bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Some Recent Developments in Micromagnetics at the Weizmann Institute of Science
Authors: Aharoni Amikam 
Published: March 2008

Recent theoretical studies carried out in micromagnetics at this Institute are reviewed, and preliminary results are given for theoretical problems which are now under study.
The coercive force of an infinite circular cylinder is calculated as a function of the radius and of the inclination of the cylindrical axis to the applied field. For this calculation it is assumed that only the curling and the rotation in unison modes take place; and that whenever the curling is associated with a discontinuous jump, the magnetization is brought to the values tabulated by Stoner and Wohlfarth, who assumed only rotation in unison. Using the same assumptions, the rotational hysteresis loss and integral are calculated both for an aligned and for a random assembly of cylinders. The results are found to be in fair agreement with the measurements of Jacobs and Luborsky on elongated particles.
The remanence curves of a random assembly of infinite cylinders are calculated for the same model as a function of the applied field and of the radius of the cylinders.
The rotation in unison and the curling are proved to be the easiest modes for magnetization reversal in a ferromagnetic sphere. The nucleation field associated with the curling mode is calculated as a function of elongation and size for a ferromagnetic prolate spheroid. For a rather wide range of elongations this suffices as an approximation for the coercive force, which should be larger than the nucleation field but smaller than the coercive force of the infinite cylinder.
As an attempt to introduce interparticle interactions the following model is treated. A square lattice of infinite cylinders with a square cross section is assumed with all cylinders parallel to the applied field. Rotation in unison of the spins is assumed for each column of cylinders, and rotation in opposite directions but with equal magnitudes of the angle is assumed for neighboring columns. The coercive force of this model is found to be only slightly less than that given by Néel's formula which is valid for coherent rotation in a random distribution of infinite cylinders of any cross section. The dependence of the critical size and of the coercive force on the packing factor is discussed and compared with experiment.
A first approach to the study of the dependence of coercive force on imperfections is carried out by treating each of two mathematical models for a material which is infinite in all directions. The first model is a slab of finite width in which the anisotropy constant K is zero. The second one is a linear reduction of K through a slab of finite width from its constant value to zero. For both models the nucleation field is given as a function of the imperfection width. For the first model the behavior after nucleation is also discussed.
Energy Loss Resulting from Domain Wall Motion
Authors: Carr W. J. 
Published: March 2008

At low frequencies the fraction of domain walls moving at a given instant is small; at higher frequencies all the walls move. Therefore, as the frequency approaches zero the eddy current constant becomes larger. The calculations of Pry and Bean are shown to pertain to the higher frequency case.
It also is pointed out that the hysteresis loss should not be the lower limit of the loss vs frequency curve as usually measured.
Circumstances of first crystal methamphetamine use and initiation of injection drug use among high‐risk youth
Authors: WOOD EVAN , STOLTZ JO‐ANNE , ZHANG RUTH , STRATHDEE STEFFANIE A. , MONTANER JULIO S. G. , KERR THOMAS 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground. Despite the widely noted increase in crystal methamphetamine (CM) use, there are few studies on circumstances of first CM use or correlates of use among high‐risk populations (e.g. street‐involved youth). Methods. Street‐involved youth in Vancouver, Canada, were enrolled in the At‐Risk Youth Study (ARYS) prospective cohort. Extensive outreach produced a representative sample of Vancouver street youth who use illicit drugs. We examined circumstances of first CM use and factors associated with CM use among the cohort. Results. Among 478 participants, 339 (70.9%) had used CM previously. Despite intensive covariate adjustment, a history of CM use was associated independently with having initiated injection drug use [OR = 3.15 (95% CI: 1.89–5.2); p < 0.001]. Among those who had used CM, route of first administration included: 11 (3.2%) oral ingestion; 25 (7.4%) injected; 105 (31.0%) snorted; 231 (68.1%) smoked. The proportion of respondents reporting current CM injection was significantly greater than the proportion reporting injection as the route for first CM use (18.3% vs. 7.4%; McNemar's test p < 0.001). Ability to obtain CM the first time was reported as ‘very easy’ or ‘easy’ by 93.5% and 5.3% of participants, respectively. Conclusions. Crystal methamphetamine use was independently associated with injection drug use, and significant increases in injecting as the primary mode of administration were observed when patterns of use were considered longitudinally. The easy accessibility of CM and its common use during transition into injection drug use demonstrate the need for innovative drug policy to address this growing concern.
Major physical and psychological harms of methamphetamine use
Authors: DARKE SHANE , KAYE SHARLENE , McKETIN REBECCA , DUFLOU JOHAN 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIssues. The major physical and psychological health effects of methamphetamine use, and the factors associated with such harms. Approach. Comprehensive review. Key Findings. Physical harms reviewed included toxicity and mortality, cardiovascular/cerebrovascular pathology, dependence and blood‐borne virus transmission. Psychological harms include methamphetamine psychosis, depression, suicide, anxiety and violent behaviours. Implications. While high‐profile health consequences, such as psychosis, are given prominence in the public debate, the negative sequelae extend far beyond this. This is a drug class that causes serious heart disease, has serious dependence liability and high rates of suicidal behaviours. Conclusion. The current public image of methamphetamine does not portray adequately the extensive, and in many cases insidious, harms caused.
A placebo‐controlled trial of mirtazapine for the management of methamphetamine withdrawal
Authors: CRUICKSHANK CHRISTOPHER C. , MONTEBELLO MARK E. , DYER KYLE R. , QUIGLEY ALLAN , BLASZCZYK JOZEF , TOMKINS SALLY , SHAND DIANA 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. As an antidepressant with sedative and anxiolytic properties, mirtazapine may be an appropriate pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine withdrawal. This study sought to examine whether mirtazapine improves retention and alleviates methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms in an out‐patient setting. Design and Methods. An out‐patient double‐blind, randomised placebo‐controlled trial of mirtazapine for the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal was conducted (15 mg nocte for 2 days, 30 mg nocte for 12 days). Both groups were offered narrative therapy counselling. Measures recorded on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 35 included: treatment retention, Amphetamine Cessation Symptoms Assessment, the Athens Insomnia Scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Depression–Anxiety–Stress Scale (DASS), Severity of Dependence scale and the Opiate Treatment Index Drug Use subscale. Results. Thirty‐one participants were recruited (18 placebo, 13 mirtazapine) and 52% completed the 2‐week medication phase. No significant differences between the mirtazapine and placebo groups in retention, or any symptom measure were observed, except greater DASS–anxiety and longer sleep duration were measured at baseline among the mirtazapine group. Discussion and Conclusions. Results suggest that mirtazapine does not facilitate retention or recruitment in out‐patient methamphetamine withdrawal treatment, although recruitment may have been insufficient to identify a significant treatment effect. The potential role of narrative therapy for methamphetamine dependent patients deserves further exploration.
Bayesian inference of the sites of perturbations in metabolic pathways via Markov chain Monte Carlo
Authors: Jayawardhana Bayu , Kell Douglas B. , Rattray Magnus 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Genetic modifications or pharmaceutical interventions can influence multiple sites in metabolic pathways, and often these are ‘distant’ from the primary effect. In this regard, the ability to identify target and off-target effects of a specific compound or gene therapy is both a major challenge and critical in drug discovery.
Results: We applied Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) for parameter estimation and perturbation identification in the kinetic modeling of metabolic pathways. Variability in the steady-state measurements in cells taken from a population can be caused by differences in initial conditions within the population, by variation of parameters among individuals and by possible measurement noise. MCMC-based parameter estimation is proposed as a method to help in inferring parameter distributions, taking into account uncertainties in the initial conditions and in the measurement data. The inferred parameter distributions are then used to predict changes in the network via a simple classification method. The proposed technique is applied to analyze changes in the pathways of pyruvate metabolism of mutants of Lactococcus lactis, based on previously published experimental data.
Availability: MATLAB code used in the simulations is available from ftp://anonymous@dbkweb.mib.man.ac.uk/pub/Bioinformatics_BJ.zip
Contact: bayujw@ieee.org
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Taurodontism: a review of the condition and endodontic treatment challenges
Authors: Jafarzadeh H. , Azarpazhooh A. , Mayhall J. T. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTaurodontism can be defined as a change in tooth shape caused by the failure of Hertwig’s epithelial sheath diaphragm to invaginate at the proper horizontal level. An enlarged pulp chamber, apical displacement of the pulpal floor, and no constriction at the level of the cementoenamel junction are the characteristic features. Although permanent molar teeth are most commonly affected, this change can also be seen in both the permanent and deciduous dentition, unilaterally or bilaterally, and in any combination of teeth or quadrants. Whilst it appears most frequently as an isolated anomaly, its association with several syndromes and abnormalities has also been reported. The literature on taurodontism in the context of endodontics up to March 2007 was reviewed using PubMed, MEDLINE and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature. Despite the clinical challenges in endodontic therapy, taurodontism has received little attention from clinicians. In performing root canal treatment on such teeth, one should appreciate the complexity of the root canal system, canal obliteration and configuration, and the potential for additional root canal systems. Careful exploration of the grooves between all orifices particularly with magnification, use of ultrasonic irrigation; and a modified filling technique are of particular use.
Multigene analysis suggests ecological speciation in the fungal pathogen Claviceps purpurea
Authors: DOUHAN G. W. , SMITH M. E. , HUYRN K. L. , WESTBROOK A. , BEERLI P. , FISHER A. J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractClaviceps purpurea is an important pathogen of grasses and source of novel chemical compounds. Three groups within this species (G1, G2 and G3) have been recognized based on habitat association, sclerotia and conidia morphology, as well as alkaloid production. These groups have further been supported by Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, suggesting this species may be more accurately described as a species complex. However, all divergent ecotypes can coexist in sympatric populations with no obvious physical barriers to prevent gene flow. In this study, we used both phylogenetic and population genetic analyses to test for speciation within C. purpurea using DNA sequences from ITS, a RAS‐like locus, and a portion of beta‐tubulin. The G1 types are significantly divergent from the G2/G3 types based on each of the three loci and the combined dataset, whereas the G2/G3 types are more integrated with one another. Although the G2 and G3 lineages have not diverged as much as the G1 lineage based on DNA sequence data, the use of three DNA loci does reliably separate the G2 and G3 lineages. However, the population genetic analyses strongly suggest little to no gene flow occurring between the different ecotypes, and we argue that this process is driven by adaptations to ecological habitats; G1 isolates are associated with terrestrial grasses, G2 isolates are found in wet and shady environments, and G3 isolates are found in salt marsh habitats.
Rural Intelligentsia and Path Dependency in Post‐socialist Civic Organising: The Case of Lithuania
Authors: Juska Arunas , Poviliunas Arunas , Ziliukaite Ruta , Geguziene Vilma 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSince the late 1990s the number of rural community development groups in Lithuania has grown exponentially. The article presents the results of one of the first representative surveys of rural NGOs (N = 326) in Lithuania designed to evaluate their structure and resources. Unlike civic organising during the perestroika period, which was characterised by charismatic personalities and organisational innovations, the most recent surge in rural activism follows a path‐dependent trajectory. The movement is lead by representatives of former collective farms, or kolkhoz intelligentsia (white‐collar professionals who served in collective farm social infrastructure during Soviet times) engaged in reconstituting volunteer groups based on a modified Soviet institution of the rural ‘culture house’ or Soviet civic centre (SCC). The prevalence of the SCC‐based rural organising model provided opportunities as well as imposed limitations on post‐socialist civic activism. Community development groups were relatively successful in the types of activities in which SCCs were effective as well (such as culture, leisure and sports), while their capacity to deliver social services were marginal. Although this survey reported relatively high levels of engagement by the community groups with local and county governments, their influence remains constrained by the paternalistic, client–patron type of power relationships that prevail in rural areas.
Atypical presentation of Old‐World cutaneous leishmaniasis, diagnosis and species identification by PCR
Authors: Karamian M , Motazedian MH , Fakhar M , Pakshir K , Jowkar F , Rezanezhad H 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground  The diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is traditionally based on microscopic demonstration of amastigote forms in tissue biopsies or smears. However, this method usually presents low sensitivity, and in atypical forms, CL may be overlooked because of similarity to other dermal diseases. Thus, it is necessary to apply specific diagnostic methods as polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Objective  To evaluate the possible advantage of PCR in the diagnosis and species identification of CL in patients with atypical clinical presentation.Methods  Fifty‐one patients clinically suspected of CL with positive and negative controls were tested. After microscopic examination, extraction of DNA was performed on their smears and analysed by two specific PCR assays for diagnosis and species identification. For these methods, conserved and variable regions of kinetoplastic DNA (KDNA) of Leishmania species have been amplified, respectively. Atypical forms of CL were evaluated among PCR‐positive patients.Results  PCR results were positive in 37 out of 51 cases (72.5%), among whom microscopic examination revealed Leishmania amastigotes in only 3 (5.9%). Among these patients, 10 (27%) had atypical presentation of CL; using species‐specific primers, 6 patients had Leishmania major, 3 had Leishmania tropica and 1 patient had no species diagnosis. None of the samples of other dermal diseases revealed positive results (specificity, 100%). All patients were successfully treated by CL‐specific drug regimens.Discussion  The results showed that KDNA PCR methods have a higher sensitivity compared with microscopic method. Moreover, PCR could identify the parasite species for specific therapy. Microscopic method had low sensitivity and less value in chronic and atypical CL cases.
The Persistence and Pricing of the Cash Component of Earnings
Authors: DECHOW PATRICIA M. , RICHARDSON SCOTT A. , SLOAN RICHARD G. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTPrior research shows that the cash component of earnings is more persistent than the accrual component. We decompose the cash component into: (1) the change in the cash balance, (2) issuances/distributions to debt, and (3) issuances/distributions to equity. We find that the higher persistence of the cash component is entirely due to the subcomponent related to equity. The other subcomponents have persistence levels almost identical to accruals. We investigate whether investors understand the implications of the differential persistence of the three subcomponents. Our results suggest that investors correctly price debt and equity issuances/distributions but misprice the change in the cash balance in a similar manner to accruals. Our tests enable us to empirically distinguish the “accrual” and “external financing” anomalies with results implying that the accrual anomaly subsumes the external financing anomaly. Our results also suggest that naive fixation on earnings is unlikely to be a complete explanation for the accrual anomaly. Our findings are more consistent with investors misunderstanding diminishing returns to new investments.
Giambologna's Salviati reliefs of St Antoninus of Florence: saintly images and political manipulation
Authors: Debby Nirit Ben‐Aryeh 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper focuses on the figure of St Antoninus and his representation in visual imagery. At its centre are Giambologna's bronze reliefs in the Salviati Chapel in Florence's church of San Marco, dating from 1581 to 1587, illustrating the life of Archbishop Antoninus (Antonino Pierozzi), who was active in Florence in the mid‐fifteenth century. Giambologna was also responsible for the design of the chapel itself. By and large, these reliefs have attracted little attention on the part of art historians and sermons specialists – perhaps because at the height at which they are set into the walls, they are largely inaccessible. Although executed a century after the demise of St Antoninus, these reliefs provide us with a valuable impression of the activities of the archbishop and their impact on Florence. Moreover, they shed important light on the cult of St Antoninus and its connection with the politics of Medicean Florence.
Clinical and psychopathological definition of the interictal dysphoric disorder of epilepsy
Authors: Mula Marco , Jauch Regina , Cavanna Andrea , Collimedaglia Laura , Barbagli Davide , Gaus Verena , Kretz Rebekka , Viana Michele , Tota Grazia , Israel Heike , Reuter Uwe , Martus Peter , Cantello Roberto , Monaco Francesco , Schmitz Bettina 
Published: March 2008

Summary
Purpose: Different authors suggested the occurrence of a pleomorphic affective syndrome in patients with epilepsy named interictal dysphoric disorder (IDD). We sought to investigate whether IDD occurs only in patients with epilepsy and to validate IDD features against DSM‐IV criteria.
Methods: Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy (E) or migraine (M) have been assessed using the BDI, MDQ, and the Interictal Dysphoric Disorder Inventory (IDDI), a questionnaire specifically created to evaluate IDD symptoms. Diagnosis of current and lifetime DSM‐IV Axis I disorders was established using the MINI Plus version 5.0.0.
Results: A total of 229 patients (E = 117; M = 112) were evaluated. Females were significantly more represented in the migraine group (E = 46.5% vs. M = 73.3% p = 0.009), but there was no difference in age, duration of the disease, or education level. Patients with epilepsy were more likely to screen positively at MDQ (E = 17% vs. M = 5.3% p = 0.006) and to have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (E = 14.5% vs. M = 4.5% p = 0.013) as compared to migraine patients. There was no between‐groups difference in IDD prevalence (E = 17%; M = 18.7%) and IDDI total scores (E = 4.1 ± 2.0 vs. M = 3.8 ± 2.0). Validation of IDD against DSM‐IV categories showed current major depression being the foremost diagnostic category correlated with IDD in both epilepsy (OR = 0.32–0.12–0.88, p = 0.028) and migraine (OR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.02–0.49, p = 0.004) samples. Current anxiety disorder correlated with IDD only in migraine patients (OR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.05–0.77, p = 0.02).
Conclusion: IDD represents a homogenous construct that can be diagnosed in a relevant proportion of patients but it is not typical only of epilepsy, occurring in other central nervous system disorders such as migraine.
A Screening test for the prediction of Dravet syndrome before one year of age
Authors: Hattori Junri , Ouchida Mamoru , Ono Junko , Miyake Susumu , Maniwa Satoshi , Mimaki Nobuyoshi , Ohtsuka Yoko , Ohmori Iori 
Published: March 2008

Summary
Purpose: Our aim was to develop a screening test to predict Dravet syndrome before the first birthday based on the clinical characteristics of infants and the SCN1A mutation analysis.
Methods: Ninety‐six patients who experienced febrile seizures before the age of one were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups—the Dravet syndrome group (n = 46) and the non‐Dravet syndrome group (n = 50). We compared the clinical characteristics before one year of age of the two groups. We analyzed all coding exons of the SCN1A gene by the direct sequencing method. Scores from 0 to 3 were assigned to each risk factor based on the odds ratio and p‐value.
Results: An age of onset of febrile seizure ≤ 7 months, a total number of seizures ≥ 5, and prolonged seizures lasting more than 10 min. were regarded as significant risk factors for Dravet syndrome. Other factors highly predictive of this syndrome were hemiconvulsions, partial seizures, myoclonic seizures, and hot water–induced seizures. A total clinical score of six or above was the cutoff value indicating a high risk of Dravet syndrome. SCN1A missense and truncated mutations were detected significantly more often in the Dravet syndrome group than in the non‐Dravet syndrome group.
Discussion: This simple screening test was designed to be used by general pediatricians. It could help to predict Dravet syndrome before one year of age. If the sum of the clinical risk score is ≥ 6, then the performance of an SCN1A mutation analysis is recommended.