bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Cloaking of H2A.Z on Mortal DNA Chromosomes During Nonrandom Segregation
Authors: Huh Yang Hoon , Sherley James L.
Published: September 2011

Although nonrandom sister chromatid segregation is a singular property of distributed stem cells (DSCs) that are responsible for renewing and repairing mature vertebrate tissues, both its cellular function and its molecular mechanism remain unknown. This situation persists in part because of the lack of facile methods for detecting and quantifying nonrandom segregating cells and for identifying chromosomes with immortal DNA strands, the cellular molecules that signify nonrandom segregation. During nonrandom segregation, at each mitosis, asymmetrically self-renewing DSCs continuously cosegregate to themselves the set of chromosomes that contain immortal DNA strands, which are the oldest DNA strands. Here, we report the discovery of a molecular asymmetry between segregating sets of immortal chromosomes and opposed mortal chromosomes (i.e., containing the younger set of DNA template strands) that constitutes a new convenient biomarker for detection of cells undergoing nonrandom segregation and direct delineation of chromosomes that bear immortal DNA strands. In both cells engineered with DSC-specific properties and ex vivo-expanded mouse hair follicle stem cells, the histone H2A variant H2A.Z shows specific immunodetection on immortal DNA chromosomes. Cell fixation analyses indicate that H2A.Z is present on mortal chromosomes as well but is cloaked from immunodetection, and the cloaking entity is acid labile. The H2A.Z chromosomal asymmetry produced by molecular cloaking provides a first direct assay for nonrandom segregation and for chromosomes with immortal DNA strands. It also seems likely to manifest an important aspect of the underlying mechanism(s) responsible for nonrandom sister chromatid segregation in DSCs.
A measurement‐based ageing analysis of the JVM
Authors: Cotroneo Domenico , Orlando Salvatore , Pietrantuono Roberto , Russo Stefano
Published: September 2011

In this work, a software ageing analysis of Java‐based software systems is conducted. The JVM is the core layer in Java‐based systems, and its dependability greatly affects the overall system quality. Starting from an experimental campaign on a real‐world test bed, this work isolates the contribution of the JVM to the overall ageing trend, and identifies, through statistical methods, which workload parameters are the most relevant to ageing dynamics. Results revealed the presence of several ageing dynamics in the JVM, including (i) a throughput loss trend mainly dependent on the execution unit, (ii) a slow memory depletion drift due to the just‐in‐time‐compiler activity and (iii) a fast memory depletion drift caused by dynamics inside the garbage collector. The outlined procedure and obtained results are useful in order to (i) identify the presence of ageing phenomena, (ii) perform online ageing detection and time‐to‐exhaustion prediction and (iii) define optimal rejuvenation techniques. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seismic performance of raised floor system by shake‐table excitations
Authors: Liao Wen‐I , Chai Juin‐Fu , Loh Chin‐Hsiung , Huang Shiang‐He
Published: September 2011

Damage of expensive equipment installed in the raised floor system of high‐tech fabs was often observed during past earthquakes in Taiwan. This resulted in a huge loss of manufacturing functions and properties for the high‐tech industry. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the dynamic characteristics of the raised floor system for future seismic protection. This paper explores the seismic performance of a raised floor system under shake‐table excitations. The raised floor used was a pedestal–stringer frame structure supporting the simulated equipment. This raised floor system was the typical system frequently used in semi‐conductor fabs of Taiwan. The input motions for the shake‐table tests were the waffle‐slab floor accelerations of a typical semi‐conductor fab to simulated ground motions. The ground motions were simulated according to the phase spectrum and the maximum potential earthquake of the site located at Hsin‐Chu Science Park, Taiwan. The dynamic characteristics of the raised floor system were studied and discussed. This study also employed the finite element package to carry out numerical simulation on seismic responses of raised floor systems. Comparison with the experimental data showed that the proposed simulation model achieved excellent performance. Finally, the effectiveness of base isolation for reducing the acceleration of the system was also studied. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Construction and test of an artificial uterus for ex situ development of shark embryos
Authors: Nick Otway , Megan Ellis
Published: September 2011

An artificial uterus (AU) was constructed from clear and opaque acrylic and life‐support and monitoring systems were attached. The dwarf ornate wobbegong shark (Orectolobus ornatus) was used to test the AU because recent research has shown that during pregnancy the uterine fluid composition changes with mid‐ to late‐term embryos immersed in seawater. An artificial uterine fluid comprising filtered, autoclaved seawater was placed in the AU. Eight, sexually mature female O. ornatus were captured from the wild and held in captivity. Subsequent ultrasound examinations confirmed pregnancy in three of these females. Six late‐term embryos (three males and three females) were removed surgically from one euthanized female and placed in the AU. Their condition was monitored for 18 days before “birth” on September 26, 2008. The subsequent survival and growth of the AU pups was compared with naturally born wobbegong pups in captivity over a 140‐day monitoring period. The development in the AU did not have detrimental effects as there was no postpartum mortality and there were marked increases in total length and weight that did not differ significantly between the two groups. Zoo Biol 31: 197–205, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Water‐in‐Diesel Fuel Nanoemulsions Prepared by High Energy: Emulsion Drop Size and Stability, and Emission Characteristics
Authors: Al‐Sabagh A. M. , Emara Mostafa M. , Noor El‐Din M. R. , Aly W. R.
Published: September 2011

Water‐in‐diesel fuel nanoemulsions were prepared with mixed nonionic surfactants. The high energy emulsification method was used to form three emulsions containing different water contents: 5, 10 and 14% (v/v). These nanoemulsions were stabilized with a mixture of 20% sorbitan monooleate, and 80% polyethoxylated (20 EO) sorbitan trioleate, resulting in an HLB of 10 (HLB—hydrophilic‐lipophilic balance). The effect of water on the droplet size, emulsion calorific value, and emission gases such as nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide emissions and exhaust gas temperatures in diesel engines has been studied. It was found that the mean sizes of the droplets formed (between 19.3 and 39 nm) depend on the water content and the concentration of the blend emulsifiers.
Rauchen und Lungenkrebs
Authors: Krawczak M.
Published: September 2011

Sir Ronald Aylmer Fisher, der wohl berühmteste und produktivste Statistiker des 20. Jahrhunderts, hat zeit seines Lebens den kausalen Zusammenhang zwischen dem Tabakrauchen und der Entstehung von Lungenkrebs angezweifelt. Er zog stattdessen einen genetischen „Confounder“ als Erklärung für die zwischen beiden Faktoren bestehende statistische Assoziation in Betracht, d. h. er konstatierte ein Gen, das sowohl das Rauchverhalten als auch die Krebsätiologie beeinflusst. Es gab viele Versuche, Fishers Starrsinn in dieser Angelegenheit zu erklären. Neben außerwissenschaftlichen Gründen (Fisher war selbst leidenschaftlicher Raucher) spielte wohl auch Fishers Sorge um den Stellenwert valider statistischer Methoden in der medizinischen Forschung eine entscheidende Rolle. Genomweite Assoziationsanalysen (GWAS) zum Rauchverhalten und zum Lungenkrebs haben in jüngster Vergangenheit Hinweise dafür geliefert, dass Fishers Überlegungen vielleicht doch ein Fünkchen Wahrheit enthielten und dass sich sein Confounder in Form des Gens für die Nikotinrezeptor-Untereinheit α5 auf Chromosom 15q25 wiederfinden könnte.
Geotechnical Properties of the Bank Sediments along the Dhansiri River Channel, Assam
Authors: Kotoky P. , Dutta M. K. , Goswami R. , Borah G. C.
Published: September 2011

The bank sediments along the extremely meandered Dhansiri River channel, a south bank tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra River, with erosion potentiality have been investigated to evaluate its certain geotechnical characteristics. The study has shown that the bank sediments are basically composed of CL and ML types of soil. These types of sediments are very much prone to liquefaction which in turn related to erosion susceptibility. The bank stability analysis has differentiated the studied stretch into unstable, at risk and stable zones. Most of the erosion affected zones along the channel reach under study are located within the unstable or at risk zones. The field study around Butalikhowa, Barguriagaon, Golaghat and Duchmuagaon areas along the channel with active erosion activity has supported our contention and practical utility of the present study. It is expected that such type of study will help in providing certain inevitable baseline information for various channel management practices for this extremely flood prone areas of Northeast India.
Early Triassic Palynomorphs from Manuguru Area of Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Jha Neerja , Sabina K Pauline , Mehrotra N. C.
Published: September 2011

Palynological analysis of the subsurface sediments from the bore hole 1008 (PK-6&7 blocks) from Manuguru area of Godavari graben has revealed the presence of Early Triassic palynoflora. Quantitative and qualitative palynological analysis of the productive samples have shown that the palynofossil content is predominated by cingulate-cavate spores, viz. Lundbladispora and Densoisporites and taeniate pollen like Lunatisporites in association with other taxa, such as Falcisporites, Alisporites, Klausipollenites, Chordasporites, Verrucosisporites and Osmundacidites. The above recovered palynoflora provides conclusive evidence for the presence of Early Triassic sediments equivalent to Panchet in the Manuguru area of Godavari graben. This is the first record of Early Triassic palynoflora in the Manuguru area. This corroborates the findings of Jha and Srivastava (1996) that the Lower Kamthi Formation represents the Early Triassic sequence equivalent to the Panchet Formation.
Linkage of Paraglacial Processes from Last Glacial to Recent Inferred from Spituk Sequence, Leh Valley, Ladakh Himalaya
Authors: Sant Dhananjay A. , Wadhawan Sudesh K. , Ganjoo Rajinder K. , Basavaiah Nathani , Sukumaran Prabhin , Bhattacharya Sourabh
Published: September 2011

The paraglacial sequence in the Leh valley, Ladakh Himalaya preserves imprints of various processes active during deglaciation in the late phase of Last Glacial. In present work, a high resolution sedimentological record generated for Spituk is presented identifying aeolian episodes, mudflow events from Ladakh Range and debris flows extending from Zanskar Range across present Indus River. Two temporal phases of water ponding within Spituk Sequence are also identified. The seismites recorded at various stratigraphic depths and their association with the sediment facies signifies gravity induced process besides possible seismic activity as an added phenomena. Linkage between paraglacial processes since Last Glacial to Recent is tracked and evaluated.
Prediction of Sea Ice Edge in the Antarctic Using GVF Snake Model
Authors: Rana Pravin K. , Dash Mihir K. , Routray A. , Pandey P. C.
Published: September 2011

Antarctic sea ice cover plays an important role in shaping the earth’s climate, primarily by insulating the ocean from the atmosphere and increasing the surface albedo. The convective processes accompanied with the sea ice formation result bottom water formation. The cold and dense bottom water moves towards the equator along the ocean basins and takes part in the global thermohaline circulation. Sea ice edge is a potential indicator of climate change. Additionally, fishing and commercial shipping activities as well as military submarine operations in the polar seas need reliable ice edge information. However, as the sea ice edge is unstable in time, the temporal validity of the estimated ice edge is often shorter than the time required to transfer the information to the operational user. Hence, an accurate sea ice edge prediction as well as determination is crucial for fine-scale geophysical modeling and for near-real-time operations. In this study, active contour modelling (known as Snake model) and non-rigid motion estimation techniques have been used for predicting the sea ice edge (SIE) in the Antarctic. For this purpose the SIE has been detected from sea ice concentration derived using special sensor microwave imager (SSM/I) observations. The 15% sea ice concentration pixels are being taken as the edge pixel between ice and water. The external force, gradient vector flow (GVF), of SIE for total the Antarctic region is parameterised for daily as well as weekly data set. The SIE is predicted at certain points using a statistical technique. These predicted points have been used to constitute a SIE using artificial intelligence technique, the gradient vector flow (GVF). The predicted edge has been validated with that of SSM/I. It is found that all the major curvatures have been captured by the predicated edge and it is in good agreement with that of the SSM/I observation.
The Ice Sheet Dynamics around Dakshin Gangotri Glacier, Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica vis-à-vis Topography and Meteorological Parameters
Authors: Shrivastava Prakash Kumar , Asthana Rajesh , Roy Sandip Kumar
Published: September 2011

Recession of the snout of Dakshin Gangotri glacier in the western part of Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica has been recorded over two decades. However, the rate of retreat is not uniform and varies at different locations. The ice wall forming the western flank of the glacier has shown an average retreat of 17.07 m between 2001 and 2009 while the snout had gone back by 6.94 m (average) during the same period. Before 2001, the snout had shown a complete recession of 3.13 m (average). The snout occupies valley area receiving less amount of solar radiation as compared to the western wall, which is a vertical cliff receiving maximum amount of solar radiation. The notable difference in the rate of recession in different parts of the Dakshin Gangotri glacier overriding Schirmacher Oasis can be attributed to combined effect of natural factors, including meteorological parameters, ice sheet dynamics and geomorphology of that area.
Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene Climate of Ny-Alesund, Svalbard (Norway): A Study based on Biological Proxies
Authors: Singh Vartika , Farooqui Anjum , Mehrotra Naresh C. , Singh Dhruv Sen , Tewari Rajni , Jha Neerja , Kar Ratan
Published: September 2011

Subsurface sediments of a 120 cm deep trench from Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, were analysed for pollen-spores and other organic matter contents. This study is supported by two AMS 14C dates (27, 200 yrs BP and 8,762 yrs BP) at the bottom and topmost litho-unit of the trench, respectively. The pollen record provides an evidence of a warm interval at about 27,200 yr BP (Late Weichselian and MIS 3) and cooling episode around 8,762 yr BP. This is also supported by the amount and type of organic matter as well as sediment type and depositional history of the trench sediments.
Zur regionalen Differenzierung von Wassernutzungsabgaben
Authors: Gawel Erik , Möckel Stefan
Published: September 2011

Regulatory water use charges aim at restructuring water uses according to scarcity of regional water services. Hence, a spatial differentiation of the charge design appears to be an appropriate means of water pricing policy. Similarly, the European Water Framework Directive with its requirement of regional water resources management and its focus on river basins and water bodies could demand or indicate regional differentiations. However, in Germany two water use charges exist mainly unrelated to regional scarcity patterns: a nationwide effluent charge and different water extraction charges in 11 German States. Moreover, in 2006 the federal government has obtained the competence to implement a nationwide charge on water withdrawal without any regional differentiations. Against this background, the paper analyses the scope and limitations of regionally differentiated water use charges in Germany. First, the Water Framework Directive is examined as to whether the so-called combined approach of both emissions and immissions requirements makes a regional approach for charges mandatory. Second, the paper investigates the main conceptual elements and options of a regionalisation and their ecological, economic, legal and political aspects. The authors conclude that regionally differentiated water use charges are feasible as well as justifiable. However, with particular respect to the environmental objectives of protection of coastal water and marine ecosystems an effluent charge should still provide nationwide incentives according to the emissions principle. For water extraction charges the authors recommend a nationwide regulation framework yet completed by legal options for regional differentiations on e.g. water body level.
Causes and imaging features of false positives and false negatives on 18F-PET/CT in oncologic imaging
Authors: Long Niamh M. , Smith Clare S.
Published: September 2011

Background

18F-FDG is a glucose analogue that is taken up by a wide range of malignancies. 18F-FDG PET-CT is now firmly established as an accurate method for the staging and restaging of various cancers. However, 18F-FDG also accumulates in normal tissue and other non-malignant conditions, and some malignancies do not take up F18-FDG or have a low affinity for the tracer, leading to false-positive and false-negative interpretations.

Methods

PET-CT allows for the correlation of two separate imaging modalities, combining both morphological and metabolic information. We should use the CT to help interpret the PET findings. In this article we will highlight specific false-negative and false-positive findings that one should be aware of when interpreting oncology scans.

Results

We aim to highlight post-treatment conditions that are encountered routinely on restaging scans that can lead to false-positive interpretations. We will emphasise the importance of using the CT component to help recognise these entities to allow improved diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusion

In light of the increased use of PET-CT, it is important that nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists be aware of these conditions and correlate the PET and CT components to avoid misdiagnosis, over staging of disease and unnecessary biopsies.
Attachment to God, Stressful Life Events, and Changes in Psychological Distress
Authors: Ellison Christopher G. , Bradshaw Matt , Kuyel Nilay , Marcum Jack P.
Published: September 2011

Considerable research shows that social relationships, attachments, and support systems promote emotional well-being. The present study adds to this literature by examining the connection between attachments to God and psychological distress. Analyzing longitudinal data (two waves) from a study of Presbyterian (PCUSA) elders and rank-and-file laypersons, results show that: (1) a secure attachment to God at baseline is associated with a decrease in distress over time; (2) a secure attachment to God buffers against the deleterious effects of stressful life events on distress; and (3) an anxious attachment to God exacerbates the harmful effects of stress. In these analyses, a secure attachment to God is a more robust predictor of changes in distress than many, more commonly studied variables including race, gender, SES, and church attendance. Future research should therefore replicate and extend this line of promising scholarship by examining additional outcomes such as psychiatric illness, physical health, and even mortality risk.
The effects of micronutrient-fortified complementary/replacement food on intestinal permeability and systemic markers of inflammation among maternally HIV-exposed and unexposed Zambian infants
Authors: Mullen Anne , Gosset Laura , Larke Natasha , Manno Daniela , Chisenga Molly , Kasonka Lackson , Filteau Suzanne
Published: September 2011

The present randomised trial investigated the effects of feeding Zambian infants from 6 to 18 months old either a richly or basal micronutrient-fortified complementary/replacement food on gut integrity and systemic inflammation. Blood samples were obtained from all infants (n743) at 6 and 18 months for the assessment of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP). A subsample of 502 infants, selected from the main cohort to include a larger proportion of infants with HIV-positive mothers, was assigned to lactulose/mannitol gut permeability tests. Lactulose:mannitol (L:M) ratio analyses were adjusted for baseline urinary L:M ratio, socio-economic status, mother's education, season of birth and baseline stunting, and stratified by maternal antenatal HIV status, child's sex, concurrent breast-feeding status and anaemia at baseline. There was no significant difference in geometric mean L:M ratio between the richly fortified and basal-fortified porridge arms at 12 months (0·47 (95 % CI 0·41, 0·55)v.0·41 (95 % CI 0·34, 0·49);P = 0·16 adjusted). At 18 months, the richly fortified porridge group had a significantly higher geometric mean L:M ratio than the basal-fortified group (0·23 (95 % CI 0·19, 0·28)v.0·15 (95 % CI 0·12, 0·19);P = 0·02 adjusted). This effect was evident for all stratifications, significantly among boys (P = 0·04), among the infants of HIV-negative mothers (P = 0·01), among the infants of HIV-negative mothers not concurrently breast-fed (P = 0·01) and among those who were not anaemic at baseline (P = 0·03). CRP, but not AGP, was positively associated with L:M ratio, but there were no significant effects of the diet on either CRP or AGP. In conclusion, a richly fortified complementary/replacement food did not benefit and may have worsened intestinal permeability.
Lutein and zeaxanthin intake and the risk of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Le , Dou Hong-Liang , Wu Yi-Qun , Huang Yang-Mu , Huang Yu-Bei , Xu Xian-Rong , Zou Zhi-Yong , Lin Xiao-Ming
Published: September 2011

Lutein and zeaxanthin are thought to decrease the incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD); however, findings have been inconsistent. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin and AMD risk. Relevant studies were identified by searching five databases up to April 2010. Reference lists of articles were retrieved, and experts were contacted. Literature search, data extraction and study quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers and results were pooled quantitatively using meta-analysis methods. The potential sources of heterogeneity and publication bias were also estimated. The search yielded six longitudinal cohort studies. The pooled relative risk (RR) for early AMD, comparing the highest with the lowest category of lutein and zeaxanthin intake, was 0·96 (95 % CI 0·78, 1·17). Dietary intake of these carotenoids was significantly related with a reduction in risk of late AMD (RR 0·74; 95 % CI 0·57, 0·97); and a statistically significant inverse association was observed between lutein and zeaxanthin intake and neovascular AMD risk (RR 0·68; 95 % CI 0·51, 0·92). The results were essentially consistent among subgroups stratified by participant characteristics. The findings of the present meta-analysis indicate that dietary lutein and zeaxanthin is not significantly associated with a reduced risk of early AMD, whereas an increase in the intake of these carotenoids may be protective against late AMD. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these relationships.
‘Guatemala Will Never Change’: Radical Pessimism and the Politics of Personal Interest in the Western Highlands
Authors: COPELAND NICK
Published: September 2011

This article examines how neoliberal multicultural governance shapes the political imaginaries and practices of rural indigenous Guatemalans in the town of San Pedro Necta. Decades of counter-insurgency warfare have displaced radical politics into sanctioned forms of ethnic empowerment, memory and development, but most indigenoussampedranoshave maintained radical investments. Persistent political violence, stalled reforms and clientelist favouritism undermined multicultural inclusion, development and optimism regarding the 1996 peace accords, and weakened community autonomy. The resulting mix of pessimism, unmet needs and divisionism has discouraged progressive politics and normalised political disengagement and, increasingly, self-interested affiliations with multiple conservative parties, including corrupt authoritarian populists implicated in genocide.
ON THE TREATMENT OF PITCH IN EARLY MUSIC WRITING
Authors: Rankin Susan
Published: September 2011

When a practical way of recording music in writing was invented in the early ninth century, it defined neither the pitches of specific notes in a melody, nor the intervallic relations between successive notes. Nineteenth-century views of such notations considered them primitive; more recent descriptions have recognised that precise pitch notation was not a basic aim. But how did ninth-century neumatic notations deal with pitch, and, if the role of memory was not usurped by written records, what role did notation fulfil? In this study, the interaction of memory and writing is explored. Notations written by a French and by a German scribe (F-La MS 239 and S-SG MS 359) are seen to follow different strategies for the arrangement of signs above the text, striking divergent visual balances between pitch information and the text–music link. In each notation the reader is led along a path of recall, with more or less emphatic written signals provided as required.
MORALES, JOSQUIN AND THEL'HOMME ARMÉTRADITION
Authors: Sargent Joseph
Published: September 2011

The expansive tradition of RenaissanceL'homme armémasses often prompts considerations of how composers competed with, imitated or emulated one another. For fifteenth-century settings, written in close chronological proximity, such comparisons have yielded important channels of influence. But they are less effective in explainingL'homme armémasses from the mid-sixteenth century, written after this tradition's heyday and less immediately concerned with proximate influence. This article addresses the relationships between two pairs ofL'homme armémasses by composers of two separate generations: Cristóbal de Morales and Josquin des Prez. Besides uncovering close links between these works relating to source tune treatment, mode, texture and overall style, it offers a new contextualisation for these practices. Morales does not compete with, imitate or emulate Josquin; rather, he reanimates theL'homme armétradition by adapting features from its most renowned practitioner and translating them into a contemporary musical language.
THE MONETARY ECONOMICS OF BENJAMIN GRAHAM: A BRIDGE BETWEEN GOODS AND MONEY?
Authors: MEHRLING PERRY
Published: September 2011

Benjamin Graham’s amateur proposal for a commodity reserve currency (1937, 1944) has attracted the attention of professional economists and policy makers, but usually for their own prior purposes and designs. This paper places the proposal in the context of Graham’s own time and the intellectual resources available to him, with a view to elucidating both Graham’s own sense of the proposal and the reasons the proposal earned the reception it did.
Evaluation of an acupuncture service in oncology
Authors: Salmon J
Published: September 2011

Background and aims: Current evidence suggests that acupuncture may provide some palliation of the symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatments. Therefore, consideration of the potential benefit of the introduction of an acupuncture service in oncology at Cornwall was investigated. This study describes the experience of patients using the service.

Methods: Between April 2005 and October 2007, 107 oncology patients experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, hot flushes, pain, breathlessness, dry mouth, anxiety, depression, fatigue, diarrhoea, constipation or difficulties in coping, were referred for up to 10 weekly acupuncture treatments. About 103 had acupuncture treatment. This observational study utilised responses to questionnaires and self assessment of symptoms at the start (baseline), on completion of treatment and at two months post-acupuncture treatment.

Results: Complete data were returned for 47 participants. Improvement in vasomotor symptoms was seen in 86% of patients presenting with hot flushes. There was a significant (p = < 0.001) reduction in anxiety following acupuncture. The mean difference between scores on the Fatigue Scale (18) across the study period showed improvement in patients experiencing fatigue (p = 0.039).

Conclusion: An acupuncture service for Oncology is practicable and is of benefit to patients. A future randomised controlled trial focusing on the use of acupuncture for hot flushes associated with hormonal treatments for cancer would be worthwhile as these patients form the bulk of referrals and many reported improvement in their hot flushes. A pilot study to compare acupuncture and Venlafaxine for hot flushes in breast cancer patients taking anti-oestrogen treatment is currently being planned. The results of this study demonstrate that acupuncture may benefit patients experiencing anxiety and/or fatigue associated with cancer. A larger randomised controlled trial would more adequately investigate this hypothesis.
The Law Society of Ireland Library; Serving the Solicitors' Profession in Challenging Times
Authors: Gaynor Mary
Published: September 2011

Mary Gaynor gives a brief outline of the historical context of the establishment and development of the Law Society of Ireland library service. She describes core services to solicitor members and trainee solicitors. The impact of the economic recession on the number of solicitors entering, and staying within the profession, is discussed in the context of how the library has adapted to meet the changing needs of its users.
Researching Irish law – A Guide to Legislation, Caselaw and Commentary Sources
Authors: Curtin Sinéad , Steen Alice
Published: September 2011

Sinéad Curtin and Alice Steen review sources of Irish legislation, caselaw and legal commentary. Their article also provides guidance on common research queries such as checking amendments to legislation.
The Provision of Library and Research Services in the Office of the Attorney General – a Law Office of the State
Authors: O'Flaherty Ruth
Published: September 2011

Ruth O'Flaherty briefly discusses the provision of library and research services in the Office of the Attorney General.
The Library of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
Authors: McCabe Conor
Published: September 2011

Conor McCabe outlines the role of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the way that the library provides support and the impact of budget cuts on the service.
The Law Reform Commission's Library & Information Service
Authors: Kennedy Conor
Published: September 2011

Conor Kennedy provides an overview of the Law Reform Commission's Library & Information Service
The Public Prosecution Service
Authors: Sleator Jacki
Published: September 2011

Jacki Sleator outlines the origins of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) and how the organisation made its transition from a small organisation to one of the biggest legal departments in N Ireland.
Books You Cannot Afford to be Without!
Authors: Speight Dunstan
Published: September 2011

Dunstan Speight, of Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, gives his recommendations for some essential reference desk titles.
The History of the Rorschach: Overcoming Bias in Multicultural Projective Assessment
Authors: Costantino Giuseppe , Flanagan Rosemary , Malgady Robert
Published: September 2011

Cet article présente une revue de la recherche sur l’évaluation multiculturelle. Cette recherche est organisée en termes de définitions des biais en accord avec la littérature psychométrique: validité, différences de moyennes, invariance des facteurs, validité prédictive, et équivalence de mesures. Dans un deuxième temps, nous présentons l’histoire du test des taches d’encre de Rorschach en insistant sur le Système Intégré. Enfin, nous discutons de la façon dont le Rorschach, et tout particulièrement le Système Intégré, a tenté de dépasser les biais de l’évaluation projective.

Est-il approprié d’utiliser des tests psychologiques développés pour les groupes culturels majeurs aux Etats-Unis? C’est une question dont on débat depuis plusieurs décennies. La littérature psychométrique portant sur les biais des tests indique que les tests psychologiques traditionnels doivent être remis en question dans leur utilisation avec des groupes ethniques, raciaux, linguistiques, et culturels diversifiés. Bien qu’il y ait sur ce sujet des arguments dialectiques, on trouve un consensus empirique pour affirmer que des facteurs culturels influencent les résultats des tests standards; il est donc nécessaire de développer des tests psychologiques qui soient culturellement sensibles.

Les taches d’encre du Rorschach per se semblent posséder une bonne validité transculturelle. Toutefois, la cotation et l’interprétation du Rorschach s’est développée dans cinq systèmes différents (ceux de Beck, Hertz, Klopfer, Piotrowski et Rapaport). Ces systèmes ont engendré et développé des biais dans l’évaluation projective. Depuis 25 ans, Exner et ses associés ont mené un grand nombre de recherches visant à intégrer les éléments les plus défendables psychométriquement et solides empiriquement des cinq systèmes, pour produire le Système Intégré. Ce travail a été fondé sur des investigations rigoureuses, et a été continuellement révisé et développé jusqu’aujourd’hui.

C’est pourquoi le Système Intégré présente une fidélité et une validité satisfaisantes pour l’administration, la cotation, la comparaison normative, et l’interprétation. Ce système a vaincu un certain nombre de biais de l’évaluation projective, et a largement contribué à son maintien dans la pratique psychologique. Néanmoins, le Système Intégré présente quelques problèmes dans le domaine de l’évaluation projective multiculturelle. Par exemple, ses normes, qui sont considérées comme valides pour les groupes majeurs non-minoritaires des Etats-Unis, peuvent présenter des problèmes s’ils sont généralisés à des groupes culturels non-majeurs aux Etats-Unis, et à des individus dans d’autres pays. Ces problèmes peuvent être résolus en développant des normes spécifiques à des cultures pour de larges groupes culturels non-majeurs, tels que hispanique et afro-américain et pour les groupes d’Europe du Sud et d’Amérique du Sud.
Psychomatic Diseases and the Rorschach Test
Authors: Bash K. W.
Published: September 2011

Les études réalisées auprès de groupes de patients psychosomatiques ne nous ont pas mené très loin. En règle générale, le “syndrome psychosomatique” qui émerge de la plupart des études consiste en un Type de Résonance Intime coarté, pauvre en kinesthésies et en réponses couleurs différenciées et adaptatives, de faibles originalité et spontanéité, et avec un contrôle formel plutôt rigide. Ce tableau n’a rien de spécifique et on peut le rencontrer dans toute une variété d’autres troubles, pas nécessairement névrotiques. Les diagnostics Rorschach de maladies psychosomatiques isolées sont parfois affirmés, parfois niés. En tous les cas, ils présentent de telles variances intragroupe qu’ils ne fournissent aucune aide au diagnostic.

Les seules conclusions véritables sont peut-être négatives. Les études Rorschach ne confirment pas que la “pensée opératoire” ou l’alexithymie ont une relation spécifique à la maladie psychosomatique, mais elles ne l’infirme pas non plus. Elles ne mettent pas en évidence un syndrome Rorschach commun à toutes les maladies psychosomatiques et qu’on ne trouverait pas dans d’autres troubles. Elles ne démontrent pas de manière concluante qu’il existerait des configurations de test spécifiques à la maladie psychosomatique. Nous devons préciser que l’échec de cette démonstration ne prouve pas qu’il n’y en aurait pas.

D’un autre côté, il serait injuste d’attribuer l’absence de résultats Rorschach spécifiques dans le domaine entier de la maladie psychosomatique à un défaut de la méthode, parce que cet échec repose sur une fausse dichotomie, qui doit être repensée.

La valeur du test du Rorschach provient de l’insight qu’il permet d’avoir de la structure de personnalité du patient individuel. En cela, il reste inégalé.
Rorschach Variables as Possible Prognostic Indicators in Cases of Serious Psychic Trauma
Authors: Ros Plana Montserrat
Published: September 2011

Cet article cherche d’évaluer, avec le test du Rorschach, quatre femme de 38, 36, 30 et 28 ans, que avaient vécu un sérieux trauma psychique, la mort subite de ses mères par suicide. La femme de 38 ans avait perdu sa mère quand elle avait 36 ans; celle de 36 ans, quant elle avait 17; et celles de 30 et 28 ans, que etaient soeurs, quand elles avaient 16 et 14 ans. Lorsque ont été testé, toutes elles etaient venues en aide à un professionel par une expérience inquietante at récente de séparation ou de ménace de séparation. Les résultes de l’évaluation montrèrent dans ce moment qui de chacune pouvait être l’objet d’une psychothérapie, et dans le quatre cas on recommandé thérapeutique psychanalytique.

La suite subséquente révèla tant le pronostic assez optimiste que la recommandation de suivre une thérapie psychanalytique, n’avaient été approriées dans ceux cas. Pour cette raison on revirent les protocoles du Rorschach, pour trouver dans les réponses quelque possible trace qu’il ait été laissé de côté ou dûment réfléchie, causant ainsi un pronostic erroné. Les protocoles du Rorschach se remirent à évaluer, considérant tant les données structurales que les implications du contenu par élucider la nature des relations d’objet.

Les dossiers de trois femmes soulignaient les signes elevés DEPI, CDI et S-CON, et toutes elles donnaient une ponctuation D moins. Le numéro de réponses relies à l’anatomie, rayons X et sexe était extraordinairement haut dans les trois cas, et toutes ces femmes donnèrent beaucoup de réponses dramatiques en MOR. Leurs réponses de contenu humain et mouvement réveillaient remarquables éléments de relations narcissistes et symbiotiques, avec une prédominance d’objet partiel, lequel réveille doutes sur leur capacité d’établir une relation thérapeutique effective et de confiance.

Donc, en rétrospectif, le test du Rorschach de celles femmes montraient une capacité de relation interpersonnelle inadéquate et moyens limités pour résoudre un trauma que sans doute n’était pas dû à une expérience traumatique, mais à fermes caractéristiques de sa personalité, déjà présents avant du suicide de sa mère. Reconnaître l’importance de ces découvertes du Rorschach, spécialement les développés par un étude en détail de son contenu, peut aider à avancer les circonstances dans lesquelles les renseignements de la personalité minimisent l’impact que la psychothérapie peut avoir sur les problèmes actuels.
Interpretation and the Response Process
Authors: Andronikof-Sanglade Anne
Published: September 2011

On assiste aujourd’hui à un durcissement des positions en matière d’interprétation du Rorschach, qui rappelle l’ancienne controverse Klopfer/Beck des années 35. Aujourd’hui comme hier, la controverse est issue d’un malentendu épistémologique que cet article tente de dénouer. La pomme de discorde porte en effet sur la théorie, implicite ou explicite, qui est supposée fonder l’interprétation des facteurs Rorschach, avec d’un côté les tenants de l’interprétation psychanalytique, et de l’autre, les défenseurs du Système Intégré élaboré par Exner. Or, la méthode créée par Hermann Rorschach ne repose pas sur une théorie définie de la personnalité, contrairement à la plupart des méthodes projectives (TAT, CAT, test d’association de mots de Jung, scéno-test etc.). Elle constituait une “expérience diagnostique de perception,” selon les termes-mêmes de son auteur qui, loin d’essayer d’enfermer sa méthode dans un cadre théorique préexistant, a tenté de comprendre le “principe actif” de sa méthode en se référant à trois composantes du fonctionnement individuel: perception, mémoire, conscience. Sa démarche était empirique, partant des faits observés pour aboutir, éventuellement, à une théorie du test et/ou de la personnalité. Autrement dit, la méthode de Rorschach ne peut être “revendiquée” par une quelconque théorie de la personnalité. En outre, les approches psychanalytique et en Système Intégré de l’interprétation ne peuvent en aucun cas se réfuter l’une l’autre puisqu’elles ne se situent pas dans le même règne épistémologique.

Il n’est toutefois pas impossible (théoriquement) qu’une théorie de la personnalité puisse exploiter les données du Rorschach, voire, en retour, élaborer une théorie du Rorschach. Mais, pour ce faire, il est nécessaire que cette théorie élabore un modèle qui rende compte du processus de la réponse d’une manière qui soit conceptuellement satisfaisante et scientifiquement fondée. Cet article passe brièvement en revue les trois modèles dominants, celui de H. Rorschach, celui de l’approche psychanalytique française, et celui d’Exner, et tente de montrer qu’aucun de ces modèles n’en rend compte de manière satisfaisante. Le processus de la réponse est, encore aujourd’hui, une énigme, et sa modélisation constitue un défi passionnant pour les chercheurs.
Anxiety, Productivity, Performance, and Culture in the Rorschachs of a Multiethnic Group of Adolescents
Authors: Vaz Cícero Emidio
Published: September 2011

L’article que nous présentons rapporte une recherche qui a pris en compte les aspects ethnique, culturel et de personnalité dans la productivité et la performance liées aux niveaux d’anxiété et de contrôle rationnel chez des adolescents de différentes origines ethniques dans le sud du Brésil. Cette recherche s’enracine dans un projet que nous menons depuis 1988 portant sur l’étude des capacités de productivité. Nous cherchions alors à déterminer si le niveau d’anxiété situationnelle était différent chez les indiens Tükuna et chez les blancs non-Tükuna d’origine portugaise vivant dans l’état d’Amazonie du Nord du Brésil. Nous avons pu montrer que les indiens Tükuna et les sujets non-Tükuna sont similaires quant à leurs besoins de réussite et de production et à leur haut niveau de besoin d’affiliation (recherche de protection).

Dans l’étude présente, le Rorschach dans la perspective de Klopfer fut proposé à 107 adolescents des deux sexes d’origine portugaise, afro-brésilienne, allemande, israélite et italienne à Rio Grande do Sul, dans le sud du Brésil. Aucun des sujets ne présentait de problèmes de comportement ou scolaire. Leurs protocoles furent comparés à l’aide du Wilcoxon pour k échantillons indépendants et un MANOVA avec un seuil de significativité de .05. L’étude a porté sur les réponses Dbl (S) comme signe d’anxiété situationnelle et le nombre total de réponses (R) comme indice de capacité de performance et de productivité, ainsi que sur la corrélation entre S, R et F (réponses formelles). La moyenne de R est considérée comme normale entre 15 et 22. Les adolescents afro-brésiliens ont présenté moins d’anxiété, de productivité, de performance et de productivité culturelle(R) que les autres groupes, corrélé avec une absence d’anxiété (S), ce que l’on peut interpréter comme une tendance à l’accommodation. Les adolescents afro-brésiliens ressemblent aux adolescents Tükuna testés dans l’intérieur de l’Amazonie dans leur faible capacité de productivité et de performance. Contrairement à ce qu’on avait trouvé chez les adolescents d’origine portugaise testés par l’auteur dans l’intérieur de l’Amazonie, les adolescents portugais du sud du Brésil ne présentaient pas de faible capacité de productivité.

On a trouvé une corrélation positive entre l’anxiété situationnelle et le souci de la performance et de la productivité chez les adolescents d’origine allemande, israélite, italienne et portugaise. En d’autres termes, ces groupes ethniques présentaient une anxiété directement corrélée à leurs soucis de performance et de productivité. Les adolescents d’origine afro-brésilienne, au contraire, ne présentaient pas de signes d’anxiété et de souci lié à la performance et à la productivité. On discute de l’hypothèse selon laquelle ce résultat serait lié à une accommodation et une dépendance qui s’origineraient dans une acceptation, non combattue, de l’acculturation de la dépendance issue de la période d’esclavage du Brésil.
Rorschach Findings and Neuropsychological Comparison of First-Episode Psychotic Depression with First-Episode Nonpsychotic Depression and Schizophrenia: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Ilonen Tuula , Mattlar Carl-Erik , Salokangas Raimo K. R.
Published: September 2011

Dans cette étude nous avons tenté de clarifier les traits neuropsychologiques et l’organisation psychologique qui différencient la dépression psychotique. Nous avons comparé 17 psychotiques unipolaires déprimés dans leur premier épisode avec 14 patients non psychotiques déprimés dans leur premier épisode et 20 patients schizophrènes, en utilisant une batterie de tests neuropsychologiques et le Rorschach en Système Intégré. Tous les sujets répondaient aux critères diagnostics de la DSM-IV et de l’ICD-10, obtenus par consensus entre quatre psychiatres expérimentés.

Les patients à dépression psychotique ne différaient pas significativement des patients déprimés non psychotiques ni des patients schizophrènes sur les mesures neuropsychologiques. On a trouvé des différences entre les déprimés non psychotiques et le groupe schizophrène, ce dernier obtenant de moins bons résultats sur la plupart des mesures. Toutefois, la dépression était aussi associée avec un certain nombre de déficits cognitifs, particulièrement dans les secteurs de la mémoire, de l’attention, de la vitesse psychomotrice et de la fonction exécutive. Les trois groupes ne différaient pas de manière significative sur le DEPI. On trouvait des traits dépressifs chez les schizophrènes comme chez les patients déprimés, et seulement 35% des patients à dépression psychotique avaient un DEPI > 5.

Bien que le diagnostic de dépression psychotique exige la présence de délire et/ou d’hallucinations, seuls les schizophrènes présentaient des problèmes caractéristiques de troubles de la pensée et de perception inadéquate qui reflétaient un système délirant et/ou hallucinatoire. Les patients à dépression psychotique tout comme les schizophrènes présentaient une caractéristique stylistique de sur-simplification des stimuli et un stress situationnel.

Nos résultats ne permettent pas d’affirmer avec certitude que la dépression psychotique est une catégorie diagnostique séparée de la dépression non psychotique bien que l’on trouve effectivement certaines tendances qui pourraient le permettre. Identifier la dépression psychotique est difficile parce ce trouble semble présenter des caractéristiques mixtes et hétérogènes non seulement en termes de signes et de symptômes, mais aussi au regard des fonctions cognitives. Enfin, nos résultats suggèrent que les critères du délire et/hallucinations sont peut-être surévalués pour le diagnostic d’une dépression psychotique.