bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Vectran-stitched Composites - Experimental and Computational Analysis
Authors: Tan K.T. , Watanabe N. , Sano M. , Iwahori Y. , Hoshi H.
Published: May 2010

In this article, mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (GIC) of Vectran-stitched laminated composite is determined experimentally and computa- tionally. Critical strain energy release rates are measured by performing double can- tilever beam test on composites stitched with Vectran as stitch fiber, and are found to increase with increasing stitch thread thickness and stitch density. It is also revealed that the relationship between GIC and stitch density or stitch thread volume fraction appears to be linear. Interlaminar tension test is conducted to identify important fracture behavior of a single Vectran stitch fiber thread. The finite-element (FE) model of the stitched composite incorporates the novel four-step stitch fracture pro- cess, namely, interfacial debonding, slack absorption, fiber breakage, and pullout friction. The FE predictions of load-displacement curves and critical mode I strain energy release rates show good agreement with the experimental results. The differ- ences in interdependent stitch mechanisms between moderately stitched and densely stitched composites are discussed.
Compression and Relaxation Behavior of Dry Fiber Preforms for Resin Transfer Molding
Authors: Seung Hwan Lee  , Jeong Hwa Han  , Seong Yun Kim  , Jae Ryoun Youn  , Young Seok Song
Published: May 2010

Compression and relaxation behavior of various fiber preforms for resin transfer molding was investigated experimentally through compression, relaxation, and decompression procedures. A simple Maxwell model was used in order to predict the nonlinear compression and relaxation behavior, and numerical simulation was performed for a unit cell of the fiber preform by using the finite-element method. As the fiber volume fraction is larger than 0.4, compressive stresses acting on the woven fabric increased linearly with increasing fiber volume fraction. A typical hysteresis occurred due to relaxation behavior of the fiber preform during compression and decompression test. It was also found that numerical analysis yields slightly lower displacement field than experimental results under the same compressive force. However, experimental results were in good agreement with the analytic results obtained by considering the viscoelasticity of fiber preforms.
A Stiffened Plate Element Model for Advanced Grid Stiffened Composite Plates/Shells
Authors: Zhifeng Zhang  , Haoran Chen  , Lin Ye
Published: May 2010

A triangular composite stiffened plate/shell element is developed to analyze the advanced grid stiffened (AGS) structures based on Mindlin shear deformation theory. The rotations of ribs and skin are interpolated, respectively, while the conditions of displacement compatibility are satisfied along the interface of rib and skin. There are no restrictions on the number, positions, and orientation of the ribs in establishing element mesh. The numerical results indicate its effectiveness, especially for the case of the AGS structures of higher ribs. Stability analyses for an ortho-grid plate and iso-grid cylindrical shell are also carried out.
Validity of a Parent Report Instrument for Irish-speaking Toddlers
Authors: O' Toole Ciara , Fletcher Paul
Published: May 2010

Previous research has demonstrated the validity of parent report as an assessment of early vocabulary and grammatical development across a range of languages.This study adapted a well-known tool, the MacArthur—Bates Communicative Development Inventories (MCDI), to Irish (ICDI), in order to measure vocabulary and grammatical development longitudinally across a sample of 21 children. Results from the parent checklists were validated against spontaneous language samples. Correlations demonstrated high concurrent validity for ICDI reported vocabulary with measures of lexical diversity derived from the spontaneous samples. In addition, ICDI measures of grammar also correlated highly with various indices of grammar from the spontaneous samples. Although both ICDI and spontaneous vocabulary measures were highly correlated, the ICDI checklist includes a broader range of language skills and so would seem to capture the range of language ability more comprehensively than direct observation. The findings have implications for developing parent report measures of early language development in highly inflected languages.
How New Technology Influences Parent—child Interaction: The Case of e-book Reading
Authors: Korat Ofra , Or Tal
Published: May 2010

This article reports on a study focusing on mother—child interactions during e-book reading compared to print book reading. Two different types of e-books were used, commercial and educational. Forty-eight kindergarten children and their mothers were assigned randomly to one of four groups, reading: (1) the printed book Just grandma and me; (2) the electronic commercial book Just grandma and me; (3) the printed book The tractor in the sandbox; and (4) the electronic-educational book The tractor in the sandbox. Compared to the printed book reading, e-book reading yielded more discourse initiated by the child and more responsiveness to maternal initiations. Printed book reading yielded more initiations and responses of mothers. Discourse during printed book reading compared to the digital context showed more expanding talk. Educational e-book reading showed more word meaning than reading the commercial e-book. The study concludes that different reading contexts influence adult—child interactions, and this may in return have different effects on children’s early literacy development.
A Binary Programming Approach to Automated Test Assembly for Cognitive Diagnosis Models
Authors: Finkelman Matthew D. , Kim Wonsuk , Roussos Louis , Verschoor Angela
Published: May 2010

Automated test assembly (ATA) has been an area of prolific psychometric research. Although ATA methodology is well developed for unidimensional models, its application alongside cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs) is a burgeoning topic. Two suggested procedures for combining ATA and CDMs are to maximize the cognitive diagnostic index and to use a genetic algorithm. Each of these procedures has a disadvantage: The cognitive diagnostic index cannot control attribute-level information and the genetic algorithm is computationally intensive. The goal of this article is to solve both problems by using binary programming, together with the item discrimination indexes of Henson et al., for performing ATA with CDMs. The three procedures are compared in simulation. Advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed.
Opening the Interregional Trade ‘‘Black Box’’: The C-Intereg Database for the Spanish Economy (1995—2005)
Authors: Llano Carlos , Esteban Almudena , Pérez Julian , Pulido Antonio
Published: May 2010

Recent literature on border effect has demonstrated that national trade (intra- as well as interregional trade) tends to be more intense than international trade. Unfortunately, owing to the dearth of information on interregional economic relations, this important aspect of the economy has remained relatively ignored. In this article, the authors have described the methodology and main results of the largest estimation of Spanish interregional trade (1995—2005) carried out as a part of the C-Intereg project. The results obtained highlight the importance of the internal trade and the validity of the gravity model. Although the estimation focuses on the Spanish economy, the methodology can easily be applied to other European Union (EU) countries. In the upcoming years, this innovative database will be further developed in all its dimensions (space, time, and sectors) to serve as a promising framework for the application of different techniques such as spatial interaction models or interregional input—output approaches.
Cervicogenic headache in the general population: The Akershus study of chronic headache
Authors: Knackstedt Heidi , Bansevicius Dalius , Aaseth Kjersti , Grande Ragnhild Berling , Lundqvist Christofer , Russell Michael Bjørn
Published: May 2010

Objective: The objective was to study the prevalence of cervicogenic headache (CEH) in the general population.

Methods: An age- and gender-stratified random sample of 30,000 persons aged 30–44 years received a mailed questionnaire. Those with self-reported chronic headache were interviewed by neurological residents. The criteria of the Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group and the International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition, were applied.

Results: The questionnaire response rate was 71% and the participation rate of the interview was 74%. The prevalence of CEH was 0.17% in the general population, with a female preponderance. Fifty per cent had co-occurrence of medication overuse and 42% had co-occurrence of migraine. The pericranial muscle tenderness score was significantly higher on the pain than non-pain side ( p < .005). The cervical range of motion was significantly reduced compared to healthy controls ( p < .005). The mean duration of CEH was eight years. Based on patients' self-reports, greater occipital nerve (GON) blockage and cryotherapy was reported effective in 90% of those who had this procedure, while other treatment alternatives were reported less effective.
Computer-Based Screening for the New Modified Alternate Assessment
Authors: Kettler Ryan J.
Published: May 2010

The final regulations of the No Child Left Behind Act (U.S. Department of Education, 2007a, 2007b) indicate that a small group of students with disabilities can be counted as proficient through an alternate assessment based on modified academic achievement standards. This new policy gives individualized education program teams the responsibility of identifying students eligible for this assessment. The Computer-Based Alternate Assessment Screening (C-BAAS) tests in reading and mathematics are designed to assist with this determination. A concurrent validity study with students ( n = 463) from Indiana indicates that the C-BAAS tests share large correlations with state general achievement tests and might be appropriate screening tools for predicting below proficient achievement. Predictive validity studies with students in Idaho ( n = 161) and Arizona ( n = 70), using a set of conditional probability indices, show that C-BAAS tests meet or exceed the performance of multiple published screening systems for academic problems. The implications of these findings for individualized education program teams, for the C-BAAS tests, and for computer-based screening in general are discussed.
Development and Initial Validation of the Iowa Sleep Disturbances Inventory
Authors: Koffel Erin , Watson David
Published: May 2010

The Iowa Sleep Disturbances Inventory (ISDI) is a new measure of self-reported sleep difficulties, which was designed to help facilitate research on the overlap of sleep disturbances and psychopathology. This instrument was developed in two large student samples using principal factor analyses; the psychometric properties of the scales were then examined in three additional samples (students, psychiatric patients, sleep disorder patients). The ISDI consists of 11 specific scales (Nightmares, Initial Insomnia, Fatigue, Fragmented Sleep, Nonrestorative Sleep, Anxiety at Night, Light Sleep, Movement at Night, Sensations at Night, Excessive Sleep, Irregular Schedule) and 1 general scale (Daytime Disturbances). The structure of the ISDI generalizes across both patient and nonpatient samples. In addition, the ISDI scales are internally consistent, show good retest reliability, demonstrate convergent and discriminant validity with widely used measures of sleep disturbances, and display criterion validity in relation to psychiatric patient status and specific symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The NEO-FFI in Multiple Sclerosis: Internal Consistency, Factorial Validity, and Correspondence Between Self and Informant Reports
Authors: Schwartz Eben S. , Chapman Benjamin P. , Duberstein Paul R. , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca , Benedict Ralph H. B.
Published: May 2010

Personality assessment is a potentially important component of clinical and empirical work with neurological patients because (a) individual differences in personality may be associated with different neurological outcomes and (b) central nervous system changes may give rise to alteration in personality. For personality assessment to be useful to clinicians and researchers, the tests must be reliable and valid, as self-report measures require certain baseline levels of comprehension and insight, both of which can be compromised by cerebral disease. In this study, the authors examined the psychometric properties of the widely used NEO Five-Factor Inventory in a group of 419 patients with multiple sclerosis. Their objective was to determine if the NEO Five-Factor Inventory is reliable and valid in this population. Results showed adequate estimates of internal consistency, factorial validity, and self—informant correlation that support its use with patients with multiple sclerosis. Implications, limitations of the current study, and directions for future research are discussed.
Dynamics of Symmetric Dynamical Systems with Delayed Switching
Authors: Sieber J. , Kowalczyk P. , Hogan S.J. , Di Bernardo M.
Published: May 2010

We study dynamical systems that switch between two different vector fields depending on a discrete variable and with a delay. When the delay reaches a problem-dependent critical value, so-called event collisions occur. This paper classifies and analyzes event collisions, a special type of discontinuity-induced bifurcations, for periodic orbits. Our focus is on event collisions of symmetric periodic orbits in systems with full reflection symmetry, a symmetry that is prevalent in applications. We derive an implicit expression for the Poincaré map near the colliding periodic orbit. The Poincaré map is piecewise smooth, finite-dimensional, and changes the dimension of its image at the collision. In the second part of the paper we apply this general result to the class of unstable linear single-degree-of-freedom oscillators where we detect and continue numerically collisions of invariant tori. Moreover, we observe that attracting closed invariant polygons emerge at the torus collision.
Full Characterization of Act-and-wait Control for First-order Unstable Lag Processes
Authors: Insperger T. , Wahi P. , Colombo A. , Stépán G. , Di Bernardo M. , Hogan S.J.
Published: May 2010

Act-and-wait control is a special case of time-periodic control for systems with feedback delay, where the control gains are periodically switched on and off in order to stabilize otherwise unstable systems. The stability of feedback systems in the presence of time delay is a challenging problem. In this paper, we show that the act-and-wait type time-periodic control can always provide deadbeat control for first-order unstable lag processes with any (large but) fixed value of the time delay in the feedback loop. A full characterization of this act-and-wait controller with respect to the system and control parameters is given based on performance and robustness against disturbances.
Prevalence of Methylphenidate Prescription Among School-Aged Children in a Swiss Population: Increase in the Number of Prescriptions in the Swiss Canton of Vaud, From 2002 to 2005, and Changes in Patient Demographics
Authors: Gumy Cédric , Huissoud Thérèse , Dubois-Arber Françoise
Published: May 2010

Objective: Methylphenidate is prescribed for children and adolescents to treat ADHD. As in many Western countries, the increase in methylphenidate consumption is a public concern in Switzerland. The article discusses the authors’ assessment of prescription prevalence in 2002 and 2005 for school-aged children in the canton of Vaud. Method: Pharmacy prescription information is available from the regional public health authority. Descriptive analyses are conducted on an anonymized database of the years 2002 and 2005. Data for each year are compared to assess trends in methylphenidate prescription prevalence. Results: The findings show an increase from 0.74% to 1.02% in the number of prescriptions for 5- to 14-year-old children, particularly in prescriptions for girls. Data also show important geographical differences in prescription. Conclusion: The prevalence of methylphenidate prescription is lower in Switzerland than other Western countries, particularly the United States. However, some aspects of prevalence are similar, including the increase per year, demographics, and geographic characteristics.
Persistent Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants Among College Students: Possible Association With ADHD Symptoms
Authors: Arria Amelia M. , Garnier-Dykstra Laura M. , Caldeira Kimberly M. , Vincent Kathryn B. , O'Grady Kevin E. , Wish Eric D.
Published: May 2010

Objective: To investigate the possible association between untreated ADHD symptoms (as measured by the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale) and persistent nonmedical use of prescription stimulants. Method: Multinomial regression modeling was used to compare ADHD symptoms among three groups of college students enrolled in a longitudinal study over 4 years: (1) persistent nonmedical users of prescription stimulants, (2) persistent users of marijuana who did not use prescription stimulants nonmedically, and (3) consistent nonusers of drugs. Results: ADHD symptoms were associated with being a persistent nonmedical user of prescription stimulants after adjustment for race/ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, and other illicit drug use. No associations were observed between ADHD symptoms and being a persistent marijuana user or nonuser. Conclusion: ADHD symptoms, and in particular inattention symptoms, appeared to be associated with nonmedical use of prescription stimulants.
Toxicokinetics of Aflatoxin in Pregnant Mice
Authors: Bastaki Salim A. , Osman Nawal , Kochiyil Jose , Shafiullah Mohamed , Padmanabhan Rengasamy , Abdulrazzaq Yousef M.
Published: May 2010

Our objective was to study the toxicokinetics of aflatoxin (AF) in pregnant mice. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was administered intraperitoneally (IP) to groups of pregnant mice in single doses of 20 mg/kg on gestation day (GD) 13 and orally at the same gestational age. Controls received (IP and oral) a proportionate volume of solvent only. Maternal blood was collected at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 150 minutes posttreatment. Their AFB1 contents were determined. Aflatoxin B1 concentrations following maternal exposure to AFB1 were highly correlated with time after exposure. The serum concentrations were predictable and the highest serum levels were seen immediately at 15 minutes in mice given AFs IP and at 30 minutes in those given it orally. The absorption was 5.0 μg/min and elimination was 3.0 μg/min. The toxicokinetics of AFB1 have been delineated. Aflatoxins are easily and rapidly absorbed both from the gastrointestinal tract (GI) tract and through the peritoneum.
Review article: World government: Renewed debate, persistent challenges
Authors: Cabrera Luis
Published: May 2010

World government has, very recently, resumed its place as the subject of serious investigation by leading scholars in International Relations, economics and political theory. Prompted variously by global economic integration, the persistence of the nuclear weapons threat and a US hegemony that ostensibly functions as a form of world state, some empirically oriented scholars have found themselves pursuing discrete lines of inquiry to the common possibility of global political integration. The main empirical currents, especially those focused on security, have important precedents in the world state ‘heyday’ of 1944—50, and some are open to the kinds of critiques previously levied at such arguments. Normative arguments advocating gradual expansions of core rights through political integration may offer the most plausible and defensible route to deep global integration, but not necessarily one that will end at some comprehensive world state modelled on the nation-state.
Democratic differences: Electoral institutions and compliance with GATT/WTO agreements
Authors: Rickard Stephanie J.
Published: May 2010

A growing body of literature argues that democracies are more likely to comply with international agreements than authoritarian states. However, substantial variation exists in the compliance behaviour of democracies. How can this variation be explained? The same mechanism that links regime type to compliance, namely electoral competition, also explains variation in compliance among democracies. This is because the nature of electoral competition varies across democratic systems. An analysis of democratic GATT/WTO member countries from 1980 to 2003 reveals that governments elected via majoritarian electoral rules and/or single-member districts are more likely to violate GATT/WTO agreements than those elected via proportional electoral rules and/or multi-member districts.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine correlates with measures of disease severity, major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in patients with peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Wilson Andrew M , Shin David S , Weatherby Carlton , Harada Randall K , Ng Martin K , Nair Nandini , Kielstein Jan , Cooke John P
Published: May 2010

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with major cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Abnormalities in nitric oxide metabolism due to excess of the NO synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) may be pathogenic in PAD. We explored the association between ADMA levels and markers of atherosclerosis, function, and prognosis. A total of 133 patients with symptomatic PAD were enrolled. Ankle—brachial index (ABI), walking time, vascular function measures (arterial compliance and flow-mediated vasodilatation) and plasma ADMA level were assessed for each patient at baseline. ADMA correlated inversely with ABI ( r = —0.238, p = 0.003) and walking time ( r = —0.255, p = 0.001), independent of other vascular risk factors. We followed up 125 (94%) of our 133 initial subjects with baseline measurements (mean 35 months). Subjects with ADMA levels in the highest quartile (> 0.84 μmol/l) showed a significantly greater occurrence of a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) compared to those with ADMA levels in the lower three quartiles ( p = 0.001). Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis revealed that ADMA was a significant predictor of MACE, independent of other risk factors including age, sex, blood pressure, smoking history, diabetes and ABI (hazard ratio = 5.1, p < 0.001). Measures of vascular function, such as compliance, flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMVD) and blood pressure, as well as markers of PAD severity, including ABI and walking time, were not predictive. In conclusion, circulating levels of ADMA correlate independently with measures of disease severity and major adverse cardiovascular events. Agents that target this pathway may be useful for this patient population. Clinical Trial Registration — URL: http:// www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00284076
Socio-demographic, psychosocial and health characteristics of Norwegian senior centre users: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Bøen Hege , Dalgard Odd Steffen , Johansen Rune , Nord Erik
Published: May 2010

Aims: The senior centre is the only welfare service in Norwegian elder care serving both fit and less functional pensioners over 65 years. The aim of the study was to determine the socio-demographic, psychosocial and health characteristics of users of the senior centres in relation to non-users in order to find out who can benefit from the senior centre service. Methods: Data was collected from the Population Register for all persons living at home over 65 years in two municipal districts in Oslo. A random sample was drawn limited to 4,000 of the total number of residents over 65 years, 2,000 from each district. Questionnaires were sent by post. The response rate was 64% (n = 2,387). Psychological ailments were assessed using Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 and social support with Oslo-3 Social Support Scale. Results: The percentage of users was 44 among the survey respondents. Age was the most significant variable explaining use of the senior centre; increased age led to greater use. Single women used the senior centre more than married women while single men used it less than married men. Other predictors for women included osteoporosis, memory impairment and participation/interest from others. Memory impairment was a predictor for men. Conclusions: High age and specific health problems led to increased use. Living alone predicted greater use among women but less use among men. The association with age could not be explained through socio-demographic, psychosocial or health variables.
Do repeat victims of interpersonal violence have different demographic and socioeconomic characters from non-repeat victims of interpersonal violence and the general population? A population-based case-control study
Authors: Faergemann Christian , Lauritsen Jens M. , Brink Ole , Mortensen Preben Bo
Published: May 2010

Aim: To study if adult repeat victims of violence have different demographic and socioeconomic character from non-repeat victims of violence and the general population. Methods: Case—control study comparing demographic and socioeconomic characteristics before first-time victimisation among repeat victims of violence to that of non-repeat victims and population-based controls. Repeat and non-repeat victims were included from an urban emergency department and an institute for forensic medicine. Data was analysed using logistic regression in unadjusted, semi-adjusted, and fully-adjusted models. Results: For almost all demographic and socioeconomic factors in our study, the strongest associations were found when repeat victims were compared to population-based controls, whereas associations obtained from comparison with non-repeat victims were less pronounced. Compared to non-repeat victims, factors most strongly associated with repeat victimisation were being a pensioner (OR 3.21), being unemployed (OR 2.11), high level of lifetime unemployment (OR 1.50), high level of household crowding (OR 1.49), and living without a partner (OR 1.30). Compared to population-based controls, factors most strongly associated with victimisation were being a pensioner (OR 6.83), being unemployed (OR 3.01), living without a partner (OR 3.15), high level of lifetime unemployment (OR 2.40), high levels of household crowding (OR 2.35), large age difference to partner (OR 1.82), and citizenship in a country outside Europe (OR 1.61). Conclusions: The study indicates that repeat victims of violence may be a demographic and socioeconomic subgroup of adult victims of violence characterised by certain pronounced risk factors which are already present at the time of the first episode of violent victimisation.
Sick leave after traumatic brain injury The person or the diagnosis - Which has greater impact?
Authors: Larsson Jerry , Esbjörnsson Eva , Björkdahl Ann , Morberg Ingrid , Nilsson Michael , Sunnerhagen Katharina S.
Published: May 2010

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe if and when a sample of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients could finish their time of sick leave during a 4-year follow up and to explore which factors that influenced the time for sick leave. Materials and methods: All persons, 1999—2002, between 18 and 64 years of age (250 in total), admitted to the emergency room and diagnosed according to ICD 10 as S062 and S063, were included. Demographic data were gathered from medical charts and data concerning sick leave 1 year before trauma and 4 years after trauma, were collected from the Swedish social insurance system. To explore predictors of sick leave, two logistic regressions were performed. Results: The sample (mean age 39.68) consisted of 78% men. More than half of the accidents were due to fall. In the sample, 28 % was on sick leave on the day of trauma and 96 % of these were still on sick leave 4 years after trauma, compared with 39 % in the group not on sick leave on the day of TBI. Sick leave at the day for trauma was found to be a predictor for sick leave 4 years after trauma for the whole group (p = 0.000) together with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (p = 0.002) and length of stay (p = 0.049). In the logistic regression with only the group not on sick leave, the only significant variable was GCS (p = 0.003). Conclusion: The findings support the necessity to consider premorbid and social factors in the TBI rehabilitation.
Development, Theoretical Framework, and Lessons Learned From Implementation of a School-Based Influenza Vaccination Intervention
Authors: Painter Julia E. , Sales Jessica M. , Pazol Karen , Grimes Tanisha , Wingood Gina M. , DiClemente Ralph J.
Published: May 2010

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently recommended that all children 6 months to 18 years old be vaccinated annually against influenza. School-based influenza vaccination interventions may potentially increase influenza vaccination rates among hard-to-reach populations, particularly rural adolescents. This article describes the theoretical framework, intervention development, and lessons learned from 1st-year implementation of a multicomponent intervention aimed to promote influenza vaccine acceptance among multiethnic (predominantly African American) adolescents attending middle and high school in rural Georgia. Adolescents, parents, and school administrators were active participants in the development and implementation of the intervention. The educational intervention, which consisted of a brochure and a school skit/ presentation, was guided by constructs from the Health Belief Model and social norms. Process evaluation results indicated that our intervention development methods were successful in creating a low-cost, theory-based educational intervention that garnered community investment and met the cultural relevance and literacy needs of our target audience. To our knowledge, this study is the first to extensively engage middle- and high-school students and parents in the design and implementation of key educational components of a theory-based influenza vaccination intervention.
Publication Bias in Two Political Behavior Literatures
Authors: Gerber Alan S. , Malhotra Neil , Dowling Conor M. , Doherty David
Published: May 2010

Publication bias occurs when the probability that a paper enters the scholarly literature is a function of the magnitude or significance levels of the coefficient estimates. We investigate publication bias in two large literatures in political behavior: economic voting and the effects of negative advertising. We find that the pattern of published estimates is consistent with the presence of publication bias and that bias is more prevalent in the most influential and highly cited outlets. We consider the possible causes and find some evidence that papers systematically employ one-sided hypothesis tests in response to failure to meet the more demanding critical values associated with two-tailed tests, a practice that leads to misleading reports of the probability of Type I errors.
School Governance and Information: Does Choice Lead to Better-Informed Parents?
Authors: Kisida Brian , Wolf Patrick J.
Published: May 2010

Political theorists have long argued that low information levels among average citizens provide the rationale for public policy to be guided by experts and elites. Other scholars counter that deference to elites perpetuates and even exacerbates the problem. Here we look at school choice programs as an environment to elucidate this important debate. Theories of school choice suggest that parents need to and can make informed decisions. Choice parents should have more incentives to gather information about their child’s schools than parents without schooling options. Alternatively, a lack of any increase in information levels among school choosers would suggest that having choices per se is not sufficient motivation to overcome the costs of information gathering. Analyzing data from an experimental evaluation of the Washington Scholarship Fund, we find that presenting parents with choices does lead to significantly higher levels of accurate information on measures of important school characteristics.
Vote Switching on Foreign Policy in the U.S. House of Representatives
Authors: Seo Jungkun
Published: May 2010

How do party members manage recurring and divisive foreign policy agendas? Do they stay the course or switch their position? The annual decision in Congress regarding the extension of China’s most favored nation (MFN) status was a high-profile foreign policy battle between the anti-China coalition and its pro-China counterpart. To test theories of members’ vote choice and change, this article analyzes the U.S. House of Representatives roll call votes over China trade policy from 1990 through 2000. Despite the conventional wisdom of voting stability over a recurring agenda, some members engaged in a substantial amount of vote switching. Changes in voting context such as party status, constituency interests, campaign finance, and seniority contributed to members’ position shifts. The findings of this study suggest that cross-cutting domestic interests over foreign policy debates in the post—Cold War era lead party members to recalculate the benefits of vote stability and the costs of vote switching.
Description of an integrated framework for building linkages among primary care clinics and community organizations for the prevention of type 2 diabetes: emerging themes from the CC-Link study
Authors: Ackermann Ronald T.
Published: May 2010

Strong clinic-community linkages are pivotal for the success of preventive services that combine clinical and community resources. Unfortunately, there has been limited guidance for how clinical and community groups can partner to improve self-care and prevention for chronic conditions. This manuscript describes the development and implementation of an integrated framework to guide clinic-community linkages for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in an ongoing randomized effectiveness trial known as Clinical-Community Linkages to Prevent Diabetes (CC-Link) study. This study involves 10 primary care practices in a metropolitan area of the Midwest US. The study provided each practice location with technical assistance to select, implement, evaluate and refine different strategies to identify and address pre-diabetes using a clinic-community linkage. Sites were also randomized to receive either direct or indirect involvement by a community liaison/expert from the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. Early implementation of the CC-Link Framework has underscored the importance of strong leadership and partnership synergy, and it uncovered several examples of how linkages can be designed to make the most of partner strengths. This success is promising, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of these efforts to improve lifestyle behaviours of adults with prediabetes is now underway.
Hypomorphic Rag mutations can cause destructive midline granulomatous disease
Authors: De Ravin Suk See , Cowen Edward W. , Zarember Kol A. , Whiting-Theobald Narda L. , Kuhns Douglas B. , Sandler Netanya G. , Douek Daniel C. , Pittaluga Stefania , Poliani Pietro L. , Lee Yu Nee , Notarangelo Luigi D. , Wang Lei , Alt Frederick W. , Kang Elizabeth M. , Milner Joshua D. , Niemela Julie E. , Fontana-Penn Mary , Sinal Sara H. , Malech Harry L.
Published: May 2010

Destructive midline granulomatous disease characterized by necrotizing granulomas of the head and neck is most commonly caused by Wegener granulomatosis, natural killer/T-cell lymphomas, cocaine abuse, or infections. An adolescent patient with myasthenia gravis treated with thymectomy subsequently developed extensive granulomatous destruction of midface structures, palate, nasal septum, airways, and epiglottis. His lymphocyte numbers, total immunoglobulin G level, and T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire appeared normal. Sequencing of Recombination activating gene-1 (Rag1) showed compound heterozygous Rag1 mutations; a novel deletion with no recombinase activity and a missense mutation resulting in 50% Rag activity. His thymus was dysplastic and, although not depleted of T cells, showed a notable absence of autoimmune regulator (AIRE) and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. This distinct Rag-deficient phenotype characterized by immune dysregulation with granulomatous hyperinflammation and autoimmunity, with relatively normal T and B lymphocyte numbers and a diverse TCR repertoire expands the spectrum of presentation in Rag deficiency. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00128973.
Identifying overrepresented concepts in gene lists from literature: a statistical approach based on Poisson mixture model
Authors: He Xin , Sarma Moushumi Sen , Ling Xu , Chee Brant , Zhai Chengxiang , Schatz Bruce
Published: May 2010

Background

Large-scale genomic studies often identify large gene lists, for example, the genes sharing the same expression patterns. The interpretation of these gene lists is generally achieved by extracting concepts overrepresented in the gene lists. This analysis often depends on manual annotation of genes based on controlled vocabularies, in particular, Gene Ontology (GO). However, the annotation of genes is a labor-intensive process; and the vocabularies are generally incomplete, leaving some important biological domains inadequately covered.

Results

We propose a statistical method that uses the primary literature, i.e. free-text, as the source to perform overrepresentation analysis. The method is based on a statistical framework of mixture model and addresses the methodological flaws in several existing programs. We implemented this method within a literature mining system, BeeSpace, taking advantage of its analysis environment and added features that facilitate the interactive analysis of gene sets. Through experimentation with several datasets, we showed that our program can effectively summarize the important conceptual themes of large gene sets, even when traditional GO-based analysis does not yield informative results.

Conclusions

We conclude that the current work will provide biologists with a tool that effectively complements the existing ones for overrepresentation analysis from genomic experiments. Our program, Genelist Analyzer, is freely available at: http://workerbee.igb.uiuc.edu:8080/BeeSpace/Search.jsp
Transcript and protein profiling identify candidate gene sets of potential adaptive significance in New Zealand Pachycladon
Authors: Voelckel Claudia , Mirzaei Mehdi , Reichelt Michael , Luo Zhiwei , Pascovici Dana , Heenan Peter B , Schmidt Silvia , Janssen Bart , Haynes Paul A , Lockhart Peter J
Published: May 2010

Background

Transcript profiling of closely related species provides a means for identifying genes potentially important in species diversification. However, the predictive value of transcript profiling for inferring downstream-physiological processes has been unclear. In the present study we use shotgun proteomics to validate inferences from microarray studies regarding physiological differences in threePachycladonspecies. We compare transcript and protein profiling and evaluate their predictive value for inferring glucosinolate chemotypes characteristic of these species.

Results

Evidence from heterologous microarrays and shotgun proteomics revealed differential expression of genes involved in glucosinolate hydrolysis (myrosinase-associated proteins) and biosynthesis (methylthioalkylmalate isomerase and dehydrogenase), the interconversion of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate (carbonic anhydrases), water use efficiency (ascorbate peroxidase, 2 cys peroxiredoxin, 20 kDa chloroplastic chaperonin, mitochondrial succinyl CoA ligase) and others (glutathione-S-transferase, serine racemase, vegetative storage proteins, genes related to translation and photosynthesis). Differences in glucosinolate hydrolysis products were directly confirmed. Overall, prediction of protein abundances from transcript profiles was stronger than prediction of transcript abundance from protein profiles. Protein profiles also proved to be more accurate predictors of glucosinolate profiles than transcript profiles. The similarity of species profiles for both transcripts and proteins reflected previously inferred phylogenetic relationships while glucosinolate chemotypes did not.

Conclusions

We have used transcript and protein profiling to predict physiological processes that evolved differently during diversification of threePachycladonspecies. This approach has also identified candidate genes potentially important in adaptation, which are now the focus of ongoing study. Our results indicate that protein profiling provides a valuable tool for validating transcript profiles in studies of adaptive divergence.
Gene expression changes during caste-specific neuronal development in the damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti
Authors: Ishikawa Yuki , Okada Yasukazu , Ishikawa Asano , Miyakawa Hitoshi , Koshikawa Shigeyuki , Miura Toru
Published: May 2010

Background

One of the key characters of social insects is the division of labor, in which different tasks are allocated to various castes. In termites, one of the representative groups of social insects, morphological differences as well as behavioral differences can be recognized among castes. However, very little is known about the neuronal and molecular bases of caste differentiation and caste-specific behavior. In almost all termite species, soldiers play defensive roles in their colonies, and their morphology and behavior are largely different from workers (or pseudergates). Therefore, we predicted that some genes linked to defensive behavior and/or those required for neuronal changes are differentially expressed between workers and soldiers, or during the soldier differentiation, respectively.

Results

Using the brain and suboesophageal ganglion (SOG) of the damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti, we first screened genes specifically expressed in soldiers or during soldier differentiation by the differential display method, followed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. No distinctive differences in expression patterns were detected between pseudergates and soldiers. In the course of soldier differentiation, however, five genes were found to be up-regulated in brain and/or SOG: 14-3-3epsilon, fibrillin2, beta-tubulin, ciboulot, and a hypothetical protein containing a SAP motif. Some of these genes are thought to be associated with cytoskeletal structure or motor-associated proteins in neuronal tissues.

Conclusion

The identified five genes could be involved in soldier-specific neuronal modifications, resulting in defensive behaviors in termite soldiers. The temporal expression patterns of these genes were consistent with the neuronal changes during soldier differentiation, suggesting that molecular machineries, in which the identified factors would participate, play important roles in behavioral differentiation of termite soldiers.
Validation of the GenoType® MTBDRplus assay for detection of MDR-TB in a public health laboratory in Thailand
Authors: Anek-vorapong Rapeepun , Sinthuwattanawibool Chalinthorn , Podewils Laura Jean , McCarthy Kimberly , Ngamlert Keerataya , Promsarin Busakorn , Varma Jay K
Published: May 2010

Background

Over the past several years, new diagnostic techniques have been developed to allow for the rapid detection of multidrug resistant tuberculosis. The GenoType® MTBDRplus test is a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strip assay which uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybridization to detect genetic mutations in the genes that confer isoniazid (INH) and rifampn (RIF) resistance. This assay has demonstrated good performance and a rapid time to results, making this a promising tool to accelerate MDR-TB diagnosis and improve MDR-TB control. Validation of rapid tests for MDR-TB detection in different settings is needed to ensure acceptable performance, particularly in Asia, which has the largest number of MDR-TB cases in the world but only one previous report, in Vietnam, about the performance of the GenoType® MDRplus assay. Thailand is ranked 18th of 22 "high-burden" TB countries in the world, and there is evidence to suggest that rates of MDR-TB are increasing in Thailand. We compared the performance of the GenoType® MTBDRplus assay to Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube for Antimycobacterial Susceptibility Testing (MGIT AST) for detection INH resistance, RIF resistance, and MDR-TB in stored acid-fast bacilli (AFB)-positive sputum specimens and isolates at a Public TB laboratory in Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods

50 stored isolates and 164 stored AFB-positive sputum specimens were tested using both the MGIT AST and the GenoType® MTBDRplus assay.

Results

The GenoType® MTBDRplus assay had a sensitivity of 95.3%, 100%, and 94.4% for INH resistance, RIF resistance, and MDR-TB, respectively. The difference in sensitivity between sputum specimens (93%) and isolates (100%) for INH resistance was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). Specificity was 100% for all resistance patterns and for both specimens and isolates. The laboratory processing time was a median of 25 days for MGIT AST and 5 days for the GenoType® MTBDRplus (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The GenoType® MTBDRplus assay has been validated as a rapid and reliable first-line diagnostic test on AFB-positive sputum or MTB isolates for INH resistance, RIF resistance, and MDR-TB in Bangkok, Thailand. Further studies are needed to evaluate its impact on treatment outcome and the feasibility and cost associated with widespread implementation.
Residual hepatocellular carcinoma after oxaliplatin treatment has increased metastatic potential in a nude mouse model and is attenuated by Songyou Yin
Authors: Xiong Wei , Ren Zheng-Gang , Qiu Shuang-Jian , Sun Hui-Chuan , Wang Lu , Liu Bin-Bin , Li Qi-Song , Zhang Wei , Zhu Xiao-Dong , Liu Liang , Wang Wen-Quan , Tang Zhao-You
Published: May 2010

Background

The opposite effects of chemotherapy, which enhance the malignancy of treated cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), are not well understood. We investigated this phenomenon and corresponding mechanisms to develop a novel approach for improving chemotherapy efficacy in HCC.

Methods

Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 (with low metastatic potential) and MHCC97L (with moderate metastatic potential) were used for the in vitro study. An orthotopic nude mouse model of human HCC was developed using MHCC97L cells. We then assessed the metastatic potential of surviving tumor cells after in vitro and in vivo oxaliplatin treatment. The molecular changes in surviving tumor cells were evaluated by western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. The Chinese herbal extract Songyou Yin (composed of five herbs) was investigated in vivo to explore its effect on the metastatic potential of oxaliplatin-treated cancer cells.

Results

MHCC97L and HepG2 cells surviving oxaliplatin treatment showed enhanced migration and invasion in vitro. Residual HCC after in vivo oxaliplatin treatment demonstrated significantly increased metastasis to the lung (10/12 vs. 3/12) when re-inoculated into the livers of new recipient nude mice. Molecular changes consistent with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were observed in oxaliplatin-treated tumor tissues and verified by in vitro experiments. The Chinese herbal extract Songyou Yin (4.2 and 8.4 g/kg) attenuated EMT and inhibited the enhanced metastatic potential of residual HCC in nude mice (6/15 vs. 13/15 and 3/15 vs. 13/15, respectively).

Conclusions

The surviving HCC after oxaliplatin treatment underwent EMT and demonstrated increased metastatic potential. Attenuation of EMT by Songyou Yin may improve the efficacy of chemotherapy in HCC.