Psychiatric morbidity of overseas patients in inner London: A hospital based study

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the referral, admission, treatment, and outcome of overseas patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital in central London. Ethical, legal and economic implications, and the involvement of consulates in the admission process, are discussed. METHOD: Assessment and review of overseas patients admitted between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 1999. Non-parametric statistical tests were used, and relevant outcomes described. RESULTS: 19% of admissions were overseas patients. Mean age was 38 years. 90% were unattached; 84% were white, 71% from European countries. 45% spoke fluent English. Differences in socio-economic status between home country and England were found. 74% were unwell on arrival; 65% travelled to England as tourists. 65% of admissions came via the police. 32% had been ill for more than one year before admission; 68% had psychiatric history. 77% were admitted and 48% discharged under section of the Mental Health Act. 74% had psychotic disorders, all of them with positive symptoms. 55% showed little to moderate improvement in mental state; 10% were on Enhanced Care Programme Approach. Relatives of 48% of patients were contacted. The Hospital repatriated 52% of patients; the Mental Health Team followed up 13% of those discharged. The average length of admission was 43.4 days (range 1–365). Total cost of admissions was GBP350, 600 ($577, 490); average individual cost was GBP11, 116 (range GBP200-81, 000). CONCLUSIONS: Mentally ill overseas individuals are a vulnerable group that need recognition by health organisations to adapt current practice to better serve their needs. The involvement of consulates needs further evaluation

Bounding the dimensions of rational cohomology groups

Let $k$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic $p > 0$, and let $G$ be a simple simply-connected algebraic group over $k$ that is defined and split over the prime field $\mathbb{F}_p$. In this paper we investigate situations where the dimension of a rational cohomology group for $G$ can be bounded by a constant times the dimension of the coefficient module. We then demonstrate how our results can be applied to obtain effective bounds on the first cohomology of the symmetric group. We also show how, for finite Chevalley groups, our methods permit significant improvements over previous estimates for the dimensions of second cohomology groups.Comment: 13 page

Quantum Double-Torus

A symmetry extending the $T^2$-symmetry of the noncommutative torus $T^2_q$ is studied in the category of quantum groups. This extended symmetry is given by the quantum double-torus defined as a compact matrix quantum group consisting of the disjoint union of $T^2$ and $T^2_{q^2}$. The bicross-product structure of the polynomial Hopf algebra of the quantum double-torus is computed. The Haar measure and the complete list of unitary irreducible representations of the quantum double-torus are determined explicitly.Comment: 6 pages, no figures, amslatex, reformatted for Comptes Rendus, references added, typos and French correcte

On dual canonical bases

The dual basis of the canonical basis of the modified quantized enveloping algebra is studied, in particular for type $A$. The construction of a basis for the coordinate algebra of the $n\times n$ quantum matrices is appropriate for the study the multiplicative property. It is shown that this basis is invariant under multiplication by certain quantum minors including the quantum determinant. Then a basis of quantum SL(n) is obtained by setting the quantum determinant to one. This basis turns out to be equivalent to the dual canonical basis

Test–retest reliability of multidimensional dyspnea profile recall ratings in the emergency department: a prospective, longitudinal study

BACKGROUND: Dyspnea is among the most common reasons for emergency department (ED) visits by patients with cardiopulmonary disease who are commonly asked to recall the symptoms that prompted them to come to the ED. The reliability of recalled dyspnea has not been systematically investigated in ED patients. METHODS: Patients with chronic or acute cardiopulmonary conditions who came to the ED with dyspnea (N = 154) completed the Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile (MDP) several times during the visit and in a follow-up visit 4 to 6 weeks later (n = 68). The MDP has 12 items with numerical ratings of intensity, unpleasantness, sensory qualities, and emotions associated with how breathing felt when participants decided to come to the ED (recall MDP) or at the time of administration (“now” MDP). The recall MDP was administered twice in the ED and once during the follow-up visit. Principal components analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was used to assess domain structure of the recall MDP. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha. Test–retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for absolute agreement for individual items and domains. RESULTS: PCA of the recall MDP was consistent with two domains (Immediate Perception, 7 items, Cronbach’s alpha = .89 to .94; Emotional Response, 5 items; Cronbach’s alpha = .81 to .85). Test–retest ICCs for the recall MDP during the ED visit ranged from .70 to .87 for individual items and were .93 and .94 for the Immediate Perception and Emotional Response domains. ICCs were much lower for the interval between the ED visit and follow-up, both for individual items (.28 to .66) and for the Immediate Perception and Emotional Response domains (.72 and .78, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: During an ED visit, recall MDP ratings of dyspnea at the time participants decided to seek care in the ED are reliable and sufficiently stable, both for individual items and the two domains, that a time lag between arrival and questionnaire administration does not critically affect recall of perceptual and emotional characteristics immediately prior to the visit. However, test–retest reliability of recall over a 4- to 6-week interval is poor for individual items and significantly attenuated for the two domains

Predictors and Barriers to Faculty Scholarly Activity in United States Urology Residency Programs

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with scholarly activity among faculty members at urology residency programs. METHODS: An online survey was sent to all urology residency program directors. The survey assessed program characteristics, support and barriers for scholarly activity, and faculty participation in research and mentorship of residents. A linear regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with faculty scholarship. Scholarly activity was defined as original research studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case series and case reports. RESULTS: The survey was sent to 134 programs with a 36% response rate. Faculty attitudes toward conducting scholarly activity and lack of formal research curriculum were barriers to participation in scholarly activity, p\u3c0.001 and p=0.05 respectively. Faculty attitudes were also a barrier to mentorship of residents (p=0.0038) and publication of at least one paper (p=0.0035). Having a statistician was positively associated with publications (p=0.062) and presentations (p=0.032). A minimum requirement of a ‘local presentation’ (p=0.04) and chairman support (p=0.015) were positively associated with presentations at a conference. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified resources and barriers to faculty member scholarly activity. The production of scholarly activity by faculty is increased by a chairman who supports research, availability of a statistician, submitting a manuscript as a resident requirement, and a dedicated research track for residents in the program. Urology residencies seeking to prioritize scholarly activity should consider these factors

Photoreceptor Dysplasia: An Inherited Progressive Retinal Atrophy of Miniature Schnauzer Dogs

A progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) affecting Miniature Schnauzer dogs is reported. Of the 287 individuals (148 female, 139 male) comprising the study population, 66 (23 percent) were affected (33 female, 33 male) and 221 animals (115 female, 106 male) were phenotypically normal. There was no sex predilection for the disease. Results of histologic and electroretinographic studies indicate that the disease is a new and different type of PRA, characterized by unique morphologic and functional deficits during rod and cone development. Accordingly, the disease has been termed photoreceptor dysplasia. Clinically, and particularly ophthalmoscopically, diagnosis is only practicable in very late stages of the disease. Electroretinography, however, can provide evidence of the disease in dogs at least as young as 8 weeks of age. Pedigree analysis and test-mating studies conclusively establish that inheritance is autosomal recessive. The gene symbol pd (for photoreceptor dysplasia) is assigned

Spin Excitations in BaFe1.84Co0.16As2 Superconductor Observed by Inelastic Neutron Scattering

Superconductivity appears to compete against the spin-density-wave in Fe pnictides. However, optimally cobalt doped samples show a quasi-two-dimensional spin excitation centered at the (0.5, 0.5, L) wavevector, "the spin resonance peak", that is strongly tied to the onset of superconductivity. By inelastic neutron scattering on single crystals we show the similarities and differences of the spin excitations in BaFe1.84Co0.16As2, with respect to the spin excitations in the high-temperature superconducting cuprates. As in the cuprates the resonance occurs as an enhancement to a part of the spin excitation spectrum which extends to higher energy transfer and higher temperature. However, unlike in the cuprates, the resonance peak in this compound is asymmetric in energy.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures; PACS # 74.70.-b, 74.20.Mn, 78.70.Nx, 74.25.Ha; corrected discussion of figures in tex