bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dialect variation and phonological knowledge: Phonological representations and metalinguistic awareness among beginning readers who speak nonmainstream American English
Authors: TERRY NICOLE PATTON
Published: August 2012

Children's spoken nonmainstream American English (NMAE) dialect use and their knowledge about phonological representations of word pronunciations were assessed in a sample of 105 children in kindergarten through second grade. Children were given expressive and receptive tasks with dialect-sensitive stimuli. Students who produced many NMAE features in speech nonetheless demonstrated considerable knowledge of “standard” English forms on the tasks, and their phonological representations were not deficient. In regression analyses, an inverse relationship between NMAE use and reading skill was observed, but mediated by phonological awareness. The findings are inconsistent with the view that print–speech mismatches interfere with young NMAE speakers’ reading acquisition, and instead suggest that dialect variation among beginning readers reflects metalinguistic differences that influence reading acquisition.
Femtosecond laser ablation of brass: A study of surface morphology and ablation rate
Authors: Shaheen Mohamed E. , Fryer Brian J.
Published: August 2012

The interaction of near infrared femtosecond laser pulses with a Cu based alloy (brass) in ambient air at atmospheric pressure and under different laser conditions was investigated. The effects of laser fluence and number of pulses on surface morphology and ablation rate were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. Ablation rates were found to rapidly increase from 83 to 604 nm/pulse in the fluence range 1.14–12.21 J/cm2. At fluence >12.21 J/cm2, ablation rates increased slowly to a maximum (607 nm/pulse at 19.14 J/cm2), and then decreased at fluence higher than 20.47 J/cm2 to 564 nm/pulse at 24.89 J/cm2. Large amounts of ablated material in a form of agglomerated fine particles were observed around the ablation craters as the number of laser pulses and fluence increased. The study of surface morphology shows reduced thermal effects with femtosecond laser ablation in comparison to nanosecond laser ablation at low fluence.
Parents' child-directed communication and child language development: a longitudinal study with Italian toddlers
Authors: MAJORANO MARINELLA , RAINIERI CHIARA , CORSANO PAOLA
Published: August 2012

The present study focuses on the characteristics of parental child-directed communication and its relationship with child language development. For this purpose, thirty-six toddlers (18 males and 18 females) and their parents were observed in a laboratory during triadic free play at ages 1 ; 3 and 1 ; 9. The characteristics of the maternal and paternal child-directed language (characteristics of communicative functions and lexicon as reported in psycholinguistic norms for Italian language) were coded during free play. Child language development was assessed during free play and at ages 2 ; 6 and 3 ; 0 using the Italian version of the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory (2 ; 6) and the revised Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-R) (3 ; 0). Data analysis indicated differences between mothers and fathers in the quantitative characteristics of communicative functions and language, such as the mean length of utterances (MLU), and the number of tokens and types. Mothers also produced the more frequent nouns in the child lexicon. There emerged a relation between the characteristics of parental child-directed language and child language development.
Prosody signals the emergence of intentional communication in the first year of life: evidence from Catalan-babbling infants
Authors: ESTEVE-GIBERT NÚRIA , PRIETO PILAR
Published: August 2012

There is considerable debate about whether early vocalizations mimic the target language and whether prosody signals emergent intentional communication. A longitudinal corpus of four Catalan-babbling infants was analyzed to investigate whether children use different prosodic patterns to distinguish communicative from investigative vocalizations and to express intentionality. A total of 2,701 vocalizations from 0;7 to 0;11 were coded acoustically (by marking pitch range and duration), gesturally, and pragmatically (by marking communicative status and specific pragmatic function). The results showed that communicative vocalizations were shorter and had a wider pitch range than investigative vocalizations and that these patterns in communicative vocalizations depended on the intention of the vocalizations: requests and expressions of discontent displayed wider pitch range and longer duration than responses or statements. These results support the hypothesis that babbling children can successfully use a set of prosodic patterns to signal intentional speech.
Divergence of solutions of polynomial finite-difference equations
Authors: Gingold Harry
Published: August 2012

A theorem is proven for kth-order polynomial finite-difference equations that guarantees the divergence of solutions. A ‘basin of divergence’ is characterized and an order of divergence is provided. The basin of divergence is shown to depend on k independent parameters. An unconventional compactification method is used. Applications include the multi-step method in the numerical integration of ordinary differential equations, quadratic equations and the Henon map.
Hardy—Poincaré inequalities with boundary singularities
Authors: Fall Mouhamed Moustapha , Musina Roberta
Published: August 2012

We are interested in variational problems involving weights that are singular at a point of the boundary of the domain. More precisely, we study a linear variational problem related to the Poincaré inequality and to the Hardy inequality for maps in H01(Ω), where Ω is a bounded domain in ℝN, N ≥ 2, with 0 ∈ ∂Ω. In particular, we give sufficient and necessary conditions so that the best constant is achieved.
Stability and Hopf bifurcation analysis for Nicholson's blowflies equation with non-local delay
Authors: HU RUI , YUAN YUAN
Published: August 2012

We consider a diffusive Nicholson's blowflies equation with non-local delay and study the stability of the uniform steady states and the possible Hopf bifurcation. By using the upper- and lower solutions method, the global stability of constant steady states is obtained. We also discuss the local stability via analysis of the characteristic equation. Moreover, for a special kernel, the occurrence of Hopf bifurcation near the steady state solution and the stability of bifurcated periodic solutions are given via the centre manifold theory. Based on laboratory data and our theoretical results, we address the influence of various types of vaccinations in controlling the outbreak of blowflies.
AL-MIKLĀTĪ, A TWELFTH CENTURY AŠʿARITE READER OF AVERROES
Authors: Adouhane Yamina
Published: August 2012

The aim of this article is to present a new witness of Averroes' reception in the Muslim world, in the years that immediately followed his death. Indeed Abū al-Ḥağğāğ al-Miklātī (d. 1237) is an Ašʿarite theologian, who was born in Fez. He is the author of aQuintessence of the Intellects in Response to Philosophers on the Science of Principlesin which he aims at refuting the Peripatetic philosophers in their own field, using their own weapons. This article will first attempt to draw the portrait of this atypical theologian. It will then focus on showing that al-Miklātī – although he never mentions his name – is a reader of Averroes and in particular, of hisTahāfut al-Tahāfut, of which he makes various and unexpected uses. A close look at these uses will enable us to better define the nature of al-Miklātī's work. More importantly, this article will try to prove that al-Miklātī provides us with a key passage of Averroes' lost treatiseOn the Prime Mover. At the heart of the Rushdian criticism of Avicenna's “metaphysical” proof, this passage should throw new light on Averroes' precise understanding of this proof.
REGARDS D'IBN RUSHD SUR AL-JUWAYNĪ QUESTIONS DE MÉTHODE
Authors: Arfa Mensia Mokdad
Published: August 2012

This essay is concerned with the complex relationships between falsafa and kalām. As regards the history of the latter, it has been generally agreed that al-Juwaynī played a decisive role at a moment when Avicennism became intrusive. It is mainly in his al-ʿAqīda al-niẓāmiyya that al-Juwaynī initiated a doctrinal and methodic evolution of Ashʿarism. One necessarily invokes here Ibn Rushd, who, by exposing the dogmas in their literal manifestation in his al-Kashf ʿan manāhij al-adilla fī ʿaqāʾid al-milla, actually sought to operate a systematic refutation of the Ashʿarites' theses. It should be noted, however, that, despite his critical distance, Ibn Rushd nonetheless remained attentive to al-Juwaynī's evolutionary study. In this contribution, some aspects of the major issues in kalām will be examined: the existence of God and the argument of takhṣīṣ (particularization), His unicity (waḥdāniyya) and the argument of mumānaʿa (mutual hindering), as well as human agency with the acknowledgement of man's capacity (qudra) and its role. Albeit limited in scope, the essay attempts to make a more profound evaluation of al-Juwaynī's role at a crucial moment of the history of kalām in its specific development during which the Great Masters have not always been faithful to the classical tenets of their school, but also in its relations with falsafa and its influence on al-Juwaynī, and then and mainly on his disciple al-Ghazālī's theological thought.
AVICENNA AMONG MEDIEVAL JEWS THE RECEPTION OF AVICENNA'S PHILOSOPHICAL, SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL WRITINGS IN JEWISH CULTURES, EAST AND WEST
Authors: Freudenthal Gad , Zonta Mauro
Published: August 2012

The reception of Avicenna by medieval Jewish readers presents an underappreciated enigma. Despite the philosophical and scientific stature of Avicenna, his philosophical writings were relatively little studied in Jewish milieus, be it in Arabic or in Hebrew. In particular, Avicenna's philosophical writings are not among the “Hebräische Übersetzungen des Mittelalters” – only very few of them were translated into Hebrew. As anauthor associated with a definite corpus of writings,Avicenna hardly existed in Jewish philosophy in Hebrew (contrary to Averroes). Paradoxically, however, some of Avicenna's most distinctive ideas were widely known and embraced by Jewish philosophers. This is the phenomenon that we dubAvicennian knowledge without Avicenna. In contrast with the philosophical treatises, Avicenna's medical writings were widely and intensively studied by Jews, especially in Hebrew, and remained influential until at least the seventeenth century. The present article presents a comprehensive picture of Avicenna's reception within medieval Jewish cultures in both Arabic and Hebrew and tries to explain the Jews’ complex attitude to Avicenna.
The Mexico City Earthquake—An International Disaster. An Overview
Authors: Romo Roberto Castañon
Published: August 2012

I will present a general view of the events that took place in Mexico City on September 19th, 1985.

I will make reference, in the first place, to certain facts related with the subject, then I will describe the general damage to health and to the health services, and finally I will give information about the action taken in the area of epidemiological surveillance.

The information in this work was generated through a committee formed by different health institutions and in which I participated. This organization was responsible for the health services and the epidemiological surveillance during the events of September 1985.
Search and Rescue
Authors: Pierce William
Published: August 2012

I want to first talk about search and rescue as it occurred in Mexico City; secondly, about what we learned in Mexico City; where are we going from there; what are some of the things that are happening and should be happening in major disaster management, especially as it deals with search and rescue.

There are four main phases in search and rescue. Those four phases are: First, you have to locate the victims; second, you have to reach the victims; third, you need to stabilize those victims; and fourth, you need to evacuate them. I'm going to deal primarily with locating the victims because that was my main responsibility, coordinating the search aspect in Mexico City.
Cyclone Deaths in Bangladesh, May 1985: Who Was At Risk
Authors: Siddique A. K. , Euosof A.
Published: August 2012

In May 1985, a cyclone from the Bay of Bengal struck the coastal islands of Bangladesh. In spite of early detection of atmospheric turbulance and the history of severe cyclones in the area, an estimated 11,000 people lost their lives.

In a natural experiment, cyclone death rates from the two severely affected islands, Urir Char and Sandwip, were analyzed to determine the risk factors of cyclone-associated mortality.

In Urir Char, in which no cyclone shelters existed, the study group lost 40 percent of the family members in contrast to 3.4 percent from Sandwip, where at least eight cyclone shelters existed. Individuals who did not seek shelter were at the highest risk. Barriers in seeking safety were physical as well as behavioral. Easy access to shelters was a significant factor in reducing the risk. Deaths could have been averted through improved timing and method of advance warning.
Anatomy of a Terrorist Attack: The Cu Chi Mess Hall Incident
Authors: Henderson Joseph V.
Published: August 2012

For most civilized people terrorism is hard to imagine. Scenarios are concrete descriptions of events, case studies that help the imagination. Statistics inform, but are abstract. Planners and strategists, be they Colonels, Captains or Chiefs, need good scenarios, and they need to think and talk about them. Those who rely exclusively on statistics, to use a phrase popular in another decade or on another coast, don't get their consciousnesses raised; terrorism remains beyond the imagination.
Model for Pre-Hospital Disaster Response
Authors: Schwartz Thomas J.
Published: August 2012

I will present a process by which many of the prehospital providers in this country are trying to organize effective and efficient response plans for major medical incidents which could in fact include a disaster response.

Many people in the emergency medical services community, including myself, have been involved in a planning process for voluntary national EMS standards, the program being coordinated by the American Society of Testing & Materials (ASTM) F30 Emergency Medical Services Standards Committee. I chair a subtask group on Disaster Management. The committee has prepared a document containing elements, suggestions, processes and procedures from MCI/disaster response plans from EMS agencies around the country. These places include the cities of Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C. area, Phoenix, Arizona and other urban places. The intent of this task group is not to prepare a document as a rigid standard to cover every detail on an individual task response plan. Instead, the intent of our task group is to provide an overview of expectations of what an individual mass casualty plan should include; focusing on such topical areas as Incident Command Management, communications, triage, transportation, logistical support issues, mutual aid and ancillary support services and many other topical areas that agency planners must address in developing their respective operational response plans.
Developmental Phases of Children's Reactions Following Natural Disasters
Authors: Cohen Raquel E.
Published: August 2012

Mental health professionals are increasingly becoming aware of the number and variety of catastrophic events affecting the lives of individuals. These sources of Stressors are being generally categorized into man-made (radiation leaks, chemical pollution, terrorism) and natural disasters (earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanoes). The need to plan, develop and offer assistance to the victims of these injurious events is prompting further study into the human health and mental health consequences and sequelae.
Emergency Medical Care in Belgium
Authors: Lust Paul
Published: August 2012

The object of this paper is to discuss the philosophy of the emergency medical system in Belgium.

In critical situations we should give the best possible treatment as early as possible. As a patient I would like to get the best doctor at the moment I am most in need of him and not when the doctor is badly in need of a patient. The anaesthesiologist is a most suitable practitioner for critical care, trained as he is by the surgeons to protect their patient against all sorts of manmade disasters, very often in distressing conditions.

In Belgium it has been possible to involve anesthesiologists in all aspects of emergency medicine. We are satisfied with this way of handling the problem, and we are not looking for another solution, although we are aware that in other circumstances other solutions may be requested. Nevertheless, we are all well aware that inside our system a further development is needed.
A System is Born
Authors: Chockalingam K.
Published: August 2012

India is one of the most populous nations in the world with over 900 million people living in 21 States. One of these States is Tamil Nadu situated in the Southern tip of India. Madras is the Capital City of Tamil Nadu which has a population of 4 million people. India as a whole is advancing rapidly in the industrial, agricultural and scientific field but rapid modernization also has its disadvantages. An average of 5,000 to 6,000 road trafile accidents occur every year in Madras City alone with at least one fatality per day. About 40% of the accidents involve pedestrians and cyclists who are unprotected by the vehicle shell or by crash helmet.
The Role of the Physician at a Medical Disaster: Hospital Emergency Response Teams
Authors: Alcouloumre Eric , Rasumoff Davis
Published: August 2012

The Hospital Emergency Response Team concept, as outlined here and in the Multi-Casualty Incident Operational Procedures of the California Fire Chiefs Association, is the result of a consensus effort by all EMS interest groups in Los Angeles. It is an effective way to utilize the skills of emergency medical personnel at the scene of a disaster. The role of the physician is an important one, and this concept was specifically designed to maximize the benefit to be derived from having a physician at the scene. It is important, however, that physicians recognize their limitations; a medical degree does not automatically confer “mystic abilities”in the area of disaster management. The role of the physician should include pre-disaster planning and at-scene patient management responsibilities as a member or leader of a pre-designated hospital-based emergency medical response team.
The Development and Maintenance of Prehospital Emergency Medical Services Systems
Authors: D'Acchioli Ronald L.
Published: August 2012

The establishment and maintenance of pre-hospital patient care delivery systems requires that special emphasis be placed on key areas. Those areas include post start-up activities beginning with a commitment from the business, government and medical communities in order to commission an investigative study aimed at gaining local medical authority and funding approval.

Additionally, once the system is established, there exists several challenges to program managers, including the provision of appropriate and timely leadership and medical education and the establishment of a quality data collection system which supports the expansion and reevaluative processes.
Educating for the Future of Emergency Medical Services Systems
Authors: Gordon D.L. , Cowley R.A.
Published: August 2012

A bachelor's degree in EMS management was the initial course of studies in an academic program designed to prepare people to work in a variety of occupations in EMS.

This paper includes a brief history of that program, its purposes, goals and curriculum and the first data on follow up of its graduates.

In the United States of America, the Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) act of 1973 stimulated people from a variety of fields and backgrounds to work together to develop and manage emergency systems of care; it also raised the question of how to prepare people to meet the future needs of the system. At that time, and with few exceptions, there was little or no academic involvement directed to the concept of the system of EMS and there was a dearth of persons with predictable knowledge and skills in this area. The apparent need for preparing leadership personnel for EMS became the focus of thinking by the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).
Nursing Involvement in Prehospital Care
Authors: Zapal Patricia
Published: August 2012

A tremendous impact can be made on prehospital care by Emergency Department nurses, and whether that impact is positive or negative depends on the groundwork that has been laid for the prehospital program. If the program is based on the team concept, with all members having the same goal to provide the highest level of patient care possible, then nursing can have a very positive impact. The key phrase is “include nursing,” in all aspects of the program planning and operation. If nurses are excluded, they can hardly be expected to be part of the team, when they haven't even been told the game plan. A survey of Emergency Department nurses from hospitals that range from University teaching facilities to small rural hospitals was conducted. The survey focused on two areas; the first dealt with the degree of nursing involvement in the prehospital program, and the second addressed nurses' attitudes toward the program.
Medico-Legal Problems of Air Transport
Authors: Chapman P.J.C.
Published: August 2012

In a field of medicine where precise procedure and clear-cut decision making should be the rule, it is perhaps depressing to address a subject where too little is certain and possibilities are almost endless. I regret that this should be so in respect to medicolegal problems in air transport, but such are the facts which have to be reported.

A clear-cut authoritative guide to each and every situation is not only impossible in the air, it is also impossible on the ground. Were it not so, there would be no need for lawyers—and herein as we may see could lie an important clue.
Green Monkeys—Red Herrings??
Authors: McLaren C.A.B.
Published: August 2012

In 1967 an apparently new viral hemorrhagic disease appeared in research workers in the cities of Marburg and Frankfurt in West Germany, and in Belgrade in Yugoslavia. In all, 35 workers became ill, of whom 9 died. The only common factor between the three centers was a batch of green monkeys, imported from Uganda. These animals had been used throughout the world to provide tissue cultures with up to 12,000 being imported annually into the USA, with no previous disease noted. Eventually a virus was isolated and called the Marburg virus, but as yet it has not been detected to give any symptoms in the monkeys.
Helicopter Transport in Disaster Care
Authors: Doyle C.J. , Bullen J.L. , Burney R.E. , Mackenzie J.R.
Published: August 2012

Extensive coastlines, varied weather conditions, scattered industrial centers and a large rural population create special problems with regard to the delivery of health care services in the Great Lakes area, which are further complicated by the discrepancies in the level and type of care available within the region. Hospital based helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) providing very specialized life support (VSLS) provides safe and rapid transport for patients needing a higher level of care than is available at the accident scene or local hospitals. This service assists local efforts to meet the medical needs of the population. Air transport systems are an integral part of an EMS system. Even though they are costly, they help avoid duplication of more expensive resources, such as hospitals and personnel.
Comparison of Deaths, Clinical Status and Duration of Helicopter or Ambulance Transport Following Motor Vehicle Accidents
Authors: Mackenzie Colin F. , Shin Baekhyo , Cowley R. Adams
Published: August 2012

Trauma kills more people in the USA under 14 years of age than die of heart disease, cancer, pneumonia and intestinal disease combined. It is the leading cause of death in those under 38 years of age and it is the fourth commonest cause of death for the entire population. Advances in trauma emergency care are important from both the medical and economic standpoint since fatalities cost over twice the amount of non fatalities.
Aircraft Disaster Readiness
Authors: Jessen Knud
Published: August 2012

Aircraft Disaster Readiness is traditionally considered as a preparation for a prompt reaction to an aircraft disaster situation with the purpose of saving lives.

As all emergency or disaster readiness requires planning and preparatory actions before an emergency occurs, the planning process should include attempts at prevention of the accident as well as a proper rescue plan for any airport, small or large. Further, a rehabilitation program should be included for those who subsequent to the event may suffer from physical or psychological lesions.
Psychological Recovery After Incidents or Accidents Within Aviation
Authors: Termoehlen J
Published: August 2012

Dangerous situations, violent incidents and accidents are part of our existence, are part of the reality and the conditions under which we exist as human beings. We can do much to limit the possibilities of accidents happening, but we cannot avoid them. It is a fact that we must ascertain and accept that accidents happen. It is not a question of “IF” but “WHEN”.

Within aviation we also have to face the fact that dangerous and stressful situations occur—and when accidents occur within the field of aviation, the consequences are often grave.
The Bhopal Disaster
Authors: Tachakra S. S.
Published: August 2012

The events in Bhopal in December 1984 shook the world out of its sense of complacency about modern technology in general, and about the chemical industry in particular. This information was gathered from hundreds of interviews with doctors, Union Carbide officials, medical students, voluntary aid service workers and many others. There is a publication embargo on the medical establishment in Bhopal, but we need to plan in the light of their experience.
CPR Skill Retention of First Aid Attendants within the Workplace
Authors: Anderson Gregory S. , Gaetz Michael , Statz Cara
Published: August 2012

Introduction

Immediate resuscitation is necessary in order to achieve conscious survival for persons who have lost airways or pulses. However, current literature suggests that even in medically-trained personnel, CPR skills are forgotten shortly after certification.

Hypothesis/Problem

The purpose of this study was to determine the CPR skill and knowledge decay in those who are paid to respond to emergency situations within the workplace.

Methods

Using an unconscious victim scenario, the sequence and accuracy of CPR events were observed and recorded in 244 participants paid to act as first responders in large industrial or service industry settings.

Results

A significant negative correlation was observed between days since training and a pre-CPR safety check variable, periodic checks for breathing and positioning. Many of the knowledge-related assessment skills (e.g., scene safety, emergency medical system (EMS) activation) appeared to deteriorate with time, although they could be contaminated by the repetition of training in those who had recertified one or more times. Skill-based components such as landmarking for chest compressions and controlling the airway declined in a more predictable fashion.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that repetition may be more important than days since last trained for skill and knowledge retention, and methods of “refreshing” skills should be examined. While skills deteriorate rapidly, changing frequency of certification is not necessarily the best way to increase retention of skill and knowledge.

Anderson GS, Gaetz M, Statz C. CPR skill retention of first aid attendants within the workplace. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(4):1-7.
High-dose desvenlafaxine in outpatients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Ferguson James M. , Tourian Karen A. , Rosas Gregory R.
Published: August 2012

Objective

This study investigated the safety and efficacy of long-term treatment with high-dose desvenlafaxine (administered as desvenlafaxine succinate) in major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods

In this multicenter, open-label study, adult outpatients with MDD aged 18–75 were treated with flexible doses of desvenlafaxine (200–400 mg/d) for ≤ 1 year. Safety assessments included monitoring of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), patient discontinuations due to adverse events, electrocardiograms, vital signs, and laboratory determinations. The primary efficacy measure was mean change from baseline in the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HAM-D(17)] total score.

Results

The mean daily desvenlafaxine dose range over the duration of the trial was 267–356 mg (after titration). The most frequent TEAEs in the safety population (n = 104) were nausea (52%) and headache (41%), dizziness (31%), insomnia (29%), and dry mouth (27%). All TEAEs were mild or moderate in severity. Thirty-four (33%) patients discontinued from the study because of TEAEs; nausea (12%) and dizziness (9%) were the most frequently cited reasons. The mean change in HAM-D(17) total score for the intent-to-treat population (n = 99) was −9.9 at the last on-therapy visit in the last-observation-carried-forward analysis and −14.0 at month 12 in the observed cases analysis.

Conclusion

High-dose desvenlafaxine (200–400 mg/d) was generally safe and effective in the long-term treatment of MDD.
Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism, or plasma catecholamine metabolites, and response to mirtazapine in Japanese patients with major depressive disorder (MDD)
Authors: Katsuki Asuka , Yoshimura Reiji , Kishi Taro , Hori Hikaru , Umene-Nakano Wakako , Ikenouchi-Sugita Atsuko , Hayashi Kenji , Atake Kiyokazu , Iwata Nakao , Nakamura Jun
Published: August 2012

Object

We investigated an association between the polymorphism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene Val66Met and the response to mirtazapine in Japanese patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). We also examined mirtazapine's effects on the serum BDNF and plasma levels of catecholamine metabolites in these patients.

Methods

Eighty-four patients who met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for MDD were treated with only mirtazapine for 4 weeks. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was detected by direct sequencing in the region, and serum BDNF levels and plasma levels of catecholamine metabolites were measured by ELISA and HPLC-ECD, respectively.

Results

Mirtazapine treatment for 4 weeks significantly increased serum BDNF levels in the responders, whereas nonresponders showed significant decreases. No association was found between either of the two genotypes (Val/Val vs. Met-carriers) and the response to mirtazapine at T4 or the serum BDNF levels at T0. Mirtazapine did not alter the plasma levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) or 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG).

Discussion

The dynamics of serum BDNF levels, but not plasma levels of HVA and MHPG, reflect the response to mirtazapine treatment; the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in patients with depression is, however, associated with neither a particular response to mirtazapine treatment nor baseline serum BDNF levels.

Conclusion

Serum BDNF levels, but not plasma levels of HVA or MHPG, and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism are related to the mirtazapine response in MDD.
Dynamic allocation decisions in the presence of funding ratio constraints
Authors: MARTELLINI LIONEL , MILHAU VINCENT
Published: August 2012

This paper introduces a continuous-time allocation model for an investor facing stochastic liability commitments indexed with respect to inflation. In the presence of funding ratio constraints, the optimal policy is shown to involve dynamic allocation strategies that are reminiscent of portfolio insurance strategies, extended to an asset–liability management (ALM) context. Empirical tests suggest that their benefits are relatively robust with respect to changes in the objective function and the introduction of various forms of market incompleteness. We also show that the introduction of maximum funding ratio targets would allow pension funds to decrease the cost of downside liability risk protection.
The ethics of space, design and color in an oncology ward
Authors: Andritsch Elisabeth , Stöger Herbert , Bauernhofer Thomas , Andritsch Hans , Kasparek Anne-Katrin , Schaberl-Moser Renate , Ploner Ferdinand , Samonigg Hellmut
Published: August 2012

Change affects all areas of healthcare organizations and none more so than each aspect of the oncology ward, beginning with the patient's room. It is there that the issues faced by the major players in healing environments – administrator, caregiver, family member, and, most importantly, the patient – come sharply into focus. Hospitals are building new facilities or renovating old ones in order to adapt to new environmental demands of patient care and security. Driven by ethical and professional responsibility, the oncological team headed by Professor Hellmut Samonigg of Graz Medical University Graz pursued a vision of designing a model oncology ward unique in Europe. Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the world-famous artist, was the creative force behind the design. The oncology ward became a place of healing, permeated with a colorful sense of life and harmonious holistic care. The successful outcome was confirmed by the extraordinarily positive feedback by patients, families, and healthcare staff.
Direct care staff and parents'/legal guardians' perspectives on end-of-life care in a long-term care facility for medically fragile and intellectually disabled pediatric and young adult residents
Authors: Grossberg Richard I. , Blackford Martha , Friebert Sarah , Benore Ethan , Reed Michael D.
Published: August 2012

Objective:

Children and young adults with severe disabilities and their families are faced with enormous challenges throughout the lifespan, including admitting the child to a long-term care facility (LTCF) and making end-of-life (EOL) care decisions. While children are residents of these specialized LTCF, the majority of their daily care, even up until death, is provided by nursing aides or habilitation aides (HAs) with limited training and educational backgrounds compared with other licensed healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a resident's EOL experience on the primary HAs and parents/guardians.

Method:

Thirty-five resident deaths occurred at Hattie Larlham Center for Children with Disabilities (HLCCD) between January 1, 2006 and February 28, 2009. The HAs and parents/legal guardians were identified for each death and invited to complete three surveys per resident (FAMCARE, Impact of Events Scale (IES)-revised, and Perspective on End-of-Life Care) to assess their experience. There were 112 surveys mailed to 62 HAs and 47 surveys mailed to 47 parents.

Results:

Forty-two surveys were returned from 18/62 HAs (response rate 29%) and 11/47 parents/legal guardians completed the surveys (response rate 23%). The FAMCARE survey found that parents were more satisfied with the EOL care than were the HAs. The IES-revised found no difference in traumatic responses from either group. Comments from the Perspective on End-of-Life Care survey were analyzed qualitatively for common themes including pain control, respect, decision making, environmental needs, resources, and support.

Significance of results:

Because of a low response rate, it was difficult to draw significant conclusions; however, several interesting trends were noted regarding the number of deaths HAs experienced, satisfaction with care, and distress. The special needs of this population and their caregivers can provide crucial insights into interventions (e.g. chaplaincy support, debriefings, anticipatory counseling, environmental changes) that might be of benefit for any caregiver or parent of a child with a long-term, chronic condition, particularly involving developmental disability.
Die medikamentöse Behandlung der Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-Hyperaktivitätsstörung im Kindes- und Jugendalter mit Amphetaminpräparaten
Authors: Frölich Jan , Banaschewski Tobias , Spanagel Rainer , Döpfner Manfred , Lehmkuhl Gerd
Published: August 2012

Einleitung: Die wichtigsten Psychostimulanzien in der Behandlung der Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-Hyperaktivitätsstörung stellen Methylphenidat und Amphetaminsalze dar. Fragestellung: In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden die pharmakologischen Charakteristika von Amphetaminpräparaten zusammengefasst. Außerdem werden die Wirksamkeit und mögliche Nebenwirkungen im Vergleich zu Methylphenidat erläutert. Methodik: Die Arbeit basiert auf einer Medline-Recherche. Eingang fanden kontrollierte Studien und Metaanalysen zwischen 1980 und 2011. Verwendete Suchwörter waren Amphetamin, Amphetaminsalze, Lisdexamphetamin, kontrollierte Studien und Metaanalysen. Ergebnisse und Diskussion: Amphetaminpräparate weisen gegenüber Methylphenidat einige pharmakologische Besonderheiten auf, indem sie neben der Dopamin-Wiederaufnahmehemmung auch die Freisetzung von Dopamin und Noradrenalin bewirken. Die klinische Wirksamkeit von Amphetaminpräparaten ist so gut wie die von Methylphenidat und das Nebenwirkungsspektrum als vergleichbar einzuschätzen. Bei ausbleibender Therapieresponse auf Methylphenidat kann vor dem Übergang auf eine Substanz zweiter Wahl durch den Einsatz eines Amphetaminpräparates die Ansprechrate auf Psychostimulanzien optimiert werden. Da potentiell bei nicht vorgeschriebener Einnahme im Erwachsenenalter eine erhöhte Missbrauchsgefahr von herkömmlichen Amphetaminpräparaten feststellbar ist, könnte darüber hinaus dem Propharmakon Lisdexamphetamin eine wichtige Bedeutung zukommen aufgrund einer robusten klinischen Wirksamkeit, eines besseren Wirkprofils und möglicherweise geringeren Missbrauchsgefahren. Schlussfolgerungen: Amphetaminpräparate sind eine wichtige Ergänzung zu Methylphenidat in der Behandlung der Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-Hyperaktivitätsstörung. Unklarheit besteht derzeit über eine differentielle Behandlungsindikation in Abhängigkeit der Symptomkonstellation und möglicher Komorbiditäten.
Erfassung des frühkindlichen Temperaments mit dem Infant Behavior Questionnaire Revised
Authors: Vonderlin Eva , Ropeter Anna , Pauen Sabina
Published: August 2012

Fragestellung: Zur Erfassung des kindlichen Temperaments wird international sehr häufig der Infant Behavior Questionnaire Revised (IBQ-R) von Gartstein und Rothbart (2003 ) eingesetzt. Ziel dieser Studie war die Überprüfung der psychometrischen Merkmale der deutschsprachigen Version im Säuglingsalter. Methodik: An einer Stichprobe von N = 119 Müttern mit Babys im Alter von 7–9 Monaten wurden Item- und Skalenkennwerte, interne Konsistenzen der 14 Skalen sowie die Faktorenstruktur ermittelt. Ergebnisse: Die Itemanalyse ergab heterogene Trennschärfen, die internen Konsistenzen der 14 Temperamentsskalen lagen im mittleren bis hohen Bereich. Die beiden Faktoren Surgency/Extraversion und negative Affektivität konnten im Wesentlichen bestätigt werden, der Faktor Selbstregulation ließ sich hingegen nicht replizieren. Abweichend vom amerikanischen Original lädt die Skala motorische Aktivität auch auf dem Faktor negative Affektivität. Die Skalen geringe Intensität und Beruhigbarkeit des ursprünglichen Selbstregulationsfaktors zeigen Ladungen auf beiden Faktoren Surgency/Extraversion und negative Affektivität (invertiert), die Skala Aufmerksamkeitsdauer lädt auf dem Faktor Surgency/Extraversion. Schlussfolgerungen: Der IBQ-R scheint grundsätzlich zur Erfassung des frühkindlichen Temperaments auch im deutschen Sprachraum geeignet. Eine Überarbeitung des Verfahrens zur Verbesserung der psychometrischen Qualität ist jedoch erforderlich. Insbesondere die Faktorenstruktur des kindlichen Temperaments bedarf weiterer empirischer Überprüfung. Die Entwicklung einer gekürzten Fassung auf der Grundlage einer repräsentativen Stichprobe wird erfolgen.
A matrix inversion approach of computing T‐matrix for axially symmetrical particles of extreme shape and dielectrically large dimension
Authors: Shen Xinyi , Qin Qiming , Hong Yang , Zhang Guifu
Published: August 2012

The T‐matrix method has been widely used in radar meteorology because hydrometeors approximate to spheroidal shapes and their sizes are comparable to the sensing wavelength. However, it is considered unsuitable to solve in remote sensing problems concerning vegetation because the particles of interest, leaves and branches, are considered extremely shaped and of large dielectric dimensions, therefore beyond the domain of direct T‐matrix algorithms. By solving two linear equation sets, this paper proposes a matrix inversion approach to calculate indirectly the T‐matrix of regularly shaped scatterers in the crown layer of canopies. We adopt an existing electromagnetic (EM) model to calculate the scattering amplitudes as the left hand side of the equations. The number of the unknowns in the equations decreases by almost half, thus reducing the kernel computation to a significant extent when we assume that the particles are symmetrical in most remote sensing applications. The observed consistency between the scattering coefficients computed by the obtained T‐matrix and those by the EM model indicates that the valid aspect ratio of this proposed method spans from 0.02 to 200, although this ratio may possibly extend with further verification. The proposed T‐matrix calculation method can work at either the far‐zone or the near‐zone. However, it should be noted that the T‐matrix obtained in the far‐zone could not yield correct scattering results in the near‐zone; on the contrary, the T‐matrix obtained from the near‐zone can produce accurate scattering fields/coefficients in what is further than the region of matching.
Photochemical reactivity of ancient marine dissolved organic carbon
Authors: Beaupré Steven R. , Druffel Ellen R. M.
Published: August 2012

Marine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is the largest reservoir of reduced carbon in seawater and persists up to 4,000–6,000 conventional radiocarbon (14C) years on average. Photochemical degradation has been suggested as a geochemical sink for these long‐lived molecules, yet there have been no studies relating photochemical lability to the14C‐ages of surface DOC. We observed apparent second order (2°) kinetics with respect to DOC and a strong trend from Δ14C‐enriched to depleted values during exhaustive photomineralization of surface marine DOC with high energy UV light. Geochemically, these results suggest that surface DOC is an isotopically‐heterogeneous mixture of molecules for which photochemical lability and14C ages are correlated. Photochemical mineralization may therefore be an important control on the persistence of 14C‐depleted DOC in the ocean.
Geographic boundary of the “Pacific Anomaly” and its geometry and transitional structure in the north
Authors: He Yumei , Wen Lianxing
Published: August 2012

We determine the geographical boundary and average shear velocity structure of the Pacific Anomaly at the base of the mantle based on travel time analysis of ScSH‐SH and ScS2 (ScSScS)‐SS phases and waveform modeling results. We further constrain the detailed geometry of the northern Anomaly around (20°N, −170°E) and its transition to the surrounding high velocity region along three perpendicular cross sections on the basis of forward waveform modeling of the observed direct S and ScS phases. The observed differential travel‐time residuals and waveform modeling results allow the whole geographic boundary of the Anomaly to be delineated and the area of the base of the Anomaly is estimated to be 1.9 × 107 km2. The maximum shear velocity perturbation inside the Anomaly reaches −5% in the lowermost 500 km of the mantle. Waveform analysis suggests that the northern Anomaly reaches 450 km above the CMB with both steeply and shallowly dipping edges and its basal layer extends beneath the surrounding mantle with the degree of extension changing rapidly across a small distance. The inferred characteristics of the Anomaly support the previous suggestion that the Pacific Anomaly represents a chemical anomaly. However, unlike the inferred features of the African Anomaly pointing to an ancient compositionally distinct and geologically stable anomaly, the existence of several separated piles extending into the mid‐lower mantle, the complex morphology of the piles with both steeply and shallowly dipping edges and the presence of many ultra‐low velocity zones at its base suggest that the Pacific Anomaly likely possesses varying intrinsic compositions and exhibits complex interaction with the surrounding mantle.
Effects of the Pacific‐Japan teleconnection pattern on tropical cyclone activity and extreme precipitation events over the Korean peninsula
Authors: Kim Jong‐Suk , Li Richard Cheuk‐Yin , Zhou Wen
Published: August 2012

In this study, an exploratory analysis was carried out to gain a better understanding of the potential impacts of the two phases (negative and positive) of the Pacific‐Japan (PJ) pattern on tropical cyclone (TC) activity affecting the Korean Peninsula (KP) and TC‐induced extreme precipitation events over five major river basins in Korea. The results show that large‐scale atmospheric environments during the years in the positive PJ phase (referred to as positive PJ years) are more favorable for TC activity than those during the years in the negative PJ phase (referred to as negative PJ years). It is found that wind shear is weaker, rising motion is stronger, and relative humidity is higher over the KP in positive PJ years than in negative PJ years. TCs affecting the KP during positive (negative) PJ years tend to occur more to the southwest (northeast), recurve at locations more to the northwest (northeast), and show an increase (decrease) in frequency over Korea and Japan. As a result, TCs making landfall are found more often over southeastern South Korea during positive PJ years. Despite the relatively modest sample size used in this study, we expect that the results described herein will be useful in developing a critical support system for the effective reduction and mitigation of TC‐caused disasters as well as for water supply management in coupled human and natural systems.
An index for the interface between the Indian summer monsoon and the East Asian summer monsoon
Authors: Cao Jie , Hu Jinming , Tao Yun
Published: August 2012

IIE, the interface between the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) and the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM), is defined using the equivalent potential temperature and summer long‐term mean reanalysis data provided by NOAA/OAR/ESRL PSD. The June–July–August reanalysis data for the period 1951–2008 and empirical orthogonal function analysis are further applied to obtain the IIE index at the near‐surface isobaric level. The index has a prominent interannual variation that is strongly correlated with the seesaw variation between the ISM and EASM. When a strong EASM and weak ISM occur, this interface index is higher than the normal, with the interface between the two summer monsoons shifting farther eastward than normal. When a weak EASM and strong ISM appear, the index is lower than normal, with the interface moving farther westward than normal. The western North Pacific subtropical high, a major factor in the EASM system, plays an important role in the year‐to‐year variation of the IIE. Compared with approaches taken in previous studies, this index objectively and quantitatively describes the IIE variation and better represents the two teleconnection patterns associated with the Asian summer monsoon, thus enhancing interpretations of the interaction between the ISM and EASM and its effects on regional droughts and floods in East Asia.