat equivalents (by applying the bias parameter from the concurrent‐schedules procedure) maintained separate demand functions for the foods. Those for wheat had the smallest rates of change in elasticity (a) and, in contrast to the other analyses, the largest Pmax values. Normalizing demand in terms of concurrent‐schedule preference appears to have some advantages and to merit further investigation.
SOME EFFECTS OF PROCEDURAL VARIATIONS ON CHOICE RESPONDING IN CONCURRENT CHAINS
Authors: Moore J.
Published: May 2010

The present research used pigeons in a three‐key operant chamber and varied procedural features pertaining to both initial and terminal links of concurrent chains. The initial links randomly alternated on the side keys during a session, while the terminal links always appeared on the center key. Both equal and unequal initial‐link schedules were employed, with either differential or nondifferential terminal‐link stimuli across conditions. The research was designed to neutralize initial‐ and terminal‐link spatial cues in order to gain a clearer understanding of the roles of conditioned reinforcement and delayed primary reinforcement in choice. With both equal and unequal initial links and with differential terminal‐link stimuli, all pigeons reliably preferred the chain with the shorter terminal link. However, with equal initial links and nondifferential stimuli, all pigeons were indifferent. With unequal initial links and nondifferential stimuli, some pigeons were also indifferent, while others actually reversed and preferred the chain with the shorter initial link, even though it was followed by the longer terminal link. The decrease if not reversal of the previous preferences implies that preferences in concurrent chains are a function of the conditioned reinforcement afforded by terminal‐link stimuli, rather than delayed primary reinforcement.
WITHIN‐SUBJECT REVERSIBILITY OF DISCRIMINATIVE FUNCTION IN THE COMPOSITE‐STIMULUS CONTROL OF BEHAVIOR
Authors: Weiss Stanley J. , Kearns David N. , Antoshina Maria
Published: May 2010

According to the composite‐stimulus control model (Weiss, 1969, 1972b), an individual discriminative stimulus (SD) is composed of that SD's on‐state plus the off‐states of all other relevant SDs. The present experiment investigated the reversibility of composite‐stimulus control. Separate groups of rats were trained to lever‐press for food whenever a tone or a light SD was present. For one group, the non‐reinforced SΔ condition was tone‐and‐light absence (T̄ + l̄). Tone‐plus‐light (T + L) was SΔ in the other group. On a “stimulus compounding” test that recombined composite elements, maximum responding occurred to that composite consisting only of elements occasioning response increase. That was T+L for the group trained with T̄+L̄ as SΔ and T̄+L̄ for the group trained with T+L as SΔ. The SΔ composite was next reversed over groups in Phase 2. In Phase 2 tests, maximum responding that was comparable in magnitude to that of Phase 1 was again controlled by the composite consisting only of elements most recently occasioning response increase—whether T+L or T̄+L̄. The inhibitory conditioning history of both composite‐elements currently occasioning responding did not weaken the summative effect. These results confirm and extend Weiss's composite‐stimulus control model, and demonstrate that such control is fully reversible. We discuss how translating conditions of the stimulus‐compounding paradigm to a composite continuum creates a functional and logical connection to intradimensional control measured through stimulus generalization, reducing the number of different behavioral phenomena requiring unique explanations.
INFLUENCES ON COCAINE TOLERANCE ASSESSED UNDER A MULTIPLE CONJUNCTIVE SCHEDULE OF REINFORCEMENT
Authors: Yoon Jin Ho , Branch Marc N.
Published: May 2010

Under multiple schedules of reinforcement, previous research has generally observed tolerance to the rate‐decreasing effects of cocaine that has been dependent on schedule‐parameter size in the context of fixed‐ratio (FR) schedules, but not under the context of fixed‐interval (FI) schedules of reinforcement. The current experiment examined the effects of cocaine on key‐pecking responses of White Carneau pigeons maintained under a three‐component multiple conjunctive FI (10 s, 30 s, & 120 s) FR (5 responses) schedule of food presentation. Dose‐effect curves representing the effects of presession cocaine on responding were assessed in the context of (1) acute administration of cocaine (2) chronic administration of cocaine and (3) daily administration of saline. Chronic administration of cocaine generally resulted in tolerance to the response‐rate decreasing effects of cocaine, and that tolerance was generally independent of relative FI value, as measured by changes in ED50 values. Daily administration of saline decreased ED50 values to those observed when cocaine was administered acutely. The results show that adding a FR requirement to FI schedules is not sufficient to produce schedule‐parameter‐specific tolerance. Tolerance to cocaine was generally independent of FI‐parameter under the present conjunctive schedules, indicating that a ratio requirement, per se, is not sufficient for tolerance to be dependent on FI parameter.
Introduction
Authors: Pridmore Saxby
Published: May 2010

Suicide is conceptualized as an action which occurs in a
variety of settings. The importance of personality, genetics, alcohol
abuse, socioeconomic status and relationship with partner is introduced.
The hegemony of mental disorder in suicide is disputed. The potency of
multiple factors acting concurrently is described, giving details of
twenty cases.
PREDICAMENT SUICIDE MODEL
Authors: Pridmore Saxby
Published: May 2010

A model is presented with ‘predicament’ being the central
feature; the predicament may be a mental disorder or environmental
factors (or both). The degree to which the predicament (or stressors
which compose the predicament) draws the individual toward
completed suicide is influenced by nature and nurture. The accuracy of
‘psychological autopsies’ is challenged. Social factors and a
‘sociological autopsy’ are discussed. Cases are mentioned, including
“the jumpers of 9/11”.
A WESTERN OPTION
Authors: Pridmore Saxby
Published: May 2010

Many westerners view suicide as having a place in other
cultures, but not in their own. The place of suicide in eastern cultures is
briefly mentioned. The suicide of historical western figures (Ajax,
Pyramus and Thisbe, Lucretia, Cato, Judas, Anthony and Cleopatra,
Seneca, Cordelia and Boudica) is described. Their stories are traced
over time through fine art, music and literature to the present. Western
culture is currently shaped with suicide being an option in response to
shame, anger, protest and sorrow and grief.
SHAME AND ANGER SUICIDE
Authors: Pridmore Saxby
Published: May 2010

Shame is frequently overlooked as an emotion leading to
suicide. Examples from the public record in which shame is believed to
have played a major role (Bud Dwyer, Ernest Blanchard, Jeremy
‘Mike’ Boorda, Takayuki Kamoshida, Mervyn Jenkins William Lucan-
Roberts, Wolfgang Huellen, Vlajko Stojiljkovic, David Kelly, Arthur
Teele, Wolfgang Priklopil, Shinichi Yamazaki, J D ‘Roy’ Atchison,
Christopher Forster, Bruce Ivins, Michael Todd, Michael Pigott Roh
Moo-hyun, Dudu Topaz, and others) are detailed. Anger is also
believed to be a factor in some completed suicides. Examples are less
common, but may include some men who kill their offsprings and
themselves in the settings of disputed access to children.
MENTAL DISORDER SUICIDE
Authors: Pridmore Saxby
Published: May 2010

Evidence indicates that major depression, schizophrenia and
personality disorder are associated with an increased risk of suicide.
Recent work suggests that anxiety is also associated with suicidal
thinking. Studies have shown that a significant proportion of people
with a major depression do not have suicidal thinking, and a significant
proportion of people with suicidal thinking do not have major
depression. Cases from the public record (Ernest Hemingway, Daniel
Cumerford, Sonia McMullen, Greg Wilton, Rebekah Lawrence,
Charmaine Dragan, Vicki Van Meter, Erin Berg, and Robert Enke) are
detailed. It is likely that women who kill their children and then
themselves, especially when there are no clear social stressors, have
suffered unrecognized mental disorder.
MEDICALIZATION OF SUICIDE
Authors: Pridmore Saxby
Published: May 2010

“Medicalization” describes the process by which nonmedical
(social) problems are reclassified as medical problems. The
process is facilitated by the absence of clear definitions of “health” and
“mental disorder”. The drivers of medicalization include not only the
medical profession. Everyday distress is medicalized into depression.
Suicide has been medicalized and the response to distress and suicidal
thinking has become antidepressant medication rather than appropriate
social support. Two cases are presented (Robert FitzRoy and Lord
Clive). The medicalization of distress and suicidal thinking is damaging
rather than being helpful.
SOCIOLOGY AND SUICIDE
Authors: Pridmore Saxby
Published: May 2010

Durkheim argued that suicide is largely a social
phenomenon. He did not deny vulnerability of individuals due to what
would now be called mental disorder, as is commonly stated. He found
that the regulation and support provided by society to the individual
(these could be too little or too much) were the key to suicide. He
described egoistic, anomic, altruistic and fatalistic forms of suicides.
These ideas are assessed and supplemented with current research.
Bullying and the influence modern communication systems have on
suicide are mentioned, and examples from the public record are
detailed.
A SUICIDE PATHWAYS MODEL
Authors: Pridmore Saxby
Published: May 2010

In this chapter, the medical, sociological and medicalization
models are drawn together. Stressors (predicaments) have an impact on
vulnerable individuals. Vulnerability takes two forms, one from the
sociological perspective (due to the regulations and support provided
by society) and the other from the medical perspective (due to nature
and nurture factors). These vulnerabilities reinforce each other and lead
to the central element of distress. Three aspects that may be considered
here are; i) distress can be called a mental disorder (medicalized) and if
suicide results, the death is incorrectly attributed to medical disorder. ii)
distress can lead to mental disorder and if suicide results, the death is
correctly attributed to mental disorder, and iii) distress can lead directly
to suicide, and mental disorder is not involved or mistakenly thought to
be involved. In this latter pathway, when distress is clear to others, the
suicide is akin to rational suicide. When distress is less clear to others,
the suicide is akin to egoistic/anomic suicide.
RATES OF SUICIDE
Authors: Pridmore Saxby
Published: May 2010

The suicide rates of different groups are different and
relatively stable. This fact cautions against simplistic explanations and
quick-fixes for the problem of suicide. The global suicide rate remained
relatively stable from 1960 to 2000, however the gender gap widened.
In western and English speaking countries, the male suicide rate is
around 3 times greater than the female. Globally, there is an increase in
suicide rate with age, but in western and English speaking countries,
there is bimodality, with one peak for young adults and another for the
aged. The much publicised increase in suicide rate among the young
has receded since 1997. Individual nations have different, relatively
stable suicide rates. There are very high suicide rates among some
indigenous people (the Inuit of Canada and Greenland, the First
Nations of North America, the Maori of New Zealand and the
Aborigines of Australia), which can be attributed to exposure to a
“dominant culture”.
CHRONOLOGY OF MENTIONED SUICIDES
Authors: Pridmore Saxby
Published: May 2010

Full text available
Exposure to aerosol pollution and reported respiratory symptoms among segments of urban and rural populations in Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera GBS , Emmanuel R , Nandasena YLS , Premasiri HDS
Published: May 2010

(The Correct PDF for this article is now available)Health effects due to exposure to air pollution have become a growing concern as an ill-effect of rapid urbanization in several regions of Sri Lanka. Evidence suggests that exposure to particulate matter and other aerosols such as SO2 and NOx have increased in urbanized areas in Sri Lanka. But presently adequate evidence to show the association between health effects and air pollution is not available. In this ecological study, we present the micro-level picture of aerosol pollution obtained by using an interviewer administered questionnaire survey and comparing the results against exposure to aerosols. Secondary data were gathered on Sri Lankan health issues from the Ministry of Health to understand the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in the city. Symptoms and the medical diagnosis information were collected from randomly selected probability proportionate samples of five categories of street users (commuters in buses, three wheelers, outdoor venders, shop keepers and residents) in an urbanized area of Colombo and in a rural area of a peripheral district. Exposure levels were measured using passive air samplers in both locations. Moreover active sampling measurements of curbside levels of Total Suspended Particulate Matters (TSP), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) were collected in urbanized area. Aerosol exposure of urban and rural dwellers in all five categories, have shown significant differences in levels of SO2 (p = 0.001) and NO2 (p < 0.001). Three wheeler drivers and shop keepers showed no significant difference in SO2 levels in both locations (p = 0.045 and p = 0.113) while buses at both locations showed the highest NO2 and SO2 levels at both sites while houses had the lowest levels. Further analysis showed that the exposure levels of bus drivers significantly vary (SO2, F= 13.399, p = 0.001; NO2, F =52.283, p < 0.001) on the route characteristics (urban, urban to sub urban and rural). Urban street users had higher prevalence of cough (p < 0.001, OR = 3.43, CI = 2.29 - 5.15) and phlegm (p <0.001, OR = 2.19, CI = 2.29 - 5.15). Wheezing among city dwellers was 20.5% and among rural dwellers was 13.7% (p = 0.043, OR = 1.62, CI = 0.99 - 2.67).There was no significant difference in breathlessness over the different locations. The association might be overridden by localized risk factors such as difference in lifestyles among the urban and rural populations such as the higher number of people using wood as cooking fuel being in the rural site. Short- and long-term mitigation strategies are needed to reduce people's exposure to such air pollutants. The outcome of this study has been extended for necessary policy implications and mitigation guidelines by introducing recommendations of land use development in the city limits. DOI: 10.4038/besl.v7i2.1941 Built-Environment Sri Lanka Vol.7(2) 31-39
Gender aspects in urban human settlement planning
Authors: Ratnayake Rangajeewa
Published: May 2010

(The spelling ofthe author's name was changed from Patanyake to Ratanyake on 11/06/2012).The main trust of planners is to create inclusive human settlements. Inclusive planning approach recognizes the needs and aspirations of all social groups and thereby creates a livable environment for all social groups. Women comprise the majority of the population in almost all the societies in the world. Even though women constitute the majority of the total population, gender specific considerations have not been effectively addressed in land use planning and development planning in most of the developing countries and Sri Lanka is no exception. Therefore it is high time to address gender considerations in land use planning. One may not agree with the view points expressed in this article. However the objective of this article is to encourage debate among planners on the view points expressed in this article. This article discusses that gender studies are concerned needs of both women and men. However urban and rural womens' needs are different and complex than the needs of men. Women daily activities, transport needs are different those of men. This article discusses the implications of mono land use practices on women by not integrating shopping areas, open spaces and nursery areas in housing neighborhoods. Attention is also paid as to how the safety in the built environment and availability of open spaces affect especially the social mobility of women. This article highlights gender and poverty and planning problems of families headed by women in Sri Lanka. If women occupy decision making positions in society, they can also address womens' aspirations. This article discusses the status of women in public office in Sri Lanka and trend patterns of women in mainstream politics in Sri Lanka. The latter part of this article discusses the possible Gender Planning Frameworks that can be used in human settlement process. DOI: 10.4038/besl.v7i2.1944 Built-Environment Sri Lanka Vol.7(2) 54-59
Structure and Stability of a Dimeric G‐Quadruplex Formed by Cyclic Oligonucleotides
Authors: Casals Joan , Viladoms Júlia , Pedroso Enrique , González Carlos
Published: May 2010

We have studied the structure and stability of the cyclic dodecamer d,
containing two copies of the human telomeric repeat. In the presence of sodium, NMR data are consistent with a dimeric structure of the molecule in which two cycles self‐associate forming a quadruplex with three guanine tetrads connected by edgewise loops. The two macrocycles are arranged in a parallel way, and the dimeric structure exhibits a high melting temperature. These results indicate that cyclization of the phosphodiester chain does not prevent quadruplex formation, although it affects the global topology of the quadruplex.
Theory and measurements of the complete beam spread function of sea ice1
Authors: Maffione Robert A. , Voss Jeff M. , Mobley Curtis D.
Published: May 2010

The beam spread function (BSF) of sea ice is of interest for several reasons. The BSF characterizes beam propagation through sea ice. Its equivalent, the point spread function, is essentially the optical impulse response of the medium, which has many useful connections to radiative transfer theory. In‐ice measurements of the BSF over the full angular range 0–180°, using a novel method, were made of first‐ and multiyear ice off the shore of Barrow, Alaska. All of the measured sea ice BSFs were drastically different than the BSF of ocean water, and they strongly indicated that sea ice is a highly scattering medium, with a single scattering albedo generally >0.97 over the visible spectrum. At pathlengths >30 cm, the BSF was found to be nearly identical to the computed asymptotic radiance distribution. The rapid approach to the asymptotic state and the high single scattering albedo of sea ice suggest that photon diffusion theory should accurately describe radiative transfer in sea ice away from boundaries. Equating the results of diffusion theory with asymptotic radiative transfer theory yields a simple expression that relates the asymptotic attenuation coefficient K∞, to the inherent optical property coefficients and the asymmetry parameter g of the scattering phase function. It is shown that the necessary optical parameters for computing g can be obtained from the measured BSE Thus, all the information necessary for modeling optical propagation in sea ice can be obtained from the BSF measurements using the method described here.
The Caspian Lake: History, biota, structure, and function
Authors: Dumont H. J.
Published: May 2010

The elongate, endorheic Caspian Lake has a north‐south orientation and its main freshwater inflow, the Volga River, enters at the shallow north end. Two deep basins occupy its central and southern regions. These facts lead to horizontal differences in temperature, salinity, and ecology. Nutrient levels and primary production are low. Historically, lake level has fluctuated by ~6 m, but on the geological timescale, fluctuations of >200 m have occurred. The lake formed in the late Miocene, first went through a long shrinking phase, expanded to three times its present size in the late Pliocene, and repeatedly rose and fell throughout the Pleistocene, with corresponding freshenings and salinizations. The lake surface has remained below sea level since the last pleniglacial. This dynamic history led to the assemblage of a set of euryhaline biota of Tethyan and freshwater origin, besides Baltic elements, that invaded with glacial meltwater. Endemism is as high as in Lake Baikal, but typical marine groups are absent. Because the lake is oxygenated to the bottom, its biota show a vertical zonation, but without a true abyssal community, suggesting catastrophic episodes of deep anoxia.
Impact of dissolved organic carbon, phosphorus, and grazing on phytoplankton biomass and production in experimental lakes
Authors: Carpenter Stephen R. , Cole Jonathan J. , Kitchell James F. , Pace Michael L.
Published: May 2010

Phytoplankton biomass and production in lakes tend to be increased by phosphorus input and decreased by grazing or high levels of colored, dissolved organic carbon (DOC). We estimated and compared the effects of these three factors by using data from three lakes that were manipulated during 1991–1995, and data from a reference lake. Multivariate probability distributions of chlorophyll or primary production, as predicted by P input rate, DOC, and grazer length, were fit to the data. All three factors had substantial effects on chlorophyll, primary production, and their variability. Comparable reductions in the mean and variance of chlorophyll and primary production were achieved by reducing P input rate from 5 to 0.5 mg m2 d−l, increasing DOC from 5 to 17 mg C liter−l, or increasing mean crustacean length from 0.2 to 0.85 mm. The negative effect of mean crustacean length (an index of size‐selective predation) results from grazing by herbivorous zooplankton. The negative effect of DOC on primary producers could be explained by shading. The results suggest that natural variation in colored DOC concentrations is a major cause of variation in primary production.
P limitation of heterotrophic bacteria and phytoplankton in the northwest Mediterranean
Authors: Thingstad T. Frede , Zweifel Ulla Li , Rassoulzadegan Fereidoun
Published: May 2010

Surface‐water microbial populations were investigated in the northwest Mediterranean for possible indicators of phosphate deficiency and limitation. Low phosphorus availability was suggested by short turnover time (min. observed 0.68 h), high‐alkaline phosphatase activity (Vmax = 28 nM hydrolyzed h−1), subsaturation of phosphate uptake (2.6–9% of Vmax), and high‐pulse uptake capacity of added orthophosphate. Based on high pulse uptake capacity and subsaturated uptake in both the >1‐µm and in the 0.2–1‐µm size fractions, P deficiency is suggested for both phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria. P limitation of heterotrophic bacteria was also supported by fast positive responses after phosphate addition in both thymidine incorporation in whole‐water samples and increased bacterial cell numbers in predator‐free water. No effects were found after addition of carbon or nitrogen sources alone. Combined with other published evidence, we suggest that the growth rates of not only phytoplankton, but also of heterotrophic bacteria, are P limited in this environment in summer. The finding has important implications for the dynamics of accumulation of dissolved organic carbon in the photic zone and thus for the carbon cycle of oceans.
Intensive aggregate formation with low vertical flux during an upwelling‐induced diatom bloom
Authors: Kiørboe Thomas , Tiselius Peter , Mitchell‐Innes Betty , Hansen Jørgen L. S. , Visser Andre W. , Mari Xavier
Published: May 2010

The surfaces of most pelagic diatoms are sticky at times and may therefore form rapidly settling aggregates by physical coagulation. Stickiness and aggregate formation may be particularly adaptive in upwelling systems by allowing the retention of diatom populations in the vicinity of the upwelling center. We therefore hypothesized that upwelling diatom blooms are terminated by aggregate formation and rapid sedimentation. We monitored the development of a maturing diatom (mainly Chaetoceros spp.) bloom in the Benguela upwelling current during 7 d in February. Chlorophyll concentrations remained consistently high during the observation period (~500 mg Chl m−2) and phytoplankton grew at an average specific rate of 0.25 d−1. The diatoms were extraordinarily sticky, with stickiness coefficients of up to 0.40, which is the highest ever recorded for field populations. Combined with estimates of turbulent shear in the ocean such stickiness coefficients predict very high specific coagulation rates (0.3 d−1). In situ video observation demonstrated the occurrence of abundant diatom aggregates with surface water concentrations between 1,000 and 3,000 ppm. Despite the very high concentration of aggregates, vertical fluxes of phytoplankton were very low, with fractional losses <0.005 d−1, and the aggregates thus seemed to be near neutrally buoyant. Losses due to copepod grazing were also low (~0.025 d−1). Most of the aggregates were colonized by the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans that feed upon diatoms in the aggregates. The system appeared to be in near steady state; specific diatom growth rate, coagulation rate, and loss rate due to N. scintillans feeding were all of the same magnitude (0.25–0.3 d−1) and the latter two varied in concert. Our observations provide only partial support for the population retention hypothesis because aggregate buoyancy and N. scintillans grazing efficiently reduced the vertical flux of aggregates in this system.
Conditions necessary for Chattonella antiqua red tide outbreaks
Authors: Amano Kunihiko , Watanabe Masataka , Kohata Kunio , Harada Shigeki
Published: May 2010

Chattonella antiqua (Hada) Ono (Raphidophyceae) red tides have often been observed in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, since the 1960s causing tremendous damage to fisheries. To estimate the conditions necessary for C. antiqua red tide outbreaks we developed an ecological model for diel vertical migration and nocturnal nutrient uptake. The model was expressed as vertically one‐dimensional differential equations for PO3−, NO3−, NO4+, C. antiqua cell concentration, P cell quota, and N cell quota. To deal with diel vertical migration, the growth function was given by the Droop equation and nutrient uptake kinetics were given by the Michaelis‐Menten equation. The model was calibrated with several sets of experimental data. Model calculations showed that the formation of a shallow nutricline (at ~6 m) was crucial for rapid growth of C. antiqua. Given that a shallow nutricline was formed, the calculation also suggested that other environmental factors have to be within certain ranges for C. antiqua red tides to occur. If the retention time was <6 d or the grazing pressure was more intensive than that caused by 40 ind. liter−1 of Paracalanus parvus, which feeds on C. antiqua, there was no chance for an outbreak in a bay of the Seto Inland Sea. Weak wind periods, which often occur in the Seto Inland Sea during summer, seem to enhance the chances of a C. antiqua red tide outbreak by strengthening water column stratification and making the water stagnant. If this occurs after a shallow nutricline has formed and active C. antiqua cells are present, which can be attributed to excystment at the bottom, then the conditions necessary for C. antiqua red tide outbreaks will be satisfied. Excystment occurs when temperatures rise (to ~20–22°C), often due to intrusion of warm, saline Kuroshio Current water. The conditions predicted by our model as necessary for C. antiqua red tides are consistent with this hypothesis. Our model quantitatively supports the hypothesis that C. antiqua can grow to the level of red tides by exploiting the unique environmental conditions found in the Seto Inland Sea.
Physiological stress and cell death in marine phytoplankton: Induction of proteases in response to nitrogen or light limitation
Authors: Berges John A. , Falkowski Paul G.
Published: May 2010

The physiological processes of natural phytoplankton mortality due to environmental stress (vs. that caused by sedimentation and predation) are poorly understood. Cell survival was examined in batch cultures of the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii and the chlorophyte Dunaliella tertiolecta during deprivation of fixed nitrogen or light. Despite severe impairment of photosynthetic efficiencies, both species remained viable during 2 weeks of N starvation. Under N stress, a specific protease was induced in the diatom, overall activity of proteases doubled, and there was gradual, selective loss of certain proteins, especially ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. Light‐deprived diatoms were virtually unaffected, but the chlorophyte underwent catastrophic cell death after about 6 d of darkness. Cell death coincided with a large increase in protease activity and the induction of a specific protease. Although we cannot completely rule out roles for viruses or bacteria in the losses of cells, the consistent timing, the unique response to stress, and the coincident expression of a specific protease strongly suggest that the process is a form of autocatalyzed cell death, such as apoptosis. While of uncertain adaptive significance, phytoplankton cell death may have implications for species succession and cycling of organic matter in aquatic ecosysterns.