Contingent attentional capture or delayed allocation of attention?

Under certain circumstances, external stimuli will elicit an involuntary shift of spatial attention, referred to as attentional capture. According to the contingent involuntary orienting account (Folk, Remington, & Johnston, 1992), capture is conditioned by top-down factors that set attention to respond involuntarily to stimulus properties relevant to one's behavioral goals. Evidence for this comes from spatial cuing studies showing that a spatial cuing effect is observed only when cues have goal-relevant properties. Here, we examine alternative, decision-level explanations of the spatial cuing effect that attribute evidence of capture to postpresentation delays in the voluntary allocation of attention, rather than to on-line involuntary shifts in direct response to the cue. In three spatial cuing experiments, delayed-allocation accounts were tested by examining whether items at the cued location were preferentially processed. The experiments provide evidence that costs and benefits in spatial cuing experiments do reflect the on-line capture of attention. The implications of these results for models of attentional control are discussed.

A semi-analytical solution for vibration of rectangular plates with abrupt thickness variation

A semi-analytical analysis of free vibration of plates with cross-sectional discontinuities due to abrupt changes in thickness is presented. A basic square element divided into suitable subdomains dependent upon the positions of these abrupt changes is used as the basic building element, Admissible functions that satisfy the essential or geometric boundary conditions are used to define the transverse deflection of each subdomain. Continuities in the displacement, slope, moment and higher derivatives between adjacent subdomains are enforced at the interconnecting edges. The resulting global energy functional from the proper assembly of the coupled strain and kinetic energy contributions of each subdomain is then minimized via the Ritz procedure to extract the frequencies and mode shapes. Contour plots of a range of new mode shapes are presented for the enhancement of understanding the dynamic behavior of this class of plates, (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.

Reversal of cardiovascular remodelling with candesart

Cardiovascular remodelling, defined as ventricular and vascular hypertrophy together with fibrosis, characterises hypertension following inhibition of the production of the endogenous vasodilator, nitric oxide (NO). This study has determined whether the cardiovascular remodelling following chronic NO synthase inhibition can e reversed by administration of the selective angiotensin II AT(1)-receptor antagonist, candesartan. Male Wistar rats were treated with L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 400 mg/l in drinking water) for eight weeks and with candesartan cilexetil (2 mg/kg/day by oral gavage) for the last four weeks. L-NAME-treated rats became hypertensive with systolic blood pressure increasing from 110 +/- 4 mmHg (control) to 170 +/- 10 mmHg. Rats developed left ventricular hypertrophy (control 1.70 +/- 0.06; L-NAME 2.10 +/- 0.04 mg/kg body wt) with markedly increased deposition of perivascular and interstitial collagen. Candesartan returned blood pressure, left ventricular weights and collagen deposition to control values. Echo cardiographic assessment showed concentric hypertrophy with an increased fractional shortening; this was reversed by candesartan treatment. Heart failure was not evident. In the isolated Langendorff heart, diastolic stiffness increased in L-NAME-treated rats while the rate of increase in pressure (+dP/dt) increased after eight weeks only; candesartan reduced collagen deposition and normalised +dP/dt. In isolated left ventricular papillary muscles, the potency (negative log EC50) of noradrenaline as a positive inotropic compound was unchanged, (control 6.56 +/- 0.14); maximal increase in force before ectopic beats was reduced from 5.0 +/- 0.4 mN to 2.0 +/- 0.2 mN. Noradrenaline potency as a vasoconstrictor in thoracic aortic rings was unchanged, but maximal contraction was markedly reduced from 25.2 +/- 2.0 mN to 3.0 +/- 0.3 mN; this was partially reversed by candesartan treatment. Thus, chronic inhibition of NO production with L-NAME induces hypertension, hypertrophy and fibrosis with increased toxicity and significant decreases in vascular responses to noradrenaline. These changes were at least partially reversible by treatment with candesartan, implying a significant role of AT(1)-receptors in L-NAME-induced cardiovascular changes.

Validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for men, and comparison of item endorsement with their partners

Background: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) has been validated and used extensively in screening for depression in new mothers, both in English speaking and non-English speaking communities. While some studies have reported the use of the EPDS with Fathers, none have validated it for this group, and thus the appropriate cut-off score for screening for depression or anxiety caseness for this population is not known. Method: Couples were recruited antenatally and interviewed at six weeks postpartum. EPDS scores and distress caseness (depression or anxiety disorders) for 208 fathers and 230 mothers were determined using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Results: Analyses of the EPDS for fathers using distress caseness (depression or anxiety disorders) as the criterion shows that a cut-off of 5/6 has optimum receiver operating characteristics. Furthermore acceptable reliability (split-half and internal consistency) and validity (concurrent) coefficients were obtained. For mothers the optimum cut-off screening value to detect distress caseness was 7/8. Item analysis revealed that fathers endorsed seven of the ten items at lower rates to mothers, with the most significant being that referring to crying. Conclusions: The EPDS is a reliable and valid measure of mood in fathers. Screening for depression or anxiety disorders in fathers requires a two point lower cut-off than screening for depression or anxiety in mothers, and we recommend this cut-off to he 5/6. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Sox18 is transiently expressed during angiogenesis in granulation tissue of skin wounds with an identical expression pattern to Flk-1 mRNA

Sox18 encodes a member of the Sry-related high mobility group box (SOX) family of developmental transcription factors. Examination of Sox18 expression during embryogenesis has shown that Sox18 is expressed transiently in endothelial cells of developing blood vessels, and mutations in Sox18 have been found to underlie the mouse vascular and hair follicle mutant ragged. In this study we have examined the expression of Sox18 in angiogenesis during wound healing. Full-thickness skin wounds were created in mice, and subsequent expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the VEGF receptor Flk-1, alpha1 (iv) collagen (Col4a1), and Sox18 were studied using in situ hybridization. As has been previously reported, VEGF was expressed predominantly in the keratinocytes at the wound margins. Sox18 expression was found Rye days after wounding during capillary sprouting in granulation tissue and persisted through the proliferative phase of healing, but was not detected in fully epithelialized wounds 21 days after wounding. Sox18 mRNA expression was detected in capillaries within the granulation tissue and showed an identical pattern of distribution to Flk-1 and Col4a1 mRNA expression in endothelial cells. Immunostaining with a polyclonal anti-Sox18 antibody showed SOX18 protein localized in capillary endothelial cells within the granulation tissue. capillaries in the subcutaneous tissue of unwounded skin showed no Sox18 expression. Sox18 may therefore represent a transcription factor involved in the induction of angiogenesis during wound healing and tissue repair, but not in the maintenance of endothelial cells in undamaged tissue.

Expert review of an approach to functional capacity evaluation

Functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is a widely used tool in work rehabilitation, despite the limited examination of the soundness of its measurement properties. This paper outlines the development of a new approach to FCE, the GAPP FCE, and reports on the findings of an expert review of aspects of its content validity and technical adequacy and how it meets established test criteria. Five expert occupational therapists reviewed the materials of the GAPP FCE then completed a questionnaire related to the content validity, technical adequacy and safety, reliability, validity, practicality and utility of the GAPP FCE. The experts gave support to most aspects of these criteria. The main issue identified by the review was related to interpretation and extrapolation of the FCE results for return to work. This and other issues are discussed in relation to recent developments in FCE and plans for future development of the GAPP FCE.

Increase in prevalence of nosocomial non-Candida albicans candidaemia and the association of Candida krusei with fluconazole use

Candida is an important nosocomial pathogen. This study was undertaken to provide information on the rate of candidaemia, to define the risks for candidaemia and to describe and account for the epidemiology of candidaemia at our institution between 1992 and 1999. The overall rate was 0.052 per 1000 patient days and 0.27 per 1000 discharges. The major risks for candidaemia were colonization at a non-sterile site (OR 3.85, 95%CI 1.80-9.09), total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in the absence of neutropenia (OR 11.8, 95%CI 4.5-35.4, P

A new technique for the quantification of peripheral edema with application in both unilateral and bilateral cases

Current noninvasive techniques for the routine and frequent quantification of peripheral lymphedema in patients are total limb volume measurement (by water immersion or by circumferential measurements) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). However both of these techniques require standardizing the measurement using a contralateral measurement from the unaffected limb, Hence these techniques are essentially restricted to unilateral lymphedema. This paper describes the results from a preliminary study to investigate an alternative approach to the analysis of the data from multiple frequency BIA to produce an index of lymphedema without the need for normalization to another body segment. Twenty patients receiving surgical treatment for breast cancer were monitored prior to surgery and again after diagnosis with unilateral lymphedema. The data recorded were total limb volume, by circumferential measurements; and BIA measurements of both limbs. From these measurements total limb volumes and extracellular fluid volumes were calculated and expressed as ratios of the affected limb to that of the unaffected limb. An index of the ratio of the extracellular fluid volume to the intracellular fluid volume was determined. This ECW/ICW index was calculated for both the affected and unaffected limbs at both measurement times. Results confirmed that the established techniques of total limb volume and extracellular fluid volume normalized to the unaffected contralateral limb were accurate in the detection of lymphedema (p < 10(-6)). Comparison of the ECW/ICW index from the affected limb after diagnosis with that from the pre-surgery measurement revealed a significant (p< 10(-6)) and considerable (75%) increase. The results of this pilot study suggest that by using multiple frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, an index of the ECW/ICW ratio can be obtained and this index appears to have an equal, or better, sensitivity, than the other techniques in detecting lymphedema. More importantly, this index does not require normalization to another body segment and can be used to detect all types of peripheral edema including both unilateral and bilateral lymphedema.

Quality of care of patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndromes

Background: Measurement and improvement of quality of care is a priority issue in health care. Patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) constitute a high-risk population whose care, if shown to be suboptimal on the basis of available research evidence, may benefit from quality improvement interventions. Aim: To evaluate the quality of in-hospital care for patients with ACS, using explicit quality indicators. Methods: Retrospective case note review was undertaken of 397 patients admitted to three teaching hospitals in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, between 1 October 2000 and 17 April 2001. The main out-come measures were 12 process-of-care quality indicators, calculated as either: (i) the proportion of all patients who received specific interventions or (ii) the proportion of ideal patients who received -specific interventions (i.e. patients with clear indi-cations and lacking contraindications). Results: Quality indicators with values above 80% included: (i) patient selection for thrombolysis (100%) and discharge prescription of beta-blockers (84%), (ii) antiplatelet agents (94%) and (iii) lipid-lowering agents (82%). Indicators with values between 50% and 80% included: (i) timely per-formance of electrocardiogram (ECG) on admission (61%), (ii) early coronary angiography (75%), (iii) measurement of serum lipids (71%) and (iv) discharge prescription of angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (73%). Indicators with values <50% included: (i) timely administration of thrombolysis (35%), (ii) non-invasive risk assessment (23%) and (ii) formal in-hospital and post-hospital cardiac rehabilitation (47% and 7%, respectively). Conclusion: There were delays in performing ECG and administering thrombolysis to patients who presented to emergency departments with ACS. Improvement is warranted in use of non-invasive procedures for identifying high-risk patients who may benefit from coronary revascularization as well as use of serum lipid measurements, ACE inhibitors and cardiac rehabilitation.

Effect of instructed extinction on verbal and autonomic indices of Pavlovian learning with fear-relevant and fear-irrelevant conditional stimuli

We investigated the effects of conditional stimulus fear-relevance and of instructed extinction on human Pavlovian conditioning as indexed by electrodermal responses and verbal ratings of conditional stimulus unpleasantness. Half of the participants (n = 64) were trained with pictures of snakes and spiders (fear-relevant) as conditional stimuli, whereas the others were trained with pictures of flowers and mushrooms (fear-irrelevant) in a differential aversive Pavlovian conditioning procedure. Half of the participants in each group were instructed after the completion of acquisition that no more unconditional stimuli were to be presented. Extinction of differential electrodermal responses required more trials after training with fear-relevant pictures. Moreover, there was some evidence that verbal instructions did not affect extinction of second interval electrodermal responses to fear-relevant pictures. However, neither fear-relevance nor instructions affected the changes in rated conditional stimulus pleasantness. This dissociation across measures is interpreted as reflecting renewal of Pavlovian learning.