bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Rectangular AT-Cut Quartz Resonators with Soft Adhesive Layers Using Simplified Surface Tractions
Authors: Sekimoto Hitoshi
Published: July 2011

We studied the effect of silicone-type adhesive layers on vibrations of an AT-cut quartz plate used in a surface-mount-device resonator. Simplified surface tractions were employed for stresses at the interface between a plate and an adhesive layer. It was presumed that three displacements excited at a point of the plate surface could independently propagate and decay into only the thickness direction of the adhesive layer. Exact two-dimensional (2D) analysis confirmed the approximation. When the adhesive layer behaves like complex mass loading, the resonant characteristics of the plate are independent of the layer thickness. In such cases, we analyzed 3D vibrations of a rectangular AT-cut plate partially perturbed by the lossy surface tractions. Calculated results showed that the surface tractions produced a negligible change in frequency and a remarkable increase in resistance, and they verified that we successfully introduced the effect of soft adhesive layers into 3D analysis through the approximation.
Effects of Sonication Conditions on Ultrasonic Dispersion of Inorganic Particles in Acrylic Resin
Authors: Tuziuti Toru , Yasui Kyuichi , Towata Atsuya , Kato Kazumi
Published: July 2011

The effects of sonication conditions on the ultrasonic dispersion of titanium dioxide particles in acrylic resin are investigated. Pulsing operation at appropriate on-off duty cycles enables us to attain a particle size smaller than that at a continuous wave (CW) at the same net time of sonication between operations. It is useful that frequency-sweep operation attains almost the same particle size as that at CW, which can provide a constant dispersion of particles even if the resonant frequency used to effectively drive an ultrasonic transducer changes with liquid conditions, such as the temperature and acoustic impedance of a liquid.
Transmission Line Matrix Modeling for Analysis of Surface Acoustic Wave Hydrogen Sensor
Authors: Park Kyu-Chil , Yoon Jong Rak
Published: July 2011

An analysis of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor is carried out by transmission line matrix (TLM) modeling, which provides time domain characteristics. In the present approach, the equivalent circuits of interdigital transducers (IDTs), the free space, and the Palladium (Pd) film for the transmission are replaced by a TLM model. The circuit now consists of the connection of transmission lines, in which the circuit response is traced as the sequences of impulses in a time domain. The frequency response Fourier-transformed is compared with that obtained for the equivalent circuit model (ECM). From the time domain results obtained on the basis of Pd thickness, we found the possibility of the analysis and estimation of the characteristics of the SAW hydrogen sensor by TLM modeling.
Deposition of Highly Oriented Ta2O5 Piezoelectric Thin Films on Silicon for Fabricating Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator Structure by RF Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Kakio Shoji , Tsuchiya Akinori , Nakagawa Yasuhiko
Published: July 2011

X-axis-oriented tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) piezoelectric thin films were deposited on Si using an RF magnetron sputtering system with the aim of obtaining a film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) structure. First, the degree of orientation and the coupling factor K
2 for the surface acoustic wave were evaluated. The K
2 of the first mode of the Ta2O5 thin film deposited on the unprocessed Si(100) was almost the same as that of the zeroth mode of the Ta2O5 thin film/SiO2 glass substrate for a similar thickness. However, the K
2 of the Ta2O5 thin film deposited on a silicon oxide layer formed on the Si was small because the (200) plane spacing slightly increased. Then, a process in which the Ta2O5 thin film itself was used as an etch stop layer was adopted and an FBAR structure was fabricated. The resonance response corresponding to a longitudinal bulk wave was observed.
5.4 GHz Lamb Wave Resonator on LiNbO3 Thin Crystal Plate and Its Application
Authors: Kadota Michio , Ogami Takashi
Published: July 2011

A cognitive radio system operating at frequencies from 400 MHz to 6 GHz requires tunable filters with a wide variable frequency range. Wide band resonators are required to realize such tunable filters consisting of resonators. However, it is difficult to fabricate a very high frequency and wide band resonator, such as 6 GHz and wider than 10%, respectively. The first antisymmetric (A1) mode of a Lamb wave on a LiNbO3 thin plate or film having a high velocity and a large electromechanical coupling factor is a suitable wave for fabricating an ultrawide band and high frequency resonator. This time, we attempted to fabricate a higher frequency Lamb wave resonator on a thin LiNbO3 single-crystal plate instead of the LiNbO3 film, though it has been considered difficult to form a very thin LiNbO3 crystal plate. A new one-port Lamb wave resonator showed a high frequency in the 5 GHz range, a wide bandwidth of 12%, and a high impedance ratio of 62 dB at resonant and antiresonant frequencies. Moreover, we applied the resonator to a ladder-type tunable filter, and obtained the tunable range of 9% from 5.58 to 6.06 GHz theoretically.
Observation of Microstructural Deformation Behavior in Metals Caused by Cavitation Impact
Authors: Sugasawa Shinobu , Uematsu Susumu , Akiyama Shigeru
Published: July 2011

To clarify the erosion mechanism of cavitation, we pay attention to the internal changes in grains caused by cavitation impact. The vibratory cavitation test based on ASTM G32 was carried out and the cross section of directly under the eroded surface of a specimen was observed using the electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) technique. The situations of grain boundaries and the changes in the crystal orientations of grains in aluminum, copper, and steel were analyzed. As a result, the following observations were made. Cavitation impact causes grain refining of sub-micrometer order near the eroded surface. There exist small changes in crystal orientation in grains. In steel, grain boundaries were generated on the eroded surface and were growing inward in the grain. Finally, the mechanism of internal deformation of grains caused by cavitation impact was discussed.
Experimental Study on Measurement of Acoustic Cavitation Bubbles in Spatial Frequency Domain Using Optical Spectrometer
Authors: Kuroyama Takanobu , Ebihara Tadashi , Mizutani Koichi , Ohbuchi Takeshi
Published: July 2011

We propose a method for the measurement of the diameter fluctuation of acoustic cavitation bubbles in the spatial frequency domain using an optical spectrometer. Acoustic cavitation bubbles are generated by ultrasound radiated into the water. The spatial spectrum of the oscillating bubbles is captured and the diameter distribution of bubbles is analyzed. In addition, the temporal fluctuation of the mean diameter of bubbles and standard deviation is determined. We validate the experimental result with a preceding study and confirm the validity of the experimental result qualitatively. As a result, the possibility of observing the bubbles using the proposed method is indicated.
Effect of Ultrasound Irradiation on Arsenic Adsorption from Aqueous Solution into Iron Compound
Authors: Hosokawa Ryota , Saito Tomonao , Okawa Hirokazu
Published: July 2011

We confirmed the influence of ultrasound irradiation at 200 kHz on the removal of As(III) from an aqueous solution through coprecipitation with a trivalent iron compound. We compared the removal ratio obtained with ultrasound to that obtained with stirring alone. We also considered the impact of various atmospheres on the removal process, conducting the experiments in air, Ar, O2, and N2 atmospheres. The treatment of As(III) solution with ultrasound irradiation in combination with the application of trivalent iron caused a decrease in residual As concentration in the solution that was lower than that treated only by the trivalent iron in Ar or O2 atmospheres. Ultrasound irradiation oxidizes As(III) to As(V), which is then easily adsorbed from the aqueous solution into the trivalent iron compound. However, the removal ratio of As(III) in the solution using ultrasound irradiation was reduced by increasing irradiation time in an air atmosphere; this decrease can be attributed to the redissolution of the iron compound, which is caused by a decrease in pH value by generated nitric acid. Our results suggest that the treatment of As(III) solutions with sonication in combination with the application of trivalent iron is most effective in Ar or O2 atmospheres.
Addition of Sonochemical Reactor to the Solar Photocatalytic Compound Parabolic Concentrators System
Authors: Na Seungmin , Cho Sanghyun , Lee Seban , Hong Seungkwan , Khim Jeehyeong
Published: July 2011

Chloroform was treated with ultrasound at 35 and 283 kHz in a compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs) system to assess the applicability of ultrasound as a supporting process of solar-photocatalysis and verify the enhancement of ultrasound combined solar-photocatalysis. Chloroform was degraded by 22.5% in the Solar/TiO2 process over a 200 min period. At an ultrasound frequency of 283 kHz, chloroform was degraded by 52.6% (Sono), 47.0% (Sono/TiO2) and 64.4% (Sono/Solar/TiO2). On the other hand, at 35 kHz, chloroform was degraded by 49.0% (Sono), 46.1% (Sono/TiO2) and 80.0% (Sono/Solar/TiO2). Ultrasound at 35 kHz was more effective for degrading chloroform in the Sono/Solar/TiO2 process than 283 kHz. The rate of hydrogen peroxide formation, particle size and specific surface area of TiO2 were measured to determine why 35 kHz is more effective than 283 kHz.
Two-Dimensional Numerical Analysis of Nonlinear Sound Wave Propagation Using Constrained Interpolation Profile Method Including Nonlinear Effect in Advection Equation
Authors: Tanaka Masayuki , Tsuchiya Takao , Okubo Kan
Published: July 2011

In this study, numerical simulations of the two-dimensional nonlinear sound wave propagation in water are performed by the constrained interpolation profile (CIP) method under the assumption of a weak shock. There are two formulations for the analysis of nonlinear sound wave propagation; one is the standard CIP formulation, in which the nonlinear advection equation is divided into the linear advection equation and the non advection term, which is called the non advection-type scheme, and the other is based on the dependence of local sound velocity on sound pressure, which is called the advection-type scheme. In this paper, the advection-type scheme is developed for the two-dimensional nonlinear sound field. Some numerical demonstrations are made for the two-dimensional nonlinear sound propagation radiated from a piston source or a focusing source, then compared with results by the conventional non advection-type scheme. It is confirmed that the advection-type scheme has the same accuracy as the non advection-type scheme for the relatively low sound pressure, while the overshoot error increases in the non advection-type scheme for the high sound pressure. It is also found that the calculation time for the advection type scheme is 1.3 times shorter than that for the non advection-type scheme in the graphics processing unit (GPU) calculation.
Development of an Acoustic Filter for Parametric Loudspeaker in Air
Authors: Ye Chao , Kuang Zheng , Wu Ming , Yang Jun
Published: July 2011

In this study, an acoustic filter for a parametric loudspeaker for removing the spurious signal generated by the nonlinearity of the receiving transducer was developed. A 16-mm-diameter aluminum plate was set in front of the transducer to attenuate ultrasound by more than 15 dB on average, with negligible effect on the audible sound. Experimental results demonstrated that, in the near field of the parametric loudspeaker, the spurious signal was dominant in the measurements as the sound pressure levels of the primary waves were more than 120 dB. However, the audible sound generated by the parametric loudspeaker can be detected even without the acoustic filter in the far field.
Assessment of Linearity of Bone-Conducted Ultrasound Transmission in the Human Head
Authors: Ito Kazuhito , Nakagawa Seiji
Published: July 2011

We investigated the linearity of bone-conducted ultrasound transmission through a living human head. The frequency response functions and the coherence functions of head vibration at different signal levels were examined. Vibrations in the heads of six subjects were measured using a small accelerometer in the ear canal under bone-conducted tone stimulation from audible high frequencies to ultrasonic frequencies. Stepped sine signals from 10 to 45 kHz in 0.5 kHz steps at two different signal levels were used. The signal levels were set to the levels corresponding to 5 and 10 dB sensation level (SL) at 30 kHz in each subject. The result suggests that the head vibration increases almost linearly across an audible to ultrasonic frequency range and there was no significant difference in nonlinear behavior between the audible and ultrasonic sound transmissions.
Estimation of the Elevational Distance between Image Planes by Analysis of Ultrasonic Echoes from Point Scatterers
Authors: Suzuki Atsuhiro , Hasegawa Hideyuki , Kanai Hiroshi
Published: July 2011

There are two approaches to three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction using a 1D array ultrasonic transducer: mechanical linear scanning and free-hand scanning. Mechanical scanning employs a motorized mechanism to translate the transducer linearly. However, the large size and weight of the scanning system sometimes make it inconvenient to use. In free-hand scanning, a sensor (e.g., electromagnetic or optical) is attached to the ultrasonic transducer to measure the position and orientation of the transducer. These techniques are sensitive to the usage environment. Recently, sensorless free-hand scanning techniques have been developed. Seabra et al. reported sensorless free-hand techniques for the carotid artery by monitoring the velocity of the ultrasound probe [J. C. R. Seabra, L. M. Pedro, and J. F. Ferandes: IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 56 (2009) 1442]. This system achieved an accuracy of 2.5 mm [root mean square (RMS) error] of the location. To develop accurate sensorless measurement, we propose a novel method using the phase shift between ultrasonic RF echoes. In this study, we measured the transmit-receive directivity of a linear-array transducer using a silicone phantom and estimated the elevational distance between two 2D US images using the phase shift. An accuracy of 49.9 µm in RMS, which is less than that of the previous sensorless free-hand method, could be achieved by the proposed method.
Cavitation Inception by Dual-Frequency Excitation in High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Treatment
Authors: Takagi Ryo , Yoshizawa Shin , Umemura Shin-ichiro
Published: July 2011

In our previous study, we proposed a “triggered high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)” exposure sequence, in which a high-intensity triggering pulse was irradiated just before CW heating waves, to accelerate HIFU treatment. In this study, the second-harmonic was superimposed to the triggering pulse, and the cavitation threshold was investigated by comparing different schemes of second-harmonic superimposition including the case of single-frequency exposure through detecting the subharmonic emission and high-speed camera observation. The experimental results show that cavitation bubbles can be generated most efficiently by using negative-peak-pressure emphasized waves followed by positive-peak-pressure emphasized waves.
A Bayesian Approach to Predictor Selection for Seasonal Streamflow Forecasting
Authors: Robertson David E. , Wang Q. J.
Published: July 2011

Statistical methods commonly used for forecasting climate and streamflows require the selection of appropriate predictors. Poorly designed predictor selection procedures can result in poor forecasts for independent events. This paper introduces a predictor selection method for the Bayesian joint probability modeling approach to seasonal streamflow forecasting at multiple sites. The method compares forecasting models using a pseudo-Bayes factor (PsBF). A stepwise expansion of a base model is carried out by including the candidate predictor with the highest PsBF that exceeds a selection threshold. Predictors representing the initial catchment conditions are selected on their ability to forecast streamflows and predictors representing future climate influences are selected on their ability to forecast rainfall. The final forecasting model combines selected predictors representing both initial catchment conditions and future climate influences to jointly forecast seasonal streamflows and rainfall. Applications of the predictor selection method to two catchments in eastern Australia show that the best predictors representing initial catchment conditions and future climate influences vary with location and forecast date. Antecedent streamflows are the best indicator of the initial catchment conditions. Predictors representing future climate influences are only selected for forecasts made between July and January. Indicators of El Niño dominate the selected predictors representing future climate influences. The skill of streamflow forecasts varies considerably between locations and throughout the year. Skill scores for the perennial streams of the Goulburn River catchment exceed 40% for several seasons, while for the intermittent streams in the Burdekin River catchment, the skill scores are lower.
Observations of Wind Wave Development in Mixed Seas and Unsteady Wind Forcing*
Authors: Hwang Paul A. , García-Nava Héctor , Ocampo-Torres Francisco J.
Published: July 2011

Theoretical study and experimental verification of wind wave generation and evolution focus generally on ideal conditions of steady state and quiescent initial background, of which the ideal fetch-limited wind wave growth is an important benchmark. In nature, unsteady winds and swell presence are more common. Here, the observations of wind wave development in mixed seas under unsteady and quasi-steady wind forcing are presented. With reference to the ideal fetch-limited growth functions established under steady wind forcing in the absence of swell, the analysis shows that the wind-steadiness factor impacts wave growth. The wind wave variance in mixed sea is enhanced in both accelerating and decelerating phases of an unsteady wind event, with a larger enhancement in the accelerating phase than in the decelerating phase. Spatial and temporal wind wave measurements under similar environmental conditions are also compared; the quantifiable differences in the wave development are attributable to the wind-steadiness factor. Coupled with the empirical observation that the average wind stress is decreased in mixed sea, these results suggest that wind wave generation and development are more efficient in mixed sea than in wind sea. Possible causes include (i) oscillatory modulation of surface roughness increases air–sea exchanges, (ii) background surface motion reduces energy waste for cold start of wind wave generation from a quiescent state, and (iii) breaking of short waves redistributes wind input and allows more of the available wind power to be directed to the longer waves for their continuous growth.
Understanding Accountability and Governance in Post-invasion Iraq
Authors: Baker Keith , Rubin Ellen V.
Published: July 2011

Using the accountability framework developed by Romzek, Dubnick, and colleagues, this article considers the creation and operation of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). The CPA’s short duration and the difficult circumstances of Iraq combined to pose fundamental challenges to the normal expectations for accountable behavior of a federal agency. With minimal plans in place for governing Post-invasion Iraq, the CPA had little structure and few institutional expectations to influence its behavior. This lack of guidance, combined with the CPA’s de facto reporting relationships and noncareer staff, led to the maximization of political accountability, whereas professional accountability was secondary.
Rape Survivors’ Agency Within the Legal and Medical Systems
Authors: Greeson Megan R. , Campbell Rebecca
Published: July 2011

Many rape survivors seek help from the legal and medical systems post-assault. Previous studies have examined how social system personnel treat survivors, but less attention has been paid to how survivors attempt to shape their interactions with these systems. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine rape survivors’ agency—the active process in which they engaged to alter their experiences with the legal and medical systems. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 20 female rape survivors who had contact with the police and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. Analytic induction was the guiding analytic approach. Findings indicate that this group of survivors engaged in three agentic processes in their interactions with the legal and medical systems: compliance in order to increase the likelihood their case would achieve what they deemed to be a successful outcome, defiance through noncompliance in order to protect themselves from further harm, and defiance by challenging the response to their case in order to alter the response to their case. Based on these findings, possible strategies for facilitating survivors’ participation and agency during their help-seeking experiences (e.g., systemic changes to empower survivors, improving the responsiveness of system personnel to survivors’ needs) are discussed. Implications may be of particular interest to rape-victim advocates and legal and medical personnel.
Islam as a Democratic Interlocutor? Towards a Global Concept of Democracy
Authors: Mestiri Soumaya
Published: July 2011

This paper tries to show to what extent it is possible to make the democratic germs inherent to the arab-muslim tradition fruitful. To this effect, a double scheme is employed. The author argues first in favour of a re-appropriation of a particular Western legacy now largely occulted, that is, the Roman Republic. Then, she defends a specific vision of postmodern democracy as it appears, more or less explicitly, in some of John Rawls’ and Jurgen habermas’ writings. It appears, then, that inasmuch as some key concepts are amended and thick-skinned prejudices dismissed, it will be possible to highlight the conditions and compromises necessary for muslims to contribute to the building of a global concept of democracy.
Can Photoperiod Predict Mortality in the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic?
Authors: Prendergast Brian J.
Published: July 2011

Amplitude of the seasonal change in day length increases with distance from the equator, and changes in day length markedly alter immune function in diverse nonhuman animal models of infection. Historical records of mortality data, ambient temperature, population density, geography, and economic indicators from 42 countries during 1918-1920 were analyzed to determine relative contributions toward human mortality during the “Spanish” influenza pandemic of 1918-1920. The data identify a strong negative relation between distance from the equator and mortality during the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic, which, in a multiple regression model, manifested independent of major economic, demographic, and temperature variables. Enhanced survival was evident in populations that experienced a winter nadir day length ≤10 h light/day, relative to those that experienced lower amplitude changes in photoperiod. Numerous reports indicate that exposure to short day lengths, typical of those occurring outside the tropics during winter, yields robust and enduring reductions in the magnitude of cytokine, febrile, and behavioral responses to infection. The present results are preliminary but prompt the conjecture that, if similar mechanisms are operant in humans, then they would be predicted to mitigate symptoms of infection in proportion to an individual’s distance from the equator. Although limitations and uncertainties accompany regression-based analyses of historical epidemiological data, latitude, per se, may be an underrecognized factor in mortality during the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic. The author proposes that some proportion of the global variance in morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases may be explained by effects of day length on the innate immune response to infection.
A “Melanopic” Spectral Efficiency Function Predicts the Sensitivity of Melanopsin Photoreceptors to Polychromatic Lights
Authors: Enezi Jazi al , Revell Victoria , Brown Timothy , Wynne Jonathan , Schlangen Luc , Lucas Robert
Published: July 2011

Photoreception in the mammalian retina is not restricted to rods and cones but extends to a small number of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells expressing the photopigment melanopsin. These mRGCs are especially important contributors to circadian entrainment, the pupil light reflex, and other so-called nonimage-forming (NIF) responses. The spectral sensitivity of melanopsin phototransduction has been addressed in several species by comparing responses to a range of monochromatic stimuli. The resultant action spectra match the predicted profile of an opsin:vitamin A–based photopigment (nomogram) with a peak sensitivity (λmax) around 480 nm. It would be most useful to be able to use this spectral sensitivity function to predict melanopsin’s sensitivity to broad-spectrum, including “white,” lights. However, evidence that melanopsin is a bistable pigment with an intrinsic light-dependent bleach recovery mechanism raises the possibility of a more complex relationship between spectral quality and photoreceptor response. Here, we set out to empirically determine whether simply weighting optical power at each wavelength according to the 480-nm nomogram and integrating across the spectrum could predict melanopsin sensitivity to a variety of polychromatic stimuli. We show that pupillomotor and circadian responses of mice relying solely on melanopsin for their photosensitivity ( rd/rd cl) can indeed be accurately predicted using this methodology. Our data therefore suggest that the 480-nm nomogram may be employed as the basis for a new photometric measure of light intensity (which we term “melanopic”) relevant for melanopsin photoreception. They further show that measuring light in these terms predicts the melanopsin response to light of divergent spectral composition much more reliably than other methods for quantifying irradiance or illuminance currently in widespread use.
Maltreatment of Children With Disabilities
Authors: Murphy Nancy
Published: July 2011

The maltreatment of children with disabilities is a serious public health issue. Children with disabilities are 3 to 4 times more likely to be abused or neglected than are their typically developing peers. When maltreated, they are more likely to be seriously injured or harmed. As alarming as these numbers are, they likely underestimate the problem. Children with disabilities encounter all 4 types of abuse: physical, sexual, neglect, and emotional. Here, the author discusses risk factors associated with the maltreatment of children with disabilities, which, as expected, include both child and family factors.
Effects of wood flour addition and coupling agent content on mechanical properties of recycled polystyrene/wood flour composites
Authors: Poletto Matheus , Zeni Mara , Zattera Ademir J.
Published: July 2011

The effect of filler addition and coupling agent content on the mechanical properties and morphology of wood plastic composites was examined. Using wood flour as the reinforcement filler and recycled expanded polystyrene as the thermoplastic matrix polymer, a particle-reinforced composite was prepared using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. In the sample preparation, four levels of filler loading (10, 20, 30, and 40 wt%) and three levels of coupling agent content (1, 2, and 4 wt%) were used. The influence of particle size and particle morphology was also evaluated. The results showed that short fibers provide a higher specific surface area, enlarging the contact surface area with the polymer matrix. A wood flour loading of more than 20 wt% caused a decrease in the mechanical properties studied. The addition of 2 wt% of coupling agent improved the interfacial adhesion between the polymer matrix and wood flour and increased the flexural and impact strengths of the lignocellulosic composites. Addition of a coupling agent content greater than 2 wt% caused a reduction in the mechanical properties evaluated. A morphological study revealed that the positive effect of coupling agent on the interfacial adhesion of wood flour reinforced the expanded polystyrene composites.
Power Increases Infidelity Among Men and Women
Authors: Lammers Joris , Stoker Janka I. , Jordan Jennifer , Pollmann Monique , Stapel Diederik A.
Published: July 2011

Data from a large survey of 1,561 professionals were used to examine the relationship between power and infidelity and the process underlying this relationship. Results showed that elevated power is positively associated with infidelity because power increases confidence in the ability to attract partners. This association was found for both actual infidelity and intentions to engage in infidelity in the future. Gender did not moderate these results: The relationship between power and infidelity was the same for women as for men, and for the same reason. These findings suggest that the common assumption (and often-found effect) that women are less likely than men to engage in infidelity is, at least partially, a reflection of traditional gender-based differences in power that exist in society.
Anthropogenic soils are the golden spikes for the Anthropocene
Authors: Certini Giacomo , Scalenghe Riccardo
Published: July 2011

We propose that the Anthropocene be defined as the last c. 2000 years of the late Holocene and characterized on the basis of anthropogenic soils. This contrasts with the original definition of the Anthropocene as the last c. 250 years (since the Industrial Revolution) and more recent proposals that the Anthropocene began some 5000 to 8000 years ago in the early to mid Holocene (the early-Anthropocene hypothesis). Anthropogenic soil horizons, of which several types are recognized, provide extensive terrestrial stratigraphic markers for defining the start of the Anthropocene. The pedosphere is regarded as the best indicator of the rise to dominance of human impacts on the total environment because it reflects strongly the growing impact of early civilisations over much of the Earth’s surface. Hence, the composition of anthropogenic soils is deemed more appropriate than atmospheric composition in providing ‘golden spikes’ for the Anthropocene.
Therapeutic Substance Abuse Treatment for Incarcerated Women
Authors: Finfgeld-Connett Deborah , Johnson E. Diane
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this qualitative systematic review was to explicate attributes of optimal therapeutic strategies for treating incarcerated women who have a history of substance abuse. An expansive search of electronic databases for qualitative research reports relating to substance abuse treatment for incarcerated women was conducted. Nine qualitative research reports comprised the sample for this review. Findings from these reports were extracted, placed into a data analysis matrix, coded, and categorized. Memos were written and strategies for treating incarcerated women with alcohol problems were identified. Therapeutic effects of treatment programs for incarcerated women with substance abuse problems appear to be enhanced when trust-based relationships are established, individualized and just care is provided, and treatment facilities are separate from the general prison environment.
The Danish Twin Registry
Authors: Skytthe Axel , Ohm Kyvik Kirsten , Vilstrup Holm Niels , Christensen Kaare
Published: July 2011

Introduction: The Danish Twin Registry is a unique source for studies of genetic, familial and environmental factors on life events, health conditions and diseases. Content: More than 85,000 twin pairs born 1870—2008 in Denmark. Validity and coverage: Four main ascertainment methods have been employed. Completeness of ascertainment varies according to birth cohorts. For birth cohorts 1870—1930 both twins should survive to age 6 years. From 1931—1968 72% of all twin pairs has been ascertained, with complete ascertainment of all live born twins since 1968. Conclusion: Because twins have been identified independent of traits and on a population basis, the Danish Twin Registry is well suited for studies to understand the influence of genetic and environmental factors for a wide variety of diseases and traits.
Register-based studies of mental disorders
Authors: Munk-Jørgensen Povl , Dinesen Østergaard Søren
Published: July 2011

Introduction: Denmark has been pioneering international psychiatric register research for decades. In this article we review central publications, by Danish and international authors, based on data from the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register and other related registers. Research topics: Our aim was to describe the history, development and achievements of psychiatric research, based on the Danish national registers. The studies considered in this review can be categorized as follows: i) health service research, mainly studies on prevalence and incidence, ii) studies on the outcome of mental disorders, iii) studies on the aetiology of mental disorders. Conclusion: Studies based on Danish registers have provided significant contributions to international psychiatric research. The major advantage of the registers is that they cover the entire population, which makes the conduction of nationwide population-based studies possible. Furthermore, all information in the registers is connected to each citizen’s unique personal identification number, which enables linkage between various registers and biobanks. Such linkage studies have provided important knowledge on the aetiology of mental disorders. Despite inherent limitations about internal and external validity, the Danish national registers have been extremely valuable to international psychiatric research and will continue to play an important role in years to come.
The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry
Authors: Brønnum-Hansen Henrik , Koch-Henriksen Nils , Stenager Egon
Published: July 2011

Introduction: The Danish Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Registry was established in 1956. Content: The register comprises data on all Danes who had MS in 1949 or who have been diagnosed since. Data on new cases and updated information on persons with an MS diagnosis already notified are continuously collected and classified according to standardized diagnostic criteria. Validity and coverage: The completeness and validity is high (91% and 94%, respectively). Conclusion: In January 2005 the register included data on 20,652 persons with a valid MS diagnosis, of whom 9,377 were alive. The register is the only existing nationwide MS register and covers a period of more than 50 years.
The Danish Pathology Register
Authors: Bjerregaard Beth , Larsen Ole B.
Published: July 2011

Introduction: The National Board of Health, Denmark in 1997 published guidelines for reporting of pathology data and the Danish Pathology Register (DPR) was established. Content: DPR contains patient, pathology, and workload data. Validity and coverage: All records are subject to error tracing. The DPR covers all pathology data in Denmark. Conclusion: The data is used by the pathologists in the daily diagnostic process. The National Board of Health uses the data in the Danish Cancer Registry and DPR is unique for research as data can be linked to tissue biobanks and clinical databases.
Register-based studies on migration, ethnicity, and health
Authors: Norredam Marie , Kastrup Marianne , Helweg-Larsen Karin
Published: July 2011

Introduction: Researchers in Denmark have unique possibilities of register-based research in relation to migration, ethnicity, and health. This review article outlines how these opportunities have been used, so far, by presenting a series of examples. Research topics: We selected six registers to highlight the process of how migrant study populations have been established and studied in relation to different registers: The Danish Cancer Registry, the Danish Central Psychiatric Research Register, the Danish National Patient Register, the Danish National Health Service Register, the Danish Injury Register, and the Danish Medical Birth Register. Conclusion: Our paper documents the unique opportunities to study migration, ethnicity, and health through Danish national registers. Our examples show that in Denmark ‘‘country of birth’’ is the most commonly used measure. It renders information on whether the person is an immigrant or not, and on ethnic background. Data on migration background (i.e. refugee status vs. family reunification, etc.) is more difficult to obtain and therefore less used. It has been debated if ethnicity should be registered upon using health services; however, some consider it discriminatory. Although, we do not register ethnicity in relation to use of health care in Denmark, our possibilities of linkage between population registers and registers on diseases and healthcare utilisation appear to render the same potentials.
The Danish National Cohort Study (DANCOS)
Authors: Davidsen Michael , Kjøller Mette , Helweg-Larsen Karin
Published: July 2011

Introduction: The Danish National Cohort Study (DANCOS) is a nationally representative public health survey based on linkage of information in the repeated Danish Health Interview surveys, 1986—2005, to the national Danish registers on health and welfare. It facilitates studies of self-reported health behaviour and utilisation of healthcare services by subgroups and analysis of non-response bias. Research topics: DANCOS data are utilised in a variety of analyses presented here by a few examples that emphasise the impact of modifiable risk factors on public health, description of non-response bias, and the epidemiology of chronic pain and of osteoarthritis. Examples of DANCOS-based results are shown for each of the four topics. Smoking results in 24% of all deaths and, compared to other risk factors for public health, smoking accounts for the highest number of years of life lost. For non-response the mortality is higher among non-respondents than among respondents, but no significant bias on healthcare estimates can be seen. On average individuals with chronic pain had 12.8 contacts per year to the primary healthcare sector compared with 7.3 for individuals without. For osteoarthritis it is estimated that in 2020 there will be 22,600 incident cases. Conclusion: DANCOS is a public health survey linked with registers with many research possibilities. With this article we hope to stimulate further interest in the survey.
The Danish Register of Causes of Death
Authors: Helweg-Larsen Karin
Published: July 2011

Introduction: Cause-specific mortality statistics is a valuable source for the identification of risk factors for poor public health. Content: Since 1875, the National Board of Health has maintained the register covering all deaths among citizens dying in Denmark, and since 1970 has computerised individual records. Validity and coverage: Classification of cause(s) of deaths is done in accordance to WHO’s rules, since 1994 by ICD-10 codes. A change in coding practices and a low autopsy rate might influence the continuity and validity in cause-specific mortality. Conclusion: The longstanding national registration of causes of death is essential for much research. The quality of the register on causes of death relies mainly upon the correctness of the physicians’ notification and the coding in the National Board of Health.
Danish clinical databases: An overview
Authors: Green Anders
Published: July 2011

Introduction: Clinical databases contain data related to diagnostic procedures, treatments and outcomes. In 2001, a scheme was introduced for the approval, supervision and support to clinical databases in Denmark. Content: Clinical databases may cover disease entities, specific interventions, or specific activities. Validity and coverage: As of January 2011, 59 clinical databases (51 nationwide) are registered as approved by the National Board of Health. The National Indicator Project currently covers eight disease areas, with two more under implementation. Conclusion: Current challenges for clinical databases in Denmark are outlined.
Eliciting data from participants using visual mapping as a collection technique
Authors: Bahn Susanne , Weatherill Pamela
Published: July 2011

This article uses the project evaluation of the School-Aged Therapy Service for children with disabilities in Western Australia as an example of alternative ways to gather qualitative data from participants. The purpose of the evaluation was to pave the way for considerable and quick developmental operational change in order to stem the complaints from users of the service and to provide more effective service delivery. With this in mind the research team determined it was necessary to ‘map’ the current model of operation as there was inconsistency from the staff as to their understanding, and their ideal model of operation before presenting a new model to management. To facilitate the change process the researchers conducted a final focus group two months after the formal evaluation to map the staff’s perceptions of how the proposed new model would work and the challenges the changes would produce. This article presents ‘visual maps’ that have been drawn by the staff to demonstrate that this technique provides rich, raw, timely, collaborative artefacts that are invaluable for organizations encouraging change.
Researching the lives of Irish Roman Catholic clergy who have sexually abused minors: Collaborative inquiry
Authors: Keenan Marie
Published: July 2011

Child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church has become an international problem of truly global proportions and while much has been written on this topic much remains to be understood. This article describes and discusses the orientation and methodology adopted in undertaking a study of Irish Catholic clergy who had sexually abused minors. Whilst much of the literature on sexually offending clergy comes through third party analysis and interpretations, the study discussed in this article is based on first-person narratives and a collaborative approach to the research process. The study is taken as a point of departure for discussion of a number of ethical considerations when undertaking research with participants who are clients of a therapy service and who are therefore seen as members of a vulnerable group. Some of the complexities involved in conceptualizing men who have abused minors as a vulnerable group are considered.
Identity Categorization of Motherhood in the Context of Drug Abuse and Child Welfare Services
Authors: Virokannas Elina
Published: July 2011

This study considers the accounts of mothers who have been using illegal drugs, have received treatment and are in the process of recovering. The data is based on 19 individual interviews conducted between May and December 2005 in two institutions for female drug users in southern Finland. The primary aim is to discuss the self-conceptions of the interviewed women as they related their experiences with social workers and the child welfare system. The study relies on the social constructionist view of identity as a self-construction created in situations of interaction and routines of everyday life. As a result, four different categories of motherhood identities and their connections to the various positions of child welfare authorities identified in the interviews of women with drug histories are presented: Responsible motherhood — asking for help, Giving up motherhood — submitting to outside forces, Strategic motherhood — learning to cope and Stigmatized motherhood — fighting back. Asking help from child welfare services was the only category in which the mothers were able to manifest responsible motherhood and co-operate with social workers.
Chemoprevention of Two-Stage Skin Cancer In vivo by Saraca asoca
Authors: Cibin T. R. , Devi D. Gayathri , Abraham Annie
Published: July 2011

Saraca asoca (Family Caesalpiniaceae) has been widely used in traditional Indian medicine especially due to its wound-healing property. The present study investigates the chemopreventive property of flavonoids from Saraca asoca (flowers) on 2-stage skin carcinogenesis in mice models. Skin cancer was induced in Swiss albino mice by single topical application of 7,12-dimethyl benzanthracene (100 µg/50 µL of acetone) followed by thrice a week treatment of croton oil for 20 weeks. The topical pretreatment of the flavonoid fraction from S asoca (FF S asoca) was 30 minutes prior to the application of croton oil thrice weekly for 20 weeks. At the end of the experimental period the animals were sacrificed, and the tumor statistics and various marker parameters were studied (enzyme assays, Western blotting). The pretreatment of the FF of S asoca caused significant reduction in the number of tumors per mouse and the percentage of tumor-bearing mice. Also, the latency period for the appearance of the first tumor was delayed by S asoca pretreatment. In plant-treated animals there was a significant increase in the levels of reduced glutathione, catalase, and protein in skin when compared with the untreated animals. Conversely, there was a significant decrease in the lipid peroxidation levels. A significant reduction in the expression of ornithine decarboxylase, a key enzyme in the promotion stage of 2-stage skin cancer, in the plant-treated group was also observed. These findings suggest the chemopreventive activity of flavonoids from S asoca on 2-stage skin carcinogenesis.
Severe impairment of IFN-γ and IFN-α responses in cells of a patient with a novel STAT1 splicing mutation
Authors: Vairo Donatella , Tassone Laura , Tabellini Giovanna , Tamassia Nicola , Gasperini Sara , Bazzoni Flavia , Plebani Alessandro , Porta Fulvio , Notarangelo Luigi D. , Parolini Silvia , Giliani Silvia , Badolato Raffaele
Published: July 2011

Subjects affected by Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) deficiency have lethal bacterial and viral infections. Complete STAT1 deficiency is inherited as an autosomal recessive disease; partial STAT1 deficiency is inherited as an autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant trait. Here, we report a patient who developed disseminated mycobacteriosis early in life and had several viral infections, including herpetic skin infection and interstitial pneumonia by cytomegalovirus with severe respiratory distress. Molecular analysis of STAT1 showed a novel homozygous mutation affecting a splice site, leading to exon 3 skipping and to synthesis of a lower molecular weight STAT1 protein. This mutation leads to marked reduction of STAT1 phosphorylation; the electromobility shift assay showed a complete defect of DNA-binding activity, which accounts for the complete impairment of peripheral blood mononuclear cell functional response to both IFN-γ and IFN-α. Moreover, analysis of natural killer cells showed a defective STAT1 phosphorylation in response to IFN-α and impaired basal cytolytic activity, suggesting that the STAT1-dependent pathway might be important for natural killer cell function. These results suggested that exon 3 skipping of STAT1 leads to abnormal signaling in response to IFN-γ and IFN-α, which is associated with susceptibility to intracellular pathogens and viruses.