bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Domiciliary and out-patient treatment of self-poisoning patients by medical and non-medical staff
Authors: Hawton Keith , Bancroft John , Catalan Jose , Kingston Breda , Stedeford Averil , Welch Nick
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

In a study of domiciliary and out-patient treatment of self-poisoning patients, using a brief problem-orientated approach, it was found that domiciliary treatment resulted in much higher attendance rates but no difference in outcome. Patients who completed out-patient treatment had a better outcome than those who failed to attend treatment sessions. Completion of out-patient treatment was more frequent among higher social class patients. Domiciliary treatment may be more appropriate in some cases for married patients and for those of lower social class. Medical and non-medical staff proved to be equally effective therapists. Future research should be concerned with evaluation of alternative methods of provision of help and further identification of patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment.
Suicide in England and Wales 1959–63 Part 2: London
Authors: Whitlock F. A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Suicide deaths by age and sex have been examined in 28 London boroughs for the period 1959–63. In contrast with the findings in 82 county boroughs, the relationships between suicide and 18 other variables did not differ greatly for the sexes. In old age, as in the previous investigation, most of the variables having high correlations with suicide rates tended to disappear. Loneliness and ill-health were probably more important determinants of suicide rates in the elderly than other environmental or personal attributes. The finding that the distribution of suicide in London has not changed much in 40 years implies a need for the development of services to combat this problem in boroughs where suicide is particularly high.
Monozygotic twins concordant and discordant for anorexia nervosa
Authors: Halmi Katherine , Brodland Gene
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The occurrence of anorexia nervosa in monozygotic twins discordant and concordant for this illness is reviewed. Two additional pairs of identical twins, one discordant and the other concordant for anorexia nervosa, are described.
A prospective study of children with head injuries: I. Design and methods
Authors: Rutter Michael , Chadwick Oliver , Shaffer David , Brown Gillian
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

The main unresolved issues with respect to the psychological sequelae of brain damage in childhood are noted, and the previous studies of children suffering head injury are critically reviewed. A new prospective study is described. Three groups of children were studied: (a) 31 children with ‘severe’ head injuries resulting in a post-traumatic amnesia of at least 7 days; (b) an individually matched control group of 28 children with hospital-treated orthopaedic injuries; and (c) 29 children with ‘mild’ head injuries resulting in a post-traumatic amnesia exceeding 1 hour but less than 1 week. The children were studied as soon as possible after the accident and then again 4 months, 1 year, and 2¼ years after the injury. The parents were interviewed, using systematic and standardized interview techniques; both parents and teachers completed behavioural questionnaires; and the children were seen for individual psychological testing using the WISC, the Neale Analysis of Reading Ability and a battery of tests of more specific cognitive functions. At the final follow-up, the severe head injury group (but not the other 2 groups) received a systematic neurological examination and the school teacher who knew the child best was personally interviewed. The findings are given on physical handicap, neurological abnormality, school placement and psychiatric referrals. All types of disabilities were both more frequent and more persistent in the children with severe head injuries.
Minor psychiatric morbidity in employed men and women and its contribution to sickness absence
Authors: Jenkins Rachel
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

A pilot study is described on 41 men and women of similar age, social and educational backgrounds, in 2 working environments. The use of psychiatric interviews in such occupational settings is demonstrated to be acceptable to both management and employees. Preliminary coefficients of validity for the General Health Questionnaire are found to compare favourably with those in clinical or community settings. Though the prevalence of minor psychiatric morbidity in these small samples did not differ between the sexes, the women had twice as many spells of absence as the men. Considering women separately, minor psychiatric morbidity was found to be significantly correlated with absence. However, psychiatric illness was a less important predictor of absence in men.
The diagnosis and classification of mental disorders in French-speaking countries: background, current views and comparison with other nomenclatures
Authors: Pichot P.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

A detailed account is given of the historical background and current status of the concepts of transitory delusional state (bouffée délirante) and chronic delusional state in French psychiatry. Their relations with other nosological systems are discussed.
Some biochemical findings during pregnancy and after delivery in relation to mood change
Authors: Ballinger C. Barbara , Kay David S. G. , Naylor Graham J. , Smith Anne H. W.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Thirty-four women who had vaginal deliveries of live infants completed behavioural ratings and supplied blood and 24-hour urine samples on three occasions during pregnancy and on three occasions after delivery. Approximately one third of the women indicated a distinct upswing in mood between Days 2 and 4 following delivery. These ‘positive mood change’ subjects showed changes in urinary cyclic AMP (adenosine 3′5′ cyclic monophosphate), plasma cyclic AMP, whole blood cell cyclic AMP, whole blood cell ATP (adenosine triphosphate), haematocrit and urinary 11 OHCS (11-hydroxycortisol steroids) following delivery which were different from those observed in the rest of the subjects and comparable with the biochemical changes described during upswings in mood in short-cycle manic-depressive subjects. There was also an indication that the women showing this upswing in mood following delivery were distinct in some respects on both behavioural ratings and biochemical findings during pregnancy.
Superior olivary complex in psychotic patients
Authors: Fisman M.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A study of the neuropathology of the superior olivary nucleus and its relationship to schizophrenia or auditory hallucinations was undertaken. No relationship was found to exist between them, but atrophy of the superior olivary nucleus was found in all the patients who had presented with seizures during life. The aetiology of superior olivary atrophy is discussed.
Psychiatric symptom profiles of patients with epilepsy: a controlled investigation
Authors: Standage K. F. , Fenton G. W.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A comparison was made of the mental state of patients with chronic epilepsy and matched controls with locomotor disorders, using a reliable psychiatric interview technique. The symptom profiles of the two groups were similar. The profiles of temporal lobe and other epileptics were also similar. Epileptic patients with a high current psychiatric morbidity were characterized by a raised incidence of previous neurotic illness and raised neuroticism scores on the Eysenck Personality Inventory.
Schizophrenia and Cushing's syndrome cured by adrenalectomy
Authors: Johnson John
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A case of Cushing's syndrome in a woman aged 50 years is described, with psychosis of schizophrenic type. The psychosis and endocrine disorder were subsequently cured by adrenalectomy. Twenty-five years previously the patient had a typical schizophrenic psychosis treated in mental hospital with deep insulin therapy and ECT. The possibility is raised that deep insulin therapy could have induced the Cushing's syndrome through its non-specific stressor effect on the pituitary-adrenal axis.
Pattern of intellectual impairment in Huntington's chorea
Authors: Aminoff M. J. , Marshall John , Smith Eileen M. , Wyke Maria A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Cognitive function was evaluated in 11 patients with Huntington's chorea, using eight subtests of the WAIS, and their performance was compared with that previously reported for a normal aged population. The pattern of impairment was similar in the two groups. Tests of immediate memory were given to nine of these patients, and to 10 healthy but aged subjects. In botḥ groups, there was a significant correlation between the performance of individuals in these tests and their IQ, suggesting that the choreic patients had no selective impairment of immediate memory. The clinical and psychological records of the 11 patients revealed no evidence of focal deficits, and the majority of patients were fully orientated and retained insight to their condition. These observations are discussed in relation to the pattern of intellectual impairment seen in other presenile dementias.
Sociology and the theory of responsibility: ‘social background’ as an excuse for crime
Authors: Floud Jean
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The concept of social abnormality can be given a fairly precise meaning and is relevant to the theory of legal responsibility. Much work, however, would need to be done before it could take its place alongside mental abnormality as an excusing condition in the courts. The implications of such a plea would, moreover, be far reaching, two of the more obvious being the individualization of excuses and the relinquishing of the general preventive possibilities of punishment.
Late recovery from head injury: case report and review
Authors: Brown J. Christie
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Some problems of prognosis in patients with head injury are reviewed, and a case of late and unexpected recovery from post-traumatic dementia presented. The possible mechanism of recovery is discussed with particular reference to normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Auditory signal detectability and facilitation of simple reaction time in psychiatric patients and non-patients
Authors: Bruder Gerard E. , Sutton Samuel , Babkoff Harvey , Gurland Barry J. , Yozawitz Allan , Fleiss Joseph L.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Patients diagnosed on the basis of structured interviews as having affective psychoses were less sensitive in detecting the presence of a transient auditory signal than were schizophrenic patients or non-patients. Patients with affective psychoses also benefited more (their reaction time was more reduced) than the other two groups from the presence of a second auditory transient.
Observations on the epidemiology of post partum mental illness
Authors: Grundy P. F. , Roberts C. J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This study is based on a sample of 35,486 consecutive confinements in Cardiff (1965–72) which gave rise to 67 cases of post partum mental illness. No difference was found between these cases and all resident Cardiff maternities for the same period in respect of social class, maternal parity, weight gain in pregnancy, length of gestation, birth weight, and sex of infant. A statistically significant cyclic variation in month of conception and date of birth was found with a peak frequency among conceptions in the first quarter of the year. The bearing this finding may have on the prevention of post partum mental illness and the implications of the observation that post partum mental illness and the functional psychoses have a remarkably similar temporal behaviour are discussed.
Reliability of prisoners' attitudes to their drinking behaviour
Authors: Bowden Paul
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A sample of male prisoners was examined by means of a questionnaire and subsequently by a structured interview. Control subjects who denied heavy drinking were used to study test-retest reliability of a group who admitted that drinking was a problem and a third group who admitted heavy drinking but denied problem drinking. Non-heavy drinkers and the heaviest drinkers are shown to be the most reliable and the intermediate group least reliable.
1. Trends in the provision of psychiatric care 1979–1988
Authors: Tansella M. , Balestrieri M. , Meneghelli G. , Micciolo R.
Published: July 2009

The aim of this chapter is to present data on psychiatric care provided to adult South-Verona residents over the 10-year period (1979–88) following the psychiatric reform and the implementation of a new community-based service. These data have been collected using the South-Verona Psychiatric Case Register (PCR), which started operating immediately after the establishment of the new service.
6. Community care without mental hospitals: ten years' experience
Authors: Tansella M.
Published: July 2009

‘That over-used word community’ (Acheson, 1985, p. 3) has tended to degenerate into a slogan, losing its meaning and becoming a generic expression to label different, not homogeneous functions and institutions. The numerous definitions of community psychiatric services and community care as well as their implications have been discussed elsewhere (Tansella, 1986).
Effects of IAA in combination with FSH on in vitro culture of ovine preantral follicles
Authors: Costa Sonia H.F. , Santos Regiane R. , Rondina Davide , Andrade Evelyn R. , Ohashi Otávio M. , Rodrigues Ana Paula R. , Figueiredo José R.
Published: July 2009

Ovarian cortical fragments from five adult ewes were in vitro cultured for 1, 3 or 5 days in the presence of minimum essential medium either supplemented or not by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (100 ng/ml) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (10, 20, 40 or 100 ng/ml), alone or in combination. After in vitro culture, ovarian fragments were submitted to follicular isolation and viability test was performed using trypan blue. Addition of IAA (10 ng/ml) to a free-FSH medium resulted in the highest percentages of viable follicles, but was progressively deleterious in higher concentrations (20, 40 and 100 ng/ml) if in absence of FSH. Follicular development was observed only when FSH was added to an IAA-free medium. In conclusion, IAA at a concentration of 10 ng/ml increases follicular survival in vitro. However, at high concentrations (20, 40 or 100 ng/ml), this auxin may be deleterious to preantral follicles, the addition of FSH to the medium being necessary.
The performance of a global and mesoscale model over the central Arctic Ocean during late summer
Authors: Birch C. E. , Brooks I. M. , Tjernström M. , Milton S. F. , Earnshaw P. , Söderberg S. , Persson P. Ola G.
Published: July 2009

Measurements of turbulent fluxes, clouds, radiation, and profiles of mean meteorological parameters, obtained over an ice floe in the central Arctic Ocean during the Arctic Ocean Experiment 2001, are used to evaluate the performance of U.K. Met Office Unified Model (MetUM) and Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) in the lower atmosphere during late summer. Both the latest version of the MetUM and the version operational in 2001 are used in the comparison to gain an insight as to whether updates to the model have improved its performance over the Arctic region. As with previous model evaluations over the Arctic, the pressure, humidity, and wind fields are satisfactorily represented in all three models. The older version of the MetUM underpredicts the occurrence of low‐level Arctic clouds, and the liquid and ice cloud water partitioning is inaccurate compared to observations made during SHEBA. In the newer version, simulated ice and liquid water paths are improved, but the occurrence of low‐level clouds are overpredicted. Both versions overestimate the amount of radiative heat absorbed at the surface, leading to a significant feedback of errors involving the surface albedo, which causes a large positive bias the surface temperature. Cloud forcing in COAMPS produces similar biases in the downwelling shortwave and longwave radiation fluxes to those produced by UM(G25). The surface albedo parameterization is, however, more realistic, and thus, the total heat flux and surface temperature are more accurate for the majority of the observation period.
Preliminary characterization of the upper haze by SPICAV/SOIR solar occultation in UV to mid‐IR onboard Venus Express
Authors: Wilquet V. , Fedorova A. , Montmessin F. , Drummond R. , Mahieux A. , Vandaele A. C. , Villard E. , Korablev O. , Bertaux J.‐L.
Published: July 2009

The Spectroscopy for Investigation of Characteristics of the Atmosphere of Venus/Solar Occultation at Infrared (SPICAV/SOIR) suite of instruments onboard the Venus Express spacecraft comprises three spectrometers covering a wavelength range from ultraviolet to midinfrared and an altitude range from 70 to >100 km. However, it is only recently (more than 1 year after the beginning of the mission) that the three spectrometers can operate simultaneously in the solar occultation mode. These observations have enabled the study of the properties of the Venusian mesosphere over a broad spectral range. In this manuscript, we briefly describe the instrument characteristics and the method used to infer haze microphysical properties from a data set of three selected orbits. Discussion focuses on the wavelength dependence of the continuum, which is primarily shaped by the extinction caused by the aerosol particles of the upper haze. This wavelength dependence is directly related to the effective particle radius (cross section weighted mean radius) of the particles. Through independent analyses for the three channels, we demonstrate the potential to characterize the aerosols in the mesosphere of Venus. The classical assumption that the upper haze is only composed of submicron particles is not sufficient to explain the observations. We find that at high northern latitudes, two types of particles coexist in the upper haze of Venus: mode 1 of mean radius 0.1 ≤ rg ≤ 0.3 μm and mode 2 of 0.4 ≤ rg ≤ 1.0 μm. An additional population of micron‐sized aerosols seems, therefore, needed to reconcile the data of the three spectrometers. Moreover, we observe substantial temporal variations of aerosol extinction over a time scale of 24 h.
Effect of well cleaning and pumping on groundwater quality of a tsunami‐affected coastal aquifer in eastern Sri Lanka
Authors: Vithanage M. , Villholth K. G. , Mahatantila K. , Engesgaard P. , Jensen K. H.
Published: July 2009

Changes in water quality of a sand aquifer on the east coast of Sri Lanka due to the 26 December 2004 tsunami and subsequent remediation attempt by pumping were investigated. Two transects, disturbed (where pumping of groundwater took place) and undisturbed (where no pumping occurred), were monitored. In the undisturbed area, the average electrical conductivity (EC) in the wells affected by the tsunami showed a decrease from 3000 to 1200 μS/cm after the first full rainy season following the disaster; however, in the disturbed area the average EC stabilized around 1500 μS/cm. The observations were further analyzed by calculating hydrogeochemical mixing ratios, which showed that the seawater fraction was higher in the disturbed site than in the undisturbed site. The disturbance caused by physical cleaning by extensive pumping and subsequent disposal of the pumped water adjacent to the wells likely led to retention of salinity in the aquifer.
Auroral footprint of Ganymede
Authors: Grodent Denis , Bonfond Bertrand , Radioti Aikaterini , Gérard Jean‐Claude , Jia Xianzhe , Nichols Jonathan D. , Clarke John T.
Published: July 2009

The interaction of Ganymede with Jupiter's fast rotating magnetospheric plasma gives rise to a current system producing an auroral footprint in Jupiter's ionosphere, usually referred to as the Ganymede footprint. Based on an analysis of ultraviolet images obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope, we demonstrate that the auroral footprint surface matches a circular region in Ganymede's orbital plane having a diameter of 8–20 RG. Temporal analysis of the auroral power of Ganymede's footprint reveals variations of different timescales: (1) a 5‐hour timescale associated with the periodic flapping of Jupiter's plasma sheet over Ganymede, (2) a 10–40 minute timescale possibly associated with energetic magnetospheric events, such as plasma injections, and (3) a 100‐s timescale corresponding to quasiperiodic fluctuations, which might relate to bursty reconnections on Ganymede's magnetopause and/or to the recurrent presence of acceleration structures above Jupiter's atmosphere. These three temporal components produce an auroral power emitted at Ganymede's footprint of the order of ∼0.2 to ∼1.5 GW.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Obesity Among US‐born and Foreign‐born Adults by Sex and Education
Authors: Barrington Debbie S. , Baquero Maria C. , Borrell Luisa N. , Crawford Natalie D.
Published: July 2009

This study examines sex and education variations in obesity among US‐ and foreign‐born whites, blacks, and Hispanics utilizing 1997–2005 data from the National Health Interview Survey on 267,585 adults aged ≥18 years. After adjusting for various demographic, health, and socioeconomic factors via logistic regression, foreign‐born black men had the lowest odds for obesity relative to US‐born white men. The largest racial/ethnic disparity in obesity was between US‐born black and white women. High educational attainment diminished the US‐born black–white and Hispanic–white disparities among women, increased these disparities among men, and had minimal effect on foreign‐born Hispanic–white disparities among women and men. Comprehension of these relationships is vital for conducting effective obesity research and interventions within an increasingly diverse United States.
Obesity and Depression in US Women: Results From the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey
Authors: Ma Jun , Xiao Lan
Published: July 2009

Research is needed to better elucidate the relationship between obesity and depression, which has been most consistently demonstrated for women, but not for men. We examined exclusively a population‐based sample of US women who participated in the 2005 or 2006 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey. Current depression was defined as having a score of ≥10 (a conventional threshold for moderate symptoms of depression) or meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM‐IV) diagnostic criteria for major depression on the nine‐item Patient Health Questionnaire. Weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated. Waist circumference, a clinical measure of abdominal obesity, was also measured. BMI was positively associated with the probability of moderate/severe depressive symptoms (r = 0.49, P = 0.03) and major depression (r = 0.72, P < 0.0001). The probability curves increased progressively, beginning at BMI of 30. Degree of obesity was an independent risk factor for depression even within the obese population, and women in obesity class 3 (BMI ≥40) were at particular risk (odds ratio (OR) = 4.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17–20.57), compared to those in obesity class 1 (BMI 30 to <35). Abdominal obesity was positively associated with depressive symptoms, but not major depression, independent of general obesity (BMI). In addition to severe obesity, compromised physical health status, young or middle‐aged adulthood, low income, and relatively high education were also independently associated with greater odds of depressive symptoms among obese women. These characteristics may identify specific at‐risk subgroups of obese women in which hypothesized causal pathways and effective preventive and therapeutic interventions can be profitably investigated.
Newly formed E‐cadherin contacts do not activate Cdc42 or induce filopodia protrusion in human keratinocytes1
Authors: Erasmus Jennifer , Aresta Sandra , Nola Sebastien , Caron Emmanuelle , Braga Vania M. M.
Published: July 2009

Background information. The appropriate regulation of cell–cell adhesion is an important event in the homoeostasis of different cell types. In epithelial cells, tight adhesion mediated by E‐cadherin receptors is essential for the differentiation and functionality of epithelial sheets. Upon assembly of cadherin‐mediated cell–cell contacts, it is well established that the small GTPases Rho and Rac are activated and are necessary for junction stability. However, the role of the small GTPase Cdc42 in cadherin adhesion is less clear. Cdc42 can be activated by E‐cadherin in a breast tumour cell line, but the requirement for Cdc42 function for new junction assembly or maintenance has been contradictory. Cdc42 participation in cell–cell contacts has been inferred from the presence of filopodia, the typical F‐actin structure induced by Cdc42 activation, as cells approach each other to establish cell–cell contacts. Yet, under these conditions, the contribution of migration to filopodia protrusion cannot be excluded and the results are difficult to interpret.

Results. In the present study, we set out to address (a) whether Cdc42 is activated by new E‐cadherin cell–cell contacts when junction assembly occurs without prior migration and (b) whether Cdc42 function is necessary for cadherin stability. We found that junction formation in confluent keratinocytes or upon E‐cadherin clustering decreased Cdc42‐GTP levels. In the absence of serum‐ and migration‐induced Cdc42 activation, we demonstrated that cell–cell contacts do not induce filopodia or require Cdc42 function to assemble.

Conclusion. We conclude that Cdc42 does not participate in the early events that initiate stable cadherin adhesion in keratinocytes. Yet, it is feasible that Cdc42 may be activated at later time points or by other receptors. Cdc42 can then participate in additional functions during polarization, such as Golgi re‐positioning or basolateral trafficking.
On Calogero–Françoise-type Lax matrices and their dynamical r-matrices
Authors: Avan Jean , Rollet Geneviève
Published: July 2009

New classical integrable systems of Camassa–Holm peakon type are proposed. They realize the maximal even piecewise-D2 generalization of the Calogero–Françoise flows, yielding periodic and pseudoperiodic trigonometric/hyperbolic potentials. The associated r-matrices are computed. They are dynamical and depend on both sets {pi} and {qi} of canonical variables.
Phase stability and dielectric constant of ABO3 perovskites from first principles
Authors: Kersch Alfred , Fischer Dominik
Published: July 2009

Using ab initio simulations we determine the stable phases of ABO3 perovskites (A=Ca,Sr,Ba; B=Ti,Zr,Hf) at T=0 K by calculating the free energy. For these structures we calculate the dielectric constant and the bandgap. It turns out that for tolerance factors far from 1, the stable phase is always Pnma. For SrZrO3 and BaZrO3 with tolerance factors close to 1, we predict that the high temperature cubic phase is broken to I4/mcm like in case of SrTiO3 with a very small gain in free energy. The calculated dielectric constants are in agreement with the experimental values for the few cases known.
Transport properties of the layered Zintl compound SrZnSb2
Authors: May Andrew F. , Toberer Eric S. , Snyder G. Jeffrey
Published: July 2009

Transport properties of the layered Zintl compound SrZnSb2 have been characterized from room temperature to 725K on polycrystalline samples. SrZnSb2 samples were found to be p-type with a Hall carrier concentration of 5×1020cm−3 at room temperature, and a small Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity are observed. A single band model predicts that, even with optimal doping, significant thermoelectric performance will not be achieved in SrZnSb2. A relatively low lattice thermal conductivity is observed, κL∼1.2Wm−1K−1, at room temperature. The thermal transport of SrZnSb2 is compared to that of the layered Zintl compounds AZn2Sb2 (A=Ca,Yb,Sr,Eu), which have smaller unit cells and larger lattice thermal conductivity, κL∼2Wm−1K−1, at 300K. Ultrasonic measurements, in combination with kinetic theory and the estimated κL values, suggest that the lower κL of SrZnSb2 is primarily the result of a reduction in the volumetric specific heat of the acoustic phonons due to the increased number of atoms per unit cell. Therefore, this work recommends that unit cell size should be considered when selecting Zintl compounds for potential thermoelectric application.
Influence of AlGaN/GaN heterojunction parameters on its capacitance-voltage characteristics
Authors: Osvald J.
Published: July 2009

Capacitance voltage technique provides substantial information on the charge distribution in heterojunctions. We used the simultaneous solution of the Poisson equation together with the drift and diffusion equations to simulate the voltage dependence of the AlGaN/GaN heterojunction structure, influence of several parameters of the structure as doping concentration of AlGaN and GaN, sheet carrier concentration of two dimensional electron gas, Schottky barrier height, and the thickness of the AlGaN layer on the resulting C-V curve of the heterojunction capacitor. The method enables to simulate the capacitance of the structure also in forward bias. It is shown how the simulation may be used for extracting the electrical parameters of experimental AlGaN/GaN heterostructures.
Enhancement of photoluminescence from silicon nanocrystals by metal nanostructures made by nanosphere lithography
Authors: Mochizuki Yugo , Fujii Minoru , Hayashi Shinji , Tsuruoka Takaaki , Akamatsu Kensuke
Published: July 2009

The effect of metal nanostructures prepared by nanosphere lithography on photoluminescence (PL) properties of silicon nanocrystals (Si-ncs) is studied. By placing Ag nanotriangles or Au nanovoids on SiO2 films containing Si-ncs, the PL intensity is enhanced. For the sample having Ag nanotriangles, the largest PL enhancement is obtained when the excitation wavelength coincides with the absorption band of Ag nanotriangles. This suggests that the enhancement of the incident field by surface plasmon polariton (SPP) excitation is responsible for the PL enhancement. On the other hand, for the sample having Au nanovoids, the PL enhancement is mainly made by the enhancement of effective radiative decay rate of Si-ncs by efficient excitation and scattering of SPPs.
Enhanced transmission from a single subwavelength slit aperture surrounded by grooves on a standard detector
Authors: Dunbar L. A. , Guillaumée M. , de León-Pérez F. , Santschi C. , Grenet E. , Eckert R. , López-Tejeira F. , García-Vidal F. J. , Martín-Moreno L. , Stanley R. P.
Published: July 2009

An enhanced transmission is detected through a single slit of subwavelength width surrounded by grooves in a gold layer that is added as a postprocess to a standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabricated detector. The enhanced transmission results from constructive interference of surface waves, which interact with the incident light. The measured enhanced transmission shows strong qualitative agreement with that predicted by the modal expansion method. With the decreasing dimensions available in standard CMOS process, such nanostructures in metals could be used to replace current optical systems or to improve performance by increasing the signal to noise ratio and/or allowing polarization selection.
Abnormal magnetic-field dependence of Hall coefficient in InN epilayers
Authors: Komissarova T. A. , Shakhov M. A. , Jmerik V. N. , Shubina T. V. , Parfeniev R. V. , Ivanov S. V. , Wang X. , Yoshikawa A.
Published: July 2009

We report on magnetic-field dependences of Hall coefficient and resistivity for InN films grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The Hall coefficient rises with the magnetic field. This anomalous behavior is discussed in terms of the presence of highly conducting inhomogeneities in the films. According to the magnetic field and temperature dependences of the film resistivity, the inhomogeneities are attributed to metallic indium nanoparticles formed presumably around extended defects within the InN epilayers, at their surface and the InN/GaN interface. Good correlation is observed between the growth conditions of the InN films and their electrical properties recalculated using the model.
MAP4K3 modulates cell death via the post-transcriptional regulation of BH3-only proteins
Authors: Lam David , Dickens David , Reid Elizabeth B. , Loh Samantha H. Y. , Moisoi Nicoleta , Martins L. Miguel
Published: July 2009

Intracellular signal transduction networks involving protein kinases are important modulators of cell survival and cell death in multicellular organisms. Functional compromise of these networks has been linked to aberrant apoptosis in diseases such as cancer. To identify novel kinase regulators of cell death, we conducted an RNAi-based screen to identify modulators of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Using this approach, we identified MAP4K3 as a novel apoptosis inducer. Here, we present evidence that this pro-apoptotic kinase orchestrates activation of BAX via the concerted posttranscriptional modulation of PUMA, BAD, and BIM. Additionally, we found decreased levels of this kinase in pancreatic cancer samples, suggesting a tumor suppressor role for MAP4K3 in pancreatic tumorigenesis.
Legal Ages for Purchase and Consumption of Alcohol and Heavy Drinking among College Students in Canada, Europe, and the United States
Authors: Keller Adrienne , Frye Laurie , Bauerle Jennifer , Turner James C.
Published: July 2009

Heavy drinking and associated negative consequences remain a serious problem among college students. In a secondary analysis of data from two published study, the authors examine the correlation between minimum legal age to purchase and/or consume alcohol and rates of heavy drinking among college students in 22 countries. The published studies use identical definitions of heavy drinking and similar methodologies. In the study of 20 European countries and the United States, there is a positive correlation between prevalence of heavy drinking and both minimum legal purchase age ( r =.34) and minimum legal drinking age ( r =.19); in the study of Canada and the United States, there is a perfect positive correlation ( r = 1.0). Examination of this evidence does not support the conclusion that a lower minimum legal age for purchase and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages is a protective factor for decreasing heavy drinking among college students.
The Interface between Substance Abuse and Chronic Pain Management in Primary Care: A Curriculum for Medical Residents
Authors: Gunderson Erik W. , Coffin Phillip O. , Chang Nancy , Polydorou Soteri , Levin Frances R.
Published: July 2009

Objectives: To develop and assess a housestaff curriculum on opioid and other substance abuse among patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). Methods: The two-hour, case-based curriculum delivered to small groups of medical housestaff sought to improve assessment and management of opioid-treated CNCP patients, including those with a substance use disorder. A two-page pre-post survey was administered to assess self-efficacy change on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Results: Of 47/50 (94%) respondents, self-efficacy significantly improved across all items (mean pre vs. post ratings, P <.001). Housestaff were more prepared to manage patients on chronic opioid medication (2.8 vs. 3.8), including those with substance use disorders (2.3 vs. 3.4). They felt more prepared to identify opioid dependence (2.8 vs. 3.9) and overall rated the curriculum favorably (4.2). Conclusions: The brief curriculum was well received and appears effective. Further study is needed to determine practice impact.
Why has Computer Assisted Learning made so little impact in secondary education? Lessons from an economics and business subject case‐study
Authors: Hurd Steve
Published: July 2009

This article reports the findings and draws lessons from a major twenty‐year longitudinal study of computer use in economics and business studies teaching in UK secondary schools. Over the period, the level and pattern of computer use within subject lessons has changed substantially. In particular, there has been a progressive shift away from enquiry‐based applications, associated with the Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) genre of software, in favour of generic applications. Various factors within the school and the wider educational environment have contributed to the observed changes, including teachers' continuing lack of confidence with ICT, the collapse of the educational software market and the increasingly competitive nature of schools. The result has been a virtual halving of computer use within mainstream lessons over the past decade. The article concludes that perhaps the time has arrived to take a more even‐handed approach towards different learning resources and approaches.
How fares the ‘New Professionalism’ in schools? Findings from the ‘State of the Nation’ project
Authors: Storey Anne
Published: July 2009

In a series of policy documents over the past decade, the idea of a ‘New Professionalism’ for teachers has been constructed. It encompasses three core components: a national framework of professional standards; performance management; and continuing professional development (CPD). The planned interplay of these components into a coherent whole has been at the heart of a reframing of the teacher's role. While much has been said about the vision in both positive and negative terms, few studies have provided empirical insight into the implementation and experience of this policy. Drawing upon the findings of a TDA‐funded nationwide (England) research project, the extent to which these ideas and policies have been adopted in practice, and what implications these actual behaviours carry for the debate about ‘New Professionalism’, are assessed.

A key finding was that while the framework of professional standards and the structures of performance management processes were essentially in place, the third plinth of the New Professionalism, CPD, remains mainly as a bolt‐on, pragmatically allocated and inconsistently accessed in schools. As such, it is unable to bear the weight of what is required of it, and claimed for it. The widespread failure to tackle the strategic dimension that links performance management to CPD, to engage in criterion‐based evaluation of training or to identify appropriate development opportunities in schools, have all tended to obstruct the road to ‘New Professionalism’.
Central Role of the Oxygen-dependent Degradation Domain ofDrosophilaHIFα/Sima in Oxygen-dependent Nuclear Export
Authors: Irisarri Maximiliano , Lavista-Llanos Sofía , Romero Nuria M. , Centanin Lázaro , Dekanty Andrés , Wappner Pablo
Published: July 2009

The Drosophila HIFα homologue, Sima, is localized mainly in the cytoplasm in normoxia and accumulates in the nucleus upon hypoxic exposure. We have characterized the mechanism governing Sima oxygen-dependent subcellular localization and found that Sima shuttles continuously between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. We have previously shown that nuclear import depends on an atypical bipartite nuclear localization signal mapping next to the C-terminus of the protein. We show here that nuclear export is mediated in part by a CRM1-dependent nuclear export signal localized in the oxygen-dependent degradation domain (ODDD). CRM1-dependent nuclear export requires both oxygen-dependent hydroxylation of a specific prolyl residue (Pro850) in the ODDD, and the activity of the von Hippel Lindau tumor suppressor factor. At high oxygen tension rapid nuclear export of Sima occurs, whereas in hypoxia, Sima nuclear export is largely inhibited. HIFα/Sima nucleo-cytoplasmic localization is the result of a dynamic equilibrium between nuclear import and nuclear export, and nuclear export is modulated by oxygen tension.
ViTraM: visualization of transcriptional modules
Authors: Sun Hong , Lemmens Karen , Bulcke Tim Van den , Engelen Kristof , Moor Bart De , Marchal Kathleen
Published: July 2009

Motivation: We developed ViTraM, a tool that allows visualizing overlapping transcriptional modules in an intuitive way. By visualizing not only the genes and the experiments in which the genes are co-expressed, but also additional properties of the modules such as the regulators and regulatory motifs that are responsible for the observed co-expression, ViTraM can assist in the biological analysis and interpretation of the output of module detection tools.

Availability: The ViTraM software is platform-independent. The software and supplementary material are available at: http://homes.esat.kuleuven.be/∼kmarchal/ViTraM/Index.html

Contact:  kathleen.marchal@biw.kuleuven.be
Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola Mutants Compromised for Type III Secretion System Gene Induction
Authors: Deng Xin , Xiao Yanmei , Lan Lefu , Zhou Jian-Min , Tang Xiaoyan
Published: July 2009

Pseudomonas syringae bacteria utilize the type III secretion system (T3SS) to deliver effector proteins into host cells. The T3SS and T3 effector genes (together called the T3 genes hereafter) are repressed in nutrient-rich medium but rapidly induced after the bacteria are transferred into minimal medium or infiltrated into plants. The induction of the T3 genes is mediated by HrpL, an alternative sigma factor that recognizes the conserved hrp box motif in the T3 gene promoters. The induction of hrpL is mediated by HrpR and HrpS, two homologous proteins that bind the hrpL promoter. To identify additional genes involved in regulation of the T3 genes, we screened for the P. syringae pv. phaseolicola NPS3121 transposon-tagged mutants with reduced induction of avrPto-luc and hrpL-luc, reporter genes for promoters of effector gene avrPto and hrpL, respectively. Determination of the transposon-insertion sites revealed genes with putative functions in signal transduction and transcriptional regulation, protein synthesis, and basic metabolism. A transcriptional regulator (AefRNPS3121) was identified in our screen that is homologous to AefR of P. syringae pv. syringae strain B728a, a regulator of the quorum-sensing signal and epiphytic traits, but was not known to regulate the T3 genes. AefRNPS3121 in P. syringae pv. phaseolicola NPS3121 and AefR in P. syringae pv. syringae B728a behave similarly in regulating the quorum-sensing signal in liquid medium but differ in regulating the epiphytic traits, including swarming motility, leaf entry, and epiphytic survival.
A Metabolic Signature of the Beneficial Interaction of the Endophyte Paenibacillus sp. Isolate and In Vitro–Grown Poplar Plants Revealed by Metabolomics
Authors: Scherling Christian , Ulrich Kristina , Ewald Dietrich , Weckwerth Wolfram
Published: July 2009

Metabolic profiling via gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was used to investigate the influence of endophytic bacteria on shoots of in vitro-grown poplar plants free from culturable endophytic bacteria. The results demonstrate that the occurrence of an endophytic Paenibacillus strain strongly affects the composition of the plant metabolites of in vitro-grown poplars. Eleven metabolites were significantly changed between inoculated and non-inoculated poplar plants as determined by two independent experiments. Detected shifts in the primary metabolism of the poplar plants pointed to a mutualistic interaction between bacteria able to fix nitrogen and the host plant with altered nitrogen assimilation patterns. The corresponding metabolic signature comprises increased asparagine and urea levels as well as depleted sugars and organic acids of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. These observations coincide with the fact that the Paenibacillus sp. strain P22 is able to grow without nitrogen in the medium, indicating nitrogen fixation from the air also known from other Paenibacillus spp. In combination with the detected plant-growth-promoting effects of the endophyte Paenibacillus P22, a novel mutualistic interaction is observed.
Influence of Temperature, Light Intensity, and Isolate on the Development ofNeofusicoccum parvum–Induced Dieback of Eugenia,Syzygium paniculatum
Authors: Ploetz Randy C. , Pérez-Martínez Jose M. , Palmateer Aaron J. , Tarnowski Tara L.
Published: July 2009

Syzygium paniculatum (Myrtaceae) is an important plant in the South Florida ornamental industry. Known as eugenia in the trade, the plant was relatively free of diseases before Hurricane Wilma (2005). Since then, a serious dieback disease has become prevalent in local nurseries, especially during late summer. Symptoms included wilting and death of terminal and lateral branches, and vascular discoloration in dead and dying branches and the main stem. Several fungi were isolated from diseased plants, but Neofusicoccum parvum was usually the only fungus isolated from symptomatic tissue. Most isolates were sterile, but all that were tested produced significant (P < 0.05) dieback on, and reduced growth of, the cultivar Monterrey Bay. Glomerella spp. and a Pestalotiopsis sp. that were recovered from asymptomatic portions of diseased plants and Mycoleptodiscus terrestris recovered from healthy liners of Monterrey Bay did not cause dieback symptoms in pathogenicity studies or affect host growth. In incubator studies, N. parvum caused significant external symptoms, vascular discoloration, and mortality at 25 and 30°C; in general, only vascular symptoms developed at 20°C and no symptoms developed at 15°C. Thus, temperature may be associated with the seasonal development of this disease. Significant differences in disease development were not observed under a wide range of light intensities (2,000 to 300 μmol s-1m-2). S. paniculatum is a new host record for N. parvum.
Inhibition of Pythium spp. and Suppression of Pythium Blight of Turfgrasses with Phosphonate Fungicides
Authors: Cook Phillip J. , Landschoot Peter J. , Schlossberg Maxim J.
Published: July 2009

Pythium aphanidermatum and other Pythium spp. cause Pythium blight of turfgrasses in the United States. Phosphonate fungicides suppress Pythium blight when applied preventatively, but efficacy may vary with product, rate and timing of application, and host species. The objectives of this study were to assess the inhibitory effects of phosphorous acid on Pythium spp. in vitro, and determine if active ingredient and formulation of phosphonate fungicides provide similar levels of Pythium blight suppression on perennial ryegrass and creeping bentgrass when applied at equivalent rates of phosphorous acid. Phosphorous acid EC50 values (effective concentration that reduces mycelial growth by 50%) for P. aphanidermatum isolates ranged from 35.6 to 171.8 μg/ml. EC50 values for isolates of six other Pythium spp. were between 38.7 and 220.8 μg/ml. In 2004 and 2005, all phosphonate treatments provided significant suppression of Pythium blight symptoms on creeping bentgrass and perennial ryegrass relative to the untreated control. No differences in percentage of blighted turf occurred among phosphonate treatments when applied at equivalent rates of phosphorous acid in either year of the study, regardless of active ingredient, formulation, or turfgrass species.