bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of complementary circuits and two-dimensional electron gas in a Si/SiGe heterostructure
Authors: Lu T. M. , Lee C.-H. , Tsui D. C. , Liu C. W.
Published: June 2010

We have realized complementary devices on an undoped Si/SiGe substrate where both two-dimensional electrons and holes can be induced capacitively. The design of the heterostructure and the fabrication process are reported. Magnetotransport measurements show that the induced two-dimensional electron gas exhibits the quantum Hall effect characteristics. A p-channel field-effect transistor is characterized and the operation of an inverter is demonstrated. The proof-of-principle experiment shows the feasibility of integrating complementary logic circuits with quantum devices.
Gilbert magnetic damping constant of epitaxially grown Co-based Heusler alloy thin films
Authors: Oogane M. , Kubota T. , Kota Y. , Mizukami S. , Naganuma H. , Sakuma A. , Ando Y.
Published: June 2010

The magnetic damping constant in a series of Co2MnAlxSi1−x and Co2FexMn1−xSi Heusler alloy epitaxial films were systematically investigated by using ferromagnetic resonance technique. The determined magnetic damping constant is roughly proportional to the density of states at the Fermi energy of the first principle calculation. The result is consistent with the theoretical prediction when taking spin-orbit interaction into account. The small Gilbert damping constant for the fabricated films other than the Co2FexMn1−xSi film with x>0.6 can be originated in the half-metallic electronic structure of Heusler alloys.
Two-dimensional wetting: The role of atomic steps on the nucleation of thin water films on BaF2(111) at ambient conditions
Authors: Cardellach M. , Verdaguer A. , Santiso J. , Fraxedas J.
Published: June 2010

The interaction of water with freshly cleaved BaF2(111) surfaces at ambient conditions (room temperature and under controlled humidity) has been studied using scanning force microscopy in different operation modes. The images strongly suggest a high surface diffusion of water molecules on the surface indicated by the accumulation of water at step edges forming two-dimensional bilayered structures. Steps running along the ⟨1¯10⟩ crystallographic directions show a high degree of hydrophilicity, as evidenced by small step-film contact angles, while steps running along other directions exhibiting a higher degree of kinks surprisingly behave in a quite opposite way. Our results prove that morphological defects such as steps can be crucial in improving two-dimensional monolayer wetting and stabilization of multilayer grown on surfaces that show good lattice mismatch with hexagonal ice.
Spatial Structure and Productivity in US Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Meijers Evert J , Burger Martijn J
Published: June 2010

Recent concepts such as ‘megaregions' and ‘polycentric urban regions' emphasize that external economies are not confined to a single urban core, but are shared among a collection of nearby and linked cities. However, empirical analyses of agglomeration and agglomeration externalities have so far neglected the multicentric spatial organization of agglomeration and the possibility of the ‘sharing’ or ‘borrowing’ of size between cities. The authors take up this empirical challenge by analyzing how different spatial structures, in particular the monocentricity–polycentricity dimension, affect the economic performance of US metropolitan areas. Ordinary least squares and two-stage least-squares models explaining labor productivity show that spatial structure matters: polycentricity is associated with higher labor productivity. This appears to justify suggestions that, compared with more monocentric metropolitan areas, agglomeration diseconomies remain relatively limited in the more polycentric metropolitan areas, whereas agglomeration externalities are to some extent shared among the cities in such an area. However, it was also found that a network of geographically proximate smaller cities cannot substitute for the urbanization externalities of a single large city.
Getting Ready for Carbon Capture and Storage by Issuing Capture Options
Authors: Liang Xi , Reiner David , Gibbins Jon , Li Jia
Published: June 2010

A capture option is an option contract where the option holder can exercise a contract to retrofit an existing fossil fuel plant to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) on or before a fixed date. We suggest that new thermal power plants, particularly those in developing countries, consider issuing capture options at the design stage, because the sellers—the owners of newly built thermal power plants—may then invest in making these plants CO2 capture ready (CCR) to optimise returns from selling capture options. In a detailed case study on a 600 MW ultrasupercritical pulverised coal-fired power unit a potential storage site in Guangdong, China, the value of a capture option and CCR investment is evaluated using the backward deduction option pricing method through a stochastic cash flow model with Monte-Carlo simulations. If the power plant is retrofittable without CCR investment, then for an 8% discount rate the value of a capture option is US $11 million before CCR investment. Investing US $3.8 million in CCR increases the value of the capture option by an estimated US $12 million. Perhaps more important from a policy point of view, CCR investment can reduce the odds of early closure by 20% and also increase the chance of retrofitting to capture by 43%. If the power plant is not retrofittable in the absence of CCR design modifications, CCR investment to avoid ‘carbon lock-in’ is not only important for climate policy but is also economic from an investment point of view. We also conduct sensitivity analyses on a range of key assumptions to test the robustness of the findings.
Economic effort management in multispecies fisheries: the FcubEcon model
Authors: Hoff Ayoe , Frost Hans , Ulrich Clara , Damalas Dimitrios , Maravelias Christos D. , Goti Leyre , Santurtún Marina
Published: June 2010

Hoff, A., Frost, H., Ulrich, C., Damalas, D., Maravelias, C. D., Goti, L., and Santurtún, M. 2010. Economic effort management in multispecies fisheries: the FcubEcon model. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1802–1810. Applying single-species assessment and quotas in multispecies fisheries can lead to overfishing or quota underutilization, because advice can be conflicting when different stocks are caught within the same fishery. During the past decade, increased focus on this issue has resulted in the development of management tools based on fleets, fisheries, and areas, rather than on unit fish stocks. A natural consequence of this has been to consider effort rather than quota management, a final effort decision being based on fleet-harvest potential and fish-stock-preservation considerations. Effort allocation between fleets should not be based on biological considerations alone, but also on the economic behaviour of fishers, because fisheries management has a significant impact on human behaviour as well as on ecosystem development. The FcubEcon management framework for effort allocation between fleets and fisheries is presented, based on the economic optimization of a fishery's earnings while complying with stock-preservation criteria. Through case studies of two European fisheries, it is shown how fishery earnings can be increased significantly by reallocating effort between fisheries in an economically optimal manner, in both effort-management and single-quota management settings.
Fusion power: a challenge for materials science
Authors: Duffy D. M.
Published: June 2010

The selection and design of materials that will withstand the extreme conditions of a fusion power plant has been described as one of the greatest materials science challenges in history. The high particle flux, high thermal load, thermal mechanical stress and the production of transmutation elements combine to produce a uniquely hostile environment. In this paper, the materials favoured for the diverse roles in a fusion power plant are discussed, along with the experimental and modelling techniques that are used to advance the understanding of radiation damage in materials. Areas where further research is necessary are highlighted.
Nuclear fission: the interplay of science and technology
Authors: Stoneham A. M.
Published: June 2010

When the UK’s Calder Hall nuclear power station was connected to the grid in 1956, the programmes that made this possible involved a powerful combination of basic and applied research. Both the science and the engineering were novel, addressing new and challenging problems. That the last Calder Hall reactor was shut down only in 2003 attests to the success of the work. The strengths of bringing basic science to bear on applications continued to be recognized until the 1980s, when government and management fashions changed. This paper identifies a few of the technology challenges, and shows how novel basic science emerged from them and proved essential in their resolution. Today, as the threat of climate change becomes accepted, it has become clear that there is no credible solution without nuclear energy. The design and construction of new fission reactors will need continuing innovation, with the interplay between the science and technology being a crucial component.
Advances in computational studies of energy materials
Authors: Catlow C. R. A. , Guo Z. X. , Miskufova M. , Shevlin S. A. , Smith A. G. H. , Sokol A. A. , Walsh A. , Wilson D. J. , Woodley S. M.
Published: June 2010

We review recent developments and applications of computational modelling techniques in the field of materials for energy technologies including hydrogen production and storage, energy storage and conversion, and light absorption and emission. In addition, we present new work on an Sn2TiO4photocatalyst containing an Sn(II) lone pair, new interatomic potential models for SrTiO3and GaN, an exploration of defects in the kesterite/stannite-structured solar cell absorber Cu2ZnSnS4, and report details of the incorporation of hydrogen into Ag2O and Cu2O. Special attention is paid to the modelling of nanostructured systems, including ceria (CeO2, mixed CexOyand Ce2O3) and group 13 sesquioxides. We consider applications based on both interatomic potential and electronic structure methodologies; and we illustrate the increasingly quantitative and predictive nature of modelling in this field.
Building the bridge between animal movement and population dynamics
Authors: Morales Juan M. , Moorcroft Paul R. , Matthiopoulos Jason , Frair Jacqueline L. , Kie John G. , Powell Roger A. , Merrill Evelyn H. , Haydon Daniel T.
Published: June 2010

While the mechanistic links between animal movement and population dynamics are ecologically obvious, it is much less clear when knowledge of animal movement is a prerequisite for understanding and predicting population dynamics. GPS and other technologies enable detailed tracking of animal location concurrently with acquisition of landscape data and information on individual physiology. These tools can be used to refine our understanding of the mechanistic links between behaviour and individual condition through ‘spatially informed’ movement models where time allocation to different behaviours affects individual survival and reproduction. For some species, socially informed models that address the movements and average fitness of differently sized groups and how they are affected by fission–fusion processes at relevant temporal scales are required. Furthermore, as most animals revisit some places and avoid others based on their previous experiences, we foresee the incorporation of long-term memory and intention in movement models. The way animals move has important consequences for the degree of mixing that we expect to find both within a population and between individuals of different species. The mixing rate dictates the level of detail required by models to capture the influence of heterogeneity and the dynamics of intra- and interspecific interaction.
Animal ecology meets GPS-based radiotelemetry: a perfect storm of opportunities and challenges
Authors: Cagnacci Francesca , Boitani Luigi , Powell Roger A. , Boyce Mark S.
Published: June 2010

Global positioning system (GPS) telemetry technology allows us to monitor and to map the details of animal movement, securing vast quantities of such data even for highly cryptic organisms. We envision an exciting synergy between animal ecology and GPS-based radiotelemetry, as for other examples of new technologies stimulating rapid conceptual advances, where research opportunities have been paralleled by technical and analytical challenges. Animal positions provide the elemental unit of movement paths and show where individuals interact with the ecosystems around them. We discuss how knowing where animals go can help scientists in their search for a mechanistic understanding of key concepts of animal ecology, including resource use, home range and dispersal, and population dynamics. It is probable that in the not-so-distant future, intense sampling of movements coupled with detailed information on habitat features at a variety of scales will allow us to represent an animal's cognitive map of its environment, and the intimate relationship between behaviour and fitness. An extended use of these data over long periods of time and over large spatial scales can provide robust inferences for complex, multi-factorial phenomena, such as meta-analyses of the effects of climate change on animal behaviour and distribution.
Actinoalloteichus nanshanensis sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of a fig tree (Ficus religiosa)
Authors: Xiang Wensheng , Liu Chongxi , Wang Xiangjing , Du Jing , Xi Lijun , Huang Ying
Published: June 2010

A Gram-positive, aerobic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU 119T, was isolated from the rhizosphere of a fig tree and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. The isolate formed branching, non-fragmenting vegetative hyphae and produced black pigment on yeast extract/malt extract (ISP medium 2). The G+C content of the DNA was 76.6 mol%. The organism had chemotaxonomic characteristics typical of the genus Actinoalloteichus and was closely related to the type strains of Actinoalloteichus cyanogriseus, Actinoalloteichus spitiensis and Actinoalloteichus hymeniacidonis, currently the only three recognized species of the genus Actinoalloteichus, sharing 16S rRNA gene similarities of 96.4, 96.6 and 98.1 %, respectively. However, the results of DNA–DNA hybridization studies demonstrated that the novel strain showed only 46.8 % relatedness with the type strain of A. hymeniacidonis. In addition, a set of phenotypic characteristics also readily distinguished strain NEAU 119T from the type strains of recognized species of the genus Actinoalloteichus. According to the above data, it is proposed that strain NEAU 119T represents a novel species, Actinoalloteichus nanshanensis sp. nov. The type strain of Actinoalloteichus nanshanensis is NEAU 119T ( = CGMCC 4.5714T = NBRC 106685T).
Peer substance involvement modifies genetic influences on regular substance involvement in young women
Authors: Agrawal Arpana , Balasubramanian Sumitra , Smith Emily K. , Madden Pamela A. F. , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Heath Andrew C. , Lynskey Michael T.
Published: June 2010

Aims  Peer substance involvement (PSI) is a robust correlate of adolescent substance use. A small number of genetically informative studies suggest that shared genetic and environmental factors contribute to this association. We examine mechanisms by which PSI influences the etiology of regular substance involvement (RSI), particularly in women.

Design  Population‐based cohort study of twin women from the US Midwest.

Participants  2176 twin women.

Measurements  To examine the relationship between self‐reported PSI during adolescence and a composite RSI representing regular tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use during young adulthood, using genetically informative correlation, moderation and joint correlation‐moderation models.

Findings  There was evidence for a significant additive genetic X environment interaction. PSI was moderately heritable (h2 = 0.25). Genetic, shared and non‐shared influences on RSI overlapped with influences on PSI (genetic correlation of 0.43). Even after controlling for these shared genetic influences, RSI was more heritable in those reporting greater PSI.

Conclusions  While young women may select peers based on certain dispositional traits (e.g. permissiveness towards substance use), the social milieu constructed by PSI does modify the architecture of increased RSI in those individuals with increasing levels of PSI being associated with stronger expression of heritable influences.
Should symptom frequency be factored into scalar measures of alcohol use disorder severity?
Authors: Dawson Deborah A. , Grant Bridget F.
Published: June 2010

Aims  To evaluate whether weighting counts of alcohol use disorder (AUD) criteria or symptoms by their frequency of occurrence improves their association with correlates of AUD.

Design and participants  Data were collected in personal interviews with a representative sample of US adults interviewed in 1991–92. Analyses were conducted among past‐year drinkers (12+ drinks, n = 18 352) and individuals with past‐year DSM‐IV AUD (n = 2770).

Measurements  Thirty‐one symptom item indicators, whose frequency of occurrence was measured in eight categories, were used to create unweighted and frequency‐weighted counts of DSM‐IV past‐year AUD symptoms and criteria. Correlates included density of familial alcoholism and past‐year volume of ethanol intake, frequency of intoxication and utilization of alcohol treatment.

Findings  Although the AUD correlates were associated strongly and positively with the frequency of AUD symptom occurrence, weighting for symptom frequency did not strengthen their association consistently with AUD severity scores. Improved performance of the weighted scores was observed primarily among AUD correlates linked closely with the frequency of heavy drinking and among individuals with AUD. Criterion counts were correlated nearly as strongly as symptom counts with the AUD correlates.

Conclusions  Frequency weighting may add somewhat to the validity of AUD severity measures, especially those that are intended for use among individuals with AUD, e.g. in clinical settings. For studying the etiology and course of AUD in the general population, an equally effective and less time‐consuming alternative to obtaining symptom frequency may be the use of unweighted criterion counts accompanied by independent measures of frequency of heavy drinking.
Methods for measuring abdominal obesity in the prediction of severe acute pancreatitis, and their correlation with abdominal fat areas assessed by computed tomography
Authors: Duarte‐Rojo A. , Sosa‐Lozano L. A. , Saúl Á. , Herrera‐Cáceres J. O. , Hernández‐Cárdenas C. , Vázquez‐Lamadrid J. , Robles‐Díaz G.
Published: June 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 244–253

Background  Obesity increases the risk for severe acute pancreatitis, although abdominal obesity may be a better prognostic marker.

Aim  To determine if a single anthropometric parameter best predicts severe acute pancreatitis and correlates with intra‐abdominal fat.

Methods  Ninety‐nine patients with acute pancreatitis were studied prospectively. Anthropometry included body mass index (BMI) and girths (umbilical/minimum waist, iliac/trochanter hip, thigh). Several waist‐to‐hip/waist‐to‐thigh ratios (WHR/WTR) were constructed. A CT‐scan with calculation of cross‐sectional abdominal fat areas was obtained in 37 cases.

Results  Severe acute pancreatitis occurred in 25 patients. Waist circumference (WC), WHR and WTR – all using the umbilical reference – most accurately predicted severe acute pancreatitis. Only umbilical WC was retained in multivariate analysis: the risk for severe acute pancreatitis increased 16% with every 1 cm (OR 1.16, 95%CI: 1.1–1.3). Abdominal obesity caused a 6‐fold increase in risk. Umbilical WC correlated best with subcutaneous fat area (r = 0.791, P < 0.001), whereas WHR with intra‐abdominal (r = 0.594, P < 0.001).

Conclusions  Abdominal obesity according to umbilical WC is a better predictor for development of severe acute pancreatitis than BMI, minimum WC, WHR and WTR. The protocol for anthropometry must be standardized as it may affect results. Both subcutaneous and intra‐abdominal fat appears to affect the likelihood of a severe outcome.
Discrepancy between recalled and recorded bowel habits in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Coletta M. , Di Palma L. , Tomba C. , Basilisco G.
Published: June 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 282ash;288

Background  A discrepancy between recalled and recorded bowel habit subtypes has been reported in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the reasons for it remain unclear.

Aim  To assess the agreement between recalled and recorded bowel habit subtypes; to determine whether any discrepancy is related to stool form variability or psychological factors; and to test the correlations of recalled and recorded stool form with colonic transit time.

Methods  Bowel habit subtype was established in 54 IBS patients at the enrolment visit (recalled) and with the aid of diary cards (recorded). Colonic transit time, the variability of stool form and the patients’ psychological profiles were also recorded.

Results  Recalled and recorded bowel habit subtypes agreed in only 54% of the patients (kappa = 0.28). Stool form variability was greater among the patients whose recalled and recorded bowel habit subtypes were discordant (P = 0.03), whereas the psychological profiles were not different. Colonic transit time significantly correlated with stool form only when it was recorded on diary cards.

Conclusion  The discrepancy between recalled and recorded bowel habits in IBS patients is related more to stool form variability than an altered psychological profile. Diary cards should be used to ensure that stool form reflects colonic transit time.
Meta‐analysis: randomized controlled trials of 4‐L polyethylene glycol and sodium phosphate solution as bowel preparation for colonoscopy
Authors: Juluri R. , Eckert G. , Imperiale T. F.
Published: June 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther2010;32:171–181

Background Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing polyethylene glycol (PEG) with sodium phosphate (NaP) are inconsistent.

Aim To compare the efficacy of and tolerance to PEG vs. NaP for bowel preparation.

Methods We used MEDLINE and EMBASE to identify English‐language RCTs published between 1990 and 2008 comparing 4‐L PEG with two 45 mL doses of NaP in adults undergoing elective colonoscopy. We calculated the pooled odds ratios (ORs) for preparation quality and proportion of subjects completing the preparation.

Results From 18 trials (n = 2792), subjects receiving NaP were more likely to have an excellent or good quality preparation than those receiving PEG (82% vs. 77%; OR = 1.43; 95% CI, 1.01–2.00). Among a subgroup of 10 trials in which prep quality was reported in greater detail, there were no differences in the proportions of excellent, good, fair or poor preparation quality. Among nine trials that assessed preparation completion rates, patients receiving NaP were more likely to complete the preparation than patients receiving 4‐L PEG (3.9% vs. 9.8% respectively did not complete the preparation; OR = 0.40; CI, 0.17–0.88).

Conclusion Among 18 head‐to‐head RCTs of NaP vs. 4‐L PEG, NaP was more likely to be completed and to result in an excellent or good quality preparation.
Review article: malignancy on thiopurine treatment with special reference to inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Smith M. A. , Irving P. M. , Marinaki A. M. , Sanderson J. D.
Published: June 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther2010;32:119–130

Background Immunosuppression is a risk factor for carcinogenesis. Thiopurines specifically contribute to this. As thiopurines are used more aggressively in the treatment of IBD, it is likely that we will see more thiopurine‐related malignancy.

Aim To review the literature, exploring how immunosuppression,thiopurines specifically, might cause cancer and which malignancies occur in practice, placing specific emphasis on IBD cohorts.

Methods Search terms included ‘malignancy’‘cancer’‘azathioprine’‘mercaptopurine’‘tioguanine (thioguanine)’‘thiopurine’ and ‘inflammatory bowel disease’‘Crohn’s disease’‘ulcerative colitis’. We also searched for specific cancers (lymphoma, colorectal cancer, skin cancer, cervical cancer) and reviewed the reference lists of the articles detected.

Results Immunosuppression is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Thiopurines are associated with specific additional risks. In IBD cohorts, very few thiopurine‐related malignancies have been reported. However, studies suggest a relative risk of 4–5 for lymphoma. This still translates into a low actual risk, (one extra lymphoma in every 300–1400 years of thiopurine treatment).

Conclusions Whilst we must be aware of this risk and counsel our patients appropriately, thiopurines remain a mainstay of IBD therapy. We present practical advice aimed at minimizing our patients’ risk of developing malignancy, whilst optimizing the benefits that thiopurines can provide.
Predictive factors of bleeding related to post‐banding ulcer following endoscopic variceal ligation in cirrhotic patients: a case‐control study
Authors: Vanbiervliet G. , Giudicelli‐Bornard S. , Piche T. , Berthier F. , Gelsi E. , Filippi J. , Anty R. , Arab K. , Huet P. M. , Hebuterne X. , Tran A.
Published: June 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 225–232

Background  Life‐threatening bleeding caused by early spontaneous slippage of rubber bands has been described after variceal ligation in cirrhotic patients.

Aim  To determine the predictive factors of this complication in cirrhotic patients.

Methods  Among 605 patients, 21 patients (mean age 56.6 ± 13.5 years) developed 23 spontaneous band slippages with bleeding on post banding ulcer, as confirmed by endoscopy. Cirrhosis was alcoholic in 13 patients (62%), post viral hepatitis in three (14%) and from other causes in five (24%). A case‐control study was performed comparing 17 from these patients who presented the complication after a first ligation with 84 of the 584 controls who underwent first endoscopic variceal ligation without bleeding complication.

Results  Bleeding occurred 13.5 days ± 7.3 (2–29) following ligation. Eleven patients died following the bleeding complication (52%). Using a multivariate analysis, previous upper variceal digestive bleeding [OR 12.07, 95%CI (2.3–63.43)], peptic oesophagitis [OR 8.9, 95%CI (1.65–47.8)], high platelet ratio index (APRI) score [OR 1.54, 95%CI (1.11–2.16)] and low prothrombin index [OR 0.54, 95% CI (0.31–0.94)] were independent predictive factors of bleeding.

Conclusions  Bleeding related to post‐banding ulcer is a rare, but severe complication. The proposed predictive factors should be looked for and minimized before variceal ligation.
Thoracic paravertebral anaesthesia for awake video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery daily
Authors: Piccioni F. , Langer M. , Fumagalli L. , Haeusler E. , Conti B. , Previtali P.
Published: June 2010

Thoracic paravertebral blockade has been described as an effective alternative to epidural blockade for the management of postoperative pain after thoracic surgery. Here we present what we believe is the first description of the use of thoracic paravertebral block as the sole anaesthetic for video‐assisted thoracoscopy. Two oncology patients with severe respiratory disease presented for video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Thoracic paravertebral block provided excellent surgical conditions and postoperative pain relief for these patients and allowed an optimal assessment of the anaesthetic impact on respiratory function.
Optimisation of Spirulina platensis convective drying: evaluation of phycocyanin loss and lipid oxidation
Authors: Oliveira Elizangela G. , Duarte Jessica H. , Moraes Kelly , Crexi Valeria T. , Pinto Luiz A. A.
Published: June 2010

The aim of the study was the optimisation of Spirulina platensis drying on convective hot air through the response surface methodology. The responses were thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and phycocyanin loss percentage values in final product. Experiments were carried out in perforated tray drier with parallel air flow, and the wet samples thickness and drying air temperatures were in range of 3–7 mm and 50–70 °C, respectively. The statistical analysis showed significant effect (P < 0.05) for air temperature and samples thickness. In the best drying condition, 55 °C and 3.7 mm, presented the phycocyanin loss percentage and the TBA values of approximately 37% and 1.5 mgMDA kg−1, respectively. In this drying condition, the fatty acids composition of the microalgae Spirulina did not show significance difference (P > 0.05) in relation to fresh biomass. The lipid profile of dried product presented high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (34.4%), especially the gamma‐linolenic acid (20.6%).
Emotional intelligence of mental health nurses
Authors: van Dusseldorp Loes RLC , van Meijel Berno KG , Derksen Jan JL
Published: June 2010

Aims.  The aim of this study is to gain insight into the level of emotional intelligence of mental health nurses in the Netherlands.

Background.  The focus in research on emotional intelligence to date has been on a variety of professionals. However, little is known about emotional intelligence in mental health nurses.

Method.  The emotional intelligence of 98 Dutch nurses caring for psychiatric patients is reported. Data were collected with the Bar‐On Emotional Quotient Inventory within a cross‐sectional research design.

Results.  The mean level of emotional intelligence of this sample of professionals is statistically significant higher than the emotional intelligence of the general population. Female nurses score significantly higher than men on the subscales Empathy, Social Responsibility, Interpersonal Relationship, Emotional Self‐awareness, Self‐Actualisation and Assertiveness. No correlations are found between years of experience and age on the one hand and emotional intelligence on the other hand.

Conclusions.  The results of this study show that nurses in psychiatric care indeed score above average in the emotional intelligence required to cope with the amount of emotional labour involved in daily mental health practice.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The ascertained large range in emotional intelligence scores among the mental health nurses challenges us to investigate possible implications which higher or lower emotional intelligence levels may have on the quality of care. For instance, a possible relation between the level of emotional intelligence and the quality of the therapeutic nurse–patient relationship or the relation between the level of emotional intelligence and the manner of coping with situations characterised by a great amount of emotional labour (such as caring for patients who self‐harm or are suicidal).
Lamotrigine and hemodialysis in bipolar disorder: case analysis of dosing strategy with literature review
Authors: Kaufman Kenneth R
Published: June 2010

Kaufman KR. Lamotrigine and hemodialysis in bipolar disorder: case analysis of dosing strategy with literature review. Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 446–449. © 2010 The Author. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objective:  Medical conditions and associated procedures/treatments may impact therapeutic blood levels of pharmacologic agents in the illnesses we treat. The use of anti‐epileptic drugs in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, most commonly bipolar disorders, and epilepsy is a case in point. This report addresses the impact of hemodialysis on lamotrigine efficacy in bipolar disorder.

Method:  Case analysis with literature review.

Results:  A bipolar disorder patient stabilized on lamotrigine 200 mg total daily dose was admitted to the hospital with end‐stage renal disease. With three consecutive days of hemodialysis, treatment‐emergent hypomanic features were noted by the patient and confirmed in psychiatric consultation. When lamotrigine was increased to 250 mg total daily dose, the bipolar features remitted.

Conclusion:  Lamotrigine titration may be required in bipolar disorder patients undergoing hemodialysis secondary to the associated hemodialysis extraction factor. Therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended in these patients.
Kainate‐induced toxicity in the hippocampus: potential role of lithium
Authors: Crespo‐Biel Natalia , Camins Antoni , Canudas Anna M , Pallàs Mercè
Published: June 2010

Crespo‐Biel N, Camins A, Canudas AM, Pallàs M. Kainate‐induced toxicity in the hippocampus: potential role of lithium. Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 425–436. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objectives: We investigated the neuroprotective effects of lithium in an experimental neurodegeneration model gated to kainate (KA) receptor activation.

Methods: The hippocampus from KA‐treated mice and hippocampal cell cultures were used to evaluate the pathways regulated by chronic lithium pretreatment in bothin vivoandin vitromodels.

Results: Treatment with KA, as measured by fragmentation of α‐spectrin and biochemically, induced the activation of calpain resulting in p35 cleavage to p25, indicating activation of cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (cdk5) and glycogen synthase kinase‐3ß (GSK‐3ß) and an increase in tau protein phosphorylation. Treatment with lithium reduced calpain activation and reduced the effects of cdk5 and GSK‐3ß on tau. KA treatment of cultures resulted in neuronal demise. According to nuclear condensed cell counts, the addition of lithium to neuronal cell cultures (0.5–1 mM) a few days before KA treatment had neuroprotective and also antiapoptotic effects. The action of lithium on calpain/cdk5 and GSK‐3ß pathways produced similar resultsin vivo. As calpain is activated by an increase in intracellular calcium, we showed that lithium reduced calcium concentrations in basal and KA‐treated hippocampal cells, which was accompanied by an increase in NCX3, a Na+/Ca2+exchanger pump.

Conclusion: A robust neuroprotective effect of lithium in the excitotoxic process induced by KA in mouse hippocampus was demonstrated via modulation of calcium entry and the subsequent inhibition of the calpain pathway. These mechanisms may act in an additive way with other mechanisms previously described for lithium, suggesting that it may be useful as a possible therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s disease.
The International Society for Bipolar Disorders–Battery for Assessment of Neurocognition (ISBD‐BANC)
Authors: Yatham Lakshmi N , Torres Ivan J , Malhi Gin S , Frangou Sophia , Glahn David C , Bearden Carrie E , Burdick Katherine E , Martínez‐Arán Anabel , Dittmann Sandra , Goldberg Joseph F , Ozerdem Aysegul , Aydemir Omer , Chengappa K N Roy
Published: June 2010

Yatham LN, Torres IJ, Malhi GS, Frangou S, Glahn DC, Bearden CE, Burdick KE, Martínez‐Arán A, Dittmann S, Goldberg JF, Ozerdem A, Aydemir O, Chengappa KNR. The International Society for Bipolar Disorders–Battery for Assessment of Neurocognition (ISBD‐BANC). Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 351–363. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objectives: Although cognitive impairment is recognized as an important clinical feature of bipolar disorder, there is no standard cognitive battery that has been developed for use in bipolar disorder research. The aims of this paper were to identify the cognitive measures from the literature that show the greatest magnitude of impairment in bipolar disorder, to use this information to determine whether the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), developed for use in schizophrenia, might be suitable for bipolar disorder research, and to propose a preliminary battery of cognitive tests for use in bipolar disorder research.

Methods: The project was conducted under the auspices of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders and involved a committee that comprised researchers with international expertise in the cognitive aspects of bipolar disorder. In order to identify cognitive tasks that show the largest magnitude of impairment in bipolar disorder, we reviewed the literature on studies assessing cognitive functioning (including social cognition) in bipolar disorder. We further provided a brief review of the cognitive overlap between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and evaluated the degree to which tasks included in the MCCB (or other identified tasks) might be suitable for use in bipolar disorder.

Results: Based on evidence that cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder are similar in pattern but less severe than in schizophrenia, it was judged that most subtests comprising the MCCB appear appropriate for use in bipolar disorder. In addition to MCCB tests, other specific measures of more complex verbal learning (e.g., the California Verbal Learning Test) or executive function (Stroop Test, Trail Making Test–part B, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test) also show substantial impairment in bipolar disorder.

Conclusions: Our analysis reveals that the MCCB represents a good starting point for assessing cognitive deficits in research studies of bipolar disorder, but that other tasks including more complex verbal learning measures and tests of executive function should also be considered in assessing cognitive compromise in bipolar disorder. Several promising cognitive tasks that require further study in bipolar disorder are also presented.
Cognition and disability in bipolar disorder: lessons from schizophrenia research
Authors: Harvey Philip D , Wingo Aliza P , Burdick Katherine E , Baldessarini Ross J
Published: June 2010

Harvey PD, Wingo AP, Burdick KE, Baldessarini RJ. Cognition and disability in bipolar disorder: lessons from schizophrenia research. Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 364–375. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Background:  Cognitive and functional impairments occur in patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BPD), although they are usually less severe and far less studied than in schizophrenia. There may be value in applying approaches developed in schizophrenia research to study cognitive functioning among BPD patients in areas including performance‐based disability assessment, cognitive remediation treatments, enhancement of the accuracy of real‐world functioning, and studying cognition and disability in relatives.

Methods:  We reviewed current research on cognitive and functional disability in BPD, noted areas of similarity and discrepancy to research on schizophrenia, and highlighted methods and approaches used to study schizophrenia that can be applied to study unmet needs of BPD patients.

Results:  Research in schizophrenia increasingly separates potential functional capacity from real‐world outcome status, and has assessed contributions of cognitive impairment and other illness factors to functional outcomes. For schizophrenia, various behavioral and pharmacological treatments aimed at cognitive enhancement have been attempted, with moderate success, compared to rare studies of treatment effects on cognitive impairment in BPD. Very little research has been performed in the occurrence of cognitive impairments in first‐degree relatives of people with BPD, despite evidence that cognitive impairments may be stable traits across symptomatic status in people with BPD.

Conclusions:  Research and treatment approaches developed for schizophrenia can productively be applied to the study and treatment of patients diagnosed with BPD, notably including studies of the characteristics of and treatments for functional impairment related to cognitive deficits.
The plant PRAT proteins – preprotein and amino acid transport in mitochondria and chloroplasts*
Authors: Pudelski B. , Kraus S. , Soll J. , Philippar K.
Published: June 2010

The membrane proteins of the plant preprotein and amino acid transporter (PRAT) superfamily all share common structural elements, such as four membrane‐spanning α‐helices. Interestingly they display diverse localisation to outer and inner membranes of chloroplasts and mitochondria. Furthermore, they fulfil different functions in preprotein translocation as well as amino acid transport across these membranes. This review summarises current knowledge on precursor protein import and amino acid transport in plastids and mitochondria and provides an overview of the distinct tasks and features of members of the PRAT superfamily in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.
Review of rural and regional alcohol research in Australia
Authors: Miller Peter G. , Coomber Kerri , Staiger Petra , Zinkiewicz Lucy , Toumbourou John W.
Published: June 2010

Introduction:  Alcohol is the most commonly used drug within Australia. Recently, there have been indications that there is a greater incidence of high‐risk drinking within rural populations as compared with their urban counterparts. High‐risk drinking is associated with numerous conditions, such as diabetes, heart attack and cancer, as well as acute harms such as assault, suicide and road accidents. The objective of this article is to review the current research and relevant data pertaining to alcohol use and alcohol‐related harms within rural Australia.

Methods:  This paper is a systematic review of 16 databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar.

Results:  Overall, 18 studies describing alcohol consumption or alcohol‐related harms were found. Approximately half of these studies were large‐scale national population surveys, which were therefore limited in their representativeness of specific regional and rural towns. Most studies examining alcohol consumption used self‐report data collection, meaning that interpretation of results needs to be tentative. There is a consistent pattern of higher rates of alcohol consumption and consequent harm within regional and rural Australia than in urban areas.

Conclusions:  There is emerging research examining alcohol consumption and alcohol‐related harms within regional and rural Australia. All studies show that these populations experience disproportionate harm because of alcohol consumption. The causes and mechanism for this have not been investigated, and a program of research is required to understand how and why rural populations experience disproportionate levels of alcohol‐related harm and ultimately, what interventions will be most effective in reducing alcohol‐related harms.
Is a global rural and remote health research agenda desirable or is context supreme?
Authors: Farmer Jane , Clark Ann , Munoz Sarah‐Anne
Published: June 2010

Objective:  This paper proposes that there is value in international comparison of rural and remote health‐care service delivery models because of practical reasons – to find ideas, models and lessons to address ‘local’ delivery challenges; and for theoretical reasons – to derive a conceptual framework for international comparison.

Methods:  Literature review and commentary.

Findings:  There are significant challenges to international comparative research that have been highlighted generically; for example, equivalence of terminology, datasets and indicators. Context supremacy has been raised as a reason why models and research findings might not be transferable. This paper proposes that there is insufficient knowledge about how rural contexts in relation to health service delivery are similar or different internationally. Investigating contexts in different countries and identifying the dimensions on which service delivery might differ is an important stimulus for study. The paper suggests, for discussion, dimensions on which rural service delivery might differ between countries and regions, including physical geographical factors, social interaction with rurality, policies of service provision and the politics and operation of health care.

Conclusions:  The paper asks whether, given the need to develop models suitable for rural areas and for theory on rural health to extend, international comparative research is an imperative or an indulgence.
Occupational therapists’ perceptions of gender – A focus group study
Authors: Liedberg Gunilla M. , Björk Mathilda , Hensing Gunnel
Published: June 2010

Background/aim:  Women and men are shaped over the courses of their lives by culture, society and human interaction according to the gender system. Cultural influences on individuals’ social roles and environment are described in occupational therapy literature, but not specifically from a gender perspective. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how a sample of occupational therapists perceives the ‘gender’ concept.

Method:  Four focus group interviews with 17 occupational therapists were conducted. The opening question was: ‘How do you reflect on the encounter with a client depending on whether it is a man or a woman?’ The transcribed interviews were analysed and two main themes emerged: ‘the concept of gender is tacit in occupational therapy’ and ‘client encounters’.

Results:  The occupational therapists expressed limited theoretical knowledge of ‘gender’. Furthermore, the occupational therapists seemed to be ‘doing gender’ in their encounters with the clients. For example, in their assessment of the client, they focussed their questions on different spheres: with female clients, on the household and family; with male clients, on their paid work.

Conclusions:  This study demonstrated that occupational therapists were unaware of the possibility that they were ‘doing gender’ in their encounters with clients. There is a need to increase occupational therapists’ awareness of their own behaviour of ‘doing gender’. Furthermore, there is a need to investigate whether gendered perceptions will shorten or lengthen a rehabilitation period and affect the chosen interventions, and in the end, the outcome for the clients.
Serum E‐selectin levels in Indian children and adolescents: Relation to clinical and biochemical parameters
Authors: Srinivasa Nageswara Rao Gattem , Gurumurthy Prema , Gururajan Priya , Saibabu Ramineni , Cherian Kotturothu Mamen
Published: June 2010

Background:  An adverse pattern of blood lipids and atherosclerosis begin in childhood. Unfortunately, data for children and adolescents, particularly those in the Indian population, are scarce. The present study aims to evaluate the levels of serum E‐selectin in Indian children and adolescents and its correlation with anthropometric and biochemical parameters.

Methods:  The study groups included 338 school children and adolescents. There were 96 obese children, 97 overweight children and 42 children with congenital heart disease who were compared with 103 normal controls, aged 10–17 years. Serum E‐selectin and serum leptin were analyzed with enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay kits. Lipid profile and fasting glucose were analyzed using an autoanalyzer.

Results:  Serum E‐selectin levels were significantly increased in obese (65.3 ± 8.39 ng/mL) and overweight (56.01 ± 6.96 ng/mL) subjects (P < 0.001). However, these levels were lower in children with congenital heart disease (40.99 ± 6.54 ng/mL) than in controls (43.79 ± 6.71 ng/mL).

Conclusion:  Serum E‐selectin levels showed good positive association with body mass index, waist‐to‐hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, leptin, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and showed negative correlation with fasting glucose and no significant association with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. These findings indicate that higher E‐selectin levels can induce endothelial activation and play an essential role in the earliest stage of the atherosclerotic process in obese and overweight children. Regular camps at schools to counsel the identified overweight and obese children and to encourage physical exercise would help to reduce the risk of these children being prone to major cardiovascular anomalies in adulthood.