bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compliance in psychoses
Authors: Kampman O. , Lehtinen K.
Published: November 2007

Kampman O, Lehtinen K. Compliance in psychoses. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1999: 100: 167–175. © Munksgaard 1999.

Objective: To review the literature on compliance in psychoses and to evaluate the significance of the different compliance components presented.

Method: Different definitions of the term compliance were first gathered. A search covering the years 1974–1997 was conducted in Medline and PsycLit databases using the keywords ‘schizophrenia’ or ‘psychosis’ and ‘compliance’. The studies that took compliance into account as a separate variable were collected for further analysis.

Results: Unpleasant side‐effects of medication, attitudes towards medication, delusional symptoms, substance abuse, insight, and supportive family environment were found to have the strongest correlation with compliance. The influence of cognitive impairment is not clearly proven. Integrated, cognitive‐behavioural and psychoedu‐cational treatment models include several methods to improve therapeutic alliance and compliance,

Conclusion: As the majority of the studies have concentrated on neuroleptic treatment, the medication‐related factors are best documented. In clinical practice, treatment compliance is based on patient‐related, medication‐related and interactional factors, such as treatment model and therapeutic alliance. Difficulties with insight and cognitive functioning are specific patient‐related factors in the treatment of psychoses.
Dementia in affective disorde a case‐register study
Authors: Kessing L. V. , Olsen E. W. , Mortensen P. B. , Andersen P. K.
Published: November 2007

Kessing LV, Olsen EW, Mortensen PB, Andersen PK. Dementia in affective disorder: a case‐register study. Acta Psycliiatr Scand 1999: 100: 176–185. © Munksgaard 1999.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate whether patients with affective disorder have increased risk of developing dementia compared to other groups of psychiatric patients and compared to the general population.

Method: In the Danish psychiatric central register, 3363 patients with unipolar affective disorder, 518 patients with bipolar affective disorder, 1025 schizophrenic and 8946 neurotic patients were identified according to the diagnosis at the first ever discharge from psychiatric hospital during the period from 1970 to 1974. The rate of discharge diagnosis of dementia on readmission was estimated during 21 years of follow‐up. In addition, the rates were compared with the rates for admission to psychiatric hospitals with a discharge diagnosis of dementia for the total Danish population.

Results: Patients with unipolar and with bipolar affective disorder had a greater risk of receiving a diagnosis of dementia than patients with schizophrenia and those with neurosis. All groups of patients had a higher risk of being given a diagnosis of dementia than gender‐ and age‐matched samples of the general population.

Conclusion: Patients with affective disorder appear to be at increased risk of developing dementia.
Reliability of an Italian standardized and expanded Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS 4.0) in raters with high vs. low clinical experience
Authors: Roncone R. , Ventura J. , Impallomeni M. , Falloon I. R. H. , Morosini P. L. , Chiaravalle E. , Casacchia M.
Published: November 2007

Roncone R, Ventura J, Impallomeni M, Falloon IRH, Morosini PL, Chiaravalle E, Casacchia M. Reliability of an Italian standardized and expanded Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS 4.0) in raters with high vs. low clinical experience. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1999: 100: 229–236. © Munksgaard 1999.

Objective: The aims of this study were (i) to assess the inter‐rater reliability of the latest Italian expanded 24‐item version of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, BPRS version 4.0 and (ii) to assess the feasibility of obtaining reliable BPRS 4.0 ratings by reliability training of clinically less experienced trainees (medical and rehabilitation students).

Method: A videotape‐training procedure was used, and the inter‐rater agreement scores of three different groups of raters, namely psychiatrists and psychologists (n=28), psychosocial rehabilitation students (n= 27) and medical students (n= 54) were calculated and compared.

Results: The results indicated that both experienced raters (psychiatrists and psychologists) and inexperienced raters (medical and psychosocial rehabilitation students) were able to achieve high levels of inter‐rater reliability.

Conclusion: Our results are of particular interest in view of the increasing need to draw upon professionals, other than psychiatrists and psychologists, for cost‐effective and standardized evaluation of rehabilitation interventions.
Factor analysis of the EMBU scale in a large sample of Japanese volunteers
Authors: Someya T. , Uehara T. , Kadowaki M. , Sakado K. , Reist C. , Tang S. W. , Takahashi S.
Published: November 2007

Objective

The EMBU (Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran; (one's memories of upbringing) is a convenient and reliable instrument for the assessment of parental attitudes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the extent to which the factor structure of the EMBU, obtained in previous investigations, could be retrieved in a large Japanese sample.

Method

The EMBU scale was administered to 1320 healthy Japanese volunteers. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed.

Results

The first factor in the analysis, accounting for 9.9% (father) and 10.6% (mother) of the variance, consisted of rejection items. The second factor, accounting for 9.1% (father) and 8.6% (mother) of the variance, contained items relating to emotional warmth. The third factor appeared to represent overprotection, and accounted for 7.8% (father) and 7.8% (mother) of the variance. The fourth factor, which accounted for 3.7% (father) and 3.7%) (mother) of the variance, included items classified under favouring subjects. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that this four‐factor structure fitted our data very well for both the father and the mother. The results of factor analysis for four subscales showed three major factors for the EMBU.

Conclusion

The results of this study confirmed that the EMBU yielded a factor structure in Japan similar to that found in European countries. The EMBU is useful for comparison of parenting attitudes in different societies or countries.
Characteristics of perceived parenting styles in Japan using the EMBU scale
Authors: Someya T. , Uehara T. , Kadowaki M. , Tang S. W. , Takahashi S.
Published: November 2007

Objective

The EMBU (Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran) is a self‐report questionnaire for the assessment of one's memory of parental rearing experiences. We are interested in using this scale to determine the characteristics of perceived parenting styles in Japan.

Method

The study subjects consisted of 1320 healthy Japanese volunteers, comprising 687 males (52%)) and 633 females (48%)). We investigated the relationship between demographics and the EMBU scale.

Results

ANCOVA revealed that the subject's gender had a significant effect on paternal rejection scores (male > female), and both gender and birth‐order position had significant effects on emotional warmth scores for both parents (female > male, and only‐child > middle or last‐born child). Birth‐order position had significant effects on maternal over‐protection, with the highest score being that of only children, and on the aspect of favouritism (favouring subjects), scores for both parents were highest from the last‐born children. Rejection scores for the mother were significantly higher than those for the father from female subjects. Among both male and female subjects, emotional warmth scores and overprotection scores for the mother were significantly higher than those for the father. Among male subjects, scores for the mother on favouritism of the subject were significantly higher than those for the father. On the other hand, among female subjects, scores for the father on favouritism of the subject were higher than scores for the mother.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that parenting styles have significant interrelationships with the gender and birth‐order position of the subject.
On the convergent validity of two Parental Rearing Behaviour Scales: EIIBU and PBI
Authors: Livianos‐Aldana L. , Rojo‐Moreno L.
Published: November 2007

The EMBU and PBI are two of the most used Parental Rearing Behaviour questionnaires. The literature assumes a high correlation between homonymous and assimilable factors (PBI Care and EMBU Affectional Warmth, PBI Control and EMBU Overprotection). Using a sample of 796 subjects the authors carried out the joint application of both scales in order to determine their concurrent validity. The correlation obtained between the scales barely reaches significance on average levels of correlation. The same can be deduced for the applied Multidimensional Scaling. In conclusion, the most extreme precaution is recommended when considering the homonymous scales of both questionnaires, and their joint use in meta‐analysis is not advised.
Parent‐child interaction and adult depression: a prospective study
Authors: Lindelow M.
Published: November 2007

Objective

The aim was to examine the relationship between parentxhild interaction in middle childhood and adult depression in a group of women (n=54) who were studied prospectively.

Method

The sample was drawn from a longitudinal study of family functioning and children's difficulties in an inner London borough. Statistical methods, implemented in SUDAAN, accounted for the initial multistage sampling.

Results

The results suggested that indicators of lack of positive parent‐child interaction based on maternal reports when the child was 10 years of age were significantly associated with depression some 20 years later. No parallel association was found between overtly negative aspects of parenting and depression.

Conclusion

There was some evidence of a link between parent‐child interaction in middle childhood and adult depression, although the mechanism for this remains unclear.
No changes in mood with the seasons: observations in 3000 chronic pain patients
Authors: Hardt J. , Gerbershagen H. U.
Published: November 2007

Objective

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and the theory of the effect of light on depression have gained some popularity in recent years. Research on epidemiology is largely based on retrospective measures asking explicitly for the experience of seasonal variations. Those measures have a low positive predictive value and do not enable us to distinguish between experience and belief.

Method

A consecutive sample of chronic pain patients filled out a depression questionnaire (CES‐D) routinely as part of the diagnostic interview on becoming in‐patients at a Pain Clinic in Mainz during a 5‐year period.

Results

No support for seasonality or light effects was found.

Conclusion

The effect of light on depression or seasonality may be smaller than expected in general. SAD as a true disorder is probably rare.
Is suicide risk taken seriously in heavy drinkers who harm themselves?
Authors: Taylor C. , Cooper J. , Appleby L.
Published: November 2007

Objective

The aim of the study was to examine whether a known history of heavy drinking adversely influences the assessment and management of deliberate self‐harm (DSH) by accident and emergency department staff.

Method

Standard assessment forms on a consecutive series of 909 DSH cases were examined. Estimated suicide risk and clinical management were compared in patients who reported high (more than 7 units per day) and low/moderate alcohol intake.

Results

Heavy drinkers had higher rates of several risk factors for suicide. They were more likely to be judged as at high risk of suicide and further self‐harm, and were more likely to receive clinical management appropriate to people at high risk. However, a logistic regression analysis revealed that it was not alcohol use itself but risk factors that were more common in heavy drinkers that predicted clinical management.

Conclusion

The results suggest that heavy drinkers are in general judged to be at higher risk of suicide and managed accordingly. However, training for accident and emergency department staff should emphasize the importance of alcohol as an independent risk factor for suicide.
Early relapse of psychotic symptoms after an initial response to olanzapine
Authors: Kostakoǧlu A. E. , Rezaki M. , GögüsL A.
Published: November 2007

This is a report of two cases with schizophrenia in which a good response to olanzapine in an acute 6‐week treatment phase was obtained, followed by early relapse without any clear contributing factors. Referring to a few other case reports of early relapse after an initial response to atypical antipsychotics other than olanzapine, the possibility is discussed that rapid displacement of these drugs due to loose binding could play a role in early relapse.
Mood stabilizers in the prevention of recurrent affective disorders: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Davis J. M. , Janicak P. G. , Hogan D. M.
Published: November 2007

Objective

To determine by meta‐analysis the efficacy of mood stabilizers in preventing recurrence of bipolar or unipolar mood disorders and to consider the evidence for a lithium withdrawal‐induced relapse syndrome.

Method

Controlled studies of lithium, valproate and carbamazepine in preventing future episodes of affective disorders were classified according to methodological rigour, and meta‐analyses were performed overall and on each type.

Results

A total of 19 blinded, randomized, controlled trials of prophylaxis in 865 patients found lithium highly effective (74% recurrence on placebo vs. 29% on lithium). In the mirror‐image studies, whose substantial lithium vs. prior treatment difference cannot be explained by withdrawal relapse, lithium reduced relapse by 50% (bipolar) and 58% (unipolar).

Conclusion

Maintenance lithium produces a highly significant reduction in relapses. The mirror‐image studies had not been systematically analysed previously, and they support the effectiveness of lithium. We also failed to find sufficient evidence to prove that the lithium‐withdrawal relapse phenomenon exists.
Chronic atypical major depressive episode in private practice: unipolar and bipolar II
Authors: Benazzi F.
Published: November 2007

Objective

The aims of the study were to determine whether chronicity was more common in atypical vs. non‐atypical unipolar/bipolar II major depressive episode (MDE), whether atypical unipolar and bipolar II MDE had same chronicity, and to compare chronic with non‐chronic atypical MDE.

Method

A total of 326 unipolar/bipolar IT MDE private practice outpatients were interviewed with the DSM‐IV Structured Clinical Interview.

Results

Chronicity was not significantly different in atypical compared to non‐atypical MDE. Unipolar atypical MDE showed more chronicity than bipolar IT atypical MDE and unipolar non‐atypical MDE. Chronicity was not significantly different in atypical compared to non‐atypical bipolar TI MDE. Compared to non‐atypical MDE, atypical MDE had significantly lower age at onset, more recurrences and more bipolar IT patients. Chronic compared to non‐chronic atypical MDE had significantly longer duration, more recurrences and more unipolar patients.

Conclusion

Unipolar atypical MDE is more chronic than unipolar non‐atypical MDE. Bipolar II atypical MDE is not more chronic than bipolar II non‐atypical MDE.
Affective disorders among Greenlandic psychiatric patients
Authors: Lynge I. , Munk‐Jsrgensen P. , Mortensen P. B.
Published: November 2007

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the treatment incidence, diagnostic stability and clinical and social outcome of affective disorders in the Greenlandic population.

Methods

A cohort of Greenlanders first hospitalized in 1980–1983 and diagnosed with an affective disorder at least once during the period 7 to 12 years after first admission formed the study population. The manic‐depressive patients who were still alive at follow‐up were invited for a Present State Examination, and information about clinical and social condition was obtained for the total cohort.

Results

The rates of manic‐depressive psychoses diagnosed at first admission or later were 6.6 for men and 20.4 for women per 100 000 individuals of over 15 years of age. The unipolar: bipolar ratio was very low, namely 1:3 for men and 1:2 for women. Outcome was relatively poor.

Conclusion

Manic‐depression is a recognizable diagnostic category in Greenland. Extremely low rates of unipolar disorders in both sexes and high rates of bipolar disorders among women were the most marked findings.
Body weight gain induced by antipsychotic drugs: mechanisms and management
Authors: Baptista T.
Published: November 2007

Baptista T. Body weight gain induced by antipsychotic drugs: mechanisms and management.

Acta Psychiatrica Scand 1999: 100: 3–16. © Munksgaard 1999.

Long‐term administration of typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs (AP) induces excessive weight gain which afflicts up to 50% of patients, impairs health and interferes with treatment compliance. Basic and clinical research has shown that AP may affect body weight through diverse mechanisms. Increased appetite is probably related to the interaction of AP with neuronal receptors to dopamine, serotonin and histamine. Additional metabolic‐endocrine disruption of weight regulation may be related to the effects of AP‐induced hyperprolactinaemia on gonadal‐adrenal steroids and insulin sensitivity. In humans, programmed physical activity, dietary restriction, anorectic agents, and drugs that counteract hyperprolactinaemia have been shown to be successful in a limited number of studies. Two novel strategies could expand the available therapeutic options. First, in preclinical experiments in female rats the estradiol antagonist/agonist drug tamoxifen or estradiol itself have been shown to completely prevent the obesity provoked by the AP sulpiride, and to induce an endocrine‐metabolic milieu that seems to counteract AP‐induced obesity. Secondly, it has also been shown that oral antihyperglycaemic agents such as metformin may decrease body weight and counteract insulin resistance and hyperinsu‐linaemia which is correlated with several metabolic abnormalities in obese subjects. Lastly, estradiol replacement, tamoxifen and/or antihyperglycaemic agents are not devoid of significant side‐effects, and these drugs have not been tested in obese psychiatric patients. Therefore, further research is needed before their clinical use may be recommended.
Temperament, character and suicide attempts in anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and major depression
Authors: Bulik C. M. , Sullivan P. F. , Joyce P. R.
Published: November 2007

Bulik CM, Sullivan PF, Joyce PR. Temperament, character and suicide attempts in anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and major depression. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1999: 100: 27–32. © Munksgaard 1999.

Objective: We examined the relation between personality traits as measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and a reported history of suicide attempts in women with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and major depression.

Method We compared the prevalence and severity of suicide attempts in women with anorexia nervosa (n = 68), bulimia nervosa (n = 152) and major depression with no history of an eating disorder (n = 59), and we examined the relation between the TCI scales and suicide attempts.

Results: Comparable numbers of women across the three groups had attempted suicide. The temperament dimension of high persistence and the character dimensions of low self‐directedness and high self‐transcendence were associated with a reported history of suicide attempts.

Conclusion: Suicide attempts are equally common in women with eating disorders and women with depression. Whether the observed association between temperament and suicide attempts reflects correlates, causal factors or sequelae of suicide attempts is unknown.
A study of ‘crisis cards' in a community psychiatric service
Authors: Sutherby K. , Szrnukler G. L. , Halpern A. , Alexander M. , Thornicroft G. , Johnson C. , Wright S.
Published: November 2007

Sutherby K, Szmukler GI, Halpern A, Alexander M, Thornicroft G, Johnson C, Wright S. A study of ‘crisis cards’ in a community psychiatric service. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1999: 100: 56–61. © Munksgaard 1999.

Objective: ‘Crisis cards’ state patients' treatment details and preferences in anticipation of a later occasion when the patient might be too ill to express them directly. We assessed the feasibility of introducing ‘crisis cards’, or a collaborative form of them, ‘joint crisis plans’, into a sectorized community psychiatric service.

Method All patients with a psychosis and at high risk of crisis were invited to participate. Follow‐up examined patients' satisfaction and how the cards were used.

Results: In total, 106 eligible patients were identified and offered a card, and 40% agreed to participate. Patients with an affective psychosis, past suicide attempts and less frequent admissions were over‐represented among those who agreed to take part. Patients chose to include a wide range of information. For participants, admissions fell by 30% in the follow‐up year.

Conclusion: Crisis cards serve both a ‘manifest’, practical function (to provide important information when the patient is too ill to do so) and a ‘latent’ psychological one (positive effects on the patient's attitude to self, their illness and treatment, and their relationship with the clinical team).
Combination of antidepressants and psychological treatments for bulimia nervosa: a systematic review
Authors: Bacaltchuk J. , Trefiglio R. P. , Oliveira I. R. , Hay P. , Lima M. S. , Mari J. J.
Published: November 2007

Bacaltchuk J, Trefiglio RP, Oliveira IR, Hay P, Lima MS, Mari JJ. Combination of antidepressants and psychological treatments for bulimia nervosa: a systematic review.

Acta Psychiatr Scand 2000: 101: 256–264. © Munksgaard 2000.

Background: This review assessed the effect of a combination of antidepressants plus psychological approaches compared to each single treatment for bulimia nervosa.

Method: Trials were included in two meta‐analyses: single antidepressants versus combination and single psychological approaches versus combination. Methodological quality and homogeneity of results were assessed. Dichotomous outcomes were analyzed by calculating relative risks (RR).

Results: Five trials were included in meta‐analysis 1 and 7 in meta‐analysis 2. Remission rates were 42% for combination versus 23% for antidepressants (RR=1.38; 95% CI = 0.98–1.93; P= 0.06) and 36% for psychological approaches compared to 49% for combination (RR = 1.21; P= 0.03). Drop‐out rates were 16%) for psychological approaches and 30% for combination (RR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.38–0.088: P = 0.11).

Conclusion: Efficacy of combined treatments was superior to single approaches. When antidepressants were combined to treatment, acceptability of psychological approaches was significantly reduced.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of rubber compounds: Temperature dependence and cross-link distribution
Authors: Hammer G. E.
Published: November 2007

Rubber compounds are complex mixtures of ingredients, including many mobile and volatile species. Exposure to the ultrahigh vacuum environment common to surface analytical instruments can therefore cause significant changes in a rubber surface and produce misleading and even erroneous results. In this work it has been shown that stable, representative x-ray photoelectron spectra could be obtained if the specimen was precooled below a compound-dependent maximum temperature before exposure to the vacuum environment. Maximum temperatures were found to be −50 and −70°C for two typical tire rubber compounds, a wire adhesion formulation and passenger tire tread, respectively. Effects of specimen preparation were further investigated. High resolution x-ray photoelectron spectra of specimens precooled to −85°C and analyzed at −140°C indicated a correlation between the sulfur peak positions and the length of sulfur cross-links in the rubber. Specifically, a linear relationship was found between sulfur 2p binding energy and the percentage of monosulfidic and polysulfide cross-links as determined by standard bulk solvent swelling analysis for three different rubber compounds based on two different polymers.
Effect of wall conditions on the self-limiting deposition of metal oxides by pulsed plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Szymanski Scott F. , Seman Michael T. , Wolden Colin A.
Published: November 2007

Pulsed plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition has been engineered to deliver self-limiting growth (i.e., ∼Å∕pulse) of metal oxides such as Ta2O5 and Al2O3. In this process the reactor walls are alternately exposed to atomic oxygen and metal precursors. The degree of adsorption in the latter step can dramatically influence both deposition rates and film quality. The impact of precursor adsorption on the plasma and gas-phase composition in these systems was quantified using optical emission spectroscopy and quadrupole mass spectrometry, respectively. It is shown that the time scale for a complete adsorption on the chamber walls is much greater than gas-phase residence times. Adsorbed compounds significantly alter the reactor composition, particularly at the initiation of each plasma pulse. As a consequence, careful attention must be paid to reactor design and operation to control deposition rates and maintain film quality.
Electronic band gap of Si/SiO2 quantum wells: Comparison of ab initio calculations and photoluminescence measurements
Authors: Wagner J.-M. , Seino K. , Bechstedt F. , Dymiati A. , Mayer J. , Rölver R. , Först M. , Berghoff B. , Spangenberg B. , Kurz H.
Published: November 2007

We investigate the influence of layer thicknesses and interface modifications on the fundamental electronic gap of Si/SiO2 multilayers by a combined ab initio calculation and photoluminescence (PL) analysis. For the band gap calculations different Si/SiO2 interface models are studied. Experimentally investigated multiple quantum wells are prepared by remote plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and rapid thermal annealing. The well-width dependence of the band gap obtained from PL measurements is much weaker than found in previous studies. This sublinear variation is in accordance with simulated electronic band gaps for hydrogen-free Si/SiO2 interfaces. The presence of hydrogen at the interfaces enforces the confinement effect for the band gap. Materials involved: nanocrystalline silicon, amorphous silica, β-cristobalite silica, and Si/SiO2 interface.
Factors affecting the reproducibility of the accommodation coefficient of the spinning rotor gauge
Authors: Chang Ren Fang , Abbott Patrick J.
Published: November 2007

The spinning rotor gauge is the most stable device available for measuring pressure between 10−4 and 10−1Pa. The calibration of these gauges is determined by measuring an effective accommodation coefficient, which is used in conjunction with an equation derived from the kinetic theory of gases to calculate the pressure seen by the rotor gauge. To assess the reproducibility of the spinning rotor gauge (and hence its accommodation coefficient), eight spinning rotor gauges were calibrated numerous times simultaneously with the primary midrange vacuum standard at the National Institute of Standards and Technology over a 15month period. Events encountered by a rotor during its normal operation were investigated for their effects on the accommodation coefficient of the rotor. The effects of baking as well as “crashing” of the rotors were also investigated. We found that the accommodation coefficient may be dependent on the orientation of the rotor’s suspension as a consequence of anisotropically distributed blemishes on the rotor’s surface. Consequently, the accommodation coefficient will not reproduce well when the rotor is resuspended because the rotational axis is not replicated. Data on the accommodation coefficient obtained from ordinary rotors as well as rotors specifically prepared with a band of scratches to exaggerate the anisotropic nature of the blemishes will be presented.
Antigen Capture ofPorphyromonas gingivalisby Human Macrophages Is Enhanced but Killing and Antigen Presentation Are Reduced by Endotoxin Tolerance
Authors: Muthukuru Manoj , Cutler Christopher W.
Published: November 2007

The innate and the adaptive arms of the mucosal immune system must be coordinated to facilitate the control of pathogenic invasion while maintaining immune homeostasis. Toll-like receptors, able to activate the cell to produce bactericidal and inflammatory cytokines but also able to upregulate antigen (Ag)-presenting and costimulatory molecules, are particularly important in this regard. We have previously shown that the chronically infected oral mucosa is in a state of endotoxin tolerance, as evidenced by the downregulation of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and of inflammatory cytokines and the upregulation of SH2-containing inositol phosphatase, an inhibitor of NF-κB signaling. In the present study, we hypothesized that endotoxin tolerance would influence the ability of human macrophages to engage in Ag capture and killing of the oral pathogenPorphyromonas gingivalisand to upregulate costimulatory molecules and stimulate autologous T-cell proliferation. We show that uptake, but not killing, ofP.gingivalis381 is enhanced by endotoxin tolerance. Reduced killing is possibly due to a reduction of the intracellular lysosomes. We further show that the expression of the Ag-presenting molecule HLA-DR and costimulatory molecules CD40 and CD86 is dampened by endotoxin tolerance to the constitutive level. This, along with our previous evidence for reduction in immunostimulatory cytokines, is consistent with the observed decrease in the induction of autologous CD4+T-cell proliferation by endotoxin-tolerized macrophages. Overall, these studies suggest that endotoxin tolerance, as observed in the inflamed oral mucosa, potentiates the innate Ag capture activity of macrophages but diminishes the potential of human macrophages to initiate the adaptive immune response. In conclusion, endotoxin tolerance, while helpful in bacterial clearance and in surmounting excessive inflammatory tissue damage, could potentially reduce the (protective) adaptive immune response during chronic infections such as periodontitis.
Cytotoxicity ofMycoplasma mycoidessubsp.mycoidesSmall Colony Type to Bovine Epithelial Cells
Authors: Bischof Daniela F. , Janis Carole , Vilei Edy M. , Bertoni Giuseppe , Frey Joachim
Published: November 2007

The cytotoxicities of various strains ofMycoplasma mycoidessubsp.mycoidessmall colony type (SC), the agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), were measured in vitro using embryonic calf nasal epithelial (ECaNEp) cells. Strains isolated from acute cases of CBPP induced high cytotoxicity in the presence of glycerol, concomitant with the release of large amounts of toxic H2O2that were found to be translocated into the cytoplasms of the host cells by close contact of theMycoplasmastrains with the host cells. Currently used vaccine strains also showed high cytotoxicity and high H2O2release, indicating that they are attenuated in another virulence attribute. Strains isolated from recent European outbreaks of CBPP with mild clinical signs, which are characterized by a defect in the glycerol uptake system, released small amounts of H2O2and showed low cytotoxicity to ECaNEp cells.M. mycoidessubsp.mycoidesSC strain PG1 released large amounts of H2O2but was only slightly cytotoxic. PG1 was found to have a reduced capacity to bind to ECaNEp cells and was unable to translocate H2O2into the bovine cells, in contrast to virulent strains that release large amounts of H2O2. Thus, an efficient translocation of H2O2into host cells is a prerequisite for the cytotoxic effect and requires an intact adhesion mechanism to ensure a close contact between mycoplasmas and host cells.
INTEGRATING IMAGE QUALITY IN 2ν-SVM BIOMETRIC MATCH SCORE FUSION
Authors: VATSA MAYANK , SINGH RICHA , NOORE AFZEL
Published: November 2007

This paper proposes an intelligent 2ν-support vector machine based match score fusion algorithm to improve the performance of face and iris recognition by integrating the quality of images. The proposed algorithm applies redundant discrete wavelet transform to evaluate the underlying linear and non-linear features present in the image. A composite quality score is computed to determine the extent of smoothness, sharpness, noise, and other pertinent features present in each subband of the image. The match score and the corresponding quality score of an image are fused using 2ν-support vector machine to improve the verification performance. The proposed algorithm is experimentally validated using the FERET face database and the CASIA iris database. The verification performance and statistical evaluation show that the proposed algorithm outperforms existing fusion algorithms.
NON-LINEAR GLOBAL OPTIMIZATION VIA PARAMETERIZATION AND INVERSE FUNCTION APPROXIMATION: AN ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS APPROACH
Authors: MAYORGA RENÉ V. , ARRIAGA MARIANO
Published: November 2007

In this article, a novel technique for non-linear global optimization is presented. The main goal is to find the optimal global solution of non-linear problems avoiding sub-optimal local solutions or inflection points. The proposed technique is based on a two steps concept: properly keep decreasing the value of the objective function, and calculating the corresponding independent variables by approximating its inverse function. The decreasing process can continue even after reaching local minima and, in general, the algorithm stops when converging to solutions near the global minimum. The implementation of the proposed technique by conventional numerical methods may require a considerable computational effort on the approximation of the inverse function. Thus, here a novel Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach is implemented to reduce the computational requirements of the proposed optimization technique. This approach is successfully tested on some highly non-linear functions possessing several local minima. The results obtained demonstrate that the proposed approach compares favorably over some current conventional numerical (Matlab functions) methods, and other non-conventional (Evolutionary Algorithms, Simulated Annealing) optimization methods.
CHAOS CONTROL OF A MODIFIED COUPLED DYNAMOS SYSTEM
Authors: WANG XING-YUAN , WU XIANG-JUN
Published: November 2007

This paper studies the problem of controlling the chaotic behavior of a modified coupled dynamos system. Two different methods, feedback and non-feedback methods, are used to control chaos in the modified coupled dynamos system. Based on the Lyapunov direct method and Routh–Hurwitz criterion, the conditions suppressing chaos to unstable equilibrium points or unstable periodic orbits (limit cycles) are discussed, and they are also proved theoretically. Numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the two different methods.
ABSORPTION SPECTRA OF A TWO-ELECTRON V-TYPE ATOM WITH PARALLEL SPINS
Authors: WANG ZHI-CHENG , GU HUAI-QIANG , JIN KANG
Published: November 2007

In this paper, the absorption spectra of a two-electron V-type atom with parallel spins are investigated. The atom is driven by a pump field and a probe field. We focus our attention on the influence of the Coulomb interaction of the two electrons on the absorption spectra of the atom. It is shown that the absorption profile displays a two-peak structure when the intensity of the pump field is much lower than that of the Coulomb interaction. When the two intensity values are comparable, the profile contains five peaks, one central and two pairs of sidebands. In addition, the system exhibits lasing without inversion for just the appropriate intensity of the pump field.
EFFECT OF RARE-EARTH (RE = La, Nd, Ce AND Gd) DOPING ON THE PIEZOELECTRIC of PZT(52:48) CERAMICS
Authors: UDOMKAN N. , LIMSUWAN P. , TUNKASIRI T.
Published: November 2007

The purpose of this research is to study the effect of doping some rare earth ions into PZT(52:48) ceramics. The ferroelectric Pb ( Zr x Ti 1-x) O 3 ceramics are well-known as piezoelectric materials for electro-mechanical transducers such as ultrasonic generator, electronic buzzer, and stress sensor, etc. The highest piezoelectric coupling coefficients as well as maximum permittivity are located near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). The region of phase transition between the tetragonal and rhombohedral structures in the Pb ( Zr x Ti 1-x) O 3 ceramic shows very adoptable piezoelectric characteristics due to the phase coexistence phenomena, and exhibits a sensitivity of properties to the preparation method, the composition, the firing temperatures and the kinds of additives. The purpose of this research is to study the effect of doping La , Nd , Ce and Gd into Pb ( Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48) O 3 ceramics prepared by solid state reaction. The properties include microstructure, physical properties, dielectric constant (εr) and piezoelectric properties (kp and Qm) of undoped and La , Nd , Ce and Gd doped PZT ceramics. Several effects, such as firing temperature, grain size and dopants, on the properties of PZT were also studied. The undoped PZT ceramics with Zr/Ti at 52/48 indicated the highest εr=1969 and kp= 0.381 for La doping. Doping with La , Nd , Ce and Gd led to an improvement in the εr but a reduced Qm value. The optimum values of electric properties were found in PZT (52/48) doped La with 10.0 mol% sintered at 1200°C for 2 h.
INFLUENCE OFMg2+IONS DOPING ON THE STRUCTURE, MORPHOLOGY AND PHASE TRANSITION OFLiIO3CRYSTAL
Authors: DU YINXIAO , SUN YUPING , CHEN W. C. , CHEN X. L. , ZHU L. N.
Published: November 2007

The influence of different concentrations of Mg2+ions doping on the structure, morphology and phase transition of LiIO3crystal was investigated. The best Mg2+-doped alpha-lithium iodate ( Mg :α- LiIO3) crystals for potential optical applications can be successfully grown by the aqueous solution method when the concentration of Mg2+ions in the initial mother solutions Cm< 0.001 M. Chemical component analysis shows the Mg :α- LiIO3crystal is a new system with the segregation coefficient k>1. The polarized Raman results are consistent with our conclusions that the Mg2+ion substitutes for the host Li+cation in the pure α- LiIO3crystals and results in the corresponding cation vacancies. As Cmincreases, inclusions, spontaneously crystalline grains, β phase of LiIO3and hillock-shape Mg :α- LiIO3crystals are induced respectively by different concentrations of Mg2+ions doping under the same crystal growth conditions. When Cm>0.1 M, the polarized Raman results indicate that larger amounts of Mg2+ions incorporated inhibit LiIO3growth and result in the hillock-shape morphology by destabilizing the crystal lattice and inducing lattice distortion.
THE OXIDATION AND THE ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF Ni–Cr THIN FILM AFTER RAPID THERMAL ANNEALING
Authors: YAN JIANWU , ZHOU JICHENG
Published: November 2007

By controlling the sputtering power, rotational speed of the substrate and sputtering time, Ni – Cr thin films with appropriate composition were fabricated by double-target magnetron co-sputtering techniques. The homogeneity and oxidation of Ni – Cr thin film has been studied by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The structures of Ni – Cr thin films were determined by an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The oxidation and the resistance stability of the Ni – Cr thin film after rapid thermal process (RTP) have been studied. The relations between TCR and RTP techniques of Ni – Cr thin films were discussed.
Determination of platinum group elements (PGE) in environmental samples by ICP-MS: a critical assessment of matrix separation for the mitigation of interferences
Authors: Whiteley J.D. , Murray F.
Published: November 2007

The accurate determination of Pt, Pd and Rh (platinum group elements, PGE) in environmental samples by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is complicated by molecular ion and doubly charged ion interferences (e.g. CuAr+, HfO+, SrO+, YO+ and Pb2+). Two matrix separation techniques, tellurium coprecipitation and ion exchange, are compared in terms of PGE recovery and separation efficiency by application to standard solutions and the new reference material BCR-723, a road dust material collected from the Tanzenberg Tunnel in Austria. Ion exchange using Dowex AG50W-X8 strong cation exchange resin is highly effective in terms of both separation efficiency (>99.7%) and PGE recovery (93.8 to 101.6%) and allows accurate, interference-free determination of PGEs. PGE recoveries by Te coprecipitation are incomplete, ranging between 84 and 93%. Significant amounts of copper (up to
c.
30%) are also recovered, which, due to CuAr
+
formation, causes interferences on both
103
Rh (monoisotopic) and
105
Pd. The generally high levels of interferent elements in environmental matrices (e.g. Cu, Pb etc.) and the magnitude of Cu recovery by Te coprecipitation limit the applicability of data correction using interference equations. Reductions in Cu yield by Te coprecipitation, to <4%, can be achieved through the addition of potassium iodide prior to matrix separation. However, due to the incomplete recovery of PGEs, ion exchange provides a more robust method for the determination of low levels of PGEs.
Background and baseline concentration values of elements harmful to human health in the volcanic soils of the metropolitan and provincial areas of Napoli (Italy)
Authors: Cicchella Domenico , De Vivo Benedetto , Lima Annamaria
Published: November 2007

In this paper, we discuss baseline geochemical maps of elements harmful to human health compiled using concentration data of 982 volcanic soil samples from the metropolitan and provincial areas of Napoli (1171 km
2
). Each sample was digested in aqua regia and analysed by ICP-MS and ICP-ES. For the compilation of baseline geochemical maps, we apply a recently developed multifractal IDW interpolation method and spectral analysis (S-A) using a new geochemistry-dedicated GIS (GeoDAS). The geochemical baseline in an area of heavy anthropogenic impact, such as the Neapolitan territory, includes the geogenic natural content (background) and the anthropogenic contribution in the soils. The definition and distinction of background (geogenic) values, as opposed to baseline values, are very important in environmental studies because legislation typically fixes the intervention limits for both organic and inorganic substances in soils as a function of local background values. Maps obtained by the S-A method show high baseline values for some metallic elements (Pb, Zn, Sb, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu) which denote a clear anthropogenic contribution, due to the long period of constant human activities in the study area. These maps also show a high geogenic contribution most probably derived from hydrothermal fluids because the study area is located between two active volcanic fields (Mt. Somma–Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei), where geothermal fluids have been used for spas since Roman times. The maps obtained using the S-A method, implemented in GeoDAS, reflect both the geogenic and anthropogenic contribution, so they must be considered as baseline maps. In order to obtain background values, to be used as reference values for the environmental Italian Law 471/1999, we have applied the concentration–area fractal method (C-A) to classify the pixel values of baseline maps. R-mode factor analysis helped in interpreting data controlled by anthropogenic sources as opposed to those controlled by geogenic sources.
The use of magnetic methods in an environmental study of areas polluted with non-magnetic wastes of the mining industry (Salair region, Western Siberia, Russia)
Authors: Matasova Galina G. , Kazansky Alexey Yu. , Bortnikova Svetlana B. , Airijants Arkadii A.
Published: November 2007

Results obtained by combined geochemical and rock-magnetic studies of environment pollution are presented. The study area falls into a new special class of objects that has not been investigated earlier by magnetic methods: tailings of primary non-magnetic ores within an active geochemical environment and the absence of high-temperature processes in the technology of Pb–Zn ore recovery. Here an inverse correlation between metal (Pb, Zn, recovered from the ore) contents in the upper ground layer around the collection pond (highly polluted zone) and concentration-dependent magnetic characteristics (magnetic susceptibility, magnetic remanences) was found. This result conflicts with previous studies that focused on industrial and urban regions where enhanced magnetic properties of the environment (soils, sediments etc.) correspond to higher degrees of its pollution. In our case, the relationship between changes in magnetic properties and metal content variation is less pronounced but the overlap of geochemical and rock-magnetic anomalies over the study area is clear. The resulting maps confirm the advantage of magnetic methods as a proxy, rapid and inexpensive technique to measure pollution.
Environmental contamination and bioaccessibility of arsenic and metals around the Dongjeong Au–Ag–Cu mine, Korea
Authors: Chung EunHye , Lee Jin-Soo , Chon Hyo-Taek , Sager Manfred
Published: November 2007

The objectives of this study were to investigate the level of arsenic and metal contamination of soils, crop plants and waters around the Dongjeong Au–Ag–Cu mine, and to assess bioaccessibility of metals in soil and plant using the EHS (extraction of heavy metals in stomach and small intestine) test. The EHS test was used to simulate the conditions in the human stomach and small intestine. In tailings, the mean concentrations of elements from the mine area were As 4070 mg kg
−1
, Cd 6 mg kg
−1
, Cu 380 mg kg
−1
, Mn 7760 mg kg
−1
, Pb 19 150 mg kg
−1
, Zn 2590 mg kg
−1
and Hg 2.8 mg kg
−1
. Mountain soils adjacent to the tailings and waste rock piles were significantly contaminated by these elements. Farmland soils contained higher concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn than soils at the control area, especially As and Pb which were over permissible levels. Metals were accumulated in crop plants grown on farmland soil near the mine area. The concentrations of metals were higher in leafy plants than in grain plants such as rice grain and red pepper. The concentrations of SO
4
2−
, Mn and Zn were elevated in stream water and were influenced by effluents from the tailings and waste rock piles. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in groundwater were higher than the permissible levels for drinking water in Korea. The results of the EHS test showed
c.
60% of Cd, 10% of As and 30–40% of Cu, Pb, Mn and Zn were present as a bioaccessible fraction in farmland soils. In crop plants, high percentages of total concentrations of metals except Pb were extracted as bioaccessible concentrations. Bioaccessible concentrations of metals may be valuable for providing the input data for risk assessment at sites subject to anthropogenic soil contamination.