Conversational Discourse: Attention Training following Closed Head Injury

Preliminary data is presented from a study in progress investigating whether speech-language pathology (SLP) intervention for a specific cognitive deficit (attention) will facilitate improvement of functional communication skills (conversational discourse) for individuals with closed head injury (CHI) at an acute rehabilitation phase. A randomized design was used to create treatment and control groups. Results from one individual are analyzed utilizing two procedures to determine which may be more useful in characterizing conversational ability of individuals in this population. The results will assist in research procedures for the remaining data. This study may lead to treatment recommendations for individuals with CHI

Fusion of Korean and Western musical styles in HaeSik Lee's Duremaji

This document introduces Duremaji, a Concerto for Flute and Korean Traditional Orchestra by the Korean composer HaeSik Lee (b.1943). It argues that the diverse orchestration exhibits a contemporary, traditional, and multicultural character. The genre of this concerto is Changjak-Kukak (Korean new traditional music). In Duremaji, Lee fused together contemporary flute repertoire and traditional Korean music. In the concerto, the flute expresses the character of both contemporary Western and traditional Korean music; Lee explains how Dure, which refers to cooperative farming communities in Korea, signifies the conversation between Western and Korean music through the flute. The document presents the influences of folk and shamanic ritual music and dance on the composer after 1970 and contextualizes Duremaji within the genre of Changjak-Kukak. The document also presents an analysis of the work and examines how Lee adapts traditional Korean instrumental techniques to the Western concert flute. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Human Monoclonal Antibody AVP-21D9 to Protective Antigen Reduces Dissemination of the Bacillus anthracis Ames Strain from the Lungs in a Rabbit Model▿

Dutch-belted and New Zealand White rabbits were passively immunized with AVP-21D9, a human monoclonal antibody to protective antigen (PA), at the time of Bacillus anthracis spore challenge using either nasal instillation or aerosol challenge techniques. AVP-21D9 (10 mg/kg) completely protected both rabbit strains against lethal infection with Bacillus anthracis Ames spores, regardless of the inoculation method. Further, all but one of the passively immunized animals (23/24) were completely resistant to rechallenge with spores by either respiratory challenge method at 5 weeks after primary challenge. Analysis of the sera at 5 weeks after primary challenge showed that residual human anti-PA levels decreased by 85 to 95%, but low titers of rabbit-specific anti-PA titers were also measured. Both sources of anti-PA could have contributed to protection from rechallenge. In a subsequent study, bacteriological and histopathology analyses revealed that B. anthracis disseminated to the bloodstream in some naïve animals as early as 24 h postchallenge and increased in frequency with time. AVP-21D9 significantly reduced the dissemination of the bacteria to the bloodstream and to various organs following infection. Examination of tissue sections from infected control animals, stained with hematoxylin-eosin and the Gram stain, showed edema and/or hemorrhage in the lungs and the presence of bacteria in mediastinal lymph nodes, with necrosis and inflammation. Tissue sections from infected rabbits dosed with AVP-21D9 appeared comparable to corresponding tissues from uninfected animals despite lethal challenge with B. anthracis Ames spores. Concomitant treatment with AVP-21D9 at the time of challenge conferred complete protection in the rabbit inhalation anthrax model. Early treatment increased the efficacy progressively and in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, AVP-21D9 could offer an adjunct or alternative clinical treatment regimen against inhalation anthrax