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Different Influences (different + influence)
Selected AbstractsPredictors of mortality in frontotemporal dementia: a retrospective study of the prognostic influence of pre-diagnostic featuresINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 7 2003A. Gräsbeck Abstract Objectives To find associations between predictors and survival in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Methods 96 patients with FTD, here defined as Dementia in Pick's disease, were studied. The predictors included psychiatric/behavioural features, language impairment and neurological deficits present up to the time of diagnosis. The influence on mortality was studied by means of Cox regression analyses. Results Most of the behavioural/psychiatric features were associated with longer survival. Among these features, anxiety and suicidal ideation were associated with a statistically significant decreased mortality. Semi-mutism/mutism and neurological deficits were associated with a statistically significant increased mortality. Analyses of the dementia-specific mortality strengthened the already significant results and revealed dysphagia as significantly related to increased mortality. Conclusions Two groups of predictors with different influence on survival were identified in FTD. Most behavioural/psychiatric features were associated with longer survival. These features may indicate a slower disease progress and a better preserved cerebral function. By contrast, semi-mutism/mutism, neurological deficits and dysphagia were associated with shorter survival, indicating an aggressive, degenerative process. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Comparative study on the nonadditivity of methyl group in lithium bonding and hydrogen bondingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2009Qingzhong Li Abstract Quantum chemical calculations at the second-order Moeller,Plesset (MP2) level with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set have been performed on the lithium-bonded and hydrogen-bonded systems. The interaction energy, binding distance, bond length, and stretch frequency in these systems have been analyzed to study the nonadditivity of methyl group in the lithium bonding and hydrogen bonding. In the complexes involving with NH3, the introduction of one methyl group into NH3 molecule results in an increase of the strength of lithium bonding and hydrogen bonding. The insertion of two methyl groups into NH3 molecule also leads to an increase of the hydrogen bonding strength but a decrease of the lithium bonding strength relative to that of the first methyl group. The addition of three methyl groups into NH3 molecule causes the strongest hydrogen bonding and the weakest lithium bonding. Although the presence of methyl group has a different influence on the lithium bonding and hydrogen bonding, a negative nonadditivity of methyl group is found in both interactions. The effect of methyl group on the lithium bonding and hydrogen bonding has also been investigated with the natural bond orbital and atoms in molecule analyses. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009 [source] Atomic Structures and Electrical Properties of ZnO Grain BoundariesJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 2 2007Yukio Sato Various properties of ceramics can be significantly influenced by the presence of grain boundaries. The influence on the properties is closely related to the grain-boundary atomic structures. As different grain boundaries have different atomic structure, different grain boundaries have different influence on the properties. It is difficult to examine the atomic structure and properties of individual grain boundaries in ceramics. In order to understand the atomic,structure,property relationships, well-defined single grain boundaries should be characterized. In the present paper, we review our recent results on the investigations of atomic structures and electrical properties of ZnO single grain boundaries. The relationships between the atomic structures and the electrical properties were investigated using ZnO bicrystals, whose grain-boundary orientation relationship and grain-boundary planes can be arbitrarily controlled. The discussion focuses on the microscopic origin of nonlinear current,voltage (I,V) characteristics across ZnO grain boundaries. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) observations and lattice-statics calculations revealed the atomic structures of the undoped ZnO [0001] ,7 and ,49 grain boundaries, enabling a comparison between coincidence site lattice (CSL) boundaries with small and large periodicity. These grain boundaries contained the common structural units (SUs) featuring atoms with coordination numbers that are unusual in ZnO. The ,49 boundary was found to have characteristic arrangement of the SUs, where two kinds of the SUs are alternatively formed. It is considered that the characteristic arrangement was formed to effectively relax the local strain in the vicinity of the boundary. Such a relaxation of local strain is considered to be one of dominant factors to determine the SU arrangements along grain boundaries. I,V measurements of the undoped ZnO bicrystals showed linear I,V characteristics. Although the coordination and bond lengths of atoms in the grain boundaries differ from those in the bulk crystal, this does apparently not generate deep unoccupied states in the band gap. This indicates that atomic structures of undoped ZnO grain boundaries are not responsible for the nonlinear I,V characteristics of ZnO ceramics. On the other hand, the nonlinear I,V characteristic appeared when doping the boundaries with Pr. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) image of Pr-doped boundaries revealed that Pr segregates to specific atomic columns, substituting Zn at the boundary. However, the Pr itself was not the direct origin of the nonlinear I,V characteristics, as the Pr existed in the three-plus state and would not produce acceptor states in the boundary. First-principles calculations revealed that Pr doping instead promotes the formations of acceptor-like native defects, such as Zn vacancies. We believe that such acceptor-like native defects are microscopic origin of the nonlinear I,V characteristics. Investigations of various types of grain boundaries in the Pr and Co-codoped ZnO bicrystals indicated that the amounts of Pr segregation and the nonlinear I,V characteristics significantly depend on the grain-boundary orientation relationship. Larger amount of Pr segregation and, as a result, higher nonlinearity in I,V characteristics was obtained for incoherent boundaries. This indicates that Pr doping to incoherent boundaries is one of the guidelines to design the single grain boundaries with highly nonlinear I,V characteristics. Finally, a Pr and Co-codoped bicrystal with an incoherent boundary was fabricated to demonstrate a highly nonlinear I,V characteristic. This result indicates that ZnO single-grain-boundary varistors can be designed by controlling grain-boundary atomic structures and fabrication processes. Summarizing, our work firstly enabled us to gain a deeper understanding for the atomic structure of ZnO grain boundaries. Secondly, we obtained important insight into the origin of nonlinear I,V characteristics across the ZnO grain boundaries. And, finally, based on these results, we demonstrated the potential of this knowledge for designing and fabricating ZnO single-grain-boundary varistors. [source] Altered intestinal microbiota in irritable bowel syndromeNEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 5 2010K. J. Lee Abstract, Recent studies have suggested that alterations in the composition of the intestinal microbiota may play an important role in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. However, an association between the composition of the intestinal microbiota and IBS symptoms has not been clearly demonstrated. In the current issue of the Journal, Tana et al. suggest that altered intestinal microbiota contributes to the symptoms of IBS through increased levels of organic acids. In fecal samples, IBS patients had significantly higher numbers of Veillonella and Lactobacillus than healthy controls. They also showed significantly higher levels of acetic acid and propionic acid. Furthermore, IBS patients with high acetic acid or propionic acid levels presented more severe symptoms, impaired quality of life and negative emotions. These results are in accordance with the concept that the gut microbiota influences the sensory, motor and immune system of the gut and interacts with higher brain centers. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth observed in a subset of IBS patients describes quantitative changes in the small intestinal microbiota. Data on qualitative changes in the gut microbiota in IBS patients are lacking. Different members of gut bacteria may have different influence on gut function. The concepts identified here may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for IBS using manipulation of the intestinal microbiota. [source] Picophytoplankton contribution to phytoplankton community structure in the Gulf of Venice (NW Adriatic Sea)INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF HYDROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Fabrizio Bernardi Aubry Abstract The size distribution of the phytoplankton community has been analyzed on a monthly basis in the Gulf of Venice (NW Adriatic Sea), with the aim to assess the seasonal variation of the contribution of autotrophic picoplankton (APP) to total phytoplankton. The investigation was carried out in two stations characterized by different influences of fluvial inputs. APP was mainly made up of Synechococcus , the larger fraction (Utermöhl Fraction Phytoplankton, UFP: µm as maximum linear dimension) of diatoms and nanoflagellates. The average APP abundance (46 × 103 cells ml,1) and biomass (8.1 µg C dm,3) indicate that APP was a persistent and significant component of the NW Adriatic phytoplankton. The highest APP abundance (up to 270 × 103 cells ml,1) and biomass (up to 49 µg C dm,3) were recorded from summer to autumn, UFP peaked from late winter to late spring. The mean APP contribution to total phytoplankton abundance and biomass was 98% and 31% respectively. The seasonal variation of total phytoplankton biomass was mainly driven by the UFP fraction; however, a seasonal shift in the relative importance of UFP and APP occurred from spring to summer. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Helpseeking behavior among Filipino Americans: A cultural analysis of face and languageJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 5 2003Fang Gong In this study we explore the existing research on Asian Americans and helpseeking behavior, focusing primarily on Filipino Americans and the cultural variables of face and language. Although some important and specific cultural factors have been hypothesized to affect the helpseeking behaviors of ethnic minorities, very few empirical studies have been conducted to specifically test these hypotheses. To fill the gaps in previous research, we examined the influence of concern with face and of language abilities on helpseeking behavior for mental health problems among Filipino Americans. In addition, to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of helpseeking behavior, we divided the mental health care systems into four categories: lay, mental health specialty, general practitioner, and folk systems. Data are from the Filipino American Epidemiological Study (FACES) survey. The main statistical method we employed was logistic regression. Results from the descriptive analyses reveal that the lay system is the most frequently used source of care compared with the other systems of professional and folk systems for Filipino Americans. Furthermore, findings from the main effects models suggest that face and language are important cultural factors that contribute to the helpseeking behavior of Filipino Americans, but they have different influences on the four types of mental health care systems. The interaction analyses indicate that concern with face interacts with language abilities when predicting use of the lay system and the general medical sector. Despite these findings, to fully understand the dynamics of helpseeking, other cultural factors and longitudinal studies are needed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 31: 469,488, 2003. [source] Value Similarities Among Fathers, Mothers, and Adolescents and the Role of a Cultural Stereotype: Different Measurement Strategies ReconsideredJOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 4 2009Annette M. C. Roest In research on value similarity and transmission between parents and adolescents, no consensus exists on the level of value similarity. Reports of high-value similarities coexist with reports of low-value similarities within the family. The present study shows that different conclusions may be explained by the use of different measurement strategies. In addition, we demonstrate that measured value similarities may be biased by a cultural stereotype, that is, an indirectly measurable phenomenon outside the family most likely attributed to shared cultural experiences. We examined similarities in 8 social,cultural value orientations among fathers, mothers, and adolescents from 433 Dutch families. Results revealed different outcomes when using ordinary correlations (r), absolute difference scores (d), or profile correlations (q). Similarly, different influences of a cultural stereotype were found when applying different measurement strategies. We discuss which measurement strategies are best used under which circumstances and which role the cultural stereotype plays. [source] Agreement between normative and perceived orthodontic need amongst deprived multiethnic school children in LondonORTHODONTICS & CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2001Bilal Ahmed The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) has been used in dental epidemiology and to prioritize orthodontic treatment. The aim of this paper was to use the aesthetic component (AC) of the IOTN to measure agreement between normative and perceived orthodontic need amongst school children. Three hundred and seventy-eight children aged 11,14 years, enrolled in London UK state schools participated in this survey. The study focused on three ethnic groups: white, black and South Asian. Townsend deprivation scores suggested that the children were from areas of high socio-economic deprivation. Logistic regression analysis was carried out for agreement between normative and perceived need at each threshold value. Perceived need for braces, ethnic background, social class and hours of television viewing were significant variables. Black pupils were significantly less likely to concur on normative and perceived need scores, tending to perceive less need for treatment than did the dentist. Subjects from lower social classes were significantly more likely to concur on normative and perceived need scores. In conclusion, the study showed that using the IOTN AC at various points along the scale, different influences play a significant role in agreement/disagreement between normative and perceived needs, indicating that patient,clinician agreement regards orthodontic treatment is sensitive to several cultural factors. [source] Nonprofits as Local Government Service ContractorsPUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW, Issue 4 2009Richard C. Feiock Despite the growing role that contracts with nonprofits play in local service delivery, only limited attention has been directed to why some cities rely more on nonprofit organizations to produce services or how political institutions influence the role nonprofits play in service delivery. To investigate these issues, the authors present a transaction cost explanation that focuses on how political system characteristics and structures of service markets shape the costs of negotiating, monitoring, and enforcing contracts for local governments. The findings indicate that forms of government, mayoral turnover, racial segregation, and the market of nonprofit producers influence the role of nonprofits in delivering elder services, but decisions to contract exclusively with nonprofits are subject to different influences than decisions to jointly produce service with a nonprofit organization. [source] Synthesis, Characterization, and Self-Assembly of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocoronenetetracarboxylic Acid Diimide Analogues: Photocyclization of N-Heterocycle-Substituted Perylene BisimidesCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 32 2006Yongjun Li Abstract Novel dibenzocoronenetetracarboxylic acid diimide analogues and naphthoperylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide analogues containing imidazole, 1,2,4-triazole, and pyrazole rings embedded as functional constituents within the parent hydrocarbon backbone have been synthesized. The ,-rich and ,-poor heterocycles have different influences on the physical properties of the parent benzocoronenetetracarboxylic acid diimide and naphthoperylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide systems. The ,-rich 3 was able to self-assemble into one-dimensional nanostructures through strong ,,, stacking, whereas the ,-poor 8 lacked the one-dimensional self-assembly capability, thus offering the potential to control the self-assembly capability of the ,-conjugated perylene core by decoration with N-heterocycles. [source] | ||||||||||||||||