bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relation between self‐knowledge reference and self‐monitoring of emotional state1
Authors: NAKAO TAKASHI , MIYATANI MAKOTO
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  We used a task facilitation paradigm to examine whether self‐knowledge reference and self‐monitoring have a functional relationship. Eighteen participants performed a series of tasks: self‐knowledge reference, evaluation, self‐monitoring, and semantic. Responses on the self‐knowledge reference task were faster when the previous task was self‐monitoring rather than semantic. However, responses on the self‐monitoring task were similar regardless of whether it was preceded by the self‐knowledge reference task or the evaluation task. Our results suggest that self‐monitoring induces self‐knowledge reference.
Effects of age and competence type on the emotions: Focusing on sadness and anger
Authors: HAYAMIZU TOSHIHIKO , KINO KAZUYO , TAKAGI KUNIKO
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  The effects of age and competence type on emotional reactions were demonstrated in this study. Participants: (362 junior high‐school students, 658 senior high‐school students, 407 undergraduates, and 1027 adults) were asked to rate the Assumed‐competence Scale, second version (ACS‐2) and Rosenberg's Self‐esteem Scale, which were prepared to classify the participants into four competence types: Omnipotent, Assumed, Self‐respective, and Atrophy. They also rated their perceived emotional reactions toward negative personal and social events, and the responses were compared among age groups and competence types. Remarkable results showed that the Assumed and the Atrophy types were prominent in junior and senior high‐school students. They tend to get angry toward negative personal events, and they also tend not to respond emotionally toward social events. Another result was that people in the Assumed and Omnipotent types were likely to get angry toward both personal and social events, and they were also less responsive toward social events.
Effects of self‐explanation as a metacognitive strategy for solving mathematical word problems1
Authors: TAJIKA HIDETSUGU , NAKATSU NARAO , NOZAKI HIRONARI , NEUMANN EWALD , MARUNO SHUNICHI
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  This study examined how a metacognitive strategy known as self‐explanation influences word problem solving in elementary school children. Participants were 79 sixth‐graders. They were assigned to one of three groups: the self‐explanation group, the self‐learning group, or the control group. Students in each group performed a ratio word problem test and a transfer test. The results showed that students in the self‐explanation group outperformed students in the other two groups on both the ratio word problem test and on the transfer test. In addition, high explainers who generated more self‐explanations relating to deep understanding of worked‐out examples outperformed low explainers on both ratio word problem and transfer tests. The self‐explanation effect is discussed.
Fluctuations in the tympanic membrane temperatures of non‐restrained captive giant anteaters and southern tamanduas
Authors: Fernandes T. N. , Young R. J.
Published: September 2007

Members of the family Myrmecophagidae (i.e. anteaters) show a variety of anatomical and behavioural adaptations to deal with their low‐energy diet; for example, they all have low body temperatures in comparison with other eutherian mammals. In this study, we investigated the tympanic membrane temperatures (Tmt) of two giant anteaters and three southern tamanduas, housed in captivity and exposed to natural climatic variations in temperature, using an infrared thermometer. Additionally, we measured external dorsal temperature (Td), air temperature (Ta), substrate temperature (Ts) and whether the subject was active or not. To understand the effect of time of day on these variables, we recorded them, on the hour, over four 24‐h cycles for each animal during which the subjects were non‐restrained within their enclosures. The results show that both giant anteaters and southern tamanduas allow their Tmt to reduce between 4.0 and 6.5 °C when they are sleeping. Furthermore, linear regressions between Tmt and Ta or Ts showed that the giant anteaters were much more affected by Ta and Ts than the southern tamanduas. Both species also showed higher Tmt when active (comparing subjects active and inactive at the same Ta). Both species appear to use shallow torpor during a normal 24‐h cycle probably as a means to economize energy. The torpor in giant anteaters occurred during the night when asleep, whereas in the southern tamanduas it occurred at any time of day when asleep. The giant anteaters appeared to be more directly affected by environmental temperature than the southern tamanduas.
Material properties of manatee rib bone
Authors: Clifton K. B. , Yan J. , Mecholsky J. J. , Reep R. L.
Published: September 2007

Watercraft‐related mortality of the Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris accounts for 24% of all deaths from 1974 to 2006. Of these, the proportion of deaths due to impact accounts for 66% of all watercraft fatalities. To establish safe boat speeds for manatee protection, an estimate of the material properties of their bone is needed to quantify the biomechanical effects of boat strikes on manatees. Manatee ribs are unique in that they are pachyostotic. Machined specimens from ribs were tested in three point flexure. Strength, modulus, work of fracture and fracture toughness were determined for three size classes, by sex. The mean flexural strength ranged from 62 to 160 MPa, elastic modulus from 4 to 18 GPa and work of fracture from 3 to 6 MJ m−3. Fractographic analysis was used to calculate toughness, which averaged 1.4–2.9 MPa m1/2. The results show that manatee bone material is less strong and tough than other mammalian bone. Although the bone increases in static strength as the animals grow, it is not able to absorb more energy. In fact, the ability to absorb impact energy appears to decline with increasing size in animals over 265 cm body length. This decline is due in part to the bone's high density and mineral content. There was little change in mineral content with size, suggesting that material properties are likely correlated with bone quantity. There were no differences in mechanical variables between the sexes. The pachyostotic nature of the bone, which makes the manatee well adapted to its environment, also leaves it highly susceptible to fatal injuries from boats.
Plasticity of the duration of metamorphosis in the African clawed toad
Authors: Walsh P. T. , Downie J. R. , Monaghan P.
Published: September 2007

In organisms with complex life cycles, such as amphibians, selection is thought to have minimized the duration of metamorphosis, because this is the stage at which predation risk is presumed to be highest. Consequently, metamorphic duration is often assumed to show little if any environmentally induced plasticity, because the elevation in the extrinsic mortality risk associated with prolonging metamorphosis is presumed to have selected for a duration as short as is compatible with normal development. We examined the extent to which metamorphic duration in the anuran amphibianXenopus laeviswas sensitive to environmental temperature. Metamorphic duration was influenced by body size, but independent of this effect, it was strongly influenced by environmental temperature: the duration at 18 °C was more than double that at 24 and 30 °C. We also compared the vulnerability of larval, metamorphosing and post metamorphicXenopusto predators by measuring their burst swimming speeds. Burst swim speed increased through development and while we found no evidence that it was reduced during metamorphosis, it did increase sharply on completion of metamorphosis. We therefore found no evidence of a substantial increase in vulnerability to predators during metamorphosis compared with larval stages, and hence the slowing of metamorphosis in response to temperature may not be as costly as has been assumed.
Relationship between milk energy intake and growth rate in suckling mammalian young at peak lactation: an updated meta‐analysis
Authors: Riek A.
Published: September 2007

The milk energy intakes and growth rates of suckling young at peak lactation of 62 mammalian species and subspecies, all measured using either the weigh–suckle–weigh, the isotope dilution or the isotope transfer method, were evaluated. The mean daily gross energy intakes (GEI) were as low as 12 kJ in a small rodent (mouse) to as high as 249 MJ in a phocid seal (hooded seal Cystophora cristata), while the daily growth rates at peak lactation ranged from 0.4 to 5.9 kg. Several allometric equations were calculated to explore the relationships between gross energy intake via milk and body weight (BW), growth rate and BW, as well as between gross energy intake via milk and growth rate. The results suggest that both GEI via milk and growth rates are proportional to BW to the power of 0.82. Accordingly, the metabolic weight of suckling mammalian young should be expressed as BW0.82. The predictive values of the calculated equations indicate that suckling young at peak lactation consume c. 883 kJ day−1 kg−1 BW0.82 and have growth rates of 32 g day−1 kg−1 BW0.82. However, large deviations for some species and few outliers were found. These equations could be used to predict values for species that have not been studied, provided that the BW falls within the range of weights used to derive the equations.
MANDATORY HIV TESTING IN PREGNANCY: IS THERE EVER A TIME?
Authors: ARMSTRONG RUSSELL
Published: September 2007

Despite recent advances in ways to prevent transmission of HIV from a mother to her child during pregnancy, infants continue to be born and become infected with HIV, particularly in southern Africa where HIV prevalence is the highest in the world. In this region, emphasis has shifted from voluntary HIV counselling and testing to routine testing of women during pregnancy. There have also been proposals for mandatory testing. Could mandatory testing ever be an option, even in high‐prevalence settings? Many previous examinations of mandatory testing have dealt with it in the context of low HIV prevalence and a well‐resourced health care system. In this discussion, different assumptions are made. Within this context, where mandatory testing may be a strategy of last resort, the objections to it are reviewed. Special attention is paid in the discussion to the entrenched vulnerability of women in much of southern Africa and how this contributes to both HIV prevalence and ongoing challenges for preventing HIV transmission during pregnancy. While mandatory testing is ethically plausible, particularly when coupled with guaranteed access to treatment and care, the discussion argues that the moment to employ this strategy has not yet come. Many barriers remain for pregnant women in terms of access to testing, treatment and care, most acutely in the southern African setting, despite the presence of national and international human rights instruments aimed at empowering women and removing such barriers. While this situation persists, mandatory HIV testing during pregnancy cannot be justified.
MTV: 360° of the industrial production of culture
Authors: Rosati Clayton
Published: September 2007

A political economic analysis of mass media and culture is conspicuously absent in geography. The symbolic or textual emphasis of most materialist media theories presents media simply as a struggle over images, omitting space from the equation altogether, except in metaphorical terms. This paper presents a framework for understanding the conditions under which culture is increasingly produced by media corporations for the global accumulation of capital. The paper first discusses the importance of thinking about the production of culture as the ‘industrial production of culture’ and its relationship to the media as part of the capitalist division of labour. Second, it explores more fully the spatial and material limits to the industrial production of culture through mass media. Lastly, it uses MTV and its ‘360°’ initiative as a critical case study to describe the role of a particularly successful industrial cultural producer within the spatial division of labour, as an advertising platform for international marketing.
Comparing Effectiveness of Experimental and Implemented Bycatch Reduction Measures: the Ideal and the Real
Authors: COX T. M. , LEWISON R. L. , ŽYDELIS R. , CROWDER L. B. , SAFINA C. , READ A. J.
Published: September 2007

Abstract: Fishers, scientists, and resource managers have made substantial progress in reducing bycatch of sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals through physical modifications to fishing gear. Many bycatch‐avoidance measures have been developed and tested successfully in controlled experiments, which have led to regulated implementation of modified or new fishing gear. Nevertheless, successful bycatch experiments may not translate to effective mitigation in commercial fisheries because experimental conditions are relaxed in commercial fishing operations. Such a difference between experimental results and real‐world results with fishing fleets may have serious consequences for management and conservation of protected species taken as bycatch. We evaluated preimplementation experimental measures and postimplementation efficacy from primary and gray literature for three case studies: acoustic pingers that warn marine mammals of the presence of gill nets, turtle excluder devices that reduce bycatch of turtles in trawls, and various measures to reduce seabird bycatch in longlines. Three common themes to successful implementation of bycatch reduction measures are long‐standing collaborations among the fishing industry, scientists, and resource managers; pre‐ and postimplementation monitoring; and compliance via enforcement and incentives.
Genetic Data and the Listing of Species Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act
Authors: FALLON SYLVIA M.
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  Genetic information is becoming an influential factor in determining whether species, subspecies, and distinct population segments qualify for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Nevertheless, there are currently no standards or guidelines that define how genetic information should be used by the federal agencies that administer the act. I examined listing decisions made over a 10‐year period (February 1996–February 2006) that relied on genetic information. There was wide variation in the genetic data used to inform listing decisions in terms of which genomes (mitochondrial vs. nuclear) were sampled and the number of markers (or genetic techniques) and loci evaluated. In general, whether the federal agencies identified genetic distinctions between putative taxonomic units or populations depended on the type and amount of genetic data. Studies that relied on multiple genetic markers were more likely to detect distinctions, and those organisms were more likely to receive protection than studies that relied on a single genetic marker. Although the results may, in part, reflect the corresponding availability of genetic techniques over the given time frame, the variable use of genetic information for listing decisions has the potential to misguide conservation actions. Future management policy would benefit from guidelines for the critical evaluation of genetic information to list or delist organisms under the Endangered Species Act.
Infectious Diseases and Extinction Risk in Wild Mammals
Authors: PEDERSEN AMY B. , JONES KATE E. , NUNN CHARLES L. , ALTIZER SONIA
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  Parasite‐driven declines in wildlife have become increasingly common and can pose significant risks to natural populations. We used the IUCN Red List of Threatened and Endangered Species and compiled data on hosts threatened by infectious disease and their parasites to better understand the role of infectious disease in contemporary host extinctions. The majority of mammal species considered threatened by parasites were either carnivores or artiodactyls, two clades that include the majority of domesticated animals. Parasites affecting host threat status were predominantly viruses and bacteria that infect a wide range of host species, including domesticated animals. Counter to our predictions, parasites transmitted by close contact were more likely to cause extinction risk than those transmitted by other routes. Mammal species threatened by parasites were not better studied for infectious diseases than other threatened mammals and did not have more parasites or differ in four key traits demonstrated to affect parasite species richness in other comparative studies. Our findings underscore the need for better information concerning the distribution and impacts of infectious diseases in populations of endangered mammals. In addition, our results suggest that evolutionary similarity to domesticated animals may be a key factor associated with parasite‐mediated declines; thus, efforts to limit contact between domesticated hosts and wildlife could reduce extinction risk.
Predicting the Range of Chinese Mitten Crabs in Europe
Authors: HERBORG LEIF‐MATTHIAS , RUDNICK DEBORAH A. , SILIANG YANG , LODGE DAVID M. , MacISAAC HUGH J.
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  Ecological niche modeling provides a means for predicting the potential future distribution of a nonindigenous species based on environmental characteristics of the species' native range. We applied this method to the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), a catadromous crustacean with a long history of invasion in Europe. We used genetic algorithm for rule‐set prediction to predict the potential European distribution of mitten crab based on its distribution in 42 locations in its native Asia. The climatic variables, air temperature, number of days, amount of precipitation, and wetness index, contributed significantly to predictions of native distribution limits. Although the genetic algorithm for rule‐set prediction model was developed for the native range, the species' extensive distribution in Europe (n =434) allowed independent validation of the predictions. Application of the model to Europe was successful, with 84% of occurrences in regions predicted to be suitable by >80% of the models and <4% of occurrences in areas predicted suitable by <50% of the models (mainly along the northern range). At the watershed scale, areas with established mitten crab populations had significantly higher habitat matching than sites that were not invaded. The independent validation of the Asian‐based model by the European distribution revealed that predictions were highly accurate. The model also identified large areas of Europe, particularly along the Mediterranean coast, as vulnerable to future invasion. These predictions can be used to develop strategies to control the spread of mitten crab by preventing introductions into vulnerable areas.
Introduced Birds and the Fate of Hawaiian Rainforests
Authors: FOSTER JEFFREY T. , ROBINSON SCOTT K.
Published: September 2007

Abstract: The Hawaiian Islands have lost nearly all their native seed dispersers, but have gained many frugivorous birds and fleshy‐fruited plants through introductions. Introduced birds may not only aid invasions of exotic plants but also may be the sole dispersers of native plants. We assessed seed dispersal at the ecotone between native‐ and exotic‐dominated forests and quantified bird diets, seed rain from defecated seeds, and plant distributions. Introduced birds were the primary dispersers of native seeds into exotic‐dominated forests, which may have enabled six native understory plant species to become reestablished. Some native plant species are now as common in exotic forest understory as they are in native forest. Introduced birds also dispersed seeds of two exotic plants into native forest, but dispersal was localized or establishment minimal. Seed rain of bird‐dispersed seeds was extensive in both forests, totaling 724 seeds of 9 native species and 2 exotics with over 85% of the seeds coming from native plants. Without suitable native dispersers, most common understory plants in Hawaiian rainforests now depend on introduced birds for dispersal, and these introduced species may actually facilitate perpetuation, and perhaps in some cases restoration, of native forests. We emphasize, however, that restoration of native forests by seed dispersal from introduced birds, as seen in this study, depends on the existence of native forests to provide a source of seeds and protection from the effects of ungulates. Our results further suggest that aggressive control of patches of non‐native plants within otherwise native‐dominated forests may be an important and effective conservation strategy.
Building on IUCN Regional Red Lists to Produce Lists of Species of Conservation Priority: a Model with Irish Bees
Authors: FITZPATRICK ÚNA , MURRAY TOMÁS E. , PAXTON ROBERT J. , BROWN MARK J. F.
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  A World Conservation Union (IUCN) regional red list is an objective assessment of regional extinction risk and is not the same as a list of conservation priority species. Recent research reveals the widespread, but incorrect, assumption that IUCN Red List categories represent a hierarchical list of priorities for conservation action. We developed a simple eight‐step priority‐setting process and applied it to the conservation of bees in Ireland. Our model is based on the national red list but also considers the global significance of the national population; the conservation status at global, continental, and regional levels; key biological, economic, and societal factors; and is compatible with existing conservation agreements and legislation. Throughout Ireland, almost one‐third of the bee fauna is threatened (30 of 100 species), but our methodology resulted in a reduced list of only 17 priority species. We did not use the priority species list to broadly categorize species to the conservation action required; instead, we indicated the individual action required for all threatened, near‐threatened, and data‐deficient species on the national red list based on the IUCN's conservation‐actions template file. Priority species lists will strongly influence prioritization of conservation actions at national levels, but action should not be exclusive to listed species. In addition, all species on this list will not necessarily require immediate action. Our method is transparent, reproducible, and readily applicable to other taxa and regions.
Primary Headache and Sleep Disturbances in Adolescents
Authors: Gilman Deborah K. , Palermo Tonya M. , Kabbouche Marielle A. , Hershey Andrew D. , Powers, PhD, ABPP Scott W.
Published: September 2007

Objective.—The aim of the present study was to assess sleep patterns and the prevalence of sleep problems in adolescents with primary headaches using a validated sleep screening instrument, as well as to test the association between headache and pain features and adolescent sleep behaviors.

Background.—Sleep disturbance is a common complaint that has long been associated with primary headaches, but there exists limited evidence of the headache‐sleep relationship among teens.

Methods.—Sixty‐nine adolescents aged 13 to 17 years (M= 14.7; SD= 1.4) were evaluated for headaches at 2 pediatric neurology departments (90% migraine; 10% tension‐type headache diagnoses). Participants completed the School Sleep Habits Questionnaire and a standardized questionnaire regarding headache characteristics.

Results.—Sleep complaints were prevalent among adolescents with headaches including insufficient total sleep (65.7%), daytime sleepiness (23.3%), difficulty falling asleep (40.6%), and night wakings (38%). Statistically significant relationships between headache characteristics (eg, frequency, pain intensity) and teen sleep behaviors also emerged.

Conclusions.—Our findings provide further support for an association between headache and sleep disturbances among adolescents with primary headaches. This information may provide further understanding of the nature and course of the patient's headache experience, as well as facilitate treatment planning to include recommendations for promoting good sleep hygiene.
Craniocervical Junction Schwannoma Mimicking Occipital Neuralgia
Authors: Garza Ivan
Published: September 2007

Occipital neuralgia is a very well recognized cause of posterior headache. Although hypoesthesia may be found in the individual occipital nerve's territory, the remaining neurologic exam is typically normal. An abnormal neurologic exam is an alert for potential underlying causes of symptoms.
Familial Hemiplegic Migraine: Permanent Attack‐Related Neurologic Deficits
Authors: Dodick David , Roarke Michael
Published: September 2007

Hemiplegic migraine (HM) is characterized by motor weakness and at least one other aura symptom or sign that is fully reversible within 24 hours. While prolonged neurological impairment lasting weeks has been observed, persistent attack‐related neurological deficits have not been described. This case illustrates the potential for permanent neurological deficits to occur as a sequelae of HM in the absence of infarction, and highlights potentially important pathophysiological and treatment implications.
Positron Emission Tomography in the Diagnosis and Management of Giant Cell Arteritis
Authors: Szmodis Michael L. , Reba Richard C. , Earl‐Graef David
Published: September 2007

We describe a 58‐year‐old woman who presented with new onset of temporal headaches and a nondiagnostic temporal artery biopsy in whom positron emission tomography led to the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. After treatment with corticosteroids the patient's symptoms resolved. A repeat 18FDG PET‐CT scan illustrated virtually complete resolution of the abnormal 18FDG uptake in the arterial wall.
Migraine and Cephalic Cutaneous Allodynia in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Eidlitz‐Markus Tal , Shuper Avinoam , Gorali Olga , Zeharia Avi
Published: September 2007

Allodynia is a central sensitization state characterized by a perception of pain to normally nonpainful stimuli. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of allodynia in children with migraine and to identify clinical features specific to this patient group.
From Migraine To Chronic Daily Headache: The Biological Basis of Headache Transformation
Authors: Meng Ian D. , Cao Ling
Published: September 2007

Migraine headache carries the potential of transforming into chronic daily headache (CDH) over a period of time. Although several risk factors for migraine progression to CDH have been identified, the biological basis of this transformation is unknown. In this review, the consequences of stressful life events and medication overuse, 2 risk factors associated with the development of CDH, on brain processes involved in headache are examined. The extensive overlap in both neural circuitry and cellular events that occur with stress, medication overuse, and migraine provide insight into potential mechanisms that may lead to CDH. Particular attention is devoted to the effect of stress and medication overuse on peripheral and central neuroimmune interactions that can facilitate pain signaling. These interactions include the degranulation of mast cells in the dura, causing the sensitization of primary afferent neurons, as well as the activation of glial cells in the brain that can lead to central sensitization. It is hypothesized that the biological processes involved in migraine headache are directly impacted by stress, medication overuse, and other risk factors, resulting in a reduced threshold for induction of headache and transformation of episodic migraine to CDH.
Complications of apheresis in children
Authors: Michon Bruno , Moghrabi Albert , Winikoff Rochelle , Barrette Stéphane , Bernstein Mark L. , Champagne Josette , David Michèle , Duval Michel , Hume Heather A. , Robitaille Nancy , Bélisle André , Champagne Martin A.
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND: Although the frequency of complications in adults undergoing therapeutic apheresis is low, there are little data in children.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 186 children who had undergone a total of 1632 apheresis procedures between 1994 and 2002 was conducted. Adverse reactions were prospectively documented. The procedures were plasma exchange (67%), hematopoietic progenitor cell collection (18%), red blood cell exchange (6.9%), leukodepletion (0.7%), and plasma exchange with immunoadsorption (6.7%).

RESULTS: Adverse reactions, most minor, were reported in 55 percent of procedures in 82 percent of patients. The most frequent complications, per procedure and per patient during an entire course of therapy, were hypotension (14 and 48.4%), hypotension requiring fluid bolus (4.8 and 26.9%), symptomatic hypocalcemia (9.7 and 28.5%), allergic reactions (4.4 and 5.9%), catheter‐related thrombosis (1.7 and 12.4%), catheter‐related infection (2.1 and 16.1%), and severe anemia (hemoglobin [Hb] level, <7 g/dL; 2.5 and 17.2%). There were two deaths (1% of patients). Risk factors for complications by multivariate analysis were lower body weight, lower preapheresis Hb level, apheresis in a critical care unit, and number of procedures per patient. The 55 percent incidence of complications per procedure in our pediatric cohort is much higher than the 4.3 to 28 percent incidence reported in adults. The excess of adverse reactions in children are mostly related to citrate toxicity, higher relative vascular volume shifts, and the need for vascular access.

CONCLUSION: Pediatric apheresis presents unique challenges and is associated with higher complication rate compared to adults. It is recommended that this procedure be performed in specialized centers.
Determinants of return behavior: a comparison of current and lapsed donors
Authors: Germain Marc , Glynn Simone A. , Schreiber George B. , Gélinas Stéphanie , King Melissa , Jones Mike , Bethel James , Tu Yongling
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND: There is a need to identify factors explaining why some people stop donating blood.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A random mail survey of first‐time (FT) and repeat (RPT) current (donating within 6 months before survey) and lapsed (donating >2 years prior) donors was conducted. The self‐administered questionnaire included questions on personal, social, and behavioral characteristics.

RESULTS: Among 1280 current and 1672 lapsed donors with valid addresses, the participation rate was 66.8 and 39.2 percent, respectively. In FT donors, the odds of lapsing increased with education (odds ratio [OR], 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34‐3.55 for college or higher vs. Grade 12 or less education). Lapsed FT donors were more often asked to donate (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.32‐2.70) and had less interest in incentives (p < 0.001) than current FT donors. In RPT donors, lapsed status was associated with being younger (p < 0.001) and female (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.42). Lapsed status was inversely associated with satisfaction with the last donation experience in both FT (p = 0.043) and RPT (p < 0.001) donors. Lapsed and current donors did not differ in perceived need for blood, personal transfusion experience, or mean reported altruistic behavior score.

CONCLUSION: A positive donation experience appears to be a major determinant of donor return behavior. Lapsed donors do not appear, on average, to engage in fewer altruistic behaviors than currently active donors. Retention marketing strategies that appeal solely to altruistic values need to be further evaluated for their effectiveness.
Influences of general and traditional Chinese beliefs on the decision to donate blood among employer‐organized and volunteer donors in Beijing, China
Authors: Tison Geoffrey H. , Liu Changli , Ren Furong , Nelson Kenrad , Shan Hua
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND: For the past several decades, Chinese blood centers have relied on blood donations from employer‐organized donors (blood donors who donate blood in groups with coworkers as prearranged by the employer and the local blood center). Recently the government has decided to phase out employer‐organized donors and transition to the use of only volunteer donors (blood donors who donate individually independent of employers). Evaluating the beliefs and attitudes of employer‐organized and volunteer donors is critical to maintain an adequate blood supply after this transition.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 431 volunteer donors and 527 employer‐organized donors who completed a structured questionnaire in July 2005.

RESULTS: Employer‐organized donors tended to be older, male, and married, with higher education and higher income compared to volunteer donors. Volunteer donors were more often motivated by altruism (p < 0.001) and more likely to donate larger volumes (400 mL vs. 200 mL) of blood (volunteer 70.5% vs. employer‐organized 7%; p < 0.001). Employer‐organized donors were more inhibited by factors related to traditional Chinese beliefs, such as the belief that blood donation affects life energy “Qi” (volunteer 3.1% vs. employer‐organized 12.7%; p < 0.001), and requested more time off from work after donating. Employer‐organized donors also express a greater concern about contracting disease from donating blood.

CONCLUSION: To recruit voluntary donors effectively in China and other countries with traditional cultures, efforts need to counteract traditional beliefs and perceptions of risk that discourage donation by emphasizing the benefits, safety mechanisms, physiology, and epidemiology of blood donation. In China, there is a rich opportunity to convert prior employer‐organized donors into volunteer donors, and the institution of a confidential predonation screening system may help to facilitate truthful risk factor disclosure.
Influence of pH on stored human platelets
Authors: Dekkers David W.C. , De Cuyper Iris M. , Van Der Meer Pieter F. , Verhoeven Arthur J. , De Korte Dirk
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND: During storage at room temperature, platelets (PLTs) undergo several changes, a process known as PLT storage lesion. The pH is one of the variables changing and has been suggested to be a good surrogate marker for the quality of PLT concentrates. It is unknown whether the pH decrease as such induces the PLT storage lesion or that the deterioration of the PLTs results in the pH decrease. In this study, the responses of PLTs to applied pH values were investigated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: PLTs were washed three times in PLT additive solution (PAS‐IIIM) and were resuspended in PAS‐IIIM buffers with or without 30 percent plasma with different pH values over a range from 6.0 to 7.5 (at 37°C). The PLTs were stored in 50‐mL culture flasks at 22°C.

RESULTS: During 3 days of storage in 100 percent additive solution (AS), the extracellular pH did not affect in vitro quality measures. Both at the lower and at the higher end of the pH range, we observed an increased glycolytic flux, accelerated at Day 6. Also in the presence of 30 percent plasma, the effect of extracellular pH was very limited, but all variables indicated better PLT quality with stable values up to Day 6 of storage.

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that PLTs stored in 100 percent AS are able to cope with high and low pH values without a strong deterioration within 3 days. PLTs stored in 30 percent plasma‐70 percent AS are more capable in dealing with different pH values than PLTs stored in AS and remained stable for 6 days. We suggest that the pH decrease is a result of the PLT storage lesion and not the cause.
Short‐term benefits and risks of intravenous iron: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Notebaert Éric , Chauny Jean‐Marc , Albert Martin , Fortier Simon , Leblanc Nancy , Williamson David R.
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND:Intravenous (IV) iron may correct anemia more efficiently than oral iron, but it has been associated with allergic and hemodynamic reactions, and it may increase the risks of infectious complications. The objective of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to clarify these controversial issues.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:Studies evaluating the use of IV iron compared to enteral or no iron with outcomes within 2 months of treatment initiation were identified. Only randomized controlled trials were included. When a meta‐analysis was possible, studies were combined with the Review Manager of the Cochrane Collaboration Group 2003. Statistics were calculated as standardized mean differences (SMDs), with a random‐effect model.

RESULTS:Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria. Meta‐analysis revealed a significant increase in the reticulocyte count (SMD, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10‐1.29; p = 0.02) and in ferritin levels (SMD, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.69‐1.68; p = 0.00001), but it also showed that in such a short period of time, IV iron does not correct hemoglobin (Hb)‐hematocrit (Hct) better than enteral or no iron. In a sensitivity analysis, however, the increase in Hb‐Hct became significant in the nondextran group (SMD, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.04‐0.51; p = 0.02). No increase in transferrin saturation was observed. Meta‐analysis of the allergic and hemodynamic reactions was not possible as most studies did not clearly describe these outcomes.

CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that treatment with nondextran IV iron may benefit a wide variety of patients. Randomized controlled studies are definitively needed to further evaluate the usefulness and safety of IV iron.
Beyond Moran'sI: Testing for Spatial Dependence Based on the Spatial Autoregressive Model
Authors: Li Hongfei , Calder Catherine A. , Cressie Noel
Published: September 2007

The statistic known as Moran's I is widely used to test for the presence of spatial dependence in observations taken on a lattice. Under the null hypothesis that the data are independent and identically distributed normal random variates, the distribution of Moran's I is known, and hypothesis tests based on this statistic have been shown in the literature to have various optimality properties. Given its simplicity, Moran's I is also frequently used outside of the formal hypothesis‐testing setting in exploratory analyses of spatially referenced data; however, its limitations are not very well understood. To illustrate these limitations, we show that, for data generated according to the spatial autoregressive (SAR) model, Moran's I is only a good estimator of the SAR model's spatial‐dependence parameter when the parameter is close to 0. In this research, we develop an alternativeclosed‐formmeasure of spatial autocorrelation, which we callAPLE, because it is an approximate profile‐likelihood estimator (APLE) of the SAR model's spatial‐dependence parameter. We show thatAPLEcan be used as a test statistic for, and an estimator of, the strength of spatial autocorrelation. We include both theoretical and simulation‐based motivations (including comparison with the maximum‐likelihood estimator), for usingAPLEas an estimator. In conjunction, we propose theAPLEscatterplot, an exploratory graphical tool that is analogous to the Moran scatterplot, and we demonstrate that theAPLEscatterplot is a better visual tool for assessing the strength of spatial autocorrelation in the data than the Moran scatterplot. In addition, Monte Carlo tests based on bothAPLEand Moran's I are introduced and compared. Finally, we include an analysis of the well‐known Mercer and Hall wheat‐yield data to illustrate the difference betweenAPLEand Moran's I when they are used in exploratory spatial data analysis.
Geographically Weighted Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Brunsdon Chris , Fotheringham Stewart , Charlton Martin
Published: September 2007

In this article, we propose a novel analysis technique for geographical data, Geographically Weighted Discriminant Analysis. This approach adapts the method of Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), allowing the modeling and prediction of categorical response variables. As with GWR, the relationship between predictor and response variables may alter over space, and calibration is achieved using a moving kernel window approach. The methodology is outlined and is illustrated with an example analysis of voting patterns in the 2005 UK general election. The example shows that similar social conditions can lead to different voting outcomes in different parts of England and Wales. Also discussed are techniques for visualizing the results of the analysis and methods for choosing the extent of the moving kernel window.
Gamma Generalized Linear Models for Pharmacokinetic Data
Authors: Salway Ruth , Wakefield Jon
Published: September 2007

Summary This article considers the modeling of single‐dose pharmacokinetic data. Traditionally, so‐called compartmental models have been used to analyze such data. Unfortunately, the mean function of such models are sums of exponentials for which inference and computation may not be straightforward. We present an alternative to these models based on generalized linear models, for which desirable statistical properties exist, with a logarithmic link and gamma distribution. The latter has a constant coefficient of variation, which is often appropriate for pharmacokinetic data. Inference is convenient from either a likelihood or a Bayesian perspective. We consider models for both single and multiple individuals, the latter via generalized linear mixed models. For single individuals, Bayesian computation may be carried out with recourse to simulation. We describe a rejection algorithm that, unlike Markov chain Monte Carlo, produces independent samples from the posterior and allows straightforward calculation of Bayes factors for model comparison. We also illustrate how prior distributions may be specified in terms of model‐free pharmacokinetic parameters of interest. The methods are applied to data from 12 individuals following administration of the antiasthmatic agent theophylline.
Judgement Post‐Stratification for Designed Experiments
Authors: Du Juan , MacEachern Steven N.
Published: September 2007

Summary In many scientific studies, information that is not easily translated into covariates is ignored in the analysis. However, this type of information may significantly improve inference. In this research, we apply the idea of judgment post‐stratification to utilize such information. Specifically, we consider experiments that are conducted under a completely randomized design. Sets of experimental units are formed, and the units in a set are ranked. Estimation is performed conditional on the sets and ranks. We propose a new estimator for a treatment contrast. We improve the new estimator by Rao–Blackwellization. Asymptotic distribution theory and corresponding inferential procedures for both estimators are developed. Simulation studies quantify the superiority of the new estimators and show their desirable properties for small and moderate sample sizes. The impact of the new techniques is illustrated with data from a clinical trial.
A Flexible and Powerful Bayesian Hierarchical Model for ChIP–Chip Experiments
Authors: Gottardo Raphael , Li Wei , Johnson W. Evan , Liu X. Shirley
Published: September 2007

Summary Chromatin‐immunoprecipitation microarrays (ChIP–chip) that enable researchers to identify regions of a given genome that are bound by specific DNA‐binding proteins present new challenges for statistical analysis due to the large number of probes, the high noise‐to‐signal ratio, and the spatial dependence between probes. We propose a method called BAC (Bayesian analysis of ChIP–chip) to detect transcription factor bound regions, which incorporate the dependence between probes while making little assumptions about the bound regions (e.g., length). BAC is robust to probe outliers with an exchangeable prior for the variances, which allows different variances for the probes but still shrink extreme empirical variances. Parameter estimation is carried out using Markov chain Monte Carlo and inference is based on the joint distribution of the parameters. Bound regions are detected using posterior probabilities computed from the joint posterior distribution of neighboring probes. We show that these posterior probabilities are well calibrated and can be used to obtain an estimate of the false discovery rate. The method is illustrated using two publicly available ChIP–chip data sets containing 18 experimentally validated regions. We compare our method to four other baseline and commonly used techniques, namely, the Wilcoxon's rank sum test, TileMap, HGMM, and MAT. We found BAC and HGMM to perform best at detecting validated regions. However, HGMM appears to be very sensitive to probe outliers compared to BAC. In addition, we present a simulation study, which shows that BAC is more powerful than the other four techniques under various simulation scenarios while being robust to model misspecification.
Combustion Synthesis of AlON–BN Composites under Low Nitrogen Pressure
Authors: Jung Joonchul , Baik Sunggi
Published: September 2007

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and aluminum oxinitride (AlON) composites were synthesized by combustion reaction of powder mixtures of Al–B2O3–AlN systems under a low pressure of nitrogen gas (0.5 MPa). Explosive combustion reaction of Al–B2O3 systems under the same nitrogen pressure produced alumina, aluminum borate, AlN, and AlON depending on the binary mixing ratio, but no trace of BN phases could be identified. Most of the elemental boron product remained unreacted and amorphous. On the other hand, AlN addition as a diluent in the range of 15–30 wt% was effective in producing hBN phase and forming AlON–BN composites. In the composition range of the ternary mixture of Al, B2O3, and AlN, where significant BN formation was identified, the primary role of AlN was to react with B2O3 to produce BN and α‐Al2O3. The temperature profile obtained during the combustion reaction by a thermocouple imbedded in the middle of the powder bed revealed that the initial nitridation reaction of aluminum metal provides the heat required for the combustion reaction, creating a state of a “chemical oven.” The reaction product, α‐Al2O3, reacted subsequently with AlN to produce AlON phases to give final AlON–BN composites. The combustion reaction was highly unstable and followed a mixed mode with a regularly reversing spinning mode for aluminum nitridation reaction in the surface region and an oscillatory mode for the BN formation reaction in the subsurface region.
Elastic Properties and Short‐to Medium‐Range Order in Glasses
Authors: Rouxel Tanguy
Published: September 2007

Very different materials are named “Glass,” with Young's modulus (E) and Poisson's ratio (ν) extending from 5 to 180 GPa and from 0.1 to 0.4, respectively, in the case of bulk inorganic glasses. Although glasses have in common the lack of long‐range order in the atomic organization, they offer a wide range of structural features at the nanoscale and we show in this analysis that beside the essential role of elastic properties for materials selection in mechanical design, the elastic characteristics (E, ν) at the continuum scale allow to get insight into the short‐ and medium‐range orders existing in glasses. In particular, ν, the atomic packing density (Cg) and the glass network dimensionality appear to be strongly correlated. Maximum values for ν and Cg are observed for metallic glasses (ν∼0.4 and Cg>0.7), which are based on cluster‐like structural units. Atomic networks consisting primarily of chains and layers units (chalcogenides, low Si‐content silicate, and phosphate glasses) correspond to ν>0.25 and Cg>0.56. On the contrary, ν<0.25 is associated with a highly cross‐linked network, such as in a‐SiO2, with a tri‐dimensional organization resulting in a low packing density. Moreover, the temperature dependence of the elastic moduli brings a new light on the structural changes occurring above the glass transition temperature and on the depolymerization rate in the supercooled liquid. The softening rate depends on the level of cooperativity of atomic movements at the source of the deformation process, with an obvious correlation with the “fragility” of the liquid.