bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teacher retention in international schools: The key role of school leadership
Authors: Mancuso Steven V. , Roberts Laura , White George P.
Published: January 2011

The purpose of this study was (1) to track teacher turnover in Near East South Asia (NESA) international schools and (2) to identify correlates of teacher turnover. We received survey responses from 22 school heads and 248 teachers in NESA schools. The average turnover rate was 17 percent from 2006 to 2009, ranging from several schools with no turnover to schools with a turnover rate as high as 60 percent. The most important correlate of turnover was the perception of a supportive head of school. Other correlates included age and satisfaction with salary. Characteristics that defined teachers’ perceptions of supportive leadership are closely linked with transformational and distributed leadership.
A Verbal-Instruction System to Help a Woman With Intellectual Disability and Blindness Manage Food- and Drink-Preparation Tasks
Authors: Lancioni Giulio E. , Singh Nirbhay N. , O'Reilly Mark F. , Sigafoos Jeff , Oliva Doretta
Published: January 2011

A new verbal-instruction system, which ensured the presentation of step instructions automatically, was used to help a woman with moderate intellectual disability and blindness perform food- and drink-preparation tasks. During Part I of the study, this system was compared with a system requiring the woman to seek instructions on her own. Two tasks were used, one with each system. During Part II of the study, the new system was applied with four additional tasks. The results of Part I showed the following: (a) the woman’s level of correct performance on the task carried out with the new system was higher than the level on the other task and (b) performance of this latter task improved when the new system was used with it. The results of Part II showed satisfactory performance with all four tasks carried out with the new system. The implications of these data were discussed.
A survey of faith leaders concerning health promotion and the level of healthy living activities occurring in faith communities in Scotland
Authors: Fagan Donna M. , Kiger Alice , van Teijlingen Edwin
Published: January 2011

Faith groups constitute a growing health promotion partner in North America where they help increase community capacity. However, in the United Kingdom this collaboration is seemingly far less developed. This study sought to find evidence of health promotion in faith communities and examine perceptions and attitudes concerning health promotion among faith leaders. It also sought to establish the level to which health-promoting activities currently occur in, and are organized by, places of worship in one Scottish city, Dundee. The authors distributed a self-administered questionnaire to representatives of all faith communities in Dundee (response rate 71%, n = 50). The survey identified existing, well-formed community groups, some of whom already engaged in health-promoting activities, and shared similar interests with health promotion professionals. Generally, faith leaders were positive towards the concept of health promotion and many considered health promotion to be compatible with their mission. Not all denominations were equally involved in health promotion activities, for example, some conducted annual one-off activities, while others had well-established walking groups or exercise classes. The responses suggest a degree of readiness by faith communities to engage, if invited, in health promotion programmes. These results also indicate that faith groups may constitute untapped resources, poised to contribute to local health promotion efforts. The article concludes that as the National Health Service (NHS) invests in community-based health initiatives that can have long-term sustainability, it is reasonable to make links between what is happening in North America, the interest in health promotion reported by faith leaders in this study and the possibilities for their participation in voluntary sector community health partnerships.
Young park users’ attitudes and behaviour to sun protection
Authors: Hedges Trudy , Scriven Angela
Published: January 2011

The increase in skin cancer prevalence globally has prompted a range of health promotion sun safety initiatives. An area where evidence has been lacking is on the long-term impact of some of these initiatives on the attitudes and sun protection behaviour of young adults and of the sun protection measures used by people using city parks. This article disseminates a study that examined the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of 18- to 28-year-old Caucasian park users. An interview questionnaire was used with behaviour validation incorporated to corroborate the results and reduce recall bias. A cross comparison of answers and placement into pre-coded responses were made at regular intervals to ensure consistency of data collection. Knowledge of risks associated with sun exposure and knowledge of sun protection methods was high. The most common sources of knowledge on skin cancer prevention were parents and family, followed by television, then magazines and newspapers. Surprisingly, the citing of school sun safety health promotion initiatives as a source of knowledge was low. The vast majority of females and males felt that a suntan had aesthetic qualities and made them look more attractive and healthy. Only a small number of the participants’ sun protection behaviour in the park corresponded with their reported normal sun protection behaviour. Males in this study use sunscreen less than females. Females also used sunscreen with a higher sun protection factor. Seeking a tan is intentional behaviour undertaken by the majority of the participants, although females were more likely to seek a tan in comparison to males. The majority of participants had experienced sunburn in the summer period with some reporting severe sunburn. Recommendations are made for a gender specific health promotion approach, which targets familial education with a supportive environment in the school or public domain.
Young urban women and the nutrition transition in China: a familiar pattern emerges
Authors: Madanat Hala N. , Hawks Steven R. , Campbell Tiffany , Fowler Chantelle , Hawks Josiah L.
Published: January 2011

The purpose of this study was to assess the nutrition transition being experienced by urban Chinese college females. The self-administered cross-sectional survey was given to female students attending universities in the urban area of Xi’an, China. The survey was a collection of previously validated instruments measuring motivations for eating, disordered attitudes and behaviors, societal and media influences on body image and eating disturbances, body esteem, body dissatisfaction, and demographic questions. Results from 207 Chinese college females indicated that they had high levels of dietary restraint, despite the large proportion of participants who were considered underweight and normal weight. In addition, the results indicated that these college females ate primarily based on hunger cues. They also had a strong desire to lose weight sometimes to ultra thin and unhealthy levels, but with only moderate levels of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. It appears that for participants in this study, at their current point in the nutrition transition, the full negative impact of Americanized media may not yet be fully internalized. The study has revealed a need for the development of health education programs to promote healthy eating styles and appropriate dieting behaviors. Future research needs to develop strategies for better understanding the impact of Americanization on the body image of women in this type of transitional population.
Le Québec face au défi croisé de l’application des savoirs en santé climatique
Authors: Lapaige Véronique A.
Published: January 2011

Par-delà les huit Objectifs du Millénaire pour le Développement, l’humanité est actuellement confrontée à un nouvel obstacle : le réchauffement global dû à l’effet de serre. Face à ce défi planétaire, il est primordial d’agir en tant que citoyen et acteur en santé publique si nous voulons assurer un développement humain harmonieux et équitable, dans le respect de l’environnement. Ainsi pouvons-nous agir conformément à l’Article 6 de la Convention-Cadre des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques (CCNUCC) qui prône la mobilisation du public et fixe des objectifs d’éducation, de formation et de sensibilisation à l’échelle locale et internationale. Nous pouvons participer à la valorisation des écosavoirs et à l’actualisation des apprentissages liés à la lutte contre les changements climatiques tout en développant des stratégies d’application des connaissances en matière d’atténuation des changements climatiques et d’adaptation de la santé publique aux changements climatiques.

Inscrit dans cette lignée d’action, un programme innovant de chaire d’étude qui prône une intégration et une application transfrontières des savoirs, est actuellement en développement au Québec. Géré par l’Institut national de santé publique, il s’ancre globalement à l’Article 6 de la CCNUCC et localement, au Plan d’action 2006-2012 sur les changements climatiques — volet santé (« Thème 6 » de l’Action 21, menée par le Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux). Ce programme collaboratif de formation écosystémique, de recherche et de réflexion veut, avec l’appui de partenaires francophiles issus du Nord et du Sud, répondre à ce défi afférent aux nouveaux savoirs et apprentissages en santé d’origine climatique. Il nourrit une double vision de leadership partagé et d’application de savoirs probants qui transcendent les frontières sectorielles, disciplinaires, géographiques, cognitives, culturelles. Il cherche dès aujourd’hui à tisser des liens partenariaux, tant en rapport avec le réchauffement global qu’avec l’application des connaissances et diverses grandes questions de notre temps.
Notch is oncogenic dominant in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Demarest Renée M. , Dahmane Nadia , Capobianco Anthony J.
Published: January 2011

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a hematologic neoplasm characterized by malignant expansion of immature T cells. Activated NOTCH (NotchIC) and c-MYC expression are increased in a large percentage of human T-ALL tumors. Furthermore, c-MYC has been shown to be a NOTCH target gene. Although activating mutations of Notch have been found in human T-ALL tumors, there is little evidence that the c-MYC locus is altered in this neoplasm. It was previously demonstrated that Notch and c-Myc–regulated genes have a broadly overlapping profile, including genes involved in cell cycle progression and metabolism. Given that Notch and c-Myc appear to function similarly in T-ALL, we sought to determine whether these two oncogenes could substitute for each other in T-ALL tumors. Here we report that NOTCHIC is able to maintain T-ALL tumors formed in the presence of exogenous NOTCHIC and c-MYC when exogenous c-MYC expression is extinguished. In contrast, c-MYC is incapable of maintaining these tumors in the absence of NOTCHIC. We propose that failure of c-MYC to maintain these tumors is the result of p53-mediated apoptosis. These results demonstrate that T-ALL maintenance is dependent on NOTCHIC, but not c-MYC, demonstrating that NOTCH is oncogenic dominant in T-ALL tumors.
Endothelial progenitor cells are clonal and exhibit the JAK2V617F mutation in a subset of thrombotic patients with Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Teofili Luciana , Martini Maurizio , Iachininoto Maria Grazia , Capodimonti Sara , Nuzzolo Eugenia Rosa , Torti Lorenza , Cenci Tonia , Larocca Luigi Maria , Leone Giuseppe
Published: January 2011

In this study we investigated whether neoplastic transformation occurring in Philadelphia (Ph)–negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) could involve also the endothelial cell compartment. We evaluated the level of endothelial colony-forming cells (E-CFCs) in 42 patients (15 with polycythemia vera, 12 with essential thrombocythemia, and 15 with primary myelofibrosis). All patients had 1 molecular abnormality (JAK2V617F or MPLW515K mutations, SOCS gene hypermethylation, clonal pattern of growth) detectable in their granulocytes. The growth of colonies was obtained in 22 patients and, among them, patients with primary myelofibrosis exhibited the highest level of E-CFCs. We found that E-CFCs exhibited no molecular abnormalities in12 patients, had SOCS gene hypermethylation, were polyclonal at human androgen receptor analysis in 5 patients, and resulted in JAK2V617F mutated and clonal in 5 additional patients, all experiencing thrombotic complications. On the whole, patients with altered E-CFCs required antiproliferative therapy more frequently than patients with normal E-CFCs. Moreover JAK2V617F-positive E-CFCs showed signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 and 3 phosphorylation rates higher than E-CFCs isolated from healthy persons and patients with MPN without molecular abnormalities. Finally, JAK2V617F-positive E-CFCs exhibited a high proficiency to adhere to normal mononuclear cells. This study highlights a novel mechanism underlying the thrombophilia observed in MPN.
Impairment-targeted exercises for older adults with knee pain: protocol for a proof-of-principle study
Authors: Wood Laurence RJ , Peat George M , Mullis Ricky , Thomas Elaine , Foster Nadine E
Published: January 2011

Background

Exercise therapy for knee pain and osteoarthritis remains a key element of conservative treatment, recommended in clinical guidelines. Yet systematic reviews point to only modest benefits from exercise interventions.

One reason for this might be that clinical trials tend to use a one-size-fits-all approach to exercise, effectively disregarding the details of their participants' clinical presentations. This uncontrolled before-after study (TargET-Knee-Pain) aims to test the principle that exercises targeted at the specific physical impairments of older adults with knee pain may be able to significantly improve those impairments. It is a first step towards testing the effectiveness of this more individually-tailored approach.

Methods/Design

We aim to recruit 60 participants from an existing observational cohort of community-dwelling older adults with knee pain. Participants will all have at least one of the three physical impairments of weak quadriceps, a reduced range of knee flexion and poor standing balance. Each participant will be asked to undertake a programme of exercises, targeted at their particular combination and degree of impairment(s), over the course of twelve weeks. The exercises will be taught and progressed by an experienced physiotherapist, with reference to a "menu" of agreed exercises for each of the impairments, over the course of six fortnightly home visits, alternating with six fortnightly telephone calls. Primary outcome measures will be isometric quadriceps strength, knee flexion range of motion, timed single-leg standing balance and the "Four Balance Test Scale" at 12 weeks. Key secondary outcome measures will be self-reported levels of pain, stiffness and difficulties with day-to-day functional tasks (WOMAC). Outcome measures will be taken at three time-points (baseline, six weeks and twelve weeks) by a study nurse blinded to the exercise status of the participants.

Discussion

This study (TargET-Knee-Pain) is the first step towards exploring whether an impairment-targeted approach to exercise prescription for older adults with knee pain may have sufficient efficacy to warrant further testing. If warranted, future randomised clinical trials may compare this approach with more traditional one-size-fits-all exercise approaches.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN61638364.
Psoriasis prediction from genome-wide SNP profiles
Authors: Fang Shenying , Fang Xiangzhong , Xiong Momiao
Published: January 2011

Background

With the availability of large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, choosing an optimal set of SNPs for disease susceptibility prediction is a challenging task. This study aimed to use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to predict psoriasis from searching GWAS data.

Methods

Totally we had 2,798 samples and 451,724 SNPs. Process for searching a set of SNPs to predict susceptibility for psoriasis consisted of two steps. The first one was to search top 1,000 SNPs with high accuracy for prediction of psoriasis from GWAS dataset. The second one was to search for an optimal SNP subset for predicting psoriasis. The sequential information bottleneck (sIB) method was compared with classical linear discriminant analysis(LDA) for classification performance.

Results

The best test harmonic mean of sensitivity and specificity for predicting psoriasis by sIB was 0.674(95% CI: 0.650-0.698), while only 0.520(95% CI: 0.472-0.524) was reported for predicting disease by LDA. Our results indicate that the new classifier sIB performs better than LDA in the study.

Conclusions

The fact that a small set of SNPs can predict disease status with average accuracy of 68% makes it possible to use SNP data for psoriasis prediction.
Pre-expression of a sulfhydryl oxidase significantly increases the yields of eukaryotic disulfide bond containing proteins expressed in the cytoplasm of E.coli
Authors: Nguyen Van Dat , Hatahet Feras , Salo Kirsi EH , Enlund Eveliina , Zhang Chi , Ruddock Lloyd W
Published: January 2011

Background

Disulfide bonds are one of the most common post-translational modifications found in proteins. The production of proteins that contain native disulfide bonds is challenging, especially on a large scale. Either the protein needs to be targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum in eukaryotes or to the prokaryotic periplasm. These compartments that are specialised for disulfide bond formation have an active catalyst for their formation, along with catalysts for isomerization to the native state. We have recently shown that it is possible to produce large amounts of prokaryotic disulfide bond containing proteins in the cytoplasm of wild-type bacteria such as E. coli by the introduction of catalysts for both of these processes.

Results

Here we show that the introduction of Erv1p, a sulfhydryl oxidase and a disulfide isomerase allows the efficient formation of natively folded eukaryotic proteins with multiple disulfide bonds in the cytoplasm of E. coli. The production of disulfide bonded proteins was also aided by the use of an appropriate fusion protein to keep the folding intermediates soluble and by choice of media. By combining the pre-expression of a sulfhydryl oxidase and a disulfide isomerase with these other factors, high level expression of even complex disulfide bonded eukaryotic proteins is possible

Conclusions

Our results show that the production of eukaryotic proteins with multiple disulfide bonds in the cytoplasm of E. coli is possible. The required exogenous components can be put onto a single plasmid vector allowing facile transfer between different prokaryotic strains. These results open up new avenues for the use of E. coli as a microbial cell factory.
Aging impacts isolated lymphoid follicle development and function
Authors: McDonald Keely G , Leach Matthew R , Huang Conway , Wang Caihong , Newberry Rodney D
Published: January 2011

Background

Immunosenescence is the age-related decline and dysfunction of protective immunity leading to a marked increase in the risk of infections, autoimmune disease, and cancer. The majority of studies have focused on immunosenescence in the systemic immune system; information concerning the effect of aging on intestinal immunity is limited. Isolated lymphoid follicles (ILFs) are newly appreciated dynamic intestinal lymphoid structures that arise from nascent lymphoid tissues, or cryptopatches (CP), in response to local inflammatory stimuli. ILFs promote "homeostatic" responses including the production of antigen-specific IgA, thus playing a key role in mucosal immune protection. ILF dysfunction with aging could contribute to immunosenescence of the mucosal system, and accordingly we examined phenotypic and functional aspects of ILFs from young (2 month old) and aged (2 year old) mice.

Results

We observed that aged mice have increased numbers of ILFs and increased numbers of structures corresponding to an early stage of CPs transforming into ILFs. The cellular composition of ILFs in aged mice is altered with a smaller B-lymphocyte population and an increased T-lymphocyte population. The ILF T-lymphocyte population is notable by the presence of CD4+ CD8αα+ T-lymphocytes, which are absent from the systemic compartment. The smaller B-lymphocyte population in ILFs from aged mice is directly correlated with decreased mRNA and protein expression of CCL20 and CXCL13, two chemokines that play crucial roles in recruiting B-lymphocytes into ILFs. Aged mice had elevated levels of serum and fecal immunoglobulins and despite the decreased B-lymphocyte population, ILFs from aged mice displayed increased IgA production. The immunoglobulin repertoire was skewed in aged mice, and ILFs demonstrated a repertoire usage similar to that of the systemic pool in both young and aged mice.

Conclusions

Here we observed that ILF development, cellular composition, and immunoglobulin production are altered with aging suggesting that ILF dysfunction contributes to mucosal immunosenescence.
Complete coding sequence characterization and comparative analysis of the putative novel human rhinovirus (HRV) species C and B
Authors: Linsuwanon Piyada , Payungporn Sunchai , Suwannakarn Kamol , Chieochansin Thaweesak , Theamboonlers Apiradee , Poovorawan Yong
Published: January 2011

Background

Human Rhinoviruses (HRVs) are well recognized viral pathogens associated with acute respiratory tract illnesses (RTIs) abundant worldwide. Although recent studies have phylogenetically identified the new HRV species (HRV-C), data on molecular epidemiology, genetic diversity, and clinical manifestation have been limited.

Result

To gain new insight into HRV genetic diversity, we determined the complete coding sequences of putative new members of HRV species C (HRV-CU072 with 1% prevalence) and HRV-B (HRV-CU211) identified from clinical specimens collected from pediatric patients diagnosed with a symptom of acute lower RTI. Complete coding sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the HRV-CU072 strain shared a recent common ancestor with most closely related Chinese strain (N4). Comparative analysis at the protein level showed that HRV-CU072 might accumulate substitutional mutations in structural proteins, as well as nonstructural proteins 3C and 3 D. Comparative analysis of all available HRVs and HEVs indicated that HRV-C contains a relatively high G+C content and is more closely related to HEV-D. This might be correlated to their replication and capability to adapt to the high temperature environment of the human lower respiratory tract. We herein report an infrequently occurring intra-species recombination event in HRV-B species (HRV-CU211) with a crossing over having taken place at the boundary of VP2 and VP3 genes. Moreover, we observed phylogenetic compatibility in all HRV species and suggest that dynamic mechanisms for HRV evolution seem to be related to recombination events. These findings indicated that the elementary units shaping the genetic diversity of HRV-C could be found in the nonstructural 2A and 3D genes.

Conclusion

This study provides information for understanding HRV genetic diversity and insight into the role of selection pressure and recombination mechanisms influencing HRV evolution.
An evaluation of casein hydrolyzate in combination with antibiotic for bacterial cure and subsequent increase in milk yield in dairy cows
Authors: Leitner Gabriel , Jacoby Shamay , Silanikove Nissim
Published: January 2011

Background

A 3-yr study examined whether prepartum treatment with casein hydrolyzate in combination with antibiotic, as routinely used in Israel for dry cow therapy, improved bacterial cure and increased milk yield in subsequent lactations in comparison with treatment with antibiotic alone. The vast majority of bacterial isolates in samples collected prior to drying-off comprised coagulase-negative staphylococci, mostly asStaph. chromogenes.

Results

Bacterial cure associated with the combined treatment was 73.8% in cows, significantly higher than the 51.7% cure recorded when cows were treated only with antibiotic. During the study, the annual milk yield of non-casein hydrolyzate treated and treated control cows increased at ~2% per year, which is consistent with the national annual increase attributed to genetic selection. In cows treated with casein hydrolyzate the increase was 9% (above the 2% expected) in the first lactation after the treatment, and 6.3% (above the 4% expected for 2 years) in the second lactation after treatment. These increases were significantly higher than those in the controls and those expected through genetic improvement.

Conclusions

Treatment with casein hydrolyzate at dry-off was shown to be a viable mean to eliminate existing environmental bacterial infection, and to improve milk yield in the next lactation.
Numbers-needed-to-treat analysis: an explanation using antipsychotic trials in schizophrenia
Authors: Hodgson Richard , Cookson John , Taylor Mark
Published: January 2011

The evaluation of treatment effects is important to both the clinician and the patient. However, outcomes in randomised trials are often difficult to apply to the clinic. The number needed to treat (NNT) is one method that facilitates the interpretation of clinical trials in a meaningful way. When combined with the number needed to harm (NNH), the balance between the risks and benefits of a particular treatment can be appreciated. We illustrate the use of these concepts by focusing on recent large pragmatic studies of antipsychotics, including CATIE, EUFEST and CUtLASS.
Epilepsy and neuropsychiatric comorbidities
Authors: Agrawal Niruj , Govender Suren
Published: January 2011

Epilepsy is a common neurological condition with wide-ranging neuropsychiatric manifestations. The relationship between epilepsy and psychiatry has been recognised for centuries. However, the wide range of neuropsychiatric comorbidities and their extent is only now beginning to be appreciated. The impact of these comorbidities on patients' help-seeking behaviour, seizure control and quality of life suggests that early detection and treatment are of paramount importance. Clinical issues in relation to accurate recognition and appropriate management of neuropsychiatric conditions in epilepsy are discussed.
Running an MRCPsych course
Authors: Vassilas Christopher A. , Berrisford Giles S.
Published: January 2011

This article outlines how MRCPsych courses have developed historically and gives an account of the factors that are currently driving changes in postgraduate psychiatric education. A brief description of educational theory that is applicable to the teaching of these courses is given, followed by a description of the teaching methods used. We also describe the different elements of an MRCPsych course, from the resource requirements to the way the course is structured and delivered. The principles described and examples given may be of interest to experienced course organisers and may be helpful to those taking on the role of course organiser for the first time.
Inconsistencies in legal and scientific perspectives on adolescents' capacities
Authors: Grisso Thomas
Published: January 2011

The US Supreme Court's complaint in 2005 about inconsistencies in research into adolescents' decision-making capacity did not take into account the different demands placed on adolescents by controlled situations and unstructured situations. Apparent inconsistencies in research into adolescents' capacity in treatment situations and in trial situations may simply be due to methodological differences between the two bodies of research. Apparent inconsistencies in the law regarding presumptions about adolescents' capacity are related to differences in societal objectives across decision-making contexts.
Erving Goffman's Asylums 50 years on
Authors: Mac Suibhne Seamus
Published: January 2011

Erving Goffman's Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates is a key text in the sociology of mental illness. It is sometimes seen simplistically as a paradigm of ‘antipsychiatry’, and as a key step in the triumph of community psychiatry over narrower, medical models of mental illness. Reading Asylums today, however, reveals that this portrayal does not capture the richness of the text. My argument is that, rather than being an opponent of biological psychiatry or medical models per se, Goffman's key role was in humanising patients and drawing attention to the patterns of interaction that dehumanised them.
Behavioural activation delivered by the non-specialist: phase II randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ekers David , Richards David , McMillan Dean , Bland J. Martin , Gilbody Simon
Published: January 2011

Background

Behavioural activation appears as effective as cognitive– behaviour therapy (CBT) in the treatment of depression. If equally effective, then behavioural activation may be the preferred treatment option because it may be suitable for delivery by therapists with less training. This is the first randomised controlled trial to look at this possibility.

Aims

To examine whether generic mental health workers can deliver effective behavioural activation as a step-three high-intensity intervention.

Method

A randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN27045243) comparing behavioural activation (n = 24) with treatment as usual (n = 23) in primary care.

Results

Intention-to-treat analyses indicated a difference in favour of behavioural activation of –15.79 (95% CI –24.55 to –7.02) on the Beck Depression Inventory–II and Work and Social Adjustment Scale (mean difference –11.12, 95% CI –17.53 to –4.70).

Conclusions

Effective behavioural activation appears suitable for delivery by generic mental health professionals without previous experience as therapists. Large-scale trial comparisons with an active comparator (CBT) are needed.
Mortality and suicide after self-harm: community cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Vincent C. H. , Tan Happy K. L. , Chen Chung-Ying , Chen Tony H. H. , Liao Long-Ren , Lee Charles T. C. , Dewey Michael , Stewart Robert , Prince Martin , Cheng Andrew T. A.
Published: January 2011

Background

Little is known about outcomes after self-harm in East Asia.

Aims

To investigate mortality after self-harm in a Taiwanese population.

Method

Between 2000 and 2003, 1083 individuals who self-harmed were identified through a population self-harm register in Nantou County, Taiwan, and followed until 2007 for date and cause of death on a national mortality database.

Results

In total, 145 individuals died, 48 through suicide. The risks of all-cause and suicide mortality in the first year were 4.7% and 2.1% respectively, representing 8- and 131-fold age- and gender-standardised increases. Male gender and older age were independent risk factors for both suicide and non-suicide mortality. Use of more lethal methods in the index episode was associated with higher mortality but this was accounted for by gender.

Conclusions

Results in this sample support the recommendation that people with a history of recent self-harm should be a major target for suicide prevention programmes.
Rapid acute treatment of agitation in individuals with schizophrenia: multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled study of inhaled loxapine
Authors: Lesem Michael D. , Tran-Johnson Tram K. , Riesenberg Robert A. , Feifel David , Allen Michael H. , Fishman Robert , Spyker Daniel A. , Kehne John H. , Cassella James V.
Published: January 2011

Background

There is a need for a rapid-acting, non-injection, acute treatment for agitation.

Aims

To evaluate inhaled loxapine for acute treatment of agitation in schizophrenia.

Method

This phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00628589) enrolled 344 individuals who received one, two or three doses of inhaled loxapine (5 or 10 mg) or a placebo. Lorazepam rescue was permitted after dose two. The primary efficacy end-point was change from baseline in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale–Excited Component (PANSS–EC) 2 h after dose one. The key secondary end-point was Clinical Global Impression–Improvement scale (CGI–I) score 2 h after dose one.

Results

Inhaled loxapine (5 and 10 mg) significantly reduced agitation compared with placebo as assessed by primary and key secondary end-points. Reduced PANSS–EC score was evident 10 min after dose one with both 5 and 10mg doses. Inhaled loxapine was well tolerated, and the most common adverse events were known effects of loxapine or minor oral effects common with inhaled medications.

Conclusions

Inhaled loxapine provided a rapid, well-tolerated acute treatment for agitation in people with schizophrenia.
Relationship duration and mental health outcomes: findings from a 30-year longitudinal study
Authors: Gibb Sheree J. , Fergusson David M. , Horwood L. John
Published: January 2011

Background

Marriage is known to be associated with improved mental health, but little research has examined whether the duration of a cohabiting relationship is associated with mental health.

Aims

To examine the associations between relationship duration and mental health problems in a birth cohort of 30-year-olds.

Method

Associations between relationship duration and mental health were examined using a generalised estimating equation approach. Associations were adjusted for covariates, including prior mental health problems.

Results

Longer relationship duration was significantly associated with lower rates of depression, suicidal behaviour and substance abuse/dependence, even after adjustment for covariates. In most cases the associations did not vary with gender. Legal relationship status (legally or de facto married) was not significantly related to mental health once due allowance was made for relationship duration.

Conclusions

Increasing relationship duration, but not legal relationship status, has a protective effect on mental health for men and women.
Perception of physician-assisted suicide among Egyptian psychiatrists: cultural perspective
Authors: Tadros George , Rakhawy Mona Y. , Khoweiled Aref , El-Houssini Ahmed Mahmoud , Khan Farooq
Published: January 2011

Aims and method

To explore the views of Egyptian psychiatrists on physician-assisted suicide, focusing on demographical, spiritual, legal and clinical domains. We surveyed the views of psychiatrists in four Egyptian counties using a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert response scale.

Results

A total of 160 psychiatrists completed the questionnaire (response rate 82%). Of these, 50% described the influence of their religious beliefs on their medical practice as very strong/strong and 12.5% as weak/nil. The majority (75%) said they would disagree or strongly disagree with supporting physician-assisted suicide for a terminally ill patient; a similar proportion (76%) were against passive euthanasia. The majority (77%) felt that physician-assisted suicide was against their religious beliefs; there was no significant difference between Muslims and Christians. The majority (82.4%) believed that physician-assisted suicide could/will be abused.

Clinical implications

Careful consideration should be given to the safeguarding of psychiatric patients if physician-assisted suicide is legalised. Future studies on the views of clinicians should explore the influence of cultural differences rather than religious beliefs.
Theoretical Study of Hydrogen Chemisorption to Nitrogen-Substituted Graphene-Like Compounds
Authors: Kayanuma Megumi , Ikeshoji Tamio , Ogawa Hiroshi
Published: January 2011

Interaction between nitrogen-substituted graphene-like compounds and hydrogen was investigated using ab initio molecular orbital methods to assess hydrogen storage. We adopted coronene as a model molecule for fragmented graphene-like carbon materials and compared the chemisorption energies of hydrogen on pure and N-substituted coronens by changing nitrogen positions. Among the assumed 19 N-substituted models with different substitution sites, three representative models were selected and closely examined to reveal the dependences on both nitrogen-substitution and hydrogen-adsorption positions. Optimized structures of the chemisorbed products are largely stabilized by N-substitution at a certain position. Positive or negative energy gain was apparent depending on both substituted sites of N and adsorbing position of H2. The results suggest that it is possible to improve hydrogen storage properties of graphene-like materials by N-substitution.
Development of a Practical One-Pot Synthesis of Indigo from Indole
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshihiro , Inoue Yoshihisa , Takaki Usaji , Suzuki Hiroharu
Published: January 2011

A novel and highly practical one-pot synthesis of indigo from indole via 3-position selective oxidation and dimerization of the indole framework was developed. Using 0.1 mol % of molybdenum complex and 2.2 equivalents of cumene hydroperoxide in tert-butyl alcohol, the reaction was complete in 7 h and pure indigo was obtained in 81% yield as a deep-blue solid just by filtration. The described one-step method renders the pure indigo readily available on a large scale using only inexpensive raw materials.
Influence of Electron-Donating and Electron-Withdrawing Substituents on the Chemiluminescence Behavior of Coelenterazine Analogs
Authors: Saito Ryota , Hirano Takashi , Maki Shojiro , Niwa Haruki , Ohashi Mamoru
Published: January 2011

Coelenterazine analogs 3a–3e possessing various substituents at the para-position of the 6-phenyl group (R = CF3, F, H, OMe, and NMe2) were synthesized, and the chemiluminescent properties of 3a–3e in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were investigated quantitatively. Chemiluminescence maxima observed in the range of 454–478 nm showed a bathochromic shift as the electron-donating ability of R increased. Chemiluminescence quantum yields (ΦCL) were obtained in the range of 0.0006–0.0018. The analog 3a possessing the electron-withdrawing CF3 group showed a slight decrease in its ΦCL value. The fluorescence quantum yields (ΦF) of the light emitter, 2-acetamidopyrazine anions 4a−–4e−, were observed in the range of 0.005–0.21 and showed substituent dependency in that the increment in the electron-withdrawing ability of R decreases the ΦF value. The efficiency of generation of the singlet-excited 4a−–4e− (ΦS) showed a small change in the range of 0.008–0.015. From these quantitative analyses of the quantum efficiencies, we found that an electron-donating substituent R is not required for the efficient generation of a singlet-excited light emitter, but is required for the high ΦF of the emitter.
Transport Properties and Solvation Structure of Mixtures of Carbon Dioxide and Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids
Authors: Demizu Masashi , Harada Masafumi , Saijo Kenji , Terazima Masahide , Kimura Yoshifumi
Published: January 2011

Translational diffusion coefficients of diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP), diphenylacetylene (DPA), and carbon monoxide (CO) in carbon dioxide (CO2) mixtures of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide ([BMIm][NTf2]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF4]), respectively, were determined by transient grating (TG) spectroscopy under various pressures of CO2. With increasing CO2 pressure up to 15 MPa, the diffusion coefficients of DPCP and DPA increased by an order of magnitude, while the increase of the diffusion coefficient of CO was relatively small. Sound velocities of the mixtures were also determined by TG spectroscopy, which decreased by ca. 20% with increasing pressure up to 10 MPa, and then turned to increase with pressure. The solvation structure around DPCP was also investigated by Raman spectroscopy. It was found that the vibrational spectra of solute and solvent molecules did not show remarkable changes. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) profiles for CO2 mixture of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([OMIm][BF4]) were measured under various pressures of CO2. The peak observed for the SAXS profile at 3 nm−1 for [OMIm][BF4] did not show meaningful shift with increasing CO2 pressure, while the peak width showed a small increase.
A General Synthetic Method for 1,1′-Bis(diacetylene-group)-Connected Ferrocene and π-Electronic System
Authors: Yoshino Junro , Shimizu Rumi , Hayashi Naoto , Higuchi Hiroyuki
Published: January 2011

In contrast to the facile synthon ethynylferrocene for diacetylene ferrocene (Fc) derivatives, 1,1′-diethynylferrocene for the corresponding 1,1′-bis(diacetylene-group)-connected Fc derivatives is extremely difficult to handle under ordinary conditions, giving rise to spontaneous self-polymerization. Under modified Eglinton oxidative coupling conditions, it has been possible to generate 1,1′-diethynylferrocene in situ readily from a trimethylsilyl-protected precursor and to react it with other terminal acetylenes. The present tandem reactions could provide a general synthetic method for an extended π-electronic conjugation system of 1,1′-bis(diacetylene-group)-connected Fc derivatives, of which the chemistry has been scarcely developed.
Orthogonality of subspaces in metric-projective geometry
Authors: Prażmowski Krzysztof , Żynel Mariusz
Published: January 2011

In an n-dimensional projective space with a polarity two k-subspaces are ortho-adjacent if they are adjacent and one intersects the polar of the other. We prove that this relation on the set of all non-isotropic k-subspaces can be used as a single primitive notion for metric-projective geometry provided that the polarity is not symplectic and n ≠ 2k + 1.
Substituting compact disks in stable planes
Authors: Löwen Rainer
Published: January 2011

Given two stable planes of dimension 2l containing compact topological 2l-disks whose boundaries are isomorphic unitals, we show that it is possible to substitute one of these disks with the other, thus changing the line system in one of the planes, and that this produces another stable plane. The proof uses intersection theory in singular homology in order to show that existence of interior intersection points of two secants can be detected by looking at their traces in the unital. We conclude with a class of concrete examples based on P. Sperner's 4-dimensional affine planes with group .
Reconstitution of Saturated Cement-Treated Soil by Wet-Mixing
Authors: Lewsley Gregory , Fannin R. Jonathan
Published: January 2011

A new method is described for the reconstitution of cement-treated specimens of sand and silt for laboratory strength tests. Saturation of the slurry mix is attained through boiling the sand fraction at atmospheric pressure, boiling the silt fraction at a pressure that is reduced to a vacuum of 80 kPa, and mechanised blending of cement into the combined soil fractions in a rigid-walled former that is subjected to the same vacuum pressure. Reproducibility of the method is demonstrated from tests on four identical homogeneous specimens that yield a very narrow range in water content, bulk density, and unconfined compression strength. It is further evident in the trend of increasing strength with normalized cement content in those data.
Damage Build-Up in Zirconium Alloys During Mechanical Processing: Application to Cold Pilgering
Authors: Gaillac A. , Lemaignan C. , Barberis P.
Published: January 2011

Cold pilgering of zirconium alloys containing high content of alloying elements may be a critical issue regarding surface defects or serious cracks. A better knowledge of damaging mechanisms during pilgering is a way for optimizing the cold forming routes of cladding tubes. Behavior of Zircaloy-4, M5™ (M5™ is a trademark of AREVA NP) and Zr-Nb-Sn-Fe alloys under damaging conditions were investigated for this purpose. Cold pilgering is a cyclic deformation process. Depending on its position inside the grooves of the rolls, material is strained alternately in compressive and tensile modes. Thus, materials were first tested under low cycle fatigue (LCF) deformation routes. LCF tests showed that the differences observed in the number of cycles to failure between alloys are mainly a function of the differences in fracture toughness. Fractography of the fatigue and toughness tests samples also showed that the final propagation of the crack is always ductile, meaning that toughness is the function of the ductile tearing damage mechanisms at the crack tip. Therefore, tensile tests of notched axisymmetric samples were used to study the ductile damage build-up mechanisms, by varying the stress triaxiality. A detailed analysis of the fractured samples was used to quantify a ductile damage accumulation parameter, function of the deformation and the stress triaxiality. Size and repartition of second phase particles, grain to grain misorientations, grain size, and texture were identified as the main metallurgical parameters having an effect in the ductile damage by nucleation, growth, and coalescence of voids. These experimental results, combined with the material mechanical history, provided by numerical modeling of the cold pilgering process, are now used to improve the forming routes of cladding tubes, both by a mechanical way (cold pilgering stress state) and a metallurgical one (microstructure of alloys used for tubes rolling).
Effect of the Thermo-Mechanical Processing Characteristics on the Recrystallization of CuZn34 Brass
Authors: Lopes Wellington , Corrêa Elaine Carballo Siqueira , Campos Haroldo Béria , Aguilar Maria Teresa Paulino , Cetlin Paulo Roberto
Published: January 2011

The effect of the temperature and the annealing time on the recrystallization characteristics of metals has been widely researched. However, the influence of the deformation history (involving changes in the strain path) on the recrystallization of metals is seldom studied. The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of the mechanical loading sequence (monotonic and Bauschinger shearing tests), the amount of forward (effective strain of 0.10, 0.20, and 0.30) and reverse strain (effective strain of −0.35, −0.45, and −0.55), and the initial state (as-received and annealed) on the recrystallization kinetics of CuZn34 brass sheets. The softening caused by recrystallization is reduced as the forward and reverse strains applied during the Bauschinger shear tests are increased. For all investigated conditions, the data also revealed that the initial state and the amount of the reverse strain were the main variables on the recrystallization kinetics of CuZn34 brass.