bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deliberate self‐harm (DSH) among older people: a retrospective study in Barnet, North London
Authors: Ruths Florian Alexander , Tobiansky Robert Ian , Blanchard Martin
Published: January 2005

Background

Rates of suicide remain high among older people and those who deliberately self harm are believed to be at an increased risk of killing themselves in the future. If older people who deliberately harm themselves are to be helped by developments in services we need to understand what currently happens to them in terms of service provision and outcome.

Methods

A retrospective paper and electronic case note survey was carried out on all older people living in the London Borough of Barnet who presented to Accident & Emergency Departments with DSH over a two‐year period. Ensuing actions and events were then tracked.

Results

Forty‐three older people with DSH were identified. 18/43 (42%) had previous contact with local psychiatric services. The main method of DSH was overdose of medication (36/43 or 84%). Compared to the general population there were more women and widows. There were similar levels of physical ill‐health. Thirty‐seven of 43 (86%) received documented psychiatric input outside of hospital following the DSH. The mean follow‐up period was 789.0 days (SD 419.8) and during this time 8/43 (19%) had a further documented episode of DSH, and 18/43 (40%) died from natural causes.

Conclusions

This study confirms the need for improved documentation of DSH and its coding; this needs to be reviewed at local and national level. The vast majority of older people who attempt suicide do have subsequent contact with psychiatric services. There is a strong likelihood of repeat DSH and a higher risk of death by natural causes, emphasising the need to conceptualise DSH as a risk factor relevant to all medical specialities. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of stigma in the quality of life of older adults with severe mental illness
Authors: Depla Marja F. I. A. , de Graaf Ron , van Weeghel Jaap , Heeren Thea J.
Published: January 2005

Background

Stigma and discrimination against older people with mental illness is a seriously neglected problem.

Objectives

(1) To investigate whether stigmatisation of older adults with mental disorder is associated with the type of residential institution they live in or the type of disorder they suffer and (2) to assess the role of stigma experiences in their quality of life.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was carried out of 131 older adults with severe mental illness, recruited in 18 elder care homes operating supported living programmes and in eight psychiatric hospitals throughout the Netherlands. Stigmatisation was assessed with an 11‐item questionnaire on stigma experiences associated with mental illness. Quality of life was assessed with the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA). To better ascertain the role of stigma, we also assessed in comparison the relationship of social participation to quality of life.

Results

Some 57% of the respondents had experienced stigmatisation. No association emerged between residential type or disorder type and the extent of stigma experiences. Stigmatisation did show a negative association with quality of life, a connection stronger than that between social participation and quality of life.

Conclusion

A feeling of belonging, as contrasted with being excluded, is at least as important for the quality of life of older people with severe mental illness as their actual participation in the community. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma insulin growth factor—1 and incident delirium in older people
Authors: Wilson K. , Broadhurst C. , Diver M. , Jackson M. , Mottram P.
Published: January 2005

Background

A variety of demographic and clinical variables are acknowledged as risk factors for delirium; a syndrome thought to be mediated by abnormalities in a wide range of neurotransmitters. However, little research has been conducted in this field and the role of neuro‐immunological factors as a mechanism of medication has received very little attention.

Aims

To determine if low base line (on admission) IGF‐1 levels (a protective cytokine released by brain cells in response to insult) is a risk factor for incident delirium in patients aged 75 and over admitted to an acute medical ward.

Method

Base line demographic and clinical variables and serum IGF‐1 levels were measured in a consecutive series of 100 non‐delirious subjects on inpatient admission. Subjects were assessed daily regarding the development of delirium during the inpatient episode.

Results

Twelve patients developed incident delirium. IGF‐1 (OR: 0.822, CI: 0.69, 0.97, p = 0.027), pre‐admission cognitive deterioration (assessed by IQCODE) (OR; 3.26, CI: 1.18, 9.04, p = 0.023) and depression (GDS four item: cut‐off score ≥ 3) (OR; 8.99, CI 1.59,50.76, p = 0.013) were identified as risk factors for developing subsequent delirium.

Conclusions

Despite the small size of this study our findings suggest that low, pre‐morbid IGF‐1 is a risk factor for subsequent delirium in this population, emphasizing the potential protective role of this anabolic cytokine and the need for replication of these findings. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social distance towards a person with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Werner Perla
Published: January 2005

Objectives

This study examined determinants of behavioral discrimination (i.e. social distance) against persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with a total of 206 Jewish Israeli adults (mean age = 59.7) using an experimental vignette methodology, varying in the severity of the disease.

Methods

Information regarding participants' preferences for social distance from a person with AD was elicited. The effects of emotional reactions, perceptions of dangerousness of the person depicted in the vignette, personal experience with the disease, and perceptions about the susceptibility of developing AD were examined.

Results

Results of the study provide partial support for an extended version of the attribution model, in that prosocial feelings were found to decrease the behavioral discrimination against the person described, whereas feelings of rejection increased the discrimination. A direct, unmediated effect of the severity of the disease on social distance was found, as well as a direct effect of familiarity with someone with the disease.

Conclusion

Findings of this study stress the importance of increasing government and advocacy initiatives that would provide the lay public with accurate knowledge about the disease, its symptoms, and treatments. These campaigns should be aimed at clarifying misconceptions and communicating empathetic feelings towards people diagnosed with AD. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Child–parent and child–peer interaction: Observational similarities and differences at age seven
Authors: Gerrits Marleen H. , Goudena Paul P. , van Aken Marcel A.G.
Published: January 2005

According to Russell et al. (Developmental Rev 1998; 18: 313) child–parent interaction could contain horizontal qualities, similar to child–peer interactions. To study this, child–parent and child–peer play interactions were compared on several observed horizontal and vertical characteristics in 55 7‐year‐old children interacting with their mother, father, and a classmate, respectively. Characteristics on which the interactions were compared were shared positive emotions, total control behaviour, balance of control, simultaneous play, mutual responsiveness, and discord. Significant differences between observed child–parent and child–peer interactions were found. Horizontal as well as vertical qualities were found in both types of interaction. The child–parent interaction consisted primarily of mutual responsiveness (i.e. a horizontal quality), and total control, whereas in the child–peer interaction balance of control, shared positive emotions, simultaneous play, and discords were most often found. No main effect of peer preference or gender was found. However, several interaction effects of context with gender and peer preference were found. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal variation in the diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma in Sweden
Authors: Chang Ellen T. , Blomqvist Paul , Lambe Mats
Published: January 2005

Epidemiologic evidence suggests a seasonal pattern in the occurrence of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), with an incidence peak around the month of March. This pattern may reflect seasonal variation in the prevalence of an infectious agent involved in HL development. Using Poisson regression, we examined monthly variation in HL diagnosis in Sweden between 1958 and 1998, based on data from the population‐based Swedish Cancer Registry. Older adults (50 to 79 years) were marginally more likely to be diagnosed in February, but there was no monthly variation after stratifying by sex. Young adult males (15 to 49 years) presented more often in February, whereas young adult females presented less often in August and December. Among children (<15 years), boys were significantly more likely to have been diagnosed in March, whereas there was no seasonal incidence pattern among girls. The seasonal pattern in HL diagnosis among young adults and boys is consistent with an infectious origin, whereas the results among older adults neither support nor dispute the possibility of an infectious etiology in this age group. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro leakage susceptibility of tracheoesophageal shunt prostheses in the absence and presence of a biofilm
Authors: Oosterhof Janine J. H. , van der Mei Henny C. , Busscher Henk J. , Free Rolien H. , Kaper Hans J. , van Weissenbruch Ranny , Albers Frans W. J.
Published: January 2005

Although leakage through a tracheoesophageal shunt prosthesis is the main cause of prosthesis failure in a laryngectomy patient, this has never been the subject of in vitro evaluation. The aim of this study was to compare three commercially available voice prostheses by comparison of their in vitro leakage patterns, in absence or presence of a biofilm. To compare in vitro leakage patterns, a model comprised of an artificial throat equipped with a single prosthesis coupled to a water reservoir was developed. By varying the height of the water reservoir, different pressures on the voice prosthesis can be obtained. Both in absence and presence of a biofilm, the Blom Singer voice prosthesis demonstrated the lowest leakage, followed by Groningen Low Resistance. The Provox®2 showed significantly the most leakage, however, in presence of a biofilm the leakage of the Provox®2 significantly decreased. Regular airflow during biofilm formation significantly increased leakage through the Provox®2. Out of 746 clinical replacements, Provox®2 showed 76% and Groningen Low Resistance 57% replacements due to leakage. The model used in this study showed significant differences in leakage of the three types of voice prostheses used. Leakage occurred more readily through Provox®2 than through Groningen Low Resistance and Blom Singer prostheses, which is in line with clinical observations and enforces the model. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 73B: 23–28, 2005
Surface Initiated Polymerization of Poly(butyl acrylate) by Nitroxide Mediated Polymerization: First Comparative Polymerization of a Bimolecular and a Unimolecular Initiator‐Grafted Silica Particles
Authors: Parvole Julien , Laruelle Gaël , Khoukh Abdel , Billon Laurent
Published: January 2005

Summary: Hybrid silica‐particles comprising an inorganic core and an organic polymer shell have been synthesized by nitroxide mediated polymerization of butyl acrylate in the presence of a grafted alkoxyamine. The layer of initiator molecules attached to the surface of silica is based on an acyclic β‐phosphonylated nitroxide also referred to SG1. The synthesis and the characterization by NMR of this alkoxyamine structure are briefly described. Moreover, the grafted initiator particles have been studied by XPS, NMR 29Si CP/MAS, and TGA in order to determine the nature of the anchorage sites and the grafting density. With this stable radical as chain growth moderator tethered to the inorganic core, it is demonstrated that the grafting from polymerization exhibits a control character with a very low polydispersity index (I < 1.1). For the first time, a comparative study with a bimolecular system based on a grafted azoic initiator in presence of SG1 is also described. A different kinetic behavior has been demonstrated and interpreted in terms of variation of the initial [monomer]/[initiator] ratio.

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Curing of Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol P with Nitro Derivatives of Amine Compounds, 1
Authors: Zhang Yanxi , Vyazovkin Sergey
Published: January 2005

Summary: Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and polarized light microscopy (PLM) were used to study the curing reaction of diglycidyl ether of 4,4′‐bisphenol P (DGEBP) epoxy resin with aromatic amine, 4‐nitro‐1,2‐phenylenediamine (4‐NPDA). Two exothermic peaks were observed on the DSC curves. The first peak was assigned to the curing process of DGEBP with 4‐NPDA. The second peak was associated with the decomposition that may partially be overlapped with self‐curing. Kinetic analysis was performed by using an advanced isoconversional method, which suggests that the effective activation energy for the first process is around 50 kJ · mol−1, and for the second process, it changes from 160 to 120 kJ · mol−1. The curing process (first peak on DSC curve) is associated with the formation of a liquid crystalline phase that can be converted to another mesophase on cooling if the system is not completely cured. The transition between the two mesophases becomes irreversible on further heating.

DSC curves of repetitive heat‐cool cycles for DGEBP/4‐NPDA system at 10 °C · min−1. 1: heating (1′) and cooling (1) of fresh (uncured) sample; 2: heating (2′) and cooling (2) of partially cured sample; 3: heating (3′) and cooling (3) of cured sample.

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DSC curves of repetitive heat‐cool cycles for DGEBP/4‐NPDA system at 10 °C · min−1. 1: heating (1′) and cooling (1) of fresh (uncured) sample; 2: heating (2′) and cooling (2) of partially cured sample; 3: heating (3′) and cooling (3) of cured sample.
Supercritical Fluid Assisted Crystal Transition of γ‐Form Crystal in Syndiotactic Polystyrene
Authors: Ma Weiming , Yu Jian , He Jiasong
Published: January 2005

Summary: In different media in the range of approximately 160–240 °C, the γ form of syndiotactic polystyrene was transformed into different crystal forms having different stabilities. Compared with the transition to less stable forms in ambient air and gaseous CO2, the γ form transformed into β′ form in supercritical CO2 at 240 °C and 12 MPa, and into the more ordered β″ form in supercritical CO2 and acetone at the same temperature and pressure.

WAXD patterns of syndiotactic polystyrene samples treated from the γ form at 240 °C under the conditions indicated.

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WAXD patterns of syndiotactic polystyrene samples treated from the γ form at 240 °C under the conditions indicated.
Direct Organocatalytic Polymerization from Cellulose Fibers
Authors: Hafrén Jonas , Córdova Armando
Published: January 2005

Summary: We have developed the first direct, organocatalytic, bulk ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) with solid cotton and paper cellulose as the initiators. The mild ROPs were performed without solvent, and are operationally simple, inexpensive and environmentally benign. Organic‐acid‐catalyzed heterogeneous derivatization of cellulose provides a novel route to valuable cellulose‐based biocompatible nanomaterials. The furnished polymerization products were characterized by FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry and electron microscopy.

Organic acid‐catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization from cellulose fiber.

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Organic acid‐catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization from cellulose fiber.
Significance of aberrant (cytoplasmic/nuclear) expression of beta‐catenin in pancreatoblastoma
Authors: Tanaka Yukichi , Kato Keisuke , Notohara Kenji , Nakatani Yukio , Miyake Tetsumi , Ijiri Rieko , Nishimata Shigeo , Ishida Yuji , Kigasawa Hisato , Ohama Yokatsu , Tsukayama Choutatsu , Kobayashi Yasutsugu , Horie Hiroshi
Published: January 2005

This study concerns the significance of aberrant (nuclear/cytoplasmic) expression of beta‐catenin in pancreatoblastoma (PBL). On immunohistochemistry, all seven PBLs examined showed nuclear/cytoplasmic expression of beta‐catenin, predominantly in the squamoid corpuscles (SCs). In areas with acinar/ductular differentiation, few tumour cells displayed nuclear/cytoplasmic expression of beta‐catenin and more than half of the tumour cells showed membranous expression. Two out of five (40%) tumours examined showed missense mutations in codons 33 and 37 of exon 3 of the beta‐catenin gene. No mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene was detected in two of the remaining three tumours. Amplifiable DNA for APC analysis was not obtained from the one other tumour. Immunoreactivity for cyclin D1, one of the nuclear targets of beta‐catenin, was found predominantly in the SCs of the seven tumours. In contrast, the Ki‐67 labelling index was 2–4% (median 3%) in the SCs and 8–18% (median 12%) in the other areas, indicating a negative correlation with nuclear cyclin D1 reactivity. These results imply that in PBLs, nuclear/cytoplasmic accumulation of beta‐catenin and overexpression of its target gene cyclin D1 are not associated with the induction of tumour cell proliferation. Nuclear/cytoplasmic accumulation of beta‐catenin may be related to the morphogenesis of the SCs that are considered most characteristic for PBL. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factor analysis of the pervasive developmental disorders rating scale with teacher ratings of students with autistic disorder
Authors: Williams, Thomas O. , Eaves Ronald C.
Published: January 2005

The Pervasive Developmental Disorders Rating Scale (PDDRS; Eaves, 2003) is a rating scale that is used in the screening process for pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). The PDDRS contains three scales: Arousal, Affect, and Cognition. In this study, the construct validity of the PDDRS was examined with teacher ratings from a sample of 168 children with autistic disorder through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. In the exploratory factor analysis, a three‐factor structure was examined. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to evaluate the model‐fit of the data for the hypothesized second‐order factor structure. The results supported the averred factor structure of the PDDRS with teacher ratings for students with autistic disorder. Limitations of the data and areas for future research are discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 42: 207–216, 2005.
Nucleophilic reactions of 5‐(aryl)thianthrenium bromides with sodium aryl oxides
Authors: Qian Ding‐Quan , Shine Henry J. , Thurston John H. , Whitmire Kenton H.
Published: January 2005

Reactions between 5‐(aryl)thianthrenium bromides (1a–e) with aryl (Ar) groups phenyl (a), p‐tolyl (b), p‐anisyl (c), p‐chlorophenyl (d) and p‐bromophenyl (e) and sodium aryl oxides (7a–c, Ar′ONa, Ar′ = phenyl, p‐tolyl and p‐chlorophenyl) were carried out in acetonitrile at 80 °C. Results are compared with those of earlier reactions of 1a–e with corresponding sodium aryl thiolates (Ar′SNa). In contrast with the thiolate reactions, those with 7a–c were too slow at room temperature to be useful. Reactions of 1a–c at 80 °C gave small amounts of benzene and toluene from 1a and b, small amounts of diaryl ethers ArOAr′ (9) and thianthrene (Th) and large amounts (90–97%) of 2‐(ArS)‐2′‐(Ar′O)diphenyl sulfide (10). Compared with reactions of 1a–c, those of 1d and e gave larger amounts (10–17%) of 9, lesser amounts (25–30%) of 10 and substantial amounts (42–55%) of 2‐[4‐(Ar′O)‐ArS]‐2′‐(Ar′O)diphenyl sulfide (12). Small amounts of 1,4‐di(Ar′O)benzene (11) were also obtained from reactions of 1d and e. Formation of 11 and 12 is preceded by replacement of halogen by Ar′O−. Structures of products 10 and 12 were deduced by comparison with earlier products from thiolate reactions, elemental analyses, mass spectrometry molecular masses and, in the case of 10, the crystal structure of 10d. It is proposed that products 9–12 are formed by nucleophilic reactions of Ar′O− at ipso positions in 1. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of silane coupling agent on the polymer‐filler interaction and mechanical properties of silica‐filled NR
Authors: Yan Hexiang , Tian Guohua , Sun Kang , Zhang Yong , Zhang Yinxi
Published: January 2005

The effects of filler loading and a new silane coupling agent 3‐octanoylthio‐1‐ propyltriethoxysilane (NXT silane) on the polymer‐filler interaction and mechanical properties of silica‐filled and carbon black‐filled natural rubber (NR) compounds were studied. Silica (high dispersion silica7000GR, VN2, and VN3) and carbon black (N330) were used as the fillers, and the loading range was from 0 to 50 phr. The loading of NXT silane was from 0 to 6 phr. Experimental results show that the maximum and minimum torques of silica and carbon black‐filled NR increase with increasing filler loading. With increasing filler loading, the scorch time and optimum cure time decrease for carbon black‐filled NR, but increase for silica‐filled NR. The minimum torque, scorch time, and optimum cure time decrease because of the presence of NXT silane. For the carbon black and silica‐filled NR, the tensile strength and elongation at break have maximum values, but the hardness, M300, M100, and tear strength keep increasing with filler loading. The mechanical properties of silica‐filled NR were improved in the presence of NXT silane. With increasing filler loading, the storage modulus of filled NR increases, but the loss factor decreases. Carbon black shows the strongest polymer‐filler interaction, followed by VN3, 7000GR, and VN2. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 573–584, 2005
Taking stock of herbicide‐resistant crops ten years after introduction
Authors: Duke Stephen O
Published: January 2005

Since transgenic, bromoxynil‐resistant cotton and glufosinate‐resistant canola were introduced in 1995, planting of transgenic herbicide‐resistant crops has grown substantially, revolutionizing weed management where they have been available. Before 1995, several commercial herbicide‐resistant crops were produced by biotechnology through selection for resistance in tissue culture. However, non‐transgenic herbicide‐resistant crops have had less commercial impact. Since the introduction of glyphosate‐resistant soybean in 1996, and the subsequent introduction of other glyphosate‐resistant crops, where available, they have taken a commanding share of the herbicide‐resistant crop market, especially in soybean, cotton and canola. The high level of adoption of glyphosate‐resistant crops by North American farmers has helped to significantly reduce the value of the remaining herbicide market. This has resulted in reduced investment in herbicide discovery, which may be problematic for addressing future weed‐management problems. Introduction of herbicide‐resistant crops that can be used with selective herbicides has apparently been hindered by the great success of glyphosate‐resistant crops. Evolution of glyphosate‐resistant weeds and movement of naturally resistant weed species into glyphosate‐resistant crop fields will require increases in the use of other herbicides, but the speed with which these processes compromise the use of glyphosate alone is uncertain. The future of herbicide‐resistant crops will be influenced by many factors, including alternative technologies, public opinion and weed resistance. Considering the relatively few recent approvals for field testing new herbicide‐resistant crops and recent decisions not to grow glyphosate‐resistant sugarbeet and wheat, the introduction and adoption of herbicide‐resistant crops during the next 10 years is not likely to be as dramatic as in the past 10 years. Published in 2005 for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bishop score and transvaginal ultrasound for preinduction cervical assessment: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Bartha J. L. , Romero‐Carmona R. , Martínez‐del‐Fresno P. , Comino‐Delgado R.
Published: January 2005

Objective

To compare transvaginal ultrasound with the Bishop score in assessment of cervical ripening for choice of induction agent.

Methods

Eighty women were randomized to have preinduction cervical assessment for choice of induction agent based on either Bishop score or transvaginal ultrasound. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of women who were administered prostaglandin as a preinduction agent. The criteria for considering the cervix as unripe and thus for using prostaglandin were either a Bishop score < 6 or a cervical length > 30 mm with cervical wedging of < 30% of the total cervical length. Secondary outcome measures included interval to active phase, interval to delivery and rate of Cesarean section.

Results

While 85% of women received prostaglandin in the Bishop score group, only 50% of them did in the transvaginal ultrasound group (P = 0.001). The interval to active phase, interval to delivery and rate of Cesarean section were similar in both groups.

Conclusions

With the suggested cut‐off values of a Bishop score < 6 or a cervical length > 30 mm and wedging < 30%, the use of transvaginal ultrasound instead of Bishop score for preinduction cervical assessment to choose induction agent significantly reduces the need for intracervical prostaglandin treatment without adversely affecting the success of induction. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simple ultrasound evaluation of the anal sphincter in female patients using a transvaginal transducer
Authors: Timor‐Tritsch I. E. , Monteagudo A. , Smilen S. W. , Porges R. F. , Avizova E.
Published: January 2005

Objective

Fecal incontinence affects 0.2% of women aged 15–64 years and about 1.3% of women over 64 years. Most cases are related to instrumental deliveries affecting the anal sphincter complex. We propose a simple technique using the generally available transvaginal transducer to evaluate the anal sphincter complex.

Methods

Ninety‐two patients underwent ultrasound examination. Group I consisted of 53 nulliparous patients. In Group II there were six patients with normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries without episiotomies. In Group III there were 14 patients with vaginal deliveries and one to three episiotomies but no lacerations. In Group IV there were nine postpartum patients with recently repaired (48 h to 3 weeks) third‐ and fourth‐degree lacerations. All women in Groups I–IV were asymptomatic. Group V consisted of 10 patients symptomatic for fecal incontinence. We used a vaginal probe (5–9‐MHz) with the footprint placed in the fourchette pointing towards the anus in a transverse and then in a median (sagittal) plane. If seen, the combined internal and external anal sphincter thickness at the 12 o'clock location was measured. We visualized normal star‐shaped mucosal folds on the transverse section and described the sonographic anatomy in both planes.

Results

The mean sphincter thickness measured at 12 o'clock in Group I was 2.3 (range, 1.0–4.7) mm, in Group II it was 2.9 (range, 2.4–3.4) mm, and in Group III it was 2.3 (range, 1.0–3.7) mm. The differences between these three groups were not significant. Patients from Group IV showed thinning or discontinuous sphincter anatomy at the 12 o'clock position. All symptomatic patients from Group V showed abnormal sphincter anatomy, and the normal star‐like appearance of the anal mucosa on the transverse section was deformed, radiating from the point of the sphincter damage. Four of the 10 patients in this group underwent surgical repair. In these patients the sonographic findings were confirmed.

Conclusions

The images obtained using this imaging modality show the sphincter muscle anatomy as well as the possible pathology. Due to its simplicity the technique can be applied in any place where a vaginal transducer is available. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Literature trends in x‐ray emission spectrometry in the period 1990–2000–a review
Authors: Injuk Jasna , Van Grieken René
Published: January 2005

A quantitative overview is given of the role that x‐ray emission analysis methods, in their various forms, play in the literature for the period from January 1990 to the end of December 2000. The major sources of information were computerized searches through Chemical Abstracts and Web of Science and, specifically for 1998, a manual search through Analytical Abstracts. Areas that are covered in this review pertain to the recent trends in x‐ray emission spectrometry in general and in some specific techniques such as x‐ray fluorescence analysis, synchrotron radiation‐induced and particle‐induced x‐ray emission, total‐reflection and micro‐x‐ray fluorescence analysis. A brief outline of recent developments in the specific fields is given, with emphasis on the various excitation and detection modes, on different application areas and on relative contributions of different countries and languages to the x‐ray emission spectrometry literature. It appears that environmental monitoring and research continue to be particularly important publication fields for x‐ray spectrometry. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of technological characteristics of powder material on the fluorescence intensity of elemental analytical lines
Authors: Zagorodniy V. V.
Published: January 2005

The effect of technological and physical–mechanical characteristics of powder irradiators on the fluorescence intensity of elemental analytical lines was studied experimentally. Investigations were conducted with the use of ferroalloy powders of different grain size, in bulk and pelleted form, at various loads. A dependence of elemental analytical line intensity on the density of powders, both in bulk and pelleted at constant pressure, that was defined by the variation in particle size and surface interaction forces was found. Calculations revealed a correlation between the dependences obtained and the variation of the effective absorption characteristics of irradiators due to different concentrations of the solid irradiation phase, caused by the variations in density and autoadhesive properties of the particles. Variations in pelleting pressure led to similar dependences at other densities of the particle packing, the roughness of the irradiators not exceeding several microns and having a considerable effect on the formation of the irradiation layer. The parameters were found that have the greatest effect on the fluorescence intensity of powder materials. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lι, Lα1,2, Lη, Lβ1,2,3,4,5,6 and Lγ1,2,3 spectra of x‐ray tubes
Authors: Ebel Horst
Published: January 2005

Investigations of L spectra of Mo, Rh, Ag, Sn, Gd, Er, W, Au and Bi were performed with an electron probe microanalyzer with acceleration voltages from 10 to 30 kV and typical values of the angles with respect to the plane target surface of 90° for electron incidence and 35° for x‐ray take‐off. A systematic analysis of measured intensities of 13 L lines and a comparison with literature data on relative intensities and transition probabilities led to a general description of L spectra. The production of characteristic spectra is described by Love and Scott's constant depth distribution of x‐ray excitation by electrons. The ionized levels L1, L2 and L3 corresponding to the characteristic radiation are characterized by proportionality factors Const‐L1, Const‐L2 and Const‐L3. Essential data are transition probabilities and fluorescence yields. Coster–Kronig transition probabilities are not necessary. The quality of the semi‐empirical description of L spectra is demonstrated by a comparison of measured and computed spectral responses. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of selected fundamental parameters in x‐ray fluorescence analysis
Authors: Zhuo Shangjun , Tao Guangyi , Ji Ang
Published: January 2005

The effectiveness of selected fundamental parameters in x‐ray fluorescence analysis previously proposed by the authors was examined with a few examples. Some synthetic fused binary disks were prepared and measured to obtain the measured binary coefficients. The theoretical influence coefficients were also calculated based on the synthetic specimens and measuring conditions using those selected fundamental parameters and compared with the measured values. It was found that the theoretical influence coefficients calculated with selected fundamental parameters agreed better with measured values than those calculated with original parameters. The synthetic fused disks, some Au–Ag–Cu alloys and some Chinese rock reference materials were measured and quantitatively calculated with the program NRLXRF, that uses original parameters, and with NRL301, that uses selected fundamental parameters, using only one calibration standard for fused disks and only pure elements for alloys. The relative errors of the results from NRL301 are much smaller than those from NRLXRF. Data for the example of pressed powders of cement published in an NBS Technical Note were also calculated with NRL301 with one calibration standard. The results are comparable to those from NBSGSC obtained with seven calibration standards. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HOPG as powerful x‐ray optics
Authors: Grigorieva I. G. , Antonov A. A.
Published: January 2005

A new method of producing strongly bent highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) is presented. The method allows one to make a crystal of almost arbitrary shape, but has some thickness limits. A review of the results obtained on this type of crystal by different laboratories during the last 10 years is given. An x‐ray intensity gain from a synchrotron radiation source and Mo Kα tube beams of one order of magnitude could be achieved when using a crystal of optimized shape. The application of the crystals for secondary monochromatization in EDXRF improves by one order of magnitude the detection limits for the elements of interest. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Speciation of inclusions and precipitates in steel by means of XRF and LEEIXS
Authors: Reisel J. , Geyer J. , Flock J. , Sommer D.
Published: January 2005

Fundamentals of x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry and X‐ray emission spectrometry in the case of electron probe x‐ray microanalysis and low‐energy electron induced x‐ray spectrometry are compared. The different aluminum and titanium compounds occurring in steel can be investigated by examining soft x‐ray spectra, arising from valence shell orbitals. The non‐metallic inclusions were isolated by galvanometric electrolysis. In the case of the speciation of titanium, direct electron bombardment of the sample is used to generate soft x‐rays. By investigating the Ti L lines, titanium carbide, nitride and sulfide can be distinguished. To specify aluminum compounds, the Kβ transition in the x‐ray fluorescence spectrum was examined. The concentration of aluminum oxide and nitride in precipitates of special steel qualities can be determined with a satisfactory determination limit. Finally, pre‐operational studies for the determination of different silicon inclusions using electron excitation were carried out. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
When mothers have serious mental health problems: parenting as a proximal mediator
Authors: Oyserman Daphna , Bybee Deborah , Mowbray Carol , Hart‐Johnson Tamera
Published: January 2005

Maternal mental health (MMH) problems are associated with lack of confidence in one's parenting, overly lax or too harsh discipline, and child academic underperformance. We asked if parenting mediates the effect of MMH problems on academic outcomes even among mothers with serious mental illness (). Structural equation analyses show a significant association between MMH problems and permissive (lack of parenting confidence, lack of follow through) parenting and verbal hostility as well as worse academic outcomes (school recorded grades, teacher reported behaviour). Permissive parenting completely mediated the direct effect of MMH on academic outcomes. Further analyses showed that the mediation effect was attributed to a single component of permissive parenting—lack of parenting confidence.
Regulation of Tibetan Plateau heating on variation of Indian summer monsoon in the last two millennia
Authors: Feng Song , Hu Qi
Published: January 2005

Decadal surface temperatures averaged over the Tibetan Plateau are derived for the last two millennia from ice core and tree‐ring reconstructed surface temperatures at various locations on the Plateau. The temperature variations show that 1) the late 20th century is the warmest period in the past two millennia, 2) a persistent warming in Tibetan Plateau since the 17th century coincides with intensification of the Indian summer monsoon, and most importantly, 3) in the two millennia, epochs of cool/warm temperatures in the Tibetan Plateau coincided with weak/strong Indian summer monsoon. Comparisons between monsoon intensity variations and temperature fluctuations in other parts of the Eurasian continent suggest that the surface heating over the Tibetan Plateau has played a dominant role in changes of the Indian summer monsoon intensity.
Permeability of underthrust sediments at the Costa Rican subduction zone: Scale dependence and implications for dewatering
Authors: Saffer Demian M. , McKiernan Alexander W.
Published: January 2005

Sediment permeability is a key parameter controlling overpressure development and fluid egress at subduction zones. Existing data compilations for argillaceous sediments illustrate that scale effects on permeability are generally minor, although this is a topic of active debate. Here, we report laboratory permeability measurements from sediments incoming to the Costa Rican subduction zone, at porosities from 26% to 78%. We then apply a method for directly estimating average permeability at the scale of sediment layer thickness, constrained by published estimates of excess pore pressure. Permeability values from both methods are in excellent agreement, and exhibit a trend consistent with permeability‐porosity relationships used in numerical models at scales of several to 10's of km. Our results indicate no scale dependence of permeability, and strengthen previous interpretations drawn from more limited data sets. The permeability‐porosity relationship we derive is comparable to those inferred at the Nankai and Barbados subduction zones, indicating that the high porosity, and hence high permeability, of incoming sediments at Costa Rica is the most likely explanation for comparatively rapid dewatering there.
Rupture dynamics with energy loss outside the slip zone
Authors: Andrews D. J.
Published: January 2005

Energy loss in a fault damage zone, outside the slip zone, contributes to the fracture energy that determines rupture velocity of an earthquake. A nonelastic two‐dimensional dynamic calculation is done in which the slip zone is modeled as a fault plane and material off the fault is subject to a Coulomb yield condition. In a mode 2 crack‐like solution in which an abrupt uniform drop of shear traction on the fault spreads from a point, Coulomb yielding occurs on the extensional side of the fault. Plastic strain is distributed with uniform magnitude along the fault, and it has a thickness normal to the fault proportional to propagation distance. Energy loss off the fault is also proportional to propagation distance, and it can become much larger than energy loss on the fault specified by the fault constitutive relation. The slip velocity function could be produced in an equivalent elastic problem by a slip‐weakening friction law with breakdown slip Dc increasing with distance. Fracture energy G and equivalent Dc will be different in ruptures with different initiation points and stress drops, so they are not constitutive properties; they are determined by the dynamic solution that arrives at a particular point. Peak slip velocity is, however, a property of a fault location. Nonelastic response can be mimicked by imposing a limit on slip velocity on a fault in an elastic medium.
Cubic response functions in time-dependent density functional theory
Authors: Jansik Branislav , Sałek Paweł , Jonsson Dan , Vahtras Olav , Ågren Hans
Published: January 2005

We present density-functional theory for time-dependent response functions up to and including cubic response. The working expressions are derived from an explicit exponential parametrization of the density operator and the Ehrenfest principle, alternatively, the quasienergy ansatz. While the theory retains the adiabatic approximation, implying that the time-dependency of the functional is obtained only implicitly—through the time dependence of the density itself rather than through the form of the exchange-correlation functionals—it generalizes previous time-dependent implementations in that arbitrary functionals can be chosen for the perturbed densities (energy derivatives or response functions). In particular, general density functionals beyond the local density approximation can be applied, such as hybrid functionals with exchange correlation at the generalized-gradient approximation level and fractional exact Hartree–Fock exchange. With our implementation the response of the density can always be obtained using the stated density functional, or optionally different functionals can be applied for the unperturbed and perturbed densities, even different functionals for different response order. As illustration we explore the use of various combinations of functionals for applications of nonlinear optical hyperpolarizabilities of a few centrosymmetric systems; molecular nitrogen, benzene, and the C60 fullerene. Considering that vibrational, solvent, and local field factors effects are left out, we find in general that very good experimental agreement can be obtained for the second dynamic hyperpolarizability of these systems. It is shown that a treatment of the response of the density beyond the local density approximation gives a significant effect. The use of different functional combinations are motivated and discussed, and it is concluded that the choice of higher order kernels can be of similar importance as the choice of the potential which governs the Kohn–Sham orbitals.
Intramolecular energy transfer through charge transfer state in lanthanide compounds: A theoretical approach
Authors: Faustino W. M. , Malta O. L. , de Sá G. F.
Published: January 2005

A theoretical approach for the intramolecular energy transfer process involving the ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) state in lanthanide compounds is developed. Considering a two-electron interaction, both the direct Coulomb and exchange interactions are taken into account, leading to expressions from which selection rules may be derived and transfer rates may be calculated. These selection rules show that the direct Coulomb and exchange mechanisms are complementary, in the same way as obtained in previous works for the case of ligand-lanthanide ion energy transfer processes. An important result from numerical estimates is that the channel ligand–LMCT state is by far the dominant case, leading to transfer rates higher than for the channel lanthanide ion–LMCT state by several orders of magnitude. The analysis of the emission quantum yield as a function of the relative energy position of the LMCT state in a typical Eu3+ compound allows the identification of two quenching regions, the most pronounced one occurring close to the lower ligand triplet level.
First principles study of the diatomic charged fluorides MF±, M=Sc, Ti, V, Cr, and Mn
Authors: Kardahakis Stavros , Koukounas Constantine , Mavridis Aristides
Published: January 2005

Employing multireference configuration interaction and coupled-cluster methods in conjunction with quantitative basis sets, we have explored the electronic structure of the charged diatomic fluorides MF±, where M=Sc, Ti, V, Cr, and Mn. In addition, and in order to complete our recently published work on the neutral diatomic fluorides MF, M=Ti–Mn [C. Koukounas, S. Kardahakis, and A. Mavridis, J. Chem. Phys. 120, 11500 (2004)], we have also examined the ground (X 1Σ+) and the first excited state (α 3Δ) of neutral ScF. For the entire anionic MF− series and the cations ScF+, VF+, and MnF+, no experimental or theoretical results of any kind have been reported so far in the literature. For the charged MF± sequence we have investigated a total of 43=29(MF+)+14(MF−) states, reporting potential energy curves, energetics, and common spectroscopic parameters. Two are the most interesting conclusions of the present work. (a) The Coulombic binding character of MF+ cations, i.e., the conformity of their equilibrium description to M2+F− and (b) the atypical bonding of the MF− anions and their surprisingly high dissociation energies (up to 85 kcal/mol for the X 2Δ state of ScF−). Considering the complexities of these chemically “simple” systems, our results on ScF, TiF+, and CrF+ are in very good agreement with the limited experimental findings.
Structure property relations in La(Mg1∕2Ti1∕2)O3-based solid solutions
Authors: Seabra M. P. , Ferreira V. M. , Zheng H. , Reaney I. M.
Published: January 2005

Ceramics based on (1−x)La(Mg1∕2Ti1∕2)O3(LMT)–xATiO3 solid solutions, where A=Ca, Sr, and Ba, have been investigated to study the effect of average A-site ionic radius on structure and microwave dielectric properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy were used to study the structural changes and planar defects and thereby interpret changes in microwave properties. 1:1 rocksalt ordering between Mg2+ and Ti4+ in LMT was destroyed for all samples in which x>0.1. XRD and TEM revealed that all (1−x)LMT–xCaTiO3 (LMTCT), x⩽0.9, were distorted through a combination of antiphase and in-phase octahedral rotations (tilted). For (1−x)LMT–xSrTiO3 (LMTST) this combination is present until x=0.5, and for x>0.5 only antiphase tilting exists. For (1−x)LMT–xBaTiO3 (LMTBT), in-phase and antiphase octahedral distortions were only present for x⩽0.3, x=0.5 was tilted in antiphase and x⩾0.7 was untilted. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) varied linearly with relative permittivity (εr) for LMTCT and LMTST but a discontinuity was observed for LMTBT at x≈0.7, the composition at which octahedral rotations are no longer present at room temperature. Zero τf was achieved at x≈0.5 in all solid solution series. In general, the microwave dielectric quality factor (Qfo) decreased with increasing x to a minimum at x=0.5 for all solid solution series followed by an increase at x=0.7 despite εr being higher for x=0.7 than for 0.5. Qfo then continued to decrease as x=1 was approached and εr increased.
Finite bias conductance of an Anderson level: A source-Liouville Hartree–Fock study
Authors: Ovchinnikov Igor V. , Neuhauser Daniel
Published: January 2005

We address the problem of stationary conductance through an Anderson spin-degenerate level at finite bias. Just as in the Anderson solution, for a finite bias in parameter space (bias, gate voltage, interaction constant, and the couplings to the leads) there exist spin-polarized and non-spin-polarized regions. The transition curve between them is found analytically for the case of symmetric coupling to the left and right leads. We approach the problem by a non-Markovian source-Liouville equation where the two-body interaction self-energies are taken in the Hartree–Fock approximation.