bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Advanced Abdominopelvic Tumors with Combined Radiofrequency Ablation and Surgical Debulking
Authors: Spiliotis J. , Hadjicostas P. , Rogdakis A. , Vaxevanidou A. , Malakounides N. , Datsis A. , Tsiveriotis K. , Karkavitsa Z. , Kekelos S.
Published: June 2008

Aim: Advanced abdominopelvic tumors due to rectal cancer, gynecological cancer or sarcomas are often unresectable using surgery alone. This study presents the combination of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgical debulking for such tumors. Methods: Between November 2005 and June 2007 we treated 4 patients with tumor fixation to the pelvic side wall and to the sacroiliac joint. Two of these patients had recurrent gynecological cancer while the other 2 had rectal cancer. All 4 of them had received prior treatment. The radiofrequency probe was placed in the center of the tumor. A 5- to 8-cm tissue core was ablated and aspirated or curetted out. This was repeated centrifugally out to the tumor capsule. Results: Control of the tumor for more than 12 months was achieved in 3 patients. One patient died 14 months after the procedure due to tumor progression. Two patients are still alive 12 and 14 months after the operation without symptoms. The other patient is alive 6 months after the operation in a disease-free condition. Conclusions: Combined RFA and surgical debulking is beneficial as an alternative palliative method in patients with inoperable abdominopelvic tumors.
Types of Coronary Vasculature in the Human Fetus: An Autopsy Study
Authors: Nowak Dariusz , Gielecki Jerzy , Rzeszowska Mariola , Kiestrzyn-Wójcik Alina
Published: June 2008

The heart receives blood from 2 vessels: the right and the left coronary arteries. Depending on the relationship between these 2 vessels, types with the right, the left or with neither coronary artery predominating can be distinguished. The incidence of particular types varies according to different reports. All available data regarding this issue come from studies where adult subjects were examined. There is no research in this field involving human fetuses. We examined 199 fetuses of both sexes (101 males and 98 females), 3–8 months of intrauterine life. All cases were derived from the Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University. Prior to examination, all fetuses had been conserved in a 9% formaldehyde solution for over 3 months. We obtained the following results: type I vasculature, having equally developed coronary arteries, was found in 59 cases (29.5%); type II, with the right coronary artery predominating, was found in 65 cases (32.5%), and type III, with the left coronary artery predominating, occurred in 76 cases (38%). The subtypes IIIA and IIIB were described in 50 (25%) and 26 (13%) of the type III subjects, respectively. These data differ from the adult material incidence of dominant left coronary artery. While it is the most frequently occurring type in human fetuses, it is the least common in adult subjects.
Extracellular Release of the Atheroprotective Heat Shock Protein 27 Is Mediated by Estrogen and Competitively Inhibits acLDL Binding to Scavenger Receptor-A
Authors: Rayner Katey , Chen Yong-Xiang , McNulty Melissa , Simard Trevor , Zhao Xioaling , Wells Dominic J. , de Belleroche Jacqueline , O'Brien Edward R.
Published: June 2008

We recently identified heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) as an estrogen receptor beta (ERβ)-associated protein and noted its role as a biomarker for atherosclerosis. The current study tests the hypothesis that HSP27 is protective against the development of atherosclerosis. HSP27 overexpressing (HSP27
o/e
) mice were crossed to apoE
−/−
mice that develop atherosclerosis when fed a high-fat diet. Aortic en face analysis demonstrated a 35% reduction (
P
≤0.001) in atherosclerotic lesion area in apoE
−/−
HSP27
o/e
mice compared to apoE
−/−
mice, but primarily in females. Serum HSP27 levels were >10-fold higher in female apoE
−/−
HSP27
o/e
mice compared to males, and there was a remarkable inverse correlation between circulating HSP27 levels and lesion area in both male and female mice (r
2
=0.78,
P
≤0.001). Mechanistic in vitro studies showed upregulated HSP27 expression and secretion in macrophages treated with estrogen or acLDL. Moreover, exogenous HSP27 added to culture media inhibited macrophage acLDL uptake and competed for the scavenger receptor A (SR-A)—an effect that was abolished with the SR-A competitive ligand fucoidan and absent in macrophages from SR-A
−/−
mice. Furthermore, extracellular HSP27 decreased acLDL-induced release of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β and increased the release of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10. HSP27 is atheroprotective, perhaps because of its ability to compete for the uptake of atherogenic lipids or attenuate inflammation.
Interleukin-10 From Transplanted Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells Contributes to Cardiac Protection After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Burchfield Jana S. , Iwasaki Masayoshi , Koyanagi Masamichi , Urbich Carmen , Rosenthal Nadia , Zeiher Andreas M. , Dimmeler Stefanie
Published: June 2008

Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) have successfully been used as a therapy for the improvement of left ventricular (LV) function after myocardial infarction (MI). It has been suggested that paracrine factors from BM-MNCs may be a key mechanism mediating cardiac protection. We previously performed microarray analysis and found that the pleiotropic cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 was highly upregulated in human progenitor cells in comparison with adult endothelial cells and CD14
+
cells. Moreover, BM-MNCs secrete significant amounts of IL-10, and IL-10 could be detected from progenitor cells transplanted in infarcted mouse hearts. Specifically, intramyocardial injection of wild-type BM-MNCs led to a significant decrease in LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) compared to hearts injected with either diluent or IL-10 knock-out BM-MNCs. Furthermore, intramyocardial injection of wild-type BM-MNCs led to a significant increase in stroke volume (SV) and rate of the development of pressure over time (+dP/dt) compared to hearts injected with either diluent or IL-10 knock-out BM-MNCs. The IL-10–dependent improvement provided by transplanted cells was not caused by reduced infarct size, neutrophil infiltration, or capillary density, but rather was associated with decreased T lymphocyte accumulation, reactive hypertrophy, and myocardial collagen deposition. These results suggest that BM-MNCs mediate cardiac protection after myocardial infarction and this is, at least in part, dependent on IL-10.
Microemboli Composed of Cholesterol Crystals Disrupt the Blood-Brain Barrier and Reduce Cognition
Authors: Rapp Joseph H. , Pan Xian Mang , Neumann Melanie , Hong Michelle , Hollenbeck Kelsy , Liu Jialing
Published: June 2008

Background and Purpose—

Microemboli occur frequently in patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. In other vascular beds, microemboli are known to initiate an inflammatory response, causing organ dysfunction. In the current study, we investigated whether emboli composed of cholesterol crystals, a component of human atherosclerotic plaque, could also cause inflammation and brain dysfunction demonstrated by cognitive impairment.

Methods—

Cholesterol crystals of 60 to 100 μm were injected via the rat internal carotid artery. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was conducted after 3 days to estimate infarct volume. Brains were examined for matrix metalloproteinase activation at 24 hours and for albumin leakage and microglia and astrocyte activation at 4 days and 1, 2, and 4 weeks after embolization. To determine changes in cognition, behavioral tests including open field, motor learning, and Barnes Maze tests were conducted on young adult and middle-aged rats 4 weeks after either a single injection or after repeated, bilateral injections given at an interval of 2 weeks.

Results—

Matrix metalloproteinase activation was detected in 50% of the animals examined. Perivascular albumin staining was found at 4 days but rarely persisted beyond 1 week. Activation of microglia and astrocytes occurred in all animals and persisted for up to 8 weeks. Cognitive impairment was observed in middle-aged rats after repeated, bilateral injections but not after single injections. In these animals, areas of inflammation were small and scattered but often involved the striatum and hippocampus.

Conclusions—

Cholesterol embolization caused an inflammatory response in the brain with persistent activation of microglia and astrocytes and led to cognitive impairment after repeated injections in middle-aged animals with only small foci of neural injury. These data indicate that microembolization causes inflammation and that minimal neuronal injury can cause cognitive impairment in older animals.
Associations of Proinflammatory Cytokines With the Risk of Recurrent Stroke
Authors: Welsh Paul , Lowe Gordon D.O. , Chalmers John , Campbell Duncan J. , Rumley Ann , Neal Bruce C. , MacMahon Stephen W. , Woodward Mark
Published: June 2008

Background and Purpose—

There are few reports on proinflammatory cytokines and risk of primary or recurrent stroke. We studied the association of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) with recurrent stroke in a nested case-control study derived from the Perindopril Protection Against Recurrent Stroke Study (PROGRESS).

Methods—

We performed a nested case-control study of 591 strokes (472 ischemic, 83 hemorrhagic, 36 unknown subtype) occurring during a randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter trial of perindopril-based therapy in 6105 patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack. Controls were matched for age, treatment group, sex, region, and most recent qualifying event at entry to the parent trial.

Results—

IL-6 and TNF-α, but not IL-18, were associated with risk of recurrent ischemic stroke independently of conventional risk markers. Adjusted odds ratios comparing the highest to lowest third of their distributions were 1.33 (95% CI, 1.00 to 1.78) for IL-6 and 1.46 (1.02 to 2.10) for TNF-α. No inflammatory marker was associated with hemorrhagic stroke risk. In multivariable models, IL-6 and TNF-α fully explained observed associations of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen with risk of ischemic stroke, but TNF-α retained borderline significance after full adjustment.

Conclusions—

Inflammatory markers associated with the acute-phase response (IL-6, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen, but not IL-18) are associated with risk of recurrent stroke. These markers are dependent on each other in multivariable models, and once all were included, only TNF-α retained a borderline association. Markers of generalized inflammation of the acute-phase response are associated with recurrent stroke, rather than IL-6, C-reactive protein, or fibrinogen in particular.
Relationships Between Infarct Growth, Clinical Outcome, and Early Recanalization in Diffusion and Perfusion Imaging for Understanding Stroke Evolution (DEFUSE)
Authors: Olivot Jean-Marc , Mlynash Michael , Thijs Vincent N. , Kemp Stephanie , Lansberg Maarten G. , Wechsler Lawrence , Schlaug Gottfried , Bammer Roland , Marks Michael P. , Albers Gregory W.
Published: June 2008

Background and Purpose—

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between ischemic lesion growth, recanalization, and clinical response in stroke patients with and without a perfusion/diffusion mismatch.

Methods—

DEFUSE is an open label multicenter study in which 74 consecutive acute stroke patients were treated with intravenous tPA 3 to 6 hours after stroke onset. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained before, 3 to 6 hours after, and 30 days after treatment. Lesion growth was defined as the difference between the final infarct volume (30 day FLAIR) and the baseline diffusion lesion. Baseline MRI profiles were used to categorize 44 patients into Mismatch versus Absence of Mismatch subgroups. Early recanalization was assessed in 28 patients with an initial vessel lesion on magnetic resonance angiography. Infarct growth was compared based on whether a favorable clinical response (FCR) occurred and whether early recanalization was achieved.

Results—

In the Mismatch subgroup, FCR was associated with less infarct growth
P
=0.03 and early recanalization was predictive of both FCR (odds ratio: 22,
P
=0.047) and reduced infarct growth
P
=0.024. There was no significant relationship between recanalization, infarct growth, and clinical outcome in the Absence of Mismatch subgroup. A threshold of <7 cc of growth had the highest sensitivity and specificity for predicting a FCR in Mismatch patients (odds ratio: 65,
P
=0.015, sensitivity 82%, specificity 75%).

Conclusion—

In contrast to Absence of Mismatch patients, significant associations between recanalization, reduced infarct growth, and favorable clinical response were documented in patients with a perfusion/diffusion mismatch who were treated with tPA within 3 to 6 hours after stroke onset. These findings support the Mismatch hypothesis but require validation in a larger study.
Familiarity or Conceptual Priming: Event-related Potentials in Name Recognition
Authors: Stenberg Georg , Hellman Johan , Johansson Mikael , Rosén Ingmar
Published: June 2008

Recent interest has been drawn to the separate components of recognition memory, as studied by event-related potentials (ERPs). In ERPs, recollection is usually accompanied by a late, parietal positive deflection. An earlier, frontal component has been suggested to be a counterpart, accompanying recognition by familiarity. However, this component, the FN400, has alternatively been suggested to reflect a form of implicit memory, conceptual priming. The present study examined the ERP components of recognition memory using an episodic memory task with a stimulus material consisting of names, half of which were famous. Along a different dimension, the names varied in how rare or common they were. These dimensions, frequency and fame, exerted powerful effects on memory accuracy, and dissociated the two recognition processes, such that frequency gave rise to familiarity and fame fostered recollection, when the receiver operating characteristics data were analyzed with Yonelinas' dual-process signal detection model. The ERPs corresponded fully to the behavioral data because frequency affected the frontal component exclusively, and fame affected the parietal component exclusively. Moreover, a separate behavioral experiment showed that conceptual priming was sensitive to fame, but not to frequency. Our data therefore indicate that the FN400 varies jointly with familiarity, but independently of conceptual priming.
Movement and Agreement in Italian Past Participles and Defective Phases
Authors: D'Alessandro Roberta , Roberts Ian
Published: June 2008

In this article, we propose a phase-based alternative to Kayne’s (1989) analysis of past participle agreement in Italian. This analysis captures the principal facts without making reference to specifier-head agreement. Instead, the possibility of overt past participle agreement is determined by the Phase Impenetrability Condition and is linked to the surface position of the past participle. The analysis has interesting crosslinguistic implications, notably in that it predicts a general asymmetry between subject and object agreement.
The Influence of Soil and Vegetation Parameters on Atmospheric Variables Relevant for Convection in the Sahel
Authors: Lauwaet D. , De Ridder K. , van Lipzig N. P. M.
Published: June 2008

A key issue in modeling the Sahelian climate is to correctly predict the energy fluxes between the land surface and the atmosphere. A problem faced by land surface models in the Sahel is the horizontal heterogeneity of soil and vegetation properties in the region, where measured data are scarce. Experiments have been designed to evaluate a land surface model both in offline mode and coupled to the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS), a mesoscale atmospheric model. For the evaluation in offline mode, an observational dataset of 58 days from the Hydrological and Atmospheric Pilot Experiment in the Sahel (HAPEX-Sahel) is gathered to interpret the results. For the evaluation in the coupled mode, boundary layer development is simulated for 4 individual days. The model is able to reproduce the observations close to measurement errors. Sensitivity experiments are conducted to identify the most important parameters that affect the simulation of the convective available potential energy (CAPE) and the equivalent potential temperature (θe), two variables closely linked to convection and rainfall in the Sahel. During the selected cases, model results depend significantly on the soil moisture conditions. When bare soil evaporation is dominant, the soil parameters have the most impact on CAPE and θe, whereas in dry soil conditions, the vegetation parameters gain in importance. Differences due to the change of one parameter can reach 400 J kg−1 for CAPE and 4 K for θe, which is large enough to affect local convection.
Linkages between Orographic Forcing and the Scaling Properties of Convective Rainfall in Mountainous Regions
Authors: Nykanen Deborah K.
Published: June 2008

Heavy rainfall over mountainous terrain often results in catastrophic flooding and presents a great challenge for forecasters. Statistical downscaling methods provide a way to bridge across the scale gap between rainfall forecasts from numerical weather prediction models and the high-resolution needs of hydrologic models for flash flood prediction. In this study, multiscale statistical analysis was used to analyze several heavy convective rainfall events that produced catastrophic flooding in the Appalachian Mountains and Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with the motivation of developing predictive relationships for a priori parameter estimation needed in downscaling applications. The multiscale behavior of the rainfall was analyzed over time and linked to underlying topographic elevation and predominate orographic forcing. It was found that in storms located on the leeward side (i.e., the side of the mountain facing away from the upper-level winds), one of the parameters increased with increasing topographic elevation. An opposite trend was found for this parameter in storms located on the windward side (i.e., the side of the mountain facing toward the direction of the upper-level winds). These trends held across different geographical regions and both upslope and downslope directions of storm motion. The interaction between orographic and meteorological forcings was found to be important in developing predictive relationships for the multiscale statistical parameters.
Short-Range Precipitation Forecasts from Time-Lagged Multimodel Ensembles during the HMT-West-2006 Campaign
Authors: Yuan Huiling , McGinley John A. , Schultz Paul J. , Anderson Christopher J. , Lu Chungu
Published: June 2008

High-resolution (3 km) time-lagged (initialized every 3 h) multimodel ensembles were produced in support of the Hydrometeorological Testbed (HMT)-West-2006 campaign in northern California, covering the American River basin (ARB). Multiple mesoscale models were used, including the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS), and fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5). Short-range (6 h) quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) and probabilistic QPFs (PQPFs) were compared to the 4-km NCEP stage IV precipitation analyses for archived intensive operation periods (IOPs). The two sets of ensemble runs (operational and rerun forecasts) were examined to evaluate the quality of high-resolution QPFs produced by time-lagged multimodel ensembles and to investigate the impacts of ensemble configurations on forecast skill. Uncertainties in precipitation forecasts were associated with different models, model physics, and initial and boundary conditions. The diabatic initialization by the Local Analysis and Prediction System (LAPS) helped precipitation forecasts, while the selection of microphysics was critical in ensemble design. Probability biases in the ensemble products were addressed by calibrating PQPFs. Using artificial neural network (ANN) and linear regression (LR) methods, the bias correction of PQPFs and a cross-validation procedure were applied to three operational IOPs and four rerun IOPs. Both the ANN and LR methods effectively improved PQPFs, especially for lower thresholds. The LR method outperformed the ANN method in bias correction, in particular for a smaller training data size. More training data (e.g., one-season forecasts) are desirable to test the robustness of both calibration methods.
A New Parsimonious Methodology of Mapping the Spatial Variability of Annual Maximum Rainfall in Mountainous Environments
Authors: Boni G. , Parodi A. , Siccardi F.
Published: June 2008

The estimation of rare frequency rainfall is an essential prerequisite for the design of engineering structures and to determine risk areas. Index-based methods are among the most applied for regional frequency analysis of hydrological variables such as discharge and rainfall and comprise two stages: the mapping of a scale or “index” factor and the derivation of rainfall growth curves. The underlying hypothesis of these methods is that cumulative distribution functions of a certain random variable can be assumed homogeneous on a given region, except for the index factor, which varies spatially in that region and is often represented by the expected value of the random variable itself at a given location. Methods either to single out homogeneous regions or to evaluate the index factor can be purely statistical and physically based.

In this paper a robust and transferable physically based methodology is proposed to estimate the index factor for rainfall in mountainous regions referred to in the following text as “index rainfall.” Index rainfall is defined as the expected value of annual rainfall maxima recorded in a fixed time window: a time window of 1 h is used. Reliable estimates of the index rainfall are obtained at ungauged sites by applying a relationship, based on a multivariate linear regression obtained at gauged sites, of rainfall and selected synthetic descriptors for atmospheric climate and orography. An extended and general set of descriptors is chosen from parameters that are considered in the literature to affect rainfall intensity. The relevant relief descriptors, defining slope, elevation, orientation, etc., at a given location, are extracted from digital elevation models (DEMs). A 2D Fourier series analysis of the DEM is performed and a spectral analysis is carried out to single out the components with the highest morphological information content. The synthetic relief descriptors are evaluated along different cross sections of the 2D truncated Fourier series to single out the role of the prevailing convection direction of extreme rainfall-producing meteorological patterns. The optimal descriptor subset for the study area is then extracted to maximize transferability of the method. Application to the Italian and French Alps and the Apennines shows encouraging results. Descriptor subset extraction has been tested and validated on independent subsets of index rainfall estimates in the regions. Results demonstrate that the proposed method is robust, transferable, and reliable for the evaluation of the index rainfall in ungauged sites.
A New Metric for Estimating the Influence of Evaporation on Seasonal Precipitation Rates
Authors: Anderson Bruce T. , Salvucci Guido , Ruane Alex C. , Roads John O. , Kanamitsu Masao
Published: June 2008

The objective of this paper is to introduce a diagnostic metric—termed the local-convergence ratio—that can be used to quantify the contribution of evaporation (and transpiration) to the atmospheric hydrologic cycle, and precipitation in particular, over a given region. Previous research into regional moisture (or precipitation) recycling has produced numerous methods for estimating the contributions of “local” (i.e., evaporated) moisture to climatological precipitation and its variations. In general, these metrics quantify the evaporative contribution to the mass of precipitable water within an atmospheric column by comparing the vertically integrated atmospheric fluxes of moisture across a region with the fluxes via evaporation. Here a new metric is proposed, based on the atmospheric moisture tendency equation, which quantifies the evaporative contribution to the rate of precipitation by comparing evaporative convergence into the column with large-scale moisture-flux convergence. Using self-consistent, model-derived estimates of the moisture-flux fields and the atmospheric moisture tendency terms, the authors compare estimates of the flux-based moisture-recycling ratio with the newly introduced local-convergence ratio. Differences between the two ratios indicate that they can be considered complementary, but independent, descriptors of the atmospheric hydroclimatology for a given region.
An Investigation of the Thermal and Energy Balance Regimes of Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes
Authors: Rouse Wayne R. , Blanken Peter D. , Bussières Normand , Walker Anne E. , Oswald Claire J. , Schertzer William M. , Spence Christopher
Published: June 2008

Great Slave Lake and Great Bear Lake have large surface areas, water volumes, and high latitudinal positions; are cold and deep; and are subject to short daylight periods in winter and long ones in summer. They are dissimilar hydrologically. Great Slave Lake is part of the Mackenzie Basin flowthrough system. Great Bear Lake is hydrologically isolated in its own relatively small drainage basin and all of its inflow and outflow derive from its immediate watershed. Great Slave Lake’s outflow into the Mackenzie River is more than 8 times that from Great Bear Lake. Input from the south via the Slave River provides 82% of this outflow volume. These hydrological differences exert pronounced effects on the thermodynamics, hydrodynamics, and surface climates of each lake. The quantitative results in this study are based on limited datasets from different years that are normalized to allow comparison between the two lakes. They indicate that both lakes have regional annual air temperatures within 2°C of one another, but Great Slave Lake exhibits a much longer open-water period with higher temperatures than Great Bear Lake. During the period when the lakes are warming, each lake exerts a substantial overlake atmospheric cooling, and in the period when the lakes are cooling, each exerts a strong overlake warming. This local cooling and warming cycle is greatest over Great Bear Lake. Temperature and humidity inversions are frequent early in the lake-warming season and very strong lapse gradients occur late in the lake-cooling season. Annually, for both lakes, early ice breakup is matched with late freeze-up. Conversely, late breakup is matched with early freeze-up. The magnitudes of midlake latent heat fluxes (evaporation) and sensible heat fluxes from Great Slave Lake are substantially larger than those from Great Bear Lake during their respective open-water periods. The hypothesis that because they are both large and deep, and are located in high latitudes, Great Slave Lake and Great Bear Lake will exhibit similar surface and near-surface climates that are typical of large lakes in the high latitudes proves invalid because their different hydrological systems impose very different thermodynamic regimes on the two lakes. Additionally, such an extensive north-flowing river system as the Mackenzie is subjected to latitudinally variable meteorological regimes that will differentially influence the hydrology and energy balance of these large lakes. Great Slave Lake is very responsive to climatic variability because of the relation between lake ice and absorbed solar radiation in the high sun season and we expect that Great Bear Lake will be affected in a similar fashion.
Empirical Correction of the NCEP Global Forecast System
Authors: Yang Xiaosong , DelSole Timothy , Pan Hua-Lu
Published: June 2008

This paper examines the extent to which an empirical correction method can improve forecasts of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) operational Global Forecast System. The empirical correction is based on adding a forcing term to the prognostic equations equal to the negative of the climatological tendency errors. The tendency errors are estimated by a least squares method using 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-h forecast errors. Tests on independent verification data show that the empirical correction significantly reduces temperature biases nearly everywhere at all lead times up to at least 5 days but does not significantly reduce biases in forecast winds and humidity. Decomposing mean-square error into bias and random components reveals that the reduction in total mean-square error arises solely from reduction in bias. Interestingly, the empirical correction increases the random error slightly, but this increase is argued to be an artifact of the change in variance in the forecasts. The empirical correction also is found to reduce the bias more than traditional “after the fact” corrections. The latter result might be a consequence of the very different sample sizes available for estimation, but this difference in sample size is unavoidable in operational situations in which limited calibration data are available for a given forecast model.
Screening for Basic Social Needs at a Medical Home for Low-Income Children
Authors: Garg Arvin , Butz Arlene M. , Dworkin Paul H. , Lewis Rooti A. , Serwint Janet R.
Published: June 2008

The goals of this cross-sectional study were to ( a) describe the prevalence of 5 basic social needs in a cohort of parents attending an urban teaching hospital—based pediatric clinic, ( b) assess parental attitudes toward seeking assistance from their child's provider, and ( c) examine resident providers' attitudes and behaviors toward addressing these needs. Parents (n = 100) reported a median of 2 basic needs at the pediatric visit. The most common was employment (52%), followed by education (34%), child care (19%), food (16%), and housing (10%). Most parents (67%) had positive attitudes toward requesting assistance from their child's pediatrician. The majority of resident providers (91%) believed in the importance of addressing social needs; however, few reported routinely screening for these needs (range, 11% to 18%). There is great potential for assisting low-income parents within the medical home. Further practice-based interventions are needed to enhance providers' self-efficacy to screen and address low-income families' needs at pediatric visits.
Reflections on Understanding and Ameliorating Internalized Heterosexism
Authors: Croteau James M.
Published: June 2008

This Major Contribution of The Counseling Psychologist has the potential to be a keystone for those counseling psychologists who will place emphasis in their research, scholarship, practice, or advocacy work on heterosexism as well as for the wider profession in recognizing the destructive power of heterosexism. Brief critical ideas that add to, or expand on, discussion in this Major Contribution are offered in this response article. The restricted range of research samples and the potential for ethnocentric bias in the current conceptual and empirical approach to internalized heterosexism (IH) is discussed first. The need for “experience-near” information in IH scholarship is then discussed as an approach both to becoming less ethnocentric and to bringing about a deeper and more serious accounting for heterosexism within the profession. Finally, the importance of attention to the long-term effects of having “survived” the internalization of heterosexism is illustrated.
Reflection on Kashubek-West, Szymanski, and Meyer's Major Contribution
Authors: Brown Laura S.
Published: June 2008

This reflection considers themes emerging from the Major Contribution on internalized heterosexism (IH), focusing on unexpected potentials emerging from the literature reviewed and research done. It discusses the importance of understanding multiple identities, intersections of social locations, and cultural coping strategies as a means of seeing resilience in the face of cultural and internalized stigma. It also examines questions of directionality of vulnerability that might contribute to higher rates of IH in some individuals.
The Spectacularization of the Anorexic Subject Position
Authors: Allen Jodie T.
Published: June 2008

Literature on the aetiology of anorexia nervosa is largely dominated by the discipline of psychology. This has meant that current research on the topic approaches the disorder as stemming from the psychologically `maladapted' individual diagnosed with anorexia. Thus, the `pathological' self-conduct of the anorexic is viewed as a result of his, or her, psychological `deficits and dysfunctions' (Malson and Swann, 1999: 397). As a result, the experiences and practices of the anorexic are regarded as being separate from the social and cultural context from which they emerge. This article argues that denying the contextual aspects that the disorder is entrenched in is theoretically insufficient as it neglects the complexity of anorexic practice. Moreover, it is acknowledged that there exists a multiplicity of discourses that have amalgamated to spectacularize the anorexic subject position. Employing a poststructuralist approach, the discursive constructions produced by the media, the discipline of psychology itself and the new public health agenda are examined to reveal the foundations of anorexia's current appeal.
Aligning Mental Models of District and School Leadership Teams for Reform Coherence
Authors: Chrispeels Janet H. , Burke Peggy H. , Johnson Peggy , Daly Alan J.
Published: June 2008

School and district effectiveness studies show that high levels of student achievement are possible when schools and the district act as coordinated units of change. There is also a growing recognition that principals cannot lead alone and that school leadership teams (SLTs) are essential to the improvement process. Limited studies have explored the mental models of central office, principals, and teachers who are members of SLTs. We hypothesize that when SLTs and the central office engage collaboratively in professional development about the tasks of leadership, shared mental models are more likely to develop. A case study methodology is used and multiple sources of data are analyzed through two theoretical lenses: tasks of leadership and mental models. Findings indicate a growing congruence between the district and SLTs' mental models regarding the tasks of leadership. This study is significant in showing that with professional development, SLTs could serve as an important bridge between the central office and the schools in ways that can enhance coordination, depth, spread, and commitment to district reforms.
Production of Thermal Insulation Composites Containing Bamboo Charcoal
Authors: Lin C.M. , Chang C.W.
Published: June 2008

Currently, various products containing bamboo charcoal are popular. In this study, thermal insulation composites were manufactured with PET non-woven fabrics and bamboo charcoal woven fabrics. Bamboo charcoal can radiate far infrared rays and absorb smells, so it is used for textiles, deodorant materials, bedding, pillows, and so on. Non-woven fabrics were made with hollow and spiral polyester staple fibers, and had superior thermal insulation. The mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, and air permeability of the composites were evaluated. When the ratio of the low melting point fibers was 30%, the maximum breaking strength of the thermal insulation composites exceeded that in any other ratio conditions. Moreover, the thermal insulation of the composites was superior when the ratio of the low melting point fibers decreased. The air permeability of the thermal insulation composites increased with decreasing ratios of the low melting point fibers. The thermal insulation composites can be used in daily commodities and industrial products.
Basic Studies for Modeling Complex Weft Knitted Fabric Structures Part V: Geometrical Modeling of Tuck Stitches
Authors: Kurbak Arif , Kayacan Ozlem
Published: June 2008

In this work the geometrical model of a tuck stitch and its effect on the plain knitted fabric structure are introduced. The geometrical model of this knit + tuck combination is created here for the first time, being a pioneering basic work on knit + tuck combinations. This model is then plotted using 3DS Max software. It is shown that the obtained shapes are exactly the same shapes observed in real fabrics.
Crystalline Character of Agave americana L. Fibers
Authors: El Oudiani Asma , Chaabouni Yassine , Msahli Slah , Sakli Faouzi
Published: June 2008

The crystalline character of Agave americana L. fibers and its relationship with mechanical properties were studied. Comparative investigations between three different types of fiber extraction were made: raw fibers, distilled water extracted fibers and seawater extracted fibers. A wide angle X-ray diffraction technique was used and cellulosic phases in the three samples were identified. A diffractometric analysis was applied to determine percent crystalline component, microcrystallite sizes, unit cell dimensions and monoclinic angle. The crystallinity of raw fibers was 51.2 % and dropped with extraction in water. The unit cell dimensions a, b and c for raw fibers were 8.9 Å, 10.3 Å and 7.9 Å, respectively, and the monoclinic angle was 83.6°. When extracted in distilled water, the values of a and c slightly increased, whereas that of the monoclinic angle decreased. These variations were more pronounced for seawater extracted fibers. Our results demonstrated that differences in the molecular and fine structure caused different mechanical properties. High tenacity and initial modulus values were observed for raw fibers which presented the highest crystallinity. On the other hand, the low tenacity and great extensibility of seawater extracted fibers were attributable to their amorphous character and to the increased unit cell dimensions.
Faith-Based Correctional Programming in Federal Prisons
Authors: Daggett Dawn M. , Camp Scott D. , Kwon Okyun (Karl) , Rosenmerkel Sean P. , Klein-Saffran Jody
Published: June 2008

The Life Connections Program (LCP) is an 18-month, faith-based correctional program operating in five Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) institutions. The program is a residential, multi-faith program designed to provide a positive environment for spiritual growth and ultimately behavioral change. This study presents a quantitative analysis of factors associated with program volunteers' completion or failure using operational and survey data collected from the program sites. Survival analysis indicated that scripture reading, perception of self-worth, and the degree of desire for community integration were associated with program completion. Future research should include constructs of mental health status and levels of self-control while addressing whether faith-based programming is more effective for certain groups of individuals than others.
Translation of Evidence-Based Tobacco Use Prevention Programming in Croatia
Authors: Skara Silvana , Kovacic Luka , Civljak Marta , Voncina Luka
Published: June 2008

Croatia faces a major threat of smoking-related health burdens given the monumental changes this newly formed country has undergone in the past 15 years because of its postcommunist democratic and economic transitions and the destructive 1991-1995 war with Serbia. This article provides information on Croatia's general background, current smoking prevalence and attitudes, and current evidence-based smoking prevention efforts. Furthermore, various cultural and contextual conditions within Croatia that facilitate or impede smoking prevention research utilization are discussed. Finally, it is concluded that new research is needed that continues to build on comprehensive research-tested multicomponent prevention initiatives utilizing school-, family-, community-, and mass media—based delivery modalities, which specifically focus on the social influences of smoking.
The Effect of Graphical and Numerical Presentation of Hypothetical Prenatal Diagnosis Results on Risk Perception
Authors: Siegrist Michael , Orlow Pascale , Keller Carmen
Published: June 2008

Objective. To evaluate various formats for the communication of prenatal test results. Design. In study 1 (N= 400), female students completed a questionnaire assessing risk perception, affect, and perceived usefulness of prenatal test results. A randomized, 2 (risk level; low, high) × 4 (format; ratio with numerator 1, ratio with denominator 1000, Paling Perspective Scale, pictograms) design was used. Study 2 (N= 200) employed a 2 (risk level; low, high) × 2 (format; Paling Perspective Scale, risk comparisons in numerical format) design. Results. In study 1, the Paling Perspective Scale resulted in a higher level of perceived risk across different risk levels compared with the other formats. Furthermore, participants in the low-risk group perceived the test results as less risky compared with participants in the high-risk group (P < 0.001) when the Paling Perspective Scale was used. No significant differences between low and high risks were observed for the other 3 formats. In study 2, the Paling Perspective Scale evoked higher levels of perceived risks relative to the numerical presentation of risk comparisons. For both formats, we found that participants confronted with a high risk perceived test results as more risky compared with participants confronted with a low risk. Conclusion. The Paling Perspective Scale resulted in a higher level of perceived risk compared with the other formats. This effect must be taken into account when choosing a graphical or numerical format for risk communication.
UVA photoirradiation of anhydroretinol – formation of singlet oxygen and superoxide
Authors: Yin JJ , Xia Q , Fu PP
Published: June 2008

Anhydroretinol is a metabolite of vitamin A (retinol) and a major photodecomposition product of retinyl palmitate and retinyl acetate. Anhydroretinol is biologically active, inducing cell death in lymphoblastoid cells, prevention of N-methyl- N-nitrosourea-induced mammary cancer, and inhibition of cell growth in lymphocytes. We have previously determined that photoirradiation of anhydroretinol in the presence of a lipid, methyl linoleate, with UVA light-induced lipid peroxidation. In the present study, electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trap techniques were employed to explore the mechanism of lipid peroxidation initiation. Irradiation of anhydroretinol by UVA in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (TEMP), a specific probe for singlet oxygen, resulted in the formation of TEMPO, indicating that singlet oxygen was generated. During photoirradiation in the presence of 5,5-dimethyl N-oxide pyrroline (DMPO), a specific probe for superoxide, ESR signals for DMPO-OOH were formed, and these signals were quenched by superoxide dismutase. The involvement of singlet oxygen on the induction of lipid peroxidation was also evidenced by the observation that lipid peroxidation was inhibited by sodium azide and enhanced by deuterium oxide. Our overall results provide evidence that photoirradiation of anhydroretinol with UVA light generates reactive oxygen species, e.g. singlet oxygen and superoxide, which mediate the induction of lipid peroxidation.
Assessing the Applicability of Strategic Theory to Explain Decision Making on the Courts of Appeals
Authors: Barnes Bowie Jennifer , Songer Donald R.
Published: June 2008

The focus of this analysis is whether a strategic perspective provides a useful approach that enhances an understanding of broad patterns of judicial decision making on the U.S. Courts of Appeals. The authors examine whether it is reasonable in the majority of cases for appeals court judges to modify their behavior when necessary to avoid reversal by the Supreme Court. This assessment utilizes statistical analyses and interviews from twenty-eight judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals. Based on a three-part argument, the authors conclude that a strategic perspective is not helpful in understanding the decision calculus of appeals court judges.
James Madison’s Psychology of Public Opinion
Authors: Gabrielson Teena
Published: June 2008

This article argues that in his “Party Press Essays,” James Madison expounds a psychology of public opinion that is identifiable, but less developed, in his earlier writings. In these essays, Madison explains how a territorial mean, or a “practicable sphere,” contributes to a psychological mean that creates a context for the emergence of an enlightened majority capable of mobilizing against an abusive regime. Attending to Madison’s psychology of public opinion highlights the political importance of affect in Madison’s thought and clarifies his position regarding the appropriate role of the people in a republic.
Modified Fuzzy Variable Structure Control Method to the Crane System with Control Deadzone Problem
Authors: Chang Cheng-Yuan , Hsu Kou-Cheng , Chiang Kou-Hung , Huang Guo-En
Published: June 2008

This paper proposes a modified fuzzy based variable structure control to achieve the position and swing control of the 3-D nonlinear overhead crane system. One derives the control power according to the variable structure controller and feedback signals-trolley position and payload swing angle. Compensating algorithm for the deadzone problem is provided in this paper and the heuristic sliding factors are also tuned automatically by the proposed fuzzy method to enrich the system performance without plant information of crane. Several experiments for the position and swing control of the nonlinear overhead crane system demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Simulation of Tool Vibration Control in Turning, Using a Self-Sensing Actuator
Authors: Freyer B.H. , Theron N.J. , Heyns P.S.
Published: June 2008

Besides reducing the restricting effects of tool vibrations on productivity, work-piece surface finish and tool life, it is desirable to handle lack of space for sensors at the tool tip and the cost of control systems in turning processes in an effective way. This work considers these two aspects by exploiting the concept of a self-sensing actuator (SSA) in the simulation of tool vibration control. The tool holder structure, in its passive as well as active state, is modeled as a supported cantilever. A feedback filtered-x least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm is chosen to compute the control action. A known technique, which consists of pre-filtering the inputs to the LMS-algorithm maintains the stability of the control system. The self-sensing path is modeled and illustrated. It consists of the transmission of the tool tip displacement to the SSA where it is sensed by converting it into a voltage signal. A considerable reduction of 93% of the displacement r.m.s. values of the tool tip, was obtained when simulating this control system.