bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doppler Cerebro-Umbilical Ratio and Fetal Biophysical Profile in the Assessment of Peripartal Cardiotocography in Growth-Retarded Fetuses
Authors: Habek Dubravko , Salihagić Aida , Jugović Domagoj , Herman Radoslav
Published: July 2007

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the value of the fetal biophysical profile (FBP) and the Doppler cerebro-umbilical ratio (C/U) in the assessment of peripartal cardiotocography (CTG) in growth-retarded fetuses. Methods: The prospective study included 58 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy from 28 to 42 weeks of gestation with clinically and ultrasonically verified late intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). After assessment of the FBP, flow velocity waveforms from the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries were recorded and the C/U ratio was calculated. The C/U ratio and the FBP were assessed twice a week. The last peripartal CTG was used as an outcome parameter. Results: The FBP score was statistically significant when associated with peripartal CTG (p < 0.001). The mean value of the FBP was 7.77 ± 0.28 for infants with a normal peripartal CTG, 6.13 ± 0.41 for infants with a prepathological CTG and 4.40 ± 0.60 for infants with a pathological peripartal CTG. There was also a statistically significant association between the C/U ratio ≧1 and normal CTG (p < 0.005), but there was no statistically significant difference between prepathological and pathological CTG in relation to C/U ratio values (p > 0.05). Normal and pathological peripartal CTG was correlated with the perinatal outcome, but prepathological CTG was not correlated with results of the perinatal outcome (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our results showed that both methods of fetal monitoring need to be used in perinatal monitoring of growth-retarded fetuses. The two methods can be used as important parameters in deciding to end pregnancies with IUGR when pathological values occur.
Neurological Outcome in Isolated Congenital Heart Block and Hydrops Fetalis
Authors: Breur Johannes M.P.J. , Gooskens Rob H.J.M. , Kapusta Livia , Stoutenbeek Philip , Visser Gerard H.A. , van den Berg Paul , Meijboom Erik J.
Published: July 2007

Objective: Isolated fetal heart block (HB), a condition associated with fetal hydrops, carries a high mortality rate and may result in neurodevelopmental sequelae. To the best of our knowledge, no data exist regarding the long-term outcome of such hydropic fetuses. We reviewed our experience with this condition to determine the neurodevelopmental outcome of prenatally diagnosed cases with isolated HB complicated by hydrops fetalis. Methods: Neurodevelopmental assessment of 5 children presented prenatally with isolated HB associated with hydrops fetalis. Results: During the last 18 years, 10 cases were detected prenatally with isolated HB and hydrops fetalis. 3 of the 10 fetuses died in utero, and 2 died postnatally, due to a dilated cardiomyopathy, at the age of 9 months and 4 years, respectively. Neurodevelopmental studies done on the 5 remaining children were normal. Conclusion: Long-term neurodevelopmental assessments of 5 surviving cases presented prenatally with isolated HB and hydrops fetalis are reassuring.
Temporary Fetoscopic Tracheal Balloon Occlusion Enhanced by Hyperoncotic Lung Distension: Is There a Role in the Treatment of Fetal Pulmonary Hypoplasia from Early Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes?
Authors: Kohl Thomas , Müller Andreas , Franz Axel , Heep Axel , Willinek Winfried A. , Bartmann Peter , Gembruch Ulrich
Published: July 2007

Objectives: To assess the effect of fetoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) enhanced by hyperoncotic distension on pulmonary hypoplasia from preterm premature rupture of membranes prior to 22 weeks of gestation (ePPROM). Methods and Results: In a fetus with ePPROM since 19+5 weeks of gestation, MRI at 28+2 weeks provided a lung volume of 10 ml. FETO enhanced by hyperoncotic distension was performed at 28+3 weeks. After 4–5 days, balloon dislodgement was observed. The lung volume increased to 18 ml. The baby was born at 32+4 weeks and survived to discharge. Conclusions: FETO enhanced by hyperoncotic distension may result in impressive lung distension in fetuses with pulmonary hypoplasia from ePPROM. Further research into the life saving potential of this strategy for this common and tragic gestational event is desired.
Boussignac Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for Weaning with Tracheostomy Tubes
Authors: Dieperink Willem , Aarts Leon P.H.J. , Rodgers Michael G.G. , Delwig Hans , Nijsten Maarten W.N.
Published: July 2007

Background: In patients who are weaned with a tracheostomy tube (TT), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is frequently used. Dedicated CPAP systems or ventilators with bulky tubing are usually applied. However, CPAP can also be effective without a ventilator by the disposable Boussignac CPAP (BCPAP) system that is normally used with face masks. Objective:It was the aim of this audit to evaluate the feasibility of low-level BCPAP in patients who were weaned with a TT. Methods: All patients at our surgical intensive care unit who received a TT for weaning were considered for application of BCPAP. Once patients had received minimal pressure support from the mechanical ventilator, the BCPAP device was connected to the TT three times a day for 30 min with pressure set to 3–5 cm H2O, FiO2 at 0.4 and with humidification. BCPAP was then gradually extended to 24 h/day. Patient acceptance, complications and outcome were recorded. Results: 58 patients received a TT to facilitate weaning. They had a median stay of 52 days in the intensive care unit during which they had an endotracheal tube for 22 days and a TT for 28 days. 50 of these patients (86%) received BCPAP for a median of 16 days. The lightweight BCPAP system was well tolerated without tube obstructions or accidental decannulations and may have contributed to patient mobility. No patient remained on ventilatory support after hospital discharge. In-hospital and 1-year survival were 86 and 71%, respectively. Conclusions: BCPAP is a feasible and safe method for weaning tracheostomy patients.
Antagonism of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Blood Pressure Attenuation and Vascular Contractility
Authors: Ehrentraut S. , Frede S. , Stapel H. , Mengden T. , Grohé C. , Fandrey J. , Meyer R. , Baumgarten G.
Published: July 2007

Objective—

Aim was to assess whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced decrease of total peripheral resistance depends on Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 signaling and whether it is sensitive to NO-synthase or TLR4 antagonists.

Methods and Results—

C3H/HeN mice (control), expressing a functional, and C3H/HeJ mice, expressing a nonfunctional TLR4, were compared. LPS (20 mg/kg) was injected i.p. 6 hours before hemodynamic measurements. L-NAME and SMT, inhibitors of NO production, and Eritoran, a TLR4 antagonist, were tested for their impact on vascular contractility. Aortic rings were incubated for 6 hours with or without LPS (1 μg/mL), or with LPS+Eritoran (2 μg/mL) and their phenylephrine-induced contractility was measured using a myograph. The expression of cytokines in aortic tissue was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. In control mice LPS induced a significant decrease of blood pressure and an increase of heart rate, whereas C3H/HeJ remained unaffected. LPS induced an increase of cytokine expression and a depression of vascular contractility only in control mice but not in C3H/HeJ. L-NAME and SMT increased contractility in all rings and restored LPS-dependent depression of contractility. Eritoran prevented LPS-induced loss of contractility.

Conclusions—

LPS upregulates cytokine expression via TLR4 and induces attenuation of smooth muscle contractility which can be effectively antagonized.
Brain Repair by Hematopoietic Growth Factors in a Rat Model of Stroke
Authors: Zhao Li-Ru , Singhal Seema , Duan Wei-Ming , Mehta Jayesh , Kessler John A.
Published: July 2007

Background and Purpose—

Stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) are essential growth factors in hematopoiesis. We determined whether receptors for SCF and G-CSF exist in the brain and whether exogenous SCF and G-CSF are beneficial to brain repair after brain ischemia.

Methods—

A well-established rat model of experimental stroke was used in this study. SCF, G-CSF, SCF+G-CSF, or saline was subcutaneously administered 3 hours to 7 days after brain ischemia. Bromodeoxyuridine was administered simultaneously. Sensorimotor function was evaluated with a limb placement test and foot fault test over time.

Results—

We observed that receptors for SCF and G-CSF were expressed in both neurogenic regions and neurons. SCF-treated rats showed the best functional restoration at 1 week that was maintained 4, 7, and 10 weeks after the final injection. G-CSF-induced functional recovery was limited and unstable. Interestingly, stable but delayed functional improvement was seen in SCF+G-CSF-treated rats. Infarction size was significantly reduced in all growth factor-treated rats. In addition, SCF and SCF+G-CSF enhanced neural progenitor cell proliferation in the subventricular zone bilaterally, whereas G-CSF and SCF+G-CSF treatment increased bromodeoxyuridine -positive cells in periinfarct areas.

Conclusions—

SCF and G-CSF are neuroprotective and beneficial to functional restoration when administered during the acute phase after brain ischemia, indicating hematopoietic growth factors play a role in brain repair.
Limits of Event-related Potential Differences in Tracking Object Processing Speed
Authors: Rousselet Guillaume A. , Macé Marc J.-M. , Thorpe Simon J. , Fabre-Thorpe Michéle
Published: July 2007

We report results from two experiments in which subjects had to categorize briefly presented upright or inverted natural scenes. In the first experiment, subjects decided whether images contained animals or human faces presented at different scales. Behavioral results showed virtually identical processing speed between the two categories and very limited effects of inversion. One type of event-related potential (ERP) comparison, potentially capturing low-level physical differences, showed large effects with onsets at about 150 msec in the animal task. However, in the human face task, those differences started as early as 100 msec. In the second experiment, subjects responded to close-up views of animal faces or human faces in an attempt to limit physical differences between image sets. This manipulation almost completely eliminated small differences before 100 msec in both tasks. But again, despite very similar behavioral performances and short reaction times in both tasks, human faces were associated with earlier ERP differences compared with animal faces. Finally, in both experiments, as an alternative way to determine processing speed, we compared the ERP with the same images when seen as targets and nontargets in different tasks. Surprisingly, all task-dependent ERP differences had relatively long latencies. We conclude that task-dependent ERP differences fail to capture object processing speed, at least for some categories like faces. We discuss models of object processing that might explain our results, as well as alternative approaches.
To Predict or Not to Predict: Influences of Task and Strategy on the Processing of Semantic Relations
Authors: Roehm Dietmar , Bornkessel-Schlesewsky Ina , Rösler Frank , Schlesewsky Matthias
Published: July 2007

We report a series of event-related potential experiments designed to dissociate the functionally distinct processes involved in the comprehension of highly restricted lexical-semantic relations (antonyms). We sought to differentiate between influences of semantic relatedness (which are independent of the experimental setting) and processes related to predictability (which differ as a function of the experimental environment). To this end, we conducted three ERP studies contrasting the processing of antonym relations (black-white) with that of related (black-yellow) and unrelated (black-nice) word pairs. Whereas the lexical-semantic manipulation was kept constant across experiments, the experimental environment and the task demands varied: Experiment 1 presented the word pairs in a sentence context of the form The opposite of X is Y and used a sensicality judgment. Experiment 2 used a word pair presentation mode and a lexical decision task. Experiment 3 also examined word pairs, but with an antonymy judgment task. All three experiments revealed a graded N400 response (unrelated > related > antonyms), thus supporting the assumption that semantic associations are processed automatically. In addition, the experiments revealed that, in highly constrained task environments, the N400 gradation occurs simultaneously with a P300 effect for the antonym condition, thus leading to the superficial impression of an extremely “reduced” N400 for antonym pairs. Comparisons across experiments and participant groups revealed that the P300 effect is not only a function of stimulus constraints (i.e., sentence context) and experimental task, but that it is also crucially influenced by individual processing strategies used to achieve successful task performance.
Efficient Attentional Selection Predicts Distractor Devaluation: Event-related Potential Evidence for a Direct Link between Attention and Emotion
Authors: Kiss Monika , Goolsby Brian A. , Raymond Jane E. , Shapiro Kimron L. , Silvert Laetitia , Nobre Anna C. , Fragopanagos Nickolaos , Taylor John G. , Eimer Martin
Published: July 2007

Links between attention and emotion were investigated by obtaining electrophysiological measures of attentional selectivity together with behavioral measures of affective evaluation. Participants were asked to rate faces that had just been presented as targets or distractors in a visual search task. Distractors were rated as less trustworthy than targets. To study the association between the efficiency of selective attention during visual search and subsequent emotional responses, the N2pc component was quantified as a function of evaluative judgments. Evaluation of distractor faces (but not target faces) covaried with selective attention. On trials where distractors were later judged negatively, the N2pc emerged earlier, demonstrating that attention was strongly biased toward target events, and distractors were effectively inhibited. When previous distractors were judged positively, the N2pc was delayed, indicating unfocused attention to the target and less distractor suppression. Variations in attentional selectivity across trials can predict subsequent emotional responses, strongly suggesting that attention is closely associated with subsequent affective evaluation.
“I Know You Are But What Am I?!”: Neural Bases of Self- and Social Knowledge Retrieval in Children and Adults
Authors: Pfeifer Jennifer H. , Lieberman Matthew D. , Dapretto Mirella
Published: July 2007

Previous neuroimaging research with adults suggests that the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and the medial posterior parietal cortex (MPPC) are engaged during self-knowledge retrieval processes. However, this has yet to be assessed in a developmental sample. Twelve children and 12 adults (average age = 10.2 and 26.1 years, respectively) reported whether short phrases described themselves or a highly familiar other (Harry Potter) while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. In both children and adults, the MPFC was relatively more active during self- than social knowledge retrieval, and the MPPC was relatively more active during social than self-knowledge retrieval. Direct comparisons between children and adults indicated that children activated the MPFC during self-knowledge retrieval to a much greater extent than adults. The particular regions of the MPPC involved varied between the two groups, with the posterior precuneus engaged by adults, but the anterior precuneus and posterior cingulate engaged by children. Only children activated the MPFC significantly above baseline during self-knowledge retrieval. Implications for social cognitive development and the processing functions performed by the MPFC are discussed.
Mirror Neuron and Theory of Mind Mechanisms Involved in Face-to-Face Interactions: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Approach to Empathy
Authors: Schulte-Rüther Martin , Markowitsch Hans J. , Fink Gereon R. , Piefke Martina
Published: July 2007

Empathy allows emotional psychological inference about other person's mental states and feelings in social contexts. We aimed at specifying the common and differential neural mechanisms of “self”- and “other”-related attribution of emotional states using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging. Subjects viewed faces expressing emotions with direct or averted gaze and either focused on their own emotional response to each face (self-task) or evaluated the emotional state expressed by the face (other-task). The common network activated by both tasks included the left lateral orbito-frontal and medial prefrontal cortices (MPFC), bilateral inferior frontal cortices, superior temporal sulci and temporal poles, as well as the right cerebellum. In a subset of these regions, neural activity was significantly correlated with empathic abilities. The self- (relative to the other-) task differentially activated the MPFC, the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)/precuneus, and the temporo-parietal junction bilaterally. Empathy-related processing of emotional facial expressions recruited brain areas involved in mirror neuron and theory-of-mind (ToM) mechanisms. The differential engagement of the MPFC, the PCC/precuneus, and temporo-parietal regions in the self-task indicates that these structures act as key players in the evaluation of one's own emotional state during empathic face-to-face interaction. Activation of mirror neurons in a task relying on empathic abilities without explicit task-related motor components supports the view that mirror neurons are not only involved in motor cognition but also in emotional interpersonal cognition. An interplay between ToM and mirror neuron mechanisms may hold for the maintenance of a self-other distinction during empathic interpersonal face-to-face interactions.
Foveal Word Reading Requires Interhemispheric Communication
Authors: Hunter Zoë R. , Brysbaert Marc , Knecht Stefan
Published: July 2007

The left cerebral hemisphere is dominant for language processing in most individuals. It has been suggested that this asymmetric language representation can influence behavioral performance in foveal word-naming tasks. We carried out two experiments in which we obtained laterality indices by means of functional imaging during a mental word-generation task, using functional transcranial Doppler sonography and functional magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. Subsequently, we administered a behavioral word-naming task, where participants had to name foveally presented words of different lengths shown in different fixation locations shifted horizontally across the screen. The optimal viewing position for left language dominant individuals is located between the beginning and the center of a word. It is shifted toward the end of a word for right language dominant individuals and, to a lesser extent, for individuals with bilateral language representation. These results demonstrate that interhemispheric communication is required for foveal word recognition. Consequently, asymmetric representations of language and processes of interhemispheric transfer should be taken into account in theoretical models of visual word recognition to ensure neurological plausibility.
The Uncanny Valley: Effect of Realism on the Impression of Artificial Human Faces
Authors: Seyama Jun'ichiro , Nagayama Ruth S.
Published: July 2007

Roboticists believe that people will have an unpleasant impression of a humanoid robot that has an almost, but not perfectly, realistic human appearance. This is called the uncanny valley, and is not limited to robots, but is also applicable to any type of human-like object, such as dolls, masks, facial caricatures, avatars in virtual reality, and characters in computer graphics movies. The present study investigated the uncanny valley by measuring observers' impressions of facial images whose degree of realism was manipulated by morphing between artificial and real human faces. Facial images yielded the most unpleasant impressions when they were highly realistic, supporting the hypothesis of the uncanny valley. However, the uncanny valley was confirmed only when morphed faces had abnormal features such as bizarre eyes. These results suggest that to have an almost perfectly realistic human appearance is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the uncanny valley. The uncanny valley emerges only when there is also an abnormal feature.
Motion Compression for Telepresence Locomotion
Authors: Su Jianbo
Published: July 2007

A telepresence system enables a user in a local environment to maneuver in a remote or virtual space through a robotic operator (agent). In order to ensure a high degree of telepresence realism, it is critical that the local user has the ability to control the remote agent's movement through the user's own locomotion. The required motion of the remote agent is determined according to its environment and the specific task it is to perform. The local user's environment is usually different from that of the remote agent in terms of the shapes and dimensions. A motion mapping is needed from the remote agent to the local user to ensure the similarity of the paths in the two environments. In particular, the terminal position of the local user after a segment of movement is also an important portion in such a motion mapping. This paper progressively addresses these issues from the optimization point of view. Two strategies are suggested for solving the motion mapping problem for the single user case. The resulting solutions are then extended to the multiuser case where several local users share a local environment to control different remote agents. Extensive simulations and comparisons show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
IMPROVING FORECAST COMMUNICATION
Authors: PENNESI KAREN
Published: July 2007

One goal of weather and climate forecasting is to inform decision making. Effective communication of forecasts to various sectors of the public is essential for meeting that goal, yet studies repeatedly show that forecasts are not well understood by lay people. Using a case study from northeast Brazil, this article discusses some of the communication difficulties faced by forecasters and outlines an approach for adapting forecast language to users' needs and expectations. Analysis is based on data collected during 14 months of fieldwork, including interviews, a survey, and observations of meteorologists and local “rain prophets,” whose predictions are derived from empirical observations. The anthropological approach emphasizes the importance of language. For example, findings indicate that forecast communicators should look for multiple definitions of key terms that have common as well as technical meanings. Distinctions salient to meteorologists may be meaningless to the public, even when terms are clearly defined. In some cases, it maybe more helpful to work with lay concepts when communicating forecasts rather than dismissing such understandings as “incorrect.” Meteorologists should also recognize that scientific concepts are not accepted by everyone as the only correct way to think. This is especially relevant where scientific forecasts are competing with alternatives, such as those based on traditional knowledge. Finally, forecast communicators should develop the format and content of the forecast within each application. It is important to learn what people expect from forecasts and which communication styles are preferred.
Project CRAFT: A Real-Time Delivery System for NEXRAD Level II Data Via the Internet
Authors: Kelleher Kevin E. , Droegemeier Kelvin K. , Levit Jason J. , Sinclair Carl , Jahn David E. , Hill Scott D. , Mueller Lora , Qualley Grant , Crum Tim D. , Smith Steven D. , Del Greco Stephen A. , Lakshmivarahan S. , Miller Linda , Ramamurthy Mohan , Domenico Ben , Fulker David W.
Published: July 2007

The NOAA NWS announced at the annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society in February 2003 its intent to create an Internet-based pseudo-operational system for delivering Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) Level II data. In April 2004, the NWS deployed the Next-Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) level II central collection functionality and set up a framework for distributing these data. The NWS action was the direct result of a successful joint government, university, and private sector development and test effort called the Collaborative Radar Acquisition Field Test (CRAFT) project. Project CRAFT was a multi-institutional effort among the Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, the University of Washington, and the three NOAA organizations, National Severe Storms Laboratory, WSR-88D Radar Operations Center (ROC), and National Climatic Data Center. The principal goal of CRAFT was to demonstrate the real-time compression and Internet-based transmission of level II data from all WSR-88D with the vision of an affordable nationwide operational implementation. The initial test bed of six radars located in and around Oklahoma grew to include 64 WSR-88D nationwide before being adopted by the NWS for national implementation. A description of the technical aspects of the award-winning Project CRAFT is given, including data transmission, reliability, latency, compression, archival, data mining, and newly developed visualization and retrieval tools. In addition, challenges encountered in transferring this research project into operations are discussed, along with examples of uses of the data.
Increased High Sensitive CRP Level and Its Significance in Pathogenesis of Slow Coronary Flow
Authors: Barutcu Irfan , Sezgin Alpay Turan , Sezgin Nurzen , Gullu Hakan , Esen Ali Metin , Topal Ergun , Ozdemir Ramazan , Kosar Feridun , Cehreli Sengul
Published: July 2007

Previous studies have suggested that microvascular abnormalities cause slow coronary flow (SCF). The role of inflammation has not been investigated, to date. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of inflammation in pathogenesis of SCF. The study included 32 patients with angiographically proven SCF (mean age 49 ±9 years) (group I) and 30 subjects with normal coronary flow (mean age 48 ±8 years) (group II). Blood samples were collected for high sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) measurements. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (TFC) was compared in both groups. Distribution of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), arterial blood pressure, and ejection fraction were similar in the 2 groups. TFC was significantly higher in group I than in group II for each artery including left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), left circumflex artery (Cx), and right coronary artery (RCA) (38.9 ±6.6 vs 22.1 ±1.8 frames, p = 0.0001; 39.6 ±4.9 vs 22.3 ±1.8 frames, p = 0.001 ; 39.0 ±3.8 vs 22.0 ±1.8 frames, p = 0.001, respectively). In group I, serum hs-CRP concentration was significantly higher than that of group II (0.6 ±0.58 vs 0.24 ±0.1 mg/dL p = 0.03). Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between hs-CRP level and TFC for each artery (for CTFCLAD, r = 0.36 p = 0.004; for TFCCx, r = 0.42 p = 0.003; and for TFCRCA, r = 0.42, p = 0.0001 respectively). Increased hs-CRP level suggests that inflammation may be associated with pathogenesis of SCF or at least in part contributes to its pathogenesis. Increased hs-CRP level may also be an early marker of impaired coronary blood flow.
Diversion: The Promise and the Danger
Authors: Nejelski Paul
Published: July 2007

Diversion is inherent in the juvenile justice system and necessary to keep it from collapsing. It is defined as "the channeling of cases to noncourt institutions, in instances where these cases would ordinarily have received an adjudicatory (or fact finding) hearing by a court." It should be distinguished from preventive efforts which contain no possibility that the juvenile's behavior would result in a court hearing. A good test of diversion, therefore, is whether the number of juvenile court adjudications is reduced as a result of a new program.

Four diversion projects are described, and their common characteris tics are noted-the use of paraprofessionals from the community, a reliance on crisis intervention, the central role of arbitrators and administrators rather than judges, the trend to avoid stigma, a concen tration on status offenses and minor delinquency, and a lack of evaluation.

A proposed balance sheet set forth to weigh the value of diversion discusses the clients of these programs and their treatment, fairness and the power of the state, the available resources, and evaluations .of these programs.

Diversion projects are dangerous to the extent that they may destroy the necessary balance between social welfare and due process. The court still has an important role to play by reviewing cases for abuse of discretion, by creating special masters as ombudsmen to determine what is happen ing in the system, and by increasing the research capabilities available to the judicial branch. Finally, the article notes that diversion may be only a halfway measure which takes the pressure off the system to eliminate status offenses and, instead, creates an equally coercive social control system with less visibility and accountability.
The Status Offense Dilemma: Coercion and Treatment
Authors: Abadinsky Howard
Published: July 2007

Despite its failure to live up to its high aspirations and goals, the juvenile court continues to retain jurisdiction over status offenses. Retention of this jurisdiction is predicated on the "need" for the court's coercive power. The juvenile court process stigmatizes children, and the treatment it provides is both costly and ineffective. The court should reduce the number and narrow the categories of young persons now subject to its coercion, at the same time that it intensifies research efforts. Alternatives to the juvenile court that are utilized in Scandinavia and some other countries should be used in the United States for status offenders.
The Juvenile Diversion System in Action
Authors: Maron Andrew W.
Published: July 2007

Pre-adjudication diversion from the traditional juvenile court system has become the "recommended" solution to the worsening delinquency problem in America. Numerous changes must be made in the present system for diversion to be effective. This article makes ten recom mendations for substantial improvement of the process. The two most important are the proposal that the diversion process be firmly established in a statute and the suggestion that the juvenile court judge become personally involved with the diversion system. These and the eight other changes proposed will help the diversion process operate systematically, with due regard for the rights of the children, and will also provide some degree of supervisory authority over the operation of the entire system.
Psychic Coping Behaviour and the Role of Social Support
Authors: Oei T.I.
Published: July 2007

After defining the social support concept this article discusses some studies of its significance in relation to psychic functioning. Correct conception and operationlisation of social support is urged. Only then can some aspects of social support be studied in the clinical and the epidemiological perspective.
The Use of a Drug Utilisation Index To Monitor Psychotropic Drug Use in Hospitals
Authors: Ghodse A.H. , Baigent B. , Evans T.C. , Anderson S.
Published: July 2007

A pilot study was undertaken to monitor the use of psychotropic drugs in a psychiatric hospital unit and a comparable acute medical unit together with their out-patient clinics, during a 2 month period. Both units served the same catchment area. Using the DDD (defined daily dose) for each class of drug, an index was calculated as an indicator of usage. An index figure of less than one indicated that each patient received on average less than the DDD, whereas an index greater than one showed that each patient received an average daily dose greater than the DDD.

Other patient information collected included age, sex, length of time on drug, length of admission and the number of different psychotropic drugs received during admission.
Of Socio-Demographic Variables in the Emergency Room Setting
Authors: Adityanjee  , Wig Narendra N. , Mohan Davinder
Published: July 2007

The current study reveals that information which is not essential in arriving at a psychiatric diagnosis does not get recorded, though such information may be an important determinant of disposition pattern in the emergency setting.
Attitudes Towards Mental Illnessi: the Influence of Education and Experience
Authors: Malla Ashok , Shaw Terry
Published: July 2007

Female nursing students who had completed an instructional and experiential training program were compared on their perception, beliefs and opinions about mental illness with students who had just entered the same program. The results showed that students who had completed their training were better able to perceive the presence and severity of mental illness. Both groups favoured psychosocial etiology and psychosocial forms of treatment. There was no difference in their attitudes towards the mentally ill and both groups shared an overall optimism about prognosis. The implications of the lack of sophisticated knowledge about psychiatric disorders among mental health professionals are discussed.
Koro in a Native Born of the U.S
Authors: Scher Maryonda
Published: July 2007

A case of Koro in a native born citizen of the U.S. is presented. The similarity to earlier culture-bound cases is discussed, as well as the and constitutional substrate present in this case.
A Mental Health Survey of the Vietnamese Refugee in Japan
Authors: Ebata Keisuke , Miyake Yuko
Published: July 2007

A mental health survey was conducted using the Cornell Medical Index (CMI) on Vietnamese refugees who have resettled in Japan. 64.5% of the females and 37.2% of the males displayed emotional disturbance. The refugees with life-threatening and/or concentration camp experience had significantly higher CMI scores than those without it (t test, P<0.05). CMI scores of the group residing in Japan for 4-5 years are markedly lower than the group residing there for 2-3 years (F test, P<0.05).
Psychiatric Referrals in a Neuropsychiatric Centre
Authors: Chaturvedi S.K. , Balaraju K.B. , Upadhyaya M. , Rao Shivaji
Published: July 2007

Consecutive new cases were screened to identify those referred by other specialities. The referred cases were compared with a randomly selected control group from the non referred cases. Referred cases constituted 16.4% of all the clinic new cases but the demographic characteristics were similar to those of the other clinic cases. Functional somatic complaints were significantly more often (p <0.01) reported by the referred cases. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were also significantly more often observed in the referred group (p <0.01). Most of the referred cases had identifiable psychiatric problems which could be managed in an out-patient setting. Studies on referral patterns and modes of clinical presentation are useful in planning and organising consultation liaison services in general and specialist centres.
Application and Results of the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (Mansa)
Authors: Priebe S. , Huxley P. , Knight S. , Evans S.
Published: July 2007

Background Based on experiences and empirical evidence gained in studies using the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile (LQLP), the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) has been developed as a condensed and slightly modified instrument for assessing quality of life. Its properties have been tested in a sample of community care patients.

Method Fifty-five randomly selected patients on the Care Programme Approach were interviewed using the LQLP, the MANSA and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale.

Results Correlations between subjective quality of life scores on MANSA and LQLP were all 0.83 or higher (0.94 for the satisfaction mean score). Cronbach's alpha for satisfaction ratings was 0.74, and association with psychopathology was in line with results for LQLP as reported in the literature.

Conclusions The MANSA is a brief instrument for assessing quality of life focusing on satisfaction with life as a whole and with life domains. Its psychometric properties appear satisfactory.
Social Support and Service Use Among Homeless Persons With Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Lam Julie A. , Rosenheck Robert
Published: July 2007

It has been widely hypothesized that persons with greater social support use fewer health care services, although previous studies have shown variable results. This study examines the relationship between levels of social support and formal service use among clients entering 18 community treatment programs for homeless persons with serious mental illness as part of the ACCESS demonstration project of the U.S. Center for Mental Health Services. Baseline and follow-up data on 1,828 clients entering the ACCESS program were used to evaluate the relationship between individual client socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, seven measures of social support, and levels of formal service use in this population. Three measures of social support were positively related to the use of outpatient medical services and one each to the use of substance abuse services and the total days of service use. Six out of seven measures of social support were positively related to the receipt of multiple services. It appears that social support is most strongly associated with improved access to an array of different services - a very important need among this population.
Attitudes Toward the Mentally Ill in a Sample of Professionals Working in a Psychiatric Hospital in Beijing (China)
Authors: Sévigny Robert , Yang Wenying  , Zhang Peiyan  , Marleau Jacques D. , Yang Zhouyun  , Su Lin  , Li GuowangUOWAN  , Xu Dong  , Wang Yanling  , Wang Haijun
Published: July 2007

The attitudes of psychiatric doctors and nurses toward the mentally ill in a large urban psychiatric hospital in China were compared using the Community Attitudes toward the Mentally III (CAMI). Data indicated that the attitude of professionals differed on 11 of the 40 questions of this instrument. Those questions are divided along 4 dimensions: authoritarianism, benevolence, social restrictiveness and rehabilitation in the community. Results showed that psychiatric doctors have a more liberal and positive attitude toward the mentally ill than psychiatric nurses, especially about their rehabilitation in the community. Factor analysis also indicated that nurses were more likely than doctors to attribute negative characteristics to the mentally ill. Some explanations are proposed to explain these differences.
Explanations of Mental Health Symptoms By the Bedouin-Arabs of the Negev
Authors: Al-Krenawi Alean
Published: July 2007

Sixty Bedouin-Arab patients (36 females, 24 males) referred to the psychiatric clinic of the Soroka Medical Centre in the Negev, Israel were interviewed before they met with the psychiatrists and again two weeks later. An open-ended questionnaire was administered during three month period, to examine the patients' explanations of their mental health symptoms. Findings revealed that all patients, male and female alike, perceived and explained their symptoms as being caused by supernatural powers. There were gender differences, however, regarding the perceived nature of, and behaviour of, these supernatural powers. Males explained their symptoms as caused by God's will, whether directly through Him, or indirectly through evil-spirits. In both instances, human behaviour was not a primary concern. In contrast, 97% of the female patients explained their symptoms as a result of sorcery, a phenomenon which integrates human behaviour with supernatural powers. Cultural and language differences between the patients and psychiatrists were also found to cause miscommunications and inappropriate treatment, with the result that 50% of the sample terminated psychiatric treatment after two sessions.
Dynamics of Individualized Treatment in an Institution for Defective Delinquents
Authors: Mack Leonard John
Published: July 2007

1. The Classification Summary is the starting reference point for all subsequent judgments on the inmate while he is confined.

2. Integrated Staff function of the highest calibre is needed most after an inmate has begun his training program, not when he is starting it. Evaluation of development of the inmates must be done on an individual basis.

3. The Staff not only meets regularly with each inmate as a body, but members thereof are in constant, daily contact with the inmate population.

4. The Staff constantly strives to make trying institutional situations constructive elements in the inmate's prison experience.

5. An inmate's feelings, attitudes, and mental content are never glossed over or otherwise neglected.

6. Favorable discharge consideration is entertained when the inmate reaches the point where he gives reasonable promise of being able to behave in a manner that emphasizes his strengths, and minimizes his weaknesses.

7. Discharge should occur as soon as possible after Staff recommendation therefor.

8. Home and Sponsorship requirements are of value in planning community return of Defective Delinquents. Job requirement, on the other hand, is much less so.
Discovering the Meaning of Feeling in Helping a Parolee Through the Beginning Phase of Sponsorship Service
Authors: Hobbs Wilbur E.
Published: July 2007

The basic task of helping (clients), provided the helper himself is in some possession of the solution, is to provide a unique relationship experience in which the time medium is heightened or exaggerated by limits deliberately utilized, so that the one who needs help may overcome his fear of living sufficiently to experience his own unrealized capacity for using and leaving the helper, for yielding deeply to the need of the other and as a consequence finding the self that can go without him.1
The Flexometer
Authors: Schiefer H.F.
Published: July 2007

An instrument is described with which the flexural work, flexural resilience, and flexural hysteresis of cloth, paper, sheet rubber, and similar materials can be evaluated. A pair of test specimens of standard dimensions are mounted in opposite angles formed by two vertical intersecting plates, one of which is fixed and the other movable on a spindle. The work done in folding the specimens to various angles between the plates, the work recovered when they are allowed to unfold, and the work lost are measured. These quantities are a measure respectively of flexural work, flexural resilience, and flexural hysteresis of the specimens. They are related to the stiffness and crease-ability of cloth and affect the sensations which contribute to the psychological qualities of "handle" or "feel'' and the "drape" of fabrics. Typical results are given.
Plans for a Research Institute
Authors: Clark C.H.
Published: July 2007

Preliminary plans that led up to the organization of U. S. Institute were presented and discussed at the first conference (April, 30, 1930) of the original promoters of the movement: The Research Conference Committee of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists and the Textile Research Council.

This revised copy of a paper prevented to that conference by C. H. Clark is believed to be an acourate summary of the plans and objectives of both promoting bodies. It is published as an introduction to future articles in this magazine, that are to explain the corporate structure and provisions of U. S. Institute, for the information of those who are not well acquainted with the beginnings and development of the Institute.
Relation of the Sheep's Health to the Growth Rate of Wool
Authors: Wilson J.F.
Published: July 2007

A study of a single infected sheep for which prior data as to the rate of growth of wool was available. The complete data and the results of the study indicate that wool growth and fibre measurement were affected but little, if at all, until the disease was in its final stage.
Combing Tests with Individual Wool Fleeces
Authors: Wilson J.F.
Published: July 2007

The methods of measuring results of research into the problems of wool production have been largely restricted to measurements of the physical and chemical attributes of the single fibre. It has been customary to measure the fineness of wool by taking a mean of the diameters of single fibres, and to observe the length, breaking strength, and stretch by repeated operations on single fibres. Measurements of the fleece as a unit have been almost confined to recording greasy and clean weights.

The experiment described in this paper was conducted in the hope of finding a new expression of results relating to the entire fleece which might be used in biological investigations of wool. It is published more as a record of results than an attempt to prove that the objective was reached. Combing tests on individual fleeces have not been reported previously.

The results of the test indicate that it is not an easy problem to take a sufficient number of single fibre measurements to yield data in harmony with those obtained from the fleece as a whole. Several biologists have considered that the measurement of 100 fibres is sufficient to determine the mean diameter with satisfactory accuracy. The textile processes, however, involve the manipulation and study of fibres en masse, largely by rule-of-thumb methods. The results of the two methods of approach are not easily comparable.

It is conceivable that the behavior of wool in some textile processes is not predictable from customary measurements of single fibres. Krais1 has shown that two wools of similar fineness, breaking load and extension at break may vary considerably in their adaptability for manufacturing purposes. Whether such differences should be studied from the standpoint of the individual fibre, the fleece as a whole, or a combination of the two, as was done in this experiment, remains for the future to disclose.
Use of the Polarizing Microscope in Cotton Classing
Authors: Pattee C.L.
Published: July 2007

For some eighteen months the Pequot Mills, manufacturers of Pequot sheets and pillow cases, Salem, Mass., have been using the polarizing, microscope in their cotton classing for positive identification of the presence or absence of immature fibre. The same microscope, with the addition of a disc-micrometer for the eyepiece, is used to measure the ribbon-width or fineness of fibres.

The purpose, results and technique are described by C. L. Pattee, Pequot Mills technician, in the October number of Textile World, and the article is reprinted here in large part. While admitting that this adaptation of scientific research is not perfect, the author states that it is a valuable aid to the cotton classer and buyer in evaluating the character of cotton.

For suggestions leading to this practical application of the polarizing microscope the author gives credit to E. R. Schwarz, associate professor of textile engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and also prominently identified with U. S. Institute for Textile Research, Inc.