bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simplified Synthesis and Structural Study of { Ta6Br12} Clusters
Authors: Sokolov Maxim N. , Abramov Pavel A. , Mikhailov Maxim A. , Peresypkina Eugenia V. , Virovets Alexander V. , Fedin Vladimir P.
Published: May 2010

Direct reaction of stoichiometric amounts of KBr, tantalum and bromine at 720 °C, followed by extraction and crystallization gives Ta6Br14·7H2O (1). This compound slowly aquates into [(Ta6Br12)(H2O)6]2+, which crystallized as mixed Cs+/Br– (2), Cl– (3) and SO42– (4) salts. In Bu4NBr melt, 1 undergoes oxidation into (Bu4N)2[(Ta6Br12)Br6] (5). Reaction of 1 with dimethylsulfoxide also induces oxidation of the { Ta6Br12} 2+ core into { Ta6Br12} 4+, and the corresponding complex [(Ta6Br12)(dmso)2Cl4]·iPrOH·4.8H2O (6) was isolated and structurally characterized. Molecular and crystal structures for 2–6 were determined.
Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Vibrational Spectra of Novel Azidopalladates of the Alkali Metals Cs2[Pd(N3)4] and Rb2[Pd(N3)4]·2/3H2O
Authors: Afyon Semih , Höhn Peter , Somer Mehmet
Published: May 2010

The transparent dark orange compounds Cs2[Pd(N3)4] and Rb2[Pd(N3)4]·2/3H2O are synthesized by reaction of the respective binary alkali metal azides with K2PdCl4 in aqueous solutions. According to single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction investigations, the novel ternary azidopalladates(II) crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/c (no. 14) with a = 705.7(2) pm, b = 717.3(2) pm, c = 1125.2(5) pm, β = 104.58(2)°, mP30 for Cs2[Pd(N3)4] and a = 1041.4(1) pm, b = 1292.9(2) pm, c = 1198.7(1) pm, β = 91.93(1)°, mP102 for Rb2[Pd(N3)4]·2/3H2O, respectively. Predominant structural features of both compounds are discrete [PdII(N3)4]2– anions with palladium in a planar coordination by nitrogen, but differing in point group symmetries., The vibrational spectra of the compounds are analyzed based on the idealized point group C4h of the spectroscopically relevant unit, [Pd(N3)4]2– taking into account the site symmetry splitting due to the symmetry reduction in the solid phase.
Paradoxes of dissipation‐induced destabilization or who opened Whitney's umbrella?
Authors: Kirillov O.N. , Verhulst F.
Published: May 2010

The paradox of destabilization of a conservative or non‐conservative system by small dissipation, or Ziegler's paradox (1952), has stimulated an ever growing interest in the sensitivity of reversible and Hamiltonian systems with respect to dissipative perturbations. Since the last decade it has been widely accepted that dissipation‐induced instabilities are closely related to singularities arising on the stability boundary. What is less known is that the first complete explanation of Ziegler's paradox by means of the Whitney umbrella singularity dates back to 1956. We revisit this undeservedly forgotten pioneering result by Oene Bottema that outstripped later findings for about half a century. We discuss subsequent developments of the perturbation analysis of dissipation‐induced instabilities and applications over this period, involving structural stability of matrices, Krein collision, Hamilton‐Hopf bifurcation, and related bifurcations.
Integral bounds for von Kármán's equations
Authors: Mareno A.
Published: May 2010

In this paper we consider the von Kármán plate equations. We show that a suitable function, defined on the solution to these equations is subharmonic. Then we derive bounds on the integral of the second gradient of the solution.
Surgical management of pancreatic necrosis: towards lesser and later
Authors: Cheung Moon‐Tong , Li Wing‐Hong , Kwok Philip Chong‐Hei , Hong Jeffrey Kam‐Fai
Published: May 2010

Background/purpose

Our aim was to determine the overall success rate and survival rate with respect to the timing of intervention in the management of pancreatic necrosis. The use of minimally invasive pancreatic necrosectomy was also examined.

Methods

This was a retrospective study carried out in a tertiary referral hospital. The subjects were all patients who suffered from acute pancreatic necrosis with emergency interventions from January 2001 to December 2007. For outcome measures, special emphasis was placed on the overall success rate and survival rate with respect to the timing of intervention. The success rate of percutaneous pancreatic necrosectomy (PCPN) was examined.

Results

A total of 26 patients with pancreatic necrosis were studied. The overall mortality rate was 26.9% and the rate was significantly higher in those patients who had earlier intervention (before 6 weeks). Eleven patients had PCPN. There were 2 failures due to PCPN in the early phase; 2 had partial success, while the procedure was completely successful to remove all the necrotic tissues in the other 7 patients.

Conclusions

With a multidisciplinary approach, particularly with sophisticated intensive care, most patients with pancreatic necrosis can survive the initial phase. Open surgery should be limited to simple drainage and laparostomy to relieve the abdominal tension. Active intervention preferably should be delayed until the necrosis has become walled off, when a variety of minimally invasive maneuvers, notably percutaneous necrosectomy, can be offered to remove the debris. The surgical management of pancreatic necrosis should change towards a strategy of “lesser and later”.
Sonographic demonstration of wall thickness of the gallbladder in pediatric patients with pancreatico‐biliary maljunction
Authors: Sugai Michihiro , Ishido Keinosuke , Endoh Masaaki , Hada Ryukichi , Munakata Hirohumi
Published: May 2010

Background

Sonographic demonstration of extramural and intrapancreatic junction of the pancreatic and bile ducts, pathognomonic for pancreatico‐biliary maljunction (PBM), is not easy in pediatric patients. We measured sonographic thickness of the gallbladder (GB) and retrospectively examined correlation of it with PBM.

Methods

Twenty‐seven children with PBM were examined with conventional ultrasonography (US). All patients underwent hepaticojejunostomy, and resected GB were studied in histological examination. Preoperative extracorporeal US measured gallbladder wall thickness, and abnormal GB wall was defined 3 mm or more in thickness.

Results

They consisted of 8 males and 19 females, ranging in age from 2 months to 11 years. The thickness of the GB wall was more than 3 mm in 18: 10 with smooth thickness and 8 with non‐uniform thickness. The thickness of GB wall was found in 16 (84.2%) of the 19 patients more than 1 year of age. The difference between sonographic and macroscopic measurements of the wall thickness was less than 1 mm in 24 (89%) of the 27 patients.

Conclusion

US measurement of gallbladder wall thickness can be a screening test more than 1 year of age for PBM.
Comparison of the outcomes between anatomical resection and limited resection for single hepatocellular carcinomas no larger than 5 cm in diameter: a single‐center study
Authors: Yamazaki Osamu , Matsuyama Mitsuharu , Horii Katsuhiko , Kanazawa Akishige , Shimizu Sadatoshi , Uenishi Takahiro , Ogawa Masao , Tamamori Yutaka , Kawai Shuichi , Nakazawa Kazunori , Otani Hiroshi , Murase Junya , Mikami Shinichi , Higaki Ikko , Arimoto Yuichi , Hanba Hiroyuki
Published: May 2010

Background/Purpose

Liver resection is a widely preferred treatment modality for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). This study aimed to compare the survival impact of anatomical resection with that of limited resection, in patients with single HCCs no larger than 5 cm in diameter.

Methods

A cohort study was carried out on 209 consecutive patients who underwent hepatic resection for a single HCC no larger than 5 cm in diameter between January 1994 and March 2007 at Osaka City General Hospital.

Results

The cumulative 5‐year overall survival and disease‐free survival rates in the anatomical resection group (n = 111) were 71 and 40%, respectively, both of which were significantly better than the 48 and 25% seen in the limited resection group (n = 98) (P = 0.0043 andP = 0.0232, respectively). Better effects of the anatomical resection on both overall and disease‐free survival were seen in patients having HCC larger than 2 cm in diameter and in patients with moderately or poorly differentiated HCC. But no significant difference in either overall or disease‐free survival was seen between the groups in patients with a HCC 2 cm or less in diameter or in the patients with well‐differentiated HCC. Using Cox's regression model, anatomical resection was confirmed to be an independent favorable factor for both overall and disease‐free survival.

Conclusions

Anatomical resection is therefore recommended for histologically advanced single HCCs ranging from 2 to 5 cm in diameter.
Functional characterization of two novel parvulins in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Goh Jian Yuan , Lai Cheng-Yu , Tan Luuan Chin , Yang Daiwen , He Cynthia Y. , Liou Yih-Cherng
Published: May 2010

Parvulins belong to a family of peptidyl‐prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIases) that catalyze the cis/trans conformations of prolyl‐peptidyl bonds. Herein, we characterized two novel parvulins, TbPIN1 and TbPAR42, in Trypanosoma brucei. TbPIN1, a 115 amino‐acid protein, contains a single PPIase domain but lacks the N‐terminal WW domain. Using NMR spectroscopy, TbPIN1 was found to exhibit PPIase activity toward a phosphorylated substrate. Overexpression of TbPIN1 can rescue the impaired temperature‐sensitive phenotype in a mutant yeast strain. TbPAR42, containing 383 amino acids, comprises a novel FHA domain at its N terminus and a C‐terminal PPIase domain but is a non‐Pin1‐type PPIase. Functionally, a knockdown of TbPAR42 in its procyclic form results in reduced proliferation rates suggesting an important role in cell growth.
High‐frequency electrically stimulated skeletal muscle contractions increase p70s6k phosphorylation independent of known IGF‐I sensitive signaling pathways
Authors: Witkowski Sarah , Lovering Richard M. , Spangenburg Espen E.
Published: May 2010

Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐I) is hypothesized to be a critical upstream regulator of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)‐regulated protein synthesis with muscle contraction. We utilized a mouse model that expresses a skeletal muscle specific dominant‐negative IGF‐I receptor to investigate the role of IGF‐I signaling of protein synthesis in response to unilateral lengthening contractions (10 sets, 6 repetitions, 100 Hz) at 0 and 3 h following the stimulus. Our results indicate that one session of high frequency muscle contractions can activate mTOR signaling independent of signaling components directly downstream of the receptor.
Blood Loss After Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty: Effects of Imageless Navigation
Authors: Chang Chih‐Wei , Wu Po‐Ting , Yang Chyun‐Yu
Published: May 2010

A prospective cohort study of 100 patients undergoing primary minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty was carried out to determine blood loss after this procedure and to examine the efficacy of navigation on blood saving. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique, and underwent either computer‐assisted navigation or manual procedures. All operations were performed by a single surgeon using an identical approach. To minimize blood loss, an intraoperative tourniquet was used, but no postoperative drainage was applied. Although the mean surgical time was longer in the navigated group than in the manual group (119.2 vs. 90.9 min; p < 0.001), the reductions in hemoglobin level (1.40 vs. 1.38 g/dL; p = 0.642) and calculated blood loss (470.77 vs. 482.73 mL; p = 0.796) were similar in both groups. Four patients in both groups required blood transfusion. With minimally invasive techniques and drainage avoidance, our study suggests that the blood loss after minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty was not significantly affected by the use of imageless navigation.
Effect of Memantine on Overactive Detrusor in Rats With Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Özkürkçügil Cüneyd , Kömür Osman , Özkan Levend
Published: May 2010

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of memantine on overactive detrusor (OAD) 15 days after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Twenty‐eight adult Wistar rats were used in this study. Fourteen animals served as normal controls, while 14 underwent spinal cord transection (clip compression technique) at the 10th thoracic vertebra. Fifteen days after SCI, all animals underwent urodynamic testing to confirm OAD. Memantine (16 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into rats with SCI and OAD. Parameters measured included voiding volume, micturition pressure, resting bladder pressure, the period between micturitions and the maximum pressure of the OAD during the filling period. Results have showed that OAD developed in 8/14 animals (57.1%). OAD was resolved in 5/8 (62.5%) of these animals after memantine administration. Resting bladder pressure was significantly different in dependent groups (p < 0.05). Micturition pressure increased after SCI but decreased in rats with SCI after memantine injection. However, the period between micturitions was prolonged in both SCI and memantine groups, compared with normal rats. These results show that memantine could be useful for treating neurogenic OAD after SCI by modulating the micturition reflex pathway. Memantine may also provide an alternative treatment option for OAD in the future.
Diagnosis and Management of Imported Chikungunya Fever in Taiwan: A Case Report
Authors: Chang Ko , Hsieh Hsiao‐Chen , Tsai Jih‐Jin , Lin Wei‐Ru , Lu Po‐Liang , Chen Yen‐Hsu
Published: May 2010

Chikungunya virus, a mosquito‐borne alphavirus, is endemic in Africa and Southeast Asia but is rarely reported in Taiwan. We report the case of a Taiwanese woman who developed Chikungunya fever, which was first diagnosed by a clinician rather than by fever screening at an airport. The woman presented with fever, maculopapular rash, and arthralgia, the triad for the disease, on the day she returned home after a trip to Malaysia. These symptoms are very similar to those of dengue fever, which is endemic in Southern Taiwan. Chikungunya infection was confirmed by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and seroconversion on paired serum specimens. For approximately 40 years until 2006, no cases of Chikungunya fever had been found in Taiwan. Clinicians in Taiwan should consider Chikungunya fever as a possible diagnosis for a febrile patient with arthralgia, rash, and a history of travel to an endemic area, such as Africa or Southeast Asia.
The influence of initial conditions on turbulent mixing due to Richtmyer–Meshkov instability
Authors: THORNBER B. , DRIKAKIS D. , YOUNGS D. L. , WILLIAMS R. J. R.
Published: May 2010

This paper investigates the influence of different three-dimensional multi-mode initial conditions on the rate of growth of a mixing layer initiated via a Richtmyer–Meshkov instability through a series of well-controlled numerical experiments. Results are presented for large-eddy simulation of narrowband and broadband perturbations at grid resolutions up to 3 × 109 points using two completely different numerical methods, and comparisons are made with theory and experiment. It is shown that the mixing-layer growth is strongly dependent on initial conditions, the narrowband case giving a power-law exponent θ ≈ 0.26 at low Atwood and θ ≈ 0.3 at high Atwood numbers. The broadband case uses a perturbation power spectrum of the form P(k) ∝ k−2 with a proposed theoretical growth rate of θ = 2/3. The numerical results confirm this; however, they highlight the necessity of a very fine grid to capture an appropriately broad range of initial scales. In addition, an analysis of the kinetic energy decay rates, fluctuating kinetic energy spectra, plane-averaged volume fraction profiles and mixing parameters is presented for each case.
Energy dissipation in two-dimensional unsteady plunging breakers and an eddy viscosity model
Authors: TIAN ZHIGANG , PERLIN MARC , CHOI WOOYOUNG
Published: May 2010

An experimental study of energy dissipation in two-dimensional unsteady plunging breakers and an eddy viscosity model to simulate the dissipation due to wave breaking are reported in this paper. Measured wave surface elevations are used to examine the characteristic time and length scales associated with wave groups and local breaking waves, and to estimate and parameterize the energy dissipation and dissipation rate due to wave breaking. Numerical tests using the eddy viscosity model are performed and we find that the numerical results well capture the measured energy loss. In our experiments, three sets of characteristic time and length scales are defined and obtained: global scales associated with the wave groups, local scales immediately prior to breaking onset and post-breaking scales. Correlations among these time and length scales are demonstrated. In addition, for our wave groups, wave breaking onset predictions using the global and local wave steepnesses are found based on experimental results. Breaking time and breaking horizontal length scales are determined with high-speed imaging, and are found to depend approximately linearly on the local wave steepness. The two scales are then used to determine the energy dissipation rate, which is the ratio of the energy loss to the breaking time scale. Our experimental results show that the local wave steepness is highly correlated with the measured dissipation rate, indicating that the local wave steepness may serve as a good wave-breaking-strength indicator. To simulate the energy dissipation due to wave breaking, a simple eddy viscosity model is proposed and validated with our experimental measurements. Under the small viscosity assumption, the leading-order viscous effect is incorporated into the free-surface boundary conditions. Then, the kinematic viscosity is replaced with an eddy viscosity to account for energy loss. The breaking time and length scales, which depend weakly on wave breaking strength, are applied to evaluate the magnitude of the eddy viscosity using dimensional analysis. The estimated eddy viscosity is of the order of 10−3 m2s−1 and demonstrates a strong dependence on wave breaking strength. Numerical simulations with the eddy viscosity estimation are performed to compare to the experimental results. Good agreement as regards energy dissipation due to wave breaking and surface profiles after wave breaking is achieved, which illustrates that the simple eddy viscosity model functions effectively.
Structural changes of laminar separation bubbles induced by global linear instability
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ D. , THEOFILIS V.
Published: May 2010

The topology of the composite flow fields reconstructed by linear superposition of a two-dimensional boundary layer flow with an embedded laminar separation bubble and its leading three-dimensional global eigenmodes has been studied. According to critical point theory, the basic flow is structurally unstable; it is shown that in the presence of three-dimensional disturbances the degenerate basic flow topology is replaced by a fully three-dimensional pattern, regardless of the amplitude of the superposed linear perturbations. Attention has been focused on the leading stationary eigenmode of the laminar separation bubble discovered by Theofiliset al. (Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A, vol. 358, 2000, pp. 3229–3324); the composite flow fields have been fully characterized with respect to the generation and evolution of their critical points. The stationary global mode is shown to give rise to a three-dimensional flow field which is equivalent to the classical U-shaped separation, defined by Hornung & Perry (Z. Flugwiss. Weltraumforsch., vol. 8, 1984, pp. 77–87), and induces topologies on the surface streamlines that are resemblant to the characteristic stall cells observed experimentally.
Parenteral nutrition line sepsis: the difficulty in diagnosis
Authors: McWhirter Derek
Published: May 2010

Parenteral nutrition (PN) line sepsis is a common and yet poorly managed complication in hospitalised patients receiving PN. Making a clinical diagnosis is difficult as the clinical picture can be very non-specific and definitions of what constitutes line infection can vary. Once there is clinical suspicion, proving it with microbiological techniques is not an exact science. Traditional techniques have required the removal of the PN line to allow microbiologists to perform analysis of it for infection. This has obvious drawbacks as it is often not easy to replace the line in these patients and the line is often later proven not to be the source of the sepsis. Although the gold-standard technique still requires removal of the line, there has been development in the field of diagnosis line infection while conserving the line. These include intra-luminal brushings of the line, differential blood cultures and simple swabs of the line hub. These techniques are not as sensitive but reduce the problems caused by removing and re-inserting the line in these patients. The definition of PN line sepsis varies between institutions. Rates can be expressed as a true number of cases, or can be expressed correctly as a number of cases per 1000 line days to standardise rates between units of differing sizes. Rates can also be altered if the diagnostic criteria are too strict or too lax. Accurate diagnosis of PN line sepsis remains difficult in modern medical practice.
Spatial analysis ofLeishmania donovaniexposure in humans and domestic animals in a recent kala azar focus in Nepal
Authors: KHANAL BASUDHA , PICADO ALBERT , BHATTARAI NARAYAN RAJ , VAN DER AUWERA GERT , DAS MURARI LAL , OSTYN BART , DAVIES CLIVE RICHARD , BOELAERT MARLEEN , DUJARDIN JEAN-CLAUDE , RIJAL SUMAN
Published: May 2010

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a major public health problem in the Indian subcontinent where theLeishmania donovanitransmission cycle is described as anthroponotic. However, the role of animals (in particular domestic animals) in the persistence and expansion of VL is still a matter of debate. We combined Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) results in humans and domestic animals with Geographic Information System technology (i.e. extraction maps and scan statistic) to evaluate the exposure toL. donovanion these 2 populations in a recent VL focus in Nepal. A Poisson regression model was used to assess the risk of infection in humans associated with, among other factors, the proportion of DAT-positive animals in the proximities of the household. The serological results showed that both humans and domestic animals were exposed toL. donovani. DAT-positive animals and humans were spatially clustered. The presence of serologically positive goats (IRR=9·71), past VL cases (IRR=2·62) and the proximity to a forest island dividing the study area (IRR=3·67) increased the risk of being DAT-positive in humans. Even if they are not a reservoir, domestic animals, and specially goats, may play a role in the distribution ofL. donovani, in particular in this new VL focus.
Age- and puberty-dependent association between IQ score in early childhood and depressive symptoms in adolescence
Authors: Glaser B. , Gunnell D. , Timpson N. J. , Joinson C. , Zammit S. , Smith G. Davey , Lewis G.
Published: May 2010

Background

Lower cognitive functioning in early childhood has been proposed as a risk factor for depression in later life but its association with depressive symptoms during adolescence has rarely been investigated. Our study examines the relationship between total intelligence quotient (IQ) score at age 8 years, and depressive symptoms at 11, 13, 14 and 17 years.

Method

Study participants were 5250 children and adolescents from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and their Children (ALSPAC), UK, for whom longitudinal data on depressive symptoms were available. IQ was assessed with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children III, and self-reported depressive symptoms were measured with the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ).

Results

Multi-level analysis on continuous SMFQ scores showed that IQ at age 8 years was inversely associated with depressive symptoms at age 11 years, but the association changed direction by age 13 and 14 years (age–IQ interaction,p<0.0001; age squared–IQ interaction,p<0.0001) when a higher IQ score was associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms. This change in IQ effect was also found in relation to pubertal stage (pubertal stage–IQ interaction, 0.00049<p⩽0.038). At age 17 years, however, sex-specific differences emerged (sex–age squared–IQ interaction,p=0.0075). Whilst the risk effect of higher childhood IQ scores for depressive symptoms declined in females, and some analyses even supported an inverse association by age 17 years, it persisted in males.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the association between cognitive ability in childhood and depressive symptoms in adolescence varies according to age and/or pubertal stage.
Altered microstructure integrity of the amygdala in schizophrenia: a bimodal MRI and DWI study
Authors: Tomasino B. , Bellani M. , Perlini C. , Rambaldelli G. , Cerini R. , Isola M. , Balestrieri M. , Calì S. , Versace A. , Pozzi Mucelli R. , Gasparini A. , Tansella M. , Brambilla P.
Published: May 2010

Background

The amygdala plays a central role in the fronto-limbic network involved in the processing of emotions. Structural and functional abnormalities of the amygdala have recently been found in schizophrenia, although there are still contradictory results about its reduced or preserved volumes.

Method

In order to address these contradictory findings and to further elucidate the possibly underlying pathophysiological process of the amygdala, we employed structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), exploring amygdalar volume and microstructural changes in 69 patients with schizophrenia and 72 matched healthy subjects, relating these indices to psychopathological measures.

Results

Measuring water diffusivity, the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) for the right amygdala were found to be significantly greater in patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy controls, with a trend for abnormally reduced volumes. Also, significant correlations between mood symptoms and amygdalar volumes were found in schizophrenia.

Conclusions

We therefore provide evidence that schizophrenia is associated with disrupted tissue organization of the right amygdala, despite partially preserved size, which may ultimately lead to abnormal emotional processing in schizophrenia. This result confirms the major role of the amygdala in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and is discussed with respect to amygdalar structural and functional abnormalities found in patients suffering from this illness.
Abuse and dependence on prescription opioids in adults: a mixture categorical and dimensional approach to diagnostic classification
Authors: Wu L.-T. , Woody G. E. , Yang C. , Pan J.-J. , Blazer D. G.
Published: May 2010

Background

For the emerging DSM-V, it has been recommended that dimensional and categorical methods be used simultaneously in diagnostic classification; however, little is known about this combined approach for abuse and dependence.

Method

Using data (n=37 708) from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), DSM-IV criteria for prescription opioid abuse and dependence among non-prescribed opioid users (n=3037) were examined using factor analysis (FA), latent class analysis (LCA, categorical), item response theory (IRT, dimensional), and factor mixture (hybrid) approaches.

Results

A two-class factor mixture model (FMM) combining features of categorical latent classes and dimensional IRT estimates empirically fitted more parsimoniously to abuse and dependence criteria data than models from FA, LCA and IRT procedures respectively. This mixture model included a severely affected group (7%) with a comparatively moderate to high probability (0.32−0.88) of endorsing all abuse and dependence criteria items, and a less severely affected group (93%) with a low probability (0.003−0.16) of endorsing all criteria. The two empirically defined groups differed significantly in the pattern of non-prescribed opioid use, co-morbid major depression, and substance abuse treatment use.

Conclusions

A factor mixture model integrating categorical and dimensional features of classification fits better to DSM-IV criteria for prescription opioid abuse and dependence in adults than a categorical or dimensional approach. Research is needed to examine the utility of this mixture classification for substance use disorders and treatment response.
Design for independent living: activity demands and capabilities of older people
Authors: SEIDEL DAVID , RICHARDSON KATHRYN , CRILLY NATHAN , MATTHEWS FIONA E. , CLARKSON P. JOHN , BRAYNE CAROL
Published: May 2010

The ability to perform the instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) is an important focus for the promotion of independent living in old age. If strategies to enable older people to remain in their own homes are to be developed, advances must be made in understanding the demands associated with IADLs. This paper reports on a study of how activity demands – the body postures, actions and hand functions involved in cooking, housework, laundering and shopping – relate to the capabilities of a sample of older people in Great Britain. Task data were analysed for 4,886 community-dwelling 55–93-year-olds who were enrolled in a follow-up survey to the 1996/97 Family Resources Survey. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios for associations between functional limitations and IADL difficulty. Attributable fraction estimates were also used to assess the population impact of the functional limitations. Comparable effect sizes were observed across activities for limitations in body postures (standing, reaching and bending/stooping), actions (lifting/lowering and holding/carrying) and hand functions. Most of the difficulties were attributable to limitations in body postures, primarily bending/stooping, whereas actions and hand functions accounted for much less difficulty. We present a matrix of the potential impact that design changes to alleviate each limitation would have on the ability to perform the activities studied. This can help to prioritise interventions aimed at supporting continued independent living.
Theoretical Perspectives on Speaking
Authors: Bygate Martin
Published: May 2010

Second language (SL) speaking has not been recognized as a research area as readily as have reading, writing, or listening. For instance, the 25th anniversary volume ofTESOL Quarterlyhad papers on reading, writing, and listening, but apart from a paper on pronunciation, not a single one on speaking. This may be due to assumptions such as the following: 1) SLA studies in any case focus on oral language production (e.g., the morpheme acquisition studies in the 1970's, the input-interaction studies of the 1980's for which oral interaction was only a way of acquiring new target language items, and the task-based learning studies of the 1990's);
Assessing Listening Abilities
Authors: Brindley Geoff
Published: May 2010

Over the last two decades, research has highlighted the important role that listening plays in language acquisition (Brown and Yule 1983, Ellis,et al. 1994, Faerch and Kasper 1986, Feyten 1991, Long 1985), and listening comprehension skills have begun to receive a lot more systematic attention in language teaching classrooms. A wide range of books, articles, and materials aimed at assisting teachers to develop learners’ listening skills are now available, and a variety of comprehension-based methodologies have been proposed (see, for example, Anderson and Lynch 1988, Courchene,et al. 1992, Rost 1990; 1994, Underwood 1989). However, although many of the tasks used for teaching listening are virtually identical to those which appear in tests, assessment of listening ability has received relatively limited coverage in the language testing literature.
Assessing Writing Abilities
Authors: Kroll Barbara
Published: May 2010

Like so many other aspects of language analysis, assessing the writing abilities of non-native English speakers (NNES) becomes an increasingly complex issue as one explores both its root meaning and its current uses; this complexity can be traced, in part, to the recognition that writing abilities develop in interaction with other language skills. In this volume, various chapters have narrowed, if artificially, the area of investigation by providing for a separate consideration of assessment as applied to each of the four language skills; clearly assessment of language proficiency as a total package also is of great concern in academic contexts, especially where NNES students are concerned (see also Resources in Language Testing website).
Trends and Issues in Content-Based instruction
Authors: Snow Marguerite Ann
Published: May 2010

In the last two decades, content-based instruction (CBI) has grown by leaps and bounds; it appears across educational levels and under various guises. In foreign language education, immersion education and “content-enriched” Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) are popular examples. Sheltered classes and thematic curricula are two variations commonly found in ESL settings. The degree of language and content integration which underlies these various program types is perhaps best captured by means of a continuum.
Policy and Social Considerations in Language Assessment
Authors: McNamara Tim
Published: May 2010

There has been great recent interest in the social and policy context of language testing and assessment, to the point where it represents perhaps the most significant area of new thought and debate in the field of language testing. The topic has also produced a ferment of activity, reflected in policy statements, special symposia, and special issues of professional journals devoted to aspects of the subject. These discussions have been accompanied by the beginnings of a movement away from the traditional positivist, asocial paradigm for language testing research as traced in Lynch and Hamp-Lyons (1996; Hamp-Lyons and Lynch in press).
Instance-based natural language generation
Authors: VARGES S. , MELLISH C.
Published: May 2010

We investigate the use of instance-based ranking methods for surface realization in natural language generation. Our approach to instance-based natural language generation (IBNLG) employs two components: a rule system that ‘overgenerates’ a number of realization candidates from a meaning representation and an instance-based ranker that scores the candidates according to their similarity to examples taken from a training corpus. We develop an efficient search technique for identifying the optimal candidate based on a novel extension of theA* algorithm. The rule system is produced automatically from a semantically annotated fragment of the Penn Treebank II containing management succession texts. We detail the annotation scheme and grammar induction algorithm and evaluate the efficiency and output of the generator. We also discuss issues such as input coverage (completeness) and fluency that are relevant to surface generation in general.
Enhancing Self-Practice/Self-Reflection (SP/SR) Approach to Cognitive Behaviour Training Through the Use of Reflective Blogs
Authors: Farrand Paul , Perry Jon , Linsley Sue
Published: May 2010

Background: Self-Practice/Self-Reflection (SP/SR) is increasingly beginning to feature as a central component of CBT training programmes (Bennett-Levy et al., 2001). Programmes including a reflective element, however, are not unproblematic and it has been documented that simply setting time aside for reflection does not necessarily result in trainees using such time to reflect. Such limitations may be overcome by including a requirement to post reflections on reflective blogs. Aim: To examine the effect that a requirement to contribute to a reflective blog had upon a SP/SR approach to CBT training. Method: A focus group methodology was adopted with data analyzed using a general inductive qualitative approach. Results: The requirement to use blogs to reflect upon the self-practice of CBT techniques enhanced SP/SR, established a learning community, and improved course supervision, although some technical difficulties arose. Conclusions: Consideration should be given towards using reflective blogs to support a SP/SR approach to CBT training. Benefits afforded by the use of reflective blogs further establish SP/SR as a valid and flexible training approach.
HOMOGENEOUS AND H-CONTACT UNIT TANGENT SPHERE BUNDLES
Authors: CALVARUSO G. , PERRONE D.
Published: May 2010

We prove that all g-natural contact metric structures on a two-point homogeneous space are homogeneous contact. The converse is also proved for metrics of Kaluza–Klein type. We also show that if (M,g) is an Einstein manifold and $\tilde G$ is a Riemannian g-natural metric on T1M of Kaluza–Klein type, then $(T_1 M,\tilde \eta ,\tilde G)$ is H-contact if and only if (M,g) is 2-stein, so proving that the main result of Chun et al. [‘H-contact unit tangent sphere bundles of Einstein manifolds’, Q. J. Math., to appear. DOI: 10.1093/qmath/hap025] is invariant under a two-parameter deformation of the standard contact metric structure on T1M. Moreover, we completely characterize Riemannian manifolds admitting two distinct H-contact g-natural contact metric structures, with associated metric of Kaluza–Klein type.
Querying incomplete data over extended ER schemata
Authors: CALÌ ANDREA , MARTINENGHI DAVIDE
Published: May 2010

Since Chen's Entity-Relationship (ER) model, conceptual modeling has been playing a fundamental role in relational data design. In this paper we consider an extended ER (EER) model enriched with cardinality constraints, disjointness assertions, and is a relations among both entities and relationships. In this setting, we consider the case of incomplete data, which is likely to occur, for instance, when data from different sources are integrated. In such a context, we address the problem of providing correct answers to conjunctive queries by reasoning on the schema. Based on previous results about decidability of the problem, we provide a query answering algorithm that performs rewriting of the initial query into a recursive Datalog query encoding the information about the schema. We finally show extensions to more general settings.
Serial evaluation of the thoracic aorta in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve: A magnetic resonance angiography study
Authors: Tutarel  , Meyer  , Lotz  , Westhoff-Bleck
Published: May 2010

Background: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is associated with an arteriopathy leading to a progressive dilatation of the aortic root. Recent studies have shown that the whole thoracic aorta is affected by this arteriopathy. Longitudinal data regarding the progression of this arteriopathy in the whole thoracic aorta has not been reported before. Patients and methods: In this retrospective study 40 patients (mean age 28.5 ± 9.1 years) had 2 MR-angiographies (mean interval 37.1 ± 15.2 months). In 23 patients the aortic valve was regurgitant, in 1 stenotic, in 4 combined aortic stenosis / regurgitation was found, while in 12 the valve function was normal. Aortic diameters were measured at 6 different, standardized anatomical points. The influence of demographic and clinical parameters was assessed. Results: A significant increase of the diameter was observed at the aortic root (35.4 ± 5.6 mm → 39.1 ± 6.5 mm, p < 0.001), the ascending aorta (37.3 ± 8.0 mm → 39.5 ± 8.5 mm, p = 0.001), proximal to the innominate artery (29.4 ± 6.1 mm → 31.6 ± 6.8 mm, p = 0.008), and the descending aorta (20.2 ± 2.4 mm → 21.6 ± 4.2 mm, p = 0.03). There was no significant increase proximal (24.0 ± 5.7 mm → 24.6 ± 5.3 mm, p = 0.44) and distal to the left subclavian artery (21.4 ± 4.6 mm → 21.9 ± 4.5 mm, p = 0.19). These observations were independent of the presence of arterial hypertension, a previous operation, gender, and functional status of the aortic valve. Conclusions: The progressive dilatation of the aortic root and ascending aorta that can be observed in patients with BAV was not found in the more distal parts of the thoracic aorta with the exception of the descending aorta in this study. If the dilatation of the descending aorta bears any clinical significance can't be answered with the current data. A prospective study should be performed to confirm these results.
Secondary medical prevention in patients with peripheral arterial disease - Prescriptions of vascular surgeons and medical doctors (angiologists) in a multidisciplinary vascular centre
Authors: Klein-Weigel  , Gutsche-Petrak  , Wolbergs  , Köning  , Flessenkamper
Published: May 2010

Background: We compared medical secondary prevention in patients with peripheral arterial disease stage II (Fontaine) located in the femoro-popliteal artery managed by vascular surgeons and medical doctors / angiologists in our multidisciplinary vascular center. Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed demission protocols of in-hospital treatments between 01.01.2007 and 20.06.2008. Results: We surveyed 264 patients (54.2 % women; mean age 67.52 ± 8.98 yrs), 179 (67.8 %) primarily treated by medical doctors / angiologists and 85 (32.2 %) primarily managed by vascular surgeons. Medical doctors / angiologists treated more women (n = 109) than men (n = 34), (p = 0.002) and documented smoking and diabetes mellitus more often (p < 0.001) than vascular surgeons. Besides, patients had similar cardiovascular risk profiles and concomitant diseases, vascular surgeons prescribed 5.47 ± 2.26 drugs, medical doctors / angiologists 6.37 ± 2.67 (p = 0.005). Overall, 239 (90.5 %) patients were on aspirin, 180 (68.2 %) on clopidogrel, and 18 (6.9 %) on oral anticoagulants. Significantly more patients treated by medical doctors / angiologists received clopidogrel (169 versus 11; p < 0.001), significantly more surgical patients received oral anticoagulants (11 versus 7; p = 0.016). The number of patients without prescriptions for any antithrombotic therapy was 6 (6.9 %) in patients treated by vascular surgeons and 0 (0 %) in patients managed by medical doctors / angiologists (p = 0.001). Prescription-rates of β-blockers, ACE-inhibitors, Angiotensin II-antangonists, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics were statistically not different between the two disciplines, but statins were prescribed significantly more often by medical doctors / angiologists (139 versus 49; p < 0001). With the exceptions of Clopidogrel (women > men) and diuretics (men > women) we observed no gender-specific prescriptions. Conclusions: We observed high prescriptions rates of secondary medical prevention in patients primarily treated by medical doctors / angiologists and vascular surgeons. We believe that this result is highly influenced by our multidisciplinary approach. Nevertheless, efforts have to be made to raise vascular surgeons awareness of statin use and complete prescription of antithrombotic and antiplatelet drugs.
From the Cochrane library: Ginkgo biloba for intermittent claudication
Authors: Nicolaï  , Gerardu  , Kruidenier  , Prins  , Teijink
Published: May 2010

Background: Patients with intermittent claudication suffer from pain in the muscles of the legs during exercise that is relieved by a short rest. Ginkgo biloba extract is a vasoactive agent used for symptomatic relief in intermittent claudication. In this article a meta-analysis is discussed that assessed the effect of Ginkgo biloba on walking capacity in patients with intermittent claudication. Patients and methods: The Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group searched their Trials Register and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in The Cochrane Library. Furthermore MEDLINE/PUBMED (until May 2008) and EMBASE (until May 2008) were searched and manufacturers of Ginkgo biloba extract were contacted. Randomized controlled trials of Ginkgo biloba extract versus placebo in people with intermittent claudication were included. Two authors independently assessed trials for selection, assessed study quality and extracted data. To standardize walking distance or time, caloric expenditures were used to correct for the different treadmill protocols. Results: Eleven trials involving 477 participants compared Ginkgo biloba with placebo and assessed the absolute claudication distance (maximal walking distance). At the end of the study the absolute claudication distance increased with an overall effect size of 3.57 kilocalories ( p = 0.06), for treatment with Ginkgo biloba, compared to placebo. This translates to an increase of 64.5 meters (confidence interval -1.8 to 130.7) on a flat treadmill with an average speed of 3.2 km/h. Conclusions: There is no evidence that Ginkgo biloba has a clinically significant benefit for patients with intermittent claudication.
Treatment of an asymptomatic penetrating aortic ulcer in a young patient
Authors: Hakimi  , Geisbüsch  , Gross  , Hyhlik-Dürr  , Hausser  , von Tengg-Kobligk  , Böckler
Published: May 2010

We want to report and discuss the indication for open surgery for an asymptomatic penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU) in the era of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). A 31-year-old female presented with the diagnosis of an aneurysm in the distal aortic arch. With respect to the patients young age, the controversial status of connective tissue disorders and in the absence of concomitant disease, open repair was indicated. There was no proof of a mycotic plaque or connective tissue disease in the microbiological-, pathological analysis and at electron-microscopy. The patient was discharged on the thirteenth postoperative day. In spite of good preliminary results of TEVAR in PAU, in selective cases there is still an indication for open surgery.
Transarterial catheter embolization of a sarcoma for preoperative conditioning
Authors: Hansch  , Neumann  , Gajda  , Marintchev  , Pfeil  , Mayer
Published: May 2010

This paper presents a case of an undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma/NOS (not otherwise specified; former pleomorphic - storiform malignant fibrous histiocytoma) of the lower leg, of a huge tumor causing ulceration of the cutaneous surface. To improve preoperative conditions, selective transarterial devascularization of the tumor feeders was performed. At operation the tumor was completely ischaemic allowing for clear tumor demarcation with little blood loss during surgery.
Spontaneous pseudoaneurysm of a femoro-popliteal Omniflow® II graft treated with a stentgraft
Authors: Magnetti  , Thalhammer  , Hechelhammer  , Husmann  , Pfammatter  , Amann-Vesti
Published: May 2010

We report the case of a symptomatic spontaneous leak of a biosynthetic graft (Omniflow® II) treated endovascularly with a stentgraft. Potential degeneration of biosynthetic grafts with aneurysm formation is a well known problem with a reported incidence of up to 7 %. Implantation of a stentgraft for treatment of a pseudoaneurysm is a valuable treatment option in native arteries; however its use in Omniflow® II bypass grafts has not been reported so far. Surveillance of peripheral bypass grafts with duplex ultrasound may be helpful to detect morphological alterations of the graft.
Psychische Belastungen bei Krebspatienten und ihren Partnern im ersten Jahr nach Diagnosestellung
Authors: Künzler  , Zindel  , Znoj  , Bargetzi
Published: May 2010

Rationale: Eine maligne Erkrankung kann schwerwiegende psychische Probleme bei Patienten wie auch deren Partnern nach sich ziehen. Ziel: Diese Studie untersuchte Angst, Depression, posttraumatische Symptome und Schuldgefühle bei Patienten und deren Partnern getrennt nach Geschlecht. Methodik: In einer klinisch repräsentativen Stichprobe wurden 248 Krebspatienten und 154 Partner mittels normierter Fragebögen kurz nach Diagnosestellung sowie sechs und zwölf Monate danach befragt. Resultate: Partnerinnen von Krebspatienten zeigten am häufigsten psychopathologische Werte behandlungsbedürftiger Ausprägung (29% Angst, 33% Depression, 17% posttraumatische Symptome). Konklusion: Partnerinnen von Krebspatienten stellen eine Hochrisikogruppe dar für die Entwicklung psycho­pathologischer Symptomatik. Sie sollten mitexploriert und nötigenfalls einer psychoonkologischen Fachstelle zugewiesen werden.