bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tooth cementum annulation for age estimation: Results from a large known‐age validation study
Authors: Wittwer‐Backofen Ursula , Gampe Jutta , Vaupel James W.
Published: January 2004

Recent research indicates that tooth‐cementum annulations (TCA) may be used more reliably than other morphological or histological traits of the adult skeleton to estimate age. Until now, however, confidence intervals for age estimated by this method have not been available for paleodemographic and forensic applications. The present study addresses this problem. Based on a large known‐age sample, age estimates by TCA were conducted in a blind study involving 363 teeth. Tooth‐root cross sections were made using a refined preparation technique. Improved digital graphic procedures and enhancement strategies were used to produce digital images with a specially adapted software package. This resulted in high concordance between the TCA age estimates and chronological age. Assessment of the method's accuracy, as expressed by 95% confidence intervals, showed that error bounds for age estimates do not exceed 2.5 years. Sex differences, intraindividual correlations, and the effects of periodontal disease were studied. None of these indicators had a quantitative effect on the number of TCA bands when the proposed methodological standard was followed. We conclude that the TCA technique is a reliable method for estimating a subject's age from cementum annulations. Am J Phys Anthropol 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predicting long bone loading from cross‐sectional geometry
Authors: Lieberman Daniel E. , Polk John D. , Demes Brigitte
Published: January 2004

Long bone loading histories are commonly evaluated using a beam model by calculating cross‐sectional second moments of areas (SMAs). Without in vivo strain data, SMA analyses commonly make two explicit or implicit assumptions. First, while it has long been known that axial compression superimposed on bending shifts neutral axes away from cross‐sectional area centroids, most analyses assume that cross‐sectional properties calculated through the area centroid approximate cross‐sectional strength. Second, the orientation of maximum bending rigidity is often assumed to reflect the orientation of peak or habitual bending forces the bone experiences. These assumptions are tested in sheep in which rosette strain gauges mounted at three locations around the tibia and metatarsal midshafts measured in vivo strains during treadmill running at 1.5 m/sec. Calculated normal strain distributions confirm that the neutral axis of bending does not run through the midshaft centroid. In these animals, orientations of the principal centroidal axes around which maximum SMAs (Imax) are calculated are not in the same planes in which the bones experienced bending. Cross‐sectional properties calculated using centroidal axes have substantial differences in magnitude (up to 55%) but high correlations in pattern compared to cross‐sectional properties calculated around experimentally determined neutral axes. Thus interindividual comparisons of cross‐sectional properties calculated from centroidal axes may be useful in terms of pattern, but are subject to high errors in terms of absolute values. In addition, cross‐sectional properties do not necessarily provide reliable data on the orientations of loads to which bones are subjected. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Measuring ligand‐protein binding using NMR diffusion experiments
Authors: Lucas Laura H. , Larive Cynthia K.
Published: January 2004

Characterization of ligand‐protein interactions is important because many biologically important processes are mediated by the binding of a small molecule to an enzyme or cell‐surface receptor. Pulsed‐field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG‐NMR) spectroscopy measurements of diffusion coefficients permit noninvasive, quantitative analysis of binding over a broad range of dissociation constants and ligand:protein concentration ratios. An arsenal of specific and selective PFG‐NMR methods has been developed by exploiting differential behaviors of small molecule ligands and macromolecular proteins. A discussion of several PFG‐NMR methods and their relevant applications reveals the analytical value of using PFG‐NMR diffusion measurements for studying ligand‐protein binding. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 20A: 24–41, 2004.
A comprehensive discussion of HSQC and HMQC pulse sequences
Authors: Mandal Pravat K. , Majumdar Ananya
Published: January 2004

Much of the progress in NMR applications over the last decade has stemmed from the development of proton‐detected, heteronuclear multidimensional spectroscopy. The basic building blocks of the multitude of double and triple resonance experiments available today are the heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation (HMQC) and heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) experiments. The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive, pedagogical description of these two pulse sequences, with the aid of product operator formalism. Building from basic principles, constant‐time experiments, sensitivity‐enhanced techniques and the role of pulsed‐field gradients for coherence transfer pathway selection are explained in detail. This article is intended to be used as a primer for students and researchers seeking a firm theoretical understanding of the fundamental tools of modern NMR pulse sequences. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 20A: 1–23, 2004
Calculations of chemical shieldings: Theory and applications
Authors: Facelli Julio C.
Published: January 2004

This article presents a discussion of the origin of the chemical shieldings, which is followed by a rigorous derivation of quantum mechanical formula for their exact calculation and a discussion of the necessary approximations that make these calculations feasible. Comprehensive information on the resources, software and hardware needed for the calculations is given followed by several examples of actual quantum chemical calculations of chemical shieldings. These examples are used to demonstrate how accurate shielding calculations can be used to help the NMR practitioner to solve practical chemical and structural problems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 20A: 42–69, 2004.
Resolving the enigma of early coastal settlement in the Hawaiian Islands: The stratigraphic sequence of the Wainiha Beach Site in Kaua'i
Authors: Carson Mike T.
Published: January 2004

Archaeological excavation has documented stratified cultural deposits at the Wainiha Beach Site in Kaua'i (Hawaiian Islands), beginning with the occupation of a residential structure dated around A.D. 1030–1400. After about A.D. 1400, the excavated area contains abundant evidence of widespread repeated temporary activities ending in the post‐Contact era (post‐A.D. 1778). The presence of an early permanent residence followed by a later period of temporary activities opposes conventional understanding of a trend from temporary to permanent occupation in similar sites in the Hawaiian Islands. The complete stratigraphic sequence is disclosed here, with reference to formation processes and depositional context of eight major strata documented in a controlled excavation 0.95 m deep. Various human activities (such as digging pits, trampling, etc.) and periodic natural high‐energy events (such as tsunami) appear to have altered the upper portions of underlying deposits. Large sections of the earliest human occupation layer were obliterated, and successive episodes of short‐lived activities created numerous inconsistencies in the stratigraphy. These results have important implications for interpreting the cultural sequence not only at Wainiha but also at other rather enigmatic beach sites in the Hawaiian Islands and elsewhere. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coastal paleogeography and human land use at Tecolote Canyon, southern California, U.S.A.
Authors: Vellanoweth René L. , Erlandson Jon M.
Published: January 2004

A buried archaeological site at Tecolote Canyon provides an ideal case study for relating past human land use patterns to changes in coastal paleogeography. Postglacial sea level transgression, erosion, and other marine and fluvial processes form the context for examining two deeply buried archaeological components excavated at CA‐SBA‐72. Archaeological shellfish assemblages provide proxy data for evaluating the evolution of local marine environments. Pismo clams dominate shellfish assemblages dated to 5800 cal yr B.P., suggesting the presence of a broad and sandy, high‐energy beach environment. At 5500 cal yr B.P., the almost exclusive use of California mussels by humans signals the development of rocky intertidal habitats. During the late Holocene, estuarine species dominate the marine mollusk assemblages at CA‐SBA‐72, reflecting the development of local estuarine conditions or trade with nearby Goleta Slough villages. The buried components at Tecolote Canyon appear to have served as temporary camps for shellfish harvesting and processing. While general changes in coastal paleogeography and human subsistence have been reconstructed for the Santa Barbara Coast, high resolution ecological data from Tecolote Canyon suggest that Native peoples also adapted to localized and shorter‐term shifts in intertidal habitats, changes not evident in most larger or more disturbed surface sites in the region. Linking these changes with shifts in human land use patterns highlights the interaction between humans and a dynamic coastal system. These data demonstrate the importance of small, buried sites in understanding the full spectrum of human subsistence and settlement choices and local environmental change. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reference distributions for complement proteins C3 and C4: A practical, simple and clinically relevant approach in a large cohort
Authors: Ritchie Robert F. , Palomaki Glenn E. , Neveux Louis M. , Navolotskaia Olga , Ledue Thomas B. , Craig Wendy Y.
Published: January 2004

The two serum proteins of the complement cascade in the highest concentrations, C3 and C4, respond to various conditions in much the same manner as do other positive acute‐phase proteins. A major difference is that they are relatively sluggish in response to cytokine drive, requiring several days rather than hours to be detectably elevated by serial measurements. As with other acute‐phase proteins, there are many processes that up‐ or down‐regulate synthesis, including infection or inflammation, hepatic failure, and immune‐complex formation. Clinicians may find it difficult to distinguish among these processes, because they often occur simultaneously. The situation is further complicated by genetic polymorphism, with rare instances of markedly reduced synthesis and circulating levels, and consequent vulnerability to infection. C3 and C4 are measured for clinical purposes to help define certain rheumatic and immunologically mediated renal diseases. Interpreting the measured blood levels of these two components requires one to consider the intensity of the inflammatory drive, the timing of the suspected clinical process, the production of complement‐consuming immune complexes, and the possible existence of benign circumstances. In this fifth article in a series, reference ranges for serum levels of two complement proteins (C3 and C4) are examined. The study is based on a cohort of over 55,000 Caucasian individuals from northern New England, who were tested in our laboratory in 1994–1999. Measurements were standardized against certified reference material (CRM) 470/reference preparation for proteins in human serum (RPPHS), and analyzed using a previously described statistical approach. Individuals with unequivocal laboratory evidence of inflammation (C‐reactive protein of 10 mg/L or higher) were excluded. Our results show that the levels of C3 and C4 change little during life and between the sexes, except that they increase slightly and then fall after age 20 in males and at about age 45 in females. When values were expressed as multiples of the age‐ and gender‐specific median levels, the resulting distributions fitted a log‐Gaussian distribution well over a broad range. When patient data are normalized in this manner, the distribution parameters can be used to assign a centile corresponding to an individual's measurement, thus simplifying interpretation. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:1–8, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flow cytometric study of neutrophilic granulopoiesis in normal bone marrow using an expanded panel of antibodies: Correlation with morphologic assessments
Authors: Elghetany M. Tarek , Ge Yimin , Patel Jyoti , Martinez Joe , Uhrova Hanna
Published: January 2004

Flow cytometry studies of surface markers of neutrophils have been performed mostly on peripheral blood, and for a limited spectrum of diseases. Studying maturation defects on developing neutrophils in the bone marrow (BM) may be helpful in BM diseases, such as myelodysplastic syndromes and Shwachman‐Diamond syndrome. We applied an expanded panel of antibodies to examine normal maturation patterns in 26 control samples of BM together with microscopic correlation. Promyelocytes correlated well with the CD24− and CD11b− populations, and metamyelocytes correlated well with the CD16+ population (intermediate positivity). An excellent correlation was also identified between the sum of bands and segmented neutrophils and each of the following: CD16++ (strong positivity), CD35+, CD87+, and CD64−. Although visually identified segmented neutrophils paralleled CD10 positivity, there was an appreciable difference between both methods. We conclude that neutrophilic granulocyte maturation in the BM is accompanied by a change in surface antigens that reflects certain stages of development. A successful strategy for detecting maturation defects is to include several antibodies that are known to be expressed or absent at the same stage of maturation, such as CD16, CD35, CD64, and CD87. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:36–41, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methods to detect antifibrillarin antibodies in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc): A comparison
Authors: García Josefina Huerta , Osuna Monica Delgado , Castrejon Filiberto Martinez , Enriquez Laura Guzman , Reyes Pedro A. , Hermosillo J. Jesus Cortes
Published: January 2004

Autoantibodies against nucleolar antigens are common in systemic sclerosis (SSc). They include autoantibodies against fibrillarin (Fb), which are serological markers for SSc. Fb is associated with the evolutionally‐conserved box C/D of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). We compared indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), Western blot (WB), and immunoprecipitation (IPP) of total small RNAs assays to determine which of these techniques is most specific for the detection of snoRNPs. We also examined the frequency and specificity of autoantibodies from SSc patients to snoRNAs, snRNAs, and scRNAs, and concluded that 1) IIF can not determine autoantibody specificity against Fb, 2) 36% of SSc sera were false‐negative by WB, and 3) by IPP, anti‐Fb autoantibodies from SSc patients can bind U3, U8, U13, U15, and U22 snoRNAs. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:19–26, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improved method for molecular diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1)
Authors: Erginel‐Unaltuna Nihan , Akbas Fahri
Published: January 2004

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) has been identified as the amplification of a polymorphic (CTG)n repeat in the 3′ untranslated region of a gene encoding a serine/threonine kinase (DMPK). The length of the CTG repeat correlates with clinical severity and the age at onset of the disease. Thus, the ability to perform quick and accurate molecular genetic diagnoses is of great importance to patients and their families. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blots are essential methods for such diagnoses. All previously published methods are based on Southern blots using radioactive probes. Furthermore, the enzymes used for DNA digestion result in larger fragments, which makes it difficult to accurately determine the insert sizes. In this study, we report an improved method for molecular diagnosis of DM1. This method employs an initial screening with PCR followed by Southern blots using nonradioactive probes and TaqI as the enzyme, and provides a much better resolution of the labeled bands. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:50–54, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum cystatin C assay for the detection of early renal impairment in diabetic patients
Authors: Xia Li Hai , Bing Xu Guo , An Xia Tie
Published: January 2004

The ability to assess renal function in diabetes patients rapidly and early is of major importance. This study was designed to determine whether cystatin C can replace serum creatinine as the screening marker for reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in type 2 diabetes patients. The study was performed on 51 type 2 diabetic patients. GFR was estimated by the plasma clearance of 99mTc‐DTPA. The correlation between 99mTc‐DTPA clearance and levels of serum cystatin C, serum creatinine, and creatinine clearance was determined. Sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of renal impairment (defined as GFR<68 ml/min) were calculated by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for serum cystatin C, serum creatinine, and creatinine clearance. The correlation coefficients with 99mTc‐DTPA clearance were −0.744 for serum cystatin C, −0.658 for serum creatinine, and +0.625 for creatinine clearance (P<0.001). With a cutoff value of 68 mL/min, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.891 for cystatin C, 0.77 for creatinine, and 0.753 for creatinine clearance. The AUC was statistically different between serum cystatin C and creatinine clearance (P<0.05). The ROC plot indicates that cystatin C is superior to serum creatinine and creatinine clearance for detecting impaired GFR. Serum cystatin C appropriately reflects GFR in diabetes, and is more efficacious than serum creatinine and creatinine clearance in detecting reduced GFR in type 2 diabetes patients. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:31–35, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
XPS depth profile study of porous zirconia films deposited on stainless steel by spray pyrolysis: the problem of substrate corrosion
Authors: Martin F. , Lopez M. C. , Carrera P. , Ramos‐Barrado J. R. , Leinen D.
Published: January 2004

Zirconia (ZrO2) films of tissue‐like structure and narrow pore size distribution have been deposited by spray pyrolysis using aqueous zirconyl chloride octahydrate (ZrOCl2·8H2O) precursor solutions. Stainless‐steel sheets, protected or unprotected by a ZnO barrier layer, have been used as the substrate material held at 473 K. The ZnO barrier layers have been deposited on the stainless steel held at 523 K by spray pyrolysis using a zinc acetate precursor. Their property of corrosion protection to stainless steel has been proved by electrochemical polarization measurements in 0.5 M NaCl solution. A complementary study of XPS (depth profiling, mapping) and x‐ray diffraction has shown that the unprotected steel substrates were corroded during ZrO2 film post‐annealing in air at T ≥ 773 K, whereas steel substrates protected with a compact barrier layer of crystalline ZnO before ZrO2 film deposition did not show surface corrosion even after annealing up to 997 K. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
XPS depth profile analysis of non‐stoichiometric NiO films
Authors: Oswald S. , Brückner W.
Published: January 2004

Antiferromagnetic NiO films used for pinning layers in spin valve systems were prepared by reactive sputtering from an NiO target with variation of the oxygen/argon mixture in the sputter gas. Using XPS depth profiling we investigated the NiOx overstoichiometry (x > 1) in the films that was found by other methods and the chemical changes in the films during annealing. A direct detection of Ni3+ failed because of strong preferential sputtering with the formation of metallic Ni during sputtering. By means of factor analysis a qualitative description of the overstoichiometry is possible. Indirectly it could be shown that metallic Ni is already formed in the oxide layers during annealing. It can be concluded that the stability of the NiOx films decreases with increasing deviation from stoichiometry (x > 1). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of chromate conversion coating on AA7075‐T6 aluminum alloy
Authors: Meng Qingjiang , Frankel G. S.
Published: January 2004

Chromate conversion coatings (CCCs) on AA7075‐T6 were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam sectioning and scanning transmission electron microscopy with nano‐electron dispersive spectroscopy line profiling. The thickness and composition of the CCC was different at different locations on the heterogeneous microstructure of AA7075‐T6. The coating formed on the matrix phase was much thicker than that formed on the coarse Al–Cu–Mg, Al–Fe–Cu and Mg–Si intermetallic particles. Nano‐electron dispersive spectroscopy line profiling indicated that the coating on the Al–Fe–Cu particles was similar to the CCC formed on the phase matrix, primarily a chromium oxide. However, the coatings on the Al–Cu–Mg and Mg–Si particles were mixed Al/Mg/Cr oxide and Mg oxide, respectively. The growth of CCC followed a linear‐logarithmic kinetic rate law. The observations of this study support the sol‐gel model of CCC formation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure of 4‐biphenylthiolate on Au nanoparticle surfaces studied by UV‐Vis absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Jang Soonmin , Kim Sung II , Shin Seokmin , Joo Sang‐Woo
Published: January 2004

Structure of 4‐biphenylthiolate on Au nanoparticle surfaces has been studied by UV‐Vis absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). 4‐Biphenylthiolate is found to have a standing geometry on Au from the presence of the benzene ring CH stretching band identified at ∼3060 cm−1. The ν8a band at 1597 cm−1 in the ordinary Raman spectrum was found to split clearly into two features at 1599 and 1585 cm−1. This result suggests that orientation of the phenyl rings in 4‐biphenylthiolate may be quite different and should not lie in the same plane on Au nanoparticle surfaces. On the basis of the electromagnetic enhancement factor, the dihedral angle could be estimated with a reported value of the tilt angle. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HREELS signal processing via wavelets
Authors: Charles Catherine , Leclerc Gervais , Rasson Jean‐Paul , Pireaux Jean‐Jacques
Published: January 2004

In spectroscopy, the recorded spectra can often be modelled as the noisy convolution product of an instrumental function with the ‘true’ signal to be estimated. Such models have often been used for high‐resolution electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (HREELS). In this article, a new method is suggested to estimate the ‘true’ HREELS signal, i.e. the original electronic diffusion function with ‘true’ peak intensities. Our method relies upon the use of wavelets that, because they exhibit simultaneous time and frequency localization, are well‐suited for signal analysis.

Firstly, a wavelet shrinkage algorithm is used to filter the noise. This is achieved by decomposing the noisy signal into an appropriate wavelet basis and then thresholding the wavelet coefficients that contain noise. This algorithm has a particular threshold related to frequency andtime.

Secondly, the broadening due to the instrumental response is eliminated through a deconvolution process. This step mainly rests on the existing relation between the Lipschitz regularity of the signal and the decay with scale of its wavelet coefficients and on least squares.

The efficiency of this technique is highlighted by comparing the results obtained with those provided by other published methods.

This work is the second in a series of three papers in this issue. The first one presents background knowledge on the wavelets required to understand the estimation methods. The third paper explores the application of wavelet filtering and deconvolution techniques to x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Noise filtering and deconvolution of XPS data by wavelets and Fourier transform
Authors: Charles Catherine , Leclerc Gervais , Louette Pierre , Rasson Jean‐Paul , Pireaux Jean‐Jacques
Published: January 2004

In experimental sciences, the recorded data are often modelled as the noisy convolution product of an instrumental response with the ‘true’ signal to find. Different models have been used for interpreting x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra. This article suggests a method of estimate the ‘true’ XPS signal that relies upon the use of wavelets, which, because they exhibit simultaneous time and frequency localization, are well suited to signal analysis.

First, a wavelet shrinkage algorithm is used to filter the noise. This is achieved by decomposing the noisy signal into an appropriate wavelet basis and then thresholding the wavelet coefficients that contain noise. This algorithm has a particular threshold related to frequency andtime.

Secondly, the broadening due to the instrumental response is eliminated through a deconvolution process similar to that developed in the previous paper in this series for the analysis of HREELS data. This step mainly rests on least‐squares and on the existing relation between the Fourier transform, the wavelet transform and the convolution product. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlation between hydroxyl fraction and O/Al atomic ratio as determined from XPS spectra of aluminium oxide layers
Authors: van den Brand J. , Sloof W. G. , Terryn H. , de Wit J. H. W.
Published: January 2004

A set of five different aluminium oxide layers has been investigated using XPS. The oxide layers were made by oxidizing aluminium in a vacuum, with an alkaline and acidic pretreatment and in boiling water. Hydroxyl fractions of the aluminium oxide layers ranging from 0.0 to 0.5 were determined by constrained curve‐fitting of the O 1s peak. The O/Al atomic ratios of the aluminium oxide layers, ranging from 1.5 to 2.0, were determined from the O 1s and Al 2p photoelectron intensities. A method is presented to account for the attenuation of the photoelectron intensities by the contamination overlayer. For the studied oxide layers, a linear relation is observed between the hydroxyl fraction and the O/Al atomic ratio of the aluminium oxide layers. It is concluded that the results obtained by the curve‐fitting procedure are reliable. Furthermore, a linear relation is observed between the hydroxyl fraction and the O 1s peak width. The O 1s binding energies of the O2− and OH− components of the oxide layers correspond to 531.0 ± 0.1 eV and 532.4 ± 0.1 eV, respectively. Only pseudoboehmite showed 0.5 eV lower binding energies for these components. Angle‐resolved XPS analysis showed that most of the studied oxides are enriched in hydroxyl groups at their outermost surface. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention for GPs in the assessment and management of depression
Authors: GASK L. , DOWRICK C. , DIXON C. , SUTTON C. , PERRY R. , TORGERSON D. , USHERWOOD T.
Published: January 2004

Background. General practitioners (GPs) can be provided with effective training in the skills to manage depression. However, it remains uncertain whether such training achieves health gain for their patients.

Method. The study aimed to measure the health gain from training GPs in skills for the assessment and management of depression. The study design was a cluster randomized controlled trial. GP participants were assessed for recognition of psychological disorders, attitudes to depression, prescribing patterns and experience of psychiatry and communication skills training. They were then randomized to receive training at baseline or the end of the study. Patients selected by GPs were assessed at baseline, 3 and 12 months. The primary outcome was depression status, measured by HAM-D. Secondary outcomes were psychiatric symptoms (GHQ-12) quality of life (SF-36), satisfaction with consultations, and health service use and costs.

Results. Thirty-eight GPs were recruited and 36 (95%) completed the study. They selected 318 patients, of whom 189 (59%) were successfully recruited. At 3 months there were no significant differences between intervention and control patients on HAM-D, GHQ-12 or SF-36. At 12 months there was a positive training effect in two domains of the SF-36, but no differences in HAM-D, GHQ-12 or health care costs. Patients reported trained GPs as somewhat better at listening and understanding but not in the other aspects of satisfaction.

Conclusions. Although training programmes may improve GPs' skills in managing depression, this does not appear to translate into health gain for depressed patients or the health service.
Assessing mental health in primary care research using standardized scales: can it be carried out over the telephone?
Authors: EVANS M. , KESSLER D. , LEWIS G. , PETERS T. J. , SHARP D.
Published: January 2004

Background. Telephone interviewing has economic and logistical advantages but has not been widely used in the UK. Most studies comparing face-to-face and telephone psychiatric assessment have been carried out in the US, often restricted to a population with known psychiatric disorder and involving comparisons between two separate sample groups rather than repeat interviews with the same group. The aim of the present study was to compare face-to-face and telephone administration of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire and the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule in a UK general practice sample.

Method. Ninety-eight consecutive attenders at two general practices were assessed twice within 48 h. The order of face-to-face and telephone interviews was alternated.

Results. There was no evidence that the mode of administration led to a bias in scores on the CIS-R. For the GHQ, those aged over 60 tended to score higher on the telephone. There was good agreement between face-to-face and telephone scores for both GHQ and CIS-R and good agreement for case definition. Participants had a strong preference for face-to-face interviews.

Conclusions. Telephone assessment of mental health using the GHQ and CIS-R is a reasonable method to be used in primary care research in the UK with the limitation that telephone responses from older people might be different from face-to-face assessments for the GHQ. However, telephone interviewing appeared less acceptable and should probably be used in the context of established or ongoing personal contact between researcher and subject.
Problem-solving in suicide attempters
Authors: POLLOCK L. R. , WILLIAMS J. M. G.
Published: January 2004

Background. Recent research studies on the psychological processes underlying suicidal behaviour have highlighted deficits in social problem-solving ability, and suggest that suicide attempters may, in addition, be passive problem-solvers. The aim of this study was to examine problem-solving in suicide attempters (including passivity) and to see whether the deficits are mood-dependent.

Method. Two groups, a suicide attempter group and a non-suicidal psychiatric control group completed measures of depression, hopelessness, suicidal ideation and social problem-solving ability shortly after admission, and again 6 weeks later. In addition, a non-psychiatric control group provided baseline data at a single time point.

Results. The suicide attempter group displayed poorer problem-solving ability than matched psychiatric controls and this difference persisted despite change in mood. However, although suicidal patients were more passive in their problem-solving style than non-psychiatric controls, they were not significantly more passive than psychiatric controls. Problem-solving did not change with improving mood.

Conclusions. Although passivity is not unique to suicidal patients, in combination with the smaller number and less effective alternatives generated, it may increase vulnerability.
Cognitive functions in depressive disorders: evidence from a population-based study
Authors: AIRAKSINEN E. , LARSSON M. , LUNDBERG I. , FORSELL Y.
Published: January 2004

Background. Most of the available evidence on the effects of depression is based on in- and out-patient samples focusing on individuals suffering from major depression. The aims of this study were to examine cognitive functioning in population-based samples and to determine whether cognitive performance varies as a function of depression subgroup.

Method. Population-based samples (aged 20–64 years) with major depression (N=68), dysthymia (N=28), mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (N=25) and minor depression (N=66) were examined on a variety of cognitive tasks (i.e. episodic memory, verbal fluency, perceptual-motor speed and mental flexibility). One hundred and seventy-five non-depressed individuals served as controls.

Results. The total group of depressed individuals showed impairments in tasks tapping episodic memory and mental flexibility. Of more interest, however, was the observation that the pattern of impairments varied as a function of depression subgroup: the major depression and mixed anxiety-depressive disorder groups exhibited significant memory dysfunction, whereas individuals with dysthymia showed pronounced difficulties in mental flexibility. Minor depression did not affect cognitive performance. Verbal fluency and perceptual-motor speed were not affected by depression.

Conclusions. These results indicate that persons with depressive disorders in the population exhibit cognitive impairments in tasks tapping episodic memory and mental flexibility and that cognitive impairment varies as a function of depressive disorder.
Bulimia nervosa with co-morbid avoidant personality disorder: behavioural characteristics and serotonergic function
Authors: BRUCE K. R. , STEIGER H. , KOERNER N. M. , ISRAEL M. , YOUNG S. N.
Published: January 2004

Background. Separate lines of research link lowered serotonin tone to interpersonal submissiveness and bulimia nervosa (BN). We explored the impact of co-morbid avoidant personality disorder (APD), as a proxy for submissiveness, on behavioural inhibition and serotonin function in women with BN.

Method. Participants included women with BN with co-morbid APD (BNA+, N=13); women with BN but without APD (BNA−, N=23), and control women with neither BN nor APD (N=23). The women were assessed for psychopathological tendencies and eating disorder symptoms, and participated in a computerized laboratory task that measured behavioural inhibition and disinhibition. Participants also provided blood samples for measurement of serial prolactin responses following oral administration of the partial 5-HT agonist meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP).

Results. The BNA+ group had higher scores than the other groups on self-report measures of submissiveness, social avoidance, restricted emotional expression, affective instability and self-harming behaviours. Compared with the other groups, the BNA+ group tended to be more inhibited under cues for punishment on the computerized task and to have blunted prolactin response following m-CPP. The bulimic groups did not differ from each other on current eating symptoms or on frequencies of other mental disorders.

Conclusions. Findings indicate that women with BN and co-morbid APD may be characterized by interpersonal submissiveness and avoidance, affective instability, self-harm, behavioural inhibition in response to threat and lower sensitivity to serotonergic activation. These findings may indicate common, serotonergic factors, associated with social submissiveness, behavioural inhibition to threat and BN.
Randomized controlled trial of Siberian ginseng for chronic fatigue
Authors: HARTZ A. J. , BENTLER S. , NOYES R. , HOEHNS J. , LOGEMANN C. , SINIFT S. , BUTANI Y. , WANG W. , BRAKE K. , ERNST M. , KAUTZMAN H.
Published: January 2004

Background. Chronic fatigue greatly affects quality of life and is a common reason for consulting a physician. Since conventional therapy is often of limited help, fatigued patients may use herbal treatments. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of Siberian ginseng.

Method. Subjects were recruited from advertisements in Iowa (82%) and members of chronic fatigue syndrome support groups (18%). Potential subjects were required to have substantial fatigue [ges ]6 months with no identifiable cause. The mean change in a fatigue measure was compared for placebo and Siberian ginseng at 1 and 2 months. Comparisons were for all subjects and for subjects with characteristics previously identified in the literature as important for categorizing chronic fatigue.

Results. Ninety-six subjects were randomized to treatment groups, and 76 provided information at 2 months of follow-up. Fatigue among subjects assigned to either placebo or Siberian ginseng was substantially reduced during the study, but differences between treatment groups were not statistically significant in the full sample. Fatigue severity and duration had a statistically significant interaction with response to Siberian ginseng at the P<0·05 level. Treatment was effective at 2 months for 45 subjects with less severe fatigue (P=0·04 unadjusted for multiple comparisons) and for 41 subjects with fatigue for [ges ]5 years (P=0·09 unadjusted for multiple comparisons).

Conclusion. Overall efficacy was not demonstrated. However, the findings of possible efficacy for patients with moderate fatigue suggests that further research may be of value.
Modelling the population cost-effectiveness of current and evidence-based optimal treatment for anxiety disorders
Authors: ISSAKIDIS C. , SANDERSON K. , CORRY J. , ANDREWS G. , LAPSLEY H.
Published: January 2004

Background. The present paper describes a component of a large population cost-effectiveness study that aimed to identify the averted burden and economic efficiency of current and optimal treatment for the major mental disorders. This paper reports on the findings for the anxiety disorders (panic disorder/agoraphobia, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive–compulsive disorder).

Method. Outcome was calculated as averted ‘years lived with disability’ (YLD), a population summary measure of disability burden. Costs were the direct health care costs in 1997–8 Australian dollars. The cost per YLD averted (efficiency) was calculated for those already in contact with the health system for a mental health problem (current care) and for a hypothetical optimal care package of evidence-based treatment for this same group. Data sources included the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being and published treatment effects and unit costs.

Results. Current coverage was around 40% for most disorders with the exception of social phobia at 21%. Receipt of interventions consistent with evidence-based care ranged from 32% of those in contact with services for social phobia to 64% for post-traumatic stress disorder. The cost of this care was estimated at $400 million, resulting in a cost per YLD averted ranging from $7761 for generalized anxiety disorder to $34 389 for panic/agoraphobia. Under optimal care, costs remained similar but health gains were increased substantially, reducing the cost per YLD to <$20 000 for all disorders.

Conclusions. Evidence-based care for anxiety disorders would produce greater population health gain at a similar cost to that of current care, resulting in a substantial increase in the cost-effectiveness of treatment.
Stochastic modeling and generation of partially polarized or partially coherent electromagnetic waves
Authors: Davis Brynmor , Kim Edward , Piepmeier J. R.
Published: January 2004

Many new Earth remote‐sensing instruments are embracing both the advantages and added complexity that result from interferometric or fully polarimetric operation. To increase instrument understanding and functionality, a model of the signals these instruments measure is presented. A stochastic model is used as it recognizes the nondeterministic nature of any real‐world measurements, while also providing a tractable mathematical framework. A wide‐sense stationary, ergodic, Gaussian‐distributed model structure is proposed. Temporal and spectral correlation measures provide a statistical description of the physical properties of coherence and polarization‐state. From this relationship, the model is mathematically defined. A method of realizing the model (necessary for applications such as synthetic calibration‐signal generation) is given, and computer simulation results are presented. The signals are constructed using the output of a multi‐input, multi‐output linear filter system, driven with white noise.
HF radio direction finding operating on a heterogeneous array: Principles and experimental validation
Authors: Erhel Yvon , Lemur Dominique , Bertel Louis , Marie François
Published: January 2004

Array processing usually operates on identical sensors. In this paper an investigation is made to apply the direction finding algorithm MUSIC to an antenna array with nonidentical elements (heterogeneous array). This original solution is polarization‐sensitive though it resorts to only one sensor at each point of the spatial sampling. As a major consequence of its structure, the computation of the MUSIC algorithm is based on an expression of the steering vector that integrates the spatial response of each sensor. This concept is then validated in the special context of HF radio direction finding, for which a deterministic model of the polarization at the exit of the ionospheric channel is derived. A multichannel radio receiving system has been developed and experimented using transmitters located more than 1000 km from the receiving site.
Partially soluble organics as cloud condensation nuclei: Role of trace soluble and surface active species
Authors: Broekhuizen K. , Kumar P. Pradeep , Abbatt J. P. D.
Published: January 2004

The ability of partially soluble organic species to act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) has been studied. A Köhler model incorporating solute solubility and droplet surface tension describes the behavior of solid adipic and succinic acid particles, whereas solid azelaic acid activates much more efficiently that predicted. In addition, it was shown that trace levels of either sulfate or surface active species have a dramatic effect on the activation of adipic acid, a moderately soluble organic, as predicted by the full Köhler model. For internally mixed particles in the atmosphere, these effects will greatly enhance the role of organic aerosols as CCN.
Hydrogen peroxide in deep waters of the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Yuan Jinchun , Shiller Alan M.
Published: January 2004

Hydrogen peroxide is a reactive oxygen intermediate that can play a role in a variety of redox cycles. In the ocean, it is generally considered to be dominantly photo‐produced with negligible concentrations in deep waters. We have utilized a highly sensitive analytical method to investigate hydrogen peroxide in deep waters of the North Pacific Ocean. We present evidence that hydrogen peroxide exists in low nanomolar concentrations in these deep waters with an apparent minimum in the depth range of the oxygen minimum. A consideration of possible mechanisms and rates suggests both a short (∼12 day) residence time as well as a biological origin for this deep hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is probably of minor importance to metal cycling in the deep ocean except in low oxygen environments.
Joint modeling of acoustic velocities and electrical conductivity from unified microstructure of rocks
Authors: Kazatchenko E. , Markov M. , Mousatov A.
Published: January 2004

A technique for the joint modeling of the electrical conductivity and acoustic velocities in porous rocks is proposed. The technique is based on the model of two‐component media, composed by grains, which constitute a solid frame and pores saturated by a fluid. For this model we used symmetrical effective medium approximation method that provides the simulation of the acoustic and electrical parameters for multicomponent systems with equally treated constituents. The individual element of each component as a pore or grain was approximated by an ellipsoid. The aspect ratios for grain and pore ellipsoids are introduced as a function of porosity. By applying this technique we performed the calculation of acoustic velocities and electrical conductivity for carbonate formations with a primary pore system. For such formations the experimentally determined acoustic and electrical parameters are described by the empirical regression equations for the P and S wave velocities versus porosity and Archie's law. The ellipsoid aspect ratios were obtained by minimizing the differences of both predicted P wave velocity and conductivity with experimental data. The results obtained demonstrate that electrical conductivity is more sensitive to the pore and grain geometry than acoustic velocities. To ensure the conductivity for the low porosities, the form of pores tends to a needle shape. The simulation technique developed is the base for the petrophysical inversion of well log data to reconstruct the microstructure of porous rocks.
Measurements of N2O isotopologues in the stratosphere: Influence of transport on the apparent enrichment factors and the isotopologue fluxes to the troposphere
Authors: Park Sunyoung , Atlas Elliot L. , Boering Kristie A.
Published: January 2004

Stratospheric N2O is known to be enriched in the heavy isotopes 15N and 18O relative to tropospheric N2O, primarily because of the preferential photolysis of light isotopologues. We present measurements of δ15N, δ18O, and site‐specific δ15N on N2O from 32 stratospheric whole air samples collected by the NASA ER‐2 aircraft between 1997 and 2000 from 62°N to 89°N with N2O mixing ratios ranging from 51 to 313 ppbv. The relationships between the isotopic compositions and N2O mixing ratios show significant differences between aircraft deployments and with previous measurements for N2O < 200 ppbv. The differences between ER‐2 deployments at low N2O are significant at the 3σ level and are due to the effects of transport and mixing. The ratios of enrichment factors for the different isotopologues, however, are the same to within their 1σ uncertainties for N2O > 200 ppbv and N2O < 200 ppbv. The observed isotope:N2O relationships are also used to estimate the fluxes of the N2O isotopologues from the stratosphere to the troposphere given independent estimates of the N2O loss rate. On the basis of the robustness of isotope:N2O relationships for N2O > 200 ppbv we conclude that the fluxes to the troposphere estimated from these relationships and, therefore, the influence of stratosphere‐to‐troposphere transport on the isotopic compositions of N2O in the free troposphere are now relatively well quantified, leaving the isotopic compositions of the N2O sources as the remaining largest uncertainties in the global N2O isotope budget.