bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The long pentraxin 3 (PTX3): a novel prognostic inflammatory marker for mortality in acute chest pain
Authors: Brügger-Andersen Trygve , Pönitz Volker , Staines Harry , Grundt Heidi , Sagara Mina , Nilsen Dennis W.T. , Kontny Frederic
Published: August 2009

The long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a recently identified member of the pentraxin protein family that includes C-reactive protein. PTX3 is produced by the major cell types involved in atherosclerotic lesions in response to inflammatory stimuli, and elevated plasma levels are found in several conditions including acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The aim of this study was to assess the value of PTX3 as a prognostic marker of mortality and recurrent ischaemic events in a consecutive series of patients admitted with acute chest pain and potential ACS.

The patients received follow-up for 24 months. Blood samples were taken on admission for measurement of PTX3, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and troponin T. All-cause mortality at 24 months in the study cohort was 15.2%. Patients in the upper PTX3 quartiles had a significantly higher death risk than those in the lowest quartile (Q3: hazard ratio [HR] 2.36; 95% CI 1.12–4.99; p=0.024, and Q4: HR 3.60; 95% CI 1.68–7.72; p=0.001). Elevated BNP levels were also significantly associated with a fatal outcome (Q3: HR 3.05; 95% CI 1.16–7.99; p=0.024; and Q4: HR 3.90; 95% CI 1.48–10.26; p=0.006). Elevation in hsCRP was not associated with increased death risk. As PTX3 predicted mortality independently of BNP, the combination of these two biomarkers showed an incremental prognostic value.

PTX3 is a new biomarker related to inflammation that, independently of BNP, strongly predicts long-term all-cause mortality in patients with acute chest pain. The combination of these two biomarkers enhances the prognostic value over either marker alone.
Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Treatment at High-Volume Centers Confers Lower Mortality at 6-Month Follow-Up
Authors: Khattab Ahmed A. , Hamm Christian W. , Senges Jochen , Toelg Ralph , Geist Volker , Bonzel Tassilo , Kelm Malte , Levenson Benny , Nienaber Christoph A. , Pfannebecker Thomas , Sabin Georg , Schneider Steffen , Tebbe Ulrich , Neumann Franz-Josef , Richardt Gert
Published: August 2009

Background—

Studies continue to identify percutaneous coronary intervention procedural volume both at the institutional level and at the operator level as being strongly correlated with outcome. High-volume centers have been defined as those that perform >400 percutaneous coronary intervention procedures per year. The relationship between drug-eluting stent procedural volume and outcome is unknown. We investigated this relationship in the German Cypher Registry.

Methods and Results—

The present analysis included 8201 patients treated with sirolimus-eluting stents between April 2002 and September 2005 in 51 centers. Centers that recruited >400 sirolimus-eluting stent patients in this time period were considered high-volume centers; those with 150 to 400 patients were considered intermediate-volume centers; and those with <150 patients were designated as low-volume centers. The primary end point was all death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization at 6 months. This end point occurred in 11.3%, 12.1%, and 9.0% of patients in the low-, intermediate-, and high-volume center groups, respectively (
P
=0.0001). There was no difference between groups in the rate of target-vessel revascularization (
P
=0.2) or cerebrovascular accidents (
P
=0.5). The difference in death/myocardial infarction remained significant after adjustment for baseline factors (odds ratio 1.85, 95% confidence interval 1.31 to 2.59,
P
<0.001 for low-volume centers; odds ratio 1.69, 95% confidence interval 1.29 to 2.21,
P
<0.001 for intermediate-volume centers). Patient and lesion selection, procedural features, and postprocedural medications differed significantly between groups.

Conclusions—

The volume of sirolimus-eluting stent procedures performed on an institutional level was inversely related to death and myocardial infarction but not to target-vessel revascularization at 6-month follow-up. Safety issues are better considered in high-volume centers. These findings have important public health policy implications.
Enzyme-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging Targeting Myeloperoxidase Identifies Active Inflammation in Experimental Rabbit Atherosclerotic Plaques
Authors: Ronald John A. , Chen John W. , Chen Yuanxin , Hamilton Amanda M. , Rodriguez Elisenda , Reynolds Fred , Hegele Robert A. , Rogers Kem A. , Querol Manel , Bogdanov Alexei , Weissleder Ralph , Rutt Brian K.
Published: August 2009

Background—

Inflammation undermines the stability of atherosclerotic plaques, rendering them susceptible to acute rupture, the cataclysmic event that underlies clinical expression of this disease. Myeloperoxidase is a central inflammatory enzyme secreted by activated macrophages and is involved in multiple stages of plaque destabilization and patient outcome. We report here that a unique functional in vivo magnetic resonance agent can visualize myeloperoxidase activity in atherosclerotic plaques in a rabbit model.

Methods and Results—

We performed magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic aorta of New Zealand White rabbits fed a cholesterol (n=14) or normal (n=4) diet up to 2 hours after injection of the myeloperoxidase sensor bis-5HT-DTPA(Gd) [MPO(Gd)], the conventional agent DTPA(Gd), or an MPO(Gd) analog, bis-tyr-DTPA(Gd), as controls. Delayed MPO(Gd) images (2 hours after injection) showed focal areas of increased contrast (>2-fold) in diseased wall but not in normal wall (
P
=0.84) compared with both DTPA(Gd) (n=11;
P
<0.001) and bis-tyr-DTPA(Gd) (n=3;
P
<0.05). Biochemical assays confirmed that diseased wall possessed 3-fold elevated myeloperoxidase activity compared with normal wall (
P
<0.01). Areas detected by MPO(Gd) imaging colocalized and correlated with myeloperoxidase-rich areas infiltrated by macrophages on histopathological evaluations (
r
=0.91,
P
<0.0001). Although macrophages were the main source of myeloperoxidase, not all macrophages secreted myeloperoxidase, which suggests that distinct subpopulations contribute differently to atherogenesis and supports our functional approach.

Conclusions—

The present study represents a unique approach in the detection of inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques by examining macrophage function and the activity of an effector enzyme to noninvasively provide both anatomic and functional information in vivo.
Subclinical Brain Embolization in Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Cooper Howard A. , Thompson Elissa C. , Laureno Robert , Fuisz Anthon , Mark Alexander S. , Lin Mark , Goldstein Steven A.
Published: August 2009

Background—

Acute brain embolization (ABE) in left-sided infective endocarditis has significant implications for clinical decision making. The true incidence of ABE, including subclinical brain embolization, is unknown.

Methods and Results—

We prospectively studied 56 patients with definite left-sided infective endocarditis. Patients were examined by a study neurologist, and those without contraindication had magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Patients without clinical evidence of acute stroke but with magnetic resonance imaging evidence of ABE were considered to have subclinical brain embolization. Clinical stroke was present in 14 of 56 patients (25%). Among 40 patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging, the incidence rates of subclinical brain embolization and any ABE were 48% and 80%, respectively. ABE was present in 18 of 19 patients (95%) with
Staphylococcus aureus
infection. At 3 months, mortality was similar among patients with clinical stroke and subclinical brain embolization (62% versus 53%;
P
=NS) and was higher among patients with any ABE than among those without ABE (56% versus 12%;
P
=0.046). Valvular surgery was performed in 25 patients (45%), including 16 with ABE, at a median of 4 days. No patient suffered a postoperative neurological complication. Surgery was independently associated with a lower risk of mortality at 3 months (odds ratio, 0.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.03 to 0.6;
P
=0.008).

Conclusions—

Magnetic resonance imaging detected subclinical brain embolization in a substantial number of patients with left-sided infective endocarditis, suggesting that the incidence of ABE may be significantly higher than reports based on clinical and computed tomography findings have indicated. Brain magnetic resonance imaging may play a role in the complex decision about surgical intervention in infective endocarditis.
Impact of Myocardial Fibrosis in Patients With Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Weidemann Frank , Herrmann Sebastian , Störk Stefan , Niemann Markus , Frantz Stefan , Lange Volkmar , Beer Meinrad , Gattenlöhner Stefan , Voelker Wolfram , Ertl Georg , Strotmann Jörg M.
Published: August 2009

Background—

In this prospective follow-up study, the effect of myocardial fibrosis on myocardial performance in symptomatic severe aortic stenosis was investigated, and the impact of fibrosis on clinical outcome after aortic valve replacement (AVR) was estimated.

Methods and Results—

Fifty-eight consecutive patients with isolated symptomatic severe aortic stenosis underwent extensive baseline characterization before AVR. Standard and tissue Doppler echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (late-enhancement imaging for replacement fibrosis) were performed at baseline and 9 months after AVR. Endomyocardial biopsies were obtained intraoperatively to determine the degree of myocardial fibrosis. Patients were analyzed according to the severity of interstitial fibrosis in cardiac biopsies (severe, n=21; mild, n=15; none, n=22). The extent of histologically determined cardiac fibrosis at baseline correlated closely with New York Heart Association functional class and markers of longitudinal systolic function (all
P
<0.001) but not global ejection fraction or aortic valve area. Nine months after AVR, the degree of late enhancement remained unchanged, implying that AVR failed to reduce the degree of replacement fibrosis. Patients with no fibrosis experienced a marked improvement in New York Heart Association class from 2.8±0.4 to 1.4±0.5 (
P
<0.001). Only parameters of longitudinal systolic function predicted this functional improvement. Four patients with severe fibrosis died during follow-up, but no patient from the other groups died.

Conclusions—

Myocardial fibrosis is an important morphological substrate of postoperative clinical outcome in patients with severe aortic stenosis and was not reversible after AVR over the 9 months of follow-up examined in this study. Because markers of longitudinal systolic function appear to indicate sensitively both the severity of myocardial fibrosis and the clinical outcome, they may prove valuable for preoperative risk assessment in patients with aortic stenosis.
Functional Lecithin: Cholesterol Acyltransferase Is Not Required for Efficient Atheroprotection in Humans
Authors: Calabresi Laura , Baldassarre Damiano , Castelnuovo Samuela , Conca Paola , Bocchi Letizia , Candini Chiara , Frigerio Beatrice , Amato Mauro , Sirtori Cesare R. , Alessandrini Paola , Arca Marcello , Boscutti Giuliano , Cattin Luigi , Gesualdo Loreto , Sampietro Tiziana , Vaudo Gaetano , Veglia Fabrizio , Calandra Sebastiano , Franceschini Guido
Published: August 2009

Background—

Mutations in the
LCAT
gene cause lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency, a very rare metabolic disorder with 2 hypoalphalipoproteinemia syndromes: classic familial LCAT deficiency (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man No. 245900), characterized by complete lack of enzyme activity, and fish-eye disease (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man No. 136120), with a partially defective enzyme. Theoretically, hypoalphalipoproteinemia cases with LCAT deficiency should be at increased cardiovascular risk because of high-density lipoprotein deficiency and defective reverse cholesterol transport.

Methods and Results—

The extent of preclinical atherosclerosis was assessed in 40 carriers of
LCAT
gene mutations from 13 Italian families and 80 healthy controls by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). The average and maximum IMT values in the carriers were 0.07 and 0.21 mm smaller than in controls (
P
=0.0003 and
P
=0.0027), respectively. Moreover, the inheritance of a mutated LCAT genotype had a remarkable gene-dose–dependent effect in reducing carotid IMT (
P
=0.0003 for average IMT;
P
=0.001 for maximum IMT). Finally, no significant difference in carotid IMT was found between carriers of
LCAT
gene mutations that cause total or partial LCAT deficiency (ie, familial LCAT deficiency or fish-eye disease).

Conclusions—

Genetically determined low LCAT activity in Italian families is not associated with enhanced preclinical atherosclerosis despite low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. This finding challenges the notion that LCAT is required for effective atheroprotection and suggests that elevating LCAT expression or activity is not a promising therapeutic strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk.
A Study of Air Quality in the Southeastern Hampton–Norfolk–Virginia Beach Region with Airborne Lidar Measurements and MODIS Aerosol Optical Depth Retrievals
Authors: Lewis Jasper , De Young Russell , Chu D. Allen
Published: August 2009

A study of air quality was performed using a compact, aircraft aerosol lidar designed in the Science Directorate at NASA Langley Research Center and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals. Five flights of lidar measurements conducted in the Hampton–Norfolk–Virginia Beach, Virginia, region showed complex regional aerosol distributions. Comparisons with MODIS AOD at 10 km × 10 km and 5 km × 5 km resolutions show good agreement, with correlation R2 values of 0.82 and 0.88, respectively. Linear regressions of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and AOD within the ranges of 5–40 μg m−3 and 0.05–0.7, respectively, result in R2 values of ∼0.64 and ∼0.82 for MODIS and the Compact Aerosol Lidar, respectively. The linear regressions reflect approximately 51 μg m−3 to 1 AOD. These relationships are in agreement with previous findings for air pollution aerosols in the eastern United States and in northern Italy. However, large vertical variation is seen case by case, with planetary boundary layer heights ranging between 0.7 and 2 km and uncertainties ranging between 0.1 and 0.4 km. The results of the case studies suggest that AOD can be used as an indicator of surface measurements of PM2.5 but with larger uncertainties associated with small aerosol loading (AOD < 0.3).
Modeling the Surface Energy Budget during the Thawing Period of the 2006 Montreal Urban Snow Experiment
Authors: Leroyer Sylvie , Mailhot Jocelyn , Bélair Stéphane , Lemonsu Aude , Strachan Ian B.
Published: August 2009

The Montreal Urban Snow Experiment was dedicated to furthering the understanding of micrometeorological processes involved in the late winter–early spring transition period in a Canadian city. A surface energy budget (SEB) measurement site was installed in a dense residential area of Montreal for several weeks in 2005 and 2006. This paper focuses on the last 6 days of the 2006 experiment (23–28 March 2006), after snowmelt and before vegetation became active, with the objectives of providing a better understanding of physical processes involved during this transition period and examining their impact on the SEB. The Town Energy Balance urban canopy model and the Interactions between Soil, Biosphere, and Atmosphere force–restore land surface model are used in stand-alone mode and are forced with meteorological data measured at the top of a 20-m AGL instrumented tower. Preliminary results reveal deficiencies in the models’ ability to simulate the surface energy budget partitioning, and in particular show overestimation of the sensible heat flux. Sensitivity studies indicate that a large portion of these problems is related to the latent heat transfer involved in natural soil freeze/thaw processes, which has a significant effect on the surface energy budget in this urban area. It is also found that the SEB in this particular situation is very sensitive to the thermal roughness length used for local energy exchange over the roof and road surfaces.
A Satellite-Based Assessment of Upper-Tropospheric Water Vapor Measurements during AFWEX
Authors: Chung Eui-Seok , Soden Brian J.
Published: August 2009

Consistency of upper-tropospheric water vapor measurements from a variety of state-of-the-art instruments was assessed using collocated Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-8 (GOES-8) 6.7-μm brightness temperatures as a common benchmark during the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) First International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) Regional Experiment (FIRE) Water Vapor Experiment (AFWEX). To avoid uncertainties associated with the inversion of satellite-measured radiances into water vapor quantity, profiles of temperature and humidity observed from in situ, ground-based, and airborne instruments are inserted into a radiative transfer model to simulate the brightness temperature that the GOES-8 would have observed under those conditions (i.e., profile-to-radiance approach). Comparisons showed that Vaisala RS80-H radiosondes and Meteolabor Snow White chilled-mirror dewpoint hygrometers are systemically drier in the upper troposphere by ∼30%–40% relative to the GOES-8 measured upper-tropospheric humidity (UTH). By contrast, two ground-based Raman lidars (Cloud and Radiation Test Bed Raman lidar and scanning Raman lidar) and one airborne differential absorption lidar agree to within 10% of the GOES-8 measured UTH. These results indicate that upper-tropospheric water vapor can be monitored by these lidars and well-calibrated, stable geostationary satellites with an uncertainty of less than 10%, and that correction procedures are required to rectify the inherent deficiencies of humidity measurements in the upper troposphere from these radiosondes.
A Statistical–Dynamical Estimate of Winter ENSO Teleconnections in a Future Climate
Authors: Schneider Edwin K. , Fennessy Michael J. , Kinter James L.
Published: August 2009

Changes in the atmospheric response to SST variability in the decade 2065–75 are estimated from time-slice-like experiments using the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model, version 3 (CAM3) AGCM forced by specified SST and external forcing. The current climate is simulated using observed monthly SST and external forcing for 1951–2000. The change in mean SST for the future is represented by the difference between the 2065–75 and 1965–75 decadal mean SST climatologies from coupled model twentieth-century/future climate simulations of the response to external forcing. The change in external forcing is similarly specified as the change of the external forcing concurrent with the SST change. These seasonally varying changes in SST and external forcing are added to the 50-year sequence of 1951–2000 observed SST and external forcings to produce the specified future climate forcings for the AGCM.

Changes in the December through February mean ENSO teleconnections are evaluated from the difference between ensemble means from future and current climate time slice simulations. The ENSO teleconnections are strengthened and displaced westward in the time slice simulations, which is not in agreement with CGCM projections. These changes are associated with increased precipitation/atmospheric heating anomalies due to the warmer tropical SST. The quasigeostrophic stationary wave activity flux indicates that the dominant cause of the changes is a southward shift in a midlatitude central Pacific wave activity source rather than changes in the basic-state stationary wave dispersion properties.
Nonlinear Effects of Tropical Instability Waves on the Equatorial Pacific Circulation
Authors: Brown Jaclyn N. , Godfrey J. Stuart , Wijffels Susan E.
Published: August 2009

In a numerical model of the equatorial Pacific Ocean, the ∼20-day period tropical instability waves, excited in the eastern half of the domain, are found to damp the strong zonal mean currents. The waves generate large, nonlinear, advection terms in the momentum balance, change the vorticity balance, and thus modulate the low-frequency state. The authors explore whether the effect of tropical instability waves on the background flow can instead be adequately parameterized by a constant-coefficient Laplacian friction scheme. On annual mean, a Laplacian friction coefficient that varies in space is required, for the coefficient is twice as large along the equator and a few degrees more to the north than elsewhere. In addition, wave activity varies in time. During active phases, such as the second half of the year and during La Niñas, the activity increases, which would require the Laplacian coefficient of friction to be at least twice as strong as during the inactive phases. Thus, a more sophisticated damping parameterization than simple Laplacian friction is required in ocean models that do not explicitly resolve tropical instability waves.
Wave Directions in a Narrow Bay
Authors: Pettersson Heidi , Kahma Kimmo K. , Tuomi Laura
Published: August 2009

In slanting fetch conditions the direction of actively growing waves is strongly controlled by the fetch geometry. The effect was found to be pronounced in the long and narrow Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea, where it significantly modifies the directional wave climate. Three models with different assumptions on the directional coupling between the wave components were used to analyze the physics responsible for the directional behavior of the waves in the gulf. The directionally decoupled model produced the direction at the spectral peak correctly when the slanting fetch geometry was narrow but gave a weaker steering than observed when the fetch geometry was broader. The method of Donelan estimated well the direction at the spectral peak in well-defined slanting fetch conditions, but overestimated the longer fetch components during wave growth from a more complex shoreline. Neither the decoupled nor the Donelan model reproduced the observed shifting of direction with the frequency. The performance of the third-generation spectral wave model (WAM) in estimating the wave directions was strongly dependent on the grid resolution of the model. The dominant wave directions were estimated satisfactorily when the grid-step size was dropped to 5 km in the gulf, which is 70 km in its narrowest part. A mechanism based on the weakly nonlinear interactions is proposed to explain the strong steering effect in slanting fetch conditions.
Vorticity from Line-of-Sight Lidar Velocity Scans
Authors: Weissmann Martin , Dörnbrack Andreas , Doyle James D.
Published: August 2009

A method is presented to compute the spanwise vorticity in polar coordinates from 2D vertical cross sections of high-resolution line-of-sight Doppler wind lidar observations. The method uses the continuity equation to derive the velocity component perpendicular to the observed line-of-sight velocity, which then yields the spanwise vorticity component. The results of the method are tested using a ground-based Doppler lidar, which was deployed during the Terrain-Induced Rotor Experiment (T-REX). The resulting fields can be used to identify and quantify the strength and size of vortices, such as those associated with atmospheric rotors. Furthermore, they may serve to investigate the dynamics and evolution of vortices and to evaluate numerical simulations. A demonstration of the method and comparison with high-resolution numerical simulations reveals that the derived vorticity can explain 66% of the mean-square vorticity fluctuations, has a reasonably skillful magnitude, exhibits no significant bias, and is in qualitative agreement with model-derived vorticity.
The Radiometric Sensitivity Requirements for Satellite Microwave Temperature Sounding Instruments for Numerical Weather Prediction
Authors: Bell William , Di Michele Sabatino , Bauer Peter , McNally Tony , English Stephen J. , Atkinson Nigel , Hilton Fiona , Charlton Janet
Published: August 2009

The sensitivity of NWP forecast accuracy with respect to the radiometric performance of microwave sounders is assessed through a series of observing system experiments at the Met Office and ECMWF. The observing system experiments compare the impact of normal data from a single Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) with that from an AMSU where synthetic noise has been added. The results show a measurable reduction in forecast improvement in the Southern Hemisphere, with improvements reduced by 11% for relatively small increases in radiometric noise [noise-equivalent brightness temperature (NEΔT) increased from 0.1 to 0.2 K for remapped data]. The impact of microwave sounding data is shown to be significantly less than was the case prior to the use of advanced infrared sounder data [Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI)], with microwave sounding data now reducing Southern Hemisphere forecast errors by approximately 10% compared to 40% in the pre-AIRS/IASI period.
A Revised Tropical Cyclone Rapid Intensification Index for the Atlantic and Eastern North Pacific Basins
Authors: Kaplan John , DeMaria Mark , Knaff John A.
Published: August 2009

A revised rapid intensity index (RII) is developed for the Atlantic and eastern North Pacific basins. The RII uses large-scale predictors from the Statistical Hurricane Intensity Prediction Scheme (SHIPS) to estimate the probability of rapid intensification (RI) over the succeeding 24 h utilizing linear discriminant analysis. Separate versions of the RII are developed for the 25-, 30-, and 35-kt RI thresholds, which represent the 90th (88th), 94th (92nd), and 97th (94th) percentiles of 24-h overwater intensity changes of tropical and subtropical cyclones in the Atlantic (eastern North Pacific) basins from 1989 to 2006, respectively. The revised RII became operational at the NHC prior to the 2008 hurricane season.

The relative importance of the individual RI predictors is shown to differ between the two basins. Specifically, the previous 12-h intensity change, upper-level divergence, and vertical shear have the highest weights for the Atlantic basin, while the previous 12-h intensity change, symmetry of inner-core convection, and the difference in a system’s current and maximum potential intensity are weighted highest in the eastern North Pacific basin.

A verification of independent forecasts from the 2006 and 2007 hurricane seasons shows that the probabilistic RII forecasts are generally skillful in both basins when compared to climatology. Moreover, when employed in a deterministic manner, the RII forecasts were superior to all other available operational intensity guidance in terms of the probability of detection (POD) and false alarm ratio (FAR). Specifically, the POD for the RII ranged from 15% to 59% (53% to 73%) while the FAR ranged from 71% to 85% (53% to 79%) in the Atlantic (eastern North Pacific) basins, respectively, for the three RI thresholds studied. Nevertheless, the modest POD and relatively high FAR of the RII and other intensity guidance demonstrate the difficulty of predicting RI, particularly in the Atlantic basin.
Public Knowledge and Beliefs About Depression Among Urban and Rural Malays in Malaysia
Authors: Swami Viren , Loo Phik-Wern , Furnham Adrian
Published: August 2009

Background: This study examined knowledge and beliefs about depression among Malaysian Malays varying in socioeconomic status.

Methods: A total of 153 urban and 189 rural participants completed a questionnaire in which they had to identify two cases of depression and rate a series of items about the causes and best treatments for depression.

Results: Results showed that urban participants were more likely to use psychiatric labels (‘depression’) for the two vignettes, whereas rural participants tended to use more generic terms (‘emotional stress’).

Conclusion: Principal components analysis (PCA) showed that beliefs about the causes of depression factored into five components, of which stressful life events was most strongly endorsed by both groups. PCA of treatment items revealed four stable components, of which religious factors were most strongly endorsed. There were also a number of significant between-group differences in the endorsement of these factors (ηp2 = .03—.11), with rural participants generally rating supernatural and religious factors more strongly than urban Malays. These results are discussed in relation to mental health literacy programmes in Malaysia.
The Relationship Between General Population Suicide Rates and Mental Health Funding, Service Provision and National Policy: a Cross-National Study
Authors: Shah Ajit , Bhandarkar Ritesh , Bhatia Gurleen
Published: August 2009

Objective: The main aims were to examine the relationship between general population suicide rates and the presence of national policies on mental health, funding for mental health, and measures of mental health service provision.

Methods: Data on general population suicide rates for both genders were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO) databank available on the WHO website. Data on the presence of national policies on mental health, funding for mental health and measures of mental health service provision were obtained from the Mental Health Atlas 2005, also available on the WHO website.

Findings: The main findings were: (i) there was no relationship between suicide rates in both genders and different measures of mental health policy, except they were increased in countries with mental health legislation; (ii) there was a significant positive correlation between suicide rates in both genders and the percentage of the total health budget spent on mental health; and (iii) suicide rates in both genders were higher in countries with greater provision of mental health services, including the number of psychiatric beds, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, and the availability of training in mental health for primary care professionals.

Conclusions: Cross-national ecological studies using national-level aggregate data are not helpful in establishing a causal relationship (and the direction of this relationship) between suicide rates and mental health funding, service provision and national policies. The impact of introducing national policies on mental health, increasing funding for mental health services and increasing mental health service provision on suicide rates requires further examination in longitudinal within-country studies.
Tip-of-the-Tongue and Word Retrieval Deficits in Dyslexia
Authors: Hanly Sarah , Vandenberg Brian
Published: August 2009

Tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) responses on a picture-naming task were used to test the hypothesis that dyslexia involves phonological, but not semantic, processing deficits. Participants included 16 children with dyslexia and 31 control children between 8 and 10 years of age who did not differ in receptive vocabulary. As hypothesized, children with dyslexia demonstrated more TOTs and proportionally more errors in the phonological, but not semantic, step of word retrieval. Longer and low-frequency words also prompted more TOTs. The groups did not differ in phonological errors on a follow-up recognition task. The results provide evidence of text-independent, on-line phonological processing deficits in readers with dyslexia.
The Journey to Safety: Conflict-Driven Migration Flows in Colombia
Authors: Lozano-Gracia Nancy , Piras Gianfranco , Ibáñez Ana Maria , Hewings Geoffrey J. D.
Published: August 2009

While there is a growing econometrics literature on the modeling of conflict and the interactions with trade, there has been relatively little evidence modeling the interregional migration behavior of individuals internally displaced by conflicts. The current article models the flows of households forced to leave their residence because of violent conflicts in Colombia. Results shed light on the main determinants of what we call journey to safety. Violence appears to be one of the most relevant pushing effects together with the absence of institutions and the dissatisfaction with the provision of basic needs. Furthermore, for regions with extreme violence levels, individuals appear to be willing to relocate to more distant locations. On the destination side, most populated regions are more attractive as well as areas with a sufficient level of fulfillment of basic needs.
Successful treatment of peripartum cardiomyopathy with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Palanzo DA , Baer LD , El-Banayosy A , Stephenson E , Mulvey S , McCoach RM , Wise RK , Woitas KR , Pae WE
Published: August 2009

A 24-year-old female developed heart failure within four months of delivering her first child. Echocardiogram revealed a moderately dilated left ventricle with severely reduced systolic function. She continued to decompensate, requiring intubation and inotropic support. When the use of an intra-aortic balloon pump failed to stabilize the patient, the decision was made to place her on ECMO. The circuit consisted of a Quadrox D membrane oxygenator and a CentriMag® centrifugal pump. After 11 days of support, the patient met the weaning criteria and was successfully removed from ECMO. She was discharged one month after her admission. The new technology available allows for ECMO to be considered as an earlier option for the treatment and management of these patients as a bridge to recovery.
Bioline® heparin-coated ECMO with bivalirudin anticoagulation in a patient with acute heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: the immune reaction appeared to continue unabated
Authors: Pappalardo F , Maj G , Scandroglio A , Sampietro F , Zangrillo A , Koster A
Published: August 2009

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious, antibody-mediated complication of heparin which significantly confers risks of thrombosis and devastating outcomes. Once diagnosed, it requires immediate cessation of heparin and therapy with an alternative anticoagulant. No data are available in the literature on the pathophysiology and clinical implications of performing prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with a heparin-coated system in a patient with acute HIT treated with bivalirudin.
Belmont™ Hyperthermia Pump in the conduct of intra-operative heated chemotherapy
Authors: Riley W
Published: August 2009

Intra–operative heated chemotherapy (IOHC) has been performed in the Thoracic surgical department of Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH, Boston, MA, USA) for over a decade. A “home-grown” system was developed for this purpose with limited improvements made to it through the years. This technology is used for neo-adjuvant therapy in the conduct of extra-pleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy for treatment of mesothelioma. Improvements to the traditional BWH system were sought due to the hazardous nature of the chemotherapy solution and the relative complexity of the IOHC circuit. Belmont Instrument (Belmont Instrument Corporation, Billerica, MA, USA) applied their proprietary infusion/warming technology to develop the Belmont™ Hyperthermia Pump. The Hyperthermia Pump was designed to recirculate large volumes of fluid while maintaining perfusate temperatures up to 46oC at a flow rate of up to 750 ml/min. Approval from the FDA for clinical use of this device was granted June 2007. Parameters were defined and investigated to determine if the Hyperthermia Pump would meet or exceed the performance characteristics of the traditional BWH system. Our investigation resulted in the replacement of the traditional BWH circuit. The Belmont™ Hyperthermia Pump is a compact, easy to use, extremely safe means to deliver intra-operative hyperthermic chemotherapy in the conduct of surgical treatment of mesothelioma.
First American experience with the Terumo DuraHeart™ left ventricular assist system
Authors: Griffith K , Jenkins E , Pagani FD
Published: August 2009

Since the first implantation of a left ventricular assist system (LVAS) 45 years ago, LVAS therapy has emerged as a viable option for the treatment of advanced heart failure. The current generation of LVASs in clinical evaluation has design features enabling longer and more reliable support durations. We describe the operating characteristics of the DuraHeart™ LVAS (Terumo Heart, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI). The DuraHeart™ LVAS is a magnetically-levitated centrifugal pump that began a FDA-approved clinical trial for evaluation of bridge to transplant indication in July of 2008. Magnetic levitation of the spinning-pump impeller is hypothesized to improve long-term mechanical reliability and biological compatibility of the pump. Other design features make the DuraHeart™ LVAS particularly suited for implantation without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). A description of the implant procedure for the first six American implants of the DuraHeart™ LVAS both on-CPB and off-CPB, including CPB techniques employed, are discussed. While it is still very early in the DuraHeart™ LVAS experience, the initial outcomes of the first six patient implants would suggest that the device is a safe and effective LVAS.
Contrastive Explanation and the ‘Strong Programme’ in the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge
Authors: Kochan Jeff
Published: August 2009

In this essay, I address a novel criticism recently levelled at the Strong Programme by Nick Tosh and Tim Lewens. Tosh and Lewens paint Strong Programme theorists as trading on a contrastive form of explanation. With this, they throw valuable new light on the explanatory methods employed by the Strong Programme. However, as I shall argue, Tosh and Lewens run into trouble when they accuse Strong Programme theorists of unduly restricting the contrast space in which legitimate historical and sociological explanations of scientific knowledge might be given. Their attack founders as a result of their failure to properly understand the overall methodological concerns of Strong Programme theorists. After introducing readers to the technique of contrastive explanation and correcting the errors in Tosh and Lewens’ interpretation of the Strong Programme, I argue that it is, in fact, Tosh and Lewens’ own commitment to scientific realism which places an unacceptable restriction on the explanatory space open to historians and sociologists of science. The happy ending is that the Strong Programme provides more freedom for analysis than does scientific realism, and that careful attention to the methodological benefits of contrastive explanation can help lighten the burden on historians and sociologists of science as they go about their explanatory business.
Parents Who Influence Their Children to Become Scientists
Authors: Sonnert Gerhard
Published: August 2009

In this paper we report on testing the ‘role-model’ and ‘opportunity-structure’ hypotheses about the parents whom scientists mentioned as career influencers. According to the role-model hypothesis, the gender match between scientist and influencer is paramount (for example, women scientists would disproportionately often mention their mothers as career influencers). According to the opportunity-structure hypothesis, the parent’s educational level predicts his/her probability of being mentioned as a career influencer (that is, parents with higher educational levels would be more likely to be named). The examination of a sample of American scientists who had received prestigious postdoctoral fellowships resulted in rejecting the role-model hypothesis and corroborating the opportunity-structure hypothesis. There were a few additional findings. First, women scientists were more likely than men scientists to mention parental influencers. Second, fathers were more likely than mothers to be mentioned as influencers. Third, an interaction was found between the scientist’s gender and parental education when predicting a parent’s nomination as influencer.
The Effects of a Physical Activity Program on Sleep-and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Persons With Arthritis
Authors: Freburger Janet K. , Callahan Leigh F. , Shreffler Jack H. , Mielenz Thelma J.
Published: August 2009

Few studies have examined the effects of physical activity on sleep in older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the short- and long-term effects of an 8-week, low-to-moderate-intensity physical activity program on improvements in sleep and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a sample of community-based older adults with arthritis ( N = 346). Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group or control group that received the intervention on a delayed basis. Sleep and HROQL were assessed with self-report instruments at baseline and 8 weeks using intention-to-treat (ITT) and as-treated (AT) analyses. The intervention group was also assessed at 3 and 6 months. At 8 weeks, the intervention group reported fewer days waking up tired (ITT and AT results) and fewer days waking up at night and/or having poor mental health (AT results). Treatment effects were not maintained at 3 and 6 months.
How Instructional Coaches Support Data-Driven Decision Making
Authors: Marsh Julie A. , Sloan McCombs Jennifer , Martorell Francisco
Published: August 2009

This article examines the convergence of two popular school improvement policies: instructional coaching and data-driven decision making (DDDM). Drawing on a mixed methods study of a statewide reading coach program in Florida middle schools, the article examines how coaches support DDDM and how this support relates to student and teacher outcomes. Authors find that although the majority of coaches spent time helping teachers analyze student data to guide instruction, data support was one among many coach activities. Estimates from models indicate that data analysis support, nevertheless, has a significant association with both perceived improvements in teaching and higher student achievement.
Retrieving Humility: Rhetoric, Authority, and Divinization in Mechthild of Magdeburg
Authors: Roberts Michelle Voss
Published: August 2009

Can anything be reclaimed from the self-denigrating rhetoric of medieval women in the Christian tradition? This article investigates how feminists might retrieve the Christian virtue of humility by journeying through nine of its functions in the work of the thirteenth-century German beguine, Mechthild of Magdeburg. As a rhetorical strategy, authorizing tactic, and tool of moral formation, Mechthild's `sinking humility' retains a surprising relevance for feminist women and men today.
`In Search of a Pneumatology: Chi and Spirit'
Authors: Kim Grace Ji-Sun
Published: August 2009

People today live within the context of a globalized world with people of many cultures and religions living together. This intermixing of peoples, cultures, societies and religions creates the opportunity for different religions and thoughts to combine into new perspectives and develop a more relevant Christianity. The basic tenets of Asian culture, religion and thought can instruct and develop theology so that theology can remain relevant to our modern world. In particular, the Asian understanding of Chi can nurture a stronger theological perspective of the Holy Spirit. This paper will examine Chi and illustrate the similarities it shares with the Holy Spirit to work towards a pneumatology which will encourage people to live harmoniously and peacefully with one another.
Finite Element Approximation to a Nonlinear System Describing Multi-Component Phase Transitions with Dissipation
Authors: Zou Jun
Published: August 2009

In this paper, we use the finite element approximation for the solution of a multidimensional nonlinear system describing the evolution of materials which can pass through several phase transitions with dissipation. The finite element error estimates are obtained.
Boundary Conditions for Shape Memory in Ceramic Material Systems
Authors: Cross L. Eric
Published: August 2009

Piezoelectric ceramics have excellent transduction capability in elastoelectric conversion and are widely used as both sensors and actuators for smart materials and systems. The very high authority in actuation (tons/in2) is limited in application by the very short throw (strains = 10-3) and there is urgent need to improve this strain capability. Since the polarization related piezoelectric and electrostriction constants in perovskites have a very limited range, to improve strain it is necessary to switch larger values of polarization. In this paper, phase change and domain switching systems which mimic the high strain of the metallic martensite shape memory alloys will be reviewed. Characteristic features necessary to ensure electrical control of the shape will be discussed and illustrated by three different families of perovskites. It is speculated that at very high switching speeds the electrostrictive domain strain may become 'uncoupled' from the polarization and evidence that this occurs in bismuth titanate is presented.
Thin Film Multilayers of Ferroelastic TiNi-Ferroelectric PZT: Fabrication and Characterization
Authors: Mercado Peter G. , Jardine A. Peter
Published: August 2009

Heterostructure multilayers of ferroelastic TiNi coupled to thin film TiO2 and ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) produce a smart material capable of performing both sensing and actuating functions. An important issue is the ability to generate the appropriate crystalline phases of each of the materials and to minimize the chemical interactions from the surrounding material. TiO2 and PZT thin films were deposited onto commercially available TiNi substrates by the sol-gel process. Minimum crystallization temperatures for the TiO2 phases and PZT perovskite phases were determined and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). For testing of the properties of these meso-scale structures to occur, the mechanical and electrical properties of the individual components need to be characterized. The mechanical properties of the PZT thin film were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy and optical microscopy. Cracking and defects in the PZT were observed for thick films; however thin PZT films of 1 micron or less showed better mechanical integrity. The ferroelectric properties of the PZT thin films were smaller than for bulk PZT; this was likely associated with leakage currents caused by the mechanical imperfections of the films.
Control Indications for an Inertial Drive Clutch Using Electro-Structured Fluid under Cyclic Operation
Authors: Johnson A. R. , Makin J. , Bullough W. A.
Published: August 2009

The effects of various characteristics of an electro-structured fluid on the performance of a typical lightweight, high speed, flexibly operated inertial mechanism are investigated with a view to determining optimal matching of one to the other and as a basis from which to decide a control strategy.

Values of the electron-hydraulic time delay and limiting yield stress of the fluid are varied between typical current values and those considered to be practically achievable within the next few years. The interplay of these with the viscosity of the fluid at zero excitation is shown.