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Venus is currently characterized by stagnant‐lid mantle convection, but could have previously experienced episodes of global resurfacing due to lithospheric overturn. Using numerical models of Venus's interior, we attempt to explain Venus's surface characteristics in the context of interior evolution and to understand how Venus's tectonic history has diverged from Earth's. For both the stagnant‐ and the episodic‐lid regime, we explore the role of reference mantle viscosity; for the latter regime, we also explore the role of the lithospheric yield stress. Our stagnant‐lid models predict thicker crust and younger surface than typically inferred from cratering statistics. When considering resurfacing episodes, the yield stress influences the frequency of overturns, which limits crustal thickness to better agree with previous independent estimates. Surface age is variable and depends on overturn frequency and resurfacing rate between overturns but reaches larger values just before an upcoming overturn event compared to values in the stagnant‐lid cases. Both regimes predict substantial lateral variations in surface age, instead of an end‐member uniform surface age indicating the cessation time of the last overturn, because ongoing volcanic resurfacing is spatially heterogeneous and dominates over tectonic resurfacing. Reviewing the crater‐based surface age variations suggests that the model‐predicted age spreads in the episodic scenario could be consistent with Venus's cratering record. Moreover, we find that a small fraction of crust can resist recycling during overturns. These outcomes indicate that overturn events may allow for surface age variations that reproduce Venus's surface better than stagnant‐lid models. Plain Language Summary: In contrast to Earth, Venus currently does not feature plate tectonics inhibiting effective crustal recycling into the planetary interior. Yet, its surface features only few and almost randomly distributed craters, which suggests a globally young and more homogeneous surface age than on other planetary surfaces. To date, it remains unclear whether these surface characteristics are generated in an equilibrium style of resurfacing due to volcanism or whether large‐scale tectonic overturns are required to explain the observations. Here, we use numerical models of Venus's interior evolution to predict the planet's surface characteristic like crustal thickness and surface age in two geodynamic regimes, either with or without tectonic overturns. With overturns, predicted mean crustal thickness and mean surface age are closer to other independent estimates. Both regimes predict substantial lateral variations of surface age (which is thus nonuniform), because even if global resurfacing happens at a time, ongoing and spatially heterogeneous volcanism modifies the age distribution subsequently. However, inspection of independent Venus crater‐based surface ages and geological mapping reveals that our predicted variations using an episodic scenario could be consistent with the planet's cratering record. Within our modeling framework, the episodic regime seems thus more promising to explain Venus's surface age characteristics. Key Points: Episodic‐lid models predict thinner crust and older surface than stagnant‐lid modelsBoth stagnant and episodic regime predict substantial lateral variation in surface ageOur episodic‐lid model captures Venus's age and crustal characteristics better [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current Venus tectonics suggests a stagnant lid mode of mantle convection. However, the planet is debated to enter an episodic regime after long quiescent periods, driven by resurfacing due to rapid subduction and global crustal recycling. Tessera regions that cover approximately 10% of Venus' surface appear to be strongly deformed, which suggests that they have survived at least the latest resurfacing event, although the composition and age of the tesserae are unknown. Based on mantle convection modeling, we studied the effects of anomalous crustal provinces (ACPs) on mantle dynamics and postoverturn lithospheric survival. As a hypothesis, we assume ACPs to be thick, compositionally anomalous, and rheologically strong units, similar to terrestrial cratons. We model Venus with a varying number of preimposed ACP units and differing lithospheric yield stress in 2‐D and 3‐D spherical geometry. The impact of ACPs on mantle dynamics and the survival of lithosphere is investigated by examining the thermal evolution, crustal thickness, and surface age distribution. We find that the number and timing of overturns are highly dependent on the yield stress and, to some degree, on the number and size of the preimposed ACPs. ACPs in particular affect the wavelength of convection and may foster the survival of lithosphere even of those portions not being part of an ACP. However, ACPs do not seem to be a good analog for tessera regions due to their exaggerated age and (likely) thickness, but—with appropriate density contrast—may be more useful representatives of Venus' highland plateaus. Plain Language Summary: Plate tectonics shapes the Earth's surface but is currently probably not active on Venus. Instead, periods with a more mobile Venusian surface remain possible, in particular because the surface is rather young. Episodic resurfacing events—known as overturns—during which much of the surface is recycled into the planetary interior may explain this. However, about 10% of Venus' surface are covered by tesserae, strongly deformed and possibly older‐than‐average regions that may have survived overturns. The origin of such anomalous crustal provinces (ACPs) is unknown, but we hypothesize them to be similar to the cratonic keels of Earth's continental crust. We investigate how ACPs affect the interior dynamics and resurfacing history and whether they promote the (partial) survival of the surface during overturns. We find that both the presence of ACPs and the strength of the lithosphere alter the overturn frequency. ACPs affect the mantle flow pattern and facilitate survival of non‐ACP lithosphere and crust by shielding it from recycling during overturn events. After analyzing our model‐predicted distributions of crustal thickness and surface age, however, preexisting ACPs do not seem to be adequate analogues for Venus' tesserae, as their thickness and age appear exaggerated given the observation on Venus' surface. Key Points: Yield stress and the presence of ACPs alter the frequency of overturn eventsSurvival of crustal material during overturn events changes with the presence of ACPsACPs do not seem to be a good representation for Venus' tesserae regions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between ethnicity, service use and perceptions of service effectiveness is inconclusive. This study examined differences in service use and perceptions of service effectiveness between Israeli Jewish (Jewish) and Israeli Arab (Arab) parental caregivers of individuals with intellectual disabilities and dual diagnosis of psychopathology. Methods: Parental caregivers (n = 186) of individuals with intellectual disabilities or dual diagnosis, aged 10 to 30 years, completed a self‐report questionnaire. Results: Arab parental caregivers perceived health services to be more accessible than did Jewish caregivers, but there was no difference between the two groups in the use of the services. Overall, greater enabling factors and accessibility were associated with higher use of education and social services. No differences were found between the groups in their perceptions of service effectiveness. Conclusion: Arab family caregivers use education and social services less than do their Jewish peers, possibly because they have fewer enabling resources. The finding that both groups reported similar use of health services may be explained by a shared perception that informal help may not be suitable for dealing with situations of psychopathology. The similar perceptions of service effectiveness may be explained by extensive services available in Israel, to the satisfaction of both groups, or by the fact that participants perceived these services as their only alternative, and therefore fear losing them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllosilicates, carbonates, zeolites, and sulfates on Mars give clues about the planet's past environmental conditions, but little is known about the specific conditions in which these minerals formed within the crust and at the surface. The aim of the present study was to gain increased understanding on the formation of secondary phases by hydrothermal alteration of basaltic glass. The reaction processes were studied under varying conditions (temperature, pCO2, water:rock ratio, and fluid composition) with relevance to aqueous hydrothermal alteration in fully and partly saturated Martian basalt deposits. Analyses made on reaction products using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were compared with near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) to establish relative detectability and spectral signatures. This study demonstrates that comparable alteration minerals (phyllosilicates, carbonates, zeolites) form from vapor condensing on mineral surfaces in unsaturated sediments and not only in fully water‐saturated sediments. In certain environments where water vapor might be present, it can alter the basaltic bedrock to a suite of authigenic phases similar to those observed on the Martian surface. For the detection of the secondary phases, XRD and SEM‐EDS were found to be superior to NIR for detecting and characterizing zeolites. The discrepancy in detectability of zeolites between NIR and XRD/SEM‐EDS might indicate that zeolites on Mars are more abundant than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Impact crater morphologies vary significantly across the lunar maria. Craters with diameter less than 400 m are closely related to variations in target properties (rock strength, porosity, and layering) as well as the impact velocity. Here we investigate target and impact conditions feasible for reproducing crater morphologies, such as normal, central‐mound, flat‐bottomed, and concentric craters, using numerical models of impact crater formation in two‐layer targets under lunar conditions (i.e., average‐impact velocity and gravity). Based on more than 1,000 numerical models, we observe that concentric craters can form with a strength contrast as low as factor of 2 between the layers as long as the difference in cohesion is larger than a value between 50 and 450 kPa (for an impact velocity of 12.7 km/s). Because of this small contrast, concentric craters do not serve as a good indication for the lunar regolith‐mare interface. Crater morphology changes with crater diameter according to three different scenarios depending on layers' strengths and the impact velocity. For high‐impact velocity or/and moderate material strength, normal crater morphology transitions directly to concentric morphology, while with large material strengths and/or low‐impact velocity, craters change with size from normal to flat‐bottomed and then to concentric morphology; only this latter pathway is consistent with previous laboratory results. Lunar regolith thicknesses estimated from crater morphologies can differ by up to 80% from previously inferred thicknesses. The transition from normal to flat‐bottomed craters is found to be the most robust transition to infer the thickness of the surficial target layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The visual appearance of real‐world materials is characterized by surface features across many scales and has received significant attention by the graphics community for decades. Yet, even the most advanced microfacet models have difficulties faithfully recreating materials like snow, sand, brushed metal or hair that feature scale‐violating glints and speckles and defy any traditional notion of filtering and level of detail. In this work, we address an important subset of such materials, namely metal and dielectric surfaces that are covered with microscopic scratches, e.g., from polishing processes or surface wear. The appearance of such surfaces features fine‐scale spatial detail and iridescent colors caused by diffraction, and has only recently been successfully recreated. We adopt the scratch iridescence model, which is known for plausible results in offline Monte Carlo settings but unsuitable for real‐time applications where extensive illumination sampling is prohibitively expensive. In this paper, we introduce an efficient technique for incoherently integrating the contributions of individual scratches, as well as closed‐form solutions for modeling spherical and polygonal area light sources, and for the first time bring scratch iridescence within reach of real‐time applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background It has been argued that interpersonal contact is the best intervention for reducing negative attitudes and discrimination toward individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). In Israel, the Equal in Uniform project makes it possible for individuals with ID to serve alongside soldiers without ID in ordinary military units in the Israeli Defense Forces. The project provided the opportunity to examine the effect of contact on the attitudes of soldiers without ID. Methods Data analyses are based on data collected from 220 soldiers without ID via a self-administered questionnaire based on the Multidimensional Attitudes Scale. Of these, 138 were in contact with soldiers with ID as part of the project. Results A mediation model showed that the impact of contact with a soldier with ID on withdrawal behaviour was mediated by cognitive attributions and negative affect. Contact was directly associated with prosocial behaviour. Discussion Results support the importance of contact between soldiers with and without ID to bring about improved attitudes toward the former. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the coefficient of friction and porosity on impact cratering are not sufficiently considered in scaling laws that predict the crater size from a known impactor size, velocity, and mass. We carried out a systematic numerical study employing more than 1000 two-dimensional models of simple crater formation under lunar conditions in targets with varying properties. A simple numerical setup is used where targets are approximated as granular or brecciated materials, and any compression of porous materials results in permanent compaction. The results are found to be consistent with impact laboratory experiments for water, low-strength and low-porosity materials (e.g., wet sand), and sands. Using this assumption, we found that both the friction coefficient and porosity are important for estimating transient crater diameters as is the strength term in crater scaling laws, i.e., the effective strength. The effects of porosity and friction coefficient on impact cratering were parameterized and incorporated into π group scaling laws, and predict transient crater diameters within an accuracy of ±5% for targets with friction coefficients f ≥ 0.4 and porosities Φ = 0-30%. Moreover, 90 crater scaling relationships are made available and can be used to estimate transient crater diameters on various terrains and geological units with different coefficient of friction, porosity, and cohesion. The derived relationships are most robust for targets with Φ > 10-15%, applicable for a lunar environment, and could therefore yield significant insights into the influence of target properties on cratering statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The epidemiology of sport injuries is well documented. However, the costs are rarely discussed. Previous studies have presented such costs in specific sports or localization. No study has investigated the costs related to injuries in elite floorball. Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate cost of injuries in Swedish elite floorball players. During 1 year, 346 floorball players were prospectively followed. All time-loss injures were recorded. The injured players were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their costs tied to the injury. Mean costs were calculated by multiplying the total resource use with the collected unit costs and dividing these total costs with the number of injuries as well as players. The results showed that the average cost per injury increased with the level of severity and ranged from 332 to 2358 Euros. The mild and moderate overuse injuries were costlier than the corresponding traumatic injuries. However, the severe traumatic injuries were associated with higher costs than overuse injuries. Knee injuries were the costliest. Our results indicate that there are costs to be saved, if floorball injuries can be avoided. They should be of interest to decision makers deciding whether to invest in preventive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Surgical procedures in von Willebrand disease ( VWD) patients may require prophylactic treatment with exogenous von Willebrand factor ( VWF) and coagulation factor VIII ( FVIII) to prevent excessive bleeding. Wilate® is a plasma-derived, double virus-inactivated, highly purified, freeze-dried VWF/ FVIII concentrate, containing both factors in a physiological activity ratio of 1:1. Aim To investigate the efficacy and safety of wilate ® in maintaining haemostasis in VWD patients undergoing surgical procedures. Methods This prospective, open-label multinational clinical study documents 28 individuals who underwent 30 surgical procedures managed with wilate ®. Twenty-one patients had VWD Type 3, and 21 surgeries were major. Efficacy was assessed intra- and postoperatively by the surgeon and investigator, respectively, and adjudicated by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee, using an objective scale based on blood loss, transfusion requirements and postoperative bleeding and oozing. Treatment success (primary endpoint) was determined using a composite assessment algorithm and was formally assessed. Results Surgical prophylaxis with wilate ® was successful in 29 of 30 procedures. The overall rate of success was 96.7% (98.75% CI: 0.784, 1.000). All 21 surgeries in patients with VWD Type 3 were managed successfully. There was no accumulation of VWF or FVIII after multiple dosing, and no thromboembolic events or inhibitors to VWF or FVIII were observed. Conclusions Wilate ® demonstrated effective prevention and treatment of bleeding in inherited VWD patients undergoing surgery, with no clinically significant safety concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The present study aimed to explore the applicability of the attribution model to social workers' attributions towards clients with dual diagnosis of intellectual disability and psychiatric illness. Specifically, the study examined the relations between social workers' attribution of responsibility, causality, stereotypes of dangerousness, their emotional reactions and behavioural reactions towards clients with dual diagnosis. Method Social workers (N = 279) completed questionnaires measuring attributions of responsibility, causation and dangerousness, and reported on their emotional and behavioural reactions to clients diagnosed with DD. Results Most social workers reported high levels of helping behaviours. The strongest predictor of discriminatory behaviours was the stereotype of dangerousness. Social workers who reported feeling less anger and more pity towards clients with DD tended to report higher levels of helping behaviour. But contrary to attribution theory, fear and anger did not predict discriminatory behaviours. Conclusion The results are discussed in relation to the core values of social work and to professional identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Stigma may negatively impact individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). However, most studies in the field have been based on the use of direct measurement methods for assessing stigma. This study examined public stigma towards individuals with ID within a representative sample of the Israeli public by comparing direct versus indirect questioning. Methods Vignette methodology was utilised with two questionnaire versions. In the direct questionnaire ( n = 306), the participants were asked how they would think, feel and behave if a man with ID asked them a question in a public place. In the indirect questionnaire ( n = 301), the participants were asked to report how a hypothetical 'other man' would think, feel and behave in the same situation. Results Higher levels of stigma were reported among participants that answered the indirect questionnaire version. Furthermore, among those participants that answered the indirect questionnaire version, subjective knowledge of ID was a less important correlate of stigma than for those participants that answered the direct questionnaire. Conclusion Several explanations are suggested for the finding that indirect questioning elicits more negative stigmatic attitudes. Among others, indirect questioning may be a more appropriate methodology for eliciting immediate beliefs. Furthermore, the results call for implementing a comprehensive, multi-level programme to change stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Planetary Terrestrial Analogue Library (PTAL) is a newly built collection of rocks from various environments on Earth and multispectral data on these rocks [1]. The collection of physical rock samples consists of 106 specimens from 19 diverse localities on Earth. Each collected rock was analysed by NIR, Raman and LIBS [2,3,4], and all spectral data are freely available in the PTAL library (www.ptal.eu). The primary goal of the rock collection has been to create the PTAL multispectral database that would support interpretation of data returned by Martian orbiters and rovers [5]. Since September 2021, when the database was released, the rocks can serve multiple other scientific purposes. Especially, textural and geochemical studies can be performed on the rocks to address detailed questions about Martian environment and to create connections with similar studies on Martian meteorites. PTAL sampling sites: The collection consists of rocks analogous to Martian crustal and aqueous environments. The collection comprises igneous rocks that compositionally correspond to Martian basalts and alkali basalts. Within this category exist several tholeiitic basalts from Iceland, as well as ferropicrites from Rum (Scotland), alkali-rich (phonolites) rocks of metasomatism-related origin from Canary Islands and Tenerife, ash-fall deposits from the Granby formation (USA), and serpentinised peridotites from the Leka ophiolite complex (Norway). Individual specimens from each site sample distinct lithologies that record, as far as possible, the variety of processes involved in geological evolution of the analogue environment. For instance, a sequence of intact protolith, serpentinized and serpentinized-carbonatized rocks is sampled from Leka, or a variety of igneous compositions from Canary Islands and Tenerife. PTAL contains also samples from diverse surface alteration environments and from a range of climatic environments, including hot and cold deserts: John Day Formation in Oregon (USA), Dry Valleys in Antarctica, Otago Formation (New Zealand), Jaroso Ravine and Rio Tinto (Spain). PTALs strength is that the collection samples a sequence of alteration products, allowing detailed mineralogical and geochemical comparative analyses within alteration environment to shed light on the potential parallelism of formation processes. Lastly, PTAL includes impactites of various target rocks types: Gardnos, Vredeford, Chesapeake Bay, Vargao Dome and Lonar crater - the relatively fresh terrestrial crater in basaltic rock. Both impact-related and shock-induced metamorphism as well as post-impact hydrothermal activity can be studied in these rocks. Spectral database: Each analogue rock incorporated into PTAL was characterized by instruments that are typically carried on board of Martian orbiters and rovers. Data collected by NIR spectroscopy, micromega NIR hyperspectroscopy, Raman and LIBS are freely available in the PTAL database (www.ptal.eu). Since PTAL is a collection of natural rocks and not individual minerals, spectral data on the rocks give full insight into mineralogy and geochemistry as e.g., overlapping vibrational absorption features of minerals are included. As such, PTAL database can be used to identify mixtures of minerals observed in spectra, and because of the complementary charcterisation by XRD and optical thin sections. Additional geochemical and petrological data on the PTAL rocks, when combined with spectral results in the PTAL database can serve as a solid base to contextualize features of meteorites with remotelysensed surface of Mars. Loans of physical samples for further studies: The amount of the material secured and curated in the PTAL collection enables loans for further characterizations. At the moment, the majority of samples are available in masses sufficient to support loans up to ~2-5 g (including loans for fully destructive procedures required by geochemical and/or isotopic studies). Thin sections can also be loaned for analyses with microbeams. Additionally, loans of the witness samples for non-destructive and non-invasive purposes (imaging, scanning, further spectroscopy characterizations etc.) are possible and, additionally, sampling coordinates can be shared, so that acquisition of more material is possible, if needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Studies have shown that beyond public and self stigma, stigma can also impact family members. Only scant research has examined the internalised aspects of stigma, known as affiliate stigma, among family caregivers of individuals with disabilities. This study examined affiliate stigma among family caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities via a comparison between caregivers of individuals with intellectual disabilities ( ID), autism spectrum disorders ( ASD) and physical disabilities ( PD) in Israel. Methods Family caregivers ( n = 171) of individuals with developmental disabilities, mainly ID (22.4%), ASD (32.9%) and PD (27.1%), completed a self-report structured questionnaire including the Affiliate Stigma Scale and background variables. Results Results supported a one-factor structure for the Affiliate Stigma Scale. Overall, affiliate stigma was relatively low in this sample, but was found to be higher among caregivers of individuals with ASD when compared with caregivers of individuals with ID or PD. Conclusion Findings from this study point to the importance of supporting caregivers of individuals with ASD to decrease their feelings of stigma. It is also important to further develop scales measuring affiliate stigma in order to capture the multi-dimensional nature of the concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Psychiatrists are responsible for providing proper care for people with intellectual disability who have psychiatric disorders. This study examined psychiatrists' perceptions of their own training, knowledge and therapeutic skills, as well as their attitudes towards this population. Methods Questionnaires were distributed to 679 psychiatrists working within the public sector in Israel. Results Completed questionnaires were returned from 256 psychiatrists (38% response rate). Most (90%) participants reported having had limited training in the diagnosis and treatment of people with intellectual disabilities, while between 34% and 72% reported having inadequate knowledge in specific areas. Conclusion The findings of limited training and self-perceived inadequate knowledge are at least partially explained by the service model, wherein people with intellectual disabilities are cared for by general mental health services. The identified inadequacies could be overcome through the implementation of a model in which specially trained psychiatrists are deployed within generic services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supported ionic liquid phase (SILP) catalysts consist of a homogeneous catalyst that is dissolved in an ionic liquid and dispersed on a porous support material. This immobilization technique yields solid catalysts that can be applied in continuous gas phase processes. Recently, several successful applications have been presented that could possibly lead to a commercialization of this promising class of novel materials. The state-of-the-art preparation method uses an incipient wetness-type impregnation of the support material by a solution of catalyst, ionic liquid, and a helper solvent, followed by subsequent removal of the helper solvent in vacuo. Typically, this removal is carried out in a rotary evaporator, thus being limited in batch size. Similarly, the so-called supported catalysts with ionic liquid layer (SCILL) consist of an ionic liquid layer on top of a traditional heterogeneous catalyst, which can be prepared in a similar way. In this work, a novel preparation method for SILP catalysts is presented that is scalable for larger batches, as required for industrial use. Different types of support materials such as powders, spheres, agglomerates, and extrudates were successfully impregnated by the novel fluidized-bed impregnation method and the distribution of the ionic liquid and catalyst was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ionic liquid film distribution in supported ionic liquid phase (SILP) catalysts has been studied by solid-state NMR. [EMIM][NTf2] was immobilized onto silica gel 100 support with loadings between 0 and 40 vol.-%. The 1H NMR signals indicated an exchange process between the support's surface silanol groups and the protons of the ionic liquid. At ionic liquid loadings below 10 vol.-%, islands of ionic liquids seemed to form, whereas at higher loadings complete coverage of the support was achieved. The NMR-based film model was confirmed by gas phase water-gas shift experiments using known SILP catalysts with different ionic liquid loadings. At high ionic liquid loading, the activity of the catalyst decreased due to pore blocking. The NMR technique provided easy and reliable data for film formation and distribution and allows for optimization of SILP catalysts in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dual diagnosis (DD) refers to the coexistence of intellectual disability and psychiatric disorder. In order to provide individuals with DD with adequate care, it is essential for mental health workers to have adequate knowledge and positive attitudes. These may be achieved through proper training. Aims To summarise the available literature examining the knowledge, attitudes and training of psychiatrists and other professional caregivers in regard to serving people with DD. Methods A search strategy was developed to find manuscripts published in English since 1995. Results Twenty-seven studies on knowledge, attitudes and training in the field of DD were identified and reviewed in this paper. Conclusion The findings of this review stress the need to improve the knowledge, competence and attitudes of practitioners within the DD field via training and practice opportunities. In light of this review, recommendations for improving training opportunities and for conducting future research are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to investigate injury risk factors in junior tennis players. Fifty-five players, 35 boys and 20 girls, answered a questionnaire about training habits, time of exposure, previous injuries and equipment factors. A battery of clinical tests and functional performance tests were also carried out. All tennis-related injuries that occurred during a 2-year period were identified and recorded. An injury was defined as an injury if it was impossible to participate in regular tennis training or playing matches during at least one occasion, a time loss injury. Potential injury risk factors were tested in a forward stepwise logistic regression model for injury. Thirty-nine players sustained totally 100 new and recurrent injuries. Injuries to the lower extremity were the most common ones (51%) followed by the upper extremity (24%) and the trunk (24%). Injured players performed more singles per week ( P<0.0001) and played more tennis hours per year ( P=0.016) than the uninjured players. Playing tennis more than 6 h/week was found to be a risk factor for back pain. A previous injury regardless of location was identified as an injury risk factor, and a previous injury to the back was a risk factor for back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of knowledge regarding predictive factors for a successful clinical outcome after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The aim was to investigate pre-operative factors that may predict good outcomes as measured with the subscales Function in sports and recreation and Quality of life in Knee injury Osteoarthrithis Outcome Score (QOL-KOOS), one-leg hop test and Tegner Activity Scale 12 months after ACL reconstruction. Sixty-four patients, operated with either patellar or hamstring tendon graft, were included. Demographics, range of motion, anterior knee laxity, pivot shift, muscle-torques, anterior knee pain (AKP) and knee function were registered pre-operatively and used in a multiple regression model. Results show less degree of AKP and low influence on knee function to be the most important predictors for good outcome in Sport/Rec-KOOS (explained 31% of variances). Less AKP was in addition the most important predictor for QOL-KOOS (14%). Patellar-tendon graft, in favor of hamstring tendon graft, explained 8% of the improvement in the Tegner Activity Scale. In conclusion, a low degree of AKP was found to be the most important predictor for good clinical outcome 12 months after ACL reconstruction. Future studies, including psychological parameters, should use analyses that have the potential to control for independency between variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Family Quality of Life Survey (FQOLS-2006) was developed as the result of increased interest in family quality of life (FQOL) among families with a member who has an intellectual disability (ID). The instrument includes nine life domains and six dimensions reflecting the main areas and characteristics of FQOL. The aim of the current study was to provide a descriptive analysis of the domains and dimensions of the survey and to explore their relationship to one another and to global satisfaction. Method A convenience sample of 35 participants with a family member who had ID completed the FQOLS-2006 in a large urban centre in Canada. The data were analysed using descriptive analyses. Results The findings showed that although participants differentiated between different domains and dimensions, as reflected in their variability, stability was also found. For example, support from others was rated lowest across most dimensions, while family relationships and health of the family were generally rated higher. Conclusions The findings strengthen the importance of examining both the overall perception of FQOL as well as the perceptions in individual life domains. Moreover, they highlight the need to examine each life domain according to its various dimensions. In sum, the results call for further examination of the FQOLS-2006 as a useful tool for assessing FQOL and for implementing services based on it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: The finding that persons with delusions tend to jump-to-conclusions ( JTC) in the beads task has often been replicated. This study investigates whether hasty decision-making in the beads task is associated with hasty decisions in tasks with more relevance for everyday decision-making. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that hasty decisions in these tasks will be associated with subclinical delusional beliefs. DESIGN: A correlational study. METHODS: A sample of students (N=85) completed the beads task and three additional non-probabilistic decision-tasks. Subclinical delusional beliefs were assessed using the Peters et al. delusions inventory (PDI; Peters, Joseph, & Garety, 1999). RESULTS: In support of the hypothesis, participants with hasty decisions in the beads task also made hasty decisions in two of the other tasks. Hasty decisions were only associated with higher subclinical delusional beliefs in one of the tasks (a letter recognition task). CONCLUSIONS: Decision-making in the beads task can be generalized to decisions in other contexts. Other decision-making tasks may be more closely related to delusions than the beads task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to explore patients' experiences of the rehabilitation process after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Ten participants were enrolled in the study. Semi-structured interviews were performed, focusing on challenges during the post-operative rehabilitation to 1 year after ACL reconstruction. The participants perceived no real choice between operative and non-operative treatment. Only surgery symbolized a full return to the pre-injury level of sports, and surgery was understood as the only way to become a completely restored “functional human being.” A major source of frustration was that the meaning of and progress during the rehabilitation did not match their expectations. Three different responses to the challenge of a prolonged rehabilitation were expressed: “going for it,”“being ambivalent,” and “giving in.” Fear of re-injury was common; however, some participants decided not to return to their pre-injury level of sports due to reasons other than physical limitations or fear of re-injury. From a patient perspective, it seems important that the choice of operative or non-operative treatment should be discussed in terms of the meaning and extent of the post-operative rehabilitation and the expected outcomes. There also seems to be a need for more guidance in realistic goal setting and coaching throughout the rehabilitation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Previous studies have reported different periodontal bacteria in atherosclerotic lesions, but their involvement in plaque formation remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of 20 periodontal bacteria in atherosclerotic samples and healthy blood vessels (used as controls) and to clarify their relationship in regard to clinical and bacteriological periodontal status. Material and Methods: The day before vascular surgery the patients had a thorough periodontal examination and bacteriological samples were taken from periodontally diseased sites. Atheromatous plaques, internal mammary arteries and saphenous veins were harvested during surgery. A DNA–DNA hybridization procedure was used to screen periodontal and vascular samples for the 20 selected bacterial species. Results: Periodontal samples from the severe periodontitis group were found to have a higher prevalence and biomass of bacterial species than the moderate periodontitis group. In vessel samples, the prevalence of the same 20 bacterial species analyzed together was similar in the two groups, except for saphenous veins. Conclusion: The presence of periodontal pathogens in atherosclerotic plaques and in apparently healthy vessels appeared to reflect a higher level of bacteremia rather than infection of endothelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate general joint laxity in growing children with the aim of determining a cut-off point for joint hypermobility.Methods: Using the Beighton score, 1845 children from 48 geographically randomly selected schools were evaluated for general joint laxity. The Beighton score evaluates the ability to perform a selection of manoeuvres involving five different joints. The children made up three different age groups (9, 12 and 15 y old) at the time of testing and were approximately equally distributed concerning age and gender in all groups.Results: There were significant differences in Beighton scores concerning both age and gender. Whereas boys presented significant decreases in the degree of general joint laxity with increasing age, girls presented the highest degree of general joint laxity at the age of 15. At all ages girls had a higher degree of general joint laxityConclusion: Based on this study of a normal population of Swedish school children, the normal distribution of general joint laxity as well as the limits for hypermobility is age and gender specific. It is necessary to take into consideration both age and gender if setting a cut-off point for hypermobility when evaluating general joint laxity in growing individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate general joint laxity in growing children with the aim of determining a cut-off point for joint hypermobility. Methods: Using the Beighton score, 1845 children from 48 geographically randomly selected schools were evaluated for general joint laxity. The Beighton score evaluates the ability to perform a selection of manoeuvres involving five different joints. The children made up three different age groups (9, 12 and 15y old) at the time of testing and were approximately equally distributed concerning age and gender in all groups. Results: There were significant differences in Beighton scores concerning both age and gender. Whereas boys presented significant decreases in the degree of general joint laxity with increasing age, girls presented the highest degree of general joint laxity at the age of 15. At all ages girls had a higher degree of general joint laxity Conclusion: Based on this study of a normal population of Swedish school children, the normal distribution of general joint laxity as well as the limits for hypermobility is age and gender specific. It is necessary to take into consideration both age and gender if setting a cut-off point for hypermobility when evaluating general joint laxity in growing individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus strains causing human pathologies produce several toxins, including a pore-forming protein family formed by the single-component α-hemolysin and the bicomponent leukocidins and γ-hemolysins. The last comprise two protein elements, S and F, that co-operatively form the active toxin. α-Hemolysin is always expressed by S. aureus strains, whereas bicomponent leukotoxins are more specifically involved in a few diseases. X-ray crystallography of the α-hemolysin pore has shown it is a mushroom-shaped, hollow heptamer, almost entirely consisting of β-structure. Monomeric F subunits have a very similar core structure, except for the transmembrane stem domain which has to refold during pore formation. Large deletions in this domain abolished activity, whereas shorter deletions sometimes improved it, possibly by removing some of the interactions stabilizing the folded structure. Even before stem extension is completed, the formation of an oligomeric pre-pore can trigger Ca2+-mediated activation of some white cells, initiating an inflammatory response. Within the bicomponent toxins, γ-hemolysins define three proteins (HlgA, HlgB, HlgC) that can generate two toxins: HlgA+HlgB and HlgC+HlgB. Like α-hemolysin they form pores in planar bilayers with similar conductance, but opposite selectivity (cation instead of anion) for the presence of negative charges in the ion pathway. γ-Hemolysin pores seem to be organized as α-hemolysin, but should contain an even number of each component, alternating in a 1:1 stoichiometry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We evaluated a short-term (3 months) and a long-term (8 months) effect of dance training on joint mobility and muscle flexibility of the spine, hip and ankle and on speed and agility in young cross-country skiers. Twenty elite cross-country skiers – aged 12–15 years – participated in the study. Five males and five females received dance training (intervention group) and five males and five females did not dance (reference group). Joint mobility and muscle flexibility of the spine, hip and ankle joints were measured using a goniometer, a kyphometer, a measuring tape and a ruler. Two sports-related functional tests – the slalom-test and the hurdle-test – were also performed. These measurements/tests were performed before the start of the dancing period and after 3 and 8 months. The subjects from the intervention group increased their speed with 0.3 s after 3 (P = 0.05) and 8 months (P = 0.02), respectively, when measured with the slalom-test. They also improved their speed and agility according to the hurdle-test after 3 months with 0.8 s (P = 0.000) and 8 months with 0.6 s (P = 0.01). Furthermore, they increased flexion–extension of the thoracic spine with 7.5° after 3 months (P = 0.05) and with 9°° after 8 months (P = 0.03) and lateral flexion of the spine with 0.04 m (P = 0.005) and 0.03 m (P = 0.02) after 3 and 8 months, respectively. The reference group was impaired or unchanged in the studied parameters after both 3 and 8 months. We conclude that dance training has a positive effect on speed and agility and on joint mobility and muscle flexibility in flexion–extension and lateral flexion of the spine in young cross-country skiers . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this prospective randomized intervention study was to evaluate the effect of two exercise protocols on reflex response time of vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), in patients with anterior knee pain. Sixty patients were randomized into a 5-week treatment program, which consisted of only open kinetic chain tonification exercises (group I) (n = 30), or only closed kinetic chain tonification exercises (group II) (n = 30). Assessment of an aspect of neuromotor control was obtained by measuring the reflex response times of VMO and VL at the time of initial clinical examination, at the end of the exercise period (five weeks), and three months after the completion of the exercise period. At these evaluation occasions, the intensity and the number of times that the patients experienced anterior knee pain during daily life was recorded on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). No alterations in reflex response times of VMO and VL were observed in either group. Changes of anterior knee pain over time were statistically significant in both groups. Only small and not statistically supported differences in anterior knee pain were found between the two groups. These results suggest that the reflex response times of the two vasti muscles can not be altered after a five week open or closed kinetic chain exercise program. In contrast, knee pain decreased significantly in both groups . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the hydrostatic compression of piezoelectric single crystals of La[sub3]Nb[sub0.5]Ga[sub5.5]O[sub14] (LNG) and La[sub3]Ta[sub0.5]Ga[sub5.5]O[sub14] (LTG) at pressures of up to 23 GPa in diamond-anvil high-pressure cells using single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Low-pressure phases of LNG and LTG; Compression mechanism; High-pressure phases of LNG and LTG.

The aim of this investigation was to study the consequences of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female soccer players. Special interest was focused on young female soccer players (< 16years) sustaining anterior cruelate ligament injuries when playing at a senior level, which means playing together with players 19years or olden in Sweden, all players belonging to an organized soccer club are insured by the same insurance company. the Folksam Insurance Company. Data of all soccer-related knee injuries in females reported to the Folksam Insurance Company between 1994 and 1998 were collected. A questionnaire was sent to 978 females who were registered to have sustained a knee injury before the age of 20 years. The response rate was 79%. Three hundred and ninety-eight female soccer players who had sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury before the age of 19 years were analysed. Most of their anterior cruciate ligament injuries had been diagnosed using arthroscopy or magnetic resonance imaging (84%). Thirty-eight percent of the players had been injured before the age of 16years. Of these, 39% were injured when playing in senior teams. When playing in senior teams 59% of the players below the age of 16years and 44% of the players 16years or older sustained their ACL injuries during contact situations. At the time of this investigation (2-7 years after the anterior cruciate ligament injury), altogether 78% (n = 311) reported that they had stopped playing soccer. The most common reason (80%) was symptoms from their anterior cruciate ligament-injured knee. !1 appears that many young female soccer players injure their anterior cruciate ligament when playing at a senior level. Therefore, we suggest that female soccer players under the age of 16years should be allowed to participate only in practice... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present investigation was to test the reliability of two sports related functional tests, a speed test (slalom-test) and an agility test (hurdle-test). Eleven athletes aged 11 years (8 boys, 3 girls) participated voluntarily in the study. All subjects completed four different test sessions for both the slalom-test and the hurdle-test using six standard track hurdles placed at 2-m intervals along a 12-m length of track. There were no significant differences between testing sessions for either the slalomtest (P=0.99) or the hurdle-test (P=0.96), showing no systematic variation between test times. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.96 and 0.90 respectively; indicating a good reliability. We conclude that the slalomtest and the hurdle-test are reliable sports related functional tests for measuring speed and agility in groups of young athletic individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study which measured the thermal neutron transmission of a pyrolytic graphite monchromator crystal. Experimental conditions; Results; Analysis.

Investigates the X-ray scattering of a pressure-induced phase transition of spinel single crystals. Chemical composition of the spinel group; Compressibility and structural changes of the substance; Detection of the pressure-induced disordering of the cations.

Studies the lattice dynamics of tetrasodium titanium diphosphorus nonaoxide and nonasodium diiron tetraphosphorus dufluoride octadecaoxide crystals under high pressures. Measurement of lattice contants as a function of hydrostatic pressure; Phase transition in the superionic conductors.