bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Onset and Progression of Disruptive Behavior Problems Among Community Boys and Girls
Authors: Farris Jaelyn R. , Nicholson Jody S. , Borkowski John G. , Whitman Thomas L.
Published: October 2010

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder are the most common forms of psychopathology seen among community youth. This study investigated prospective symptomatology of these disruptive behavior disorders from ages 5 though 14 in an at-risk community-based sample of 170 boys and girls born to adolescent mothers. The prevalence of problems was elevated, with boys and girls generally experiencing equally high prevalence rates. Intraindividual instability was common, and rates of co-occurrence were low. The fluctuating symptomatology in this community-based sample was in contrast to the clinical literature, which indicates higher rates of stability and comorbidity. Findings are discussed in terms of the unique set of results that stemmed from this prospectively assessed at-risk community-based sample of boys and girls.
Universal Screening for Behavioral Risk in Elementary Schools Using SWPBS Expectations
Authors: Burke Mack D. , Davis John L. , Lee Yuan-Hsuan , Hagan-Burke Shanna , Kwok Oi-man , Sugai George
Published: October 2010

In this study, the authors examined the concurrent validity, predictive validity, and concurrent and predictive classification accuracy of using schoolwide behavior expectations as a universal behavioral screener. Three elementary schools implementing schoolwide positive behavior supports (SWPBS) participated. Within each school, the entire school population was screened using items derived from schoolwide behavior expectations. Structural equation modeling revealed moderate to strong associations between SWPBS expectations and constructs formed from the criterion measure. SWPBS expectations converged with the school problems, externalizing problem behaviors, and adaptive skills constructs but diverged from the internalizing construct. Concurrent classification with a norm-referenced screener was generally adequate but varied depending on school and index. Predictive classification analyses using office discipline referrals also yielded comparable results as the norm-referenced screener. Although not without limitations, this study provides initial evidence of the validity of using SWPBS expectations to screen for behavioral risk.
The Relationship Between Implementation of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) and Disciplinary Exclusion of Students From Various Ethnic Backgrounds With and Without Disabilities
Authors: Vincent Claudia G. , Tobin Tary J.
Published: October 2010

This study examined disciplinary exclusion data from 77 schools implementing school-wide positive behavior support (SWPBS). The authors examined (a) patterns of exclusion in schools implementing SWPBS; (b) associations between decreased exclusions and SWPBS implementation at the whole school level, the classroom level, the nonclassroom level, and the individual student level; (c) the extent to which students from varying ethnicities were equitably represented in overall exclusions as well as long-term exclusions; and (d) the extent to which students with a disability from varying ethnicities were equitably represented in long-term exclusions. Whereas SWPBS implementation in the classroom appeared to be associated with decreased exclusions in elementary schools, SWPBS implementation in nonclassroom settings appeared to be associated with decreased exclusions in high schools. Although overall exclusions decreased, White students appeared to benefit most from this decrease, whereas African American students remained overrepresented in exclusions, in particular long-term exclusions. Small sample sizes limited generalizability of outcomes.
Bridging Partisan Divisions over Antiterrorism Policies
Authors: Malhotra Neil , Popp Elizabeth
Published: October 2010

The authors examine how changes in perceptions of threat affect individuals’ policy views as well as the political implications of this relationship. They administered a survey experiment to a representative sample of the U.S. population in which they exogenously manipulated individuals’ perceived likelihood of a future terrorist attack on American soil and assessed subsequent changes in support for terrorism-related public policies. They find that reducing perceived threat substantially decreases support for policies intended to combat terrorism and that this effect is concentrated among Democrats who believe another terrorist attack is likely to occur. These results suggest that threat, as part of the larger information environment, can alter partisan divisions on controversial policies.
Using Play Therapy Techniques in a Bowenian Theoretical Context
Authors: Nims Donald R. , Duba Jill D.
Published: October 2010

Bowen theory focuses on the concept of emotional functioning, specifically among and within the family. The goal of therapy is to engage the family members in understanding the patterns of dysfunctional behavior. Little attention, however, is paid to incorporating children into the family systems work. Play therapy, within the framework of the Bowen theory, encourages participation from all family members, points to the interactions of the family members with each other, and links these systemic patterns to the reason why the family was referred to therapy. This article describes the basic tenets of the Bowen theory and how the play therapy techniques of art, sandtray, and puppets facilitate therapeutic interventions when using this model. A case study is provided.
The Radical Nature of the Relationship Enhancement Expressive Skill and Its Implications for Therapy and Psychoeducation
Authors: Scuka Robert F.
Published: October 2010

Some common ways that couples speak to one another have the effect of inducing defensiveness and generating endless and unwinnable arguments that effectively shut down the possibility of genuine communication. This article uncovers the problematic underlying assumptions of the implicit ‘‘objective’’ frame of reference that underlies those common ways of speaking and describes how the Expressive Skill within the Relationship Enhancement (RE) therapy and psychoeducational model points to an alternative, subjective frame of reference that can help break through the all-too-common impasses in communication that otherwise result. The radical nature of the RE Expressive Skill is that its implications go beyond simply coaching people how to express themselves more skillfully and respectfully but instead help people change the very way they think about their own and other people’s experience by coming to recognize that all human experience is intrinsically subjective in its very nature.
Adult Children of Divorce and Relationship Education: Implications for Counselors and Counselor Educators
Authors: Johnson Veronica I.
Published: October 2010

This article explores the impact of relationship education on young adults’ optimism about relationships and attitudes toward marriage whose parents were divorced and offers implications and suggestions for counselors and counselor educators. Previous research in the area of intimate and family relationships has demonstrated that adults who have experienced a parental divorce in childhood often enter their own intimate relationships with altered expectations and perceptions about their chances for success. A pilot study was conducted exploring whether participating in an intimate relationships course impacted attitudes toward marriage and optimism about relationships among those who experienced a parental divorce as compared with those who came from nondivorced homes. While no significant changes in attitude or optimism were found upon completion of the course, post hoc analyses found significant differences between students who perceive their family of origin as healthy as compared with students who perceive their family of origin as unhealthy, regardless of parental divorce. Conclusions and recommendations for future research are provided.
A Comparison of the Paternal Involvement of Low-Income Fathers in Four Developmental Stages: Adolescence, Young Adult, Adult, and Midlife
Authors: Saleh Mahasin F. , Hilton Jeanne M.
Published: October 2010

An adapted version of Lamb’s model was used to examine types of paternal involvement (positive engagement, access to the child, and financial stability) engaged in by cohabiting and non-cohabiting low-income fathers across four age groups. The sample consisted of 2,512 low-income fathers who participated in the Fragile Families and Child Well-being study. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that age group of father and cohabitation status had a significant effect on all three dimensions of paternal involvement. Adolescent fathers had more limited access and were less engaged than fathers in other age groups, even though they were more financially stable. This study provides practitioners with a developmental perspective on paternal involvement that is useful in working with low-income fathers.
Examination of the Factor Structure and Concurrent Validity of the Langer Mindfulness/Mindlessness Scale
Authors: Haigh Emily A. P. , Moore Michael T. , Kashdan Todd B. , Fresco David M.
Published: October 2010

Langer’s theory of mindfulness proposes that a mindful person seeks out and produces novelty, is attentive to context, and is flexible in thought and behavior. In three independent studies, the factor structure of the Langer Mindfulness/Mindlessness Scale was examined. Confirmatory factor analysis failed to replicate the four-factor model and a subsequent exploratory factor analysis revealed the presence of a two-factor (mindfulness and mindlessness) solution. Study 2 demonstrated that the two factors assessed discrete constructs and were not merely products of acquiescence. Support was also found for a nine-item, one-factor model comprised solely of mindfulness items. On comparing models, Study 3 suggested the superiority of the one-factor mindfulness model. Finally, a preliminary investigation of the concurrent validity of the revised nine-item Langer Mindfulness/Mindlessness Scale is presented. The current article offers researchers a revised version of a mindfulness measure derived from a cognitive perspective.
Survival Analysis and Factors Associated With Mortality Among Elderly in a Home Care Program
Authors: Aquaroni Ricci Natalia , Cereda Cordeiro Renata , Dutra Lemos Naira , Gazzola Juliana Maria
Published: October 2010

Home care (HC) is directed at older people with high risk of mortality due to clinical, social, and functional vulnerability. The purpose of this study is to analyze the likelihood of survival in a 2-year follow-up of elderly in HC and determine associations between the patient outcome (death/survival) and baseline data. The medical records of 38 elderly in a HC program were analyzed with regard to sociodemographic and clinical data and by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). After a 2-year period, the records were reanalyzed to determine the patient outcome (death/survival). To determine the mortality rate in the follow-up period, the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis model was used. The Chi square, Fisher exact tests, the Student t and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze associations between the baseline variables and program status. The probability of survival was 75.36% and 56.14%, after 1 and 2 years of HC follow-up, respectively. Age, gender, marital status and FIM had no influence on mortality. The elderly who died showed a shorter time of assistance in the HC program, greater number of comorbidities and skin diseases compared to the survivors. Frail and socially vulnerable elderly may benefit from early intervention that focuses on the maintenance of function and the control of clinical complications.
Prevalence and Psychosocial Correlates of Current Smoking Among Adolescent Students in Thailand, 2005
Authors: McKnight-Eily Lela , Arrazola René , Merritt Robert , Malarcher Ann , Sirichotiratana Nithat
Published: October 2010

This article examines the prevalence of current smoking and associated psychosocial correlates and whether these correlates differ by sex among adolescent students in Thailand. Data were analyzed from the Thailand Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), a school-based, cross-sectional survey conducted in 2005 and completed by Mathayom 1, 2, and 3 (U.S. seventh through ninth grades) students. Weighted prevalence estimates of the percentage of students who were current smokers (smoked on ≥1 day during the past 30 days) and noncurrent smokers were calculated for the sample and for each psychosocial variable. Separate logistic regression models were calculated for males and females to examine the independent association of the psychosocial correlates of current smoking. Significant correlates for both males and females included close peer smoking, secondhand smoke exposure, being offered a free cigarette by a tobacco industry representative, and belief that smoking is not harmful. These correlates are examined in the context of comprehensive tobacco control laws in Thailand.
A Comparison of the Effectiveness of a Telephone Coaching Program and a Mail-Based Program
Authors: Terry Paul E. , Seaverson Erin L. D. , Staufacker Michael J. , Gingerich Stefan B.
Published: October 2010

Many health promotion interventions have been developed and tested in recent years. Practitioners and researchers must continue to explore how various program delivery modalities can be used effectively and efficiently to optimize program outcomes. A sample of 6,055 participants was drawn from 10 large employers. Participants self-selected into a mail or telephone intervention. This study compared the demographics of those who selected each modality and assessed differences in program success relative to the modalities chosen. Telephone participants were more likely to be older, female, and salaried. Telephone participants were also more ready, confident, and motivated to make a behavior change, when compared to those in the mail program. Researchers found both the telephone and mail programs to be effective in reducing participants’ health risk status, though the telephone program was slightly more effective. These findings demonstrate the importance of offering a variety of interventions when promoting healthy changes. More research is needed to investigate the role of participant choice and the combinations of learning experiences that best facilitate sustainable behavior change.
Exploring the Influence of a Social Ecological Model on School-Based Physical Activity
Authors: Langille Jessie-Lee D. , Rodgers Wendy M.
Published: October 2010

Among rising rates of overweight and obesity, schools have become essential settings to promote health behaviors, such as physical activity (PA). As schools exist within a broader environment, the social ecological model (SEM) provided a framework to consider how different levels interact and influence PA. The purpose of this study was to provide insight on school-based PA promotion by investigating the integration between different levels of Emmons’s SEM within one public school board in a large Canadian city. Interviews were conducted with participants from the government ( n = 4), the public school board ( n = 3), principals ( n = 3), and teachers ( n = 4) and analyzed to explore perspectives on the various levels of the model. The results suggested that higher level policies “trickled down” into the organizational level of the SEM but there was pivotal responsibility for schools to determine how to implement PA strategies. Furthermore, schools have difficulty implementing PA because of the continued priority of academic achievement.
Is the Incredible Years programme effective for children with neuro-developmental disorders and for families with Social Services involvement in the “real world” of community CAMHS?
Authors: Kleve Liv , Crimlisk Sue , Shoebridge Philip , Greenwood Rosemary , Baker Bethan , Mead Ben
Published: October 2010

Background: Over the past few years parenting has become the focus for political attention in an attempt to tackle high levels of disruptive and anti-social behaviour. The Incredible Years (IY) programme (Webster-Stratton, 1999) is one of the parenting training packages that has been identified as a treatment of choice. There are, however, few studies available to demonstrate the clinical relevance in real world Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and even less knowledge about how children affected by a neuro-developmental disorder and families involved with Social Services can benefit.

Method: The BASIC IY videotape parent training programme was used for consecutive groups of parents across two neighbouring CAMH services ( n = 128). Data were collected before and after intervention using the Eyberg Behaviour Checklist (Eyberg & Ross, 1978) and a number of Visual Analogue Scales. The effectiveness of the group was compared to that of other studies and the outcomes for two sub-groups — children with a neuro-developmental disorder and families with Social Services involvement — were evaluated.

Results: Statistically significantly post-intervention scores were found for all groups showing moderate to large effect sizes.

Conclusions: The results are comparable to other effectiveness studies (e.g., Gardner, Barton, & Klimes, 2006; Scott, 2005). They also show that the IY is equally effective for children diagnosed with a neuro-developmental disorder and for families with multiple and complex needs.
Developing an interactive website for adolescents with a mentally ill family member
Authors: Drost Louisa M. , Cuijpers Pim , Schippers Gerard M.
Published: October 2010

Adolescents with a mentally ill parent are at high risk for developing a disorder themselves. It is widely recommended that these adolescents be provided with preventive interventions designed especially for them, but their avoidance of professional help is a common problem. Because most teenagers in Western societies use the World Wide Web as a means of social interaction, use of the Internet for reaching these young people would appear to be a promising option. In this article, the authors describe the development of Survivalkid.nl, an interactive, Internet-delivered, preventive intervention for supporting adolescents with a mentally ill family member. Usage statistics with regard to frequency and duration of visits and amount of activity during visits suggest that: (a) the target group has been better served than before the site was launched; and (b) we have accomplished our goal of expanding the range of support.
Relative deprivation and intergroup competition
Authors: Halevy Nir , Chou Eileen Y. , Cohen Taya R. , Bornstein Gary
Published: October 2010

Two experiments utilized a new experimental paradigm—the Intergroup Prisoner’s Dilemma— Maximizing Difference (IPD-MD) game—to study how relative deprivation at the group level affects intergroup competition. The IPD-MD game enables group members to make a costly contribution to either a within-group pool that benefits fellow ingroup members, or a between-group pool, which, in addition, harms outgroup members. We found that when group members were put in a disadvantaged position, either by previous actions of the outgroup (Experiment 1) or by random misfortune (Experiment 2), they contributed substantially more to the competitive between-group pool. This destructive behavior both minimized inequality between the groups and reduced collective efficiency. Our results underscore the conditions that lead group members to care about relative (rather than absolute) group outcomes and highlight the need to differentiate between the motivation to get ahead and the motivation not to fall behind: the latter, it appears, is what motivates individual participation in destructive intergroup competition.
Social choice theory, social decision scheme theory, and group decision-making
Authors: Laughlin Patrick R.
Published: October 2010

Social choice theory and social decision scheme theory address the fundamental issue: How does a society or small group combine or aggregate a distribution of member preferences in a collective decision by known or possible voting rules and parliamentary procedures? However, research in each area has proceeded in relative independence of the other. This article (a) summarizes the major concepts of social choice theory, (b) summarizes the major concepts of social decision scheme theory, (c) presents illustrative research, (d) considers corresponding and complementary emphases of the two theories, and (e) suggests three interrelated areas of future research on group decision-making: preference for different social choice rules; successive decisions in a hierarchical system with random assignment of members at the initial level; successive decisions in a hierarchical system with nonrandom assignment of members at the initial level (gerrymandering).
Overcoming the competitiveness of an intergroup context: Third-party intervention in intergroup negotiations
Authors: Loschelder David D. , Trötschel Roman
Published: October 2010

The present research addresses the specific impairments of an intergroup negotiation context with respect to intergroup competitiveness and partial impasses. We examined whether mediation-arbitration (med-arb), a hybrid form of third-party intervention, is conducive to overcoming the detrimental effect of an intergroup negotiation context. Study 1 demonstrated the detrimental effect of an intergroup negotiation context and showed that mediation-arbitration is an effective means to overcome this detrimental effect in a distributive negotiation task. The findings of Study 1 further suggest that the beneficial effect of med-arb on negotiation outcomes can be explained in terms of an alleviation of intergroup competitiveness. Study 2 replicated the beneficial effect of mediation-arbitration in an integrative intergroup negotiation and, by means of comparing mediation-arbitration to straight mediation, corroborated the notion that the anticipated arbitration in med-arb is a necessary precondition to alleviate the competitiveness throughout the mediated negotiation process. Study 2 further revealed that the beneficial effect of med-arb on intergroup competitiveness can be explained in terms of the perceived decision control that disputants ascribed to the third party. The findings of the present research are discussed with respect to their contribution to future research on intergroup negotiation and third-party intervention.
Fear and anger as predictors of motivation for intergroup aggression: Evidence from Serbia and Republika Srpska
Authors: Spanovic Marija , Lickel Brian , Denson Thomas F. , Petrovic Nebojsa
Published: October 2010

We investigated the relationship between emotions of fear and anger and people’s motivation for intergroup aggression within the context of Serbian—Albanian relations in Serbia (Study 1) and Serbian—Bosniak intergroup relations in Bosnia (Study 2). Serbian students in Belgrade and Banja Luka completed a survey that assessed their attitudes towards Albanians or Bosniaks. We found that fear of the outgroup was related to increased motivation for aggression in the context of the ongoing conflict in Serbia, whereas fear was negatively related to aggression in Bosnia, where the conflict had been resolved. The relationships between fear and aggression were significant even after controlling for anger. Furthermore, ingroup affiliation mediated the relationship between fear and aggression in Serbia and between anger and aggression in Bosnia. These findings have implications for conflict resolution efforts in ongoing or intractable conflicts.
When yielding pieces of the pie is not a piece of cake: Identity-based intergroup effects in negotiations
Authors: Trötschel Roman , Hüffmeier Joachim , Loschelder David D.
Published: October 2010

The present research intends to shed light on an identity-based intergroup effect in negotiations by demonstrating that the mere perception of the negotiation as an instance of intergroup interaction suffices to impair the negotiation process and to deteriorate its outcomes. It was predicted that negotiators’ salient group identities increase their competitive perceptions, reduce their concession behavior, and consequently lead to inferior negotiation outcomes. Study 1 revealed that solo negotiators with salient group identities achieved lower joint outcomes than negotiators with salient individual identities. Study 2 systematically explored the underlying mechanisms of this identity-based intergroup effect by analyzing negotiators’ concession-making behaviors over the course of the negotiation. The results of the second experiment replicate the findings of the first study and further show that the detrimental effect of an identity-based intergroup context will occur in distributive as well as integrative negotiations. The findings of the present research are discussed with respect to their contribution to future research on intergroup negotiation.
A comparison of minimal group induction procedures
Authors: Pinter Brad , Greenwald Anthony G.
Published: October 2010

For 40 years researchers have studied minimal groups using a variety of induction procedures which, surprisingly, have never been formally evaluated. This article reports two experiments that compared minimal group induction procedures based on: (1) memorization of novel ingroup names; (2) an imagination instruction; (3) random assignment; and (4) false feedback from painting preferences. The memorization procedure produced the largest ingroup favoritism effects on implicit measures of attraction and identification, whereas all procedures produced comparable ingroup favoritism effects on explicit measures of attraction and identification and bonus money allocation. The memorization procedure is recommended as a practical and effective minimal group induction procedure, particularly in cases in which implicit assessments are of primary interest.
Social categorization in interpersonal negotiation: How social structural factors shape negotiations
Authors: Demoulin Stéphanie , Teixeira Cátia P.
Published: October 2010

Social categorization is a powerful determinant of social behavior. As group membership becomes salient, individuals come to behave as group members and, consequently, appraise interactions according to these salient group identities (Turner, 1987). The aim of the present article is to investigate the impact of social categorization on perceptions and appraisals of a distributive negotiation situation. An experiment is presented in which social categorization of the negotiation partner is manipulated. Results revealed that the social structural factors associated with the partner’s group (i.e. social status and group’s competition) influence fixed-pie perceptions as well as participants’ inferences about their counterpart’s target and resistance points. In addition, these effects are mediated by stereotypical evaluations of the counterpart in terms of warmth and competence, respectively.
Social value orientation moderates ingroup love but not outgroup hate in competitive intergroup conflict
Authors: de Dreu Carsten K.W.
Published: October 2010

In intergroup conflict, individual cooperation may be directed at strengthening the ingroup, thus undermining the effectiveness and sustainability of the competing outgroup. Reversely, cooperation directed towards the competing outgroup indirectly undermines the viability of the ingroup and is often seen by ingroup members as disloyal, non-cooperative behavior. Using the Intergroup Prisoner’s Dilemma—Maximizing Differences Game to model intergroup conflict, the experiment reported here shows that compared to individuals with a chronic pro-self orientation, those with a chronic prosocial orientation display stronger ingroup trust and ingroup love—they self-sacrifice to benefit their ingroup—but not more or less outgroup distrust and outgroup hate. Furthermore, in this situation pro-social individuals were driven more by ingroup fairness considerations when contributing to their ingroup. Path analyses suggest that effects of social value orientation on ingroup love are mediated by ingroup trust and not by fairness considerations. Implications for research on social value orientations, and intergroup conflict and competition are discussed.
Refining an optical switch for the Natural Light Guiding System
Authors: Whang AJW , Chen KY , Chou KH , Chen YY
Published: October 2010

Many recent studies have focused on the use of sunlight to provide indoor lighting and save energy. One approach, the Natural Light Guiding System, uses a static solar concentrator, a fibre optic transmitter and a light emitter to collect sunlight, move it to where it is wanted and distribute it into a room. An important feature of this system is an optical switch that can be used to control and change the direction of the transmitted light. This paper describes the refinement of the optical switch. The refined optical switch uses two lenses to improve light absorption efficiency. The light switch provides light efficiency management controls, such as a switch on and off function and the capability of saving energy in a solar battery.
The SHARE Project: Maximizing Participant Retention in a Longitudinal Study with Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Clough Amber , Wagman Jennifer , Rollins Chiquita , Barnes Jamie , Connor-Smith Jennifer , Holditch-Niolon Phyllis , McDowell Sarah , Martinez-Bell Erminia , Bloom Tina , Baker Charlene , Glass Nancy
Published: October 2010

Retaining victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) in longitudinal research is challenging, as abused women often face safety concerns, housing and employment instability, poverty, and major life transitions, making it difficult to locate and retain participants at follow-up time points. This article builds on past research to describe individualized, technology-based retention strategies for hard-to-reach populations, which minimize participant loss while maintaining participant safety. These techniques have resulted in retention rates of 94% at 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up interviews in a sample of 278 women experiencing both IPV and housing instability. The authors discuss the ethical use of appropriate technology for maximizing retention of participants as well as the importance of adjusting retention activities to meet the individual safety needs of each participant.
Game Theoretic Analysis of Basic Team Sports Leagues
Authors: Madden Paul
Published: October 2010

The article proposes a new ‘‘strategic market game’’ (SMG) approach to modeling strategic interactions between clubs in professional team sports leagues, and generalizes a basic framework used in previous literature (two clubs, fixed talent supply and club revenues that depend only on relative team qualities), to allow variable talent supply and club revenues that depend on absolute (and relative) team qualities. The new approach incorporates club talent market power (duopsony), overlooked by existing approaches; in both the basic and the more general framework, Nash equilibrium competitive balance is analyzed, with and without revenue sharing and with comparisons to existing analyses.
Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis by Cartilage Surface Smoothness Quantified Automatically from Knee MRI
Authors: Tummala Sudhakar , Bay-Jensen Anne-Christine , Karsdal Morten A. , Dam Erik B.
Published: October 2010

Objective:

We investigated whether surface smoothness of articular cartilage in the medial tibiofemoral compartment quantified from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be appropriate as a diagnostic marker of osteoarthritis (OA).

Method:

At baseline, 159 community-based subjects aged 21 to 81 with normal or OA-affected knees were recruited to provide a broad range of OA states. Smoothness was quantified using an automatic framework from low-field MRI in the tibial, femoral, and femoral subcompartments. Diagnostic ability of smoothness was evaluated by comparison with conventional OA markers, specifically cartilage volume from MRI, joint space width (JSW) from radiographs, and pain scores.

Results:

A total of 140 subjects concluded the 21-month study. Cartilage smoothness provided diagnostic ability in all compartments ( P < 0.0001). The diagnostic smoothness markers performed at least similar to JSW and were superior to volume markers (e.g., the AUC for femoral smoothness of 0.80 was higher than the 0.57 for volume, P < 0.0001, and marginally higher than 0.73 for JSW, P = 0.25). The smoothness markers allowed diagnostic detection of pain presence ( P < 0.05) and showed some correlation with pain severity (e.g., r = −0.32). The longitudinal change in smoothness was correlated with cartilage loss ( r up to 0.60, P < 0.0001 in all compartments).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated the potential of cartilage smoothness markers for diagnosis of moderate radiographic OA. Furthermore, correlations between smoothness and pain values and smoothness loss and cartilage loss supported a link to progression of OA. Thereby, smoothness markers may allow detection and monitoring of OA-supplemented currently accepted markers.
Childhood Overweight and Obesity and Their Association With Asthma
Authors: Kier Catherine , Forde Simone A.
Published: October 2010

Poor diet, decreased physical activity, and obesity are emerging as determinants that may be critical in the cause of asthma. The obesity epidemic is a worldwide problem affecting both developed and developing countries. The prevalence of obesity among US children and adolescents has tripled over the past 4 decades, and there is an all-time low in the level of physical activity among children and adolescents. Recent data show that the incidence of asthma has been climbing rapidly as well over these past 4 decades. An increasing body of literature suggests that there is an association between this parallel rise of obesity and asthma incidences. Although the exact nature of this association remains unclear, many investigators have interpreted the data to suggest that obesity both increases the risk of incident asthma and alters prevalent asthma toward a phenotype that is more difficult to control.
Public Health and Primary Care
Authors: Mayes Rick , McKenna Sean
Published: October 2010

Why are the goals of public health and primary care less politically popular and financially supported than those of curative medicine? A major part of the answer to this question lies in the fact that humans often worry wrongly by assessing risk poorly. This reality is a significant obstacle to the adequate promotion of and investment in public health, primary care, and prevention. Also, public health’s tendency to infringe on personal privacy—as well as to call for difficult behavioral change—often sparks intense controversy and interest group opposition that discourage broader political support. Finally, in contrast to curative medicine, both the cost-benefit structure of public health (costs now, benefits later) and the way in which the profession operates make it largely invisible to and, thus, underappreciated by the general public. When curative medicine works well, most everybody notices. When public health and primary care work well, virtually nobody notices.
Prenatal Care Barriers in an Inner-city Neighborhood of Houston, Texas
Authors: Nepal Vishnu P. , Banerjee Deborah , Perry Mark
Published: October 2010

The objective of this qualitative pilot study was to explore barriers to prenatal care among women (aged 17 to 30 years) with pregnancy experience who resided in an underserved and predominantly African American neighborhood in Houston, Texas. The authors conducted 5 focus group discussions with, and collected demographic information from, the 32 participants. Discussions were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed manually. The data analysis suggested 5 key barriers to prenatal care services among the study populations: unplanned pregnancy, lack of information, lack of support system (eg, lack of emotional and instrumental support from family members), psychosocial challenges (eg, emotions and stress-related to the condition of pregnancy), and economic hardships (eg, lack of money to maintain healthy pregnancy and basic needs). Addressing the causes of unplanned pregnancy, such as low risk perception, behavior-related causes, and attitude toward pregnancy, may be helpful to improve the utilization of prenatal care by underserved women.
Anencephaly
Authors: Moore Lisa
Published: October 2010

Anencephaly is easily diagnosed by sonography. This article presents images and a discussion of embryology, maternal serum testing, and management.
Bartholin’s Gland Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a Rare Vulvar Neoplasm
Authors: Hill Donald S. , Butterfield Alda
Published: October 2010

Squamous cell carcinoma of the vaginal Bartholin’s glands is a rare vulvar neoplasm affecting predominantly postmenopausal women. This case report presents a woman in her early 50s with a firm mass in the posterior vagina. Surgical biopsy revealed the mass to be a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with probable direct invasion of the rectum.
Can Hybrid Learning Theory Be Used to Teach Working Sonographers 3D Imaging Technology?
Authors: Mitchell Carol , Willey Bridgett , Baker Sara , Kohn Sarah , Hendricks Christina
Published: October 2010

Three-dimensional sonography is being cited more frequently as a means of further evaluating the patient and better defining the pathological condition. One of the main limitations of fully implementing 3D imaging in the sonography department is the limited experience and limited time to educate working sonographers on how to fully understand and use this technology. Deliberate and planned educational activities designed to meet the educational needs of working sonographers may be a way to increase the clinical use of 3D technology in the clinical sonography department.
Angiostatic and chemotactic activities of the CXC chemokine CXCL4L1 (platelet factor-4 variant) are mediated by CXCR3
Authors: Struyf Sofie , Salogni Laura , Burdick Marie D. , Vandercappellen Jo , Gouwy Mieke , Noppen Sam , Proost Paul , Opdenakker Ghislain , Parmentier Marc , Gerard Craig , Sozzani Silvano , Strieter Robert M. , Van Damme Jo
Published: October 2010

We investigated possible cellular receptors for the human CXC chemokine platelet factor-4 variant/CXCL4L1, a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. We found that CXCL4L1 has lower affinity for heparin and chondroitin sulfate-E than platelet factor-4 (CXCL4) and showed that CXCL10 and CXCL4L1 could displace each other on microvascular endothelial cells. Labeled CXCL4L1 also bound to CXCR3A- and CXCR3B-transfectants and was displaced by CXCL4L1, CXCL4, and CXCL10. The CXCL4L1 anti-angiogenic activity was blocked by anti-CXCR3 antibodies (Abs) in the Matrigel and cornea micropocket assays. CXCL4L1 application in CXCR3−/− or in wild-type mice treated with neutralizing anti-CXCR3 Abs, resulted in reduced inhibitory activity of CXCL4L1 on tumor growth and vascularization of Lewis lung carcinoma. Furthermore, CXCL4L1 and CXCL4 chemoattracted activated T cells, human natural killer cells, and human immature dendritic cells (DCs). Migration of DCs toward CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 was desensitized by preincubation with CXCL10 and CXCL11, inhibited by pertussis toxin, and neutralized by anti-CXCR3 Abs. Chemotaxis of T cells, natural killer cells, and DCs is likely to contribute to the antitumoral action. However, the in vivo data indicate that the angiostatic property of CXCL4L1 is equally important in retarding tumor growth. Thus, both CXCR3A and CXCR3B are implicated in the chemotactic and vascular effects of CXCL4L1.
Myeloperoxidase attracts neutrophils by physical forces
Authors: Klinke Anna , Nussbaum Claudia , Kubala Lukas , Friedrichs Kai , Rudolph Tanja K. , Rudolph Volker , Paust Hans-Joachim , Schröder Christine , Benten Daniel , Lau Denise , Szocs Katalin , Furtmüller Paul G. , Heeringa Peter , Sydow Karsten , Duchstein Hans-Jürgen , Ehmke Heimo , Schumacher Udo , Meinertz Thomas , Sperandio Markus , Baldus Stephan
Published: October 2010

Recruitment of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) remains a paramount prerequisite in innate immune defense and a critical cofounder in inflammatory vascular disease. Neutrophil recruitment comprises a cascade of concerted events allowing for capture, adhesion and extravasation of the leukocyte. Whereas PMN rolling, binding, and diapedesis are well characterized, receptor-mediated processes, mechanisms attenuating the electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged glycocalyx of leukocyte and endothelium remain poorly understood. We provide evidence for myeloperoxidase (MPO), an abundant PMN-derived heme protein, facilitating PMN recruitment by its positive surface charge. In vitro, MPO evoked highly directed PMN motility, which was solely dependent on electrostatic interactions with the leukocyte's surface. In vivo, PMN recruitment was shown to be MPO-dependent in a model of hepatic ischemia and reperfusion, upon intraportal delivery of MPO and in the cremaster muscle exposed to local inflammation or to intraarterial MPO application. Given MPO's affinity to both the endothelial and the leukocyte's surface, MPO evolves as a mediator of PMN recruitment because of its positive surface charge. This electrostatic MPO effect not only displays a so far unrecognized, catalysis-independent function of the enzyme, but also highlights a principal mechanism of PMN attraction driven by physical forces.
How I treat superficial venous thrombosis
Authors: Kitchens Craig S.
Published: October 2010

Thrombosis of superficial veins has long been regarded as a benign disorder. If patients with a clinical diagnosis of superficial venous thrombosis (SVT) are thoroughly evaluated, the degree and extent of thrombosis in patients with SVT are characteristically underestimated (∼ 75% of the time) and such patients have coexistence (∼ 25% of the time) of, and/or rapid progression (∼ 10% of the time) to, systemic venous thromboembolism (VTE). Pulmonary embolism (PE; ∼ 25% of the time) and death (∼ 1% of the time) occur. Contributory risk factors for SVT are the same for VTE. Treatment of patients' SVT with parenteral anticoagulants appears to be both efficacious and certainly safe. I regard most patients with a clinical diagnosis of SVT the same as those with VTEs. Systemic anticoagulant therapy of patients with a clinical diagnosis of SVT obviates extensive imaging and laboratory workup and may be cost effective while encompassing treatment of any unknown concomitant thromboses with only low risk for hemorrhage. This decision is especially clear in those patients with known hypercoagulability. Patients without clinical risk factors are at lower risk to develop VTE complications and might be those who can be simply observed.
Vascular bed–specific regulation of the von Willebrand factor promoter in the heart and skeletal muscle
Authors: Liu Ju , Yuan Lei , Molema Grietje , Regan Erzsébet , Janes Lauren , Beeler David , Spokes Katherine C. , Okada Yoshiaki , Minami Takashi , Oettgen Peter , Aird William C.
Published: October 2010

A region of the human von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene between −2812 and the end of the first intron (termed vWF2) was previously shown to direct expression in the endothelium of capillaries and a subset of larger blood vessels in the heart and skeletal muscle. Here, our goal was to delineate the DNA sequences responsible for this effect. A series of constructs containing deletions or mutations of vWF2 coupled to LacZ were targeted to the Hprt locus of mice, and the resulting animals were analyzed for reporter gene expression. The findings demonstrate that DNA sequences between −843 and −620 are necessary for expression in capillary but not large vessel endothelium in heart and skeletal muscle. Further, expression of VWF in capillaries and larger vessels of both tissues required the presence of a native or heterologous intron. In vitro assays implicated a role for ERG-binding ETS motif at −56 in mediating basal expression of VWF. In Hprt-targeted mice, mutation of the ETS consensus motif resulted in loss of LacZ expression in the endothelium of the heart and skeletal muscle. Together, these data indicate that distinct DNA modules regulate vascular bed–specific expression of VWF.
RNA-seq analysis of 2 closely related leukemia clones that differ in their self-renewal capacity
Authors: Wilhelm Brian T. , Briau Mathieu , Austin Pamela , Faubert Amélie , Boucher Geneviève , Chagnon Pierre , Hope Kristin , Girard Simon , Mayotte Nadine , Landry Josette-Renee , Hébert Josée , Sauvageau Guy
Published: October 2010

The molecular mechanisms regulating self-renewal of leukemia stem cells remain poorly understood. Here we report the generation of 2 closely related leukemias created through the retroviral overexpression of Meis1 and Hoxa9. Despite their apparent common origin, these clonal leukemias exhibit enormous differences in stem cell frequency (from 1 in 1.4, FLA2; to 1 in 347, FLB1), suggesting that one of these leukemias undergoes nearly unlimited self-renewal divisions. Using next-generation RNA-sequencing, we characterized the transcriptomes of these phenotypically similar, but biologically distinct, leukemias, identifying hundreds of differentially expressed genes and a large number of structural differences (eg, alternative splicing and promoter usage). Focusing on ligand-receptor pairs, we observed high expression levels of Sdf1-Cxcr4; Jagged2-Notch2/1; Osm-Gp130; Scf-cKit; and Bmp15-Tgfb1/2. Interestingly, the integrin beta 2-like gene (Itgb2l) is both highly expressed and differentially expressed between our 2 leukemias (∼ 14-fold higher in FLA2 than FLB1). In addition, gene ontology analysis indicated G-protein-coupled receptor had a much higher proportion of differential expression (22%) compared with other classes (∼ 5%), suggesting a potential role regulating subtle changes in cellular behavior. These results provide the first comprehensive transcriptome analysis of a leukemia stem cell and document an unexpected level of transcriptome variation between phenotypically similar leukemic cells.
Regulation of Ack1 localization and activity by the amino-terminal SAM domain
Authors: Prieto-Echagüe Victoria , Gucwa Azad , Brown Deborah A , Miller W Todd
Published: October 2010

Background

The mechanisms that regulate the activity of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Ack1 (activated Cdc42-associated kinase) are poorly understood. The amino-terminal region of Ack1 is predicted to contain a sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain. SAM domains share a common fold and mediate protein-protein interactions in a wide variety of proteins. Here, we addressed the importance of the Ack1 SAM domain in kinase activity.

Results

We used immunofluorescence and Western blotting to show that Ack1 deletion mutants lacking the N-terminus displayed significantly reduced autophosphorylation in cells. A minimal construct comprising the N-terminus and kinase domain (NKD) was autophosphorylated, while the kinase domain alone (KD) was not. When expressed in mammalian cells, NKD localized to the plasma membrane, while KD showed a more diffuse cytosolic localization. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed a stronger interaction between full length Ack1 and NKD than between full length Ack1 and KD, indicating that the N-terminus was important for Ack1 dimerization. Increasing the local concentration of purified Ack1 kinase domain at the surface of lipid vesicles stimulated autophosphorylation and catalytic activity, consistent with a requirement for dimerization and trans-phosphorylation for activity.

Conclusions

Collectively, the data suggest that the N-terminus of Ack1 promotes membrane localization and dimerization to allow for autophosphorylation.