bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of Fixed Points by Some Iterative Schemes
Authors: El-Sayed Ahmed A. , Kamal A.
Published: April 2009

We obtain strong convergence theorems of two modifications of Mann iteration processes with errors in the doubly sequence setting. Furthermore, we establish some weakly convergence theorems for doubly sequence Mann's iteration scheme with errors in a uniformly convex Banach space by a Frechét differentiable norm.
Unbounded Conditional Expectations for Partial O∗‐Algebras
Authors: Takakura Mayumi
Published: April 2009

The main purpose of this paper is to generalize studies of unbounded conditional expectations for O∗‐algebras to those for partial O∗‐algebras.
Active Reflectors: Possible Solutions Based on Reflectarrays and Fresnel Reflectors
Authors: Cabria Lorena , García José Ángel , Gutiérrez-Ríos Julio , Tazón Antonio , Vassal'lo Juan
Published: April 2009

An overview about some of the recent Spanish developments on active reflectors is presented. In the first part, a novel beamsteering active reflectarray is deeply studied. It is based on implementing in each elementary radiator an IQ modulator structure, in which amplitude and phase control of the scattered field is achieved. Finally, a special effort is made in offering solutions to overcome the active antenna integration problems. In the second part, the active concept is firstly extended to Fresnel reflectors. Thanks to the development of a proper simulator, this special structure can be easily analysed. This simulator allows the study of performance of this kind of reflectors and, applying evolutionary algorithms, to find optimal configurations of reflector in accordance with the given specifications for the conformal radiation pattern.
Tumoral Prostate Shows Different Expression Pattern of Somatostatin Receptor 2 (SSTR2) and Phosphotyrosine Phosphatase SHP-1 (PTPN6) According to Tumor Progression
Authors: Cariaga-Martinez Ariel Ernesto , Lorenzati María Angelica , Riera Mario Alejandro , Cubilla Marisa Angelica , De La Rossa Andrés , Giorgio Ernesto Martín , Tiscornia María Mercedes , Gimenez Esteban Mariano , Rojas María Eugenia , Chaneton Bárbara Julieta , Rodríguez Dora Isabel , Zapata Pedro Darío
Published: April 2009

Prostate proliferation is dependent of androgens and many peptide hormones. Recent reports suggest that SSTR2 and SHP-1 were two fundamental components on antiproliferative effect of somatostatin. Many studies on SHP-1 revealed that the expression of this protein was diminished or abolished in several of the cancer cell lines and tissues examined. However, it is necessary to confront the cell lines data with real situation in cancer cases. Our studies have shown that epithelial expressions of both proteins, SHP-1 and SSTR2, in normal and benign hyperplasia are localized in the luminal side of duct and acinar cells. Also, SSTR2 is expressed in stromal cells. In malignant prostate tissue, SHP-1 was diminished in 28/45 cases or absent in 12/45 cases, whereas SSTR2 epithelial was diminished in 38/45 cases or lost in only 2/45 cases. The intensity of immunostained was highly negative correlated with Gleason grade for two proteins.
Influence of Epinastine Hydrochloride, an -Receptor Antagonist, on the Function of Mite Allergen-Pulsed Murine Bone Marrow-Derived Dendritic Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Oshima Ken-Zaburo , Asano Kazuhito , Kanai Ken-Ichi , Suzuki Miyuki , Suzaki Harumi
Published: April 2009

There is established concept that dendritic cells (DCs) play essential roles in the development of allergic immune responses. However, the influence of receptor antagonists on DC functions is not well defined. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of epinastine hydrochloride (EP), the most notable histamine receptor antagonists in Japan, onDermatophagoides farinae (Der f)-pulsed mouse bone marrow-derived DCs in vitro and in vivo. EP at more than 25 ng/mL could significantly inhibit the production of IL-6, TNF- and IL-10 fromDer f-pulsed DCs, which was increased byDer fchallenge in vitro. On the other hand, EP increased the ability ofDer f-pulsed DCs to produce IL-12. Intranasal instillation ofDer f-pulsed DCs resulted in nasal eosinophilia associated with a significant increase in IL-5 levels in nasal lavage fluids.Der f-pulsed and EP-treated DCs significantly inhibited nasal eosinophila and reduced IL-5. These results indicate that EP inhibits the development of Th2 immune responses through the modulation of DC functions and results in favorable modification of clinical status of allergic diseases.
Global Attractivity Results for Mixed-Monotone Mappings in Partially Ordered Complete Metric Spaces
Authors: Burgić Dž , Kalabušić S. , Kulenović M. R. S.
Published: April 2009

We prove fixed point theorems for mixed-monotone mappings in partially ordered complete metric spaces which satisfy a weaker contraction condition than the classical Banach contraction condition for all points that are related by given ordering. We also give a global attractivity result for all solutions of the difference equation "Equation missing", "Equation missing" where "Equation missing" satisfies mixed-monotone conditions with respect to the given ordering.
Mechanical Properties of Surface-Charged Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) as Denture Resins
Authors: Park Sang E. , Chao Maggie , Raj P. A.
Published: April 2009

The aim of this study was to examine the mechanical properties of a new surface-modified denture resin for its suitability as denture base material. This experimental resin is made by copolymerization of methacrylic acid (MA) to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to produce a negative charge. Four experimental groups consisted of Orthodontic Dental Resin (DENTSPLY Caulk) as a control and three groups of modified PMMA (mPMMA) produced at differing ratios of methacrylic acid (5 : 95, 10 : 90, and 20 : 80 MA : MMA). A 3-point flexural test using the Instron Universal Testing Machine (Instron Corp.) measured force-deflection curves and a complete stress versus strain history to calculate the transverse strength, transverse deflection, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity. Analysis of Variance and Scheffe Post-test were performed on the data. Resins with increased methacrylic acid content exhibited lower strength values for the measured physical properties. The most significant decrease occurred as the methacrylic acid content was increased to 20%mPMMA. No significant differences atP<.05were found in all parameters tested between the Control and 5%mPMMA.
Venation Skeleton‐Based Modeling Plant Leaf Wilting
Authors: Lu Shenglian , Zhao Chunjiang , Guo Xinyu
Published: April 2009

A venation skeleton‐driven method for modeling and animating plant leaf wilting is presented. The proposed method includes five principal processes. Firstly, a three‐dimensional leaf skeleton is constructed from a leaf image, and the leaf skeleton is further used to generate a detailed mesh for the leaf surface. Then a venation skeleton is generated interactively from the leaf skeleton. Each vein in the venation skeleton consists of a segmented vertices string. Thirdly, each vertex in the leaf mesh is banded to the nearest vertex in the venation skeleton. We then deform the venation skeleton by controlling the movement of each vertex in the venation skeleton by rotating it around a fixed vector. Finally, the leaf mesh is mapped to the deformed venation skeleton, as such the deformation of the mesh follows the deformation of the venation skeleton. The proposed techniques have been applied to simulate plant leaf surface deformation resulted from biological responses of plant wilting.
Efficacy of Clopidrogel on Reperfusion and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Akbulut Mehmet , Kutlu Makbule , Ozbay Yılmaz , Polat Veli , Bilen Mehmet Nail , Baydas Adil , Altas Yakup
Published: April 2009

We investigated the effects of clopidogrel on reperfusion and inflammatory process in STEMI. A total of 175 STEMI patients with similar clinical characteristics were included to this study. One was the standard pharmacological reperfusion therapy group (group 1,n: 90), who received 300 mg aspirin, 70 U/kg bolus, and 12 U/kg/hr continuous infusion of unfractioned heparin and accelerated t-PA. Clopidogrel 450 mg loading and 75 mg/d thereafter was added to standard reperfusion therapy in the other group (group 2,n: 85). The ST-segment resolution, CK-MB, and high-sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) parameters were measured. Complete ST resolution was observed in 32 patients (36.8%) in group 1 and 53 patients (63.8%) in group 2 (). Also in the first 24 hours, the CK-MB levels of patients in group 1 were significantly higher than those of group 2 (). The hs-CRP values were greater in group 1 than group 2 at 48th hour (gruop 1:  mg/L, group 2:  mg/L; ). We concluded that adding clopidogrel to standard treatment in STEMI patients provided early reperfusion and suppression of inflammatory response.
Update in Antiepidermal Growth Factor Receptor Therapy in the Management of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Loong Herbert H. , Ma Brigette B. , Chan Anthony T. C.
Published: April 2009

The approval of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) has expanded the armamentarium against this disease. This paper will review the historical progress and recent clinical developments of anti-EGFR therapies in the treatment of metastatic CRC. Novel strategies of targeting the EGFR pathway to improve efficacy as well as ongoing research in identifying specific molecular predictors of response will be discussed.
DDCC‐Based Quadrature Oscillator with Grounded Capacitors and Resistors
Authors: Kumngern Montree , Dejhan Kobchai
Published: April 2009

A new voltage‐mode quadrature oscillator using two differential difference current conveyors (DDCCs), two grounded capacitors, and three grounded resistors is presented. The proposed oscillator provides the following advantages: the oscillation condition and oscillation frequency are orthogonally controlled; the oscillation
frequency is controlled through a single grounded resistor; the use of only grounded capacitors and resistors makes the proposed circuit ideal for IC implementation; low passive and active sensitivities. Simulation results verifying the theoretical analysis are also included.
3-Deazaadenosine Prevents Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Neointima Formation by Interfering With Ras Signaling
Authors: Sedding Daniel G. , Tröbs Monique , Reich Fabian , Walker Gerhard , Fink Ludger , Haberbosch Werner , Rau Wigbert , Tillmanns Harald , Preissner Klaus T. , Bohle Rainer M. , Langheinrich Alexander C.
Published: April 2009

3-Deazaadenosine (c3Ado) is a potent inhibitor ofS-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, which regulates cellular methyltransferase activity. In the present study, we sought to determine the effect of c3Ado on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function and neointima formation in vivo. c3Ado dose-dependently prevented the proliferation and migration of human coronary VSMCs in vitro. This was accompanied by an increased expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21WAF1/Cip1, p27Kip1, a decreased expression of G1/S phase cyclins, and a lack of retinoblastoma protein hyperphosphorylation. In accordance with these findings, fluorescence-activated cell-sorting analysis of propidium iodide–stained cells indicated a cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1phase. Importantly, c3Ado did not affect the number of viable (trypan blue exclusion) or apoptotic cells (TUNEL). Mechanistically, c3Ado prevented FCS-induced Ras carboxyl methylation and membrane translocation and activity by inhibiting isoprenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransferase and reduced FCS-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and Akt phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, rescuing signal transduction by overexpression of a constitutive active Ras mutant abrogated c3Ado’s effect on proliferation. For in vivo studies, the femoral artery of C57BL/6 mice was dilated and mice were fed a diet containing 150 μg of c3Ado per day. c3Ado prevented dilation-induced Ras activation, as well as ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation in vivo. At day 21, VSMC proliferation (proliferating-cell nuclear antigen [PCNA]-positive cells), as well as the neointima/media ratio (0.7±0.2 versus 1.6±0.4;P<0.05) were significantly reduced, without any changes in the number of apoptotic cells. Our data indicate that c3Ado interferes with Ras methylation and function and thereby with mitogenic activation of ERK1/2 and Akt, preventing VSMC cell cycle entry and proliferation and neointima formation in vivo. Thus, therapeutic inhibition ofS-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase by c3Ado may represent a save and effective novel approach to prevent vascular proliferative disease.
Risk Factors for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Forsdahl Signe Helene , Singh Kulbir , Solberg Steinar , Jacobsen Bjarne K.
Published: April 2009

Background—

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is an asymptomatic condition with a high mortality rate related to rupture.

Methods and Results—

In a cohort of 2035 men and 2310 women in Tromsø, Norway, who were 25 to 82 years old in 1994, the authors identified risk factors for incident abdominal aortic aneurysm over the next 7 years. The impact of smoking was studied in particular. Ultrasound examination was performed initially in 1994/1995 and repeated in 2001. There were 119 incident cases of abdominal aortic aneurysms (an incidence of 0.4% per year). Male sex and increasing age were strong risk factors. In addition, the following variables were significantly associated with increased abdominal aortic aneurysm incidence: Smoking (OR=13.72, 95% CI 6.12 to 30.78, comparing current smokers of ≥20 cigarettes/d with never-smokers), hypertension (OR=1.54, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.30), hypercholesterolemia (OR=2.11, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.64, comparing subjects with serum total cholesterol ≥7.55 mmol/L with those with total cholesterol <5.85 mmol/L), and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR=3.25, 95% CI 1.68 to 6.27, comparing subjects with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <1.25 mmol/L with those with high-density lipoprotein ≥1.83 mmol/L). In addition, use of statins was associated with increased risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm (OR=3.77, 95% CI 1.45 to 9.81), but this was probably a marker of high risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusions—

The results demonstrate strong associations between traditional atherosclerosis risk factors and the risk of incident abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Physician Alerts to Prevent Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Piazza Gregory , Rosenbaum Erin J. , Pendergast William , Jacobson Joseph O. , Pendleton Robert C. , McLaren Gordon D. , Elliott C. Gregory , Stevens Scott M. , Patton William F. , Dabbagh Ousama , Paterno Marilyn D. , Catapane Elaine , Li Zhongzhen , Goldhaber Samuel Z.
Published: April 2009

Background—

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis remains underused among hospitalized patients. We designed and carried out a large, multicenter, randomized controlled trial to test the hypothesis that an alert from a hospital staff member to the attending physician will reduce the rate of symptomatic VTE among high-risk patients not receiving prophylaxis.

Methods and Results—

We enrolled patients using a validated point score system to detect hospitalized patients at high risk for symptomatic VTE who were not receiving prophylaxis. We randomized 2493 patients (82% on Medical Services) from 25 study sites to the intervention group (n=1238), in which the responsible physician was alerted by another hospital staff member, or the control group (n=1255), in which no alert was issued. The primary end point was symptomatic, objectively confirmed VTE within 90 days. Patients whose physicians were alerted were more than twice as likely to receive VTE prophylaxis as control subjects (46.0% versus 20.6%;
P
<0.0001). The symptomatic VTE rate was lower in the intervention group (2.7% versus 3.4%; hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.50 to 1.25), but the difference did not achieve statistical significance. The rate of major bleeding at 30 days in the alert group was similar to that in the control group (2.1% versus 2.3%;
P
=0.68).

Conclusions—

A strategy of direct notification of the physician by a staff member increases prophylaxis use and leads to a reduction in the rate of symptomatic VTE in hospitalized patients. However, VTE prophylaxis continues to be underused even after physician notification, especially among Medical Service patients.
The California, ABCD, and Unified ABCD2 Risk Scores and the Presence of Acute Ischemic Lesions on Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in TIA Patients
Authors: Purroy Francisco , Begué Robert , Quílez Alejandro , Piñol-Ripoll Gerard , Sanahuja Jordi , Brieva Luis , Setó Eloisa , Gil Maria Isabel
Published: April 2009

Background and Purpose—

Some clinical models, like California ABCD and unified ABCD2 scores, are now available to predict the early risk of stroke after a TIA. Despite the transitivity of symptoms, DWI identified an area of acute brain ischemia in almost half of patients. It would be interesting to know how the presence of DWI abnormalities relates to clinical risk scores to plan other prognostic variables or to recommend the performance of DWI.

Methods—

We prospectively studied 135 consecutive TIA patients visited by the neurologists in our institution. All patients underwent DWI (3.8±1.7 days after symptoms onset). Clinical risk scores (California, ABCD, and ABCD2) were calculated prospectively for each patient. The identification of acute ischemic lesions (positive DWI) was related to the presence of clinical features and clinical risk scores.

Results—

DWI were positive in 67 (49.6%) patients. After Bonferroni adjustment, elevated ABCD, ABCD2, and California scores were not associated with a positive DWI. However, some clinical symptoms such as facial palsy and motor weakness were associated with a positive DWI (
P
<0.001). The logistic regression model identified only facial palsy as an independent predictor of acute ischemic lesions (odds ratio 6.26, 95% CI 2.49 to 15.71,
P
<0.001).

Conclusion—

Clinical symptoms such as motor impairment, but not clinical risk scores, were associated with a positive DWI. Performing a DWI may add prognostic information to clinical risk scales as a predictor of stroke recurrence after TIA in future large studies.
Anosmia After Coiling of Ruptured Aneurysms
Authors: Bor A. Stijntje E. , Niemansburg Sophie L. , Wermer Marieke J.H. , Rinkel Gabriel J.E.
Published: April 2009

Background and Purpose—

Anosmia occurs frequently in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from a ruptured aneurysm treated with clipping. We analyzed prevalence, prognosis, and potential risk factors for anosmia after coiling for SAH.

Methods—

We interviewed all patients who resumed independent living after SAH treated with coiling between 1997 and 2007. We assessed by means of logistic regression analyses whether risk of anosmia was influenced by site of the ruptured aneurysm, neurological condition on admission, amount of extravasated blood, hydrocephalus, and treatment for hydrocephalus.

Results—

Of 197 patients, 35 (18%; 95%CI:12 to 23) experienced anosmia. Anosmia had improved in 23 (66%) of them; in 20 the recovery had been complete after a median period of 6 weeks (SD ±6.5). Intraventricular hemorrhage was a risk factor for anosmia (OR 2.4; 95%CI:1.0 to 5.9). Anterior aneurysm location (OR 1.1; 95%CI:0.5 to 2.3) and high amount of extravasated blood (OR 0.9; 95%CI:0.4 to 2.1) were not related to anosmia.

Conclusions—

Anosmia occurs after coiling in 1 of every 6 SAH patients, but has a good prognosis in most patients. The cause of anosmia after coiling for ruptured aneurysms remains elusive; severity of the initial hemorrhage or long lasting hydrocephalus may be contributing factors.
Deferoxamine Reduces Intracerebral Hematoma-Induced Iron Accumulation and Neuronal Death in Piglets
Authors: Gu Yuxiang , Hua Ya , Keep Richard F. , Morgenstern Lewis B. , Xi Guohua
Published: April 2009

Background and Purpose—

Our previous studies found that deferoxamine reduces intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced brain injury in rats. The current study examined whether deferoxamine reduces brain injury in a piglet ICH model.

Methods—

Pigs received an injection of autologous blood into the right frontal lobe. Deferoxamine (50 mg/kg, IM) or vehicle was administered 2 hours after ICH and then every 12 hours up to 7 days. Animals were killed 3 or 7 days later to examine iron accumulation, white matter injury, and neuronal death.

Results—

ICH resulted in development of a reddish perihematomal zone, and iron accumulation, ferritin upregulation, and neuronal death within that zone. Deferoxamine reduced the perihematomal reddish zone, white matter injury, and the number of Perls’, ferritin, and Fluoro-Jade C–positive cells.

Conclusions—

Iron accumulation occurs in the piglet brain after ICH. Deferoxamine reduces ICH-induced iron buildup and brain injury in piglets.
Treatment Time-Specific Number Needed to Treat Estimates for Tissue Plasminogen Activator Therapy in Acute Stroke Based on Shifts Over the Entire Range of the Modified Rankin Scale
Authors: Lansberg Maarten G. , Schrooten Maarten , Bluhmki Erich , Thijs Vincent N. , Saver Jeffrey L.
Published: April 2009

Background and Purpose—

To make informed treatment decisions, patients and physicians need to be aware of the benefits and risks of a proposed treatment. The number needed to treat (NNT) for benefit and harm are intuitive and statistically valid measures to describe a treatment effect. The aim of this study is to calculate treatment time-specific NNT estimates based on shifts over the entire spectrum of clinically relevant functional outcomes.

Methods—

The pooled data set of the first 6 major randomized acute stroke trials of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator was used for this study. The data were stratified by 90-minute treatment time windows. NNT for benefit and NNT for harm estimates were determined based on expert generation of joint outcome distribution tables. NNT for benefit estimates were also calculated based on joint outcome distribution tables generated by a computer model.

Results—

NNT for benefit estimates based on the expert panel were 3.6 for patients treated between 0 and 90 minutes, 4.3 with treatment between 91 and 180 minutes, 5.9 with treatment between 181 and 270 minutes, and 19.3 with treatment between 271 and 360 minutes. The computer simulation yielded very similar results. The NNT for harm estimates for the corresponding time intervals are 65, 38, 30, and 14.

Conclusions—

Up to 4½ hours after symptom onset, tissue plasminogen activator therapy is associated with more benefit than harm, whereas there is no evidence of a net benefit in the 4½- to 6-hour time window. The NNT estimates for each 90-minute epoch provide useful and intuitive information based on which patients may be able to make better informed treatment decisions.
Thrombolysis in Young Adults With Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Putaala Jukka , Metso Tiina M. , Metso Antti J. , Mäkelä Elina , Haapaniemi Elena , Salonen Oili , Kaste Markku , Tatlisumak Turgut
Published: April 2009

Background and Purpose—

No exclusive systematic data exist on the safety and outcomes of thrombolytic treatment in young patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods—

We evaluated all 48 patients aged 16 to 49 years with hemispheric ischemic stroke treated with intravenous alteplase in Helsinki University Central Hospital from 1994 to 2007. For comparison of outcome, we selected, blinded to outcome data, 96 control subjects (1:2) with ischemic stroke not treated with alteplase matched by age, gender, and admission stroke severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale). We selected similarly 96 older alteplase-treated gender and arrival National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score-matched patients (aged, 50 to 79 years) for comparison of outcome and hemorrhage rate. A 3-month favorable outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 1. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was defined according to the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke Monitor Study.

Results—

Young alteplase-treated patients (67% males; mean age, 38.8±9.1 years) more often recovered completely (27% versus 10%,
P
=0.010) and achieved a favorable outcome (40% versus 22%,
P
=0.025) compared with their age-matched control subjects not treated with alteplase. In alteplase-treated patients, unfavorable outcome was more frequent in males and in those with carotid artery dissection. We observed no difference in outcome between cases and older control subjects treated with alteplase. However, none of the cases had symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage versus 3 (3%) in the older control group (
P
=0.551). Mortality rate was 2% (
P
=0.552) in age-matched control subjects and 7% (
P
=0.095) among older control subjects, whereas none of the case patients died during the 3-month follow-up.

Conclusions—

Young adults with acute hemispheric ischemic stroke benefited from intravenous thrombolysis with good safety.
Decompressive Hemicraniectomy in Cerebral Sinus Thrombosis
Authors: Coutinho Jonathan M. , Majoie Charles B.L.M. , Coert Bert A. , Stam Jan
Published: April 2009

Background and Purpose—

Thirteen percent of patients with cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) has a poor clinical outcome. In patients with a poor prognosis, endovascular thrombolysis can be considered, but this procedure does not appear to be beneficial in patients with impending transtentorial herniation because of large hemorrhagic venous infarcts. Therefore, halfway through 2006, we changed our policy to decompressive hemicraniectomy in these patients.

Methods and Results—

Patients with CVST and impending herniation attributable to venous infarcts were eligible for surgical intervention. Since 2006 we consecutively treated 3 patients with decompressive hemicraniectomy. Two patients had an excellent outcome. The third patient, who had been comatose for at least 12 hours before surgery, died despite intervention.

Conclusions—

Our data suggest that decompressive hemicraniectomy can be life-saving and can result in an excellent outcome in patients with severe CVST.
Translating Sustainable Development: The Greening of Japan's Bilateral International Cooperation
Authors: Kim Soyeun
Published: April 2009

This article considers how the sustainable development paradigm of the 1990s has been transferred from Western donor circles to a non-Western donor, Japan, and has been “translated” in the implementation of Japan's international cooperation policy. In so doing, the article discusses issues of “greening” with relation to foreign aid, and more specifically Japan's bilateral international cooperation. It highlights how dynamics of cultural politics specific to an individual country (i.e. Japan) condition the ways in which its perception and practice of “sustainable development” unfold across time and space, and between a multitude of state and nonstate actors that crisscross national boundaries. Such conditions, in turn, emphasize the importance of understanding different ways of institutional learning (or adaptation) in Japan's international cooperation system for dealing with the socio-environmental aspects of its projects.
Distinct Neural Correlates for Volitional Generation and Inhibition of Saccades
Authors: Reuter Benedikt , Kaufmann Christian , Bender Julia , Pinkpank Thomas , Kathmann Norbert
Published: April 2009

The antisaccade task has proven highly useful in basic and clinical neuroscience, and the neural structures involved are well documented. However, the cognitive and neural mechanisms that mediate task performance are not yet understood. An event-related fMRI study was designed to dissociate the neural correlates of two putative key functions, volitional saccade generation and inhibition of reflexive saccades, and to investigate their interaction. Nineteen healthy volunteers performed a task that required (a) to initiate saccades volitionally, either with or without a simultaneous demand to inhibit a reflexive saccade; and (b) to inhibit a reflexive saccade, either with or without a simultaneous demand to initiate a saccade volitionally. Analysis of blood oxygen level-dependent signal changes confirmed a major role of the frontal eye fields and the supplementary eye fields in volitional saccade generation. Inhibition-related activation of a specific fronto-parietal network was highly consistent with previous evidence involved in inhibitory processes. Unexpectedly, there was little evidence of specific brain activation during combined generation and inhibition demands, suggesting that the neural processing of generation and inhibition in antisaccades is independent to a large extent.
Neural Correlates of Symbolic Number Comparison in Developmental Dyscalculia
Authors: Mussolin Christophe , De Volder Anne , Grandin Cécile , Schlögel Xavier , Nassogne Marie-Cécile , Noël Marie-Pascale
Published: April 2009

Developmental dyscalculia (DD) is a deficit in number processing and arithmetic that affects 3–6% of schoolchildren. The goal of the present study was to analyze cerebral bases of DD related to symbolic number processing. Children with DD aged 9–11 years and matched children with no learning disability history were investigated using fMRI. The two groups of children were controlled for general cognitive factors, such as working memory, reading abilities, or IQ. Brain activations were measured during a number comparison task on pairs of Arabic numerals and a color comparison task on pairs of nonnumerical symbols. In each task, pairs of stimuli that were close or far on the relevant dimension were constituted. Brain activation in bilateral intraparietal sulcus (IPS) was modulated by numerical distance in controls but not in children with DD. Moreover, although the right IPS responded to numerical distance only, the left IPS was influenced by both numerical and color distances in control children. Our findings suggest that dyscalculia is associated with impairment in areas involved in number magnitude processing and, to a lesser extent, in areas dedicated to domain-general magnitude processing.
Mistakes of Reason: Practical Reasoning and the Fallacy of Accident
Authors: Bäck Allan
Published: April 2009

For Aristotle the fallacy of accident arises from mistakes about being per accidens and not from accidental predication. Mistakes in perceiving per accidens come from our judgements about being per accidens and so commit that fallacy. Practical syllogisms have the same formal structure as being and perceiving per accidens. Moreover perceiving per accidens typically provides the minor premise for the practical syllogism as it makes it possible for us to know singular propositions, especially those about substances. Thus these minor premises may come about through fallacious reasoning, what today would be called reasoning via collateral information. On account of these foundations for the practical syllogism, even a person of practical wisdom will need a lot of luck to avoid mistakes.
African Easterly Jet: Structure and Maintenance
Authors: Wu Man-Li C. , Reale Oreste , Schubert Siegfried D. , Suarez Max J. , Koster Randy D. , Pegion Philip J.
Published: April 2009

This article investigates the African easterly jet (AEJ), its structure, and the forcings contributing to its maintenance, critically revisiting previous work that attributed the maintenance of the jet to soil moisture gradients over tropical Africa.

A state-of-the-art global model in a high-end computer framework is used to produce a three-member 73-yr ensemble run forced by observed SST to represent the control run. The AEJ as produced by the control is compared with the representation of the AEJ in the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) and other observational datasets and found to be very realistic.

Five experiments are then performed, each represented by sets of three-member 22-yr-long (1980–2001) ensemble runs. The goal of the experiments is to investigate the role of meridional soil moisture gradients, different land surface properties, and orography. Unlike previous studies, which have suppressed soil moisture gradients within a highly idealized framework (i.e., the so-called bucket model), terrestrial evaporation control is here achieved with a highly sophisticated land surface treatment and with an extensively tested and complex methodology. The results show that the AEJ is suppressed by a combination of absence of meridional evaporation gradients over Africa and constant vegetation, even if the individual forcings taken separately do not lead to the AEJ disappearance, but only its modification. Moreover, the suppression of orography also leads to a different circulation in which there is no AEJ. This work suggests that it is not just soil moisture gradients but a unique combination of geographical features present only in northern tropical Africa that causes and maintains the jet.
What Vertical Mode Does the Altimeter Reflect? On the Decomposition in Baroclinic Modes and on a Surface-Trapped Mode
Authors: Lapeyre Guillaume
Published: April 2009

This study is motivated by the ongoing debate on the dynamical properties of surface motions at mesoscales that are measured by altimetry [for sea surface height (SSH)] and microwave [for sea surface temperature (SST)]. The mesoscale signal obtained by the altimeter is often considered to be associated with the first baroclinic mode, but recent results indicate that SST spectra and surface kinetic energy spectra derived from SSH have the same slope, which is not consistent with this hypothesis. Moreover, baroclinic modes are associated by definition with vanishing buoyancy anomalies at the ocean surface, which is obviously not the case. Here a careful derivation of the vertical modes is done using the concepts of quasigeostrophic potential vorticity (QGPV) theory. Since the surface buoyancy can be interpreted as a Dirac function in PV, the traditional baroclinic modes have to be completed by a surface-trapped mode with no interior QGPV. The possible contribution of each mode is quantified in a realistic simulation of the North Atlantic Ocean. The surface mode is found to give the largest contribution in terms of surface energy in most of the Atlantic. Its relative importance compared to the other modes is determined at first order by the large-scale forcing of PV and surface buoyancy. These results emphasize the necessity for a new interpretation of satellite measurements of sea surface temperature or height.
Verification of Extratropical Cyclones within the NCEP Operational Models. Part II: The Short-Range Ensemble Forecast System
Authors: Charles Michael E. , Colle Brian A.
Published: April 2009

This paper verifies the strengths and positions of extratropical cyclones around North America and the adjacent oceans within the Short Range Ensemble Forecast (SREF) system at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) during the 2004–07 cool seasons (October–March). The SREF mean for cyclone position and central pressure has a smaller error than the various subgroups within SREF and the operational North American Mesoscale (NAM) model in many regions on average, but not the operational Global Forecast System (GFS) for many forecast times. Inclusion of six additional Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model members into SREF during the 2006–07 cool season did not improve the SREF mean predictions.

The SREF has slightly more probabilistic skill over the eastern United States and western Atlantic than the western portions of the domain for cyclone central pressure. The SREF also has slightly greater probabilistic skill than the combined GFS and NAM for central pressure, which is significant at the 90% level for many regions and thresholds. The SREF probabilities are fairly reliable, although the SREF is overconfident at higher probabilities in all regions. The inclusion of WRF did not improve the SREF probabilistic skill. Over the eastern Pacific, eastern Canada, and western Atlantic, the SREF is overdispersed on average, especially early in the forecast, while across the central and eastern United States the SREF is underdispersed later in the forecast. There are relatively large biases in cyclone central pressure within each SREF subgroup. As a result, the best-member diagrams reveal that the SREF members are not equally accurate for the cyclone central pressure and displacement. Two cases are presented to illustrate examples of SREF developing large errors early in the forecast for cyclones over the eastern United States.
The Psychology of Silence: Its Role in Transference, Countertransference and the Psychoanalytic Process
Authors: Zeligs Meyer A.
Published: April 2009

"He that has eyes to see and ears to hear may convince himself that no mortal can keep a secret. If his lips are silent, he chatters with his finger-tips; betrayal oozes out of him at every pore. And thus the task of making conscious the most hidden recesses of the mind is one which it is quite possible to accomplish."

-FREUD (16)
“When Friends Fall Out”: Developmental Interference with the Function of Some Imaginary Companions
Authors: Benson Ronald M. , Pryor David B.
Published: April 2009

“Even the death of friends will inspire us as much as their lives.”

-Thoreau: A Week on tlae Concord and Mern'mack Rivers (1849)

“Never trust a friend who deserts you in a pinch.”.

-Aesop: The Two Fellows and a Bear
Further Contributions To The Understanding Of Stage Fright: Narcissistic Issues
Authors: Gabbard Glen O.
Published: April 2009

“All I ever needed was the music and the mirror and the chance to dance for you.”
Developmental Screening: Is There Enough Time?
Authors: Schonwald Alison , Horan Kelly , Huntington Noelle
Published: April 2009

Objectives . The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine developmental screening in well-child care. Providers cite time restraints as a limitation preventing its widespread adoption. The objectives were to determine whether routine screening lengthened well-visits and was associated with changes in parent satisfaction and report of anticipatory guidance. Methods. Visits before and after implementation of routine screening were timed. Parents whose children were seen before or after screening began were contacted to query their perceptions of the visit. Results. There was no change in visit lengths after the screener was included. With screening, more parents reported their provider talked about their concerns, and that their questions were answered. There were no changes in parent satisfaction ratings or reports of anticipatory guidance discussions. Conclusions. The perceived obstacle that routine screening requires more time than pediatricians have should not prevent its adoption. Screening tools may empower some parents otherwise reluctant to raise concerns unsolicited.
Association of Substance Use Discussion by Pediatric Providers With the Parent—Provider Relationship and Maternal Behavior Change
Authors: Garg Arvin , Nelson Catherine S. , Burrell Lori , Duggan Anne K. , Sia Calvin
Published: April 2009

A cross-sectional study of data from a randomized, controlled trial was conducted to determine (1) provider and parent attributes associated with discussion of maternal substance use, (2) how substance use discussion related to the parent—provider relationship, and (3) whether discussion was associated with maternal attempts at behavior change. Of the 482 mothers, 34% reported discussing all 3 substance use items (smoking, alcohol, and drug use) with their child’s provider. Mothers who discussed smoking were more likely to report discussing alcohol and other drug use ( P < .001). Parent—provider relationship scores, measured by a modified version of the Primary Care Assessment Survey, were positively associated with discussion of each substance ( P < .001). Discussion of smoking and drug use were significantly associated with attempted behavior change. Our findings suggest that discussion of parental substance use by pediatricians is positively associated with the parent—provider relationship and may lead to behavior change.
Stability of Delinquent Peer Associations
Authors: Beaver Kevin M. , Gibson Chris L. , Turner Michael G. , DeLisi Matt , Vaughn Michael G. , Holand Ashleigh
Published: April 2009

The study of delinquent peers has remained at the forefront of much criminological research and theorizing. One issue of particular importance involves the factors related to why people associate with and maintain a sustained involvement with delinquent peers. Although efforts have been made to address these questions, relatively little attempt has been made to understand these relationships from a biosocial perspective. This gap in the literature is addressed in an analysis of twins from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The results of the univariate behavioral genetic models reveal that genetic factors account for between 58% and 74% of the variance in the association with delinquent peers, with the remaining variance attributable to environmental factors. Bivariate Cholesky decomposition models reveal that genetic factors account for 58% of the variance in the stability in delinquent peers. The shared environment explains 34% of the variance in stability, and the remaining 8% is attributable to the nonshared environment. The importance of a biosocial approach in criminological research is discussed.
Hiding in Plain Sight
Authors: Hawdon James , Ryan John
Published: April 2009

Terrorism is behavior that is both initiated and sustained by actors within a social environment. That social environment may vary along a continuum from supporting and enabling the behavior, to ignoring or being unaware of the behavior, to actively opposing the behavior. This article applies social disorganization theory, social capital theory and Black's work on terrorism to predict community characteristics likely to provide the anonymity required for the development of terrorist activity in developed nations. Using the Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey and case studies, the article demonstrates how the theory predicts and helps explain why the 9/11 terrorists went undetected even as they lived in the US.
Public School Administration and Brown v. Board of Education
Authors: Hunter Richard C.
Published: April 2009

This article reviews educational initiatives of state and federal government that were designed to remedy the effects of racial segregation on Black public school students in the United States after the famous Brown v. Board of Education decisions. Several policy and legal initiatives are reviewed, including school desegregation, compensatory education, decentralization, school reform and restructuring, school finance litigation, state accountability models, school district takeovers, vouchers, charter schools, No Child Left Behind, and privatization.
Ethnography, Belief Ascription, and Epistemological Barriers
Authors: Jones Todd Edwin
Published: April 2009

While ascribing beliefs to one's subjects is a common practice for most ethnographers, I argue that this task is far more difficult and error-prone than commonly realized. I lay out the fundamental epistemological problems for belief ascribers and explain why certain sorts of ascriptions are especially difficult to make accurately. I suggest some guidelines for making ethnographic belief ascription less error-prone.
In Search of Perfect People Teamwork and Team Players in the Scottish Spirits Industry
Authors: Findlay Patricia , McKinlay Alan , Marks Abigail , Thompson Paul
Published: April 2009

Much of the mainstream and critical literatures stress the potential of teamwork for normative integration through socialization and peer pressure. This article utilizes case studies in the large bottling halls of spirits producers in Scotland to explore the characteristics of and limits to such integration. A multi-dimensional model of team-work and an examination of both practices and attitudes enables the research to identify the variety of managerial objectives and out-comes across and within the plants. Though the extent of integration varies between the teams, the overall results lead to scepticism about whether team members can be considered as socially engineered individuals who have internalized company normative demands. These findings, it is argued, are compatible with the majority of comparable case study research.
The Role of Participation in Decision-Making in the Organizational Politics-Job Satisfaction Relationship
Authors: Witt L. A. , Andrews Martha C. , Kacmar K. Michele
Published: April 2009

The present study examined the impact participation in decision-making (PDM) had on the relationship between perceptions of organizational politics and expressions of job satisfaction among 1251 public sector employees. We hypothesized that perceptions of organizational politics would reduce job satisfaction and that the detrimental effect of poltics on job satisfaction would be weakest among workers who engage in consensus decision-making with their supervisors. We used confirmatory factor analyses to determine whether the variables used in this study reflected distinct constructs. Then, we used correlational analysis and hierarchical moderated multiple regression analyses to test the hypotheses. Results indicated that the variables reflected distinct constructs and confirmed the hypotheses. Examination of the interaction indicated that the effect of PDM on job satisfaction was robust at high levels of perceived politics.
Professionals: Back to the Future?
Authors: Fitzgerald Louise , Ferlie Ewan
Published: April 2009

This article examines empirical evidence on the impact of the introduction of a quasi-market in healthcare in the UK on professionals, especially doctors. Data are drawn from two longitudinal studies occurring between 1990 and 1994, of aspects of the changes to the health system. Data collection involved a range of methods, including observation, interviews, questionnaires and archival material. The findings show that a unilateral analysis of the impact of the quasimarket on professionals is inadequate to understand the situation. The responses of the professionals to change have had a major influence on the outcomes. Professionals have not uniformly lost power, some have gained considerably. Explanations of the variance of impact and the substantial power shifts have to take account of a range of contextual factors. The market has not had a major impact on the technical autonomy of the doctors. Consequential structural changes have produced a new category of professional managers who are actively managing their colleagues' performance.
Boundary Activities in `Boundaryless' Organizations: A Case Study of a Transformation to a Team-Based Structure
Authors: Cross Robert L. , Yan Aimin , Louis Meryl Reis
Published: April 2009

This paper reports a case study that analyzes changes in organizational boundary activities carried out in a bank during and after restructuring from a functional to a team-based structure. Results suggest that the need for spanning, buffering, and bringing up boundaries does not disappear as organizations become `boundaryless'. Rather, boundary activities increase in significance and migrate to lower organizational levels. Several propositions are generated for future research.