bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experience of thioridazine use before and after the Committee on Safety of Medicines warning
Authors: Matthews Tim , Weston Sian Nersy 
Published: February 2003

Aims and MethodTo describe the use of thioridazine in a population of adults with learning disabilities at the time of the warning issued by the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM). Also, to observe the result of discontinuation of thioridazine and to examine factors that were associated with adverse events. Retrospective case note analysis was carried out for a sample of individuals with a learning disability.ResultsOver 50% of those on regular thioridazine experienced adverse events during or following drug withdrawal. Adverse events were significantly associated with the duration of previous thioridazine prescription. Higher drug dosage and a more severe degree of learning disability may also be factors linked to poorer outcomes.Clinical ImplicationsMore caution may be required when reducing or withdrawing antipsychotic medication in this patient group.
A survey of liaison psychiatry services in the south-west of England
Authors: Howe Alison , Hendry Julie , Potokar John 
Published: February 2003

Aims and MethodA postal survey was conducted to establish an overview of liaison psychiatry services in the south-west of England. Questionnaires were sent to all clinical directors of medicine, accident and emergency, and mental health in trusts which provide acute medical services.ResultsThirty-six questionnaires were returned (77%), covering 17 out of 18 trusts providing acute services. Five trusts (28%) have a comprehensive dedicated liaison psychiatry service. A further six trusts (33%) have a service for deliberate self-harm only. Many respondents were critical of what they perceived to be an inadequate service. Five trusts had introduced a service in the 12 months preceding the survey.Clinical ImplicationsAn unmet need for liaison psychiatry services is clearly perceived across the south-west of England.
Drug misuse in pregnancy: the impact of a specialist treatment service
Authors: Day Ed , Porter Lyn , Clarke Alyson , Allen Debbie , Moselhy Hamdy , Copello Alex 
Published: February 2003

Aims and MethodThe use of illegal drugs is becoming increasingly common and presents particular problems in pregnancy. There is strong evidence to suggest that improvements in obstetric and neonatal outcomes can be made by attempts to treat the substance misuse problem, although this group may have limited engagement with traditional medical services. We conducted a retrospective case note review of a specialist ‘mother and baby team’ within a drug misuse treatment service to determine whether it had achieved its original service aims.ResultsThere was a high level of engagement with the service, with the majority of cases staying in contact for over 20 weeks. The average dose of methadone fell during the course of the pregnancies, and at the time of delivery, only 20 of the 80 cases (25%) still in contact with the service had urine tests that were positive for heroin. A significant number of women managed to completely detoxify from all drugs by the point of delivery, in contrast with previous studies conducted with this patient population.Clinical ImplicationsThis study demonstrates that the specialist service for pregnant drug users has been effective in engaging those misusing drugs in treatment, leading to significant improvements in key outcome measures.
Pretreatment Effects on the Catalytic Activity of Jordanian Bentonite
Authors: Mahmoud Sabri , Hammoudeh Ayman , Al-Noaimi Mousa 
Published: February 2003

AbstractDe-tert-butylation of 2-tert-butylphenol was carried out over thermally-treated and acid-treated Jordanian bentonite clay samples. This reaction was found to follow first-order kinetics for all clay samples with different pretreatment procedures. The apparent rate constant, k, was also determined, and found to depend on the pretreatment. Thermal pretreatment at temperatures up to 250°C has an enhancing effect on surface acid sites. The total surface acidity (Ho <4.8) and the concentration of strong acid sites peaked at 250°C. Also, as a result, the maximum catalyst activity was obtained with samples treated at this temperature. Acid pretreatment with 0.10 M HCl, 1.0 M H2SO4 or 1.0 M H3PO4, followed by thermal treatment at 250°C produced the best enhancement effect on the surface acidity and catalytic activity.
Wettability of Montmorillonite Clays in Humic Acid Solutions
Authors: de López-Durán Juan Dios García , Khaldoun Asmae , Kerkeb Mohamed Larbi , Ramos-Tejada María del Mar , González-Caballero Fernando 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe effect of humic acid (HA) adsorption on the hydrophilicity of two different montmorillonite samples (Na-montmorillonite, NaMt, and a Na-fluorinated Na-montmorillonite, FNaMt, or ‘Rassoul’) was investigated. The changes in the wettability of clays were discussed in terms of the non-electrostatic free energy of interaction between the clay particles immersed in aqueous humic acid solutions (ΔG121), using the van Oss-Chaudhury-Good (vOCG) model. The surface free energy components (both non-polar or Lifshitz-van der Waals, and polar or acid-base) of clays were obtained from contact angle measurements, after adsorption of humic acid, at acid or basic pH, in 10−2 M NaCl solutions. It was found that: (1) at acid pH, a progressive decrease in the hydrophilic character of both clays was observed when the humic acid concentration was increased; (2) at basic pH, the hydrophilic character of both samples studied increased with HA concentration; (3) the effect of humic acid adsorption on the wettability of model edge surfaces of the laminar montmorillonite particles was estimated from a parallel study on silica and alumina surfaces, and only a slight decrease in the hydrophilicity was observed, whatever the pH of the liquid media. The ζ potentials of both clays in the absence and presence of humic acid were determined and the linkage between ζ potential and the electron-donor character of the materials is discussed.
Biogeochemical and Environmental Factors in Fe Biomineralization: Magnetite and Siderite Formation
Authors: Roh Y. , Zhang C.-L. , Vali H. , Lauf R. J. , Zhou J. , Phelps T. J. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe formation of siderite and magnetite by Fe(III)-reducing bacteria may play an important role in C and Fe geochemistry in subsurface and ocean sediments. The objective of this study was to identify environmental factors that control the formation of siderite (FeCO3) and magnetite (Fe3O4) by Fe(III)-reducing bacteria. Psychrotolerant (<20°C), mesophilic (20–35°C) and thermophilic (>45°C) Fe(III)-reducing bacteria were used to examine the reduction of a poorly crystalline iron oxide, akaganeite (β-FeOOH), without a soluble electron shuttle, anthraquinone disulfuonate (AQDS), in the presence of N2, N2-CO2(80:20, V:V), H2 and H2-CO2 (80:20, V:V) headspace gases as well as in
-buffered medium (30–210 mM) under a N2 atmosphere. Iron biomineralization was also examined under different growth conditions such as salinity, pH, incubation time, incubation temperature and electron donors. Magnetite formation was dominant under a N2 and a H2 atmosphere. Siderite formation was dominant under a H2-CO2 atmosphere. A mixture of magnetite and siderite was formed in the presence of a N2-CO2 headspace. Akaganeite was reduced and transformed to siderite and magnetite in a
-buffered medium (>120 mM) with lactate as an electron donor in the presence of a N2 atmosphere. Biogeochemical and environmental factors controlling the phases of the secondary mineral suite include medium pH, salinity, electron donors, atmospheric composition and incubation time. These results indicate that microbial Fe(III) reduction may play an important role in Fe and C biogeochemistry as well as C sequestration in natural environments.
Characterization and a Fast Method for Synthesis of Sub-Micron Lithiophorite
Authors: Yang Deng-Shiu , Wang Ming-Kuang 
Published: February 2003

AbstractLithiophorite is a naturally occurring phyllomanganate which has been identified in soils and ores. Studies on a synthetic version have shed light on the conditions required for the formation of lithiophorite. In this study, we successfully prepared lithiophorite under highly alkaline conditions. In addition, we found that Li+, Al3+ and hydrothermal treatment are all necessary for the formation of lithiophorite. Lithiophorite, birnessite and Li-intercalated gibbsite were examined by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The Mn oxide sheets of lithiophorite and birnessite were found to have quite similar structural environments. On the other hand, the LiAl2(OH)6 sheets are affected more markedly by the Mn oxide sheets. After intercalation, the symmetry of the six interlayer OH groups of LiAl2(OH)6 is reduced and they are divided into two groups occupying different sites, corresponding to the IR absorption bands at 3480 and 3312 cm−1, respectively.
The effect of contextual cues on children's ability to remember an occurrence of a repeated event
Authors: Pearse Sarah L. , Powell Martine B. , Thomson Donald M. 
Published: February 2003

Purpose. This study examined the usefulness of contextual cues in enhancing the accuracy of children's narrative accounts of an occurrence of a repeated event.Method. Children aged 6 to 7 years took part in the same staged event four times whereby 16 target details varied in each occurrence (e.g. the colour of a cloak varied each time). Three days later, the children's free recall of the final occurrence was elicited. This occurrence was identified in one of two ways. Either it was identified via the temporal term ‘last’, or else the term ‘last’ was combined with a feature related to the environmental context or setting that was unique to the occurrence (i.e., the interviewer referred to a new object that was worn throughout the occurrence or a new person who carried out the event). For each condition, performance was compared to that of children who experienced the event only once.Results. Children's memory of details specific to the target occurrence was better after the single than the repeated event. However for both event types, children who were given the contextual and temporal cue performed better than those who were given the temporal cue only. The benefit of using a contextual cue did not result in an increase in errors.Conclusion. Contextual cues (generated by an interviewer) can facilitate children's recall of an occurrence of an event. However, further research needs to determine whether this finding would generalize to a more practical situation where the child (rather than the interviewer) generates the cues.
Effective interventions for acquisitive offenders: An investigation of cognitive skills programmes
Authors: Wilson Sally , Attrill Gill , Nugent Francis 
Published: February 2003

Purpose. Previous research has suggested that cognitive skills programmes completed by offenders may be more effective in reducing reconviction with nonacquisitive than acquisitive offenders. This study investigates whether a similar pattern is present with offenders who have completed accredited cognitive skills programmes in prisons in England and Wales.Method. Questionnaires measuring the cognitive deficits targeted by the programmes were administered to 8,303 offenders participating in cognitive skills programmes while in custody. A checklist on the individuals' behaviour was also completed for each participant. The questionnaires and the behaviour checklist were completed before, after, and at 8 weeks after the end of the course. Participants were assigned to one of three groups dependent upon the number of convictions they had received for acquisitive offences; non‐acquisitive, medium acquisitive and high acquisitive.Results. Offenders in the high acquisitive group showed greater need in the cognitive deficits at the pre‐course stage than the other two groups, for both the self‐completion questionnaires and the behaviour checklist. A comparison of preand post‐course scores on the questionnaires and the behaviour checklist showed positive effect sizes for all three groups. Some of the variables showed a greater change from pre‐ to post‐course in the groups that had been convicted of more acquisitive offences.Conclusion. Cognitive skills programmes appear to be as effective with offenders convicted of acquisitive crime as non‐acquisitive crime, although highly acquisitive offenders may benefit from an additional intervention. Further studies are needed to investigate whether this same result is upheld when the outcome measure is reconviction.
Variability of lichen diversity in a climatically heterogeneous area (Liguria, NW Italy)
Authors: Brunialti Giorgio , Giordani Paolo 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe influence of environmental variables on epiphytic lichens in Liguria (NW Italy) was examined using two complementary approaches. Firstly, the variability of lichen vegetation in relation to environmental variables was investigated. Secondly, the variability of Lichen Biodiversity (LB) counts, used in biomonitoring studies, was analysed in relation to bioclimatic areas. Geomorphology strongly affects lichen vegetation. The coastal mountain ridge and the Tyrrhenian-Po valley watershed limit the distribution range of three different communities: a Parmelion community with a high frequency of coastal suboceanic species, a Parmelion community rich in oak wood species and the Pannelietum acetabuli association, situated beyond the Po Valley watershed. Substantial differences in the distribution of lichen communities related to a climatic gradient (from humid Mediterranean to dry sub-Mediterranean regions) are not matched by corresponding statistically significant differences in LB counts. More accurate studies are necessary to define homogeneous bioclimatic areas, in which LB values can be compared for biomonitoring purposes.
Takhtajan's floristic regions and foliicolous lichen biogeography: a compatibility analysis
Authors: Lücking Robert 
Published: February 2003

AbstractTakhtajan's floristic regions of the world, based on vascular plant distribution, were used for a comparative analysis of foliicolous lichen biogeography. Of the 35 regions distinguished by that author, 23 feature foliicolous lichens. The South-East African, Fijian, Polynesian and Hawaiian regions lack sufficient information and were excluded from further analysis. Using multi-dimensional scaling and cluster and cladistic analyses, the remaining 19 regions were grouped into six lichenogeographical regions: (1) Neotropics, (2) African Paleotropics (including Madagascar, Réunion and Seychelles), (3) Eastern Paleotropics (including North-East Australia and New Caledonia), (4) Valdivian region (temperate rainforest in southern South America), (5) Tethyan region (subtropical areas of Macaronesia, Mediterranean, and Western Irano-Turanian) and (6) Neozealandic-Tasmanian region (temperate rainforests of New Zealand and Tasmania). Affinities between these six large scale regions, with 57–77% shared species, are still stronger than those between the 35 smaller scale regions denned by Takhtajan [(20−)40–60(−75)% shared species]. Based on presence/absence within each of the six regions, 22 potential distribution patterns were defined for foliicolous lichens. Many species are widely distributed; 21% are cosmopolitan or pantropical, while 19% are disjunct on at least two continents, and only 60% are restricted to one of the three major tropical areas (nearly 100% in vascular plants). Most of the latter are found in the Neotropics, while the African Paleotropics are poor in endemics. Most genera deviate significantly from overall distribution patterns; for example, Strigula and Calopadia have higher proportions of widely distributed species, while Porina displays a concentration of Eastern Paleotropical endemics. Species diversity and composition of the six regions indicate that the three extra-tropical foliicolous lichen biotas (Valdivian, Tethyan, Neozealandic-Tasmanian) are the result of partly separate evolutionary histories. On the other hand, there is a strong affinity between the Neotropics and the African Paleotropics, suggesting a shared Western Gondwanan element in the foliicolous lichen biotas of these two regions.
Prognostic factors relating to survival in uterine endometrioid carcinoma
Authors: Hirai M. , Hirono M. , Oosaki T. , Hayashi Y. , Yoshihara T. , Matsuzaki O. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective: Epidemiologic and clinicohistopathologic prognostic factors of uterine endometrioid carcinomas were analyzed. The association of estrogen related factors, focused on adenomyosis in the prognosis of endometrioid carcinomas was also examined. Methods: Risk factors of surgically treated 286 patients with endometrioid carcinoma (Stage I–III) were statistically analyzed. Results: Overall a recurrence‐free 5‐year survival rate was 81% (Stage I, 94%, Stage II, 71% and Stage III, 40%). Significant prognostic factors were lymph node metastases (P=0.0035) and serosal/parametrial invasion (P=0.014) by multivariate analysis. Endometrioid carcinomas with co‐existing adenomyosis tend to be associated with endometrial hyperplasia (P=0.04, Fisher's exact test), diagnosed in less invasive status (myometrial invasion, P=0.004 and serosal/parametrial invasion, P=0.006) and therefore have a favorable prognosis (P=0.01, log rank test). Conclusions: A favorable prognosis of endometrioid carcinomas with co‐existing estrogen related factors (adenomyosis and endometrial hyperplasia) was suggested.
Childhood adversities in patients with fibromyalgia and somatoform pain disorder
Authors: Imbierowicz Katrin , Egle Ulrich T. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractPrimary fibromyalgia is regarded as disorder with a complex symptomatology, and no morphological alterations. Findings increasingly point to a dysfunction of the central nervous pain processing. The study aims to discuss vulnerability for fibromyalgia from a developmental psychopathological perspective. We investigated the presence of psychosocial adversities affecting the childhood of adult fibromyalgia patients (FM) and compared them to those of patients with somatoform pain disorders (SOM) and a control group (CG) with medically explained chronic pain. Using the structured biographical interview for pain patients (SBI‐P), 38 FM patients, 71 SOM patients, and 44 CG patients were compared on the basis of 14 childhood adversities verified as relevant regarding longterm effects for adult health by prospective studies. The FM patients show the highest score of childhood adversities. In addition to sexual and physical maltreatment, the FM patients more frequently reported a poor emotional relationship with both parents, a lack of physical affection, experiences of the parents’ physical quarrels, as well as alcohol or other problems of addiction in the mother, separation, and a poor financial situation before the age of 7. These experiences were found to a similar extent in the SOM patients, but distinctly less frequently in the CG. The results point to early psychosocial adversities as holding a similar etiological meaning in fibromyalgia as well as in somatoform pain disorders. The potential role of these factors as increasing the vulnerability for fibromyalgia is discussed.
Experimental muscle pain and tenderness following infusion of endogenous substances in humans
Authors: Mørk Hanne , Ashina Messoud , Bendtsen Lars , Olesen Jes , Jensen Rigmor 
Published: February 2003

AbstractSeveral human models of myofascial pain exist, but none are similar to clinical pain. The aim of the present study was to develop a clinically relevant model of prolonged human myofascial pain using infusion of the naturally occurring endogenous substances. Initially, bradykinin (Bk), serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT)), histamine (His), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), adenosine‐tri‐phosphate (ATP), and their combinations were infused into the trapezius muscle of 36 healthy subjects in a total of 67 sessions to identify substances, which could induce a moderate muscle pain. PGE2, ATP, and a combination of Bk, 5‐HT, His, and PGE2 produced the intended moderate pain. These substances were further examined in a randomised, blinded, placebo‐controlled dose‐finding design in 15 healthy subjects in 68 sessions. PGE2 (3, 6, and 12 nmol/ml) induced mild pain and tenderness not different from placebo. ATP (9000, 18,000, and 36,000 nmol/ml) induced pain of moderate to strong intensity (P=0.04) and the dose of 18,000 nmol/ml furthermore produced moderate local tenderness (P=0.04). Because of unacceptable side effects in subsequent examinations, further studies of ATP in humans were suspended. Infusion of the combination of Bk (92 nmol), 5‐HT (156 nmol), His (140 nmol), and PGE2 (1.95 nmol) produced a moderate pain intensity (P=0.04) and mild tenderness (P=0.04) without inducing unacceptable side effects. Intramuscular infusion of a combination of Bk, 5‐HT, His, and PGE2 induced a prolonged moderate pain and tenderness in healthy humans, and this model may be a valuable tool in future studies of the pathophysiological mechanisms of myofascial pain.
Validation of the arthritis self‐efficacy short‐form scale in German fibromyalgia patients
Authors: Mueller Annette , Hartmann Mechthild , Mueller Knut , Eich Wolfgang 
Published: February 2003

AbstractSelf‐efficacy is assumed to account for significant variance in the treatment outcome of chronic pain patients. The aim of this study was to provide a German version of an approved measure of disease‐related self‐efficacy in fibromyalgia (FM) patients which assesses treatment outcomes and specific differences compared to other pain patients. The 8‐item short‐form of the arthritis self‐efficacy scale was translated into German (ASES‐D) and administered to 148 FM patients and 53 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, similar cognitive constructs (locus of control, optimism/pessimism, and general self‐efficacy) and disease‐related variables (pain, functioning, depression, and coping) were assessed. The instrument was further applied to 43 FM patients who underwent interdisciplinary group therapy. Validation methods consisted of correlation, principal component analysis and difference testing between the disease groups. The instrument met good psychometric properties. Evidence for construct validity was provided. Self‐efficacy was sensitive to changes and could be used in predicting the treatment outcome in FM patients. The German short‐form ASES‐D is a further step toward an internationally comparable assessment of disease‐related self‐efficacy in FM.
Macromolecular extension in flow fields
Authors: Bird R. Byron , Saab H. H. , Dotson Paul J. , Fan X. J. 
Published: February 2003

An expression is derived for the mean square end-to-end distance of Rouse chains in an arbitrary time-dependent flow field. For steady shear flow the resulting simplified expression is compared with incorrect formulas published earlier.
An expression is derived for the mean square end-to-end distance of Rouse chains in an arbitrary time-dependent flow field. For steady shear flow the resulting simplified expression is compared with incorrect formulas published earlier.