bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lack of Insight in Psychosis: Theoretical Concepts and Clinical Aspects
Authors: McCormack Moninne , Tierney Kevin , Brennan Daria , Lawlor Elizabeth , Clarke Mary
Published: April 2013

Background:Different theories concerning pathways to insight have been proposed which underpin the numerous assessment measures. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one treatment approach that has been used to improve insight.Aims:The aim of this review was to promote a greater focus on developing effective CBT strategies to ameliorate insight in psychosis through the exploration of the concept of insight in psychosis and evaluation of research in the area.Method:A comprehensive search and review of published studies examining the impact of CBT on insight in psychosis was conducted. We searched the databases PubMed, Medline, PsychInfo, the Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Database, and CINAHL with limits set to 10 years, humans, and English language. We hand-searched reference lists of major studies on insight, and theoretical review papers. We filtered our results according to relevance and chose 50 papers for final consideration.Results:The multidimensionality of insight is reflected in the variety of different insight measures in clinical use. Research findings on the impact of CBT on insight are conflicting. Cognitive insight and clinical insight appear to be different concepts that are not fully captured by existing measurement scales.Conclusions:The conflicting results found in research examining the impact of CBT on insight may be partially explained by the different theories underpinning insight in psychosis communicated through psychoeducation in CBT. Furthermore, the use of more than one insight assessment measure may capture the complexity of insight more effectively. Qualitative research with service users would enrich the knowledge in this area.
Single Particle Tracking Analysis of the Chloroplast Division Protein FtsZ Anchoring to the Inner Envelope Membrane
Authors: Johnson Carol B. , Tang Leung K. , Smith Aaron G. , Ravichandran Akshaya , Luo Zhiping , Vitha Stanislav , Holzenburg Andreas
Published: April 2013

Replication of chloroplast in plant cells is an essential process that requires co-assembly of the tubulin-like plastid division proteins FtsZ1 and FtsZ2 at mid-chloroplast to form a ring structure called the Z-ring. The Z-ring is stabilized via its interaction with the transmembrane protein ARC6 on the inner envelope membrane of chloroplasts. Plants lacking ARC6 are defective in plastid division and contain only one or two enlarged chloroplasts per cell with abnormal localization of FtsZ: instead of a single Z-ring, many short FtsZ filaments are distributed throughout the chloroplast. ARC6 is thought to be the anchoring point for FtsZ assemblies. To investigate the role of ARC6 in FtsZ anchoring, the mobility of green fluorescent protein–tagged FtsZ assemblies was assessed by single particle tracking in mutant plants lacking the ARC6 protein. Mean square displacement analysis showed that the mobility of FtsZ assemblies is to a large extent characterized by anomalous diffusion behavior (indicative of intermittent binding) and restricted diffusion suggesting that besides ARC6-mediated anchoring, an additional FtsZ-anchoring mechanism is present in chloroplasts.
Average spectral efficiency of multi‐modulation cellular systems
Authors: Acuña José , Cuiñas Iñigo
Published: April 2013

Fourth generation systems are proposed to create extended wireless networks by applying frequency reuse techniques based on a cellular scheme. However, the total bandwidth needed depends on the channel bandwidth and the signal‐to‐interference protection ratio. The procedure to compute the performance of such interference‐limited cellular systems is introduced in this study for systems with various modulation schemes (quadrature phase shift keying, 16 and 64 quadrature amplitude modulation), founding the percentage of the cell area that could be managed with each modulation, considering full load sectors. The conditions to share the same subcarriers between two users in next to base stations are also presented. The total bandwidth required to deploy a network with three sectored cells with 10 MHz channel results to be 360 MHz. This is a big issue since the size of the bands is generally 200 MHz, and it could limit the expected performance of these systems.
Distributed space‐time trellis codes with continuous phase modulation for amplify and forward relaying
Authors: Demiroğlu Ali Serdar , Altunbaş İbrahim
Published: April 2013

Continuous phase modulation (CPM) is a non‐linear power/bandwidth efficient modulation method. Linear modulation methods such as phase shift keying or quadrature amplitude modulation produce large power drain at the power amplifier of the transmitter. Therefore CPM may be an alternative to these modulations in relay/cooperative systems because of its constant envelope property, which enables us to use inexpensive and energy‐efficient non‐linear power amplifiers. In this study, the authors investigate optimum distributed space‐time CPM trellis codes for amplify and forward relaying systems with one to four relays and specifically consider minimum shift keying and quaternary continuous phase frequency shift keying with modulation indices of 1/2 and 1/4. Novel distributed space‐time CPM trellis codes are obtained. Error performances of the novel codes and their classical counterparts are compared over frequency non‐selective quasi‐static Rayleigh‐fading channels using the Viterbi algorithm at the destination terminal and superiority of the novel codes are presented.
Efficient cooperative spectrum sensing for three‐hop cognitive wireless relay networks
Authors: Vien Quoc‐Tuan , Stewart Brian G. , Tianfield Huaglory , Nguyen Huan X.
Published: April 2013

This study is concerned with cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) mechanisms in three‐hop cognitive wireless relay networks (CWRNs). The data transmission from a source to a destination is realised with the aid of two layers of cognitive radio (CR) users which are in the transmission coverage of two primary users. The authors first propose a new CSS scheme for a layer of CR users to improve the spectrum‐sensing performance by exploiting both local decisions at the CR users and global decisions at the fusion centre. Particularly, the probabilities of missed detection and false alarm for a practical scenario where all sensing, reporting and backward channels suffer from Rayleigh fading are derived. The derived expressions not only show that the proposed CSS achieves a better sensing performance than the conventional scheme but also characterise the effects of the fading channels on the sensing reliability. Furthermore, the authors propose a CSS scheme for two CR layers in a three‐hop CWRN using binary operations to help reduce one phase of sensing for a higher system throughput.
Kapitza-Dirac effect with lasers and non-resonant interaction for quantum modulation of electron beams (Schwarz-Hora effect)
Authors: Hora Heinrich , Handel Peter H.
Published: April 2013

The initial Kapitza-Dirac effect for crossing energetic electron beams with laser beams had been generalized for quantum modulation of the electrons. The recent developments provide advanced insights with the initial experimental facts, where consequences are leading to results about non-resonant laser interaction with condensed media including nonlinearities with applications to quantum 1/f noise theory in electronic devices.
Impact of back-gate biasing on effective field and mobility in ultrathin silicon-on-insulator metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors
Authors: Ohata A. , Rodriguez N. , Navarro C. , Donetti L. , Gamiz F. , Fenouillet-Beranger F. C. , Cristoloveanu S.
Published: April 2013

We discuss the role of back-gate biasing on effective field (Eeff) and its impact on the mobility in advanced ultrathin semiconductor-on-insulator metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors using the multibranch mobility analysis. This technique is enabled using the integral definition for Eeff, which is the accurate method to determine Eeff even in volume-conduction regime. For further clarification, the difference between Eeff estimated by this integral definition and by the conventional formula is examined for our target devices. From the multibranch mobility analysis, we show that in devices with thin-buried oxide and ground plane doping, the reduction in Eeff due to back-gate biasing is large, leading to a significant mobility enhancement for both N-channel and P-channel devices. Furthermore, we show that the mobility enhancement effect via back-gate biasing in P-channel devices is larger than that in N-channel devices. This enhancement is attributed to the increase in the mobility under the volume-conduction regime. The mobility dependence with respect to Eeff reveals that strong volume conduction is achieved in P-channel devices, leading to a reduction of the surface scattering events at both interfaces, thereby increasing the mobility. This advantage adds to the already reported increase in the population of the light-hole bands.
Phototransport spectroscopy of ensembles of Si quantum dots
Authors: Wolf O. , Millo O. , Balberg I.
Published: April 2013

We studied the photocurrent spectra (PCS) in ensembles of Si nanocrystals (NCs) embedded in a SiO2 matrix as a function of the average NC size and temperature, above the conductivity percolation threshold of the ensembles. The PCS clearly manifest the quantum confinement effect in this high NC density regime, where the photoluminescence is already quenched due to carriers' delocalization. The PCS are also shown to provide information on the recombination mechanism by utilizing the light soaking effect observed in our samples, indicating that the oxide encapsulation efficiently passivates the dangling bonds on the surface of the NCs. These results are consistent with our previous conclusions regarding the radiative emission and the extended-states' transport mechanisms in ensembles of Si NCs. In turn, the latter conclusion provides insight into the significance of surface recombination even in systems where the optical absorption depth is much larger than the size of the light absorbing particles.
Perfect magnetic compensation of gravity along a vertical axis
Authors: Lorin Clément , Mailfert Alain , Jeandey Christian , Masson Philippe J.
Published: April 2013

Magnetic compensation of gravity allows for ground-based experiments to be carried out under weightless conditions at reasonable cost and without the time limitation of systems such as zero-g airplanes or drop towers. Most of the time classical superconducting solenoids are operated to perform such experiments, which lead to a poor quality of the gravity compensation due to the non-ideal shape of the current and field distribution. In order to improve the quality of simulated microgravity, scientists need to build novel ground-based systems fully dedicated to magnetic levitation. The magnetic design of these levitation apparatuses would be based on theoretical studies of magnetic forces and associated field distributions. The work presented in this paper demonstrates the possibility of producing a magnetic force on paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials that is constant, thus providing a uniform gravity compensation, along a segment in a 3D geometry. These results come from both the decomposition in spherical harmonics of the magnetic field and specific conditions applied on the magnetic force. The magnetic field configuration leads to conical-shape isohomogeneity of the resulting acceleration. As an additional remark to previous works, the impossibility to get a magnetic force varying as 1/r2 is briefly described.
Communication: New insight into electronic shells of metal clusters: Analogues of simple molecules
Authors: Cheng Longjiu , Yang Jinlong
Published: April 2013

A new concept of super valence bond is proposed, of which superatoms can share both valence pairs and nuclei for shell closure thus forming delocalized super bonding. Using Li clusters as a test case, we theoretically find that metal clusters can mimic the behavior of simple molecules in electronic shells. It is found that Li14, Li10, and Li8 clusters are analogues of F2, N2, and CH4 molecules, respectively, in molecular orbital diagrams and bonding patterns. This new concept shows new insights in understanding the stability of clusters and designing the cluster-assembling materials.
Communication: Covalent nature of X⋯H2O (X = F, Cl, and Br) interactions
Authors: Li Jun , Li Yongle , Guo Hua
Published: April 2013

Open-shell halogen (X = F, Cl, Br) atoms form entrance-channel complexes with H2O, which play an important role in the X + H2O reactions. To understand their structures and origin of stability, we report an extensive ab initio study of such complexes and contrast them with complexes between H2O and H/O(3P). Evidence is presented to show that the interaction between a halogen atom and H2O is dominated by a weak but covalent bond, rather than dispersion and/or electrostatic interactions.
Self-assembled monolayer as an interfacial modification material for highly efficient and air-stable inverted organic solar cells
Authors: Song Myungkwan , Kang Jae-Wook , Kim Dong-Ho , Kwon Jung-Dae , Park Sung-Gyu , Nam Sanggil , Jo Sungjin , Yoon Ryu Seung , Su Kim Chang
Published: April 2013

Organic solar cells with inverted structures can greatly improve photovoltaic stability. This paper reports a method to lower the work function of indium tin oxide (ITO) in inverted organic solar cells by modification with ultrathin 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) monolayers. The device studies showed that the resulting photovoltaic efficiencies were significantly increased from 0.64% to 4.83% with the use of the APTES monolayer, which could be attributed to the dramatic enhancement in the open-circuit voltage and fill factor. The effective electron selectivity in the case of the APTES-modified ITO could be attributed to the reduction of the work function of ITO as a result of the electron-donating nature of the amine groups in the APTES monolayer. The power conversion efficiency of the unencapsulated inverted organic solar cells with APTES-modified ITO remained above 80% of their original values even after storage in air for thirty days. Our results provide a promising approach to improve the performance of highly efficient and air-stable inverted organic solar cells.
3D phenotyping and quantitative trait locus mapping identify core regions of the rice genome controlling root architecture
Authors: Topp Christopher N. , Iyer-Pascuzzi Anjali S. , Anderson Jill T. , Lee Cheng-Ruei , Zurek Paul R. , Symonova Olga , Zheng Ying , Bucksch Alexander , Mileyko Yuriy , Galkovskyi Taras , Moore Brad T. , Harer John , Edelsbrunner Herbert , Mitchell-Olds Thomas , Weitz Joshua S. , Benfey Philip N.
Published: April 2013

Significance

Improving the efficiency of root systems should result in crop varieties with better yields, requiring fewer chemical inputs, and that can grow in harsher environments. Little is known about the genetic factors that condition root growth because of roots’ complex shapes, the opacity of soil, and environmental influences. We designed a 3D root imaging and analysis platform and used it to identify regions of the rice genome that control several different aspects of root system growth. The results of this study should inform future efforts to enhance root architecture for agricultural benefit.
ROOT ULTRAVIOLET B-SENSITIVE1/WEAK AUXIN RESPONSE3 Is Essential for Polar Auxin Transport in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yu Hong , Karampelias Michael , Robert Stephanie , Peer Wendy Ann , Swarup Ranjan , Ye Songqing , Ge Lei , Cohen Jerry , Murphy Angus , Friml Jirí , Estelle Mark
Published: April 2013

The phytohormone auxin regulates virtually every aspect of plant development. To identify new genes involved in auxin activity, a genetic screen was performed for Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants with altered expression of the auxin-responsive reporter DR5rev:GFP. One of the mutants recovered in the screen, designated as weak auxin response3 (wxr3), exhibits much lower DR5rev:GFP expression when treated with the synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and displays severe defects in root development. The wxr3 mutant decreases polar auxin transport and results in a disruption of the asymmetric auxin distribution. The levels of the auxin transporters AUXIN1 and PIN-FORMED are dramatically reduced in the wxr3 root tip. Molecular analyses demonstrate that WXR3 is ROOT ULTRAVIOLET B-SENSITIVE1 (RUS1), a member of the conserved Domain of Unknown Function647 protein family found in diverse eukaryotic organisms. Our data suggest that RUS1/WXR3 plays an essential role in the regulation of polar auxin transport by maintaining the proper level of auxin transporters on the plasma membrane.
Conditional Random Fields in Speech, Audio, and Language Processing
Authors: Fosler-Lussier Eric , He Yanzhang , Jyothi Preethi , Prabhavalkar Rohit
Published: April 2013

Conditional random fields (CRFs) are probabilistic sequence models that have been applied in the last decade to a number of applications in audio, speech, and language processing. In this paper, we provide a tutorial overview of CRF technologies, pointing to other resources for more in-depth discussion; in particular, we describe the common linear-chain model as well as a number of common extensions within the CRF family of models. An overview of the mathematical techniques used in training and evaluating these models is also provided, as well as a discussion of the relationships with other probabilistic models. Finally, we survey recent work in speech, audio, and language processing to show how the same CRF technology can be deployed in different scenarios.
Flavescence dorée phytoplasma deregulates stomatal control of photosynthesis in Vitis vinifera
Authors: Vitali M. , Chitarra W. , Galetto L. , Bosco D. , Marzachì C. , Gullino M.L. , Spanna F. , Lovisolo C.
Published: April 2013

Flavescence dorée (FD) is among the major grapevine diseases causing high management costs; curative methods against FD are unavailable. In FD‐infected plants, decrease in photosynthesis is usually recorded, but deregulation in stomatal control of leaf gas exchange during FD infection and recovery is unknown. We measured the seasonal time course of gas exchange rates in two cultivars (‘Barbera’ and ‘Nebbiolo’) during the term of 1 year when grapevines experienced a water stress and another with no drought, with difference in gas exchange rates in response to FD infection and recovery as assessed by symptom observation and phytoplasma detection through PCR analysis. Chlorophyll fluorescence was also evaluated at the time of maximum symptom severity in ‘Barbera’, the cultivar showing the most severe stress response to FD infection, causing the highest damage in vineyards of north‐western Italy. In FD‐infected plants, net photosynthesis and transpiration gradually decreased during the season, more during the no drought year than during drought. During recovery, healthy (PCR negative) plants infected 2 years before, but not those infected an year before, regained the gas exchange performances to the level as measured before infection. The relationships between stomatal conductance and the residual leaf intercellular CO2 concentration (ci) discriminated healthy versus FD‐infected and recovered plants; at the same ci, FD‐infected leaves had higher non‐photochemical quenching than healthy ones. We conclude that metabolic, not stomatal, leaf gas exchange limitation in FD‐infected and recovered grapevines is the basis of plant response to FD disease. In addition, we also suggest that such response is dependent upon water stress, by showing that water stress superimposes on FD infection in terms of stomatal and metabolic non‐stomatal limitations to carbon assimilation.
Controlled Ovarian Hyper‐stimulation during IVF treatment does not increase the risk of preterm delivery compared to the transfer of frozen–thawed embryos in a natural cycle
Authors: Rallis Anthia , Tremellen Kelton
Published: April 2013

Background

Preterm delivery rates are significantly higher for IVF‐conceived pregnancies compared with naturally conceived pregnancies, even following adjustment for relevant confounding factors. Furthermore, preterm delivery is reportedly more common in pregnancies from fresh embryo, rather than frozen–thawed embryo transfer (FET), suggesting that the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) environment may initiate preterm labour.

Aims

As prior studies have confirmed a positive correlation between the numbers of corpora lutea generated during COH and serum relaxin levels, a reported trigger for cervical remodelling and preterm labour, the aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that preterm delivery rates will therefore be lower in mono‐follicular FET cycles compared to multi‐follicular COH/IVF cycles (primary hypothesis). Our secondary hypothesis was that COH/IVF cycles yielding higher numbers of oocytes will be associated with higher rates of preterm birth and subsequent lower birth weight than those producing lower numbers of oocytes.

Methods

Retrospective review of 702 singleton pregnancies resulting from IVF treatment (COH/IVF and FET) during the years 2008–2009 at a single private IVF centre in Adelaide, South Australia.

Results

There was no significant difference in rates of preterm labour between women undergoing COH with fresh embryo transfers compared with frozen embryo transfers (FETs), (11.59 vs 10%, P = 0.6011), nor was there any difference in the median gestation at delivery (39.4 vs 39.1 weeks, respectively, P = 0.1538). The rate of preterm delivery in both the fresh and frozen embryo transfer cohorts was higher than that observed in the general obstetric population (6.76%). A weak but marginally statistically significant correlation was observed between the number of oocytes retrieved following COH and gestation at delivery (r = 0.089, P = 0.048).

Conclusions

While a woman's response to COH was weakly negatively correlated with gestation at delivery, this relationship was not of major clinical importance as the rate of preterm delivery and the median gestation at delivery were not significantly different between pregnancies resulting from fresh or FETs in our study cohort.
The Better Angels of Our Nature: How the Antiprejudice Norm Affects Policy and Party Preferences in Great Britain and Germany
Authors: Blinder Scott , Ford Robert , Ivarsflaten Elisabeth
Published: April 2013

Existing research on public opinion related to race and immigration politics emphasizes the role of prejudice or bias against minority groups. We argue that the social norm against prejudice, and individual motivations to comply with it, are crucial elements omitted from prior analyses. In contemporary Western societies, most citizens receive strong signals that prejudice is not normatively acceptable. We demonstrate that many majority‐group individuals have internalized a motivation to control prejudiced thoughts and actions and that this motivation influences their political behavior in predictable ways. We introduce measures capturing this motivation, develop hypotheses about its influence, and test these hypotheses in three separate experimental and nonexperimental survey studies conducted in Britain and Germany. Our findings support a dual‐process model of political behavior suggesting that while many voters harbor negative stereotypes, they also—particularly when certain contextual signals are present—strive to act in accordance with the “better angels of their natures.”
Liquid materialities in the landscape of the Thames: mills and weirs from the eighth century to the nineteenth century
Authors: Oliver Stuart
Published: April 2013

The geography of the former watermills on the River Thames demonstrates the state of contingency upon which the liquid materiality of landscape is founded. Watermills were introduced into England during the Roman occupation and came to have an important role in the socioecology of the Thames, and an important place in its medieval and early‐modern landscape. The pattern of mills established on the river by the eleventh century remained stable for some hundreds of years because of the locational constraints enforced by a framework of capital investment and legal rights. However, the built form of the mills caused conflict in the use of the river between milling and navigation, and this conflict was worsened by the growth of traffic in the early‐modern period. By the late eighteenth century the ownership and operation of mills was perceived a significant element in the crisis affecting the Thames. That crisis was only resolved in the nineteenth century with the marginalisation of milling in the socioecology of the river and therefore in its water landscape.
Effects of trichostatinAon histone acetylation and methylation characteristics in early porcine embryos after somatic cell nuclear transfer
Authors: Cong Peiqing , Zhu Kongju , Ji Qianqian , Zhao Haijing , Chen Yaosheng
Published: April 2013

Until now, the efficiency of animal cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has remained low. Efforts to improve cloning efficiency have demonstrated a positive role of trichostatin A (TSA), an inhibitor of deacetylases, on the development of nuclear transfer (NT) embryos in many species. Here, we report the effects ofTSAon pre‐implantation development of porcineNTembryos. Our results showed that treatment of reconstructed porcine embryos with 50 nmol/L TSAfor 24 h after activation significantly improved the production of blastocysts (P < 0.05), while treating donor cells with the same solution resulted in increases in cleavage rates and blastomere numbers (P < 0.05). However,TSAtreatment of both donor cells andSCNTembryos did not improve blastocyst production, nor did it increase blastomere numbers. Using indirect immunofluorescence, we found thatTSAtreatment ofNTembryos could improve the reprogramming of histone acetylation at lysine 9 of histone 3 (H3K9) and affect nuclear swelling of transferred nuclei. However, no apparent effect ofTSAtreatment onH3K9dimethylation (H3K9me2) was observed. These findings suggest a positive effect ofTSAtreatment (either treatingNTembryos or donor cells) on the development of porcineNTembryos, which is achieved by improving epigenetic reprogramming.
Cytoreduction plus low‐dose aspirin versus cytoreduction alone as primary prophylaxis of thrombosis in patients with high‐risk essential thrombocythaemia: an observational study
Authors: Alvarez‐Larrán Alberto , Pereira Arturo , Arellano‐Rodrigo Eduardo , Hernández‐Boluda Juan‐Carlos , Cervantes Francisco , Besses Carlos
Published: April 2013

The effectiveness of low‐dose aspirin in the primary prevention of thrombosis in patients with high‐risk essential thrombocythaemia (ET) treated with cytoreductive drugs is not well established. The risk‐benefit balance of low‐dose aspirin plus cytoreductive therapy compared with cytoreduction alone was retrospectively analysed in 247 patients with high‐risk ET without prior thrombosis. Follow‐up was 763 and 685 person‐years for cytoreduction plus low‐dose aspirin and cytoreduction alone, respectively. The rate of thrombosis was not significantly reduced in patients on cytoreduction plus aspirin (14·4 events per 1000 person‐years) when compared with those on cytoreduction alone (24·8 events per 1000 person‐years; P = 0·2). However, in the subgroup of patients older than 60 years, the addition of low‐dose aspirin was associated with a significantly lower rate of thrombosis (8·6 vs. 29·2 thrombosis per 1000 person‐years for combined treatment and cytoreduction alone, respectively, P = 0·02). The rate of major bleeding was significantly higher with combined therapy than with cytoreduction alone both in the whole series (14·4 vs. 1·4 haemorrhagic events per 1000 person‐years, respectively, P = 0·006) and in the subgroup of patients older than 60 years. In conclusion, low‐dose aspirin benefits high‐risk ET patients older than 60 years receiving cytoreductive therapy as primary prophylaxis of thrombosis.
In Vitro Evaluation of Selected Benzimidazole Derivatives as an Antioxidant and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors
Authors: Nile Shivraj H. , Kumar Brajesh , Park Se W.
Published: April 2013

2‐Aryl‐1‐arylmethyl‐1H‐benzimidazole derivatives having different side chains on the structure were examined in vitro for their antioxidant abilities by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl hydrazine radical scavenging activity, reducing ability, OH radical scavenging activity, inhibition of polyphenol oxidase and xanthine oxidase. Overall, with few exceptions, all the 2‐aryl‐1‐arylmethyl‐1H‐benzimidazoles showed moderate biological activity with all parameters examined. The 2‐aryl‐1‐arylmethyl‐1H‐benzimidazoles were found to be reactive toward 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl hydrazine radical and had considerable reducing ability, with significant xanthine oxidase inhibition. With few exceptions, all the compounds under study were found to possess moderate‐to‐poor OH radical scavenging activity and inhibited polyphenol oxidase significantly. These findings suggest that these 2‐aryl‐1‐arylmethyl‐1H‐benzimidazoles can be considered as potential antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory agents, those might be further, explored for the design of lead antioxidant and antigout drug candidates using in vivo trials.
National assessment of validity of coding of acute mastoiditis: a standardised reassessment of 1966 records
Authors: Stalfors J. , Enoksson F. , Hermansson A. , Hultcrantz M. , Robinson Å. , Stenfeldt K. , Groth A.
Published: April 2013

Objectives

To investigate the internal validity of the diagnosis code used at discharge after treatment of acute mastoiditis.

Design

Retrospective national re‐evaluation study of patient records 1993–2007 and make comparison with the original ICD codes.

Setting

All ENT departments at university hospitals and one large county hospital department in Sweden.

Participants

A total of 1966 records were reviewed for patients with ICD codes for in‐patient treatment of acute (529), chronic (44) and unspecified mastoiditis (21) and acute otitis media (1372).

Main outcome measures

ICD codes were reviewed by the authors with a defined protocol for the clinical diagnosis of acute mastoiditis. Those not satisfying the diagnosis were given an alternative diagnosis.

Results

Of 529 records with ICD coding for acute mastoiditis, 397 (75%) were found to meet the definition of acute mastoiditis used in this study, while 18% were not diagnosed as having any type of mastoiditis after review. Review of the in‐patients treated for acute media otitis identified an additional 60 cases fulfilling the definition of acute mastoiditis. Overdiagnosis was common, and many patients with a diagnostic code indicating acute mastoiditis had been treated for external otitis or otorrhoea with transmyringeal drainage.

Conclusions

The internal validity of the diagnosis acute mastoiditis is dependent on the use of standardised, well‐defined criteria. Reliability of diagnosis is fundamental for the comparison of results from different studies. Inadequate reliability in the diagnosis of acute mastoiditis also affects calculations of incidence rates and statistical power and may also affect the conclusions drawn from the results.
The Influence of the EU and the ECHR on ‘Parliamentary Sovereignty Regimes’: Assessing the Impact of European Integration on the British and Swedish Judiciaries
Authors: Tabarelli Marco
Published: April 2013

The paper analyses the consequences of European integration processes upon the judicial systems of the so‐called ‘parliamentary sovereignty regimes’, focusing on the British and Swedish judiciaries. The aim is to understand if the influences coming from European integration, favouring the expansion of domestic judicial power, have prevailed, or the traditional distrust of such countries in judicial power has prevented the empowerment of the domestic courts. The influences on the judicial systems are evaluated distinguishing judicial capacity, judicial attitudes and judicial independence. The paper argues that the political relevance of judges has strongly increased. However, while European integration has deeply transformed the formal means at disposal of judges, because of political and judicial culture the changes in actual judges' behaviour have been much more limited. Moreover, the paper highlights some unexpected ways in which European integration can affect the domestic political systems (eg favouring certain legislative reforms or legal principles).
Prevalence and predictors of poor sleep quality in Korean older adults
Authors: Park Jin‐Hee , Yoo Moon‐Sook , Bae Sun Hyoung
Published: April 2013

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the levels of sleep quality and to examine its related factors in the elderly Korean adults. A cross‐sectional research design was used, and 157 adults, aged from 65 to 89, were recruited from five community health centres in Gyeonggi province and Seoul, Korea. All participants were informed about the purpose of the study and were asked to provide demographic characteristics, chronic conditions, self‐rated health, pain, depression, life satisfaction and sleep quality. More than 60% of the participants reported having poor sleep quality. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that age, self‐rated health, pain and depression were related to poor sleep quality. The findings suggest that it is important to screen regularly for sleep quality, and attention to depression, poor self‐rated health and perceived pain were needed to improve sleep quality of older adults.
Relationship between student nurses’ self‐efficacy and psychomotor skills competence
Authors: Karabacak Ükke , Serbest Şehriban , Kan Öntürk Zehra , Eti Aslan Fatma , Olgun Nermin
Published: April 2013

This study aimed to determine the general self efficacy levels of students studying for undergraduate degree in nursing and to examine the relationship between skills development and self efficacy.

The research was conducted in a descriptive way. The sample consisted of 100 students. Data were collected via the use of a student introduction form, Self‐Efficacy Scale (SES) and an intramuscular (IM)injection procedure checklist; the forms were filled in by 100% of the nursing students. The mean general self‐efficacy score of the students in the study was high. the self‐efficacy levels of our students were high, and no correlation was observed between personal characteristics and self‐efficacy; therefore, education in injection technique had the same influence on all students’ self‐efficacy.
Repeat robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN): feasibility and early outcomes
Authors: Autorino Riccardo , Khalifeh Ali , Laydner Humberto , Samarasekera Dinesh , Rizkala Emad , Eyraud Remi , Haber Georges‐Pascal , Stein Robert J. , Kaouk Jihad H.
Published: April 2013

Objective

To demonstrate the feasibility, and to report our single‐centre perioperative outcomes of repeat robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN).

Patients and Methods

From June 2006 to June 2012, 490 patients underwent RAPN for a renal mass at our centre. Of these patients, nine who had undergone previous ipsilateral nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS) were included in the analysis.

Patient charts were reviewed to obtain demographic data, preoperative surgical history, operative details, and postoperative outcomes and follow‐up data.

Results

In all, 12 tumours were removed in nine patients (median age 69 years; six female). A third of the operations were performed on patients with a solitary kidney. The median (range) R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score for the resected masses was 7 (4–8).

The warm ischaemia time was 17.5 min and in three of the nine patients an unclamped procedure was performed. No intraoperative complications were registered, whereas only two minor complications occurred postoperatively. There were no renal unit losses. All surgical margins were negative.

There was no significant difference between mean preoperative and latest postoperative mean estimated glomerular filtration rates (70.5 vs 63.5 mL/min/1.73m2, P > 0.05).

At a mean (sd) follow‐up of 8.3 (13) months, eight of the nine patients with a pathology diagnosis of malignant neoplasm were alive and free from disease at the latest follow‐up.

Conclusion

Although technically more demanding, repeat RAPN can be safely and effectively performed in patients presenting with local recurrence after primary NSS for kidney cancer.
A gene trap mutagenesis screen for genes underlying cellular response to the mood stabilizer lithium
Authors: Gow Matthew , Mirembe Dora , Longwe Zaomba , Pickard Benjamin S.
Published: April 2013

Identifying the biological pathways mediating the action of a therapeutic compound may help the development of more specific treatments while also increasing our understanding of the underlying disease pathology. Salts of the metal lithium are commonly used as a front‐line mood stabilizing treatment for bipolar disorder. Lithium's action has been variously linked to inositol phosphate metabolism and the WNT/Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β (GSK3β)/β‐Catenin signalling cascade, but, to date, little is known about which of these provides the principal therapeutic benefit for patients and, more specifically, which constituent genes, through presumed sequence variation, determine differences in patient response to treatment. Here, we describe a functional screen in which SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were randomly mutated through genomic integration of the pMS1 poly A ‘gene trap’ plasmid vector. Lithium normally induces differentiation of neuroblastoma cells, but a small proportion of mutated cells continued to proliferate and formed colonies. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE)‐PCR was used to identify the ‘trapped’ gene in each of these lithium‐resistant colonies. Heterozygous, gene trap integrations were identified within ten genes, eight of which are likely to produce loss‐of‐function mutations including MED10, MSI2 and three long intergenic non‐coding (LINC) RNAs. Both MED10 and MSI2 have been previously linked with WNT/GSK3β/β‐Catenin pathway function suggesting that this is an important mediator of lithium action in this screen. The methodology applied here provides a rapid, objective and economic approach to define the genetic contribution to drug action, but could also be readily adapted to any desired in vitro functional selection/screening paradigm.
Iron storage disease in Asia‐Pacific populations: The importance of non‐HFE mutations
Authors: McDonald Cameron J , Wallace Daniel F , Crawford Darrell H G , Subramaniam V Nathan
Published: April 2013

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a widely recognized and well‐studied condition in European populations. This is largely due to the high prevalence of the C282Y mutation of HFE. Although less common than in Europe, HH cases have been reported in the Asia‐Pacific region because of mutations in both HFE and non‐HFE genes. Mutations in all of the currently known genes implicated in non‐HFE HH (hemojuvelin, hepcidin, transferrin receptor 2, and ferroportin) have been reported in patients from the Asia‐Pacific region. This review discusses the molecular basis of HH and the genes and mutations known to cause non‐HFE HH with particular reference to the Asia‐Pacific region. Challenges in the genetic diagnosis of non‐HFE HH are also discussed and how new technologies such as next generation sequencing may be informative in the future.
DID INEQUALITY CAUSE THE U.S. FINANCIAL CRISIS?
Authors: van Treeck Till
Published: April 2013

In his widely discussed book ‘Fault Lines’ (2010), Raghuram Rajan argues that many low and middle income consumers have reduced their saving and increased debt since income inequality started to soar in the United States in the early 1980s. This has temporarily kept private consumption and employment high, but it also contributed to the creation of a credit bubble. This surge in household indebtedness turned out to be unsustainable in the financial crisis starting in 2007. Although Rajan and others emphasize the role of government in promoting credit to those households with declining relative (permanent) incomes, other strands of the literature have focused more explicitly on the implications of rising inequality for aggregate demand and households’ demand for credit. These differences in emphasis may explain why the literature on the inequality‐crisis nexus appears somewhat disparate, even though the various strands are far from mutually exclusive but rather complement each other. We therefore place the ‘Rajan hypothesis’ in the context of competing theories of consumption, and survey the empirical literature on the effects of inequality on household behaviour. We conclude that the empirical evidence calls for a renaissance of the relative income hypothesis of consumption.
Novel cardiovascular biomarkers in unexplained syncopal attacks: the SYSTEMA cohort
Authors: Fedorowski A. , Burri P. , Struck J. , Juul‐Möller S. , Melander O.
Published: April 2013

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate the resting levels of novel cardiovascular biomarkers in common types of noncardiac syncope.

Design and setting

An observational study was conducted including 255 patients (mean age 60 years, range 15–93; 45% men) with unexplained syncopal attacks. Subjects underwent an expanded head‐up tilt test including carotid sinus massage, and nitroglycerin provocation if indicated. Using logistic regression, we explored the associations between specific diagnoses of syncope and resting levels of circulating biomarkers: C‐terminal pro‐arginine vasopressin (CT‐proAVP), C‐terminal endothelin‐1 precursor fragment (CT‐proET‐1), midregional fragments of pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide (MR‐proANP) and pro‐adrenomedullin (MR‐proADM).

Results

A total of 142 (56%) patients were diagnosed with vasovagal syncope (VVS), 85 (33%) with orthostatic hypotension (OH) and 47 (18%) with carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH); in addition, 74 (29%) patients had more than one diagnosis. Thirty‐five patients (14%) demonstrated a cardioinhibitory reflex. The probability of VVS was highest in the first quartile of MR‐proANP [Q1 vs. Q4: odds ratio (OR) 5.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.86–16.74; P < 0.001] and CT‐proET‐1 (OR 7.17, 95% CI 2.43–21.13; P < 0.001). By contrast, the probability of OH was highest in the fourth quartile of CT‐proET‐1 (Q4 vs. Q1: OR 8.66, 95% CI 2.49–30.17; P < 0.001). Furthermore, CSH was most frequently observed in the first quartile of MR‐proANP (Q1 vs. Q4: OR 6.57, 95% CI 1.62–26.62; P = 0.008) among those over 60 years of age, whereas the cardioinhibitory reflex was strongly associated with low CT‐proET‐1 levels (Q1 vs. Q4: OR 69.7, 95% CI 6.97–696.6; P < 0.001). Moreover, in patients with VVS, a high concentration of CT‐proET‐1 was predictive of OH (OR per 1 SD 2.4, 95% CI 1.15–5.02; P = 0.02), whereas low CT‐proET‐1 suggested involvement of the cardioinhibitory reflex (OR per 1SD 0.42, 95% CI 0.25–0.70; P = 0.001).

Conclusions

The levels of MR‐proANP and CT‐proET‐1 are markedly changed in common forms of syncope, suggesting the involvement of novel neurohormonal mechanisms in syncopal attacks.
Circulating interleukin‐6 concentration and cognitive decline in old age: the PROSPER study
Authors: Mooijaart S. P. , Sattar N. , Trompet S. , Lucke J. , Stott D. J. , Ford I. , Jukema J. W. , Westendorp R. G. J. , de Craen A. J. M.
Published: April 2013

Background

Inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) has a role in cardiovascular disease, but the association of IL‐6 concentration and the functional IL‐6 ‐174 polymorphism with cognitive decline has not been demonstrated unequivocally. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between both high concentration of IL‐6 and the ‐174 promoter polymorphism, and increased cognitive decline in old age.

Methods

Over 5000 participants of the Prospective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER) with a mean age of 75 years and a history of cardiovascular disease or its risk factors were included in this study. We determined baseline concentrations of IL‐6 and genotype of the IL‐6 ‐174 polymorphism, of which the C allele was previously shown to be associated with higher circulating concentrations of IL‐6. A cognitive test battery was administered at baseline and repeatedly during follow‐up (mean 39 months).

Results

In the cross‐sectional analysis of 5653 participants, higher IL‐6 concentration was associated with worse executive cognitive function (P < 0.001), independent of cardiovascular disease status and risk factors. No association was found between IL‐6 concentration and memory function (P > 0.14). In the prospective analysis, higher IL‐6 concentration was associated with an increased rate of cognitive decline in both executive function (P = 0.002) and memory function (P = 0.002), again independent of cardiovascular disease status and risk factors. Although not associated with IL‐6 concentrations, the IL‐6 ‐174 CC genotype was associated with worse performance on the Stroop test (P = 0.045).

Conclusions

Higher circulating levels of IL‐6 were associated with worse cognitive function and steeper cognitive decline and provide preliminary genetic evidence for a potential causal association. The findings support the importance of the need for further investigation of the IL‐6 pathway in cognitive decline.
Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor is compartmentally regulated in decompensated cirrhosis and indicates immune activation and short‐term mortality
Authors: Zimmermann H. W. , Reuken P. A. , Koch A. , Bartneck M. , Adams D. H. , Trautwein C. , Stallmach A. , Tacke F. , Bruns T.
Published: April 2013

Objective

Patients with decompensated cirrhosis are susceptible to bacterial infections, which are associated with organ failure and a high mortality rate. Reliable biomarkers are needed to identify patients who require intensified treatment. Our objective was to study the regulation and prognostic relevance of elevated concentrations of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in patients with advanced cirrhosis.

Design, setting and participants

We examined the associations between serum and ascitic fluid (AF) suPAR and liver function, bacterial infection, and short‐term mortality in 162 consecutive patients with decompensated cirrhosis undergoing diagnostic paracentesis in a tertiary health care centre in Germany.

Main outcome measure

Twenty‐eight‐day mortality.

Results

Circulating suPAR levels were increased in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and correlated with the severity of liver dysfunction and systemic inflammation but were not indicative of bacterial infection. Circulating suPAR levels >14.4 ng mL−1 predicted 28‐day mortality, even after adjustment for liver function and confounders [HR = 3.05 (1.35–6.90); P = 0.0076] equal to the MELD score (AUC = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.61–0.81; P < 0.001). Cut‐off levels derived from cohorts without liver disease were not applicable due to the low specificity. AF suPAR levels were elevated during spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), but not during episodes in which bacteria or bacterial DNA was translocated into the ascites. AF suPAR levels correlated poorly with systemic suPAR but were associated with a more severe course of SBP and a worse outcome. In vitro experiments revealed that monocytes, and to a lesser extent neutrophils, secrete suPAR after Toll‐like‐receptor ligation, which led to rapid urokinase plasminogen activator receptor cleavage followed by increased synthesis.

Conclusion

Blood and ascitic suPAR levels provide distinct, but relevant prognostic information on the severity of complications in patients with end‐stage liver disease.