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Solid state compounds exhibiting multiple and coupled macroscopic orders, named multiferroics, represent a challenge for both theoretical and experimental modern condensed-matter physics. Spins and the electric polarisation in conventional magnetic and ferroelectric materials can be manipulated on their fundamental timescales, by means of femtosecond laser pulses. In view of the resounding success and popularity of the all-optical approach, it is only natural to wonder about the application of this scheme to study the intrinsic coupling between spins and charges in multiferroics. Deeply fundamental questions arise: can ultrashort laser pulses deterministically activate, enhance or suppress the magnetoelectric coupling on the femtosecond timescale? Can these processes be triggered in a fully coherent fashion, thus being unrestrained by any thermal load? Which mechanism of spin-charge coupling is most favourable to overcome these overarching and daunting challenges? This problem is interdisciplinary in nature, requiring contributions from materials science and condensed matter physics from both theoretical and experimental perspectives. High-quality materials suitable for optical investigations have to be identified, synthetized and characterised. General and valid models offer then a guide to the plethora of possible light-induced processes, resulting in the desired ultrafast multiferroic manipulations. Finally, healthy experimental schemes, able to unambiguously track the ultrafast dynamics of either the ferroelectric or the magnetic order parameter have to be developed and implemented. Our motivation to write this review is to lay a broad and multidisciplinary foundation, which may be employed as a starting point for non-equilibrium approaches to the manipulation of the multiferroicity on the femtosecond timescale. This was also one of the main goals of the COST Action MAGNETOFON, whose network constitutes the core of the authors of this review. The present work thus represents a part of the scientific legacy of MAGNETOFON itself.

Aims To investigate the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and safety/tolerability of blocking reuptake of bile acids using the inhibitor GSK2330672 (GSK672) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Subjects with T2D taking metformin were enrolled in two studies in which they took metformin 850 mg twice daily for 2 weeks prior to and during the randomized treatment periods. In the first crossover study (n = 15), subjects received GSK672 45 mg, escalating to 90 mg, twice daily, or placebo for 7 days. The second parallel-group study (n = 75) investigated GSK672 10-90 mg twice daily, placebo or sitagliptin for 14 days. Results In both studies, GSK672 reduced circulating bile acids and increased serum 7-α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4), an intermediate in the hepatic synthesis of bile acids. Compared with placebo, in the parallel-group study 90 mg GSK672 twice daily reduced fasting plasma glucose [FPG; -1.21 mmol/l; 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.14, -0.28] and weighted-mean glucose area under the curve (AUC)0-24 h (-1.33 mmol/l; 95% CI -2.30, -0.36), as well as fasting and weighted-mean insulin AUC0 -24 h . GSK672 also reduced cholesterol (LDL, non-HDL and total cholesterol) and apolipoprotein B concentrations; the maximum LDL cholesterol reduction was ∼40%. There was no change in HDL cholesterol but there was a trend towards increased fasting triglyceride levels in the GSK672 groups compared with placebo. In both studies, the most common adverse events associated with GSK672 were gastrointestinal, mostly diarrhoea (22-100%), which appeared to be independent of dose. Conclusions In subjects with T2D on metformin, GSK672 improved glucose and lipids, but there was a high incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events.

Physical Review Letters, 118 (24), ISSN:0031-9007, ISSN:1079-7114

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNAemia in the first year posttransplantation has been studied extensively. There is a paucity of information on prevalence and sequelae of EBV infection in adult renal transplantation beyond the first year. This single-center study examines the relationship between EBV DNAemia and demographic, immunosuppressive, hematologic and infection-related parameters in 499 renal transplant recipients between 1 month and 33 years posttransplant. Participants were tested repeatedly for EBV DNAemia detection over 12 months and clinical progress followed for 3 years. Prevalence of DNAemia at recruitment increased significantly with time from transplant. In multivariate adjusted analyses, variables associated with DNAemia included EBV seronegative status at transplant (p = 0.045), non-White ethnicity (p = 0.014) and previous posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) diagnosis (p = 0.006), while low DNAemia rates were associated with mycophenolate mofetil use (p

Diabet. Med. 28, 464–469 (2011) Abstract Aims PF-734200 is a potent and selective oral dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of PF-734200 at dose rates of 20 and 30 mg/day in subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy. Methods This was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, multicentre, 12 week study. Subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were eligible if screening glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was 7–11% (53.0–96.7 mmol/mol) and they had been receiving metformin monotherapy for ≥2 months. Subjects receiving metformin and an insulin secretagogue or metformin and thiazolidinedione needed to have a screening HbA1c of 6.5–9.5% (47.5–80.3 mmol/mol), measured prior to discontinuing the insulin secretagogue or thiazolidinedione. The primary end-point of the study was a change from baseline to week 12 in HbA1c levels. Results Baseline characteristics for 289 subjects randomized to PF-734200 or placebo groups were similar (mean age 56.5 years, mean body mass index 32.2 kg/m2 and mean HbA1c 8.2%, 66.1 mmol/mol). In the predefined per protocol data set, least-squares mean HbA1c at week 12 was reduced by 0.79 (8.6 mmol/mol 95% confidence interval –1.10 to –0.49, −12.0 to −5.4 mmol/mol) and 0.92% (10.1 mmol/mol; –1.23 to –0.61, −13.4 to −6.7 mmol/mol) in the 20 and 30 mg groups, respectively, compared with placebo. Differences from placebo were statistically significant (P

We present a spectroscopic method for measuring the fluorescence quantum efficiency [Formula: see text] of fluorophores that does not require calibration standards. Photothermal Deflection Spectroscopy (PDS) is combined with conventional absorbance spectroscopy, and [Formula: see text] is extracted from fits over the spectral range of interest. This technique obviates the need for multiple measurements-either on calibration standards or as a function of concentration-and yields results of [Formula: see text] in a single measurement consistent with previously reported values. Five different organic dyes are tested whose absorbance/fluorescence profiles span the visible spectrum and whose known quantum efficiencies range from 0 to near 1. The accuracy of the results over significant ranges of wavelength and quantum yield demonstrate the robustness and efficacy of this method.

The mechanism of matrix-assisted resonant infrared laser ablation of frozen aqueous and methanol solutions of polyethylene glycol was investigated by time-resolved plume shadowgraphy and ablation yield measurements. A picosecond free-electron laser was tuned to two wavelengths resonant with the target matrixes, one (2940 nm) that is resonant with the −OH stretch in both liquid water and methanol and the other (3450 nm) that is resonant with the −CH stretch in methanol. The plume images showed gross similarities, differing only in the time required for the shockwave to appear and in the velocity of the shock front. Primary material ejection typically commences 15−25 μs after the ablation laser pulse arrives and lasts for hundreds of μs. In all three cases studied here, the ablation plume appears to consist entirely of vapor with no droplets or solid particles. The ablation yield is found to be linear in fluence for frozen methanol but quadratic in fluence for frozen water. This dependence can be understood...

We investigate the phenomenon of resonant-infrared laser ablation of polymers using polystyrene as a model material. Ablation is carried out using various mid-IR laser wavelengths that are resonant with vibrational modes of a polystyrene target. Time-resolved plume imaging coupled with etch-depth measurements and thermal calculations indicate that ablation begins after a superheated surface layer reaches a temperature of ∼1000°C and undergoes spinodal decomposition. The majority of the ablated material is then expelled by way of recoil-induced ejection as the pressure of the expanding vapor plume compresses a laser-melted area.

In this article, the authors report how thin (10nm or less) oxide-free phosphorus containing films can be formed on chromium and stainless steel on treatment with an organophosphorus acid (etidronic acid) using an anaerobic cell and a “bench” treatment. Core level and valence band x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to study the films formed. Compositional variations were interpreted through the use of band structure and X-alpha calculations. The chromium study indicates that the etidronate at least partially decomposed to form phosphate. Some phosphide was observed for the bench treatment. Polished 316L chromium containing stainless steel treated in 3M etidronic acid formed a thin phosphate containing film when using the bench treatment, but a film characteristic of etidronate when the anaerobic cell was used. Film changes during air exposure and exposure to 1M sodium chloride solution showed decomposition, the most resistant film being that of the etidronate on stainless steel. This thin etidrona...

Low molecular weight polystyrene (∼10 kDa) was ablated with a free-electron laser at 3.31 and 3.43 μm and deposited as thin films on Si(100) substrates. The vibrational bands at 3.31 and 3.43 μm correspond to phenyl-ring CH and backbone CH2 modes, respectively. Even though the absorption coefficients of these two modes are nearly the same, the ablation yield was approximately 50% higher for the ring-mode excitation compared with the backbone mode. Based on spectral line width, the ring-mode lifetime is approximately triple that of the backbone mode, leading to a higher spatiotemporal density of vibrational excitation that more effectively disrupts the relatively weak Van der Waals bonds between neighboring polymer chains and consequently to higher ablation efficiency of the ring mode. Molecular weight assays of the deposited films showed that relatively little bond scission occurred and that the average molecular weight of the films was similar to that of the starting material.

Using femtosecond time-resolved x-ray diffraction we investigate the structural dynamics of the coherently excited A(1g) phonon mode in the Fe-pnictide parent compound BaFe(2)As(2). The fluence dependent intensity oscillations of two specific Bragg reflections with distinctly different sensitivity to the pnictogen height in the compound allow us to quantify the coherent modifications of the Fe-As tetrahedra, indicating a transient increase of the Fe magnetic moments. By a comparison with time-resolved photoemission data, we derive the electron-phonon deformation potential for this particular mode. The value of Δμ/Δz=-(1.0-1.5) eV/Å is comparable with theoretical predictions and demonstrates the importance of this degree of freedom for the electron-phonon coupling in the Fe pnictides.

Central tendency statistics may not capture relevant or desired characteristics about the variability of continuous phenomena and thus, they may not completely track temporal patterns of change. Here, we present two methodological approaches to identify long-term changes in environmental regimes. First, we use higher statistical moments (skewness and kurtosis) to examine potential changes of empirical distributions at decadal scale. Second, we adapt an outlier detection procedure combining a non-metric multidimensional scaling technique and higher density region plots to detect anomalous years. We illustrate the use of these approaches by examining long-term stream temperature data from minimally and highly human-influenced streams. In particular, we contrast predictions about thermal regime responses to changing climates and human-related water uses. Using these methods, we effectively diagnose years with unusual thermal variability, patterns in variability through time, and spatial variability linked to regional and local factors that influence stream temperature. Our findings highlight the complexity of responses of thermal regimes of streams and reveal a differentiated vulnerability to both the climate warming and human-related water uses. The two approaches presented here can be applied with a variety of other continuous phenomena to address historical changes, extreme events, and their associated ecological responses.

The strength of the electron-phonon coupling parameter and its evolution throughout a solid's phase diagram often determines phenomena such as superconductivity, charge- and spin-density waves. Its experimental determination relies on the ability to distinguish thermally activated phonons from those emitted by conduction band electrons, which can be achieved in an elegant way by ultrafast techniques. Separating the electronic from the out-of-equilibrium lattice subsystems, we probed their reequilibration by monitoring the transient lattice temperature through femtosecond x-ray diffraction in La2−xSrxCuO4 single crystals with x = 0.1 and 0.21. The temperature dependence of the electron-phonon coupling is obtained experimentally and shows similar trends to what is expected from the ab initio calculated shape of the electronic density of states near the Fermi energy. This study evidences the important role of band effects in the electron-lattice interaction in solids, in particular, in superconductors.

Time resolved optical reflectivity and x-ray diffraction techniques are employed to study the laser-induced structural response in two charge and orbitally ordered manganites. Optical data indicate a non-thermal nature of the laser-triggered phase transition via the disappearance of an optical phonon related to the charge and orbitally ordered phase. The x-ray diffraction measurements on superlattice reflections confirm the non-thermal time scale of the initial step of this phase transition but also show that the complete change of structural symmetry is not instantaneous. ISSN:2100-014X ISSN:2101-6275

Dual fuel engines offer the potential for considerable reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), as well as reducing emissions of particulate matter (PM). However, the combustion processes occurring inside a dual fuel engine are complex. This is due to the ignition of a homogeneous lean premixed charge by a pilot fuel spray, which combines elements of both conventional spark ignition and diesel combustion. Combustion models provide an effective means of investigating the phenomena taking place inside the cylinder. This paper describes a phenomenological model used for performance and emissions predictions in a dual fuel engine. The pilot fuel spray is described using a packet model approach, which includes sub-models for spray development and mixing, swirl, spray wall impingement, ignition and combustion. Flame growth is coupled to the burning zones in the cylinder and is described using a turbulent entrainment model. Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and PM are also evaluated. Simulated in-cylinder pressures and rates of heat release are in good agreement with experimental data obtained from a naturally aspirated, in-line, four-cylinder, direct injection diesel engine operating with methane (CH4) as the gaseous fuel. Crank angle resolved emissions of NOx and PM are also presented. The model results give good confidence in the current approach for the description of premixed combustion following the ignition of the pilot.

PF-734200 is a potent and selective oral dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of PF-734200 at dose rates of 20 and 30 mg/day in subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy. This was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, multicentre, 12 week study. Subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were eligible if screening glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c) ) was 7-11% (53.0-96.7 mmol/mol) and they had been receiving metformin monotherapy for ≥2 months. Subjects receiving metformin and an insulin secretagogue or metformin and thiazolidinedione needed to have a screening HbA(1c) of 6.5-9.5% (47.5-80.3 mmol/mol), measured prior to discontinuing the insulin secretagogue or thiazolidinedione. The primary end-point of the study was a change from baseline to week 12 in HbA(1c) levels. Baseline characteristics for 289 subjects randomized to PF-734200 or placebo groups were similar (mean age 56.5 years, mean body mass index 32.2 kg/m(2) and mean HbA(1c) 8.2%, 66.1 mmol/mol). In the predefined per protocol data set, least-squares mean HbA(1c) at week 12 was reduced by 0.79 (8.6 mmol/mol 95% confidence interval -1.10 to -0.49, -12.0 to -5.4 mmol/mol) and 0.92% (10.1 mmol/mol; -1.23 to -0.61, -13.4 to -6.7 mmol/mol) in the 20 and 30 mg groups, respectively, compared with placebo. Differences from placebo were statistically significant (P0.0001), but the differences between the 20 and 30 mg groups were not. The intent-to-treat analysis yielded similar findings. The HbA(1c) was significantly and meaningfully reduced by both doses of PF-734200, but 20 mg appears to be the more appropriate therapeutic dose for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, contingent upon confirmation by long-term controlled studies.

TSF3 encodes one of six (TSF1 to TSF6) recently identified global negative regulators of transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutant tsf3 strains exhibit defects in transcriptional silencing of the GAL1 promoter, allow expression from upstream activation sequence-less promoters, and exhibit pleiotropic defects in cell growth and development. Here we show that TSF3 is involved in transcriptional silencing mediated by the alpha 2 repressor and demonstrate that specific systems of transcriptional silencing may depend on the more global role of TSF3. Cloning and sequencing of TSF3 allowed us to predict a 974-amino-acid gene product identical to SIN4, a negative regulator of transcription of the HO (homothallism) mating type switching endonuclease. TSF3 disruptions are not lethal but result in phenotypes similar to those of the originally isolated alleles. Our results, together with those of Y. W. Jiang and D. J. Stillman (Mol. Cell. Biol. 12:4503-4514, 1992), suggest that TSF3 (SIN4) affects the function of the basal transcription apparatus, and this effect in turn alters the manner in which the latter responds to upstream regulatory proteins.

TSF3 encodes one of six (TSF1 to TSF6) recently identified global negative regulators of transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutant tsf3 strains exhibit defects in transcriptional silencing of the GAL1 promoter, allow expression from upstream activation sequence-less promoters, and exhibit pleiotropic defects in cell growth and development. Here we show that TSF3 is involved in transcriptional silencing mediated by the alpha 2 repressor and demonstrate that specific systems of transcriptional silencing may depend on the more global role of TSF3. Cloning and sequencing of TSF3 allowed us to predict a 974-amino-acid gene product identical to SIN4, a negative regulator of transcription of the HO (homothallism) mating type switching endonuclease. TSF3 disruptions are not lethal but result in phenotypes similar to those of the originally isolated alleles. Our results, together with those of Y. W. Jiang and D. J. Stillman (Mol. Cell. Biol. 12:4503-4514, 1992), suggest that TSF3 (SIN4) affects the function of the basal transcription apparatus, and this effect in turn alters the manner in which the latter responds to upstream regulatory proteins.

This study of 236 individuals with bipolar disorders employed longitudinal analyses to determine whether the symptoms of mania and depression can be understood as one dimension (with depression and mania as opposites) or two relatively independent dimensions.Weekly severity ratings of manic and depression were assessed using the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation-II for 72 weeks. The within-subjects correlation of manic and depressive severity was examined using random effects regression.Contrary to the one-dimension model, mania and depression symptoms were not negatively related. Indeed, the correlations of mania with depressive symptoms were quite small.The data suggest that depressive and manic symptoms are not opposite poles. Rather depressive and manic symptoms appear to fluctuate relatively independently within bipolar disorder.

We describe resonant infrared pulsed laser deposition (RIR-PLD) of cyclic olefin copolymer, a barrier and protective layer; for comparison, we describe RIR-PLD of polystyrene and poly(ethylene dioxythiophene) about which we already have significant knowledge. Film deposition based on resonant infrared laser ablation is a low-temperature process leading to evaporation and deposition of intact molecules. In this paper, we focus on deposition of this model barrier and protective material that is potentially useful in the fabrication of organic light emitting diodes. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. We also compared the properties of films deposited by a free electron laser and a picosecond optical parametric oscillator.

Although resonant infrared (RIR) pulsed laser deposition (PLD) was discovered in 2001 [1] and has since been applied to produce technologically interesting thin films and rudimentary opto-electronic devices [2], the mechanism governing RIR-PLD has been primarily a matter of conjecture. Understanding these mechanisms at the microscopic level has significant implications for process control in thin-film deposition, by linking laser parameters to film characteristics such as surface roughness. In this paper, we describe new experiments and calculations on the model material polystyrene that facilitate quantitative conclusions about these issues.

We investigate the phenomenon of resonant-infrared laser ablation of polymers using polystyrene as a model material. Ablation is initiated by a picosecond free-electron laser tuned to various infrared wavelengths that are resonant with vibrational modes of a polystyrene target. Time-resolved plume imaging, coupled with etch-depth measurements and finite-element calculations of the temperature rise indicate that ablation begins after a superheated surface layer reaches a temperature of nearly 1000C and undergoes spinodal decomposition. The majority of the ablated material is then expelled by recoil-induced ejection as the pressure of the expanding vapor plume compresses the laser-melted volume.

We investigate the fundamental mechanisms of resonant-infrared laser ablation of polymers using polystyrene as a model material. Time-resolved plume shadowgraphy coupled with laser-induced temperature-rise calculations indicate that spinodal decomposition of a superheated surface layer is the primary mechanism for the initial stages of material removal. The majority of the ablated material is then released by way of recoil-induced ejection of liquid which proceeds for some tens of microseconds following a ~μs laser pulse excitation. The recoil-induced ejection of liquid material as the dominant ablation mechanism helps to explain previous observations of laser deposition of intact polymeric material.

Multi-layered polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) have been fabricated in a vacuum environment by resonant infrared pulsed-laser deposition of the polymer layers. The light emitter used was poly[2-methoxy-5-(2- ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV), and in some cases a layer of the hole-transport polymer poly(3,4 etylenedioxythiophene:polystyrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) was also laser deposited, resulting in a device structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/MEH-PPV/Al. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that neither of the laser-deposited polymers was significantly altered by the deposition process. Laser-fabricated devices displayed electroluminescent spectra similar to those of conventional spin-coated devices, but the differences in electrical characteristics and device efficiency were substantial. These discrepancies can probably be attributed to surface roughness of the deposited polymer layers. With the appropriate refinement of the deposition protocols, however, we believe that this process can be improved to a level that is suitable for routine fabrication of organic electronic components.

Multi-layer polymer light-emitting diodes have been fabricated in vacuum by infrared laser ablation of conducting and light-emitting polymers. The spectral output of the devices resembles that of similar spin-coated devices, but shows some fluence dependence.

Polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) have been fabricated in a vacuum environment by resonant infrared laser ablation of the light emitting layer. The light emitting polymer used was poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)- 1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) and was deposited into the device structure ITO/MEH-PPV/Al. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that the laser-deposited polymer was not drastically altered by the deposition process. Laser-fabricated devices displayed similar properties such as electroluminescence spectra and IV characteristics as conventional spin-coated devices. The dependence of these device properties on laser fluence was investigated, and showed no strong dependency. Peak emission wavelengths of electroluminescence spectra were all within 10 nm of electroluminescence spectra of spin coated devices and showed only slight peak broadening. These results are technologically important in that shadow mask technology can be incorporated into this method to arbitrarily pattern substrates with light emitting polymers.

Thin films of the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) were deposited by resonant infrared laser ablation. The PEDOT:PSS was frozen in various matrix solutions and deposited using a tunable, mid-infrared free-electron laser (FEL). The films so produced exhibited morphologies and conductivities that were highly dependent on the solvent matrix and laser irradiation wavelength used. When deposited from a native solution (5% by weight in water), as in matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE), films were rough and electrically insulating. When the matrix included other organic "co-matrices" that were doped into the solution prior to freezing, however, the resulting films were smooth and exhibited good electrical conductivity (0.2 S/cm), but only when the ablation was carried out at certain wavelengths. These results highlight the importance of the matrix/solute and matrix/laser interactions in the ablation process.

Experiments on pulsed laser vaporization of many different kinds of polymers have demonstrated that it is possible to eject intact polymers into the ambient, whether air or vacuum, by resonant pulsed laser excitation, using both neat and matrix targets. Two recent studies of resonant infrared ablation - one on polystyrene, the other on poly(amic acid), the precursor for the thermoset polyimide - show moreover that the ablation process is both wavelength selective and surprisingly non-energetic, especially compared to ultraviolet laser ablation. We propose a wavelength-selective photothermal mechanism involving breaking of intermolecular hydrogen bonds that is consistent with these observations.

Thin films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) have been grown by infrared laser vaporization (IR-LVD) at room temperature. The deposited films are continuous and exhibit structural and electrical properties comparable to spin cast films.

A history of fracture is an independent risk factor for future fractures, but patients who have sustained a fracture are rarely evaluated for osteoporosis (OP). The objective of this study was to determine if a simple intervention in a general orthopedic clinic would lead to more fracture patients receiving evaluation and treatment for OP. Patients with a history of fracture visiting a weekly orthopedic clinic during a 6-month intervention period were educated about OP, and a bone mineral density (BMD) test was offered. The number of BMD tests performed and other OP-specific actions taken as a result of the intervention were compared with a 6-month pre-intervention period. The prevalence of OP in those who underwent BMD testing was examined. In the pre-intervention period, only 12.7% (16 of 126) had a BMD test as compared with 62.5% of the 136 intervention-period subjects (odds ratio [OR] 11.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.1, 21.4). Based on BMD test results, 11.9% of the pre-intervention patients, and 41.9% of the intervention patients received OP-specific recommendations (OR 5.3, 95% CI 2.8, 10.1). The intervention led to more patients being treated for low bone mass (9.5% vs 23.5%); OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.4, 5.9. Low bone mass was common among all types of fracture patients: 20% had osteoporosis and 41%, osteopenia. BMD testing in patients with fractures should identify those at risk for future fractures, leading to appropriate treatment.

Developmental changes in electrophysiological membrane properties of mouse cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) were studied from just after terminal differentiation up to functional maturity. As early as embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5) newly differentiated IHCs express a very small outward K+ current that is largely insensitive to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). One day later the inward rectifier, IK1, is first observed. These immature cells initially exhibit only slow graded voltage responses under current clamp. From E17.5 spontaneous action potentials occur. During the first week of postnatal development, the outward K+ current steadily increases in size and a progressively larger fraction of the current is sensitive to 4-AP. During the second postnatal week, the activation of the 4-AP-sensitive current, by now contributing about half of the outward K+ current, shifts in the hyperpolarizing direction. Together with an increase in size of IK1, this hyperpolarizes the cell, thus inhibiting the spontaneous spike activity, although spikes could still be evoked upon depolarizing current injection. Starting at about the onset of hearing (postnatal day 12, P12) immature IHCs make the final steps towards fully functional sensory receptors with fast graded voltage responses. This is achieved mainly by the expression of the large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ current IK,f, but also of a current indistinguishable from the negatively activating IK,n previously described in mature outer hair cells (OHCs). The 4-AP-sensitive current continues to increase after the onset of hearing to form the major part of the mature delayed rectifier, IK,s. By P20 IHCs appear mature in terms of their complement of K+ conductances.

Parental depression predicts adjustment problems and depression in offspring, yet little is known about the factors that explain this intergenerational transmission. In the present study, the authors examined one model suggesting that families with a depressed member may respond differently to positive and negative communications than families without a depressed member, differences that have been theorized to adversely impact offspring development. The authors compared the sequential patterns of parent-child interaction among families with depressed mothers, depressed fathers, and nondepressed parents. Positivity suppression, defined as decreased rates of positivity following a positive communication from other family members, characterized the interactions of families with a depressed father, but not those with a depressed mother or no depressed parent. Father-child positivity suppression and low base rates of positivity were associated with child behavior problems, but not after accounting for paternal depression.

Despite studies showing patterns of sequential interaction between depressed wives and their husbands, no published research has contrasted sequential interactions of depressed husbands and their wives. This study compared problem-solving interactions of 49 couples with a depressed husband, 41 with a depressed wife, and 50 normal controls. Interactions were coded using the Marital Interaction Coding System. Although no clear patterns of sequential interaction distinguished couples with a depressed wife from normal control couples, results suggested a unique pattern of interaction between depressed husbands and their spouses, whereby positive communications from the husband resulted in decreased positivity and increased negativity from their wives. Given the importance of positivity for promoting effective problem solving, this pattern appears to have important implications for couples' long-term marital satisfaction and husbands' mood regulation.

In high-performance aircraft, the need for total environmental awareness coupled with high-g loading (often with abrupt onset) creates a predilection for cervical spine injury while the pilot is performing routine movements within the cockpit. In this study, the prevalence and severity of cervical spine injury are assessed via a modified cross-sectional survey of pilots of multiple aircraft types (T-38 and F-14, F-16, and F/A-18 fighters). Ninety-five surveys were administered, with 58 full responses. Fifty percent of all pilots reported in-flight or immediate post-flight spine-based pain, and 90% of fighter pilots reported at least one event, most commonly (90%) occurring during high-g (5 g) turns of the aircraft with the head deviated from the anatomical neutral position. Pre-flight stretching was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in neck pain episodes in this evaluation, whereas a regular weight training program in the F/A-18 group approached a significant reduction (mean = 2.492; p0.064). Different cockpit ergonomics may vary the predisposition to cervical injury from airframe to airframe. Several strategies for prevention are possible from both an aircraft design and a preventive medicine standpoint. Countermeasure strategies against spine injury in pilots of high-performance aircraft require additional research, so that future aircraft will not be limited by the human in control.

The current study prospectively examined the impact of social support on symptom severity and recovery from episodes in bipolar disorder, both as a direct influence and as a buffer of life events. Fifty-nine individuals with Bipolar I disorder were followed longitudinally with monthly symptom severity interviews. Social support was measured by the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List and the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction, and life events were assessed using the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule. Individuals with low social support took longer to recover from episodes and were more symptomatic across a 6-month follow-up. Results suggest a polarity-specific effect, in that social support influences depression but not mania. Discussion focuses on theoretical implications of a series of polarity-specific findings within the field.