bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GPS2-dependent corepressor/SUMO pathways govern anti-inflammatory actions of LRH-1 and LXRβ in the hepatic acute phase response
Authors: Venteclef Nicolas , Jakobsson Tomas , Ehrlund Anna , Damdimopoulos Anastasios , Mikkonen Laura , Ellis Ewa , Nilsson Lisa-Mari , Parini Paolo , Jänne Olli A. , Gustafsson Jan-Åke , Steffensen Knut R. , Treuter Eckardt
Published: February 2010

The orphan receptor LRH-1 and the oxysterol receptors LXRα and LXRβ are established transcriptional regulators of lipid metabolism that appear to control inflammatory processes. Here, we investigate the anti-inflammatory actions of these nuclear receptors in the hepatic acute phase response (APR). We report that selective synthetic agonists induce SUMOylation-dependent recruitment of either LRH-1 or LXR to hepatic APR promoters and prevent the clearance of the N-CoR corepressor complex upon cytokine stimulation. Investigations of the APR in vivo, using LXR knockout mice, indicate that the anti-inflammatory actions of LXR agonists are triggered selectively by the LXRβ subtype. We further find that hepatic APR responses in small ubiquitin-like modifier-1 (SUMO-1) knockout mice are increased, which is due in part to diminished LRH-1 action at APR promoters. Finally, we provide evidence that the metabolically important coregulator GPS2 functions as a hitherto unrecognized transrepression mediator of interactions between SUMOylated nuclear receptors and the N-CoR corepressor complex. Our study extends the knowledge of anti-inflammatory mechanisms and pathways directed by metabolic nuclear receptor–corepressor networks to the control of the hepatic APR, and implies alternative pharmacological strategies for the treatment of human metabolic diseases associated with inflammation.
Development of a synthetic plant volatile‐based attracticide for female noctuid moths. I. Potential sources of volatiles attractive to Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Del Socorro Alice P , Gregg Peter C , Alter Daniel , Moore Chris J
Published: February 2010

This paper is the first of a series which will describe the development of a synthetic plant volatile‐based attracticide for noctuid moths. It discusses potential sources of volatiles attractive to the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), and an approach to the combination of these volatiles in synthetic blends. We screened a number of known host and non‐host (for larval development) plants for attractiveness to unmated male and female moths of this species, using a two‐choice olfactometer system. Out of 38 plants tested, 33 were significantly attractive to both sexes. There was a strong correlation between attractiveness of plants to males and females. The Australian natives, Angophora floribunda and several Eucalyptus species were the most attractive plants. These plants have not been recorded either as larval or oviposition hosts of Helicoverpa spp., suggesting that attraction in the olfactometer might have been as nectar foraging rather than as oviposition sources. To identify potential compounds that might be useful in developing moth attractants, especially for females, collections of volatiles were made from plants that were attractive to moths in the olfactometer. Green leaf volatiles, floral volatiles, aromatic compounds, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were found. We propose an approach to developing synthetic attractants, here termed ‘super‐blending’, in which compounds from all these classes, which are in common between attractive plants, might be combined in blends which do not mimic any particular attractive plant.
Voluntary Association Involvement and Immigrant Network Diversity
Authors: Lauer S.R. , Yan M. C.
Published: February 2010

In this paper we examine the formation of diverse social ties among international migrants to Vancouver, Canada. We look specifically at the influence of involvement in Neighbourhood Houses ‐‐ a type of voluntary association ‐‐ on facilitating diverse tie formations. Past research has found that membership in different types of associations can lead to more or less network diversity. We build on this research by considering how different types of involvement can lead to either increases or decreases in cross‐ethnic or non‐immigrant ties among new immigrants. We find that targeted, instrumental types of involvement in Neighbourhood Houses can lead to more diverse immigrant social ties and that general, expressive types of involvement can lead to more homogeneous social ties.
Genetic and environmental influences on the transmission of parental depression to children’s depression and conduct disturbance: an extended Children of Twins study
Authors: Silberg Judy L. , Maes Hermine , Eaves Lindon J.
Published: February 2010

Background:  Despite the increased risk of depression and conduct problems in children of depressed parents, the mechanism by which parental depression affects their children’s behavioral and emotional functioning is not well understood. The present study was undertaken to determine whether parental depression represents a genuine environmental risk factor in children’s psychopathology, or whether children’s depression/conduct can be explained as a secondary consequence of the genetic liability transmitted from parents to their offspring.

Methods:  Children of Twins (COT) data collected on 2,674 adult female and male twins, their spouses, and 2,940 of their children were used to address whether genetic and/or family environmental factors best account for the association between depression in parents and depression and conduct problems in their children. Data collected on juvenile twins from the Virginia Twin Study of Adolescent Behavioral Development (VTSABD) were also included to estimate child‐specific genetic and environmental influences apart from those effects arising from the transmission of the parental depression itself. The fit of alternative Children of Twin models were evaluated using the statistical program Mx.

Results:  The most compelling model for the association between parental and juvenile depression was a model of direct environmental risk. Both family environmental and genetic factors accounted for the association between parental depression and child conduct disturbance.

Conclusions:  These findings illustrate how a genetically mediated behavior such as parental depression can have both an environmental and genetic impact on children’s behavior. We find developmentally specific genetic factors underlying risk to juvenile and adult depression. A shared genetic liability influences both parental depression and juvenile conduct disturbance, implicating child conduct disturbance (CD) as an early indicator of genetic risk for depression in adulthood. In summary, our analyses demonstrate differences in the impact of parental depression on different forms of child psychopathology, and at various stages of development.
Experimental Evidence Against the Paradigm of Mortality Risk Aversion
Authors: Rheinberger Christoph M.
Published: February 2010

This article deals with the question of how societal impacts of fatal accidents can be integrated into the management of natural or man‐made hazards. Today, many governmental agencies give additional weight to the number of potential fatalities in their risk assessments to reflect society's aversion to large accidents. Although mortality risk aversion has been proposed in numerous risk management guidelines, there has been no evidence that lay people want public decisionmakers to overweight infrequent accidents of large societal consequences against more frequent ones of smaller societal consequences. Furthermore, it is not known whether public decisionmakers actually do such overweighting when they decide upon the mitigation of natural or technical hazards. In this article, we report on two experimental tasks that required participants to evaluate negative prospects involving 1–100 potential fatalities. Our results show that neither lay people nor hazard experts exhibit risk‐averse behavior in decisions on mortality risks.
Robust Clustering Using Exponential Power Mixtures
Authors: Zhang Jian , Liang Faming
Published: February 2010

Summary Clustering is a widely used method in extracting useful information from gene expression data, where unknown correlation structures in genes are believed to persist even after normalization. Such correlation structures pose a great challenge on the conventional clustering methods, such as the Gaussian mixture (GM) model, k‐means (KM), and partitioning around medoids (PAM), which are not robust against general dependence within data. Here we use the exponential power mixture model to increase the robustness of clustering against general dependence and nonnormality of the data. An expectation–conditional maximization algorithm is developed to calculate the maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of the unknown parameters in these mixtures. The Bayesian information criterion is then employed to determine the numbers of components of the mixture. The MLEs are shown to be consistent under sparse dependence. Our numerical results indicate that the proposed procedure outperforms GM, KM, and PAM when there are strong correlations or non‐Gaussian components in the data.
Continuous Covariates in Mark‐Recapture‐Recovery Analysis: A Comparison of Methods
Authors: Bonner Simon J. , Morgan Byron J. T. , King Ruth
Published: February 2010

Summary Time varying, individual covariates are problematic in experiments with marked animals because the covariate can typically only be observed when each animal is captured. We examine three methods to incorporate time varying, individual covariates of the survival probabilities into the analysis of data from mark‐recapture‐recovery experiments: deterministic imputation, a Bayesian imputation approach based on modeling the joint distribution of the covariate and the capture history, and a conditional approach considering only the events for which the associated covariate data are completely observed (the trinomial model). After describing the three methods, we compare results from their application to the analysis of the effect of body mass on the survival of Soay sheep (Ovis aries) on the Isle of Hirta, Scotland. Simulations based on these results are then used to make further comparisons. We conclude that both the trinomial model and Bayesian imputation method perform best in different situations. If the capture and recovery probabilities are all high, then the trinomial model produces precise, unbiased estimators that do not depend on any assumptions regarding the distribution of the covariate. In contrast, the Bayesian imputation method performs substantially better when capture and recovery probabilities are low, provided that the specified model of the covariate is a good approximation to the true data‐generating mechanism.
On Combining Family‐Based and Population‐Based Case–Control Data in Association Studies
Authors: Zheng Yingye , Heagerty Patrick J. , Hsu Li , Newcomb Polly A.
Published: February 2010

Summary Combining data collected from different sources can potentially enhance statistical efficiency in estimating effects of environmental or genetic factors or gene–environment interactions. However, combining data across studies becomes complicated when data are collected under different study designs, such as family‐based and unrelated individual‐based case–control design. In this article, we describe likelihood‐based approaches that permit the joint estimation of covariate effects on disease risk under study designs that include cases, relatives of cases, and unrelated individuals. Our methods accommodate familial residual correlation and a variety of ascertainment schemes. Extensive simulation experiments demonstrate that the proposed methods for estimation and inference perform well in realistic settings. Efficiencies of different designs are contrasted in the simulation. We applied the methods to data from the Colorectal Cancer Family Registry.
Alpha‐Lactalbumin: Its Production Technologies and Bioactive Peptides
Authors: Kamau Samuel Mburu , Cheison Seronei Chelulei , Chen Wei , Liu Xiao‐Ming , Lu Rong‐Rong
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT:  Alpha‐lactalbumin (α‐La), a globular protein found in all mammalian milk, has been used as an ingredient in infant formulas. The protein can be isolated from milk using chromatography/gel filtration, membrane separation, enzyme hydrolysis, and precipitation/aggregation technologies. α‐La is appreciated as a source of peptides with antitumor and apoptosis, antiulcerative, immune modulating, antimicrobial, antiviral, antihypertensive, opioid, mineral binding, and antioxidative bioactivities, which may be utilized in the production of functional foods. Nanotubes formed by the protein could find applications in foods and pharmaceuticals, and understanding its amyloid fibrils is important in drawing strategies for controlling amyloidal diseases. Bioactive peptides in α‐La are released during the fermentation or ripening of dairy products by starter and nonstarter microorganisms and during digestion by gastric enzymes. Bioactive peptides are also produced by deliberate hydrolysis of α‐La using animal, microbial, or plant proteases. The occurrence, structure, and production technologies of α‐La and its bioactive peptides are reviewed.
Mechanisms of Ice Crystallization in Ice Cream Production
Authors: Cook K.L.K. , Hartel R.W.
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT:  The smoothness and perceived quality of an ice cream depends in large part on the small size of ice crystals in the product. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for producing the disc‐shaped crystals found in ice cream will greatly aid manufacturers in predicting how processing and formulation changes will affect their product. Because ice cream mix is opaque, it has not yet been possible to observe ice crystallization in ice cream in situ. Studies to date, therefore, have used analogues or have related observed effects to a hypothesized mechanism. Still, some elements of the crystallization mechanism are well accepted. Because of the large supercooling at the freezer wall, ice nucleates there before being swept into the bulk of the freezer. In the bulk, heat and mass transfer cause some crystals to melt and others to grow. By the time the ice cream reaches the freezer exit, the ice crystals have become small, rounded discs.
The fitness value of information
Authors: Donaldson‐Matasci Matina C. , Bergstrom Carl T. , Lachmann Michael
Published: February 2010

Communication and information are central concepts in evolutionary biology. In fact, it is hard to find an area of biology where these concepts are not used. However, quantifying the information transferred in biological interactions has been difficult. How much information is transferred when the first spring rainfall hits a dormant seed, or when a chick begs for food from its parent? One measure that is commonly used in such cases is fitness value: by how much, on average, an individual's fitness would increase if it behaved optimally with the new information, compared to its average fitness without the information. Another measure, often used to describe neural responses to sensory stimuli, is the mutual information – a measure of reduction in uncertainty, as introduced by Shannon in communication theory. However, mutual information has generally not been considered to be an appropriate measure for describing developmental or behavioral responses at the organismal level, because it is blind to function; it does not distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information. In this paper we show that there is in fact a surprisingly tight connection between these two measures in the important context of evolution in an uncertain environment. In this case, a useful measure of fitness benefit is the increase in the long‐term growth rate, or the fold increase in number of surviving lineages. We show that in many cases the fitness value of a developmental cue, when measured this way, is exactly equal to the reduction in uncertainty about the environment, as described by the mutual information.
Homocysteine status in former top‐level male athletes: possible effect of physical activity and physical fitness
Authors: Unt E. , Zilmer K. , Mägi A. , Kullisaar T. , Kairane C. , Zilmer M.
Published: February 2010

The importance of elevated homocysteine (Hcy) as a risk marker for cardiovascular disease is continously under debate. Lifestyle factors may increase the total Hcy (tHcy) level of the plasma, but there are no consistent findings relating to Hcy, physical activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Cross‐sectional measurement from an ongoing follow‐up study was performed on 77 former male athletes and 33 sedentary controls (age range 35–62 years). Lifestyle parameters (current physical activity patterns, smoking, etc.), anthropometric and blood pressure data, and data about tHcy, reduced, and oxidized glutathione (GSH, GSSG, respectively) in blood, lipoproteins, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) were collected. Our study results showed that the subgroup of physically active ex‐athletes (n=52) had a significantly lower tHcy level and glutathione redox ratio (GSSG:GSH) in comparison with the subgroup of sedentary ex‐athletes (n=25). tHcy level was inversely related to cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max/kg). Dietary and smoking habits were not significantly associated with the tHcy level in our study group. In conclusion, the research findings indicate that both current physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are significantly inversely associated with an elevated homocysteine level in middle‐aged former athletes.
Delayed influence of stretch‐shortening cycle fatigue on large ankle joint position coded with static positional signals
Authors: Regueme S. C. , Barthèlemy J. , Gauthier G. M. , Blin O. , Nicol C.
Published: February 2010

This study examines the static position sense from the ankle joint following a unilateral exhaustive stretch‐shortening cycle (SSC)‐type exercise involving mostly the triceps surae muscle group. Fatigue effects were quantified within the exercised and non‐exercised leg through a maximal isometric voluntary plantarflexion test (MVC) performed immediately before (Pre) and after the SSC exercise, and repeated 2 (D2) and 8 (D8) days later. The static position sense test consisted in active reproductions with the non‐exercised ankle of two target dorsiflexed positions (small and large) previously maintained with either the non‐exercised (control procedure) or the exercised ankle (fatigue procedure). This test was carried out at Pre, D2, and D8. At D2, the MVC test revealed significant decreases in voluntary soleus muscle activity and peak plantarflexion force. The position sense test showed no error in reproduction accuracy in the control procedure. In contrast, the fatigue procedure revealed an overestimation of the large dorsiflexed position, only, with an associated increase of the agonist tibialis muscle activity. In agreement with the antagonist (stretched) muscle influence on the position sense, this overestimation is mostly attributed to potential SSC fatigue effects on ascending proprioceptive afferents issued from the exercised/inflamed antagonist muscles.
Central fatigue affects plantar flexor strength after prolonged running
Authors: Saldanha A. , Nordlund Ekblom M. M. , Thorstensson A.
Published: February 2010

The primary aim of this study was to examine central fatigue of the plantar flexor muscle group after prolonged running using the twitch interpolation technique. Eight healthy, habitually active male subjects ran on a motorized treadmill for 2 h at a speed corresponding to 75% of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) strength as well as the electrically induced twitch produced during MVC [interpolated twitch (IT)] and at rest [resting twitch (RT)] were measured before and after running. The level of activation (LOA) during each MVC was calculated as LOA (%)=100(1−IT/RT). Both MVC and LOA decreased (17±16% and 19±15%, respectively, P<0.05) after running, whereas RT did not change. The decrease in MVC was correlated with the decrease in LOA (r=0.87, P<0.05). The results demonstrate that after 2 h of treadmill running at an intensity of 75% of VO2peak, there was a reduction in maximal voluntary plantar flexor muscle strength that was mainly related to central fatigue.
Onset of Kleine‐Levin Syndrome in association with isotretinoin treatment
Authors: Smedje H , Schwan S , Hallberg E , Hallberg P
Published: February 2010

The synthetic retinoid isotretinoin is an effective treatment option for severe forms of acne vulgaris. However, several reports indicate that some patients experience altered central nervous system functions in association with treatment. We present here the first description of the onset of Kleine‐Levin Syndrome (KLS), a rare disorder characterised by periodic hypersomnia and cognitive and behavioural symptoms, in close temporal relation to the start of isotretinoin treatment. We also discuss the biological potential of retinoids to affect sleep.

Conclusions:  In light of a documented potential of retinoids to modulate sleep‐wake regulation, the present case suggests that isotretinoin may rarely trigger the onset of KLS.
The Use of Sphere Indentation Experiments to Characterize Ceramic Damage Models
Authors: Leavy R. Brian , Brannon Rebecca M. , Strack O. Erik
Published: February 2010

Sphere impact experiments are used to calibrate and validate ceramic models that include statistical variability and/or scale effects in strength and toughness parameters. These dynamic experiments supplement traditional characterization experiments such as tension, triaxial compression, Brazilian, and plate impact, which are commonly used for ceramic model calibration. The fractured ceramic specimens are analyzed using sectioning, X‐ray computed tomography, microscopy, and other techniques. These experimental observations indicate that a predictive material model must incorporate a standard deviation in strength that varies with the nature of the loading. Methods of using the spherical indentation data to calibrate a statistical damage model are presented in which it is assumed that variability in strength is tied to microscale stress concentrations associated with microscale heterogeneity.
Inelastic Deformation Mechanisms and Damage in Structural Ceramics Subjected to High‐Velocity Impact
Authors: LaSalvia Jerry C. , McCauley James W.
Published: February 2010

The inelastic deformation mechanisms and damage features observed in structural ceramics subjected to nonpenetrating, high‐velocity impacts are similar to those seen in quasistatic Hertzian indentation, albeit more severe. For impacts on large ceramic bodies (relative to impactor diameter), cone cracking is the primary mechanism in regions of high tensile stresses. In regions of nonhydrostatic compressive stresses, depending on the material characteristics, elasticity, grain‐boundary microcracking, or plasticity are the primary mechanisms, and depending on their associated energetics, may be able to compete with the initiation and growth of cone cracks. In this regard, a new model is presented that examines the effect of grain‐boundary microcracking on cone cracking through shear‐induced dilatancy (i.e., bulking) within the quasiplastic zone that forms just underneath the impact site. Depending on the size of the quasiplastic zone and bulking pressure, it is shown that the bulking phenomenon has the potential to suppress cone cracking. Lastly, examples of other shear‐driven inelastic deformation mechanisms are presented.
Invasive Temperate Species are a Threat to Tropical Island Biodiversity
Authors: Meyer Wallace M. , Cowie Robert H.
Published: February 2010

To protect the remaining biodiversity on tropical islands it is important to predict the elevational ranges of non‐native species. We evaluated two hypotheses by examining land snail faunas on the eastern (windward) side of the island of Hawaii: (1) the latitude of a species' native region can be used to predict its potential elevational range and (2) non‐native temperate species, which experience greater climatic fluctuations in their native range, are more likely to become established at higher elevations and to extend over larger elevational ranges than non‐native tropical species. All non‐native tropical species were distributed patchily among sites ≤500 m and occupied small elevational ranges, whereas species introduced from temperate regions occupied wide elevational ranges and formed a distinct fauna spanning elevations 500–2000 m. Most native land snail species and ecosystems occur >500 m in areas dominated by temperate non‐native snail and slug species. Therefore, knowing the native latitudinal region of a non‐native species is important for conservation of tropical island ecosystems because it can be translated into potential elevational range if those species are introduced. Because temperate species will survive in tropical locales particularly at high elevation, on many tropical islands the last refuges of the native species, preventing introduction of temperate species should be a conservation priority.
Effects of plant trichomes on herbivores and predators on soybeans
Authors: Dai Hongjun , Wang Yi , Du Yuzhou , Ding Jianqing
Published: February 2010

Abstract  Tritrophic interaction in soybean system has received increasing attention recently. However, few studies have investigated the influence of plant trichomes on the population dynamics of soybean herbivores and their natural enemies. We conducted a field survey to investigate whether soybean trichomes affected the abundance of herbivores and their predators. The results of this study show that moderately or densely pubescent trichomes have positive influences on the abundance of some herbivores (e.g., Stollia guttiger) and predators (e.g., Propylaea japonica and Orius similes) although the influence may change over time, while trichome types do not affect the density of soybean aphid, Aphis glycines.
Socio‐economic differentials in peripheral biology: Cumulative allostatic load
Authors: Seeman Teresa , Epel Elissa , Gruenewald Tara , Karlamangla Arun , McEwen Bruce S.
Published: February 2010

This chapter focuses on evidence linking socio‐economic status (SES) to “downstream” peripheral biology. Drawing on the concept of allostatic load, we examine evidence linking lower SES with greater cumulative physiological toll on multiple major biological regulatory systems over the life course. We begin by reviewing evidence linking lower SES to poorer trajectories of aging in multiple, individual physiological systems, followed by evidence of the resulting cumulative, overall burdens of physiological dysregulation seen among those of lower SES. The role of cumulative physiological dysregulation in mediating SES gradients in morbidity and mortality is then examined. We conclude with discussion of the question of interactions between SES (and other such environmental factors) and genetic endowment, and their potential consequences for patterns of physiological activity—an area of research that appears poised to contribute significantly to our understanding of how social conditions “get under the skin” to affect health and aging.
Evaluating the evidence base: Policies and interventions to address socioeconomic status gradients in healtha
Authors: Dow William H. , Schoeni Robert F. , Adler Nancy E. , Stewart Judith
Published: February 2010

This chapter discusses the current evidence base for policies that could address socioeconomic status (SES) health gradients in the United States. The present volume has documented an enormous amount of research on the linkages between SES and health, but there are still relatively few studies that rigorously establish the effectiveness of particular policies or interventions in reducing those gradients. Given the difficulty in developing randomized evidence for many types of interventions related to social determinants of health, we argue for conducting policy analysis from a Bayesian perspective. This Bayesian approach combines information on best available theory and evidence regarding probable health benefits and costs of an intervention, providing a framework that also incorporates the probable costs of inaction. The second half of the chapter adopts a ladder metaphor to classify policies and interventions that could reduce SES gradients in population health. Using this framework, we consider the evidence base for various types of policies, focusing primarily on the social determinants of health, under the rubric that “all policy is health policy.” We conclude by discussing promising strategies for future strengthening of the evidence base for policy, including the role of health impact assessment.
Hypothesis: It Is Time to Reconsider Phenotypes in Hypertension
Authors: Orias Marcelo , Tabares Aldo H. , Peixoto Aldo J.
Published: February 2010

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The study of genes and mechanisms associated with hypertension is hampered by the heterogeneity of hypertensive patients. Refining the definition of hypertension is a potential means of improving the clarity of mechanistic studies, but the lack of intermediate phenotypes hinders the assessment of causal relationships. Looking at younger individuals and hemodynamic subsets of hypertension is one such refinement. The authors argue that the separate analysis of patients with isolated diastolic hypertension, predominantly diastolic hypertension, and isolated systolic hypertension in the young in combination with common biomarkers may be an initial step to decrease heterogeneity within patient subsets, thus providing new avenues for genetic and pathophysiological studies.
The Interacting‐Reflecting Training Exercise: Addressing the Therapist’s Inner Conversation in Family Therapy Training
Authors: Rober Peter
Published: February 2010

In recent years several authors have made a beginning in describing therapeutic conversations from a dialogical perspective. Training and supervision, however, have not yet been addressed from a dialogical perspective. In this article, an experiential training exercise is described that is focused on the basic dialogical skills of the trainee: respectful inquiry and constructive reflecting. Rather than teaching and instructing, this training exercise is aimed at staging a dialogue. The trainees are invited to take part in this dialogue, as they are encouraged to experiment with new positions and new ways of encountering others, and as their different voices tell of their experiences, of the things they have learned, and of the new perspectives that have opened up for them. Leaning on ideas about the therapist’s inner conversation (Rober, 1999, 2005b) and stressing the importance of polyphony, dialogism, and tolerance for uncertainty, the training exercise described in this article is consistent with a dialogical and postmodernist frame, as described by Seikkula and Olson (2003).
The Experiences of Parents of Adolescents in Family Therapy: A Qualitative Investigation
Authors: Sheridan Maryann , Peterson Brennan D. , Rosen Karen H.
Published: February 2010

While understanding clients’ experiences in family therapy is becoming increasingly important, we know very little about how the parents of adolescents in family therapy perceive and experience this process. The current study uses a multicase qualitative design and constructivist theoretical framework to describe the experiences of 15 parents of adolescents attending family therapy in private practices. Constant comparative analysis revealed four core categories that described parents’ therapeutic experiences: (a) pretherapy presentation, (b) supportive therapeutic climate, (c) family therapy process, and (d) reflections on the therapy experience. The implications of study findings for clinicians and researchers are presented and discussed.
EXTEND‐I: safety and efficacy of ranibizumab in Japanese patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Tano Yasuo , Ohji Masahito
Published: February 2010

Purpose:  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) in Japanese patients.

Methods:  This open‐label, multicentre, Phase I/II study enroled patients into Group A (single injection of ranibizumab nonrandomized doses of 0.3 or 0.5 mg followed by 11 monthly injections of the same dose) and Group B (12 monthly injections of ranibizumab randomized to 0.3 or 0.5 mg). The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change from baseline in best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) score at Month 6. Safety was evaluated in all patients who received ranibizumab.

Results:  Of 88 patients enroled, 12 entered Group A (six per dose) and 76 entered Group B (0.3 mg: n = 35; 0.5 mg: n = 41). Mean change from baseline in BCVA was significantly increased for both doses (Group B) at Month 6 (0.3 mg: +8.1 letters, p = 0.0006; 0.5 mg: +9.0 letters, p < 0.0001) and Month 12 (0.3 mg: +9.5 letters, p = 0.0001; 0.5 mg: +10.5 letters, p < 0.0001). At Month 12, one patient (0.3 mg) and 0 patients (0.5 mg) lost ≥15 letters, while 37.1% (0.3 mg) and 31.7% (0.5 mg) of patients gained ≥15 letters. Ocular serious adverse events (SAEs) of the study eye were reported in 1 and 2 patients in the 0.3‐ and 0.5‐mg groups, respectively. Nonocular SAEs were experienced by 2 and 5 patients in the 0.3‐ and 0.5‐mg groups, respectively. No cases of endophthalmitis were reported.

Conclusion:  Ranibizumab was effective and well tolerated in Japanese patients with subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD.
Comparison of bimanual and micro‐coaxial phacoemulsification with torsional ultrasound
Authors: Wang Yujuan , Xia Yuanling , Liu Xialin , Zheng Danying , Luo Lixia , Liu Yizhi
Published: February 2010

Purpose:  To evaluate the efficacy and postoperative outcomes of bimanual and micro‐coaxial phacoemulsification with torsional ultrasound.

Methods:  In this prospective randomized series, eyes with age‐related cataract were randomly divided into bimanual phacoemulsification and micro‐coaxial phacoemulsification groups. Data included preoperative and postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), central/temporal corneal thickness, endothelial cell density and intraoperative ultrasound time, cumulative dissipated energy and balanced salt solution volume.

Results:  The study evaluated 89 patients (89 eyes). When compared between micro‐coaxial and bimanual phaco groups, ultrasound time (57 ± 24 second versus 85 ± 40 second, p < 0.01), cumulative dissipated energy (10 ± 7 versus 14 ± 7, p = 0.01) and balanced salt solution volume (55 ± 19 ml l versus 75 ± 20 ml, p < 0.01) were significantly lower in micro‐coaxial phaco group. At 1 day, there were no statistically significant differences in CDVA (p = 0.68) or central corneal thickness (p = 0.48) between two groups; temporal corneal thickness was statistically significantly thicker in bimanual phaco group (1247 ± 123 μm) than that in micro‐coaxial phaco group (1108 ± 131 μm, p = 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in CDVA, central/temporal corneal thickness, or endothelial cell density between two groups 30 days postoperatively (all p values >0.05).

Conclusion:  With rapid visual rehabilitation and comparable endothelial cell loss, both bimanual and micro‐coaxial phacoemulsification procedures with torsional ultrasound are efficient for moderate nuclear cataract extraction.
Correcting the Normalized Gain for Guessing
Authors: Stewart John , Stewart Gay
Published: February 2010

The normalized gain, g, has been an important tool for the characterization of conceptual improvement in physics courses since its use in Hake's extensive study on conceptual learning in introductory physics.1 The normalized gain is calculated from the score on a pre-test administered before instruction and a post-test administered after instruction and is defined as g = post-test − pre-test/100 − pre-test, (1) where both the pre-test and post-test have a maximum score of 100. The statistic has been used in many published works since Hake's paper. It has become sufficiently important that extensions to the statistic2 and investigations of its detailed properties3 have recently been published. This paper investigates the effect of students' guessing on the normalized gain and develops a correction for guessing for the pre-test and post-test. The normalized gain is found to be insensitive to the effects of guessing.
Modulating Motion in the Membrane
Authors: Ray L. Bryan
Published: February 2010

Depending on the activating signal, activation of phospholipase C–β
2
in the plasma membrane can be localized or dispersed.
Npr2, Yeast Homolog of the Human Tumor Suppressor
NPRL2
, Is a Target of Grr1 Required for Adaptation to Growth on Diverse Nitrogen Sources
Authors: Spielewoy Nathalie , Guaderrama Marisela , Wohlschlegel James A. , Ashe Mabelle , Yates John R. , Wittenberg Curt
Published: February 2010

Npr2, a putative “nitrogen permease regulator” and homolog of the human tumor suppressor
NPRL2
, was found to interact with Grr1, the F-box component of the SCF
Grr1
(Skp1–cullin–F-box protein complex containing Grr1) E3 ubiquitin ligase, by mass spectrometry-based multidimensional protein identification technology. Npr2 has two PEST sequences and has been previously identified among ubiquitinated proteins. Like other Grr1 targets, Npr2 is a phosphoprotein. Phosphorylated Npr2 accumulates in
grr1
Δ mutants, and Npr2 is stabilized in cells with inactivated proteasomes. Phosphorylation and instability depend upon the type I casein kinases (CK1) Yck1 and Yck2. Overexpression of Npr2 is detrimental to cells and is lethal in
grr1
Δ mutants. Npr2 is required for robust growth in defined medium containing ammonium or urea as a nitrogen source but not for growth on rich medium.
npr2
Δ mutants also fail to efficiently complete meiosis. Together, these data indicate that Npr2 is a phosphorylation-dependent target of the SCF
Grr1
E3 ubiquitin ligase that plays a role in cell growth on some nitrogen sources.
An information-theoretic analysis of worst-case redundancy in database design
Authors: Kolahi Solmaz , Libkin Leonid
Published: February 2010

Normal forms that guide the process of database schema design have several key goals such as elimination of redundancies and preservation of integrity constraints, such as functional dependencies. It has long been known that complete elimination of redundancies and complete preservation of constraints cannot be achieved simultaneously. In this article, we use a recently introduced information-theoretic framework, and provide a quantitative analysis of the redundancy/integrity preservation trade-off, and give techniques for comparing different schema designs in terms of the amount of redundancy they carry.

The main notion of the information-theoretic framework is that of an information content of each datum in an instance (which is a number in [0,1]): the closer to 1, the less redundancy it carries. We start by providing a combinatorial criterion that lets us calculate, for a relational schema with functional dependencies, the lowest information content in its instances. This indicates how good the schema design is in terms of allowing redundant information. We then study the normal form 3NF, which tolerates some redundancy to guarantee preservation of functional dependencies. The main result provides a formal justification for normal form 3NF by showing that this normal form pays the smallest possible price, in terms of redundancy, for achieving dependency preservation. We also give techniques for quantitative comparison of different normal forms based on the redundancy they tolerate.
Optimal algorithms for evaluating rank joins in database systems
Authors: Schnaitter Karl , Polyzotis Neoklis
Published: February 2010

In the rank join problem, we are given a set of relations and a scoring function, and the goal is to return the join results with the top
k
scores. It is often the case in practice that the inputs may be accessed in ranked order and the scoring function is monotonic. These conditions allow for efficient algorithms that solve the rank join problem without reading all of the input. In this article, we present a thorough analysis of such rank join algorithms. A strong point of our analysis is that it is based on a more general problem statement than previous work, making it more relevant to the execution model that is employed by database systems. One of our results indicates that the well-known HRJN algorithm has shortcomings, because it does not stop reading its input as soon as possible. We find that it is NP-hard to overcome this weakness in the general case, but cases of limited query complexity are tractable. We prove the latter with an algorithm that infers provably tight bounds on the potential benefit of reading more input in order to stop as soon as possible. As a result, the algorithm achieves a cost that is within a constant factor of optimal.
Effect of compressed offline foveated video on viewing behavior and subjective quality
Authors: Nyström Marcus , Holmqvist Kenneth
Published: February 2010

Offline foveation is a technique to improve the compression efficiency of digitized video. The general idea behind offline foveation is to blur video regions where no or a small number of previewers look without decreasing the subjective quality for later viewers. It relies on the fact that peripheral vision is reduced compared to central vision, and the observation that during free-viewing humans' gaze positions generally coincide when watching video. In this article, we conduct two experiments to assess how offline foveation affects viewing behavior and subjective quality. In the first experiment, 15 subjects free-viewed six video clips before and after offline foveation whereas in the second experiment we had 17 subjects assessing the quality of these videos after one, two, and three consecutive viewings. Eye movements were measured during the experiments. Results showed that, although offline foveation prior to encoding with H.264 yielded data reductions up to 52% (20% average) on the tested videos, it had little or no effect on where people looked, their intersubject dispersion, fixation duration, saccade amplitude, or the experienced quality during first-time viewing. However, seeing the videos more than once increased the intersubject dispersion and decreased the subjective quality. In view of these results, we discuss the usage of offline foveated video in practical applications.
Ending the tradeoff of time vs. quality when creating 3D computer graphics content
Authors: Herrera Alex
Published: February 2010

Novel software technology harnesses powerful hardware advancements to transform the traditional 3D computer graphics production paradigm, revolutionizing and streamlining workflow with real-time graphics processing.
Understanding earthquakes with advanced visualization
Authors: Hsieh Tung-Ju
Published: February 2010

"Dr. Hsieh has done extensive work in earthquake data visualization. After what recently happened in Haiti, this article is timely." - Kwan-Liu Ma, VisFiles editor
From the animation industry to academia and research
Authors: Chavez Mark
Published: February 2010

It seems like it was practically just a few years ago that I was living Los Angeles, California, commuting on the freeway and working on "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". I left that project upon the completion of my tasks to join in setting up an art school at a technological university in Singapore.

It was a good respite from years of production work in "Hollywood." Not that I disliked working in the visual effects and animation industry, quite the contrary. After working in computer animation for the past 25 years, first in Los Angeles, then overseas in Tokyo, in New York and finally returning to Los Angeles in 1995, entering corporate animation production (and salary) was a great opportunity to do interesting work with teams of talented people from many different backgrounds: artists, animators, software developers, research scientists and of course experienced and capable producers. Though production work was engaging particularly in situations where we were developing pipelines and techniques, there is a limit to how many times I could do the same or similar thing and find it interesting. Though I did live and work in Tokyo years earlier I had not considered the possibility pursuing my interests in South East Asia until I looked at the broader scope of career opportunities in an academic and research environment.
Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Advanced Common Solid Cancers
Authors: Hall Isaac E. , Andersen Martin S. , Krumholz Harlan M. , Gross Cary P.
Published: February 2010

There is uncertainty about risk heterogeneity for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in older patients with advanced cancer and whether patients can be stratified according to VTE risk. We performed a retrospective cohort study of the linked Medicare-Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry in older patients with advanced cancer of lung, breast, colon, prostate, or pancreas diagnosed between 1995–1999. We used survival analysis with demographics, comorbidities, and tumor characteristics/treatment as independent variables. Outcome was VTE diagnosed at least one month after cancer diagnosis. VTE rate was highest in the first year (3.4%). Compared to prostate cancer (1.4 VTEs/100 person-years), there was marked variability in VTE risk (hazard ratio (HR) for male-colon cancer 3.73 (95% CI 2.1–6.62), female-colon cancer HR 6.6 (3.83–11.38), up to female-pancreas cancer HR 21.57 (12.21–38.09). Stage IV cancer and chemotherapy resulted in higher risk (HRs 1.75 (1.44–2.12) and 1.31 (1.0–1.57), resp.). Stratifying the cohort by cancer type and stage using recursive partitioning analysis yielded five groups of VTE rates (nonlocalized prostate cancer 1.4 VTEs/100 person-years, to nonlocalized pancreatic cancer 17.4 VTEs/100 patient-years). In a high-risk population with advanced cancer, substantial variability in VTE risk exists, with notable differences according to cancer type and stage.
Polymorphisms in Matrix Metalloproteinase-1, -9 and -12 Genes and the Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Korean Population
Authors: Lee Shin-Yup , Kim Min-Jung , Kang Hyo-Gyung , Yoo Seung-Soo , Choi Yi-Young , Lee Won-Kee , Cha Seung-Ick , Kim Chang-Ho , Jung Tae-Hoon , Park Jae-Yong
Published: February 2010

Background: Although a few studies have been conducted to evaluate the association of polymorphisms in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the results have been inconsistent. Objectives: To investigate the association of 3 polymorphisms of MMP genes (MMP-1 –1607G→GG, MMP-9 –1562C→T and MMP-12 N357S), which have been reported to be associated with COPD-related phenotypes, with the risk of COPD in a Korean population. Methods: The genotypes of the 3 polymorphisms were determined in 301 patients with COPD and 333 healthy controls. Results: Of the 3 polymorphisms studied, only the distribution of the MMP-9 –1562C→T genotypes was significantly different between the cases and controls (p = 0.01), with the frequency of the variant T allele being significantly lower in the cases than in the controls (10.4 vs. 15.7%; p = 0.006). Individuals with at least 1 variant T allele were at a significantly decreased risk of COPD when compared with those with homozygous wild-type alleles (adjusted odds ratio = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.45–0.98; p = 0.04). Conclusions: These findings suggest that the MMP-9 –1562C→T polymorphism could be used as a marker for determining the genetic susceptibility to COPD in a Korean population.