bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adstrate Influence in Sri Lanka Malay: Definiteness, Animacy and Number in Accusative Case Marking
Authors: Smith Ian R.
Published: March 2012

Sri Lanka Malay is a creole-like language spoken by the descendents of soldiers, exiles and slaves brought to Sri Lanka by the Dutch from Java and their possessions in the Indonesian archipelago in the 17th and 18th centuries and by recruits brought by the British from the Malayan Peninsula and elsewhere in the 19th century. Various authors have noted the influence of indigenous languages on the structure of Sri Lanka Malay but disagreement has arisen over the source and mechanism. An examination of the interaction of definiteness, number, animacy and the accusative case in Sinhala, Tamil, and Sri Lanka Malay nominal inflection shows that Sri Lanka Malay aligns more closely here with Tamil than with Sinhala. The pattern of accusative case marking, in particular, can be attributed to Tamil influence. Moreover, the ubiquity of accusative case marking in Sri Lanka Malay together with its obscure origin and the absence of recent cataclysmic social events to trigger rapid linguistic change indicate that this alignment is of long standing, rather than a recent development.
Switch-reference and Omotic-Cushitic Language Contact in Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Treis Yvonne
Published: March 2012

Africa has up until now been considered a continent where switch-reference systems are extremely rare. This study shows that there is a confined area in the South of Ethiopia where many Omotic languages and a few Cushitic languages have fully grammaticalised switch-reference systems on dependent (co-)subordinate non-final verbs, so-called converbs. The paper describes in detail the switch-reference system of Kambaata (Cushitic) and gives an overview of the distribution of switch-reference systems in Ethiopia in general. It is argued that switch-reference marking in Cushitic languages is the result of contact with neighbouring Omotic languages.
Parameters of education and the course of depression: An analysis in the Turkish sociocultural context
Authors: Kraus Michael , Karaman Taha
Published: March 2012

Background:

Major depression (MD) is often marked by an unfavourable course. Education repeatedly was found to be associated with better mental health variables, but longitudinal data are scarce. This evaluation seeks to identify the predictive role of specific aspects of education on the course of depression in a socioculturally defined setting.

Methods:

A sample of 69 unipolar MD outpatients in university and primary health care in Antalya, Turkey were observed naturalistically for a mean 11-month period. The baseline examination included several psychosocial variables, among them the highest attained schooling degree (DEG), possible further but unfulfilled educational aspirations (UEA), and the participants’ parental educational level (PEL). The depressive symptomatology was assessed with the HAM-D-17 at baseline and at four-monthly follow-ups. A binary variable differentiated ‘non-remissive’ from ‘remissive’ courses, the latter displaying at least temporal partial remissions.

Results:

Forty-two per cent of the sample displayed a non-remissive one-year course of MD. Half of the participants reported UEA. This was more prevalent among women, and qualitative information added causal gender-specific perceptions. In logistic regression, DEG proved prognostic impact, but was exceeded by the combination of UEA and PEL as the strongest predictor model (Cox & Snell R2 = 0.217). This remained when controlled for place of examination, gender and initial severity of depression. As risk factors for low education, a pattern of female gender and large family size (itself predicted by rural descent) emerged.

Conclusions:

Low education proved to be a risk factor for an unfavourable course of MD. Not only actual experienced schooling, but also unfulfilled academic aspirations and a low parental educational level appear to be of crucial impact.
Religiousness, religious coping methods and distress level among psychiatric patients in Malaysia
Authors: Nurasikin MS , Khatijah LA , Aini A , Ramli M , Aida SA , Zainal NZ , Ng CG
Published: March 2012

Background:

Patients having psychiatric diagnoses often experience high level of distress. Religiousness is often used by them as part of their coping mechanism and problem-solving strategies.

Objective:

To determine the level of religious commitment and coping methods in psychiatric patients and its relationship with distress level.

Methods:

Religious commitment and coping patterns were measured with the Duke University Religious Index (DUREL) and Brief RCOPE, respectively. Psychopathology was assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and distress level was assessed with the Depressive, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). Social support and experiences of recent threatening events were measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Life Threatening Events (LTE).

Results:

A total of 228 patients were included in this study with a mean age of 40.2 years. The majority were male, Malay, Muslim, single and with psychotic disorder. The subjects had a high level of religious commitment and had used more positive coping methods. Negative religious coping, psychiatric symptoms and diagnosis of anxiety disorder or major depression were significantly associated with high distress level. Higher religious commitment was significantly associated with lower distress ( p < .05).

Conclusion:

Psychiatric patients were religiously committed and used more positive religious coping methods. Practices of negative religious coping, severe psychiatric symptoms and anxiety/depression were associated with higher distress.
Social isolation associated with depression: A case report of hikikomori
Authors: Teo Alan R
Published: March 2012

Background:

Social isolation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A severe form of social isolation or social withdrawal, called hikikomori in Japan, has been described, but controversy over the etiology and universality of the phenomenon remains.

Method:

Case report.

Results:

Diagnostic assessment by structured clinical interview and psychometric tools revealed hikikomori and underlying bipolar disorder, in which the patient’s social withdrawal occurred exclusively during major depressive episodes. The patient declined pharmacotherapy, but his hikikomori and depression went into remission after 25 sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy targeting his social isolation.

Conclusions:

This is the first reported case of hikikomori in the Americas. It illustrates the association between hikikomori and a mood disorder, and suggests the importance of international study of the prevalence and potential treatment strategies for severe social isolation.
Perceived human rights violation in persons with mental illness: Role of education
Authors: Vijayalakshmi Poreddi , Ramachandra  , Reddemma Konduru , Math Suresh Bada
Published: March 2012

Background:

People with mental illness are vulnerable to human rights violations and people with illiteracy and mental illness are at a double disadvantage.

Objective:

To determine the role of education in ascertaining human rights needs of people with mental illness.

Methodology:

This was a descriptive study carried out among randomly selected ( N = 100) recovered psychiatric patients with mental illness in the past based on the Clinical Global Impression – Improvement scale at a tertiary care centre. Data were collected through face-to-face interview using structured needs assessment questionnaire comprising two sections related to family and community domains. Data were analysed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings:

Our findings revealed that human rights needs in the physical needs dimension – i.e. access to electricity ( χ 2 = 5.523, p < .019) and safe drinking water facilities ( χ 2 = 9.665, p < .022) – were rated higher in illiterates than in literates. The human rights needs in emotional dimension – i.e. feeling separated from their families because of their illness ( χ 2 = 13.118, p < .004), afraid of family members ( χ 2 = 13.388, p < .004) and called filthy nicknames ( χ 2 = 17.759, p < .000) – were rated higher in literates than in illiterates. The human rights needs in the religious needs dimension – i.e. allowed to go to temple, church, mosque etc. ( χ 2 = 12.000, p < .007) – and in the social needs dimension – i.e. friendliness with family members –were rated higher in illiterates than in literates ( χ 2 = 9.661, p < .022).

Conclusion:

Empowering people with mental illness by providing adequate opportunity to pursue education will play an important role in fulfilling the obligation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Mental illness among journalists: A systematic review
Authors: Aoki Yuta , Malcolm Estelle , Yamaguchi Sosei , Thornicroft Graham , Henderson Claire
Published: March 2012

Background:

Mass media depictions of people with mental illness have a strong influence on public attitudes, to the extent that changes in these depictions can reduce public stigmatization of people with such illness. Journalists’ mental health may influence their depiction of those with mental illness, but little is known about this.

Aims:

To investigate mental illness among journalists in five key areas: (1) journalists’ mental health status; (2) journalists’ personal attitudes towards mental illness; (3) attitudes and support journalists expect or have experienced from colleagues when they have a mental health problem; (4) effect of journalism’s professional culture on the course of mental illness; and (5) effect of journalism’s professional culture on mass media depictions of people with mental illness.

Methods:

We performed a systematic screening of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library regarding the study aims.

Results:

We identified 19, 12, seven and four studies for aims 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. No articles were found for aim 5.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among journalists is higher than that among the general population. Journalists have positive personal attitudes towards mental illness, but there are perceived workplace disincentives to disclose mental health problems.
Depression risks in mothers of children with developmental disabilities: A cross-cultural comparison of Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia and Thailand
Authors: Osada Hirokazu , Coelho de Amorim Annibal , Velosa Andrea , Wan Wong Poh , Lotrakul Panpimol , Hara Hitoshi
Published: March 2012

Background:

Compared with US or European countries, there are fewer mental health services for mothers of children with developmental disabilities in Latin American and/or Southeast Asian countries.

Aims:

To explore the risk of depression in mothers of children with developmental disabilities in countries with a lack of mental health professionals, we conducted cross-cultural comparisons for four countries: Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Methods:

Using the CES-D, we compared the participants’ depressive symptoms, by which we also estimated the probability of morbid depression.

Results:

In every country, participants tended to show depressive symptoms. In the CES-D total scores and the numbers of mothers who were observed to have a high level of depressive symptoms, there were significant differences among countries ( F = 4.36, p = .006; χ2 = 10.3, p = .015).

Conclusions:

Considering cultural models, we could apply evidence-based intervention to depressive mothers of children, and conduct intervention and treatment for those mothers and evaluate ways of providing better mental health services to these individuals.
Issue Framing in Conversations for Change
Authors: Dewulf Art , Bouwen René
Published: March 2012

In conversations for change between multiple actors about complex issues, differences in issue framing are bound to emerge. When the participants frame the meaning of an issue in diverging terms, they face the challenge of dealing with this frame difference in the further conversation. The authors draw on literature on framing, dualities, and interaction to explore how participants in conversations deal with these frame differences through language-in-interaction. With discourse and conversation analysis as a methodological approach, the authors analyzed interaction sequences in the context of multi-actor projects of natural resources management. Five interaction strategies that involve different ways of “doing differences” are identified—frame incorporation, frame disconnection, frame polarization, frame accommodation, and frame reconnection. The discursive characteristics of each of these interaction strategies can be understood by considering the multiple interactional challenges faced by participants when they engage in conversations for change.
Facilitating Local Ownership Through Paradoxical Interventions
Authors: Vermaak Hans
Published: March 2012

This article builds on findings from 6 years of action research on change dynamics in the Dutch diplomatic arena concerned with tough issues such as dispensing foreign aid to reduce poverty. The complexity of tough issues can only be handled effectively with intensive local participation. Such participation is not straightforward as people may shy away from the unfamiliar repertoires, unpredictable processes, and inevitable opposition that come with the territory. This article focuses on how to facilitate local ownership in a series of paradoxical interventions with sufficient depth and credibility. It describes the dynamics enabling and frustrating the helping relationship during the initiation and execution of complex change.
Shaking Fruit out of the Tree
Authors: Schwarz Gavin M.
Published: March 2012

This article moves beyond descriptives of how we “do” change in a test of whether there is an empirical basis for knowing where in its life cycle is organizational change research. Questioning typical assumptions about change, it indicates what progress in the field looks like by plotting the patterning of temporal effects and life cycle in articles published in eight journals between 1947 and 2008 ( n = 473). Findings indicate that the publication of more on change has not equated with more developed knowledge. As a community, change researchers are overwhelmingly focused on the most conservative type of progress, resulting in research that replicates rather than extends or develops, which ranks fairly low on a knowledge development scale. This illusion of knowledge development is described and explained by researcher reliance on existing idea mobilization and on belief prisons. The article concludes with discussion of implications for research and publishing practice.
Thermoelastic dynamic response for a long functionally graded hollow cylinder
Authors: Dai Hong-Liang , Rao Yan-Ni , Jiang Hao-Jie
Published: March 2012

In this paper, a novel numerical method is presented to analyze the thermoelastic dynamic response of a long hollow cylinder made of functionally graded materials under radially symmetric dynamic mechanical and thermal loadings. That is utilizing finite difference method and Newmark method to solve the governing equation. The material of the functionally graded material hollow cylinder is assumed to change continuously along the thickness according to power-law distribution, except for a constant Poisson’s ratio, and the thermal boundary condition without internal heat source is considered. Comparisons between this paper’s results and the corresponding analytical results validate the solution proposed in this paper. Finally, the functionally graded material hollow cylinder under constant load and impulsive load are discussed in detail and many valuable thermoelastic dynamic characteristics are revealed.
A Storied Shooting
Authors: Dienstag Joshua Foa
Published: March 2012

A variety of theorists have emphasized the paradox at the center of democratic legal authority, viz., that it cannot be self-derived but must ultimately rest on some extra-legal phenomenon, usually an act of exclusion. John Ford’s The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance examines precisely this paradoxical situation and, I argue, actually suggests a novel response that has escaped theorists who have considered the problem in the past. The film’s best-known line (“print the legend”) in fact represents the opposite of its perspective—which is to carefully deconstruct and reveal (without debunking) the complicated interrelation of law and power in the formation of any state. Rather than undermining democratic authority, we can be strengthened, if sobered, by the revelation that law is not self-sustaining. By setting the facts alongside the legend, the film perpetuates the fortuitous moment of state formation. What constitutes the state, then, is neither law nor power, but rather the matrix of representation that creates the relationship between them—here a film, but perhaps, more generally, a sustaining narrative.
Tragedy Viewers Count Their Blessings
Authors: Knobloch-Westerwick Silvia , Gong Yuan , Hagner Holly , Kerbeykian Laura
Published: March 2012

Hypotheses were derived from downward comparison and attachment theory to address the tragedy paradox: more sadness produces greater tragedy enjoyment. Participants ( n = 361) watched a tragedy and reported affect, enjoyment, life happiness, and spontaneous thoughts (categorized into self- vs. socio-focused). Greater sadness led to greater enjoyment, mediated by life reflection; specifically, both self- and socio-focused thoughts mediated this sadness impact on tragedy enjoyment. Furthermore, more sadness led to greater life happiness increase during exposure, mediated by socio-focused thoughts only. No parallel effects emerged for positive affect. The present findings suggest that tragedy-induced sadness instigates (a) life reflection that increases tragedy enjoyment as well as (b) specifically thoughts about close relationships that, in turn, raise life happiness, which (c) subsequently increases tragedy enjoyment further.
Imagined Interactions as Predictors of Secret Revelation and Health
Authors: Richards Adam S. , Sillars Alan L.
Published: March 2012

This research considers how mental dialogues (or imagined interactions [IIs]) about personal secrets predict the maintenance of secrecy and associated levels of mental and physical well-being. Participants described secrets they were keeping and completed questionnaires assessing IIs about the secret. After 2 months, participants reported whether they had revealed the secret and reported on moods and physical health. Results indicated that IIs predicted future revelation, negative moods, and physical illness. Five types of secret keepers (untroubled, anticipatory, defensive, repressive, and private) were identified that reflect distinct cognitive responses to secrecy. One view of secrecy suggests that keeping secrets leads to preoccupation and anxiety that ultimately affects mental and physical health. This research confirms that a pattern of rumination and ill health represents one response to secrecy; however, people may process secrecy in different ways with different potential consequences for well-being.
Robust H∞ filtering for discrete-time switched time-delay systems with missing measurements and asynchronous switching
Authors: Xiang Zhengrong , Liang Changyu , Mahmoud Magdi S
Published: March 2012

This paper investigates the problem of robust H∞ filtering for switched discrete-time systems with missing measurements and asynchronous switching. The missing measurements are modelled as a binary switch sequence specified by a conditional probability distribution. The purpose of the paper is the design of a filter such that for all admissible uncertainties, the error system is exponentially mean square stable, and the norm of the transfer function, from the noise signal to the estimation error, is below a pre-specified level. By using the average dwell time approach, a sufficient condition for the existence of such a filter is obtained in terms of a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). When these LMIs are feasible, an explicit expression of a desired filter is given. Finally, a simulation example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Towards an integrated crowdsourcing definition
Authors: Estellés-Arolas Enrique , González-Ladrón-de-Guevara Fernando
Published: March 2012

‘Crowdsourcing’ is a relatively recent concept that encompasses many practices. This diversity leads to the blurring of the limits of crowdsourcing that may be identified virtually with any type of internet-based collaborative activity, such as co-creation or user innovation. Varying definitions of crowdsourcing exist, and therefore some authors present certain specific examples of crowdsourcing as paradigmatic, while others present the same examples as the opposite. In this article, existing definitions of crowdsourcing are analysed to extract common elements and to establish the basic characteristics of any crowdsourcing initiative. Based on these existing definitions, an exhaustive and consistent definition for crowdsourcing is presented and contrasted in 11 cases.
Juvenile Toxicity: Are We Asking the Right Questions?
Authors: Downes Noel
Published: March 2012

The recent increase in numbers of juvenile toxicity studies over the past few years has doubtless added to our knowledge of the development of organ systems in the young rodent, but it is perhaps rather more difficult to answer the questions as to whether this body of work has served us well in terms of assessing risk in the pediatric population. If there are shortcomings, are they the result of poor study design or poor sensitivity of the model, or are the wrong questions being posed? This article provides a superficial overview of the progress made thus far and considers which aspects of study design and model choice currently fail to adequately address the major issues surrounding pediatric toxicology.
Investigating the possibility of using TOEFL scores for university ESL decision-making: Placement trends and effect of time lag
Authors: Kokhan Kateryna
Published: March 2012

The English Placement Test (EPT) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is designed to provide an accurate placement (or exemption) of international students into the ESL writing and pronunciation classes. Over the last five years, UIUC has experienced an increase in the number of international students taking the EPT. Because of the costs of the EPT, various stakeholders have suggested using TOEFL as a substitute placement tool. The purpose of this research is to find out whether TOEFL iBT can serve as a suitable pre-screening tool for placement of international students into the ESL writing courses at UIUC.

While there is a general statistically significant tendency that students with higher TOEFL iBT scores are placed into higher levels of ESL classes, there is no particular set of either total or section scores which can be used as a reliable criterion for dividing students into ESL classes without significant misplacement. Furthermore, the correlation between TOEFL iBT and the EPT shows a distinct pattern of time dependence: the correlation is stronger when the time gap between these tests is short but it dramatically decreases and even becomes slightly negative around Week 50; however, starting from the 50th week it increases. Some possible interpretations of the findings as well as recommendations for score users are discussed.
Do pseudoword false alarm rates and overestimation rates in Yes/No vocabulary tests change with Japanese university students’ English ability levels?
Authors: Stubbe Raymond
Published: March 2012

Pseudowords, or non-real words, were introduced to the Yes/No (YN) vocabulary test format to provide a means of checking for overestimation of word knowledge by test takers. The purpose of this study is to assess the assumption that more pseudoword checks (false alarms) indicate more instances of overestimation of word knowledge in YN tests. Thirty English classes in five different Japanese universities with TOEIC® scores ranging from 230 to 730 participated ( n = 490). YN test results were compared with a multiple-choice test of the same 96 real words to provide a way to check directly for instances of underestimation and overestimation of word knowledge on the YN tests. Results showed that students from the higher proficiency universities had a slightly higher pseudoword false alarm rate than students from the lower ability universities (4.28% and 3.96%, respectively). However, overestimation rates were considerably lower for these same students from the higher proficiency universities (3.24% and 5.67%, respectively). This discrepancy between false alarm rates and overestimation rates questions the value of pseudowords for measuring overestimation in YN vocabulary tests when student ability levels differ significantly.
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcoholism: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Krebs Teri S , Johansen Pål-Ørjan
Published: March 2012

Assessments of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in the treatment of alcoholism have not been based on quantitative meta-analysis. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in order to evaluate the clinical efficacy of LSD in the treatment of alcoholism. Two reviewers independently extracted the data, pooling the effects using odds ratios (ORs) by a generic inverse variance, random effects model. We identified six eligible trials, including 536 participants. There was evidence for a beneficial effect of LSD on alcohol misuse (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.36–2.84; p = 0.0003). Between-trial heterogeneity for the treatment effects was negligible (I2 = 0%). Secondary outcomes, risk of bias and limitations are discussed. A single dose of LSD, in the context of various alcoholism treatment programs, is associated with a decrease in alcohol misuse.
Psychiatric comorbidity and response to preventative therapy in the treatment of severe migraine trial
Authors: Seng Elizabeth K , Holroyd Kenneth A
Published: March 2012

Introduction: Mood and anxiety disorders are comorbid with migraine and commonly assumed to portend a poor response to preventive migraine therapies. However, there is little evidence to support this assumption.

Method: We examined impact of a mood and/or anxiety disorder diagnosis using American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual criteria on response to the three preventative migraine therapies evaluated in the Treatment of Severe Migraine trial (n = 177): β-blocker, behavioral migraine management, or behavioral migraine management +β-blocker. Daily diaries assessed migraine activity for the 16 months of the trial. The Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire and Headache Disability Inventory assessed headache-related disability at regular intervals. Mixed models for repeated measures examined changes in these three outcomes with preventative migraine therapy in participants with and without a mood or anxiety disorder diagnosis.

Results: Participants with a comorbid mood or anxiety disorder diagnosis recorded larger reductions in migraine days (p <  .05) and larger reductions in the Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (p < .001) and Headache Disability Inventory (p < .01) than did participants with neither diagnosis.

Discussion: Significantly larger reductions in migraine activity and migraine-related disability were observed in participants with a mood and/or anxiety disorder diagnosis than in participants who did not receive either diagnosis.
Prognosis of cerebral vein thrombosis presenting as isolated headache: Early vs. late diagnosis
Authors: Gameiro Joana , Ferro José M , Canhão Patricia , Stam Jan , Barinagarrementeria Fernando , Lindgren Arne ,   the ISCVT (International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis) investigators
Published: March 2012

Objective: To analyse the outcome of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) patients presenting with isolated headache, specifically to compare isolated headache patients with early vs. late CVT diagnosis.

Method: In the International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis (ISCVT) database we compared the outcome of patients with isolated headache and a CVT diagnosed early (≤7 days from onset) vs. late (>7 days). We retrieved 100 patients with isolated headache, 52 patients with early CVT diagnosis (early isolated headache) and 48 with late CVT diagnosis (late isolated headache).

Results: Neurological worsening was more frequent within early isolated headache patients (23% vs. 8%) (p = 0.045). At the last follow-up (median 411 days), 93% patients had a complete recovery, and 4% were dead or dependent, with no significant difference between early isolated headache and late isolated headache.

Conclusion: The outcome of CVT patients with isolated headache diagnosed early or late was similarly favourable, but there was a higher proportion of neurological worsening in the acute phase among early isolated headache patients, who need close neurological monitoring.
Primary continuous unilateral headaches: A nosologic model for hemicrania continua
Authors: Pareja Juan A , Cuadrado María-Luz , Fernández-de-las-Peñas César , Montojo Teresa , Álvarez Mónica , López-de-Silanes Carlos
Published: March 2012

Background: Hemicrania continua was originally described as a strictly unilateral, continuous headache with an absolute response to indomethacin. Recognition of an increasing number of patients with the same clinical features except for a lack of response to indomethacin has generated controversy about whether the responsive/non-responsive phenotypes belong to the same disorder.

Discussion: We suggest that the non-responsive phenotype should be differentiated from the original concept of hemicrania continua, because it probably indicates a separate type of headache of undetermined nature, i.e. hemicrania incerta . However, differentiating hemicrania incerta from hemicrania continua does not imply that the two headaches are unrelated. Both hemicranias may outline a continuum, giving rise to a broader diagnostic field.

Conclusion: There seems to be a syndrome of ‘primary continuous unilateral headache’ with at least two distinctive categories: hemicrania continua and hemicrania incerta, which are differentiated by their respective response to indomethacin. This division means plurality but adds precision, and allows a clear-cut diagnosis of some controversial cases.
Cluster headache and sleep, is there a connection? A review
Authors: Barloese M , Jennum P , Knudsen S , Jensen R
Published: March 2012

Purpose of review: Sleep and the chronobiological disease cluster headache are believed to be interconnected. Despite efforts, the precise nature of the relationship remains obscured. A better understanding of this relation may lead to more effective therapeutic regimes for patients suffering from this debilitating disease. This review aims to evaluate the existing literature on the subject of cluster headache and sleep.

Latest findings: Several previous studies describe an association between episodic cluster headache and distinct macrostructural sleep phases. This association was not confirmed in a recent study of seven episodic cluster headache patients, but it was suggested that further studies into the correlation between cluster headache attacks and the microstructure of sleep are relevant. The connection between cluster headache and the hypocretins is currently under investigation.

Summary: There is evidence in favour of an association between episodic cluster headache and REM sleep whereas no such relation to chronic cluster headache has been reported. Particular features in the microstructure of sleep and arousal mechanisms could play a role in the pathogenesis of cluster headache. Reports indicate that cluster headache and obstructive sleep apnoea are associated. Single cases show improvement upon treatment of sleep apnoea, but the causal relationship remains in question.
Spreading depolarizations in a case of migraine-related stroke
Authors: Santos Edgar , Sánchez-Porras Renán , Dohmen Christian , Hertle Daniel , Unterberg Andreas W , Sakowitz Oliver W
Published: March 2012

Background: Cortical spreading depolarization (CSD) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of migraine with aura. Patients that suffer from this type of migraine have shown a higher risk of developing an ischaemic stroke.

Case: A 42-year-old female exhibited reoccurring migraine attacks for the first time 1 month before suffering an ischaemic infarction. Imaging studies revealed an occlusion in the right middle cerebral artery. Other possible disorders were excluded. It was possible to register 20 CSDs, of which 12 coincided with high levels of glutamate and lactate/pyruvate ratio. Loss of electrocorticographic activity was observed for 89 hours after the 8th depolarization.

Conclusions: Migraine with aura symptoms may be induced by CSDs triggered by hypoperfusion states. Our case supports the idea of the migraine with aura–stroke continuum.
Facial pain, scotomas and hemihypaesthesia as presenting symptoms of type A aortic dissection in a patient with migraine with aura
Authors: Seidel Stefan , Elwischger Kirsten , Wöber Christian
Published: March 2012

We report the case of a 31-year-old man with a history of migraine with aura who was admitted to our emergency department because of a sudden onset of severe bilateral facial pain radiating bilaterally into the medial cervical region after defecation. The pain was accompanied by scotomas in the right visual field and hypaesthesia in both upper limbs. Imaging of the aorta and supra-aortic vessels revealed a type A aortic dissection. Subsequently, the patient received an aortic valve replacement and an aortic tube graft.

After the surgery he experienced recurring visual disturbances with a sudden onset mimicking his migraine aura. Due to a new onset of atrial fibrillation, he was put on oral anticoagulants. At follow-up after 10 months he still reported episodic and mostly isolated visual auras with a gradual onset.
A 15-Year Prospective Epidemiological Account of Acute Traumatic Injuries During Official Professional Soccer League Matches in Japan
Authors: Aoki Haruhito , O’Hata Nozomu , Kohno Terushige , Morikawa Tsuguo , Seki Jun
Published: March 2012

Background: Few prospective epidemiological studies on soccer match injuries have collected continuous data using subjects from the same group.

Purpose: To investigate long-term injury-induced changes during official matches in the professional Japanese soccer league.

Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study.

Methods: Acute injuries during official matches among top-division Japanese professional soccer leaguers were prospectively collected from 1993 to 2007. Injuries preventing player participation for 7 days or more were defined as a reportable injury. Interseasonal variations of injury rate (IR: injuries/1000/player hours) and injury pattern (type, location, circumstances, severity, injury time, positional role, and relationship to weather) were analyzed.

Results: Throughout the study period, 2947 injuries from 3984 matches occurred. Mean annual IR was 21.77/1000 player hours, and annual variance showed gradual decrement throughout the study period. The proportion of injury type and location were not significantly changed. Sprain and contusion as injury type and thigh and ankle joint as location were the most common in every season. Contact-related injuries comprised 73.3% on average and were observed to occur more frequently during the last 15 minutes and extra time of match play. The proportion of foul play–related injuries showed a clear declining trend. The proportion of severe injury showed a sporadic increase from 2001 to 2004. The second, fifth, and sixth 15-minute match segments showed a higher IR. Goalkeepers had a lower IR versus other field players. Matches on rainy days resulted in a lower IR than did those held under other weather conditions.

Conclusion: Long-term surveillance and statistical feedback of injury characteristics to organization members were considered effective in improving safer play awareness among players and for referees to reduce injury incidence, particularly foul play–related injuries.
Surface migration and effect of ionomer network on ethylene-based copolymer–CaCO3–PDMS fire-retardant systems studied by rheological analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry
Authors: Huang Nianhua , He Jiyu , Du Jianxin , Wang Jianqi
Published: March 2012

The “barrier” mechanism in the condensed phase has long been accepted as the dominant mechanism for the halogen-free, flame-retardant polymeric composites. In previous work from this laboratory, surface-sensitive X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used on a silicone-containing system. It turns out that migration to the surface cannot be disregarded in studying the flame-retardant polymeric systems. With the help of rheological measurements, combined with the conventional flammability tests (cone calorimetry, loss on ignition, thermal gravimetric analysis, etc.), a mixed double-layered model has been tentatively identified.
Cardiac Dysfunction Exacerbated by Endocrinopathies in Friedreich Ataxia
Authors: Snyder Madeline , Seyer Lauren , Lynch David R. , Resnick Andrew , Zesiewicz Theresa A.
Published: March 2012

Friedreich ataxia is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by gait abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, and diabetes. Congestive heart failure was recently reported as the most frequent cause of Friedreich ataxia mortality. Cardiac dysfunction is suspected to result from a frataxin deficiency that leads to oxidative damage in cardiac tissues and possible metabolic syndrome characteristics. In this report, we describe 2 patient cases whose cardiac function worsened dramatically in the presence of underlying endocrinopathies. We report on one Friedreich ataxia teenager with previously undiagnosed diabetes that resulted in diabetic ketoacidosis and rapid progression to severe left ventricular dysfunction. We also describe a Friedreich ataxia teenager whose underlying Graves disease led to rapid worsening of known cardiomyopathy. Cardiac management and treatment for the endocrinopathies returned cardiac function to baseline. We conclude that screening for and awareness of underlying endocrinopathies in Friedreich ataxia may provide novel therapeutic targets for preventing Friedreich ataxia–associated cardiac dysfunction.
Lissencephaly and Band Heterotopia: LIS1, TUBA1A, and DCX Mutations in Hungary
Authors: Mokánszki Attila , Körhegyi Ivett , Szabó Nóra , Bereg Edit , Gergev Gyurgyinka , Balogh Erzsébet , Bessenyei Beáta , Sümegi Andrea , Morris-Rosendahl Deborah J. , Sztriha László , Oláh Éva
Published: March 2012

The spectrum of lissencephaly ranges from absent (agyria) or decreased (pachygyria) convolutions to less severe malformation known as subcortical band heterotopia. Mutations involving LIS1 and TUBA1A result in the classic form of lissencephaly, whereas mutations of the DCX gene cause lissencephaly in males and subcortical band heterotopia in females. This report describes the clinical manifestations and imaging and genetic findings in 2 boys with lissencephaly and a girl with subcortical band heterotopia. An ovel mutation (c.83_84delAT, p.Tyr28Phefs*31) was identified in LIS1 in 1 of the boys with lissencephaly and another novel mutation (c.200delG, p.Ile68Leufs*87) was found in DCX in the girl with subcortical band heterotopia. The mutations appeared in the first half of the genes and are predicted to result in truncated proteins. A mutation was found in the TUBA1A gene (c.1205G>A, p.Arg402His) in the other boy. This mutation affects the folding of tubulin heterodimers, changing the interactions with proteins that bind microtubules.
Anti-N-Methyl-d-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Encephalitis Mimicking a Primary Psychiatric Disorder in an Adolescent
Authors: Lebon Sébastien , Mayor-Dubois Claire , Popea Irina , Poloni Claudia , Selvadoray Nalini , Gumy Alain , Roulet-Perez Eliane
Published: March 2012

Anti- N-methyl-d-aspartate (anti-NMDA) receptor encephalitis likely has a wider clinical spectrum than previously recognized. This article reports a previously healthy 16-year-old girl who was diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis 3 months after onset of severe depression with psychotic features. She had no neurological manifestations, and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was normal. Slow background on electroencephalogram and an oligoclonal band in the cerebrospinal fluid prompted the search for anti-NMDA receptor antibodies. She markedly improved over time but remained with mild neuropsychological sequelae after a trial of late immunotherapy. Only a high index of suspicion enables recognition of the milder forms of the disease masquerading as primary psychiatric disorders.
Myasthenia Mimicking Monocular Elevation Deficiency
Authors: Kee Changwon , Cha Dong Min , Ahn Jeeyun , Hwang Jeong-Min
Published: March 2012

Monocular elevation deficiency is the inability to elevate the eye in abduction and adduction. Myasthenia gravis could mimic any pattern of ophthalmoplegia. However, myasthenia gravis mimicking monocular elevation deficiency appears to be very rare. A 12-month-old girl presented with the inability to elevate the left eye and blepharoptosis from 3 months of age. A neostigmine test showed a weakly positive response. Repetitive stimulation of the left orbicularis oculi produced no decremental response. Three assays for acetylcholine receptor antibodies were negative. Placing ice over the lids definitely improved left blepharoptosis. In conclusion, myasthenia gravis could mimic elevation deficiency. An ice test could be very helpful in making the diagnosis. Myasthenia gravis should be included in the differential diagnosis of monocular elevation deficiency even at a young age.
A computer-aided specimen design to induce shearing strain around a hole
Authors: Shamdani Amir Hossein , Khoddam Shahin
Published: March 2012

The local torsion process which involves an axisymmetric torsional loading around the design position of a hole in a structure has recently found important applications for grain refinement in tubes and fastener holes. The specimen design is a pre-requisite for any experimental investigation of the local torsion process. The purpose of this study is to investigate a number of potential designs which enable the implementation of the local torsion. These designs include a mandrel to twist the specimen and a range of connection configurations between the mandrel and the specimen including threaded, hexagonal and spline bindings. In order to understand the process requirements and for estimating the effect of design parameters, a coupled numerical analysis of the specimen is utilized, involving a non-linear finite element analysis using Abaqus. A sequence of computational steps with different boundary conditions at the interface is devised to simulate the coupled problem. The proposed configurations are compared for their abilities to perform the local torsion and produce the shearing strain within an annular zone around the hole. This allows investigation of the effectiveness of each design for the implementation of the local torsion. The distribution of strain accumulated around the hole in the radial direction is studied after carrying out the process. Finally, a specimen–mandrel assembly design is recommended to ensure that the process can be successfully implemented.
Articular cartilage surface failure: An investigation of the rupture rate and morphology in relation to tissue health and hydration
Authors: Fick James M , Espino Daniel M
Published: March 2012

This study investigates the rupture rate and morphology of articular cartilage by altering the bathing environments of healthy and degenerate bovine cartilage. Soaking tissues in either distilled water or 1.5 M NaCl saline was performed in order to render the tissues into a swollen or dehydrated state, respectively. Creep compression was applied using an 8 mm flat-ended polished indenter that contained a central pore of 450 µm in diameter, providing a consistent region for rupture to occur across all 105 tested specimens. Rupture rates were determined by varying the nominal compressive stress and the loading time. Similar rupture rates were observed with the swollen healthy and degenerate specimens, loaded with either 6 or 7 MPa of nominal compressive stress over 11 and 13 min. The observed rupture rates for the dehydrated specimens loaded with 7 MPa over 60 and 90 s were 20% versus 40% and 20% versus 60% for healthy and degenerate tissues, respectively. At 8 MPa of nominal compressive stress over 60 and 90 s the observed rupture rates were 20% versus 60% and 40% versus 80% for healthy and degenerate tissues, respectively; with all dehydrated degenerate tissues exhibiting a greater tendency to rupture (Barnard’s exact test, p < 0.05). Rupture morphologies were only different in the swollen degenerate tissues ( p < 0.05). The mechanisms by which dehydration and swelling induce initial surface rupture of mildly degenerate articular cartilage differ. Dehydration increases the likelihood that the surface will rupture, however, swelling alters the observed rupture morphology.
Joint economic and physical constraints on nuclear power: how much uranium would be needed to decarbonize electricity supply?
Authors: Liu D , Butler G , Hall S , Johnson P , Duck P , Evatt G , Howell S
Published: March 2012

A new uranium supply and usage analysis takes into account growth in physical demand for electricity, both before and after decarbonization. It also models the economic willingness of investors to build the required reactors as a profit-maximizing decision. The analysis computes the optimum path of investment and disinvestment in one or more uranium-based fuel cycles as dynamic profit maximization under physical constraints, and the resulting economic decisions are compared with physical decarbonization goals. Investor decisions prove to be insensitive to the electricity price (and hence to higher carbon tax) above a low threshold. Above that price threshold, their decisions on reactor investment are dominated by the total supply of uranium and the speed at which reactors can be built. In order to pay for the very large generating capacity needed, profit-maximizing investors seem to need of the order of 36 M tons of uranium reserves to use (some seven times the world's presently identified reserves). Even given this supply, they will limit their maximum investment in capacity if the build rate of reactors is too slow. If the world does choose to decarbonize, it will be necessary to manage uranium prospecting, and reactor building, purchase and operation as an interdependent system, and there will be a steep task of uranium exploration over the next decade or two.