bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lidar-Based Estimation of Small-Scale Rainfall: Empirical Evidence
Authors: Lewandowski Piotr A. , Eichinger William E. , Kruger Anton , Krajewski Witold F.
Published: October 2008

A significant scale gap between radar and in situ measurements of rainfall using rain gauges and disdrometers indicates a pressing need for improved knowledge of rainfall variability at the spatial scales below those of today’s operational radar rainfall products, that is, ∼1–4 km. Lidar technology has the potential to fulfill this need, but there has been inconsistency in the literature pertaining to quantitative observations of rain using lidar. Several publications have stated that light scattering properties of raindrops could not be correlated with rain rates, while other papers have demonstrated the existence of such relationships. This note provides empirical evidence in support of the latter claim.

The authors conducted a simple experiment using a near-horizontal-pointing elastic lidar to observe rain in Iowa City, Iowa, in the fall of 2005. The lidar signal was used to estimate rainfall quantities that were subsequently compared with independent estimates of the same quantities obtained from an optical disdrometer that was placed about 370 m from the lidar, ∼10 m below the lidar beam. To perform the conversion from the raw lidar signal, the authors used an optical geometry-based procedure to estimate optical extinction data. A theoretical relationship between extinction coefficients and rain rates was derived based on a theoretical drop size distribution. The parameters of the relationship were found through a best-fit procedure using lidar and disdrometer data. The results show that the lidar-derived rain rates correspond to those obtained from the optical disdrometer with a root-mean-square difference of 55%.

The authors conclude that although a great deal remains to be done to improve the inversion algorithm, lidar measurements of rain are possible and warrant further studies. Lidars deployed in conjunction with disdrometers can provide high spatial (<5 m) and temporal (<1 min disdrometer, ∼1 s lidar) resolution data over a relatively long distance for rainfall measurements (1–2 km in the case of the University of Iowa lidar).
Impact of Data Assimilation on Forecasting Convection over the United Kingdom Using a High-Resolution Version of the Met Office Unified Model
Authors: Dixon Mark , Li Zhihong , Lean Humphrey , Roberts Nigel , Ballard Sue
Published: October 2008

A high-resolution data assimilation system has been implemented and tested within a 4-km grid length version of the Met Office Unified Model (UM). A variational analysis scheme is used to correct larger scales using conventional observation types. The system uses two nudging procedures to assimilate high-resolution information: radar-derived surface precipitation rates are assimilated via latent heat nudging (LHN), while cloud nudging (CN) is used to assimilate moisture fields derived from satellite, radar, and surface observations. The data assimilation scheme was tested on five convection-dominated case studies from the Convective Storm Initiation Project (CSIP). Model skill was assessed statistically using radar-derived surface-precipitation hourly accumulations via a scale-dependent verification scheme. Data assimilation is shown to have a dramatic impact on skill during both the assimilation and subsequent forecast periods on nowcasting time scales. The resulting forecasts are also shown to be much more skillful than those produced using either a 12-km grid length version of the UM with data assimilation in place, or a 4-km grid-length UM version run using a 12-km state as initial conditions. The individual contribution to overall skill attributable to each data-assimilation component is investigated. Up until T + 3 h, LHN has the greatest impact on skill. For later times, VAR, LHN, and CN contribute equally to the skill in predicting the spatial distribution of the heaviest rainfall; while VAR alone accounts for the skill in depicting distributions corresponding to lower accumulation thresholds. The 4-km forecasts tend to overpredict both the intensity and areal coverage of storms. While it is likely that the intensity bias is partially attributable to model error, both VAR and LHN clearly contribute to the overestimation of the areal extent. Future developments that may mitigate this problem are suggested.
The Back Pocket Map: Social Class and Cultural Capital as Transferable Assets in the Advancement of Second-Generation Immigrants
Authors: Fernández-Kelly Patricia
Published: October 2008

This article moves beyond current understandings of family- and school-related dynamics used to explain the educational and occupational success of low-income immigrant children to investigate the role of cultural capital acquired in the country of origin. Class-related forms of knowledge obtained prior to migration can become invaluable assets in areas of destination through the realization of what Pierre Boutdieu calls habitus, that is, a series of embodied dispositions deployed by individuals in their pursuit of set objectives. Although the concept has attracted prolonged attention, the mechanisms by which the habitus is fulfilled remain unspecified. Here, the author proposes and examines three of those mechanisms: (1) cognitive correspondence, (2) positive emulation, and (3) active recollection. This study shows that class-related resources, such as education, self-definition, and remembrance of nation and ancestry play an important function, shaping youthful expectations and behaviors, and protecting the children of low-income immigrants from downward mobility.
The Role of School in the Upward Mobility of Disadvantaged Immigrants' Children
Authors: Lingxin Hao  , Pong Suet-Ling
Published: October 2008

How can we explain exceptional advancement by disadvantaged immigrants' children? Extending segmented assimilation theory, this article traces the structural and relational attributes of high schools attended by young adults who reached their late twenties in 2000. Hypotheses are derived from theories in sociology of education and tested with four waves of data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS). The authors offer three major findings. First, an overwhelming majority of disadvantaged students attend public schools; some relational attributes are typical in public schools attended by disadvantaged students. Second, children's upward mobility is shaped by the structural and relational attributes of their high schools. Most school effects are the same for disadvantaged and advantaged youngsters, and student-educator bonds and curriculum structure have even stronger positive effects for the disadvantaged. Finally, mobility patterns differ widely among Chinese, Mexicans, and whites. Mexicans are less likely to be exposed to favorable school attributes.
“Here's Your Diploma, Mom!” Family Obligation and Multiple Pathways to Success
Authors: Nicholas Tekla , Stepick Alex , Dutton Stepick Carol
Published: October 2008

This article focuses on the different pathways that Haitian students follow to eventual success despite tremendous challenges. The authors give special attention to the notion of pathway and differentiate various avenues to attain success. Constant motivated achievers maintain a strong focus on academic goals and make sacrifices to achieve them. Persistent strivers have not achieved as readily or as highly as the previous category and, despite their effort, tend to do poorly in academic tests. Another group, not identified in previous writings, consists of late bloomers who did not do well in high school, often drifting along with average and low grades but who eventually come to recognize the value of education. The parent-child relationship is shown to play an important role in promoting effort. The desire to fulfill an obligation to one's parents through education, the authors argue, is based on Haitian cultural conceptions and social practices related to family.
The Coming of the Second Generation: Immigration and Ethnic Mobility in Southern California
Authors: Rumbaut Rubén G.
Published: October 2008

In a context of widening inequality and governmental persecution of undocumented immigrants, central questions concern the social mobility of new ethnic groups formed as a result of mass migration from Latin America and Asia—especially the growing number of children of immigrants now transitioning to adulthood. This article presents findings from merged samples of two research studies in Southern California, the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study (CILS-III) and Immigration and Intergenerational Mobility in Metropolitan Los Angeles (IIMMLA). The focus is on the educational mobility of foreign-parentage (1.5- and second-generation) young adults of Mexican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian origin. The author examines factors that facilitate or derail mobility, including the role of parental human capital and legal/citizenship status, family and neighborhood contexts, early school achievement, acculturation, incarceration, and teenage and nonmarital childbearing, compared to patterns observed among native-parentage (third-generation and beyond) whites, blacks, and Mexican Americans. The article then considers the relationship between acculturation and mobility outcomes and the resulting new patterns of urban ethnic inequality.
Elevated Serum Estradiol/Testosterone Ratio in Men with Primary Varicose Veins Compared with a Healthy Control Group
Authors: Kendler M. , Blendinger Ch. , Haas E.
Published: October 2008

The role of sex hormones in men with varicose veins remains unclear. Therefore, we set up a prospective pilot-study. In 34 men, venous blood was sampled during morning hours, for the determination of serum estradiol (E2), dehydroepiandrostendion, androstendion, and free testosterone (fT). Serum E2:fT ratio was calculated. The study protocol also included patient history, physical examination, color duplex ultrasound of both limbs, and assignment of CEAP clinical stage (C) classification. About 21 symptomatic varicose men (VM [C ≥ 2] mean age of 40.3/±6.9 years) and 13 healthy men (HM [C ≤ 1] mean age of 38.1/± 7.4 years) were analyzed. The serum E2:fT ratio (VM 2.83/± 0.79 and HM 2.32/±0.63) was significantly different ( P < .05) between the two groups. No major differences were seen on the serum levels of the sex hormones. In summary, our results demonstrate a changed serum E2:fT ratio among men with varicose veins compared to healthy men. By the fact of a small study sample, the interpretabillity of this result is limited.
Screening for Deep Vein Thrombosis in Asymptomatic High-risk Patients: A Comparison between Digital Photoplethysmography and Venous Ultrasonography
Authors: Sharif-Kashani Babak , Behzadnia Neda , Shahabi Payman , Sadr Makan
Published: October 2008

Objective

To determine the role of digital photoplethysmography in screening asymptomatic patients who are susceptible for developing deep vein thrombosis.

Methods

Three hundred and thirty-seven limbs in 169 patients who were high risk for development of deep vein thrombosis were assessed by ultrasonography digital photoplethysmography and the results were compared.

Results

Thirteen limbs were found to have deep vein thrombosis as demonstrated by ultrasonography. All limbs with a venous refilling time greater than 12 seconds had a normal ultrasonography. Compared with ultrasonography and using refilling time less than 12 seconds as the cutoff point, digital photoplethysmography achieved a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100%, 73.8%, 13.3%, and 100% respectively, for detecting deep vein thrombosis in asymptomatic high-risk patients.

Conclusion

Digital photoplethysmography is a simple, noninvasive, and highly sensitive test for screening of deep vein thrombosis.
Rational Loyalty and Whistleblowing
Authors: Uys Tina
Published: October 2008

Whistleblowers often pay a heavy price for exposing what they perceive to be organizational wrongdoing. Based on 18 narrative interviews with South African whistleblowers, this article considers the contradictory nature of whistleblowing by exploring the role of loyalty, trust and betrayal in explaining the retaliation that whistleblowers receive. It concludes that whistleblowing can only achieve its aims of addressing organizational wrongdoing without high costs for the whistleblower and the organization if organizational loyalty is reconceptualized as rational loyalty. This entails a consideration of the institutionalization of whistleblowing as authorized disclosure, how this could lead to a more rational approach to the understanding of the values of the organization and to what extent such an approach is feasible under the present circumstances in South Africa.
Americans' Knowledge of U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq, April 2004 to April 2008
Authors: Bennett Stephen Earl , Flickinger Richard S.
Published: October 2008

Americans allegedly have an aversion to battle-related military casualties. Their estimates of military deaths may have influenced support for past U.S. military efforts. But what affects accurate estimates of military deaths in wartime? We review the accuracy of estimates for Iraq and three twentieth-century conflicts, finding that the public's estimates were more likely to be on target for Iraq. Then using five polls from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, we estimate logistic regression equations in which knowledge of military deaths is regressed on variables typically employed when scholars seek to understand the factors that affect what people know about public affairs. Gender and age always emerge as significant predictors. Education and attention to the news usually matter as well. We also show that estimates of military deaths in Iraq have palpable consequences for opinions about U.S. policies there.
Antonyms in children's and child-directed speech
Authors: Murphy M. Lynne , Jones Steven
Published: October 2008

This article presents two studies based on a corpus of American English speech by and to five children from 2 to 5 years old. The first study investigates frequency of antonym co-occurrence in speakers' turns. The second examines the discourse-functional properties of those co-occurrences, with comparison to adult-directed adult English. We find: (1) children know/use antonyms at earlier ages than experimental studies have shown; (2) children use antonyms for mostly the same discursive purposes as adults do; (3) children can be categorized as being either `heavy' or `light' antonym users, and `heaviness' of antonym use seems to correlate to other aspects of antonym behaviour.
Institutional Design and Utilization of Evaluation
Authors: Balthasar Andreas
Published: October 2008

Growing interest in the institutionalization of evaluation in the public administration raises the question as to which institutional arrangement offers optimal conditions for the utilization of evaluations. Institutional arrangement denotes the formal organization of processes and competencies, together with procedural rules, that are applicable independently of individual evaluation projects. It reflects the evaluation practice of an institution and defines the distance between evaluators and evaluees. This article outlines the results of a broad-based study of all 300 or so evaluations that the Swiss Federal Administration completed from 1999 to 2002. On this basis, it derives a theory of the influence of institutional factors on the utilization of evaluations.
Site selection of sanitary landfills on the small island of Mauritius using the analytical hierarchy process multi-criteria method
Authors: Ramjeawon T. , Beerachee B.
Published: October 2008

This paper focuses on the application of a multi-criteria analysis methodology — the analytical hierarchy process — for the locating of a sanitary landfill on the small island of Mauritius. Four candidate sites were assessed using three main criteria (environmental, technical and socio-economic) and twenty-one sub-criteria. Scores were assigned to each criterion and sub-criterion by stakeholders in the solid waste sector, based on the impact assessment of each site so as to obtain their relative importance. The analytical hierarchy process was then applied, which involved the combination of the weights obtained at the different stages of pair-wise comparisons. The candidate sites were finally ranked to obtain the optimum site. Because of political factors, the second best ranked site was chosen by the authorities for the location of a new landfill on the island. This technique provides a realistic approach for use by small island developing states such as Mauritius for choosing and justifying to all stakeholders the best location for a sanitary landfill site or any other waste management site.
Sources and levels of potentially toxic elements in the biodegradable fraction of autoclaved non-segregated household waste and its compost/digestate
Authors: Papadimitriou E.K. , Barton J.R. , Stentiford E.I.
Published: October 2008

Waste that reflected the average UK composition of household waste was treated by autoclaving at the three set pressure/temperature levels of 2.7 bar/130 °C, 6.2 bar/160 °C and 15.5 bar/200 °C. The biodegradable fraction of the autoclaved household waste (`floc') was manually separated by screening and underwent characterization for its Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, and Zn content. Autoclaving did not guarantee the production of compost/digestate that met the UK specification for compost, BSi PAS100, without restrictions being made on the composition of the waste feedstock. Results indicate that the levels of Zn and Cd associated with floc materials alone could lead to compost limit values being exceeded. For all other potentially toxic elements (PTEs), the estimated excessive (i.e. above levels of compliance) PTEs levels for compost/digestate were mainly due to external (i.e. non-floc) materials, primarily electronic/electrical waste. Batteries may have also contributed to the high levels of Zn and Hg. In this study, for all PTEs examined, with the exception of Cd and Zn, autoclaving had a performance comparable to that of the most effective mechanical biological treatment systems.
Psoriatic Arthritis: A Review
Authors: Eroschenko Kathy , Cleveland Kevin W. , Gunter Kyle
Published: October 2008

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a seronegative inflammatory spondyloarthropathy occurring in individuals with psoriasis. Psoriasis precedes joint disease in approximately 80% of PsA cases. The clinical course of PsA varies from mild arthritis to a severe, debilitating erosive arthropathy that affects functional capacity and quality of life of patients. The incidence of PsA is gender neutral, but a significant genetic component exists. Hallmark clinical features include dystrophic nail changes in the fingers or toes, dactylitis, and enthesitis. Many drugs indicated for use in rheumatoid arthritis have been found useful in the treatment of PsA, suggesting a similar immune-mediated etiology. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and intraarticular corticosteroids are often sufficient to manage mild PsA. Moderate to severe forms of the disease require the initiation of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Failure of two disease modifying antirheumatic drugs justifies the initiation of biologic therapy with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors.
Project Management, Critical Praxis, and Process-Oriented Approach to Teamwork
Authors: Huiling Ding  , Xin Ding
Published: October 2008

To help alleviate issues of free-riding and conflicts in team projects, this study proposes the systematic incorporation of project management methods to introduce a process-oriented approach to and a critical praxis in team projects. We examined how the systematic use of project management methods influenced students' performance in team projects. The findings demonstrate that such an approach enables the documentation and evaluation of and reflection on both individual and team work. Our findings indicate that project management tools enhance team member accountability and help reduce free-riding.
The Effects of Performance Quality Ratings on Perceptions of Instrumental Music Lessons
Authors: Henninger Jacqueline C.
Published: October 2008

This study examines the extent to which the perceptions of observers instructed to rate the quality of students' performances within ensemble rehearsals and applied lessons differ from those not so instructed. Music education majors ( N = 52) wrote statements of observation during their viewing of a stimulus tape. All participants were informed of the instructional goals. Half of the participants ( n = 26) rated the quality of student performance observed, while half did not. Participants' statements were classified according to topic, depth, and evaluative quality. Across both conditions, participants wrote more statements about teachers than about students.
Sound Pressure Levels Measured in a University Concert Band
Authors: Holland Nicholas V.
Published: October 2008

Researchers have reported public school band directors as experiencing noise-induced hearing loss. Little research has focused on collegiate band directors and university student musicians. The present study measures the sound pressure levels generated within a university concert band and compares sound levels with the criteria set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Additionally, the immediate effects of sound exposure are described by temporary threshold shifts (TTS), collected from pre- and postrehearsal hearing screenings. Time-weighted averages were computed from the sound pressure levels and compared to the permissible noise limits established by OSHA and NIOSH. None of the time-weighted averages exceeded the permissible noise limits; however, there were 139 temporary TTSs (greater than 10 dBA) measured from pre- to postrehearsal. Presumably, university concert band musicians are exposed to sound levels that, over time, may lead to noise-induced hearing loss.
Instrument Selection and Gender Stereotypes
Authors: Eros John
Published: October 2008

Choice of instrument is among the most important factors in determining the course of a student's music education. Instrument selection can be a lengthy process accomplished through a variety of factors. The stereotyping of instruments by gender can, unfortunately, be one of those factors. The association of gender with particular instruments can significantly influence a student in choosing an instrument, thereby resulting in numerous negative consequences— including fewer instrument choices, limited ensemble participation, and peer disapproval. The purpose of this literature review is to examine recent scholarship on this issue and make recommendations for future investigation and possible interventions. By examining post-1996 literature, this article demonstrates that this issue still affects music education; it discusses recent aspects of the issue; and it proposes areas for further inquiry.
NKp80 defines and stimulates a reactive subset of CD8 T cells
Authors: Kuttruff Sabrina , Koch Sven , Kelp Alexandra , Pawelec Graham , Rammensee Hans-Georg , Steinle Alexander
Published: October 2008

NKp80, an activating homodimeric C-type lectin-like receptor (CTLR), is expressed on essentially all human natural killer (NK) cells and stimulates their cytotoxicity and cytokine release. Recently, we demonstrated that the ligand for NKp80 is the myeloid-specific CTLR activation-induced C-type lectin (AICL), which is encoded in the natural killer gene complex (NKC) adjacent to NKp80. Here, we show that NKp80 also is expressed on a minor fraction of human CD8 T cells that exhibit a high responsiveness and an effector memory phenotype. Gene expression profiling and flow cytometric analyses revealed that this NKp80+ T-cell subset is characterized by the coexpression of other NK receptors and increased levels of cytotoxic effector molecules and adhesion molecules mediating access to sites of inflammation. NKp80 ligation augmented CD3-stimulated degranulation and interferon (IFN)γ secretion by effector memory T cells. Furthermore, engagement of NKp80 by AICL-expressing transfectants or macrophages markedly enhanced CD8 T-cell responses in alloreactive settings. Collectively, our data demonstrate that NKp80 is expressed on a highly responsive subset of effector memory CD8 T cells with an inflammatory NK-like phenotype and promotes T-cell responses toward AICL-expressing cells. Hence, NKp80 may enable effector memory CD8 T cells to interact functionally with cells of myeloid origin at sites of inflammation.
Cell-autonomous and systemic context-dependent functions of iron regulatory protein 2 in mammalian iron metabolism
Authors: Ferring-Appel Dunja , Hentze Matthias W. , Galy Bruno
Published: October 2008

Mice with total and constitutive iron regulatory protein 2 (IRP2) deficiency exhibit microcytosis and altered body iron distribution with duodenal and hepatic iron loading and decreased iron levels in splenic macrophages. To explore cell-autonomous and systemic context-dependent functions of IRP2 and to assess the systemic consequences of local IRP2 deficiency, we applied Cre/Lox technology to specifically ablate IRP2 in enterocytes, hepatocytes, or macrophages, respectively. This study reveals that the hepatic and duodenal manifestations of systemic IRP2 deficiency are largely explained by cell-autonomous functions of IRP2. By contrast, IRP2-deficient macrophages from otherwise IRP2-sufficient mice do not display the abnormalities of macrophages from systemically IRP2-deficient animals, suggesting that these result from IRP2 disruption in other cell type(s). Mice with enterocyte-, hepatocyte-, or macrophage-specific IRP2 deficiency display normal red blood cell and plasma iron parameters, supporting the notion that the microcytosis in IRP2-deficient mice likely reflects an intrinsic defect in hematopoiesis. This work defines the respective roles of IRP2 in the determination of critical body iron parameters such as organ iron loading and erythropoiesis.
Barriers to accessing TB diagnosis for rural-to-urban migrants with chronic cough in Chongqing, China: A mixed methods study
Authors: Long Qian , Li Ying , Wang Yang , Yue Yong , Tang Cheng , Tang Shenglan , Squire S Bertel , Tolhurst Rachel
Published: October 2008

Background

China is facing a significant tuberculosis epidemic among rural-to-urban migrants, which poses a threat to TB control. This study aimed to understand the health seeking behaviour of and health systems responses to migrants and permanent urban residents suffering from chronic cough, in order to identify the factors influencing delays for both groups in receiving a TB diagnosis in urban China.

Methods

Combining a prospective cohort study of adult suspect TB patients and a qualitative study, the Piot model was used to analyze the health seeking behaviour of TB suspects among migrants and permanent urban residents, the factors influencing their decision and the responses by general health providers. Methods included a patient survey, focus group discussions with migrants in the general population, qualitative interviews with migrant and permanent resident TB suspects and TB patients as well as key stakeholders related to TB control and the management of migrants.

Results

Sixty eight percent of migrants delayed for more than two weeks before seeking care for symptoms suggestive of TB, compared to 54% of residents (p < 0.01). When they first decided to seek professional care, migrants were 1.5 times more likely than residents to use less expensive, community-level health services. Only 5% were ultimately referred to a TB dispensary. Major reasons for both patient and provider delay included lack of knowledge and mistrust of the TB control programme, lack of knowledge about TB (patients), and profit-seeking behaviour (providers). In the follow up survey, 61% of the migrants and 41% of the residents who still had symptoms gave up continuing to seek professional care, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Rural-to-urban migrants are more likely than permanent residents to delay in seeking care for symptoms suggestive of TB in urban Chongqing. 'Patient-' and 'provider-' related factors interact to pose barriers to TB diagnosis for migrants, including: low awareness, and poor knowledge among both the general public and TB suspects about TB as a disease and about the TB control programme; low financial capacity to pay for care and diagnostic tests; and inadequate use of diagnostic tests and referral to TB dispensaries by general health providers.
Can subjective global assessment of nutritional status predict survival in ovarian cancer?
Authors: Gupta Digant , Lammersfeld Carolyn A , Vashi Pankaj G , Dahlk Sadie L , Lis Christopher G
Published: October 2008

Background

Malnutrition is a significant problem in patients with ovarian cancer. The goal of this study was to investigate the prognostic role of Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) in patients with ovarian cancer treated in an integrative cancer treatment setting.

Methods

We evaluated a case series of 132 ovarian cancer patients treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America®from Jan 2001 to May 2006. SGA was used to assess nutritional status at baseline. Using SGA, patients were classified as well nourished (SGA A), moderately malnourished (SGA B) or severely malnourished (SGA C). Kaplan Meier method was used to calculate survival. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to evaluate the prognostic effect of SGA independent of other factors.

Results

Of 132 patients, 24 were newly diagnosed while 108 had received prior treatment. 15 had stage I disease at diagnosis, 8 stage II, 85 stage III and 17 stage IV. The median age at presentation was 54.4 years (range 25.5 – 82.5 years). 66 patients were well-nourished (SGA A), 35 moderately malnourished (SGA B) and 31 severely malnourished (SGA C). Well nourished patients had a median survival of 19.3 months (95% CI: 14.1 to 24.5), moderately malnourished 15.5 months (95% CI: 5.8 to 25.1), and severely malnourished 6.7 months (95% CI: 4.1 to 9.3); the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.0003). Multivariate Cox modeling, after adjusting for stage at diagnosis and prior treatment history found that moderately malnourished and severely malnourished status were associated with a relative risk of 2.1 (95% CI: 1.2 to 3.6, p = 0.008) and 3.4 (95% CI: 1.9 to 5.8, p < 0.001) respectively as compared to well nourished status.

Conclusion

Univariate and multivariate survival analyses found that low SGA scores (i.e. well-nourished status) are associated with better survival outcomes. This study lends support to the role of aggressive nutritional intervention in improving patient outcomes in cancer care.
Targeting aspartate aminotransferase in breast cancer
Authors: Thornburg Joshua Marshall , Nelson Kristin K , Clem Brian F , Lane Andrew N , Arumugam Sengodagounder , Simmons Allan , Eaton John W , Telang Sucheta , Chesney Jason
Published: October 2008

Introduction

Glycolysis is increased in breast adenocarcinoma cells relative to adjacent normal cells in order to produce the ATP and anabolic precursors required for survival, growth and invasion. Glycolysis also serves as a key source of the reduced form of cytoplasmic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) necessary for the shuttling of electrons into mitochondria for electron transport. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) regulates glycolytic flux by converting pyruvate to lactate and has been found to be highly expressed in breast tumours. Aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) functions in tandem with malate dehydrogenase to transfer electrons from NADH across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Oxamate is an inhibitor of both LDH and AAT, and we hypothesised that oxamate may disrupt the metabolism and growth of breast adenocarcinoma cells.

Methods

We examined the effects of oxamate and the AAT inhibitor amino oxyacetate (AOA) on 13C-glucose utilisation, oxygen consumption, NADH and ATP in MDA-MB-231 cells. We then determined the effects of oxamate and AOA on normal human mammary epithelial cells and MDA-MB-231 breast adenocarcinoma cell proliferation, and on the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells as tumours in athymic BALB/c female mice. We ectopically expressed AAT in MDA-MB-231 cells and examined the consequences on the cytostatic effects of oxamate. Finally, we examined the effect of AAT-specific siRNA transfection on MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation.

Results

We found that oxamate did not attenuate cellular lactate production as predicted by its LDH inhibitory activity, but did have an anti-metabolic effect that was similar to AAT inhibition with AOA. Specifically, we found that oxamate and AOA decreased the flux of 13C-glucose-derived carbons into glutamate and uridine, both products of the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle, as well as oxygen consumption, a measure of electron transport chain activity. Oxamate and AOA also selectively suppressed the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells relative to normal human mammary epithelial cells and decreased the growth of MDA-MB-231 breast tumours in athymic mice. Importantly, we found that ectopic expression of AAT in MDA-MB-231 cells conferred resistance to the anti-proliferative effects of oxamate and that siRNA silencing of AAT decreased MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation.

Conclusions

We conclude that AAT may be a valid molecular target for the development of anti-neoplastic agents.
2D vector gravity potential and line integrals for the gravity anomaly caused by a 2D mass of depth-dependent density contrast
Authors: Zhou Xiaobing
Published: October 2008

Using line integrals (LIs) used to calculate the gravity anomaly caused by a 2D mass of complicated geometry and spatially variable density contrast is a computationally efficient algorithm, that reduces the calculation from two dimensions to one dimension. This work has developed a mechanism for defining LIs systematically for different types of density functions. Two-dimensional vector gravity potential is defined as a vector, the net circulation of which, along the closed contour bounding a 2D mass, equals the gravity anomaly caused by the 2D mass. Two representative types of LIs are defined: an LI with an arctangent kernel for any depth-dependent density-contrast function, which has been studied historically; and an LI with a simple algebraic kernel for any integrable density-contrast function. The present work offers (1) a vectorial-based derivation of formulas that do not suffer from the arbitrary sign conventions found in some historical approaches; and (2) a simple algebraic kernel in line integrals as an alternative to the historical arctangent kernel, with the possibility of extension to more general cases. The concept of 2D vector gravity potential provides a useful tool for defining LIs systematically for any mass density function, helping us understand how dimensions can be reduced in a calculating gravity anomaly, especially when the density contrast varies with space. LIs have been tested in case studies. The maximum differences in calculated gravity anomalies by different LIs for the case studies were between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Processing time required per station per segment of the 2D polygon of a 2D mass using LIs is [Formula: see text] on a Dell Optiplex GX 620 desktop computer, almost independent of the density function. The results indicate that the two types of LIs provide very fast, efficient, and reliable algorithms in gravity modeling or inversion for various types of density-contrast functions.
A comparison of imaging conditions for wave-equation shot-profile migration
Authors: Schleicher Jörg , Costa Jessé C. , Novais Amélia
Published: October 2008

The application of a deconvolution imaging condition in wave-equation shot-profile migration is important to provide illumination compensation and amplitude recovery. Particularly if the aim is to successfully recover a measure of the medium reflectivity, an imaging condition that destroys amplitudes is unacceptable. We study a set of imaging conditions with illumination compensation. The imaging conditions are evaluated by the quality of the output amplitudes and artifacts produced. In numerical experiments using a vertically inhomogeneous velocity model, the best of all imaging conditions we tested is the one that divides the crosscorrelation of upgoing and downgoing wavefields by the autocorrelation of the downgoing wavefield, also known as the illumination map. In an application to Marmousi data, unconditional division by autocorrelation turned out to be unstable. Effective stabilization was achieved by smoothing the illumination map.
Bipolar Affective Disorder Following Head Injury
Authors: Bamrah J. S. , Johnson J.
Published: October 2008

A patient developed distinct episodes of major depressive illness, schizophreniform psychoses and mania as well as focal epilepsy following head injury. Head injury may be directly causative in the development of affective psychoses, in this case secondary bipolar (mixed) disorder.

British Journal of Psychiatry (1991), 158, 117–119
Verapamil in Major (Psychotic) Depression
Authors: Jacques Raymond M. , Cox Stephen J.
Published: October 2008

Dramatic response of major (psychotic) depression to verapamil in an 82–year-old woman suggests that further study of the use of the drug in affective disorders is required, particularly in the light of a possible aetiological role for calcium.

British Journal of Psychiatry (1991), 158, 124–125
Depression-Dependent Erotomanic Delusions in a Mentally Handicapped Woman
Authors: Ghaziuddin M. , Tsai L.
Published: October 2008

Erotomanic delusions occurred in a depressed mentally handicapped woman. Although erotomania is generally classified with paranoid disorders, in people with mental handicap, depression may be the more commonly associated illness.

British Journal of Psychiatry (1991), 158, 127–129
Self-esteem as a Factor in Social and Domestic Violence
Authors: Rosen Ismond
Published: October 2008

Psychoanalytical ideas are used to outline how poor narcissistic development can lead to poor regulation of self-esteem. This in turn often underlies domestic violence, the short-term treatment of which can be aided by psychodynamic understanding.
Gender, Parity and the Prevalence of Minor Affective Disorder
Authors: Bebbington P. E. , Dean C. , Der G. , Hurry J. , Tennant C.
Published: October 2008

Data from a two-stage survey of the general population were used to test the proposition that the over-representation of minor affective disorders among women was restricted to those who had had children, independently of current involvement in childcare. Initial analyses supported this proposition strongly. Subsequent linear logistic analyses were largely in favour of an effect of marriage rather than of parity, but it remains possible that part of the gender differences in rates of depression arises because of the effect of parity in raising female prevalence. If substantiated, the parity effect could operate through social or biological mechanisms; although its nature is unclear, it merits further investigation.
The Prognosis of Depression in Old Age
Authors: Burvill P. W. , Hall W. D. , Stampfer H. G. , Emmerson J. P.
Published: October 2008

The 12–month outcome of 103 elderly depressed patients treated by psychiatrists in Perth, Western Australia, was good in 32–47% of cases, depending upon the stringency of the outcome criteria used. A higher than expected mortality was found, especially in men. No clear association was found between 12–month outcome and a variety of clinical variables at index admission, including chronic physical illness, severity of depression, and severe life events during follow-up. As the statistical power of this and other studies is small, it would be unwise at present to draw definite conclusions about the role of possible risk factors in the prognosis of depressed elderly. Vigorous treatment of the depressive illness and adequate after-care are important.
Schizophrenia: A Neuropathological Perspective
Authors: Roberts G. W.
Published: October 2008

It is probable that all schizophrenics have abnormalities in the medial temporal lobe, which differ in degree but not in kind. The structures of the medial temporal lobe are believed to have a crucial role in the integration and processing of the output from the association cortex. Dysfunction of this system could result in the clinical symptoms that form the core of the schizophrenia syndrome. The structural differences appear to fit the profile of a disturbance in the normal pattern of brain development. The asymmetrical patterns of normal brain development explain how such a disturbance simultaneously affecting both hemispheres could, disproportionately, affect the left (dominant) hemisphere. Epidemiological and pathological evidence points to aberrant genetic mechanisms as being the cause of the developmental anomaly in the majority of cases; environmental factors probably play a minor role. Despite the great progress made in solving the enigma of the structural changes in the brains of schizophrenics, the cause(s) of the changes – the aberrant genetic mechanism controlling brain development – may prove difficult to define.
Monthly and Seasonal Variation in Parasuicide
Authors: Masterton George
Published: October 2008

In a total of 22 169 parasuicides over 19 years, there was evidence for a seasonal cycle in parasuicide admissions among women, with an increase during the summer and a fall over the winter, including a pronounced December nadir. Further analysis of the winter trough suggests a sociological explanation, the focal point being Christmas. There was no evidence for monthly or seasonal variation among men.
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Schizophrenia: Brain Structure and Clinical Symptoms
Authors: Young A. H. , Blackwood D. H. R. , Roxborough H. , McQueen J. K. , Martin M. J. , Kean D.
Published: October 2008

Thirty-one patients with schizophrenia and 33 normal control subjects underwent MRI. The BPRS was used to rate clinical symptoms and the NART to estimate premorbid IQ. All were right handed. The temporal lobe was significantly smaller on the left than the right in both the control and schizophrenic groups. The amygdala was smaller on the left than the right in controls but not in schizophrenics. The parahippocampal gyrus was smaller on the left side in the schizophrenic group but not in controls. In the schizophrenic group, ventricular enlargement and cerebral atrophy were significantly related to severity of symptoms. Patients with marked negative symptoms had a bilateral reduction in the size of the head of caudate and the two measures were significantly correlated. Patients with marked positive symptoms had larger VBRs and again the clinical and morphometric changes were significantly correlated. There were no morphometric differences between patients with short duration (two years or less) and chronic symptoms.
Pre-morbid Adjustment and Personality in Psychosis
Authors: Foerster Alice , Lewis Shôn , Owen Michael , Murray Robin
Published: October 2008

Pre-morbid schizoid and schizotypal traits and social adjustment were assessed blind to diagnosis by interviewing the mothers of 73 consecutively admitted patients with DSM–III schizophrenia or affective psychosis. Analysis of factors associated with pre-morbid deficits showed a highly significant interaction of diagnosis with sex, such that schizophrenic men showed much greater pre-morbid impairment than either schizophrenic women or men with affective disorder. Poor pre-morbid adjustment predicted an early age at first admission. The results can be explained by a neurodevelopmental disorder in some schizophrenic males.
Comparison of CATEGO-Derived ICD–8 and DSM–III Classifications using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview in Severely Ill Subjects
Authors: Farmer Anne E. , Jenkins Peter L. , Katz Randy , Ryder Linda
Published: October 2008

Two classifications, DSM–III and catego4–derived ICD–8, included in the CIDI, are compared in 63 in-patients and out-patients with a broad range of psychiatric illness. Agreement for main diagnosis between these classifications was statistically significant for two time frames, the present state and lifetime. However, while diagnostic assignment by catego4 remained fairly constant between time frames, there was a marked shift in DSM–III-assigned diagnosis, with cases changing from anxiety state diagnosis (present state) to affective disorder (lifetime). Thirty-nine subjects were assigned a DSM–III diagnosis of affective disorder for lifetime illness compared with 21 assigned to this diagnostic group by catego4.
Randomised Controlled Trial of Day and In-patient Psychiatric Treatment. 2: Comparison of Two Hospitals
Authors: Creed Francis , Black Dawn , Anthony Phil , Osborn Madeline , Thomas Phil , Franks David , Polley Richard , Lancashire Stuart , Saleem Packeerrowther , Tomenson Barbara
Published: October 2008

Acutely ill patients presenting for admission in two district psychiatric services were randomly allocated to day-hospital or in-patient care. In both services a quarter of all admissions could not be allocated because they were too ill (half of these were compulsory admissions); these patients were predominantly manic and schizophrenic patients with pronounced psychotic symptoms and disturbed behaviour. In one service 80% (41/51) of patients randomly allocated to day-hospital treatment were successfully engaged in treatment compared with 54% (19/35) in the other service. This difference arose because only patients with mildly disturbed behaviour could be treated at the second day hospital. For patients who were successfully allocated, the outcome of treatment was similar in terms of psychiatric symptoms and social functioning. The results of a treatment trial for acutely ill patients in one district service cannot be generalised to other district services without due attention to the factors, such as staffing levels, which determine the degree of disturbed behaviour that can be tolerated in the day hospital.
Anorexia Nervosa in a Group of Asian Children Living in Britain
Authors: Bryant-Waugh Rachel , Lask Bryan
Published: October 2008

Four cases of anorexia nervosa occurring in Asian children are described. These case histories are set against the recent increase in eating disorders in patients of different racial origin. The role of sociocultural conflict in immigrant Asian families to Western countries is raised as a possible contributor to the emergence of eating disorders and the need to be aware of anorexia nervosa in such childhood populations is stressed.
Child Physical Abuse Observed
Authors: Healy Kevin , Kennedy Roger , Sinclair Janet
Published: October 2008

Twenty-seven families, 14 with a history of child physical abuse and 13 with no such history, were studied over the course of intensive in-patient treatment. The families in the former group differed significantly from those in the latter group in terms of current circumstances and background histories. Families where abuse was admitted benefited significantly more from treatment than families where abuse was suspected but not admitted. The ability of mothers to remember good relationships from childhood and to establish good relationships during treatment was an important prognostic factor for successful treatment.