bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First principles study of the electronic structure and bonding of Mn2
Authors: Tzeli Demeter , Miranda Ulises , Kaplan Ilya G. , Mavridis Aristides
Published: October 2008

We have examined the electronic structure and bonding of the Mn2 molecule through multireference variational calculations coupled with augmented quadruple correlation consistent basis sets. The Mn atom has a S6(4s23d5) ground state with its first excited state, D6(4s13d6), located 2.145 eV higher. For all six molecular states Σ1g+, Σ3u+, Σ5g+, Σ7u+, Σ9g+, and Σ11u+(1) correlating to Mn(S6)+Mn(S6), and for six undecets, i.e., Π11u, Σ11g+, Δ11g, Δ11u, Σ11u+(2), and Π11g with end fragments Mn(S6)+Mn(D6), complete potential energy curves have been constructed for the first time. We prove that the bonding in Mn2 dimer is of van der Waals type. The interaction of two Mn S6 atoms is hardly influenced by the total spin, as a result the six Σ states, singlet (Σ1g+) to undecet (Σ11u+(1)), are in essence degenerate packed within an energy interval of about 70 cm−1. Their ordering follows the spin multiplicity, the ground state being a singlet, X Σ1g+, with binding energy De (D0)≈600 (550)cm−1 at re≈3.60 Å. The six undecet states related to the Mn(S6)+Mn(D6) manifold, are chemically bound with binding energies ranging from 3 (Π11g) to 25 (Π11u)kcal/mol and bond distances about 1 Å shorter than the states of the lower manifold, Mn(S6)+Mn(S6). The lowest of the undecets is of Πu symmetry located 30 kcal/mol above the X Σ1g+ state.
Color-stable and efficient stacked white organic light-emitting devices comprising blue fluorescent and orange phosphorescent emissive units
Authors: Chen Ping , Xue Qin , Xie Wenfa , Duan Yu , Xie Guohua , Zhao Yi , Hou Jingying , Liu Shiyong , Zhang Liying , Li Bin
Published: October 2008

We have demonstrated two kinds of stacked white organic light-emitting diodes (WOLEDs) employing tri(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum:20 wt %Mg/MoO3 as charge generation layer. White light emission can be obtained by mixing blue fluorescence and orange phosphorescence. Stacked WOLED with individual blue fluorescent and orange phosphorescent emissive units has better color stability and higher efficiency than that with double white emissive units, which is attributed to the avoidance of the movement of charges recombination zone and elimination of the Dexter energy transfer between blue and orange emission layers occurring in the latter. The efficiency of the stacked WOLED is 35.9 cd/A at 1000 cd/m2.
Gyrokinetic microinstabilities in ASDEX Upgrade edge plasmas
Authors: Told D. , Jenko F. , Xanthopoulos P. , Horton L. D. , Wolfrum E. ,   ASDEX Upgrade Team
Published: October 2008

Results of linear gyrokinetic simulations of ASDEX Upgrade [O. Gruber et al., Nucl. Fusion 39, 1321 (1999)] edge plasmas, with experimentally determined geometry and input parameters, are presented. It is found that in the near-edge region, microtearing modes can exist under conditions found in conventional tokamaks. As one enters the steep-gradient region, the growth rate spectrum is dominated—down to very low wavenumbers—by electron temperature gradient modes. The latter tend to peak near the X-point(s) and possess properties which may explain the ratios of the density and temperature gradient scale lengths that have been observed in various experiments over the last decade.
Single crystal growth via a grain rotation mechanism within amorphous matrix
Authors: Fang Jixiang , Kong Peng , Ding Bingjun , Song Xiaoping , Han Yong , Hahn Horst , Gleiter Herbert
Published: October 2008

The molecular dynamics simulations were applied to study the crystallization of Ag from an amorphous matrix. The results show that the spontaneously crystallized nuclei interact with the amorphous phase, undergoing a rotation and realignment process, promote the crystallization of amorphous phase, and finally form a single crystalline nanostructure. Our results not only provide a system for the theoretical study on the amorphous formation and its function in the crystal growth but also break a path for producing single crystals.
Thermal stability of ledge-type L1-FePt/Fe exchange-spring nanocomposites for ultrahigh recording densities
Authors: Goll D. , Macke S.
Published: October 2008

Long-term thermal stability is crucial for magnetic nanoparticles in ultrahigh density magnetic recording. For ledge-type exchange-spring nanocomposites consisting of a hard magnetic L10-FePt part and a soft magnetic Fe part of more extended horizontal size, the minimum energy barriers for thermal reversal between equilibrium states of the hysteresis loops are determined using a nudged-elastic-band path approach. The field dependence of the energy barrier can be described approximately by power laws. It turns out that nanopatterns of isolated ledge-type L10-FePt/Fe composite elements or isolated L10-FePt nanodots covered by a thin Fe film are well-suited in realizing ultrahigh recording densities.
Magnetic cluster size and cluster size distribution study on perpendicular media
Authors: Wu X. W. , Peng Yingguo , Wang Binquan
Published: October 2008

For granular media, the cluster size is closely related to the grain size and, at the same time, strongly affected by the intergranular exchange coupling strength. We develop the minimum-width detection scheme to analyze the magnetic cluster size and cluster size distribution for perpendicular media. We observed that the median magnetic cluster size strongly depends on the intergranular exchange interaction strength. For the exchange decoupled sample, the magnetic cluster size is close to the grain size of 7.6 nm. With increasing magnitude of the exchange interaction, the cluster size increases to about 19 nm for Hex=10 kOe. Similar to the median cluster size, the standard deviation of the magnetic cluster size also increases with increasing exchange interaction strength. However, the fractional standard deviation of the cluster size, defined as the ratio between the distribution and the median cluster size, shows little dependency on the intergranular exchange interaction strength.
Laser drilling induced electrical type inversion in vacancy-doped p-type HgCdTe
Authors: Zha F. X. , Zhou S. M. , Ma H. L. , Yin F. , Zhang B. , Li T. X. , Shao J. , Shen X. C.
Published: October 2008

Femtosecond laser was used to generate micrometer-sized holes in vacancy-doped p type mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe). Characterization by laser beam induced current (LBIC) microscope shows obvious electrical type inversion around each hole. Both the intensity of the LBIC signals and the spatial dimension of the type-inversed regions are well comparable with those of n-on-p HgCdTe photodiodes formed by the conventional ion milling technique. The observation demonstrates the potential of laser drilling to be a new tool in fabricating HgCdTe photodiode arrays.
Investigation of superlubricity in a two-dimensional Frenkel–Kontorova model with square lattice symmetry
Authors: Wang Cang-Long , Duan Wen-Shan , Hong Xue-Ren , Chen Jian-Min
Published: October 2008

A two-dimensional Frenkel–Kontorova model with a square symmetry substrate potential for a square lattice layer driven by an external driving force with an arbitrary direction α and an arbitrary misfit angle θ between upper and lower layers is presented in this paper. The effects of the system parameters have been investigated. The application of our results to the tribology is discussed and the dependence of the static friction force on the system parameters is studied. How to make the material with superlubricity is suggested.
Uniformly dimerized C60 film prepared by deposition under in situ photoirradiation
Authors: Tanimoto H. , Yamada K. , Mizubayashi H. , Matsumoto Y. , Naramaoto H. , Sakai S.
Published: October 2008

C60 films with thicknesses of 100–480 nm were deposited on Si reed substrates under in situ photoirradiation. In anelasticity measurements, no internal friction peaks associated with rotational motions of the C60 molecules were observed, and Young’s modulus was 1.5 times larger than that of a pristine C60 material. X-ray diffraction patterns suggested that the face-centered cubic lattice was contracted by about 3% and locally distorted from the pristine C60 material. Raman spectra very similar to those reported for dimerized C60 were also obtained. These characteristics recovered to those of the pristine C60 materials after annealing the C60 films at 523 K. These results indicate uniform dimerization in C60 films deposited under in situ photoirradiation.
Comment on “Use of Si+ pre-ion-implantation on Si substrate to enhance the strain relaxation of the GexSi1−x metamorphic buffer layer for the growth of Ge layer on Si substrate” [Appl. Phys. Lett. 90, 083507 (2007)]
Authors: Zhou Zhiwen , Li Cheng , Chen Songyan , Lai Hongkai , Yu Jinzhong
Published: October 2008

In a recent letter, Hsieh et al. reported the growth of high-quality Ge epilayers with a SiGe buffer thickness of only 0.45μm, a surface root-mean-square roughness of less than 0.4nm, and a threading dislocation of 7.6×106cm−2 on Si+ pre-ion-implantation Si substrate utilizing of strain relaxation enhancement by point defects and interface blocking of the dislocations. Our comment has focused on x-ray diffraction data shown in Fig. 3 of Ref. 1. We demonstrate that the strain in Ge epilayers is tensile, rather than compressive as misunderstood by the authors.
Food Allergy as Seen by an Allergist
Authors: Cox Helen E
Published: October 2008

The clinical expression of allergic disease is the consequence of a series of complex gene–environment interactions that occur at the materno–fetal interface and throughout infancy, leading to persistence of the Th2 immune response. It has been proposed that atopic eczema is the cutaneous manifestation of a systemic disorder that also gives rise to asthma, food allergy, and allergic rhinitis. The recent emergence of genes regulating epidermal barrier function has raised the question of whether the skin barrier in atopic eczema is defective from the outset, rendering the epidermis “leaky,” thereby increasing the risk of allergen penetration and the succeeding inflammatory reaction that contributes to atopic eczema. Food allergic sensitisation and eczema frequently coexist during the first 2 years of life, and food allergy is more prevalent in infants and children with moderate to severe eczematous inflammation. The majority of food allergic reactions are caused by 8 foods, with milk, egg, and peanut occurring with greatest frequency. The acquisition of food‐specific tolerance occurs predominantly with foods in which the epitopes are grouped together in a conformational structure (milk, egg, wheat, soy), whilst it rarely occurs in patients allergic to foods in which the epitopes are arranged in a linear fashion (nuts, seeds, fish). Better tests and novel therapies, such as immunotherapy and oral tolerance induction, are required for the management of food allergy.
Mapping the minimal regions within the ORF73 protein required for herpesvirus saimiri episomal persistence
Authors: Griffiths Rhoswyn , Harrison Sally M. , Macnab Stuart , Whitehouse Adrian
Published: October 2008

Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) establishes a persistent infection in which the viral genome persists as a circular non-integrated episome. ORF73 tethers HVS episomes to host mitotic chromosomes, allowing episomal persistence via an interaction with the chromosome-associated protein, MeCP2. Here we demonstrate that ORF73 also interacts with the linker histone H1 via its C terminus, suggesting it associates with multiple chromosome-associated proteins. In addition, we show that the C terminus is also required for the ability of ORF73 to bind the terminal repeat region of the HVS genome. These results suggest that the ORF73 C terminus contains all the necessary elements required for HVS episomal persistence. Using a range of ORF73 C terminus deletions to rescue the episomal maintenance properties of a HVSΔ73 recombinant virus, we show that a C terminus region comprising residues 285–407 is sufficient to maintain the HVS episome in a dividing cell population.
Dominant negative mutant cyclin T1 proteins that inhibit HIV transcription by forming a kinase inactive complex with Tat
Authors: Jadlowsky Julie K. , Nojima Masanori , Okamoto Takashi , Fujinaga Koh
Published: October 2008

Transcription of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) requires the interaction of the cyclin T1 (CycT1) subunit of a host cellular factor, the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), with the viral Tat protein, at the transactivation response element (TAR) of nascent transcripts. Because of this virus-specific interaction, CycT1 may potentially serve as a target for the development of anti-HIV therapies. Here we report the development of a mutant CycT1 protein, containing three threonine-to-alanine substitutions in the linker region between two of the cyclin boxes, which displays a potent dominant negative effect on HIV transcription. Investigation into the inhibitory mechanism revealed that this mutant CycT1 interacted with Tat and the cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9) subunit of P-TEFb, but failed to stimulate the Cdk9 kinase activity critical for elongation. This mutant CycT1 protein may represent a novel class of specific inhibitors of HIV transcription which could lead to development of new antiviral therapies.
Genomic sequence and biological characterization of a nucleopolyhedrovirus isolated from the summer fruit tortrix, Adoxophyes orana
Authors: Hilton Sally , Winstanley Doreen
Published: October 2008

Adoxophyes orana nucleopolyhedrovirus (AdorNPV) was isolated from overwintering larvae from an orchard in the UK. The nucleotide sequence of the AdorNPV DNA genome was determined and analysed. The genome contains 111724 bp and has a G+C content of 35.0 mol%. The analysis predicted 121 ORFs of 150 nt or larger. Of these putative genes, 118 were homologous to genes identified previously in the Adoxophyes honmai nucleopolyhedrovirus (AdhoNPV) genome (83.3–100 % aa identity), and three AdorNPV ORFs were unique. There were four small homologous regions that consisted of a similar core sequence and at the same relative positions in the genome as AdhoNPV, but they differed in the number of repeats and orientation. Some genes that have been reported to have major roles in baculovirus biology were either absent or truncated in the AdorNPV genome. These included chitinase, which is involved in the liquefaction of the host, and the C-terminal of the ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase (egt) protein, which was truncated by 149 aa compared with AdhoNPV, with essential amino acids absent. The AdorNPV genome encoded two inhibitor of apoptosis (iap) genes compared with three in AdhoNPV and three bro genes compared with four in AdhoNPV. The susceptibility of A. orana larvae to AdorNPV was evaluated in laboratory bioassays using inoculation by microdroplet feeding and applied dose assays. LD50 for neonates was 56 occlusion bodies rising to 2.3×104 for fifth instar larvae. Median survival time values using an LD80 dose were 8.8 days for neonates and 7.0 days for fifth instar larvae.
Seasonal influence of brook trout and mottled sculpin on lower trophic levels in an Appalachian stream
Authors: CHEEVER B. M. , SIMON K. S.
Published: October 2008

1. In some situations fish have strong top‐down effects in stream communities while in others they seem to be relatively unimportant. Differences in the impact of fish may depend on a variety of factors including the foraging mode of the fish, interactions among fish species and temporal variation in environmental conditions and species interactions.

2. We investigated the effect of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi) on lower trophic levels in Appalachian streams and whether or not interactions between these fish changed their influence. Mesocosms were placed in a headwater stream in a randomized complete block design. Within blocks, mesocosms were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: (i) no fish; (ii) sculpin only; (iii) trout only and (iv) both sculpin and trout. Fish biomass was the same in all three fish treatments. Invertebrate density and algal biomass in mesocosms were determined after 3 weeks. We repeated the experiment in the autumn, spring and summer to test for seasonality of fish effects.

3. The effect of fish on invertebrate assemblages was seasonal and depended on prey identity. Sculpin strongly suppressed grazer abundance in spring while trout had little effect on grazers in any season. The influence of both fish on insect predators was similar and relatively constant across seasons. We found little evidence of an interaction between sculpin and trout that strongly influenced their effect on prey across seasons.

4. None of the fish treatments influenced algal biomass during any of the seasons. Algal growth was also seasonal, with a two‐ to four‐fold increase in algal biomass in spring compared to autumn and summer.

5. Our results indicate that benthic and drift feeding fish differ in their effects on some, but not all prey. Furthermore, fish effects on prey were strongly seasonal for some, but not all prey types. While the temporal context is not commonly considered, our results indicate seasonality can be an important component of predator–prey interactions in streams.
Comparison of surface seismic sources at the CO2SINK site, Ketzin, Germany
Authors: Yordkayhun Sawasdee , Ivanova Alexandra , Giese Rüdiger , Juhlin Christopher , Cosma Calin
Published: October 2008

In 2004 three seismic surface sources (VIBSIST, accelerated weight drop and MiniVib) were tested in a pilot study at the Ketzin test site, Germany, a study site for geological storage of CO2 (EU project CO2SINK). The main objectives of this pilot study were to 1) evaluate the response of the Ketzin site to reflection seismics, especially at the planned injection depth, 2) test different acquisition parameters and 3) use the results to guide the planning of the 3D survey. As part of these objectives, we emphasize the source performance comparison in this study. The sources were tested along two perpendicular lines of 2.4 km length each. Data were acquired by shooting at all stations (source and receiver spacing of 20 m) on both lines, allowing common‐midpoint stacked sections to be produced. The sources' signal characteristics based on signal‐to‐noise ratio, signal penetration and frequency content of raw shot records were analysed and stacked sections were compared. The results show that all three surface sources are suitable for reflection seismic studies down to a depth of about 1 km and provide enough bandwidth for resolving the geological targets at the site, i.e., the Weser and Stuttgart Formations. Near surface conditions, especially a thick weathering layer present in this particular area, strongly influence the data quality, as indicated by the difference in reflectivity and signal‐to‐noise ratio of the two common‐midpoint lines. The stacked sections of the MiniVib source show the highest frequency signals down to about 500 ms traveltime (approximately 500 m depth) but also the shallowest signal penetration depth. The VIBSIST source generates signals with the highest signal‐to‐noise ratio and greatest signal penetration depth of the tested sources. In particular, reflections below 900 ms (approximately 1 km depth) are best imaged by the VIBSIST source. The weight drop performance lies in between these two sources and might be recommended as an appropriate source for a 3D survey at this site because of the shorter production time compared to the VIBSIST and MiniVib sources.
Imaging of offset VSP data acquired in complex areas with modified reverse‐time migration
Authors: Neklyudov D. , Borodin I.
Published: October 2008

A modified reverse‐time migration algorithm for offset vertical seismic profiling data is proposed. This algorithm performs depth imaging of target areas in the borehole vicinity without taking into account the overburden. Originally recorded seismograms are used; reliable results can be obtained using only the velocity profile obtained along the well. The downgoing wavefield emitted from a surface source is approximated in the target area using the transmitted P‐wave, recorded by the receivers deployed in the well. This is achieved through a reverse‐time extrapolation of the direct transmitted P‐wave into the target area after its separation in offset vertical seismic profiling seismograms generated using a finite‐difference scheme for the solution of the scalar wave equation.

The proposed approach produces ‘kinematically’ reliable images from reflected PP‐ and PS‐waves and, furthermore, can be applied as a salt proximity tool for salt body flank imaging based on the transmitted PS‐waves. Our experiments on synthetic data demonstrate that the modified reverse‐time migration provides reliable depth images based on offset vertical seismic profiling data even if only the velocity profile obtained along the borehole is used.
The effect of mineralization on the ratio of normal to tangential compliance of fractures
Authors: Sayers Colin M. , Taleghani Arash Dahi , Adachi José
Published: October 2008

The effect of a fracture on the propagation of seismic waves can be represented in terms of the normal compliance BN and tangential compliance BT of the fracture. If BN/BT= 1 for all fractures, the effective elastic stiffness tensor of an isotropic background containing an arbitrary orientation distribution of fractures is orthotropic (i.e., has three orthogonal planes of mirror symmetry) in the long‐wave limit. However, deviations from orthotropy may occur if BN/BT differs significantly from unity and this can cause the principal axes of the P‐wave NMO ellipse and of the variation in the PP‐reflection amplitude as a function of azimuth, to deviate from the fast and slow polarization direction of a vertically propagating S‐wave. Simple models of a fracture in terms of a planar distribution of cracks suggest that BN/BT≈ 1 for dry fractures. However, naturally occurring fractures often exhibit mineralization in the form of bridges between opposing faces of the fracture. The presence of such bridges leads to significant departures of BN/BT from unity.
Snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin) in aphid honeydew negatively affects survival of a honeydew‐ consuming parasitoid
Authors: Hogervorst Petra A. M. , Wäckers Felix L. , Woodring Joseph , Romeis Jörg
Published: October 2008

1 Insecticidal proteins can be excreted in the honeydew when sap‐sucking insects feed on insect‐resistant transgenic plants. Honeydew can be an important source of carbohydrates, thus potentially exposing a broad range of honeydew‐feeding insects to transgene products.

2 Snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin; GNA) dissolved in a 2 m sucrose solution had no antifeedant effect on female aphid parasitoids (Aphidius ervi) but had a direct negative effect on their longevity.

3 When feeding on honeydew from Rhopalosiphum padi feeding on a GNA‐containing artificial diet, Aphidius ervi suffered a longevity reduction that was more pronounced than was to be expected based on the detected GNA concentration in the honeydew.

4 Analysis of carbohydrate and amino acid composition revealed that a change in honeydew composition caused by a GNA‐effect on the aphids could be a possible explanation for the additional reduction in parasitoid longevity.

5 When comparing the effect of honeydew from Sitobion avenae and R. padi feeding on GNA‐expressing or nontransformed wheat plants on A. ervi longevity, aphid species was found to have a significant effect, whereas the wheat variety had no effect. The latter result was probably due to low GNA expression levels in the plants. Differences in nutritional suitability between honeydew from R. padi and S. avenae could be explained by differences in carbohydrate and amino acid composition.

6 This is the first study to demonstrate that GNA ingested by aphids and transported into the honeydew can negatively affect the parasitoids consuming this honeydew.

7 We recommend that honeydew should be considered as a route of exposure to transgene products in future risk assessment studies.
Somatic Styles of the Early Middle Ages
Authors: Coon Lynda L.
Published: October 2008

‘Somatic Styles’ examines how classical modes of gender played significant roles in carving out competitive arenas between clerical and lay elites, c.600–900 CE. The paper explores the hermeneutical obstacles standing between the contemporary theorist of gender and the complex nature of the early medieval texts under scrutiny. The analysis reconstructs classicising techniques of gender deployed by early medieval churchmen, and it does so in a way that both challenges the stranglehold of the ‘one‐sex’ model on pre‐modern understandings of gender and heals the ‘rupture’ between the ‘Ancient’ and the ‘Dark Age’. Finally, the essay maps early medieval somatic and gendered styles onto an architectural space where lay and consecrated bodies met – a ninth‐century monastic basilica.
Association of acute ischemic stroke with the MTHFR C677T polymorphism but not with NOS3 gene polymorphisms in a Singapore population
Authors: Moe K. T. , Woon F. P. , De Silva D. A. , Wong P. , Koh T. H. , Kingwell B. , Chin‐Dusting J. , Wong M. C.
Published: October 2008

Background and purpose:  The association of polymorphisms in the nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) gene (T‐786C, variable number tandem repeats 4A/B/C, and G894T) and in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene (C677T) with acute ischemic stroke have been reported.

Methods:  First‐time onset acute ischemic stroke patients (n = 120) and controls (n = 207) with no past history of stroke were compared. Allele specific gene amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis were used to determine the genotype and allelic frequencies in both groups. Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and nitrite levels were measured.

Results:  No significant association of NOS3 polymorphisms with ischemic stroke was noted. The TT genotype of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism was significantly associated with ischemic stroke (P = 0.004). Elevated plasma Hcy levels were also significantly associated with ischemic stroke (P = 0.001).

Conclusions:  The TT genotype of C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene contributes to genetic susceptibility of acute ischemic stroke in a Singapore population.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy and multiple sclerosis amongst offspring
Authors: Montgomery S. M. , Bahmanyar S. , Hillert J. , Ekbom A. , Olsson T.
Published: October 2008

Introduction:  An association between parental smoking and multiple sclerosis (MS) in offspring has been reported. This study examined whether maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with MS in offspring.

Methods:  Swedish general population registers provided prospectively recorded information on maternal smoking during pregnancy. The study identified 143 cases with MS diagnosed by 2006 and 1730 matched controls. Subjects were born since 1982 and individually matched by year of birth, age, sex and region of residence. Conditional logistic regression assessed the association of maternal smoking with MS in offspring with adjustment for socioeconomic index.

Results:  Maternal smoking during pregnancy was not associated with MS in offspring, with an odds ratio (and 95% confidence interval) of 0.96 (0.65–1.44). When stratified by paediatric or later MS onset there was no association with maternal smoking in either stratum.

Conclusion:  It is unlikely that smoking during pregnancy represents a risk for early‐onset MS amongst offspring.
Combined Pharmacological and Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Probable Medication Overuse Headache: A Pilot Study
Authors: Altieri M , Di Giambattista R , Di Clemente L , Fagiolo D , Tarolla E , Mercurio A , Vicenzini E , Tarsitani L , Lenzi GL , Biondi M , Di Piero V
Published: October 2008

We studied the effects of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) and pharmacological therapy in 26 consecutive patients with probable medication overuse headache (pMOH). Patients underwent a standard in-patient detoxification protocol, lasting a mean of 7 days. Eleven patients overused non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), five a combination of NSAIDs and triptans, four triptans, four a combination of NSAIDs, and three triptans and ergot derivates. Preventive therapy was initiated during detoxification. The STPP protocol comprised the Brief Psychodynamic Investigation (BPI) and psychoanalysis-inspired psychotherapy. All patients (groups A and B) underwent the BPI and pharmacological therapy. Half of the patients (group B) also not randomly underwent psychoanalysis-inspired psychotherapy. We found a significant interaction between time and group for headache frequency and medication intake. At 12-month follow-up, a statistically greater decrease in headache frequency and medication intake was observed in group B than in group A ( P = 0.0108 and P = 0.0097, respectively). The relapse rate was much lower in group B patients at both 6 and 12 months [15.3%, odds ratio (OR) 0.11, P = 0.016, and 23%, OR 0.18, P = 0.047, respectively] than in group A. The risk of developing chronic migraine (CM) during follow-up was higher in group A than in group B at 6 (OR 2.0, P = 0.047) and 12 months (OR 2.75, P = 0.005). Our study suggests that STPP in conjunction with drug withdrawal and prophylactic pharmacotherapy relieves headache symptoms in pMOH, reducing both long-term relapses and the burden of CM.
Disgust, Offensiveness and the Law
Authors: ARCHARD DAVID
Published: October 2008

abstract  Martha Nussbaum's concern is to limit the role that emotions can legitimately play in the definition of the criminal law. She would allow nuisance laws to curtail the occasioning of disgust but only disgust of a certain kind. Problems arise for her account when she extends this analysis to the prevention of offensiveness. Unavoidable is an evaluation of those beliefs subscription to which explains the taking of offence. Hence the principal problem for a liberalism of the kind Nussbaum defends is how to combine Mill's harm principle with a Rawlsian understanding of the reasonableness of belief.
Emotional Life in Three Dimensions
Authors: CHARLTON WILLIAM
Published: October 2008

abstract  I first summarise Martha Nussbaum's theory of emotion and place it against its historical background. Borrowing distinctions from Plato I then argue that the emotions discussed in Hiding From Humanity affect us primarily as social beings, not as individuals, and suggest modifying and educating them by social means.
Practitioner Review: The assessment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents
Authors: Baroni Argelinda , Lunsford Jessica R. , Luckenbaugh David A. , Towbin Kenneth E. , Leibenluft Ellen
Published: October 2008

Background:  An increasing number of youth are being diagnosed with, and treated for, bipolar disorder (BD). Controversy exists about whether youth with non‐episodic irritability and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should be considered to have a developmental presentation of mania.

Method:  A selective review of the literature related to this question, along with recommendations to guide clinical assessment.

Results:  Data indicate differences between youth with episodic mania and those with non‐episodic irritability in longitudinal diagnostic associations, family history, and pathophysiology. In youth with episodic mania, elation and irritability are both common during manic episodes.

Conclusions:  In diagnosing mania in youth, clinicians should focus on the presence of episodes that consist of a distinct change in mood accompanied by concurrent changes in cognition and behavior. BD should not be diagnosed in the absence of such episodes. In youth with ADHD, symptoms such as distractibility and agitation should be counted as manic symptoms only if they are markedly increased over the youth’s baseline symptoms at the same time that there is a distinct change in mood and the occurrence of other associated symptoms of mania. Although different techniques for diagnosing comorbid illnesses have not been compared systematically, it appears most rational to diagnose co‐occurring illnesses such as ADHD only if the symptoms of the co‐occurring illness are present when the youth is euthymic.
Effects of Intensive Lifestyle Changes on Erectile Dysfunction in Men
Authors: Esposito Katherine , Ciotola Miryam , Giugliano Francesco , Maiorino Maria I. , Autorino Riccardo , De Sio Marco , Giugliano Giovanni , Nicoletti Gianfranco , D’Andrea Francesco , Giugliano Dario
Published: October 2008

Introduction

Limited data are available supporting the notion that treatment of lifestyle risk factors may improve erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim

In the present study, we analyzed the effect of a program of changing in lifestyle designed to improve erectile function in subjects with ED or at increasing risk for ED.

Methods

Men were identified in our database of subjects participating in randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of lifestyle changes. A total of 209 subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. The 104 men randomly assigned to the intervention program received detailed advice about how to reduce body weight, improve quality of diet, and increase physical activity. The 105 subjects in the control group were given general information about healthy food choices and general guidance on increasing their level of physical activity.

Main Outcome Measures

Changes in erectile function score (International Index of Erectile Function-5 [IIEF-5]; items 5, 15, 4, 2, and 7 from the full-scale IIEF-15) and dependence of the restoration of erectile function on the changes in lifestyle that were achieved.

Results

Erectile function score improved in the intervention group. At baseline, 35 subjects in the intervention group and 38 subjects in the control group had normal erectile function (34% and 36%, respectively). After 2 years, these figures were 58 subjects in the intervention group and 40 subjects in the control group, respectively (56% and 38%, P = 0.015). There was a strong correlation between the success score and restoration of erectile function.

Conclusions

It is possible to achieve an improvement of erectile function in men at risk by means of nonpharmacological intervention aiming at weight loss and increasing physical activity.
Multiple Pelvic Floor Complaints are Correlated with Sexual Abuse History
Authors: Beck Jack J.H. , Elzevier Henk W. , Pelger Rob C.M. , Putter Hein , Voorham-van der Zalm Petra J.
Published: October 2008

Introduction

The relationship between sexual abuse and urinary tract symptoms, sexual abuse and gastrointestinal symptoms, or sexual abuse and sexual dysfunction has been described before. A correlation between all these symptoms and sexual abuse has not yet been reported.

Aims

The first aim of this study was to document the prevalence rates of reported sexual abuse in a large sample of female patients with complaints of the pelvic floor. The second aim was to evaluate the frequency of complaints in the different domains of the pelvic floor, such as complaints of micturition, defecation, and sexual function, in female patients reporting sexual abuse, and comparing these data with female patients without a history of sexual abuse.

Methods

Female patients with pelvic floor complaints were evaluated in a tertiary referral center. History taking was assessed by a pelvic-floor clinician. The number of domains with complaints of patients with a history of sexual abuse was compared with the number of domains with complaints of patients without sexual abuse.

Main Outcome Measures

The number of patients who reported sexual abuse and the frequency of complaints in the different domains of the pelvic floor. The number of domains of patients with a history of sexual abuse was compared with patients without a history of sexual abuse.

Results

Twenty-three percent (42/185) of the patients reported a history of sexual abuse. The female patients with a history of sexual abuse had significantly more complaints in three domains of the pelvic floor (35/42) compared with the nonabused (69/143) (83% vs. 48%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Twenty-three percent of the female patients in a pelvic floor center evaluated by a pelvic-floor clinician reported a history of sexual abuse. This is comparable with the percentage of sexual abuse observed in the population at large. In our sample, the patients with multiple pelvic floor complaints (micturition, defecation, and sexual function) related to pelvic floor dysfunction were more likely to have a history of sexual abuse than the patients with isolated complaints.
Cloning of heat shock protein genes from the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, and the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus, and their expression in relation to thermal stress
Authors: Kim Dong Hun , Lee Sang‐Chul , Kwak Do‐Yeon , Lee Kyeong‐Yeoll
Published: October 2008

Three heat shock protein (HSP) genes (hsp70, hsc70, hsp90) were partially cloned from the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens and the small brown planthopper Laodelphax striatellus (Homoptera: Delphacidae), which are serious pests of the rice plant. Sequence comparisons at the deduced amino acid level showed that the three HSPs of planthoppers were most homologous to corresponding HSPs of dipteran and lepi‐dopteran species. Identities of both heat shock cognate 70 and HSP90 were higher than HSP70 in both species. Identity of the HSP70 between the two planthopper species was only 81%, a value much lower than seen among fly and moth groups. Effects of heat and cold shocks were demonstrated on expression of the three hsp genes in the two planthopper species. Heat shock (40 °C) upregulated the hsp90 level but did not change the hsc70 level in either the nymph and adult stages of either species. On the other hand, the hsp70 level was only upregulated in L. striatellus. This heat shock response was prompt and lasted only for 1 h after treatment. In contrast, cold shock at 4°C did not change the expression levels of any hsp in either species.
A suspended cell line from Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera): Characterization and expression of recombinant proteins
Authors: Meng Min‐Juan , Li Tian‐Long , Li Chang‐You , Li Guo‐Xun
Published: October 2008

A suspended cell line from Trichoplusia ni embryos was established, and its susceptibility to Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) infection was investigated. This cell line had characteristics distinct from the BTI‐Tn5Bl‐4 cell line (Tn5Bl‐4) from T. ni in growth, and showed approximately the same responses to AcMNPV infection, production of occlusion bodies, and levels of recombinant protein expression. No clumps were observed at maximum cell density at late‐log phase in shake‐flask or T‐flask cultures, and thus the cells represent a useful new contribution for baculovirus research. The cells consist of two major morphological types: approximately 70% spindle‐shaped cells and 30% round cells. The cell line was highly susceptible to virus infection and produced around 107 AcMNPV occlusion bodies per cell, on average. Production of β‐galactosidase and secreted alkaline phosphatase was high with 3.97 ± 0.13 × 104IU/mL and 3.48 ± 0.40 IU/mL, respectively. This cell line may be applicable for studies of scale‐up production of viruses or baculovirus‐insect cell expression. We also believe the new line can be a source for cell clones with higher production of virus and recombinant proteins compared to the parent or other existing cell lines such as Tn5Bl‐4.
Effect of pine foliage damage on the incidence of larval diapause in the pine caterpillar Dendrolimus punctatus (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)
Authors: Huang Li‐Li , Wang Guo‐Hong , He Zhong , Ge Feng
Published: October 2008

The pine caterpillar Dendrolimus punctatus (Walker) with a larval facultative diapause is one of the most destructive insect pests of the pine tree Pinus massoniana in China. The larvae feeding on pine trees with different damage levels were studied to determine the induction of diapause under both laboratory and field conditions. Developmental duration of larvae before the third instar was the longest when fed with 75%–90% damaged needles, followed by 25%–40% damaged needles and intact pine needles, whereas mortalities did not differ among different treatments under the conditions of 25° and critical photoperiod 13.5:10.5 L:D. At 25°, no diapause was induced under 15:9 L:D, whereas 100% diapause occurred under 12:12 L:D regardless of the levels of needle damage. Incidences of larvae entering diapause when they were fed with intact, 25%–40% and 75%–90% damaged pine needles were 51.7%, 70.8% and 81% under 13.5:10.5 L:D, respectively. Similar results were obtained in the field experiment. Incidence of diapause was significantly different among the pine needle damage levels of pine trees when the photoperiod was close to the critical day length, indicating that the effect of host plants on diapause induction was dependent on the range of photoperiod. The content of amino acid and sugar decreased and tannin increased in pine needles after feeding by the pine caterpillars, suggesting that changed levels of nutrients in damaged needles or a particular substance emitted by damaged pine trees was perhaps involved in the diapause induction of the pine caterpillar.
Nutrition, sensory evaluation, and performance analysis of trans fat‐free nonhydrogenated frying oils
Authors: Hack Danielle M. , Bordi Peter L. , Hessert S. William
Published: October 2008

The American Food and Drug Administration is enforcing the law requiring labeling of trans fats on nutrition labels since January 1, 2006. This law has created a push to reformulate deep‐fat frying oils. Prior to this law, frying oils contained trans fats because they gave oils a longer frying life. In this study, oil performance, sensory evaluation and nutritional analysis were conducted on seven trans fat‐free and two trans fat oils through a 10‐day degradation process using French fries to degrade oil. Sensory ratings of appearance, color, texture and overall liking indicated that fries from blended trans fat‐free oils were preferred. The most stable oils were blended oils based on peroxide value, lovibond color and free fatty acid percentage. Based on these findings, industries considering using the trans fat‐free frying oils should consider blended oils because of excellent oil stability, lower oil usage and sensory panelists' preference.
Am I ‘bovvered’? Driving a performance culture through to the front line
Authors: Fairhurst David
Published: October 2008

Employee engagement in the UK remains stubbornly low. However, by identifying and proactively managing the key drivers of employee engagement, and creating a balanced and meaningful rewards framework, McDonald's in the UK have significantly enhanced the commitment and performance of their workforce.
Cardiovascular Risks of Dipping Status and Chronic Kidney Disease in Elderly Japanese Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Ishikawa Joji , Shimizu Motohiro , Hoshide Satoshi , Eguchi Kazuo , Pickering Thomas G. , Shimada Kazuyuki , Kario Kazuomi
Published: October 2008

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the risk of cardiovascular events and is often associated with the nondipping pattern of blood pressure (BP). We evaluated ambulatory BP, CKD, and the incidence of cardiovascular events in 811 older hypertensive patients. CKD and the dipping pattern increased the risk of cardiovascular events independent of the 24‐hour systolic BP level (CKD: hazard ratio [HR], 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24–4.54; nondippers: HR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.19–3.91; extreme dippers: HR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.17–4.83). However, after adjustment for covariates that included CKD, the risk in nondippers was insignificant (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 0.998–3.34; P=.051), while the risk in extreme dippers remained (HR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.26–5.32; P=.009) (CKD: HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 0.93–3.54; P=.081). Patients with CKD have an increased risk of cardiovascular events. CKD and other cardiovascular risk factors may account for some of the increased risk in nondippers, but it does not explain the higher risk in extreme dippers.
Sex Differences in the Hypertensive Population With Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Barrios Vivencio , Escobar Carlos , Bertomeu Vicente , Murga Nekane , De Pablo Carmen , Calderón Alberto
Published: October 2008

Cardiopatía Isquémica Crónica e Hipertensión Arterial en la Práctica Clínica en España (CINHTIA) was a survey designed to assess the clinical management of hypertensive outpatients with chronic ischemic heart disease. Sex differences were examined. Blood pressures (BP) was considered controlled at levels of <140/90 or <130/80 mm Hg in diabetics (European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology 2003); low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) was considered controlled at levels <100 mg/dL (National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III). In total, 2024 patients were included in the study. Women were older, with a higher body mass index and an increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation. Dyslipidemia, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and peripheral arterial disease were more frequent in men. In contrast, diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy, and heart failure were more common in women. BP and LDL‐C control rates, although poor in both groups, were better in men (44.9% vs 30.5%, P<.001 and 33.0% vs 25.0%, P<.001, respectively). Stress testing and coronary angiography were more frequently performed in men.
Comparison of Stress Intensity Factors of Two Flaws and a Combined Flaw Due to Combination Rules
Authors: Hasegawa Kunio , Shiratori Masaki , Miyoshi Toshiro , Seki Nagatoshi
Published: October 2008

If the flaws detected during in-service inspection are multiple discrete flaws that are in close proximity to one another, the flaws are evaluated as to whether they are combined or not, in accordance with combination rules in the ASME Code. The combination rules require that multiple flaws shall be treated as a single combined flaw if the distance between the adjacent flaws is equal to or less than the dimension of the flaw depth. After the coalescence of the multiple flaws, the flaw length becomes larger and then the stress intensity factor of the combined flaw would be expected to be significantly larger. Stress intensity factors for two surface flaws and a combined flaw under membrane stress and bending stress were analyzed using influence function method. From the calculation results of the stress intensity factors for two flaws and the combined flaw, it is shown that less conservative combination rules are appropriate, as compared to the existing combination rules in the ASME Code.