bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Parkinsonians Three to Six Years Following Thalamotomy (Part 1 of 2)
Authors: Van Buren J.M. , Li Choh-Luh , Shapiro D.Y. , Henderson W.G. , Sadowsky Doris A.
Published: May 2007

Seventy-eight patients with parkinsonism have been assessed over a postoperative interval of 3–6 years from 3 major aspects: (1) history and physical examination, (2) specific psychological tests, and (3) a battery of clinical quantitative neurological tests. The results were separated into the effects of (1) the first thalamotomy, (2) the second thalamotomy, and (3) thalamotomy plus L-dopa therapy. 1. The first thalamotomy. Contralateral tremor and rigidity both responded well to surgery in the qualitative and quantitative evaluations and remained at an improved level for about three years. Although general function was also usually improved over this interval, removal of tremor and rigidity did not guarantee functional improvement. Progression in bradykinesia, speech and mental symptoms did not change with thalamotomy. 2. The second thalamotomy. The results were similar but not as good quantitatively nor as enduring as those of the first thalamotomy. An adverse effect on mental symptoms was seen more frequently. 3. Thalamotomy plus L-dopa. The drug appeared to have specific action on bradykinesia, appeared synergistic with surgery in relieving rigidity and to a lesser degree, tremor. L-Dopa-resistent tremor responded to thalamotomy as well as the general tremor category in the pre-L-dopa period. Thalamotomy usually prevents iatrogenic L-dopa-induced dyskinesias in the limbs contralateral to the side of surgery, but had no certain effect upon the commoner facial and axial dyskinesias.
Cell Frequencies in the Abducens Nucleus of Man
Authors: Tomasch Joseph
Published: May 2007

Asurvey of cell counts carried out in the past on cell frequencies in the abducens nucleus of man. The suggestion is made that, in order to account for wide differences among figures produced by recent workers, more attention be given to individual cell morphology.
Evoked Photic Responses from the Human Thalamus and Midbrain
Authors: Wilson William P. , Nashold Blaine S.
Published: May 2007

Visual evoked potentials were recorded from a variety of sites in the mesencephalon and diencephalon of man with the exception of the lateral geniculate bodies. Responses were recorded from the tegmentum, tectum, and ventromedial thalamus (medial pulvinar). Areas from which responses were obtained were contiguous. A variety of sensory, motor and autonomic responses have been obtained when these same areas have been stimulated.
Acute Necrotic Myelopathy in Association with Lymphoma Cells of the Reticulo-Endothelial System, Acute Torticollis, and Recurrent Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Nishida Takashi , Ziegler Dewey K.
Published: May 2007

A case of acute necrotic myelopathy (ANM) is reported in conjunction with a noninvasive reticular type of lymphoma. The clinical course was characterized by two rare phenomena: (1) acute torticollis occurred as an initial manifestation, probably as a result of irritation of the dorsal root or dorsal horn; (2) recurrent cardiac arrest occurred late in the course, probably as a result of hypersensitivity of the sensors of postural change. The occurrence of ANM in patients with neoplasia is reviewed and it is concluded that the nature of the association is unknown. Some evidence points to abnormal immunological reactions leading to vascular damage and cord ischemia.
Meningocerebral Cysticercosis with Auditory Perseveration (Palinacusis)
Authors: Bekény G. , Péter &Ágnes
Published: May 2007

The CSF of a female patient with temporal epilepsy contained up to 38% eosinophil cells, 3–4% plasma cells, a ‘mulberry cell’ among them. Agar-gel electrophoresis of the cerebrospinal fluid indicated a greatly increased Γ-globulin content (48.4%), containing four subfractions, of which the Γ2-fraction dominated (22.3%). There were palpable nodules under the skin and the muscles. X-ray pictures showed innumerable calcified shadows. The great number of nodules found on muscle biopsy were identified as Cysticercus cysts. The patient experienced peculiar auditory illusions: genuine auditory sensations recurred and persevered for a long period of time. This auditory illusion has not been described before and may be called acoustic perseveration, or palinacusis. The simultaneous occurrence of auditory perseveration and hallucinations points to their common pathomechanism. The neurological symptoms were presumably caused by left temporofrontally localized meningocerebral cysticercosis.
Projection of Construction and Demolition Waste in Norway
Authors: Bergsdal Håvard , Bohne Rolf André , Brattebø Helge
Published: May 2007

Current waste generation from the construction and demolition industry (C&D industry) in Norway is about 1.25 million tonnes per year. This article presents a procedure for projection of future waste amounts by estimating the activity level in the C&D industry, determining specific waste generation factors related to this activity, and finally calculating projections on flows of waste materials leaving the stocks in use and moving into the waste management system. This is done through a simple model of stocks and flows of buildings and materials. Monte Carlo simulation is used in the calculations to account for uncertainties related to the input parameters in order to make the results more robust. The results show a significant increase in C&D waste for the years to come, especially for the large fractions of concrete/bricks and wood. These projections can be a valuable source of information to predict the future need for waste treatment capacity, the dominant waste fractions, and the challenges in future waste handling systems. The proposed method is used in a forthcoming companion article for eco‐efficiency modeling within an evaluation of a C&D waste system.
Industrial Ecology Education at Wuhan University
Authors: Ning Wei , Chen Pengyu , Wu Feng , Cockerill Kristan , Deng Nansheng
Published: May 2007

China requires industrial ecology (IE) skills and knowledge to deal with the contradiction between rapid economic growth and subsequent environmental pollution and resource depletion. Industrial ecology education was introduced in China in 1997 and now a few Chinese universities offer IE courses. Wuhan University is one of them and since 1999 has committed itself to promoting IE education. The university offers different curricula for different majors at all levels: undergraduate, master's, and doctoral. Between 1999 and 2004 more than 5,000 students received IE education at Wuhan University. Although inadequate human resources and a lack of relevant textbooks present challenges to further developing IE education in China, as more universities pay attention to IE, more courses will be developed. It is believed that IE education in China will blossom in the near future.
Substance Flow Analysis of Mercury Intentionally Used in Products in the United States
Authors: Cain Alexis , Disch Sarah , Twaroski Cliff , Reindl John , Case C. Randy
Published: May 2007

Mercury‐containing products release mercury (Hg) throughout their lifecycles, frequently in ways that are difficult to measure directly. Therefore, there are considerable uncertainties about the magnitude of mercury releases associated with products, about which products and which release pathways contribute the most to mercury releases, and about the likely impact on mercury releases of various possible interventions in the mercury content of products or in the management of mercury‐containing wastes. This article presents an effort to use substance flow analysis to develop improved estimates of the environmental releases caused by mercury‐containing products and to provide policy‐makers with a better understanding of opportunities for reducing releases of mercury caused by products.
Strategic, Financial, and Design Implications of Extended Producer Responsibility in Europe: A Producer Case Study
Authors: Mayers C. Kieren
Published: May 2007

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, making producers responsible for financing and organizing take‐back and recycling of waste batteries, packaging, end‐of‐life vehicles (ELVs), and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), has been or is currently in the process of being implemented in 29 different countries in Europe following introduction of European Union directives. This article reviews the potential impacts of EPR for waste batteries, packaging, and WEEE on producers distributing products in Europe through a case study of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE)—responsible for marketing and distribution of PlayStation products.

There are presently more than 250 producer responsibility organizations (PROs) established to meet EPR obligations in Europe, which contrasts to the single national recycling schemes founded in the late 1990s. SCEE estimates it avoided anetcostof €408,000 in 2005 by introducing competitive review of PRO services (against a total net take‐back cost of €401,000).To meet increasingly extensive compliance obligations, SCEE has initiated new activities, with considerable implications for the company's legal, sales data administration, procurement, accounting, and product and packaging approval practices.

Considering the ultimate aim of EPR to establish economic incentives for improved product design, several significant political and practical obstacles are described from SCEE's case and industry situation. Although the principle of EPR is indeed interesting, its practical application in Europe may require refinement. Producers, given adequate support by policy makers, still have opportunities to develop new processes under the WEEE Directive to facilitate design for the environment.
Technological Change and the Environmental Impacts of Food Production and Consumption: The Case of the UK Yogurt Industry
Authors: Dewick Paul , Foster Chris , Green Ken
Published: May 2007

This article examines the changing food production and consumption system of yogurt in the United Kingdom, focusing on the environmental impact of the yogurt processing stage from a technological perspective. Based on interviews with key industry stakeholders, we describe the evolution of the yogurt industry since the 1950s, characterized by a shift toward industrialized mass production and increased product diversity. We explain how new technologies, sociopolitical trends, and industrial strategies have shaped the evolution of the industry over this period. Moreover, we argue that the environmental impact of the current yogurt production and consumption system has been determined to a large extent by technological change. The article explores the future of the yogurt production and consumption system, considering the environmental implications of increased production of more differentiated yogurt products and how technological change may mitigate some of those impacts. The analysis reveals that to appreciate the environmental impact of the yogurt industry, policy makers should not focus simply on the primary stage of production but on all stages of the yogurt production and consumption system. Minimizing waste and improving resource efficiency at the yogurt processing stage are found to be particularly important. Transformation to an alternative yogurt production and consumption system with substantially lower environmental impacts requires significant commitment to change across the industry and the wider sociotechnical landscape.
Using Satellite Observations to Constrain Parameterizations of Gravity Wave Effects for Global Models
Authors: Alexander M. Joan , Barnet Christopher
Published: May 2007

Small-scale gravity waves are common features in atmospheric temperature observations. In satellite observations, these waves have been traditionally difficult to resolve because the footprint or resolution of the measurements precluded their detection or clear identification. Recent advances in satellite instrument resolution coupled to innovative analysis techniques have led in the last decade to some new global datasets describing the temperature variance associated with these waves. Such satellite observations have been considered the best hope for quantifying the global properties of gravity waves needed to constrain parameterizations of their effects for global models. Although global maps of averaged gravity wave temperature variance have now been published from a variety of different instruments on Earth-orbiting platforms these maps have not provided the needed constraints. The present paper first summarizes what has been learned from traditional temporally and spatially averaged analyses of satellite gravity wave observations and why new analysis methods are needed. Then an alternative is offered to these traditional analyses that recognizes the fact that the waves occur in large-amplitude events, or wave packets, that can be analyzed individually and in a statistical sense with probability density functions. For this purpose the authors present some examples of the occurrence of short-horizontal-scale waves appearing in Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) radiance measurements and present statistics on the wave properties compiled over 1 month of data for a geographic region over Patagonia, South America.
On the Forcing of Inertia–Gravity Waves by Synoptic-Scale Flows
Authors: Plougonven Riwal , Zhang Fuqing
Published: May 2007

Studies on the spontaneous emission of gravity waves from jets, both observational and numerical, have emphasized that excitation of gravity waves occurred preferentially near regions of imbalance. Yet a quantitative relation between the several large-scale diagnostics of imbalance and the excited waves is still lacking.

The purpose of the present note is to investigate one possible way to relate quantitatively the gravity waves to diagnostics of the large-scale flow that is exciting them. Scaling arguments are used to determine how the large-scale flow may provide a forcing on the right-hand side of a wave equation describing the linear dynamics of the excited waves. The residual of the nonlinear balance equation plays an important role in this forcing.
Stratosphere–Troposphere Exchange and Its Relation to Potential Vorticity Streamers and Cutoffs near the Extratropical Tropopause
Authors: Sprenger Michael , Wernli Heini , Bourqui Michel
Published: May 2007

Two distinct dynamical processes near the dynamical tropopause (2-PVU surface) and their relation are discussed in this study: stratosphere–troposphere exchange (STE) and the formation of distinct potential vorticity (PV) structures in the form of stratospheric and tropospheric streamers and cutoffs on isentropic surfaces. Two previously compiled climatologies based upon the 15-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Re-Analysis (ERA-15) dataset (from 1979 to 1993) are used to establish and quantify the link between STE and these PV structures.

An event-based analysis reveals a strong relation between the two processes. For instance, on isentropes below 320 K, 30%–50% of the stratospheric streamers are associated with downward STE. In the reverse perspective, between 60% and 80% of all STE events between 290 and 350 K are found in the vicinity of at least one PV structure. On different isentropes, the averaged downward (STT) and upward (TST) mass fluxes associated with PV structures are quantified.

As a novel quantity, the activity of a particular PV structure is measured as the STT/TST flux per unit length of its boundary on the considered isentropic level. The STT activity for stratospheric streamers and the TST activity of tropospheric streamers reach similar values of 3 × 109 kg km−1 h−1. Thereby, the flux is not uniformly distributed along a streamer’s boundary. STT (TST) is found preferentially on the upstream (downstream) side of stratospheric streamers, and vice versa for tropospheric streamers. This asymmetry is lost for cutoffs, for which an essentially uniform distribution results along the boundaries.

Finally, the link between STE and PV structures shows considerable geographical variability. Particularly striking is the fact that nearly all deep STT events (reaching levels below 700 hPa) over central Europe and the North American west coast are associated with a stratospheric streamer.
Cloud-Resolving Model Simulations of KWAJEX: Model Sensitivities and Comparisons with Satellite and Radar Observations
Authors: Blossey Peter N. , Bretherton Christopher S. , Cetrone Jasmine , Kharoutdinov Marat
Published: May 2007

Three-dimensional cloud-resolving model simulations of a mesoscale region around Kwajalein Island during the Kwajalein Experiment (KWAJEX) are performed. Using observed winds along with surface and large-scale thermodynamic forcings, the model tracks the observed mean thermodynamic soundings without thermodynamic nudging during 52-day simulations spanning the whole experiment time period, 24 July–14 September 1999. Detailed comparisons of the results with cloud and precipitation observations, including radar reflectivities from the Kwajalein ground validation radar and International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) cloud amounts and radiative fluxes, reveal the biases and sensitivities of the model’s simulated clouds. The amount and optical depth of high cloud are underpredicted by the model during less rainy periods, leading to excessive outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and insufficient albedo. The simulated radar reflectivities tend to be excessive, especially in the upper troposphere, suggesting that simulated high clouds are precipitating large hydrometeors too efficiently. Occasionally, large-scale advective forcing errors also seem to contribute to upper-level cloud and relative humidity biases. An extensive suite of sensitivity studies to different microphysical and radiative parameterizations is performed, with surprisingly little impact on the results in most cases.
Predictors of Rearrest for Rapists and Child Molesters On Probation
Authors: Freeman Naomi J.
Published: May 2007

As a result of sex crimes committed against vulnerable populations such as women and youth, American policy makers have increasingly focused on the risk that released sex offenders pose to the public. This study compared sex offender probationers to understand whether predictors of rearrest differ for rapists and child molesters. After a 3-year follow-up, rapists were significantly more likely than child molesters to be rearrested for a nonsexual offense, whereas a trend in the data indicated that child molesters were more likely than rapists to be rearrested for a sexual offense. Results of the study indicated that criminal histories and offender age were robust predictors for both rapists and child molesters.
Testing an Interactive Model of Symptom Severity in Conduct Disordered Youth
Authors: Butler Stephen , Fearon Pasco , Atkinson Leslie , Parker Kevin
Published: May 2007

This study presents data from 85 young offenders referred for court-ordered mental health assessments. A model of interactive risk was tested, in which parent-child relationships, social-contextual adversity, and antisocial thinking were predicted to be associated with aggressive and delinquent behavior in a multiplicative fashion. For aggression, strong associations were found with parent-adolescent alienation, but there were no interactions with social-contextual risk or antisocial thinking. For delinquency, parent-adolescent relationship quality interacted with both social-contextual risk and antisocial thinking. Better parent-adolescent trust-communication was associated with an attenuated effect of social-contextual risk and antisocial thinking on delinquency. Greater parent-adolescent alienation, however, was associated with relatively high levels of delinquent behavior irrespective of social-contextual risk, whereas adolescents reporting less attachment-alienation showed greater delinquency as social-contextual risk increased.
Correctional Psychology and the American Association of Correctional Psychology
Authors: Brodsky Stanley L.
Published: May 2007

This revision of the history of correctional psychology begins in the 1960s, a time during which psychologists in correctional institutions had little influence or occupational preparation. Within the American Association of Correctional Psychology at the time, four themes emerged: custody-treatment struggles, job security problems, the development of treatment taxonomies, and professional fragmentation. The field of practice and knowledge was redefined in part in the early 1970s, when the Lake Wales conferences led to new roles and identities for psychologists in corrections and criminal justice and when the journal Criminal Justice and Behavior was started. The current state of correctional psychology stands out in contrast to these early years in the forms of increased academic preparation, more professionalism, and the emergence of the practitioner scholar.
Language-Based Discrimination
Authors: Sik Hung Ng
Published: May 2007

This article integrates the language-discrimination nexus under four headings: the linguistic justification of discrimination and its linguistic encoding, enactment, and routinization. (a) Barriers to jobs, education, and citizenship can be legally justified on the basis of language requirements to exclude particular groups. Once legalized, the language requirement provides a stowaway for more subtle discrimination against other target groups. (b) Language is a cultural repository of ideas for portraying particular out-groups. These ideas and the language in which they are encoded reflect power inequalities and associated discriminations (e.g., sexist, racist, and ageist languages). (c) Language can be manipulated to produce linguistic masking devices that, when coupled with the choice of verbs to influence the attribution of causality, offer tools for subtly enacting discrimination while masking reality and reducing perceived conflict of interest. (d) Language routinizes (normalizes) discrimination by turning discriminatory scripts and practices into part of taken-for-granted, everyday discourse.
The Language of “Race” and Prejudice
Authors: Augoustinos Martha , Every Danielle
Published: May 2007

During the past 20 years, there has been a burgeoning literature on racial discourse in Western liberal democracies that has been informed by several disciplines. This literature has analysed linguistic and discursive patterns of everyday talk and formal institutional talk that can be found in parliamentary debates, political speeches, and the media. One of the most pervasive features of contemporary race discourse is the denial of prejudice. Increasing social taboos against openly expressing racist sentiments has led to the development of discursive strategies that present negative views of out-groups as reasonable and justified while at the same time protecting the speaker from charges of racism and prejudice. This research has demonstrated the flexible and ambivalent nature of contemporary race discourse. The present article reviews these discursive patterns or ways of talking about the other and emphasises the significant contribution that this work has made to research on language and discrimination.
In-Group and Out-Group Perspectives in the Use of Derogatory Group Labels
Authors: Carnaghi Andrea , Maass Anne
Published: May 2007

This research investigates whether derogatory group labels ( fag, fairy) elicit different automatic reactions than do category labels ( gay, homosexual). In a study ( N = 55), involving both heterosexual and homosexual participants, the authors investigated the effects of subliminally represented derogatory versus category labels on the recognition of positive and negative traits that were stereotypical, counterstereotypical, or irrelevant to the category gay, is reported. In line with hypotheses, both derogatory and category labels activated the stereotype. Yet, in heterosexual participants, derogatory labels activated associations that were much less favorable than those activated by category labels. In contrast, homosexual participants reacted in much the same way to category and derogatory labels. The results suggest that heterosexuals are particularly likely to be negatively affected by derogatory group labels. The importance of these findings for the enforcement of political correctness norms is discussed.
Becoming a Cultural Intermediary
Authors: Rubenfeld Sara , Clément Richard , Vinograd Jessica , Lussier Denise , Amireault Valérie , Auger Réjean , Lebrun Monique
Published: May 2007

Much of the research linking language and discrimination has been concerned with first-language practices. Yet an intergroup perspective supports the possibility that prejudice may be communicated between groups not sharing the same first language. This article explores how factors associated with the acquisition and use of a second language contribute to the development of antidiscriminatory behaviours. Data regarding these issues were collected from 209 Francophone university students attending school in a bilingual environment. Two specific goals were pursued: (a) the development of an appropriate intercultural mediation measure and (b) an examination of how factors associated with second-language acquisition relate to the use of antidiscriminatory behaviours. Results demarcate involvement and noninvolvement dimensions of the mediation measure. Furthermore, a path analysis suggests that antidiscriminatory behaviours are linked to identification with one's own ethnic group. Results are discussed within the context of current approaches to the link between language and discrimination.
Is the Social Psychology of Language a Genuine Field of Study?
Authors: Taylor Donald M. , Usborne Esther
Published: May 2007

Language and social psychology, through its longevity, has established itself as a viable field of study. This special issue on language and discrimination is designed to showcase that viability. The authors examine the offerings in this issue with a view to answering a challenging question: Has language and social psychology proven itself beyond being simply an insular, descriptive subdiscipline with no impact on the social sciences as a whole? The analysis reveals that, both in terms of theory and method, language and social psychology has indeed positioned itself as a potentially important field. Its next challenge is to have a unique and widespread theoretical and methodological impact on the social science community.
“They Should Come Out Here ...”: Research Findings on Lack of Local Palliative Care Services for Australian Aboriginal People
Authors: McGrath Pam , Holewa Hamish , Kail-Buckley Stasia
Published: May 2007

Although Aboriginal Australians experience morbidity and mortality rates far greater than that of the wider Australian population, to date, their access to culturally appropriate palliative care services has remained unexplored. This article provides findings from an Australian National Health and Medical Research funded study that documents the availability of palliative care services to Aboriginal peoples of the Northern Territory, Australia. The data were collected through a series of open-ended, qualitative interviews with a cross section of Aboriginal peoples and health professionals conducted during a 2-year period. The findings provide an overview of the palliative care services that are presently available and reflect a serious lack of local, culturally appropriate palliative care services. This research shows the similarities in the struggles and difficulties faced by Australian Aboriginals and Indigenous peoples worldwide. The hope is that the suggestions put forward for improvement will one day be useful for the world's Indigenous peoples.
Using a Pilot Curriculum in Geriatric Palliative Care to Improve Communication Skills Among Medical Students
Authors: Sanchez-Reilly Sandra E. , Wittenberg-Lyles Elaine M. , Villagran Melinda M.
Published: May 2007

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of an elective geriatric palliative care course on medical students' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors regarding communication with terminally ill patients. Surveys were administered at the beginning and end of the elective. Despite a significant increase in knowledge about geriatric and palliative medicine ( F = 24.80; P < .001), there were no significant changes in students' self-reported behaviors when applying curriculum-based communication strategies. However, the qualitative analysis of open-ended questions showed that the curriculum intervention did result in an improvement in empowering message strategies for breaking bad news. The evaluation of the end-of-life curriculum needs to exceed the measurement of attitudes and knowledge and include behavioral assessment of end-of-life communication skills.
On How Increasing Numbers of Newer Cancer Therapies Further Delay Referral to Hospice: The Increasing Palliative Care Imperative
Authors: Mintzer David M. , Zagrabbe Kathryn
Published: May 2007

Delay in referral of cancer patients to hospice until very near the end of life may deny patients and families optimal palliative care. A variety of factors may contribute to these delays. This article describes how the proliferation of newer anticancer therapies, although desirable overall, may further increase these delays. It is important for hospice personnel to understand these changes in medical oncology and to work to optimize palliative care delivery concomitantly with disease-remitting therapies.
Strategies to Improve Recruitment of Male Volunteers in Nonprofit Agencies
Authors: Kolnick Leanne , Mulder John
Published: May 2007

An increase in requests for volunteer services compounded by waning numbers of volunteers is a challenge to nonprofit organizations that are faced with the daunting task of recruiting and maintaining a large volunteer pool. This study explores alternate volunteer sources and suggests methods to be taken into account when recruiting male volunteers in various settings.
Surgical Palliative Care of Advanced Wounds
Authors: Lee K. Francis , Ennis William J. , Dunn Geoffrey P.
Published: May 2007

The history of surgery is rich with accomplishments in wound care, a legacy that recently has been abandoned by many surgeons only to be taken up by nonsurgical providers. When dealing with advanced wounds at the end of life, such as pressure ulcers or venous stasis ulcers, goals of treatment are relief of pain, elimination of odor, and control of wound exudates and infection. Benefits and risks of surgical intervention must be discussed with the patient and family in terms of the patient's perceived prognosis, extent of tissue necrosis and infection, the rate of deterioration, and the underlying wound pathogenesis. When appropriate, the role of surgery looms large in the treatment of chronic, advanced wounds, especially when minimally invasive surgical techniques are used.
Recent Advances in the Palliative Management of Respiratory Symptoms in Advanced-Stage Oncology Patients
Authors: Haas Andrew R.
Published: May 2007

Advanced-stage malignancies are often characterized by systemic complications related to primary tumor progression. Pulmonary complications such as cough and dyspnea are relatively common and can dramatically reduce quality of life and lead to inpatient or intensive care unit admission. Although cancer-induced cough can be improved with radiation therapy or chemotherapy, or both, it is often best managed with central-acting opioids. Dyspnea can arise from a range of etiologies that may or may not be related to the underlying malignant pulmonary disease. Recent advances in the management of malignant pleural effusion, central airway obstruction, and superior vena cava syndrome have allowed relatively noninvasive interventions to be performed that can significantly reduce dyspnea, minimize inpatient hospitalization, and improve the quality of life in patients where the major focus is palliative care.
Empowerment Evaluation
Authors: Fetterman David , Wandersman Abraham
Published: May 2007

Empowerment evaluation continues to crystallize central issues for evaluators and the field of evaluation. A highly attended American Evaluation Association conference panel, titled “Empowerment Evaluation and Traditional Evaluation: 10 Years Later,” provided an opportunity to reflect on the evolution of empowerment evaluation. Several of the presentations were expanded and published in the American Journal of Evaluation. In the spirit of dialogue, the authors respond to these and related comments. The authors structure their discussion in terms of empowerment evaluation's past, present, and future as follows: (a) Yesterday (critiques aimed at empowerment evaluation issues that arise from its early stages of development), (b) Today (current issues associated with empowerment evaluation theory and practice), and (c) Tomorrow (the future of empowerment evaluation in terms of recent critiques). This response is designed to enhance conceptual clarity, provide greater methodological specificity, and highlight empowerment evaluation's commitment to accountability and producing outcomes.
Sildenafil (Viagra) and Club Drug Use in Gay and Bisexual Men: The Role of Drug Combinations and Context
Authors: Halkitis Perry N. , Green Kelly A.
Published: May 2007

Data ascertained in a study of club drug use among 450 gay and bisexual men indicate that at least one class of PDE-5 (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, sildenafil [Viagra]) is used frequently in combination with club drugs such as methamphetamine, MDMA (3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine [ecstasy]), ketamine, cocaine, and GHB (gamma hydroxy butyrate). Patterns of sildenafil use in combination with each of the club drugs differ among key demographics including race and age. Multivariate models, controlling for demographic factors, suggest that contextual factors are key to understanding why men mix sildenafil with club drugs, although age may still be an important issue to consider. Of particular importance is the fact that use of club drugs in combination with sildenafil is strongly associated with circuit and sex parties, where a centerpiece of these environments focuses on sexual exchange. These models imply interplay between person-level and contextual factors in explaining drug use patterns and further indicate that interventions aimed at addressing illicit substance use must carefully consider the role of environmental factors in explaining behavior.
Starting on a Healthy Path: Promotion of Young Men's Sexual Health
Authors: Park M. Jane , Breland David
Published: May 2007

Sexuality is an integral part of human life. Men's needs in sexual and reproductive health and health care are receiving increased attention. Adolescence offers the opportunity to improve men's sexual health, as males begin exploring their sexual identity and developing romantic relationships. Despite encouraging trends in risky behavior and health status, rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain high and disparities persist. Young African American men have higher incidence of risky behavior, STIs, and HIV/AIDS. Promoting sexual health and well-being for young men requires multifaceted strategies, including clinical care, education, and improved access to services. Strategies should address the needs of all youth, including homosexual youth. Although reducing specific risky behaviors and health problems remains a priority, more holistic efforts to understand the context and meaning of sexual activity for young males are needed.
Personal Digital Assistant Data Capture: The Future of Quality of Life Measurement in Prostate Cancer Treatment
Authors: Matthew Andrew G. , Currie Kristen L. , Ritvo Paul , Nam Robert , Nesbitt Michael E. , Kalnin Robin W. , Trachtenberg John
Published: May 2007

Purpose

This article examines the potential use of personal digital assistant (PDA) data capture systems for real-time linear monitoring of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in prostate cancer research and clinical care.

Methods

We discuss the benefits and potential issues of using PDA data capture in the clinical health care setting. In addition, we describe the development and potential use of a PDA data capture system specific to managing HRQOL in prostate cancer treatment.

Conclusion

Follow-up health care clinics require a practical and systematic process of HRQOL data capture and analysis. Traditional paper questionnaire data capture is problematic. Data manipulation required for clinical decision-making is impractical for patient feedback on same-day clinic visits. Furthermore, the process of transforming paper questionnaire data to analysis-quality data can compromise data integrity. In contrast, research findings confirm the acceptability, ease of use, and reliability of PDAs in capturing data across health care settings, including the collection of serial HRQOL data. The main concern for PDA capture systems is the ability to compare respondent's answers between the paper and PDA questionnaire. Other challenges included patients reporting a lack of computer literacy and/or poor eyesight, as well as initial start-up costs. If issues are successfully addressed, the use of a PDA data capture system, such as the PDA HRQOL system at Princess Margaret Hospital's Prostate Centre, allows for valid and economical data collection with the possibility of linear real-time measurement of changes in HRQOL. Accordingly, there appears to be significant potential for PDA data collection of serial HRQOL in prostate cancer clinic settings.
Plato'sProtagorasand the Frontier of Genre Research: A Reconnaissance Report from the Field
Authors: Lavery Jonathan
Published: May 2007

After a review of some general issues surrounding the interpretation of Plato's dialogues, I consider in detail the reception of Plato's Protagoras in English scholarship since 1956, that is, during the last half century. That scholarship falls into three periods. At first (1956-82) there was a sharp division between analytic philosophy commentators and other commentators, but near-unanimity in adopting a “Democritean” conception of the text as composed of discrete, separable parts. In the second period (1983-92), an “Aristotelian” conception of the text, in which functionally distinct parts coordinate with each other within a whole, became a serious rival to the Democritean one. Since 1992, several Aristotelian strategies have been developed. I diagnose these trends as an indication of growing sensitivity to the unity of Protagoras and its integration of literature and theory. I use this review to draw some morals about exegesis and scholarly specialization.
Inner Dialogue in Augustine and Anselm
Authors: Matthews Gareth B.
Published: May 2007

In the Theaetetus, Plato has Socrates propose that thinking is a discussion the soul has with itself. But Plato never wrote a philosophical work in the form of an inner dialogue. Augustine's Soliloquies is the first such work. Writing in this form, Augustine is inspired to treat what can be expressed by “I exist” as a philosophically significant piece of knowledge and to entertain Berkeleyan idealism as a serious hypothesis. He also presents two philosophical perplexities concerning prayer, which he leaves unresolved. Anselm's Proslogion, which is both a prayer and an inner dialogue, offers a robust response to perplexities of the sort that troubled Augustine.
EGF induces macropinocytosis and SNX1-modulated recycling of E-cadherin
Authors: Bryant David M. , Kerr Markus C. , Hammond Luke A. , Joseph Shannon R. , Mostov Keith E. , Teasdale Rohan D. , Stow Jennifer L.
Published: May 2007

In epithelia, junction proteins are endocytosed for modulation of cell-cell adhesion and cell polarity. In response to growth factors, the cell-cell adhesion protein E-cadherin is internalized from the cell surface with degradation or recycling as potential fates. However, the cellular machinery involved in cadherin internalization and recycling remains controversial. Here we investigated EGF-induced E-cadherin internalization. EGF stimulation of MCF-7 cells resulted in Rac1-modulated macropinocytosis of the E-cadherin-catenin complex into endosomal compartments that colocalized with EEA1 and the sorting nexin, SNX1. Depletion of cellular SNX1 levels by siRNA resulted in increased intracellular accumulation and turnover of E-cadherin internalized from the cell surface in response to EGF. Moreover, SNX1 was also required for efficient recycling of internalized E-cadherin and re-establishment of epithelial adhesion. Together, these findings demonstrate a role for SNX1 in retrieval of E-cadherin from a degradative endosomal pathway and in membrane trafficking pathways that regulate E-cadherin recycling.
Clonally amplified cardiac stem cells are regulated by Sca-1 signaling for efficient cardiovascular regeneration
Authors: Tateishi Kento , Ashihara Eishi , Takehara Naofumi , Nomura Tetsuya , Honsho Shoken , Nakagami Takuo , Morikawa Shigehiro , Takahashi Tomosaburo , Ueyama Tomomi , Matsubara Hiroaki , Oh Hidemasa
Published: May 2007

Recent studies have shown that cardiac stem cells (CSCs) from the adult mammalian heart can give rise to functional cardiomyocytes; however, the definite surface markers to identify a definitive single entity of CSCs and the molecular mechanisms regulating their growth are so far unknown. Here, we demonstrate a single-cell deposition analysis to isolate individually selected CSCs from adult murine hearts and investigate the signals required for their proliferation and survival. Clonally proliferated CSCs express stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) with embryonic stem (ES) cell-like and mesenchymal cell-like characteristics and are associated with telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). Using a transgene that expresses a GFP reporter under the control of the TERT promoter, we demonstrated that TERTGFP-positive fractions from the heart were enriched for cells expressing Sca-1. Knockdown of Sca-1 transcripts in CSCs led to retarded ex vivo expansion and apoptosis through Akt inactivation. We also show that ongoing CSC proliferation and survival after direct cell-grafting into ischemic myocardium require Sca-1 to upregulate the secreted paracrine effectors that augment neoangiogenesis and limit cardiac apoptosis. Thus, Sca-1 might be an essential component to promote CSC proliferation and survival to directly facilitate early engraftment, and might indirectly exert the effects on late cardiovascular differentiation after CSC transplantation.
Cooperative mechanisms of mitotic spindle formation
Authors: O'Connell Christopher B. , Khodjakov Alexey L.
Published: May 2007

Cooperativity is well known to promote the speed of some biochemical reactions by accelerating the activity of enzymes. Recent studies have shown that cooperative interactions also function during the formation of a complex cellular structure, the mitotic spindle. Capture of kinetochores by dynamic astral microtubules was originally proposed as the basis of spindle formation. However, mounting evidence indicates that a more complex series of events occurs. It is now clear that there are multiple microtubule nucleation and capture sites throughout the spindle. Kinetochores, centrosomes and microtubules play multiple roles in establishing connections between spindle components and integrating them into a common structure. These data support a modified search-and-capture model that incorporates additional assembly pathways coordinated by a RanGTP gradient.
Symmetry Driven Self-Assembly of Metallo-Supramolecular Architectures
Authors: Albrecht Markus , Fröhlich Roland
Published: May 2007

The self-assembly of well-defined metallosupramolecular aggregates highly depends on the symmetry of the ligands as well as of the metals. Approaches in which symmetry considerations allow the stepwise—“hierarchical”—assembly of helicate-type complexes from very simple catechol derivatives are described. In addition helicates and meso-helicates are stereoselectively obtained by the use of linear ligands possessing the relevant symmetry element for the formation of either diastereomer (even–odd principle). In case of helicates, this allows the preparation of enantiomerically pure complexes. Finally, the self-assembly of tetrahedral M4L4 complexes is described using either constrained flexible or highly predisposed rigid ligands.
Functionalities of a Nanoporous Crystal 12CaO·7Al2O3 Originating from the Incorporation of Active Anions
Authors: Hayashi Katsuro , Hirano Masahiro , Hosono Hideo
Published: May 2007

A cage structure formed in a positively charged lattice framework of 12CaO·7Al2O3 (C12A7) is utilized to incorporate and release chemically unstable anions, imparting chemical and electronic activities to this material. High concentrations of oxygen radical anions, i.e. O− and O2−, are formed efficiently in these cages under a high oxygen activity condition. The O− ion, which is the strongest oxidant among all the reactive oxygen species, can be extracted from the cages into an external vacuum by applying an electric field with thermal assistance. In contrast, hydrogen-reduction processes allow the formation of hydride (H−) ions in the cage. H− ion-incorporated C12A7 exhibits a persistent insulator–conductor conversion upon irradiation with ultraviolet-light or electron-beam. The irradiation-induced conversion mechanism and electronic transport characteristics are discussed on the basis of experimental evidence and first-principle theoretical calculations. Electrons released from the H− ions are trapped by the cages and subsequent inter-cage hopping of the electrons is responsible for the electrical conduction. Furthermore, a severe reducing environment enables us to substitute electrons almost completely for anions in the cages, forming a stable inorganic electride. Finally, the formation of these active anions in this material is examined in terms of electronic structures, thermodynamics, and structural features of the cage.
Group-Inclusion Complex and Its External High Pressure Effect in O-Methylated β-Cyclodextrin as Compared with Unmodified β-Cyclodextrin
Authors: Sueishi Yoshimi , Tobisako Hideto , Kotake Yashige
Published: May 2007

High static pressure was applied to the inclusion complex of a modified β-cyclodextrin, heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD), and the influence of O-methylation on the inclusion equilibrium was investigated. Guest molecules to be included by cyclodextrin were stable nitroxide radicals, α-substituted 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzyl(t-butyl)nitroxides. Each guest molecule had more than one bulky group that can form ESR-spectroscopically separable isomeric inclusion complexes. Previously, using selected nitroxide probes, group-inclusion equilibrium in DM-β-CD has been shown to be significantly altered as compared with unmodified β-CD. Thus, we investigated group-inclusion equilibria in DM-β-CD under high static pressure by employing high pressure ESR spectroscopy, and compared the data with that for unmodified β-CD. The reaction volume (ΔV) of the inclusion equilibrium, a unique parameter which is calculated only from pressure dependence data, showed a drastic shift in some DM-β-CD group-in complexes, such as cyclohexyl- and s-butyl-in complex. We concluded that the O-methylation mediated changes in the hydrophobic void space and the number of residual water molecules in the CD cavity are causal factors for the difference.