bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fat Replacers
Authors: Shahidi Fereidoon , Senanayake S. P. J. Namal
Published: April 2007

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that high fat intake may specifically contribute to heart disease, overweight, and obesity. Dietary recommendations are to reduce the current fat intake to 20–35% of total calories. In response to consumer demands for low calorie or calorie‐free fats, a wide array of fat replacers have been developed. Fat replacers are substances that contribute a similar mouthfeel, texture, or flavor to a food product as normal fat. There are three major fat‐replacement ingredient categories: carbohydrate, protein, and fat based. Carbohydrate‐ and protein‐based fat replacers provide 0–4 kcal/g. The major carbohydrate‐based fat replacers include starches, maltodextrins, polydextrose, pectin, gums, and other dietary fibers. Examples of protein‐based fat replacers are microparticulated protein, gelatin, and modified–denatured proteins. Some fat‐based ingredients, eg, caprenin, salatrim, bohenin, and medium‐chain triacylgycerols, are actually fats tailored to contribute fewer calories and less available fat to foods. Lipid analogues, eg, olestra, sorbestrin, and polyglycerol esters, are structurally modified to provide fewer or no calories. With successful marketing and improvements in process technology and quality, fat replacers will have a considerable impact upon most sectors in the food industry. The different types of fat replacers are reviewed with respect to their synthesis, chemical composition, caloric value, metabolism, and applications.
Pituitary abnormalities in Prader–Willi syndrome and early onset morbid obesity
Authors: Miller Jennifer L. , Goldstone Anthony P. , Couch Jessica A. , Shuster Jonathan , He Guojun , Driscoll Daniel J. , Liu Yijun , Schmalfuss Ilona M.
Published: April 2007

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a well‐defined syndrome of childhood‐obesity which can serve as a model for investigating early onset childhood obesity. Many of the clinical features of PWS (e.g., hyperphagia, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency) are hypothesized to be due to abnormalities of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland. Children who become severely obese very early in life (i.e., before age 4 years) may also have a genetic etiology of their obesity, perhaps with associated neuroendocrine and hypothalamo‐pituitary defects, as infants and very young children have limited access to environmental factors that contribute to obesity. We hypothesized that morphologic abnormalities of the pituitary gland would be seen in both individuals with PWS and other subjects with early onset morbid obesity (EMO). This case‐control study included individuals with PWS (n = 27, age 3 months to 39 years), patients with EMO of unknown etiology (n = 16, age 4–22 years; defined as body mass index greater than the 97th centile for age before age 4 years), and normal weight siblings (n = 25, age 7 months to 43 years) from both groups. Participants had 3‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the pituitary gland, a complete history and physical examination, and measurement of basal pituitary hormones. Subjects with PWS and EMO had a higher prevalence of pituitary morphological abnormalities than did control subjects (74% PWS, 69% EMO, 8% controls; P < 0.001). Anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies were universal in individuals with PWS (low IGF‐1 in 100%, P < 0.001 PWS vs. controls; central hypothyroidism in 19%, P = 0.052, and hypoplastic genitalia or hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in 100%, P < 0.001), and was often seen in individuals with EMO (6%, P = 0.89 vs. control, 31%, P = 0.002, and 25%, P = 0.018, respectively). The presence of a hypoplastic pituitary gland appeared to correlate with the presence of anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies in individuals with EMO, but no correlation was apparent in individuals with PWS. In conclusion, the high frequency of both morphological and hormonal abnormalities of the pituitary gland in both individuals with PWS and EMO suggests that abnormalities in the hypothalamo‐pituitary axis are features not only of PWS, but also frequently of EMO of unknown etiology. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wide phenotypic variations within a family with SALL1 mutations: Isolated external ear abnormalities to Goldenhar syndrome
Authors: Kosaki Rika , Fujimaru Rika , Samejima Hazuki , Yamada Hiroshi , Izumi Kosuke , Iijima Kazumoto , Kosaki Kenjiro
Published: April 2007

We report on wide phenotypic variations within a family with SALL1 mutations; the elder sister presented with a Townes–Brocks syndrome phenotype including external ear anomalies, preaxial polydactyly, and anteriorly placed anus, whereas the younger sister presented with a phenotype resembling Goldenhar syndrome, including atretic ear canals, mandibular hypoplasia, and right preaxial polydactyly as well as an epibulbar dermoid. The mother had abnormal external ears but was otherwise structurally normal, and the father was asymptomatic. Analysis of the SALL1 gene revealed that both daughters were heterozygous for nonsense mutation 1256T>A (L419X), that is present 5' to the region encoding the first double zinc finger. The mother was heterozygous for the L419X mutation. The younger daughter is the first patient with a SALL1 mutation to exhibit a classic Goldenhar syndrome‐like phenotype with an epibulbar dermoid. The observation lends further support to the concept that Goldenhar syndrome is an etiologically heterogeneous disorder that may have a genetic basis in some cases. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Compound heterozygosity for dominant and recessive GJB2 mutations: Effect on phenotype and review of the literature
Authors: Welch Katherine O. , Marin Ruth S. , Pandya Arti , Arnos Kathleen S.
Published: April 2007

Mutations in GJB2 (which encodes the gap‐junction protein connexin 26) are the most common cause of genetic deafness in many populations. To date, more than 100 deafness‐causing mutations have been described in this gene. The majority of these mutations are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, but approximately 19 GJB2 mutations have been associated with dominantly inherited hearing loss. One, W44C, was first identified in two families from France. We subsequently described a family in the United States with the same mutation. In these families, W44C segregates with a dominantly inherited, early‐onset, progressive, sensorineural deafness that is worse in the high frequencies. Since that report, we have tested additional family members and identified two siblings who are compound heterozygous for the W44C and K15T mutations. Their father, the original proband, is heterozygous for the dominant W44C mutation, and their mother is compound heterozygous for two recessively inherited mutations, K15T and 35delG. Both children have a profound, sensorineural deafness and use manual communication, in contrast to their parents and other relatives whose hearing losses are less severe and who can communicate orally. The difference in phenotype may be a result of the disruption of different functions of the gap‐junction protein by the two mutations, which have an additive effect. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of three novel TECTA mutations in Iranian families with autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing impairment at the DFNB21 locus
Authors: Meyer Nicole C. , Alasti Fatemeh , Nishimura Carla J. , Imanirad Parisa , Kahrizi Kimia , Riazalhosseini Yasser , Malekpour Mahdi , Kochakian Nafiseh , Jamali Payman , Van Camp Guy , Smith Richard J.H. , Najmabadi Hossein
Published: April 2007

Forty‐five consanguineous Iranian families segregating autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) and negative for mutations at the DFNB1 locus were screened for allele segregation consistent with homozygosity by descent (HBD) at the DFNB21 locus. In three families demonstrating HBD at this locus, mutation screening of TECTA led to the identification of three novel homozygous mutations: one frameshift mutation (266delT), a transversion of a cytosine to an adenine (5211C > A) leading to a stop codon, and a 9.6 kb deletion removing exon 10. In total, six mutations in TECTA have now been described in families segregating ARNSHL. All of these mutations are inactivating and produce a similar phenotype that is characterized by moderate‐to‐severe hearing loss across frequencies with a mid frequency dip. The truncating nature of these mutations is consistent with loss‐of‐function, and therefore the existing TECTA knockout mouse mutant represents a good model in which to study DFNB21‐related deafness. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and characterization of dense and porous cellulose films
Authors: Khare Vivek P. , Greenberg Alan R. , Kelley Stephen S. , Pilath Heidi , Juhn Roh Il , Tyber Jeff
Published: April 2007

Whereas cellulose‐derived polymers are routinely used as membrane materials, the cellulose polymer itself is not directly used to synthesize dense/porous films for membrane applications. Recently, N‐methylmorpholine N‐oxide (NMMO) and dimethylacetamide (DMAc)/lithium chloride (LiCl) have been successfully employed for dissolving unmodified cellulose. This provides a strong rationale for reexamining the possibility of cellulose membrane fabrication using these solvents. By judiciously selecting solvents, casting conditions, and solvent exchange steps, we successfully synthesized dense/asymmetric‐porous cellulose films. The pore size and porosity of the porous films decreased systematically with increasing cellulose concentration. SEM analysis of the cross sections revealed an asymmetric skinned structure with monotonically increasing pore size away from the skin. The measured pore diameters were in the range 1.8–4.8 μm. Mechanical testing indicated that the dense films possessed tensile properties comparable to those of cellulose acetate (CA) films. Though nitrogen permeability values were comparable for cellulose and CA dense films, cellulose film permeability depended upon the type of drying protocol employed. Overall, these results demonstrate that processability need not be a constraint in the use of cellulose polymer for membrane fabrication. In selected applications, cellulose membranes could become a cost‐effective, environmentally friendly alternative to other more commonly employed membrane polymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Age‐related accumulation of Marinesco bodies and lipofuscin in rhesus monkey midbrain dopamine neurons: Relevance to selective neuronal vulnerability
Authors: Kanaan Nicholas M. , Kordower Jeffrey H. , Collier Timothy J.
Published: April 2007

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurons. Although aging is a primary risk factor for PD, its role in DA neuron degeneration remains unknown. Neurodegeneration in PD is not uniform throughout the ventral midbrain: the ventral tier of the substantia nigra (vtSN) is most vulnerable, whereas the dorsal tier (dtSN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) are relatively resistant. We studied young (9–10 years old), middle‐aged (14–17 years old), and old‐aged (22–29 years old) rhesus monkeys to identify factors potentially underlying selective vulnerability and their association with aging. We focused on markers relevant to the ubiquitin‐proteasome (UPS) and lysosome systems. Unbiased stereological counting was performed on tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive (TH+) neurons and TH+ neurons containing Marinesco bodies (TH+MB) or lipofuscin (TH+lipo), markers of UPS or lysosomal activity, respectively. TH+ neuron numbers were inversely correlated with advancing age specifically in the vtSN, not the dtSN or VTA. TH intensity decreased throughout the ventral midbrain with increasing age, an effect exacerbated in the vtSN. TH+MB neurons were localized in the vulnerable vtSN of old monkeys. The number of MBs per cell increased with age, and TH intensity of TH+MB neurons decreased in middle age. Conversely, TH+lipo neurons were primarily found in the resistant dtSN and VTA. These data suggest that particular age‐related changes localize to DAergic subregions relevant to degenerative patterns in PD. Furthermore, the results begin to characterize the nature of the link between aging and PD, and they support the concept that aged monkeys represent a valuable model for studying specific events preceding PD. J. Comp. Neurol. 502:683–700, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endomorphin‐2‐immunoreactive fibers selectively appose serotonergic neuronal somata in the rostral ventral medial medulla
Authors: Gu Ming , Wessendorf Martin
Published: April 2007

The rostral portion of the ventral medial medulla (RVM) is a crucial site for the supraspinal antinociceptive actions of opioids. Previous studies have reported that serotonergic antagonists block the analgesia induced by microinjection of morphine into the RVM (Hammond and Yaksh [1984] Brain Res 298:329–337) and that spinally projecting serotonergic RVM neurons express μ‐opioid receptors (MOR) (Kalyuzhny et al. [1996] J Neurosci 16:6490–6503; Wang and Wessendorf [1999] J Comp Neurol 404:183–196). In addition, axons immunoreactive for the endogenous MOR ligand endomorphin‐2 (Tyr‐Pro‐Phe‐Phe‐NH2) (EM‐2) have been reported to be in the RVM (Martin‐Schild et al. [1999] J Comp Neurol 405:450–471; Pierce and Wessendorf [2000] J Chem Neuroanat 18:181–207). In the present study we examined the relationship of EM‐2‐immunoreactive (EM‐2‐ir) axons to serotonergic and nonserotonergic RVM neurons in rats, including neurons projecting to the dorsal spinal cord. We also examined the origins of EM‐2‐ir in the RVM. Using unbiased methods we estimated the total number of cells in the RVM to be 1.50 × 104 and of these up to 70% were retrogradely labeled from the dorsal spinal cord. EM‐2‐ir fibers apposed both serotonergic and nonserotonergic RVM neuronal profiles. However, serotonergic profiles were significantly more likely to be apposed than nonserotonergic profiles. Thus, although serotonergic neurons comprise a minority of RVM neurons (23% of the total RVM neurons), they appear to be selectively apposed by EM‐2‐ir fibers. We also found that hypothalamic EM‐2‐ir neurons, but not EM‐2‐ir neurons, in the nucleus of the solitary tract projected their axons to the RVM. J. Comp. Neurol. 502:701–713, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Maximal displacement of branching brownian motion
Authors: Bramson Maury D.
Published: April 2007

It is shown that the position of any fixed percentile of the maximal displacement of standard branching Brownian motion in one dimension is 21/2t–3 · 2−3/2 log t + O(1) at time t, the second‐order term having been previously unknown. This determines (to within O(1)) the position of the travelling wave of the semilinear heat equation, ut =1/2uxx +f(u), in the classic paper by Kolmogorov‐Petrovsky‐Piscounov, “Étude de l'équations de la diffusion avec croissance de la quantité de la matière et son application à un problème biologique”, 1937.
Walking planning based on artificial vector field with prediction simulation for biped robot
Authors: Yamaguchi Takashi , Shibata Masaaki
Published: April 2007

This paper proposes a method for gait trajectory generation using an artificial vector field for stable walking for a biped robot. The tip of the robot while walking can often deviate from the desired trajectory as a result of the disturbances forced by unexpected outside factors. In our approach, though no prepared trajectory is specified a priori, the tip follows the artificial vectors designed in the workspace. Moreover, the prediction simulation is performed online. The simulator judges the stability under comparison with the present state and the prediction results, and then the gait parameters are adaptively improved in feedforward for the stable walk. The numerical and physical experimental results show the validity of the proposed method in a continuous walk. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 159(4): 54– 61, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20547
Validation of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) in Japanese
Authors: Konagaya Yoko , Washimi Yukihiko , Hattori Hideyuki , Takeda Akinori , Watanabe Tomoyuki , Ohta Toshiki
Published: April 2007

Background

In recent years, the population of elderly people in Japan with dementia has increased. Detection of cognitive impairment in the early stages is important for adequate treatment, care, and prevention.

Aim

To investigate whether the reliability and validity of the instrument would carry over to a different population and language before using it for population‐based epidemiological studies.

Methods

We studied 135 subjects, 49 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 86 healthy controls (CTL) using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) and developed the Japanese version of the TICS (TICS‐J). We also evaluated combination of another telephone battery, the Category Fluency Test (CF).

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of the TICS‐J to differentiate AD patients from CTL was 98.0% and 90.7%, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient for the TICS‐J and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) was 0.858 (p < 0.001). On the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC), the area under the curve for the TICS‐J was 98.7%. The combination of the TICS‐J with the CF did not change the validity of the discrimination.

Conclusion

These results indicated that TICS‐J was a sensitive and specific instrument for differentiating AD patients from healthy controls. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The sources of racial‐ethnic group differences in college enrollment: A critical examination
Authors: Perna Laura W.
Published: April 2007

The chapter begins by discussing why the continued underrepresentation of blacks and Hispanics in American higher education is a critical area for research, policy, and practice. The author then describes the expanded conceptual model and summarizes research support for the model.
The role of adults, public space, and power in adolescent community connectedness
Authors: Whitlock Janis
Published: April 2007

Communities are critical arenas for adolescent development. This study uses mixed methods to assess contextual correlates to community connectedness in 8th, 10th, and 12thgrade youth. The survey examined the relationship between community connectedness and four developmental supports: safety, community monitoring, creative outlets, and meaningful opportunities for exercising influence, as well as demographic and contextual control variables. Focus groups were used to identify other potentially salient contextual correlates. Findings suggest that youth connectedness to community was influenced by: (a) quality of youth‐adult exchange, (b) availability of outlets for creative engagement, (c) well advertised opportunities for meaningful input, (d) safety, (e) perceived welcome in public spaces, (f) knowledge of community events, and (g) awareness of youth impact on community policies. Positive relationships with at least one parent, grade level, group involvement, and race also contributed to connectedness. Findings provide support for a multifaceted conceptualization of community connectedness. Implications for communities hoping to enhance connectedness are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 35: 499–518, 2007.
Supporting multimedia streaming and best‐effort data transmission over IEEE 802.11e EDCA
Authors: Kuo Wen‐Kuang
Published: April 2007

As demand for broadband multimedia wireless services increases, improving quality of service (QoS) of the widely deployed IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN (WLAN) has become crucial. To support the QoS required by a wide range of applications, the IEEE 802.11 working group has defined a new standard: IEEE 802.11e. In this paper, we propose a measurement‐based dynamic media time allocation (MBDMTA) scheme combined with a concatenating window scheme to support real‐time variable bit rate (rt‐VBR) video and best‐effort (BE) data transmission using IEEE 802.11e enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA). To provide the QoS guarantee for rt‐VBR video, the proposed MBDMTA scheme dynamically assigns channel time to the rt‐VBR video based on the estimate of the required network resources. On the other hand, the concatenating window scheme controls the contention window (CW) ranges of different priority flows such that real‐time services always have higher channel access probability, thus achieving the capability of preemptive priorities. In addition, the concatenating window scheme preserves fairness among flows of the same class and attains high channel utilization under different network conditions. Simulation results demonstrate that the throughput and delay performance improve significantly for the transmission of rt‐VBR video and BE traffic as compared to those for the 802.11e EDCA specification. It is also revealed that combining the two proposed schemes provides seamless integration and reliable transmission of digital video and data service within the 802.11e EDCA framework. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physiologic Responses of Clients With Essential Hypertension to Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training
Authors: Pender Nola J.
Published: April 2007

The effects of progressive muscle relaxation on blood pressure of hypertensive clients were examined. After collection of baseline data, 22 clients received group relaxation training followed by individual monitoring sessions over a 6‐week period. The 22 persons in the control group did not receive relaxation training. The group instructed in relaxation had a lower mean systolic blood pressure than the nontrained group at 4‐month follow‐up. While the relaxation‐trained group showed a significant decrease in diastolic pressure from baseline to follow‐up, the difference between trained and non‐trained groups at follow‐up was not significant. Relaxation, taught initially in group with individual follow‐up visits, resulted in continued practice of relaxation and subsequent lowering of blood pressure in subjects with essential, uncomplicated hypertension.
Effects of Information on Patient Stereotyping
Authors: Devellis Brenda Mcevoy , Adams Judith L. , Devellis Robert F.
Published: April 2007

The influence of information on nurse attitudes and behavior toward a member of a stereotyped group was investigated. Responsibility for the decision to be childless and the intelligence of the person making that decision were manipulated. Student nurses individually interacted with a hypothetical, childless, female patient, presented via audiotape, who was about to undergo surgery for sterilization. The patient was described (a) as seeking sterilization either voluntarily or because of medical necessity, and (b) as either retarded or not classified intellectually. It was hypothesized that the patient who freely chose childlessness would be viewed and treated less positively when thought to be of normal intelligence. When the patient was mildly retarded or seeking sterilization out of medical necessity, however, more positive attitudes and behavior were expected. Both of these hypotheses were supported. The results of this study support the importance of contextual variables on perceptions of patients.
Nurse‐midwives and obstetricians: Alternative models of care and client “fit”
Authors: Aaronson Lauren S.
Published: April 2007

Issues related to the fit between clients and providers were investigated using data on 244 women who received prenatal care at one of two health care facilities that offered both nurse‐midwifery and obstetrician services. Characteristics of the women who received each type of care, as well as their perceptions of their health provider, were explored. No significant demographic differences were found between the nurse‐midwifery (CNM) and obstetrician (OB) client groups. The CNM clients scored higher on internal locus of control and the OB clients scored higher on chance and powerful others locus of control. For five of six behaviors (prenatal care, diet, exercise, and abstaining from caffeine and alcohol), the CNM clients consistently viewed their providers as holding significantly stronger attitudes about the behavior and as being significantly more supportive of their engaging in them than did the OB clients. Findings from this study provide evidence in support of offering women alternatives in maternity care.
The effect of therapy on the mental health of the elderly
Authors: Burckhardt Carol S.
Published: April 2007

This research synthesis was undertaken to study the effects of treatment on the mental health of elderly people. Forty‐one controlled studies were analyzed using meta‐analytic techniques. Type of treatment along with subject, therapist, setting, and methodological characteristics of the studies were identified and their contributions to mental health outcomes measured. Results indicated that the mean outcome of the experimental group, treated with any type of treatment improved from the fiftieth percentile to the seventieth percentile relative to the mean of the untreated control groups. This research synthesis supports the belief that, in general, treatment is effective in enhancing the mental health of the elderly.
Validation of an instrument to measure exercise of self‐care agency
Authors: McBride Sandra
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and construct validity of Kearney and Fleischer's (1979) Exercise of Self‐Care Agency Scale. The Self‐Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) (Guglielmino, 1977) was used to test construct validity. Subjects consisted of 62 post‐basic nursing students and 57 adult diabetic patients. The results showed significant correlations between the scales for both groups. However, the relationship was stronger for the student group (r = 0.505) than for the patient group (r = 0.302). The Exercise of Self‐Control Agency Scale was significantly correlated with all eight factors of the SDLRS for the student group and with only three factors for the patient group. Split‐half reliability for the former scale was similar for both groups (r = 0.78 and 0.74); test‐retest reliability was lower for the patient group (r = 0.55) than for the student group (r = 0.76).
Home birth and hospital deliveries: A comparison of the perceived painfulness of parturition
Authors: Morse Janice M. , Park Caroline
Published: April 2007

Cognitive assessments of the amount of pain associated with childbirth by parents electing either homebirth (n=282) or hospital delivery (n=191) were compared using Thurstone's univariate scaling method of paired comparisons. Subjects compared the pain of childbirth with 8 other painful events. The hospital birth group rated childbirth pain significantly higher than the homebirth group. In the homebirth group, females considered the pain to be less than the males, and in the hospital birth group, the females rated pain higher than the males.
Postdischarge distress in surgically treated cancer patients and their spouses
Authors: Oberst Marilyn T. , Scott Diane W.
Published: April 2007

Temporal patterns of distress among two groups of nonterminally ill, surgically treated cancer patients (n = 40) and their spouses (n = 40) during the immediate pre‐and postdischarge period were studied. Data about problems encountered and standardized measures of distress (State Anxiety Index, Brief Symptom Index, and Vulnerability Index) were obtained before hospital discharge and at 10, 30, 60, 90, and 180 days postdischarge. The intensity of distress experienced by patients and spouses was remarkably similar, although the temporal pattern of occurrence was significantly different. Prior to discharge, spouse anxiety was significantly higher than that of the patients and above the norm for hospitalized persons. Spouses were least distressed after 10 days at home, but thereafter experienced a rise in vulnerability culminating in observable clinical depression at 90 and 180 days. Peak distress for the patients occurred 10 days after discharge as a function of physical symptoms that were unexpected or more severe than anticipated. Patients with ostomies (n = 20) were slower to return to pre‐illness functional levels and had somewhat more psychological distress than nonostomy patients.
The child care activities scale and parental role preference scale
Authors: Cronenwett Linda R. , Sampselle Carolyn M. , Wilson William R.
Published: April 2007

The Child Care Activities Scale (CCAS) and Parental Role Preference Scale (PRPS) were developed to measure parental involvement in four domains of child care: direct care, indirect care, amount of sole responsibility, and play. The CCAS measures level of involvement of each parent in 21 child care activities. The 12‐item PRPS is intended to discriminate among how much parents ideally would like to participate in child care, how much they perceive their spouse would like them to participate, and how much they actually do participate in child care. The psychometric properties of both scales are presented using data from two studies. Recommendations for the future use of the scales are given.
Beliefs about aging and illness in a community sample
Authors: Keller Mary L. , Leventhal Howard , Prohaska Thomas R. , Leventhal Elaine A.
Published: April 2007

Findings from recent studies have demonstrated age group differences in coping with illness. One explanation for these age group differences has received little attention: perceptions of illness may differ with age and these differences in perception may account for the observed differences in coping. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of age on illness perceptions along dimensions that influence coping. Specifically, we explored perceptions about aging as a cause of illness and perceptions about the effect of age on seriousness, curability and controllability of illness. Four hundred fifty‐one community‐dwelling adults (age range 20 to 90 years) participated in the study. The pattern of results showed respondents of all ages expressing the belief that aging is associated with increased susceptibility to disease and lowered potential for control or cure. Implications of these beliefs for health monitoring and coping with illness are discussed.
Temperament, Behavior Problems, and Learning Skills in Very Low Birth Weight Preschoolers
Authors: Schraeder Barbara D. , Heverly Mary Ann , Rappaport Judith
Published: April 2007

The relationship between temperament, behavior problems, and learning skill abilities in preschool children who were born with very low birth weight (VLBW) is described. Subjects were 37 4‐year‐olds who weighed less than 1,500 grams at birth, were appropriate for gestational age, and free from congenital anomalies (M birth weight=1,201 grams). Data were gathered when the children were 48 months chronological age and analyzed using point biserial and Pearson product moment correlation, chi square, and MANOVA. Temperament characteristics of rhythmicity, intensity, and persistence were related to behavior problems and learning skill abilities. Mothers reported more children with behavior problems than expected in the general population. Children with four or more behavior problems had significantly lower skill achievement scores than children with fewer behavior problems.
Perceived health status, self‐esteem and body image in women with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Cornwell Carol J. , Schmitt Madeline H.
Published: April 2007

A cross‐sectional, descriptive, comparative design was used with a sample of 26 women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 23 women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 28 healthy (HLT) women to examine: (a) the relationship of illness to perceived health status, self‐esteem and body image, (b) the relationships between perceived health status and both self‐esteem and body image, (c) the relationship between these three variables and age and time since diagnosis, and (d) the problems, needs and fears of women with RA and SLE. Perceived health status differences were found between the ill and healthy subjects, but self‐esteem differences were nonsignificant; mean scores on body image of RA and HLT groups approximated each other, while SLE subjects had lower scores. Perceived health status was directly related to self‐esteem, but not to body image. Age and time since diagnosis were weakly positively related to perceived health status. Both similarities and differences were identified in the problems, needs and fears of RA and SLE subjects.
The holistic paradigm in nursing: The diffusion of an innovation
Authors: Johnson Mary B.
Published: April 2007

Nursing today is affected by challenges to the beliefs and values underlying the delivery of health care services. Results of a bibliometric analysis of the nursing literature since 1966 revealed a process of paradigm change in which a scientific medical model is being replaced by a model based on the concept of holism. Key ideas representing a holistic paradigm of health appear with increasing frequency in the journals of the nursing field demonstrating the diffusion of a new and different perspective in the practice of nursing.
Accelerated failure time models with covariates subject to measurement error
Authors: He Wenqing , Yi Grace Y. , Xiong Juan
Published: April 2007

It has been well known that ignoring measurement error may result in substantially biased estimates in many contexts including linear and nonlinear regressions. For survival data with measurement error in covariates there has been extensive discussion in the literature with the focus being on the Cox proportional hazards models. However, the impact of measurement error on accelerated failure time (AFT) models has received little attention, though AFT models are very useful in survival data analysis. In this paper, we discuss AFT models with error‐prone covariates and study the bias induced by the naive approach of ignoring measurement error in covariates. To adjust for such a bias, we describe a simulation and extrapolation method. This method is appealing because it is simple to implement and it does not require modelling the true but error‐prone covariate process that is
often not observable. Asymptotic normality for the resulting estimators is established. Simulation studies are carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed method as well as the impact of ignoring measurement error in covariates. The proposed method is applied to analyse a data set arising from the Busselton Health study (Australian J. Public Health 1994; 18:129–135). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Making self‐authorship a goal of core curricula: The earth sustainability pilot project
Authors: Bekken Barbara , Marie Joan
Published: April 2007

Making self‐authorship a goal of an interdisciplinary multisemester general education program shows great promise for meeting desired undergraduate learning outcomes for citizen‐learners.
Antipsychotic efficacy: Relationship to optimal D2-receptor occupancy
Authors: Pani Luca , Pira Luigi , Marchese Giorgio
Published: April 2007

Clinically important differences exist between antipsychotic agents and formulations in terms of safety and tolerability. Features of the biochemical interaction between the antipsychotic and the D2-receptor may underlie these differences. This article reviews current information on the relationship between antipsychotic receptor occupancy and clinical response. A literature search was performed using the keywords ‘antipsychotic or neuroleptic’, ‘receptor’ and ‘occupancy’ and ‘dopamine’ and ‘D2’ supplemented by the authors’ knowledge of the literature. Imaging and clinical data have generally supported the hypotheses that optimal D2-receptor occupancy in the striatum lies in a ‘therapeutic window’ between ∼65 and ∼80%, however, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a drug should also be taken into account to fully evaluate its therapeutic effects. Additional research, perhaps in preclinical models, is needed to establish D2-receptor occupancy in various regions of the brain and the optimal duration of D2-receptor blockade in order to maximise efficacy and tolerability profiles of atypical antipsychotics and thereby improve treatment outcomes for patients with schizophrenia.
Prevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus infection in domesticated and feral cats in eastern Australia
Authors: Norris Jacqueline M , Bell Erin T , Hales Louise , Toribio Jenny-Ann L.M.L. , White Joanna D , Wigney Denise I , Baral Randolph M , Malik Richard
Published: April 2007

Serum samples from 340 pet cats presented to three inner city clinics in Sydney Australia, 68 feral cats from two separate colonies in Sydney, and 329 cattery-confined pedigree and domestic cats in eastern Australia, were collected over a 2-year period and tested for antibodies directed against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) using immunomigration (Agen FIV Rapid Immunomigration test) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods (Snap Combo feline leukaemia virus antigen/FIV antibody test kit, IDEXX Laboratories). Western blot analysis was performed on samples in which there was discrepancy between the results. Information regarding breed, age, gender, housing arrangement and health status were recorded for all pet and cattery-confined cats, while the estimated age and current physical condition were recorded for feral cats. The FIV prevalence in the two feral cat populations was 21% and 25%. The majority of FIV-positive cats were male (60–80%). The FIV prevalence in cattery-confined cats was nil. The prevalence of FIV in the pet cat sample population was 8% (27/340) with almost equal prevalence in ‘healthy’ (13/170) and ‘systemically unwell’ (14/170) cats. The age of FIV-positive pet cats ranged from 3 to 19 years; all FIV-positive cats were domestic shorthairs with outside access. The median age of FIV-positive pet cats (11 years) was significantly greater than the median age of FIV-negative pet cats (7.5 years: P<0.05). The prevalence of FIV infection in male pet cats (21/172; 12%) was three times that in female pet cats (6/168; 4%; P<0.05). With over 80% of this pet cat population given outside access and continued FIV infection present in the feral population, this study highlights the need to develop rapid, accurate and cost-effective diagnostic methods that are not subject to false positives created by concurrent vaccination against FIV. This is especially important in re-homing stray cats within animal shelters and monitoring the efficacy of the new vaccine, which has not been challenged against Australian strains. The absence of FIV within cattery-confined cats highlights the value in routine screening and indoor lifestyles. This study provides cogent baseline FIV prevalences in three cat subpopulations which can be used for appraising potential disease associations with FIV in Australia.
«Ohne Hoffnung geht es nicht» Eine empirische Untersuchung zur Bedeutung von Hoffnung für pflegende Angehörige in Südtirol (Italien)
Authors: Profanter Luisa
Published: April 2007

Bisherige pflegewissenschaftliche Studien zu Hoffnung verdeutlichen, dass es sich dabei um ein emotionales Bedürfnis sowie um eine grundsätzliche Bewältigungsform von Kranken und deren Familien handelt. In den deutschsprachigen Ländern fehlen bislang pflegewissenschaftliche Studien, wie pflegende Angehörige Hoffnung erleben. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, die Bedeutung von Hoffnung für pflegende Angehörige in Südtirol (Italien) zu erforschen. Die Datengrundlage bilden zwölf narrative Einzelinterviews mit pflegenden Angehörigen, die seit Jahren pflegebedürftige Familienmitglieder zu Hause betreuen. Die Datenanalyse erfolgte mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen wie lebenswichtig Hoffnung für die pflegenden Angehörigen bei der Bewältigung der jahrelangen Betreuungssituationen ist. Ihre Definitionen von Hoffnung, ihre Hoffnungsobjekte und -quellen sowie ihr Erleben von Hoffnung beeinflussen ihre Ausrichtung hinsichtlich des Pflegealltags und der Zukunft. Pflegende Angehörige beschreiben Hoffnung als Liebe, Vertrauen oder Segen. Ihre zahlreichen Hoffnungsobjekte fokussieren darauf, das Beste für die Pflegebedürftigen und die Familien zu tun. Hoffnung und Kraft schöpfen die pflegenden Angehörigen aus der Familie, ihrem Glauben und ihren Lebenserfahrungen. Höhen und Tiefen sowie Zeiten des Hoffens und Bangens kennzeichnen ihr Erleben von Hoffnung. Hoffnung ist Voraussetzung und Resultat gelungener Bewältigung.
Enhanced net formations of nitrous oxide and methane underneath the frozen soil in Sanjiang wetland, northeastern China
Authors: Yu Junbao , Sun Weidong , Liu Jingshuang , Wang Jinda , Yang Jisong , Meixner Franz X.
Published: April 2007

In temperate climates, up to ∼50–70% of the total annual nitrous oxide (N2O) flux occurs in winter, which is mainly attributed to freezing‐thawing processes of frozen soils. To investigate the nature of the enhanced N2O emission in winter, we monitored gas fluxes at two plots of freshwater marshes in northeastern China (47°35′N, 133°31′E), using a static chamber method at weekly to monthly intervals from 2002 to 2004. The results show that the big emission burst of N2O coupled with peak emission of CH4 occurred in late July to early August, which is about 1 week after the soil thawed out completely. Further observations show that the N2O and CH4 were continuously produced underneath the frozen soil. The gas‐producing layer was continuously depressed downward during the progressive freezing. The highest concentrations of N2O and CH4 were first observed when the frozen layer reached its maximum depth of ∼90 cm in early February and remained there with roughly constant concentrations until June. We propose that at the beginning the frozen soil limits the transportation of oxygen from atmosphere to soil, while freezing increases the nutrient supplies, producing an anoxic organic‐rich environment underneath the frozen layer, which promotes the net formation of N2O and CH4 through denitrification and anoxic digestion of organic matters, respectively. In contrast, after the frozen layer reached the organic‐poor gley layer and there is no further supply of nutrients through freezing, the formation of N2O and CH4 stopped shortly after.
Integral equation study of hydrophobic interaction: A comparison between the simple point charge model for water and a Lennard-Jones model for solvent
Authors: Sumi Tomonari , Sekino Hideo
Published: April 2007

The hydrophobic interaction that is characterized by a potential of mean force (PMF) between spherical apolar solutes immersed in the simple point charge (SPCE) model for water was studied using an interaction site model integral equation based on a density-functional theory for molecular fluids. For comparison with the PMFs for various size solutes in the SPCE model, the PMFs in a Lennard-Jones (LJ) model for a solvent whose diameter is same as the SPCE model were also studied using a hypernetted chain integral equation. It is noted in the LJ model that the hydrogen bond and its network structure are completely ignored, but the translational entropy is taken into account. Both PMFs obtained from the SPCE model and from the LJ model have a large first minimum at a contact distance of solutes. In the case that the solute size is about three times larger than water, these PMFs also have a large maximum at a longer distance than the contact position. The strong attraction is attributed to the translational entropy of the solvent, and that the large activation barrier is arising from the weak attraction between the solute and the solvent. The comparison between the SPCE model and the LJ solvent model suggests that the qualitative description of the hydrophobic interaction is possible by using the LJ solvent model. On the other hand, the dewetting tendency on the surface of the apolar solute in a room condition is observed only on the SPCE model. These results indicate that the characteristics of water such as the hydrogen bond affect rather the hydrophobic hydration than the hydrophobic interaction.
Method to separate and determine the amount of ejecta produced in a second-shock material-fragmentation event
Authors: Buttler W. T. , Hixson R. S. , King N. S. P. , Olson R. T. , Rigg P. A. , Zellner M. B. , Routley N. , Rimmer A.
Published: April 2007

The authors consider a mathematical method to separate and determine the amount of ejecta produced in a second-shock material-fragmentation process. The technique is theoretical and assumes that a material undergoing a shock release at a vacuum interface ejects particulate material or fragments as the initial shock unloads and reflects at the vacuum-surface interface. In this case it is thought that the reflected shock may reflect again at the source of the shock and return to the vacuum-surface interface and eject another amount of fragments or particulate material.
Human prostate epithelium lacks Wee1A-mediated DNA damage-induced checkpoint enforcement
Authors: Kiviharju-af Hällström Taija M. , Jäämaa Sari , Mönkkönen Mia , Peltonen Karita , Andersson Leif C. , Medema René H. , Peehl Donna M. , Laiho Marikki
Published: April 2007

Cellular DNA damage triggers the DNA damage response pathway and leads to enforcement of cell cycle checkpoints, which are essential for the maintenance of genomic integrity and are activated in early stages of tumorigenesis. A special feature of prostate cancer is its high incidence and multifocality. To address the functionality of DNA damage checkpoints in the prostate, we analyzed the responses of human primary prostate epithelial cells (HPECs) and freshly isolated human prostate tissues to γ-irradiation. We find that γ-irradiation activates the ataxia telangiectasia mutated-associated DNA damage response pathway in the HPECs but that the clearance of phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX) foci is delayed. Surprisingly, γ-irradiated HPECs were unable to enforce cell cycle checkpoint arrest and had sustained cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2)-associated kinase activity because of a lack of inhibitory Cdk phosphorylation by Wee1A tyrosine kinase. We further show that HPECs express low levels of Wee1A and that ectopic Wee1A efficiently rescues the checkpoints. We recapitulate the absence of checkpoint responses in epithelium of
ex vivo
irradiated human prostate tissue despite robust induction of γH2AX. The findings show that prostate epithelium has a surprising inability to control checkpoint arrest, the lack of which may predispose to accrual of DNA lesions.
Immunomodulating Activity of Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 in Mice and in Human Volunteers
Authors: Liu Ying , Fukuwatari Yasushi , Okumura Ko , Takeda Kazuyoshi , Ishibashi Ken-ichi , Furukawa Mai , Ohno Naohito , Mori Kazu , Gao Ming , Motoi Masuro
Published: April 2007

We performed studies on murine models and human volunteers to examine the immunoenhancing effects of the naturally outdoor‐cultivated fruit body of Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 (i.e. Agaricus blazei). Antitumor, leukocyte‐enhancing, hepatopathy‐alleviating and endotoxin shock‐alleviating effects were found in mice. In the human study, percentage body fat, percentage visceral fat, blood cholesterol level and blood glucose level were decreased, and natural killer cell activity was increased. Taken together, the results strongly suggest that the A. brasiliensis fruit body is useful as a health‐promoting food.
U‐99 uninhabited tactical aircraft preliminary structural design
Authors: Smith Howard
Published: April 2007

Describes preliminary structural design work on a notional uninhabited tactical aircraft (UTA), carried out at Cranfield University. UTAs are seen as an important future element of military fleets. A notional baseline requirement was derived, leading to the evolution of a design solution. The basic requirements for such a UTA are naturally highly classified but, although industry has been hesitant to comment, the baseline requirements and design solution developed herein are believed to be reasonable.