bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimate of bias in Aura TES HDO/H2O profiles from comparison of TES and in situ HDO/H2O measurements at the Mauna Loa Observatory
Authors: Worden J. , Noone D. , Galewsky J. , Bailey A. , Bowman K. , Brown D. , Hurley J. , Kulawik S. , Lee J. , Strong M.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. The Aura satellite Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) instrument is capable of measuring the HDO/H2O ratio in the lower troposphere using thermal infrared radiances between 1200 and 1350 cm−1. However, direct validation of these measurements is challenging due to a lack of in situ measured vertical profiles of the HDO/H2O ratio that are spatially and temporally co-located with the TES observations. From 11 October through 5 November 2008, we undertook a campaign to measure HDO and H2O at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii for comparison with TES observations. The Mauna Loa observatory is situated at 3.1 km above sea level or approximately 680 hPa, which is approximately the altitude where the TES HDO/H2O observations show the most sensitivity. Another advantage of comparing in situ data from this site to estimates derived from thermal IR radiances is that the volcanic rock is heated by sunlight during the day, thus providing significant thermal contrast between the surface and atmosphere; this thermal contrast increases the sensitivity to near surface estimates of tropospheric trace gases. The objective of this inter-comparison is to better characterize a bias in the TES HDO data, which had been previously estimated to be approximately 5% too high for a column integrated value between 850 hPa and 500 hPa. We estimate that the TES HDO profiles should be corrected downwards by approximately 4.1% and 5.6% for Versions 3 and 4 of the data, respectively. These corrections must account for the vertical sensitivity of the TES HDO estimates. We estimate that the uncertainty of this bias correction is approximately 1%. However, future comparisons of TES data to other sensors are needed to refine this bias estimate because these uncertainties are primarily derived from only three sets of measurements.
Satellite observations of aerosol transport from East Asia to the Arctic: three case studies
Authors: Di Pierro M. , Jaeglé L. , Anderson T. L.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. Vertical profiles of aerosols obtained with the CALIOP lidar onboard CALIPSO are used in conjunction with the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model and NOAA's HYSPLIT trajectory model to document three aerosol export events from East Asia to the Arctic that occurred in the year 2007. During each of these events CALIOP sampled the pollution plumes multiple times over periods of five to seven days. Meridional transport to the Arctic was rapid, taking 3–4 days and was accompanied by net diabatic heating of ~5 °C/day and precipitation in its ascending stage. Once in the Arctic transport was nearly isentropic with slow subsidence and radiative cooling at a rate of 1–1.5 °C/day. We find close agreement between modeled and observed plume in terms of length, altitude, thickness and, within the measurement uncertainties, extinction coefficient. In one event the satellite algorithm misclassifies the aerosol layer as ice clouds as a result of the relatively high depolarization ratio (0.06), likely caused by a somewhat high dust component in the aerosol mixture. The misclassification is more severe at daytime (67% of layers are misclassified) than at nighttime (32%). The two most intense export events occurred in early spring within a three-week time span and are strongly related to a persisting blocking anticyclone that was located in the NW Pacific. Using 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies of these two events along with several others in 2007–2009 we develop a meteorological index that captures 40–60% of the variance of Asian transport events to the Arctic in winter and spring.
Insights into the secondary fraction of the organic aerosol in a Mediterranean urban area: Marseille
Authors: El Haddad I. , Marchand N. , Temime-Roussel B. , Wortham H. , Piot C. , Besombes J.-L. , Baduel C. , Voisin D. , Armengaud A. , Jaffrezo J.-L.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. A comprehensive aerosol characterization was conducted at Marseille during summer, including organic (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), major ionic species, radiocarbon (14C), water soluble OC and HULIS (HUmic LIke Substances), elemental composition and primary and secondary organic markers. This paper is the second paper of a two-part series investigating the sources of organic aerosol. While the first paper investigates the primary sources of Organic Aerosol (OA) (El Haddad et al., 2010), this second paper focused on the secondary fraction of OA. In the context of overall OC mass balance, primary OC (POC) contributes on average for only 22% and was dominated by vehicular emissions accounting on average for 17% of OC. As a result, 78% of OC mass cannot be attributed to the major primary sources and remains un-apportioned. Radiocarbon measurements suggest that more than 70% of this fraction is of modern origins, assigned predominantly to biogenic secondary organic carbon (BSOC). Therefore, contributions from three traditional BSOC precursors, isoprene, α-pinene and β-caryophellene, were considered. These were estimated using the ambient concentrations of SOA markers from each precursor and laboratory-derived marker mass fraction factors. Secondary organic markers derived from isoprene photo-oxidation (i.e. 2-methylglyceric acid and 2-methyltetrols) do not exhibit the same temporal trends. This variability was assigned to the influence of NOx concentration on their formation pathways and to their potential decay by further processing in the atmosphere. The influence of changes in isoprene chemistry on assessment of isoprene SOC contribution was evaluated explicitly. The results suggest a 60-fold variation between the different estimates computed using different isoprene SOC markers, implying that the available profiles do not reflect the actual isoprene SOC composition observed in Marseille. Using the marker-based approach, the aggregate contribution from traditional BSOC was estimated at only 4.2% of total OC and was dominated by α-pinene SOC accounting on average for 3.4% of OC. As a result, these estimates underpredict the inexplicably high loading of OC. This underestimation can be associated with (1) uncertainties underlying the marker-based approach, (2) presence of other SOC precursors and (3) further processing of fresh SOC, as indicated by organosulfates (RSO4) and HUmic LIke Substances (HULIS) measurements.
Evidence for a significant proportion of Secondary Organic Aerosol from isoprene above a maritime tropical forest
Authors: Robinson N. H. , Hamilton J. F. , Allan J. D. , Langford B. , Oram D. E. , Chen Q. , Docherty K. , Farmer D. K. , Jimenez J. L. , Ward M. W. , Hewitt C. N. , Barley M. H. , Jenkin M. E. , Rickard A. R. , Martin S. T. , McFiggans G. , Coe H.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. Isoprene is the most abundant non-methane biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC), but the processes governing secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from isoprene oxidation are only beginning to become understood and selective quantification of the atmospheric particulate burden remains difficult. Organic aerosol above a tropical rainforest located in Danum Valley, Borneo, Malaysia, a high isoprene emission region, was studied during Summer 2008 using Aerosol Mass Spectrometry and offline detailed characterisation using comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography. Observations indicate that a substantial fraction (up to 15% by mass) of atmospheric sub-micron organic aerosol was observed as methylfuran (MF) after thermal desorption. This observation was associated with the simultaneous measurements of established gas-phase isoprene oxidation products methylvinylketone (MVK) and methacrolein (MACR). Observations of MF were also made during experimental chamber oxidation of isoprene. Positive matrix factorisation of the AMS organic mass spectral time series produced a robust factor which accounts for an average of 23% (0.18 μg m−3), reaching as much as 53% (0.50 μg m−3) of the total oraganic loading, identified by (and highly correlated with) a strong MF signal. Assuming that this factor is generally representative of isoprene SOA, isoprene derived aerosol plays a significant role in the region. Comparisons with measurements from other studies suggest this type of isoprene SOA plays a role in other isoprene dominated environments, albeit with varying significance.
The Leipzig Cloud Interaction Simulator (LACIS): operating principle and theoretical studies concerning homogeneous and heterogeneous ice nucleation
Authors: Hartmann S. , Niedermeier D. , Voigtländer J. , Clauss T. , Shaw R. A. , Wex H. , Kiselev A. , Stratmann F.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. At the Leipzig Cloud Interaction Simulator (LACIS) experiments investigating homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation of ice (particularly immersion freezing in the latter case) have been carried out. Here both the physical LACIS setup and the numerical model developed to design experiments at LACIS and interpret their results are presented in detail. Combining results from the numerical model with experimental data, it was found that for the experimental parameter space considered, classical homogeneous ice nucleation theory is able to predict the freezing behavior of highly diluted ammonium sulfate solution droplets, while classical heterogeneous ice nucleation theory, together with the assumption of a constant contact angle, fails to predict the immersion freezing behavior of surrogate mineral dust particles (Arizona Test Dust, ATD). The main reason for this failure is the compared to experimental data apparently overly strong temperature dependence of the nucleation rate coefficient. Assuming, in the numerical model, Classical Nucleation Theory (CNT) for homogeneous ice nucleation and a CNT-based parameterization for the nucleation rate coefficient in the immersion freezing mode, recently published by our group, it was found that even for a relatively effective ice nucleating agent such as pure ATD, there is a temperature range where homogeneous ice nucleation is dominant. The main explanation is the apparently different temperature dependencies of the two freezing mechanisms. Finally, reviewing the assumptions made during the derivation of the parameterization, it was found that the assumption of constant temperature during ice nucleation and the chosen nucleation time were highly justified, underlining the applicability of both the method to determine the fitting coefficients in the parameterization equation, and the validity of the parameterization concept itself.
Rapid methods for inversion of MAXDOAS elevation profiles to surface-associated box concentrations, visibility, and heights: application to analysis of Arctic BrO events
Authors: Donohoue D. , Carlson D. , Simpson W. R.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. Multiple Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAXDOAS) is a remote sensing technique that measures surface-associated trace gas profiles using simple automated instrumentation that requires very low power and is deployable at remote sites. However, the analysis of MAXDOAS data is complex and often cannot be applied rapidly or consistently over long measurement periods. Here we present three transparent methods to analyze MAXDOAS data. The box profile method finds the best trace gas layer height and surface-associated vertical column density (VCD) to simultaneously fit oxygen collisional dimer (O4) and trace gas differential slant column density (dSCD) observations. The elevated viewing method estimates the surface-associated VCD from observations at high view elevations, such as 10° and 20°. The horizon viewing method estimates the surface concentration of a trace gas by using near-horizon view trace gas and O4 data. We apply these methods to a two-month data set and show that the methods retrieve information 80% of the time and provides a consistent time series. Surface-associated trace gas VCD observations by the elevated viewing method correlate (r2 > 0.93) with the box profile method with slopes within 15% of unity. Surface-associated concentration observations from the horizon viewing method correlate well (r2 > 0.90) with the box profile method and a slope within 4% of unity. Application of these retrieval methods to UV-absorbing trace gases other than BrO is straightforward, and application in other spectral regions is discussed. These methods provide rapid and comprehensive inversions of MAXDOAS spectral data that are useful during field campaigns, as well as, verification of more complex (e.g. optimal estimate inversion) methods.
Changes in ocean circulation and carbon storage are decoupled from air-sea CO2 fluxes
Authors: Marinov I. , Gnanadesikan A.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. The spatial distribution of the air-sea flux of carbon dioxide is a poor indicator of the underlying ocean circulation and of ocean carbon storage. The weak dependence on circulation arises because mixing-driven changes in solubility-driven and biologically-driven air-sea fluxes largely cancel out. This cancellation occurs because mixing driven increases in the poleward residual mean circulation results in more transport of both remineralized nutrients and heat from low to high latitudes. By contrast, increasing vertical mixing decreases the storage associated with both the biological and solubility pumps, as it decreases remineralized carbon storage in the deep ocean and warms the ocean as a whole.
Isotopic fractionation during soil uptake of atmospheric hydrogen
Authors: Rice A. , Dayalu A. , Quay P. , Gammon R.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. Soil uptake of atmospheric hydrogen (H2) and the associated hydrogen isotope effect were studied using soil chambers in a Western Washington second-growth coniferous forest. Chamber studies were conducted during both winter and summer seasons to account for large natural variability in soil moisture content (4–50%) and temperature (6–22 °C). H2 deposition velocities were found to range from 0.01–0.06 cm s−1 with an average of 0.033 ± 0.008 cm s−1 (95% confidence interval). Consistent with prior studies, deposition velocities were correlated with soil moisture below 20% soil moisture content during the summer season. Considerable variability in deposition velocity observed during winter was not found to be closely related to soil moisture. The hydrogen kinetic isotope effect with H2 uptake was found to range from –24‰ to –109‰. Aggregate analysis of experimental data results in an average KIE of −57 ± 5‰ (95% CI). Some of the variability in KIE can be explained by larger isotope effects at lower (<10%) and higher (>30%) soil moisture contents. The measured KIE was also found to be correlated with deposition velocity, with smaller isotope effects occurring at higher deposition velocities. If correct, these findings will have an impact on the interpretation of atmospheric measurements and modeling of δD of H2.
Role of de novo biosynthesis in ecosystem scale monoterpene emissions from a boreal Scots pine forest
Authors: Taipale R. , Kajos M. K. , Patokoski J. , Rantala P. , Ruuskanen T. M. , Rinne J.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. Monoterpene emissions from Scots pine have traditionally been assumed to originate as evaporation from specialized storage pools. More recently, the significance of de novo emissions, originating directly from monoterpene biosynthesis, has been recognized. To study the role of biosynthesis in the ecosystem scale, we measured monoterpene emissions from a Scots pine dominated forest in southern Finland using the disjunct eddy covariance method combined with proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. The interpretation of the measurements was based on a hybrid emission algorithm describing both de novo and pool emissions. During the measurement period May–August 2007, the monthly medians of daytime emissions were 170, 280, 180, and 180 μg m−2 h−1. The emission potential for both de novo and pool emissions exhibited a decreasing summertime trend. The ratio of the de novo emission potential to the total emission potential varied between 30% and 46%. Although the monthly changes were not significant, the ratio always differed statistically from zero, i.e., the role of de novo biosynthesis was evident. The hybrid approach showed promising potential for the improvement of the ecosystem scale emission modelling. Given this feature and the significant role of biosynthesis, we recommend incorporating both de novo and pool emissions into the monoterpene emission algorithms for Scots pine dominated forests.
The Lagrangian chemistry and transport model ATLAS: simulation and validation of stratospheric chemistry and ozone loss in the winter 1999/2000
Authors: Wohltmann I. , Lehmann R. , Rex M.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. ATLAS is a new global Lagrangian Chemistry and Transport Model (CTM), which includes a stratospheric chemistry scheme with 46 active species, 171 reactions, heterogeneous chemistry on polar stratospheric clouds and a Lagrangian denitrification module. Lagrangian (trajectory-based) models have several important advantages over conventional Eulerian models, including the absence of spurious numerical diffusion, efficient code parallelization and no limitation of the largest time step by the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy criterion. This work describes and validates the stratospheric chemistry scheme of the model. Stratospheric chemistry is simulated with ATLAS for the Arctic winter 1999/2000, with a focus on polar ozone depletion and denitrification. The simulations are used to validate the chemistry module in comparison with measurements of the SOLVE/THESEO 2000 campaign. A Lagrangian denitrification module, which is based on the simulation of the nucleation, sedimentation and growth of a large number of polar stratospheric cloud particles, is used to model the substantial denitrification that occured in this winter.
Simulation of high mountainous discharge: how much information do we need?
Authors: Schaefli B. , Huss M.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. The hydrologic cycle of high mountainous catchments is frequently simulated with simple precipitation-discharge models representing the snow accumulation and ablation behavior of a very complex environment with a set of lumped equations accounting for altitudinal temperature and precipitation gradients. In this study, we present a methodology to include sparse snow depths measurements into the calibration process. Based on this methodology, we assess for a case study, the Rhonegletscher catchment (Switzerland), how much observed information we need to reliably calibrate the model, such that it reproduces the dominant system dynamics, discharge, as well as glacier mass balance. Here, we focus on the question whether observed discharge is sufficient as a calibration variable or whether we need annual or even seasonal glacier mass balance data. Introducing seasonally variable accumulation and ablation parameters is sufficient to enable the simple model to reproduce observed seasonal mass balances for the Rhonegletscher. Furthermore, our results suggest that calibrating the hydrological model exclusively on discharge can lead to wrong representations of the intra-annual accumulation and ablation processes and to a strong bias in long term glacier mass balance simulations. Adding only a few annual mass balance observations considerably reduces this bias. Calibrating exclusively on annual balance data can, in turn, lead to wrong seasonal mass balance simulations. Even if these results are case study specific, our conclusions provide valuable new insights into the benefit of different types of observations for calibrating hydrological models in glacier catchments. The presented multi-signal calibration framework and the simple method to calibrate a semi-lumped model on point observations has potential for application in other modeling contexts.
Splenic Complications of Sickle Cell Anemia and the Role of Splenectomy
Authors: Al-Salem Ahmed H.
Published: November 2010

Sickle cell disease is one of the common hemoglobinopathies in the world. It can affect any part of the body and one of the most common and an early organ to be affected in SCA is the spleen. It is commonly enlarged during the first decade of life but then undergoes progressive atrophy leading to autosplenectomy. This however is not the case always and sometimes splenomegaly persist necessitating splenectomy for a variety of reasons including acute splenic sequestration crisis, hypersplenism, massive splenic infarction and splenic abscess. Splenic complications of SCA are known to be associated with an increased morbidity and in some it may lead to mortality. To obviate this, splenectomy becomes an essential part of their management. This review is based on our experience in the management of 173 children with various splenic complications of SCA necessitating splenectomy.
A randomised controlled trial on the efficacy and side‐effect profile (nausea/vomiting/sedation) of morphine‐6‐glucuronide versus morphine for post‐operative pain relief after major abdominal surgery*
Authors: Binningl Alexander R. , Przesmyckil Krzysztof , Sowinskil Piotr , Morrisonl Lachlan M.M. , Smithl Terry W. , Marcusl Paul , Leesl James P. , Dahanl Albert
Published: October 2010

Morphine is the first choice of treatment of severe post‐operative pain, despite the occurrence of often discomforting (post‐operative nausea or vomiting (PONV)) and sometimes dangerous (sedation, respiratory depression) side effects. Literature data indicate that morphine's active metabolite, morphine‐6‐glucuronide (M6 g), is a powerful analgesic with a possibly more favourable side‐effect profile.

In this multi‐centre randomised controlled clinical trial patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were randomised to M6 g or morphine treatment. Treatment started 30–60 min prior to the end of surgery and was continued postoperatively, after patients were titrated to comfort, via patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) for 24–48h. Pain intensity, nausea, vomiting and sedation scores were collected at regular intervals.

In the study 268 patients were randomised to M6 g and 249 to morphine. Withdrawal due to insufficient pain relief occurred predominantly just after surgery and was higher in the M6 g group (16.8%) than in the morphine group (8.8%), suggesting a slower onset of analgesia for M6 g compared to morphine. Subjects who continued on PCA remained equi‐analgesic throughout the study.

During the first 24 h, nausea levels showed a 27% difference in favour of M6 g which narrowly failed to reach statistical significance (P =0.052). Sub‐analysis showed a significant reduction in nausea levels in females on M6 g (30% difference, P =0.034). In all patients, similar reductions of 30–35% were observed in anti‐emetic use, vomiting, PONV (a combined measure of nausea and vomiting) in favour of M6 g, persisting for the first 24 h postoperatively. Reductions in sedation were observed in the first 4 h post‐operative period for M6 g patients.
A randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of dolasetron, a 5‐hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor antagonist, in patients with fibromyalgia
Authors: Vergne‐Sallel Pascale , Dufauret‐Lombardl Carine , Bonnetl Christine , Simonl Anne , Trèvesl Richard , Bonnabaul Henri , Bertinl Philippe
Published: October 2010

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dolasetron for symptomatic relief of pain associated with fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods: This prospective, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial randomly assigned 60 patients with FM to receive placebo (n =31) or dolasetron (n =29) 12.5 mg/d via the intravenous route on 4 days at baseline (M0), 1 month (M1), 2 months (M2) and 3 months (M3) with follow‐up to month 12. The primary outcome variable was the reduction in pain intensity measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) between M0 and M3. The secondary outcome variables were patient global impression of change (PGIC), the FM impact questionnaire, assessment of quality of life (SF‐36), the hospital anxiety and depression scale, the manual tender point count, and functional symptoms associated with FM.

Results: Reduction in pain intensity at M3 was significantly greater in dolasetron‐treated patients (p =0.04, −21.3 on a 0–100 scale) compared with placebo controls (−5.9). More patients in the dolasetron group had ≥30% and ≥50% improvement in pain (42.5% and 28% respectively in the dolasetron group versus 25% and 16% in the placebo group). The PGIC was significantly greater in the dolasetron group at M3 (p =0.02). The other secondary outcomes failed to reach statistical significance. The most common adverse events were constipation, nausea, dizziness and headache, with no significant differences between the two groups.

Conclusion: Intermittent IV dolasetron was safe and efficacious for the reduction of pain intensity associated with FM at 3 months.
The stability of severe thought disorders and mature thinking
Authors: Kaakinen S.M. , Säkkinen A. , Wahlberg K.-E. , Hakko H. , Holma J. , Tienari P.
Published: October 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate whether severe formal thought disorders and mature thinking are stable among adoptees (=187) drawn from the Finnish adoptive family study of schizophrenia. A group of 93 adoptees genetically at high risk (HR) and 94 at low risk (LR) for schizophrenia were assessed blindly and reliably using the Index of Primitive Thought (IPT) and the Index of Integration (IOI). Two assessments of the IPT and the IOI were performed with the mean interval of 11 years. Comparisons of the IPT and the IOI mean scores were conducted both at baseline and at follow-up between adoptees at low and high genetic risk, gender, and psychiatric status. The main result was that the IOI as well as the IPT of the adoptees at the initial assessment predicted the IOI and the IPT estimated at follow-up, thus indicating the stability of severe formal thought disorders and mature thinking over time. The stability of IOI or IPT was not related to genetic risk, gender or psychiatric status or their interactions.
Modelling Psychiatric Measures Using Skew-Normal Distributions
Authors: Counsell N. , Cortina-Borja M. , Lehtonen A. , Stein A.
Published: October 2010

Data from psychiatric research frequently exhibit departures from Normality. Methods which utilise the data optimally to model the distribution directly are available. We highlight the issue of modelling skewness, resulting from screening instruments where the majority of respondents are healthy individuals and few participants have a value reflecting particular disorders.
Increasing escitalopram dose is associated with fewer discontinuations than switch or combination approaches in patients initially on escitalopram 10mg
Authors: Sanglier T. , Milea D. , Saragoussi D. , Toumi M.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

To examine the relationship between different intervention approaches and subsequent real-life outcomes in patients changing treatment from escitalopram 10mg.

Method

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients starting antidepressant treatment between 2002 and 2004. Data were extracted from a US health-insurance reimbursement claims database. Eligible patients started escitalopram 10mg and changed within 3 months to: escitalopram ≥20mg; another antidepressant; or a combination of escitalopram with another antidepressant. Medication persistence and healthcare costs over 3 months were compared between the treatment groups.

Results

Overall, 37,791 patients started escitalopram 10mg. Of the 12,830 patients (34%) who changed treatment, 56% increased escitalopram dose, 26% switched antidepressant and 18% combined escitalopram with another antidepressant. Patients in the switch and combination groups had significantly higher rates of non-persistence (56% and 91%, respectively) vs the dose-increase group (39%; bothP<0.001). Combination-group patients incurred significantly greater costs vs the dose-increase group ($2805 vs $1767, respectively;P<0.001).

Conclusion

Results suggest that increasing escitalopram dose in patients responding inadequately to 10mg is associated with higher persistence rates vs the other treatment approaches. Receiving an increased dose of escitalopram was associated with significantly lower costs than combining escitalopram 10mg with another antidepressant.
The impact of the social network, stigma and empowerment on the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Sibitz I. , Amering M. , Unger A. , Seyringer M.E. , Bachmann A. , Schrank B. , Benesch T. , Schulze B. , Woppmann A.
Published: October 2010

Objective:

The quality of life (QOL) of patients with schizophrenia has been found to be positively correlated with the social network and empowerment, and negatively correlated with stigma and depression. However, little is known about the way these variables impact on the QOL. The study aims to test the hypothesis that the social network, stigma and empowerment directly and indirectly by contributing to depression influence the QOL in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders.

Method:

Data were collected on demographic and clinical variables, internalized stigma, perceived devaluation and discrimination, empowerment, control convictions, depression and QOL. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to examine the impact of the above-mentioned constructs on QOL.

Results:

The influences of the social network, stigma, empowerment and depression on QOL were supported by the SEM. A poor social network contributed to a lack of empowerment and stigma, which resulted in depression and, in turn, in poor QOL. Interestingly, however, the social network and stigma did not show a direct effect on QOL.

Conclusions:

Following a recovery approach in mental health services by focusing on the improvement of the social network, stigma reduction and especially on the development of personal strength has the potential to reduce depression in patients with psychosis and improving their QOL.
A four-year naturalistic prospective study of cardiometabolic disease in antipsychotic-treated patients
Authors: Mackin P. , Waton T. , Watkinson H.M. , Gallagher P.
Published: October 2010

The relationship between antipsychotic use and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is controversial. There is a lack of long-term prospective studies investigating changes in cardiometabolic risk in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. We report data from a 4-year prospective study. Patients (89) underwent detailed metabolic and cardiovascular risk assessment at 4-years which included anthropometric assessment, blood pressure, lipid profile, and an oral glucose tolerance test. We used the homeostatic model assessment to determine insulin resistance, and calculated 10-year cardiovascular risk scores. Mean age of subjects was 44.7 (±11.5) years, and 52% were male. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 8%, and 38.4% fulfilled diagnostic criteria for the metabolic syndrome. With the exception of increased central adiposity over the 4-year follow-up period (p< 0.001), other cardiometabolic parameters were generally unchanged. There was a high prevalence of dyslipidaemia, but only 16.9% were prescribed lipid-lowering treatment. Commencing lipid-lowering therapy was associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk score (OR 7.9, 95% CI = 1.3 to 48.7;p= 0.02). Patients established on longer-term antipsychotic treatment show less dramatic metabolic changes than those occurring in the early stages of treatment, but have a high burden of cardiovascular risk. Lipid-lowering therapy is associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular risk.
Assessment of Social Anxiety in First Episode Psychosis using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety scale as a Self-report Measure
Authors: Romm K.L. , Rossberg J.I. , Berg A.O. , Hansen C.F. , Andreassen O.A. , Melle I.
Published: October 2010

Objective

Social anxiety is a common problem in psychotic disorders. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating version (LSAS-SR) is a widely used instrument to capture different aspects of social anxiety, but its psychometric properties have not been tested in this patient group. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the psychometric properties of the LSAS-SR in patients with first episode psychosis, to investigate whether it differentiated between active and passive social withdrawal and to test which clinical factors contributed to current level of social anxiety.

Method

A total of 144 first episode psychosis patients from the ongoing Thematically Organized Psychosis (TOP) study were included at the time of first treatment. Diagnoses were set according to the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-1) for DSM-IV. A factor analysis was carried out and the relationship of social anxiety to psychotic and general symptomatology measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was evaluated. Possible contributors to social anxiety were analyzed using multiple hierarchic regression analysis.

Results

The factor analysis identified three subscales: public performance, social interaction and observation. All three subscales showed satisfactory psychometric properties, acceptable convergent and discriminate properties, and confirmed previous findings in social anxiety samples. Self-esteem explained a significant amount of the variance in social anxiety, even after adjusting for the effects of delusions, suspiciousness and depression.

Conclusion

The study shows that the LSAS-SR can be used in this patient group, that social anxiety is strongly related to both behavioral social avoidance and to self-esteem. The results support the use of this measure in assessment of social anxiety in both clinical settings and in research.
Cardiovascular and metabolic risk in outpatients with schizoaffective disorder treated with antipsychotics: Results from the CLAMORS study
Authors: Bobes J. , Arango C. , Aranda P. , Carmena R. , Garcia-Garcia M. , Rejas J. ,   on behalf of the CLAMORS Study Collaborative Group
Published: October 2010

Aim

To assess the coronary heart disease (CHD) risk and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with schizoaffective disorder (SD) receiving antipsychotics.

Methods

Patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for SD and receiving antipsychotic treatment were recruited in a retrospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study (the CLAMORS study). MS was defined as at least three of the following components: waist circumference greater than 102cm (men)/greater than 88cm (women); serum triglycerides greater or equal to 150mg/dl; HDL cholesterol less than 40mg/dl (men)/less than 50mg/dl (women); blood pressure greater or equal to 130/85mmHg; fasting blood glucose greater or equal to 110mg/dl. The 10-year CHD risk was assessed by the Systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE) (cardiovascular mortality) and Framingham (any cardiovascular event) functions. Clinical severity was assessed using the PANSS and CGI-S scales.

Results

A total of 268 valuable patients with SD (127 men, 48.1%), 41.9±12.3years (mean±S.D.), were analyzed. The 10-year overall cardiovascular mortality and CV-event risk were 0.8±1.6 (SCORE) and 6.5±6.8 (Framingham), respectively. A high/very high risk of any CV event (Framingham≥10%) was associated with severity [CGI-S=3–4; OR: 4.32 (1.15–16.26),P= 0.03)]. MS was present in 26.5% (95%CI: 21.2–31.8) of subjects, without gender differences, but significantly associated with patient's impression of severity: CGI=3–4; OR=1.90 (0.83–4.36), and CGI=5–7; OR=3.13 (1.06–9.24),P= 0<0.001, and age [OR=1.91 (1.09–3.34),P<0.024)].

Conclusions

CHD risk and MS prevalence were high among patients with SD, being MS prevalence associated with age and severity of disease.
Dependence as a unifying construct in defining Alzheimer's disease severity
Authors: McLaughlin Trent , Feldman Howard , Fillit Howard , Sano Mary , Schmitt Frederick , Aisen Paul , Leibman Christopher , Mucha Lisa , Ryan J. Michael , Sullivan Sean D. , Spackman D. Eldon , Neumann Peter J. , Cohen Joshua , Stern Yaakov
Published: November 2010

This article reviews measures of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression in relation to patient dependence and offers a unifying conceptual framework for dependence in AD. Clinicians typically characterize AD by symptomatic impairments in three domains: cognition, function, and behavior. From a patient's perspective, changes in these domains, individually and in concert, ultimately lead to increased dependence and loss of autonomy. Examples of dependence in AD range from a need for reminders (early AD) to requiring safety supervision and assistance with basic functions (late AD). Published literature has focused on the clinical domains as somewhat separate constructs and has given limited attention to the concept of patient dependence as a descriptor of AD progression. This article presents the concept of dependence on others for care needs as a potential method for translating the effect of changes in cognition, function, and behavior into a more holistic, transparent description of AD progression.
When are automatic social comparisons not automatic? The effect of cognitive systems on user imagery‐based self‐concept activation
Authors: Forehand Mark R. , Perkins Andrew , Reed Americus
Published: October 2010

Following the tenets of the selective accessibility model of assimilation and contrast, three studies observed implicit consumer self‐concept assimilation (contrast) to age‐based imagery when the discrepancy between the self‐concept and advertisement imagery was moderate (extreme). However, these responses were not fully automatic as only consumers who processed user imagery reflectively demonstrated increased accessibility of similarity/dissimilarity information. Impulsive processing of the user imagery instead increased the accessibility of consumer's pre‐existing dominant self‐age association. A final experiment revealed that these changes in the active‐self mediated response to subsequently advertised products. Taken together, these results support a two‐systems model of cognition and suggest that assimilation/contrast responses to advertising and subsequent behavior are influenced by the consumer's processing strategy.
Prevalence of feline leukaemia provirus DNA in feline lymphomas
Authors: Weiss Alexander Th A. , Klopfleisch Robert , Gruber Achim D.
Published: October 2010

A significant drop in the prevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) antigenaemic cats and antigen-associated lymphomas has been observed after the introduction of FeLV vaccination and antigen-testing with removal of persistently antigenaemic cats. However, recent reports have indicated that regressively infected cats may contain FeLV provirus DNA and that lymphoma development may be associated with the presence of provirus alone. In the present study, we investigated the presence of FeLV antigen and provirus DNA in 50 lymphomas by immunohistochemistry and semi-nested polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Interestingly, almost 80% of T-cell lymphomas and 60% of B-cell lymphomas contained provirus DNA while only 21% of T-cell lymphomas and 11% of B-cell lymphomas expressed FeLV antigen. In conclusion, our results support previous hypotheses that vaccination and removal of persistently antigenaemic cats have led to a drop in FeLV antigen-expressing lymphomas. However, FeLV provirus DNA is still present in a high percentage of feline lymphomas.
Myeloma-related disorder with leukaemic progression in a cat
Authors: Takeuchi Yoshinori , Iizuka Haruna , Kanemitsu Hiroyuki , Fujino Yasuhito , Nakashima Ko , Uchida Kazuyuki , Ohno Koichi , Nakayama Hiroyuki , Tsujimoto Hajime
Published: October 2010

A 10-year-old American Shorthair cat with nasal discharge, anorexia, and weight loss was found to have pancytopenia and hyperproteinaemia. Bone marrow aspiration revealed atypical plasma cells that totalled 50% of the nucleated bone marrow cells. The number of atypical plasma cells progressively increased in the peripheral blood during the observation period of 64 days. The cat did not respond to treatments with melphalan, chlorambucil, and prednisolone, and died 71 days after the initial presentation. Clinical, cytological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings in this case supported the diagnosis of myeloma-related disorder (MRD) with leukaemic progression.
Disseminated Mycobacterium avium subspecies infection in a cat
Authors: Rivière Delphine , Pingret Jean-Luc , Etievant Mélanie , Jechoux Aurélie , Lanore Didier , Raymond-Letron Isabelle , Boucraut-Baralon Corine
Published: October 2010

An 18-month-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat, domiciled in the southwest of France, was first presented having suffered for a few days from dysorexia and vomiting. Abdominal palpation revealed lymph node enlargement. Cytological examinations of a fine needle aspirate demonstrated granulomatous inflammation with many non-staining elements consistent with mycobacteria. Diagnosis was confirmed by culture and polymerase chain reaction and Mycobacterium avium subspecies was isolated. Treatment was initiated with marbofloxacin, rifampicin and cefoxitin. There was a rapid clinical improvement. The cat suddenly died 2 months later. The main hypothesis is the administration of an inappropriate combination therapy that leads to the development of mycobacterial resistance. A volvulus and acute peritonitis secondary to the significant enlargement of a mesenteric lymph node were present at necropsy. Histopathological analysis of mesenteric lymph node, liver and spleen revealed multicentric granulomatous and severely necrotic lesions with numerous Ziehl–Neelsen positive intracytoplasmic elements.
Use of bisphosphonates to treat severe idiopathic hypercalcaemia in a young Ragdoll cat
Authors: Whitney Joanna L. , Barrs Vanessa R.D. , Wilkinson Margaret R. , Briscoe Katherine A. , Beatty Julia A.
Published: October 2010

A 3-year-old Ragdoll cat was referred for investigation of polyuria, polydipsia, vomiting, weight loss and hypercalcaemia. Serum biochemical abnormalities included total and ionised hypercalcaemia and hypophosphataemia. Following clinical investigations a diagnosis of idiopathic hypercalcaemia was made. Because of the severity of the hypercalcaemia and the associated clinical signs, treatment for hypercalcaemia was commenced with pamidronate. Major electrolyte abnormalities were detected but, remarkably, were accompanied by minimal clinical signs. The cat was subsequently treated with oral alendronate and is clinically normal 15 months later. Reports of the use of bisphosphonates in cats are limited and close monitoring of patients is recommended.
Constrained, pragmatic pro-democratic appraising constitutional review courts in post-Soviet politics
Authors: Mazmanyan Armen
Published: October 2010

This paper conceptualizes the behavior of higher courts in the politics of former Soviet republics and attempts to set up a framework for the study of democratic contributions by post-Soviet constitutional courts. Although political expediency is noted to be the central driving force behind the judges’ decisions in politically sensitive cases, as courts are subject to different constraints from quasi-autocratic executives, it is argued that constitutional review tribunals are generally pro-democratic in their political orientation and that they can become the allies of pro-democratic parties in transitional periods of elite change. To support this proposition, this paper proceeds from a series of theoretical arguments to empirical observation of judicial behavior in times of political uncertainty, the latter being a perfect test for probing the political orientation of the courts.
On the gaps between values of binary quadratic forms
Authors: Brüdern Jörg , Dietmann Rainer
Published: November 2010

Among the values of a binary quadratic form, there are many twins of fixed distance. This is shown in quantitative form. For quadratic forms of discriminant −4 or 8 a corresponding result is obtained for triplets.
Dynamics of steep two-dimensional gravity–capillary solitary waves
Authors: MILEWSKI PAUL A. , VANDEN-BROECK J.-M. , WANG ZHAN
Published: November 2010

In this paper, the unsteady evolution of two-dimensional fully nonlinear free-surface gravity–capillary solitary waves is computed numerically in infinite depth. Gravity–capillary wavepacket-type solitary waves were found previously for the full Euler equations, bifurcating from the minimum of the linear dispersion relation. Small and moderate amplitude elevation solitary waves, which were known to be linearly unstable, are shown to evolve into stable depression solitary waves, together with a radiated wave field. Depression waves and certain large amplitude elevation waves were found to be robust to numerical perturbations. Two kinds of collisions are computed: head-on collisions whereby the waves are almost unchanged, and overtaking collisions which are either almost elastic if the wave amplitudes are both large or destroy the smaller wave in the case of a small amplitude wave overtaking a large one.
Regional powers and their strategies: empire, hegemony, and leadership
Authors: DESTRADI SANDRA
Published: November 2010

Regional powers are often conceived of as ‘regional leading powers’, states which adopt a cooperative and benevolent attitude in their international relations with their neighbours. The article argues that regional powers can follow a much wider range of foreign policy strategies in their region. Three ideal-typical regional strategies are identified: empire, hegemony, and leadership. The article is devoted to a theory-led distinction and clarification of these three terms, which are often used interchangeably in the field of International Relations. According to the goals pursued, to the means employed, and to other discriminating features such as the degree of legitimation and the type of self-representation by the dominant state, the article outlines the essential traits of imperial, hegemonic, and leading strategies and identifies sub-types for better classifying hegemony and leadership.
Novel insights into molecular mechanisms of abruption-induced preterm birth
Authors: Buhimschi Catalin S. , Schatz Frederik , Krikun Graciela , Buhimschi Irina A. , Lockwood Charles J.
Published: November 2010

Preterm birth (PTB) complicates more than 12% of all deliveries. Despite significant research, the aetiology of most cases of PTB remains elusive. Two major antecedents of PTB, intra-amniotic infection and decidual haemorrhage (abruption), can exhibit dissimilar demographic and genetic predispositions, despite sharing common molecular and cellular pathways. The use of high-throughput, high-dimensional technologies reveals substantial crosstalk between the coagulation and inflammation pathways. Tissue factor, thrombin and cytokines are key mediators of this crosstalk. Abruptions are associated with excess thrombin generated from decidual-cell-expressed tissue factor. Although thrombin is a primary mediator of the coagulation cascade, it can also promote inflammation-associated PTB by enhancing expression of matrix metalloproteinase and neutrophil-chemoattracting and -activating chemokines. Here, we provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms and pathways leading to PTB in the setting of placental abruption.