bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geometric aspects of high‐order eigenvalue problems I. Structures on spaces of boundary conditions
Authors: Cao Xifang , Wu Hongyou
Published: June 2004

We consider some geometric aspects of regular eigenvalue problems of an arbitrary order. First, we clarify a natural geometric structure on the space of boundary conditions. This structure is the base for studying the dependence of eigenvalues on the boundary condition involved, and reveals new properties of these eigenvalues. Then, we solve the selfadjointness condition explicitly and obtain a manifold structure on the space of selfadjoint boundary conditions and several other consequences. Moreover, we give complete characterizations of several subsets of boundary conditions such as the set of all complex boundary conditions having a given complex number as an eigenvalue, and describe some of them topologically. The shapes of some of these subsets are shown to be independent of the quasidifferential equation in question.
N‐topo nilpotency in fuzzy neighborhood rings
Authors: Ahsanullah T. M. G. , Al-Thukair Fawzi
Published: June 2004

We introduce the notion of N‐topo nilpotent fuzzy set in a fuzzy neighborhood ring and develop some fundamental results. Here we show that a fuzzy neighborhood ring is locally inversely bounded if and only if for all 0 < α < 1, the α‐level topological rings are locally inversely bounded. This leads us to prove a characterization theorem which says that if a fuzzy neighborhood ring on a division ring is Wuyts‐Lowen WNT2 and locally inversely bounded, then the fuzzy neighborhood ring is a fuzzy neighborhood division ring. We also present another characterization theorem which says that a fuzzy neighborhood ring on a division ring is a fuzzy neighborhood division ring if the fuzzy neighborhood ring contains an N‐topo nilpotent fuzzy neighborhood of zero.
Interleukin-6, Fibrin D-Dimer, and Coagulation Factors VII and XIIa in Prediction of Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Lowe Gordon D.O. , Rumley Ann , McMahon Alex D. , Ford Ian , O’Reilly Denis St. J. , Packard Christopher J.
Published: June 2004

Objective—

Activated inflammation and activated blood coagulation are believed to increase the risk of coronary thrombosis and are related. We therefore compared plasma IL-6 (a key cytokine in the inflammatory process), fibrin D-dimer (a marker of fibrin turnover), and coagulation factors VII and XIIa (initiators of extrinsic and intrinsic blood coagulation, respectively) as predictors of coronary risk in the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study of pravastatin in men with hypercholesterolemia.

Methods and Results—

485 men who had had a coronary event (nonfatal myocardial infarction, death from coronary heart disease, or revascularization) were matched for age and smoking status with 934 controls. Baseline IL-6 and D-dimer were strong univariate predictors of coronary risk (relative risk in the highest quintile approximately twice that in the lowest quintile) and were associated with each other and with C-reactive protein. On multivariate analyses, D-dimer retained a significant association with coronary risk (relative risk, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.24 to 2.80), whereas IL-6 (1.47; 0.95 to 2.28) and C-reactive protein (1.33; 0.85 to 2.08) did not. Neither factor VII nor factor XIIa antigens were predictors of coronary events.

Conclusions—

Fibrin D-dimer may be a stronger predictor of coronary risk than inflammatory markers, perhaps through its ability to stimulate monocyte release of IL-6.
Caveolin-1 Expression Is Critical for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor–Induced Ischemic Hindlimb Collateralization and Nitric Oxide–Mediated Angiogenesis
Authors: Sonveaux Pierre , Martinive Philippe , DeWever Julie , Batova Zuzana , Daneau Géraldine , Pelat Michel , Ghisdal Philippe , Grégoire Vincent , Dessy Chantal , Balligand Jean-Luc , Feron Olivier
Published: June 2004

Nitric oxide (NO) is a powerful angiogenic mediator acting downstream of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Both the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and the VEGFR-2 receptor colocalize in caveolae. Because the structural protein of these signaling platforms, caveolin, also represses eNOS activity, changes in its abundance are likely to influence the angiogenic process in various ways. In this study, we used mice deficient for the caveolin-1 gene (Cav
−/−
) to examine the impact of caveolae suppression in a model of adaptive angiogenesis obtained after femoral artery resection. Evaluation of the ischemic tissue perfusion and histochemical analyses revealed that contrary to Cav
+/+
mice, Cav
−/−
mice failed to recover a functional vasculature and actually lost part of the ligated limbs, thereby recapitulating the effects of the NOS inhibitor
l
-NAME administered to operated Cav
+/+
mice. We also isolated endothelial cells (ECs) from Cav
−/−
aorta and showed that on VEGF stimulation, NO production and endothelial tube formation were dramatically abrogated when compared with Cav
+/+
ECs. The Ser1177 eNOS phosphorylation and Thr495 dephosphorylation but also the ERK phosphorylation were similarly altered in VEGF-treated Cav
−/−
ECs. Interestingly, caveolin transfection in Cav
−/−
ECs redirected the VEGFR-2 in caveolar membranes and restored the VEGF-induced ERK and eNOS activation. However, when high levels of recombinant caveolin were reached, VEGF exposure failed to activate ERK and eNOS. These results emphasize the critical role of caveolae in ensuring the coupling between VEGFR-2 stimulation and downstream mediators of angiogenesis. This study also provides new insights to understand the paradoxical roles of caveolin (eg, repressing basal enzyme activity but facilitating activation on agonist stimulation) in cardiovascular pathophysiology.
Postintervention Effect of Alpha Tocopherol and Beta Carotene on Different Strokes
Authors: Törnwall Markareetta E. , Virtamo Jarmo , Korhonen Pasi A. , Virtanen Mikko J. , Albanes Demetrius , Huttunen Jussi K.
Published: June 2004

Background and Purpose—

In the Alpha Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study, alpha tocopherol supplementation decreased risk of cerebral infarction by 14% (95% CI, −25% to −1%), and beta carotene increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage by 62% (95% CI, 10% to 132%). We report here the 6-year postintervention effects of alpha tocopherol and beta carotene supplementation on stroke and its subtypes.

Methods—

A total of 29 133 male smokers, aged 50 to 69 years, were randomized to receive 50 mg of alpha tocopherol, 20 mg of beta carotene, both, or placebo daily for 5 to 8 years. At the beginning of the post-trial follow-up, 24 382 men were still at risk for first-ever stroke. During the post-trial follow-up, 1327 men experienced a stroke: 1087 cerebral infarctions, 148 intracerebral hemorrhages, 64 subarachnoid hemorrhages, and 28 unspecified strokes.

Results—

Post-trial risk for cerebral infarction was elevated among those who had received alpha tocopherol compared with those who had not (relative risk [RR], 1.13; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.27), whereas beta carotene had no effect (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.09). Alpha tocopherol supplementation was associated with a postintervention RR of 1.01 (95% CI, 0.73 to 1.39) for intracerebral hemorrhage and 1.38 (95% CI, 0.84 to 2.26) for subarachnoid hemorrhage. The corresponding RRs associated with beta carotene supplementation were 1.38 (95% CI, 0.99 to 1.91) and 1.09 (95% CI, 0.67 to 1.77), respectively.

Conclusions—

Neither alpha tocopherol nor beta carotene supplementation had any postintervention preventive effects on stroke. The post-trial increase in cerebral infarction risk among recipients of alpha tocopherol may present a rebound of the reduced risk of cerebral infarction during the intervention.
Effect of White Matter Changes on Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Lacunar Infarcts
Authors: Wen Hong Mei , Mok Vincent C.T. , Fan Yu Hua , Lam Wynnie W.M. , Tang Wai Kwok , Wong Adrian , Huang Ru Xun , Wong Ka Sing
Published: June 2004

Background and Purpose—

Cerebral white matter changes (WMC) and lacunar infarct are both believed to be consequence of small vessel disease. Whether the extent of WMC affect the type and degree of cognitive impairment in patients with lacunar infarct is not clear. The study was undertaken to determine if WMC influences cognition in patients with lacunar infarcts.

Methods—

We recruited consecutive patients who were admitted to the acute stroke unit because of acute lacunar infarcts, mainly documented by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. WMC were measured qualitatively and quantitatively. Patients were divided into quartiles according to the distribution of the volume of WMC. Cognition was assessed 12 weeks after stroke by psychometric tests (Chinese version of Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE], Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognition [ADAS-cog], Mattis Dementia Rating Scale-Initiation/ Perseveration subscale [MDRS I/P]) and was compared between patients with varying severity of WMC. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to find variables that influenced performance in the psychometric tests.

Results—

Among the 94 included patients with acute lacunar infarcts, those patients (n=25) within the highest quartile of WMC were older, had more lacunar infarcts, more severe stroke, and lower prestroke cognitive function compared with those with less WMC. In addition, their performances in psychometric tests were significantly more impaired. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that WMC significantly influenced performance in MDRS I/P. WMC did not independently influence performance in MMSE and ADAS-cog.

Conclusions—

Extent of WMC appears to be associated with executive dysfunction in stroke patients with lacunar infarcts. Further large prospective studies with extensive scales of executive function testing are required to confirm this issue.
Shamans and Leaders: Parousial Movements Among the Inuit of Northeast Canada
Authors: Laugrand Frédéric , Oosten Jarich , Blaisel Xavier
Published: June 2004

The existence of Parousial movements in Northeast Canada has remained largely unnoticed in the literature on messianic movements. Yet many Parousial movements flourished among the Inuit of Northeast Canada in the first half of this century. Recently, Inuit elders have shown themselves willing to discuss these movements with the authors. Their information sheds important light on the nature of these movements. On the basis of the existing literature, archival sources and oral information of the elders a new appraisal of these movements can be made. Eleven Parousial movements, some very poorly documented are discussed by the authors. They argue that the Parousial movements can be considered as attempts to integrate Christianity in existing Inuit beliefs and practices, notably shamanism. These movements developed in areas outside direct missionary control, and their development informs us about patterns of leadership and competition in Inuit society. Most of these movements were short-lived and ended by Inuit themselves. The negative assessment of these movements by missionaries and secular authorities often resulted in a distorted picture of these movements that can be corrected with the help of the information of Inuit elders. The Parousial movements constituted an important chapter in the history of Inuit religion and played an important part in the acceptance of Christianity as the combination of Christianity and shamanism turned out to be unsuccessful.
Wach, Religion, and "the Emancipation of Art"
Authors: Ziolkowski Eric
Published: June 2004

Despite the abundance of lore about Joachim Wach's lifelong passion for literature, music, and other arts, the pertinence of his aesthetic reflections to his formation as historian of religions is often ignored or under-appreciated. Yet his involvement with the Kreis surrounding the poet Stefan George was perhaps one of the chief early factors that led Wach to liken the study of the history of religions to contemplation of literature and the arts. It is even possible that ideas of the literary historian Friedrich Gundolf about the relationship between the artist and the artist's work helped stimulate Wach's early thinking about the relationship between religious experience and the theoretical, practical, and institutional expressions of that experience. Indeed, throughout his own scholarly writings Wach displays an irrepressible tendency toward combining religionswissenschaflich theorizing with aesthetic reflection, and toward encompassing literary, musical, and other artistic examples within the scope of data to be considered by scholars of religion. This article analyzes the development of that tendency in Wach's scholarship, paying special attention finally to his notion of the modern Western "emancipation of art" from religious influence. This notion, while reflecting a general optimism that characterizes his view of the diversifying, developmental course of numerous other religious and cultural phenomena over time, may ultimately be too strong or reductive for describing what has actually occurred over the past several centuries in the relation between artistic and religious phenomena.
Factors Contributing to the Survival of The Bori Cult in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Danfulani Umar Habila Dadem
Published: June 2004

The paper examines factors responsible for the survival of the bori cult as a way of immortalizing maguzanci, i.e. Hausa traditional religion in Northern Nigeria. The paper regards bori as a part of maguzanci which survives as an island within the ocean of Islam. The paper reconstructs the origin and history of the bori cult in Hausaland. It locates this within maguzanci — from its earliest belief in "pagan" spirits (babbaku) to the introduction of "Muslim" spirits (farfaru) when Islam was introduced in Hausaland. Soldier spirits reflect totem spirits, famous hunters and war lords, while Fulani spirits mirror the advent of Fulani contact with the Hausa. The presence of European spirits in the bori cult reflects the pre-colonial and colonial epochs, a time when Europeans were in contact with Hausaland. The introduction of spirits from other ethnic groups in Nigeria into the cult merely mirror the interaction between Hausa and other ethnic groups in Nigeria. Thus the history of the bori cult reveals layers and historical epochs of Maguzawa contact with other peoples and cultures within their environment. The paper attributes the survival of the bori cult to a number of factors, among them the feminine nature of the cult, its control and domination by women and its provision of freedom for women, unequalled by both Islam and Christianity. Furthermore, bori provides an avenue for socio-cultural performance, festivals, and other types of interaction, and offers traditional medical and health care services to the public, factors that have endeared the cult to both members and non-members. The firm belief of the Hausa in the existence of spirits even in contemporary times to aid to the growth of bori. In a nutshell, this paper establishes that the major factor for the survival of the bori cult in a predominant hostile Muslim environment is its flexible and dexterous nature, particularly in accomodating Islamic practices alongside "pagan" ones.
Framing the Social World With Photo-Elicitation Interviews
Authors: Clark-IbáÑez Marisol
Published: June 2004

This article discusses the photo-elicitation interview (PEI), a qualitative methodology, by addressing its fundamentals, providing examples of how to use it, and arguing its benefits and potential challenges. In PEIs, researchers introduce photographs into the interview context. The photographs used in PEIs can originate from the interviewee or the researcher. Researchers can use photographs as a tool to expand on questions and simultaneously, participants can use photographs to provide a unique way to communicate dimensions of their lives. Featured, in detail, are school ethnography and inner-city childhood studies that used PEIs.
Islam and Democracy
Authors: Hofmann Steven Ryan
Published: June 2004

Very few studies have attempted to empirically examine the relationship between Islam and democracy at the level of the individual. Using cross-sectional ordinary least squares regression, the author compares the sources and patterns of democratic supportamong Muslim and Christian respondents in eight countries undergoing varying degrees of democratization or attempting to consolidate democratic regimes. The results indicate that levels of support for democracy as an ideal are generally higher among Muslim respondents than Eastern Orthodox respondents in the countries included in the study. Furthermore, the study suggests that Muslims may more closely approximate the ideal envisioned by scholars who view civic engagement and political trust as essential to democracy. At the same time, however, the model reveals that in the countries included in the study, religion may play only a minor role in individuals’ evaluations of democracy as an ideal concept.
Colonialism and Industrialization: A Critique of Lewis
Authors: Alam M. Shahid
Published: June 2004

This article critiques W. Arthur Lewis’s economic explanation of the division of the world into industrial and agricultural countries. His claim that industrialization in the tropics was held back by small markets and adverse factoral terms of trade is flawed and lacks empirical support. His rejection of the imperialist origins of poverty is poorly argued, and his claim that colonial policies did not differ from policies of sovereign countries is not supported even by his own evidence. He also ignores the strong correlation between loss of sovereignty and poor growth performance.
History and Identity: The Case of Radical Economics and Radical Economists, 1945-70
Authors: Lee Frederic S.
Published: June 2004

The article uncovers and reconstructs the emergence of radical economics in postwar America, starting with the impact of McCarthyism on economics and the teaching of Marxism through the emergence of the Union for Radical Political Economics (URPE) in 1968. In addition, the issue of the historical identity of radical economists is addressed in the article through its narrative that reenacts its development from McCarthyism to the emergence of URPE.
Lifetime Abuse and Mental Health Distress Among English-Speaking Latinas
Authors: Ramos Blanca M. , Carlson Bonnie E.
Published: June 2004

Domestic violence has adverse consequences on the mental health of abused women, including Latinas, who face stressors that are associated with oppression, resettlement, and minority status, which increase their risk of abuse and its psychological distress. This article presents a descriptive study of lifetime abuse (seven types of childhood abuse and abuse by adult partners) and mental health in a small sample of English-speaking Latinas. Depression, anxiety, and somatization were studied in relation to lifetime abuse. The findings revealed that recent emotional abuse was associated with distress, which was manifested in anxiety, and that childhood abuse elevated the risk of victimization in adulthood. Implications for feminist social work practice are discussed.
“Family Violence”: The Language of Legitimacy
Authors: Hammons Stacy A.
Published: June 2004

Examinations of social movements have typically overlooked the organizational context of social-movement agencies as well as the role of agency employees in shaping the larger movement. This study explored meso-and micro-level forces that affect the battered women’s movement, as found in one particular women’s shelter. The findings suggest that although the larger social movement may encourage the examination of battering from a systemic perspective, shelter workers adopt a more narrow, psychological interpretation. Shelter workers adopt this perspective because of the socialization that occurs within the shelter context itself, which employees then replicate to be seen as competent.
Domestic Violence in the Orthodox Jewish Home: A Value-Sensitive Approach to Recovery
Authors: Grodner Elana , Sweifach Jay
Published: June 2004

Domestic violence, a once-hidden problem in the Orthodox Jewish community, is now acknowledged to occur in Orthodox Jewish families. Because this problem was not affirmed earlier, effective therapeutic techniques for working with battered Orthodox women have only recently begun to emerge. This article highlights one therapeutic technique—the value-sensitive approach—which uses ethnoculturalreligious factors as part of the therapeutic process and has generated positive results in working with battered Orthodox women.
Missing Data in Homicide Research
Authors: Riedel Marc , Regoeczi Wendy C.
Published: June 2004

This article is an introduction to the special issue of Homicide Studies on missing data. The first section is an overview of the status of missing data approaches in homicide research. It begins by describing the importance of missing data estimation in homicide. This is followed by a discussion of missing data mechanisms, complete case analysis, imputation and weighting, and model-based procedures. The second section is a brief description of each of the articles in this issue. The conclusion describes the myth associated with imputing missing data, the use of missing data approaches in public records, the Supreme Court case that found hot-deck imputation acceptable for the census, and guidelines for handling missing data published by the American Psychological Association. This section concludes by describing the kinds of research that need to be done.
Missing Data Problems in the SHR
Authors: Fox James Alan
Published: June 2004

Although the so-called “dark figure” crime measurement problem has never been a major concern for homicide researchers, the Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR) as well as other local data series on murder still are plagued by other kinds of missing data issues. Most prominent is missingness in data pertaining to offender characteristics as well as to victim-offender relationship that results from uncleared cases. Ignoring unsolved homicides would, of course, seriously understate calculated rates of offending by particular subgroups of the population, would distort trends over time among these same subgroups, and would bias observed patterns of offending to the extent that the likelihood of missing offender data is associated with offender characteristics. This article presents several approaches for overcoming missing data problems in the 1976-2001 cumulative SHRdata file. First, a weighting procedure is described that uses characteristics of known offenders to serve as proxies for those of unidentified perpetrators. The weighting procedure included in the SHR file archived at ICPSR as well as an enhanced version are both presented and compared. Next, a “hot-deck” imputation strategy is applied to fill in missing offender attributes based on similar cases for which the offender is known. Finally, the matter of imputing victim-offender relationship data is discussed. Because this form of missingness cannot be assumed to occur at random, an ad-hoc procedure for estimating the number of intimate homicides among the pool of unsolved slayings is presented.
Pupil-Teacher Conceptions and the Challenge of Learning: Lessons from a Year 8 Music Classroom
Authors: Burnard Pamela
Published: June 2004

This article argues that school improvement requires the consultation of pupils to see learning from their perspective. It reports on a video-based research approach to the investigation of pupil–teacher reflections and identifies an apparent disjunction between teacher–pupil views on what constitutes learning. It describes how the use of video-stimulated reviews, immediately following lessons within a Year 8 music class, made learning visible. It is suggested that illumination of teacher and pupil views of what they implicitly know and think about learning are needed in order to recognize the role of multiple perspectives and to enhance the pupils’ roles as critical agents in their own learning. The findings of differentiated patterns of experience, learning and reflection are likely to resonate with the experiences of others in different educational settings, being representative of what we can learn from pupils about ways of improving teaching and learning in schools and they confirm the value of consulting pupils.
A School Responding to Its Cultural Setting
Authors: Howes Andy , Kaplan Ian
Published: June 2004

This article examines the journey of a secondary school in its attempts to be more responsive to community values. The school had worked hard for many years to gain the trust of the Asian-heritage population, and, after much debate and consultation, it was agreed to teach boys and girls separately in the first three years. The article examines the way in which existing research on single-sex schooling was used in support of this change, and focuses on an evaluation of the change that involved teachers and parents. It highlights some unexpected and contradictory responses of parents, and the dangers of a stereotyped understanding of identity and religion among teachers and school leaders. The authors advocate a boldness of vision in imagining possible changes and responding proactively to a cultural context, but also that major changes should first be piloted on a smaller scale in order to evaluate the experience and the responses of different groups of parents, even within a seemingly cohesive community.
Teachers’ Experience of Support in the Mainstream Education of Pupils with Autism
Authors: Glashan Lisa , Mackay Gilbert , Grieve Ann
Published: June 2004

This article reports a study of support for pupils with autism in a Scottish education authority. The pupils attend mainstream classes in primary schools but receive additional support from an outreach service. The study aimed to understand the nature of outreach support from a mainstream teacher’s point of view. The principal data of the project were interview transcripts from a critical-case sample of five schools. The data were subjected to two levels of analysis. First, they were grouped under five themes concerning teachers’ perceptions of support: speech and language therapy; parents, special assistants, communications, and the existing generic learning support team. Second, these five themes were reassembled as a textural and structural analysis which identified areas which influenced teachers’ perception of their own competence and the support of others. Among these areas, other professionals’ experience of working with pupils who are autistic was valued highly as a source of support.
Young, Gifted and... Human
Authors: Hancox Grenville , Barnes Jonathan
Published: June 2004

In July and August 2003, five top UK universities offered a range of three-week summer schools to ‘gifted and talented’ 11–16-year-olds. This initiative, heavily subsidized by the UK Government, who wish to push ‘the cream of the nation’s pupils forward’, used school holiday time to bring together nominated children from all parts of the country. Pushing pupils forward was recognized by the Minister for School Standards, David Milliband, as involving ‘enhancing students’ development as people and challenging them in areas outside the national curriculum, rather than speeding up their education’ ( Kentish Gazette, 2003, 14 August: 19, emphasis added). Professor of Music, Grenville Hancox, wrote the proposal. He and Jonathan Barnes now write a reflection on a course that they feel has implications for the curriculum in all schools.
School Improvement in the Marketplace: The Case of Residential Special Schools
Authors: Smith Mark , McKay Euan , Chakrabarti Mono
Published: June 2004

Over the past couple of decades, residential special schools in Scotland have faced fundamental changes to the way they operate. This has involved the withdrawal of state funding, a shrinkage of the sector and a situation in which schools now have to sell their services in a market economy in order to survive. This article gives a brief outline of the history and development of residential special education for children considered to be troubled or troublesome. It then draws on an evaluation of one former approved, or List D, school to describe how it managed the transition to the marketplace. Findings from the evaluation are introduced and some implications of these are discussed. It is concluded that the shift from state or local authority funding to private provision may have some advantages. However, it also raises a number of questions as to whether provision for some of society’s most damaged children should be determined by market forces.
The Management of Professional Development of Staff in Secondary Schools in Wales
Authors: Turner Chris , Mitchell Sue
Published: June 2004

The purpose of this article is to present the findings from some empirical research carried out in 2002 among 200 staff working in 13 secondary schools in South Wales, concerning their views of the management of professional development. The findings indicated many of the significant differences between staff were gender-based. Female staff valued, for example, sharing good practice and having opportunities to work with other colleagues more highly than did male staff. Conversely, male staff appeared to value the opportunity to discuss their career progression with a line manager more highly than did female staff. Other important attitudinal differences emerged between those with managerial responsibilities and classroom teachers and between the least and most experienced staff.
Describing a Folic Acid Intervention for Health Care Providers: Implications for Professional Practice and Continuing Education
Authors: Helinski Dianne T. , Trauth Jeanette M. , Jernigan Jan C. , Kerr Michael J.
Published: June 2004

The purpose of this article is to, first, describe the content of a folic acid professional education intervention that was developed and implemented as a result of a collaborative effort between an academic institution and a nonprofit organization—the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, chapter of the March of Dimes—and the process by which it was developed; second, report the results of an evaluation of the impact of this intervention on knowledge and recommendation behaviors of health care providers; and third, discuss the implications for professional practice and continuing education. We developed a novel presentation that had practical utility for practitioners that could be implemented in either a classroom or continuing education setting.
Can Half-Day Trainings Motivate Small Contractors to Address Lead Safety?
Authors: Harrington David , Scholz Peter , Lomax Geoffrey , Stahlschmidt Hans , Vannoy Jim , Materna Barbara
Published: June 2004

There is a real need to educate small painting and remodeling contractors about lead-safe work practices to protect the health of occupants (especially small children) and employees. From 1996 to 2000, 34 half-day lead awareness trainings were held throughout California to increase contractors’ use of lead-safe practices. Educational methods included focusing on best practices, utilizing a peer educator, and working with stakeholders to do outreach to this hard-to-reach audience. We report on the evaluation of 18 of these seminars where we found that 30% to 49% of the interviewed contractors began doing many of the lead-safe work practices after attendance. We conclude that this program can have a modest impact in areas that contractors are more familiar with; new areas not part of their experience do not fare as well. However, without a more integrated public health educational and enforcement strategy, educational efforts such as ours can have only a limited impact.
Reporting about Health Care Quality: A Guide to the Galaxy
Authors: Kanouse David E. , Spranca Mark , Vaiana Mary
Published: June 2004

A review of research on the reporting of health care quality information and related fields in applied social and cognitive science led to identification of seven basic principles that should be followed when planning to report health care quality information to consumers or other audiences: (a) know the audience: who they are, what they care about, and what actions they can take; (b) identify constraints that limit what is feasible; (c) consider barriers and facilitators to achieving objectives; (d) identify specific behaviors to target for change, and prioritize objectives; (e) design a report that specifically incorporates priorities and reflects trade-offs; (f) develop a plan for promotion and dissemination from the beginning; and (g) build in ongoing testing and evaluation to identify successes and areas needing improvement. Case studies provide many examples of unsuccessful reporting efforts thatmight have succeeded had these guiding principles been followed.
SOD2-deficiency anemia: protein oxidation and altered protein expression reveal targets of damage, stress response, and antioxidant responsiveness
Authors: Friedman Jeffrey S. , Lopez Mary F. , Fleming Mark D. , Rivera Alicia , Martin Florent M. , Welsh Megan L. , Boyd Ashleigh , Doctrow Susan R. , Burakoff Steven J.
Published: June 2004

SOD2 is an antioxidant protein that protects cells against mitochondrial superoxide. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) lacking SOD2 are capable of rescuing lethally irradiated hosts, but reconstituted animals display a persistent hemolytic anemia characterized by increased oxidative damage to red cells, with morphologic similarity to human “sideroblastic” anemia. We report further characterization of this novel SOD2-deficiency anemia. Electron micrographs of SOD2-deficient reticulocytes reveal striking mitochondrial proliferation and mitochondrial membrane thickening. Peripheral blood smears show abundant iron-stainable granules in mature red cells (siderocytes). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of cells labeled with oxidation-sensitive dyes demonstrates enhanced production of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide by SOD2-deficient cells. Oxidative damage to proteins is increased in SOD2-deficient cells, with much of the damage affecting membrane/insoluble proteins. Red cell proteome analysis demonstrates that several proteins involved in folding/chaperone function, redox regulation, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis, and red cell metabolism show altered expression in SOD2-deficient cells. This data, combined with information on how protein expression levels change upon antioxidant therapy, will aid in identification of proteins that are sensitive to oxidative damage in this model, and by extension, may have a role in the regulation of red cell lifespan in other hemolytic disorders.
Elevated serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma
Authors: Janik John E. , Morris John C. , Pittaluga Stefania , McDonald Kristin , Raffeld Mark , Jaffe Elaine S. , Grant Nicole , Gutierrez Martin , Waldmann Thomas A. , Wilson Wyndham H.
Published: June 2004

Levels of serum soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) provide a reliable marker of disease activity in patients with hairy cell leukemia and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. The malignant cells in patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) express CD30 and are usually positive for expression of CD25. We measured serum sIL-2R and soluble CD30 (sCD30) levels in patients with ALCL treated with EPOCH (etoposide, prednisone, Oncovin, Cytoxan, hydroxydaunorubicin) infusional chemotherapy. Serum sCD30 levels were elevated and decreased in response to therapy as previously reported. Serum sIL-2R levels were elevated in 7 of 9 patients with ALCL and decreased in response to treatment. Baseline serum sIL-2R levels varied but correlated well with serum sCD30 levels (r = 0.97). Patients positive for the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene showed elevated sIL-2R levels, whereas those negative for ALK had normal serum sIL-2R levels and their tumors lacked CD25 expression. Serum sIL-2R levels were elevated in both patients with recurrent disease. (Blood. 2004;104:3355-3357)
Responsiveness to G-CSF before leukopenia predicts defense to infection in high-dose chemotherapy recipients
Authors: Straka Christian , Oduncu Fuat , Hinke Axel , Einsele Hermann , Drexler Evi , Schnabel Brigitte , Arseniev Lubomir , Walther Jochem , König August , Emmerich Bertold
Published: June 2004

An active assessment of the host capacity to prevent infection during myelosuppression should be beneficial in patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy. A single dose of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (5 μg/kg) was given to 57 patients with multiple myeloma early after the completion of 85 high-dose chemotherapy (melphalan 200 mg/m2) courses. This provoked a highly variable white blood cell (WBC) peak after 12 to 14 hours. The median WBC count was 21 000/μL (range, 6400-60 600/μL) after a first high-dose therapy (n = 50) and 13 500/μL (range, 4700-24 800/μL) after a second high-dose therapy (n = 35). The responsiveness to single G-CSF was associated with the risk of infection during subsequent cytopenia (P = .003). This association was significant after adjustment for neutropenia duration. Notably, the result of testing G-CSF responsiveness was opportunely available before the onset of leukopenia, and G-CSF responsiveness was more informative than neutropenia duration regarding the risk of infection. Furthermore, there was an association between the responsiveness to G-CSF and stem cell engraftment (P < .005), which remained significant after adjustment for the number of transplanted CD34+ cells. Our results show for the first time that G-CSF potentially could be used for an early in vivo assessment of defense to infection in recipients of high-dose chemotherapy.
Integrins: dynamic scaffolds for adhesion and signaling in platelets
Authors: Shattil Sanford J. , Newman Peter J.
Published: June 2004

The major platelet integrin, αIIbβ3, is required for platelet interactions with proteins in plasma and the extracellular matrices (ECMs) that are essential for platelet adhesion and aggregation during hemo stasis and arterial thrombosis. Lig and binding to αIIbβ3 is controlled by inside-out signals that modulate receptor conformation and clustering. In turn, ligand binding triggers outside-in signals through αIIbβ3 that, when disrupted, can cause a bleeding diathesis. In the past 5 years there has been an explosion of knowledge about the structure and function ofαIIbβ3 and the related integrin, αVβ3. These developments are discussed here, and current models of bidirectional αIIbβ3 signaling are presented as frameworks for future investigations. An understanding that αIIbβ3 functions as a dynamic molecular scaffold for extracellular and intracellular proteins has translated into diagnostic and therapeutic insights relevant to hematology and cardiovascular medicine, and further advances can be anticipated. (Blood. 2004;104:1606-1615)
Performance enhancement in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Fuldl J P , Cotton M M
Published: June 2004

Background: Exercise limitation is a hallmark of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is integral to the associated impaired health status of these patients. The poor exercise tolerance is multifactorial in origin, relating to airflow obstruction, disadvantageous lung mechanics, reduced oxygen delivery and skeletal muscle dysfunction. A number of interventions have been studied to determine whether they can impact on exercise performance. The most evidence-based of these is exercise training, which along with other approaches, both previously investigated and putative, are discussed in this review.
Withholding and withdrawing life prolonging treatment in the intensive care unit: a current European perspective
Authors: Vincent J-L , Berré J , Creteur J
Published: June 2004

Background:Many deaths are now preceded by an end of life decision, particularly in the intensive care unit (ICU), but such practices vary considerably between countries, ICUs and individuals, depending on many factors including cultural and religious background, family and peer pressure and local practice. Aims:In this review, we will discuss the application of the four key ethical principles-beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy and distributive justice - to withdrawing/withholding decisions. Methods: Drawing data from several national and international studies, we then summarize the current situation across Europe regarding such practices before making some suggestions as to how we could facilitate the often difficult decision making process by improved communication between staff, patient and relatives.
New Developments in Cancer‐Related Computational Statistics
Authors: ROSENFELD SIMON
Published: June 2004

Abstract:A brief overview is presented of recently developed and currently emerging statistical and computational techniques that have been proved to be highly helpful in handling the avalanche of the new type of data generated by modern high‐throughput technologies in experimental biology. The review, in no way comprehensive, focuses attention on Bayesian Networks, Hidden Markov Chain, and methods of chaotic dynamics for time‐course genomic data; innovative methods in optimization and clustering; and multiple testing in the context of identification of differentially expressed genes.
A Bayesian Hierarchical Model for the Analysis of Affymetrix Arrays
Authors: TADESSE MAHLET G. , IBRAHIM JOSEPH G.
Published: June 2004

Abstract:An area of active research in DNA microarray analysis focuses on identifying differentially expressed genes between normal and malignant tissues. The analysis is complicated by the presence of several unreliable expression readings. Here, we illustrate a methodology where the expression estimates are modeled as censored data and discriminating genes are selected using ANOVA‐based criteria.
Application of Bioinformatics in Cancer Epigenetics
Authors: YANG HOWARD H. , LEE MAXWELL P.
Published: June 2004

Abstract: With the completion of the human genome sequence and the advent of high‐throughput genomics‐based technologies, it is now possible to study the entire human genome and epigenome. The challenge in the next decade of biomedical research is to functionally annotate the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, and proteome. High‐throughput genome technology has already produced massive amounts of data including genome sequences, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and microarray gene expression. Our ability to manage and analyze data needs to match the speed of data acquisition. We will summarize our studies of allele‐specific gene expression using genomic and computational approaches and identification of sequence motifs that are signature of imprinted genes. We will also discuss about how bioinformatics can facilitate epigenetic researches.
Bioinformatics Tools for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Discovery and Analysis
Authors: CLIFFORD ROBERT J. , EDMONSON MICHAEL N. , NGUYEN CU , SCHERPBIER TITIA , HU YING , BUETOW KENNETH H.
Published: June 2004

Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are a valuable resource for investigating the genetic basis of disease. These variants can serve as markers for fine‐scale genetic mapping experiments and genome‐wide association studies. Certain of these nucleotide polymorphisms may predispose individuals to illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, or cancer, or affect disease progression. Bioinformatics techniques can play an important role in SNP discovery and analysis. We use computational methods to identify SNPs and to predict whether they are likely to be neutral or deleterious. We also use informatics to annotate genes that contain SNPs. To make this information available to the research community, we provide a variety of Internet‐accessible tools for data access and display. These tools allow researchers to retrieve data about SNPs based on gene of interest, genetic or physical map location, or expression pattern.
Bayesian Decomposition: Analyzing Microarray Data within a Biological Context
Authors: OCHS MICHAEL F. , MOLOSHOK THOMAS D. , BIDAUT GHISLAIN , TOBY GARABET
Published: June 2004

Abstract:The detection and correct identification of cancer, especially at an early stage, are vitally important for patient survival and quality of life. Since signaling pathways play critical roles in cancer development and metastasis, methods that reliably assess the activity of these pathways are critical to understand cancer and the response to therapy. Bayesian Decomposition (BD) identifies signatures of expression that can be linked directly to signaling pathway activity, allowing the changes in mRNA levels to be used as downstream indicators of pathway activity. Here, we demonstrate this ability by identifying the downstream expression signal associated with the mating response inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand showing that this signal disappears in deletion mutants of genes critical to the MAPK signaling cascade used to trigger the response. We also show the use of BD in the context of supervised learning, by analyzing theMus musculustissue‐specific data set provided by Project Normal. The algorithm correctly removes routine metabolic processes, allowing tissue‐specific signatures of expression to be identified. Gene ontology is used to interpret these signatures. Since a number of modern therapeutics specifically target signaling proteins, it is important to be able to identify changes in signaling pathways in order to use microarray data to interpret cancer response. By removing routine metabolic signatures and linking specific signatures to signaling pathway activity, BD makes it possible to link changes in microarray results to signaling pathways.
Applications of Machine Learning and High‐Dimensional Visualization in Cancer Detection, Diagnosis, and Management
Authors: MCCARTHY JOHN F. , MARX KENNETH A. , HOFFMAN PATRICK E. , GEE ALEXANDER G. , O'NEIL PHILIP , UJWAL M L. , HOTCHKISS JOHN
Published: June 2004

Abstract:Recent technical advances in combinatorial chemistry, genomics, and proteomics have made available large databases of biological and chemical information that have the potential to dramatically improve our understanding of cancer biology at the molecular level. Such an understanding of cancer biology could have a substantial impact on how we detect, diagnose, and manage cancer cases in the clinical setting. One of the biggest challenges facing clinical oncologists is how to extract clinically useful knowledge from the overwhelming amount of raw molecular data that are currently available. In this paper, we discuss how the exploratory data analysis techniques of machine learning and high‐dimensional visualization can be applied to extract clinically useful knowledge from a heterogeneous assortment of molecular data. After an introductory overview of machine learning and visualization techniques, we describe two proprietary algorithms (PURS and RadViz™) that we have found to be useful in the exploratory analysis of large biological data sets. We next illustrate, by way of three examples, the applicability of these techniques to cancer detection, diagnosis, and management using three very different types of molecular data. We first discuss the use of our exploratory analysis techniques on proteomic mass spectroscopy data for the detection of ovarian cancer. Next, we discuss the diagnostic use of these techniques on gene expression data to differentiate between squamous and adenocarcinoma of the lung. Finally, we illustrate the use of such techniques in selecting from a database of chemical compounds those most effective in managing patients with melanoma versus leukemia.
Applications of Bioinformatics in Cancer Detection: A Lexicon of Bioinformatics Terms
Authors: UMAR ASAD
Published: June 2004

Abstract: This paper compiles a list of numerous bioinformatics terms for the Applications of Bioinformatics in Cancer Detection conference. It should be helpful as a lexicon for the volume as a whole.