bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing associations between medication adherence and potentially modifiable psychosocial variables in pediatric kidney transplant recipients and their families
Authors: Gerson A. C. , Furth S. L. , Neu A. M. , Fivush B. A.
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Post‐transplant immunosuppressant (IS) medication adherence is essential for long‐term graft survival and relatively little is known about psychosocial barriers that interfere with optimum medication adherence in pediatric kidney transplant patients. The objective of this prospective observational cohort study was to assess the impact of modifiable psychosocial variables on medication adherence. Our hypothesis was that parental stress, dysfunctional parent–child interactions and child behavior problems would be associated with poorer medication adherence. Thirteen pediatric kidney transplant patients and their caregivers were enrolled. Transplant recipients who were able to read and caregivers of all the transplant recipients completed behavioral and attitudinal surveys. A subgroup of seven families dispensed their primary IS medication from an electronic monitoring vial (MEMS Smart Cap). For these patients, medication adherence was calculated by computing a ratio of the medication taken divided by the prescribed dose. In addition, for the entire group, serial IS levels were reviewed by two board certified pediatric nephrologists who categorized all 13 transplant recipient families as either ‘probably adherent (PA)’ or ‘possibly non‐adherent (PNA)’. Pearson correlation coefficients and independent samples Student t‐tests were used to assess the association between medication adherence and psychosocial variables measured by standardized questionnaires. In this study, elevated parental stress, dysfunctional parent–child interactions, and child behavior problems were associated with poorer medication adherence. In addition, we found evidence to support the relationship between subjective dissatisfaction with appearance and poorer medication adherence. These findings suggest that pre‐transplant recipient evaluations of risk factors for poor adherence are warranted.
Strategies for the prevention of cytomegalovirus infection and disease in pediatric liver transplantation recipients
Authors: Campbell Andrew L. , Herold Betsy C.
Published: December 2004

Abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common opportunistic infection following solid organ transplantation. Prevention and management of CMV infection has assumed a higher priority as transplantation has become a frequent treatment for many congenital and acquired disorders, as more potent immunosuppressive agents have become available, new molecular and virologic assays to detect CMV have made their way from research to clinical laboratories and new antiviral medications and biologics have been developed. Management strategies are diverse; however, there are little or no data from large controlled pediatric trials demonstrating the superiority of any particular approach. This review outlines the current strategies employed to prevent CMV infection and disease and summarizes the strengths and limitations of each regimen to guide clinicians in the selection of the optimal preventative approach.
Recent Developments in Oestrous Synchronization of Postpartum Dairy Cows with and without Ovarian Disorders
Authors: Yániz JL , Murugavel K , López‐Gatius F
Published: December 2004

Contents

This report reviews the most recent developments in prostaglandin‐based oestrous synchronization programmes for postpartum dairy cows and addresses the efficiency of controlled breeding protocols based on such developments for cows with abnormal ovarian conditions. A double prostaglandin protocol applied 11–14 days apart seems to be capable of bringing most cows to oestrus. Because of varying oestrus onset times, improved conception rates are obtained following artificial insemination (AI) at detected oestrus rather than fixed‐time AI in prostaglandin‐treated cows. The administration of oestradiol or human chorionic gonadotrophin, or both these hormones, after prostaglandin treatment, improves the synchrony of oestrus yet does not enhance the conception rate. Progesterone‐based treatments for oestrous synchronization are considered the most appropriate for non‐cyclic or anoestrous postpartum dairy cows; prostaglandin alone being ineffective because of the absence of a mature corpus luteum in these cows. Improved oestrus synchrony and fertility rate have been reported using short‐term progesterone treatment regimes (7–9 days) with or without oestradiol benzoate combined with the use of a luteolytic agent given 1 day before, or at the time of, progesterone withdrawal. The ovulation synchronization (Ovsynch) protocol, based on the use of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and prostaglandin, was developed to coordinate follicular recruitment, CL regression and the time of ovulation. This protocol allows fixed time insemination and has proved effective in improving reproductive management in postpartum dairy cows. However, timed AI following Ovsynch seems to have no beneficial effects in heifers, because of an inconsistent follicle wave pattern, and in anoestrous cows, given their lack of prostaglandin responsive CL. To date, there are several prostaglandin based, fixed‐time insemination oestrous synchronization protocols for use in early postpartum dairy cows with ovarian disorders such as ovarian cysts and acyclicity.
Repeatability and Heritability of Ovulation Number and Embryos in Dam‐daughters Pairs in Superovulated Holstein–Friesian Cows
Authors: Bényei B , Gáspárdy A , Komlósi I , Pécsi A
Published: December 2004

Contents

Holstein–Friesian dams (n = 28) and daughters (n = 28) were superovulated (total number of observations was 235) to determine the repeatability and heritability of ovulation number and embryo collection result for FSH treatment. The donor cows were superovulated with FSHp, artificial insemination was performed and embryo collection was carried out 7 days later. For the analysis, the raw corpdata of the number of corpora lutea (CL), the number of collected embryos (EM) and their log‐transformed values were used (log CL, log EM). The genetic parameters were calculated by using the VCE4 software. For calculating heritability, the number of embryo collection was used as a random effect; for calculating repeatability, the permanent environment was fitted. The additive genetic variance of CL was 8.91 and that of the EM was 9.23. The additive genetic variance for the log CL and log EM were 0.457 and 0.340, respectively. The estimated heritability for CL and EM were 0.234 and 0.159, and repeatability were 0.386 and 0.301, respectively. Higher heritabilities but lower as the previous repeatabilities were observed for the log‐transformed data, 0.266, 0.194 and 0.294, 0.208 for log CL and for log EM, respectively.
Studies on Motility and Fertility of Cooled Stallion Spermatozoa
Authors: Rota A , Furzi C , Panzani D , Camillo F
Published: December 2004

Contents

This study on extended, cooled stallion spermatozoa aimed to compare the ability of three extenders to maintain sperm motility during 24 h of preservation, and to describe pregnancy and foaling rates after artificial insemination (AI) of stallion spermatozoa stored and transported in the extender chosen from thein vitrostudy. After 6 and 24 h of preservation, motility, both subjective and evaluated by the motility analyzer (total, progressive and rapid), was lower in non‐fat, dried skim milk–glucose than in both other extenders: dried skim milk–glucose added to 2% centrifuged egg yolk, and ultra high temperature treated skim milk–sugar‐saline solution added to 2% centrifuged egg yolk (INRA82‐Y). Rapid spermatozoa and sperm velocity parameters, after 24 h, were significantly higher in INRA82‐Y. In the fertility trial, semen collected from three Maremmano stallions, diluted in INRA82‐Y, and transported in a refrigerated Styrofoam box, was used to inseminate 56 mares of the same breed. Pregnancy rates after the first cycle and per breeding season were significantly higher for the 31 mares inseminated in three AI centres (54.8 and 80.6%, respectively) than for the 25 mares inseminated at the breeder's facilities (28.0 and 52.0%). Foaling rates were not significantly different between the AI centres mares (54.8%) and the other mares (44.0%). In conclusion, INRA82‐Y yielded satisfactory pregnancy and foaling rates, especially when employed in the more controlled situation of an AI centre, and can therefore be included among those available for cooled stallion semen preservation.
Prevalence and incidence of schizophrenia among national health insurance enrollees in Taiwan, 1996–2001
Authors: CHIEN I‐CHIA , CHOU YIING‐JENQ , LIN CHING‐HENG , BIH SHIN‐HUEY , CHOU PESUS , CHANG HONG‐JEN
Published: December 2004

Abstract  As many as 96% of all residents of Taiwan have been enrolled in the National Health Insurance (NHI) program since 1996. The NHI database was used to examine the prevalence and incidence of schizoprenia. The National Health Research Institute provided a database of 200 432 random subjects, about 1% of the population, for study. By means of exclusion criteria, a random sample of 136 045 subjects as a fixed cohort dated from 1996–2001 was obtained. Those study subjects who had at least one service claim during these years for either ambulatory or inpatient care, with a principal diagnosis of schizophrenia, were identified. The cumulative prevalence increased from 3.34 per 1000 to 6.42 per 1000 from 1996 to 2001. The annual incidence density decreased from 0.95 per 1000/year to 0.45 per 1000/year from 1997 to 2001. Male subjects had higher treated prevalence in younger age groups than did female subjects. Higher prevalence was associated with the 25–44 and 45–64 age groups, insurance amount less than US$640, the eastern region, and suburban areas. Lower incidence was associated with the 45–64 age group. Higher incidence was associated with insurance amount less than US$640, and the eastern region. According to the trends of cumulative prevalence and incidence density, the treated prevalence and incidence rate will be approximate to community rates gradually. Most persons with schizophrenia had received treatment in Taiwan after the NHI program was implemented. Future studies should focus on outcome and cost evaluation.
Gender differences in a clinic‐referred sample of Taiwanese attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder children
Authors: YANG PINCHEN , JONG YUH‐JYH , CHUNG LI‐CHEN , CHEN CHENG‐SHENG
Published: December 2004

Abstract  The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences within a clinic‐referred sample of 6–11‐year‐old Taiwanese children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)‐ combined subtype. The subjects were 21 girls with a diagnosis of ADHD from the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and 21 age‐matched boys with ADHD. Comparisons were made of behavioral ratings, cognitive profiles, and vigilance/attention assessments between these two groups. The results found ADHD girls and ADHD boys to be statistically indistinguishable on nearly all measures except the subtests of block design (P = 0.016), the discrepancy between Performance Intelligence Quotient and Verbal Intelligence Quotient (P = 0.019), and the discrepancy between fluid and crystallized IQ (P = 0.041). In the study samples, ADHD girls and ADHD boys were strikingly similar on a wide range of measures. ADHD boys and girls in clinics may be expected to show more similarities than differences in treatment needs. However, these results should be interpreted with caution since data were only from clinic‐referred samples.
Deposition of IgD, alpha‐1‐antitrypsin and alpha‐1‐antichymotrypsin on Demodex folliculorum and D. brevis infesting the pilosebaceous unit
Authors: Tsutsumi Yutaka
Published: December 2004

A total of seven routinely processed biopsy specimens of facial skin lesions with infestation of Demodex folliculorum or D. brevis were immunostained for plasma proteins and secretory proteins. The cuticular layer of the mites located within the pilosebaceous unit was selectively immunoreactive for IgD (delta chain), alpha‐1‐antitrypsin and alpha‐1‐antichymotrypsin. Negative results were obtained for IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, albumin, fibrinogen, C3, amyloid P component, prealbumin, lysozyme and lactoferrin. These findings suggest a novel function of IgD and serum protease inhibitors as a protective host response to the mite.
Mixed papillary adenocarcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix
Authors: Murata Shin‐ichi , Miyata Kazuyuki , Takaishi Koji , Mochizuki Kunio , Nakazawa Tadao , Kondo Tetsuo , Nakamura Nobuki , Katoh Ryohei
Published: December 2004

A mixed papillary adenocarcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma (MAcTcc) was discovered in the uterine cervix of a 38‐year‐old woman. A condylomatous papillary lesion was found in the uterine cervix during a colposcopic study and histopathological examination showed that the tumor was composed of two different neoplastic subtypes. One was an adenocarcinoma (AC) component showing papillary and tubular structure with endocervical and intestinal differentiation; the other was a transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) component showing papillary excrescence mimicking papillary  TCC  of  urothelial  origin.  To  characterize  the  tumor, an immunohistochemical study of cytokeratins (CK) was performed. The AC component showed immunoreactivities similar to conventional adenocarcinomas: positive immunoreactivity of low‐molecular‐weight cytokeratins 7, 8 and 19, and negative immunoreactivity of CK20 and high‐molecular‐weight cytokeratin (34βE12). The lower epithelial layer of the TCC component showed different immunoreactivity, but the superficial epithelial layer had similar immunohistochemical findings to the AC component. These findings indicate that the TCC component had the cellular character of AC rather than that of TCC or squamous cell carcinomas. This is thought to be the first report of a MAcTcc of the uterine cervix.
Evaluation of tissue specificity and expression strength of rice seed component gene promoters in transgenic rice
Authors: Qu Le Qing , Takaiwa Fumio
Published: December 2004

Using stable transgenic rice plants, the promoters of 15 genes expressed in rice seed were analysed for their spatial and temporal expression pattern and their potential to promote the expression of recombinant proteins in seeds. The 15 genes included 10 seed storage protein genes and five genes for enzymes involved in carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism. The promoters for the glutelins and the 13 kDa and 16 kDa prolamins directed endosperm‐specific expression, especially in the outer portion (peripheral region) of the endosperm, whilst the embryo globulin and 18 kDa oleosin promoters directed expression in the embryo and aleurone layer. Fusion of the GUS gene to the 26 kDa globulin promoter resulted in expression in the inner starchy endosperm tissue. It should be noted that the 10 kDa prolamin gene was the only one tested that required both the 5′ and 3′ flanking regions for intrinsic endosperm‐specific expression. The promoters from the pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) and ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) small subunit genes were active not only in the seed, but also in the phloem of vegetative tissues. Within the seed, the expression from these two promoters differed in that the PPDK gene was only expressed in the endosperm, whereas the AGPase small subunit gene was expressed throughout the seed. The GUS reporter gene fused to the alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT) promoter was expressed in the inner portion of the starchy endosperm, whilst the starch branching enzyme (SBE1) and the glutamate synthase (GOGAT) genes were mainly expressed in the scutellum (between the endosperm and embryo). When promoter activities were examined during seed maturation, the glutelin GluB‐4, 26 kDa globulin and 10 kDa and 16 kDa prolamin promoters exhibited much higher activities than the others. The seed promoters analysed here exhibited a wide variety of activities and expression patterns, thus providing many choices suitable for various applications in plant biotechnology.
Gene expression patterns to define stages of post‐harvest senescence in Alstroemeria petals
Authors: Breeze Emily , Wagstaff Carol , Harrison Elizabeth , Bramke Irene , Rogers Hilary , Stead Anthony , Thomas Brian , Buchanan‐Wollaston Vicky
Published: December 2004

Petal senescence in many species is regulated by ethylene but some flowers, such as those on the monocotyledonous plant Alstroemeria, var. Rebecca are ethylene insensitive. Changes in gene expression during the post‐harvest senescence of Alstroemeria flowers were investigated using several different techniques. Suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to obtain cDNA libraries enriched for genes expressed at selected stages of petal senescence. Sequencing of the EST clones obtained resulted in over 1000 sequences that represent approximately 500 different genes. Analysis of the potential functions of these genes provides a snapshot of the processes that are taking place during petal development. Both cell wall related genes and genes involved in metabolism were present at a higher proportion in the earlier stages. Genes encoding metal binding proteins (mostly metallothionein‐like) were the major component of senescence enhanced libraries. This limited the diversity of genes identified showing differential expression at the later stages. Changes in the expression of all genes were analysed using microarray hybridization, and genes showing either up or down‐regulation were identified. The expression pattern of a selection of genes was confirmed using Northern hybridization. Northern hybridization confirmed the up‐regulation of metallothioneins after floral opening, however, this was not detected by the microarray analysis, indicating the importance of using a combination of methods to investigate gene expression patterns. Considerably more genes were up‐regulated than down‐regulated. This may reflect the need during Alstroemeria petal senescence for the expression of a whole new set of genes involved with degradation and mobilization. The potential uses of expression profiling to improve floral quality in breeding programmes or as a diagnostic tool are discussed.
Production and glycosylation of plant‐made pharmaceuticals: the antibodies as a challenge
Authors: Gomord Véronique , Sourrouille Christophe , Fitchette Anne‐Catherine , Bardor Muriel , Pagny Sophie , Lerouge Patrice , Faye Loïc
Published: December 2004

Antibodies have long been recognized for their diagnostic and therapeutic potential. The rapidly increasing number of monoclonal antibodies approved for immunotherapy has paved the way to an even greater demand for these molecules. In order to satisfy this growing demand and to increase the production capacity, alternative systems based on antibody production in transgenic organisms are being actively explored. In this paper, we focus on transgenic plants as a promising system for the scale‐up and processing of plant‐made pharmaceuticals. In particular, we point out the advantages and limitations induced by glycosylation of plant‐made antibodies for human therapy.
Robust Automatic Methods for Outlier and Error Detection
Authors: Chambers Ray , Hentges Adão , Zhao Xinqiang
Published: December 2004

Editing in surveys of economic populations is often complicated by the fact that outliers due to errors in the data are mixed in with correct, but extreme, data values. We describe and evaluate two automatic techniques for the identification of errors in such long-tailed data distributions. The first is a forward search procedure based on finding a sequence of error-free subsets of the error-contaminated data and then using regression modelling within these subsets to identify errors. The second uses a robust regression tree modelling procedure to identify errors. Both approaches can be implemented on a univariate basis or on a multivariate basis. An application to a business survey data set that contains a mix of extreme errors and true outliers is described.
Analysis of Longitudinal Data Unbalanced Over Time
Authors: Huang Wenzheng , Fitzmaurice Garrett M.
Published: December 2004

The paper considers modelling, estimating and diagnostically verifying the response process generating longitudinal data, with emphasis on association between repeated meas-ures from unbalanced longitudinal designs. Our model is based on separate specifications of the moments for the mean, standard deviation and correlation, with different components possibly sharing common parameters. We propose a general class of correlation structures that comprise random effects, measurement errors and a serially correlated process. These three elements are combined via flexible time-varying weights, whereas the serial correlation can depend flexibly on the mean time and lag. When the measurement schedule is independent of the response process, our estimation procedure yields consistent and asymptotically normal estimates for the mean parameters even when the standard deviation and correlation are misspecified, and for the standard deviation parameters even when the correlation is misspecified. A generic diagnostic method is developed for verifying the models for the mean, standard deviation and, in particular, the correlation, which is applicable even when the data are severely unbalanced. The methodology is illustrated by an analysis of data from a longitudinal study that was designed to characterize pulmonary growth in girls.
Improved Unbiased Estimators in Adaptive Cluster Sampling
Authors: Dryver Arthur L. , Thompson Steven K.
Published: December 2004

The usual design-unbiased estimators in adaptive cluster sampling are easy to compute but are not functions of the minimal sufficient statistic and hence can be improved. Improved unbiased estimators obtained by conditioning on sufficient statistics—not necessarily minimal—are described. First, estimators that are as easy to compute as the usual design-unbiased estimators are given. Estimators obtained by conditioning on the minimal sufficient statistic which are more difficult to compute are also discussed. Estimators are compared in examples.
Evolution of zygomorphy in monocot flowers: iterative patterns and developmental constraints
Authors: Rudall Paula J. , Bateman Richard M.
Published: December 2004

Here we explore morphological transitions among monocot flowers and discuss them in terms of modification of existing structures. Monocot flowers are typically arranged in five whorls (carpels, inner and outer stamens, inner and outer tepals), and are radially symmetrical, constructed around a 3‐fold axis of rotational symmetry that delineates three planes of bilateral symmetry. Differential development of one or two of the three organs within a whorl inevitably emphasizes one plane of symmetry, by eliminating the other planes, rendering the whorl zygomorphic. Zygomorphy (monosymmetry) has evolved more than once in monocotyledons. Stamen suppression is a widespread aspect of zygomorphy and conforms to two broad categories of pattern. In the more frequent Pattern 1, 1–3(−5) adaxial stamens (both inner and outer) are either reduced in size or entirely suppressed. Pattern 2 involves loss, reduction or modification of at least the outer abaxial stamen. Pattern 2 often characterizes groups that are phylogenetically embedded within Pattern 1 clades, perhaps indicating that this pattern results from loss of function or overexpression of the same genes involved in establishment of Pattern 1. Heterotopy has been an important evolutionary phenomenon among Zingiberales (some stamens becoming petaloid) and perhaps grasses (petals possibly becoming sepaloid). Heterochrony is the most frequent cause of more subtle changes in the degree of bilateral symmetry shown by monocot flowers by enhancing (peramorphosis) or retarding (paedomorphosis) individual organs within specific whorls.

Contents

Summary
25

I.
Introduction
28

II.
Background
27

III.
Asparagales
28

IV.
Commelinids: ZHC clade
29

V.
Commelinids: Poales
32

VI.
Conceptual transitions among floral forms revisited
34

VII.
Examples from monocot flowers
37

VIII.
Specific cases of ontogenetic transitions between contrasting floral morphs
39

IX.
Conclusions
40

Acknowledgements
42

References
42
The evolution of polymorphic sexual systems in daffodils (Narcissus)
Authors: Barrett Spencer C. H. , Harder Lawrence D.
Published: December 2004

Narcissus, the daffodil genus, exhibits an unusual diversity of sexual systems, with populations that are monomorphic, dimorphic or trimorphic for style length. Associated with this variation are striking differences among species in floral morphology and pollination biology. This diversity provides an opportunity to investigate the evolution of mating polymorphisms, and to determine how floral morphology promotes transitions among sexual systems. Because of the absence of heteromorphic incompatibility in Narcissus, floral morphology plays a key role in governing patterns of outcrossed mating. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that stylar monomorphism is ancestral in the genus, with multiple origins of stylar polymorphism, including independent origins of stigma‐height dimorphism, distyly and tristyly. Sexual polymorphisms have evolved only in lineages with narrow floral tubes that are pollinated by Lepidoptera and/or long‐tongued bees. Populations of polymorphic Narcissus species are typically dominated by the long‐styled morph and display imperfect reciprocity in the positions of sexual organs. These features are consequences of the unusual association between stylar polymorphism and a self‐incompatibility system that permits intramorph mating.
Plant venereal diseases: insights from a messy metaphor
Authors: Antonovics Janis
Published: December 2004

The concept of plant venereal disease is examined from definitional, operational and axiomatic viewpoints. The transmission of many plant pathogens occurs during the flowering phase and is effected either by pollinators or by wind dispersal of spores from inflorescences. Attraction of insects by pseudo‐flowers or sugary secretions also serves to spread many diseases. Given the diversity of processes involved, a simple all‐encompassing parallel with animal venereal diseases is not possible. Operationally establishing the routes of disease transmission, as well as quantifying the relative magnitudes of these different routes, remains critical for understanding disease dynamics and controlling spread in agricultural contexts. From an axiomatic viewpoint, sexually transmitted diseases are characterized by frequency‐dependent transmission, transmission in the adult stage, and by virulence effects involving sterility rather than mortality. These characteristics serve to differentiate the dynamics and evolution of sexually transmitted diseases from that of other diseases and are features that are also shared by many pollinator‐transmitted diseases. However, the majority of plant diseases that involve the reproductive structures show a rich biology that defies easy categorization. The experimental convenience of plants and their pathogens is likely to play an important role in understanding the evolution of disease traits, irrespective of what descriptive terms are applied to the natural history of the transmission process.
Randomization tests for ERP topographies and whole spatiotemporal data matrices
Authors: Maris Eric
Published: December 2004

In ERP studies, the comparison of topographies (multichannel measurements) or whole spatiotemporal data matrices (multichannel time series of measurements), the classical statistical tests very often cannot be used. It is argued that, for these comparisons, randomization tests are an excellent alternative. It is also argued that the randomization test is superior to another resampling method, the bootstrap, because exact probability statements (e.g., p values) can be made. A review is given of the literature on randomization tests designed for electrophysiological data. New randomization tests are presented and applied to two data sets, one coming from a psychopharmacological experiment and the other from an ERP experiment in visual word recognition.
The selective processing of briefly presented affective pictures: An ERP analysis
Authors: Schupp Harald T. , Junghöfer Markus , Weike Almut I. , Hamm Alfons O.
Published: December 2004

Recent event‐related potential (ERP) studies revealed the selective processing of affective pictures. The present study explored whether the same phenomenon can be observed when pictures are presented only briefly. Toward this end, pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant pictures from the International Affective Pictures Series were presented for 120 ms while event related potentials were measured by dense sensor arrays. As observed for longer picture presentations, brief affective pictures were selectively processed. Specifically, pleasant and unpleasant pictures were associated with an early endogenous negative shift over temporo‐occipital sensors compared to neutral images. In addition, affective pictures elicited enlarged late positive potentials over centro‐parietal sensor sites relative to neutral images. These data suggest that a quick glimpse of emotionally relevant stimuli appears sufficient to tune the brain for selective perceptual processing.
Cognitive Mediation of Rape's Mental Health Impact: Constructive Replication of a Cross-Sectional Model in Longitudinal Data
Authors: Koss Mary P. , Aurelio José Figueredo
Published: December 2004

The constructive replication of a prespecified, cognitively mediated model of rape's impact on psychosocial health is reported using longitudinal data (see Koss, Figueredo, & Prince, 2002 , for a summary of model development). Rape survivors ( n = 59) were assessed four times, 3 to 24 months postrape. Structural equations modeling of baseline data (intercepts) and rate of change over time (slopes) revealed that all large effects replicated, smaller effects did not. The model's central features were confirmed and showed that Psychological Problem History exacerbated Characterological Self-Blame, leading to more Maladaptive Beliefs, which determined initial Psychosocial Distress and its rate of decline. The major contributions of the study include: (a) placement in a research program designed to balance the strengths/limitations of cross-sectional and longitudinal data; (b) analysis of prerape characteristics, cognitive mediators, and multiple psychosocial distress variables in a system; and (c) a strategy for structural equations modeling in small samples.
Demographic, Psychological, and Relationship Factors in Domestic Violence During Pregnancy in a Sample of Low-Income Women of Color
Authors: Sagrestano Lynda M. , Carroll Doris , Rodriguez Angela C. , Nuwayhid Bahij
Published: December 2004

Research suggests that a significant number of women first experience domestic violence during pregnancy. The current study examines correlates of violence during pregnancy, first by comparing women who did and did not report violence, and second examining three subgroups of women who reported violence (violence initiated, violence persisted, violence ceased). Results indicated that controlling for demographics, more frequent violence was associated with less support and satisfaction with support from the baby's father, more negative interactions with the baby's father, and more verbal aggression in their relationships than those who did not report violence. Differences among subgroups of women reporting violence emerged only for the relationship variables. Implications for detecting violence in clinical settings are discussed.
Women's Responses to Unwanted Sexual Advances: The Role of Alcohol and Inhibition Conflict
Authors: Davis Kelly Cue , George William H. , Norris Jeanette
Published: December 2004

In this study we investigated how alcohol consumption affects women's responses to unwanted sexual advances in a hypothetical dating situation. Sixty female social drinkers participated in a 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment, which examined the effects of moderate alcohol intoxication and relationship characteristics on behavioral responses to unwanted sexual advances. Hypotheses were tested regarding the influence of inhibition conflict on intoxicated participants. As predicted, intoxicated women were more likely than sober women to consent to their dating partner's sexual advances in high conflict situations. Additionally, alcohol consumption increased women's estimated likelihood of responding passively. These findings aid in explicating the relationship between alcohol consumption and women's increased vulnerability to sexual assault.
To Nod or Not to Nod: An Observational Study of Nonverbal Communication and Status in Female and Male College Students
Authors: Helweg-Larsen Marie , Cunningham Stephanie J. , Carrico Amanda , Pergram Alison M.
Published: December 2004

Gender studies show that women and men communicate using different styles, but may use either gender style if there are situational status differences. Considering the universal gesture of head nodding as a submissive form of expression, this study investigated head nodding by observing female and male college students in positions of subordinate and equal status. We observed head nodding ( N = 452) in classroom interactions between professor−student and student−student dyads. Overall, women nodded more than men and students nodded more to professors speaking than peers speaking. In addition, female and male students nodded equally to professors speaking, but men nodded less to peers speaking than did women. Thus, both men and women attended to the status and not the gender of the speaker. Future research using varying contexts should further examine the effects of dominance, context, and gender.
Attitudes Toward Women's Body Hair: Relationship with Disgust Sensitivity
Authors: Tiggemann Marika , Lewis Christine
Published: December 2004

We aimed to further investigate the “hairlessness” norm that is the common practice of body hair removal among women. A sample of 198 undergraduate students (91 men, 107 women) completed questionnaires asking about attitudes toward women's body hair and the reasons women remove this hair, as well as a measure of disgust sensitivity. It was found that the vast majority (98%) of female participants regularly remove their leg and/or underarm hair, most frequently by shaving, and attribute this to femininity and attractiveness reasons. However, the attributions that they and men made for other women were much more socially normative in nature. For the sample as a whole, negative attitudes toward body hair were related to disgust sensitivity. It was concluded that body hair on women, but not on men, has become an elicitor of disgust and its removal correspondingly normative.
Population Differences in the Frequency of the Agouti Signaling Protein g.8818A>G Polymorphism
Authors: Zeigler‐Johnson Charnita , Panossian Saarene , Gueye Serigne M. , Jalloh Mohamed , Ofori‐Adjei David , Kanetsky Peter A.
Published: December 2004

The role of agouti signaling protein (ASIP) in human pigmentation pathways is not definitively understood although its murine homologue regulates, in part, pheomelanogenesis. We have reported an association of a polymorphism in the 3′‐untranslated region of ASIP (g.8818A>G) with dark hair and eye color among a group of European‐Americans (Am J Hum Genet 2002 March;70:770). Among 147 healthy control subjects, the frequency of the G‐allele was 0.12. We hypothesized that this polymorphism would occur at different frequencies among different population groups. Using PCR‐RFLP, we genotyped 25 East Asian, 86 African‐American, and 207 West African individuals for the ASIP g.8818A>G polymorphism. The g.8818G‐allele was present in the West African sample at a frequency of 0.80, in the African‐American sample at a frequency of 0.62, and in the East Asian sample at 0.28. The difference in allele frequency among population groups was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Although the effect of the g.8818A>G polymorphism upon ASIP function is unknown, the large difference in allele frequency between our West African and European‐American sample populations lends support to the notion that this gene may be important in human pigmentation.
Mutational screening of the CD40 ligand (CD40L) gene in patients with X linked hyper-IgM syndrome (XHIM) and determination of carrier status in female relatives: Table 1
Authors: Prasad M L , Velickovic M , Weston S A , Benson E M
Published: December 2004

Aims:To analyse the gene encoding the CD40 ligand (CD40L) in 11 Australian patients from 10 unrelated families with the X linked hyper-IgM (XHIM) phenotype.

Methods:The CD40L gene was screened for mutations using direct sequencing of exon specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products.

Results:Ten mutations were identified. Seven of these mutations have been described previously, whereas three new nonsense mutations were identified, namely: E108X (c.322G>T), G167X (c.499G>T), and C218X (c.654C>A). Ten of 15 female family members revealed both a mutated allele and a normal allele, indicating that they were XHIM carriers.

Conclusion:The 10 mutations (including the three new ones) identified in this study reflect the heterogeneity of the CD40L gene, and indicate the need for accurate and reliable molecular testing of those patients suspected of XHIM.
ON RECOGNIZABLE LANGUAGES OF INFINITE PICTURES
Authors: FINKEL OLIVIER
Published: December 2004

In a recent paper, Altenbernd, Thomas and Wöhrle have considered acceptance of languages of infinite two-dimensional words (infinite pictures) by finite tiling systems, with the usual acceptance conditions, such as the Büchi and Muller ones, firstly used for infinite words. The authors asked for comparing the tiling system acceptance with an acceptance of pictures row by row using an automaton model over ordinal words of length ω2. We give in this paper a solution to this problem, showing that all languages of infinite pictures which are accepted row by row by Büchi or Choueka automata reading words of length ω2are Büchi recognized by a finite tiling system, but the converse is not true. We give also the answer to two other questions which were raised by Altenbernd, Thomas and Wöhrle, showing that it is undecidable whether a Büchi recognizable language of infinite pictures is E-recognizable (respectively, A-recognizable).
THE BERGMAN METRIC ON TEICHMÜLLER SPACE
Authors: CHEN BO-YONG
Published: December 2004

We give a simple proof of a theorem of McMullen on Kähler hyperbolicity of moduli space of Riemann surfaces by using the Bergman metric on Teichmüller space.
A SURVEY OF LATEST RESULTS FROM THE CDF EXPERIMENT
Authors: SHEARS TARA G.
Published: December 2004

In 2001 the CDF experiment began a data-taking run at the highest centre-of-mass energies in the world. Expectations were high that this data would lead to an increased understanding of top physics and possible discovery of the Higgs boson and non-Standard Model particles. In this review we describe the aims and scope of this data-taking run, some of the upgrades carried out on CDF and our current experimental status. We briefly discuss the breadth of the CDF physics programme, before describing selected topics in quantum chromodynamics, heavy quark, electroweak and exotic physics. Latest results and projected ultimate experimental reach will be shown.
MOMENTUM-TRANSFER STRUCTURE OF POMERON AT ACCELERATOR ENERGIES
Authors: KAWASAKI M. , MAEHARA T. , YONEZAWA M.
Published: December 2004

A representation of Pomeron amplitude derived asymptotically in the framework of the geometrical diffraction picture is shown to be consistent with the gross feature of the experimental data of the differential cross-section of pp and [Formula: see text] scattering in the low energy region [Formula: see text] over a wide range of momentum transfer. It is found that the most peripheral part of the diffraction interaction is characterized by a mass parameter of 0.4–0.5 GeV indicating the dominance of the two-pion states.
UNVEILING NEUTRINO MIXING AND LEPTONIC CP VIOLATION
Authors: MENA OLGA
Published: December 2004

We review the present understanding of neutrino masses and mixings, discussing what are the unknowns in the three-family oscillation scenario. Despite the anticipated success coming from the planned long baseline neutrino experiments in unraveling the leptonic mixing sector, there are two important unknowns which may remain obscure: the mixing angle θ13 and the CP-phase δ. The measurement of these two parameters has led us to consider the combination of superbeams and neutrino factories as the key to unveil the neutrino oscillation picture.
SUBGOAL PARTITIONING AND GLOBAL SEARCH FOR SOLVING TEMPORAL PLANNING PROBLEMS IN MIXED SPACE
Authors: WAH BENJAMIN W. , CHEN YIXIN
Published: December 2004

We study in this paper the partitioning of the constraints of a temporal planning problem by subgoals, their sequential evaluation before parallelizing the actions, and the resolution of inconsistent global constraints across subgoals. Using an ℓ1-penalty formulation and the theory of extended saddle points, we propose a global-search strategy that looks for local minima in the original-variable space of the ℓ1-penalty function and for local maxima in the penalty space. Our approach improves over a previous scheme that partitions constraints along the temporal horizon. The previous scheme leads to many global constraints that relate states in adjacent stages, which means that an incorrect assignment of states in an earlier stage of the horizon may violate a global constraint in a later stage of the horizon. To resolve the violated global constraint in this case, state changes will need to propagate sequentially through multiple stages, often leading to a search that gets stuck in an infeasible point for an extended period of time. In this paper, we propose to partition all the constraints by subgoals and to add new global constraints in order to ensure that state assignments of a subgoal are consistent with those in other subgoals. Such an approach allows the information on incorrect state assignments in one subgoal to propagate quickly to other subgoals. Using MIPS as the basic planner in a partitioned implementation, we demonstrate significant improvements in time and quality in solving some PDDL2.1 benchmark problems.
INTEGRATING MICROARRAY DATA BY CONSENSUS CLUSTERING
Authors: FILKOV VLADIMIR , SKIENA STEVEN
Published: December 2004

With the exploding volume of microarray experiments comes increasing interest in mining repositories of such data. Meaningfully combining results from varied experiments on an equal basis is a challenging task. Here we propose a general method for integrating heterogeneous data sets based on the consensus clustering formalism. Our method analyzes source-specific clusterings and identifies a consensus set-partition which is as close as possible to all of them. We develop a general criterion to assess the potential benefit of integrating multiple heterogeneous data sets, i.e. whether the integrated data is more informative than the individual data sets. We apply our methods on two popular sets of microarray data yielding gene classifications of potentially greater interest than could be derived from the analysis of each individual data set.
Living Wage Effects: New and Improved Evidence
Authors: Adams Scott , Neumark David
Published: December 2004

This article explores the effects of living wages on low-wage workers and low-income families. First, earlier analyses are updated using data for 1996 through 2002, and a number of criticisms of those analyses are addressed. This article confirms earlier findings that business-assistance living wage laws boost wages of the lowest wage workers at the cost of some disemployment, ultimately reducing net urban poverty. Second, this article expands the analysis of distributional effects beyond the poverty threshold. It was not found that living wage laws increase the depth of poverty among families that remain poor; on the other hand, families somewhat below and somewhat above the poverty line are helped. Finally, this article suggests that the poverty reductions generated by living wages may stem from income gains for individuals with higher wages or skills who are nonetheless in poor families rather than for individuals with the lowest wages or skills.
Santa Monica’s Minimum Wage: Assessing the Living Wage Movement’s New Frontier
Authors: Sander Richard H. , Williams E. Douglass
Published: December 2004

Local campaigns to create high minimum wages in submetropolitan districts have become a growing part of the living wage movement. In this article, the authors examine the structure and likely effects of an ambitious minimum wage ordinance adopted by the Santa Monica City Council in 2001 but narrowly defeated in a citywide referendum in November 2002. Using a range of data sources, the authors find that the ordinance would have had negative, but surprisingly mixed, effects on local business sectors and highly perverse distributional effects. Apart from their merits as policy, local minimum wage laws raise important, little-studied questions for labor and urban economists.
The ”Poverty Trap” and Living Wage Laws
Authors: Toikka Richard S. , Yelowitz Aaron , Neveu Andre
Published: December 2004

Advocates of living wage laws claim wage mandates will help families escape poverty by increasing family earnings beyond the poverty line. This article examines such programs and the effect a change in pay would have on taxes and benefits for low-income families in cities where living wage laws have been enacted or considered. Many families living with earnings below the poverty line take advantage of programs specifically designed to help them out of poverty. Phase-out rates of benefit programs are structured so that additional earnings from living wages largely disappear through benefit reduction and increased taxation. The living wage appears to be badly targeted and ineffective at raising comprehensive disposable income. Such vanishing benefits reduce the ability of living wage laws to reduce poverty. Nearly 75% of those affected by the living wage were not initially in poverty, and more than 40% had initial incomes at least twice the poverty line.
A germ cell origin of embryonic stem cells?
Authors: Zwaka Thomas P. , Thomson James A.
Published: December 2004

Because embryonic stem (ES) cells are generally derived by the culture of inner cell mass (ICM) cells, they are often assumed to be the equivalent of ICM cells. However, various evidence indicates that ICM cells transition to a different cell type during ES-cell derivation. Historically, ES cells have been believed to most closely resemble pluripotent primitive ectoderm cells derived directly from the ICM. However, differences between ES cells and primitive ectoderm cells have caused developmental biologists to question whether ES cells really have an in vivo equivalent, or whether their properties merely reflect their tissue culture environment. Here, we review recent evidence that the closest in vivo equivalent of an ES cell is an early germ cell.