bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Norwegian version of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview: Feasibility, acceptability and test-retest reliability in an acute psychiatric ward
Authors: Mordal J. , Gundersen Ø. , Bramness J.G.
Published: June 2009

Objective

To assess the feasibility, patient and clinician acceptability and test-retest reliability of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) used by non-psychiatrists in an acute psychiatric ward.

Method

Of 268 consecutive patients included in a cross-sectional study, 176 (66%) completed MINI, and were compared to patients not interviewed. Patients and clinicians were questioned about the interview, using Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). For 38 patients, test-retest reliability was assessed with Cohen's kappa and observed agreement.

Results

MINI was not feasible for all patients. Among factors associated with not being interviewed were early discharge, psychosis, substance use and involuntary admissions. Although evaluations by patients and clinicians completing the postinterview questionnaire varied, MINI was generally perceived as being useful and feasible. Psychotic symptoms were associated with a less positive experience with MINI for both patients and clinicians. In the test-retest analyses, kappa values indicated excellent agreement for six diagnoses, fair to good for six and poor for seven, whereas observed agreement was 75% or above for all disorders.

Conclusion

Among patients admitted to an acute psychiatric ward willing and able to complete the interview, MINI was well accepted by patients and clinicians, and has moderately good test-retest reliability.
Evaluation of psychiatric liaison-services for adolescents in residential group homes
Authors: Besier T. , Fegert J.M. , Goldbeck L.
Published: June 2009

Objective

Adolescents in residential care are a high-risk population for psychiatric disorders. Due to limited access to outpatient treatment, crises often result in psychiatric hospitalizations. These crises are often accompanied by termination of supportive relationships, which increases the risk for further problems. To minimize hospitalizations and to stabilize the psychological state of these adolescents, we developed and evaluated a home-treatment intervention program based on psychiatric liaison-services and compared it to standard medical care (SMC).

Methods

The intervention was applied in 11 German residential group homes (N = 288, M = 14.1 years, SD = 2.7), while adolescents from 15 institutions (N = 336, M = 13.6 years, SD = 3.0) served as a comparison group (CG) (SMC). The frequency and duration of psychiatric inpatient treatment episodes were documented and caregiver-reported behavioural symptoms were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months postintervention.

Results

In both groups, less than 10% of the adolescents were admitted to psychiatric wards. Compared to SMC, hospitalizations were of shorter duration in the intervention group (IG) (1.30 vs 2.47 days per head within 12 months, p < .001). In both groups, behavioural problems decreased overtime.

Conclusions

Applying a home-treatment intervention program to children in residential care helps to stabilize the developmental course of this high-risk population by shortening psychiatric inpatient treatment.
Social and occupational functioning impairment in patients in partial versus complete remission of a major depressive disorder episode. A six-month prospective epidemiological study
Authors: Romera I. , Perez V. , Menchón J.M. , Delgado-Cohen H. , Polavieja P. , Gilaberte I.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To evaluate social and occupational functioning in patients in partial remission (PR) compared with patients in complete remission (CR) of a major depressive disorder (MDD) episode.

Subjects and methods

This is a six-month prospective study. PR was defined as a score more than 7 and less or equal to 15 in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and CR as less or equal to 7. All patients had been on acute antidepressant treatment during the previous three months and no longer met criteria for MDD. Functioning was assessed by the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS).

Results

Mean (S.D.) patient age was 50.5 (14.5) years (N = 292) and 77% were female. At baseline, partial remitters showed greater impairment in social and occupational functioning than complete remitters (62.8 [12.6] versus 80.4 [10.5], respectively; P < .0001). After six months, only 47% PR versus 77% CR reached normal functioning, and SOFAS ratings for PR were below normal range (76.2 [12.3] PR versus 84.6 [9.4] CR; P < .0001). PR reported three times more days absent from work due to sickness than CR (63 days versus 20 days; P < .001).

Conclusion

We conclude that PR of an MDD episode is associated with significant functional impairment that persists even after nine months of antidepressant treatment. Our results underline the importance of treating the patient until achieving full remission.
Deficit schizophrenia: An overview of clinical, biological and treatment aspects
Authors: Galderisi S. , Maj M.
Published: June 2009

The concept of deficit schizophrenia is regarded as one of the most promising attempts to reduce heterogeneity within schizophrenia. This paper summarizes the clinical, neurocognitive, brain imaging and electrophysiological correlates of this subtype of schizophrenia. Attempts to identify genetic and non-genetic risk factors are reviewed. Methodological limitations of studies supporting the efficacy of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of the syndrome are highlighted. Two decades of research on deficit schizophrenia have failed to prove that it represents the extreme end of a severity continuum in schizophrenia, while some findings support the claim that it may be a separate disease entity.
Lanthanum ions inhibit the mammalian Sec61 complex in its channel dynamics and protein transport activity
Authors: Erdmann Frank , Jung Martin , Eyrisch Susanne , Lang Sven , Helms Volkhard , Wagner Richard , Zimmermann Richard
Published: June 2009

Previous electrophysiological experiments characterized the Sec61 complex, which provides the aqueous path for entry of newly‐synthesized polypeptides into the mammalian endoplasmic reticulum, as a highly dynamic channel that, once activated by precursor proteins, fluctuates between main open states with mean conductances of 220 and 550 pS. Millimolar concentrations of lanthanum ions simultaneously restricted the dynamics of the Sec61 channel and inhibited translocation of polypeptides. Molecular modeling indicates that lanthanum binding sites cluster at the putative lateral gate of the Sec61 complex and suggests that structural flexibility of the lateral gate is essential for channel and protein transport activities of the Sec61 complex.
Expression profiling of the genes responding to zearalenone and its analogues using estrogen‐responsive genes
Authors: Parveen Meher , Zhu Yun , Kiyama Ryoiti
Published: June 2009

To compare gene expression profiles in response to estrogen or 17β‐estradiol (E2) and a mycotoxin, zearalenone (ZEA), and its analogues (collectively termed ZEA compounds), breast cancer MCF‐7 cells were treated with 10 nM of E2or ZEA compounds including ZEA, α‐zearalenol, β‐zearalenol, zearalanone, α‐zearalanol and β‐zearalanol. Expression profiles for 120 estrogen‐responsive genes were subjected to cluster and statistical analyses using correlation coefficients orR‐values. We found that all of the ZEA compounds stimulated the growth of MCF‐7 cells, as much as E2, and showed similar expression profiles to that of E2(R‐values ranged from 0.82 to 0.96). The effect of ZEA compounds was likely mediated by estrogen‐receptor‐dependent Erk1/2‐signaling. These results provide clues to understand the mechanism of their estrogen‐like action.
The self and the brand
Authors: Kirmani Amna
Published: June 2009

Whereas [Oyserman, D. 2009. Identity‐based motivation: Implications for action‐readiness, procedural‐readiness, and consumer behavior. Journal of Consumer Psychology. (this issue)] highlights the importance of identity motivation, this commentary suggests that the interesting questions for consumer researchers are not about identity per se, but about the relationship between the self and brand‐related consumption. Two broad areas of investigation that can form an agenda for further research are proposed. The first area concerns the relationship among brands, identity and goals. The second area concerns the potential negative effects of identity on brand choice and on perceptions of identity‐related behavior. Consumer researchers are best positioned to pursue issues dealing with the intersection of identity and brands, which can lead to both theoretical and substantive insights.
Feline exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: 16 cases (1992–2007)⋆
Authors: Thompson Kelley A. , Parnell Nolie K. , Hohenhaus Ann E. , Moore George E. , Rondeau Mark P.
Published: June 2009

Medical records of 16 cats diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) were reviewed. The diagnosis was confirmed with either a serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) concentration ≤12 μg/l or a fecal proteolytic activity (FPA) <6 mm for three consecutive days. The majority of cats were castrated male domestic shorthairs. The median age of cats affected was 7 years. The most common clinical sign was weight loss followed by diarrhea, polyphagia and vomiting. Concurrent disease was present in 10/16 (63%) cats. The most common laboratory abnormalities were normocytic normochromic anemia, lymphopenia, neutrophilia, increased alanine transferase activity, hyperglycemia and increased bilirubin concentrations. All 10 cats that were tested for serum cobalamin levels were found to be deficient. All 10 cats that were tested for serum folate concentrations had normal or increased levels. Ten out of 11 cats had at least a partial response to treatment. All cats were discharged from the hospital alive. Results suggest that EPI should be considered a differential diagnosis in any cat with weight loss or poor growth after more common diseases have been ruled out. Concurrent disease is common in feline EPI. Cobalamin deficiency is common in cats with EPI and cats should receive cobalamin supplementation to improve response to treatment. Cats in this study had a good prognosis.
Use of a temporary incontinent end-on colostomy in a cat for the management of rectocutaneous fistulas associated with atresia ani
Authors: Tsioli Vassiliki , Papazoglou Lysimachos G. , Anagnostou Tilemachos , Kouti Vasileia , Papadopoulou Paraskevi
Published: June 2009

A 2 1/2-month-old cat was evaluated for the presence of multiple draining tracts ventral to the tail of 8 days duration. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed that the cat had rectocutaneous fistulas and type II atresia ani. The cat underwent a temporary end-on colostomy for faecal diversion. Sixty days after surgery and after the fistulas resolved the animal underwent a second surgery for colostomy closure and anal reconstruction. Two years after surgery the cat was reported to be in good health with no faecal incontinence.
Obstetric Triage: Models and Trends in Resident Education By Midwives
Authors: Angelini Diane J. , Stevens Elizabeth , MacDonald Amy , Wiener Sharon , Wieczorek Bridget
Published: June 2009

Four models of resident education in obstetric triage with midwifery faculty consultants are presented. Common trends in the structure and function of these models are reviewed. The four models represent diverse settings where midwives serve as clinical teachers primarily for first‐year obstetric residents and residents from other subspecialties. Each model supports a growing number of midwives working in the triage setting, functioning as both teacher and consultant for new residents. This expanded midwifery teaching role extends beyond labor assessment to include a wide range of common obstetric and gynecologic conditions in the triage setting. Additional advantages include the ability of the midwife to bill for triage services and to provide a safety net to decrease medical errors which, in a busy triage unit, occur most often during patient transfers.
Documentation and Billing for Services Provided by Midwives Teaching Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents and Medical Students
Authors: Wilson‐Liverman Angela , Slager Joan , Wage Deborah
Published: June 2009

Certified nurse‐midwives are teaching obstetrics and gynecology residents and medical students in major academic institutions across the United States. In these instances, the ability to appropriately document services rendered to support a billable service is paramount. This article explains the difference in requirements for mid‐wives' documentation when working with residents compared with documentation required of an attending obstetrician‐gynecologist. It also reviews the teaching physician guidelines developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as well as current evaluation and management documentation requirements. Several examples of documentation are provided, as are suggestions for enhancement and simplification of the guidelines to include midwives. An important point to remember is that the CMS rules do not prohibit a certified nurse‐midwife from teaching a resident.
A National Survey of the Midwifery Director Role in Academic Midwifery Practices Involved in Medical Education in the United States
Authors: Angelini Diane J.
Published: June 2009

A survey to explore the role characteristics and key responsibilities of midwifery directors in academic practices involved in medical education in the United States was undertaken. Six key content areas were investigated: role responsibilities and characteristics, interaction with other medical divisions and committees, budgetary structure, interaction with learners, clinical schedules, and job satisfaction. A mail‐based descriptive survey was distributed to 112 midwifery directors with a 56% response rate (N = 63). The results show a composite profile of academic midwifery practice directors involved in medical education that work primarily for departments of obstetrics and gynecology, are championed by the departmental chairperson, and have budgetary placement under this department. Collaboration with the residency director has not been fully realized, thereby limiting midwifery exposure and input regarding medical education, curricula changes, and access to key education committees. National changes in resident work hours had both a positive and negative impact on the director and overall midwifery practices. Job satisfaction documents both positive and challenging aspects to the director position, and most directors felt successfully integrated with physician colleagues.
Midwives as Educators of Medical Students and Residents: Results of A National Survey
Authors: McConaughey Edie , Howard Elisabeth
Published: June 2009

This descriptive study explores the roles and responsibilities of midwives involved in teaching medical students and residents. Surveys were received from 74 academic midwifery practices in the United States that are formally involved in medical education (66% response rate). These practices employ 547 midwives. Most of these midwives have >5 years of experience as clinicians (97%) and average >5 years of experience in medical education (73%). Academic midwifery practices teach multiple learners including obstetrics and gynecology residents (80%), family practice residents (60%), medical students in their core clerkship (93%), and midwifery students (83%). Midwives are often clinical preceptors during births of the midwifery practice's patients, but they assume a more formal academic faculty role with a resident or attending physician‐shared case load of patients. Forty‐two percent of midwifery practices care for their own patients along with the teaching and supervision of residents' patients. Roles and responsibilities of the midwifery practice members are explored, including the percentage of time spent in specific clinical and educational functions. Clinical experience and teaching expertise of midwives are valued in medical education. Multiple opportunities exist for collaboration between midwifery and medicine.
The Collaboration for Maternal and Newborn Health: Interprofessional Maternity Care Education for Medical, Midwifery, and Nursing Students
Authors: Saxell Lee , Harris Susan , Elarar Lehe
Published: June 2009

The Collaboration for Maternal and Newborn Health, a multidisciplinary group of maternity care providers from the University of British Columbia (UBC), received funding from Health Canada to develop interprofessional education programs for health care students. Medical, midwifery, and nursing students from UBC were invited to participate in the three programs described in this article. The Interprofessional Student Doula Support Program, a year‐long program for 15 students, combines classroom learning about marginalized women with on‐call doula support to attend births. The Interprofessional Normal Labour and Birth Workshop is a 5‐hour event, comprised of lectures and hands‐on stations about normal labour, birth, and the immediate postpartum period. The Maternity Care Club Hands‐on Night occurs twice a year, and students gather to practice at maternity care stations in a casual setting. A total of 467 participants over 3 years completed evaluations of their experiences. Students rate these programs very highly in terms of benefits of multidisciplinary collaboration. Providing students with opportunities to engage with other health care disciplines enhances interest in the professions of maternity care and the benefits of collaboration.
Macro‐finance VARs and bond risk premia: A caveat
Authors: Taboga Marco
Published: June 2009

At the turn of the century, US and euro area long‐term bond yields experienced a remarkable decline and remained at historically low levels despite rising short‐term rates (the so called “conundrum”). Estimating macro‐finance VARs and no‐arbitrage term structure models, many researchers find that the decline in long‐term rates was primarily driven by an unprecedented reduction in risk premia. I show that this result might be an artefact of the class of models employed to study the phenomenon.
A numerical investigation of horizontal viscous gravity currents
Authors: HALLEZ YANNICK , MAGNAUDET JACQUES
Published: June 2009

We study numerically the viscous phase of horizontal gravity currents of immiscible fluids in the lock-exchange configuration. A numerical technique capable of dealing with stiff density gradients is used, allowing us to mimic high-Schmidt-number situations similar to those encountered in most laboratory experiments. Plane two-dimensional computations with no-slip boundary conditions are run so as to compare numerical predictions with the ‘short reservoir’ solution of Huppert (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 121, 1982, pp. 43–58), which predicts the front position lf to evolve as t1/5, and the ‘long reservoir’ solution of Gratton & Minotti (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 210, 1990, pp. 155–182) which predicts a diffusive evolution of the distance travelled by the front xf ~ t1/2. In line with dimensional arguments, computations indicate that the self-similar power law governing the front position is selected by the flow Reynolds number and the initial volume of the released heavy fluid. We derive and validate a criterion predicting which type of viscous regime immediately succeeds the slumping phase. The computations also reveal that, under certain conditions, two different viscous regimes may appear successively during the life of a given current. Effects of sidewalls are examined through three-dimensional computations and are found to affect the transition time between the slumping phase and the viscous regime. In the various situations we consider, we make use of a force balance to estimate the transition time at which the viscous regime sets in and show that the corresponding prediction compares well with the computational results.
A model for the spreading and compaction of two-phase viscous gravity currents
Authors: MICHAUT CHLOÉ , BERCOVICI DAVID
Published: June 2009

Two-phase viscous gravity current theory has numerous applications in the natural sciences, from small-scale lava, sedimentary and glacial flows, to large-scale flows of partially molten mantle. We develop the general equations for two-phase viscous gravity currents composed of a high viscosity matrix and low viscosity fluid for both constant volume and constant flux conditions. A loss of fluid phase is taken into account at the current's upper boundary and corresponds to the degassing of a lava flow or loss of water in sedimentary flows. As the current spreads, its surface increases and fluid loss is facilitated, which modifies the mixture density and viscosity and thus the current's shape; hence spreading of the flow affects fluid loss and vice-versa. Our results show that two-phase gravity currents retain and transport the fluid out to large distances, but the fluid is almost entirely lost within a region of finite radius. This ‘loss radius’ depends on the flow's volume or flux, fluid and matrix properties as well as on the size of fluid parcels or matrix permeability. Application to lava flows shows that degassing occurs over a large area, which affects gas release and transport in the atmosphere.
Direct numerical simulation of turbulence in a nominally zero-pressure-gradient flat-plate boundary layer
Authors: WU XIAOHUA , MOIN PARVIZ
Published: June 2009

A nominally-zero-pressure-gradient incompressible boundary layer over a smooth flat plate was simulated for a continuous momentum thickness Reynolds number range of 80 ≤ Reθ ≤ 940. Transition which is completed at approximately Reθ = 750 was triggered by intermittent localized disturbances arising from patches of isotropic turbulence introduced periodically from the free stream at Reθ = 80. Streamwise pressure gradient is quantified with several measures and is demonstrated to be weak. Blasius boundary layer is maintained in the early transitional region of 80 < Reθ < 180 within which the maximum deviation of skin friction from the theoretical solution is less than 1%. Mean and second-order turbulence statistics are compared with classic experimental data, and they constitute a rare DNS dataset for the spatially developing zero-pressure-gradient turbulent flat-plate boundary layer. Our calculations indicate that in the present spatially developing low-Reynolds-number turbulent flat-plate boundary layer, total shear stress mildly overshoots the wall shear stress in the near-wall region of 2–20 wall units with vanishing normal gradient at the wall. Overshoots as high as 10% across a wider percentage of the boundary layer thickness exist in the late transitional region. The former is a residual effect of the latter. The instantaneous flow fields are vividly populated by hairpin vortices. This is the first time that direct evidence (in the form of a solution of the Navier–Stokes equations, obeying the statistical measurements, as opposed to synthetic superposition of the structures) shows such dominance of these structures. Hairpin packets arising from upstream fragmented Λ structures are found to be instrumental in the breakdown of the present boundary layer bypass transition.
Effects of wall compliance on the linear stability of Taylor–Couette flow
Authors: GUAUS ANAÏS , AIRIAU CHRISTOPHE , BOTTARO ALESSANDRO , KOURTA AZEDDINE
Published: June 2009

The stability of the laminar flow in the narrow gap between infinitely long concentric cylinders, the inner of which rotates, is examined for the case of compliant bounding walls, modelled as thin cylindrical shells supported by rigid frames through arrays of springs and dampers. Sufficiently soft walls have a destabilizing influence on the axisymmetric Taylor vortices produced by the centrifugal force, although the effect is limited to modes with large axial wavelengths. Due to the walls flexibility, hydroelastic modes are generated. Complex modal exchanges are observed, as function of the wall properties and the Reynolds number. For axisymmetric modes an asymptotic analysis is conducted in the limit of small axial wavenumber, to show the correspondence between such exchanges and singularities in the analytical solutions. While the axisymmetric modes dominate the spectrum when the walls are rigid or very mildly compliant, a critical non-zero azimuthal wavenumber exists for which the hydroelastic modes become more unstable. Shorter azimuthal waves are favoured by increasing spring stiffness.
Coherent structures in canopy edge flow: a large-eddy simulation study
Authors: DUPONT S. , BRUNET Y.
Published: June 2009

Large coherent structures over vegetation canopies are responsible for a substantial part of the turbulent transfer of momentum, heat and mass between the canopy and the atmosphere. As forested landscapes are often fragmented, edge regions may be of importance in turbulent transfer. The development of coherent structures from the leading edge of a forest is investigated here for the first time. For this purpose, the turbulent flow over a clearing–forest pattern is simulated using the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS). In previous studies the code has been modified so as to simulate turbulent flows at very fine scale (0.1h, where h is the mean canopy height) within and above heterogeneous vegetation canopies, using a large-eddy simulation (LES) approach. Validations have also been performed over homogeneous forest canopies and over a simple forest–clearing–forest pattern, against field and wind-tunnel measurements. Here, a schematic picture of the development of coherent eddies downstream from the leading edge of a forest is extracted from the mean vorticity components, the Q-criterion field, the cross-correlation of the wind velocity components and the length and separation length scales of coherent structures, determined by using a wavelet transform. This schematic picture shows strong similarities with the development of coherent structures observed in a mixing layer, with four different regions: (i) close to the edge, Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities develop when a strong wind gust hits the canopy; (ii) these instabilities roll over to form transverse vortices from around 3h downstream from the edge, characterized by a length scale close to the depth of the internal boundary layer that develops from the canopy edge; (iii) secondary instabilities destabilize these rollers and increase the vertical and streamwise vorticity components from around 6h, and two counter-rotating streamwise vortices appear; (iv) at about 9h the initial rollers have become complex three-dimensional coherent structures, with spatially constant mean length and separation length scales. These four stages of development occur closer to the edge with increasing canopy density. While this average picture of the development of coherent structures is similar to that observed in a mixing layer, the analysis of instantaneous fields shows that coherent structures behind the leading edge appear as resulting from the ‘branching’ of tubes localized in regions of low pressure, where their cores are characterized by high values of enstrophy and Q-criterion.
Lagrangian drift near a wavy boundary in a viscous oscillating flow
Authors: LARRIEU E. , HINCH E. J. , CHARRU F.
Published: June 2009

The formation of sand ripples in oscillating flows is thought to be due to a steady streaming current which near the bottom is towards the crests. We present quantitative observations of this mean flow over self-formed and artificial ripples, by observing the displacement of a coloured filament after a number of oscillations in the simple situation of viscous Couette flow. Confusingly, the filament moves in the ‘wrong’ direction, because it follows the Lagrangian mean flow. We calculate the Lagrangian mean flow. A complication is that the amplitudes of the oscillations in the experiments are not small. We compare the predictions with the experimental observations of displacements of the filament, showing good agreement.
Spreading of two-dimensional axisymmetric vortices exposed to a rotating strain field
Authors: TURNER M. R. , GILBERT A. D.
Published: June 2009

This paper examines the evolution of an axisymmetric two-dimensional vortex in a steadily rotating strain field and the dynamical interactions that can enhance vortex spreading through resonant behaviour. Starting with a point vortex localized at the origin, the applied strain field generates a cat's eye topology in the co-rotating streamfunction, localized around a radius rext. Now the vortex is allowed to spread viscously: initially rext lies outside the vortex, but as it spreads, vorticity is advected into the cat's eyes, leading to a local flattening of the mean profile of the vortex and so to enhanced mixing and spreading of the vortex. Together with this is a feedback: the response of the vortex to the external strain depends on the modified profile. The feedback is particularly strong when rext coincides with the radius rcat at which the vortex can support cat's eyes of infinitesimal width. There is a particular time at which this occurs, as these radii change with the viscous spread of the vortex: rext moves inwards and rcat outwards. This resonance behaviour leads to increased mixing of vorticity, along with a rapid stretching of vorticity contours and a sharp increase in the amplitude of the non-axisymmetric components. The dynamical feedback and enhanced diffusion are studied for viscously spreading vortices by means of numerical simulations of their time evolution, parameterized only by the Reynolds number R and the dimensionless strength A of the external strain field.
Acceleration statistics of finite-sized particles in turbulent flow: the role of Faxén forces
Authors: CALZAVARINI E. , VOLK R. , BOURGOIN M. , LÉVÊQUE E. , PINTON J.-F. , TOSCHI F.
Published: June 2009

The dynamics of particles in turbulence when the particle size is larger than the dissipative scale of the carrier flow are studied. Recent experiments have highlighted signatures of particles' finiteness on their statistical properties, namely a decrease of their acceleration variance, an increase of correlation times (at increasing the particles size) and an independence of the probability density function of the acceleration once normalized to their variance. These effects are not captured by point-particle models. By means of a detailed comparison between numerical simulations and experimental data, we show that a more accurate description is obtained once Faxén corrections are included.
Differentialin vitroeffects of insulin onTaenia crassicepsandTaenia soliumcysticerci
Authors: Escobedo G. , Romano M.C. , Morales-Montor J.
Published: June 2009

Hormones play a significant role in murine cysticercosis (Taenia crassiceps), and increase the frequency of porcine cysticercosis caused byTaenia solium. In the present study, we report thein vitroeffect of insulin on the larval stages ofT. crassiceps(ORF strain) andT. solium.In vitroexposure ofT. crassicepscysticerci to insulin was found to stimulate this parasite's reproduction twofold with respect to control values, while the same treatment had no effect onT. soliumcysticerci. Moreover, normal female mice (BALB/cAnN) infected withT. crassicepscysticerci previously exposed to insulin presented larger parasite loads than mice inoculated with vehicle-treated cysticerci. To determine the possible molecular mechanisms by which insulin affectsT. crassiceps, the insulin receptor was amplified by means of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Interestingly, bothT. crassicepsandT. soliumexpressed the insulin receptor, although insulin had effects only onT. crassiceps. These results demonstrate that insulin has a dichotomistic effect; it acts directly only onT. crassicepscysticerci reproduction, possibly through its binding to a specific insulin receptor synthesized by the parasite. Thus, insulin may be recognized byT. crassicepscysticercus cells as a mitogenic factor, and contribute to parasite proliferation inside the host, as well as to the female mouse susceptibility toT.crassiceps. This phenomenon has not been reported for cysticercosis caused byT. solium, which could, in part, be related to the poor effect of insulin upon the human parasite.
Characterization of a leucine aminopeptidase of Babesia gibsoni
Authors: JIA H. , TERKAWI M. A. , ABOGE G. O. , GOO Y.-K. , LUO Y. , LI Y. , YAMAGISHI J. , NISHIKAWA Y. , IGARASHI I. , SUGIMOTO C. , FUJISAKI K. , XUAN X.
Published: June 2009

Peptidases of parasitic protozoa are currently under intense investigation in order to identify novel virulence factors, drug targets, and vaccine candidates, except in Babesia. Leucine aminopeptidases in protozoa, such as Plasmodium and Leishmania, have been identified to be involved in free amino acid regulation. We report here the molecular and enzymatic characterization, as well as the localization of a leucine aminopeptidase, a member of the M17 cytosolic aminopeptidase family, from B. gibsoni (BgLAP). A functional recombinant BgLAP (rBgLAP) expressed in Escherichia coli efficiently hydrolysed synthetic substrates for aminopeptidase, a leucine substrate. Enzyme activity of the rBgLAP was found to be optimum at pH 8·0 and at 37°C. The substrate profile was slightly different from its homologue in P. falciprum. The activity was also strongly dependent on metal divalent cations, and was inhibited by bestatin, which is a specific inhibitor for metalloprotease. These results indicated that BgLAP played an important role in free amino acid regulation.
Vertical transmission ofToxoplasma gondiiin Australian marsupials
Authors: PARAMESWARAN N. , O'HANDLEY R. M. , GRIGG M. E. , WAYNE A. , THOMPSON R. C. A.
Published: June 2009

To date, little is known about the dynamics of vertical transmission ofToxoplasma gondiiin Australian marsupials. Studies in mice demonstrate that vertical transmission ofT. gondiiis common and that chronically infected mice can transmitT. gondiito successive generations. In this study, PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detectT. gondiiin chronically infected marsupial dams and their offspring.T. gondiiwas detected in the unfurred pouch young of 2 out of 10 chronically infected western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) and in the unfurred pouch young of a brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata). Results of the study suggest that vertical transmission ofT. gondiican occur in chronically infected Australian marsupials.
X-cell parasites in the European dab Limanda limanda are related to other X-cell organisms: a discussion on the potential identity of this new group of parasites
Authors: FREEMAN M. A.
Published: June 2009

Unusual tumour-like pathologies caused by mysterious cells termed ‘X-cells’ have been reported from numerous fish groups worldwide. After nearly 100 years of research, the tumour-like growths have recently been shown to be caused by a protozoan parasite. In the present study, histopathology and small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences are used to assess whether the X-cell parasite infecting Atlantic dab Limanda limanda L. is distinct from the X-cell parasite infecting Japanese flounder and goby, and to determine their systematic position within the protists. SSU rDNA from Scottish dab was 89·3% and 86·7% similar to Japanese X-cell sequences from flounder and goby respectively, indicating that the parasite infecting dab in the Atlantic is distinct from the Pacific species. Histological studies revealed significant gill pathology and demonstrated the precise location of the parasites within the gill tissues using specific in situ hybridization probes. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the X-cell parasites from Scotland and Japan form a monophyletic group within the Myzozoa, and are basal alveolates. However, ultrastructure of X-cells from dab fails to confirm this systematic placement.
Using length-frequency data to elucidate the population dynamics ofArgulus foliaceus(Crustacea: Branchiura)
Authors: TAYLOR N. G. H. , WOOTTEN R. , SOMMERVILLE C.
Published: June 2009

This study uses a novel method for discriminating cohorts and investigating the population dynamics of the parasitic crustacean,Argulus foliaceus. Analysis of parasite length-frequency data was carried out in order to elucidate the timings and drivers behind the parasite's life cycle. Up to 6 cohorts of the parasite emerge through the course of 1 year in still-water trout fisheries in England. Recruitment ceases over the winter months; however, 3 cohorts of the parasite over-winter, 2 as eggs and 1 as a hatched stage. The technique, when used in conjunction with temperature data, also allowed for the reliable prediction of growth rates and provided estimates of egg incubation times and the length of hatching periods. These data showed that growth rates increased exponentially between the observed temperatures of 4 to 22°C. The method allowed for the time taken from hatching to egg laying under field conditions to be predicted and produced estimates that were validated against independent laboratory studies on the growth of the parasite.
P-glycoprotein interfering agents potentiate ivermectin susceptibility in ivermectin sensitive and resistant isolates ofTeladorsagia circumcinctaandHaemonchus contortus
Authors: BARTLEY D. J. , McALLISTER H. , BARTLEY Y. , DUPUY J. , MÉNEZ C. , ALVINERIE M. , JACKSON F. , LESPINE A.
Published: June 2009

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) homologues, belonging to the ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter family, are thought to play an important role in the resistance of gastro-intestinal nematode parasites against macrocyclic lactones. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of various P-gp interfering compounds on the efficacy of ivermectin (IVM) in sensitive and resistant nematode isolates. The feeding of IVM resistant and sensitiveTeladorsagia circumcinctaandHaemonchus contortusfirst-stage larvae (L1) was assessed using a range of IVM concentrations (0·08–40 nm) with or without P-gp inhibitors: valspodar, verapamil, quercetin, ketoconazole and pluronic P85. The P-gp inhibitors were selected on the basis of their ability to interfere with P-gp transport activity in an epithelial cell line over-expressing murine P-gp. In the presence of P-gp interfering agents, thein vitrosusceptibility to IVM of both sensitive and resistant isolates ofT. circumcinctaandH. contortuswas increased. These results show that compounds interfering with P-gp transport activity could enhance IVM efficacy in sensitive isolates, and also restore IVM sensitivity in resistant nematodes. These results support the view that ABC transporters can play an important role in resistance to IVM, at least in the free-living stages of these economically important gastro-intestinal nematodes.
Researching Up? Interviews, Emotionality and Policy-Making Elites
Authors: NEAL SARAH , MCLAUGHLIN EUGENE
Published: June 2009

This article recounts the methodological story of a qualitative research project that investigated the work of the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain and the news media's deconstruction of the Commission's report – theParekh Report– which was published on 11 October 2000. Our project used a multi-method fieldwork approach, combining textual analysis of news media coverage and the extensive documentary archives of the Commission, along with semi-structured interviews with Commissioners and other figures involved in the publication of the Report. The article attempts to offer a reflexive account of the experiences of interviewing a particular public policy-making eliteandexamines how a particular ‘public trauma’ – that is, the damaging political fall-out of extremely negative news media coverage of theParekh Report– inflected our research encounters. We argue that the openness with which many of the participants spoke about this traumatic experience suggests that the production of policy documents can constitute highly emotional labour for participants. We extend this argument by examining how this openness also reveals the instabilities and uncertainties of power within the research interviewee/interviewer relationship. In this way the article seeks to contribute to debates about the problems of defining the category ‘elites’ in both public policy and social research worlds.
Resonant excitation of the upper hybrid wave by relativistic cross focusing of two laser beams
Authors: Purohit Gunjan , Chauhan Prashant , Sharma R.P.
Published: June 2009

This article presents the resonant excitation of the upper hybrid wave (UHW) by cross focusing of two high power laser beams in a collisionless hot magnetoplasma; taking into account the relativistic nonlinearity. The electric vectors of the two beams are polarized along uniform static magnetic field and the beams propagate perpendicular to the static magnetic field. The resonant excitation of the UHW occurs when the frequency difference (FD) of the two laser beams and difference of their propagation vector satisfy the dispersion relation corresponding to the UHW. It has been observed that the power associated with the excited UHW, which depends on the background electron concentration, magnetic field and the intensity of the two laser beams, becomes drastically modified with the distance of propagation. The effect of the excited UHW at the FD on the acceleration of electrons has also been discussed. The amplitude of the UHW, excited by two high power laser beams and the electron energy are also calculated. This study is relevant in heating of plasma near the upper hybrid frequency as well as electron acceleration. The results are presented for typical laser plasma parameters.
Effect of an axial magnetic field and ion space charge on laser beat wave acceleration and surfatron acceleration of electrons
Authors: Prasad R. , Singh R. , Tripathi V.K.
Published: June 2009

The presence of an axial magnetic field in a laser beat wave accelerator enhances the oscillatory velocity of electrons due to cyclotron resonance effect leading to higher amplitude of the ponderomotive force driven plasma wave, and higher energy of accelerating electrons. The axial magnetic field inhibits the transverse escape of electrons and thus causes a growth of the interaction length. The surfatron acceleration of electrons also shows a similar enhancement. A surfatron transverse magnetic field deflects the electrons parallel to the phase fronts of the accelerating wave keeping them in phase with it. However, the electron continues to move away radially.
A new approach to the dynamic parameter identification of robotic manipulators
Authors: Qin Zhongkai , Baron Luc , Birglen Lionel
Published: June 2009

This paper presents a novel systematic approach to identify the dynamic parameters of robotic manipulators. A sequential identification procedure is first proposed to deal with the difficulties usually encountered with standard approaches. An all-accelerometer inertial measurement unit (IMU) is also suggested to estimate the joint velocities and accelerations, which are traditionally obtained by differentiating the joint positions. The IMU kinematics and the computation method for estimation joint motion from IMUs are provided. The proposed method yields promising results in improving the identification precision compared to conventional methods. Finally, practical experiments are conducted to validate the theoretical results.
Failure detection and isolation in robotic manipulators using joint torque sensors
Authors: Namvar Mehrzad , Aghili Farhad
Published: June 2009

Reliability of any model-based failure detection and isolation (FDI) method depends on the amount of uncertainty in a system model. Recently, it has been shown that the use of joint torque sensing results in a simplified manipulator model that excludes hardly identifiable link dynamics and other nonlinearities such as friction, backlash, and flexibilities. In this paper, we show that the application of the simplified model in a fault detection algorithm increases reliability of fault monitoring system against modeling uncertainty. The proposed FDI filter is based on a smooth velocity observer of degree 2n where n stands for the number of manipulator joints. No velocity measurement and assumptions on smoothness of faults are used in the fault detection process. The paper focuses on actuator faults and investigates the effect of torque sensor noise on threshold selection. The FDI filter is further improved to become robust against an unknown bias in torque sensor reading. The effect of position sensor noise together with position sensor faults are also investigated. Simulation example on a 6-degrees of freedom manipulator is carried out to illustrate the performance of the proposed FDI method.
LIBERTY, PROPERTY, ENVIRONMENTALISM
Authors: Rose Carol M.
Published: June 2009

The environment has often been thought to consist of resources that are unowned, and hence subject to the well-known tragedy of the commons. But in recent years, property ideas have been increasingly recruited for environmental protection, in a manner that appears to vindicate the view that property rights evolve along with the needs for resource management. Nevertheless, property regimes have some pitfalls for environmental resources: the relevant parties may not be able to come to agreement; property regimes may be weak or ineffective; they may be aimed at purposes inconsistent with environmental protection; property rights definitions may not work well for environmental resources; modern property regimes may promote monoculture rather than diverse environments. This essay describes these problems and asks to what degree they apply to a new effort to use property rights approaches, namely cap-and-trade programs to control greenhouse gases. It concludes that property rights, while imperfect and something of a retreat from a regime of complete liberty, may offer gains for environmental protection. But success will depend on close attention to the accountability and effectiveness of the governmental institutions necessary to support environmental property regimes.
WHO IS THE INVADER? ALIEN SPECIES, PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND THE POLICE POWER
Authors: Sagoff Mark
Published: June 2009

This paper argues that the occurrence of a non-native species, such as purple loosestrife, on one's property does not constitute a nuisance in the context of background principles of common law. No one is injured by it. The control of non-native species, such as purple loosestrife, does not constitute a compelling public interest, moreover, but represents primarily the concern of an epistemic community of conservation biologists and ecologists. This paper describes a history of cases in agricultural law that establish that a public authority may enter private property to destroy a tree or other species but only to protect a compelling public interest, such as the apple industry in Virginia or the citrus industry in Florida, and only if it pays all the costs including just compensation. The paper argues a fortiori that if a public authority enters private property to control non-native or “invasive” species it must pay all the costs and indemnify the owner—contrary to what many state laws contemplate and the Environmental Law Institute recommends.
POLITICS AND PROPERTY IN NATURAL RESOURCES
Authors: Morriss Andrew P.
Published: June 2009

Modern discussions of natural resources focus on increasing public control over extractive industries proposing measures that range from increasing the public's share of the gain via royalties and taxes to regulating extractive activities to prevent environmental problems to outright expropriation of private investments. This article argues that such efforts are counterproductive because the fundamental economic problem of natural resources is producing the knowledge necessary to locate and extract resource deposits. The public benefit comes from enabling the use of the resources and the increased economic activity their discovery produces rather than from royalties or expropriation. The key question in designing natural resource laws is thus their effects on the incentive to discover and manage resources. Private property rights in natural resources are the best way to provide such incentives. Fortunately, the combination of property rights and tort law principles (trespass and nuisance) enables property rights to solve environmental problems related to natural resource extraction as well.