bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assignment of quinone derivatives as the main compound class composing ‘interstellar’ grains based on both polarity ions detected by the ‘Cometary and Interstellar Dust Analyser’ (CIDA) onboard the spacecraft STARDUST
Authors: Krueger Franz R. , Werther Wolfgang , Kissel Jochen , Schmid Erich R.
Published: December 2003

The ‘Cometary and Interstellar Dust Analyser’ (CIDA) is a particle impact time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer onboard the NASA spacecraft STARDUST. A series of positive and negative ion mass spectra from the impact of (apparently) interstellar dust particles has been collected since 1999. In the meantime laboratory work has been performed to better understand the ion formation processes of organic grains impacting at those speeds (>15 km/s) and to relate them to some other ion formation methods. The key ion types were the negative ions, with some additional information from the positive ions. Here, first the principal ion formation rules are briefly reviewed. Secondly, the common substance class is inferred mainly by the application of exclusion principles, and appears to be partly condensed aromatic and quinonoid compounds with high oxygen and low nitrogen content. Oxygen appears to be present in quinone‐type structures with condensed aromatic rings, possibly with furan substructures and some hydroxyl moieties. Some nitrogen may be present in pyrrole‐ or quinoline‐type structures. Considerations of thermodynamics and radiation physics of these dust particles within the solar system are consistent with this interpretation. Quinoenzyme cofactors such as the known compound pyrroloquinoline‐quinone (PQQ) and its subconstituents would be expected to yield similar mass spectra. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extended regular ternary logic functions and majority functions capable of synthesizing any ternary logic function
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshinori
Published: December 2003

Multiple‐valued logic functions using only AND, OR, and NOT as operators are called Kleenean functions. They were actively studied in Japan beginning in the early 1990s. Previously, regular ternary logic functions corresponding to the ambiguous state in which the truth value 1/2 is neither 0 nor 1 were defined in ternary logic; but regular ternary logic functions are equivalent to ternary Kleenean functions. Regular ternary logic functions represent only a small fraction of all ternary logic functions, and only a part of the ternary logic functions can be synthesized. In this paper we define regular ternary logic functions of the zeroth to third kinds by introducing the cyclical operation. We then define majority functions of the zeroth to third kinds, which are a subset of the extended regular ternary logic functions, and show that any ternary logic function can be synthesized by means of these three majority functions. Finally, using a genetic algorithm as the base algorithm, we present a technique for synthesizing any ternary logic function by means of extended ternary majority elements, and give illustrative examples. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 79–90, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10226
Nonparametric regression analysis of functional brain images
Authors: Tsukimoto Hiroshi , Kakimoto Mitsuru , Morita Chie , Kikuchi Yoshiaki
Published: December 2003

There has recently been remarkable progress in noninvasive measurement of the brain (such as f‐MRI, MEG, and PET), providing detailed functional brain images. Using this technique, the correspondence between the areas and functions of the brain can be precisely analyzed. Researchers in this field are now examining correspondences between areas and functions of the brain on the basis of functional brain images. The authors have been attempting to apply nonparametric regression analysis to f‐MRI images, in an effort to develop an algorithm that identifies the areas of the brain automatically and objectively. Since the brain has a three‐dimensional structure, it is desirable to apply three‐dimensional nonparametric regression analysis, but that requires a tremendous amount of computation. The idea is applied to two‐dimensional images as a first step. Satisfactory results are obtained compared to the results obtained by z‐score, a typical technique; the results are reported in this paper. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 67–78, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10244
Fault detection and recovery coverage improvement by optimal clock diversity
Authors: Kanekawa Nobuyasu , Yamaguchi Shinichiro , Shima Yosuke
Published: December 2003

Enhancement of fault recovery coverage by early discovery and early recovery is indispensable in enhancing the availability of fail‐safe systems and fault‐tolerant systems. In clock‐synchronized duplicate comparison systems, errors can be detected in the clock unit, facilitating the early discovery and recovery of faults. Addition of optimal‐time diversity makes possible the prevention of error correlation in the duplicate comparison systems, which promotes coverage enhancement. This paper presents an experimental comparison of the fault detection coverage and recovery coverage of the clock‐synchronized method with optimal‐time diversity (the optimal clock diversity method), the clock‐synchronized method without optimal‐time diversity, and the loosely synchronized method. The experimental results show that the clock‐synchronized method has the highest recovery coverage and that the optimal clock diversity method has the highest fault detection coverage. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 58–66, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10253
Subject region segmentation in disparity maps for image retrieval
Authors: Mo Hiroshi , Idehara Yuichi , Satoh Shin'ichi , Hamada Takashi
Published: December 2003

In this paper, we propose a method for automatic segmentation of subject regions using disparity maps for image retrieval by real‐world objects. If one wants to look up a particular object in image database, the subject region should be properly extracted from the image as a key for image retrieval. In our approach, we assume that we have the actual object in the real world to be looked up in image database. Taking advantage of disparity maps using a commercially available stereo range finder, subject region extraction is automated. We assume that the x‐coordinate, y‐coordinate, and disparity obtained from disparity map should yield multimodal Gaussian probability distribution, and subject regions are extracted by properly selecting particular modes of Gaussian densities. We construct a prototype system to retrieve images by real‐world objects and show that adaptive and quick automatic extraction of the subject region could be achieved. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 47–57, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10389
The completeness of logic programming with sort predicates
Authors: Kaneiwa Ken
Published: December 2003

All order‐sorted logic can be regarded as a generalized first‐order predicate logic that includes many and ordered sorts (i.e., a sort‐hierarchy). In the fields of knowledge representation and AI, this logic with sort‐hierarchy has been used to design a logic‐based language appropriate for representing taxonomic knowledge. By incorporating the sort‐hierarchy, order‐sorted resolution and sorted logic programming have been formalized that provide efficient reasoning mechanisms with structural representation. In this work, Beierle's group developed an order‐sorted logic to couple separated taxonomic knowledge and assertional knowledge. Namely, its language allows us to make use of sorts to denote not only the types of terms but also unary predicates (called sort predicates). In this paper, we propose a sorted logic programming language with sort predicates in order to improve the practicability of the logic proposed by Beierle. The linear resolution is obtained by adding inference relative to sort predicates and subsort relations. In the semantics, the terms and formulas that follow the sorted signature extended with sort predicates are interpreted over its corresponding Σ+‐structures. Finally, we build the Herbrand models of programs containing sort predicates, and thus prove the soundness and completeness of this logic programming. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 37–46, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10409
Time‐frequency analysis of mechanomyogram during sustained contractions with muscle fatigue
Authors: Itoh Yasushi , Akataki Kumi , Mita Katsumi , Watakabe Makoto , Itoh Kunihiko
Published: December 2003

The mechanomyogram (MMG) is a recording of mechanical oscillation that is detectable on the body surface overlying the muscle. It is considered that the MMG is produced by lateral dimensional changes in active muscle fibers, which generate pressure waves, and reflects the mechanical activity of muscle. The present study was designed to examine the MMG behavior during sustained contraction at a constant level of force up to muscle fatigue, and to determine that the MMG reflects the specific motor unit (MU) activation strategy resulting from muscle fatigue. In the experiment, isometric contractions of biceps brachii muscles at 20 and 80% of the maximal voluntary contraction (20 and 80% MVC) were selected. The recorded MMG was analyzed by the short‐time Fourier transform, and the root mean squared amplitude (RMS) and mean power frequency (MPF) were calculated every 0.1 s. It was found that the RMS of the MMG at 20% MVC decreased somewhat from the onset of contractions, then gradually increased. The MPF initially increased and then remained constant. At 80% MVC, on the other hand, the RMS continued to decrease. The MPF initially increased and then decreased. These trends in the RMS and MPF seem to reflect an alteration in the MU activation strategy resulting from muscle fatigue. The MMG is considered to be one of the useful tools in monitoring muscle fatigue. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 26–36, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10528
Moving object extraction with cooperative cameras
Authors: Zheng Wentao , Misu Toshihiko , Naemura Masahide , Izumi Yoshinori , Kanatsugu Yasuaki
Published: December 2003

We present a novel approach to robust extraction of moving objects with cooperative static and active cameras. The active camera, for usual broadcasts, is fixed in location but free to rotate and zoom. The static camera is a completely fixed panoramic camera viewing a whole scene. Precalibration and on‐the‐ground calibration are carried out to determine the intrinsic and extrinsic camera parameters. The two cameras work in synchronism, and the motion parameters (e.g., pan, tilt, zoom, focus) of the active camera are measured for each image frame. Background subtraction is applied to the image sequence of the static camera to extract moving objects, and the obtained moving objects are then transformed to the image sequence of the active camera using both calibrated camera parameters and camera motion parameters. The approach is robust and fast and has a number of other desirable features. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 13–25, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10557
Parallel‐hierarchical neural network for 3D object recognition
Authors: Sato Noriaki , Hagiwara Masafumi
Published: December 2003

In this paper, the authors propose a parallel‐hierarchical neural network that can recognize multiple 3D objects from 2D projection images. The proposed network focuses on a parallel‐hierarchical structure and memory‐based recognition assistance, which are characteristics of the excellent vision systems that living organisms have, and refers to the neocognitron, which models the parallel‐hierarchical structure of vision systems. The amount of calculations is reduced by deleting cells having a low degree of importance based on competition between cells and detecting features that differ for each cell. The network not only can recognize an object, but can also estimate its orientation at the same time. The memory‐based recognition assistance is modeled by performing iterative processing during which the input image approaches a learning image based on the orientation estimation result. Weights are determined by sequentially presenting learning images, and no teaching signal is necessary. This is done in a short time since it is not an iterative learning method. The network performance was evaluated by using five objects from COIL‐100. Images that were obtained by photographing each object after it was rotated 60° at a time around the vertical axis were used for the learning images. The experiments checked the recognition rates for various 2D projection images that were obtained from the 3D objects. These results verified the effectiveness of the proposed neural network as a 3D object recognition technique. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 1–12, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10579
A design of flash memory file system for embedded systems
Authors: Ishizumi Noritaka , Saisho Keizo , Fukuda Akira
Published: December 2003

Flash memory, which has advantages of nonvolatility, high density, little power consumption, and low cost, has been employed as memory device for small and portable embedded devices. Flash memory, however, is slower in writing data compared with volatile semiconductor memory such as DRAM, and requires a time‐consuming block erase operation for data rewriting. The block erase operation should be avoided as far as possible because there is a limit in the number of erases. In this paper, a file system for flash memory that realizes high‐speed data access and high durability is proposed, and designed and implemented. Specifically speaking, the life of flash memory is prolonged by using linked lists for file management to avoid concentration of rewriting on specific erase blocks. Furthermore, write operations are speeded‐up by writing only the difference in update, and the number of block erase operations is reduced by updating links through appending operations. The result of experiments showed that concentration of block erase operations on specific blocks, which is normal in conventional table management methods, could be avoided by using linked lists for file management. Appending operations produced little degradation of storage usage even if the file size was fairly smaller compared with the size of an erase block. However, there were cases where multiple garbage collections were required in file writing, and it took several times longer than usual cases. Thus, it is necessary to improve file writing for practical application. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 91–100, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.1227
Charting the Uncharted Seas of Online Student Ratings of Instruction
Authors: Sorenson D. Lynn , Reiner Christian
Published: December 2003

Are online student ratings the “wave of the future”? This chapter introduces numerous advantages and challenges of adopting an online system for student evaluation of teaching; in it, the authors preview the research of the other authors of this volume and suggest areas that universities can investigate when determining the desirability of initiating an online ratings system for student evaluation of instruction.
Online Course Evaluation and Reporting in Higher Education
Authors: Hoffman Kevin M.
Published: December 2003

Many U.S. institutions of higher education are initiating and expanding the use of the Internet for collecting and reporting student ratings of instruction.
Psychometric Properties of Student Ratings of Instruction in Online and On‐Campus Courses
Authors: McGhee Debbie E. , Lowell Nana
Published: December 2003

This study compares mean ratings, inter‐rater reliabilities, and the factor structure of items for online and paper student‐rating forms from the University of Washington's Instructional Assessment System.
Evaluation of the measurement of the fetal fat layer, interventricular septum and abdominal circumference percentile in the prediction of macrosomia in pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes
Authors: Bethune M. , Bell R.
Published: December 2003

Objectives

To evaluate the measurement of the fetal abdominal fat layer (FFL), cardiac interventricular septum (IVS) and abdominal circumference (AC) percentile in the early third trimester as predictors of macrosomia at birth in the fetuses of women with gestational diabetes.

Methods

Ninety patients attending the hospital's special diabetic clinic were recruited prospectively. FFL and IVS were measured in addition to the routine biometry in the early third trimester. AC was measured routinely and AC percentile was determined from established antenatal charts. These measurements were then assessed as predictors of macrosomia.

Results

A fetal fat layer of ≥5 mm was the most useful predictor of macrosomia at term as assessed using the likelihood ratio. An AC ≥90th percentile, however, had a better sensitivity.

Conclusion

The usefulness of routine FFL measurement in the early third trimester in the management of diabetic pregnancies is worthy of further evaluation. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benchmarking the cultivation approach to video game effects: a comparison of the correlates of TV viewing and game play
Authors: Van Mierlo Jan , Van den Bulck Jan
Published: December 2003

This study found significant relationships between first‐ and second‐order cultivation measures and TV viewing, but found a relationship with video game play for only two variables in a sample of 322 Flemish 3rd and 6th year secondary school children. This suggests that the absence of a relationship with video game play is not the result of the absence of cultivation effects in Flanders. On the other hand it shows that the relationship between TV viewing and cultivation measures is not an artifact of systematic over reporting. The study concludes that cultivation measures typical of the “television world” are not related to playing video games. To study video game cultivation measures must be sought which reflect the mainstream of (particular genres of) video games. The role of selectivity needs to be studied more closely. As gamers play an active role in the violence of the games the possibility that self‐protecting strategies are employed in processing video game contents must be taken into consideration. Existing process theories explaining what happens in television cultivation may be challenged by research into the cultivation effects of video games.
Pentoxifylline in ischemic, hypertensive and idiopathic‐dilated cardiomyopathy: effects on left‐ventricular function, inflammatory cytokines and symptoms
Authors: Bahrmann Philipp , Hengst Uta M. , Richartz Babara M. , Figulla Hans R.
Published: December 2003

Introduction:

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) are significantly elevated in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Pentoxifylline, a xanthin‐derived agent, is known to inhibit the production of TNF‐α and IL‐6. Recent studies have shown that pentoxifylline produces an increase in ejection fraction, a decrease in left‐ventricular chamber size and an improvement in clinical status in patients with idiopathic‐dilated cardiomyopathy. Therefore, we studied the effects of pentoxifylline in ischemic, hypertensive and idiopathic‐dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods:

Primary endpoint was left‐ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessed by contrast 2D echocardiography. Secondary endpoints were concentrations of TNF‐α, IL‐6, brain natriuretic peptide, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score or New York Heart Association scale.

Results:

Forty‐seven patients (31.9% ischemic, 21.3% hypertensive, 10.6% ischemic and hypertensive, 36.2% idiopathic‐dilated cardiomyopathy) were randomly assigned to pentoxifylline 600 mg BID (n=23) or placebo (n=24) if they had a compensated CHF with a LVEF less than or equal to 40% and had taken their standard treatment consisting of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics and β‐blockers for at least 3 months. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of each group were similar. Forty‐one patients completed the study protocol and were analysed for primary and secondary endpoints. After 6 months of treatment, LVEF was unchanged in the pentoxifylline group compared with placebo (29±7 to 33±10% vs. 27±9 to 34±9%, respectively, P=NS). Also the secondary endpoints did not significantly change during follow‐up.

Conclusion:

Additional treatment with pentoxifylline is neutral with regard to left‐ventricular function, inflammatory cytokines and symptoms in patients with ischemic, hypertensive and idiopathic‐dilated cardiomyopathy.
Beta‐adrenergic receptor blockade and the angiotensin‐converting enzyme deletion polymorphism in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: de Groote Pascal , Helbecque Nicole , Lamblin Nicolas , Hermant Xavier , Amouyel Philippe , Bauters Christophe , Dallongeville Jean
Published: December 2003

Background:

Beta‐adrenergic receptor blockade is an established treatment of chronic heart failure (HF). Previous studies have suggested a potential pharmacogenetic interaction between beta‐blocker therapy and the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphism in patients with HF.

Aims:

We designed this study to analyze changes in myocardial function of HF patients in response to beta‐blocker therapy as a function of the ACE I/D polymorphism.

Methods and results:

We studied 199 consecutive patients with chronic HF not treated with beta‐blockers. Before initiation of beta‐blockers and 3 months after the maximal tolerated dose was reached, patients underwent echocardiography, radionuclide angiography, and a cardiopulmonary exercise test. We extracted genomic DNA from white blood cells and determined the ACE I/D polymorphism. Thirty‐five (18%) patients had the II genotype, 86 (43%) the ID genotype and 78 (39%) the DD genotype. A significant and similar improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was observed in II (from 0.30±0.10 to 0.41±0.13; P<0.0001), ID (from 0.29±0.11 to 0.39±0.13; P<0.0001) and DD patients (from 0.31±0.11 to 0.40±0.13; P<0.0001). Peak Vo2 before and after beta‐blockade was similar among the three groups. The proportion of responders to beta‐blockers (patients without cardiac events during titration who had an increase in LVEF >5% after beta‐blockers) was similar among the three groups (II: 65.9%%, ID: 60.6%%, DD: 65.9%; P=NS). During a median follow‐up of 933 days, there was no evidence for any effect of ACE I/D polymorphism on cardiac survival.

Conclusions:

We observed no evidence of pharmacogenetic interaction between the ACE I/D polymorphism and the effects of beta‐blockade on LVEF and other prognostic parameters in patients with chronic HF. Our results support the initiation of beta‐blockers in HF patients with the II or the ID genotype as well as in those with the DD genotype.
Systematic review of open access echocardiography for primary care
Authors: Khunti Kamlesh
Published: December 2003

Over the last few years there has been a revolution in open access echocardiography services due to an increased demand from within secondary care and primary care. There have been some concerns expressed by specialists and open access echocardiography has not been universally welcomed as a means of offering healthcare. Suspected heart failure comprises the majority of primary care referrals for open access echocardiography. There is lack of rigorously controlled studies to support widespread establishment of open access echocardiography services.
The Family Caregiving Experience of Outpatient ECT
Authors: Sethi Stephanie , Williams Reg Arthur
Published: December 2003

BACKGROUND: Given its safety and efficacy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is increasingly being provided on an outpatient basis. However, there is limited understanding about the educational needs of the family in providing care to one of its members who is receiving outpatient ECT.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the needs of family members who were providing care to clients receiving outpatient ECT.

STUDY DESIGN: Interviews were conducted with eight family members. Themes were identified using Giorgi’s method of data analysis.

RESULTS: Five themes were identified: (1) Family members experienced fear and despair as a result of the ineffectiveness of medications. (2) ECT provided hope, and there were no negative attitudes toward ECT. (3) Stress and coping were factors and had two components: (a) Depressive symptoms created distress and interfered with family coping mechanisms, and (b) caregiving tasks associated with outpatient ECT were not stressful as long as the patient improved. (4) Distressed relationships improved after ECT. (5) Families wanted more emotional support and information.

CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that it is the caregiving associated with severe depressive symptoms, rather than with the ECT, that creates family distress. The need for more information and emotional support is an important finding that can direct the development of nursing interventions.
Re‐exploring the relationship between flexibility and the external environment
Authors: Pagell Mark , Krause Daniel R
Published: December 2003

The organizational structure literature has long posited that increases in uncertainty should lead to organic (adaptable) structures [T. Burnes, G.M. Stalker, The Management of Innovation, Tavistock Publications, London, 1961]. Similarly, the operations management literature has focused on the importance of flexibility as a competitive weapon [e.g., De Meyer et al., 1989 Strategic Manage. J. 10 (1989) 135], and as a response to environmental uncertainty [Manage. Sci. 33 (1987) 509; Manage. Sci. 39 (1993) 395]. However, our recent attempts to empirically validate a relationship between environmental uncertainty and operational flexibility in manufacturing plants have failed to show a significant relationship [J. Operations Manage. 3 (1999) 307]. The present research attempts to rectify these contradictory findings by replicating and extending the works of [Manage. Sci. 33 (1987) 509] as well as [J. Operations Manage. 3 (1999) 307]. The results find no support for the proposition that firms that respond to increased uncertainty with increased flexibility will experience increased performance.
Impaired health status, sleep disorders, and pain in the craniomandibular and cervical spinal regions
Authors: Lobbezoo Frank , Visscher Corine M , Naeije Machiel
Published: December 2003

This study investigated the relationship between health status (i.e., physical well‐being and quality of life), sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia, sleep‐related depression and anxiety), and musculoskeletal pain in the craniomandibular and cervical spinal regions. The number of painful body areas below the cervical spine (i.e., widespread pain) was also taken into account. Two questionnaires, viz., the RAND 36‐item Health Survey Questionnaire and the Dutch Sleep Disorders Questionnaire (SDQ), were administered to 103 persons who could unequivocally be classified into one of four mutually exclusive groups: No pain, craniomandibular pain (CMP), cervical spinal pain (CSP), and both CMP and CSP. Body drawings were used for the self‐report of widespread pain. Multivariate analysis of variance showed effects of gender, group, and widespread pain on the questionnaire scales; not of age. As shown by univariate analysis of variance, men suffered more from sleep apnea than did women. No other gender differences were found. Simple contrast analyses following univariate analyses of the group and widespread pain effects showed that, in general, more questionnaire scales, both of the RAND‐36 and of the SDQ, reached statistical significance with an increase in the number of painful areas. It was concluded that both musculoskeletal pain in the trigemino‐cervical area and widespread body pain are associated with an increased impairment of health status. Also, sleep disorders are frequently found in patients with chronic pain in the craniomandibular and cervical spinal regions as well as in patients with widespread pain. The more painful areas there are, the likelier it is that sleep disorders are present.
When pain is not fully explained by organic lesion: a psychiatric perspective on chronic pain patients
Authors: Ciaramella A , Grosso S , Poli P , Gioia A , Inghirami S , Massimetti G , Conti L
Published: December 2003

Recent literature demonstrates the relationship between psychopathology and medically unexplained pain, even if the results of several studies show a high degree of variability.

The present study was planned with the aim of analysing both the possible relationship between the level (low/high) of organicity and the presence of psychopathology, and the degree to which these differences are related to methodological problems. Between 1998 and 2000, four hundred and thirty six consecutive patients seen at the Pisa Pain Therapy and Palliative Care Unit were requested to fill in a questionnaire, the GHQ‐12, to screen the subjects probably with (GHQ‐12 > 3) or without (GHQ‐12 ≤ 3) psychopathology. All the patients scoring above the GHQ‐12 threshold (score of 3), and a randomised sample of those scoring below the GHQ‐12 threshold, were included in the study. These patients were then interviewed using three different instruments: the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for a standardised psychiatric diagnosis, the Semistructured Interview for Depression (SID) for the characterisation of temperament, and the Italian Pain Questionnaire (IPQ) for the evaluation of pain. Our results suggest that Somatisation Disorders are more frequent in the medically unexplained pain group than in the medically explained pain group, whereas the other psychiatric disorders have a similar prevalence in the two pain groups. Mood and anxiety disorders are correlated with high scores on GHQ‐12 and medically explained pain has a higher prevalence of GHQ‐12 > 3 than the medically unexplained pain group. These results confirm that methodology is an important factor that could modify results in psychiatric research. Both medically unexplained pain and the presence of psychopathology are significantly correlated with sex, and age: females and young patients have a higher prevalence of psychopathology and of medically unexplained pain. Our results suggest that in the correlation between the low organicity of pain and psychopathology, the age and sex play a relevant role.
Evidence for a direct relationship between cognitive and physical change during an education intervention in people with chronic low back pain
Authors: Moseley G.Lorimer
Published: December 2003

Background. Unhelpful pain cognitions of patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) may limit physical performance and undermine physical assessment. It is not known whether a direct relationship exists between pain cognitions and physical performance.

Aims. To determine if a relationship exists between change in pain cognitions and change in physical performance when chronic LBP patients participate in a single one‐to‐one education intervention during which they have no opportunity to be active.

Methods. In a quasi‐experiment using a convenience sample, moderately disabled chronic LBP patients (n=121) participated in a one‐to‐one education session about either lumbar spine physiology or pain physiology. Multiple regression analysis evaluated the relationship between change in pain cognitions measured by the survey of pain attitudes (SOPA) and the pain catastrophising scale (PCS) and change in physical performance, measured by the straight leg raise (SLR) and standing forward bending range.

Results. There was a strong relationship between cognitive change and change in straight leg raise (SLR) and forward bending (r=0.88 and 0.79, respectively, P<0.01), mostly explained by change in the conviction that pain means tissue damage and catastrophising.

Conclusions. Change in pain cognitions is associated with change in physical performance, even when there is no opportunity to be physically active. Unhelpful pain cognitions should be considered when interpreting physical assessments.
The course of non‐malignant chronic pain: a 12‐year follow‐up of a cohort from the general population
Authors: Andersson H.Ingemar
Published: December 2003

The high prevalence of chronic pain (duration >3 months) reported from different populations indicates a public health problem. Knowledge of the long‐term course of chronic non‐malignant pain is incomplete and scarce.

This paper describes a follow‐up of a cohort recruited from a survey in the general population. The cohort (n=214) consisted initially of individuals with widespread or located (neck—shoulder) pain or without chronic pain. The individuals were initially examined and replied to questionnaires on pain, social factors, lifestyle, medication and health care after two and 12 years. The deaths during the period were obtained from the population register. Complete data exist for 77% of the eligible individuals.

After 12 years one‐third of the individuals initially without pain reported chronic pain, and among those with initial chronic pain 85% still reported chronic pain. The number of painful areas was the strongest predictor of chronic pain 12 years later (OR 15.8; >3 locations vs. 0) whereas a social factor (having a close friend) decreased the risk (OR 0.44). The onset of chronic pain during the same period was related to the physical workload (work with bent positions; OR 5.31; yes vs. no). Mortality was significantly higher in the group initially reporting widespread pain compared with the other groups. The chronicity of widespread chronic pain supports early and intense intervention among individuals with located pain. The association between chronic widespread pain and increased mortality needs further investigation but may deepen the view of chronic pain as a public health problem.
The tridimensional personality theory and pain: harm avoidance and reward dependence traits correlate with pain perception in healthy volunteers
Authors: Pud Dorit , Eisenberg Elon , Sprecher Elliot , Rogowski Zeev , Yarnitsky David
Published: December 2003

The aim of the present study was to examine the possible role of personality traits in determining the variability of pain perception among individuals. More specifically, it was intended to test whether or not the three personality dimensions suggested by Cloninger in 1987 – mainly harm avoidance (HA), but also reward dependence (RD), and novelty seeking (NS), can predict interpersonal differences in responsiveness to experimental pain. Seventy healthy volunteers participated in the study. Their personality traits were evaluated through Cloninger's tridimensional personality questionnaire (TPQ). Pain threshold (latency to pain onset), pain magnitude (VAS), and pain tolerance (time to withdrawal) were measured by using the cold pressor test. Bonferroni‐adjusted correlations were found between HA and the pain parameters as follows: a negative correlation between HA and threshold (ρ=−0.297, Padj=0.039); no significant correlation between HA and tolerance (ρ=−0.219, Padj=0.207); and a trend for a positive correlation between HA and VAS (ρ=0.266, Padj=0.081). Possible correlations between pain perception and the various possible combinations of high and low scoring for each of the three traits were also investigated. Correlations were found only for the combinations of high/low HA and high/low RD. The low HA/low RD combination demonstrated the lowest responsiveness to pain (VAS 65.2 ± 21.4; tolerance 107.6 ± 71.8 s), whereas the high HA/low RD combination was correlated with the highest responsiveness (VAS 83.3 ± 10.8; tolerance 30.8 ± 28.4 s). The results indicate that HA personality trait correlates best with pain responsiveness. As such, a high HA are likely to predict a heightened pain response. RD may modify this pattern. The possible relevant behavioral and neuro‐chemical mechanisms are discussed.
Comorbidity of pain problems and depressive symptoms in young women: results from a cross‐sectional survey among women aged 15–24 in Hungary
Authors: Réthelyi János M , Berghammer Rita , Ittzés András , Szumska Irena , Purebl György , Csoboth Csilla
Published: December 2003

Frequent headaches and musculoskeletal pain problems were assessed as part of a cross‐sectional health survey in a representative sample of 3615 young Hungarian women, aged 15–24 (mean age: 19.0 years). The representative sample was obtained by a multilevel stratified sampling procedure based on national statistical data, the refusal rate was 6%. Depressive symptomatology was assessed as well using the shortened form of the Beck Depression Inventory. The overall prevalence of frequent headaches was 43.8% in the sample, 25.8% of the investigated population reported chronic musculoskeletal pain problems. The co‐prevalence rate of depression was significantly higher in the group of interviewees reporting pain problems, 11.2% in the group indicating frequent headaches (χ2=53.1, p<0.001), 10.3% in the group reporting musculoskeletal pain problems (χ2=12.4, p<0.001). In contrast, the prevalence of depressive symptomatology was 4.6% and 6.6% in the subgroups denying frequent headaches and musculoskeletal pain, respectively. The prevalence of chronic pain problems decreased with higher age, increased with the smaller size of residence and was lower in the non‐student employment group, however, these differences across sociodemographic variables did not remain significant if tested by a multivariate logistic regression analysis.

The high co‐prevalence rates of depression in interviewees reporting chronic pain problem draws attention to the development of such secondary health problems and underscores the importance of early prevention. Epidemiological studies provide data for the better planning and management of prevention programs.
Neck flexor muscle fatigue is side specific in patients with unilateral neck pain
Authors: Falla Deborah , Jull Gwendolen , Rainoldi Alberto , Merletti Roberto
Published: December 2003

Despite the evidence of greater fatigability of the cervical flexor muscles in neck pain patients, the effect of unilaterality of neck pain on muscle fatigue has not been investigated. This study compared myoelectric manifestations of sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and anterior scalene (AS) muscle fatigue between the painful and non‐painful sides in patients with chronic unilateral neck pain. Myoelectric signals were recorded from the sternal head of SCM and the AS muscles bilaterally during sub‐maximal isometric cervical flexion contractions at 25% and 50% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). The time course of the mean power frequency, average rectified value and conduction velocity of the electromyographic signals were calculated to quantify myoelectric manifestations of muscle fatigue. Results revealed greater estimates of the initial value and slope of the mean frequency for both the SCM and AS muscles on the side of the patient's neck pain at 25% and 50% of MVC. These results indicate greater myoelectric manifestations of muscle fatigue of the superficial cervical flexor muscles ipsilateral to the side of pain. This suggests a specificity of the effect of pain on muscle function and hence the need for specificity of therapeutic exercise in the management of neck pain patients.
Clinical study of chronic pain in hereditary myopathies
Authors: Delorme Thierry , Boureau François , Eymard Bruno , Laforet Pascal , Cottrel Frédérique
Published: December 2003

In the field of neuromuscular diseases, pain and its management remain imperfectly understood and described. We study 68 unselected, consecutive adult patients attending a multidisciplinary consultation for hereditary myopathy. Forty‐six (67%) were suffering from chronic pain. Pain was assessed with self report questionnaire and a standardized clinical evaluation. Mean duration of the pain was 7.2 ± 8.9 years, and multiple body sites were involved in 91% of cases. Usual pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale 0–100) was moderate (39.5 ± 26.2). For 42 patients (91%) the principal cause of the pain was of muscular origin, with frequent features of myofascial pain syndromes (MPS, 50%) and fibromyalgia (FMS, 26%). Pain was the major complaint for 6.3% of the patients. Pain management was essentially based on physiotherapy. Only a minority of patients (38%) has an appropriate drug treatment. Common analgesics appeared to be very effective in these patients.
Psychosocial experiences among primary care patients with and without musculoskeletal pain
Authors: Soares Joaquim J.F , Jablonska Beata
Published: December 2003

We examined differences in demographic/financial characteristics, burnout, job demands/control/strain and symptoms of depression as measured by GHQ among primary care patients with (n=838) and without pain (n=135). In addition, we examined factors associated with the presence of pain by means of logistic regression analyses among all participants, and inter‐relations between demographic/financial/pain/health variables, symptoms of depression, burnout, and disability by means of multivariate regression analyses among pain patients. The patients completed a questionnaire about areas such as job strain and burnout. The design was cross‐sectional and data were collected during 15 consecutive days. The univariate analyses showed that pain patients, compared with patients without pain, were more often females, older, divorced, foreign‐born, had been more often on sick‐leave, were more preoccupied with how to make ends meet and had greater difficulties in raising a reasonable sum of money within a specific period of time. In addition, they had greater levels of depression symptoms, burnout, and job strain. However, the multivariate analyses showed that symptoms of depression and burnout were more associated with such variables as sick‐leave and divorce than by pain parameters. The logistic regression revealed that the presence of pain was associated with female gender, sick‐leave, and high levels of job strain and mean total burnout. Finally, pain patients had a severe clinical situation in terms of, for example, constant, intense, and prolonged pain, and experienced a high degree of disability due to pain. We corroborated previous findings and may have provided new insights into the experiences of pain patients that may be of importance when considering intervention. Although we pointed to some important factors associated with pain, symptoms of depression and burnout, much of their variation remains to be explained. Thus, further research appears necessary, not least concerning the role of burnout as an antecedent to pain.
The floating potential of spherical probes and dust grains. II: Orbital motion theory
Authors: KENNEDY R. V. , ALLEN J. E.
Published: December 2003

Probe theory is generally used to find the potential of dust particles immersed in plasma. The orbital motion limited theory (OML) is often used to find the potential at the probe surface, but the assumptions underlying this theory are usually not valid in the case of dust and the more general orbital motion (OM) theory is much harder to calculate. Solutions are given for the OM theory in a range of cases applicable to dust. It is shown that the surface potential the full theory gives reduces to the OML result for small probes. Commonly in dusty plasmas the OML surface potential is used, with the surrounding distribution given by Debye–Hückel, or Yukawa theory. This form, however, neglects ion depletion due to the absorption of particles on the probe surface. In this paper a new analytical solution to the system is given which is applicable to small probes and dust. This new expression is equivalent to Yukawa form, but takes ion absorption into account.
Characteristic behaviour of dust grains in a sheath formed in plasma with negative ions
Authors: KALITA P. , DAS G. C.
Published: December 2003

The motivation of this paper is to study the formation of a sheath in plasma contaminated with additional negative ions. Sheath formation has been analysed through the solution of the Sagdeev potential equation derived in a plasma by using the pseudopotential method. Because of the negative ions, it has been shown that the sheath formation, in contrast to that in a simple plasma, faces difficulties. A potential barrier from which modes are reflected is introduced and the potential variation beyond it is complex which, in turn, shows new findings. It is also revealed that the potential variation should be estimated in the plasma sheath in the presence of low as well as high negative-ion concentrations. The levitation of a dust grain into the sheath and its characteristic behaviour have also been investigated. Furthermore, the dust size in the ideal plasma sheath along with the causes of formation of the dust atmosphere have been studied.
New model and estimation of the danger of ball lightning
Authors: SHMATOV M. L.
Published: December 2003

A new model of ball lightning is proposed. The main model assumption is that ball lightning has a core consisting of clouds of electrons and totally ionized ions which oscillate with respect to each other. According to the model, ball lightning emits high energy photons that are sometimes dangerous for human beings, and in a number of situations it can kill humans by electric pulses; the ball lightning energy can be of the order of 106 J and even greater. The electric charges that need to be injected into the atmosphere to create ball lightning and the currents, providing the injection of such charges, are estimated. These estimates predict that ball lightning can be created in the experiments with ordinary lightning or powerful electrical installations.
On parametric instabilities in HF heating of the ionosphere
Authors: KUO S. P.
Published: December 2003

The initial processes excited directly by high-frequency (HF) heating waves include parametric decay instabilities, which decay the HF heating wave to a frequency-downshifted Langmuir/upper hybrid sideband together with an ion acoustic/lower hybrid wave as the decay mode, and oscillating two stream instabilities, which decay the HF heating wave to two oppositely propagating Langmuir/upper hybrid sidebands and purely growing mode/field-aligned density irregularities. These instabilities provide effective channels to convert heating waves to electrostatic plasma waves in the F region of the ionosphere. The following-up parametric instabilities include the cascades of Langmuir pump waves into Langmuir sidebands and ion acoustic waves/lower hybrid waves, and the decay of upper hybrid waves to Langmuir sidebands and ion decay modes, as well as the filamentation of those HF electrostatic waves to generate field-aligned density irregularities. The instability thresholds, growth rates, angular distribution and regions of excitation are determined.
Geometry of magnetic field lines approaching a current sheet
Authors: NÚÑEZ MANUEL
Published: December 2003

The evolution of a magnetic field line in two dimensions near a neutral sheet is analysed. It is found that the general features of this evolution are rather independent of any particular model, provided that the magnetic field is small and the current density does not vanish. The time of arrival of a field line to the neutral sheet as well as its breaking and reconnection are proved to be finite and to satisfy a simple formula whose main parameter is the resistivity, which may be a spatial function. The shape of the evolving field lines satisfies a differential equation whose solution in some simple cases is shown to agree with certain classical reconnection configurations. Hyperresistivity is found to be more often a hindrance than a positive contribution to the reconnection process.