bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Support of drug therapy using functional foods and dietary supplements: focus on statin therapy
Authors: Eussen Simone , Klungel Olaf , Garssen Johan , Verhagen Hans , van Kranen Henk , van Loveren Henk , Rompelberg Cathy
Published: March 2010

Functional foods and dietary supplements might have a role in supporting drug therapy. These products may (1) have an additive effect to the effect that a drug has in reducing risk factors associated with certain conditions, (2) contribute to improve risk factors associated with the condition, other than the risk factor that the drug is dealing with, or (3) reduce drug-associated side effects, for example, by restoring depleted compounds or by reducing the necessary dose of the drug. Possible advantages compared with a multidrug therapy are lower drug costs, fewer side effects and increased adherence. In the present review we have focused on the support of statin therapy using functional foods or dietary supplements containing plant sterols and/or stanols, soluble dietary fibre,n-3 PUFA or coenzyme Q10. We conclude that there is substantial evidence that adding plant sterols and/or stanols to statin therapy further reduces total and LDL-cholesterol by roughly 6 and 10 %, respectively. Addingn-3 PUFA to statin therapy leads to a significant reduction in plasma TAG of at least 15 %. Data are insufficient and not conclusive to recommend the use of soluble fibre or coenzyme Q10in patients on statin therapy and more randomised controlled trials towards these combinations are warranted. Aside from the possible beneficial effects from functional foods or dietary supplements on drug therapy, it is important to examine possible (negative) effects from the combination in the long term, for example, in post-marketing surveillance studies. Moreover, it is important to monitor whether the functional foods and dietary supplements are taken in the recommended amounts to induce significant effects.
An optimal strategy for functional mapping of dynamic trait loci
Authors: JIN TIANBO , LI JIAHAN , GUO YING , ZHOU XIAOJING , YANG RUNQING , WU RONGLING
Published: March 2010

As an emerging powerful approach for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for dynamic traits, functional mapping models the time-dependent mean vector with biologically meaningful equations and are likely to generate biologically relevant and interpretable results. Given the autocorrelation nature of a dynamic trait, functional mapping needs the implementation of the models for the structure of the covariance matrix. In this article, we have provided a comprehensive set of approaches for modelling the covariance structure and incorporated each of these approaches into the framework of functional mapping. The Bayesian information criterion (BIC) values are used as a model selection criterion to choose the optimal combination of the submodels for the mean vector and covariance structure. In an example for leaf age growth from a rice molecular genetic project, the best submodel combination was found between the Gaussian model for the correlation structure, power equation of order 1 for the variance and the power curve for the mean vector. Under this combination, several significant QTLs for leaf age growth trajectories were detected on different chromosomes. Our model can be well used to study the genetic architecture of dynamic traits of agricultural values.
Composite interval mapping to identify quantitative trait loci for point-mass mixture phenotypes
Authors: TAYLOR SANDRA L. , POLLARD KATHERINE S.
Published: March 2010

Increasingly researchers are conducting quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping in metabolomics and proteomics studies. These data often are distributed as a point-mass mixture, consisting of a spike at zero in combination with continuous non-negative measurements. Composite interval mapping (CIM) is a common method used to map QTL that has been developed only for normally distributed or binary data. Here we propose a two-part CIM method for identifying QTLs when the phenotype is distributed as a point-mass mixture. We compare our new method with existing normal and binary CIM methods through an analysis of metabolomics data fromArabidopsis thaliana. We then conduct a simulation study to further understand the power and error rate of our two-part CIM method relative to normal and binary CIM methods. Our results show that the two-part CIM has greater power and a lower false positive rate than the other methods when a continuous phenotype is measured with many zero observations.
Effect of forage:concentrate ratio on the quality of ewe's milk, especially on milk fat globules characteristics and fatty acids composition
Authors: Martini Mina , Liponi Gian Battista , Salari Federica
Published: March 2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate the milk quality of Massese ewes receiving diets with different forage:concentrate ratios (FC ratio), specially on milk fat globules characteristics and fatty acids composition. The diet is one of the main environmental factors that influence the lipidic content of milk. A trial was carried out on twenty ewes, which had been subdivided into two homogeneous groups and kept indoors at 25 days post partum. The experiment lasted 60 days, from 40 to 100 days post partum and the animals were fed two diets that differed in terms of the FC ratio: 60:40 and 40:60, as fed. The results obtained in this study showed that a greater proportion of forage, compared with an higher percentage of concentrate, led to an increase in the percentage of fat (+8·66%) and to a decrease in the percentage of milk fat globules with a size between 2 and 5 μm (−17·32%). However, the average diameter was not affected. There was also a decrease in the percentages of some medium chain fatty acids (C12:0, C14:0; −14·89% and −4·03 respectively) and an increase in mono and polyunsaturated ones such as trans11-C18:1 (+31·71%), total CLA (+22%), EPA (+18·18%) and DHA (+66·67%). In conclusion, a greater proportion of forage seem to improve the milk fatty acid profile by the increase of some fatty acid identified has being beneficial for human health.
Cow’s milk and immune-mediated diabetes
Authors: Wasmuth Hermann E. , Kolb Hubert
Published: March 2010

Cow’s milk-based infant formulas and cow’s milk consumption in childhood have been suggested to promote the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus and other immune-mediated or neurological diseases. Epidemiological studies in man have led to the hypothesis that introduction of cow’s milk-based infant formula within the first 3 months of life is associated with increased risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, in animal models of type 1 diabetes mellitus, cow’s milk proteins have been proven to be ‘diabetogenic’. However, the issue seems far from being resolved. Several epidemiological studies and, more importantly, the first prospective trials did not show an association between early exposure to cow’s milk and type 1 diabetes mellitus. In animal models, cow’s milk proteins are modestly and variably diabetogenic, wheat or soyabean proteins in the diet cause higher rates of autoimmune diabetes. In both man and rodents there is increasing evidence that the gut-associated immune system plays a major role in disease development, probably because of disturbed oral tolerance mechanisms. Oral tolerance depends on immunological homeostasis and normal maturation of the gut. These factors are influenced by growth factors and cytokines from breast milk, normal bacterial colonization, infections and diet. All these factors have been proposed as risk factors for type 1 diabetes mellitus. Hence, cow’s milk proteins may provide mimicry epitopes relevant in autoimmunity, as well as destabilizing oral tolerance mechanisms by biologically active peptides. The concept of dietary regulation of autoimmunity does not apply only to cow’s milk protein, but also to other dietary proteins.
Connecting Discourses: Academic and Professional Worlds
Authors: Wharton Sue , Mann Steve
Published: March 2010

Centre for Applied Linguistics, University of Warwick, UK; 15–16 May 2009

The overall co-ordinators of this seminar were Steve Mann and Sue Wharton. C. K. Jung was web co-ordinator, and the supporting committee was made up of Tilly Harrison, Duncan Hunter, Stefanie Stadler, Fei Chuang and Tim Kelly. Approximately 27 people attended, from institutions in Austria, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the UK.
Key Themes in Intercultural Communication Pedagogy
Authors: Woodin Jane
Published: March 2010

University of Sheffield, UK; 9–10 July 2009

The seminar, organised by Jane Woodin, Gibson Ferguson, Valerie Hobbs and Lesley Walker (School of Modern Languages & Linguistics and School of English, University of Sheffield), aimed to bring together those working in intercultural communication (IC) pedagogy largely – though not exclusively – in the higher education sector. It drew inspiration from the growing number of courses with an intercultural element, from stand-alone modules and training courses to Master's degrees.
The English Profile Programme: Background, current issues and future prospects
Authors: Saville Nick
Published: March 2010

The EPP is a collaborative programme of interdisciplinary research, whose goal is to provide a set of Reference Level Descriptions (RLDs) for English for all six levels of the CEFR (Council of Europe 2001; Little 2006), from A1 to C2.
First encounter of European bat lyssavirus type 2 (EBLV-2) in a bat in Finland
Authors: JAKAVA-VILJANEN M. , LILLEY T. , KYHERÖINEN E.-M. , HUOVILAINEN A.
Published: March 2010

In Finland, rabies in bats was suspected for the first time in 1985 when a bat researcher, who had multiple bat bites, died in Helsinki. The virus isolated from the researcher proved to be antigenically related to rabies viruses previously detected in German bats. Later, the virus was typed as EBLV-2b. Despite an epidemiological study in bats 1986 and subsequent rabies surveillance, rabies in bats was not detected in Finland until the first case in a Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) was confirmed in August 2009. The bat was paralysed, occasionally crying, and biting when approached; it subsequently tested positive for rabies. The virus was genetically typed as EBLV-2. This is the northernmost case of bat rabies ever detected in Europe. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the EBLV-2b isolate from the human case in 1985 and the isolate from the bat in 2009 were genetically closely related, demonstrating that EBLV-2 may have been circulating in Finland for many years.
The disease pyramid for acute gastrointestinal illness in New Zealand
Authors: LAKE R. J. , ADLAM S. B. , PERERA S. , CAMPBELL D. M. , BAKER M. G.
Published: March 2010

The disease pyramid of under-ascertainment for surveillance of acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) in New Zealand has been estimated using 2005–2007 data on notifiable diseases, a community telephone survey, and a survey of diagnostic laboratories. For each notified case of AGI there were an estimated 222 cases in the community, about 49 of which visited a general practitioner. Faecal samples were requested from about 15 of these cases, and 13 samples were provided. Of the faecal samples, pathogens were detected in about three cases. These ratios are similar to those reported in other developed countries, and provide baseline measurements of the AGI burden in the New Zealand community.
Sample size for detecting and estimating the proportion of transgenic plants with narrow confidence intervals
Authors: Montesinos López Osval Antonio , Montesinos López Abelardo , Crossa José , Eskridge Kent , Hernández Suárez Carlos Moises
Published: March 2010

Detecting the presence of genetically modified plants (adventitious presence of unwanted transgenic plants, AP) from outcrossing species such as maize requires a method that lowers laboratory costs without losing precision. Group testing is a procedure in which groups that contain several units (plants) are analysed without having to inspect individual plants, with the purpose of estimating the prevalence of AP in a population at a low cost without losing precision. When pool (group) testing is used to estimate the prevalence of AP (p), there are sampling procedures for calculating a confidence interval (CI); however, they usually do not ensure precision in the estimation ofp. This research proposes a method to determine the number of pools (g), given a pool size (k), that ensures precision in the estimated proportion of AP (that is, it ensures a narrow CI). In addition, the study computes the maximum likelihood estimator ofpunder pool testing and its exact CI, considering the detection limit of the laboratory,d, and the concentration of AP per unit (c). The proposed sample procedure involves two steps: (1) obtain a sample size that guarantees that the mean width of the CI (\overline{w}) is narrower than the desired width (ω); and (2) iteratively increase the sample size until\overline{w}is smaller than the desired width (ω) with a specified degree of certainty (γ). Simulated data were created and tables are presented showing the different possible scenarios that a researcher may encounter. An R program is given and explained that will reproduce the results and make it easy for the researcher to create other scenarios.
Nutrition knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and the influencing factors among non-parent caregivers of rural left-behind children under 7 years old in China
Authors: Tan Cai , Luo Jiayou , Zong Rong , Fu Chuhui , Zhang Lingli , Mou Jinsong , Duan Danhui
Published: March 2010

Objective

To explore and compare nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behaviours (KAB) between non-parent and parent caregivers of children under 7 years old in Chinese rural areas, and to identify the factors influencing their nutrition KAB.

Design

Face-to-face interviews were carried out with 1691 non-parent caregivers and 1670 parent caregivers in the selected study areas; multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify the factors influencing nutrition KAB in caregivers.

Results

The awareness rate of nutrition knowledge, the rate of positive attitudes and the rate of optimal behaviours in non-parent caregivers (52·2 %, 56·9 % and 37·7 %, respectively) were significantly lower than in the parent group (63·8 %, 62·1 % and 42·8 %, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression modelling showed that caregivers’ family income and care will, and children’s age and gender, were associated with caregivers’ nutrition KAB after controlling the possible confounding variables (caregivers’ age, gender, education and occupation).

Conclusions

Non-parent caregivers had relatively poor nutrition KAB. Extra efforts and targeted education programmes aimed to improve rural non-parent caregivers’ nutrition KAB are wanted and need to be emphasized.
Influences on child fruit and vegetable intake: sociodemographic, parental and child factors in a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Jones Louise R , Steer Colin D , Rogers Imogen S , Emmett Pauline M
Published: March 2010

Objective

To examine the sociodemographic, parental and child factors that predict fruit and vegetable consumption in 7-year-old children.

Design

Diet was assessed using three 1d unweighed food diaries. The child’s daily fruit and vegetable consumption was calculated by summing the weight of each type of fruit, fruit juice and vegetable consumed. The various others factors measured were assessed by a questionnaire at different time points.

Setting

The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

Subjects

A total of 7285 children aged 7 years residing in the south-west of England during 1999–2000.

Results

Median daily fruit and vegetable consumption (201 g) was below the recommendations for this age group (320 g). Girls ate more fruit and vegetables per unit energy (30·3 g/MJ) than boys (26·7 g/MJ;P=< 0·001). The predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption were mostly similar. Fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with maternal consumption, maternal education status and parental rules about serving fruit/vegetables every day, food expenditure per person and whether the child was choosy about food. Vegetable consumption was also associated with the other characteristics of the child, such as whether the child enjoyed food and whether the child tried a variety of foods.

Conclusions

Children are not eating recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables, particularly boys. Consumption of fruit and vegetables appears to be influenced by parental rules about daily consumption and parental consumption and by the child’s choosiness. Parent’s actions could influence this. These findings may prove useful for those planning healthy eating campaigns for children.
The International Physical Activity Questionnaire modified for the elderly: aspects of validity and feasibility
Authors: Hurtig-Wennlöf Anita , Hagströmer Maria , Olsson Lovisa A
Published: March 2010

Objective

To modify the self-administered, short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) for adults to be used in the elderly (aged 65 years and above), and to validate this modified IPAQ for the elderly (IPAQ-E).

Design

A direct validity study using accelerometer-measured physical activity (PA) as the criterion measure, and an indirect criterion validity study using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a biological marker of activity.

Setting

Organisations for retired persons in Sweden.

Subjects

The direct validity study consisted of fifty-four participants and the indirect criterion validity study consisted of 359 participants. All participants were retired persons (66–91 years) living independently.

Results

All self-reported activity domains (sitting, walking, moderate and vigorous) were positively correlated with the corresponding variable objectively assessed by an accelerometer (ρ= 0·277–0·471), but a systematic error was observed. The specificity of IPAQ-E to identify low-active participants was 85 %, and the sensitivity to identify the more active participants was 81 %. A main effect of IPAQ-E category (Low, Moderate or High) was observed for hs-CRP (P= 0·041).

Conclusions

We found this modified version of IPAQ, the IPAQ-E, to be well accepted by our sample of socially active elderly. It provided acceptable estimates of PA, well in line with other questionnaires, even though it had a systematic error. The IPAQ-E was able to identify an expected response of a biomarker (hs-CRP) to PA. We recommend the use of the IPAQ-E to classify participants aged 65 years and above into PA categories, to rank individuals or to identify individuals meeting certain PA criteria.
Salt intake of the Slovene population assessed by 24 h urinary sodium excretion
Authors: Ribič Cirila Hlastan , Zakotnik Jožica Maučec , Vertnik Lidija , Vegnuti Miljana , Cappuccio Francesco P
Published: March 2010

Objective

To investigate average sodium excretion in 24 h urine as a marker for salt intake in the Slovene population.

Design

Salt intake was determined by measuring sodium excretion in 24 h urine collected from a representative sample of geographically diverse Slovene adults.

Setting

Slovenia.

Subjects

A random sample of 600 adults aged 25–65 years was generated from census data. The effective sample yield was 143 people, 42·7 % men and 57·3 % women.

Results

Urinary sodium excretion was significantly higher in men (220·9 (sd86·0) mmol Na/d) than in women (169·8 (sd73·8) mmol Na/d);ttest = 14·5,P< 0·001. Average salt intake was 11·3 (sd4·9) g/d, higher in men than in women (13·0 (sd5·1)v. 9·9 (sd4·3) g/d, respectively). Average intakes of salt among regions were not significantly different. Salt intake increases slightly with increasing age, but there was no significant correlation between age and salt intake. Salt intake was increased with BMI (r= 0·384,P< 0·001).

Conclusions

Salt intake in Slovene adults, especially in men, exceeds the WHO recommended population nutrient intake goal of 5 g by more than twofold. A national programme for reducing salt intake in Slovenia needs to be implemented through systematic efforts including public education and involving the health-care sector and the food industry.
Sociodemographic factors associated with physical activity in Mexican adults
Authors: Ortiz-Hernández Luis , Ramos-Ibáñez Norma
Published: March 2010

Objective

To estimate the physical activity level among Mexican adults and to establish the sociodemographic variables that may be linked to active lifestyles.

Design

Data from a cross-sectional survey were analysed. Physical activity was assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The independent variables were sex, age, socio-economic status and size of town. Ordinal regression models were fitted to assess the association of physical activity levels with sociodemographic factors.

Setting

Fieldwork was conducted from November 2002 through April 2003; the non-response rate was 3·1 %.

Subjects

Data from a national representative sample (n38 746) of Mexican adults aged >18 years old were analysed.

Results

Almost 60 % of the population was classified into the high physical activity level. Women were less active than men in rural areas; in urban areas, the opposite trend was observed. In women, higher socio-economic status was associated with less physical activity, while among men there were no differences. People from rural and urban areas had a higher probability of engaging in physical activity than those from cities. In urban localities and cities, respondents of low socio-economic status had a lower probability of engaging in physical activity.

Conclusions

Using a validated instrument to measure physical activity, we found that the prevalence of active lifestyle among Mexican adults was high. The socio-economic and gender inequalities are different according to size of town (i.e. an effect modifier), which must be considered in the design of policies and programmes to promote physical activity.
Food insecurity is associated with food consumption patterns and anthropometric measures but not serum micronutrient levels in adults in rural Tanzania
Authors: Leyna Germana H , Mmbaga Elia J , Mnyika Kagoma S , Hussain Akhtar , Klepp Knut-Inge
Published: March 2010

Objective

The purpose of the present paper is to assess the relationship between food insecurity and food consumption patterns, anthropometric measures and serum micronutrient levels in rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Design

A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out between March and May of 2005.

Setting

Rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Subjects

Analysis was restricted to 1014 adults aged 15–44 years with children and complete data.

Results

A large majority of the participants (91 %) reported some kind of food insecurity. Food insecurity was significantly associated with age, marital status and occupation. Participants reporting food insecurity were significantly less likely to frequently consume animal products, fruits and vegetables compared with participants categorized as food secure. Women categorized as experiencing individual food insecurity had a larger waist circumference than food-secure women (P = 0·026) while the mean BMI of women appeared to decline if they had a child who was food insecure (P = 0·038). There were no observed differences in serum micronutrient levels by food insecurity status.

Conclusions

Food insecurity is highly prevalent and associated with food consumption patterns, waist circumference and BMI of women in rural Tanzania. Further studies should apply self-report measures in assessing food insecurity to larger and more diversified populations.
Assessing the relevance of neighbourhood characteristics to the household food security of low-income Toronto families
Authors: Kirkpatrick Sharon I , Tarasuk Valerie
Published: March 2010

Objective

Although the sociodemographic characteristics of food-insecure households have been well documented, there has been little examination of neighbourhood characteristics in relation to this problem. In the present study we examined the association between household food security and neighbourhood features including geographic food access and perceived neighbourhood social capital.

Design

Cross-sectional survey and mapping of discount supermarkets and community food programmes.

Setting

Twelve high-poverty neighbourhoods in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Subjects

Respondents from 484 low-income families who had children and who lived in rental accommodations.

Results

Food insecurity was pervasive, affecting two-thirds of families with about a quarter categorized as severely food insecure, indicative of food deprivation. Food insecurity was associated with household factors including income and income source. However, food security did not appear to be mitigated by proximity to food retail or community food programmes, and high rates of food insecurity were observed in neighbourhoods with good geographic food access. While low perceived neighbourhood social capital was associated with higher odds of food insecurity, this effect did not persist once we accounted for household sociodemographic factors.

Conclusions

Our findings raise questions about the extent to which neighbourhood-level interventions to improve factors such as food access or social cohesion can mitigate problems of food insecurity that are rooted in resource constraints. In contrast, the results reinforce the importance of household-level characteristics and highlight the need for interventions to address the financial constraints that underlie problems of food insecurity.
Psychologische Therapieansätze in der Behandlung schizophrener Störungen
Authors: Stieglitz Rolf-Dieter , Vauth Roland
Published: March 2010

Psychologische Therapieansätze stellen mittlerweile einen wichtigen Baustein im Gesamtbehandlungsplan schizophrener Störungen dar. Während unverändert auf das Einzel- oder Gruppensetting fokussierte Ansätze zur Behandlung von Positiv- oder Negativsymptomatik oder sozialer Defizite eine wichtige Rolle spielen, gewinnen zunehmend auch auf neuropsychologische Defizite abzielende Interventionen eine Rolle. Basis der meisten psychologischen Interventionen stellt die psychopharmakologische Behandlung dar, bei denen mangelnde Compliance ein großes Problem darstellt, für das gleichfalls mittlerweile Interventionsangebote vorliegen.
Kognitives Training mit schizophrenen Patienten
Authors: Suslow Thomas , Donges Uta-Susan
Published: March 2010

Die Mehrzahl der schizophrenen Patienten manifestiert leichte bis schwere neuropsychologische Funktionsdefizite. Im Rahmen von kognitiven Trainingsprogrammen werden einzelne oder mehrere neuropsychologische Funktionen durch Üben und Wiederholen trainiert. Es liegen mittlerweile positive Effektivitätsbefunde für kognitive Trainings bei Schizophrenie vor. Trainingsansätze, die kognitives Training mit anderen rehabilitativen Maßnahmen wie Problemlösetrainings oder Motivationsförderung kombinieren, scheinen stärkere Effekte auf soziale und berufliche Funktionsmerkmale schizophrener Patienten zu haben als solche, die ausschließlich auf Üben basieren. Das Outcome kognitiver Trainingsprogramme wird von der Trainingsintensität, der Ausbildungsqualifikation der Trainer und der Motivation der Patienten beeinflusst. Ausgangspunkt einer individualisierten Trainingsplanung stellt eine ausführliche neuropsychologische Diagnostik dar. Es wird eine Reihe spezifischer kognitiver Trainingsprogramme zur Behandlung schizophrener Patienten vorgestellt, die im letzten Jahrzehnt entwickelt wurden.
Beeinflusst die Beschäftigung mit der Erkrankung die Behandlung von Patienten mit psychosomatischen Störungen?
Authors: Lange Meike , Karpinski Norbert , Best Manfred , Petermann Franz
Published: March 2010

Viele Patienten der psychosomatischen Rehabilitation zeigen eine intensive Beschäftigung mit ihrer Erkrankung (intensive Krankheitsbeschäftigung), die häufig mit Ängsten einhergeht. Es soll geprüft werden, ob sich diese Form der Krankheitsbewältigung auf die Einstellung zur psychosomatischen Rehabilitation, auf die Reha-Motivation und die symptomatische Belastung auswirkt. Die Daten von N = 209 Patienten mit psychosomatischen Erkrankungen wurden in einem Prä-Post-Vergleich varianzanalytisch untersucht. Patienten mit einer gleichbleibend intensiven Krankheitsbeschäftigung zeigten eine ungünstigere Ausgangslage bei der Einstellung zur psychosomatischen Rehabilitation und der symptomatischen Belastung. Die Rehabilitationsmotivation war in dieser Patientengruppe deutlich ausgeprägt, zudem erhöhten sich im Rehabilitationsverlauf die Skalenwerte der «Sozialen Unterstützung und Krankheitsgewinn». Die symptomatische Belastung konnte im Rehabilitationsverlauf signifikant reduziert werden, wobei die Patienten mit einer gleichbleibend intensiven Krankheitsbeschäftigung nach der Rehabilitation eine höhere Belastung zeigten als Patienten mit einer weniger intensiven Krankheitsbeschäftigung. Patienten, die nach der Behandlung eine intensive Krankheitsbeschäftigung zeigten, konnten ihre symptomatischen Belastungen nicht bedeutsam lindern. Daher sollten diesen Patienten spezielle motivationsfördernde Maßnahmen erhalten und die Angehörigen in die Behandlung einbezogen werden.
Current Practices of Suicide Risk Management Protocols in Research
Authors: Vannoy Steven , Whiteside Ursula , Unützer Jürgen
Published: March 2010

Background: Participant safety is an important concern in mental-health-oriented research. Investigators conducting studies in the United States that include potentially suicidal individuals are often required to develop written suicide risk management (SRM) protocols. But little is known about these protocols. It is possible that such protocols could serve as templates for suicide risk management in clinical settings. Aims: To elucidate common (best) practices from mental health intervention researchers. Methods: We conducted a systematic descriptive analysis of written SRM protocols. A convenience sample of studies funded by the United States’ National Institute of Mental Health in 2005 were scanned to discover projects in which investigators were likely to identify and take responsibility for suicide risk in their participant pool. Qualitative methodology was used to create a checklist of tasks perceived to be operationally significant for insuring the safety of suicidal participants. The checklist was applied to all protocols to determine the variability of patient safety tasks across protocols. Results: We identified 45 candidate studies, whereof 38 investigators were contacted, resulting in the review of 21 SRM protocols. Three main categories emerged: overview, entry/exit, and process. Overall, 19 specific tasks were identified. Task frequency varied from 7% to 95% across protocols. Conclusions: The SRM checklist provides a framework for comparing the content of SRM protocols. This checklist may assist in developing SRM protocols in a wide range of settings. Developing guidelines and standard methodologies is an important step to further development of suicide prevention strategies. More research is necessary to determine the impact of SRM protocols on participant safety.
Suicide Among Young Middle Eastern Muslim Females
Authors: Rezaeian Mohsen
Published: March 2010

Background: Recent epidemiological studies highlight that within Muslim-dominated Middle Eastern countries suicide rates are high or are increasing among young females. This paper discusses the most important reasons behind this trend. Methods: The literature review started using the PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) search engine, applying four keywords: suicide, young females, Middle East, and Muslim. The search strategy was complemented by hand-searching selected journals or by looking at the reference list of the retrieved papers. Results: All retrieved papers confirm a higher rate of suicide or attempted suicide among young Muslim females in the Middle East. Furthermore, the method chosen for suicide, psychiatric disorders, marriage, and masculine role are among the most important interrelated reasons that increase the likelihood of a young female being a victim of suicide. Conclusions: Higher suicide rates among young Middle Eastern Muslim females must be considered an important issue, and their root causes should be dealt with properly and without delay.
Suicide by Firearms on the Island of Crete
Authors: Kastanaki Anastasia E. , Kranioti Elena F. , Papavdi Asteria , Theodorakis Pavlos N. , Michalodimitrakis Manolis
Published: March 2010

Background: Whereas firearm suicide mortality has been a longstanding public concern worldwide, in Greece no systematic analysis has been reported so far despite the recent evidence of a rising rate of gun ownership. Aims: To estimate the proportion of firearm suicides on the island of Crete, Southern Greece, well-known for its widespread gun ownership; to describe the victims’ sociodemographic profile and firearm-related suicide variables; and to assess the severity of suicidal intention in the group. Methods: Records of suicides between 1999 and 2007 were reviewed and information was extracted into a computerized database. A rating of the circumstances section of the Beck’s Suicide Intent Scale (SIS) for each case was also performed. Results: The firearm suicide rate was 1.3 per 100,000, with males constituting the vast majority. These men were more likely to be less than 55 years of age, to have lived in the western part of the island, to have some degree of planning prior to the suicidal act, and to have used a shotgun, but less likely to have left a note. Conclusions: As an important first step toward implementing preventive initiatives the authors stress the need for a thorough look at the sociocultural factors associated with firearms in the region.
Factors Associated with the History of Attempted Suicide
Authors: Hakansson A. , Bradvik L. , Schlyter F. , Berglund M.
Published: March 2010

Background: The present study examines a population of criminal justice clients for suspected substance-related problems. Aims: It aims to identify variables associated with a history of suicide attempt (SA). Method: 6,836 clients were interviewed with the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). Attempters were compared to nonattempters regarding substance use, medical/psychiatric status, family history, and social relationships in a stepwise forward logistic regression. Results: Attempters (21%) were more likely to report binge drinking, intake of illicit drugs, injection of drugs, physical and mental illness, problematic family history, and history of being abused. After logistic regression, SA was independently associated with older age, female gender, binge drinking, delirium tremens, injection, overdose, medical problems, psychiatric symptoms, family history of alcohol or psychiatric problems, and sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. The psychiatric and family/social domains (including being abused) most strongly separated attempters from nonattempters. Conclusions: Family background factors, psychiatric symptoms, severity of substance use, and sexual, physical, and emotional abuse appear to be factors associated with SA among criminal justice clients.
Attitudes Toward Suicide in the Adolescent Population
Authors: Arnautovska Urška , Grad Onja T.
Published: March 2010

Background: Only few studies have so far confirmed the clear connection of attitudes toward suicide with prevalence of suicidal behavior, and there are several contradictory findings on the balance of this relationship. Slovenia has long had a very high suicide rate, including in the population of adolescents. Aims: To examine attitudes of Slovene adolescents toward suicide and their connection to different suicide risk factors. Methods: A questionnaire on attitudes toward suicide was given to 423 high school students from three regions based on the different regional suicide rates. Results: The results proved our expectation of girls having more permissive attitudes toward suicide than boys. Also, a permissive attitude was positively associated with the majority of suicide risk factors. Conclusions: In the light of certain limitations of the study we discuss the implications of the main finding, namely, that permissive attitudes toward suicide are more likely a risk than a safety factor for suicidal behavior.
A new approach for deriving the solar irradiance from nonflaring solar upper atmosphere plasmas at 2 × 104 ≤ T ≤ 2 × 107 K
Authors: Feldman U. , Brown C. M. , Seely J. F. , Dammasch I. E. , Landi E. , Doschek G. A. , Colgan J. , Abdallah J. , Fontes C. J. , Sherrill M. E.
Published: March 2010

We propose a new approach for deriving the solar irradiance due to the emission by solar upper atmosphere plasmas at 2 × 104 ≤ T ≤ 2 × 107 K for wavelengths shorter than 800 Å. Our approach is based on a new understanding of the properties of the solar upper atmosphere; specifically, the discovery that the majority of emission from the nonflaring solar upper transition region and corona in the temperature range 3 × 105 ≤ T ≤ 3 × 106 K arises from isothermal plasmas that have four distinct temperatures: 0.35, 0.9, 1.4, and 3 × 106 K. Although the lower transition region (2 × 104 ≤ T ≤ 2 × 105 K) of coronal holes, quiet regions or active regions, is multithermal and variable in brightness, the shape of emission measure versus temperature curves in this region is almost constant. At any given time, flaring plasmas are for the most part isothermal, although their emission measure and temperature continuously change. In this paper we review these recent results and propose a set of simple spectrometers for recording the solar spectrum in several narrow bands. The solar emission measure, average plasma temperature, and composition can be derived using the measured line fluxes. By combining the emission measure and other plasma properties with the output of a suite of atomic physics codes, which are also described here, the solar irradiance at wavelengths shorter than 800 Å can be calculated.
Kinematics of the southern Red Sea–Afar Triple Junction and implications for plate dynamics
Authors: McClusky Simon , Reilinger Robert , Ogubazghi Ghebrebrhan , Amleson Aman , Healeb Biniam , Vernant Philippe , Sholan Jamal , Fisseha Shimelles , Asfaw Laike , Bendick Rebecca , Kogan Lewis
Published: March 2010

GPS measurements adjacent to the southern Red Sea and Afar Triple Junction, indicate that the Red Sea Rift bifurcates south of 17° N latitude with one branch following a continuation of the main Red Sea Rift (∼150° Az.) and the other oriented more N‐S, traversing the Danakil Depression. These two rift branches account for the full Arabia–Nubia relative motion. The partitioning of extension between rift branches varies approximately linearly along strike; north of ∼16°N latitude, extension (∼15 mm/yr) is all on the main Red Sea Rift while at ∼13°N, extension (∼20 mm/yr) has transferred completely to the Danakil Depression. The Danakil Block separates the two rifts and rotates in a counterclockwise sense with respect to Nubia at a present‐day rate of 1.9 ± 0.1°/Myr around a pole located at 17.0 ± 0.2°N, 39.7 ± 0.2°E, accommodating extension along the rifts and developing the roughly triangular geometry of the Danakil Depression. Rotating the Danakil Block back in time to close the Danakil Depression, and assuming that the rotation rate with respect to Nubia has been roughly constant, the present width of the Danakil Depression is consistent with initiation of block rotation at 9.3 ± 4 Ma, approximately coincident with the initiation of ocean spreading in the Gulf of Aden, and a concomitant ∼70% increase in the rate of Nubia–Arabia relative motion.
Long tails in deep columns of natural and anthropogenic tropospheric tracers
Authors: Neelin J. David , Lintner Benjamin R. , Tian Baijun , Li Qinbin , Zhang Li , Patra Prabir K. , Chahine Moustafa T. , Stechmann Samuel N.
Published: March 2010

Simple prototypes for forced advection‐diffusion problems are known to produce passive tracer distributions that exhibit approximately exponential or stretched exponential tails. Having previously found an approximately exponential tail for the column integrated water vapor (CWV) distribution under high precipitation conditions, we conjectured that if such prototypes are relevant to more complex tropospheric tracer problems, we should find such tails for a wide set of tracers. Here it is shown that such tails are indeed ubiquitous in observed, model, and reanalysis data sets for a variety of tracers, either column integrated or averaged through a deep layer, including CO and CO2. The long tails in CWV are associated with vertical transport and can occur independent of a local precipitation sink. These non‐Gaussian distributions can have consequences for source attribution studies of anthropogenic tracers, and for mechanisms of precipitation extremes; the properties of the tails may help constrain model tracer simulations.
Detection of terrestrial gamma ray flashes up to 40 MeV by the AGILE satellite
Authors: Marisaldi M. , Fuschino F. , Labanti C. , Galli M. , Longo F. , Del Monte E. , Barbiellini G. , Tavani M. , Giuliani A. , Moretti E. , Vercellone S. , Costa E. , Cutini S. , Donnarumma I. , Evangelista Y. , Feroci M. , Lapshov I. , Lazzarotto F. , Lipari P. , Mereghetti S. , Pacciani L. , Rapisarda M. , Soffitta P. , Trifoglio M. , Argan A. , Boffelli F. , Bulgarelli A. , Caraveo P. , Cattaneo P. W. , Chen A. , Cocco V. , D'Ammando F. , De Paris G. , Di Cocco G. , Di Persio G. , Ferrari A. , Fiorini M. , Froysland T. , Gianotti F. , Morselli A. , Pellizzoni A. , Perotti F. , Picozza P. , Piano G. , Pilia M. , Prest M. , Pucella G. , Rappoldi A. , Rubini A. , Sabatini S. , Striani E. , Trois A. , Vallazza E. , Vittorini V. , Zambra A. , Zanello D. , Antonelli L. A. , Colafrancesco S. , Gasparrini D. , Giommi P. , Pittori C. , Preger B. , Santolamazza P. , Verrecchia F. , Salotti L.
Published: March 2010

We report the detection by the Astrorivelatore Gamma a Immagini Leggero (AGILE) satellite of terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs) obtained with the minicalorimeter (MCAL) detector operating in the energy range 0.3–100 MeV. We select events typically lasting a few milliseconds with spectral and directional selections consistent with the TGF characteristics previously reported by other space missions. During the period 1 June 2008 to 31 March 2009 we detect 34 high‐confidence events showing millisecond durations and a geographical distribution peaked over continental Africa and Southeast Asia. For the first time, AGILE‐MCAL detects photons associated with TGF events up to 40 MeV. We determine the cumulative spectral properties of the spectrum in the range 0.5–40 MeV, which can be effectively described by a Bremsstrahlung spectrum. We find that both the TGF cumulative spectral properties and their geographical distribution are in good agreement with the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) results.
Elastic, vibrational, and thermodynamic properties of MgGeO3 postperovskite investigated by first principles simulation
Authors: Usui Yusuke , Tsuchiya Jun , Tsuchiya Taku
Published: March 2010

Elastic, vibrational and thermodynamic properties of MgGeO3 perovskite (Pv) and postperovskite (PPv) were calculated based on the density functional first principles methods. We found that the calculated properties of MgGeO3 are quite similar to those of MgSiO3 in particular for anomalously large c66 and small c55 of PPv, but not fully comparable in particular for the velocity contrasts across the phase change, which are all negative in compressional, shear and bulk velocities at the transition pressure unlike the typical features of the D″ seismic discontinuity. MgGeO3 PPv has larger elastic anisotropy than MgSiO3, but their style is quite similar. Significant orientational preference is needed for PPv polycrystalline aggregate to reproduce seismic shear wave polarization anisotropy observed in D″ except for a case with the c direction aligned vertically. Lattice dynamics calculations indicate that the both phases are vibrationally stable under high pressure, and quasi‐harmonic thermodynamics provides the Clapeyron slope of PPv phase boundary of ∼+7.8 MPa/K, which is quite comparable to that reported for MgSiO3. While the calculated Raman frequencies are in excellent agreement with experimental values in Pv, those are found less consistent in PPv.
Moisture sources for Central America: Identification of moisture sources using a Lagrangian analysis technique
Authors: Durán‐Quesada Ana María , Gimeno L. , Amador J. A. , Nieto R.
Published: March 2010

We herein present an analysis of the sources of atmospheric moisture for Central America using a Lagrangian technique. The results of backward and forward moisture tracking analysis using the FLEXPART model has enabled the identification of the main sources of moisture that reach Central America, as well as an evaluation of their spatial evolution during their passage toward the region of interest. Data from the European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) for a 5 year period (2000–2004) were used as input for the FLEXPART model. The applied method reproduces the variations in the location of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over the study area very well. The primary source of moisture for Central America is identified over the Caribbean Sea, and a secondary source appears to exist near the equatorial Pacific region. The dominance of the Caribbean Sea region as a source of moisture for this region is clear, as is the importance of the Caribbean Low‐Level Jet (CLLJ) as the principal transport mechanism. These characteristics are confirmed by inspection of the moisture transport patterns and their seasonal behavior.
Simulations of the effects of surface heat flux anomalies on stratification, convective growth, and vertical transport within the Saharan boundary layer
Authors: Huang Qian , Marsham John H. , Parker Douglas J. , Tian Wenshou , Grams Christian M.
Published: March 2010

Using two cases based on observations from the Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget Intercomparison of Longwave and Shortwave Radiation field campaign, large eddy model (LEM) simulations have been used to investigate the effects of surface flux anomalies on the growth of the summertime Saharan convective boundary layer (CBL) into the Saharan Residual Layer (SRL) above and transport from the CBL into the SRL. Hot surface anomalies generated updrafts and convergence in the CBL that increased transport from the CBL into the SRL. The induced subsidence in regions away from the anomalies inhibited growth of the CBL there. If the domain‐averaged surface fluxes were kept constant, this led to a shallower, cooler CBL. If fluxes outside the anomalies were kept constant so that stronger anomalies led to increased domain‐averaged fluxes, this gave a warmer, shallower CBL. These effects were larger for wider, stronger anomalies with low winds. The low‐level wind speed variations induced by the anomalies were also shown to affect dust uplift rates. Previous observations have shown that the summertime SRL, which often contains sublayers of varying humidity and dust content, can persist until late in the afternoon. The LEM simulations presented show that mesoscale variations in surface fluxes can contribute both to inhibiting the growth of the Saharan CBL into the SRL and to generating layerings within the SRL.