bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secondary gain as hidden motive for getting psychiatric treatment
Authors: Van Egmond Jacques , Kummeling Ischa , Balkom Ton aan
Published: March 2005

Background

A high proportion (42.4%) of outpatients attending a psychiatric hospital appears to harbor expectations of secondary gain and hide this from their psychiatrists. This study investigated whether the prevalence of expectations of secondary gain could be replicated in a different sample, namely, a general hospital outpatient clinic attended by patients with less severe mental disorders, and whether patients hid these expectations from the psychiatrists they consulted.

Methods

The study was performed at a Dutch psychiatric outpatient department of a general hospital. In a prospective cohort, expectation of secondary gain was assessed by directly asking the patients via questionnaires whether they expected gaining specific ‘benefits’ from being in therapy.

Results

Of 99 patients, 41 (41.4%) expected secondary gain while being in therapy. In contrast, only nine patients (9.5%) told their diagnosing psychiatrist of these expectations.

Discussion

The present finding of a large proportion of patients expecting secondary gain is consistent with the results of an earlier study. Again, in most cases the diagnosing psychiatrists were unaware of their patients’ expectations. Thus many patients have hidden expectations of what therapy will do for them, in terms of material or non-material benefits other than getting better. Earlier empirical studies have shown that harboring expectations of benefits other than therapeutic benefits may be detrimental to therapeutic success.
A novel hypertonicity‐induced cation channel in primary cultures of human hepatocytes
Authors: Li Tongju , ter Veld Frank , Nürnberger Hartwig R. , Wehner Frank
Published: March 2005

In whole‐cell recordings on primary cultures of human hepatocytes, we observe the hypertonic activation of a novel type of cation channel with a permeability ratio for Na+:Li+:K+:Cs+:NMDG+ of 1:1.2:1.3:1.2:0.6. With a P
Ca/P
Na of 0.7 the channel is also clearly permeable to Ca++. Most likely, the channel is Cl− impermeable but its activity critically depends on the extracellular Cl− concentration (with the half maximal effect at 88 mmol/l). With a 64% inhibition by amiloride and a complete block by flufenamate and Gd3+ (at 100 μmol/l each), the channel may represent a molecular link between the amiloride‐sensitive and insensitive channels reported so far.
Serine utilization in mouse liver: Influence of caloric restriction and aging
Authors: Hagopian Kevork , Ramsey Jon J. , Weindruch Richard
Published: March 2005

The influence of caloric restriction (CR) on the activities of hepatic serine metabolizing enzymes in young (3 months) and old (30 months) mice was studied. Serine dehydratase (SDH) activity increased markedly with age in both diet groups and in old mice was higher in the CR group. No effects of CR were observed in the young. Serine:pyruvate transaminase (SPT) and glycerate kinase activities were unaffected by age and diet. However, glycerate dehydrogenase activity was decreased in old CR mice but not in young CR. The results of this study show that long‐term CR influenced serine utilization only in the pathway catalyzed by SDH. This suggests that in mouse liver this pathway is critical for serine utilization in gluconeogenesis, while the SPT pathway plays a minor role. The increase in SDH activity with long‐term CR is consistent with sustained increase in gluconeogenesis.
Climate forcing by the volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo
Authors: Douglass David H. , Knox Robert S.
Published: March 2005

We determine the volcano climate sensitivity λ and response time τ for the Mount Pinatubo eruption, using observational measurements of the temperature anomalies of the lower troposphere, measurements of the long wave outgoing radiation, and the aerosol optical density. Using standard linear response theory we find λ = 0.15 ± 0.06 K/(W/m2), which implies a negative feedback of −1.4 (+0.7, −1.6). The intrinsic response time is τ = 6.8 ± 1.5 months. Both results are contrary to a paradigm that involves long response times and positive feedback.
Observing the vertical branch of the mesospheric circulation at latitude 60°N using ground‐based measurements of CO and H2O
Authors: Forkman Peter , Eriksson Patrick , Murtagh Donal , Espy Patrick
Published: March 2005

In this report daily ground‐based measurements of vertical profiles of CO and H2O from 2002 are used to trace the vertical movement of air caused by the seasonally varying mean meridional circulation. In the spring (days 100–130) the estimated ascending velocity is found to vary with time and altitude from about between 250 m/day at 65 km altitude on day 100 to a maximum of ∼450 m/day at 85–90 km altitude on day 130. In the late summer and fall the descending velocity goes from 0 (when the downwelling starts) to ∼250 m/day at 75 km day 280. The mesospheric adiabatic temperature changes caused by the vertical movement of air are compared to mesopause temperature as estimated by the radiance of the Meinel band OH airglow.
Simultaneous retrievals of column ozone and aerosol optical properties from direct and diffuse solar irradiance measurements
Authors: Goering Christian D. , L'Ecuyer Tristan S. , Stephens Graeme L. , Slusser James R. , Scott Gwen , Davis John , Barnard James C. , Madronich Sasha
Published: March 2005

A retrieval technique has been developed to simultaneously determine column ozone amounts and aerosol optical properties using surface observations of solar ultraviolet direct normal and diffuse horizontal irradiance from a multifilter rotating shadowband radiometer. The retrieval consists of a Bayesian scheme involving a tropospheric ultraviolet radiative transfer model. The technique was tested using cloud‐free observations collected during a Mexico City Metropolitan Area air pollution field campaign from April to May 2003. Retrieval results compared favorably to those of independent techniques, including ozone amounts from a direct‐Sun method, Langley‐derived aerosol optical depths, and aerosol single‐scattering albedos from a direct‐to‐diffuse irradiance ratio technique. Further comparisons were performed between the measurements and model simulations when using the retrieval results as inputs, both from the proposed technique and the combined independent methods. Simulations using the results of the new method were found to agree with the observations within the assumed limits of measurement and model uncertainty. It is anticipated that the technique will be applied across a 33‐site network of radiometers maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture UV‐B Monitoring and Research Program for development of aerosol climatologies and for providing ground validation for satellite measurements.
Effects of acupuncture therapy on insomnia
Authors: Sok Sohyune R. , Erlen Judith A. , Kim Kwuy Bun
Published: March 2005

Background.  Acupuncture therapy, commonly used in clinical practice in oriental cultures, has the potential to produce a positive effect with patients experiencing insomnia.

Aim.  The purposes of this systematic review were: (1) to assess the trends across intervention studies using acupuncture for insomnia from 1975 to 2002, (2) to examine dependent variables, and (3) to evaluate the effects of acupuncture therapy on insomnia in older people.

Method.  Data were collected from November 2001 to January 2003. A wide range of electronic databases was searched using the keywords ‘insomnia’, ‘acupuncture’ and ‘experimental design’. Papers were included if they were published in the English language between 1975 and 2002 and described an experimental study using acupuncture therapy to treat insomnia. Eleven reports met these criteria.

Findings.  Most of the studies had been conducted since 1990. The findings showed that the first author was usually a Chinese medical doctor (n = 9) employed in a traditional department of medicine. Most of the papers were published in two journals: International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Data were limited because of the small number of studies available. Half the studies had small samples (50 subjects or fewer), which were composed mainly of older women who had a variable duration of insomnia from 3 days to 34 years. The main method used to assess outcomes was questionnaire. All the studies reported statistically significant positive results.

Conclusion.  The results of this review suggest that acupuncture may be an effective intervention for the relief of insomnia. Further research, using a randomized clinical trial design, are necessary to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture. More work is also needed to promote the long‐term therapeutic effects of acupuncture and to compare it with other therapies for insomnia.
Stimulated emission and lasing of random-growth oriented ZnO nanowires
Authors: Hsu Hsu-Cheng , Wu Chun-Yi , Hsieh Wen-Feng
Published: March 2005

We report room-temperature ultraviolet stimulated emission and lasing from optically pumped high-quality ZnO nanowires. Emission due to the exciton-exciton scattering process shows apparent stimulated-emission behavior. Several sharp peaks associated with random laser action are seen under high pumping intensity. The mechanism of laser emission is attributed to coherent multiple scattering among the random-growth oriented nanowires. The characteristic cavity length is determined by the Fourier transform of the lasing spectrum.
Effect of Nb doping of ferroelectric properties of Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 ceramics
Authors: Park Jong-Ho , Bae Jong-Seong , Choi Byung-Chun , Jeong Jung-Hyun
Published: March 2005

Ferroelectric ceramics of Bi3.25La0.75Ti3−xNbxO12 (x=0.0,0.03) were synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. The influence of Nb doping on the P-E hysteresis and dielectric properties was investigated. The values of remanent polarization (Pr) and coercive (Ec) were 18μC∕cm2 and 140kV∕cm for Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 (BLT,x=0.0) and 25μC∕cm2 and 130kV∕cm for Bi3.25La0.75Ti3−xNbxO12 (BLTN,x=0.03), respectively. The Curie temperatures Tc appeared at 399°C in BLT and 356°C in BLTN. The dielectric constant of BLT revealed strong behavior dependency of both temperature and frequency, which could be related to the ionic conduction. Electrical conduction of BLT was observed to be higher than that of BLTN. The Pr increased with the Nb doping while the electrical conductivity decreased. These results mean that Nb doping can improve the ferroelectric properties of BLT ceramic.
Effect of surface localized states on conductivity in an organic crystal
Authors: Reynaert J. , Poot K. , Arkhipov V. , Borghs G. , Heremans P.
Published: March 2005

Current-voltage characteristics of perylene crystals have been measured at different temperatures both with coplanar Au contacts and in the sandwich configuration in between an indium tin oxide bottom contact and a Au top contact. The voltage and temperature dependences of the current turned out to be very different in coplanar and sandwich structures. A strong increase of the conductivity in coplanar contact structures was observed upon oxygen-plasma treatment, indicating a strong influence of surface states on electronic properties of organic crystals. The effect of crystal-growth conditions on electronic parameters of the crystal is discussed. The obtained experimental data are interpreted in terms of dopant-assisted charge injection across a metal-organics interface.
Large low-field magnetoresistance observed in twinned La2∕3Ca1∕3MnO3 thin films epitaxially grown on yttria-stabilized zirconia-buffered silicon on insulator substrates
Authors: Li J. , Wang P. , Xiang J. Y. , Zhu X. H. , Peng W. , Chen Y. F. , Zheng D. N. , Li Z. W.
Published: March 2005

La 2 ∕ 3 Ca 1 ∕ 3 MnO 3 thin films have been grown on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) buffered silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates by the pulsed laser deposition technique. While full cube-on-cube epitaxy was achieved for the YSZ layer, the top manganite layer was multioriented in plane, with a coexistence of cube-on-cube and cube-on-diagonal epitaxial structures. Due to a combined influence from the magnetocrystalline, shape, and stain-induced magnetic anisotropy, in zero field and low temperatures the local spin orientation varies across the large-angle grain boundaries. As a result, a quite large low-field magnetoresistance (LFMR) based on spin-dependent tunneling was observed. The film shows a resistance change of ∼20% in a magnetic field <1000Oe at 50K, which is promising for real applications.
Multiphoton discrimination at telecom wavelength with charge integration photon detector
Authors: Fujiwara Mikio , Sasaki Masahide
Published: March 2005

We present a charge integration photon detector (CIPD) that enables the efficient measurement of photon number states at the telecom-fiber wavelengths with a quantum efficiency of 80% and a resolution less than 0.5 electrons at 1Hz sampling. The CIPD consists of an InGaAs pin photodiode and a GaAs JFET in a charge integration amplifier, which is cooled to 4.2K to reduce thermal noise and leakage current. The charge integration amplifier exhibits a low noise level of 470nV∕Hz1∕2. The dark count is as low as 500electrons∕h.
Bear any burden? John F. Kennedy and Nuclear Weapons
Authors: Nash Philip
Published: March 2005

Kennedy's reliance on non‐nuclear assets and flexible response overshadowed his reliance on nuclear weapons, just as his nuclear restraint eclipsed recklessness. This is not surprising in view of the national security strategy Kennedy chose and the concerns about nuclear weapons he had. It is surprising, however, in light of the profound alarm with which Kennedy and most Americans viewed the Soviet threat; the frequency and intensity of the international crises Kennedy faced; and the widely acknowledged superiority of the US nuclear arsenal. Against this backdrop of threat, crisis, and strategic superiority, it is striking how small an active role nuclear weapons played in Kennedy's foreign policy.
Before the Bomb and After: Winston Churchill and the Use of Force
Authors: Rosenberg Jonathan
Published: March 2005

Between 1945 and 1955, Churchill's attitude towards the use of force had undergone a dramatic transformation. In the period of the American nuclear monopoly, Churchill's views were largely consistent with those he held for many years: It was possible to maintain peace through strength, and, more specifically, the bomb could preserve European democracy against the threat of Soviet expansionism. Moreover, in keeping with his lifetime vigour as a soldier and a statesman, Churchill spoke privately about attacking the Soviet Union and forcing a showdown before the Soviets acquired the bomb. With the disappearance of that monopoly, Churchill came to realize that the new bomb could decrease the likelihood of war and perhaps some day eliminate great‐power conflict altogether. Accordingly, the idea of ’peaceful coexistence’ became an integral part of Churchill's approach to international politics.
COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONS AND THE LIBERAL UNDERSTANDING OF AUTONOMY
Authors: Burtt Shelley
Published: March 2005

This is the first of the four essays in Part II of the book on liberalism and traditionalist education; all four are by authors who would like to find ways for the liberal state to honour the self-definitions of traditional cultures and to find ways of avoiding a confrontation with differences. For example, Shelley Burtt argues that the liberal state has good reason to be far more accommodating of traditional groups than liberals commonly recognize. She contends that liberal autonomy, properly understood, is not threatened in any special way by traditional religious or cultural groups, and that traditional cultures are as capable of fostering autonomy as their more cosmopolitan counterparts. Most strikingly, she maintains that it is a good thing, from the perspective of liberal autonomy, to be encumbered by unchosen attachments and loyalties such as those that we might expect to be most fully developed within religious communities. The essay is in two main parts: Part One takes up the challenge of the notion that liberal theorists have missed the chance to describe in detail the possibilities for autonomous thought from within a comprehensive education to a particular way of life or understanding of the good, offering several reasons why the central demand of autonomy – to think and know for oneself – is well within the reach of individuals who receive this sort of ‘grounded’ education; Part Two looks more closely at liberal theories of autonomy, particularly aspects of those accounts that encourage the idea that comprehensive educations are at odds with the development of autonomy, arguing that such characterizations overstate the difficulties that exist, and concluding by reaffirming the possibility of combining an education for autonomy with education toward a comprehensive vision of the good life.
Chapter 7 INTERPRETING THE UNRELIABLE
Authors: Currie Gregory
Published: March 2005

Argues for a rethinking of the standard account of narrative unreliability. Works can be unreliable in many ways, and unreliable works do not, the author claims, always have unreliable narrators. Narrative theory needs to focus more on unreliable works, less on unreliable narrators. As an example of this, the author uses Ford's The Searchers.
5Testimony
Authors: Bovens Luc , Hartmann Stephan
Published: March 2005

Addresses ‘too-odd-not-to-be-true’ reasoning in the assessment of testimony. This is the curious phenomenon that an initially less plausible report from multiple independent witnesses may elicit more confidence than an initially more plausible report.
Maternal hemodynamics during cesarean delivery assessed by whole‐body impedance cardiography
Authors: Tihtonen Kati , Kööbi Tiit , Yli‐Hankala Arvi , Uotila Jukka
Published: March 2005

Background.  This descriptive study was designed to evaluate maternal hemodynamics and cardiovascular responses to delivery during cesarean section (CS) under spinal anesthesia. We also assessed the feasibility of a noninvasive and continuous method of measuring cardiac output, namely whole‐body impedance cardiography (ICGWB), during elective CS. Because of the techniques used in previous studies, only fractionated data on maternal hemodynamics during CS are available to date.

Methods.  We studied 10 healthy women with normal pregnancies and two pregnant women with heart disease undergoing elective CS. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), stroke index (SI), cardiac index (CI) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) were recorded continuously during CS, during the period of dissipation of anesthesia and on the second to fifth postpartum day. Analysis of variance for repeated measurements (anova) and the paired sample t‐test were used in statistical analysis.

Results.  The hemodynamic parameters could be registered continuously during the whole procedure. At the point of delivery, a 47% increase in CI and a 39% decrease in SVRI were recorded, while MAP remained stable. These changes occurred within 2 min of delivery of the newborn and persisted on average for 10 min.

Conclusion.  Sudden and significant hemodynamic changes take place at the moment of delivery. Intact physiological cardiovascular compensation mechanisms are needed to adapt to these challenges. Whole‐body impedance cardiography may offer a useful noninvasive tool to monitor hemodynamics during cesarean section.
Prospective randomized comparison of single‐dose versus 1‐day cefazolin for prophylaxis in gynecologic surgery
Authors: Su Her‐Young , Ding Dah‐Ching , Chen Da‐Chung , Lu Mei‐Fen , Liu Jah‐Yao , Chang Feng‐Yee
Published: March 2005

Background.  The purpose of this prospective, randomized study was to compare the efficacy of single‐dose versus 1‐day cefazolin prophylaxis for the prevention of postoperative gynecologic infections.

Methods.  From June 2001 to January 2003, 548 patients were randomized to receive either single‐dose (1 g of cefazolin intravenously before surgery, 273 patients) or 1‐day cefazolin (1 g intravenously before surgery and three more doses every 6 hr after surgery, 275 patients) prophylaxis.

Results.  A total of 531 (267 patients in the single‐dose group and 264 in the 1‐day group) completed the study. Only one of 267 (0.37%) patients in the single‐dose group developed a trocar wound infection and one of 264 (0.37%) patients in the 1‐day group developed a vaginal cuff infection. Had a single dose of prophylactic antibiotics been administered to all patients, the antibiotic cost would have been reduced by 75–80%.

Conclusions.  The use of single‐dose preoperative cefazolin prophylaxis was as effective as four doses of cefazolin for preventing serious infectious morbidity among our patients. Shortening the duration of antibiotics prophylaxis also reduced medical costs and microorganism resistance.
Low‐Temperature Sintering of (Ba0.6Sr0.4)TiO3
Authors: Valant Matjaz , Suvorov Danilo
Published: March 2005

An addition of just 0.4 wt% Li2O to (Ba0.6Sr0.4)TiO3 powder was able to reduce the sintering temperature to ≤900°C and produce ceramics with a relative density of 97%. Small amounts of two secondary phases were formed during this process: Li2TiO3 and Ba2TiO4. The addition of Li2O depresses the ferroelectric character of the (Ba0.6Sr0.4)TiO3 and, as a result, reduces the permittivity, improves the temperature coefficient of permittivity, and reduces the dielectric losses. The tunability shows no significant variation with Li2O concentration and remains between 16.5% and 13.5%. A low‐temperature sintering mechanism was proposed. The mechanism involves the intermediate formation of BaCO3, its melting and the incorporation of Li+ into the BST. The sintering mechanism can be characterized as reactive liquid‐phase sintering.
Photoluminescence of Cerium‐Doped α‐SiAlON Materials
Authors: Xie Rong‐Jun , Hirosaki Naoto , Mitomo Mamoru , Yamamoto Yoshinobu , Suehiro Takayuki , Ohashi Naoki
Published: March 2005

Cerium‐doped α‐SiAlON (MxSi12−(m+n)Alm+nOnN16–n) materials have been prepared by gas‐pressure sintering and post‐hot‐isostatic‐press (HIP) annealing, using four powder mixtures of α‐Si3N4, AlN, and either (i) CeO2, (ii) CeO2+ Y‐α‐SiAlON seed, (iii) CeO2+ Y2O3, or (iv) CeO2+ CaO. Cerium‐containing CeAl(Si6–zAlz)(N10–zOz) (JEM) phase, rather than Ce‐α‐SiAlON phase, forms in the sample with only CeO2, whereas a single‐phase α‐SiAlON generates in samples with dual doping (CeO2+ Y2O3 and CeO2+ CaO). On ultraviolet‐light excitation, JEM gives one broad emission band with maximum at 465 nm and a shoulder at 498 nm; α‐SiAlON shows an intense and broad emission band that peaks at 500 nm. The unusual long‐wavelength emissions in JEM and α‐SiAlON are due to increases in the nephelauxetic effect and the ligand‐field splitting of the 5d band, because the coordination of Ce3+ in JEM and α‐SiAlON is nitrogen enriched.
The importance of parental support when caring for the acutely ill child
Authors: Wheeler Hilary J
Published: March 2005

Level 2 or above paediatric care may need to be instigated in an adult, critical care environment prior to retrieval to a specialist centre. To facilitate safe, effective and appropriate care of the child, it is essential that staff are aware of the precise needs of paediatric patients and the importance of parental involvement. The importance of parental support for the critically ill child is examined . Staff perceptions of parental need in comparison to actual need are explored to facilitate support for parents that will then aid paediatric recovery. Recommendations on how such information can be disseminated to staff are discussed.
Alpha-fodrin as a putative autoantigen in Graves’ ophthalmopathy
Authors: Kahaly G J , Bang H , Berg W , Dittmar M
Published: March 2005

Alpha-fodrin, an intracellular organ-specific cytoskeleton protein is a recently identified autoantigen associated with Sicca- and Sjögren's syndrome (SS). SS frequently affects patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO). We have therefore cloned and expressed the human recombinant 120-kDa fodrin-fragment. A sequential purification procedure was applied to isolate the recombinant protein. Using sera from patients with SS, the antigenicity of the purified fodrin fragment was demonstrated by immunoblotting. Sera from 144 patients with GO and 1200 blood donors were screened for the presence of anti-α-fodrin IgA and IgG antibodies by a newly developed ELISA using the human α-fodrin fragment as an autoantigen. In contrast to controls (<1% IgA only, P < 0·001) and to subjects with various autoimmune diseases (P < 0·001), α-fodrin antibodies were detected in 22% of patients with GO (n = 32). IgA and IgG antibodies were present in 21 (15%) and 14 (10%) GO subjects, respectively. A total of 45 patients with GO (31%) had at least one fodrin- or SS-antibody. GO patients with SS showed SS- and high titres of α-fodrin-antibodies. In GO patients, fodrin antibodies correlated with TPO- (P < 0·05) and SS-A (P = 0·002) antibodies. Thus, for the first time, antibodies reactive with fodrin are reported in patients with GO.
Evaluating a nurse‐led model for providing neonatal care
Authors:   The Ashington Audit Group
Published: March 2005

Aims.  The paper presents an overview of a multi‐dimensional, prospective, comparative 5‐year audit of the quality of the neonatal care provided by a maternity unit in the UK delivering 2000 babies a year, where all neonatal care after 1995 was provided by advanced neonatal nurse practitioners, in relation to that provided by a range of other medically staffed comparator units.

Methods.  The audit includes 11 separate comparative studies supervised by a panel of independent external advisors. Data on intrapartum and neonatal mortality is reported. A review of resuscitation at birth, and a two‐tier confidential inquiry into sentinel events in six units were carried out. The reliability of the routine predischarge neonatal examination was studied and, in particular, the recognition of congenital heart disease. A review of the quality of postdischarge letters was undertaken alongside an interview survey to elicit parental views on care provision. An audit of all hospital readmissions within 28 days of birth is reported. Other areas of study include management of staff stress, perceived adequacy of the training of nurse practitioners coming into post, and an assessment of unit costs.

Results.  Intrapartum and neonatal death among women with a singleton pregnancy originally booked for delivery in Ashington fell 39% between 1991–1995 and 1996–2000 (5·12 vs. 3·11 deaths per 1000 births); the decline for the whole region was 27% (4·10 vs. 2·99). By all other indicators the quality of care in the nurse‐managed unit was as good as, or better than, that in the medically staffed comparator units.

Conclusion.  An appropriately trained, stable team with a store of experience can deliver cot‐side care of a higher quality than staff rostered to this task for a few months to gain experience, and this is probably more important than their medical or nursing background. Factors limiting the on‐site availability of medical staff with paediatric expertise do not need to dictate the future disposition of maternity services.
Survival rate and fracture strength of maxillary incisors, restored with different kinds of full veneers
Authors: STAPPERT C. F. J. , STATHOPOULOU N. , GERDS T. , STRUB J. R.
Published: March 2005

summary  This in vitro study evaluated the survival rate and fracture strength of different kinds of ceramic full veneers, fabricated with a new experimental press ceramic (EPC VP2117/TC2, Ivoclar‐Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein). Eighty, caries‐free human maxillary central incisors were used as abutments and were randomly divided into one control group and four test‐groups of 16 samples each. In group A, unprepared teeth served as control. In the test groups, four different types of full veneer preparations were performed. In test groups B/C, the preparation was maintained in enamel and the contact point was on the tooth/on the veneer, respectively. In test groups D/E, the preparation was extended into dentin and the contact point was on the tooth/on the veneer, respectively. All veneers were adhesively luted using Variolink® II (Ivoclar‐Vivadent AG). Then, the samples were exposed to the artificial mouth for 1·2 million chewing cycles (49 N). After exposure in the artificial mouth, a survival rate of the abutment teeth of 81–100% was reported among the different groups, but was not significantly different between the groups. However, no failures of the ceramic materials could be recognized. The median fracture strength of group A was 713·3 N, of group B 647·1 N, of group C 594·8 N, of group D 483·8 N and of group E 502·6 N. Among the different groups no significant difference was found. All mean values obtained were within the limits of clinical acceptance, indicating further clinical investigations on full veneers made out of the EPC.
Effects of salicylic–lactic acid conditioner on the shear bond strength of brackets and enamel surfaces
Authors: CHANG W.‐G. , LIM B.‐S. , YOON T.‐H. , LEE Y.‐K. , KIM C.‐W.
Published: March 2005

summary  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of salicylic–lactic (SL) acid conditioner on the shear bond strength of brackets. Fluoride releasing (Light‐bond) and non‐fluoride releasing (Enlight) composite adhesives were used after conditioning with 0·22% salicylic + 9% lactic acid or 34% phosphoric acid. Composite adhesives were light cured with either a halogen light curing (HLC) unit for 30–50 s or a plasma arc curing (PAC) unit for 4 s. The shear bond strength was measured with an Instron. Failure modes of debonded brackets were identified based on adhesive remnants on the bracket and tooth. Salicylic–lactic acid conditioning was found to provide adequate shear bond strength. Groups conditioned with SL acid were debonded mainly at the enamel–resin interface and comparatively clean enamel surface after debonding was observed than those conditioned with phosphoric acid. Using confocal laser scanning microscopic examinations, it was found that demineralization patterns between SL acid and phosphoric acid conditioned groups were not different when the same adhesive was used. The SL acid conditioner did not reduce the demineralization. Light‐bond adhesive showed less demineralization than Enlight adhesive. The PAC unit can be recommended as an alterative to the HLC unit because it significantly reduces the irradiation time.
Type II collagen and aggrecan mRNA expressions in rabbit condyle following disc displacement
Authors: GU Z. , JIN X. , FENG J. , SHIBATA T. , HU J. , ZHAN J. , HU Y.
Published: March 2005

summary  The aim of this investigation was to study the remodelling of cartilage in the mandibular condyle following disc displacement (DD) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Forty adult Japanese white rabbits were used in this study. The right joints of 28 of the 40 rabbits had their discs surgically displaced. Four of the 28 were killed at 4 days or 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and12 weeks after surgery. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of aggrecan and type II collagen in cartilages were measured using in situ hybridization techniques. Results showed that aggrecan mRNA expression reduced in the first week after DD. The expression began to recover after 4 weeks and reached a normal level after 6 weeks. Type II collagen mRNA expression reduced from 4 weeks and the expression recovered after 8 weeks. This suggests that the chondrocyte reacting to the displacement of the TMJ disc, alters its matrix gene expression patterns and it is may be the cause of the shape changes of TMJ after DD.
Dynamic EBV gene loads in renal, hepatic, and cardiothoracic transplant recipients as determined by real‐time PCR light cycler
Authors: Leung E. , Shenton B.K. , Green K. , Jackson G. , Gould F.K. , Yap C. , Talbot D.
Published: March 2005

Abstract: Background: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is recognised as one of the causative agents for most cases of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). Elevated levels of EBV DNA are known to be associated with the onset of PTLD, but little information is available regarding how EBV loads change with time in asymptomatic transplant recipients following transplantation. Our aims were to study the trend of EBV loads in renal (RTx), hepatic, and cardiothoracic transplant recipients and to compare their EBV loads with other healthy and patient controls.

Methods: A prospective study was performed using a real‐time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction technique to measure EBV DNA loads from three types of organ transplant recipients and haemodialysis patients (HD). Their results were then compared with those from the healthy controls (HC); monospot test negative (MN−) and infectious mononucleosis positive (IM+) patients; patients who were previously treated for PTLD (pPTLD); those who were currently diagnosed to have PTLD (PTLD+); and patients who had a stable renal, hepatic, or cardiothoracic graft for more than a year.

Results: Post‐transplant EBV loads were significantly higher than the pre‐transplant levels. Asymptomatic transplant recipients were differentiated from the PTLD+group at 600 genome copies of EBV/μg DNA, and from IM+group at 100 genome copies. Both HC and MN− groups had significantly lower EBV loads than the three transplant groups. The dynamic change of EBV loads in RTx was greater in the first post‐transplant month when compared with the HD group. All transplant recipients had transient rises of EBV loads whereas EBV load continued to rise in one suspected PTLD patient.

Conclusions: Asymptomatic transplant recipients had higher baseline post‐transplant EBV levels than the non‐transplant and MN− groups. The rising post‐transplant EBV load in these transplant recipients did not seem to be sustained for longer than 2 weeks. However, in a PTLD+patient the rising EBV load continued over a period of 4 weeks. Hence, the dynamic pattern of EBV loads is more important than absolute EBV DNA measurements alone in identifying those who might go on to develop PTLD.
Quality of life for patients with bipolar disorder: relationship with clinical and demographic variables
Authors: Sierra Pilar , Livianos Lorenzo , Rojo Luis
Published: March 2005

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life in bipolar disorder patients, and to analyze a set of clinical variables and sociodemographic data that could act as quality‐of‐life predictors.

Methods:  The study sample included 50 euthymic outpatients attending a specific bipolar patient unit. Patients were assessed with the Clinician‐Administered Rating Scale for Mania, and the Hamilton Scale for Depression. To evaluate quality of life, all patients received the Spanish version of the SF‐36 Health Survey. At the same time, sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained. The scores were compared with those of a control group representative of the general population.

Results:  The group of bipolar patients obtained statistically significantly lower scores on all the subscales when compared with the control population. No statistically significant differences appeared when comparing the SF‐36 scores with the demographic variables.

Conclusions:  Bipolar patients experience lower functioning and well‐being even in the stable phase of the disorder. Due to the great impact of bipolar disorder on many areas, it would be of interest to know the clinical predictors related to patient quality of life, as this would contribute to the design of different clinical interventions.
Actigraphic assessment of circadian activity and sleep patterns in bipolar disorder
Authors: Jones Steven Huntley , Hare Dougal Julian , Evershed Kate
Published: March 2005

Objectives:  Theoretical accounts and psychological interventions for bipolar disorder indicate that disruption of circadian rhythms is important, both in affective episodes and as a vulnerability factor in subsyndromal periods. This study aims at assessing both circadian activity and sleep patterns using actigraphy within a bipolar sample experiencing low levels of subsyndromal symptoms. It is hypothesized that such participants will display circadian activity disruption in spite of low levels of symptoms.

Methods:  This study employed a mixed design with cross‐sectional assessment of mood and week‐long (7‐day) recording of actigraphy data. All clinical participants were psychiatric outpatients within a UK NHS Hospital. Nineteen bipolar patients and 19 age‐ and gender‐matched controls wore an actigraph for 7 days to obtain sleep and circadian activity data. SCID was used to confirm DSM‐IV diagnostic status. Self‐report measures of mood were obtained from both groups.

Results:  Bipolar patients were found to have less stable and more variable circadian activity patterns than controls. Regression analysis indicated that variability alone was a significant independent predictor of diagnostic group. There was evidence from raw activity data that bipolar patients were also less active than controls. These differences were not associated with levels of subsyndromal symptoms. Bipolar patients did not differ from controls on any of the sleep indices used.

Conclusions:  Circadian activity disruption is apparent in bipolar patients even when not acutely ill. This finding is not associated with the presence of sleep disturbance. Should such patterns be replicated interventions to address both circadian instability and individual attributions for the effects of such instability are likely to be relevant to successful psychological interventions.
Computing marginal likelihoods from a single MCMC output
Authors: Chen Ming‐Hui
Published: March 2005

In this article, we propose new Monte Carlo methods for computing a single marginal likelihood or several marginal likelihoods for the purpose of Bayesian model comparisons. The methods are motivated by Bayesian variable selection, in which the marginal likelihoods for all subset variable models are required to compute. The proposed estimates use only a single Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) output from the joint posterior distribution and it does not require the specific structure or the form of the MCMC sampling algorithm that is used to generate the MCMC sample to be known. The theoretical properties of the proposed method are examined in detail. The applicability and usefulness of the proposed method are demonstrated via ordinal data probit regression models. A real dataset involving ordinal outcomes is used to further illustrate the proposed methodology.
PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: Depression in End‐Stage Renal Disease Patients Treated With Hemodialysis: Tools, Correlates, Outcomes, and Needs
Authors: Kimmel Paul L. , Peterson Rolf A.
Published: March 2005

Depression has been thought to be the most common psychiatric abnormality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. There are few data using psychiatric diagnostic criteria and a lack of large, well‐designed epidemiologic research studies in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) that can render definitive results on this topic. The prevalence of major depression or a defined psychiatric illness in ESRD patients is unknown, but is probably between 5% and 10%. The prevalence of increased levels of depressive affect is greater. Estimates of the prevalence will vary according to the screening techniques used. Depression could affect medical outcomes in ESRD patients through several mechanisms. Correlational analyses suggest stressors and protective factors play roles in mediating the level of depressive affect and associated outcomes. Although early studies suggested a deleterious effect of depression on survival in ESRD patients, more recent studies had failed to confirm such findings. The use of longitudinal analyses and larger samples has confirmed an association of depressive affect and morbidity and mortality in more contemporary ESRD populations. The importance of depressive affect compared with the presence of a defined psychiatric syndrome in mediating clinically important outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease has not been determined. Studies of interventions designed to reduce levels of depressive affect in ESRD patients are urgently needed.
Encapsulation of Sn(II) and Sn(IV) Chlorides in Composite Cements
Authors: Hill Joanne , Sharp John H.
Published: March 2005

The hydration of two high replacement composite cements (3:1 blast furnace slag:ordinary Portland cement (BFS:OPC), and 3:1 pulverized fuel ash:OPC (PFA:OPC)) with the addition of both SnCl2 and SnCl4 has been investigated and the results from X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) are presented. Adding 5% or 1% SnCl2·2H2O or SnCl4·5H2O to the mix water resulted in the formation of Friedel's salt, Ca3Al2O6.CaCl2·10H2O, and calcium hydroxo‐stannate CaSn(OH)6, which also involved the consumption of calcium hydroxide. After 90 days hydration at lower levels of addition (i.e., 1%) there was no longer evidence for CaSn(OH)6, indicating that it too had been consumed in the pozzolanic reaction due to the lack of calcium hydroxide present. Results from SEM and EDS showed that bright regions between the BFS or PFA grains were tin containing and they were incorporated into the hydrated cement matrix. The tin was, therefore, localized rather than spread throughout and intimately incorporated into the microstructure.
Fabrication of Ceramic Microstructures via Microcasting of Nanoparticulate Slurry
Authors: Morales A. M. , Pitchumani R. , Garino T. J. , Gutmann A. K. , Domeier L. A.
Published: March 2005

Fabrication of microstructures has been the subject of considerable attention in recent years. Techniques such as surface silicon micromachining and bulk silicon etch have emerged as practical methods for thin microstructures and processes such as LIGA (an acronym for the German words for lithography, electrodeposition, and molding) are being used to produce high aspect ratio structures from a limited set of electroformable metals and polymers. As microsystem technologies and application prospects continue to grow, it is of interest and much practical value to expand the material choices for LIGA‐scale microstructures to ceramics and a broader class of metals. To this end, this paper investigates a new technique for the fabrication of high aspect ratio ceramic or metal microparts. This technique is based on capillary‐driven microcasting and curing of an epoxy‐based metallic or ceramic nanoparticulate slurry into a sacrificial plastic mold produced by microinjection molding. The cured preform is subsequently heated to remove the organic phase and to sinter the particulate ceramic or metallic phase. The fabrication process is discussed in the paper along with illustration of example microparts produced using the process. A theoretical model of the fluid flow during the microcasting process is developed and validated with experimental data from the fabrication of rectangular rib sections.
A Blue View of the Red Planet
Authors: Hamilton Victoria E.
Published: March 2005

Mars
A Warmer, Wetter Planet.
By Jeffrey S. Kargel
. Springer, New York, and Praxis, Chichester, UK, 2004. 603 pp. Paper, $34.95, £20. ISBN 1-85233-568-8.

The author's
Scientific American
-level discussion of ice, water, climate, and life on Mars past, present, and future also considers human exploration and strategies for settlement by "living off the land."
Rapid shift in zooplankton community composition on the northeast Pacific shelf during the 19981999 El Niño  La Niña event
Authors: Zamon Jeannette E , Welch David W
Published: March 2005

The 19971998 El Niño was one of the strongest ocean warming events in the historical record followed by an equally strong cold La Niña event in 1999. We observed a rapid shift in the marine zooplankton assemblage found in the transitional area between the California Current domain and the Alaska Gyre domain. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling revealed that the shift in species composition was caused primarily by changes in the relative abundance of subtropical neritic copepods normally found in the California Current domain. In 1998, the subtropical neritic copepods Paracalanus, Ctenocalanus, and Corycaeus were found as far north as 56°N and occurred in 100%, 96%, and 51% of 1998 samples versus 16%, 5%, and 3% of 1999 samples. The type and magnitude of change were similar to those observed off central Oregon but differed from those observed in southeast Alaska. Results support the hypothesis that anomalous poleward transport can inject significant California Current water into the coastal circulation of the Alaska Gyre and suggest that alongshore connectivity between the two domains may extend farther to the north than previously thought.
Slope failure in underconsolidated soft soils during the development of a port in Tianjin, China. Part 1: Field investigation
Authors: Li S , Yue Z Q , Tham L G , Lee C F , Yan S W
Published: March 2005

This paper presents the field investigation of a major landslide that occurred in a newly dredged slope for port development in the city of Tianjin, northern China. The dredged slope comprised underconsolidated soft clay of recent marine and river delta deposits. The landslide consisted of a number of individual slides that occurred sequentially and extended retrogressively and laterally into reclaimed land. It lasted for about 1 h, occupying a plan area that is about 200 m long and 150 m wide in the reclaimed land. The failed soil mass was estimated to have a volume of between 700 000 and 800 000 m3. Part of the failed soil mass slipped into a newly dredged open space in the sea. The distance of the debris travel into the berth was about 80 m. The debris surface had a gentle slope of about 3.0°. The angle from the dredged slope crest to the far edge of the debris was about 6.8°. A common rupture surface was found underneath the debris and above the in situ marine mud. It controlled the inland extension of the slope failure. The landslide occupied an inclined area of between 27 000 and 30 000 m2, with an overall slope angle of about 34°. A kinematic model is proposed to explain the extension of the landslide into the reclaimed land. Findings of this field investigation are further used in the companion paper for a theoretical investigation of the mechanism of the landslide. The engineering approach and results presented in this study could be useful in the design and construction of dredged slopes in underconsolidated soft soils. Key words: port development, land reclamation, dredge excavation, landslide investigation, soft soils, case studies.
Vertical trends in maximum branch diameter in two mixed-species spacing trials in the central Oregon Cascades
Authors: Garber Sean M , Maguire Douglas A
Published: March 2005

The influence of spacing and competitor species on vertical trends in maximum branch diameter, the thickest branch per whorl, was assessed in two central Oregon spacing studies. One study involved a mix of Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. and Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws., the other a mix of Abies grandis (Dougl. ex D. Don) Lindl. and P. ponderosa. Impacts of autocorrelation became statistically insignificant after introduction of a single random tree effect. Although tree variables such as diameter, height, and crown length were able to account for most stand conditions, models with explicit treatment variables representing spacing and species composition were superior. All profiles of maximum branch diameter were curvilinear and widened with increasing spacing and tree relative height. For trees in mixtures, maximum branch diameter profiles of dominant and subordinate species were wider and thinner, respectively, than the same species in pure stands at the same spacing. However, as spacing increased, profiles of the subordinate species in mixtures had a greater response than those in adjacent pure plots and in the dominant species in the mixture. In contrast, the dominant species had a larger spacing response in the pure plots than in mixed plots.