bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased expression of tissue‐type transglutaminase following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats
Authors: Tolentino Paul J. , Waghray Anuradha , Wang Kevin K. W. , Hayes Ronald L.
Published: May 2004

Tissue‐type transglutaminase (TG‐2) has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, induction of TG‐2 was studied in rats following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Alterations in 2,3,5‐triphenylterazolium chloride staining revealed maximum infarction 3 days after injury. Measurement of mRNA transcript levels by real‐time PCR analysis showed both forms of TG‐2 mRNA peaking on day 5 after injury in ipsilateral cortex, with greater induction of the full‐length TG‐2 (TG‐L) transcript than the truncated form of the TG‐2 (TG‐S) transcript. However, in the ipsilateral hippocampus, peak induction of both forms of TG‐2 mRNA peaked 1 day after injury and to a lesser extent than observed in the ipsilateral cortex. Western blot analysis demonstrated that TG‐L protein expression progressively increased from 1 to 7 days after ischemia, with greater expression in cortex than hippocampus (525 ± 10% vs. 196 ± 8% of control, respectively). However, expression of TG‐S was not detected. These results demonstrate that increased TG‐2 mRNA and protein expression occurs in a delayed fashion following ischemic injury. The temporal profile of TG‐2 induction after ischemia was similar to that observed after traumatic brain injury (previously described), suggesting a similar role of TG‐2 in both pathological conditions.
Increased plaque burden in brains of APP mutant MnSOD heterozygous knockout mice
Authors: Li Feng , Calingasan Noel Y. , Yu Fangmin , Mauck William M. , Toidze Marine , Almeida Claudia G. , Takahashi Reisuke H. , Carlson George A. , Flint Beal M. , Lin Michael T. , Gouras Gunnar K.
Published: May 2004

A growing body of evidence suggests a relationship between oxidative stress and β‐amyloid (Aβ) peptide accumulation, a hallmark in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, a direct causal relationship between oxidative stress and Aβ pathology has not been established in vivo. Therefore, we crossed mice with a knockout of one allele of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), a critical antioxidant enzyme, with Tg19959 mice, which overexpress a doubly mutated human β‐amyloid precursor protein (APP). Partial deficiency of MnSOD, which is well established to cause elevated oxidative stress, significantly increased brain Aβ levels and Aβ plaque burden in Tg19959 mice. These results indicate that oxidative stress can promote the pathogenesis of AD and further support the feasibility of antioxidant approaches for AD therapy.
Toward an Integrative Model of Effective FOB Succession
Authors: Le Breton–Miller Isabelle , Miller Danny , Steier Lloyd P.
Published: May 2004

Given that less than 10% of family owned businesses (FOBs) survive into the third generation, the issue of top executive succession has received a good deal of attention. Unfortunately, the literature on the topic is fragmented, as it deals with different parts of the elephant. This synthetic effort tries to put together the pieces to (1) derive a more encompassing model of what it takes for a succession to succeed, (2) determine the trends, consensus findings, as well as the gaps in our conceptual and empirical knowledge, and (3) suggest areas for further research.
Comparing the Agency Costs of Family and Non–Family Firms: Conceptual Issues and Exploratory Evidence
Authors: Chrisman James J. , Chua Jess H. , Litz Reginald A.
Published: May 2004

Family involvement in a business has the potential to both increase and decrease financial performance due to agency costs. In this article we discuss the different nature of agency costs in family firms and specify the combination of conditions necessary to determine the relative levels of agency costs in family and non–family firms through the impacts of agency cost control mechanisms on performance. We also present exploratory results based on a study of 1,141 small privately held U.S. family and non–family firms that suggest the overall agency problem in family firms could be less serious than that in non–family firms.
Entrepreneurship in Family vs. Non–Family Firms: A Resource–Based Analysis of the Effect of Organizational Culture
Authors: Zahra Shaker A. , Hayton James C. , Salvato Carlo
Published: May 2004

Organizational culture is an important strategic resource that family firms can use to gain a competitive advantage. Drawing upon the resource–based view (RBV) of the firm, this study examines the association between four dimensions of organizational culture in family vs. non–family businesses and entrepreneurship. Using data from 536 U.S. manufacturing companies, the results show a nonlinear association between the cultural dimension of individualism and entrepreneurship. Further, there are positive linear relationships between entrepreneurship and an external orientation, an organizational cultural orientation toward decentralization, and a long– versus short–term orientation. With the exception of an external orientation, each of these dimensions is significantly more influential upon entrepreneurship in family firms when compared with non–family firms.
Family Control and the Rent–Seeking Society
Authors: Morck Randall , Yeung Bernard
Published: May 2004

A high level of trust within a small elite, like a low level of trust in society at large, may be a serious impediment to economic development. This is because such concentrated high trust among the elite promotes political rent seeking, known to retard growth. We propose that entrusting the governance of a country's great corporations to a few wealthy families promotes this undesirable distribution of trust. Preliminary empirical evidence and arguments grounded in game theory support this view.
Effect of motivational climate on sportspersonship among competitive youth male and female football players
Authors: Miller Blake W. , Roberts Glyn C. , Ommundsen Yngvar
Published: May 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of perceived motivational climate and gender on sportspersonship behavior of competitive youth football players. Participants were 512 boy and 202 girl Norwegian youth football players (12–14 years old) competing in an international football tournament. A 2×2×2 (gender, mastery climate high and low, performance climate high and low) MANOVA produced no multivariate or interaction effects, but main effects for gender, performance climate, and mastery climate did emerge. Post hoc analyses of the simple main effects found that boys and girls were different in sportspersonship, but only in that boys were more sportspersonlike than girls on one of the four sportspersonship dimensions. Players perceiving a high mastery climate endorsed sportspersonship more than those players perceiving a low mastery climate, and players perceiving a high performance climate were less likely to endorse sportspersonship than players perceiving a low performance climate. Canonical correlation analysis revealed that a strong mastery climate was positively associated with commitment, respect for social conventions, and respect for rules and officials. A strong performance climate was negatively associated with respect and concern for social conventions and respect for rules and officials, while a positive association emerged for respect and concern for the opponent. The results of our study suggest that both boys and girls may well perceive the coach emphasizing similar criteria of success and failure and thereby a similar culture of sportspersonship, while in general a strong mastery climate leads to a higher sportspersonship orientation.
Skeletal muscle and hormonal adaptations to circuit weight training in untrained men
Authors: Harber Matthew P. , Fry Andrew C. , Rubin Martyn R. , Smith Jason C. , Weiss Lawrence W.
Published: May 2004

Twelve men either performed 10 weeks of timed circuit weight training 3 days week−1 (CWT; n=8; X±SE; age=23.6±1.8 years), or were part of a sedentary control group (n=4; age=20.5±1.0 years). Significance was P<0.05 for all analyses. The CWT program significantly increased 1 repetition maximum (1 RM) strength for nine of 10 exercises (15–42%). Although no body composition measure significantly changed for the CWT group, low‐to‐moderate effect sizes were evident for body weight, lean body mass, and relative fat. CWT did not alter percent fiber type, but did increase cross‐sectional areas for type IIA fibers (μm2; pre=5988±323, post=7259±669). Relative (%) myosin heavy‐chain (MHC) expression increased for MHC IIa (pre=42.5±2.7, post=50.1±2.6), and decreased for MHC IIb (pre=21.8±2.8, post=15.4±2.4) for the CWT group. Serum testosterone, cortisol, and the testosterone/cortisol ratio did not change at any time for the CWT group. None of the measured variables changed for the control group. These data indicate that for untrained subjects, CWT of the type used resulted in improved muscular strength and a tendency toward increased lean mass. Compared with other types of weight training, fewer adaptations of the muscle fibers were evident. This is likely due in part to the relatively low loads used with this type of resistance exercise.
Exercise therapy for people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Authors: Kettunen Jyrki A. , Kujala Urho M.
Published: May 2004

Exercise therapy would appear to be effective at increasing aerobic capacity and muscle strength in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and no detrimental effects on disease activity or pain compared with controls has been observed. Exercise therapy – at least in the short‐term, improves pain, muscular strength and function in elderly people with mild osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee. For the treatment of both OA and RA the knowledge of the optimal type, frequency, duration and intensity of exercise is still limited, but the exercise should not include high‐impact loads or high injury risk. Long‐term compliance is important in achieving long‐term benefits. Supervised classes appears to be as effective as treatments provided on a one‐to‐one basis, group‐based exercise programme thus providing a cost‐effective alternative. Adherence to home programmes seems to be lower. Future research should focus on finding optimal type and dose of exercise, ways of optimally maintaining the beneficial effects of exercise therapy over time as well as on the effects of exercise on the long‐term progression of the disease and cost‐effectiveness of the therapy.
Different frequency treadmill running in immobilization‐induced muscle atrophy and ankle joint contracture of rats
Authors: Sakakima Harutoshi , Yoshida Yoshihiro , Sakae Kiyohiro , Morimoto Norio
Published: May 2004

We investigated the effects of different frequencies of treadmill running on immobilization‐induced soleus and gastrocnemius muscle atrophy and ankle joint contracture in rats using morphology and histochemistry. The right ankle joint of rat was immobilized for 2 weeks. Thereafter, the rats were randomly assigned to four groups for 6 weeks of exercise under different conditions: free cage activity and free remobilization (FR), once‐a‐week treadmill running (low‐frequency running program (LFR)), three‐time‐a‐week running (middle‐frequency running program (MFR)), and six‐time‐a‐week running (high‐frequency running program (HFR)) groups. Two weeks of immobilization significantly reduced the cross‐sectional area of soleus type I (62%, P<0.05) and type II muscle fibers (66%, P<0.05), gastrocnemius type I (78%, P<0.05) and type II muscle fibers (68%, P<0.05), and the range of ankle joint movement (46%, P<0.05). Immobilization also increased the ratio of type II to total fiber numbers in the soleus (P<0.05), and gastrocnemius (P<0.05), and induced pathological changes in muscle fibers. Some of these changes could not be corrected by free remobilization; however, the LFR, MFR, and HFR groups clearly recovered toward normal levels with exercise frequency, the effect on muscle recovery being more beneficial in the MFR and HFR groups. In addition, the range of ankle joint contracture was improved in LFR, MFR, and HFR groups in comparison with that in the FR group. These findings indicate that treadmill running exercise improved the immobilization‐induced muscle fiber histochemical alterations and the range of the ankle motion in rats. Running three times and six times a week was more beneficial for recovery of immobilization‐induced muscle atrophy and joint contracture compared with no running or once‐a‐week running.
A Cognitive‐Psychodynamic Perspective to Understanding Secretary of State Cyrus Vance's Worldview
Authors: Laucella Melchiore J.
Published: May 2004

This article goes beyond traditional cognitive studies, many of which focus on the image of the enemy, by incorporating the role of “personality” in impression formation. Through the use of a cognitive‐psychodynamic perspective, traditional categories in image studies are expanded to explain better Cyrus Vance's worldview during his tenure as secretary of state. Recognizing the complementary nature of personality and social cognition theories, the cognitive‐psychodynamic perspective assesses key personality and motivational forces that provide the basis for the perceiver's reliance on category‐based processes, stemming largely from emotionally connected experience, and data‐driven processing. Accordingly, Vance's worldview can be understood in terms of three overlapping image categories: the complex‐interdependent, the optimistic‐détente, and the empathic, which emerge as major themes from public data. Shaped by sources such as the political trauma of the Vietnam War, his personal development is explored to ascertain the way key cognitive and personality dynamics influence his worldview.
The Structures of National Security Decision Making: Leadership, Institutions, and Politics in the Carter, Reagan, and G. H. W. Bush Years
Authors: Newmann William W.
Published: May 2004

Decision making for U.S. national security is not a static process. Presidents adjust their decision‐making structures from time to time when they perceive that the standard interagency procedures no longer serve their political purposes. This article identifies a distinct pattern in the evolution of national security decision structures over time by examining Carter, Reagan, and G. H. W. Bush decision making on nuclear strategy and arms control. Similarities in each administration's structural changes stem from institutional and political pressures. The differences in the shape of those changes have their origin in the idiosyncratic leadership styles of each president.
Democratic Enlargement's Value Hierarchy and Rhetorical Forms: An Analysis of Clinton's Use of a Post‐Cold War Symbolic Frame to Justify Military Interventions
Authors: Olson Kathryn M.
Published: May 2004

Democratic enlargement emerged as the first fully formed post‐Cold War interpretive frame for foreign policy rhetoric. In response to situation, domestic audience, and President Bill Clinton's penchants, it named chaos as the global enemy to an ideal order centered on expanding market democracy. The frame's two‐tiered value hierarchy privileged perpetual presidential flexibility and domestic prosperity over its host of relatively equal, secondary values and relied on the rhetorical forms of accumulation and hendiadys when justifying foreign military intervention. Textual analysis of the frame's policy debut and case application speeches regarding military intervention in Haiti and Kosovo demonstrate these claims and illuminate the persuasive advantages and inherent symbolic pitfalls of democratic enlargement.
HIGGS–ANTI-DE SITTER SPACETIME BUBBLES FROM SPONTANEOUS Z2-VIOLATION AT ELECTROWEAK SYMMETRY BREAKING SCALE
Authors: DARIESCU CIPRIAN
Published: May 2004

The Einstein–Gordon equations for Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) geometries in feedback reaction with the quartically self-interacting physical field, arisen from the spontaneous Z2-symmetry breaking, are explicitly formulated. The fixed point exact solutions to the "inner parity" non-invariant Einstein–Gordon system (mandatory) describe (k=-1)-FRW manifolds which actually are either Milne or anti-de Sitter Universes. Setting the Z2-invariance breaking scale at one of the electroweak symmetry, we speculate on the cosmological implications of the Higgs–anti-de Sitter bubbles and derive a set of closed-form solutions to the S2-cobordism with a spatially-flat FRW Universe.
THE PERIODICITY ANALYSIS OF THE LIGHT CURVE OF PKS 0735+178 AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ITS CENTRAL STRUCTURE
Authors: DING S. X. , XIE G. Z. , LIANG E. W. , ZHOU S. B. , MA L.
Published: May 2004

The observation data in the B band for BL Lacerate object PKS 0735+178 during 1970–1998 from twenty two publications have been compiled into a light curve. The light curve shows that PKS 0735+178 is very active and exhibits very complicated non-sinusoidal variations. Using both Jurkevich's method and Power spectrum method to analyze these data we have found two periods of 5.26±0.98 years and 1.24±0.05 years for the outbursts in PKS 0735+178. It is of interest to note that the results of the two methods are the same (almost). In addition, these values are in good agreement with the results found by Smith et al.47 and Webb et al.61 We also apply the binary black hole model to explain the central structure of this object and obtain the masses of the primary and secondary black holes are 1.7×109M⊙ and 2.88×107M⊙ respectively. It should be monitored in future to obtain more data for further analysis to test the hypothesis.
ON THE SENSITIVITY OF GRAVITATIONAL WAVE RESONANT BAR DETECTORS
Authors: SISTO RENATA , MOLETI ARTURO
Published: May 2004

Different theoretical estimates of the sensitivity of gravitational wave resonant bar detectors, which have been published in the last decades, are reviewed and discussed. The "classical" cross-section estimate is obtained considering the bar as a classical or quantum oscillator, whose initial thermal state is that of a single oscillator driven by a single external stochastic force. Other theoretical studies computed a much larger cross-section, using a variety of quantum-mechanical arguments. The review of the existing literature shows that there is no well established model for the response of a resonant detector to gravitational waves. The resonant, yet random, nature of the Brownian thermal motion may justify considering the bar response at the fundamental longitudinal eigenfrequency as that of a large number of effective quantum mechanical oscillators. Assuming this hypothesis, quantum coherence effects, as first suggested by Weber, lead to a much larger cross-section than that "classically" predicted. The reduction of this amplification due to thermal noise itself is also computed.
A NEW ANALYSIS OF THE MEDIUM-TIMESCALE PERIODICITY IN S5 0716+714
Authors: MA L. , XIE G. Z. , ZHOU S. B. , CHEN L. E. , DING S. X. , DAI H. , WU H. , XIE Z. H.
Published: May 2004

In this paper, we have collected the available observation data of BL Lac S5 0716+714 in I-band from published literature during 1994 to 2000. The light curve shows S5 0716+714 is very active and very complicated non-sinusoidal variations. We studied its medium-timescale periodicity using the Jurkevich and power spectrum method to search for the possible medium-timescale periods and found that one possible medium-timescale periodic with a period of around 14±0.1 day is obtained for S5 0716+714. It is interesting to note that these results are in good agreement with the previous results by Impey et al. (2000) and Qian et al. (2002), and this work provides a new analysis and evidence of the medium-timescale periodicity in BL Lac S5 0716+714. The helical jet model seems to be more reasonable for explaining our results than other models.
SINGULARITY FREE SOLUTIONS FROM SCALAR-TENSOR GRAVITY COMPARED WITH RECENT COSMOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS
Authors: BASINI GIUSEPPE , BONGIORNO FULVIO , CAPOZZIELLO SALVATORE
Published: May 2004

Singularity free cosmologies, depending on the form of gravitational coupling and interaction potential, are derived in the framework of (n+1)-dimensional scalar-tensor theories of gravity. The results are matched with cosmological observations giving rise to realistic scenarios where the observed acceleration of cosmic fluid is recovered. Furthermore, being the solutions singularity free, the approach could work also at early epochs showing a general validity of the model.
SHEAR-FREE RADIATING COLLAPSE AND CONFORMAL FLATNESS
Authors: HERRERA L. , LE DENMAT G. , SANTOS N. O. , WANG A.
Published: May 2004

Here we study some general properties of spherical shear-free collapse. Its general solution when imposing conformal flatness is re-obtained (Refs. 1 and 2) and matched to the outgoing Vaidya spacetime. We propose a simple model satisfying these conditions and study its physical consequences. Special attention deserve, the role played by relaxational processes and the conspicuous link betweeen dissipation and density inhomogeneity.
BAYESIAN ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPLYGIN GAS AND COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT MODELS USING THE SNe Ia DATA
Authors: COLISTETE R. , FABRIS J. C. , GONÇALVES S. V. B. , DE SOUZA P. E.
Published: May 2004

The type Ia supernovae observational data are used to estimate the parameters of a cosmological model with cold dark matter and the Chaplygin gas. This exotic gas, which is characterized by a negative pressure varying with the inverse of density, represents in this model the dark energy responsible for the acceleration of the Universe. The Chaplygin gas model depends essentially on four parameters: the Hubble constant, the velocity of the sound of the Chaplygin gas, the curvature of the Universe and the fraction density of the Chaplygin gas and the cold dark matter. The Bayesian parameter estimation yields [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. These and other results indicate that a Universe completely dominated by the Chaplygin gas is favoured, what reinforces the idea that the Chaplygin gas may unify the description for dark matter and dark energy, at least as the type Ia supernovae data are concerned. A closed and accelerating Universe is also favoured. The Bayesian statistics indicates that the Chaplygin gas model is more likely than the standard cosmological constant (ΛCDM) model at 55.3% confidence level when an integration on all free parameters is performed. Assuming the spatially flat curvature, this percentage mounts to 65.3%. On the other hand, if the density of dark matter is fixed at zero value, the Chaplygin gas model becomes more preferred than the ΛCDM model at 91.8% confidence level. Finally, the hypothesis of flat Universe and baryonic matter (Ωb0=0.04) implies a Chaplygin gas model preferred over the ΛCDM at a confidence level of 99.4%.
ON STABILITY OF SIMPLEST NONSINGULAR INFLATIONARY COSMOLOGICAL MODELS WITHIN GENERAL RELATIVITY AND GAUGE THEORIES OF GRAVITY
Authors: VERESHCHAGIN G. V.
Published: May 2004

In this paper we provide approximate analytical analysis of stability of nonsingular inflationary chaotic-type cosmological models. Initial conditions for nonsingular solutions at the bounce correspond to dominance of potential part of the energy density of the scalar field over its kinetic part both within general relativity and gauge theories of gravity. Moreover, scalar field at the bounce exceeds the Planckian value and on expansion stage these models correspond to chaotic inflation. Such solutions can be well approximated by explicitly solvable model with constant effective potential (cosmological term) and massless scalar field during the bounce and on stages of quasi-exponential contraction and expansion. Perturbative analysis shows that nonsingular inflationary solutions are exponentially unstable during contraction stage. This result is compared with numerical calculations.
How Free Fatty Acids Inhibit Glucose Utilization in Human Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Roden Michael
Published: May 2004

Rat muscle studies suggest competition between free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose for oxidation, resulting in glucose-6-phosphate accumulation. However, FFA decrease glucose-6-phosphate in human skeletal muscle, indicating direct inhibition of glucose transport/phosphorylation. This mechanism could redirect glucose from muscle to brain during fasting and explain the insulin resistance associated with high-lipid diets and obesity.
Benefits of Individualized Counseling by the Pharmacist on the Treatment Outcomes of Hyperlipidemia in Hong Kong
Authors: Lee Suzanne Shuk Ching , Cheung Pui‐Yin Pauline , Chow Moses Sing Sum
Published: May 2004

A prospective controlled study on the benefits of pharmacists' individualized counseling on drug compliance, cholesterol concentration reduction, attainment of National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) goals, and patient satisfaction was carried out in a private community hospital in Hong Kong. All patients who were newly prescribed with lipid‐lowering drugs for primary prevention were included. The patients in the individualized counseling group received “intense” counseling and follow‐up of cholesterol concentration by a pharmacist for 3 months. The control group received routine counseling. Fifty patients completed the study (26 in the individualized group, 24 in the control group). Compliance was assessed, and those patients who achieved 75% compliance were defined as compliers. In the individualized group, 76.9% were compliers compared with 41.7% in the control group (p < 0.01). The individualized group achieved 28.3%, 27.7%, and 26.1% reduction in total cholesterol, LDL‐C, and triglycerides, respectively, compared with 15.3%, 16.3%, and 10.6% in the control group (p < 0.05 for all). Also in the individualized group, 80.8% achieved the ATP III LDL‐C goals compared to 58.3% in the control group (p < 0.05). Of patients in the individualized group, 85% felt that the pharmacist counseling service could improve their disease management. The study demonstrated that pharmacists' individualized counseling, together with the assessment of cholesterol concentrations, had positive impacts on the management of hyperlipidemia, including improved drug compliance, better treatment endpoints, and patient satisfaction.
Absorption of Rivastigmine from Different Regions of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Humans
Authors: Lee Lucy , Hossain Mohammad , Wang Yanfeng , Sedek Greg
Published: May 2004

The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate and extent of absorption and metabolism of rivastigmine (Exelon®, ENA 713) after site‐specific delivery of the drug in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract using a naso‐intestinal intubation technique. Healthy adult subjects (n= 7) received, on four separate occasions, a 3‐mg dose of a rivastigmine solution (2 mg/mL) orally and via a naso‐intestinal tube to three GI sites (jejunum, ileum, and ascending colon). On each of the 3 treatment days for regional GI dosing, the tube was progressed to each of the three GI sites, which was determined by a radiographical technique prior to dosing. On the fourth day, following tube withdrawal, the subject received a 3‐mg oral dose of a rivastigmine solution. Plasma samples were obtained at different multiple time points, and the plasma concentrations of rivastigmine and its metabolite, NAP 226–90, were determined using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/ MS) method. Rivastigmine was rapidly absorbed following both oral administration and site‐specific delivery to different regions of the GI tract (jejunum, ileum, and ascending colon). Compared with oral administration (AUV0–∞ = 21 ng•h/mL, Cmax = 12.8 ng/mL, and tmax = 0.87 h), delivery of the drug directly into the ileum, jejunum, and ascending colon did not change the extent of absorption, but the time to peak concentration appeared to be smaller (mean tmax ranged from 0.4–0.6 h, with no change in Cmax). The relative bioavailability of rivastigmine from all three regions of the GI tract was comparable to that following oral administration. The metabolite levels (AUC, Cmax) were also similar among the three different regions of the GI tract when compared to the oral dose. It was concluded that rivastigmine is rapidly and equally well absorbed following an oral dose and after specific delivery to different regions of the small intestine and ascending colon. GI metabolism of rivastigmine to its major metabolite, NAP 226–90, occurs to a similar extent in different segments of the GI tract.
Secondary structure models of the 3′ untranslated regions of diverse R2 RNAs
Authors: RUSCHAK AMY M. , MATHEWS DAVID H. , BIBILLO ARKADIUSZ , SPINELLI SHERRY L. , CHILDS JESSICA L. , EICKBUSH THOMAS H. , TURNER DOUGLAS H.
Published: May 2004

The RNA structure of the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of the R2 retrotransposable element is recognized by the R2-encoded reverse transcriptase in a reaction called target primed reverse transcription (TPRT). To provide insight into structure–function relationships important for TPRT, we have created alignments that reveal the secondary structure for 22 Drosophila and five silkmoth 3′ UTR R2 sequences. In addition, free energy minimization has been used to predict the secondary structure for the 3′ UTR R2 RNA of Forficula auricularia. The predicted structures for Bombyx mori and F. auricularia are consistent with chemical modification data obtained with β-ethoxy-α-ketobutyraldehyde (kethoxal), dimethyl sulfate, and 1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinoethyl)carbodiimide metho-p-toluene sulfonate. The structures appear to have common helices that are likely important for function.
Detection and quantitation of RNA base modifications
Authors: ZHAO XINLIANG , YU YI-TAO
Published: May 2004

Using a new combination of previously published techniques, we developed a method for quantitating modified nucleotides in RNAs. First, an RNA is cleaved with RNase H at the 5′ side of a nucleotide of interest. Next,32P is substituted for the phosphate at the 5′ end of this nucleotide. Finally, after nuclease P1 digestion, the released radiolabeled nucleotide is analyzed by thin layer chromatography and quantitated by PhosphorImager. Using this method, we showed that the analysis of a pseudouridine at a specific site within an in vitro synthesized U2 RNA is indeed quantitative. We also applied this technique to cellular U2 RNA isolated from mouse liver, and showed that position U34 is ~90% pseudouridylated. This method, combined with previously described reverse transcription-based methods, constitutes a powerful tool for detecting and quantifying modified nucleotides in RNAs. With minor modifications, this method can serve as an effective assay to study RNA modifying enzymes.
The human 18S U11/U12 snRNP contains a set of novel proteins not found in the U2-dependent spliceosome
Authors: WILL CINDY L. , SCHNEIDER CLAUDIA , HOSSBACH MARKUS , URLAUB HENNING , RAUHUT REINHARD , ELBASHIR SAYDA , TUSCHL THOMAS , LÜHRMANN REINHARD
Published: May 2004

U11 and U12 snRNPs bind U12-type pre-mRNAs as a preformed di-snRNP complex, simultaneously recognizing the 5′ splice site and branchpoint sequence. Thus, within the U12-type prespliceosome, U11/U12 components form a molecular bridge connecting both ends of the intron. We have affinity purified human 18S U11/U12 and 12S U11 snRNPs, and identified their protein components by using mass spectrometry. U11/U12 snRNPs lack all known U1 snRNP proteins but contain seven novel proteins (i.e., 65K, 59K, 48K, 35K, 31K, 25K, 20K) not found in the major spliceosome, four of which (59K, 48K, 35K, and 25K) are U11-associated. Thus, protein–protein and protein–RNA interactions contributing to 5′ splice site recognition and/or intron bridging appear to differ significantly in the minor versus major prespliceosome. The majority of U11/U12 proteins are highly conserved in organisms known to contain U12-type introns. However, homologs of those associated with U11 were not detected inDrosophila melanogaster, consistent with the presence of a divergent U11 snRNP in flies. RNAi experiments revealed that several U11/U12 proteins are essential for cell viability, suggesting they play key roles in U12-type splicing. The presence of unique U11/U12 snRNP proteins in the U12-type spliceosome provides insight into potential evolutionary relationships between the major and minor spliceosome.
Answer to “Reevaluation of the conclusion that IRES-activity reported within the 5′ leader of the TIF4631 gene is due to promoter activity”
Authors: ALTMANN MICHAEL , TRACHSEL HANS , VONLANTHEN MARTIN , VERGÉ VALÉRIE
Published: May 2004

The accuracy of the data we reported in an RNA Letter to the Editor earlier this year on the promoter activity within the 5′ leader of the TIF4631 gene is questioned by V.P. Mauro and others in this issue. We reply here that we see no inaccuracy in our data.
The Relationships among Quality, Cost, Value, and use of Export Market Information: An Empirical Study
Authors: Toften Kjell , Olsen Svein Ottar
Published: May 2004

Building on prior research in export market information use, consumer behavior, and industrial marketing, this study tests relationships among quality, cost, value, and use of export market information. The results show that perceived value of information is the main impetus for use of export market information, whereas perceived quality and cost function best as indicators of value. This implies that value of information captures the essence of the assessment of information-specific factors, which again provides guidelines for predictive purposes as well as clues for increasing the perceived value of information for customers.
Knowledge Acquisition and Performance of International Joint Ventures in the Transition Economy of Vietnam
Authors: Tsang Eric W.K. , Nguyen Duc Tri , Erramilli M. Krishna
Published: May 2004

From a knowledge-based perspective, the authors develop a model that proposes (1) that certain international joint venture characteristics influence the joint venture's knowledge acquisition from its foreign parent and (2) that the amount of knowledge acquired affects venture performance. The authors test the model in Vietnam and find that parental conflict, commitment, and receptivity affect knowledge acquisition. As they hypothesize, the amount of knowledge acquired contributes significantly to venture performance.
Childhood Diagnoses and Later Risk for Multiple Suicide Attempts
Authors: Rudd M. David , Joiner Thomas E. , Rumzek Harold
Published: May 2004

The relationship between childhood diagnosis, personality psychopathology and suicidal behavior in young adulthood was explored in a sample of 327 suicide ideators, single attempters, and multiple attempters. Of the total sample, 174 received at least one childhood diagnosis; the 153 without a diagnosis provided a comparison group. Results suggest that a childhood history of an anxiety disorder or major depression predispose a person to both later multiple suicide attempts and personality psychopathology. Gender was found to play a significant role, with females being predisposed to multiple attempts in young adulthood but only as a function of childhood anxiety, not major depression. Additionally, childhood anxiety disorders were found to predispose to multiple attempts as a function of personality psychopathology, with distinctly different paths for males and females. Implications are discussed in terms of etiology, prevention, and treatment.
Perfectionism, Cognitive Bias, and Hopelessness as Prospective Predictors of Suicidal Ideation
Authors: Beevers Christopher G. , Miller Ivan W.
Published: May 2004

Perfectionism, negative cognitive bias, and hopelessness were assessed among people hospitalized for depression (N = 121). Hopelessness and suicidal ideation were assessed 6 months after discharge. Path analyses indicated that higher perfectionism as an inpatient was directly associated with higher suicidal ideation 6 months later. Cognitive bias, in contrast, led to greater hopelessness 6 months later, which in turn led to higher concurrent suicidal ideation. Alternative models examined whether hopelessness partially or fully mediated the effect of perfectionism, whether hopelessness partially mediated the effect of cognitive bias, and whether inpatient depression and suicidal ideation severity explained the observed relationships. These alternative models were not supported. Perfectionism and negative cognitive bias both uniquely contributed to the prospective prediction of suicidal ideation.
Inequalities in Daily Variations of Deaths from Suicide in Lithuania: Identification of Possible Risk Factors
Authors: Kalediene Ramune , Petrauskiene Jadvyga
Published: May 2004

The aim of this study was to analyze daily variations in mortality from suicides of Lithuanian urban and rural populations in two different periods of economic and political development of the country (1988–1990 and 1998–2000). The highest proportion of suicides occurred on Mondays and during the first days after the major public holidays, especially in men. Suicide mortality in rural areas was significantly higher in comparison to urban; nevertheless, daily variation was more marked in urban areas. Developing market economy and rising unemployment did not increase daily variation in suicides.
Modernization and the Male–Female Suicide Ratio in India 1967–1997: Divergence or Convergence?
Authors: Steen Della M. , Mayer Peter
Published: May 2004

The traditional view that modernization is likely to increase male vulnerability to suicide while protecting females from such self‐destruction was offered byDurkheim (1951). This implies a theory of divergence of suicide rates such that the male–female suicide ratio should increase with modernization. Contemporary researchers have questioned whether modernization has had such an impact. We conducted a time series analysis of male and female suicide data to determine the impact on the suicide ratio for India for the years 1967 to 1997. We developed a modernization index comprised of urbanization, female literacy, and female work participation rates. Moreover, to improve methodological efficacy, we controlled for the passage of time. However, we found that there is no significant relationship between modernization and the male‐female suicide ratio. Our conclusion is that using national male–female suicide ratios to determine modernization effects may mask significant regional gender and age differences, particularly in developing countries such as India.
Suicidal Behavior in Urban American Indian Adolescents: A Comparison with Reservation Youth in a Southwestern State
Authors: Freedenthal Stacey , Stiffman Arlene Rubin
Published: May 2004

The majority of American Indians live off of reservations, yet research on suicidal behavior in this population overwhelmingly focuses on reservation Indians. This exploratory study interviewed a stratified random sample of 144 urban and 170 reservation American Indian adolescents to compare rates and correlates of suicidal behavior. One fifth of urban youth and one third of reservation youth reported lifetime suicidal ideation, although similar numbers (14%–18%) reported an attempt. Urban youth had fewer psychosocial problems, and in separate multivariate analyses, the groups shared no common correlate of attempted suicide. Different approaches to prevention and treatment may be warranted for urban Indian youth.
Dimensions of Impulsivity and Aggression Associated with Suicide Attempts Among Bipolar Patients: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Michaelis Benjamin H. , Goldberg Joseph F. , Davis Glen P. , Singer Tara M. , Garno Jessica L. , Wenze Susan J.
Published: May 2004

Impulsivity and hostility are often thought to be interrelated among depressed patients with suicidal behavior, but few studies have examined this relationship empirically. In this study, we assessed trait impulsivity and hostility among 52 DSM‐IV bipolar subjects with and without histories of suicide attempts. Impulsivity and hostility were correlated among attempters (r = .41, p = .03) but not non‐attempters (r = .22, p = .28). As compared to non‐attempters, attempters had significantly higher levels of overall hostility, more extensive subcomponents of hostility, and a trend toward higher overall impulsivity. Associations between lifetime suicide attempts and overall hostility were significant while controlling for current depression severity and lifetime illness duration. Aggression and impulsivity appear linked among bipolar patients with lifetime suicide attempts but may be independent constructs among non‐attempters. The presence of both factors may elevate risk for suicidal behavior.
Describing Suicidality: An Investigation of Qualitative SSF Responses
Authors: Jobes David A. , Nelson Kathryn N. , Peterson Erin M. , Pentiuc Daniel , Downing Vanessa , Francini Kristen , Kiernan Amy
Published: May 2004

Given the incidence and seriousness of suicidality in clinical practice, the need for new and better ways to assess suicide risk is clear. While there are many published assessment instruments in the literature, survey data suggest that these measure are not widely used. One possible explanation is that current quantitatively developed assessment instruments may fail to capture something essential about the suicidal patient's experience. The current exploratory study examined a range of open ended qualitative written responses made by suicidal outpatients to five assessment prompts from the Suicide Status Form (SSF)—psychological pain, press, perturbation, hopelessness, and self‐hate. Two different samples of suicidal outpatients seeking treatment, including suicidal college students (n = 119) and active duty U.S. Air Force personnel (n = 33), provided a wide range of written responses to the five SSF prompts. A qualitative coding manual was developed through a step‐by‐step methodology; two naive coders were trained to use the coding system and were able to sort all the patients' written responses into the content categories with very high interrater reliability (Kappa > .80). Certain written qualitative responses of the patients were more frequent than others, both within and across the five SSF constructs. Among a range of specific exploratory findings, one general finding was that two thirds of the 636 obtained written responses could be reliably categorized under four major content headings: relational (22%), role responsibilities (20%), self (15%), and unpleasant internal states (10%). Theoretical, research, and clinical implications of the methodology and data are discussed.
Synthesis, spectroscopy, thermal behaviour and molecular structure of orotatotriethanolaminecopper(II) monohydrate
Authors: Ölmez Halis , İçbudak Hasan , Yeşilel Okan Zafer , Arıcı Cengiz , Ülkü Dinçer
Published: May 2004

The orotatotriethanolaminecopper(II) monohydrate, [Cu(C5H2N2O4)(C6H15NO3)] · H2O, has been synthesized and characterized with physico-chemical methods (IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, conductivity and thermoanalytical measurements) and X-ray diffraction. The structure derived from physico-chemical methods is consistent with that of the X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/n, with a = 8.6282(12), b = 16.9919(18), c = 10.6985(15) Å, β = 110.08(3)°, V = 1473.1(3) Å3, Z = 4. The copper atom is chelated by the deprotonated nitrogen pyrimidine atom and by the carboxylate oxygen atom of the orotate dianion ligand, and by the nitrogen and oxygen atoms of the triethanolamine ligand. The title compound has a distorted octahedral coordination geometry.
Comparing the Bispectral Index and Suppression Ratio with Burst Suppression of the Electroencephalogram During Pentobarbital Infusions in Adult Intensive Care Patients
Authors: Riker Richard R. , Fraser Gilles L. , Wilkins Micheline L.
Published: May 2004

Objective. The bispectral index (BIS), a processed variable derived from the raw electroencephalogram (EEG) used to guide sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU), has not been tested during barbiturate therapy for elevated intracranial pressure. We determined the BIS and suppression ratio (SR) values during traditional burst monitoring of the raw EEG during pentobarbital infusions.

Design. Prospective, observational cohort study.

Setting. A 42‐bed multidisciplinary ICU in a tertiary care medical center.

Patients. Twelve consecutive patients with elevated intracranial pressure treated with pentobarbital infusions.

Intervention. All patients were monitored continuously with the Aspect Medical Systems A‐1050 bedside EEG monitor using a bilateral referential montage. Pentobarbital doses were titrated based on the raw EEG to attain a burst‐suppression pattern with a goal of 3–5 bursts/minute. Drug dosage, intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure values, EEG bursts/minute, BIS version 3.2, and SR were recorded daily.

Measurements and Main Results. The 12 patients were monitored for 62 patient‐days. Mean ± SD age was 32 ± 15 years, seven (58%) patients were male, mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Heath Evaluation II score was 17.0 ± 5.0, and hospital mortality was 42%. The mean pentobarbital infusion rate was 124 ± 49 mg/hour or 2.3 ± 1.3 mg/kg/hour, and mean pentobarbital serum concentration was 29.7 ± 13 μg/ml. The mean BIS value was 18 ± 14, mean SR 56% ± 36%; BIS correlated well with SR (r=‐0.99, p<0.001). For patient‐days with a burst‐suppression pattern, BIS 3.2 (r=0.90, p<0.001) and SR (r=‐0.89, p<0.001) strongly correlated with the number of bursts/minute. The mean BIS value corresponding to 3–5 bursts/minute was 15 (95% confidence interval [CI] 10–20); SR value was 71 (95% CI 61–80).

Conclusion. The Aspect A‐1050 applied to patients and monitored by nurses and physicians works well as a bedside EEG monitor, providing a raw EEG signal to titrate barbiturate therapy. The continuous data trend and realtime digital output for the BIS and SR quantify the degree of EEG suppression well and may prove helpful in facilitating titration of barbiturate infusions.
Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Authors: Luisi Andrea F. , Pawasauskas Jayne E.
Published: May 2004

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is considered a severe form of premenstrual syndrome. Symptoms of PMDD occur during the last week of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and usually abate at the onset of menses. About 3–8% of all menstruating women experience PMDD, which can lead to significant functional impairment. Several randomized, controlled trials have assessed the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of PMDD. The SSRIs were found to significantly improve symptoms, particularly psychological or behavioral symptoms, during the luteal phase in women with PMDD. Also, SSRIs were found to improve the quality of life in women with PMDD. Headache, fatigue, insomnia, and anxiety were often reported as adverse effects. A decrease in libido or sexual dysfunction also was reported. In recent studies, intermittent SSRI therapy was found to be effective treatment for PMDD and allows a woman to take the drug for only 14 days each month. Intermittent SSRI therapy should be recommended before continuous daily dosing of SSRIs in the treatment of PMDD.