bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Developments of the Theory of Tunneling
Authors: Aoyama Hideaki , Harano Toshiyuki , Kikuchi Hisashi , Okouchi Ikuo , Sato Masatoshi , Wada Shinya
Published: July 2007

Path-integral approach in imaginary and complex time has been proven successful in treating the tunneling phenomena in quantum mechanics and quantum field theories. Latest developments in this field, the proper valley method in imaginary time, its application to various quantum systems, complex time formalism, asympton theory for the large order analysis of the perturbation theory, are reviewed in a self-contained manner.
Expression of Ral GTPases, Their Effectors, and Activators in Human Bladder Cancer
Authors: Smith Steven Christopher , Oxford Gary , Baras Alexander S. , Owens Charles , Havaleshko Dmytro , Brautigan David L. , Safo Martin K. , Theodorescu Dan
Published: July 2007

Purpose: The Ral family of small G proteins has been implicated in tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis in in vitro and animal model systems; however, a systematic evaluation of the state of activation, mutation, or expression of these GTPases has not been reported in any tumor type.

Experimental Design: We determined the activation state of the RalA and RalB paralogs in 10 bladder cancer cell lines with varying Ras mutation status. We sequenced RalA and RalB cDNAs from 20 bladder cancer cell lines and functionally evaluated the mutations found. We determined the expression of Ral, Ral activators, and Ral effectors on the level of mRNA or protein in human bladder cancer cell lines and tissues.

Results: We uncovered one E97Q substitution mutation of RalA in 1 of 20 cell lines tested and higher Ral activation in cells harboring mutant HRAS. We found overexpression of mRNAs for RalA and Aurora-A, a mitotic kinase that activates RalA, in bladder cancer (both P < 0.001), and in association with tumors of higher stage and grade. RalBP1, a canonical Ral effector, mRNA and protein was overexpressed in bladder cancer (P < 0.001), whereas Filamin A was underexpressed (P = 0.004). We determined that RalA mRNA levels correlated significantly with protein levels (P < 0.001) and found protein overexpression of both GTPases in homogenized invasive cancers. Available data sets suggest that RalA mRNA is also overexpressed in seminoma, glioblastoma, and carcinomas of the liver, pancreas, and prostate.

Conclusion: These findings of activation and differential expression of RalA and RalB anchor prior work in model systems to human disease and suggest therapeutic strategies targeting both GTPases in this pathway may be beneficial.
A Phase I Safety and Pharmacologic Study of a Twice Weekly Dosing Regimen of the Oral Taxane BMS-275183
Authors: Bröker Linda E. , Veltkamp Stephan A. , Heath Elisabeth I. , Kuenen Bart C. , Gall Helen , Astier Ludovic , Parker Susan , Kayitalire Louis , Lorusso Patricia M. , Schellens Jan H.M. , Giaccone Giuseppe
Published: July 2007

Purpose: BMS-275183, an orally administered C-4 methyl carbonate paclitaxel analogue, showed promising activity in a phase I trial investigating a weekly treatment regimen, but was associated with a relatively high incidence of neuropathic side effects. The current dose escalation phase I trial was initiated to investigate whether twice weekly administration of BMS-275183 would improve its safety and tolerability. Additionally, the pharmacokinetics and possible antitumor activity were studied.

Experimental Design: A cycle consisted of 4 weeks (i.e., eight twice weekly oral doses). The starting dose was 60 mg/m2 and the dose was increased by 20 mg/m2 increments. Cohorts consisted of three patients and were expanded to at least six patients when toxicity was encountered. Plasma pharmacokinetics were done on days 1 and 15.

Results: A total of 38 patients were enrolled. The maximum tolerated dose was 100 mg/m2 twice weekly. Seventeen patients were treated at the maximum tolerated dose; 3 of 17 patients experienced a dose-limiting toxicity, consisting of a combination of neutropenia, neuropathy, and diarrhea. BMS-275183 seemed to have a considerably lower incidence of neuropathic side effects compared with the weekly treatment regimen. Confirmed partial responses were observed in two patients with non–small cell lung cancer, one patient with prostate cancer, and one patient with melanoma. In addition, a long-lasting prostate-specific antigen response was observed in a patient with prostate carcinoma with nonmeasurable disease.

Conclusions: BMS-275183 is preferably given in a twice weekly regimen and has considerable antitumor activity. A phase II trial in non–small cell lung cancer using the twice weekly schedule has been initiated.
Cytochrome P450 17A1 and Catechol O-Methyltransferase Polymorphisms and Age at Lynch Syndrome Colon Cancer Onset in Newfoundland
Authors: Campbell Peter T. , Edwards Laura , McLaughlin John R. , Green Jane , Younghusband H. Banfield , Woods Michael O.
Published: July 2007

Purpose: Lynch syndrome is a cancer predisposition syndrome which includes colon cancer. It is caused by inherited defects in DNA mismatch repair genes. Sporadic colon cancers are influenced by exogenous hormones (e.g., postmenopausal hormones); we hypothesized that polymorphisms which influence endogenous hormones would therefore modify age at colon cancer onset among Lynch syndrome mutation carriers.

Experimental Design: We genotyped 146 Caucasian Lynch syndrome mutation carriers for a 5′-untranslated region polymorphism in cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17; c.−34T→C) and an exon 4 polymorphism in catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT; c.472G→A); 50 mutation carriers had developed colon or rectal cancer at last contact. We used χ2 tests to assess differences in counts. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazard models assessed age at onset of colorectal cancer stratified by CYP17 and COMT genotypes.

Results: Homozygous carriers of the CYP17 C allele were diagnosed with colorectal cancer 18 years earlier than homozygous carriers of the T allele. Hazard ratios identified that, relative to homozygous carriers of the T allele (T/T), carriers of one copy (T/C) and two copies (C/C) of the rare allele were, respectively, at 1.9-fold and 2.9-fold increased the risk of colon cancer at any age. The COMT rare allele suggested a nonstatistically significant trend of decreased colon cancer risk.

Conclusions: This study showed that a polymorphism in CYP17 (c.−34T→C) modifies age at onset of Lynch syndrome. Because of the high risk of colorectal cancer among this group, knowledge of the CYP17 genotype is warranted for genetic counseling and risk assessment. Future work should assess polymorphisms associated with steroid hormones in Lynch syndrome mutation carriers.
An Imageable Metastatic Treatment Model of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Tengfei , Ding Yanqin , Xie Weibing , Li Zuguo , Bai Xiaoyan , Li Xin , Fang Weiyi , Ren Caiping , Wang Shuang , Hoffman Robert M. , Yao Kaitai
Published: July 2007

Purpose: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is highly prevalent in southern China and is often resistant to current treatment options.

Experimental Design: Clinically relevant mouse models are necessary for further understanding and drug discovery in this disease. Two nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines, stably expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP), 5-8F-GFP and 6-10B-GFP, were established. The cells were orthotopically injected into the nasopharynx or ectopically into the subcutis of nude mice. Whole-body fluorescence imaging was used to monitor the growth of the primary tumor as well as angiogenesis and metastasis.

Results: The metastatic behavior of 5-8F and 6-10B were distinct in the orthotopic model. Orthotopic implantation of highly metastatic 5-8F cells resulted in brain invasion, cervical lymph node metastases, and pulmonary metastases similar to what is often observed in patients. Cell line 6-10B was less metastatic, which occasionally resulted in pulmonary metastasis. GFP enabled imaging of micrometastasis. Neither 5-8F nor 6-10B were metastatic in the s.c. site. These results indicated that, in addition to the cancer cell type, the host microenvironment was critical for metastasis to occur consistent with the “seed-and-soil” hypothesis. 5-8F was highly sensitive to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), whereas 6-10B was moderately sensitive.

Conclusions: The imageable orthotopic model should play a critical role in elucidating the mechanisms involved in the growth, progression, metastasis, and angiogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and for evaluation of novel compounds with potential efficacy.
Determining Risk of Biochemical Recurrence in Prostate Cancer by Immunohistochemical Detection of PTEN Expression and Akt Activation
Authors: Bedolla Roble , Prihoda Thomas J. , Kreisberg Jeffrey I. , Malik Shazli N. , Krishnegowda Naveen K. , Troyer Dean A. , Ghosh Paramita M.
Published: July 2007

Purpose: A considerable fraction of patients who undergo radical prostatectomy as treatment for primary prostate cancer experience biochemical recurrence detected by elevated serum levels of prostate-specific antigen. In this study, we investigate whether loss of expression of the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and the phosphorylated form of the cell survival protein Akt (pAkt) predicts biochemical recurrence.

Experimental Design: Expression of PTEN and pAkt was detected by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded prostate cancer tissue obtained from men undergoing radical prostatectomy. Outcome was determined by 60-month follow-up determining serum prostate-specific antigen levels.

Results: By itself, PTEN was not a good predictor of biochemical recurrence; however, in combination with pAkt, it was a better predictor of the risk of biochemical recurrence compared with pAkt alone. Ninety percent of all cases with high pAkt and negative PTEN were recurrent whereas 88.2% of those with low pAkt and positive PTEN were nonrecurrent. In addition, high Gleason scores resulted in reduced protection from decreased pAkt and increased PTEN. By univariate logistic regression, pAkt alone gives an area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve of 0.82 whereas the area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve for the combination of PTEN, pAkt, and Gleason based on a stepwise selection model is 0.89, indicating excellent discrimination.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that loss of PTEN expression, together with increased Akt phosphorylation and Gleason score, is of significant predictive value for determining, at the time of prostatectomy, the risk of biochemical recurrence.
Adeno-Associated Virus–Mediated Antiangiogenic Gene Therapy with Thrombospondin-1 Type 1 Repeats and Endostatin
Authors: Zhang Xuefeng , Xu Jianfeng , Lawler Jack , Terwilliger Ernest , Parangi Sareh
Published: July 2007

Purpose: Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-mediated antiangiogenic gene therapy offers a powerful strategy for cancer treatment, maintaining sustained levels of antiangiogenic factors with coincident enhanced therapeutic efficacy. We aimed to develop rAAV-mediated antiangiogenic gene therapy delivering endostatin and 3TSR, the antiangiogenic domain of thrombospondin-1.

Experimental Design: rAAV vectors were constructed to express endostatin (rAAV-endostatin) or 3TSR (rAAV-3TSR). The antiangiogenic efficacy of the vectors was characterized using a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced mouse ear angiogenesis model. To evaluate the antitumor effects of the vectors, immunodeficient mice were pretreated with rAAV-3TSR or rAAV-endostatin and received orthotopic implantation of cancer cells into the pancreas. To mimic clinical situations, mice bearing pancreatic tumors were treated with intratumoral injection of rAAV-3TSR or rAAV-endostatin.

Results: rAAV-mediated i.m. gene delivery resulted in expression of the transgene in skeletal muscle with inhibition of VEGF-induced angiogenesis at a distant site (the ear). Local delivery of the vectors into the mouse ear also inhibited VEGF-induced ear angiogenesis. Pretreatment of mice with i.m. or intrasplenic injection of rAAV-endostatin or rAAV-3TSR significantly inhibited tumor growth. A single intratumoral injection of each vector also significantly decreased the volume of large established pancreatic tumors. Tumor microvessel density was significantly decreased in each treatment group and was well correlated with tumor volume reduction. Greater antiangiogenic and antitumor effects were achieved when rAAV-3TSR and rAAV-endostatin were combined.

Conclusions: rAAV-mediated 3TSR and endostatin gene therapy showed both localized and systemic therapeutic effects against angiogenesis and tumor growth and may provide promise for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Excision Repair Cross Complementation Group 1 Immunohistochemical Expression Predicts Objective Response and Cancer-Specific Survival in Patients Treated by Cisplatin-Based Induction Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Handra-Luca Adriana , Hernandez Juana , Mountzios Giannis , Taranchon Estelle , Lacau-St-Guily Jean , Soria Jean-Charles , Fouret Pierre
Published: July 2007

Purpose: To assess the correlation of excision repair cross complementation group 1 (ERCC1) immunohistochemical expression with objective tumor response and cancer-specific survival in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy.

Experimental Design: The initial cohort was composed of 107 patients who were treated from 1992 to 1996 by an induction chemotherapy regimen for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. p53 mutations had previously been studied. Pretherapeutic biopsy samples from 96 patients with a known tumor response were available. Two independent observers blinded to clinical annotations evaluated ERCC1 immunohistochemical expression.

Results: Of 96 patients, 68 (71%; 95% confidence interval, 61-79%) had tumors that expressed ERCC1 intensively and diffusely. Using the logistic regression method, the 28 (29%) patients with tumors expressing ERCC1 at lower levels had a 4-fold greater odds of benefiting from an objective response to chemotherapy (odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-13.4; P = 0.01) compared with the group of 68 patients with high ERCC1 expression. ERCC1 and p53 status, but not their interaction, were independent predictors of tumor response. In a Cox proportional hazard model adjusted on age, TNM stage, tumor differentiation, and tumor localization, ERCC1 low expression was associated with a lower risk of cancer death (risk ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.90; P = 0.04) whereas p53 status had no prognostic value.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that those patients characterized by low ERCC1 expression are more likely to benefit from cisplatin induction chemotherapy compared with patients with high ERCC1 expression.
Rebuilding Human Leukocyte Antigen Class II–Restricted Minor Histocompatibility Antigen Specificity in Recall Antigen-Specific T Cells by Adoptive T Cell Receptor Transfer: Implications for Adoptive Immunotherapy
Authors: Spaapen Robbert , van den Oudenalder Kelly , Ivanov Roman , Bloem Andries , Lokhorst Henk , Mutis Tuna
Published: July 2007

Purpose: Donor T cells directed to hematopoietic minor histocompatibility antigens (mHag) are appealing tools for adoptive immunotherapy of hematological malignancies after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Toward the development of a convenient strategy for ex vivo generation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II–restricted mHag-specific T cells, we evaluated the feasibility of rebuilding mHag-specific T cell functions in donor-derived recall antigen-specific T cells via T cell receptor (TCR) transfer.

Experimental Design: TCR α- and β-chains of an HLA-DPB1*0401–restricted T-cell clone recognizing a multiple myeloma-associated mHag were retrovirally transferred into a tetanus toxoid (TT)–specific clone derived from the original stem cell donor. TCR double-transduced cells were compared with the parent mHag- and TT-specific clones for antigen specificity, cytokine secretion, and cytotoxic activity and were analyzed for their in vitro expansion capacity in a TT- or mHag-specific fashion.

Results: mHag-TCR–transduced TT-specific cells displayed both TT and mHag specificity. Similar to the parent cells, they secreted Th-1 cytokines and exerted significant cytotoxic activity against TT-pulsed or mHag+ target cells, including multiple myeloma cells. A 4-week expansion of TCR-transduced cells via the TT-specific TCR had no negative influence on the mHag-specific cytotoxic activity and resulted in 10- to 100-fold better cell yields as compared with mHag-specific expansion.

Conclusions: HLA class II–restricted, mHag-specific effector functions can be successfully reconstructed in donor-derived TT-specific T cells via TCR transfer. Effective expansion of these T cells via TT-specific TCRs illustrate the suitability of this strategy for ex vivo expansion and possibly for in vivo TT-specific reboosting of HLA class II–restricted immunotherapeutic T cells.
Up-regulation of Tumor Susceptibility Gene 101 Conveys Poor Prognosis through Suppression of p21 Expression in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Young Travis W. , Rosen Daniel G. , Mei Fang C. , Li Nan , Liu Jinsong , Wang Xiao-Fan , Cheng Xiaodong
Published: July 2007

Purpose: The function of tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) in ovarian carcinogenesis is largely unexplored. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of TSG101 in human ovarian cancer development, to examine the expression levels of TSG101 in ovarian carcinomas, and to correlate the results with clinicopathologic variables and survival.

Experimental Design: Human ovarian cancer tissue arrays that contain duplicates of 422 cases of primary ovarian carcinoma were used to probe the expression levels of TSG101 and p21 in epithelial ovarian cancer. In vitro studies in ovarian cancer cells using TSG101-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) were done to further elucidate the mechanism of TSG101-mediated p21 regulation.

Results: We show that TSG101 is increasingly overexpressed in borderline tumors and low-grade and high-grade carcinomas. Patients with low expression of TSG101 survive longer than those with high expression. Suppressing TSG101 by siRNA in ovarian cancer cells led to growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis with concurrent increases in p21 mRNA and protein. Consistent with this negative association between TSG101 and p21, expression levels of these two markers are inversely correlated in ovarian cancer.

Conclusions: TSG101 negatively regulates p21 levels, and up-regulation of TSG101 is associated with poor prognosis in ovarian cancer.
Interchannel Error Correlation Associated with AIRS Radiance Observations: Inference and Impact in Data Assimilation
Authors: Garand Louis , Heilliette Sylvain , Buehner Mark
Published: July 2007

The interchannel observation error correlation (IOEC) associated with radiance observations is currently assumed to be zero in meteorological data assimilation systems. This assumption may lead to suboptimal analyses. Here, the IOEC is inferred for the Atmospheric Infrared Radiance Sounder (AIRS) hyperspectral radiance observations using a subset of 123 channels covering the spectral range of 4.1–15.3 μm. Observed minus calculated radiances are computed for a 1-week period using a 6-h forecast as atmospheric background state. A well-established technique is used to separate the observation and background error components for each individual channel and each channel pair. The large number of collocations combined with the 40-km horizontal spacing between AIRS fields of view allows robust results to be obtained. The resulting background errors are in good agreement with those inferred from the background error matrix used operationally in data assimilation at the Meteorological Service of Canada. The IOEC is in general high among the water vapor–sensing channels in the 6.2–7.2-μm region and among surface-sensitive channels. In contrast, it is negligible for channels within the main carbon dioxide absorption band (13.2–15.4 μm). The impact of incorporating the IOEC is evaluated from 1D variational retrievals at 381 clear-sky oceanic locations. Temperature increments differ on average by 0.25 K, and ln(q) increments by 0.10, where q is specific humidity. Without IOEC, the weight given to the observations appears to be too high; the assimilation attempts to fit the observations nearly perfectly. The IOEC better constrains the variational assimilation process, and the rate of convergence is systematically faster by a factor of 2.
Modeling the Variability of Drop Size Distributions in Space and Time
Authors: Lee Gyu Won , Seed Alan W. , Zawadzki Isztar
Published: July 2007

The information on the time variability of drop size distributions (DSDs) as seen by a disdrometer is used to illustrate the structure of uncertainty in radar estimates of precipitation. Based on this, a method to generate the space–time variability of the distributions of the size of raindrops is developed. The model generates one moment of DSDs that is conditioned on another moment of DSDs; in particular, radar reflectivity Z is used to obtain rainfall rate R. Based on the fact that two moments of the DSDs are sufficient to capture most of the DSD variability, the model can be used to calculate DSDs and other moments of interest of the DSD. A deterministic component of the precipitation field is obtained from a fixed R–Z relationship. Two different components of DSD variability are added to the deterministic precipitation field. The first represents the systematic departures from the fixed R–Z relationship that are expected from different regimes of precipitation. This is generated using a simple broken-line model. The second represents the fluctuations around the R–Z relationship for a particular regime and uses a space–time multiplicative cascade model. The temporal structure of the stochastic fluctuations is investigated using disdrometer data. Assuming Taylor hypothesis, the spatial structure of the fluctuations is obtained and a stochastic model of the spatial distribution of the DSD variability is constructed. The consistency of the model is validated using concurrent radar and disdrometer data.
Enhancing SWORD to Detect Zero-Day-Worm-Infected Hosts
Authors: Stafford Shad , Jun Li  , Ehrenkranz Toby
Published: July 2007

Once a host is infected by an Internet worm, prompt action must be taken before that host does more harm to its local network and the rest of the Internet. It is therefore critical to quickly detect that a worm has infected a host. In this paper, we enhance our SWORD system to allow for the detection of infected hosts and evaluate its performance. This enhanced version of SWORD inherits the advantages of the original SWORD: it does not rely on inspecting traffic payloads to search for worm byte patterns or setting up a honeypot to lure worm traffic. Furthermore, while acting as a host-level detection system, it runs at a network's gateway and stays transparent to individual hosts. We show that our enhanced SWORD system is able to quickly and accurately detect if a host is infected by a zero-day worm. Furthermore, the detection is shown to be effective against worms of different types and speeds, including polymorphic worms
Toward the One
Authors: Magaletta Philip R. , Morgan Robert D. , Reitzel Lorraine R. , Innes Christopher A.
Published: July 2007

Maturing behavioral science research in corrections to the next level of organization requires several strategies, each of which moves toward the one ideal of integration and collaboration. Several factors intrinsic to the business of research, its funding sources, and its incentives produce multiple levels of isolation, generate and maintain a fragmented state of knowledge, and limit the strength of behavioral sciences research in corrections. To raise consciousness of this issue, the factors underlying and sustaining this isolation and fragmented knowledge base are delineated. In addition, several strategies to strengthen the behavioral-sciences research process in corrections are presented. Specifically, they involve working toward the construction of research infrastructures built into correctional systems, developing collaborative models that extend beyond mere discussions and sharing of ideas between scientists and practitioners, and integrating once-disparate streams of literature and knowledge.
Nonlinear latent curve models for multivariate longitudinal data
Authors: Blozis Shelley A. , Conger Katherine J. , Harring Jeffrey R.
Published: July 2007

Latent curve models have become a useful approach to analyzing longitudinal data, due in part to their allowance of and emphasis on individual differences in features that describe change. Common applications of latent curve models in developmental studies rely on polynomial functions, such as linear or quadratic functions. Although useful for describing linear forms of change and some that are nonlinear, latent curve models based on polynomial functions are not suitable for describing many developmental processes that change in a nonlinear manner. This article considers nonlinear latent curve models that permit researchers to consider a variety of nonlinear functions to characterize developmental processes. An example is provided that considers simultaneous development of two behaviors.
Studying growth heterogeneity with multidimensional scaling profile analysis
Authors: Ding Cody S.
Published: July 2007

Different growth patterns are quite possible when data include sources of population heterogeneity. The sources of growth heterogeneity may be observed or latent. This article discusses how multidimensional scaling (MDS) can, in the framework of growth mixture modeling, provide an exploratory technique for identifying potential latent growth profiles, which may be indicative of growth associated with population heterogeneity. MDS can be used to examine the likelihood that latent growth profiles represent either known or unknown subgroups in the population. In addition, the association between latent growth profiles and other covariates can be studied. Characteristics of MDS profile analysis are described in comparison with other techniques commonly used for growth mixture modeling. A step-by-step analysis of two empirical examples illustrates how the MDS profile analysis provides an alternative tool for identifying growth trends and studying individual differences with respect to these growth trends.
Appearance Management Behavior and the Five Factor Model of Personality
Authors: Johnson Tricia Widner , Francis Sally K. , Burns Leslie Davis
Published: July 2007

Personality and appearance management variables such as clothing interest and appearance orientation have been the topic of previous studies. The purpose of the present research was to investigate the relationship between personality and appearance emphasis. A sample of undergraduate female college students completed a questionnaire measuring five personality factors and accompanying facets. Students also completed a questionnaire that included nine appearance emphasis items. Linear regression demonstrated a relationship exists between certain personality variables and appearance emphasis variables. Neuroticism, extraversion, and openness to experience were found to be moderate predictors for appearance emphasis. The findings of this investigation have theoretical implications regarding the social-psychological aspects of appearance and dress and personality research.
Effects of Psychological and Physical Self-Image on Perceptions of Salesperson Performance and Nonstore Shopping Intention
Authors: Kwon Wi-Suk , Rudd Nancy A.
Published: July 2007

Social interactions can affect one's self-image and are also influenced by self-image. This reciprocal relationship may be found in retail service encounters through the interaction between customers and salespeople. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine relationships among consumers' psychological and physical self-image, perceptions of salesperson performance (PSP), and nonstore shopping intention (NSI) in apparel shopping contexts. Two studies were conducted using female college student samples. Through correlation and regression analyses, results from the two studies revealed that some self-concept dimensions and global self-esteem were significantly related to body image and influenced PSP of attention and appearance, whereas PSP of attention positively affected NSI. Study 2 also demonstrated a possible effect of perceived importance of salesperson performance that might moderate the relationship between self-image and PSP. Theories such as categorization and social comparison were discussed as a possible conceptual framework in which the findings can be discussed.
Mid- to late-Holocene vegetation and land-use history in the Hadrian's Wall region of northern England: the record from Butterburn Flow
Authors: Yeloff Dan , van Geel Bas , Broekens Peter , Bakker Johan , Mauquoy Dmitri
Published: July 2007

Pollen analyses of a peat profile collected from Butterburn Flow, northern England have been used to reconstruct vegetation and land-use change from the late Neolithic ( c. 3230 cal. BC) to the present day. `Wiggle-matching' of 42 AMS 14C dates has enabled a precise (decadal scale) chronology to be established, and the results are interpreted within the context of previous studies of vegetation change in the area. Three late Neolithic—Bronze Age woodland clearance phases occurred, with the first beginning c. 2290 cal. BC. Cleared areas were utilized for pastoral and limited arable agriculture. Late Iron Age clearance and agricultural intensification began at Butterburn Flow c. 300 cal. BC; the peak period of clearance c. 90 cal. BC—AD 50 cal. was comparable in intensity with that in the fourteenth century AD. Farmland in the area was abandoned during the period c. AD 90—450 cal., contemporaneous with the Roman occupation of the region; Following Roman withdrawal, a resurgence of agriculture occurred. The timing of later periods of agricultural decline relate to climatic deterioration, political instability and disease in the region.
Greenland (GISP2) ice core and historical indicators of complex North Atlantic climate changes during the fourteenth century
Authors: Dawson A.G. , Hickey K. , Mayewski P.A. , Nesje A.
Published: July 2007

The paper uses Greenland GISP2 ice core data together with historical documentary information to investigate the nature of climate changes that took place between AD 1270 and 1450 across the North Atlantic region. Detailed Deuterium and deuterium excess time series resolved to c. 8—10 samples per year are used to reconstruct relative changes in Greenland air temperature and past changes in sea surface temperature across the western North Atlantic. The data show that sea surface temperatures during the late thirteenth century and the majority of the fourteenth century were characterized by relatively high-amplitude warming and cooling `events'. These changes preceded a marked reduction in the amplitude of the sea surface temperature changes c. 30—40 years before the well-known change in Northern Hemisphere tropospheric circulation characterized by a marked increase in regional storminess that started between c. AD 1400 and 1420. The time interval between AD 1270 and 1450 also appears over Greenland to have featured several short-lived phases of marked air temperature lowering that were rarely ever equalled during succeeding centuries. We believe that the climate changes described here are of considerable importance in understanding climate dynamics of the North Atlantic region since they took place at a time when the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) may have been weak. The results also show that the marked change in atmospheric circulation coincident with a significant increase in North Atlantic storminess at c. AD 1400—1420, possibly the biggest such change in the Holocene, took place after the strong perturbations in North Atlantic sea surface temperature (both warming and cooling) described here as well as after several episodes of air temperature lowering over Greenland.
Exorcising the `segment length curse': summer temperature reconstruction since AD 1640 using non-detrended stable carbon isotope ratios from pine trees in northern Finland
Authors: Gagen Mary , McCarroll Danny , Loader Neil J. , Robertson Iain , Jalkanen Risto , Anchukaitis Kevin J.
Published: July 2007

Stable carbon isotope ratios from the latewood cellulose of 12 trees from two sites in northern Finland are used to construct an isotope chronology covering AD 1640 to 2002. By measuring isotopic ratios of every sample independently it is possible to identify and remove the juvenile portion of each δ 13C series, correct the individual series for anthropogenic changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide isotopic ratios and concentrations, and to quantify changes in signal strength through time. Most importantly, it is possible to demonstrate that there are no long-term trends in the carbon isotope series that are related to tree age. This means that it is not necessary to detrend the series and so they have the potential to retain climate information at all temporal frequencies. The correlation between the non-detrended carbon isotope series and July/August mean temperature is high ( r=0.72) and comparison with meteorological records suggests that the dominant control over tree ring δ13C at these high latitude, moist sites is photosynthetic rate rather than stomatal conductance. Summer temperature reconstructions based on three different calibrations are presented, with verification based on a mixture of jacknife and split period designs, providing robust and near identical results. Reconstructed late summer temperatures in the early 1900s are very low but the years centred around AD 1660 and 1760 appear to have experienced warmer summers than the late twentieth century, thus our late summer reconstruction does not show a recent warming trend. Our results are in agreement with other palaeoclimate reconstructions for northern Fennoscandia, which show late twentieth-century warming occurring predominantly in the winter. Our results suggest that, where replication and common signal strength are sufficiently high, stable carbon isotope dendroclimatology may provide high resolution proxy time series that also record climate information at lower temporal frequencies, thus avoiding the `segment length curse' that can apply to palaeoclimate reconstructions based on other tree ring parameters such as ring widths and density.
The impact of tourism and reindeer herding on forest vegetation at Saariselkä, Finnish Lapland: a pollen analytical study of a high-resolution peat profile
Authors: Räsänen Satu , Froyd Cynthia , Goslar Tomasz
Published: July 2007

A high-resolution peat profile from the vicinity of Saariselkä (68°25.24'N, 27°25.19'E), a large tourist centre in northern Finnish Lapland, was sampled continuously at near annual resolution to a depth of 22 cm in order to interpret the changes in pollen assemblages and vegetation resulting from human interference and reindeer herding. Fifteen AMS dates were wiggle-matched with the atmospheric 14C calibration curve. The resulting age—depth model allows the calculation of pollen accumulation rates (PAR grains/cm2 per yr), which, in turn, enables the fine-scale human impact to be interpreted on much better grounds than would be possible with the classical pollen percentages approach. Results indicate that increasing tourist numbers since the building of the Saariselkä resort in 1950 are not seen in the pollen diagrams. Only a slight, although clear, increase in the pollen taxa of disturbed sites (mainly Gramineae with some herb pollen taxa) can be detected from the PAR diagram after the 1950s, along with a decrease of Pinus pollen following the clearance of the ski slopes in the 1970s. Principal components analysis (PCA) of fossil pollen spectra and modern pollen analogues obtained from both natural and human-disturbed sites confirms that human interference that has affected the vegetation around Saariselkä is not visible in the pollen record to the degree that might have been expected. This is interpreted as resulting from the considerably different nature of human impact at Saariselkä, where the infrastructure is fully developed and weed species are efficiently removed. The remarkable growth of reindeer population in the area during the1980s, however, can be observed in the peat profile through an increase in the number of coprophilous fungal spores ( Podospora, Sporormiella). This increase in fungal spores occurs simultaneously with a decrease in Betula pollen, which is interpreted to be a consequence of reindeer foraging the young Betula trees and seedlings.
Palynological evidence for environmental and climatic change in the lower Guadiana valley, Portugal, during the last 13 000 years
Authors: Fletcher William J. , Boski Tomasz , Moura Delminda
Published: July 2007

Pollen analysis of a 48 m AMS radiocarbon-dated sediment sequence from the Guadiana estuary provides the first record of Lateglacial and Holocene vegetation history in the Algarve province of Portugal. This paper focuses on the record of terrestrial pollen taxa, which document a series of forest expansions and declines during the period 13 000 cal. BP to 1600 cal. BP and provide insights into climate evolution in southwestern Iberia. The main vegetation phases identified in the Guadiana valley are (1) Lateglacial interstadial (Allerød) forest with Quercus and Pinus under a temperate, moist, continental climate; (2) a Younger Dryas forest decline ( Quercus) and expansion of pinewoods, xeric scrub and open ground habitats (with Juniperus , Artemisia, Ephedra distachya type, Centaurea scabiosa type) under arid and cold conditions; (3) an early Holocene forest/scrub/open-ground vegetation mosaic developing under a warm, dry and continental climate; (4) a maximum of Quercus forest and thermomediterranean evergreen taxa ( Olea, Phillyrea, Pistacia) reflecting a warm, moist oceanic climate between c. 9000 cal. BP and c. 5000 cal. BP; and (5) the expansion of shrublands with Cistaceae and Ericaceae under a drier climatic regime and increasing anthropogenic activity since c. 5000 cal. BP. Holocene episodes of maximum climatic aridity are identified in the record of xerophytic taxa ( Juniperus, Artemisia, Ephedra distachya type) centred around 10 200 cal. BP, 7800 cal. BP, 4800 cal. BP, 3100 cal. BP and 1700 cal. BP. Regional comparisons suggest a correlation of arid phases across southern Iberia and northwest Africa, which can be related to abrupt North Atlantic coolings (Bond events).
Clinical evidence for anti-inflammatory effects of antiplatelet therapy in patients with atherothrombotic disease
Authors: Steinhubl Steven R. , Badimon Juan J. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Herbert Jean-Marc , Lüscher Thomas F.
Published: July 2007

Recent advances in our understanding of cardiovascular disease have revealed that atherothrombotic events, such as myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, are the end result of a complex inflammatory response to multifaceted vascular pathology. As well as initiating thrombus formation at the site of a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque, platelets play a key role in vascular inflammation, through release of their own pro-inflammatory mediators and interactions with other relevant cell types (endothelial cells, leukocytes, and smooth muscle cells). An increasing body of literature shows that inflammatory biomarkers can be used to predict atherothrombotic risk and that antiplatelet therapy may reduce the levels of these markers. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has been attributed with reducing levels of the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), C-reactive protein, and soluble CD40 ligand, although the evidence relating to the latter two markers is conflicting. There is also substantial evidence that therapy with clopidogrel, a specific antagonist of the platelet P2Y12 ADP-receptor, also leads to reductions in serum levels of CD40 ligand, C-reactive protein, P-selectin, and platelet—leukocyte aggregate formation. Beneficial effects of clopidogrel on inflammatory markers have been demonstrated across the spectrum of atherothrombotic disease (acute coronary syndrome patients, patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), acute ischemic stroke patients, and those with peripheral arterial disease). Oral glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists, at doses that achieve moderate levels of receptor blockade, may paradoxically be associated with platelet-mediated pro-inflammatory effects. A similar phenomenon has been observed with intravenous GP IIb/IIIa antagonists in vitro, but most often at low doses, and data from clinical studies suggest that these agents may actually attenuate release of inflammatory mediators when administered at doses producing more complete receptor blockade.
Optimal assessment of baseline treadmill walking performance in claudication clinical trials
Authors: Brass Eric P. , Jiao Jenny , Hiatt William
Published: July 2007

Treadmill testing is frequently used to assess the functional capacity of patients with claudication, but the optimal application of treadmill testing in the setting of multicenter clinical trials remains uncertain. The current study used data from a recent clinical trial of the drug NM-702, which employed three baseline assessments of peak walking time (PWT) using a graded treadmill. These data were used to describe the different methods of defining the baseline peak treadmill performance with respect to reproducibility, stability over time and detection of treatment effect. A series of baseline definitions (first test only, last test only, highest PWT of the three tests, arithmetic mean of the three tests, mean of the first two tests, median of the three tests and a reproducibility-based criterion) were used to calculate the population ( n = 386) variability in baseline testing, the placebo response over the 24 weeks of treatment, and the effect size of NM-702. Placebo responses and NM-702 effect sizes were not substantively affected by the method used to calculate baseline PWT. Changes in PWT on placebo were less than 25% for all methods of baseline quantitation. No method yielded an NM-702 effect size quantitatively greater than that obtained using only the first baseline test in the analysis for either PWT or claudication onset time. The graded treadmill test quantifies PWT with high reproducibility and stability over time. These characteristics may obviate the need for multiple treadmill tests, potentially saving study costs and improving patient acceptance of trial participation.
Chronic illness and health-seeking information on the Internet
Authors: Ayers Stephanie L. , Kronenfeld Jennie Jacobs
Published: July 2007

ABSRACT By using the theories of help-seeking behavior and health-information seeking, this article demonstrates the relationship between chronic illness, retrieving health information from the Internet and changing health behavior. Research on the impact of health information on the Internet and changing health behavior is fairly new, given the growth of the Internet in recent years. Using US data on Internet use within the US population, multiple regression analysis was performed to explore the relationships between chronic medical conditions and frequency of Internet use, as well as changes in health behavior due to frequency of Internet use. The findings suggest that it is not merely the presence of a particular chronic illness, but rather the total number of chronic conditions that determine Internet use. Also, the more frequently a person uses the Internet as a source of health information, the more likely they are to change their health behavior.
Trends in attention to complementary and alternative medicine in the American medical literature
Authors: Winnick Terri A.
Published: July 2007

For decades, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been a topic of discussion within American medical journals. This research examines trends in the amount of coverage CAM receives in top professional journals in US medicine in order to ascertain if the timing of this discussion is linked to demographic, economic or political changes occurring in US society and affecting organized medicine. Pooled time series analyses of the number of published documents in five prestigious American medical journals between 1965 and 1999 were conducted, and findings of models with unlagged and lagged variables are presented. Results indicate that coverage of CAM is related to a proportionately older population, disability, innovation in health care financing and expanded licensing for non-physician health care providers. These associations point to a profession actively monitoring its competitors in a rapidly changing medical marketplace.
The Economic Burden of Chronic Cardiovascular Disease for Major Insurers
Authors: Trogdon Justin G. , Finkelstein Eric A. , Nwaise Isaac A. , Tangka Florence K. , Orenstein Diane
Published: July 2007

Accounting models provide less precise estimates of disease burden than do econometric models. The authors seek to improve these estimates for cardiovascular disease using a nationally representative survey and econometric modeling to isolate the proportion of medical expenditures attributable to four chronic cardiovascular diseases: stroke, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and other heart diseases. Approximately 17% of all medical expenditures, or $149 billion annually, and nearly 30% of Medicare expenditures are attributable to these diseases. Of the four diseases, hypertension accounts for the largest share of prescription expenditures across payers and the largest share of all Medicaid expenditures. The large number of people with cardiovascular disease who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid could lead to large shifts in the burden to these payers as prescription drug coverage is included in Medicare. A societal perspective is important when describing the economic burden of cardiovascular disease.
The Role of Apolipoprotein E in Cognitive Decline and Delirium after Bypass Heart Operations
Authors: Tagarakis Georgios I. , Tsolaki-Tagaraki Fani , Tsolaki Magdalini , Diegeler Anno , Tsilimingas Nikolaos B. , Papassotiropoulos Andreas
Published: July 2007

Cognitive decline and delirium are common complications after heart bypass surgery. Based on the reported role of the APOE-ε4 allele in neurodegenerative diseases, we studied its association with these complications. A neuropsychological test battery consisting of the Mini Mental State Examination, the Wechsler's Memory Scale Revised, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and the Delirium Rating Scale was applied to 137 APOE-genotyped patients on admission and 1 month after bypass surgery. We correlated the APOE (apolipoprotein E) polymorphism with the postoperative test outcome by taking into account all factors known to influence cognitive capacity after heart surgery. There was a significant decline in all test results 1 month after surgery and a high frequency of postoperative delirium. Neither this decline nor the frequency of delirium was associated with the APOE-ε4 allele. This study confirms the high incidence of cognitive decline and delirium after coronary surgery, but it does not support the role of the APOE-ε4 allele in the occurrence of these complications.