bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Work and common psychiatric disorders
Authors: Henderson M , Harvey SB , Øverland S , Mykletun A , Hotopf M
Published: May 2011

Psychiatric disorders are now the most common reason for long-term sickness absence. The associated loss in productivity and the payment of disability benefits places a substantial burden on the economies of many developed countries. The occupational dysfunction associated with psychiatric disorders can also lead to poverty and social isolation. As a result the area of work and psychiatric disorders is a high priority for policymakers.

There are two main agendas: for many researchers and clinicians the focus is on the need to overcome stigma and ensure people with severe psychiatric disorders have meaningful work; however the public health agenda predominantly relates to the more common disorders such as depression and anxiety, which contribute a greater burden of disability benefits and pensions. In this review we attempt to address this second agenda.

The relatively sparse evidence available reveals a complex field with significant interplay between medical, psychological social and cultural factors. Sick leave can be a ‘process’ as well as an ‘event’. In this review we propose a staged model where different risk and protective factors contribute to the onset of psychiatric disorders in the working population, the onset of short-term sickness absence, and the transition from short- to long-term absence. We also examine strategies to manage psychiatric disorder in the workforce with a view towards returning the employee to work.

Our aim in this review is to highlight the complexity of the area, to stimulate debate and to identify important gaps in knowledge where further research might benefit both patients and wider society.
Primary extraskeletal osteosarcoma of the seminal vesicle: a case report and literature review
Authors: Choi Jae Duck , La Choi Yoon , Kim Hong Seok , Seo Seong Il , Jeon Seong Soo , Lee Hyun Moo , Jeong Byong Chang
Published: May 2011

A primary extraskeletal osteosarcoma (EOS) is a rare tumour. An EOS of the seminal vesicle has not been reported in the literature. We describe a case of a seminal vesicle EOS initially detected as a pre-rectal mass on a routine transrectal ultrasound in a 48-year-old man. A computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the tumour to be arising from the left seminal vesicle. A robot-assisted laparoscopic seminal vesiculectomy was performed to avoid neurovascular bundle injury. Microscopic examination of the resected specimen showed a poorly differentiated osteosarcoma originating from the seminal vesicle. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. He is doing well without voiding or erectile dysfunction and he is tumour-free five months after surgery.
Primary hyperparathyroidism: how many cases are being missed?
Authors: Shapey IM , Jaunoo SS , Hanson C , Jaunoo SR , Thrush S , Munro A
Published: May 2011

INTRODUCTION

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common condition (250 per million population per year) with significant associated morbidity and mortality. 1 Surgery is the only curative option for PHPT; results from medical treatment remain disappointing. 2 The aim of this study was to evaluate the referral patterns of patients with PHPT and identify the number of missed cases with a biochemical diagnosis of PHPT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All chemistries for Worcestershire were performed and analysed at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Patients with chronic renal failure were identified and excluded. Routes of patient referral were identified and missed cases documented. General practitioners (GPs) were contacted by letter for all patients not referred or treated. Outcomes of diagnosis and specialist assessment were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 102 cases of PHPT were identified: 64 (62.7%) remained untreated and without a specialist referral in place, 36 (35.3%) had undergone parathyroidectomy and 2 (2.0%) were being monitored. The GP response rate was 90% (46/51). Of these, 30 (65%) were subsequently referred, 9 (20%) underwent repeat tests with a view to referral and 7 (15%) were lost to follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of patients with PHPT remain in the community untreated and having not seen a specialist. All patients should be referred to a specialist for assessment and consideration of surgical treatment and follow-up. Improvements in GP education and referral systems are required if patients are to benefit.
Isolated right testicular pain for six days: an unusual presentation of occult abdominal aortic aneurysm leak
Authors: Forsythe Rachael O , Lavin Victoria , Fraser Simon CA , McNeill Alan
Published: May 2011

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture commonly presents with abdominal or lower back pain and haemodynamic instability. There have been case reports of co-existing left testicular pain; however, very few cases describe right testicular pain as the sentinel symptom. We discuss the case of a 75-year-old man who presented to the on-call urologists with a 6-day history of right testicular pain. On examination, a painless AAA was detected. The patient was stable and a CT scan demonstrated a large AAA extending into the right iliac vessels, with suggestion of leakage. Attempted emergency repair was unsuccessful and the patient died in theatre. This atypical presentation of occult aneurysm leak highlights the need for clinical vigilance in the older patient with seemingly benign groin symptoms, including isolated right testicular pain.
Hip resurfacing revision rates: radiological audit of risk factors
Authors: Ramisetty N , Krishnan KM , Partington PF
Published: May 2011

INTRODUCTION

We performed a retrospective radiological audit of the hip resurfacings carried out in our trust over a five-year period. Abnormal cup inclination angle (CIA) and stem shaft angle (SSA) are recognised risk factors for revision in hip resurfacing. Our aims were to identify the CIA and SSA for hip resurfacings in our trust, to determine the revision rate in a CIA of ≥60° and an SSA of >0° varus, thereby identifying a high risk group for close, long-term follow up.

METHODS

A total of 247 patients underwent hip resurfacing in our trust between April 2003 and March 2008. The CIA and SSA were recorded. Of the 247 patients, 26 were excluded as there were no appropriate radiographs and so results were analysed for 221 patients.

RESULTS

The mean CIA was 47.6°. Over a third of the patients (34%) had a CIA of >50° and 13% had >60°. The mean SSA was 1.4° varus. Over two-thirds of the patients (67%) had a varus SSA. There were six revisions but one was excluded as it was secondary to infection. The revision rate was 10% in patients with a CIA of ≥60° and 1% in those with a CIA of <60° (p=0.017), and 1% in a varus and 4% in a valgus SSA (p>0.05) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The measurement of the CIA and SSA in hip resurfacings has identified a high risk group for close long-term follow up. There is already a 10% revision rate in those patients with a CIA of >60°. Hip resurfacing may generate a large revision burden in the ‘average’ surgeon's hands and all hospitals/surgeons should review their radiological outcomes critically and identify those at risk of revision.
The National Collaborating Centre for Cancer: A Report From RCS Representatives
Authors: Hargest Rachel , Mansel Robert
Published: May 2011

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) now plays a major part in determining the management of patients with a wide range of surgical conditions. The Royal College of Surgeons of England has representation at various levels within NICE. For several years we have represented the RCS on the management board of the National Collaborating Centre for Cancer (NCC-C). The NCC-C is funded and commissioned by NICE to develop evidence-based clinical guidelines for the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on treating and caring for people with cancer. As there is no formal mechanism for feedback to the College on the activities of this organisation, we felt that we should write this article for the Bulletin in order to keep fellows informed.
Provision of Internet Information on Day Surgery and Inguinal Hernia Repair in UK Hospitals
Authors: Tse George H , de Beaux Andrew C
Published: May 2011

The internet has become vital to information dissemination. Patients are increasingly using the internet for enquires regarding healthcare. A study in the UK of more than 1000 patients found that 40% had access to the internet and that 11% sought information prior to an outpatient clinic consultation. In a consecutive series of 105 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery, 31% with access to the internet used it to acquire information on their operation. A similar picture exists in Germany with a reported 18% of patients using the internet prior to surgery.
Is Laparoscopic Simulator Performance Affected by Training Environment?
Authors: Tsim P , Ferguson E , Carty H-M , Baxendale B , Dhinsa R , Maxwell-Armstrong CA
Published: May 2011

The use of simulators in laparoscopic surgery complements current training with reduced working hours. Trainees can acquire basic skills quickly and efficiently without compromising patient safety. Competence in skills learnt on a simulator has been shown to translate to operating theatre performance. In addition to this, laparoscopic surgeons require new skills since no transfer has been reported between open surgical skills and new laparoscopic techniques. As a result of their numerous advantages, simulators are routinely used as part of training in laparoscopic surgery.
Experiencing trauma surgery and burns in South Africa
Authors: Gall Tamara
Published: May 2011

I am coming to the end of a 29-hour on-call shift: it is 7am on New Year's Day. I am standing over the operating table squeezing the heart of a 24-year-old male who was stabbed in the chest a few hours earlier. The registrar, anaesthetist and I stare at the monitors as we watch his blood pressure fall to unrecordable levels. His thorax continues to fill with blood from a hilum injury that we are struggling to control. There is no blood available. The last bag of O-negative blood was used on our previous patient. The suction is connected to the Cell Saver® but this is taking too long. His heart is shrinking within my grasp and I can feel the ventricular contractions weakening. Output is lost and we call his death.
NHS Evidence is changing
Authors: Sams Steffi , O'Brien Elly
Published: May 2011

In May 2011, NHS Evidence launches a new specialist evidence service to replace NHS Evidence – surgery, anaesthesia, perioperative and critical care and the 29 other specialist collections. The new service will be easy to search and will provide access to a wider choice of quality specialist evidence content. This article gives background on the specialist collections project and provides information about future development of the service.
Infection by Two Strains ofWolbachiaand Sex Ratio Distortion in a Population of the Endangered ButterflyZizina emelina(Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in Northern Osaka Prefecture, Central Japan
Authors: Sakamoto Yoshiko , Hirai Norio , Tanikawa Tetsuo , Yago Masaya , Ishii Minoru
Published: May 2011

Wolbachia infections were investigated by sequencing the wsp and ftsZ genes in a population of the endangered butterfly Zizina emelina (de l'Orza) (formerly Zizina otis emelina) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), in Toyonaka City, northern Osaka Prefecture, central Japan. Wolbachia was detected in 65, 77, and 86% of field-collected adults in 2004, 2005, and 2007, respectively. Sequencing results revealed the presence of two strains of Wolbachia, wEmeTnl and wEmeTn2, in adults of this population, although no double infection was found. Three (12.5%) of 24 field-collected females infected by wEmeTnl produced offspring with a female-biased sex ratio, whereas all females infected by wEmeTn2 produced almost all-female offspring. In contrast, no uninfected females produced female-biased offspring. Moreover, the mean egg hatchability of broods from wEmeTn2-infected females was almost half that of uninfected females. These results indicate that at least wEmeTn2 is a male-killing strain.
Comparison of In Vivo Host Animals as Blood-Feeding Source for Laboratory Rearing of the Sandfly Vector Phlebotomus argentipes(Diptera: Psychodidae)
Authors: Kumar Vijay , Kesari Shreekant , Kumari Krishna , Krishnakumari B , Venugopalan R , Das Pradeep
Published: May 2011

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala-azar is transmitted by parasite-infected sandflies. The female sandfly Phlebotomus argentipes Annandale & Brunetti (Diptera: Psychodidae) carries the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani (Kinetplastida: Trypanosomatidae) in its gut and injects the pathogen along with its saliva into the bloodstream of a human host. This article reports the successful setup of a very productive laboratory insectarium-based P. argentipes colony, by optimizing breeding conditions and choice of laboratory host animal for blood feeding of the female sandflies. The work also suggests that the source of blood feeding is a critical parameter for egg laying and maturation, which are essential for the maintenance of laboratory colonies of such hematophagous insects.
Life Table Analysis and Development of Singhiella simplex (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Under Different Constant Temperatures
Authors: Legaspi Jesusa Crisostomo , Mannion Catharine , Amalin Divina , Legaspi Benjamin C
Published: May 2011

Singhiella simplex (Singh) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a newly invasive pest of several species of Ficus plants in the United States. Very little is known about its biology and life history. Here, we studied its development and reproduction at 15, 20, 25, 27, 30, and 35°C. No immatures survived the 35°C treatment. Stage-specific duration times are presented for the other temperatures. Total duration of immature stages varied from 97.1 d at 15°C to 25.2 d at 30°C. Linear functions were used to describe development rates for eggs, instars and pupal stages. Total immature development also was modeled using a nonlinear Briere-1 function: r(T) = aT(T -T0) where r(T) is developmental rate at temperature (T), a = 0.0000146, T0 = 7.3120084 and TL = 45.9512202 (constant, lower developmental threshold, and lethal temperature, respectively). The thermal requirement for development from eggs to pupae was estimated to be 487.8 degree-days. S. simplex reproduction was highest at 27°C, where R0, GRR, T, r, λ, and DT were 23.114 ♀ / ♀, 24.25 ♀/♀, 31.413 d, 0.099 ♀ / ♀ /d, 1.105 ♀ / ♀ /d, and 6.93 d, respectively. The combined effect of temperature and female adult age on daily oviposition rate was modeled using the Enkegaard equation: eggmean = (p + qT) d exp(-wTd), where T is temperature. Parameter estimates were p = -30.21, q = 2.62, and w = 0.034. Duration of female adulthood was 8 d at 15°C, significantly longer than 2.5–4.2 d at the higher temperatures. At 25 and 27°C, lifetime fecundity per female averaged 37.9 and 46.2, respectively.
Synthetic 3,5-Dimethyldodecanoic Acid Serves as a General Attractant for Multiple Species of Prionus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
Authors: Barbour James D , Millar Jocelyn G , Rodstein Joshua , Ray Ann M , Alston Diane G , Rejzek Martin , Dutcher James D , Hanks Lawrence M
Published: May 2011

Males of the longhorned beetle Prionus californicus Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) are significantly attracted to the female-produced sex pheromone (3R,5S)-3,5-dimethyldodecanoic acid. Males respond equally well to the synthetic blend of the four stereoisomers of 3,5-dimethyldodecanoic acid as to the single natural enantiomer, suggesting that the unnatural isomers are not inhibitory. Males of the congener Prionus lecontei Lameere also are attracted to the (3R,5S)-enantiomer but not to the (3S,5R)-enantiomer, suggesting that the (3R,5S)-enantiomer is also an important pheromone component of that species. Here, we report the results of field trials that test the hypothesis that synthetic 3,5-dimethyldodecanoic acid will serve as a general attractant for males of other Prionus species. We conducted field bioassays of synthetic 3,5-dimethyldodecanoic acid at study sites in six different regions of North America and one site in the United Kingdom. Traps baited with the synthetic pheromone blend captured males of P.californicus (southwestern Idaho, southern California, and northwestern Utah), P. lecontei (southern California and northwestern Utah), and six additional species of Prionus: Prionus integer LeConte (southwestern Idaho), Prionus imbricornis (L.) (Georgia), Prionus laticollis (Drury) (Georgia), Prionus linsleyi Hovore (north central Arizona), Prionus aztecus Casey (northern Mexico), and Prionus coriarius (L.) (East Anglia, United Kingdom). These findings demonstrate that synthetic 3,5-dimethyldodecanoic acid can be used to assess the geographic distribution and local abundance of many Prionus species and therefore may be of value for monitoring threatened and endangered species of this genus, and for managing those that are pests.
Texanoceras, a new neptunoceratid cephalopod genus from the Upper Pennsylvanian Graham and Caddo Creek formations in north-central Texas
Authors: Niko Shuji , Mapes Royal H.
Published: May 2011

A neptunoceratid cephalopod, Texanoceras jacksboroensis n. gen. n. sp., is described from the Virgilian (Upper Pennsylvanian) Graham and Caddo Creek Formations in Texas, North America. The family Neptunoceratidae was previously represented by a single genus, Tetrapleuroceras. This new material provides important emendations to the diagnostic concept of the enigmatic family including shell orientation, mature modification and siphuncular structure. Although higher taxonomic position of Neptunoceratidae is difficult to determine at present, morphologic similarities between the family and the orthoceratid (?) family Brachycycloceratidae are discussed.
Epizoic stramentid cirripedes on ammonites from Late Cretaceous platy limestones in Mexico
Authors: Ifrim Christina , Vega Francisco J. , Stinnesbeck Wolfgang
Published: May 2011

The discovery of platy limestone deposits in northeastern Mexico has led to the collection of well-preserved stramentids of early Turonian age from Vallecillo, state of Nuevo León, and of early Coniacian age from El Carranza, state of Coahuila.Stramentum(Stramentum)pulchellum(Sowerby, 1843) colonized the ammonite shells during the lifetime of the animals, occasionally in two subsequent generations. Colonization of the ammonite shell byStramentum(S.)pulchellumwas hindered by strong ornamentation only. The ammonites did not interfere with their epizoans. Colonization during lifetime shows that these ammonites dwelled in well-oxygenated water levels near the surface, and most stramentids were embedded alive. The known paleobiogeographic occurrence ofStramentum(S.)pulchellumand its long stratigraphic occurrence are considerably enlarged by our findings. The pseudoplanktonic mode of life ofStramentum, and attachment to ammonite shells, may have been a response of a once benthic organism to repeated oxygen-deficient conditions on the seafloor of mid-Cretaceous oceans, i.e., to oceanic anoxic events (OAEs).
Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary ammonite Blanfordiceras (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) from Fortissimo-1 Wildcat Well, Browse Basin, Northwest Shelf, Australia
Authors: Stilwell Jeffrey D. , Dixon Matthew , Lehner Benedikt , Gamarra Silvia
Published: May 2011

Jurassic–Cretaceous ammonites are particularly robust fossil tools in global stratigraphy and correlation. The successive evolution and extinction of these cephalopod mollusks was so rapid that many ammonite zones are no more than one million years in duration. A well-preserved ammonite specimen from the Fortissimo-1 core, Browse Basin, NW Australia is assignable to the widespread latest Jurassic dimorphic berriaselline genus, Blanfordiceras Cossmann, recorded previously from the Spiti area, Nepal, Tibet, Madagascar, Papua-New Guinea, Antarctica, and southern South America. This is the first report of ammonites of this age in the Australian region. The evolute shell of an estimated 90-100 mm diameter (when extrapolated) and pronounced ornamentation of variably bifurcating, curvilinear and flexuous ribs, intercalated with simple, non-bifurcating ribs, is consistent with Blanfordiceras wallichi (Gray, 1832), which has traditionally been restricted to the uppermost Tithonian Stage, ca. 146.5-145.5 Ma, but may well have survived into the earliest part of the Berriasian. The first recorded occurrence of this ammonite in Australia fills an anomalous absence in the paleobiogeographic distribution of Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary ammonites in the Indo-SW Pacific Subrealm with important implications for the calibration of offshore rocks and wells in Australia.
Participant Feedback and Satisfaction with the UQDRIVE Groups for Driving Cessation
Authors: Gustafsson Louise A. , Liddle Jacki M. , Lua Shunwei , Hoyle Melanie F. , Pachana Nancy A. , Mitchell Geoffrey K. , McKenna Kryss T.
Published: May 2011

Background. Driving cessation can lead to negative consequences, such as depression and reduced social activities. Purpose. The University of Queensland Driver Retirement Initiative (UQDRIVE) intensive support program is a six-week program to assist older people with driving cessation. Methods. Fifty-five participants completed a survey of satisfaction with the program, including identification of the aspects of the program that were useful and they had applied in real life. Findings. There was overall satisfaction with the program, and content analysis identified three areas that were highlighted as particularly useful: “Finding alternative means: transport and service options,” “Planning with more wisdom: thinking about driving cessation,” and “Being with people: sharing experiences with peers.” Implications. These findings indicate that program participants were satisfied with the current UQDRIVE intensive support group program and found both the psychosocial supports and practical strategies to be useful in managing driving cessation.
Adding a Driving Task to AMPS: A Pilot Study
Authors: Robertson Dianna , Carswell M. Anne
Published: May 2011

Background. Driving a motor vehicle is an important occupation for many individuals, and occupational therapists may be involved in screening and assessing driving. Yet, few “top-down” occupational therapy screening tools have been developed to test driving. Purpose. To develop a driving task to add to the existing occupational therapy assessment, the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). Methods. This pilot study involved the development and administration of a driving task to 10 healthy older adults, along with 2 existing AMPS tasks. Findings. The driving task was found to be of “average” challenge relative to existing AMPS tasks, demonstrated goodness-of-fit with the AMPS criteria, and appeared to measure the same construct as the existing AMPS tasks. Implications. If the driving task continues to demonstrate acceptable goodness-of-fit in an expanded research study, it could be added to the AMPS, which could potentially be utilized as a “top-down” screening tool for driving.
Occupational Therapists Lead a National Injury Prevention Strategy to Help Older Drivers
Authors: Craik Janet M.
Published: May 2011

Background. As older adults are the fastest growing segment of the driving population, the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) has taken older driver safety as a key priority. Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to present the National Blueprint for Injury Prevention in Older Drivers (Blueprint) and its related activities. Key Issues. Since 2006, CAOT has been working on initiatives relating to the National Blueprint for Injury Prevention in Older Drivers. The most recent activities include the launch of informational brochures and a website. Implications. The Blueprint and its related activities were developed with the intent to prolong safe driving among older adults in Canada, and to propose future actions to be addressed by all stakeholders interested in older driver safety.
Experimental investigations on the cooling of a motorcycle helmet with phase change material (PCM)
Authors: Fok S.C. , Tan F.L. , Sua C.C.
Published: May 2011

The thermal comfort of motorcycle helmet during hot weather is important as
it can affect the physiological and psychological condition of the rider.
This paper examines the use of phase change material (PCM) to cool a
motorcycle helmet and presents the experimental investigations on the
influences of the simulated solar radiation, wind speed, and heat generation
rate on the cooling system. The result shows that the PCM-cooled helmet is
able to prolong the thermal comfort period compared to a normal helmet. The
findings also indicate that the heat generation from the head is the
predominant factor that will affect the PCM melting time. Simulated solar
radiation and ram-air due to vehicle motion under adiabatic condition can
have very little influences on the PCM melting time. The results suggested
that the helmet usage time would be influenced by the amount of heat
generated from the head. Some major design considerations based on these
findings have been included. Although this investigation focuses on the
cooling of a motorcyclist helmet, the findings would also be useful for the
development of PCM-cooling systems in other applications.
HFC/HC blend for car climate control with mineral oil as lubricant
Authors: Ravikumar T.S. , Lal Mohan
Published: May 2011

Polyalkaline glycol is used as the lubricant with R134a in automobile air
conditioning systems and it is well known that PAG oil is highly hygroscopic
in nature. Presence of moisture in the system may detoriate the system and
its performance. Hence PAG oil is replaced with conventional mineral oil. In
the present study, a new refrigerant blend R134a/R290/R600a with mineral oil
as lubricant has been tested in an experimental test rig with R12 as base
line and compared with the published results. Pull down test from an average
cabin temperature of 50?C is performed while the compressor speed is varied
successively from 1500-2250-3000-800 rpm with a constant heat load of 2500 W,
and held at that speed for duration of 30 minutes. Both R12 and the HFC-HC
blend is tested in an experimental test rig and it has been found that this
new mixture is almost in par with R12, However, a slight loss in system
performance is encountered. But, considering the service issues associated
with R134a and PAG oil, this new mixture can have better performance than
R134a and PAG combination.
Reliability and Construct Validity of the College Student Stress Scale
Authors: Feldt Ronald C. , Koch Chris
Published: May 2011

Reliability and construct validity of the 11-item College Student Stress Scale were investigated with exploratory ( N = 273) and confirmatory factor analyses ( N = 185) in undergraduate college students. Two factors were observed; however, reliability of the 3-item factor was too low and one item failed to load on either factor. A 7-item measure (Factor 1) had acceptable reliability (.81) and good convergence with the Perceived Stress Scale. This measure was significantly correlated with Neuroticism, Test Anxiety, and Self-efficacy for Learning, but not Social Desirability or age.
Age-Related Trends of Interference Control in School-Age Children and Young Adults in the Stroop Color–Word Test
Authors: Ikeda Yoshifumi , Okuzumi Hideyuki , Kokubun Mitsuru , Haishi Koichi
Published: May 2011

In this cross-sectional study, differences in interference control, one component of executive function, were investigated among three age groups, 15 early childhood (7- to 8-yr.-olds), 25 middle childhood (9- to 12-yr.-olds), and 20 young adults (21- to 30-yr.-olds). Participants were administered a computer version of the Stroop color–word test with an oral response; correct responses, response time (RT), and the interference ratio were examined. The data indicated that (1) most of the participants showed no errors in word reading, color-naming, and incongruent color-naming tasks; (2) in word-reading and color-naming tasks, RT for 7- to 8-yr.-olds was longer than that for 9- to 12-yr.-olds, while RT of 9- to 12-yr.-olds and young adults were comparable; (3) in an incongruent color-naming task, RT for 7- to 8-yr.-olds was longer than RT for 9- to 12-yr.-olds, which was longer than RT for young adults; and (4) the interference ratio was higher in 7- to 8-yr.-olds than in 9- to 12-yr.-olds, which was higher than in young adults. These results suggested the difference in interference control between early and middle childhood reported on the go/no-go task and the stop-signal procedure would be observed in the Stroop color–word paradigm as well. The utility of this modified Stroop color–word test for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities was discussed.
Factors in the Fatigue of Heavy Vehicle Drivers
Authors: Perttula Pia , Ojala Tarja , Kuosma Eeva
Published: May 2011

This study assessed work-related and driver-related factors in fatigue among Finnish heavy vehicle drivers. 683 professional drivers responded to a questionnaire, 27.8% of whom reported often feeling fatigue during their work shifts. Of the respondents, 27.5% reported having momentarily fallen asleep at the wheel while driving during the past year. Almost half (46.8%) of the fatigued drivers estimated the reasons for momentarily falling asleep were work-related. Long working shifts and short sleeps significantly increased the risk of momentarily falling asleep at the wheel. The risk of fatigue was the highest for the drivers who were unable to choose the time of their breaks.
Mimicry and Propagation of Prosocial Behavior in a Natural Setting
Authors: Fischer-Lokou Jacques , Martin Angélique , Guéguen Nicolas , Lamy Lubomir
Published: May 2011

This study tested, in a natural setting, the effect of mimicry on people's disposition toward helping others and the extent to which this helping behavior is extended to people not directly involved in the mimicry situation. In the main street of a busy town, men ( n = 101) and women ( n = 109) passersby were encountered and asked for directions. These passersby were subjected to mimicry by naïve confederates who mimicked either verbal behavior alone or verbal and nonverbal behaviors together, including arm, hand, and head movements. In the control condition, passersby were not mimicked. Following this first encounter, each subject was then met further down the street by a second confederate who asked for money. The results show that people who had been mimicked complied more often with a request for money and gave significantly more, suggesting they were more helpful and more generous toward other people, even complete strangers.
Attentional Effects of Masked Famous Faces (But Not Names) and Subjective Evaluations of a Target Person
Authors: Stone Anna
Published: May 2011

Two experiments are reported using a 1986 version of the dot-probe paradigm of MacLeod, Mathews, and Tata, in which the masked subliminal faces of famous persons were differentially associated with attention depending on participants' attitudes toward the famous person. There was attentional avoidance of the faces of persons invoking high disgust (Exp. 1, n = 20) or dislike (Exp. 2) but attentional orientation toward the faces of persons invoking low disgust or liking. In Exp. 2 ( n = 28), this effect was apparent for the faces but not the names of famous persons, despite evidence that the famous names were recognised without awareness. The aversion of attention from faces, but not the names of famous persons who are regarded in a negative light but who are not particularly threatening, may suggest an automatic tendency to avoid making eye contact with an undesirable person thereby avoiding unwanted social interaction.
A Test of the Validity of the is Path Warm Warning Signs for Suicide
Authors: Lester David , McSwain Stephanie , Gunn John F.
Published: May 2011

The 10 warning signs for suicide, encapsulated in the mnemonic IS PATH WARM, did not differentiate between genuine suicide notes and those written by people simulating a suicidal crisis or between notes written by completed suicides and those written by attempted suicides.
Children's Discrimination of Fantastic VS Realistic Visual Displays after Watching a Film with Magical Content
Authors: Subbotsky Eugene , Slater Elizabeth
Published: May 2011

Six- and nine-yr.-old children ( n = 28 of each) were divided into equal experimental and control groups. The experimental groups were shown a film with a magical theme, and the control groups were shown a film with a non-magical theme. All groups then were presented with a choice task requiring them to discriminate between ordinary and fantastic visual displays on a computer screen. Statistical analyses indicated that mean scores for correctly identifying the ordinary and fantastic displays were significantly different between experimental and control groups. The children in the experimental groups who watched the magical film had significantly higher scores on correct identifications than children in the control groups who watched the nonmagical film for both age groups. The results suggest that watching films with a magical theme might enhance children's sensitivity toward the fantasy/reality distinction.
Handedness and Footedness: Relations to Differences in Sprinting Speed and Multiple Sprints Performance in Prepubertal Boys
Authors: Ziyagil Mehmet Akif
Published: May 2011

Physical performance and movement skills are differentiated by brain hemispheric dominance. Relations of handedness and footedness to differences in sprint speed and multiple sprints performances were investigated in 362 prepubertal, male, novice wrestlers. Participants with two months of irregular training experience were grouped by hand and foot preferences and matched on age and anthropometry. Mean running speed was associated with the number of sprints and handedness, but not with footedness. The decrease in sprint speed was less for right-handed subjects, who also had better sprinting speed and multiple sprint performance. Symmetrical arm and leg strength development for left-handers should be emphasized.
Multiple Goals, Writing Strategies, and Written Outcomes for College Students Learning English as a Second Language
Authors: He Tung-Hsien , Chang Shan-Mao , Chen Shu-Hui Eileen
Published: May 2011

This study examined relations of achievement goals of writers who are speakers of English as a foreign language (EFL), the frequency of their writing strategy use, and the quality of their writing from a multiple goals perspective. The goal profiles of 57 EFL college students with similar writing proficiency were based on rating items of an unpublished scale; Group 1 had strong mastery and strong performance–approach goals, and two groups included students with only one strong mastery (Group 2) or performance (Group 3) goal. Think-aloud protocols indicated that the participants adopted 21 strategies in an argumentative writing task, classified into five categories. Group 1 was found to use writing strategies of monitoring or evaluating, revising, and compensating significantly more often than the other two groups, and produced better essays. Strong mastery and performance-approach goals might be beneficial for EFL college writers.
Religiosity and HIV Risk Behaviors in African-American Students
Authors: Boyd-Starke Kimberly , Hill Oliver W. , Fife John , Whittington Marcina
Published: May 2011

The participants were 256 African-American students between the ages of 18 and 25, from two historically Black universities. The purpose of this study was to see how dimensions of religiosity and spirituality influenced the HIV risk behavior in African-American college students. Each participant completed the Expressions of Spirituality Inventory (ESI) and a survey of sexual attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. The data were analyzed using a series of ANOVAs, t tests, and correlations. The results from the study confirmed that there was a relationship between religiosity/spirituality and one's tendency to engage in HIV risk behaviors in the population of African-American college students. Interestingly, this study was able to reveal that traditional indicators of religiosity, such as association and church attendance, were not predictors of any of the risky sexual behaviors or attitudes. The portions of religiosity with the greatest impact on these behaviors were the Experiential/Phenomenological, the Existential Well-being, and the Cognitive dimensions, with high scores on each indicative of less likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviors.
Changes in Background Impair Fluency-Triggered Positive Affect: A Cross-Cultural Test Using a Mere-Exposure Paradigm
Authors: Ishii Keiko
Published: May 2011

This study examined whether repeated exposure would enhance positive evaluations when only a part of a stimulus (e.g., the central object) was identical to a previously presented stimulus. Japanese and American participants were exposed to photographs of animals with scenery, then asked their preferences for each of four types of photographs of animals (photographs of animals with the original scenery, photographs of animals without scenery, photographs of animals with novel scenery, and photographs of animals not depicted previously). Finally, their recognition of the animals presented in the exposure phase was tested. Members of both groups showed the mere-exposure effect for the first two types of stimuli, irrespective of stimulus recognition accuracy, whereas this effect was not observed for animals presented with novel scenery. This suggests that changes in background impair positive affect as a result of repeated exposure.
An Exploratory Investigation of Coffee and Lemon Scents and Odor Identification
Authors: Grosofsky Alexis , Haupert Margaret L. , Versteeg Schyler W.
Published: May 2011

Fragrance sellers often provide coffee beans to their customers as a “nasal palate cleanser,” to reduce the effects of olfactory adaptation and habituation. To test this idea, college students smelled three fragrances multiple times, rating odors each time. After completing nine trials, participants sniffed coffee beans, lemon slices, or plain air. Participants then indicated which of four presented fragrances had not been previously smelled. Coffee beans did not yield better performance than lemon slices or air.
Waldpolitischer Jahresrückblick 2010 | Annual review of swiss forest policy 2010
Authors: Zimmermann Willi
Published: May 2011

In 2010, there were no major forest policy issues that attracted media attention. The year 2010 was rather marked by the preparation of decisions “offstage” and by recurring administrative implementation activities. The partial revision of the forest law, which has been launched, can be regarded as special, because it is not a routine affair: the Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy of the Council of States decided to revise particularly article 7 (compensation for deforestation) and article 10 (assessing forest status) of the forest law, and thus loosen the strict regime for forest conservation. Concerning the sectoral policies related to forest, the parliament took the law on spatial planning (RPG) one step further towards its revision. With the proposed revision of the spatial planning law's article 5 (value-added charge) a forest policy relevant article is now up for discussion. Different forest relevant topics on the international political agenda were discussed during the two international conferences on biodiversity and climate convention just as during the treatment of the alpine and the landscape convention. Next year the discussions will presumably be about the future forest conservation policy.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 1-(3-fluorophenyl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)thiourea
Authors: Saeed Aamer , Shaheen Uzma , Bolte Michael
Published: May 2011

The title thiourea was synthesized by reaction of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl isothiocyante with 3-fluoroaniline. The 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl isothiocyante was produced in situ by reaction of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl chloride with ammonium thiocyanate in dry acetonitrile. The structure was confirmed by the spectroscopic, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction data. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with unit cell dimensions a = 13.0966(9), b = 16.6460(13), c = 7.8448(5), β = 106.721(5)°, V 1637.9(2) Å³, Z = 4.
Thermodynamic Origin of the Vitreous Transition
Authors: Tournier F. Robert
Published: May 2011

The vitreous transition is characterized by a freezing of atomic degrees of freedom at a temperature Tg depending on the heating and cooling rates. A kinetic origin is generally attributed to this phenomenon instead of a thermodynamic one which we develop here. Completed homogeneous nucleation laws reflecting the energy saving due to Fermi energy equalization of nascent crystals and their melt are used. They are applied to bulk metallic glasses and extended to inorganic glasses and polymers. A transition T*g among various Tg corresponds to a crystal homogeneous nucleation temperature, leading to a preliminary formation of a cluster distribution during the relaxation time preceding the long steady-state nucleation time of crystals in small samples. The thermally-activated energy barrier ΔG*2ls/kBT at T*g for homogeneous nucleation is nearly the same in all glass-forming melts and determined by similar values of viscosity and a thermally-activated diffusion barrier from melt to cluster. The glass transition T*g is a material constant and a linear function of the energy saving associated with charge transfers from nascent clusters to the melt. The vitreous transition and the melting temperatures alone are used to predict the free-volume disappearance temperature equal to the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann temperature of fragile glass-forming melts, in agreement with many viscosity measurements. The reversible thermodynamic vitreous transition is determined by the disappearance temperature T*g of the fully-relaxed enthalpy Hr that is not time dependent; the observed specific heat jump at T*g is equal to the proportionality coefficient of Hr with (T*g − Ta) for T ≤ T*g as expected from the enthalpy excess stored by a quenched undercooled melt at the annealing temperature Ta and relaxed towards an equilibrium vitreous state. However, the heat flux measurements found in literature over the last 50 years only gave an out-of-equilibrium Tg since the enthalpy is continuous at T*g without visible heat jump.
RuCl3·3H2O Catalyzed Reactions: Facile Synthesis of Bis(indolyl)methanes under Mild Conditions
Authors: Qu Hong-En , Xiao Chen , Wang Ning , Yu Kai-Hui , Hu Qiao-Sheng , Liu Liang-Xian
Published: May 2011

RuCl3·3H2O was found to be an effective catalyst for reactions of indoles, 2-methylthiophene, and 2-methylfuran with aldehydes to afford the corresponding bis(indolyl)methanes, bis(thienyl)methanes, and bis(fur-2-yl)methanes in moderate to excellent yields. Experimental results indicated that mono(indolyl)methanol is not the reaction intermediate under these reaction conditions.
Amorphous and Polycrystalline Photoconductors for Direct Conversion Flat Panel X-Ray Image Sensors
Authors: Kasap Safa , Frey Joel B. , Belev George , Tousignant Olivier , Mani Habib , Greenspan Jonathan , Laperriere Luc , Bubon Oleksandr , Reznik Alla , DeCrescenzo Giovanni , Karim Karim S. , Rowlands John A.
Published: May 2011

In the last ten to fifteen years there has been much research in using amorphous and polycrystalline semiconductors as x-ray photoconductors in various x-ray image sensor applications, most notably in flat panel x-ray imagers (FPXIs). We first outline the essential requirements for an ideal large area photoconductor for use in a FPXI, and discuss how some of the current amorphous and polycrystalline semiconductors fulfill these requirements. At present, only stabilized amorphous selenium (doped and alloyed a-Se) has been commercialized, and FPXIs based on a-Se are particularly suitable for mammography, operating at the ideal limit of high detective quantum efficiency (DQE). Further, these FPXIs can also be used in real-time, and have already been used in such applications as tomosynthesis. We discuss some of the important attributes of amorphous and polycrystalline x-ray photoconductors such as their large area deposition ability, charge collection efficiency, x-ray sensitivity, DQE, modulation transfer function (MTF) and the importance of the dark current. We show the importance of charge trapping in limiting not only the sensitivity but also the resolution of these detectors. Limitations on the maximum acceptable dark current and the corresponding charge collection efficiency jointly impose a practical constraint that many photoconductors fail to satisfy. We discuss the case of a-Se in which the dark current was brought down by three orders of magnitude by the use of special blocking layers to satisfy the dark current constraint. There are also a number of polycrystalline photoconductors, HgI2 and PbO being good examples, that show potential for commercialization in the same way that multilayer stabilized a-Se x-ray photoconductors were developed for commercial applications. We highlight the unique nature of avalanche multiplication in a-Se and how it has led to the development of the commercial HARP video-tube. An all solid state version of the HARP has been recently demonstrated with excellent avalanche gains; the latter is expected to lead to a number of novel imaging device applications that would be quantum noise limited. While passive pixel sensors use one TFT (thin film transistor) as a switch at the pixel, active pixel sensors (APSs) have two or more transistors and provide gain at the pixel level. The advantages of APS based x-ray imagers are also discussed with examples.
Intracellular Localization and Cellular Factors Interaction of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 Tax Proteins: Similarities and Functional Differences
Authors: Bertazzoni Umberto , Turci Marco , Avesani Francesca , Di Gennaro Gianfranco , Bidoia Carlo , Romanelli Maria Grazia
Published: May 2011

Human T-lymphotropic viruses type 1 (HTLV-1) and type 2 (HTLV-2) present very similar genomic structures but HTLV-1 is more pathogenic than HTLV-2. Is this difference due to their transactivating Tax proteins, Tax-1 and Tax-2, which are responsible for viral and cellular gene activation? Do Tax-1 and Tax-2 differ in their cellular localization and in their interaction pattern with cellular factors? In this review, we summarize Tax-1 and Tax-2 structural and phenotypic properties, their interaction with factors involved in signal transduction and their localization-related behavior within the cell. Special attention will be given to the distinctions between Tax-1 and Tax-2 that likely play an important role in their transactivation activity.
Indicateurs d'engagements implicites des systèmes de retraite : que mesurent-ils exactement ?
Authors: Blanchet Didier , Ouvrard Jean-François
Published: May 2011

La notion d'engagements implicites des systèmes de retraite peut se décliner de plusieurs manières. Deux approches sont centrées sur les stocks de droits déjà accumulés et restant à servir aux retraités ou cotisants actuels : il s'agit des approches dites « en droits acquis » ou « en système fermé ». Une troisième approche prend également en compte les droits et cotisations des générations de cotisants à venir : il s'agit de l'approche en système ouvert. Ce document propose des chiffrages indicatifs issus de ces différentes approches. Il propose également quelques résultats analytiques relatifs aux deux premières approches en régime permanent équilibré. Il compare enfin les propriétés des trois approches face à des scénarios démographiques types, à savoir un baby-boom et/ou un accroissement de l'espérance de vie. Ces simulations confirment que l'approche en système ouvert est plus informative et plus adaptée lorsque la question que l'on se pose est celle de la soutenabilité du système à long terme, et non pas celle du provisionnement des engagements courants.