bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in community mental health literacy in older and younger Australians
Authors: Fisher Laura J. , Goldney Robert D.
Published: December 2002

Background

Depression has been traditionally considered to increase with age, although that may be due to sampling of those who have presented with depressive conditions. It is now recognised that patients' understanding of depression and beliefs about its appropriate treatment, mental health literacy, influences treatment‐seeking behaviour.

Objectives

This study delineates depression, recent use of health services and mental health literacy in a random and representative community sample of younger and older South Australians.

Methods

Depression, health service utilisation and mental health literacy were assessed in a random and representative sample of 2010 South Australians. Results for those aged between 65 and 74 years (n=300) and those aged 15 to 24 years (n=521) were compared.

Results

Compared with the younger group, older subjects did not report greater levels of current depression although they were more likely to have seen a medical practitioner in the last 12 months and be taking antidepressants. However, their mental health literacy in terms of recognition of a mental health problem in a vignette was somewhat poorer and fewer recommended treatment from a counsellor, telephone service or psychologist and more considered that a psychiatrist would be harmful. They also more often perceived the clergy as helpful.

Conclusions

Depression was not more common among older than younger members of the community. Despite recognising depression in a vignette less often and perceiving less likelihood of help from several different mental health professionals, those in the older group were more likely to receive antidepressant medication and to have recently consulted a medical practitioner. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparative study of stress and burnout among staff caregivers in nursing homes and acute geriatric wards
Authors: Cocco Ennio , Gatti Monica , de Mendonça Lima Carlos Augusto , Camus Vincent
Published: December 2002

Objective

To compare levels of stress and burnout among staff caregivers in nursing homes and acute geriatric wards of general hospitals.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in three nursing homes (total of 522 beds, 270 caregivers) and nine geriatric sections of general hospitals (total of 371 beds, 280 caregivers). Staff caregivers were asked to answer a four‐part questionnaire made up of socio‐demographic data, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Stressful Events Questionnaire (SEQ).

Results

355 carers (172 from nursing homes, 183 from acute geriatric wards) answered the questionnaire (response rate 66%). Bivariate analysis reveals that general hospital carers show higher GHQ scores, higher MBI—Depersonalisation (DP) and Emotional Exhaustion (EE) sub‐scores and lower MBI—Personal Accomplishment sub‐scores. Stressful Events (as revealed by the SEQ) are more frequently reported by general hospital carers, particularly events related to patients' behavioural disorders. Multivariate analysis shows that general hospital work‐setting, professional role, female gender and patient/carer ratio are significant explanatory variables of a high MBI—EE sub‐score, while general work setting and disability are the best explanatory variables of a high MBI—DP sub‐score. Professional role and general hospital work‐setting are independent factors in a low MBI—Personal Accomplishment (PA) sub‐score.

Conclusion

These results appear to show that levels of stress and burnout among staff caregivers are moderate in acute geriatric wards, but significantly higher than in nursing homes. This suggests that increasing the rate of trained staff and improving staff support—for instance by the implementation of Consultation‐Liaison (C‐L) Psychiatry and/or continuing education programmes—could be needed mostly in acute geriatric wards. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A symmetric boundary element method for the Stokes problem in multiple connected domains
Authors: Reidinger B. , Steinbach O.
Published: December 2002

We consider a symmetric Galerkin boundary element method for the Stokes problem with general boundary conditions including slip conditions. The boundary value problem is reformulated as Steklov–Poincaré boundary integral equation which is then solved by a standard approximation scheme. An essential tool in our approach is the invertibility of the single layer potential which requires the definition of appropriate factor spaces due to the topology of the domain. Here we describe a modified boundary element approach to solve Dirichlet boundary value problems in multiple connected domains. A suitable extension of the standard single layer potential leads to an operator which is elliptic on the original function space. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
General computational strategy to study polymerization reactions at aluminum‐based catalysts
Authors: Talarico Giovanni , Barone Vincenzo , Joubert Laurent , Adamo Carlo
Published: December 2002

Following our previous work, we have tested an effective computational strategy to study olefin polymerization at Al systems. The proposed protocol rests on a combined use of post–Hartree‐Fock and density functional theory (DFT) methods, to obtain the best ratio between accuracy and resource demand. Several Al systems have been treated, selected so as to explore different electronic and structural environments around the metal site. Our results confirm that termination reactions involving hydrogen transfer cannot be reliably described at the DFT level, but this problem can be overridden by our combined approach. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Electronic structure calculations for 2‐D quantum dots and laterally coupled quantum dot molecules in magnetic fields
Authors: Saarikoski H. , Puska M. J. , Nieminen R. M.
Published: December 2002

We computed the electronic structure of a circular parabolically confined 2‐D quantum dot and a quantum dot molecule in an external magnetic field. The modeled systems are a single six‐electron quantum dot and a quantum dot molecule comprising two one‐electron dots. The calculations were done in real space using current and spin density functional theory. The results are compared to those obtained by the quantum Monte Carlo method. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 91: 490–497, 2003
Structure and stability of [C2H4N]+ singlet‐state cations: Comparison between DFT and high‐level ab initio calculations
Authors: Corral Inés , Mó Otilia , Yáñez Manuel
Published: December 2002

The stationary points of the [C2H4N]+ singlet potential energy surface have been characterized by means of B3LYP/6‐311+G(3df,2p) and G2(MP2) approaches. A comparison between both sets of results shows that, although both methods yield similar values for the relative stability of the local minima, they differ significantly regarding the stability of some transition states, in particular those corresponding to 1,3‐H shift processes. This implies that the dynamics of the corresponding reaction may exhibit substantial differences if based on B3LYP or high‐level ab initio potential surfaces. The attachment of N+ to the CC bond of ethylene is preceded by a charge transfer and, as a consequence, a symmetry breaking problem arises. Our results show that inclusion of high‐order correlation contributions through the participation of triple excitations may be crucial. The B3LYP method is not a good alternative to treat this problem due to the spin contamination of the unrestricted treatment. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Examining the Effectiveness of a Community‐Based Self‐Help Program to Increase Women's Readiness for Smoking Cessation
Authors: Turner Lindsey R. , Morera Osvaldo F. , Johnson Timothy P. , Crittenden Kathleen S. , Freels Sally , Parsons Jennifer , Flay Brian , Warnecke Richard B.
Published: December 2002

This study investigated the effectiveness of two components of a smoking cessation intervention: a reading manual and a series of televised programs. Female smokers in the Chicago metropolitan area with a high school education or less were interviewed at 4 different times: baseline, immediate postintervention, and 6 and 12 months. We examined the effects of several baseline measures (race, age, number of cigarettes smoked, and stage of readiness to change) and exposure to the intervention components on subsequent stage of change. Race, baseline smoking rate, baseline stage, and exposure to both intervention components had direct effects on stage at immediate postintervention, with both intervention components increasing readiness to quit. Furthermore, exposure to the manual interacted with baseline stage, such that the manual benefited women at earlier stages more than women at later stages. Effects of both components were sustained at 6 months, and the effects of the manual were sustained at 12 months.
Stability of a Hot Smoluchowski Fluid
Authors: Streater R. F.
Published: December 2002

We study coupled nonlinear parabolic equations for a fluid described by a material density ρ and a temperature Θ, both functions of space and time. In one dimension, we find some stationary solutions corresponding to fixing the temperature on the boundary, with no-escape boundary conditions for the material. For the special case, where the temperature on the boundary is the same at both ends, the linearized equations for small perturbations about a stationary solution at uniform temperature and density are derived; they are subject to boundary conditions, Dirichlet for Θ and no-flow conditions for the material. The spectrum of the generator L of time evolution, regarded as an operator on L2[0,1], is shown to be real, discrete and non-positive, even though L is not self-adjoint. This result is necessary for the stability of the stationary state, but might not be sufficient. The problem lies in the fact that L is not a sectorial operator, since its numerical range is ℂ.
A Shortcut for Constructing Variational Principles for Thermal Fields
Authors: Sieniutycz Stanisław
Published: December 2002

An approach is discussed associated with the description of fields by variational principles involving suitably constructed potentials rather than original physical variables. The considered example is a simple hyperbolic heat transfer, but the approach can be easily extended to the coupled transfer of heat, mass and electric charge. With various gradient, or nongradient representations of original physical fields in terms of potentials (quantities of Clebsch type), action-type criteria can be formulated, and the corresponding Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms can be developed. Symmetry principles can be considered and components of energy-momentum tensor can be evaluated for the accepted lagrangian. The limiting reversible case appears as a suitable reference frame.
Propionic acidaemia with basal ganglia stroke: Treatment of acute extrapyramidal symptoms with L‐DOPA
Authors: Burlina A. P. , Baracchini C. , Carollo C. , Burlina A. B.
Published: December 2002

A 15‐year‐old male with propionic acidaemia developed neurological complications secondary to basal ganglia involvement. Treatment with L‐DOPA had a positive effect on his extrapyramidal syndrome.
Lethal neonatal presentation of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I deficiency
Authors: Invernizzi F. , Burlina A. B. , Donadio A. , Giordano G. , Taroni F. , Garavaglia B.
Published: December 2002

A neonate subsequently diagnosed with carnitine palmitoyl‐transferase I deficiency died at 34 h of untreatable bradycardia. There was fatty infiltration of the liver and increased free carnitine and reduced acylcarnitines in the blood.
The clinically variable R40H mutant ornithine carbamoyltransferase shows cytosolic degradation of the precursor protein in CHO cells
Authors: Mavinakere M. , Morizono H. , Shi D. , Allewell N. M. , Tuchman M.
Published: December 2002

Ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) deficiency is now frequently found in adults with hyperammonaemia affected by mutations that cause partial deficiency of this urea cycle enzyme. One of these mutations (R40H) has occurred in several families and has been found also in asymptomatic relatives. To better understand the phenotypic heterogeneity of this recurrent mutation, we investigated the biological properties of the mutant protein. Using 35S labelling, the import and processing of the R40H mutant OCT protein was investigated in intact CHO cells and in isolated rat liver mitochondria and compared to the wild type and R141Q mutant that causes complete enzyme deficiency. The R40H OCT protein seems to be imported and processed by the mitochondria in a manner similar to that of wild type. However, it is consistently degraded to a smaller fragment in the intact cells, unlike the wild type and R141Q mutant. The mature form of the enzyme is not susceptible to degradation. These data, obtained in CHO cells, suggest that deficiency in OCT enzymatic function conferred by the R40H mutation is likely caused by enhanced degradation of the preprotein in the cytosol. We propose therefore that variation in the rate of OCT turnover is responsible for the heterogeneity of the clinical phenotype in these patients.
Malignant Hyperthermia: An Inherited Disorder of Skeletal Muscle Ca2+ Regulation
Authors: Louis Charles F. , Balog Edward M. , Fruen Bradley R.
Published: December 2002

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a pharmacogenetic disorder of skeletal muscle characterized by muscle contracture and life-threatening hypermetabolic crisis following exposure to halogenated anesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants during surgery. Susceptibility to MH results from mutations in Ca2+ channel proteins that mediate excitation–contraction (EC) coupling, with the ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channel (RyR1) representing the major locus. Here we review recent studies characterizing the effects of MH mutations on the sensitivity of the RyR1 to drugs and endogenous channel effectors including Ca2+ and calmodulin. In addition, we present a working model that incorporates these effects of MH mutations on the isolated RyR1 with their effects on the physiologic mechanism that activates Ca2+ release during EC coupling in intact muscle.
Topology of the Ca
2+
release channel of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (RyR1)
Authors: Du Guo Guang , Sandhu Bimal , Khanna Vijay K. , Guo Xing Hua , MacLennan David H.
Published: December 2002

To define the topology of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1), enhanced GFP (EGFP) was fused in-frame to the C terminus of RyR1, replacing a series of C-terminal deletions that started near the beginning or the end of predicted transmembrane helices M1–M10. The constructs were expressed in HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney cell line 293) or mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells, and confocal microscopy of intact and saponin-permeabilized cells was used to determine the subcellular location of the truncated fusion proteins. The fusion protein truncated after M3 exhibited uniform cytoplasmic fluorescence, which was lost after permeabilization, indicating that proposed M′, M′′, M1, M2, and M3 sequences are not membrane-associated. The fusion protein truncated at the end of the M4–M5 loop and containing M4 was membrane-associated. All longer truncated fusion proteins were also associated with intracellular membranes. Mapping by protease digestion and extraction of isolated microsomes demonstrated that EGFP positioned after either M5, the N-terminal half of M7 (M7a), or M8 was located in the lumen, and that EGFP positioned after either M4, M6, the C-terminal half of M7 (M7b), or M10 was located in the cytoplasm. These results indicate that RyR1 contains eight transmembrane helices, organized as four hairpin loops. The first hairpin is likely to be made up of M4a–M4b. However, it could be made up from M3–M4, which might form a hairpin loop even though M3 alone is not membrane-associated. The other three hairpin loops are formed from M5–M6, M7a–M7b, and M8–M10. M9 is not a transmembrane helix, but it might form a selectivity filter between M8 and M10.
Orthologs of a novel archaeal and of the bacterial peptidyl–tRNA hydrolase are nonessential in yeast
Authors: Rosas-Sandoval Guillermina , Ambrogelly Alexandre , Rinehart Jesse , Wei David , Cruz-Vera L. Rogelio , Graham David E. , Stetter Karl O. , Guarneros Gabriel , Söll Dieter
Published: December 2002

Peptidyl–tRNA hydrolase (encoded by
pth
) is an essential enzyme in all bacteria, where it releases tRNA from the premature translation termination product peptidyl–tRNA. Archaeal genomes lack a recognizable peptidyl–tRNA hydrolase (Pth) ortholog, although it is present in most eukaryotes. However, we detected Pth-like activity in extracts of the archaeon
Methanocaldococcus jannaschii
. The uncharacterized MJ0051 ORF was shown to correspond to a protein with Pth activity. Heterologously expressed MJ0051 enzyme catalyzed
in vitro
the cleavage of the Pth substrates diacetyl-[
14
C]lysyl–tRNA and acetyl-[
14
C]phenylalanyl–tRNA. On transformation of an

Escherichia coli pth
ts

mutant, the MJ0051 gene (named
pth2
) rescued the temperature-sensitive phenotype of the strain. Analysis of known genomes revealed the presence of highly conserved orthologs of the archaeal
pth2
gene in all archaea and eukaryotes but not in bacteria. The phylogeny of
pth2
homologs suggests that the gene has been vertically inherited throughout the archaeal and eukaryal domains. Deletions in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
of the
pth2
(YBL057c) or
pth
(YHR189w) orthologs were viable, as was the double deletion strain, implying that the canonical Pth and Pth2 enzymes are not essential for yeast viability.
Can the Ca
2+
hypothesis and the Ca
2+
-voltage hypothesis for neurotransmitter release be reconciled?
Authors: Parnas Hanna , Valle-Lisboa J.-C. , Segel Lee A.
Published: December 2002

It is well established that Ca
2+
plays a key role in promoting the physiological depolarization-induced release (DIR) of neurotransmitters from nerve terminals (Ca
2+
hypothesis). Yet, evidence has accumulated for the Ca
2+
-voltage hypothesis, which states that not only is Ca
2+
required, but membrane potential as such also plays a pivotal role in promoting DIR. An essential aspect of the Ca
2+
-voltage hypothesis is that it is depolarization that is responsible for the initiation of release. This assertion seems to be contradicted by recent experiments wherein release was triggered by high concentrations of intracellular Ca
2+
in the absence of depolarization [calcium-induced release (CIR)]. Here we show that there is no contradiction between CIR and the Ca
2+
-voltage hypothesis. Rather, CIR can be looked at as a manifestation of spontaneous release under conditions of high intracellular Ca
2+
concentration. Spontaneous release in turn is governed by a subset of the molecular scheme for DIR, under conditions of no depolarization. Prevailing estimates for the intracellular calcium concentration, [Ca
2+
]
i
, in physiological DIR rely on experiments under conditions of CIR. Our theory suggests that these estimates are too high, because depolarization is absent in these experiments and [Ca
2+
]
i
is held at high levels for an extended period.
The patterns of accumulation of cellular RNAs in cells infected with a wild-type and a mutant herpes simplex virus 1 lacking the virion host shutoff gene
Authors: Taddeo Brunella , Esclatine Audrey , Roizman Bernard
Published: December 2002

Cellular RNA extracted from quiescent human foreskin fibroblasts harvested at 1, 3, 7, or 12 h after infection was profiled on Affymetrix HG-U95Av2 arrays designed to detect 12,626 unique human transcripts. We also profiled RNA extracted from cells harvested at 1 and 7 h after infection with a mutant lacking the gene (ΔU
L
41) encoding a protein (
vhs
) brought into cells by the virus and responsible for nonselective degradation of RNA early in infection. We report the following: (
i
) of the 12 tested genes, up-regulated at least 3-fold relative to the values of mock infected cells, 9 were confirmed by real-time PCR. The microchip assays analyses indicate that there were 475 genes up-regulated ≥3-fold. The up-regulated genes were clustered into 15 groups with respect to temporal pattern of transcript accumulation, and classified into 20 groups on the basis of their function. The preponderance of cellular genes up-regulated early in infection play a predominant role in transcription, whereas those up-regulated at later times respond to intracellular stress or concern themselves with the cell cycle and apoptosis. (
ii
) The number of genes up-regulated early in infection was higher in cells infected with the ΔU
L
41 mutant. Conversely, more genes were down-regulated late in infection with wild-type virus than with mutant viruses. Both observations are compatible with the known function of the U
L
41 gene product early in infection and with degradation of cellular RNAs in the absence of replenishment by
de novo
transcription of cellular genes.
Stabilizing the integrin αM inserted domain in alternative conformations with a range of engineered disulfide bonds
Authors: Shimaoka Motomu , Lu Chafen , Salas Azucena , Xiao Tsan , Takagi Junichi , Springer Timothy A.
Published: December 2002

Conformational movement of the C-terminal α7 helix in the integrin inserted (I) domain, a major ligand-binding domain that adopts an α/β Rossmann fold, has been proposed to allosterically regulate ligand-binding activity. Disulfide bonds were engineered here to reversibly lock the position of the α7 helix in one of two alternative conformations seen in crystal structures, termed open and closed. Our results show that pairs of residues with Cβ atoms farther apart than optimal for disulfide bond stereochemistry can be successfully replaced by cysteine, suggesting that backbone movement accommodates disulfide formation. We also find more success with substituting partially exposed than buried residues. Disulfides stabilizing the open conformation resulted in constitutively active αMβ2 heterodimers and isolated αM inserted domains, which were reverted to an inactive form by dithiothreitol reduction. By contrast, a disulfide stabilizing the closed conformation resulted in inactive αMβ2 that was resistant to activation but became activatable after dithiothreitol treatment.
The DNA methyltransferase-like protein DNMT3L stimulates
de novo
methylation by Dnmt3a
Authors: Chédin Frédéric , Lieber Michael R. , Hsieh Chih-Lin
Published: December 2002

Dnmt3L is required for the establishment of maternal methylation imprints at imprinting centers (ICs). Dnmt3L, however, lacks the conserved catalytic domain common to DNA methyltransferases. In an attempt to define its function, we coexpressed DNMT3L with each of the two known
de novo
methyltransferases, Dnmt3a and DNMT3B, in human cells and monitored
de novo
methylation by using replicating minichromosomes carrying various ICs as targets. Coexpression of DNMT3L with DNMT3B led to little or no change in target methylation. However, coexpression of DNMT3L with Dnmt3a resulted in a striking stimulation of
de novo
methylation by Dnmt3a. Stimulation was observed at maternally methylated ICs such as small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N (SNRPN),
Snrpn
, and
Igf2r/Air
, as well as at various nonimprinted sequences present on the episomes. Stimulation of Dnmt3a by DNMT3L was also observed at endogenous sequences in the genome. Therefore, DNMT3L acts as a general stimulatory factor for
de novo
methylation by Dnmt3a. The implications of these findings for the function of DNMT3L and Dnmt3a in DNA methylation and genomic imprinting are discussed.
Protein composition of human prespliceosomes isolated by a tobramycin affinity-selection method
Authors: Hartmuth Klaus , Urlaub Henning , Vornlocher Hans-Peter , Will Cindy L. , Gentzel Marc , Wilm Matthias , Lührmann Reinhard
Published: December 2002

Detailed knowledge of the composition and structure of the spliceosome and its assembly intermediates is a prerequisite for understanding the complex process of pre-mRNA splicing. To this end, we have developed a tobramycin affinity-selection method that is generally applicable for the purification of native RNP complexes. By using this method, we have isolated human prespliceosomes that are ideally suited for both biochemical and structural studies. MS identified >70 prespliceosome-associated proteins, including nearly all known U1 and U2 snRNP proteins, and expected non-snRNP splicing factors. In addition, the DEAD-box protein p68, RNA helicase A, and a number of proteins that appear to perform multiple functions in the cell, such as YB-1 and TLS, were detected. Several previously uncharacterized proteins of unknown function were also identified, suggesting that they play a role in splicing and potentially act during prespliceosome assembly. These data provide insight into the complexity of the splicing machinery at an early stage of its assembly.
An ensemble method for identifying regulatory circuits with special reference to the
qa
gene cluster of
Neurospora crassa
Authors: Battogtokh D. , Asch D. K. , Case M. E. , Arnold J. , Schüttler H.-B.
Published: December 2002

A chemical reaction network for the regulation of the quinic acid (
qa
) gene cluster of
Neurospora crassa
is proposed. An efficient Monte Carlo method for walking through the parameter space of possible chemical reaction networks is developed to identify an ensemble of deterministic kinetics models with rate constants consistent with RNA and protein profiling data. This method was successful in identifying a model ensemble fitting available RNA profiling data on the
qa
gene cluster.
Ten-nanosecond molecular dynamics simulation of the motions of the horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase⋅PhCH
2
O
−
complex
Authors: Luo Jia , Bruice Thomas C.
Published: December 2002

Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out for a period of 10 ns with the dimeric enzyme horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH) present as the reactive complex HLADH⋅NAD
+
⋅ PhCH
2
O
−
. Cross-correlation analysis of the trajectory was carried out with the latter from 500 ps to 10 ns. The resulting cross-correlation map allowed the identification of the correlated and anticorrelated motions, which involve the entire protein. Anticorrelated and correlated motions are carried into the active site-aligned residues.
Vorticity–velocity formulation of the 3D Navier–Stokes equations in cylindrical co‐ordinates
Authors: Hansen Martin O. L. , Sørensen Jens Nørkær , Shen Wen Zhong
Published: December 2002

A finite difference method is presented for solving the 3D Navier–Stokes equations in vorticity–velocity form. The method involves solving the vorticity transport equations in ‘curl‐form’ along with a set of Cauchy–Riemann type equations for the velocity. The equations are formulated in cylindrical co‐ordinates and discretized using a staggered grid arrangement. The discretized Cauchy–Riemann type equations are overdetermined and their solution is accomplished by employing a conjugate gradient method on the normal equations. The vorticity transport equations are solved in time using a semi‐implicit Crank–Nicolson/Adams–Bashforth scheme combined with a second‐order accurate spatial discretization scheme. Special emphasis is put on the treatment of the polar singularity. Numerical results of axisymmetric as well as non‐axisymmetric flows in a pipe and in a closed cylinder are presented. Comparison with measurements are carried out for the axisymmetric flow cases. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anisotropy and depth‐related heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity in a bog peat. I: laboratory measurements
Authors: Beckwith Clive W. , Baird Andrew J. , Heathwaite A. Louise
Published: December 2002

Anisotropy and heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity (K) are suspected of greatly affecting rates and patterns of ground‐water seepage in peats. A new laboratory method, termed here the modified cube method, was used to measure horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kh and Kv) of 400 samples of bog peat. The new method avoids many of the problems associated with existing field and laboratory methods, and is shown to give relatively precise measurements of K. In the majority of samples tested, Kh was much greater than Kv, indicating that the bog peat was strongly anisotropic. Log10Kh, log10Kv, and log10 (Kh/Kv) were found to vary significantly with depth, although none of the relationships was simple. We comment on the scale dependency of our measurements. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structures and vibrations of V3O and V3O−: A density functional study
Authors: Calaminici Patrizia , Köster Andreas M.
Published: December 2002

Density functional calculations of neutral and anionic vanadium trimer monoxide are presented. The calculations were of all‐electron type, employing a newly developed basis set for the vanadium atom. Different isomers of V3O and V3O− were studied to determine the ground‐state structures. For both systems, a planar C2v structure with an edge‐bound oxygen atom was found as ground state. Equilibrium‐structure parameters, harmonic frequencies, adiabatic electron affinity and Kohn–Sham orbital diagrams are reported. The calculated values are in good agreement with the available experimental data obtained from negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy. The correlation diagram between the neutral and anionic V3O shows that, in agreement with the experimental prediction, the extra electron in the anionic system occupies a nonbonding orbital. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Robust nonlinear ship course‐keeping control by H∞ I/O linearization and μ‐synthesis
Authors: Hu Shr‐Shiung , Yang Pao‐Hwa , Juang J. Y. , Chang B. C.
Published: December 2002

In this paper, the H∞ input/output (I/O) linearization formulation is applied to design an inner‐loop nonlinear controller for a nonlinear ship course‐keeping control problem. Due to the ship motion dynamics are non‐minimum phase, it is impossible to use the ordinary feedback I/O linearization to resolve. Hence, the technique of H∞ I/O linearization is proposed to obtain a nonlinear H∞ controller such that the compensated nonlinear system approximates the linear reference model in I/O behaviour. Then a μ‐synthesis method is employed to design an outer‐loop robust controller to address tracking, regulation, and robustness issues. The time responses of the tracking signals for the closed‐loop system reveal that the overall robust nonlinear controller is able to provide robust stability and robust performance for the plant uncertainties and state measurement errors. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social Rights as Human Rights in Europe
Authors: Mikkola Matti
Published: December 2002

This paper seeks to demonstrate the interdependence of civil, political and social rights. It outlines the similarities and differences between the European Convention on Human Rights (‘the Convention’), which emphasises civil and political rights, and the European Social Charter (‘the Charter’), which is largely concerned with social rights, in particular those relating to employment, social protection and health care. It argues that the potential of the Charter for complementing the Convention has only recently been recognised and concludes by discussing whether or not the EU should develop its own charter and by considering some of the problems this will entail.
Tax Benefits in Non-State Pensions
Authors: Sinfield Adrian
Published: December 2002

The significance of the tax system in assisting the development and expansion of non-state pensions has received very little attention at a time when concern has been generally increasing over the costs of public social security programmes, and particularly their pension systems. However, the limited evidence available indicates that the amount of tax revenue foregone in promoting this particular form of saving can be considerable. The distributive implications of the various tax reliefs also tend to be neglected, even though they play an important part in reinforcing inequalities in old age. This article seeks to explore the published information on the nature and scale of fiscal privilege for non-state pensions across countries and examines the way in which one country, the United Kingdom, estimates the costs of these tax benefits. Examination of the detailed evidence raises questions about the workings of these tax benefits in terms of equity and privilege, of cost and value for money. It supports the case for the development of more visible and publicly accountable estimates of these tax benefits, comparable across countries (as with public expenditure), as well as the better integration of tax and public spending in meeting needs during retirement.
Clinical and molecular studies of mitochondrial disease
Authors: Goto Y.
Published: December 2002

Our knowledge of mitochondrial disorders has expanded enormously through advances in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) research during the last decade. This has also provided information about the complicated genotype–phenotype relationship based on distinct characteristics of mtDNA itself. These include multicopy, vulnerability to the mutation, and cytoplasmic inheritance. There are complications of heteroplasmy, tissue/cell specificity, accumulation of mutations and material inheritance.
Combined Vitamins B12b and C Induce the Glutathione Depletion and the Death of Epidermoid Human Larynx Carcinoma Cells HEp-2
Authors: Akatov Vladimir S. , Evtodienko Yury V. , Leshchenko Violetta V. , Teplova Vera V. , Potselueva Margarita M. , Kruglov Alexey G. , Lezhnev Enric I. , Yakubovskaya Raisa I.
Published: December 2002

The combination of hydroxocobalamin (vitamin B12b) and ascorbicacid (vitamin C) can cause the death of tumor cells at the concentrationsof the components at which they are nontoxic when administeredseparately. This cytotoxic action on epidermoid human larynx carcinomacells HEp-2 in vitro is shown to be due to the hydrogen peroxidegenerated by the combination of vitamins B12b and C. The drop inthe glutathione level preceding cell death was found to be the result ofcombined action of the vitamins. It is supposed that the induction of celldeath by combined action of vitamins B12b and C is connected to the damageof the cell redox system.
Social Embeddedness and Psychological Well‐Being Among African Americans and Whites
Authors: Snowden Lonnie R.
Published: December 2002

Using data from the National Medical Expenditure Survey, a household survey of more than 18,000 respondents, this study examined racial and gender differences in social embeddedness, an indicator of community well‐being and social support. The study hypothesized that higher levels of social embeddedness would be found among African Americans than among Whites and that the association between social embeddedness and psychological well‐being would be stronger among African Americans than among Whites. African American men reported themselves more socially embedded overall than White men and, in one instance, their social involvement was especially important in predicting psychological well‐being. African American women were more likely than White women to report attending meetings of churches and community groups, but otherwise were less socially involved than White women. There was no evidence of a difference between African American and White women in strength of the connection between social embeddedness and psychological well‐being. African American social involvement is more selective than previously believed and generalizations must be qualified on the basis of gender.
Assessment of exposure to political violence and other potentially traumatizing events. A critical review
Authors: Netland Marit
Published: December 2002

This paper focuses on the common use of internal‐consistency reliability, testretest, and interrater correlations based on counts of events, events sampling, and factor‐analytic techniques in assessment of exposure to political violence and other potentially traumatizing events. The author attributes the continued use of these strategies to a tendency among researchers to identify items from conventional events lists as effect indicators. Through a discussion of four alternative measurement models, the rationale is provided for the proposition that exposure to political violence and similar constructs should be treated as composite variables with causal indicators, rather than as latent variables with effect indicators.
An Examination of Changes in Disability and Employment Policy in the United Kingdom
Authors: Floyd Mike , Curtis John
Published: December 2002

This paper describes some of the policy changes that have taken place during the last ten years in the United Kingdom with regard to disability and employment. The first part of the paper begins with an account of major changes in the vocational rehabilitation services provided by the government. More recent changes arising from the ‘New Deal for Disabled People’ are also described, together with those affecting training and supported employment. The Disability Discrimination Act is then outlined and, finally, some significant social security benefits for disabled people are considered. The second part of the paper attempts to analyse the values underlying these policy changes. The Consultative Document, which proposes changes in the vocational rehabilitation service, is examined, and this is followed by an analysis of a Social Security Green Paper, and a series of newspaper articles discussing the New Deal. The third part considers other influences on policy, such as the ongoing changes in perceptions of and social responses to disability, including the influence of the ‘social model’ of disability, (party) political influences and the influence of European Union policy and practice in other European countries. The final part offers a brief look at how UK policy is likely to change in the next few years.
Social and Employment Policies for People with Disabilities in Spain
Authors: Verdugo Miguel Angel , Jiménez Antonio , de Urríes F. Borja Jordán
Published: December 2002

This article presents an analytic review of the major milestones in social and employment policies for people with disabilities in Spain in recent decades. It covers labour reforms, action plans for employment, the role of public bodies and disability organisations, and economic and employment protection. In addition, it examines the influence of European policies and guidelines on disability and employment, and their impact on Spanish social and employment policies. The article concludes that there are significant obstacles which need to be overcome. Such obstacles include insufficient political will, lack of information, and the danger of false controversies.
Decreased half‐life of insulin‐like growth factor I in Rabson–Mendenhall syndrome
Authors: Longo N. , Singh R. , Elsas L. J.
Published: December 2002

Rabson–Mendenhall syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder of insulin signalling caused by mutations in the insulin receptor gene. Affected patients are insensitive to exogenous insulin. Insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I), whose receptor is similar to the one for insulin and is not impaired in this condition, is not always effective in these patients. To understand the reason for this failure, IGF‐I concentrations were measured in a patient after subcutaneous injection of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg of rhIGF‐I. IGF‐I concentrations increased only transiently because of the short half‐life (1.3–3 h, compared to a normal range of 17–22 h). No correlation was found between IGF‐I concentrations and glucose or insulin concentrations. The short half‐life of IGF‐I may contribute to treatment failure in patients with inherited insulin‐resistant syndromes.
Mutation analysis in Turkish patients with hereditary fructose intolerance
Authors: Dursun A. , Kalkanoğlu H. S. , Coşkun T. , Tokatli A. , Bittner R. , Koçak N , Yüce A. , Ozalp I. , Boehme H.‐J.
Published: December 2002

Thirteen Turkish patients with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) were screened for the three common mutations, A149P, A174D and N334K, in the aldolase B gene that have been detected frequently in European population. We found that nine of the patients carry the A149P mutation in both alleles, which corresponds to a frequency of about 55%. Single‐strand conformation analysis of all coding exons of the gene was also performed to detect unknown mutations in four patients not carrying the three common mutations. No aberrant migration patterns were observed in these patients.
Lessons learned from the development of enzyme therapy for Gaucher disease
Authors: Barranger J. A. , O'Rourke E.
Published: December 2002

Enzyme replacement therapy for the lysosomal storage disorders derives its impetus from the successes achieved in the treatment of Gaucher disease. After nearly two decades of persistent but unsuccessful efforts, the promise of therapy through enzyme replacement was losing credibility. Then, the fortunate intersection of two different lines of scientific research produced the necessary breakthrough. The dramatic responses to enzyme replacement therapy in patients with Gaucher disease made it immediately clear that this treatment approach was a success. Furthermore, the large number of patients with the disorder guaranteed commercial involvement. The lessons learned from the development of enzyme replacement therapy for Gaucher disease are broadly applicable to other lysosomal storage diseases and will be reviewed in this paper.
Facilitating Interorganizational Collaboration: The Contributions of Interorganizational Alliances
Authors: Foster-Fishman Pennie G. , Salem Deborah A. , Allen Nicole A. , Fahrbach Kyle
Published: December 2002

In an attempt to promote service delivery integration and improve interorganizational collaboration, many recent human service delivery initiatives have included the development of interorganizational alliances such as coalitions and coordinating councils. Despite their popularity, little is known about how these alliances influence interorganizational collaboration, specifically the extent to which they alter the interactions among human service delivery organizations. The present study examined the interorganizational interactions, specifically the exchange relationships, within one county that was implementing two interorganizational alliances—a countywide coordinating council and interagency service delivery teams. Membership on both alliances was associated with broader interorganizational exchange networks. Organizations involved in a coordinating council were more likely to be included in client, information, and resource exchanges, and participate in joint ventures with a broader range of organizations. Providers involved in interagency teams also exchanged clients and information with a broader sector of service delivery organizations than nonparticipating providers. Observational data suggested that both alliances created structures and processes intended to facilitate interorganizational exchanges. Together, these results suggest that the development of opportunities for and encouragement of staff and leader involvement in these types of alliances may be an important part of our attempt to create a more integrated social service delivery system. The implications of these findings for researchers and practitioners are discussed.
Community‐Based Interventions to Reduce Low Income, African American Women's Risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Three Theoretical Models
Authors: St. Lawrence Janet S. , Wilson Tracey E. , Eldridge Gloria D. , Brasfield Ted L. , O'Bannon Robert E.
Published: December 2002

A community‐based sample of disadvantaged African American women (n = 445) was recruited to participate in 1 of 3 theoretically driven experimental interventions based on either the theory of gender and power, social learning theory, or cognitive behavioral theory. Intervention outcomes were compared with a waiting list control condition. From baseline to postintervention, women in the experimental interventions showed differential change on cognitive indices (knowledge and attitudes) and skill acquisition (partner negotiation skills, correct condom application, lubricant selection, and information‐provision to social networks) whereas control participants were unchanged. Women in the 3 experimental interventions also completed follow‐up assessments for 1 year following the interventions. In all 3 experimental conditions, condom use increased relative to the control group and there were no differences between the experimental interventions. Women who participated in one of the theoretically grounded interventions continued to increase condom use over the following year. Women entering new relationships reported significantly more condom use than did women who remained in ongoing relationships. The findings suggest that intervention models that have proven effective for women who engage in high‐risk behavior may be less effective for women in established relationships for whom risk is primarily derived from the extrarelationship behavior of their partners.
A Case Study of the Implementation of Outcomes‐Based Funding Within a Local United Way System: Some Implications for Practicing Community Psychology
Authors: Julian David A.
Published: December 2002

This case study provides an overview of significant organizational change within the United Way system in Franklin County/Columbus, Ohio. Franklin County is a major urban center with a population approaching 1 million. The implementation of outcomes‐based funding proved to be a critical factor that served to promote change within the local United Way system. Adoption of outcomes‐based funding principles resulted in significant shifts in United Way funding and major policy changes. A chronology of events and stakeholder reactions over a multiyear period are reviewed. The implications of this effort to initiate major, system‐level change for the practice of community psychology are discussed.
Posttraumatic stress disorder in a general psychiatric inpatient population
Authors: McFarlane Alexander C. , Bookless Clara , Air Tracy
Published: December 2002

This study examined the incidence of traumatic experiences and prevalence of lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of 141 general hospital psychiatric inpatients. Sixty‐one percent of the patients reported at least one traumatic event during their lifetime and 28% met the formal DSM‐III‐R criteria for a lifetime diagnosis of PTSD. A high degree of comorbidity between PTSD and other psychiatric disorders was found, but PTSD was the incident disorder in at least 50% of cases. The experience of trauma and its associated complex patterns of symptomatology suggest that PTSD complicates the process of recovery from another disorder.
Consistency of self‐reports of traumatic events in a population of Dutch peacekeepers: Reason for optimism?
Authors: Bramsen Inge , Dirkzwager Anja J. E. , van Esch Suzanne C. M. , van der Ploeg Henk M.
Published: December 2002

Doubts have been raised concerning the reliability and the validity of self‐reports of traumatic events. A correlation between the number of inconsistencies in self‐reports and the level of PTSD symptoms has been found. We examine whether these results can be generalized to a population of 137 Dutch peacekeepers who took part in operation UNTAC (United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia). The peacekeepers completed a 16‐item trauma checklist, 3 and 4 years after their return from UNTAC. The test‐retest reliability of the trauma checklist was adequate. Inconsistencies were randomly divided over all respondents and all items and were not correlated with symptoms of PTSD. No increase in the number of reported events over time was found. Earlier findings raising doubts concerning the reliability and validity of self‐report measures of exposure were not replicated in this sample of Dutch peacekeepers.