The effects of video feedback in the context of Milan Systemic therapy.

The authors compared the effectiveness of video feedback to verbal feedback within the context of Milan Systemic family therapy. Ten families were randomly assigned to either the video- or verbal-feedback condition, resulting in 16 participants in each condition. Families engaged in 5 wks of family therapy, which included either verbal or video feedback on a family interaction task. Changes from pretreatment to posttreatment were analyzed for several problem-related and family variables. Results indicated significant pretreatment posttreatment (controlling for family) interactions for responsibility for the problem and family adaptability. Support was found for the therapeutic effects of video feedback within Milan Systemic therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Simulations and Institutional Change: Training US Government Professionals for Improved Management of Complex Emergencies Abroad

A new training programme for US Government officials features simulations that require them to reach across normal bureaucratic boundaries to rehearse actual responses to real-life overseas emergencies. The simulations use a planning template that builds on lessons learned from recent, non-traditional, civil-military and humanitarian operations. The programme aims to help officials from many different parts of the government improve their capacity to coordinate inter-agency responses by institutionalizing advance planning among those most likely to be involved in any US action. A discussion-capture software package developed at the War Gaming and Simulation Centre that incorporates the planning template facilitates this process and supports the training goals.     

Comparison of intracellular accumulation and cytotoxicity of free mTHPC and mTHPC-loaded PLGA nanoparticles in human colon carcinoma cells

The second generation photosensitizer mTHPC was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the palliative treatment of advanced head and neck cancer in October 2001. It is known that mTHPC possesses a significant phototoxicity against a variety of human cancer cells in vitro but also exhibits dark toxicity and can cause adverse effects (especially skin photosensitization). Due to its poor water solubility, the administration of hydrophobic photosensitizer still presents several difficulties. To overcome the administration problems, the use of nanoparticles as drug carrier systems is much investigated. Nanoparticles based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) have been extensively studied as delivery systems into tumours due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The goal of this study was the comparison of free mTHPC and mTHPC-loaded PLGA nanoparticles concerning cytotoxicity and intracellular accumulation in human colon carcinoma cells (HT29). The nanoparticles delivered the photosensitizer to the colon carcinoma cells and enabled drug release without losing its activity. The cytotoxicity assays showed a time- and concentration-dependent decrease in cell proliferation and viability after illumination. However, first and foremost mTHPC lost its dark toxic effects using the PLGA nanoparticles as a drug carrier system. Therefore, PLGA nanoparticles are a promising drug carrier system for the hydrophobic photosensitizer mTHPC.     

Automation of the elispot technique: Past, present, and future

The Elispot technique has gained much attention over the past few years. Its outstanding sensitivity and general ease of performance has made it one of the most attractive assay candidates for immunomonitoring purposes, including vaccine development and vaccine trials in various phases, diagnostics, and basic research. The demands of the market call for a simplified and automated technique in order to enhance areas of use. This paper describes past and present developments addressing the automation and standardization demands for the Elispot and indirectly connected techniques.     

Hochdruckflüssigchromatographische Untersuchung von Zimt-CO2-Hochdruckextrakten im Vergleich mit Zimtölen

Nowadays supercritical CO₂ extracts of cinnamon and cassia are coming more and more in trade. Contrary to cinnamon and cassia oils there are very few references in literature about these. Commercially available supercritical CO₂ extracts of cinnamon and cassia barks (cinnamon type Ceylon and type Madagascar, cassia type China and type Indonesia) were analysed by HPLC and compared with cinnamon and cassia oils. The results of the analysis showed that the main compounds evidently differed depending on the species of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, C. cassia andC. burmanii) and on the kind of sample, whereby there was a great difference not only between oils and CO₂ extracts, but also between so-called ?selective extracts“ (40°C/90 bar) and ?total extracts“ (40°/280–300 bar).     

METAPHORIC COHERENCE: DISTINGUISHING VERBAL METAPHOR FROM "ANOMALY"

Theories and computational models of metaphor comprehension generally circumvent the question of metaphor versus "anomaly" in favor of a treatment of metaphor versus literal language. Making the distinction between metaphoric and "anomalous" expressions is subject to wide variation in judgment, yet humans agree that some potentially metaphoric expressions are much more comprehensible than others. In the context of a program which interprets simple isolated sentences that are potential instances of cross-modal and other verbal metaphor, I consider some possible coherence criteria which must be satisfied for an expression to be "conceivable" metaphorically. Metaphoric constraints on object nominals are represented as abstracted or extended along with the invariant structural components of the verb meaning in a metaphor. This approach distinguishes what is preserved in metaphoric extension from that which is "violated", thus referring to both "similarity" and "dissimilarity" views of metaphor. The role and potential limits of represented abstracted properties and constraints is discussed as they relate to the recognition of incoherent semantic combinations and the rejection or adjustment of metaphoric interpretations.     

More of What? Issues raised by the Fort Bragg study.

The sobering findings of the Fort Bragg study (L. Bickman, see record 83-31861; L. Bickman et al, 1995) illustrate why ambitious demonstration projects must be combined with objective outcome evaluations. The study does suggest that "more is better," but more of what? Little is known about the specific interventions that were combined to form the Fort Bragg system of care, so the study does not really reveal what failed or what needs to be changed. Moreover, there is no evidence that the specific treatments used had any empirical support. Combining and systematizing various treatments may not produce improved outcomes if the treatments are not effective in the first place. Costly demonstration programs that combine untested treatments may be a poor investment. A better strategy may be to develop and test an array of well-documented treatments for an array of child and family problems, creating the building blocks needed for effective systems of care in the future. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)