bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The North Dakota Tornadic Supercells of 18 July 2004: Issues Concerning High LCL Heights and Evapotranspiration
Authors: Kellenbenz David J. , Grafenauer Thomas J. , Davies Jonathan M. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
On the evening of 18 July 2004, several tornadoes occurred with two supercell thunderstorms over eastern North Dakota. The second and smaller in diameter of these storms produced an F4 tornado in an environment with lifting condensation level (LCL) heights that were atypically high according to recent statistical studies about supercell tornado environments. Surface dewpoints were also underforecast by computer models. These two issues are examined in this paper, which provides an overview of this event. The synoptic setting and environment characteristics suggest that evapotranspiration (ET) was responsible in part for enhancing surface moisture. It is likely that ET affected instability and convection initiation. This study also found that the presence of steep low-level lapse rates juxtaposed with low-level convective available potential energy along a surface trough may have contributed to tornado development in a high LCL environment where wind and instability characteristics were otherwise favorable for supporting supercell tornadoes.
Community Services for People Affected by Violence
Authors: Dillenburger Karola , Akhonzada Rym , Fargas Montserrat 
Published: January 2008

• Summary: In this article we explore the extent of services offered by voluntary community groups in Northern Ireland 10 years after the ceasefires. • Findings: People who have been exposed to community violence and related traumatic life-events often require help in coping with the effects of these experiences. While many people rely on family and friends for support and few require in-depth professional social work and therapeutic help, there is an increasing reliance on community services. Community services now offer a range of services from informal self-help groups, befriending, complementary therapies, respite, narrative work, to psychological therapy. • Application: We explore how these services are organized, who is using them, how they can be categorized, and finally we suggest minimum standards for good practice.
Does gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) influence the development of chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis?
Authors: Kelley James M , Hughes Laura B , Bridges S Louis 
Published: January 2008

Abstract

Background
Recent studies have demonstrated a role for spinal p38 MAP kinase (MAPK) in the development of chronic inflammation and peripheral arthritis and a role for GABA in the inhibition of p38 MAPK mediated effects. Integrating these data suggests that GABA may play a role in downregulating mechanisms that lead to the production of proinflammatory agents such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and matrix metalloproteinase 3 – agents implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Genetic studies have also associated RA with members of the p38 MAPK pathway.

Hypothesis
We propose a hypothesis for an inefficient GABA signaling system that results in unchecked proinflammatory cytokine production via the p38 MAPK pathway. This model also supports the need for increasing research in the integration of immunology and neuroscience.
Non-traditional lifestyles and prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents in Goa, India
Authors: Pillai Aravind , Patel Vikram , Cardozo Percy , Goodman Robert , Weiss Helen A. , Andrew Gracy 
Published: January 2008

BackgroundAdolescents comprise a fifth of the population of India, but there is little research on their mental health. We conducted an epidemiological study in the state of Goa to describe the current prevalence of mental disorders and its correlates among adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years.AimsTo estimate the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in adolescents.MethodPopulation-based survey of all eligible adolescents from six urban wards and four rural communities which were randomly selected. We used a Konkani translation of the Development and Well-Being Assessment to diagnose current DSM-IV emotional and behavioural disorders. All adolescents were also interviewed on socio-economic factors, education, neighbourhood, parental relations, peer and sexual relationships, violence and substance use.ResultsOut of 2684 eligible adolescents, 2048 completed the study. The current prevalence of any DSM-IV diagnosis was 1.81%; 95% CI 1.27–2.48. The most common diagnoses were anxiety disorders (1.0%), depressive disorder (0.5%), behavioural disorder (0.4%) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (0.2%). Adolescents from urban areas and girls who faced gender discrimination had higher prevalence. The final multivariate model found an independent association of mental disorders with an outgoing ‘non-traditional’ lifestyle (frequent partying, going to the cinema, shopping for fun and having a boyfriend or girlfriend), difficulties with studies, lack of safety in the neighbourhood, a history of physical or verbal abuse and tobacco use. Having one's family as the primary source of social support was associated with lower prevalence of mental disorders.ConclusionsThe current prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents in our study was very low compared with studies in other countries. Strong family support was a critical factor associated with low prevalence of mental disorders, while factors indicative of adoption of a non-traditional lifestyle were associated with an increased prevalence.
Expedited Partner Therapy for Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Assessing the Legal Environment
Authors: Hodge James G. , Pulver Amy , Hogben Matthew , Bhattacharya Dhrubajyoti , Brown Erin Fuse 
Published: January 2008

An emerging alternative to traditional partner management for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is expedited partner therapy (EPT), which involves the delivery of medications or prescriptions to STD patients for their partners without the clinical assessment of the partners. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended EPT nationally in limited circumstances; however, its implementation may raise legal concerns. We analyzed laws relevant to the distribution of medications to persons with whom clinicians have not personally treated or established a relationship. We determined that three fourths of states or territories either expressly permit EPT or do not expressly prohibit the practice. We recommend (1) expressly endorsing EPT through laws, (2) creating exceptions to existing prescription requirements, (3) increasing professional board or association support for EPT, and (4) supporting third-party payments for partners’ medications.
Psychosocial Effects of War Experiences among Displaced Children in Southern Darfur
Authors: Morgos Dorothy , Worden J. William , Gupta Leila 
Published: January 2008

This study focused on assessing the psychosocial effects of the long standing, high intensity, and guerrilla-style of warfare among displaced children in Southern Darfur. The goal was to better understand the etiology, prognosis, and treatment implications for traumatic reactions, depression, and grief symptoms in this population. Three hundred thirty-one children aged 6–17 from three IDP Camps were selected using a quota sampling approach and were administered a Demographic Questionnaire, Child Post Traumatic Stress Reaction Index, Child Depression Inventory, and the Expanded Grief Inventory. Forty-three percent were girls and 57% were boys. The mean age of the children was 12 years. Results found that children were exposed to a very large number of war experiences with no significant differences between genders for types of exposure, including rape, but with older children (13–17 years) facing a larger number of exposures than younger children (6–12 years). Out of the 16 possible war experiences, the mean number was 8.94 ( SD = 3.27). Seventy-five percent of the children met the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD, and 38% exhibited clinical symptoms of depression. The percentage of children endorsing significant levels of grief symptoms was 20%. Increased exposure to war experiences led to higher levels of: 1) traumatic reactions; 2) depression; and 3) grief symptoms. Of the 16 war experiences, abduction, hiding to protect oneself, being raped, and being forced to kill or hurt family members were most predictive of traumatic reactions. Being raped, seeing others raped, the death of a parent/s, being forced to fight, and having to hide to protect oneself were the strongest predictors of depressive symptoms. War experiences such as abduction, death of one's parent/s, being forced to fight, and having to hide to protect oneself were the most associated with the child's experience of grief. In addition to Total Grief, Traumatic Grief, Existential Grief, and Continuing Bonds were measured in these children. Although trauma, depression, and grief often exist as co-morbid disorders, the mechanisms and pathways of these is less understood. In this study we used Structural Equation Modeling to better understand the complex interaction and trajectories of these three symptoms evolving from war exposure and loss. This study is the first of its kind to assess the psychosocial effects of war experiences among children currently living in war zone areas within Sudan. It identifies some of the most prevalent war-related atrocities and their varying impact on the children's psychological well-being and overall adjustment. Implications for planning mental health interventions are discussed.
Vector fields on the real flag manifolds ℝF(1, 1, n − 2)
Authors: Ilori Samuel , Ajayi Deborah 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
We obtain the span of the real flag manifolds ℝF(1, 1, n−2), n ≥ 3, for the cases n ≡ 2 (mod 4), n ≡ 4 (mod 8) and n ≡ 8 (mod 16) and use the results to deduce that certain Stiefel-Whitney classes of the manifold are zero.
Treatment of Postnasal Drip with Proton Pump Inhibitors: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Pawar Sachin , Lim Hyun J. , Gill Matthew , Smith Timothy L. , Merati Albert , Toohill Robert J. , Loehrl Todd A. 
Published: January 2008

Background Patients commonly present with complaints of postnasal drainage (PND) without objective evidence to support a sinonasal or infectious etiology. PND has been attributed to extra-esophageal reflux (EER), and an empiric trial of antireflux medication often is used to treat PND and associated symptoms. This study was performed to (1) evaluate the relationship between symptoms of EER and PND and (2) assess the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the management of PND. Methods Patients with a chief complaint of PND without objective evidence of sinonasal inflammatory disease were enrolled in a prospective, double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trial using rabeprazole, 20 mg, orally twice daily or placebo for 90 days. Subjects completed two-site 24-hour pharyngeal pH probe monitoring before treatment. Outcome measures included pre- and posttreatment visual analog scales for PND symptoms, reflux symptom index, and reflux finding score (RFS). Results Forty-seven patients were enrolled (mean age, 55 years)—21 patients in the PPI group and 26 in the placebo group. Fifty-six percent of subjects had pH probe confirmed EER using a cutoff of pH < 5.0. Baseline symptom measures between subjects with and without EER were not different. Compared with placebo, subjects receiving rabeprazole reported significant reduction in PND frequency (p = 0.0180), hoarseness (p = 0.0164), and chronic cough (p = 0.0204). The RFS decreased slightly in the placebo group (p = 0.1490) whereas it increased slightly in the PPI group (p = 0.5235). This difference between groups was significant (p = 0.0272). Conclusion Although 50% of subjects had evidence of EER, there was no difference in baseline symptoms between subjects with and without. Our findings support the potential benefit of PPI therapy for reducing PND frequency, hoarseness, and chronic cough, and confirm a placebo effect for other laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms. The effect on laryngeal findings is mixed and patients may experience symptomatic improvement before changes in laryngoscopic appearance.
Efficacy of Odiosoft-Rhino in Assessment of Nasal Obstruction: A Comparative Study with Acoustic Rhinometry after Treatment with Budesonide Nasal Spray in Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Tahamiler Rauf , Yener Murat , Canakcioglu Salih 
Published: January 2008

Background Odiosoft-Rhino (OR) is new software and equipment that can be used to measure changes in nasal obstruction after intranasal steroid treatment. OR is a promising method for measuring the degree of nasal obstruction. OR can precisely analyze nasal sound spectra in decibels, which is generated by nasal airflow. We studied the reliability of OR for assessing declining nasal obstruction after budesonide nasal spray treatment. Methods Sixty-five patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) were enrolled in the study, and 52 of these patients completed the study. Nasal endoscopic examination, acoustic rhinometry (AR), and OR were performed and symptom scores were compared before and after 3 months of treatment with intranasal budesonide. All of the patients received 7 days of placebo treatment before receiving budesonide. Results There was a significant difference in the visual analog scores of nasal obstruction and in the examination scores before and after the treatment for both the right and the left nasal cavities. Pretreatment AR findings and OR findings in the 2000- to 4000-Hz and 4000-to 6000-Hz intervals for both sides were significantly different from the posttreatment measurements (p = 0.000). Both AR and OR can assess the efficacy of budesonide nasal spray treatment for nasal obstruction in patients with PAR. Conclusion Both AR and OR are effective for assessing nasal obstruction and monitoring treatment efficacy but, as a simple and noninvasive test, OR can be used with confidence.
Nasal Scraping in Diagnosing Ciliary Dyskinesia
Authors: Caruso Giuseppi , Gelardi Matteo , Passali Giulio C. , de Santi Maria M. 
Published: January 2008

Background Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a congenital, clinically and ultrastructurally heterogeneous disease caused by abnormal structure and/or function of cilia. Kartagener's syndrome is one subgroup of PCD. Acquired ciliary dyskinesia is frequent, generally being associated with or following respiratory tract infections. Methods From January 2003 to April 2006, nasal mucociliary transport time was measured in 64 patients and specimens obtained by nasal scraping were examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Results The 64 nasal scrapings led to the diagnosis of 11 (17.2%) cases of PCD and 51 (79.7%) cases of secondary ciliary disorder. In two cases (3.1%) no clear diagnosis was possible. Conclusion Nasal scraping is an easy, cheap, and efficient tool for detecting ciliary abnormalities by TEM and for distinguishing acquired and congenital modifications.
Augmentation with olanzapine in TCA‐refractory depression with melancholic features: a consecutive case series
Authors: Takahashi Hitoshi , Kamata Mitsuhiro , Yoshida Keizo , Higuchi Hisashi , Ishigooka Jun 
Published: January 2008

AbstractUsing an 8‐week, open label study design, we report the effect of augmentation strategy with olanzapine in hospitalized depressive patients with melancholic features who had insufficient response to a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), amitriptyline. Subjects were hospitalized patients meeting the criteria of DSM‐IV major depressive disorder with melancholic features who had been suffering from residual symptoms after treatment of amitriptyline. After study entry, olanzapine was added to amitriptyline and the dose was adjusted according to patients' clinical condition. Data were analyzed using an intent‐to‐treat methodology, with last observation carried forward. Paired t‐test was adopted to assess the data from baseline to endpoint. Of 26 patients who enrolled in this study, 23 patients completed the trial and 3 patients dropped out. The mean dose of olanzapine was 6.5 (SD = 2.4) mg/day. The mean score of Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was significantly decreased from 33.6 (SD = 3.5) to 20.8 (SD = 9.1) during this study (37.9% from baseline) (p < 0.001). Ten patients (38.5%) were considered as responders (50% or greater reduction in MADRS scores from baseline). These results suggest that augmentation with olanzapine in TCAs‐resistant melancholia may be effective and well tolerated. We cannot draw any conclusion with certainty from the open‐label, uncontrolled clinical trial. Double blind, controlled trial is needed to confirm this preliminary finding. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contracts for concurrency
Authors: Nienaltowski Piotr , Meyer Bertrand , Ostroff Jonathan S. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe SCOOP model extends the Eiffel programming language to provide support for concurrent programming. The model is based on the principles of Design by Contract. The semantics of contracts used in the original proposal (SCOOP_97) is not suitable for concurrent programming because it restricts parallelism and complicates reasoning about program correctness. This article outlines a new contract semantics which applies equally well in concurrent and sequential contexts and permits a flexible use of contracts for specifying the mutual rights and obligations of clients and suppliers while preserving the potential for parallelism. We argue that it is indeed a generalisation of the traditional correctness semantics. We also propose a proof technique for concurrent programs which supports proofs—similar to those for traditional non-concurrent programs—of partial correctness and loop termination in the presence of asynchrony.
Stilbene derivatives that are colchicine site microtubule inhibitors have antileukemic activity and minimal systemic toxicity
Authors: Cao Thai M. , Durrant David , Tripathi Ashutosh , Liu Jihua , Tsai Schickwann , Kellogg Glen E. , Simoni Daniele , Lee Ray M. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractStilbenes are a group of natural compounds with many biological activities. Two highly potent stilbenes, cis‐3,4′,5‐trimethoxy‐3′‐aminostilbene (stilbene 5c) and cis‐3,4′,5‐trimethoxy‐3′‐hydroxystilbene (stilbene 6c) induce G2/M cell‐cycle arrest and leukemic cell death in nanomolarity range without affecting normal bone marrow progenitor cells. The mechanism of stilbenes is mediated by interfering with microtubule polymerization through the colchicine‐binding site. Docking of the stilbenes into tubulin structure confirms that stilbenes fit into the colchicine‐binding pocket. Animal studies show that stilbenes are well tolerated in mice and are capable of inducing more than 50% leukemic cell death by a single dose injection. A 5‐day treatment with low‐dose stilbenes suppresses tumor growth in mice with established tumor xenografts. No major organ damage was detected by histological section. Our results indicate that stilbene 5c is a microtubule‐interfering agent and can be potentially useful in leukemic therapy. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of Putative Binding Sites of P‐glycoprotein Based on its Homology Model
Authors: Globisch Christoph , Pajeva Ilza K. , Wiese Michael 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA homology model of P‐glycoprotein based on the crystal structure of the multidrug transporter Sav1866 is developed, incorporated into a membrane environment, and optimized. The resulting model is analyzed in relation to the functional state and potential binding sites. The comparison of modeled distances to distances reported in experimental studies between particular residues suggests that the model corresponds most closely to the first ATP hydrolysis step of the protein transport cycle. Comparison to the protein 3D structure confirms this suggestion. Using SiteID and Site Finder programs three membrane related binding regions are identified: a region at the interface between the membrane and cytosol and two regions located in the transmembrane domains. The regions contain binding pockets of different size, orientation, and amino acids. A binding pocket located inside the membrane cavity is also identified. The pockets are analyzed in relation to amino acids shown experimentally to influence the protein function. The results suggest that the protein has multiple binding sites and may bind and/or release substrates in multiple pathways.
Crystal growth, crystal structure and physical properties of polar orthorhombic tris(glycine) zinc chloride
Authors: Fleck M. , Becker P. , Bayarjargal L. , Ochrombel R. , Bohatý L. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractLarge single crystals of the polar (point group mm 2) compound tris(glycine) zinc chloride, (NH3CH2COO)3 · ZnCl2, were grown from aqueous solutions. The refractive indices were measured in the wavelength region from 365 nm to 1083 nm and an unpolarised absorption spectrum was recorded (transparency range from 260 to 1550nm). The phase matching conditions for second harmonic generation were analysed: both, type I (ss‐f) and type II (sf‐f) are possible in the red and near IR region. All five components of the piezoelectric tensor [dijk ] were determined; the maximum values of longitudinal and transverse piezoelectric effects are less than one half of d111 of α‐quartz. In addition, a redetermination of the crystal structure (including location of H atoms) is presented. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Clinical approaches to axis II comorbidity: commentary
Authors: Clarkin John F. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractIn a review of six clinical cases involving the treatment of a patient with two or more personality disorders according to theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition‐Text Revision(DSM‐IV; American Psychiatric Association,1994), five key decisions that have an impact on treatment emerged. The clinical cases are discussed and compared from the vantage points of the nature of personality disorder, extent and content of patient assessment, treatment focus and sequence, and the role of the patient–therapist relationship. The cases illuminate the complexity of these patients and the need for careful treatment construction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 64: 1–9, 2008.
Environmentally friendly LC for the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid and its derivatives in skin‐whitening cosmetics
Authors: Balaguer Angel , Chisvert Alberto , Salvador Amparo 
Published: January 2008

AbstractAscorbic acid (AA), also known as vitamin C, is a very popular skin‐whitening agent used in cosmetics. However, the use of AA (and also its sodium or magnesium salts) in cosmetic products is limited owing to its labile oxidative properties. In order to avoid its early degradation, different derivatives have been designed, such as ascorbyl phosphate (APH; as magnesium or sodium salts) and ascorbyl palmitate (AP), and more recently the ascorbyl glucoside (AG). Bearing in mind that all these chemicals in skin‐whitening cosmetic products must be determined in order to control the efficacy of such products, this paper focuses on developing a wide‐ranging LC analytical method able to determine the above‐mentioned compounds simultaneously in cosmetic products. The chromatographic variables were studied and selected in order to achieve the total separation and subsequent determination of all the analytes involved. Thus, an octadecylsilica (C18) stationary phase and a mobile phase gradient of ethanol: 50 mM phosphate buffer at different pHs (containing 0.1 M NaCl) were used. Detection was carried out with a UV/visible spectrometry detector set at different wavelengths. The LOD ranged from 2 to 6 μg/mL depending on the analyte. The proposed method was validated by analysing a laboratory‐made and six commercial skin‐whitening cosmetic samples. The method allows any mixture of the four skin‐whitening agents studied to be both separated at good resolution and determined without interferences from samples, and moreover it does not require the use of either highly toxic organic solvents or hazardous chemicals.