bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Aegean Olive Oils by Their Minor Compounds
Authors: Ilyasoglu Huri , Ozcelik Beraat , Van Hoed Vera , Verhe Roland
Published: January 2010

This study presents a combined approach of establishing cultivar differences between Aegean olive oils, obtained from economically important olive oil producing cultivars (cv. Ayvalik and Memecik), based on chemometric evaluation of their content and in particular composition of the minor compounds. Evaluation of minor compounds with principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) indicated differentiation according to the cultivars. LDA produced a 100% correct group classification. Moreover, stigmasterol, apparent β‐sitosterol and total sterols were found to have the highest discriminating power. Memecik oils were characterized by the highest content of antioxidant compounds (α‐tocopherol, phenolic compounds and total phenolic compounds). On the other hand, Ayvalik oil had the highest level of total sterols. The data were analyzed statistically to evaluate the differences according to variety and crop season. The minor compounds of Ayvalik and Memecik oils presented statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) according to variety, except for the hydroxytyrosol and clerosterol content. The amount of α‐tocopherol, total phenolic compounds, apparent β‐sitosterol and total sterols varied with respect to crop season. A good correlation was observed between the amount of α‐tocopherol, total phenolic compounds, apparent β‐sitosterol and total sterols and some climatic variables.
Short hospitalization period with elastic stable intramedullary nails in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in school children
Authors: Nascimento Fabiano Prata , Santili Cláudio , Akkari Miguel , Waisberg Gilberto , dos Reis Braga Susana , de Barros Fucs Patrícia Maria Moraes
Published: January 2010

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and period of hospitalization of the treatment of femoral shaft fractures with titanium elastic nails (TEN) in the age range 5 to 14 years. The hypothesis was that TEN might be a low-cost treatment, with good clinical results and short length of hospitalization.

Methods

Thirty children with femur fractures were surgically treated with TEN.

Results

The patients spent an average of 9.4 days in hospital. The average period for the healing process was 7.7 weeks. Partial weight bearing was permitted 3.3 weeks after surgery. The incidence of overgrowth was 60%, with an average of 0.40 cm.

Conclusions

The surgical method brings few complications and results in good limb alignment, with a short period of hospitalization and early return to daily activities and school.
Stratégies reproductives et transmission des gènes: grâce aux femmes et malgré les hommes ?
Authors: Siffroi J.-P.
Published: January 2010

L’étude des comportements animaux montre que le souci majeur de tout être vivant est de transmettre ses gènes, quel que soit le type de société dans lequel il vit. Cela a conduit, au cours de l’évolution, à l’élaborationde stratégies reproductives variées, différentes selon les espèces, le mode de production des gamètes mais aussi selon le sexe. Chez les mammifères, un certain antagonismereproductif existe entre les mâles et les femelles, qui a trouvé un écho dans la mise en évidence de gènes soumis à empreinte parentale et dans la théorie de la guerre des sexes.
Raumordnung und Kulturlandschaft aus institutioneller Perspektive
Authors: Einig Klaus
Published: January 2010

With the adoption of the guiding principles and policy strategies of spatial development in Germany the development of cultural landscapes has become a central task of spatial planning. State and regional planning are not concerned with direct land-use regulation. Their coordination mechanism is meta-regulation, the regulation of other regulation processes. A meta-regulatory strategy aims not to control individual land-use decisions but the planning processes of other public planning organisations. State and regional plans set rules for organisations and project developers, monitor them and seek to bring about compliance with those rules. But there is a shift toward policy making and implementation through networks. Regional collaboration in policy networks have grown in importance, in part because no single planning organisation on the local or regional level is usually capable of regulating complex landscape development processes.
Morse theory of causal geodesics in a stationary spacetime via Morse theory of geodesics of a Finsler metric
Authors: Caponio Erasmo , Javaloyes Miguel Ángel , Masiello Antonio
Published: January 2010

We show that the index of a lightlike geodesic in a conformally standard stationary spacetime

(\mathcal{M}_{0} \times \mathbb{R},g)

is equal to the index of its spatial projection as a geodesic of a Finsler metric

F

on

\mathcal{M}_{0}

associated to

(\mathcal{M}_{0} \times \mathbb{R},g)

. Moreover we obtain the Morse relations of lightlike geodesics connecting a point

p

to a curve

\gamma (s) = (q_{0},s)

by using Morse theory on the Finsler manifold

(\mathcal{M}_{0},F)

. To this end, we prove a splitting lemma for the energy functional of a Finsler metric. Finally, we show that the reduction to Morse theory of a Finsler manifold can be done also for timelike geodesics.

On démontre que l'indice d'un rayon de lumière dans un espace-temps stationnaire

(\mathcal{M}_{0} \times \mathbb{R},g)

conformément standard est égal à l'indice de sa projection spatiale vue comme une géodésique d'une métrique de Finsler

F

sur

\mathcal{M}_{0}

associée à

(\mathcal{M}_{0} \times \mathbb{R},g)

. De plus, on obtient les relations de Morse de géodésiques isotropes reliant un point

p

à une courbe

\gamma (s) = (q_{0},s)

en utilisant la théorie de Morse sur la variété de Finsler

(\mathcal{M}_{0},F)

. À cette fin, on démontre un lemme de séparation de la fonctionnelle de l'énergie d'une métrique de Finsler. Enfin, on montre que la réduction à la théorie de Morse d'une variété de Finsler peut être faite aussi pour les géodésiques temporelles.
Semilinear parabolic equation in $R^{N}$ associated with critical Sobolev exponent
Authors: Ikehata Ryo , Ishiwata Michinori , Suzuki Takashi
Published: January 2010

We consider the semilinear parabolic equation

u_{t}−\mathrm{\Delta }u = |u|^{p−1}u

on the whole space

\mathbf{R}^{N}

,

N⩾3

, where the exponent

p = (N + 2)/ (N−2)

is associated with the Sobolev imbedding

H^{1}(\mathbf{R}^{N}) \subset L^{p + 1}(\mathbf{R}^{N})

. First, we study the decay and blow-up of the solution by means of the potential-well and forward self-similar transformation. Then, we discuss blow-up in infinite time and classify the orbit.
Global approximate controllability for Schrödinger equation in higher Sobolev norms and applications
Authors: Nersesyan Vahagn
Published: January 2010

We prove that the Schrödinger equation is approximately controllable in Sobolev spaces

H^{s}

,

s > 0

, generically with respect to the potential. We give two applications of this result. First, in the case of one space dimension, combining our result with a local exact controllability property, we get the global exact controllability of the system in higher Sobolev spaces. Then we prove that the Schrödinger equation with a potential which has a random time-dependent amplitude admits at most one stationary measure on the unit sphere
S
in

L^{2}

.
The Effect of Web-Based Information Availability on Consumers’ Processing and Attitudes
Authors: Sicilia Maria , Ruiz Salvador
Published: January 2010

Most companies use their websites to promote themselves, their products, and their services; these sites provide ever-increasing amounts of information. This paper examines the effects of the amount of information provided on a website on consumers’ processing and attitudes. We propose that the amount of information has differential effects on consumers’ information processing and attitudes. The influence of need for cognition is also examined. In our study, we create an experimental website with three versions, with each version providing different amounts of information. Results indicate that while information processing diminishes under high levels of information, attitudes remain favorable. In addition, the individual's need for cognition moderates the influence of the amount of information on both consumer information processing and attitudes.
Elaboration and numerical anchoring: Implications of attitude theories for consumer judgment and decision making
Authors: Wegener Duane T. , Petty Richard E. , Blankenship Kevin L. , Detweiler‐Bedell Brian
Published: January 2010

Researchers across many domains have examined the impact of externally presented numerical anchors on perceiver judgments. In the traditional paradigm, “anchored” judgments are typically explained as a result of elaborate thinking (i.e., confirmatory hypothesis testing that selectively activates anchor‐consistent information in memory). Consistent with a long tradition in attitude change, we suggest that the same judgments can result from relatively thoughtful or non‐thoughtful processes, with more thoughtful processes resulting in judgments that have more lasting impact. We review recent anchoring research consistent with this elaboration‐based perspective and discuss implications for past anchoring results and theory in judgment and decision making.
Prep1 (pKnox1)‐deficiency leads to spontaneous tumor development in mice and accelerates EμMyc lymphomagenesis: A tumor suppressor role for Prep1
Authors: Longobardi E. , Iotti G. , Di Rosa P. , Mejetta S. , Bianchi F. , Fernandez-Diaz L.C. , Micali N. , Nuciforo P. , Lenti E. , Ponzoni M. , Doglioni C. , Caniatti M. , Di Fiore P.P. , Blasi F.
Published: January 2010

The Prep1 homeodomain transcription factor is essential for embryonic development. 25% of hypomorphic Prep1i/i embryos, expressing the gene at 2% of the normal levels, survive pregnancy and live a normal‐length life. Later in life, however, these mice develop spontaneous pre‐tumoral lesions or solid tumors (lymphomas and carcinomas). In addition, transplantation of E14.5 fetal liver (FL) Prep1i/i cells into lethally irradiated mice induces lymphomas. In agreement with the above data, haploinsufficiency of a different Prep1‐deficient (null) allele accelerates EμMyc lymphoma growth. Therefore Prep1 has a tumor suppressor function in mice.

Immunohistochemistry on tissue micrroarrays (TMA) generated from three distinct human cohorts comprising a total of some 1000 human tumors revealed that 70% of the tumors express no or extremely low levels of Prep1, unlike normal tissues. Our data in mice are thus potentially relevant to human cancer.
Targeting of VEGF‐dependent transendothelial migration of cancer cells by bevacizumab
Authors: Prager Gerald W. , Lackner Eva-Maria , Krauth Maria-Theresa , Unseld Matthias , Poettler Marina , Laffer Sylvia , Cerny-Reiterer Sabine , Lamm Wolfgang , Kornek Gabriela V. , Binder Bernd R. , Zielinski Christoph C. , Valent Peter
Published: January 2010

Cancer progression is often associated with the formation of malignant effusions. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major regulator of vascular permeability and has been implicated as mediator of tumor progression.

We examined the production and secretion of VEGF(165) in various primary cancer cells derived from malignant effusions, and the role of exogenous VEGF165 as a mediator of effusion formation. VEGF165 was constantly secreted by all cultured tumor cells in an mTOR‐dependent manner, as it was inhibited by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. Secreted VEGF165 showed functional activity by inducing endothelial leakiness and tumor cell‐transendothelial migration in vitro, effects which could be reverted by the anti‐VEGF antibody bevacizumab.

Thus, mTOR inhibitors as well as bevacizumab should be considered as potential agents in cancer patients suffering from malignant effusions.
Cross-cutting Cleavages and Ethnic Voting: An Experimental Study of Cousinage in Mali
Authors: DUNNING THAD , HARRISON LAUREN
Published: January 2010

Social scientists often attribute moderation of the political salience of ethnicity in ethnically diverse societies to the presence of cross-cutting cleavages—that is, to dimensions of identity or interest along which members of the same ethnic group may have diverse allegiances. Yet, estimating the causal effects of cross-cutting cleavages is difficult. In this article, we present experimental results that help explain why ethnicity has a relatively minor political role in Mali, an ethnically heterogeneous sub-Saharan African country in which ethnic identity is a poor predictor of vote choice and parties do not form along ethnic lines. We argue that the cross-cutting ties afforded by an informal institution called “cousinage” help explain the weak association between ethnicity and individual vote choice. The experimental research design we introduce may be useful in many other settings.
Cosmic ray transport in non-uniform magnetic fields: consequences of gradient and curvature drifts
Authors: SCHLICKEISER R. , JENKO F.
Published: January 2010

Large-scale spatial variations of the guide magnetic field of interplanetary and interstellar plasmas give rise to the mirror force −(p⊥2/2mγB)∇B). The parallel component of this mirror force causes adiabatic focusing of the cosmic ray guiding center whereas the perpendicular component of the mirror force gives rise to the gradient and curvature drifts of the cosmic ray guiding center. Adiabatic focusing and the gradient and curvature drift terms additionally enter the Fokker–Planck transport equation for the gyrotropic cosmic ray particle phase space density in partially turbulent non-uniform magnetic fields. For magnetohydrodynamic turbulence with dominating magnetic fluctuations, the diffusion approximation is justified, which results in a modification of the diffusion–convection transport equation for the isotropic part of the gyrotropic phase space density from the additional focusing and drift terms. For axisymmetric undamped slab Alfvenic turbulence we show that all perpendicular spatial diffusion coefficients are caused by the non-vanishing gradient and curvature drift terms. For a specific (symmetric in μ) choice of the pitch-angle Fokker–Planck coefficients we show that the ratio of the perpendicular to parallel spatial diffusion coefficients apart from a constant is determined by the spatial first derivatives of the non-constant cosmic ray Larmor radius in the non-uniform magnetic field.
The DSM-IV definition of severity of major depression: inter-relationship and validity
Authors: Lux V. , Aggen S. H. , Kendler K. S.
Published: January 2010

Background

Severity is an important characteristic of major depression (MD) and an ‘episode specifier’ in DSM-IV classifying depressive episodes as ‘mild’, ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’. These severity subtypes rely on three different measures of severity: number of criteria symptoms, severity of the symptoms and degree of functional disability. No prior empirical study has evaluated the coherence and validity of the DSM-IV definition of severity of MD.

Method

In a sample of 1015 (518 males, 497 females) Caucasian twins from a population-based registry who met criteria for MD in the year prior to interview, factor analysis and logistic regression were conducted to examine the inter-relationships of the three severity measures and their associations with a wide range of potential validators including demographic factors, risk for future episodes, risk of MD in the co-twin, characteristics of the depressive episode, the pattern of co-morbidity, and personality traits.

Results

Correlations between the three severity measures were significant but moderate. Factor analysis indicated the existence of a general severity factor, but the factor was not highly coherent. The three severity measures showed differential predictive ability for most of the validators.

Conclusions

Severity of MD as defined by the DSM-IV is a multifaceted and heterogeneous construct. The three proposed severity measures reflect partly overlapping but partly independent domains with differential validity as assessed by a wide range of clinical characteristics. Clinicians should probably use a combination of severity measures as proposed in DSM-IV rather than privileging one.
Factors associated with deliberate self-harm among Irish adolescents
Authors: McMahon E. M. , Reulbach U. , Corcoran P. , Keeley H. S. , Perry I. J. , Arensman E.
Published: January 2010

Background

Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is a major public health problem, with young people most at risk. Lifetime prevalence of DSH in Irish adolescents is between 8% and 12%, and it is three times more prevalent among girls than boys. The aim of the study was to identify the psychological, life-style and life event factors associated with self-harm in Irish adolescents.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted, with 3881 adolescents in 39 schools completing an anonymous questionnaire as part of the Child and Adolescent Self-harm in Europe (CASE) study. There was an equal gender balance and 53.1% of students were 16 years old. Information was obtained on history of self-harm life events, and demographic, psychological and life-style factors.

Results

Based on multivariate analyses, important factors associated with DSH among both genders were drug use and knowing a friend who had engaged in self-harm. Among girls, poor self-esteem, forced sexual activity, self-harm of a family member, fights with parents and problems with friendships also remained in the final model. For boys, experiencing bullying, problems with schoolwork, impulsivity and anxiety remained.

Conclusions

Distinct profiles of boys and girls who engage in self-harm were identified. Associations between DSH and some life-style and life event factors suggest that mental health factors are not the sole indicators of risk of self-harm. The importance of school-related risk factors underlines the need to develop gender-specific initiatives in schools to reduce the prevalence of self-harm.
A glass dīnār weight in the name of 'Abd al-'Azīz b. Marwān
Authors: Morton A. H.
Published: January 2010

In cataloguing the British Museum's collection of early Islamic glass stamps the writer was faced with a small disk with a brief inscription, a type of which two other specimens had already been published. The weights of these pieces, which lack any explicit indication of their purpose, showed that they belonged to the category of dīnār weights. The inscription that did exist had been variously interpreted, but not as containing a personal name. For reasons that are given below, the writer came to the conclusion that the word ‘abdallāh in the legend was a name, that it could only refer to the son of the Umayyad Caliph ‘Abd al-Malik b. Marwān and that the weights were produced in Egypt in ‘Abdallāh's name during the period when he was Governor there (A.H. 86–90/A.D. 705–9). ‘Abdallāh's dīnārnar weights thus became the earliest known coin weights in the great corpus of glass metrological stamps issued in Umayyad and early ‘Abbāsid Egypt, preceding those of the next Governor, Qurra b. Sharīk, which had long maintained their place at the beginning of the coin weight series. The British Museum's piece could therefore be given pride of place in the catalogue as No. 1.
Hausa Speech, its Wit and Wisdow
Authors: Gill J. Withers
Published: January 2010

Readers of the Arabian Nights, The Assemblies of El Hariri, and contemporaneous Oriental literature of a similar stamp, become familiar with a type of humanity characteristic of the locality and epoch in which those romances of Eastern life are laid. This characteristic type is a combination of merchant and divine, who is a great traveller and purveyor of news. He is always dignified, a gossip and a busybody in a gentlemanly way, and distinguished no less for his punctilious performance of all the external observances of the creed of Islam than for his assiduity in his commercial operations. To my mind residence in the country occupied by the Hausa people cannot fail to prompt the thought that between this typical personality and the average man of Hausaland there is a striking kinship in character, if not in race.
Social Assistance and Dependency in South Africa: An Analysis of Attitudes to Paid Work and Social Grants
Authors: SURENDER REBECCA , NOBLE MICHAEL , WRIGHT GEMMA , NTSHONGWANA PHAKAMA
Published: January 2010

Despite the absence of an unemployment grant in South Africa, there is growing concern that other social assistance provision might nevertheless weaken work motivation and create a ‘dependency culture’. This study explores attitudes about the relationship between grant receipt and paid employment in South Africa. Using both quantitative and qualitative data, it examines whether there is evidence of a ‘dependency culture’, the nature and strength of labour market attachment among grant recipients, and the opportunities and barriers to employment they face.

We found that both those in and out of work placed a high value on paid employment. Joblessness had not become ‘normalised’, and all categories of the workless were extremely motivated to get work. Grant recipients did not subscribe to a distinctive culture but to mainstream values and aspirations. While some benefit claimants subscribed to popularly promoted prejudices about other social assistance claimants, our findings appear to counter recent concerns about potential unintended effects of the current grant system. The key factors in reducing people's chances of finding employment seem linked to the structural conditions of the labour market and the wider economy rather than the motivational characteristics of the unemployed and the arrangements of the grant system.
Time to full publication of studies of anticancer drugs for breast cancer, and the potential for publication bias
Authors: Harris Petra , Takeda Andrea , Loveman Emma , Hartwell Debbie
Published: January 2010

Objectives:Nonpublication of results of clinical trials can contribute to inappropriate medical decisions. The primary aim of this systematic review was to investigate publication delays between conference abstracts and full journal publications from randomized controlled trial results of new anticancer agents for breast cancer. The review was restricted to anticancer agents previously, or due to be, appraised in the United Kingdom by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. A secondary objective was to identify whether there are any apparent biases in the publication and reporting of these trials.

Methods:We searched six electronic databases up to August 2007, including Medline and the Cochrane Library. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted and assessed the data.

Results:Six anticancer treatments were identified: docetaxel, paclitaxel, trastuzumab, gemcitabine, lapatinib, and bevacizumab. Of eighteen included trials, only four publications from three trials reported the same outcomes in both abstract and full publication. Time delays ranged from 5 to 19 months. Eleven trial abstracts were still without a full publication at the end of our searches, varying from 3 to 38 months since abstract publication. Observational analysis revealed no particular publishing biases.

Conclusions:Whereas delays in publication appear reasonable over a period of months, many were not published in full over a period of years and others would appear to be unlikely to ever be published. Further research should investigate the impact of publication delays on the availability of new drug treatments in clinical practice.
A cost-utility analysis of psychoanalysis versus psychoanalytic psychotherapy
Authors: Berghout Caspar C. , Zevalkink Jolien , Hakkaart-van Roijen Leona
Published: January 2010

Objectives:Despite the considerable and growing body of research about the clinical effectiveness of long-term psychoanalytic treatment, relatively little attention has been paid to economic evaluations, particularly with reference to the broader range of societal effects. In this cost-utility study, we examined the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of psychoanalysis versus psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

Methods:Incremental costs and effects were estimated by means of cross-sectional measurements in a cohort design (psychoanalysis,n= 78; psychoanalytic psychotherapy,n= 104). Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated for each treatment strategy using the SF-6D. Total costs were calculated from a societal perspective (treatment costs plus other societal costs) and discounted at 4 percent.

Results:Psychoanalysis was more costly than psychoanalytic psychotherapy, but also more effective from a health-related quality of life perspective. The ICER—that is, the extra costs to gain one additional QALY by delivering psychoanalysis instead of psychoanalytic psychotherapy—was estimated at €52,384 per QALY gained.

Conclusions:Our findings show that the cost-utility ratio of psychoanalysis relative to psychoanalytic psychotherapy is within an acceptable range. More research is needed to find out whether cost-utility ratios vary with different types of patients. We also encourage cost-utility analyses comparing psychoanalytic treatment to other forms of (long-term) treatment.
Relative effectiveness assessment of listed drugs (REAL): A new method for an early comparison of the effectiveness of approved health technologies
Authors: Falissard Bruno , Izard Valérie , Xerri Bertrand , Bouvenot Gilles , Meyer François , Degos Laurent
Published: January 2010

Objectives: Post-listing assessment of pharmaceuticals depends on national habits. In England, the assessment is based on estimates of cost per quality-adjusted life-year. These are made some considerable time after listing (negative list). In France, effectiveness, and then efficiency, is assessed immediately after listing (positive list). We propose a new formal method—the REAL method—that can help make early comparisons of the effectiveness of medical treatments.

Methods: Relative efficacies are first obtained from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Members of the Transparency Committee (French National Authority for Health) are then consulted by questionnaire on the transposability of these results to real life. The RCT results and experts’ ratings are entered into an effect model to obtain estimates of relative effectiveness, using unidimensional scaling, and bootstrap procedures.

Results: Application of the REAL method to the example of a new drug to treat Parkinson's disease and three comparators used in the same indication provided graphs of the distributions of their relative efficacy and relative effectiveness. The new drug was found to provide no added value.

Conclusions: The REAL method is a rational, transparent, and practical procedure for comparing the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals in an immediate post-listing setting.
Cost-utility of a cardiovascular prevention program in highly educated adults: Intermediate results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jacobs Nele , Evers Silvia , Ament Andre , Claes Neree
Published: January 2010

Objectives: Little is known about the costs and the effects of cardiovascular prevention programs targeted at medical and behavioral risk factors. The aim was to evaluate the cost-utility of a cardiovascular prevention program in a general sample of highly educated adults after 1 year of intervention.

Methods: The participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 208) and usual care conditions (n = 106). The intervention consisted of medical interventions and optional behavior-change interventions (e.g., a tailored Web site). Cost data were registered from a healthcare perspective, and questionnaires were used to determine effectiveness (e.g., quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs]). A cost-utility analysis and sensitivity analyses using bootstrapping were performed on the intermediate results.

Results: When adjusting for baseline utility differences, the incremental cost was €433 and the incremental effectiveness was 0.016 QALYs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was €26,910 per QALY.

Conclusions: The intervention was cost-effective compared with usual care in this sample of highly educated adults after 1 year of intervention. Increased participation would make this intervention highly cost-effective.
Prognostic value, clinical effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a marker for major cardiac events in asymptomatic individuals: A health technology assessment report
Authors: Schnell-Inderst Petra , Schwarzer Ruth , Göhler Alexander , Grandi Norma , Grabein Kristin , Stollenwerk Björn , Manne Jennifer , Klauss Volker , Siebert Uwe , Wasem Jürgen
Published: January 2010

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the predictive value, clinical effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)-screening in addition to traditional risk factor screening in apparently healthy persons as a means of preventing coronary artery disease.

Methods and Results: The systematic review was performed according to internationally recognized methods. Seven studies on risk prediction, one clinical decision-analytic modeling study, and three decision-analytic cost-effectiveness studies were included. The adjusted relative risk of high hs-CRP-level ranged from 0.7 to 2.47 (p < .05 in four of seven studies). Adding hs-CRP to the prediction models increased the areas under the curve by 0.00 to 0.027. Based on the clinical decision analysis, both individuals with elevated hs-CRP-levels and those with hyperlipidemia have a similar gain in life expectancy following statin therapy. One high-quality economic modeling study suggests favorable incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for persons with elevated hs-CRP and higher risk. However, many model parameters were based on limited evidence.

Conclusions: Adding hs-CRP to traditional risk factors improves risk prediction, but the clinical relevance and cost-effectiveness of this improvement remain unclear.
Schistosoma japonicum infection and rectal carcinoid tumour: underreported coincidence or neglected association?
Authors: ZANGER P. , HABSCHEID W. , KREMSNER P. G. , DAHM H. H.
Published: January 2010

Schistosoma japonicum infection associated with a rectal carcinoid in an asymptomatic 44-year-old female from the Philippines is described. A systematic review of the literature could not identify similar reports, suggesting a rare coincidence. However, epidemiological data on the frequency of both conditions as well as published results of a colorectal screening programme from China indicate that underreporting of this concurrence is likely. Moreover, several studies suggest a causal link between schistosomiasis caused by S. japonicum and more common gastrointestinal malignancies such as colorectal carcinoma. Hence the presented case and the apparent neglect of this observation in the current literature allow speculation on a role of S. japonicum in the pathogenesis of rare gastrointestinal neoplasms such as carcinoid tumours as well. Future reports on similar observations could help to determine the need for systematic investigations and are strongly encouraged.
Healthcare costs of Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile infections in Veterans: role of vitamin D deficiency
Authors: YOUSSEF D. , BAILEY B. , EL ABBASSI A. , COPELAND R. , ADEBONOJO L. , MANNING T. , PEIRIS A. N.
Published: January 2010

Clostridium difficile and staphylococcal infections are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Vitamin D deficiency may also contribute to increased healthcare costs. There is increasing evidence that vitamin D may have an antimicrobial role. We examined the relationship of serum 25(OH)D levels to staphylococcal and C. difficile infections to determine if vitamin D deficiency was associated with adverse outcomes. In the outpatient setting, vitamin D deficiency in patients with C. difficile and staphylococcal infections were associated with significantly increased total outpatients costs and fee-based consultation. Laboratory expenses had a trend towards higher costs in the vitamin D-deficient group but did not reach statistical significance. The differences were most clearly seen in the in-patient group with enhanced laboratory, pharmacy and radiology costs. These differences resulted in vitamin D-deficient patients with C. difficile or staphylococcal infections having costs more than five times higher than the non-deficient patients. The total length of hospital stay was four times greater in the vitamin D-deficient group. In addition, the total number of hospitalizations was also significantly greater in the vitamin D-deficient group. Surgery costs demonstrated a tendency to be higher in the vitamin D-deficient group but failed to reach statistical significance. Vitamin D deficiency is intimately linked to adverse health outcomes and costs in Veterans with staphylococcal and C. difficile infections in North East Tennessee. We recommend that vitamin D status be checked in patients with these infections and appropriate therapy be instituted to restore vitamin D level to normal in an expeditious manner.
LABOR HOURS IN THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE: THE ROLE OF DIFFERENT LEISURE PREFERENCES
Authors: Maoz Yishay David
Published: January 2010

Since 1900, annual working hours per worker have been generally declining in the United States and in the main European economies. During this simultaneous decline the Europeans initially worked fewer hours than their American counterparts, worked more than the Americans starting in the early 1930s, and once again worked less than the American from the early 1970s on. Using a two-country model, this article argues that this dynamic pattern can be brought about by differences in the valuation of leisure by individuals in the compared economies.
Reactive force fields for surface chemical reactions: A case study with hydrogen dissociation on Pd surfaces
Authors: Xiao Y. , Dong W. , Busnengo H. F.
Published: January 2010

An approach based on reactive force fields is applied to the parametrization of potential energy surface (PES) for chemical reactions on surfaces with a benchmark system, H2/Pd(111). We show that a simple reactive force field based on the second moment approximation does not allow for obtaining reliable results of reaction dynamics for the considered system. With a more elaborate reactive force field, i.e., reactive bond order (REBO) force field, we succeeded in obtaining a reliable PES for H2/Pd(111). The accuracy of the constructed REBO force field is carefully checked through various tests including the comparison not only between energies calculated with density functional theory and those with REBO force field but also between the available results of ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and those with our force field. Moreover, our REBO force field is endowed with some transferability since the force field constructed with a database containing only information on H2/Pd(111) allows for obtaining also accurate results for H2/Pd(100) and qualitatively correct results for H2/Pd(110) without any refitting. With the help of our reactive force field, the molecular dynamics simulation for the dissociation of H2 on the considered Pd surfaces is speeded up by five orders of magnitude compared to ab initio molecular dynamics method. The demonstrated reliability and the very high computational efficiency of reactive force fields open extremely attractive perspectives for studying large-scale complex reacting systems.
Vortex core switching by coherent excitation controlled by defect in nanodisk
Authors: Liu Yan , Du An
Published: January 2010

We have studied vortex core switching in a Permalloy disk with a cavity defect using micromagnetic simulation and analytical calculation methods. It is demonstrated that the existence of a cavity that can attract and pin the vortex core in the nanodisk plays an important role in controlling the reversal of the vortex core by coherent excitation. The diagram of the vortex core switching with different cavity radii is presented based on the calculation of the effective potential energy. It is shown that there are three cases that are dependent on the distance between the cavity and the disk centers. For a smaller distance, the reversal cannot occur without applying a second sufficiently strong field pulse with the direction opposite to the orientation of the first pulse, and the amplitude of the second field pulse that can release and reverse the polarity of the vortex core increases with increasing of the radius of the cavity. Then, for a critical distance range, the vortex core can be released from the cavity and reverse automatically. When the distance is large enough the vortex core cannot be attracted and pinned by the cavity, the reversal cannot be controlled by the cavity.
The structural and magnetic properties of Mn2−xFexNiGa Heusler alloys
Authors: Luo Hongzhi , Meng Fanbin , Feng Zhongqiu , Li Yangxian , Zhu Wei , Wu Guangheng , Zhu Xiaoxi , Jiang Chengbao , Xu Huibin
Published: January 2010

The effect of Fe substitution on the phase transformation and magnetic properties of Mn2NiGa has been studied. A single bcc phase was obtained in Mn2−xFexNiGa (x=0–0.6). With the substitution of Fe for Mn, the lattice constant decreases gradually. The martensitic transformation can be observed when x=0–0.3. Both the martensitic transformation and austenitic transformation temperatures decrease monotonically with increasing Fe content, which is different from common electron concentration dependence in Ni–Mn–Ga system. The saturation magnetizations Ms of Mn2−xFexNiGa in both austenitic and martensitic phases increase obviously with the doping of Fe, while the variation of TC shows an opposite tendency. Theoretical calculations indicate that both austenitic and martensitic phases are ferrimagnets. The Fe moment varies from positive to negative after the tetragonal distortion, which leads to the decrease of the saturation magnetization.
First observation of a tetra-anionic metal cluster, Aln4−
Authors: Walsh N. , Martinez F. , Marx G. , Schweikhard L. , Ziegler F.
Published: January 2010

The production of aluminum cluster tetra-anions, and thus the first observation of a tetra-anionic metal cluster in the gas-phase, is reported. The aluminum cluster polyanions were generated by use of the “electron-bath technique.” The smallest tetra-anion observed was Al2154−, containing 14% fewer atoms than expected from classical estimates of the tetra-anion appearance size.
Origin of the near-band-edge luminescence in MgxZn1−xO alloys
Authors: Müller Alexander , Stölzel Marko , Dietrich Christof , Benndorf Gabriele , Lorenz Michael , Grundmann Marius
Published: January 2010

The carrier dynamics of donor-bound and free excitons, localized in the alloy disorder potential, were investigated for MgxZn1−xO (0.08≤x≤0.33) thin films. The measured transients show a fast decrease in the luminescence intensity within the first nanoseconds, followed by a slow, strongly nonexponential decay. Shortly after the excitation pulse, the time-delayed spectra are dominated by the (D0,X) recombination. With increasing time, the free exciton recombination becomes visible on the high-energy side, dominating the spectra at large times after the excitation pulse. By fitting the transients with nonexponential model decay functions, we can deconvolve the luminescence spectra. As expected, the mean decay time of the excitons localized in the alloy disorder potential significantly increases with increasing Mg content.
A bistable microelectronic circuit for sensing extremely low electric field
Authors: In Visarath , Longhini Patrick , Liu Norman , Kho Andy , Neff Joseph D. , Palacios Antonio , Bulsara Adi R.
Published: January 2010

Bistable systems are prevalently found in many sensor systems. Recently, we have explored (unidirectionally) coupled overdamped bistable systems that admit self-sustained oscillations when the coupling parameter is swept through the critical points of bifurcations [V. In et al., Phys. Rev. E 68, 045102–R (2003); A. R. Bulsara et al., Phys. Rev. E 70, 036103 (2004); V. In et al., Phys. Rev. E 72, 045104–R (2005); Phys Rev. Lett. 91, 244101 (2003); A. Palacios et al., Phys. Rev. E 72, 026211 (2005); V. In et al., Phys. Rev. E 73, 066121 (2006)]. Complex behaviors emerge, in addition, from these (relatively simple) coupled systems when an external signal (ac or dc) is applied uniformly to all the elements in the array. In particular, we have demonstrated this emergent behavior for a coupled system comprised of mean-field hysteretic elements describing a “single-domain” ferromagnetic sample. The results are being used to develop extremely sensitive magnetic sensors capable of resolving field changes as low as 150 pT by observing the changes in the oscillation characteristics of the coupled sensors. In this paper, we explore the underlying dynamics of a coupled bistable system realized by coupling microelectronic circuits, which belong to the same class of dynamics as the aforementioned (ferromagnetic) system, with the nonlinear features and coupling terms modeled by hyperbolic tangent nonlinearities; these nonlinearities stem from the operational transconductance amplifiers used in constructing the microcircuits. The emergent behavior is being applied to develop an extremely sensitive electric-field sensor.
Carbon nanotube film piezoresistors embedded in polymer membranes
Authors: Lee Kangwon , Lee Seung S. , Lee Jung A , Lee Kwang-Cheol , Ji Seungmuk
Published: January 2010

We present carbon nanotube film (CNF) piezoresistors embedded in polymer membranes. CNFs by vacuum filtration are patterned on an Au-deposited Si-wafer and transferred onto the poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using the weak adhesion property between Au-layer and Si-wafer. Transmittance and I-V characteristic are measured to confirm transferred CNFs as transparent electrodes. The pressure sensor consists of CNF piezoresistors embedded in 130 μm thick circular PDMS membranes. The gauge factor of CNFs at different thickness is obtained around 10–20 when the resistance increases from 2.7 to 5.6 kΩ with applied pressure, which shows that CNFs can be used as transparent piezoresistors in polymer-based microelectromechanical systems.
Vibrational energy transfer in shocked molecular crystals
Authors: Hooper Joe
Published: January 2010

We consider the process of establishing thermal equilibrium behind an ideal shock front in molecular crystals and its possible role in initiating chemical reaction at high shock pressures. A new theory of equilibration via multiphonon energy transfer is developed to treat the scattering of shock-induced phonons into internal molecular vibrations. Simple analytic forms are derived for the change in this energy transfer at different Hugoniot end states following shock compression. The total time required for thermal equilibration is found to be an order of magnitude or faster than proposed in previous work; in materials representative of explosive molecular crystals, equilibration is predicted to occur within a few picoseconds following the passage of an ideal shock wave. Recent molecular dynamics calculations are consistent with these time scales. The possibility of defect-induced temperature localization due purely to nonequilibrium phonon processes is studied by means of a simple model of the strain field around an inhomogeneity. The specific case of immobile straight dislocations is studied, and a region of enhanced energy transfer on the order of 5 nm is found. Due to the rapid establishment of thermal equilibrium, these regions are unrelated to the shock sensitivity of a material but may allow temperature localization at high shock pressures. Results also suggest that if any decomposition due to molecular collisions is occurring within the shock front itself, these collisions are not enhanced by any nonequilibrium thermal state.
Whistler wave propagation in the antenna near and far fields in the Naval Research Laboratory Space Physics Simulation Chamber
Authors: Blackwell David D. , Walker David N. , Amatucci William E.
Published: January 2010

In previous papers, early whistler propagation measurements were presented [W. E. Amatucci et al., IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 33, 637 (2005)] as well as antenna impedance measurements [D. D. Blackwell et al., Phys. Plasmas 14, 092106 (2007)] performed in the Naval Research Laboratory Space Physics Simulation Chamber (SPSC). Since that time there have been major upgrades in the experimental capabilities of the laboratory in the form of improvement of both the plasma source and antennas. This has allowed access to plasma parameter space that was previously unattainable, and has resulted in measurements that provide a significantly clearer picture of whistler propagation in the laboratory environment. This paper presents some of the first whistler experimental results from the upgraded SPSC. Whereas previously measurements were limited to measuring the cyclotron resonance cutoff and elliptical polarization indicative of the whistler mode, now it is possible to experimentally plot the dispersion relation itself. The waves are driven and detected using balanced dipole and loop antennas connected to a network analyzer, which measures the amplitude and phase of the wave in two dimensions (r and z). In addition the frequency of the signals is also swept over a range of several hundreds of megahertz, providing a comprehensive picture of the near and far field antenna radiation patterns over a variety of plasma conditions. The magnetic field is varied from a few gauss to 200 G, with the density variable over at least 3 decades from 107 to 1010 cm−3. The waves are shown to lie on the dispersion surface for whistler waves, with observation of resonance cones in agreement with theoretical predictions. The waves are also observed to propagate without loss of amplitude at higher power, a result in agreement with previous experiments and the notion of ducted whistlers.
Triple ionization spectra by coincidence measurements of double Auger decay: The case of OCS
Authors: Eland J. H. D. , Hochlaf M. , Linusson P. , Andersson E. , Hedin L. , Feifel R.
Published: January 2010

By combining multiple electron coincidence detection with ionization by synchrotron radiation, we have obtained resolved spectra of the OCS3+ ion created through the double Auger effect. The form of the spectra depends critically on the identity of the atom bearing the initial hole. High and intermediate level electron structure calculations lead to an assignment of the resolved spectrum from ionization via the S 2p hole. From the analysis it appears that the double Auger effect from closed shell molecules favors formation of doublet states over quartet states. Molecular field effects in the double Auger effect are similar to those in the single Auger effect in linear molecules.
Wall charge evolution models and emission of exoelectrons from MgO thin film of ac-PDPs
Authors: Kim Yong-Seog , Yoon Sang-Hoon , Yang Heesun
Published: January 2010

Two different wall charge evolution models, i.e., reversion and accumulation models, were proposed incorporating the phenomenon of secondary electron emission during the glow discharges of alternating current-PDPs. Based on the wall charge evolution models, theoretical analyses on exoelectron emission kinetics were conducted, and the effects of initial electron concentration trapped and temperature on the exoelectron currents were predicted. The theoretical prediction was compared with the currents measured experimentally. The theoretical analyses and experimental observations suggest that wall charge evolution model and the first- and second-order reaction kinetics may represent the wall charge formation and exoelectron emission from MgO layer of ac-PDPs.