bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SINGLE-STAGE POSTERIOR CIRCUMSPINAL DEBRIDEMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION FOR THORACIC AND LUMBAR SPINAL INFECTIONS
Authors: Abdel-Wanis Mohamed El-Sayed
Published: July 2007

Anterior debridement and fusion is an accepted method to treat spinal infections. However, rehabilitation after anterior debridement and fusion is prolonged because of minor primary instability, making postoperative bed rest, casting, and orthotic devices necessary. To shorten and simplify the postoperative period, several authors have reported the addition of anterior or dorsal instrumentation, the latter referring to anterior–posterior exposure. In our opinion, single posterior circumspinal exposure can be used to debride and reconstruct the spine, and posterior fixation can also be added through it. Twelve patients who had infections of the thoracic and lumbar spine were treated surgically at Sohag University Hospital, Egypt. The patients were seven males and five females with a mean age of 47.5 years. Eight patients were infected in the thoracic spine, while the other four were infected in the lumbar spine. All patients were operated through a single posterior exposure. Posterior stabilization by transpedicular screw fixation was performed. Anterior dissection enabled debridement of the lesion and evacuation of any abscess. Then, reconstruction of the anterior column was performed followed by posterior fusion. Causative organisms were tuberculosis (TB) in eight patients, while bacteriologic testing of intraoperative samples did not find germs in four patients. The mean follow-up time was 12.7 months (range, 3–32 months). At the end of follow-up, 11 patients were still living, while 1 patient died 3 months postoperatively due to complications during a kidney operation. No active infection occurred by the end of follow-up. In conclusion, in cases of thoracic and lumbar spinal infections, single posterior exposure — although technically demanding — is sufficient to debride the infected material, decompress the neural elements, and reconstruct the spine both anteriorly and posteriorly.
THE RELIABILITY OF INTRADISCAL STRESS PROFILOMETRY IN CADAVERIC LUMBAR DISCS
Authors: Gay Ralph E. , Zhao Kristin D. , Ilharreborde Brice , Bridges Jonathan , An Kai-Nan
Published: July 2007

The measurement of intradiscal stress has been primarily limited to nucleus pulposus pressure. Intradiscal stress profilometry is a technique that measures stress in both the nucleus pulposus (hydrostatic) and annulus fibrosus (compression). Evidence from animal studies suggests that distraction may affect disc physiology and promote repair. A study was performed to determine the reliability of intradiscal stress profilometry measurements in the anterior, posterior, and nucleus regions of cadaveric lumbar discs. Four fresh-frozen human lumbar motion segments were prepared and tested. Five profiles were obtained during two conditions of compression and three conditions of distraction. Discs were then graded for degenerative change. Reliability was judged by within-specimen coefficients of variation. The coefficients of variation were smaller (more reliable) for compression conditions than for distraction conditions. Within-specimen coefficients during compression ranged from 1.58% to 37.2% in the nucleus, 3.9% to 67.4% in the anterior annulus, and 2.3% to 25.5% in the posterior annulus. The reliability of intradiscal stress profilometry is acceptable for repeated measures studies evaluating within-specimen changes, but the sample size will vary depending on the test conditions used and the disc region of interest.
LUMBAR DISC VACUUM PHENOMENON: ITS CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS AND SURGICAL TREATMENT
Authors: Lin Jinfu , Moon Myung-Sang
Published: July 2007

In this paper, we describe the clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of painful lumbar discs with the vacuum phenomenon (VP). The sole indication for anterior arthrodesis was painful discs with VP. Sixteen patients were included and retrospectively reviewed; of these, 10 patients had back and thigh claudication pain, and 5 patients had acute onset of excruciating back or thigh pain. Unilateral thigh pain tended to be on the concave side of lumbar scoliosis. Dynamic myelography and reformatted computed tomography (CT) were useful imaging tools to detect VP. Bone scan was useful in detecting painful discs in degenerative scoliosis, and selective nerve block was useful in differentiating compressive root pain. Mechanical and chemical factors were postulated for the pathogenesis of VP discs in patients with chronic and acute pain. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved in 94% (n = 15) of patients by anterior arthrodesis with cage. VP is a useful pain and fusion indicator in painful spine with or without deformities. The term "discogenic claudication" is proposed to describe clinical pictures of the vacuum sign.
Gender in Politics
Authors: Paxton Pamela , Kunovich Sheri , Hughes Melanie M.
Published: July 2007

Women's political participation and representation vary dramatically within and between countries. We selectively review the literature on gender in politics, focusing on women's formal political participation. We discuss both traditional explanations for women's political participation and representation, such as the supply of women and the demand for women, and newer explanations such as the role of international actors and gender quotas. We also ask whether women are distinctive—does having more women in office make a difference to public policy? Throughout the review we demonstrate that a full understanding of women's political representation requires both deep knowledge of individual cases such as the United States and broad knowledge comparing women's participation across countries. We end with four recommended directions for future research: (a) globalizing theory and research, (b) expanding data collection, (c) remembering alternative forms of women's agency, and (d) addressing intersectionality.
Lost and Found: The Sociological Ambivalence Toward Childhood
Authors: Shanahan Suzanne
Published: July 2007

Recent social scientific research on childhood is oddly ambivalent. Despite much theoretically creative and empirically innovative work, the sociology of childhood, as a subfield, is often uncomfortable with its own object of inquiry. I identify three possible sources of this sociological ambivalence. First, much work does not fully differentiate children from childhood. Second, much of the literature conflates the notion of childhood as a social construct with childhood as a social good. And third, the construction of childhood in some of the literature is incommensurate with the social policies designed to protect or empower children. This review further illuminates this threefold equivocation with a schematic review of the sociological literature on childhood written since the 1980s. I conclude by briefly suggesting how recent insights from historical and poststructural approaches have begun to alleviate this ambivalence.
Human Motivation and Social Cooperation: Experimental and Analytical Foundations
Authors: Fehr Ernst , Gintis Herbert
Published: July 2007

Since Durkheim, sociological explanations of social cooperation have emphasized the internalization of values that induce norm compliance. Since Adam Smith, economic explanations of social cooperation have emphasized incentives that induce selfish individuals to cooperate. Here, we develop a general approach—the Beliefs, Preferences, and Constraints approach—showing that each of the above models is a special case. Our approach is based on evidence indicating that pure Homo Sociologicus and pure Homo Economicus views are wrong. We show that self-regarding and norm-regarding actors coexist and that the available action opportunities determine which of these actor types dominates the aggregate level of social cooperation. Our approach contributes to the solution of long-standing problems, including the problems of social order and collective action, the determinants and consequences of social exchanges, the microfoundations of emergent aggregate patterns of social interactions, and the measurement of the impact of cultural and economic practices on individuals’ social goals.
High Performance ALD Reactor for High-k Films
Authors: Dalton Jeremie , Kim Hae Young , Zhang Zhihong , Seidel Tom , Karim Zia , Ramanathan Sasangan
Published: July 2007

In this work we discuss the design requirements for achieving higher productivity ALD solutions and we present a single-wafer reactor design that incorporates improvement elements. The effectiveness of this approach is evaluated by examining the improved step coverage, saturation, uniformity and electrical properties of ZrO2 high-k films deposited using this reactor system.
Comparison of ALD of HfO2, SiO2, and HfSiOx Thin Films Using Various Metal/Silicon Alkylamide Precursors and O3
Authors: Bartholomew Lawrence , Barelli Carl , Owyang Jon , DiCarlo Ron , Shenai Deo , Marsman Charles , Senzaki Yoshi
Published: July 2007

The atomic layer deposition (ALD) of HfO2, SiO2, HfxSi1-xO2 thin films were compared in process performance using various Hf/Si amide precursors and O3 as an oxidant. The novel Hf/Si precursor co-injection ALD process was evaluated to grow HfxSi1-xO2 films. The behavior of TEMAHf and TDMAHf were comparable in the HfO2 and HfxSi1-xO2 processes. Only 3DMASi yielded SiO2 films while both 4DMASi and TEMASi failed to deposit SiO2 under similar low temperature (< 400{degree sign}C) conditions. On the other hand, all three silicon precursors successfully deposited HfxSi1-xO2 over a wide range of temperature. This paper will explore films deposited on both single-wafer and batch ALD platforms, demonstrating that the films have equivalent physical and electrical behavior on both platforms.
Remote Plasma and Thermal ALD of Al2O3 for Trench Capacitor Applications
Authors: van Hemmen Hans , Heil Stephan , Klootwijk Johan , Roozeboom F. , Hodson Chris , van de Sanden Richard , Kessels Erwin
Published: July 2007

The remote plasma ALD process of Al2O3 from Al(CH3)3 and O2 plasma was characterized and compared to the well established thermal ALD process of Al2O3 employing H2O as the oxidant. The growth per cycle, saturation of the surface reactions and material properties were investigated for substrate temperatures between 25 and 300 {degree sign}C. It was demonstrated that high-quality films can be obtained for substrate temperatures above 100 {degree sign}C. For these temperatures the mass densities of the remote plasma ALD films are slightly higher than those of the thermally deposited films. Remote plasma ALD also yields fair material properties below 100 {degree sign}C at a relatively high growth per cycle and short cycle times. With remote plasma ALD conformal films were achieved in high-aspect ratio structures. Together with the first results on electrical characterization, it was shown that the Al2O3 deposited is promising for the application in metal-oxide-semiconductor trench capacitors.
HfO2 Thin Film Deposited by Remote Plasma Atomic Layer Deposition Method
Authors: Kim Seokhoon , Jeon Hyeongtag
Published: July 2007

A remote plasma atomic layer deposition (RPALD) method has been applied to grow a HfO2 thin film on a Si substrate. The in-situ XPS measurement showed the presence of a Hf silicate phase at the initial stage of the RPALD process up to 20 cycles and no Hf silicide formed. The initial Hf silicate was amorphous and grew to a thickness of approximately 2 nm. We also carried out a remote plasma oxidation (RPO) and nitridation (RPN) on a Si substrate to suppress initial Hf silicate formation and to improve the interface quality. RPO and RPN processes effectively retarded Hf silicate formation during HfO2 deposition or after annealing. The RPO-treated and RPN-treated HfO2 films exhibited lower effective fixed oxide charges and equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) than films on H- terminated Si.
Effect of Process Pressure on Atomic Layer Deposition of Al2O3
Authors: Li Ming-Yen , Chang Yung-Yuan , Wu Hsiao-Che , Huang Cheng-Sung , Chen Jen-Chung , Lue Jen-Lang , Chang Shieh-Ming
Published: July 2007

Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) thin films have been prepared by the atomic layer deposition (ALD) using trimethylaluminum (TMA) and ozone (O3) as precursors. The process pressure was varied from 200-1000 mTorr at lower deposition temperature of 320oC and compared its effects on the properties with increasing deposition temperature to 460oC. The film growth rate and the film properties of thickness uniformity, impurity incorporation and the step coverage in high aspect ratio features were characterized. It was found that the deposition temperature decrease leads to film property deterioration and film growth rate increase. Increasing process pressure at lower temperature can not only help to retrieve the film properties but further increase the film growth rate. These improvements can be attributed to the change of surface saturation level, the enhancement of precursor diffusion condition, as well as the higher probability for surface reactions to occur at the active sites. It suggests that increasing process pressure may reduce the necessary cycle times to obtain qualified film properties, which brings advantages of throughput for ALD semiconductor applications.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Platinum for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Jiang Xirong , Bent Stacey F.
Published: July 2007

We are exploring atomic layer deposition (ALD) for depositing components of a solid oxide fuel cell, including the current collector and catalyst. Using (methylcyclopentadienyl) trimethylplatinum (MeCpPtMe3) and oxygen precursors, Pt has been deposited by ALD on the surfaces of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), a solid oxide electrolyte, as well as on oxide- covered silicon. The film, as measured by ex situ analysis, is of high purity and low resistivity. We have also investigated the use of area selective ALD to deposit patterned Pt. By coating these same substrates with octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTS) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), Pt ALD can be successfully blocked by the SAM resist. The ODTS SAMs are also transferred to the substrates by microcontact printing (uCP), and we show that platinum thin films are grown selectively on the SAM-free surface regions. Features with sizes as small as 2 um have been deposited by this combined ALD-uCP method.
Nucleation and Growth of Noble Metals on Oxide Surfaces Using Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Elam J. W. , Zinovev A. V. V. , Pellin Michael J. , Comstock David J. , Hersam Mark C.
Published: July 2007

Noble metals supported on metal oxide surfaces have broad applications in catalysis, microelectronics and sensing. In most applications it is critical to control the dispersion and morphology of the noble metals to achieve either a smooth, continuous film or isolated particles of controlled size. Here we examine the atomic layer deposition of Pd and Pt films onto a variety of metal oxide surfaces including Al2O3, ZrO2, and TiO2. In situ quartz crystal microbalance measurements and quadrupole mass spectrometry are used to explore the nucleation and growth of the Pd ant Pt on the different metal oxide surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to examine the morphology and surface state of the resulting Pt and Pd coatings. By varying the support material and the deposition conditions, we can control the morphology of the ALD noble metal coatings to yield agglomerated particles or continuous films.
Crystallization of Amorphous Si Thin Films Using Sub-nm Nickel Oxide Thin Layers Deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: So Byung Soo , Cho Wontae , You Yil-Hwan , Hwang Jin-Ha , Lee Sun Sook , Chung Taek-Mo , Lee Young Kuk , Kim Chang Gyoun , An Ki-Seok
Published: July 2007

Atomic layer deposition of nickel oxide was employed to fabricate polycrystalline Si thin films on glass substrates via metal induced crystallization (MIC).
Portal vein hypoglycemia is essential for full induction of hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure with slow-onset hypoglycemia
Authors: Matveyenko Aleksey V. , Bohland MaryAnn , Saberi Maziyar , Donovan Casey M.
Published: July 2007

Antecedent hypoglycemia leads to impaired counterregulation and hypoglycemic unawareness. To ascertain whether antecedent portal vein hypoglycemia impairs portal vein glucose sensing, thereby inducing counterregulatory failure, we compared the effects of antecedent hypoglycemia, with and without normalization of portal vein glycemia, upon the counterregulatory response to subsequent hypoglycemia. Male Wistar rats were chronically cannulated in the carotid artery (sampling), jugular vein (glucose and insulin infusion), and mesenteric vein (glucose infusion). On day 1, the following three distinct antecedent protocols were employed: 1) HYPO-HYPO: systemic hypoglycemia (2.52 ± 0.11 mM); 2) HYPO-EUG: systemic hypoglycemia (2.70 ± 0.03 mM) with normalization of portal vein glycemia (portal vein glucose = 5.86 ± 0.10 mM); and 3) EUG-EUG: systemic euglycemia (6.33 ± 0.31 mM). On day 2, all groups underwent a hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic clamp in which the fall in glycemia was controlled so as to reach the nadir (2.34 ± 0.04 mM) by minute 75. Counterregulatory hormone responses were measured at basal (−30 and 0) and during hypoglycemia (60–105 min). Compared with EUG-EUG, antecedent hypoglycemia (HYPO-HYPO) significantly blunted the peak epinephrine (10.44 ± 1.35 vs. 15.75 ± 1.33 nM: P = 0.01) and glucagon (341 ± 16 vs. 597 ± 82 pg/ml: P = 0.03) responses to next-day hypoglycemia. Normalization of portal glycemia during systemic hypoglycemia on day 1 (HYPO-EUG) prevented blunting of the peak epinephrine (15.59 ± 1.43 vs. 15.75 ± 1.33 nM: P = 0.94) and glucagon (523 ± 169 vs. 597 ± 82 pg/ml: P = 0.66) responses to day 2 hypoglycemia. Consistent with hormonal responses, the glucose infusion rate during day 2 hypoglycemia was substantially elevated in HYPO-HYPO (74 ± 12 vs. 49 ± 4 μmol·kg−1·min−1; P = 0.03) but not HYPO-EUG (39 ± 7 vs. 49 ± 4 μmol·kg−1·min−1: P = 0.36). Antecedent hypoglycemia local to the portal vein is required for the full induction of hypoglycemia-associated counterregulatory failure with slow-onset hypoglycemia.
Cardiovascular outcomes of CPAP therapy in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: McNicholas Walter T.
Published: July 2007

Considerable evidence is now available of an independent association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and cardiovascular disease. The association is particularly strong for systemic arterial hypertension, but there is growing evidence of an association with ischemic heart disease and stroke. The mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease in patients with OSAS are still poorly understood. However, the pathogenesis is likely to be a multifactorial process involving a diverse range of mechanisms, including sympathetic overactivity, selective activation of inflammatory molecular pathways, endothelial dysfunction, abnormal coagulation, and metabolic dysregulation, the latter particularly involving insulin resistance and disordered lipid metabolism. Therapy with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been associated with significant benefits to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, both in short-term studies addressing specific aspects of morbidity, such as hypertension, and more recently in long-term studies that have evaluated major outcomes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, there is a clear need for further studies evaluating the impact of CPAP therapy on cardiovascular outcomes. Furthermore, studies on the impact of CPAP therapy have provided useful information concerning the role of basic cell and molecular mechanisms in the pathophysiology of OSAS.
Activation of Nigral and Pallidal Dopamine D1-Like Receptors Modulates Basal Ganglia Outflow in Monkeys
Authors: Kliem Michele A. , Maidment Nigel T. , Ackerson Larry C. , Chen Sugong , Smith Yoland , Wichmann Thomas
Published: July 2007

Studies of the effects of dopamine in the basal ganglia have focused on the striatum, whereas the functions of dopamine released in the internal pallidal segment (GPi) or in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) have received less attention. Anatomic and biochemical investigations have demonstrated the presence of dopamine D1-like receptors (D1LRs) in GPi and SNr, which are primarily located on axons and axon terminals of the GABAergic striatopallidal and striatonigral afferents. Our experiments assessed the effects of D1LR ligands in GPi and SNr on local γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels and neuronal activity in these nuclei in rhesus monkeys. Microinjections of the D1LR receptor agonist SKF82958 into GPi and SNr significantly reduced discharge rates in GPi and SNr, whereas injections of the D1LR antagonist SCH23390 increased firing in the majority of GPi neurons. D1LR activation also increased bursting and oscillations in neuronal discharge in the 3- to 15-Hz band in both structures, whereas D1LR blockade had the opposite effects in GPi. Microdialysis measurements of GABA concentrations in GPi and SNr showed that the D1LR agonist increased the level of the transmitter. Both findings are compatible with the hypothesis that D1LR activation leads to GABA release from striatopallidal or striatonigral afferents, which may secondarily reduce firing of basal ganglia output neurons. The antagonist experiments suggest that a dopaminergic “tone” exists in GPi. Our results support the finding that D1LR activation may have powerful effects on GPi and SNr neurons and may mediate some of the effects of dopamine replacement therapies in Parkinson's disease.
Methyl-CpG Binding Domain Proteins and Their Involvement in the Regulation of the MAGE-A1, MAGE-A2, MAGE-A3, and MAGE-A12 Gene Promoters
Authors: Wischnewski Frank , Friese Olaf , Pantel Klaus , Schwarzenbach Heidi
Published: July 2007

Promoter hypermethylation is responsible for the restricted expression of the tumor-associated MAGE antigens. In order to elucidate the mechanism underlying methylation-dependent repression, we examined the involvement of methyl-CpG binding proteins, MBD1, MBD2a, and MeCP2, in silencing of MAGE-A1, MAGE-A2, MAGE-A3, and MAGE-A12 genes. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays displayed binding of MBD1 to the methylated and unmethylated MAGE-A promoters. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, in vivo binding of MBD1 and MeCP2 to the promoters could be observed in MCF-7 and T47D cells. Transient transfection assays of MCF-7 cells were done with the transcriptional repression domains (TRD) of MBD1, MBD2a, and MeCP2, and MAGE-A1, MAGE-A2, MAGE-A3, and MAGE-A12 promoters. Whereas the TRD of MBD1 and MeCP2 repressed the MAGE-A promoters, the TRD of MBD2 had no inhibiting effect on the promoter activity. Furthermore, cotransfections of Mbd1-deficient mouse fibroblasts and MCF-7 cells with MBD2a, MeCP2, and the MBD1 splice variants, 1v1 and 1v3, showed that strong methylation-dependent repression of the MAGE-A promoters could not be further down-regulated by these proteins. However, the two MBD1 splice variants, 1v1 and 1v3, were able to repress the basal activity of unmethylated MAGE-A promoters. Additional cotransfection experiments with both isoforms of MBD1 and the transcription factor Ets-1 showed that Ets-1 could not abrogate the MBD1-mediated suppression. In contrast with the repressive effect mediated by MBD1, MBD2a was found to up-regulate the basal activity of the promoters. In conclusion, these data show, for the first time, the involvement of methyl-CpG binding domain proteins in the regulation of the MAGE-A genes. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(7):749–59)
Involvement of an Autocrine Stromal Cell–Derived Factor-1/CXCR4 System on the Distant Metastasis of Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Uchida Daisuke , Onoue Tomitaro , Tomizuka Yoshifumi , Begum Nasima Mila , Miwa Yoshihiro , Yoshida Hideo , Sato Mitsunobu
Published: July 2007

We have previously shown that a stromal cell–derived factor-1 (SDF-1; CXCL12)/CXCR4 system is involved in the establishment of lymph node metastasis, but not in that of distant metastasis, in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In this study, we investigated the role of the autocrine SDF-1/CXCR4 system, with a focus on distant metastasis in oral SCC cells. The immunohistochemical staining of SDF-1 and CXCR4 using primary oral SCCs and metastatic lymph nodes showed a significantly higher number of SDF-1–positive cases among the metastatic lymph nodes than among the primary oral SCCs, which was associated with a poor survival rate among those of the former group. The forced expression of SDF-1 in B88 cells, which exhibit functional CXCR4 and lymph node metastatic potential (i.e., the autocrine SDF-1/CXCR4 system), conferred enhanced cell motility and anchorage-independent growth potential onto the cells. Orthotopic inoculation of the transfectant into nude mice was associated with an increase in the number of metastatic lymph nodes and more aggressive metastatic foci in the lymph nodes. Furthermore, the SDF-1 transfectant (i.e., the autocrine SDF-1/CXCR4 system) exhibited dramatic metastasis to the lung after i.v. inoculation, whereas the mock transfectant (i.e., the paracrine SDF-1/CXCR4 system) did not. Under the present conditions, AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist, significantly inhibited the lung metastasis of the SDF-1 transfectant, ameliorated body weight loss, and improved the survival rate of tumor-bearing nude mice. These results suggested that, in cases of oral SCC, the paracrine SDF-1/CXCR4 system potentiates lymph node metastasis, but distant metastasis might require the autocrine SDF-1/CXCR4 system. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(7):685–94)
AtmDeficiency Affects Both Apoptosis and Proliferation to Augment Myc-Induced Lymphomagenesis
Authors: Maclean Kirsteen H. , Kastan Michael B. , Cleveland John L.
Published: July 2007

Myc oncoproteins are commonly activated in malignancies and are sufficient to provoke many types of cancer. However, the critical mechanisms by which Myc contributes to malignant transformation are not clear. DNA damage seems to be an important initiating event in tumorigenesis. Here, we show that although Myc does not directly induce double-stranded DNA breaks, it does augment activation of the Atm/p53 DNA damage response pathway, suggesting that Atm may function as a guardian against Myc-induced transformation. Indeed, we show that Atm loss augments Myc-induced lymphomagenesis and impairs Myc-induced apoptosis, which normally harnesses Myc-driven tumorigenesis. Surprisingly, Atm loss also augments the proliferative response induced by Myc, and this augmentation is associated with enhanced suppression of the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1. Therefore, regulation of cell proliferation and p27Kip1 seems to be a contributing mechanism by which Atm holds tumor formation in check. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(7):705–11)
Behavioral Norms and Expectations on Antarctic Stations
Authors: Sarris Aspa , Kirby Neil
Published: July 2007

This study examined the organizational culture of Australian Antarctic stations in terms of behavioral norms and expectations. The study also investigated the relationship between perceptions of Antarctic station culture and individual attitudes and job outcomes. Participants were 116 returned Australian Antarctic expeditioners. Results showed that the overall profile of Antarctic station culture reflected a satisfaction-oriented culture, with the majority of participants describing Antarctic stations as open, friendly, and participatory environments. However, results also revealed gender differences in perceptions of Antarctic station norms and expectations. Although men generally described Antarctic station culture as open and team oriented, women described it as rule-oriented, hierarchical, and nonparticipatory. Perceptions of Antarctic station culture were related to individual attitudes, including satisfaction with being a member of the expedition and intention to return to the Antarctic.
Comparing and Combining Theories to Explain Proenvironmental Intentions
Authors: Wall Rob , Devine-Wright Patrick , Mill Greig A.
Published: July 2007

This article addresses the need for systematic theory comparison and development in environmentally significant behavior (ESB) research. Using logistic regression ( N = 398), models based on Schwartz's norm-activation theory (NAT) and Ajzen's theory of planned behavior (TPB) were compared as explanations of drivers' intentions to reduce or maintain their car use for commuting. NAT explained more variance (McFadden R2 = .342). A model using NAT and TPB constructs was also tested. This explained more variance than either individual theory (McFadden R2 = .379). A personal-normative variable (NAT) and perceived behavioral control (TPB) were the only statistically-significant predictors of intentions in the model derived from both theories. It is argued that combining NAT and TPB constructs accounts for a range of influences on car-use intentions that neither individual theory fully captures. A combined model may also apply to other ESBs, especially those perceived as reducing personal utility (i.e., entailing sacrifice).
Self-Esteem Memories: Feeling Good About Achievement Success, Feeling Bad About Relationship Distress
Authors: Pillemer David B. , Ivcevic Zorana , Gooze Rachel A. , Collins Katherine A.
Published: July 2007

College students and middle-aged adults provided memories of occasions when they felt especially good or especially bad about themselves. Probes directed the memory search to several age intervals during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Predominant themes represented in self-esteem memories differed consistently as a function of emotional valence. Memories of positive self-worth frequently focused on achievement/mastery themes, whereas memories of negative self-worth frequently focused on interpersonal/affiliation themes. When people evaluate the self through the lens of autobiographical memory, interpersonal distress is portrayed as especially damaging and achievement success is portrayed as especially enhancing. The asymmetry between positive and negative self-esteem memories is explained using multiple theoretical perspectives within social and personality psychology.
Trajectories of Alcohol Consumption among Older Japanese Followed from 1987—1999
Authors: Gee Gilbert C. , Liang Jersey , Bennett Joan , Krause Neal , Kobayashi Erika , Fukaya Taro , Sugihara Yuko
Published: July 2007

This study examined the longitudinal changes in alcohol consumption among elderly Japanese, characterized the subtrajectories within the aggregate trend, and examined potential predictors of these trajectories. Data come from a nationally representative survey of 2,566 persons in Japan, ages 60 to 96, followed over five waves between 1987—1999. Hierarchical linear modeling and cluster analysis were used to uncover trajectories of alcohol use. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to examine the predictors of trajectory association at baseline. Alcohol use appears relatively stable between ages 60 and 70, but declines thereafter. Further, there are three subtrajectories: stable, declining, and curvilinear (in addition to abstainers). Predictors of these trajectories varied by trajectory. Alcohol use may continue to be an important part of life at older ages. However, older drinkers appear to follow four drinking trajectories. Demographic characteristics and stressors may be associated with these trajectories. Knowledge of these trajectories may aid in targeting of interventions.
Nurses' Perception of Error Reporting and Patient Safety Culture in Korea
Authors: Kim Jeongeun , An Kyungeh , Minah Kang Kim  , Sook Hee Yoon
Published: July 2007

An exploratory study was conducted with 886 nurses at eight Korean teaching hospitals to describe nurses' perception of frequency of error reporting and patient safety culture in their hospitals and to identify relationships between the nurses' perception and work-related factors. The authors found that the majority of nurses were not comfortable reporting errors or communicating concerns about safety issues. A significant portion reported concerns about patient safety issues in their working unit. Nurses on the front line evaluated various aspects related to patient safety culture as being more of a problem than nurses who are older ( p < .01) and who work in management positions ( p < .05). The authors conclude that error reporting and the safety culture in Korean teaching hospitals are not emphasized enough. The authors suggest that patient safety could be improved in a nonpunitive culture where individuals can openly discuss medical errors and potential hazards.
Aggression Control Therapy for Violent Forensic Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Hornsveld Ruud H. J. , Nijman Henk L. I. , Hollin Clive R. , Kraaimaat Floor W.
Published: July 2007

Aggression control therapy is based on Goldstein, Gibbs, and Glick's aggression replacement training and was developed for violent forensic psychiatric in- and outpatients (adolescents and adults) with a (oppositional—defiant) conduct disorder or an antisocial personality disorder. First, the conditions for promoting “treatment integrity” are examined. Then, target groups, framework, and procedure are described in detail, followed by the most important clinical findings during the period 2002 to 2006. Finally, new programme developments are mentioned, with aggression control therapy as a starting point.
Men's Bargaining with Patriarchy
Authors: Herzog Hanna , Yahia-Younis Taghreed
Published: July 2007

This article expands Kandiyoti's concept of patriarchal bargaining to include men's negotiations. It analyzes how marginalized groups within a dominant sociocultural knowledge regime strategize to advance change while trying to maximize security and optimize their life options. The case study analyzes primaries held within kin-based groupings— hamulas (clans) among Palestinian Arabs in Israel—to determine the candidates for municipal elections. Based on interviews and analysis of newspaper articles, the authors claim that the turn to primaries by hamulas was an attempt to resolve disputes that were undermining the patriarchal system. The primaries provided entry to those of lower ranking in the hierarchy of hamula political leadership (e.g., younger men, higher education graduates, members of marginal segments of the clan), while retaining the exclusion of women from the political sphere. Thus, while bargaining with patriarchy, gender identities and hierarchies are contested, re/produced, and negotiated as both a political means and an anchor for social identities.
Bravas, Permitidas, Obsoletas
Authors: Richards Patricia
Published: July 2007

The author explores how dichotomous representations of women and Indians came into play in Chilean print media representations of Mapuche women from 1997 to 2003, at the height of conflicts between the Mapuche people, the state, and elites in southern Chile. The author finds there were three competing representations of Mapuche women, which reproduce assumptions not just about them but about the people as a whole. Together, they accentuate, and simultaneously complicate, dichotomous views of Indians and women. These media portrayals are significant because they reflect and reinforce the central principles of neoliberal multiculturalism—the prevailing form of governance in contemporary Latin America—which promotes diversity while perpetuating the marginalization of indigenous peoples and many of their rights. This analysis of images in print media contributes to understandings of how race and gender ideologies continue to inform debates over national belonging in contemporary Latin America.
Denied, Embracing, and Resisting Medicalization
Authors: Brubaker Sarah Jane
Published: July 2007

Teens' experiences with reproductive health care have been ignored by both the “social problems” moral discourse on teen pregnancy and feminist critiques of medicalization. These perspectives are both gendered and racialized in ways that marginalize African American teen mothers. Interview data with 51 poor African American teen mothers suggest that their reproductive experiences occur within very different contexts than those that have inspired feminist criticisms of medicalization. Before their pregnancies, teens are largely denied access to formal health care services and reproductive information and knowledge, and once pregnant, like adult women, they alternately embrace and resist specific aspects of medical care. Their perspectives provide insights into women's experiences with the formal medical system from an understudied social location, and their narratives expand our understanding of how women's and girls' sexuality is socially constructed as problematic and managed, controlled, and regulated in particular ways depending on their social locations.
How Involved Is Involved Fathering?
Authors: Wall Glenda , Arnold Stephanie
Published: July 2007

While popular cultural representations portray the “new father” of the past two decades as more involved, more nurturing, and capable of coparenting, many argue that actual fathering conduct has not kept pace. Others, however, question the extent to which the culture of fatherhood does indeed support involved fathering and, if so, what this involvement entails. This study aims to contribute to the exploration of the culture of fatherhood through an analysis of a yearlong Canadian newspaper series dedicated to family issues. Findings suggest that through representations of parental guilt, parental responsibility, work—family balance issues, and hegemonic masculinity, mothers continue to be positioned as primary parents. Support for father involvement, to the extent that it exists, occurs within the framework of fathers as part-time, secondary parents whose relationship with children remains less important than mothers'.
Agricultural-Related Injury and Illness in The Gambia
Authors: Culp Kennith , Kuye Rex , Donham Kelley J. , Rautiainen Risto , Umbarger-Mackey Michelle , Marquez Shannon
Published: July 2007

This is an exploratory, descriptive study based on a convenience sample from a rural nursing service and in-country area farmers from The Gambia. The purpose of the study was to provide descriptive information about agricultural-related injury and illness from area farmers and to obtain data from rural nurses about the time they spent caring for and treating farmers. Employees of the nursing service could read and write English fluently and thus completed a written questionnaire; the area farmers were unable to read and write English so they were interviewed by farm extension workers in their own tribal language. The most alarming findings were the nursing respondents' report of farm workers using pesticides in their homes, the poor condition of pesticide sprayers, and the lack of personal protective equipment. Despite their claim of following pesticide instructions, farm workers reported a surprisingly high number of respiratory and neurological signs and symptoms.
Parents' Self-Identified Stressors and Coping Strategies During Adolescents' Spinal Surgery Experiences
Authors: Salisbury Michele H. , LaMontagne Lynda L. , Hepworth Joseph T. , Cohen Frances
Published: July 2007

Spinal fusion surgery for idiopathic scoliosis during adolescence is a tremendous stressor for parents. This study investigated parents' pre- and postoperative stressors and their coping strategies. Ninety-two parents identified their predominant stressor and completed the Ways of Coping Questionnaire during their adolescent's preoperative clinic visit and 77 completed this procedure 4 days postoperatively. Results showed that primary stressors were parental role loss (28.26%), possibility of poor surgical outcomes (28.26%), and uncertainty about successful recovery (27.17%) preoperatively, and concerns about pain (32.47%) and parental role loss (32.47%) postoperatively. The greatest increase from pre- to postoperative periods occurred in concerns about pain. Parents used both emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies with significant increases postoperatively in confrontive coping, planful problem solving, and positive reappraisal and significant decreases in self-control and seeking social support. Providers should target interventions to alleviate stress and bolster coping for parents.
Predicting Patient Follow-Through on Telephone Nursing Advice
Authors: Valanis Barbara G. , Gullion Christina M. , Moscato Susan Randles , Tanner Christine , Izumi Shigeko , Shapiro Susan E.
Published: July 2007

Although use of telephone advice nursing services continues to grow, little research has addressed factors that affect crucial call outcomes like follow-through on the advice given. This article describes aspects of the advice call process and examines predictors of caller follow-through, using a conceptual model derived from the literature and the authors' preliminary work. Calls to call centers and medical offices of a large health maintenance organization were taped, then content was coded and matched with caller questionnaire (CQ) data. Out of 1,863 participants, 1,489 reported following all the advice. In the final multivariate predictive model, statistically significant predictors of follow-through were patient health status, caller's rating of nurse helpfulness, and the extent to which caller expectations for collaboration were met and the caller understood the advice given. Results suggest that nurses should receive continuous training on effective communication techniques, and advice nurse performance standards that create barriers to communication should be modified.
Early specification of dopaminergic phenotype during ES cell differentiation
Authors: Parmar Malin , Li Meng
Published: July 2007

Background

Understanding how lineage choices are made during embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation is critical for harnessing strategies for controlled production of therapeutic somatic cell types for cell transplantation and pharmaceutical drug screens. The in vitro generation of dopaminergic neurons, the type of cells lost in Parkinson's disease patients' brains, requires the inductive molecules sonic hedgehog and FGF8, or an unknown stromal cell derived inducing activity (SDIA). However, the exact identity of the responding cells and the timing of inductive activity that specify a dopaminergic fate in neural stem/progenitors still remain elusive.

Results

Using ES cells carrying a neuroepithelial cell specific vital reporter (Sox1-GFP) and FACS purification of Sox1-GFP neural progenitors, we have investigated the temporal aspect of SDIA mediated dopaminergic neuron specification during ES cell differentiation. Our results establish that SDIA induces a dopaminergic neuron fate in nascent neural stem or progenitor cells at, or prior to, Sox1 expression and does not appear to have further instructive role or neurotrophic activity during late neuronal differentiation of neural precursors. Furthermore, we show that dopaminergic neurons could be produced efficiently in a monolayer differentiation paradigm independent of SDIA activity or exogenous signalling molecules. In this case, the competence for dopaminergic neuron differentiation is also established at the level of Sox1 expression.

Conclusion

Dopaminergic neurons are specified early during mouse ES cell differentiation. The subtype specification seems to be tightly linked with the acquisition of a pan neuroectoderm fate.
A complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the wild two-humped camel (Camelus bactrianus ferus): an evolutionary history of camelidae
Authors: Cui Peng , Ji Rimutu , Ding Feng , Qi Dan , Gao Hongwei , Meng He , Yu Jun , Hu Songnian , Zhang Heping
Published: July 2007

Background

The family Camelidae that evolved in North America during the Eocene survived with two distinct tribes, Camelini and Lamini. To investigate the evolutionary relationship between them and to further understand the evolutionary history of this family, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the wild two-humped camel (Camelus bactrianus ferus), the only wild survivor of the Old World camel.

Results

The mitochondrial genome sequence (16,680 bp) from C. bactrianus ferus contains 13 protein-coding, two rRNA, and 22 tRNA genes as well as a typical control region; this basic structure is shared by all metazoan mitochondrial genomes. Its protein-coding region exhibits codon usage common to all mammals and possesses the three cryptic stop codons shared by all vertebrates. C. bactrianus ferus together with the rest of mammalian species do not share a triplet nucleotide insertion (GCC) that encodes a proline residue found only in the nd1 gene of the New World camelid Lama pacos. This lineage-specific insertion in the L. pacos mtDNA occurred after the split between the Old and New World camelids suggests that it may have functional implication since a proline insertion in a protein backbone usually alters protein conformation significantly, and nd1 gene has not been seen as polymorphic as the rest of ND family genes among camelids. Our phylogenetic study based on complete mitochondrial genomes excluding the control region suggested that the divergence of the two tribes may occur in the early Miocene; it is much earlier than what was deduced from the fossil record (11 million years). An evolutionary history reconstructed for the family Camelidae based on cytb sequences suggested that the split of bactrian camel and dromedary may have occurred in North America before the tribe Camelini migrated from North America to Asia.

Conclusion

Molecular clock analysis of complete mitochondrial genomes from C. bactrianus ferus and L. pacos suggested that the two tribes diverged from their common ancestor about 25 million years ago, much earlier than what was predicted based on fossil records.