bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative depth profiling of SiGe‐multilayers with the Atom Probe
Authors: Koelling Sebastian , Gilbert Matthieu , Goossens Jozefien , Hikavyy Andriy , Richard Olivier , Vandervorst Wilfried
Published: June 2010

The laser‐assisted Atom Probe has been proposed as a metrology tool for semiconductor technology to meet the requirements accompanying the analysis of the ever smaller and more complex structures targeted for fabrication. In order to support its routine application, we carried out a quantitative assessment of the performance of the Atom Probe (AP) on semiconductor compound multilayers. We analyzed a silicon, silicon‐germanium multilayer structure with Atom Probe Tomography (APT), SIMS, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and high resolution X‐ray diffraction (HRXRD), and studied the impact of the laser power on the accuracy. Under optimized conditions, the AP outperforms SIMS by a factor of 3 in terms of depth resolution providing a decay length of less than 0.4–0.6 nm/dec whereas the compositions and layer thicknesses are in close agreement with the SIMS, HRXRD and TEM results. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Absolutely determined inelastic mean free paths for 300–3000 eV electrons in 10 elemental solids
Authors: Nagatomi T. , Tanuma S. , Goto K.
Published: June 2010

The inelastic mean free path (IMFP), surface excitation parameter (SEP), and differential SEP (DSEP) were determined for 10 elemental solids by the absolute analysis of reflection electron energy loss spectra (REELS). The obtained IMFPs were compared with values calculated using predictive equations for the IMFP, and it is found that the obtained IMFPs show a fairly good agreement with those calculated by the TPP‐2M predictive equation. The obtained IMFPs were analyzed by the Fano plot and fitted to the Bethe equation, revealing that the obtained IMFPs are well described by the Bethe equation. The obtained DSEPs were compared with the theoretically calculated DSEPs, and the reasonable agreement between the present and theoretical DSEPs was confirmed. The dependence of the present SEPs on the electron energy is found to be described well by predictive equations for the SEP, and material parameters in the predictive equations were determined. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth of thin epitaxial alumina films onto Ni(111): an electron spectroscopy and diffraction study
Authors: Nemsak Slavomir , Skala Tomas , Yoshitake Michiko , Tsud Nataliya , Kim Taeyoung , Yagyu Shinjiro , Matolin Vladimir
Published: June 2010

An epitaxial ultra‐thin alumina layer was prepared on Ni(111) by simultaneous Al deposition and oxidation at elevated temperatures. Different deposition procedures lead to creation of oxide layers of various thicknesses and quality. Low‐energy electron diffraction revealed epitaxial parameters of the films and the relationship between the nickel substrate and the oxide overlayer. Core‐level photoelectron spectroscopy using Al‐Kα and synchrotron‐generated photons show that the oxide‐metal interface is formed by oxygen atoms, which is contrary to the case of epitaxial alumina layers prepared by the oxidation of NiAl(110) and Ni3Al(111) surfaces. The results of a photoelectric work function measurement are also discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The characterization of the interfacial interaction between polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate and aluminum: a ToF‐SIMS and XPS study
Authors: Shimizu Kyoko , Phanopoulos Christopher , Loenders Raf , Abel Marie‐Laure , Watts John F.
Published: June 2010

Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been employed to study the interfacial interaction between polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (PMDI) and aluminum produced by the deposition of a thin PMDI layer on the aluminum, in order to improve adhesion and/or abhesion performance.

When the PMDI concentration increases, the intensity ratio fragments indicative of the reaction product with water (m/z = 106 u: C7H8N+) to that of isocyanate group (m/z = 132 u: C8H6NO+) decreases. A very thin MDI layer on oxidized aluminum samples exhibits lower 106/132 ratio than degreased samples as a result of less hydroxide/hydroxyl species on the surface. This suggests that water reactions occur both at the surface of PMDI and at the PMDI/aluminum interface. The variation of the PMDI chemistry has also been studied by exposing PMDI treated samples to the air for various periods of time (a few hours to 14 days), in order to assess the reaction of the PMDI surface and PMDI/aluminum interface. At the interface, the yield of reaction with water is limited because of the finite amount of hydroxyl groups on the aluminum surface, and the water reaction is completed in a short period of time. However, the PMDI surface continues to react with water from the atmospheric. This methodology was also used to establish the presence of specific interactions at the PMDI/aluminum interface, and a fragment indicative of covalent bond formation between PMDI and aluminum (AlCHNO3−) is observed at the interface. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Porcelain tile surface modification with isocyanate coupling agent: interactions between EVA modified mortar and silane improving adherence
Authors: Mansur A. A. P. , Nascimento O. L. do , Oréfice R. L. , Mansur H. S.
Published: June 2010

Adhesion between tiles and mortar is of paramount importance to the overall stability of ceramic tile systems. The interfaces between ceramic tiles and polymer‐modified Portland cement mortar are derived from several physical and chemical phenomena that take place during their formation. From the chemical perspective, weak forces are expected to occur preferably at the tiles and polymer‐modified Portland cement mortar interfaces. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to promote a new chemical functionalization of ceramic tile surfaces by modifying with isocyanate‐trialkoxysilane coupling agent in order to enhance the interfacial adhesion with poly (ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate), EVA, polymer‐modified mortar. Pull‐off tests and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), using the Attenuated Total Reflectance method, were carried out in order to characterize the system. The bond strength results have provided evidence toward improvements in adherence at the tile–polymer modified mortar interface, thus reflecting the development of urethane linkages between silane and EVA polymer, as detected by FTIR. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the noise properties of a solid‐state SCAPS ion imager and development of software noise reduction
Authors: Yamamoto K. , Sakamoto N. , Yurimoto H.
Published: June 2010

By analyzing the noise characteristics of a stacked CMOS‐type active pixel sensor (SCAPS), we developed a noise reduction method. We also developed a multiple frame‐averaging method based on a correlated double sampling (CDS) between averaged frames, which use the multiple frames collected by nondestructive readout of signals before and after ion irradiation. This method suppresses SCAPS read noise to 11 µV, corresponding to 0.37 ions. Ion transfer and noise performance were evaluated by above method, leading to the confirmation of noise suppression below the level of single ion detection and the expansion of the dynamic range of SCAPS to 102 dB. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of geographic distribution and the nature of technical coupling on the quality of global software development projects
Authors: Cataldo Marcelo , Nambiar Sangeeth
Published: June 2010

Geographically dispersed work is a fundamental trend that has shaped software development in the past few decades. Although researchers have shown that such a trend has its costs in terms of product quality, the past empirical work has neglected to consider the multidimensional nature of geographic dispersion and limited attention has been given to the nature of technical coupling in the context of distributed development. The work reported in this paper seeks to achieve a better understanding of how the quality of systems produced by distributed development projects is impacted by the various dimensions of geographic dispersion and by the forms of technical coupling. We examined 189 software projects from a multinational development organization and our results revealed the various dimensions of distribution that had an independent and complementary impact on the software quality. In particular, we found that projects with uneven distributions of developers across locations were more likely to exhibit higher levels of defects than projects with balanced distributions. Our results also showed that logical dependencies among architectural components are significantly more important for projects than syntactic dependencies. Moreover, considering technical coupling as conditional on project boundaries revealed that internal and external dependencies have a significant and independent impact on the software quality. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Test coverage analysis based on an object‐oriented program model
Authors: Najumudheen E. S. F. , Mall Rajib , Samanta Debasis
Published: June 2010

We propose a novel test coverage analysis technique for object‐oriented (OO) programs. An important novelty of our technique is the use of a single coherent model,Call‐based Object‐Oriented System Dependence Graph(COSDG), which helps in presenting a unified test coverage analysis framework for OO programs. COSDG represents both procedural and OO features. Our technique not only uses the model to identify the different program features that are to be exercised by a test suite, but also captures the executed program features in the model for subsequent coverage evaluation and reporting. During test executions, the model elements corresponding to the executed features are marked. This helps in determining coverageon‐the‐fly, without the need to store the execution traces in a file. We describe the computation of various coverage measures, both procedural and OO, from the model elements. We have implemented our model‐based technique in a prototype tool, named KANZ. The experimental results obtained by using the tool demonstrate the efficacy and efficiency of our technique in determining OO coverage measures. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving the care pathway for women with endometrial cancer
Authors: Jones Kevin D. , Butler‐Manuel Simon A.
Published: June 2010

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynaecological malignancy in the developed world and the incidence is increasing. The authors discuss modern management of the condition, which is best delivered as part of a ‘one‐stop’ service. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Ultrasound predictors of birth weight in euploid fetuses with isolated single umbilical artery
Authors: Bugatto F. , Quintero‐Prado R. , Melero‐Jiménez V. , Fajardo‐Expósito M. A. , Hervías‐Vivancos B. , Bartha J. L.
Published: June 2010

Objective

To evaluate ultrasound parameters, including Doppler assessment, that may influence fetal growth and birth weight in cases of isolated single umbilical artery (SUA).

Methods

Sixty pregnant women with isolated SUA were studied. Doppler measurements of umbilical artery (UA), mean uterine artery (UtA) and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility indices (PI) were recorded and the corresponding Z‐scores were calculated according to gestational age at time of measurement. Additionally, the umbilical vein (UV) to UA diameter and perimeter ratios were calculated. The relationships between ultrasound parameters and customized birth‐weight centiles according to sex and gestational age were analyzed.

Results

There were significant correlations between birth‐weight centile and the Z‐score of mean UtA‐PI (r = − 0.417, P = 0.008) and the UV to UA perimeter ratio (r = 0.567, P = 0.001). A significant positive correlation between Z‐scores of UA‐PI and mean UtA‐PI (r = 0.428, P = 0.007) was also found. When using stepwise linear regression analysis both mean UtA‐PI Z‐scores and UV to UA perimeter ratio were included in the predictive model of birth‐weight centile (R2 = 0.46, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Doppler assessment of mean UtA‐PI and the UV to UA perimeter ratio may be useful in the clinical management of isolated SUA cases by identifying a subgroup at higher risk for fetal growth restriction. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer: achievement and path forward
Authors: Ptak Krzysztof , Farrell Dorothy , Panaro Nicholas J. , Grodzinski Piotr , Barker Anna D.
Published: June 2010

Nanotechnology is a ‘disruptive technology’, which can lead to a generation of new diagnostic and therapeutic products, resulting in dramatically improved cancer outcomes. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) of National Institutes of Health explores innovative approaches to multidisciplinary research allowing for a convergence of molecular biology, oncology, physics, chemistry, and engineering and leading to the development of clinically worthy technological approaches. These initiatives include programmatic efforts to enable nanotechnology as a driver of advances in clinical oncology and cancer research, known collectively as the NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer (ANC). Over the last 5 years, ANC has demonstrated that multidisciplinary approach catalyzes scientific developments and advances clinical translation in cancer nanotechnology. The research conducted by ANC members has improved diagnostic assays and imaging agents, leading to the development of point‐of‐care diagnostics, identification and validation of numerous biomarkers for novel diagnostic assays, and the development of multifunctional agents for imaging and therapy. Numerous nanotechnology‐based technologies developed by ANC researchers are entering clinical trials. NCI has re‐issued ANC program for next 5 years signaling that it continues to have high expectations for cancer nanotechnology's impact on clinical practice. The goals of the next phase will be to broaden access to cancer nanotechnology research through greater clinical translation and outreach to the patient and clinical communities and to support development of entirely new models of cancer care. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2010 2 450–460

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
The Candida albicans cell wall protein Rhd3/Pga29 is abundant in the yeast form and contributes to virulence
Authors: de Boer Albert D. , de Groot Piet W. J. , Weindl Günther , Schaller Martin , Riedel Dietmar , Diez‐Orejas Rosalía , Klis Frans M. , de Koster Chris G. , Dekker Henk L. , Gross Uwe , Bader Oliver , Weig Michael
Published: June 2010

The glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐modified protein Rhd3/Pga29 of the human pathogen Candida albicans belongs to a family of cell wall proteins that are widespread among Candida species but are not found in other fungi. Pga29 is covalently linked to the β‐1,3‐glucan framework of the cell wall via β‐1,6‐glucan. It is a small and abundant O‐glycosylated protein and requires the protein‐O‐mannosyl transferase Pmt1 for glycosylation. Furthermore, Pga29 is strongly expressed in yeast cells but is downregulated in hyphae. Removal of the PGA29 gene in C. albicans leads to a significant reduction of cell wall mannan; however, Pga29 does not seem to have a major role in maintaining cell wall integrity. In addition, adhesion capacity and hyphae formation appear normal in pga29 deletion mutants. Importantly, the pga29 deletion mutant is less virulent, and infection of reconstituted human epithelium with the pga29 mutant results in a diminished induction of proinflammatory cytokines, such as GM‐CSF, TNF, IL‐6 and IL‐8. We propose that the reduced virulence of the pga29 mutant is a consequence of altered surface properties, resulting in altered fungal recognition. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study on the Synthesis and Surface Active Properties of a Novel Surfactant with Triple Quaternary Ammonium Groups and Triple Dodecyl Chains Derived from Glycerin
Authors: Xu Hujun , Chen Dandan , Cui Zhenggang
Published: June 2010

The new triple chain surfactant was firstly prepared by ring‐opening and a quaternization reaction with 2‐(chloromethyl)‐oxirane, tertiary amine and propane‐1,2,3‐triol as starting materials. The surfactant was characterized by MS and elementary analysis. Air–Liquid surface tension was measured by using a tensiometer at temperatures from 298 to 318 K respectively and in various salt solutions (NaX). The results show that with the increase of temperature, the values of critical micelle concentration (cmc) can achieve a minimum at 308 K. The maximum surface adsorption capacity Γ decreases, while the minimum molecule Amin area increases. With the increase in temperature and the decrease in counterionic diameter, the values of cmc decrease from 8.09 × 10−5 to 5.52 × 10−5 mol/L, and the adsorption capacity Γ increase from 1.80 × 10−10 to 2.74 × 10−10 mol/m2, while there are almost no influences to surface tension (γcmc). The free energy of micelle formation is negative (−85.2 to −92.0 kJ/mol).
Oxidative Modification and Poor Protective Activity of HDL on LDL Oxidation in Thalassemia
Authors: Unchern Supeenun , Laohareungpanya Narumon , Sanvarinda Yupin , Pattanapanyasat Kovit , Tanratana Pansakorn , Chantharaksri Udom , Sibmooh Nathawut
Published: June 2010

Oxidative modification of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) has been reported in thalassemia, which is a consequence of oxidative stress. However, the levels of oxidized high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) in thalassemia have not been evaluated and it is unclear whether HDL oxidation may be linked to LDL oxidation. In this study, the levels of total cholesterol, iron, protein, conjugated diene (CD), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) were determined in HDL from healthy volunteers and patients with β‐thalassemia intermedia with hemoglobin E (β‐thal/Hb E). The protective activity of thalassemic HDL on LDL oxidation was also investigated. The iron content of HDL2 and HDL3 from β‐thal/HbE patients was higher while the cholesterol content was lower than those in healthy volunteers. Thalassemic HDL2 and HDL3 had increased levels of lipid peroxidation markers i.e., conjugated diene, LOOH, and TBARs. Thalassemic HDL had lower peroxidase activity than control HDL and was unable to protect LDL from oxidation induced by CuSO4. Our findings highlight the oxidative modification and poor protective activity of thalassemic HDL on LDL oxidation which may contribute to cardiovascular complications in thalassemia.
Cognitive functioning in a population-based sample of young adults with anxiety disorders
Authors: Castaneda A.E. , Suvisaari J. , Marttunen M. , Perälä J. , Saarni S.I. , Aalto-Setälä T. , Lönnqvist J. , Tuulio-Henriksson A.
Published: June 2010

Objective

Cognitive functioning in anxiety disorders has received little investigation, particularly among young adults and in non-clinical samples. The present study examined cognitive functioning in a population-based sample of young adults with anxiety disorders in comparison to healthy peers.

Methods

A population-based sample of 21–35-year-olds with a lifetime history of anxiety disorders (n= 75) and a random sample of healthy controls (n= 71) derived from the same population were compared in terms of performance in neuropsychological tests measuring verbal and visual short-term memory, verbal long-term memory, attention, psychomotor processing speed, and executive functioning.

Results

In general, young adults with anxiety disorders did not have major cognitive impairments when compared to healthy peers. When participants with anxiety disorder in remission were excluded, persons with current anxiety disorder scored lower in visual working memory tests. Current psychotropic medication use and low current psychosocial functioning associated with deficits in executive functioning, psychomotor processing speed, and visual short-term memory.

Conclusions

Lifetime history of anxiety disorders is not associated with cognitive impairment among young adults in the general population. However, among persons with anxiety disorders, current psychotropic medication use and low psychosocial functioning, indicating more severe symptoms, may associate with cognitive impairments.
Classification and management of extensive obstetric perineal injuries in the Czech and Slovak Republics
Authors: Zahumensky Jozef , Menzlova Erika , Korbel Miroslav , Zmrhalova Barbora , Vasicka Ian , Sottner Oldrich
Published: June 2010

Objective

To assess the classification, repair, and follow up of extensive obstetric perineal injuries in the Czech and Slovak Republics.

Methods

A survey conducted in 2009 using questionnaires distributed to obstetric departments regarding classification and management of obstetric perineal injuries.

Results

Although 15 centers in the Czech Republic and 2 in the Slovak Republic indicated use of a 4‐degree classification system, none of these centers reported using the classification accepted by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Use of a 3‐degree classification system in accordance with definitions in Czech textbooks was reported by 14 Czech and 3 Slovak maternity hospitals. There was significant heterogeneity in clinical practice regarding techniques to repair extensive obstetric perineal injuries, antibiotic prophylaxis, early postpartum care, and follow up.

Conclusions

There is great inconsistency in the classification and management of extensive obstetric perineal injuries. Uniform recommendations should be created and accepted, not only in the Czech and Slovak Republics, but worldwide.
Losses, gains, and brains: Neuroeconomics can help to answer open questions about loss aversion
Authors: Rick Scott
Published: June 2010

Much is understood about loss aversion (the tendency for losses to have greater hedonic impact than comparable gains), but open questions remain. First, there is debate about whether loss aversion is best understood as the byproduct of a single system within the brain that treats losses and gains asymmetrically or the interaction of separate deliberative and emotional systems. Second, some have questioned whether loss aversion alone is the best account for the endowment effect. Alternative accounts, based on the differential focus induced by buying versus selling, the order in which buyers and sellers consider positive and negative aspects of the good, the extent to which ownership induces liking, and the desire to avoid making a bad deal, have been proposed. Third, it is unclear whether losses are actually experienced more intensely than comparable gains, or whether people simply behave as if they were. Some have argued that loss aversion is nothing more than an affective forecasting error, while others have argued that there are many situations in which losses are actually more impactful than comparable gains. This review synthesizes the insights that behavioral researchers and neuroeconomists have contributed to each debate, and highlights potential avenues for future research.
Evidence for progressive Holocene aridification in southern Africa recorded in Namibian hyrax middens: Implications for African Monsoon dynamics and the ‘‘African Humid Period’’
Authors: Chase Brian M. , Meadows Michael E. , Carr Andrew S. , Reimer Paula J.
Published: June 2010

Presented here are stable nitrogen isotope data from a rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) middens from northwestern Namibia that record a series of rapid aridification events beginning at ca. 3800 cal yr BP, and which mark a progressive decrease in regional humidity across the Holocene. Strong correlations exist between this record and other terrestrial and marine archives from southern Africa, indicating that the observed pattern of climate change is regionally coherent. Combined, these data indicate hemispheric synchrony in tropical African climate change during the Holocene, with similar trends characterising the termination of the ‘African Humid Period’ (AHP) in both the northern and southern tropics. These findings run counter to the widely accepted model of direct low-latitude insolation forcing, which requires an anti-phase relationship to exist between the hemispheres. The combined dataset highlights: 1) the importance of forcing mechanisms influencing the high northern latitudes in effecting low-latitude climate change in Africa, and 2) the potential importance of solar forcing and variations in the Earth's geomagnetic shield in determining both long-term and rapid centennial-scale climate changes, identifying a possible mechanism for the variations marking the AHP termination in both the southern and northern tropics.
Holocene paleoenvironmental changes inferred from diatom assemblages in sediments of Kusawa Lake, Yukon Territory, Canada
Authors: Chakraborty Krish , Finkelstein Sarah A. , Desloges Joseph R. , Chow Nicole A.
Published: June 2010

The southwest Yukon Territory, Canada, is an important region for recovering sensitive records of Holocene paleoclimatic change. More information is needed, however, to constrain the timing of the major Holocene climatic transitions, and to understand associated impacts on different ecosystems. For example, paleolimnological studies have focused on small lakes and ponds, but the history of large lakes has received little study. We analyzed diatom assemblages, species richness, valve concentrations, and biogenic silica, in the sediments of Kusawa Lake (60°16.5'N; 136°10.9'W; 671 m a.s.l.) to reconstruct the responses of this large (surface area = 142 km2), deep (Zmax= 135 m) freshwater ecosystem to Holocene climatic transitions. Diatoms colonized the lake soon after ice retreat, around 11,000 cal yr BP; assemblages throughout the record were dominated by planktonic types. Diatom concentrations and biogenic silica were high during the Holocene Thermal Maximum between 10,700 and 7300 cal yr BP, then began to decrease in response to cooling associated with orbitally driven reductions in insolation. Diatom assemblages shifted towards taxa with lower surface water temperature optima after 8300 cal yr BP, perhaps in response to abrupt and progressive cooling. Our study confirms that diatom assemblages in large lakes are sensitive to regional-scale paleoclimatic changes.
S14-01 Geographical Variations for Addiction Risk Among Dually Diagnosed People Cared in Parallel Systems
Authors: Carrà G. , Segagni Lusignani G. , Sciarini P. , Borrelli P. , Popa I. , Montomoli C. , Clerici M.
Published: June 2010

Objective

Concerns are growing from increasing prevalence rates for comorbid substance misuse and mental illness. Along with understanding which clinical populations are at high risk, an epidemiologically informed approach is needed to assess effectiveness of established service delivery. The aims of the study is to investigate the risk of developing an alcohol and other psychoactive substances dependence syndrome according to area of residence.

Method

A cross-sectional survey design was used analysing data from the Psychiatric and Addictive Dual Disorders in Italy Study. Staff rating was used to assess comorbid substance use.

Results

Significant differences were found between different geographical areas (Northern vs. Centre vs. Southern Italy). Peculiar diagnostic subgroups showed higher risk to develop such comorbid condition, whilst a number of clinical and sociodemographic variables, including area of residence, were associated with the risk to develop a dependence syndrome.

Conclusions

High comorbid rates do not seem necessarily the direct result of biological features inherent in schizophrenia, but social factors play an important role. A number of risk factors associated with dual diagnosis could build up an evidence base about how many people with dual diagnosis present and what the nature of their substance use is, providing targeted service planning and policy making. The higher risk of developing a dependence syndrome as associated with area of residence, could be considered as a reliable proxy measure of effective integration between mental health and addiction services. There is the need for implementing appropriate shared programmes to fill this gap in targeted areas.
S12-01 - ADHD In Adults: Is there a Relationship Between Obesity and Circadian Based Sleep Disturbances?
Authors: Kooij J.J.S. , van Veen M.M. , Boonstra A.M.
Published: June 2010

Objective

The scope of this presentation is to investigate the possible relationship between a delayed sleep phase and the timing of other activities, like meals and other disturbances of eating habits.

Methods

The literature will be reviewed and preliminary data from own research regarding these associations will be presented.

Results

The delayed sleep phase has been shown to occur in many children and in around 80% of adults with ADHD (Van Veen ea, accepted for publication, 2009). Adult patients with ADHD who get up relatively too early according to their biological clock, tend to skip breakfast. Skipping breakfast is associated with binge eating in the afternoon; both binge eating and skipping breakfast are associated with overweight and obesity. According to the literature, the prevalence of ADHD and sleepproblems is increased in obese patients; the higher the BMI, the higher the chance of ADHD.

Conclusions

ADHD and the very frequently comorbid delayed sleep phase disorder may be associated with a delayed timing of meals that may lead to overweight and obesity.
S32-01 - Dysfunction in Reward Learning and Therapeutic Consequences
Authors: Heinz A.
Published: June 2010

Alcohol stimulates dopamine release and chronic intake is associated with neuroadaptation in the brain reward system. Previous studies described

1)

increased brain activation following the presentation of alcohol-associated stimuli, which was directly correlated with dopamine D2 receptor reductions in the ventral striatum, and

2)

a decreased response to stimuli that predict non-alcohol (e.g. monetary) rewards.

This alteration of brain responses to alcohol-associated versus non-alcohol cues may result from altered reward-associated learning in alcoholism. Indeed, alcohol-dependent patients displayed a decreased learning rate and performeance in a probabilistic reversal task. A brain imaging study revealed that the decreased learning rate was associated with impaired prefrontal-striatal connectivity during reward-dependent reversal learning. These results point to deficits in reward-associated learning, which contribute to alcohol craving. Since such reward-associated learning deficits can interfere with learning of new, non-alcohol associated behavior, cognitive behavior therapy may profit from taking such learning speed impairments into account.
S20-02 - Associative Learning and Context Processing Abilities in Bipolar Disorders
Authors: Brambilla P.
Published: June 2010

Background

Schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BP) share commonalities in genetic vulnerability and impaired cognition. Understanding of shared and unique patterns of impairment across these disorders is now a critical question in clinical neuroscience. We assessed behavioral performance during associative learning in a group of SCZ, BP and healthy controls (HC).

Methods

18 patients with SCZ (36±8,6 = years; 13 males, 5 females; all Caucasians and medicated), 12 patient with BD (39,42±8,5 = years; 5 males, 7 females; all Caucasians and all medicated) and 45 HC (27,7±6,9 = years; 18 males, 27 females; all Caucasians) were studied. Learning was assessed using an established object-location paired-associative learning paradigm (Buchel et al., 1999). Subjects learned associations between nine equi-familiar common objects and locations in a nine-location grid. The dependent variable of interest was learning performance over time.

Results

Learning curves (performance=1-e-k*time) fitted to average performance data in the three groups (r23.81) revealed lower learning rates in SCZ and BP (k=.18 and k=.2) than HC (k=.64). Performance data were analyzed in a repeated measures analysis of variance with time (repeated) and group (HC, SCZ, BP) as factors. Significant effects of group, F(1,41)=22.003, p< .001 and time, F(7,287)=54.6, p< .001 were observed.

Conclusions

Our study showed that associative learning is impaired in both SCZ and BP and suggested that such deficits may be related to reduced memory capacity and reduced plasticity in the hippocampus, potentially reflecting altered hippocampal glutamatergic neurotransmission in both disorders.
S20-03 - Searching for Cognitive Endophenotypes in Bipolar Disorder: Why and How?
Authors: Daban C. , Szöke A. , Etain B. , Cochet B. , Raust A. , Leboyer M.
Published: June 2010

Findings from family, adoption and twin studies suggest that vulnerability to bipolar disorder follows a polygenic mode of inheritance with multiple genes, each of small effect, combining and contributing to the risk and the clinical expression of the disorder. The endophenotype approach has been proposed as a way to identify susceptibility genes in disorders with complex underpinnings. Endophenotypes are supposed to bridge the genotype to the clinical syndrome and to have a simpler genetic architecture than clinical diagnoses.

Our first aim is to confirm if cognitive measures are good potential endophenotypes. Therefore, we will examine the reliability and frequency of cognitive impairments in individuals with bipolar disorder and their biological relatives. The study of healthy relatives avoids confounding factors and should help identify potential endophenotypes.

We will also look for evidence linking particular cognitive impairments to specific genes on one hand and to the risk for bipolar disorder, on the other.

A literature review of articles published in 2008-2009 suggests that the genetic architecture of cognitive endophenotypes is more complex than initially predicted. In many published studies, no genetic association was found between cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder. We will try to understand the reasons and consequences of those disappointing results by analysing some methodological limitations, in particular regarding the statistical treatment of confounding factors.

We will also discuss theoretical considerations pointing out the fact that we may have been expecting too much and oversimplifying when supporting the idea that cognition is a less complex entity than bipolar disorder.
S29-01 - Family Psychoeducation for Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Reinares M.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Every mood episode is a stressful event for the whole family. Caregivers of bipolar patients experience a significant burden. Similarly, psychosocial stressors play a negative role in the illness outcome. In recent years, several non-pharmacologic interventions have shown prophylactic efficacy when added to pharmacotherapy.

Objectives

To highlight the need to include the family in the treatment of bipolar patients; to present the efficacy of a group psychoeducation focused on the relatives of bipolar patients; to determine which patients are more likely to benefit from caregiver psychoeducation.

Methods

113 medicated euthymic bipolar outpatients were selected for a 15-month randomized controlled trial about the efficacy of caregivers group psychoeducation.

Results

Caregiver psychoeducation reduced subjective burden of the relatives and prevented recurrences of the patients, particularly (hypo)mania. The data also highlighted the need to introduce the intervention as soon as possible.

Conclusions

Family psychoeducation has a positive impact on caregivers and also on the course of the illness, stressing the participation of relatives as an important part in the therapeutic approach of bipolar disorder.
S29-02 - Cognitive-Psychoeducative Group-Therapy vs Tau with Additional Information Group: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Lenz G.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

There are many controlled studies of Psychoeducation and Psychotherapy with differing type and length of treatment.

Objectives

To find out the effects of a cognitive-psychoeducative group intervention

Aims

The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of a cognitive-psychoeducative group therapy (CPT) vs Treatment as usual (TAU) with additional information group in patients with ongoing stable pharmacotherapy on relapse prevention, compliance, coping-behaviour, illness concepts and quality of life.

Methods

Patients with BP I or BP II were diagnosed with MINI and treated either with 14 sessions of group-CPT (with 8 hours separate sessions for significant others) or got an information book for patients on bipolar disorder and 3 group-sessions of information and discussion with patients and relatives. Booster sessions were given for both groups after 6 and 9 months.Follow-up after 12 and 24 months. Evaluation was carried through on number and type of relapses, duration of inpatient episodes, with scales for mania and depression, WHO-QoL-BREV, Ilness-concept scale,Medication Attitude questionnaire (LAQ), Medication Compliance Questionnaire (MCQ), Coping (SVF-120).

Results

100 patients with Bipolar disorder (76 BP I and 24 BP II) were treated (52 with CPT and 48 with TAU plus information group). After 14 weeks treatment there was an improvement in illness concepts and compliance in both groups.At 12-month follow-up there was a significant decrease in number of manic episodes in both groups, but for depressive episodes only in the cognitive-psychoeducative group.

Conclusions

CPT effective in relapse prevention, TAU+info effective against manic but not depressive relapses.
S05-02 - Transcultural Perspectives of Medicine [E23]
Authors: Qureshi A.
Published: June 2010

The psy fields are predicated on the cartesian notion of a mind-body dualism.
Suffering is understood to stem either from problems of mind or from problems of
physiology. A related dualism is that of the “biological” and that
of “cultural”. Recent commentators have worked at great length to
collapse this dualism in day to day work with patients. At the same time, it
clearly forms a fundamental part of medical epistemology. From a transcultural
perspective, it is increasingly clear that there exists the possibility for
considerable difference in the four “Es”: Experience, expression,
explanation and expectations related to suffering. This variation is in large
part related to the epistemic structure underlying any given culture, and, taken
as such, can present a considerable challenge to consultation-liason psychiatry.
A patient may experience suffering that is expressed in the form of strange
sensations in a specific parts of the body. This is then explained as a
consequence of a certain process that is culturally syntonic, and then expects a
certain course of suffering as well as treatment. Given that we tend to take our
epistemic perspectives for granted as representative of the “world as it
is”. The C-L psychiatrist who does not take these variations into
consideration could all to easily arrive at a misdiagnosis and as such
erroeneous treatment.
S21-01 - Animal and Human Data of Microglial Alterations in Schizophrenia (for Symposium Müller Immune System)
Authors: Juckel G.
Published: June 2010

Introduction/objectives/aims

Inflammatory and immunological processes interfering with brain development are discussed as one cause of schizophrenia. Various signs of overactivation of the immune system were often found in this disease. Based on post-mortem analysis showing an increased number of activated microglial cells in patients with schizophrenia, it can be hypothesized that these cells contribute to disease pathogenesis and may actively be involved in grey matter loss observed in such patients.

Methods

In the present study, PolyI:C incubation of pregnant dams was used as animal model of schizophrenia, and the number and shape of microglia was assessed in the offspring in the early phase of this disease, using fluorescence immunostaining (Iba1).

Results

Descendants of mice exposed to PolyI:C at embryonic day 9 showed higher number of microglial cells in the hippocampus and striatum, but not in the frontal cortex at postnatal day 30, which is similarly to adolescence in man, as compared to those exposed to saline. Furthermore, offspring microglia from PolyI:C treated mothers were morphologically characterized by a reduced arborisation indicative for a status of higher activation compared to the offspring microglia from vehicle treated mice. Recent data concerning microglial alterations in anterior cingulate cortex of patients with schizophrenia, as assesed in post-mortem tissues, will also be presented.

Conclusions

The data support the hypothesis that maternal infection during embryogenesis contributes to microglial activation in the offspring, which may therefore represent a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
S11-02 - The Depression Initiative. A Webbased Supported Stepped Collaborative Care Treatment Algorithm for Depressive Disorder in Primary Care
Authors: Van der Feltz-Cornelis C. , Huijbregts K. , De Jong S. , Van Marwijk H.W.J. , Beekman A.T.
Published: June 2010

In the Netherlands, the Depression Initiative has been launched in 2006 as a nationwide attempt to implement the Multidisciplinary Guideline for Depression and to evaluate its cost effectiveness. Evaluation of a collaborative stepped care model in several health care settings is one of the objectives of the Depression Initiative. Currently a stepped collaborative care project is being evaluated in the primary care setting, evaluating stepped collaborative care for depressive disorder provided by the primary care practitioner, a nurse-care-manager, and a consultant psychiatrist, in a Randomised Controlled Trial. 150 Patients with depressive disorder are offered a treatment plan. They can choose from two options: Problem Solving Treatment with or without antidepressant treatment. The medication is prescribed by the PCP, PST and monitoring is provided by the care manager, and the psychiatrist can be consulted every 6 weeks in order to see if the intervention is sufficient to improve the symptoms of the patient. The PHQ is used for monitoring. A two step approach is aimed at; if the patient does not achieve remission after 18 weeks, the patient is referred to mental health care. This stepwise approach is supported by a training and supervision program and by a web-based tracking system in which the care-manager and the patient can monitor progress and consult the psychiatrist. This approach is compared with Care As Usual in the primary care setting. In the presentation, preliminary results will be presented.
S19-01 - Migrants in Crisis: A Challenge for Health Service Systems
Authors: Qureshi A. , Revollo H.-W. , Collazos F.
Published: June 2010

Migration is perhaps best understood as a sociodemographic context that can increase vulnerability to both mental health problems and emotional crisis. Crisis can be understood as a specific moment of psychological upset that the individual experiences as beyond his or her capacity to cope with effectively. Migrants in crisis, from this perspective, are different from native born individuals on two major fronts. One has to do with the degree to which migration constitutes a stressor, and the other the degree to which culture and migration impact the stress process A contextual process model of acculturative stress will be presented as a means of making sense of migrants in crisis. Specifically, a crisis occurs with a sort of accumulation of stressors, that are appraised to constitute a grave danger to individual or collective well-being, and, in turn, the evaluation that the individual or collectivity does not have the necessary resources-psychological, social, and material—to mitigate the deleterious effects of the event or situation. Migrants may be more susceptible to crisis precisely because they have access to fewer social and material resources and because their psychological resources-particularly coping styles—may not be consistent with what is normative in the host culture. Effective response at both the clinical and institutional levels requires appreciation of the complexity of the issue without falling prey to cultural reductionism.
S33-01 - Modulation of Ligand Gated Ion Channels by Antidepressants
Authors: Rupprecht R. , Nothdurfter C. , Tanasic S. , Rammes G.
Published: June 2010

The classical mechanisms of action of antidepressants suggest that they act through inhibition of monoamine transporters. There is evidence that antipressants indirectly modulate GABA-A receptors through neurosteroids. We showed that antidepressants may also directly modulate the function of the serotonin type 3 (5-HT3) receptor in an allosteric fashion. This non-competitive inhibition of receptor function occurred with different classes of antidepressants including tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs and NARIs. Moreover, these antidepressants were differentially accumulated in lipid rafts. Their concentartions in lipid rafts were related to their ability to allosterically modulate this ligand gated ion channel. However, lipid raft integrity was not a prerequisite for the allosteric modulation of this ion channel by antidepressants. Morover, differential results were observed with regard to NMDA and GABA-A receptors. Our data show that the allosteric modulation of ligand gated ion channels is an underestimated pharmacologcical principle which challenges the concept of target specificty of antidepressants for monoamine transporters.
S07-03 - Psychopathology of Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Authors: Pirec V.
Published: June 2010

Contrary to the previously spread myth, pregnancy does not protect women from either relapses of previously diagnosed psychiatric illness nor development of new ones. Prevalence of psychiatric illnesses during pregnancy is similar to that in the general population, whereas that number significantly increases in the postpartum period. Peripartum has its own uniqueness for both etiology and presentation of different psychopathological conditions.

Multiple studies have been published describing affective, anxiety, and psychotic illnesses in peripartum. Specific psychosocial circumstances during that time along with multiple physiological changes occurring in female body in that reproductive period predispose women with and without previous psychiatric histories, to various psychiatric illnesses. Several potential contributing factors for these phenomena have been proposed so far. One of the most frequently studied ones has been the drastic hormonal shift occurring during peripartum that could directly increase the sensitivity for developing mood instability, anxiety and/or psychotic symptoms. Genetic predisposition and previously existing psychiatric disorder especially those occuring during specific reproductive phases significantly increase the risk as well. Presentation of psychiatric illnesses during peripartum has its’ particularities which are essential to understand of in order to provide an appropriate care.

Being aware of the potential etiology and risk factors as well as sensitivity to psychopathology of some women in peripartum could greatly improve treatment as well as open up avenues for prevention in this area. Unrecognized and untreated psychiatric illnesses in peripartum have serious consequences.