Search

Blacklight sintering has been used for rapid densification of ceramics. Compared to other methods, neither electrodes nor complex sample holders and dies are required, resulting in an effective technique for energy-efficient sintering. Still, the question remains whether excellent functional properties can be obtained by this method. Therefore, blacklight-sintered ferroelectric BaTiO 3 was investigated. Gradient-free microstructures and phase purity could be reached. Enhanced electrical conductivity was determined, indicating changes in defect chemistry and, most likely, an increase in oxygen vacancy concentration. Furthermore, measurements of ferroelectric properties confirmed leaky ferroelectric behavior, with migration and pinning of oxygen vacancies affecting the polarization loops. An additional short annealing step in an oxygen-rich atmosphere led to di/ferroelectric parameters equivalent to those of a conventionally sintered reference sample. Thus, the fabrication of ferroelectric ceramics by blacklight sintering is possible if the quenching effect caused by the freeze-in of defects during rapid cooling is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dislocation networks have been demonstrated to substantially enhance functional properties. As-sintered samples are virtually devoid of dislocations, new innovative techniques for introducing sufficiently high dislocation densities into polycrystalline ceramics are needed. While dislocation-based plasticity at high temperatures has been demonstrated for a large range of ceramic single crystals, plasticity in polycrystals is much less understood. Here, we demonstrate plastic strains in excess of several % based on dislocation motion in polycrystalline SrTiO3 at ≈ 1100 °C with 3.9 µm grain size. Ultra-high voltage electron microscopy reveals an associated increase in dislocation density by three orders of magnitude. Achievable strain rates are comparable to creep-based mechanisms and much less sensitive to applied stress than observed for metals. A specialized testing protocol allows quantification of the deformability via stress exponent, activation volume and activation enthalpy giving additional quantification. In conjunction with TEM images, the mechanical data gives insight into the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid densification of ceramics has been realized and its merits were demonstrated through multiple approaches out of which UHS and flash sintering attract recent attention. So far, however, scalability remains difficult. A rise in throughput and scalability is enabled by the introduction of blacklight sintering powered by novel light source technology. Intense illumination with photon energy above the bandgap (blacklight) allows high absorption efficiency and, hence, very rapid, contactless heating for all ceramics. While heating the ceramic directly with light without any furnace promises scalability, it simultaneously offers highly accurate process control. For the technology transfer to industry, attainable material quality needs to be assured. Here, we demonstrate the excellent microstructure quality of blacklight‐sintered ceramics observed with ultrahigh voltage electron microscopy revealing an option to tune nanoporosity. Moreover, we confirm that electronic, electron, oxygen, and lithium‐ion conductivities are equal to conventionally sintered ceramics. This gives the prospect of transmitting the merits of rapid densification to the scale of industrial kilns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A common intervention to prevent alcohol-impaired driving are alcohol ignition interlock devices (IIDs), which prevent drivers with a blood alcohol concentration greater than .025% from starting the car. These devices force drivers to adapt their drinking to accommodate the device. Prior studies indicated a transfer of risk as some drivers with an IID may increase cannabis use as they decrease alcohol use. This study examines whether this increase in cannabis use persists after IID removal when alcohol use reverts to pre-IID levels. Method: The data are from the Managing Heavy Drinking (MHD) study of drivers in New York State. The MHD is a comprehensive three-wave study of drivers convicted of driving under the influence from 2015 to 2020. Participants (N = 189) completed all waves, and provided oral fluid/blood and hair samples to measure cannabis and alcohol use, respectively. Mixed between-within analysis of variance was conducted to assess cannabis use at IID installation (Time 1), removal (Time 2), and at 6-month follow-up (Time 3). Results: In aggregate, participants increased their cannabis use over the course of the study. Drivers who decreased their alcohol use while the IID was installed on their car significantly increased their cannabis use while the IID was in place and further increased cannabis use after the device's removal. Conclusions: IIDs are efficacious in preventing alcohol-impaired driving. However, in some cases, they may have the unintended effect of increasing other substance use. The current study outlines the need for supplemental treatment interventions while on IID to prevent a transfer of risk to other substances, or polysubstance use after the device is removed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined co-occurring psychosocial problems among 120 women living with HIV (WLWH) in Washington, DC, USA. Participants completed a demographic survey, PHQ-9 (depressive symptoms), the Life Stressor Checklist (stressful events) and the PCL-C (PTSD symptoms in civilian populations). We calculated descriptive statistics and chi-square solutions for participant demographics. Classes of trauma history were established using latent class analysis (LCA). Latent indicators were extracted from participant self-reported traumatic histories on the LSC-R. Traumatic events have been found to be predictive of both depression. Latent class solution selection was guided by utility in evaluating and discriminating between classes as predictors of scales measuring depression or trauma exposure. Three distinct classes of trauma histories were identified: a high trauma (HT) class, an abuse/neglect (AN) class and a childhood trauma (CT) class. Binary logistic regression analyses determined whether trauma profiles predicted depression or PTSD after controlling for age, marital status, race and education. Participants in both the AN and CT class were over five times more likely than those in the HT class to endorse depressive symptoms. Classes differed significantly on whether they endorse depressive symptoms (p =.008) and marital status (p =.009), while PTSD appeared to trend toward significance (p =.085). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the influence of genetic variants on DNA methylation is fundamental for the interpretation of epigenomic data in the context of disease. There is a need for systematic approaches not only for determining methylation quantitative trait loci (methQTL), but also for discriminating general from cell type-specific effects. Results: Here, we present a two-step computational framework MAGAR (https://bioconductor.org/packages/MAGAR), which fully supports the identification of methQTLs from matched genotyping and DNA methylation data, and additionally allows for illuminating cell type-specific methQTL effects. In a pilot analysis, we apply MAGAR on data in four tissues (ileum, rectum, T cells, B cells) from healthy individuals and demonstrate the discrimination of common from cell type-specific methQTLs. We experimentally validate both types of methQTLs in an independent data set comprising additional cell types and tissues. Finally, we validate selected methQTLs located in the PON1, ZNF155, and NRG2 genes by ultra-deep local sequencing. In line with previous reports, we find cell type-specific methQTLs to be preferentially located in enhancer elements. Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrates that a systematic analysis of methQTLs provides important new insights on the influences of genetic variants to cell type-specific epigenomic variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Literature notes the efficacious use of alcohol ignition interlock devices (IID) in reducing rates of drinking and driving while installed on the vehicle. Some drivers who are convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) elect to have their license suspended/revoked instead of installing the device. These individuals represent a high‐risk subsample of drivers, yet limited literature has addressed this concern. The current study seeks to fill this gap using qualitative interviews addressing: (i) why do non‐installers make the choice to not install a mandated IID; and (ii) how are non‐installers managing without the IID? Methods: The study utilises the Managing Heavy Drinkers study of drivers in Erie County, New York, USA. Participants were purposively sampled from a group of non‐installers (n = 6; four females, two males) who completed semi‐structured interviews. Constructed grounded theory was used to develop a theoretical understanding of participant's experiences. Results: To understand why participants elect not to install the IID, thematic analysis revealed: alleviating constraints, predominantly the financial burdens associated with an IID, and institutional mistrust. Additionally, data revealed that participants are managing without the IID by mitigating apprehension. This included driving cautiously to avoid detection and utilising alternative transportation. Discussion and Conclusions: This study furthers understanding of why drivers convicted of a DWI elect not to install an IID. Future research should seek to identify barriers to IID installation. This work provides evidence for establishing institutional protocols that ensure drivers convicted of a DWI receive consistent and correct information about the IID process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol ignition interlock devices (IIDs) reduce rates of drinking and driving when installed on the vehicles of offenders. While the IID is installed on their vehicle, some drivers adapt their drinking behaviors, while others cannot. Heavy alcohol use and mental health concerns reduce treatment adherence in clinical settings, but it has not yet known how they pertain to behavioral adaptation to IIDs. This study focuses on identifying driver typologies as predictors of performance while on alcohol IIDs. The study utilizes the Managing Heavy Drinking study of drivers in New York state. Participants (N = 101; 59 males, 42 females) completed questionnaires assessing demographic information, drinking behaviors, driving history, and mental health measures. All participants had been convicted of a DUI, and installed an IID. Latent class analysis was used to establish typologies and predict lockout ratios. Four typologies emerged and drivers with elevations in mental health concerns had significantly worse lockout ratios than those in other classes. The current study may provide support for interventions designed to identify drivers with comorbid mental health concerns and tailor appropriate interventions to administer while the IID is installed with the aim of improving behavioral adaptation to the device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garnet-structured Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO) is an attractive electrolyte for lithium solid-state batteries (SSBs), but its processing requires long sintering at temperatures above 1000 °C to achieve sufficient ionic conductivity. Such sintering is not only time and energy consuming, but also leads to undesirable material interactions. Therefore, a significant reduction of the sintering time is very important for the future development of garnet-based batteries. A promising method is the recently introduced photonic blacklight sintering with light sources in the UV spectrum, which enables energy-efficient sintering of ceramic layers within seconds. In this work, blacklight sintering of garnet-based SSBs is validated using a model cell consisting of LLZO and LiCoO 2 (LCO) composite cathode layers printed on dense LLZO pellets. An optimized sintering program allowed the production of working cells in only 20 s. This study demonstrates the suitability of blacklight sintering for processing garnet-based SSBs and provides guidance for future process optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Polydrug users have been shown to be at higher risk for alcohol consumption and crash involvement. However, research has shown that polydrug groups differ in some important ways. It is currently unknown how polydrug-using groups differ in terms of crash involvement and alcohol consumption.Method: The current study used latent class analysis to examine subgroups of polydrug users (n = 384) among a sample of drivers in Virginia Beach, Virginia (N = 10,512). A series of logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between polydrug use categories and crash involvement and alcohol consumption.Results: Four distinct subclasses of users were identified among polydrug-using drivers: Class 1 is the "marijuana-amphetamines class" and accounts for 21.6% of polydrug users. Class 2 is the "benzo-antidepressant class" and accounts for 39.0% of polydrug users. Class 3 is the "opioid-benzo class" and accounts for 32.7% of polydrug users. Finally, Class 4 is the "marijuana-cocaine class" and accounts for 6.7% of the study sample. Drivers in the opioid-benzo class were significantly more likely than those in any other class as well as non-drug users and single-drug users to be involved in a crash and were more likely than those in most other conditions to consume alcohol. No significant difference was found between marijuana-amphetamine users or benzo-antidepressant users and non-drug users on crash risk.Conclusions: Some polydrug users are indeed at greater risk for crash involvement and alcohol consumption; however, not all polydrug users are significantly worse than single-drug users and/or non-drug users, and the practice of lumping polydrug users together when predicting crash risk runs the risk of inaccurately attributing crash involvement to certain drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship between alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and painkiller use disorders in a sample of drivers. We studied nighttime drivers aged 16 to 87 (n = 4,277) from the 2007 National Roadside Survey who reported substance use behaviors and provided breath tests for alcohol. Logistic regression analyses assessed the relationships between (1) substance (i.e., alcohol/marijuana/cocaine/pain killer) use disorders; (2) demographic characteristics; and (3) BAC levels. Overall, 13.2% of participants met criteria for marijuana use disorder, 7% met criteria for cocaine use disorder, and 15.4% met criteria for extra-medicinal painkiller use disorder. When self-report data were analyzed, three reciprocal associations emerged: (1) marijuana use disorders and alcohol use disorders were correlated; (2) marijuana use disorders and cocaine use disorders were correlated; and (3) cocaine use disorders and painkiller use disorders were correlated. BAC data revealed that marijuana and cocaine use disorders were both associated with positive BAC levels, but only cocaine use disorders were associated with BAC levels over the legal limit. Results suggest significant poly-substance use disorders in a sample of nighttime drivers, with variations by demographic characteristics. The individual and public health consequences of multiple substance use disorders among drivers are significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In 2013, the National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB) issued a report recommending that states lower the illegal blood alcohol concentration ( BAC) limit for driving from 0.08 to 0.05 g/dl. The NTSB concluded that there is a strong evidence-based foundation for a BAC limit of 0.05 or lower. Most industrialized nations have already enacted a 0.05 illegal BAC limit. This study was undertaken to contribute to the scientific evidence as to whether lowering the BAC limit to 0.05 will be an effective alcohol policy in the United States. Methods We accomplished our objective by: (i) conducting a meta-analysis of qualifying international studies to estimate the range and distribution of the most likely effect size from a reduction to 0.05 BAC or lower; (ii) translating this synthesis toward estimating the effects of reducing the current 0.08 BAC limit to 0.05 in the United States; and (iii) estimating the life-saving benefits of the proposed 0.03 reduction in the driving limit from 0.08 to 0.05 BAC. Results In our meta-analysis of studies on lowering the BAC limit in general, we found a 5.0% decline in nonfatal alcohol-related crashes, a 9.2% decline in fatal alcohol-related crashes from lowering the BAC to 0.08, and an 11.1% decline in fatal alcohol-related crashes from lowering the BAC to 0.05 or lower. We estimate that 1,790 lives would be saved each year if all states adopted a 0.05 BAC limit. Conclusions This study provides strong evidence of the relationship between lowering the BAC limit for driving and the general deterrent effect on alcohol-related crashes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Renormalisation Group is a versatile tool for the study of many systems where scale-dependent behaviour is important. Its functional formulation can be cast into the form of an exact flow equation for the scale-dependent effective action in the presence of an infrared regularisation. The functional RG flow for the scale-dependent effective action depends explicitly on the choice of regulator, while the physics does not. In this work, we systematically investigate three key aspects of how the regulator choice affects RG flows: (i) We study flow trajectories along closed loops in the space of action functionals varying both, the regulator scale and shape function. Such a flow does not vanish in the presence of truncations. Based on a definition of the length of an RG trajectory, we suggest a constructive procedure for devising optimised regularisation schemes within a truncation. (ii) In systems with various field variables, a choice of relative cutoff scales is required. At the example of relativistic bosonic two-field models, we study the impact of this choice as well as its truncation dependence. We show that a crossover between different universality classes can be induced and conclude that the relative cutoff scale has to be chosen carefully for a reliable description of a physical system. (iii) Non-relativistic continuum models of coupled fermionic and bosonic fields exhibit also dependencies on relative cutoff scales and regulator shapes. At the example of the Fermi polaron problem in three spatial dimensions, we illustrate such dependencies and show how they can be interpreted in physical terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Substance use has been identified as one of the leading factors related to HIV transmission in the United States. The association of problematic drinking with sexual risk behavior puts individuals at greater risk for HIV transmission. This may be of particular concern for women given that approximately 66% of new HIV infections occurring through heterosexual transmission are female. Objectives: To investigate alcohol use severity and sexual risk behavior among females who use heavy, illicit drugs. Methods: Female substances users (N = 251; Mage = 31.90, SD = 7.67; 63.7% Black) self-reported past month alcohol use and lifetime sexual risk behaviors with both casual and steady sex partners. Results: Problematic alcohol users were more likely to use noninjection drugs and less likely to use injection drugs than abstainers and more likely than moderate alcohol users to use alcohol before/during sex with a steady partner. White problematic alcohol users were less likely to use injection drugs before/during sex with a steady partner than abstainers. Black problematic alcohol users were more likely to use non-injection and alcohol than moderate alcohol users before/during sex with steady partners. Conclusions: The current study extends the existing literature by taking a closer look at the role of alcohol use severity in sexual risk taking behavior of Black and White female substance users, a particularly vulnerable group for HIV transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Over the last two decades, many states have adopted several of the 20 laws that aim to control youth access to and possession of alcohol and prevent underage drinking in the United States. However, many of these laws have not been evaluated since their adoption. The objective of this study was to determine which minimum legal drinking age 21 (MLDA-21) laws currently have an effect on underage drinking-and-driving fatal crashes.Method: We updated the effective dates of the 20 MLDA-21 laws examined in this study and used scores of each law's strengths and weaknesses. Our structural equation model included the 20 MLDA-21 laws, impaired driving laws, seat belt safety laws, economic strength, driving exposure, beer consumption, and fatal crash ratios of drinking-to-nondrinking drivers under age 21.Results: Nine MLDA-21 laws were associated with significant decreases in fatal crash ratios of underage drinking drivers: possession of alcohol (-7.7%), purchase of alcohol (-4.2%), use alcohol and lose your license (-7.9%), zero tolerance .02 blood alcohol concentration limit for underage drivers (-2.9%), age of bartender ≥21 (-4.1%), state responsible beverage service program (-3.8%), fake identification support provisions for retailers (-11.9%), dram shop liability (-2.5%), and social host civil liability (-1.7%). Two laws were associated with significant increases in the fatal crash ratios of underage drinking drivers: prohibition of furnishing alcohol to minors (+7.2%) and registration of beer kegs (+9.6%).Conclusions: The nine effective MLDA-21 laws are estimated to be currently saving approximately 1,135 lives annually, yet only five states have enacted all nine laws. If all states adopted these nine effective MLDA-21 laws, it is estimated that an additional 210 lives could be saved every year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction : To effectively address concerns associated with alcohol-related traffic laws, communities must apply comprehensive and well-coordinated interventions that account for as many factors as possible. The goal of the current research article is to examine and evaluate the simultaneous contribution of 20 underage drinking laws and 3 general driving safety laws, while accounting for demographic, economic, and environmental variables. Methods : Annual fatal crash data (1982 to 2010), policies, and demographic, economic, and environmental information were collected and applied to each of the 51 jurisdictions (50 states and the District of Columbia). A structural equation model was fit to estimate the relative contribution of the variables of interest to alcohol-related crashes. Results : As expected, economic factors (e.g., unemployment rate, cost of alcohol) and alcohol outlet density were found highly relevant to the amount of alcohol teens consume and therefore to teens' impaired driving. Policies such as those regulating the age of bartenders, sellers, or servers; social host civil liability laws; dram shop laws; internal possession of alcohol laws; and fake identification laws do not appear to have the same impact on teens' alcohol-related crash ratios as other types of policies such as those regulating alcohol consumption or alcohol outlet density. Conclusions : This effort illustrates the need for comprehensive models of teens' impaired driving. After simultaneously accounting for as many factors as possible, we found that in general (for most communities) further reductions in alcohol-related crashes among teens might be more rapidly achieved from efforts focused on reducing teens' drinking rather than on reducing teens' driving. Future efforts should be made to develop models that represent specific communities. Practical applications : Based on this and community-specific models, simulation programs can be developed to help communities understand and visualize the impact of various policy alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is shown that the effect of substrate heating on the photo conversion efficiency in vacuum-deposited small molecule organic solar cells is closely related to the improved free charge generation in ordered C60 regions. The formation of these ordered regions strongly depends on the deposition sequence in the device and differs therefore between inverted and noninverted cells. Substrate-induced local fullerene ordering is found in small molecule:C60 bulk heterojunctions (BHJs) deposited on pristine C60 at elevated temperatures. This does not occur for BHJs deposited under identical conditions on pristine donor molecule layers, despite similar degrees of phase separation in both cases. These findings point to a hitherto unidentified advantage of inverted over noninverted solar cells that manifests itself in a higher charge separation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The deleterious effect of multiple-substance use on driving performance is well established, but relatively little research has examined the patterns of drug use among multiple-substance users and its relationship to both alcohol use and adverse driving outcomes.Method: The current study used latent class analysis to examine subgroups of substance users among a population of drivers who screened positively for 2 or more of 13 substances other than alcohol (N = 250). A series of logistic regression analyses was conducted to examine demographic predictors of latent class assignment and class association with adverse driving outcomes.Results: Four distinct subclasses of users were identified among multiple-substance-using drivers: Class 1 consisted of individuals who demonstrated high levels of all substances indicators (5%). The second class demonstrated high levels of marijuana and cocaine use and lower levels of all other substances (27%). The third class screened high for marijuana and nonmedical prescription opiate analgesics use (36%), whereas the last class demonstrated high nonmedical prescription opiate analgesics and benzodiazepine use (32%). Drivers in Class 2 (marijuana and cocaine users) were more likely to be younger and have a positive breath alcohol concentration than drivers in any other class.Conclusions: Because multidrug users show dissimilar characteristics, the propensity of researchers to lump all multiple-substance users together may either erroneously attribute the potentially profound impact of those in the marijuana and cocaine use class to all multiple-substance users or dilute their specific contribution to crash risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To control underage drinking in the United States, which has been associated with an estimated 5,000 deaths and 2.6 million injuries or other harm annually, each state has developed a unique set of laws. Previous research examining these laws' effectiveness has frequently focused on the laws' existence without considering variance in sanctions, enforcement, or exemptions. Methods We scored 20 minimum legal drinking age 21 (MLDA-21) laws for their strengths and weaknesses based on (i) sanctions for violating the law, (ii) exceptions or exemptions affecting application, and (iii) provisions affecting the law or enforcement. We then replicated a 2009 study of the effects of 6 MLDA-21 laws in 3 different ways (using identical structural equation modeling): Study 1-8 additional years of data, no law strengths; Study 2-years from the original study, added law strengths; Study 3-additional years, law strengths, serving as an update of the 6 laws' effects. Results In all 3 studies-and the original study-keg registration laws were associated with both an unexpected significant increase (+11%, p < 0.001) in underage drinking-driver ratios and a notable 25% reduction in per capita beer consumption-opposing results that are difficult to explain. In Study 3, possession and purchase laws were associated with a significant decrease in underage drinking-driver fatal crash ratios (−4.9%, p < 0.001; −3.6%, p < 0.001, respectively). Similarly, zero tolerance and use and lose laws were associated with reductions in underage drinking-driver ratios (−2.8%, p < 0.001; −5.3%, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Including strengths and weaknesses of underage drinking laws is important when examining their effects on various outcomes as the model fit statistics indicated. We suggest that this will result in more accurate and more reliable estimates of the impact of the laws on various outcome measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate which markers in serum and in the synovial fl uid have the highest diagnostic potential for predicting septic arthritis and periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). The likelihood ratio assesses the diagnostic utility of a diagnostic test and the likelihood that a patient has a disease. Methods: The levels of infl ammatory markers in serum [white blood cells, C-reactive protein (CRP S)] and synovial fluid [synovial fluid white blood cell count (SFWBC), percentage of polymorphonuclear cells (%PMN), lactic acid, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose, total protein] of patients suffering from septic arthritis (n=114), PJI (n=67), non-infectious joint diseases (n=495) and arthralgia after total joint arthroplasty (n=43) were determined. The arithmetical means, cut-off values, sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative likelihood ratios (+LR, -LR), interval likelihood ratios and receiver operating characteristic curves with corresponding area under the curve (AUC) of infl ammatory markers were calculated. Results: The parameters with the highest diagnostic potential for differing between septic arthritis and non-infectious arthritis were the SFWBC (AUC=0.850, cut-off value =6.7 × 10³/µl, sensitivity =81.8%, specificity =76.5%,+LR=3.41, - LR=0.24), CRP S (AUC=0.797), %PMN (AUC=0.766) and synovial lactate (AUC=0.760). The highest diagnostic potential for predicting a PJI was shown by LDH (AUC=0.833) and the SFWBC (AUC=0.828). Conclusions: The SFWBC, CRPS, %PMN and synovial lactate were the best inflammatory markers in predicting septic arthritis. Synovial lactate levels > 10 mmol/l or an SFWBC > 50 × 10³/µl substantially increased disease probability, while SFWBC < 1.0 × 10³/µl or CRPS < 0.5 mg/dl diminished the post-test probability of septic arthritis considerably. An SFWBC < 1.1 × 10³/µl or a %PMN < 70% made a PJI unlikely, while SFWBC > 20 × 10³/µl or %PMN > 86% increased the post-test probability of a PJI. The use of the corresponding interval likelihood ratios could help physicians to estimate the probability of septic arthritis and PJI more accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatty liver disease or the accumulation of fat in the liver, has been reported to affect the global population. This comes with an increased risk for the development of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Yet, little is known about the effects of a diet containing high fat and alcohol towards epigenetic aging, with respect to changes in transcriptional and epigenomic profiles. In this study, we took up a multi-omics approach and integrated gene expression, methylation signals, and chromatin signals to study the epigenomic effects of a high-fat and alcohol-containing diet on mouse hepatocytes. We identified four relevant gene network clusters that were associated with relevant pathways that promote steatosis. Using a machine learning approach, we predict specific transcription factors that might be responsible to modulate the functionally relevant clusters. Finally, we discover four additional CpG loci and validate aging-related differential CpG methylation. Differential CpG methylation linked to aging showed minimal overlap with altered methylation in steatosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A functional renormalization group approach is used to study the instabilities due to electron-electron interactions in a bilayer honeycomb lattice model with AA stacking, as it might be relevant for layered graphene with this structure. Starting with a tight-binding description for the four π-bands, the modes of the dispersion are integrated out by successively lowering an infrared cutoff and the leading tendencies in the effective interactions are determined. The antiferromagnetic spin-density wave is an expected instability for dominant local repulsion among the electrons, but for nonlocal interaction terms also other instabilities occur. The phase diagrams depending on the model parameters are discussed. The results are compared to single-layer graphene and the more common AB-stacked bilayer, both qualitatively and quantitatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The charge transport in organic solar cells is investigated by surface potential measurements via scanning Kelvin probe microscopy. Access to the solar cell's cross-section is gained by milling holes with a focused ion beam which enables the direct scan along the charge transport path. In a study of poly(3-hexylthiophene):1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)propyl-1-phenyl[6,6]C61 (P3HT:PCBM) bulk heterojunction solar cells, the open circuit voltage is built up at the top contact. A comparison of the potential distribution within normal and inverted solar cells under operation exhibits strongly different behaviors, which can be assigned to a difference in interface properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the quantum many-body instabilities of the t-JK-JH Kitaev-Heisenberg Hamiltonian on the honeycomb lattice as a minimal model for a doped spin-orbit Mott insulator. This spin-1/2 model is believed to describe the magnetic properties of the layered transition-metal oxide Na2IrO3. We determine the ground state of the system with finite charge-carrier density from the functional renormalization group (fRG) for correlated fermionic systems. To this end, we derive fRG flow equations adapted to the lack of full spin-rotational invariance in the fermionic interactions, here represented by the highly frustrated and anisotropic Kitaev exchange term. Additionally employing a set of the Ward identities for the Kitaev-Heisenberg model, the numerical solution of the flow equations suggests a rich phase diagram emerging upon doping charge carriers into the ground-state manifold (ℤ2 quantum spin liquids and magnetically ordered phases). We corroborate superconducting triplet p-wave instabilities driven by ferromagnetic exchange and various singlet pairing phases. For filling δ>1/4, the p-wave pairing gives rise to a topological state with protected Majorana edge modes. For antiferromagnetic Kitaev and ferromagnetic Heisenberg exchanges, we obtain bond-order instabilities at van Hove filling supported by nesting and density-of-states enhancement, yielding dimerization patterns of the electronic degrees of freedom on the honeycomb lattice. Further, our flow equations are applicable to a wider class of model Hamiltonians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the impact of electron-phonon interactions on the many-body instabilities of electrons on the honeycomb lattice and their interplay with repulsive local and nonlocal Coulomb interactions at charge neutrality. To that end, we consider in-plane optical phonon modes with wave vectors close to the F point as well as to the K ,- K points and calculate the effective phonon-mediated electron-electron interaction by integrating out the phonon modes. Ordering tendencies are studied by means of a momentum-resolved functional renormalization-group approach allowing for an unbiased investigation of the appearing instabilities. In the case of an exclusive and supercritical phonon-mediated interaction, we find a Kekulé and a nematic bond ordering tendency being favored over the s-wave superconducting state. The competition between the different phonon-induced orderings clearly shows a repulsive interaction between phonons at small- and large-wave-vector transfers. We further discuss the influence of phonon-mediated interactions on electronically driven instabilities induced by on-site, nearest-neighbor, and next-nearest-neighbor density-density interactions. We find an extension of the parameter regime of the spin-density-wave order going along with an increase of the critical scales where ordering occurs and a suppression of competing orders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Septic and gouty arthritis show the same clinical symptoms, but septic arthritis is an orthopedic emergency and needs immediate surgical intervention, whereas a systemic drug therapy is needed in acute gouty arthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate which inflammatory markers allow an accurate differentiation of septic and gouty arthritis. Design and methods: This was a retrospective examination of serum markers (peripheral white blood cells, C-reactive Protein and uric acid) and inflammatory markers in the synovial fluid (lactate, glucose, uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase, synovial fluid white blood cell count, total protein, and interleukin-6) in 53 patients with culture-verified septic arthritis and 29 with gouty arthritis. Receiver-Operating-Characteristic-curves with corresponding Area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, likelihood-ratio and interval likelihood-ratios were calculated to define the diagnostic potential of the inflammatory markers. Results: Synovial lactate showed the greatest diagnostic potential (AUC=0.901, sensitivity=89.5%, specificity=77.3%, negative likelihood-ratio=0.14) followed by synovial glucose (AUC=0.853) and synovial uric acid (AUC=0.841). Conclusions: Lactate in the synovial fluid has excellent diagnostic potential to differ septic arthritis from gouty arthritis. Synovial lactate levels above 10mmol/L almost proofed septic arthritis, lactate levels lower than 4.3mmol/L make it very unlikely. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] First paper describing effect of S-Lost to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). [•] MSC are high resistant to S-Lost. [•] MSC keep their ability to differentiate after exposure of S-Lost. [•] MSC show significant decrease of migratory activity also after low dose S-Lost exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: HIV transmission risk among non-injection drug users is high due to the co-occurrence of drug use and sexual risk behaviors. The purpose of the current study was to identify patterns of drug use among polysubstance users within a high HIV prevalence population. Methods: The study sample included 409 substance users from the Pretoria region of South Africa. Substances used by 20% or more the sample included: cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana and heroin in combination, marijuana and cigarettes in combination, and crack cocaine. Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of polysubstance use based on types of drugs used. Multivariate logistic regression analyses compared classes on demographics, sexual risk behavior, and disease status. Results: Four classes of substance use were found: MJ + Cig (40.8%), MJ + Her (30.8%), Crack (24.7%), and Low Use (3.7%). The MJ + Cig class was 6.7 times more likely to use alcohol and 3 times more likely to use drugs before/during sex with steady partners than the Crack class. The MJ + Cig class was 16 times more likely to use alcohol before/during sex with steady partners than the MJ + Her class. The Crack class was 6.1 times more likely to engage in transactional sex and less likely to use drugs before/during steady sex than the MJ + Her class. Conclusions: Findings illustrate patterns of drug use among a polysubstance using population that differ in sexual risk behavior. Intervention strategies should address substance use, particularly smoking as a route of administration (ROA), and sexual risk behaviors that best fit this high-risk population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Despite the adverse effects associated with marijuana abuse and dependence, marijuana is becoming more common-place in activities such as driving. Previous literature has discussed the high rales of cocaine, opioid and benzodiazepine use among users of marijuana, but no research has addressed the rates of concurrent use among drivers meeting abuse or dependence criteria. Each of these substances may produce effects detrimental to driving safety which may be compounded by concurrent substance use. This research examines rates of marijuana use, abuse, and dependence among an active sample of drivers (JV = 7,734) in the 2007 National Roadside Survey. Mean age of participants was 36.89 years, and the majority were male (60.1%) and identified as White (59.2%). Participants who used marijuana but did not meet diagnostic criteria for abuse (n = 165) or dependence (n = 112) were significantly more likely to test positive for all substances than were those who did not use marijuana. Further, those that met criteria for marijuana abuse or dependence were more likely than those who did not meet criteria to test positive for THC, cocaine, and benzodiazepines and THC, cocaine, and opioids, respectively. The current research has implications for policy development and drugged driving interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous literature has examined natural remission rates from problematic drinking in the general population, but not in heroin and cocaine users. This study is a cross-sectional, retrospective study of the baseline data from the Baltimore site of the NEURO-HIV Epidemiologic Study focusing on self-reported substance use. It is one of the first efforts to identify levels of drinking severity and natural recovery in this population and explores possible rationales for the differences between conditions from non-clinical samples. The sample consisted of 338 participants who reported active heroin and/or cocaine use and having had a period in their lives when they engaged in problematic drinking behavior. Active heroin and cocaine users were divided into three groups based on current levels of alcohol use: abstainers, moderate, and problematic alcohol users. In this study, 69.2% of current heroin and/or cocaine users reported that at one time in their lives they engaged in problematic drinking behavior, but currently were no longer doing so. That is, 59.5% of the current heroin and/or cocaine users reported natural recovery from problematic alcohol misuse. Further, as drinking severity increased, prevalence of injection drug use decreased, while prevalence of snorting/sniffing cocaine increased. The recovery process from problematic alcohol use may provide strengths which could translate into recovery from other more hazardous substances. The authors call for research to explore which cognitive or environmental factors allow active heroin and cocaine users to achieve natural remission from problematic alcohol use beyond that seen in a non-clinical sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The current study examined how drinking severity among injection and non-injection drug users is associated with sex risk behaviors and risk of HIV exposure. Method The study is a secondary analysis of an investigation of risk factors among drug users in Baltimore known as the NEURO-HIV epidemiologic study. Participants ( N = 557) completed an interview, self-reported 30-day alcohol use, lifetime injection and non-injection drug use, and provided blood samples to screen for HIV. Participants were grouped into one of three drinking severity conditions: abstinent (no reported alcohol use in prior 30 days), moderate alcohol use (≤30 drinks for females, or ≤60 drinks for males), or problematic alcohol use (>30 drinks for females, or >60 drinks for males). Drinking severity groups were significantly different on lifetime injection drug use, heroin injection, snorting/sniffing cocaine, and smoking crack. Results Logistic regression analyses found problematic alcohol users to be more likely than alcohol abstainers to inject drugs before or during sex (AOR = 5.78; 95% CI = 2.07-16.10), and more likely than moderate alcohol users to use alcohol before/during sex (AOR = 4.96; 95% CI = 2.09-11.81), inject drugs before/during sex (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI = 1.29-6.80), and to be HIV+ among Black participants (AOR = 2.72; 95% CI = 1.14-6.49). Conclusions These results outline the necessity for research and clinical intervention among this population to reduce sex risk behaviors and potential HIV exposure, while highlighting the need to examine drinking severity as a predictor of sex risk behaviors. (Am J Addict 2013; 22:239-245) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the properties of the nearest-neighbor singlet pairing and the emergence of d-wave superconductivity in the doped honeycomb lattice considering the limit of large interactions and the t-J1-J2 model. First, by applying a renormalized mean-field procedure as well as slave-boson theories which account for the proximity to the Mott-insulating state, we confirm the emergence of d-wave superconductivity, in agreement with earlier works. We show that a small but finite J2 spin coupling between next-nearest neighbors stabilizes d-wave symmetry compared to the extendeds-wave scenario. At small hole doping, to minimize the energy and to gap the whole Fermi surface or all the Dirac points, the superconducting ground state is characterized by a d+id singlet pairing assigned to one valley and a d-id singlet pairing to the other, which then preserves time-reversal symmetry. The slightly doped situation is distinct from the heavily doped case (around 3/8 and 5/8 filling) supporting a pure chiral d+id symmetry and breaking time-reversal symmetry. Then, we apply the functional renormalization group and study in more detail the competition between antiferromagnetism and superconductivity in the vicinity of half filling. We discuss possible applications to strongly correlated compounds with copper hexagonal planes such as In3Cu2VO9. Our findings are also relevant to the understanding of exotic superfluidity with cold atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which aims to report the psychometric properties of the drug use disorder (DUD) questionnaire such as blood sample screening indicators that measure cocaine, marijuana, and extramedicinal painkillers. It says that the participants in the 2007 U.S. National Roadside Survey have completed the demographic and substance use questions. Results show that the DUD has displayed adequate internal consistency on subscales of substance abuse and dependence.

Few-layer graphene systems come in various stacking orders. Considering tight-binding models for electrons on stacked honeycomb layers, this gives rise to a variety of low-energy band structures near the charge neutrality point. Depending on the stacking order, these band structures enhance or reduce the role of electron-electron interactions. Here, we investigate the instabilities of interacting electrons on honeycomb multilayers with a focus on trilayers with ABA and ABC stackings theoretically by means of the functional renormalization group. We find different types of competing instabilities and identify the leading ordering tendencies in the different regions of the phase diagram for a range of local and no-local short-ranged interactions. The dominant instabilities turn out to be toward an antiferromagnetic spin-density wave (SDW), a charge density wave, and quantum spin Hall (QSH) order. Ab initio values for the interaction parameters put the systems at the border between SDW and QSH regimes. Furthermore, we discuss the energy scales for the interaction-induced gaps in this model study and put them into context with the scales for single-layer and Bernal-stacked bilayer honeycomb lattices. This yields a comprehensive picture of the possible interaction-induced ground states of few-layer graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultrasound (US) is the most commonly used form of image guidance during liver surgery. However, the use of navigation systems that incorporate instrument tracking and three-dimensional visualization of preoperative tomography is increasing. This report describes an initial experience using an image-guidance system with navigated US. Methods: An image-guidance system was used in a total of 50 open liver procedures to aid in localization and targeting of liver lesions. An optical tracking system was employed to localize surgical instruments. Customized hardware and calibration of the US transducer were required. The results of three procedures are highlighted in order to illustrate specific navigation techniques that proved useful in the broader patient cohort. Results: Over a 7-month span, the navigation system assisted in completing 21 (42%) of the procedures, and tracked US alone provided additional information required to perform resection or ablation in six procedures (12%). Average registration time during the three illustrative procedures was <1 min. Average set-up time was approximately 5 min per procedure. Conclusions: The Explorer™ Liver guidance system represents novel technology that continues to evolve. This initial experience indicates that image guidance is valuable in certain procedures, specifically in cases in which difficult anatomy or tumour location or echogenicity limit the usefulness of traditional guidance methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the instabilities of interacting electrons on the honeycomb bilayer by means of the functional renormalization group. Using model parameters as determined by ab initio calculations for graphene and graphite for interactions up to the third-nearest neighbor puts the system close to the boundary between antiferromagnetic and quantum spin Hall instabilities. Importantly, the energy scales for these instabilities are large. Thus imperfections and deviations from the basic model are expected to play a major role in real bilayer graphene, where interaction effects seem to be seen only at smaller scales. We therefore analyze how reducing the critical scale and small doping of the layers affect the instabilities. For smaller on-site repulsions, we also find an instability toward a gapless charge-density wave state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors examine the relationships between forgiveness, family cohesion, and alcohol. In Study 1 ( N= 190), participants reported lower levels of trust and forgiveness for family members who misuse alcohol. In Study 2 ( N= 141), the authors present a model demonstrating family cohesion and trait forgiveness related to state forgiveness of an alcohol-misusing family member. State forgiveness was related to trust in that family member and, subsequently, higher levels of perceived misuser drinking refusal efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early onset of alcohol, marijuana, and cigarette use is an indicator of later substance use problems in adulthood such as alcohol or other drug dependence. This paper seeks to address the association between early onset alcohol, marijuana, cigarette, and polysubstance use with injection drug use among recent illicit drug users. The current study used baseline data from the Baltimore site of the NEURO-HIV Epidemiologic Study, an investigation of neuropsychological and social–behavioral risk factors of HIV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C among both injection and non-injection drug users in Baltimore, Maryland. The present study used a subset (N =651) of the larger parent study that identified as White or Black, and reported any drug use in the past 6 months. In the full sample slightly more than half (52.5%) of study participants were IDUs. IDUs differed from non-IDUs on age of initiation for cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol, with IDUs initiating the use of all three substances significantly earlier than non-IDUs. IDUs also had significantly greater proportions of early onset of alcohol (χ 2 =19.71, p <.01), cigarette (χ 2 =11.05, p <.01), marijuana (χ 2 =10.83, p <.01), and polysubstance use (χ 2 =23.48, p <.01) than non-IDUs. After adjusting for age, gender, and race/ethnicity, only participants identified as early onset alcohol users (AOR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.00–2.18) and early onset polysubstance users (AOR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.10–2.38) were more likely to have IDU status than those who reported initiating substance use later. IDU status was then stratified by race/ethnicity. After controlling for age and gender, only early polysubstance use was a significant predictor of IDU status for Whites (AOR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.07–3.93). Consistent with literature on early substance initiation and later illicit substance use, early onset of alcohol and polysubstance use is an important risk factor for IDU in adulthood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the current article, the authors explore the efficacy of a 4-hour self-forgiveness intervention. Participants (n = 79) undergoing a routine alcohol treatment protocol were randomly assigned to an intervention or treatment as usual condition. Those in the intervention condition completed the self-forgiveness intervention. All participants completed measures of self-forgiveness, drinking refusal self-efficacy, and guilt and shame over an alcohol-related transgression. Participants in the intervention condition reported more positive gains on measures of self-forgiveness and drinking refusal efficacy, as well as guilt and shame over alcohol-related offenses. Implications of the self-forgiveness intervention for individuals who misuse alcohol are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Surveying technology as regards total stations (TS) has changed in the last fifty years. The original idea of measuring and storing polar coordinates has been progressively revolutionized by means of reflectorless distance measuring capabilities, as well as steer measurements, robotic, camera, and scanning functions. This enables the so-called intelligent tacheometry which is explained in detail herein, relying on the instruments capability to react autonomously on the object due to the reflectorless measuring device and eventually with image assistance and in interaction with the robotic drive. This paper revises thoroughly the evolution of conventional TS as figured out in the sixties until the promising image assisted scanning total station that are starting to come out with many surveying capabilities, but half way of what it might be an image assisted photogrammetric scanning TS (IAPSTS) with full photogrammetric functionalities. Following the writers’ opinions, the IAPSTS might surprisingly change the way both field surveying and processing are carried out in scenarios such as documentation of cultural heritage and industrial factory measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose For early detection of postoperative infections, the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) may be useful. We analyzed baseline and time-dependent reference values for the postoperative use of CRP as an indicator of infection. Methods We studied the kinetics of CRP levels after fracture surgery in 1,418 patients. In 787 cases the operative fracture treatment was uneventful; in 17 of the other cases a deep wound infection occurred. Results In the uneventful cases, a similar evolution in CRP concentrations was found: the peak level, which occurred on the second postoperative day, depended on the region (136 mg/L in femoral fractures and 45 mg/L in ankle fractures) and reflected the extent of surgical trauma. For deep wound infection, a cutoff level of 96 mg/L (sensitivity 92%, specificity 93%) after the fourth day of surgery was recorded. Interpretation CRP kinetics permit establishment of a time-dependent set of reference values of CRP after operative fracture treatment. Deviations of this course—especially CRP concentrations above 96 mg/L after the fourth day—may aid in early detection of surgical complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this work is the development of a numerical solution strategy for energy-based mesh optimization in finite hyperelastostatics. In finite element computations that rely on the principle of minimum potential energy, the variational principle itself provides the basis for r-adaptive methods. The numerical solution can be improved by further minimizing the discrete potential energy with respect to the material node point positions. In this paper, we regard the mesh optimization as a nonlinear minimization problem with equality and inequality constraints. The equality constraints correspond to the spatial equilibrium condition, whereas the inequality constraints are given by the natural restriction that material elements with a negative volume (Jacobian) are inadmissible. Based on this interpretation, we develop a stable numerical solution strategy in which two approaches of nonlinear programming are combined. Applying a barrier method, the minimization problem is transformed into a sequence of problems without inequality constraints. Each problem of the sequence is solved by means of a Newton scheme that operates on the constrained surface given by the spatial equilibrium condition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper deals with energy based r-adaptivity in finite hyperelastostatics. The focus lies on the development of a numerical solution strategy. Although the concept of improving the accuracy of a finite element solution by minimizing the discrete potential energy with respect to the material node point positions is well-known, the numerical implementation of the underlying minimization problem is difficult. In this paper, energy based r-adaptivity is defined as a minimization problem with inequality constraints. The constraints are introduced to restrict the maximum distortion of the finite element mesh. As a solution strategy for the constrained problem, we use a classical barrier method. Beside the theoretical aspects and the implementation, a numerical experiment is presented. We illustrate the performance of the proposed r-adaptivity in the case of a cracked specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the case of nonlinear fracture mechanics the type of singularity induced by the crack tip is commonly not known. This results in a poor approximation of the near crack tip fields in a finite element setting and induces so called spurious—or residual—discrete material forces in the vicinity of the crack tip. Thus the numerical calculation of the crack driving material force in nonlinear fracture is often not that precise as in linear elasticity where we can use special crack tip elements and/or path independency. To overcome this problem we propose an adaptive singular element, which adapts automatically to the type of singularity. The adaption is based on an optimisation procedure using a variational principle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe one theoretical perspective on injustice, unforgiveness, justice, and forgiveness (i.e., an emotional-replacement model) and describe an intervention to promote forgiveness, which is applied to alcohol dependence and abuse. We identify major transgressions within families who deal with alcohol-related problems. We note risk factors related to the development of unforgiving emotions and describe ways that people typically cope with the stress of unforgiveness. Finally, an evidence-based psychoeducational group to promote forgiveness, derived from the emotion-replacement model of forgiveness is described and adapted to the treatment of alcohol dependence and abuse within a family context. Whereas unforgiveness seems frequent within families dealing with alcohol dependence, empirical research on unforgiveness and forgiveness within those families is sparse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental evidence suggests that when people are transgressed against interpersonally, they often react by experiencing unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is conceptualized as a stress reaction. Forgiveness is one (of many) ways people reduce unforgiveness. Forgiveness is conceptualized as an emotional juxtaposition of positive emotions (i.e., empathy, sympathy, compassion, or love) against the negative emotions of unforgiveness. Forgiveness can thus be used as an emotion-focused coping strategy to reduce a stressful reaction to a transgression. Direct empirical research suggests that forgiveness is related to health outcomes and to mediating physiological processes in such a way as to support the conceptualization that forgiveness is an emotion-focused coping strategy. Indirect mechanisms might also affect the forgiveness-health relationship. Namely, forgiveness might affect health by working through social support, relationship quality, and religion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. strain PCC 7120 maintains a genome that is divided into a 6.4-Mb chromosome, three large plasmids of more that 100 kb, two medium-sized plasmids of 55 and 40 kb, and a 5.5-kb plasmid. Plasmid copy number can be dynamic in some cyanobacterial species, and the genes that regulate this process have not been characterized. Here we show that mutations in an open reading frame, all1076, reduce the numbers of copies per chromosome of several plasmids. In a mutant strain, plasmids pCC7120δ and pCC7120ζ are both reduced to less than 50% of their wild-type levels. The exogenous pDU1-based plasmid pAM1691 is reduced to less than 25% of its wild-type level, and the plasmid is rapidly lost. The peptide encoded by all1076 shows similarity to members of the GntR family of transcriptional regulators. Phylogenetic analysis reveals a new domain topology within the GntR family. PImA homologs, all coming from cyanobacterial species, form a new subfamily that is distinct from the previously identified subfamilies. The all1076 locus, named plmA, regulates plasmid maintenance functions in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poor data exist on the influence of psychosocial variables on the female/male ratio of depression because of the small number of cases and the resulting limited numbers of variables available for investigation. For this investigation a large number of first admitted depressed patients (N = 2599) was available which offered the unique opportunity to calculate age specific sex ratios for different marital and employment status categories. Methods: Age and sex specific population based depression rates were calculated for first ever admissions for single year intervals. Moving averages with interpolated corrections for marginal values in the age distribution were employed. Results: For the total group the female/male ratio of depression showed an inverted U-shape over the life-cycle. This pattern was influenced by the group of married persons, which showed a sexratio of 3:1 between the age of 30-50, but ratios of around 1:1 at younger and older ages. For not married persons the female/male ratio was already around 2:1 at the age of 18 and rose to 2.5:1 in mid-life and declined to 1 at around 55. The almost parallel decline of depression rates in employed men and women resulted in a female/male ratio of about 2:1 from age 18 to age 50 and became 1 after the age of 60. The female/male ratio among the not employed was about 1, in mid-life it became negative. Conclusions: Our analyses show that the gender-gap in first admitted depressed patients is age dependent and that psychosocial factors modify the sex ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]