bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How safe are psychiatric medications after a voluntary overdose?
Authors: Baca-García Enrique , Diaz-Sastre Carmen , Saiz-Ruiz Jeronimo , de Leon Jose
Published: December 2002

Purpose.

This study assessed psychiatric medications and their potential lethality in a representative sample of suicide attempts.

Materials and methods.

During 1996–98, 563 suicide attempts were studied in a general hospital in Madrid (Spain). Medication overdose was used in 456 suicide attempts (81%). The ratio between dose taken and maximum prescription dose recommended was used to evaluate the medication toxicity.

Results.

Benzodiazepines were the drugs most often used in self-poisoning (65% of overdoses), followed by new antidepressants (11%), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (10%), and antipsychotics (8%). An overdose with any of the three latter psychiatric medications was significantly more frequent in patients prescribed those medications. The overdoses for TCA were potentially lethal in 47% of the cases. However, all patients who overdosed on psychiatric medications recovered well and were discharged without any sequelae.

Discussion.

This study suggests that psychiatric medications, particularly benzodiazepines, new antidepressants and antipsychotics, are relatively safe when they are used for self-poisoning. If patients with mental illnesses are under treated, there is a clear and documented higher risk for suicide.

Conclusion.

It is better to prescribe psychiatric medications, particularly the new ones, rather than withhold them due to an exaggerated fear of a lethal overdose
Priorities and satisfaction on the help needed and provided in a first episode of psychosis. A survey in five European Family Associations
Authors: de Haan L. , Kramer L. , van Raay B. , Weir M. , Gardner J. , Akselson S. , Ladinser E. , McDaid S. , Hernández Dols S. , Wouters L.
Published: December 2002

In the case of a first episode of psychosis among members of different associations of families of mentally ill people, little is known about their priorities and how satisfied they are with the help provided to them. A survey was conducted in five European family associations. Respondents emphasized the need for early (ambulant) intervention through outreach with very practical goals directed at creating stability and social functioning. About one-third of the respondents are unsatisfied or very unsatisfied. The highest percentage of unsatisfied respondents was in the following five areas of care: advice on how to handle specific problems; help with preserving or regaining social functioning; help with regaining structure and routine; information; prompt assistance preferably in patientˈs own environment. The agreement of these findings with findings from earlier studies underlines the importance of suggesting specific changes in the delivery of care.
Optimal Configuration and Performance of Heat Engines with Heat Leak and Finite Heat Capacity
Authors: Chen Lingen , Zhou Shengbing , Sun Fengrui , Wu Chih
Published: December 2002

The optimal configuration of a class of two-heat-reservoir heat engine cycles in which the maximum work output can be obtained under a given cycle time is determined with the considerations of heat leak, finite heat capacity high-temperature source and infinite heat capacity low-temperature heat sink. The heat engine cycles considered in this paper include: (1) infinite low- and high-temperature reservoirs without heat leak, (2) infinite low- and high-temperature reservoirs with heat leak, (3) finite high-temperature source and infinite low-temperature sink without heat leak, and (4) finite high-temperature source and infinite low-temperature sink with heat leak. It is assumed that the heat transfer between the working fluid and the reservoirs obeys Newton's law. It is shown that the existence of heat leak doesn't affect the configuration of a cycle with an infinite high-temperature source. The finite heat capacity of a high temperature source without heat leak makes the cycle a generalized Carnot heat engine cycle. There exists a great difference of the cycle configurations for the finite high-temperature source with heat leak and the former three cases. Moreover, the relations between the optimal power output and the efficiency of the former three configurations are derived, and they show that the heat leak affects the power versus efficiency characteristics of the heat engine cycles.
Overcoming Inequality in Schooling: A Call to Action for Community Psychology
Authors: Weinstein Rhona S.
Published: December 2002

Community psychology, indeed psychology as a discipline, has been largely absent from the table of school reform. Schools are critical socializing forces in society and serve as the one institution through which the full diversity of our child population passes. At the start of the 21st century, despite successive waves of legislation, the goals of the civil rights struggle for equality in educational opportunity have yet to be achieved. Negative self‐fulfilling prophecies, reflected at individual, interpersonal, institutional, and societal levels, play a critical role in creating and perpetuating unequal opportunities to learn. Such effects as well as pathways for preventive intervention are best understood through ecological lenses. Our field must commit a greater share of resources to collaborative and systemic change for a broader learning so that all children, regardless of their differences, have continuing and nonstigmatized opportunities to develop into competent adults.
2001 INVITED ADDRESS: Empowerment Evaluation: Building Communities of Practice and a Culture of Learning
Authors: Fetterman David M.
Published: December 2002

Empowerment evaluation is the use of evaluation concepts, techniques, and findings to foster improvement and self‐determination. Program participants—including clients—conduct their own evaluations: an outside evaluator often serves as a coach or additional facilitator depending on internal program capabilities. Empowerment evaluation has three steps: 1) establishing a mission; 2) taking stock; and 3) planning for the future. These three steps build capacity. They also build a sense of community, often referred to as communities of practice. Empowerment evaluation also helps to create a culture of learning and evaluation within an organization or community.
Sexual assault history and social support: Six general population studies
Authors: Golding Jacqueline M. , Wilsnack Sharon C. , Cooper M. Lynne
Published: December 2002

We evaluated the association of sexual assault history with later social support, operationalized as network size, marital status, presence of a partner, frequency of network contacts, and emotional support from friends and family, from spouse, and from partner. Data came from six independent general population surveys (pooled N = 9,865) whose results were summarized using meta‐analysis. People who had been sexually assaulted were less likely than others to he married (OR = 0.75. 95% CI = 0.65, 0.87) or to report at least weekly contact with friends and relatives (OR = 0.48,95% CI = 0.31, 0.75), and reported less emotional support from friends and family (OR = 0.72,95% CI = 0.58,0.89) and spouse (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.54, 0.82). Results were consistent across studies, genders, and ethnic groups. Circumstances of sexual assault were sometimes related to social support.
The Academic Achievement of African American Students During Early Adolescence: An Examination of Multiple Risk, Promotive, and Protective Factors
Authors: Gutman Leslie Morrison , Sameroff Arnold J. , Eccles Jacquelynne S.
Published: December 2002

This study examined the effects of multiple risk, promotive, and protective factors on three achievement‐related measures (i.e., grade point average, number of absences, and math achievement test scores) for African American 7th‐grade students (n = 837). There were 3 main findings. First, adolescents had lower grade point averages, more absences, and lower achievement test scores as their exposure to risk factors increased. Second, different promotive and protective factors emerged as significant contributors depending on the nature of the achievement‐related outcome that was being assessed. Third, protective factors were identified whose effects were magnified in the presence of multiple risks. Results were discussed in light of the developmental tasks facing adolescents and the contexts in which youth exposed to multiple risks and their families live.
Differential In vitro and In vivo Behavior of Mouse Ascorbate/Fe3+ and Diamide Oxidized Erythrocytes
Authors: Lotero L. Alfredo , Jordán José A. , Olmos Gemma , Alvarez F. Javier , Tejedor M. Cristina , Diez José C.
Published: December 2002

Chemical oxidation of mouse erythrocytes has been carried out using two different oxidizing systems namely: Diamide and Ascorbate/Fe3+ together with different concentrations of the oxidant. These oxidation treatments produced different extents of modification in membrane proteins as was observed by electrophoretic analyses that showed a possible formation of high molecular weight aggregates. Lipid peroxidation was also observed as the result of these chemical treatments. The action of these two oxidation treatments produced different extents of lipid peroxidation in which the effect Ascorbate/Fe3+ reached higher values than that shown by diamide treatments. To study the resulting in vitro behavior of such oxidized erythrocytes, we have evaluated the recognition of oxidized erythrocytes by peritoneal macrophages. In the conditions used, diamide oxidized erythrocytes were more highly recognized by macrophages than Ascorbate/Fe3+ treated erythrocytes. However, in both cases an influence of serum factors in the recognition process can be inferred. Additionally, we have correlated on one side the action of different oxidation systems on mouse erythrocytes with different in vivo behavior and organ uptake of the oxidized erythrocytes. On the other side, differential targeting of oxidized erythrocytes to a liver or spleen was observed on dependence of the oxidant used.
Binding of Radiolabeled Folate and 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate to Cow's Milk Folate Binding Protein at pH 7.4 and 5.0. Relationship to Concentration and Polymerization Equilibrium of the Purified Protein
Authors: Holm Jan , Hansen Steen Ingemann
Published: December 2002

Binding of folate (pteroylglutamate) and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the major endogenous form of folate, to folate binding protein purified from cow's milk was studied at 7°C to avoid degradation of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. Both folates dissociate rapidly from the protein at pH 3.5, but extremely slowly at pH 7.4, most likely due to drastic changes in protein conformation occurring after folate binding. Dissociation of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate showed no increase at 37°C suggesting that protein-bound-5-methyltetrahydrofolate is protected against degradation. Binding displayed two characteristics, positive cooperativity and a binding affinity that increased with decreasing concentrations of the protein. The binding affinity of folate was somewhat greater than that of 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate, in particular at pH 5.0. Ligand-bound protein exhibited concentration-dependent polymerization (8-mers formed at 13 μM) at pH 7.4. At pH 5.0, only folate-bound forms showed noticeable polymerization. The fact that folate at pH 5.0 surpasses 5-methyltetrahydrofolate both with regard to binding affinity and ability to induce polymerization suggests that ligand binding is associated with conformational changes of the protein which favor polymerization.
Consequence of Aflatoxin B1 Ingestion on the Membrane-Bound Liver Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase of Protein-Undernourished Fischer F344 Rats
Authors: Adenuga Gbenga A.
Published: December 2002

Ingestion of the mycotoxin Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by protein-undernourished Fischer F344 rats for twelve weeks resulted in significant (p<0.05) increases in the proliferation of liver cells, reduced body weight and increased microsomal Ca2+-ATPase activity. Cyt. P450 content, γ -Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) and Glutathione Transferase (GST) activities were unaffected. The ingestion of AFB1 by normal rats had no effect on all the parameters investigated. It appears that the microsomal Ca2+-pumping ATPase of Protein-Undernourished (PU) Fischer F344 rats is more sensitive to the mycotoxin AFB1 than its counterpart in well-nourished rats. The use of PU rat as animal model for studies on AFB1 toxicity, particularly the effect of AFB1 on the regulation of intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i), is suggested.
In situ cell detection using piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate-stainless steel cantilevers
Authors: Yi Jeong W. , Shih Wan Y. , Mutharasan R. , Shih Wei-Heng
Published: December 2002

We have investigated piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-stainless steel cantilevers as real-time in-water cell detectors using yeast cells as a model system. Earlier studies have shown that mass changes of a cantilever can be detected by monitoring the resonance frequency shift. In this study, two PZT-stainless steel cantilevers with different sensitivities were used to detect the presence of yeast cells in a suspension. The stainless steel cantilever tip was coated with poly-L-lysine that attracted yeast cells from the suspension, and immobilized them on the cantilever surface. After immersing the poly-L-lysine coated tip in a yeast suspension, the flexural resonance frequency of the cantilever was monitored with time. The flexural resonance frequency decreased with time in agreement with the optical micrographs that showed increasing amount of adsorbed yeast cells with time. The resonance frequency shifts are further shown to be consistent with both the mass of immobilized cells on the poly-L-lysine coated stainless steel surface and that deduced from the optical micrographs. Furthermore, under the present experimental conditions where the cell diffusion distance is smaller than the linear dimension of the adsorption area, it is shown that the rate of resonance frequency shift is linear with the cell concentration and the rate of resonance frequency shift can be used to quantify the cell concentration.
The investigation into new integrable systems of equations in 2+1-dimensions
Authors: Maccari Attilio
Published: December 2002

A new integrable class of systems of nonlinear partial differential equations (NPDEs) in 2+1 dimensions is derived from the matrix Nizhnik–Novikov–Veselov (NVV) equation by means of an asymptotically exact nonlinear reduction method based on Fourier expansion and spatio-temporal rescaling. The integrability by the inverse scattering method is explicitly demonstrated, by applying the reduction technique also to the Lax pair of the starting matrix equation and thereby obtaining the Lax pair for the new class of systems of equations. A reduction to a system of two interacting complex fields is briefly described.
Thin films of asymmetric triblock copolymers: A Monte Carlo study
Authors: Szamel Grzegorz , Müller Marcus
Published: December 2002

We study the morphology of asymmetric A8B48A8 triblock copolymer thin films confined between two homogeneous surfaces (walls). Morphology is investigated as a function of the film thickness and the strength of the wall–polymer interaction. For very thin films we observe cylinders perpendicular to the walls for a wide range of wall–polymer interaction. With increasing film thickness other morphologies are becoming more stable. We observe wetting layers of short, end blocks, cylinders parallel to the walls, and perforated lamellae. For thick films perpendicular cylinders remain stable only for a very narrow range of wall–polymer interaction.
Non-Fermi-liquid behavior: Exact results for ensembles of magnetic impurities
Authors: Zvyagin A. A.
Published: December 2002

In this work we consider several exactly solvable models of magnetic impurities in critical quantum antiferromagnetic spin chains and multichannel Kondo impurities. Their ground-state properties are studied, and the finite set of nonlinear integral equations which exactly describe the thermodynamics of the models is constructed. We obtain several analytical low-energy expressions for the temperature, magnetic field, and frequency dependences of important characteristics of exactly solvable disordered quantum spin models and disordered multichannel Kondo impurities with essential many-body interactions. We show that the only low-energy parameter that gets renormalized is the velocity of the low-lying excitations (or the effective crossover scale connected with each impurity); the others appear to be universal. In our study several kinds of strong disorder important for experiments were used. Some of them produce low divergences in certain characteristics of our strongly disordered critical systems (compared with finite values for the homogeneous case or a single impurity). For weak disorder, or for narrow distributions of the local Kondo temperatures, our exact results reveal the presence of Kondo screening of disordered ensembles of magnetic impurities by low-lying excitations of the host. We point out that our results qualitatively coincide with the data of experiments on real disordered quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnetic systems and with the similar behavior of some heavy metallic alloys.
Analytic continuation for quantum nonadiabatic rate constants
Authors: Golosov Andrei A. , Reichman David R. , Rabani Eran
Published: December 2002

We develop a method for calculating nonadiabatic rate constants in condensed phases. The method is based on a novel path integral representation of the imaginary time flux–flux correlation function combined with an analytic continuation technique. The method is general, and may be applied to systems with arbitrarily strong coupling parameters, arbitrary anharmonic environments and any number of discrete system states. The method is applied to a nontrivial benchmark system with encouraging results.
Chromate Conversion Coatings Formation on Zinc Studied by Electrochemical and Electrohydrodynamical Impedances
Authors: Magalhães A. A. O. , Tribollet B. , Mattos O. R. , Margarit I. C. P. , Barcia O. E.
Published: December 2002

The formation of chromate conversion coatings on zinc was studied by chronopotentiometric, electrochemical, and electrohydrodynamic impedances, and interfacial pH measurements. The electrochemical experiments were performed with a rotating disk electrode of pure zinc, and the pH measurements were obtained with a zinc deposit on a gold grid electrode in a submerged impinging jet cell. The electrolyte was an industrial chromate bath. The experimental results were achieved for different immersion times, temperatures, and rotation speeds. Kinetic reactions and physical model for the chromate layer formation on zinc were proposed, and the electrochemical and electrohydrodynamic impedances were well simulated. © 2002 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.
Molecular, biochemical, and phenotypic analysis of a hemizygous male with a severe atypical phenotype for X‐linked dominant Conradi‐Hunermann‐Happle syndrome and a mutation in EBP
Authors: Milunsky Jeff M. , Maher Thomas A. , Metzenberg Aida B.
Published: December 2002

X‐linked dominant Conradi‐Hunermann‐Happle syndrome (CDPX2; MIM 302960) is a rare chondrodysplasia punctata primarily affecting females. CDPX2 is presumed lethal in males, although a few affected males have been reported. CDPX2 is a cholesterol biosynthetic disorder due to 3‐β‐hydroxysteroid‐Δ8,Δ7‐isomerase deficiency caused by mutations in the emopamil binding protein (EBP) gene. A 2.5‐year‐old Caucasian male was followed from the age of 6 weeks and noted to have significant developmental delay, hypotonia, seizures, and patchy hypopigmentation. Multiple congenital anomalies included a unilateral cataract, esotropia, crossed renal ectopia, stenotic ear canals, and failure to thrive, requiring G‐tube placement. Multiple minor anomalies and ptosis were noted. No skeletal asymmetry or chondrodysplasia punctata were noted on skeletal survey at 6 weeks and 13 months. An extensive genetic work‐up including cholesterol (126–176 mg/dl) and 7‐dehydrocholesterol was unrevealing. However, the levels of 8(9)‐cholestenol and 8‐dehydrocholesterol were mildly increased in plasma, which was confirmed in cultured fibroblasts. This prompted molecular analysis of the EBP gene, which revealed a novel hemizygous (nonmosaic) mutation in exon 2 (L18P). Two restriction digests were developed that confirmed this mutation in skin fibroblasts, blood, and buccal cells (all nonmosaic). We determined that the patient's mother (adopted) also has the L18P mutation enabling prenatal diagnosis of a normal male fetus. She has normal stature, no asymmetry, no cataracts at this time, and has a patch of hyperpigmentation on her chest best visualized on Woods lamp examination, characteristic of CDPX2. The mild maternal phenotype has been described previously. However, this nonmosaic missense mutation has resulted in a severe phenotype in her surviving son. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of the Climate during Marine Isotope Stage 9 and 11 Inferred from a Speleothem Isotope Record from Northern Norway
Authors: Berstad Ida M. , Lundberg Joyce , Lauritzen Stein-Erik , Linge Henriette C.
Published: December 2002

A stalagmite from northern Norway is dated with 12 thermal ionization mass spectrometry U-Th dates, and at least four separate growth periods are identified that correspond with marine isotope stages 9, 11, 13, and probably 15. The calcite is tested for isotopic equilibrium with the Hendy test. Oxygen isotope measurements on 231 subsamples on a vertical transect are used as a paleotemperature proxy. The detailed isotopic record from MIS 9 show apparent similarities to a Holocene record from the same cave, both in the climatic evolution and the overall temperatures: both show temperature oscillations changing from high-frequency, low-amplitude cycles in the beginning of the interglacial period to lower frequency, higher amplitude cycles in the later part of the interglacial period. The isotope record from MIS 11 shows a distinct isotopic event toward heavier values. The isotopic record together with the porous, humus-rich calcite are interpreted as indicating a warmer than present interglacial period with several episodes of heavy rainfall.
Paleoecology of a Middle Wisconsin Deposit from Southern California
Authors: Anderson R. Scott , Power Mitchell J. , Smith Susan J. , Springer Kathleen , Scott Eric
Published: December 2002

Analysis of a buried deposit in the Diamond Valley of southern California has revealed well-preserved pollen, wood, and diatom remains. Accelerator mass spectrometry dates of 41,200±2100 and 41,490±1380 14C yr B.P. place this deposit in marine isotope stage 3. Diatoms suggest a shallow lacustrine environment. Pollen data suggest that several plant communities were present near the site, with grassland, scrub, chaparral, forest, and riparian communities represented. Comparison with modern pollen suggests similarities with montane forests in the nearby San Bernardino and San Jacinto ranges, indicating vegetation lowering by at least 900 m elevation and temperatures 4°–5°C cooler than today. An increase in high-elevation conifer pollen documents climatic cooling near the profile top. Early-profile diatoms are typical of warm water with high alkalinity and conductivity, whereas later diatoms suggest a higher flow regime and input of cooler water into the system. We suggest that the sequence is part of the cooling phase of an interstadial Dansgaard–Oeschger cycle. Records of the middle Wisconsin period are rare in southern California, but the Diamond Valley site is similar to records from Tulare Lake in the San Joaquin Valley and the ODP Site 893A record from Santa Barbara Basin. It is probable that the Diamond Valley assemblage is a local expression of a vegetation type widespread in the ranges and basins of southwestern California during the middle Wisconsin.
Platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐induced chemotaxis does not require the G protein‐coupled receptor S1P1 in murine embryonic fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Kluk Michael J. , Colmont Chantal , Wu Ming-Tao , Hla Timothy
Published: December 2002

Sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P), a bioactive lipid mediator, signals via G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCR). The prototypical S1P receptor, S1P1 (also known as EDG‐1), a Gi‐linked receptor, is critical for vascular maturation during development. Recent work suggested that platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐induced cell migration required the S1P1 receptor, representing a novel mechanism for cross‐talk between receptor tyrosine kinases and GPCRs. Since both S1P and PDGF are implicated in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) pathobiology and development, we investigated this issue in rat VSMC and in embryonic fibroblasts derived from S1P1 null mice. Our data suggest that the S1P1 receptor is critical for S1P‐induced, Gi‐dependent migration but not for PDGF‐BB‐induced, receptor tyrosine kinase‐dependent chemotaxis in VSMC. In addition, lack of S1P1 receptor in mouse embryonic fibroblasts did not significantly affect PDGF‐induced cell migration. These data question the generality of the concept that S1P1 GPCR is a critical downstream component of PDGF‐induced chemotaxis.
Microtubule‐dependent regulation of Rho GTPases during internalisation of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
Authors: McGee Karen , Holmfeldt Per , Fällman Maria
Published: December 2002

Internalisation of the human pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis via interaction of bacterial invasin with host β1 integrins depends on the actin cytoskeleton and involves Src family kinases, focal adhesion kinase, p130Crk‐associated substrate, proline‐rich tyrosine kinase 2, Rac, Arp 2/3 complex and WASP family members. We show here that Rho GTPases are regulated by the microtubule system during bacterial uptake. Interfering with microtubule organisation using nocodazole or paclitaxel suppressed uptake by HeLa cells. The nocodazole effect on microtubule depolymerisation was partially inhibited through overexpression of Rac, Cdc42, RhoG or RhoA and completely prevented by expression of Vav2. This suggests that microtubules influence Rho GTPases during invasin‐mediated phagocytosis and in the absence of functional microtubules Vav2 can mimic their effect on one, or more, of the Rho family GTPases. Lastly, overexpression of p50 dynamitin partially inhibited bacterial uptake and this effect was also blocked by co‐expression of Vav2, thus further implicating this guanine nucleotide exchange factor in activating Rho GTPases for internalisation during loss of microtubule function.
Functional cysteine‐less subunits of the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP1 and TAP2) by de novo gene assembly
Authors: Heintke Susanne , Chen Min , Ritz Ulrike , Lankat-Buttgereit Brigitte , Koch Joachim , Abele Rupert , Seliger Barbara , Tampé Robert
Published: December 2002

Within the adaptive immune system the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) plays a pivotal role in loading of peptides onto major histocompatibility (MHC) class I molecules. As a central tool to investigate the structure and function of the TAP complex, we created cysteine‐less human TAP subunits by de novo gene synthesis, replacing all 19 cysteines in TAP1 and TAP2. After expression in TAP‐deficient human fibroblasts, cysteine‐less TAP1 and TAP2 are functional with respect to adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐dependent peptide transport and inhibition by ICP47 from herpes simplex virus. Cysteine‐less TAP1 and TAP2 restore maturation and intracellular trafficking of MHC class I molecules to the cell surface.
Changes in the LHCI aggregation state during iron repletion in the unicellular red alga Rhodella violacea
Authors: Doan Jean-Michel , Schoefs Benoı̂t , Ruban Alexander V. , Etienne Anne-Lise
Published: December 2002

Red algae are well suited to study the effects of iron deficiency on light‐harvesting complex for photosystem I (LHCI), since they are totally devoid of light‐harvesting complex for photosystem II (LHCII). Iron starvation results in a reduction of the pigment content, an increase of the fluorescence yield and a new emission band at 705 nm in the 77 K fluorescence emission spectra. These changes reflect the accumulation of uncoupled, aggregated LHCI in iron‐depleted cells. Reconnection of LHCI to de novo synthesized reaction center I (RCI) is the first event, which takes place after iron addition. The changes in the aggregation state of LHCI are likely to occur also in brown and green algae.
Cloning, tissue distribution and functional characterization of the chicken P2X1 receptor
Authors: Soto Florentina , Krause Ulrich , Borchardt Kerstin , Ruppelt Anja
Published: December 2002

We describe a new chicken P2X subunit that is an orthologue of the mammalian P2X1 receptor. Functional characterization of chicken P2X1 receptors was performed using the amphotericin B perforated patch configuration to avoid the current run‐down observed under whole‐cell patch‐clamp conditions. Responses to agonists and to the antagonist PPADS (pyridoxal 5‐phosphate 6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulfonic acid) were similar to what has been described for mammalian orthologues. However, the antagonists suramin and NF023 were much less potent at chicken P2X1 receptors than at human P2X1 receptors. In embryonic tissues, transcript expression is predominant in lung, liver and skeletal muscle. Overlapping expression with cP2X4 and cP2X5 subunits in several embryonic tissues, including skeletal muscle, indicates that the native embryonic P2X receptors could be heteromultimeric.
Use of antipsychotic agents in Spain through 1985–2000
Authors: Santamaría Blanca , Pérez Magdalena , Montero Dolores , Madurga Mariano , de Abajo Francisco J
Published: December 2002

Objective.

To analyze the trend of antipsychotic drug consumption in Spain from 1985 to 2000, and the impact of atypical antipsychotics on the overall consumption and on clozapine use.

Methods.

Data on antipsychotic consumption were drawn from the ECOM database of the Spanish Ministry of Health, which contains the retail community pharmacies sales of medicinal products reimbursed by the National Health System. Data are presented as defined daily doses (DDDs) per 1000 inhabitants per day, for each year. To evaluate the impact of atypical antipsychotics on clozapine use, data from the Spanish “Clozapine Monitoring Program” were analyzed. Consumption data from Nordic countries were obtained from national statistics.

Results.

The use of antipsychotics in Spain increased progressively from 1.51 DDD/1000 inhabitants/d in 1985 to 5.73 DDD/1000 inhabitants/d in 2000. The pattern of use of individual drugs changed greatly over the study period. In 1985, haloperidol, fluphenazine and thioridazine, all typical antipsychotics, were the drugs most widely used, whereas in 2000, the three drugs most frequently used were risperidone, olanzapine and haloperidol. The introduction of olanzapine in December 1996 reduced the number of new treatments with clozapine to half. Antipsychotic use is still lower in Spain than in Nordic countries, despite the prevalence of schizophrenia being similar worldwide.

Conclusions.

Antipsychotic agent use in Spain has increased progressively since 1985, reducing the differences between Spain and other European countries (Nordic countries). Substantial differences in the pattern of drug use from 1985 to 2000 have been observed.
Criterion validity of the interpersonal dependency inventory: a preliminary study on 621 addictive subjects
Authors: Loas Gwenolé , Corcos Maurice , Perez-Diaz Fernando , Verrier Annie , Guelfi Julien Daniel , Halfon Olivier , Lang François , Bizouard Paul , Venisse Jean Luc , Flament Martine , Jeammet Philippe ,   the Réseau INSERM n° 494013
Published: December 2002

The interpersonal dependency inventory comprised three subscales called Emotional reliance of another person (ER), lack of social self confidence (LSS) and Assertion of autonomy (AUT). Several formula have been developed for deriving whole-scale scores.

The aim of the study on 621 addictive subjects was to determine the best formula using the DSM-IV dependent personality disorder as gold standard. The formula 3 ER + LSS – AUT yielded the best values of sensitivity and specificity.
Power Density Optimization for an Irreversible Closed Brayton Cycle
Authors: Chen Lingen , Zheng Junlin , Sun Fengrui , Wu Chih
Published: December 2002

In this paper, the power density, defined as the ratio of power output to the maximum specific volume in the cycle, is taken as objective for performance optimization of an irreversible closed Brayton cycle coupled to constant-temperature heat reservoirs in the viewpoint of finite time thermodynamics (FTT) or entropy generation minimization (EGM). The analytical formulas about the relations between power density and pressure ratio are derived with the heat resistance losses in the hot- and cold-side heat exchangers and the irreversible compression and expansion losses in the compressor and turbine. The maximum power density optimization is performed by searching the optimum heat conductance distribution corresponding to the optimum power density of the hot- and cold- side heat exchangers for the fixed heat exchanger inventory. The influence of some design parameters on the optimum heat conductance distribution, the maximum power density, and the optimum pressure ratio corresponding to the maximum power density are provided. The power plant design with optimization leads to a higher efficiency and smaller size including the compressor, turbine, and the hot- and cold-side heat exchangers.
Optimization Zone on the Performance of a Generalized Irreversible Magnetic Stirling Cryocooler
Authors: Wu Feng , Chen Lingen , Wu Chih , Guo Fangzhong
Published: December 2002

Finite time thermodynamic performance of a generalized irreversible magnetic Stirling cryocooler coupled to constant-temperature heat reservoirs has been analyzed in this paper. The relationship between the optimal cooling load and the coefficient of performance for the magnetic Stirling cryocooler is derived. The optimization zone on the performance of the cryocooler is obtained. The results obtained here will be useful for the further understanding and the selection of the optimal operating conditions for a magnetic Stirling cooler.
Sexual harassment and PTSD: Is sexual harassment diagnosable trauma?
Authors: Avina Claudia , O'Donohue William
Published: December 2002

Sexual harassment has become a major social, legal, and mental health problem because of its high prevalence and its negative consequences for victims. These consequences can include decreased productivity, loss of job, decreased income, and impaired psychological and physical well‐being. Despite evidence from empirical studies that victims often exhibit posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, some have argued that sexual harassment does not constitute legitimate trauma. We argue that many forms of sexual harassment meet the diagnostic Criteria A1 and A2 of PTSD, Finally, the DSM‐IV trauma criterion is explicated, and its relationship with sexual harassment and its effects are discussed.
The prevalence of potentially traumatic events in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Costello E. Jane , Erkanli Alaattin , Fairbank John A. , Angold Adrian
Published: December 2002

This paper examines exposure to potentially traumatic events from middle childhood through adolescence, and vulnerability to such exposure. Analyses are based on the first 4 annual waves of data from a longitudinal general population study of youth in western North Carolina, involving 4,965 interviews with 1,420 children and adolescents and their parents or guardians. Participants reported on DSM extreme stressors (“high magnitude events”), other potentially traumatic events (“low magnitude events”), and background vulnerability factors. In this general population sample, one‐quarter experienced at least one high magnitude event by age 16, 6% within the past 3 months. One third experienced a low magnitude event in the past 3 months. The likelihood of such exposure increased with the number of vulnerability factors.
Changes in PTSD patients' narratives during prolonged exposure therapy: A replication and extension
Authors: van Minnen Agnes , Wessel Ineke , Dijkstra Ton , Roelofs Karin
Published: December 2002

Following E. B. Foa, C. Molnar, and L. Cashman (1995), narrative changes from the first to the last exposure session were compared for improved and nonimproved PTSD patients on fragmentation, organization, internal, and external events. Improved (n = 8) and nonimproved (n = 12) patients did not differ regarding changes in fragmentation or organized thoughts. However, improved patients showed a greater decrease in disorganized thoughts during treatment. Furthermore, all patients, independent of improvement, showed significant changes in the same direction: a decrease in disorganized thoughts and external events and an increase in internal events. Although previous results were partly replicated, it is concluded that narrative changes may he due to exposure treatment itself rather than to changes in memory representation.
The Impact of Internalized Homophobia on HIV Preventive Interventions
Authors: Huebner David M. , Davis Mary C. , Nemeroff Carol J. , Aiken Leona S.
Published: December 2002

A growing body of research implicates internalized homophobia—the internalization of society's antihomosexual sentiments by gay and lesbian people—as a factor contributing to HIV‐related sexual risk behavior in gay and bisexual men. Although accumulating evidence links internalized homophobia and sexual risk behavior, no study has explored the impact of internalized homophobia on efforts to prevent these behaviors. This paper examines the effect of internalized homophobia on gay and bisexual men's awareness of, participation in, and perceptions of programs offered by a community‐based HIV prevention organization. In Study 1, 595 gay and bisexual men reported their levels of awareness of and participation in HIV prevention programming offered by one community organization. Internalized homophobia was negatively related to men's awareness of the services offered by the organization. However, among the men who were aware of at least one service, internalized homophobia did not further predict service utilization. Study 2 examined 89 gay and bisexual men who participated for a single session in a group‐structured, community‐based HIV preventive intervention. Pre‐ to immediate postintervention change in perceptions of condom use self‐efficacy was inversely related to internalized homophobia. Internalized homophobia was also a significant negative predictor of the extent to which participants felt similar to and related well with other members of the group. Together, these findings suggest that internalized homophobia may pose multiple barriers to community‐based HIV prevention efforts.
Tunneling dynamics of the NH chromophore in NHD2 during and after coherent infrared excitation
Authors: Marquardt Roberto , Quack Martin , Thanopulos Ioannis , Luckhaus David
Published: December 2002

The time dependent quantum dynamics of the large amplitude motion of the NH stretching chromophore in NHD2 is investigated during and after coherent multiphoton excitation by calculation of the wave packet evolution using global analytical potential energy and electric dipole hypersurfaces of ammonia derived from ab initio calculations. Intramolecular vibrational redistribution between the NH stretching and bending motion and coupling to the radiation field induces a diffusion of probability density into the NH chromophore space, which includes the inversion coordinate. However, inversion remains essentially dominated by a tunneling process, even at average energies well above the inversion barrier.
A scanning tunneling microscopy study of dysprosium silicide nanowire growth on Si(001)
Authors: Liu B. Z. , Nogami J.
Published: December 2002

Dysprosium disilicide can form nanowires and three dimensional (3D) islands on the Si(001) surface. The nanowire density and width are metal coverage dependent. Various superstructures are observed on the nanowires. The Si substrate is also reconstructed in either 2×4 or 2×7 superstructures. The nanowires have a minimum height of about 0.5 nm with respect to the Si surface; and the heights of the additional layers growing atop nanowires are quantized, consistent with the hexagonal AlB2 type silicide structure. Longer annealing time and higher coverage promote 3D island growth.
Hollow cathode glow discharge in He: Monte Carlo–Fluid model combined with a transport model for the metastable atoms
Authors: Baguer N. , Bogaerts A. , Gijbels R.
Published: December 2002

A hollow cathode discharge (HCD) in He is studied based on a Monte Carlo–fluid hybrid model combined with a transport model for metastable He atoms. The Monte Carlo model describes the movement of fast electrons as particles, while in the fluid model, the slow electrons and positive ions are treated as a continuum. The continuity equations are solved together with the Poisson equation in order to obtain a self-consistent electric field. The He metastable transport model considers various production and loss mechanisms for He metastable atoms. These three models are run iteratively until convergence is reached. Typical results are, among others, the excitation and ionization rates, the electron, ion, and metastable densities and fluxes, the electric field, and potential distribution. The relative importance of different processes determining the metastable density in a He HCD is analyzed, as well as the role of He metastable atoms and He ions on the secondary electron emission at the cathode. Calculation results are compared with experimental data for the same discharge conditions, and good agreement was obtained.
Spin coherent-state path integrals and the instanton calculus
Authors: Garg Anupam , Kochetov Evgueny , Park Kee-Su , Stone Michael
Published: December 2002

We use an instanton approximation to the continuous-time spin coherent-state path integral to obtain the tunnel splitting of classically degenerate ground states. We show that provided the fluctuation determinant is carefully evaluated, the path integral expression is accurate to order O(1/j). We apply the method to the LMG model and to the molecular magnet Fe8 in a transverse field.
Nonlinear electron magnetohydrodynamic simulations of sausage-like instability of current channels
Authors: Jain Neeraj , Das Amita , Kaw Predhiman , Sengupta Sudip
Published: December 2002

The stability of current channels to fast electron magnetohydrodynamic modes is a topic of great interest in several frontier areas of plasma research, e.g., fast ignitor concept of laser fusion, fast Z pinches, plasma opening switches, current channels at the center of fast magnetic reconnection region, etc. This paper deals with a detailed fluid simulation study of linear and nonlinear aspects of the velocity shear modes in electron current channels in a two dimensional geometry. Simulation results clearly show the development of sausage-like structures (kink structures, which are intrinsically three-dimensional excitations, are ruled out in the present simulations) which grow linearly and eventually saturate by nonlinear effects. An analytic understanding of the nonlinear saturation mechanism is also provided.
Analytical fittings for the global potential energy surface of the ground state of methylene
Authors: Yu Jen-Shiang K. , Chen Sue-ying , Yu Chin-Hui
Published: December 2002

The global potential energy surface (PES) corresponding to the dissociation reaction of the ground state of methylene (CH2) is studied with the coupled-cluster method with single, double and perturbative triplet excitations, CCSD(T), in conjunction with the correlation-consistent cc-pVTZ basis set, and fitted by three analytical potential functions in terms of the Simons–Parr–Finlan (SPF) polynomial, Jensen function and the Sorbie–Murrell (SM) function. Ab initio single-point calculations over a distributed range of grids are performed first, and totally 12 085 converged points are fed into these functions. The fitting of each analytical PES function is done with an unconstrained minimization of the difference between the evaluations of the analytical function and the ab initio results, solved by a modified Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm with a finite-difference Jacobian in the IMSL package. The SPF polynomial is found to have the best global description, while the SM function behaves superior in the dissociation region forming three atoms. The spline function is potentially feasible to interpolate the computationally divergent points in the ab initio calculations.
Induced Compton scattering of a laser in an inhomogeneous plasma
Authors: Liu C. S. , Tripathi V. K.
Published: December 2002

A laser propagating through a high temperature low density plasma undergoes induced Compton backscattering involving the coupling of the laser pump and the scattered electromagnetic wave via the resonant electrons or the resistive quasimode. The region of nonlinear interaction is localized due to plasma inhomogeneity. At short density scale lengths when the interaction region is strongly localized and resonant electrons quickly move out of it, the electron distribution function remains Maxwellian and Compton reflectivity is significant at laser intensity >1016 W/cm2. In gentle density gradients the resonant electrons are trapped in the ponderomotive and self-consistent potential well of the quasimode as they enter the interaction region. The ones with velocity vzvp are retarded to vp. Since the number of the former is more than that of the latter there is a net momentum transfer to electrons. Momentum and action conservation lead to a reflectivity, R, that initially goes as the square of pump intensity, then rises gradually at higher intensity. R decreases rapidly with vth/vp, where vth is the thermal velocity of electrons.
Toroidal flows in resistive magnetohydrodynamic steady states
Authors: Kamp Leon P. , Montgomery David C.
Published: December 2002

Ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) still provides the mathematical framework and the textbook vocabulary in which the possible states of a toroidal plasma are discussed, generally regarded as static equilibria. This is so, despite the increasing realization that virtually all toroidal magnetofluids have nontrivial fluid flows (finite velocity fields) in them. A very different perspective results from nonideal MHD, including both resistivity and viscosity and invoking nonideal boundary conditions. There, it has been shown that if Ohm’s law and Faraday’s law are given equal importance with force balance, flows are an inevitable consequence of the assumptions of time independence and axisymmetry. Previous treatments of the toroidal steady states for such systems have been based on perturbation theory in which the flow velocity was assumed small, as a consequence of high viscosity (or in dimensionless terms, low Hartmann number H). Here, recently newly available numerical programs are used to lift this limitation and to solve nonlinearly for the allowed steady states of an axisymmetric, current-carrying, toroidal magnetofluid without such an expansion in the Hartmann number. Flow patterns for values of H from ≪1 to ≫1 have been calculated. As H is raised, the flow pattern goes from the predominantly poloidal pair of counter-rotating “convection cells” revealed by the perturbation theory to a pattern in which the toroidal kinetic energy of flow considerably exceeds the poloidal kinetic energy. In no case is the flow discovered a simple rotation.