bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication in small infants
Authors: Tanaka Y , Iwanaka T
Published: August 2010

Introduction: Diaphragmatic eventration often causes progressive dyspnea on exertion or respiratory infection in small children, especially those under 2 years of age. Diaphragmatic plication by minimally invasive surgery is evaluated for quick recovery and has been performed on small children.

Methods: Nine patients ranging in age from 1 to 33 months and in weight from 3 to 12 kg were treated by thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication. Six of them needed preoperative support from a respirator or nasal directional positive airway pressure. Three patients had congenital heart disease with right‐to‐left shunt. The operations were performed with three ports. We put the optical port at the sixth intercostal space and had enough view with artificial pneumothorax at 4 mmHg using carbon dioxide. Single‐lung ventilation was never used. The redundant diaphragm was pulled and plicated with non‐absorbable 3‐0 sutures.

Results: The thoracoscopic approach was successful in all nine patients. No conversion was needed. All patients were recovered well postoperatively, except for one patient with a pneumothorax. The patients who needed respiratory support before the operation no longer required it within 8 d of surgery.

Conclusion: In conclusion, we showed the feasibility of performing the thoracoscopic plication procedures on small infants. In our series, six out of nine patients were <6 kg and four of them were as young as 1 month old. We placed the optical port near the diaphragm, and this may have been a major factor in helping the surgery succeed. In conclusion, early thoracoscopic plication should be considered even for the small infants with diaphragmatic eventration.
ISSUES IN MULTISPECIES MODELS
Authors: STEFANSSON GUNNAR
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT. It is generally acknowledged that models of population dynamics need to include realistic biological and statistical assumptions if they are to be of any use. The “realistic” complexity of these models is defined not only by the underlying biology but also by what the available data can reasonably determine. As complexity increases through inclusion of interactions, new issues arise which need to be resolved before these complex models can be reliably applied. Specific issues in new models for management include proper statistical fitting to the data and incorporation of time‐dependent and spatially explicit biological interactions. These current problem issues are presented in this paper and some potential solutions are discussed.
THE TRANSFORMATION OF LANDSCAPE: MODELING POLICY AND SOCIAL IMPACTS ON THE AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF LESVOS
Authors: KIZOS THANASIS , SPILANIS IOANNIS
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT. The term landscape is more and more used as an “umbrella‘ concept, covering a series of cultural, productive and ecological processes. In order to uncover mechanisms, monitor transformations and predict changes, a complicated set of interacting factors has to be taken into account. This paper presents a model for estimating social and policy impacts on agricultural landscapes, based on the assumption that agricultural landscapes are shaped at” macro “(landscape) level by” micro “interventions at farm level. The model consists of three parts: an” ecological processes “part, which deals with processes that shape the ecological and aesthetic value of a landscape, a” population dynamics “part, which examines farmer population dynamics and a” policy impact “part, which deals with direct or indirect impacts on farming systems and farmer dynamics and refers to CAP Rural Development Measures. The model is applied for the olive and graze land agricultural landscapes of Lesvos (Greece). Results, apart from revealing landscape change patterns; help to illustrate some mechanisms behind this change and indicate that Rural Development Measures are inherent with minor but important malfunctions that cannot lead to sustainable landscape management and rural development in the area.
INFERRING A BIOPOLITICAL CONSENSUS VIEW OF STOCHASTIC DYNAMICS FOR MANAGEMENT OF A TRANSBOUNDARY FISHERY
Authors: MCDONALD A. DAVID , SANDAL LEIF K. , LITTLE L. RICHARD , LUND ARNE‐CHRISTIAN , STEINSHAMN STEIN‐IVAR
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT. Management of trans‐boundary fisheries is a complicated problem with biological, legal, economic and political implications. We propose a simple stochastic differential‐equation model to describe a biopolitical consensus view of fish stock dynamics. Estimates of the drift and diffusion terms of three stochastic differential equations are obtained using data from the southern bluefin tuna (SBT) fishery with a method based on the Kolmogorov‐Smirnov statistic. We refer to these estimated equations as alternative biopolitical consensus views of SBT stock dynamics. Each of these is used to generate a time series of optimal harvest that achieves the objective of maximizing the present value of expected fishery returns. These time series of optimal harvests are then compared to actual harvests for the period 1981 1997.
THE INSURANCE VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY IN THE PROVISION OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Authors: BAUMGÄRTNER STEFAN
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT. Biodiversity provides insurance against the uncertain provision of ecosystem services which are being used by risk‐averse economic agents. I present a conceptual ecological‐economic model that combines (i) current results from ecology about the relationships between biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and the provision of ecosystem services with (ii) economic methods to study decision‐making under uncertainty. In this framework I (1) determine the insurance value of biodiversity, (2) study the optimal allocation of funds in the trade‐off between investing into biodiversity protection and the purchase of financial insurance, and (3) analyze the effect of different institutional regimes in the market for financial insurance on biodiversity protection. I conclude that biodiversity acts as a form of natural insurance for risk‐averse ecosystem managers against the over‐ or under‐provision with ecosystem services. Therefore, biodiversity has an insurance value, which is a value component in addition to the usual value arguments, such as direct or indirect use or non‐use values. In this respect, biodiversity and financial insurance are substitutes. Hence, the availability, and exact institutional design, of financial insurance influence the level of biodiversity protection.
A NOVEL METHOD OF FITTING SPATIO‐TEMPORAL MODELS TO DATA, WITH APPLICATIONS TO THE DYNAMICS OF MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLES
Authors: HEAVILIN JUSTIN , POWELL JAMES
Published: August 2010

AbstractWe develop a modular landscape model for the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosaeHopkins) infestation of a stage‐structured forest of lodgepole pine (Pinus contortaDouglas). Beetle attack dynamics are modeled using response functions and beetle movement using dispersal kernels. This modeling technique yields four model candidates. These models allow discrimination between four broad possibilities at the landscape scale: whether or not beetles are subject to an Allee effect at the landscape scale and whether or not host selection is random or directed. We fit the models with aerial damage survey data to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area using estimating functions, which allows for more rapid and complete parameter determination. We then introduce a novel model selection procedure based on facial recognition technology to compliment traditional nonspatial selection metrics. Together with these we are able to select a best model and draw inferences regarding the behavior of the beetle in outbreak conditions.
Republished paper: Emergency department triage revisited
Authors: FitzGerald Gerard , Jelinek George A , Scott Deborah , Gerdtz Marie Frances
Published: August 2010

Triage is a process that is critical to the effective management of modern emergency departments. Triage systems aim, not only to ensure clinical justice for the patient, but also to provide an effective tool for departmental organisation, monitoring and evaluation. Over the last 20 years, triage systems have been standardised in a number of countries and efforts made to ensure consistency of application. However, the ongoing crowding of emergency departments resulting from access block and increased demand has led to calls for a review of systems of triage. In addition, international variance in triage systems limits the capacity for benchmarking. The aim of this paper is to provide a critical review of the literature pertaining to emergency department triage in order to inform the direction for future research. While education, guidelines and algorithms have been shown to reduce triage variation, there remains significant inconsistency in triage assessment arising from the diversity of factors determining the urgency of any individual patient. It is timely to accept this diversity, what is agreed, and what may be agreeable. It is time to develop and test an International Triage Scale (ITS) which is supported by an international collaborative approach towards a triage research agenda. This agenda would seek to further develop application and moderating tools and to utilise the scales for international benchmarking and research programmes.
Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: diagnosis and management in 21st century
Authors: Goeminne Pieter , Dupont Lieven
Published: August 2010

Bronchiectasis is permanently dilated airways caused by chronic bronchial inflammation secondary to inappropriate clearance of various micro-organisms and recurrent infections in the airways. At diagnosis, one should search for the underlying disease process, most of the time excluding cystic fibrosis (CF). However, in a substantial number of patients no cause is found. Next, patients need individualised therapy and follow-up by monitoring of their symptoms. Useful tools are the Leicester Cough Questionnaire and the Sputum Colour Chart. Screening patients for bacterial colonisation on a regular basis seems to be equally important, as many patients become colonised by pathogenic micro-organisms. Treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis differs in certain aspects from cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and often lacks evidence. Overall, bronchiectasis is an underestimated disease, not only in prevalence and incidence, but also in its ability to cause morbidity and mortality. Further research into the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and trials evaluating new treatments are an absolute necessity.
MEMORIES OF MURRAY AND THE QUARK MODEL
Authors: ZWEIG G.
Published: August 2010

Life at Caltech with Murray Gell-Mann in the early 1960's is remembered. Our different paths to quarks, leading to different views of their reality, are described.
VIRTUAL TESTING OF STIFFENED COMPOSITE PANELS AT AIRBUS
Authors: LINDE PETER
Published: August 2010

The steady increase of composite parts in civil aircraft over the last three decades has recently been followed by a radical increase of weight percentage composites in the structure. In the most recent long range aircraft under development by both Boeing and Airbus, most major structure components, not only of the wings but also of the fuselage, now consist of composites. This necessitates an increased use of efficient structural simulation capabilities.

One important aspect of this is the virtual testing of shear compression panels at Airbus, which will be presented here. Having served well for Glare during the A380 development, it is currently undergoing considerable development to extend its capacity to composites. Summarized under the designation "Simulation of Panels in AirCraft", (SIMULPAC), this platform is here introduced and described in terms of functioning and methodology. It has played a major role in the initial A350 developments: in the first designs, during virtual testing of the configuration of new components and for predictions of the first real shear compression panels.
ON THE USE OF GENERALIZED BEAM THEORY TO ASSESS THE BUCKLING AND POSTBUCKLING BEHAVIOR OF LAMINATED CFRP CYLINDRICAL STIFFENED PANELS
Authors: SILVA N. M. F. , CAMOTIM D. , SILVESTRE N. , DEGENHARDT R.
Published: August 2010

This paper presents the numerical implementation and illustrates the application and potential of a nonlinear elastic generalised beam theory (GBT) beam finite formulation to analyze the postbuckling behavior of laminated CFRP composite thin-walled prismatic cylindrical panels. This formulation (i) is based on a novel GBT cross-section analysis approach, (ii) accounts for the presence of initial geometrical imperfections and (iii) adopts an incremental iterative solution procedure employing the Newton–Raphson method and an arclength control strategy. No stiffness degradation or ply failure is taken into consideration and the material is deemed linear elastic and orthotropic. Numerical results concerning the local buckling and postbuckling behavior of stiffened CFRP cylindrical panels are presented and discussed — one of these panels was experimentally tested and numerically investigated in the context of the COCOMAT project. Taking full advantage of the GBT unique modal features, one is able to (i) examine the nature of the panel structural response, which is expressed in terms of deformation mode participations, and (ii) perform analyses involving very few d.o.f. (by preselecting a small set of deformation modes). The panel buckling loads and deformed configurations obtained from the GBT analyses are validated through comparison with either experimental data or values yielded by shell finite element analyses carried out in the code ABAQUS. In order to assess how the curvature affects the panel buckling and initial postbuckling behavior, a stiffened plate having a width identical to the cylindrical panel is also analyzed and the results obtained are compared with those determined for the corresponding curved panels.
POSTBUCKLING OF COMPRESSIVELY LOADED IMPERFECT COMPOSITE PLATES: CLOSED-FORM APPROXIMATE SOLUTIONS
Authors: MITTELSTEDT CHRISTIAN , SCHRÖDER KAI-UWE
Published: August 2010

In this paper, closed-form approximate solutions for the geometrically nonlinear behaviour of rectangular laminated plates with flexural orthotropy under longitudinal compression are presented. Based on the governing Marguerre-type differential equations postulated for imperfect plates, two plate configurations are discussed in detail, representing important application cases in practical engineering work. The first configuration is a laminated plate that is simply supported at all four edges (the so-called SSSS plate), while for the second configuration clamped unloaded longitudinal edges are considered (denoted as the SSCC plate). For both plate configurations, rather simple closed-form approximations in the form of trigonometric shape functions are employed for the description of the out-of-plane postbuckling plate deflections. Based on the chosen shape functions, the compatibility condition with respect to the in-plane strains is fulfilled exactly, while the out-of-plane equilibrium condition for a deflected plate element is not, but is solved using a Galerkin-type formulation instead. Eventually, very simple closed-form solutions for all postbuckling state variables (deflections, in-plane edge displacements, and effective widths) are derived that can be used very conveniently in engineering practice. The high accuracy of the presented analysis methods is established by comparison with the results of other authors.
OPTIMIZATION OF COMPOSITE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES IN CONSIDERATION OF POSTBUCKLING BEHAVIOR
Authors: DAOUD FERNASS , CALOMFIRESCU MIRCEA
Published: August 2010

An approach is presented to determine the design that minimizes the weight in consideration of the postbuckling behavior of stiffened composite panels. Since, due to computational expense, for optimization purposes a nonlinear finite element approach is not appropriate, a semianalytical approach is implemented in the EADS MAS software LAGRANGE. A gradient-based optimization scheme is employed to determine the ply thicknesses and fiber orientation of the composite skins and the cross-sectional areas of the stiffeners. Strength and stability constraints are used. Based on two examples of different complexity, weight savings are shown to be due to the fact, that skin buckling is allowed above a certain load level.
POSTBUCKLING ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE SHELL STRUCTURES: TOWARD FAST AND ACCURATE TOOLS WITH IMPLICIT FEM METHODS
Authors: DOREILLE MATHIAS , MERAZZI SILVIO , DEGENHARDT RICHARD , ROHWER KLAUS
Published: August 2010

Ideas and tools for improving the response time of composite shell postbuckling calculations by means of the finite element (FE) method are presented. While traditional FE tools are able to predict elastic response relatively accurately, they are slow in analysis response time, a situation which becomes far worse if damage phenomena are to be included in the simulations. This paper describes the B2000++ FE-based tool for postbuckling analysis of composite panlels, one of the objectives of the COCOMAT EC-funded research project. The developments comprise a static nonlinear FE continuation solver with artificial damping, a line search technique for improving the convergence of the Newton algorithm, and an implicit dynamic nonlinear solver with linear multistep time integration and variable time step size controled by a local time integration error estimation. In addition, an efficient and robust family of elements — specifically, shell elements with assumed natural strain and enhanced assumed strain to reduce locking, automatic selection between five or six degrees of freedom per node and continuity of the shell normal between elements for proper handling of shell intersections and for correct transfer of twisting moments in curved shell models — is described. If the material is linear, the elements feature preintegration through the thickness of linear materials to reduce the cost of evaluating the elements' first and second variations. The solvers and elements are implemented in the B2000++ FE simulation environment, which provides fast sparse linear solvers and FE assemblers running in threaded mode on multicore processors, thus resulting in short analysis response times, particularly for postbuckling analysis of composite panels. Validation of the developments is illustrated.
Two-photon microscopy-guided femtosecond-laser photoablation of avian cardiogenesis: noninvasive creation of localized heart defects
Authors: Yalcin Huseyin C. , Shekhar Akshay , Nishimura Nozomi , Rane Ajinkya A. , Schaffer Chris B. , Butcher Jonathan T.
Published: August 2010

Embryonic heart formation is driven by complex feedback between genetic and hemodynamic stimuli. Clinical congenital heart defects (CHD), however, often manifest as localized microtissue malformations with no underlying genetic mutation, suggesting that altered hemodynamics during embryonic development may play a role. An investigation of this relationship has been impaired by a lack of experimental tools that can create locally targeted cardiac perturbations. Here we have developed noninvasive optical techniques that can modulate avian cardiogenesis to dissect relationships between alterations in mechanical signaling and CHD. We used two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy to monitor cushion and ventricular dynamics and femtosecond pulsed laser photoablation to target micrometer-sized volumes inside the beating chick hearts. We selectively photoablated a small (∼100 μm radius) region of the superior atrioventricular (AV) cushion in Hamburger-Hamilton 24 chick embryos. We quantified via ultrasound that the disruption causes AV regurgitation, which resulted in a venous pooling of blood and severe arterial constriction. At 48 h postablation, quantitative X-ray microcomputed tomography imaging demonstrated stunted ventricular growth and pronounced left atrial dilation. A histological analysis demonstrated that the laser ablation produced defects localized to the superior AV cushion: a small quasispherical region of cushion tissue was completely obliterated, and the area adjacent to the myocardial wall was less cellularized. Both cushions and myocardium were significantly smaller than sham-operated controls. Our results highlight that two-photon excited fluorescence coupled with femtosecond pulsed laser photoablation should be considered a powerful tool for studying hemodynamic signaling in cardiac morphogenesis through the creation of localized microscale defects that may mimic clinical CHD.
Cardiorespiratory and neural consequences of rats brought past their aerobic dive limit
Authors: Panneton W. Michael , Gan Qi , Dahms Thomas E.
Published: August 2010

The mammalian diving response is a dramatic autonomic adjustment to underwater submersion affecting heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and ventilation. The bradycardia is known to be modulated by the parasympathetic nervous system, arterial blood pressure is modulated via the sympathetic system, and still other circuits modulate the respiratory changes. In the present study, we investigate the submergence of rats brought past their aerobic dive limit, defined as the diving duration beyond which blood lactate concentration increases above resting levels. Hemodynamic measurements were made during underwater submergence with biotelemetric transmitters, and blood was drawn from cannulas previously implanted in the rats' carotid arteries. Such prolonged submersion induces radical changes in blood chemistry; mean arterial Pco2rose to 62.4 Torr, while mean arterial Po2and pH reached nadirs of 21.8 Torr and 7.18, respectively. Despite these radical changes in blood chemistry, the rats neither attempted to gasp nor breathe while underwater. Immunohistochemistry for Fos protein done on their brains revealed numerous Fos-positive profiles. Especially noteworthy were the large number of immunopositive profiles in loci where presumptive chemoreceptors are found. Despite the activation of these presumptive chemoreceptors, the rats did not attempt to breathe. Injections of biotinylated dextran amine were made into ventral parts of the medullary dorsal horn, where central fibers of the anterior ethmoidal nerve terminate. Labeled fibers coursed caudal, ventral, and medial from the injection to neurons on the ventral surface of the medulla, where numerous Fos-labeled profiles were seen in the rats brought past their aerobic dive limit. We propose that this projection inhibits the homeostatic chemoreceptor reflex, despite the gross activation of chemoreceptors.
Stabilizing function of the diaphragm: dynamic MRI and synchronized spirometric assessment
Authors: Kolar P. , Sulc J. , Kyncl M. , Sanda J. , Neuwirth J. , Bokarius A. V. , Kriz J. , Kobesova A.
Published: August 2010

The aim was to describe diaphragmatic behavior during postural limb activities and examine the ventilatory and stabilizing functions of the diaphragm. Thirty healthy subjects were examined in the supine position using a dynamic MRI system assessed simultaneously with specialized spirometric readings. The diaphragmatic excursions (DEs) were measured at three diaphragmatic points in the sagittal plane; the diaphragm positions (DPs) as related to a reference horizontal baseline were determined. Measurements were taken during tidal breathing (TB) and isometric flexion of upper or lower extremities against external resistance together with TB. Mean DE in both upper and lower postural limb activities was greater compared with the TB condition ( P < 0.05), with the effect greater for lower limb activities. Inspiratory DPs in the upper and lower extremity activities were lower compared with TB alone ( P < 0.01). Expiratory DP was lower only for lower extremity activities ( P < 0.01). DP was most affected at the apex of the crescent and crural (posterior) portion of the diaphragm. DEs correlated strongly with tidal volume (Vt) in all conditions. Changes in DEs relative to the initial value were minimal for upper and lower extremities but were related to lower values of Vt ( P < 0.03). Significant involvement of the diaphragm in the limb postural activities was found. Resulting DEs and DPs differed from the TB conditions, especially in lower extremity activities. The differences between the percent changes of DEs vs. Vt found for lower extremity activities were confirmed by both ventilatory and postural diaphragm recruitment in response to postural demands.
FRNK Inhibition of Focal Adhesion Kinase–Dependent Signaling and Migration in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Koshman Yevgeniya E. , Kim Taehoon , Chu Miensheng , Engman Steven J. , Iyengar Rekha , Robia Seth L. , Samarel Allen M.
Published: August 2010

Objective—

To examine whether interference with FRNK targeting to focal adhesions (FAs) affects its inhibitory activity and tyrosine phosphorylation.

Methods and Results—

Focal adhesion kinase and its autonomously expressed C-terminal inhibitor, focal adhesion kinase–related nonkinase (FRNK), regulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) signaling and migration. FRNK-paxillin binding was reduced by a point mutation in its FA targeting domain (L341S-FRNK). Green fluorescent protein–tagged wild type and L341S-FRNK were then adenovirally expressed in VSMCs. L341S-FRNK targeted to VSMC FAs, despite previous studies in other cell types. L341S-FRNK affected FA binding kinetics (assessed by total internal reflection fluorescnece [TIRF] microscopy and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching [FRAP]) and reduced its steady-state paxillin interaction (determined by coimmunoprecipitation). Both wt-FRNK and L341S-FRNK lowered basal and angiotensin II–stimulated focal adhesion kinase, paxillin, and extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation. However, the degree of inhibition was significantly reduced by L341S-FRNK. L341S-FRNK also demonstrated significantly greater migratory activity compared with wt-FRNK–expressing VSMCs. Angiotensin II–induced Y168 phosphorylation was Src dependent, as evident by a significant reduction in Y168 phosphorylation by the Src family kinase inhibitor PP2 is 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2). Surprisingly, Y168 phosphorylation was unaffected by its targeting. Furthermore, Y232 phosphorylation increased approximately 3-fold in L341S-FRNK, which was less sensitive to PP2.

Conclusion—

FRNK inhibition of VSMC migration requires both FA targeting and Y168 phosphorylation by Src family kinases. FRNK-Y232 phosphorylation occurs outside of FAs, probably by a PP2-insensitive kinase.
Increased Atherosclerosis in Mice With Vascular ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter G1 Deficiency—Brief Report
Authors: Westerterp Marit , Koetsveld Joris , Yu Shuiqing , Han Seongah , Li Rong , Goldberg Ira J. , Welch Carrie L. , Tall Alan R.
Published: August 2010

Objective—

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of vascular ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) in atherogenesis without a confounding difference in macrophage ABCG1 expression. ABCG1 is highly expressed in macrophages and endothelial cells. ABCG1 preserves endothelial function by maintaining endothelial NO synthase activity and by reducing adhesion molecule expression and monocyte adhesion.

Methods and Results—

To investigate the role of vascular ABCG1 in atherosclerosis in vivo
Abcg1
−/−
/
Ldlr
−/−
and
Ldlr
−/−
mice were transplanted with wild-type bone marrow and fed a Western-type diet for 12 or 23 weeks. The atherosclerotic lesion area was similar in both groups after 12 weeks but was increased in
Abcg1
−/−
/
L
dlr
−/−
recipients after 23 weeks, especially in the aortic arch (2.2-fold;
P
<0.01). Endothelial NO synthase–mediated vascular relaxation was impaired in male
Abcg1
−/−
/
Ldlr
−/−
recipients.

Conclusion—

Our data show an atheroprotective role of vascular ABCG1, especially in the aortic arch, likely related to its role in the preservation of endothelial NO synthase activity.
Minocycline to Improve Neurologic Outcome in Stroke (MINOS)
Authors: Fagan Susan C. , Waller Jennifer L. , Nichols Fenwick T. , Edwards David J. , Pettigrew L. Creed , Clark Wayne M. , Hall Christiana E. , Switzer Jeffrey A. , Ergul Adviye , Hess David C.
Published: August 2010

Background and Purpose—

Minocycline is a promising anti-inflammatory and protease inhibitor that is effective in multiple preclinical stroke models. We conducted an early phase trial of intravenous minocycline in acute ischemic stroke.

Methods—

Following an open-label, dose-escalation design, minocycline was administered intravenously within 6 hours of stroke symptom onset in preset dose tiers of 3, 4.5, 6, or 10 mg/kg daily over 72 hours. Minocycline concentrations for pharmacokinetic analysis were measured in a subset of patients. Subjects were followed for 90 days.

Results—

Sixty patients were enrolled, 41 at the highest dose tier of 10 mg/kg. Overall age (65±13.7 years), race (83% white), and sex (47% female) were consistent across the doses. The mean baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 8.5±5.8 and 60% received tissue plasminogen activator. Minocycline infusion was well tolerated with only 1 dose limiting toxicity at the 10-mg/kg dose. No severe hemorrhages occurred in tissue plasminogen activator-treated patients. Pharmacokinetic analysis (n=22) revealed a half-life of approximately 24 hours and linearity of parameters over doses.

Conclusions—

Minocycline is safe and well tolerated up to doses of 10 mg/kg intravenously alone and in combination with tissue plasminogen activator. The half-life of minocycline is approximately 24 hours, allowing every 24-hour dosing. Minocycline may be an ideal agent to use with tissue plasminogen activator.
The Stability of the Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent Functional MRI Response to Motor Tasks Is Altered in Patients With Chronic Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Mazzetto-Betti Kelley C. , Leoni Renata F. , Pontes-Neto Octavio M. , Santos Antonio C. , Leite Joao P. , Silva Afonso C. , de Araujo Draulio B.
Published: August 2010

Background and Purpose—

Functional MRI is a powerful tool to investigate recovery of brain function in patients with stroke. An inherent assumption in functional MRI data analysis is that the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal is stable over the course of the examination. In this study, we evaluated the validity of such assumption in patients with chronic stroke.

Methods—

Fifteen patients performed a simple motor task with repeated epochs using the paretic and the unaffected hand in separate runs. The corresponding BOLD signal time courses were extracted from the primary and supplementary motor areas of both hemispheres. Statistical maps were obtained by the conventional General Linear Model and by a parametric General Linear Model.

Results—

Stable BOLD amplitude was observed when the task was executed with the unaffected hand. Conversely, the BOLD signal amplitude in both primary and supplementary motor areas was progressively attenuated in every patient when the task was executed with the paretic hand. The conventional General Linear Model analysis failed to detect brain activation during movement of the paretic hand. However, the proposed parametric General Linear Model corrected the misdetection problem and showed robust activation in both primary and supplementary motor areas.

Conclusions—

The use of data analysis tools that are built on the premise of a stable BOLD signal may lead to misdetection of functional regions and underestimation of brain activity in patients with stroke. The present data urge the use of caution when relying on the BOLD response as a marker of brain reorganization in patients with stroke.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Critical Buckling Load of Honeycomb Sandwich Panels
Authors: Kaman Mete Onur , Solmaz Murat Yavuz , Turan Kadir
Published: August 2010

The critical buckling loads for various core densities and materials of honeycomb composite panels are experimentally and numerically investigated in this study. The surface plates of honeycomb composite panels are of polyester/glass fiber composite. Polyester resin-impregnated paper or aluminum is used as the honeycomb core material. Honeycomb panels with different cell sizes, but approximately the same volume, are produced and the effect of the honeycomb core density on the critical buckling load is investigated by compression tests. The critical buckling load of paper core panels is determined to be higher than that of aluminum core panels. It is seen that the buckling strength of the specimens increases by the increase of core density. As the critical buckling load exceeds a certain limit, regional core cell buckling and core crushing are seen in aluminum core panels. In paper core panels, regional cracks are seen, in addition to these failures. The study also calculates the numeric buckling loads of the panels using the ANSYS finite element analysis program. The achieved experimental and numerical results are compared with each other and the results are provided in tables.
The Bio-inspired Study of Homogeneous Composite Materials
Authors: Yang Liu  , Rong Yin  , Yu Wei-Dong
Published: August 2010

Wool is the most popular natural material. In the textile industries, the release of a lot of waste wool fibers and their products lead to the idea of regeneration of wool keratin materials. However, the most significant limitation may be the poor fracture resistance of neat keratin films. Greater failure resistance can be achieved by fiber-reinforced matrix when compared to the matrix materials alone. In this article, the fibrils of wool were used as the reinforcements in composite films, which can meet the requirement of biocompatibility. The fibrils morphology was investigated, that is, plain fibrils and fractal-tree structure fibrils. Finite element analysis and tensile tests were used to conduct a direct study on the mechanical properties of composites. It was found that the branched fibrils lead to both higher strength and fracture toughness for the composites than the plain fibrils.
Micromechanics of Failure for Ultimate Strength Predictions of Composite Laminates
Authors: Sung Kyu Ha  , Yuanchen Huang  , Hoon Hee Han  , Kyo Kook Jin
Published: August 2010

A micromechanics-based constituent progressive damage model was proposed in this study to predict macroscopic failure behavior of composite laminates under multi-axial mechanical loadings as well as thermal influences. For this purpose, a micromechanics-based failure theory, named the micromechanics of failure, has been further developed not only to account for the constituent failure but also to progress damage. We first modeled the unit cell of the microstructure of a UD lamina both to derive ply properties from constituent properties and to calculate micro stresses within fiber and matrix from macro-level ply stresses using stress amplification factors. Independent failure criteria dedicated to each constituent are employed to judge failure modes of fiber, matrix, and fiber-matrix interface. Good agreement between theoretical predictions and test data was achieved.
Effects of anxiety on memory storage and updating in young children
Authors: Visu-Petra Laura , Cheie Lavinia , Benga Oana , Packiam Alloway Tracy
Published: August 2010

The relationship between trait anxiety and memory functioning in young children was investigated. Two studies were conducted, using tasks tapping verbal and visual-spatial short-term memory (Study 1) and working memory (Study 2) in preschoolers. On the verbal storage tasks, there was a detrimental effect of anxiety on processing efficiency (duration of preparatory intervals) on Word Span. Performance effectiveness (memory span) did not differ between high-anxious and low-anxious children. In the second study, evaluating memory updating in a dual-task context, high-anxious children performed worse than low-anxious children on two verbal working memory tasks. Therefore, when simple verbal storage is required, high-anxious children show only efficiency deficits; when executive demands are higher (i.e., verbal updating) both accuracy and efficiency are impaired. However, on the visual-spatial storage and updating measures, performance did not differ between the two anxiety groups. The results are discussed in the context of the attentional control theory (Eysenck, Derakshan, Santos, & Calvo, 2007).
Structure versus Culture: A Comparative Study of the Influence of Political Institutions and Cultural Modernization Factors on Voter Turnout in Swiss Sub-national Parliamentary Elections
Authors: Freitag Markus
Published: August 2010

How can the differing levels of voter participation in sub-national parliamentary elections be explained? To answer this question I start from the current literature on cross-national comparative research, and apply explanatory approaches from this literature to the analysis of electoral turnout in sub-national units. I focus on two competing influential assessments in the literature, institutionalism and cultural modernization. The first assumes that formal political institutions generate important incentives and habits that are capable of shaping and constraining voting behavior. In contrast, a cultural modernization approach predicts that cross-sectional differences in turnout are determined by cultural habits arising from the socialization process and societal modernization. The systematic examination of electoral democracy in the Swiss cantons shows that the differing rates of electoral participation in these sub-national units are primarily attributable to the strength of political Catholicism. In this vein, rather than differences in turnout being a function of institutional and electoral procedures, they reflect cultural norms in the Swiss cantons. Moreover, the findings suggest that cultural conditions may be more significant for electoral behavior on a sub-national than on an international level.
An Advanced Educational Program Promoting Evidence-Based Practice
Authors: Cullen Laura , Titler Marita G. , Rempel Grace
Published: August 2010

Evidence-based practice has led to improved health care quality and safety; greater patient, family, and staff satisfaction; and reduced costs. Despite these promising outcomes, use of evidence-based practice is inconsistent. The purpose of this article is to describe an advanced educational program for nurses in leadership roles responsible for guiding teams and mentoring colleagues through the challenges inherent in the evidence-based practice process. The Advanced Practice Institute: Promoting Adoption of Evidence-Based Practice is an innovative program designed to develop advanced skills essential for completing evidence-based practice projects and building organizational capacity for evidence-based practice programs. Learning is facilitated through group discussion, facilitated work time, networking, and consultation. Content includes finding and synthesizing evidence, learning effective strategies for implementation and evaluation, and discussing techniques for building an EBP program in the nurses’ organization. Program evaluations are extremely positive, and the long-term impact is described.
Of Neo-Liberalism and Comparative Punishment
Authors: Whitman James Q.
Published: August 2010

This contribution to a symposium on Loïc Wacquant’s Punishing the Poor endorses Wacquant’s claim that the extraordinary increase in American punitiveness over the last 35 years must be seen in the context of market-friendly American neo-liberalism. However, the contribution expresses some doubt about whether American-style neo-liberalism, and American-style punishment, are likely to dominate in countries like France. American punishment practices rest on some distinctive American values, including equality of opportunity, a certain moralism in the understanding of criminal law, and a resistance to deference to expert bureaucratic authority. Because those values are less influential in the law of countries like France, the American punishment revolution is unlikely to be successfully transplanted.
Luminescence dating of Holocene sedimentary deposits on Rømø, a barrier island in the Wadden Sea, Denmark
Authors: Madsen A.T. , Murray A.S. , Andersen T.J. , Pejrup M.
Published: August 2010

This study presents an Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) based chronology for the evolution of the barrier island Rømø and related back-barrier lagoon deposits in the Danish Wadden Sea. The chronology is constructed using 78 quartz OSL ages obtained using a Single Aliquot Regenerative dose (SAR) protocol; samples were retrieved from seven sediment cores, each up to 25 m long, taken from locations on the island and within the back-barrier lagoon. The reliability of the OSL results is assessed using preheat plateaus, thermal transfer tests, and dose recovery measurements, and by comparison with independent age control. The OSL ages compare favourably with three 14C age estimates, and range between 220±20 and 15 800±1200 years. Rømø appears to have developed as a progradational barrier system, and the island appeared for the first time approximately 8000 years ago. It then gradually expanded towards the west, north and south as a result of an abundant sediment supply. Luminescence dating is concluded to be well-suited for establishing precise and accurate chronologies for barrier island deposits, and the technique has provided an excellent basis for the reconstruction of barrier island evolution.
Sexual harassment in sport toward females in three European countries
Authors: Fasting Kari , Chroni Stiliani , Hervik Stein Egil , Knorre Nada
Published: August 2010

This article presents data from a cross-cultural study titled ‘Gender Relations in Sport — The Experiences of Czech, Greek, and Norwegian Female Sport Students’. The main research question asked is: what are the amounts and the forms of male and female sexual harassment experienced in a sport setting by female sport students in Czech Republic, Greece, and Norway? Women ( N = 616) who were studying in sport departments of academic institutions in the three countries participated in the study. The results show that 34 percent of the students had experienced sexually harassing behavior from a man and 12 percent from a woman. Experiences of sexually harassing behaviors from both men and women were reported more often in the Czech Republic and Greece than in Norway.The form of sexual harassment the participants reported experiencing the most was ‘repeated unwanted sexual glances, etc.’ (22%). The difference between female and male harassment is discussed in relation to patriarchal power. The overall differences between countries are discussed in relation to the three countries’ gender orders, gender equality laws as well as the anti-sexual harassment laws inside and outside sport organizations.
The Impact of Paroxetine Coadministration on Stereospecific Carvedilol Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Stout Stephen M. , Nielsen Jace , Bleske Barry E. , Shea Michael , Brook Robert , Kerber Kevin , Welage Lynda S.
Published: August 2010

Study Objective: To assess the impact of paroxetine coadministration on the stereoselective pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of carvedilol. Design: Prospective, randomized, 2-phase crossover. Setting: The University of Michigan General Clinical Research Unit and Michigan Clinical Research Unit. Participants: Twelve healthy volunteers aged 18 to 45 years, male and female, receiving no treatment with prescription or nonprescription medications. Interventions: Participants received single dose oral carvedilol (12.5 mg) with and without coadministration of immediate-release paroxetine (10 mg orally twice daily), in random order. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 hours post-carvedilol dose for determination of R and S carvedilol plasma enantiomer concentrations by high pressure liquid chromatography. Measurements and Main Results: Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated for each enantiomer by noncompartmental methods and compared between study phases by analysis of variance (ANOVA) controlling for study phase order and subject, with Tukey’s studentized range test post hoc. Area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) increased significantly with paroxetine coadministration, approximately 2.5-fold and 1.9-fold for the R and S enantiomers, respectively. R/S AUC ratio increased significantly, from approximately 2.3 to 3.0. Individual increases in enantiomeric AUCs with paroxetine coadministration ranged from 0% to 571% and changes in R/S ratio ranged from —8% to 108%. Heart rate, P-R interval, and blood pressure were monitored and no clinically significant changes in carvedilol effects were noted. Conclusion. This study demonstrated a PK drug—drug interaction between paroxetine and carvedilol, with considerable interparticipant variability in carvedilol PK parameters and magnitude of drug interaction. Stereoselectivity of carvedilol metabolism is preserved with paroxetine coadministration, and R/S AUC ratio generally widens. Although this drug interaction could potentially increase adrenergic antagonism and have significant clinical effects in patients, these effects were not seen in our healthy volunteer participants.
With “Equal Regard”: An Overview of How Ellen Pence Focused the Supervised Visitation Field on Battered Women and Children
Authors: Scaia Melissa , Connelly Laura
Published: August 2010

Ellen Pence has changed the framework for doing supervised visitation and safe exchanges in cases of domestic violence. Ellen challenged the basic tenets of “neutrality” and a primary focus on “safety for children” in the supervised visitation field. By incorporating equal regard for the safety of adult victims of domestic violence and children, Ellen challenged supervised visitation centers to reexamine their mission, role, intake/orientation, documentation, and rules for their programming. She designed services for supervised visitation that would account for battering of women and children while not being excessively policing and providing a respectful and fair atmosphere for men who batter.
Biomonitoring of Fusarium spp. Mycotoxins: Perspectives for an Individual Exposure Assessment Tool
Authors: Cano-Sancho G. , Marin S. , Ramos A.J. , Sanchis V.
Published: August 2010

Fusarium species are probably the most prevalent toxin-producing fungi of the northern temperate regions and are commonly found on cereals grown in the temperate regions of America, Europe and Asia. Among the toxins formed by Fusarium we find trichothecenes of the A-type or B-type, zearalenone, fumonisins or nivalenol. The current exposure assessment consists of the qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation based on the knowledge of the mycotoxin occurrence in the food and the dietary habits of the population. This process permits quantifying the mycotoxin dietary intake through deterministic or probabilistic methods. Although these methods are suitable to assess the exposure of populations to contaminants and to identify risk groups, they are not recommended to evaluate the individual exposition, due to a low accuracy and sensitivity. On the contrary, the use of biochemical indicators has been proposed as a suitable method to assess individual exposure to contaminants. In this work, several techniques to biomonitor the exposure to fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone or T-2 toxin have been reviewed.
Norms, preferences, and conditional behavior
Authors: Bicchieri Cristina
Published: August 2010

This article addresses several issues raised by Nichols, Gintis, and Skyrms and Zollman in their comments on my book, The Grammar of Society: The Nature and Dynamics of Social Norms. In particular, I explore the relation between social and personal norms, what an adequate game-theoretic representation of norms should be, and what models of norms emergence should tell us about the formation of normative expectations.