bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationships among three factors affecting the financial decision‐making abilities of adults with mild intellectual disabilities
Authors: Suto W. M. I. , Clare I. C. H. , Holland A. J. , Watson P. C.
Published: February 2005

Background Among adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs), there is a need not only to assess financial decision‐making capacity, but also to understand how it can be maximized. Although increased financial independence is a goal for many people, it is essential that individuals’ decision‐making abilities are sufficient, and many factors may affect the development of such abilities.

Method As part of a wider project on financial decision‐making, we analysed previous data from a group of 30 adults with mild IDs, identifying correlations among four variables: (i) financial decision‐making abilities; (ii) intellectual ability; (iii) understanding of some basic concepts relevant to finance; and (iv) decision‐making opportunities in everyday life.

Results The analysis indicated a direct relationship between ID and basic financial understanding. Strong relationships of a potentially reciprocal nature were identified between basic financial understanding and everyday decision‐making opportunities, and between such opportunities and financial decision‐making abilities.

Conclusions The findings suggest that the role of intellectual ability in determining financial decision‐making abilities is only indirect, and that access to both basic skills education and everyday decision‐making opportunities is crucial for maximizing capacity. The implications of this are discussed.
Patients’ perceptions of cultural factors affecting the quality of their medical encounters
Authors: Nápoles‐Springer Anna M. , Santoyo Jasmine , Houston Kathryn , Pérez‐Stable Eliseo J. , Stewart Anita L.
Published: February 2005

Objective  The aim of this study was to identify key domains of cultural competence from the perspective of ethnically and linguistically diverse patients.

Design  The study involved one‐time focus groups in community settings with 61 African–Americans, 45 Latinos and 55 non‐Latino Whites. Participants’ mean age was 48 years, 45% were women, and 47% had less than a high school education. Participants in 19 groups were asked the meaning of ‘culture’ and what cultural factors influenced the quality of their medical encounters. Each text unit (TU or identifiable continuous verbal utterance) of focus group transcripts was content analysed to identify key dimensions using inductive and deductive methods. The proportion of TUs was calculated for each dimension by ethnic group.

Results  Definitions of culture common to all three ethnic groups included value systems (25% of TUs), customs (17%), self‐identified ethnicity (15%), nationality (11%) and stereotypes (4%). Factors influencing the quality of medical encounters common to all ethnic groups included sensitivity to complementary/alternative medicine (17%), health insurance‐based discrimination (12%), social class‐based discrimination (9%), ethnic concordance of physician and patient (8%), and age‐based discrimination (4%). Physicians’ acceptance of the role of spirtuality (2%) and of family (2%), and ethnicity‐based discrimination (11%) were cultural factors specific to non‐Whites. Language issues (21%) and immigration status (5%) were Latino‐specific factors.

Conclusions  Providing quality health care to ethnically diverse patients requires cultural flexibility to elicit and respond to cultural factors in medical encounters. Interventions to reduce disparities in health and health care in the USA need to address cultural factors that affect the quality of medical encounters.
Unmet expectations in primary care and the agreement between doctor and patient: a questionnaire study
Authors: Hooper Richard , Rona Roberto J , French Claire , Jones Margaret , Wessely Simon
Published: February 2005

Background  Questionnaires completed respectively by doctor and patient may give conflicting views of what actions the doctor took during a consultation in primary care. This disagreement will affect an assessment of whether patient expectations of care were met, and may itself be influenced by fulfilment of expectations.

Objective  To investigate how patient expectations, and patient and doctor reports of doctor's actions in a primary care setting are associated.

Design  Questionnaire survey.

Setting  Fifty Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force medical centres.

Participants  A total of 117 members of the British Armed Forces with a health problem identified by a screening questionnaire, and their medical officers.

Main outcome measures  Patient and doctor reports following a consultation indicating whether the doctor gave a prescription, made a referral or did tests, and patient expectations of these outcomes.

Results  Agreement between patient and doctor (kappa) was 0.81 for prescribing, 0.69 for referral and 0.54 for tests. The prevalence of unmet expectations was higher when estimated from doctors’ reports than from patients’ reports (prescription P = 0.016; referral P = 0.065; tests P = 0.092; difference of 6% in each case). Patient and doctor were more likely to disagree on what happened if the action reported by the doctor did not match the patient's expectations (all P < 0.01, except for when doctor reported doing tests P = 0.058).

Conclusion  Whether or not a doctor's actions appear to fulfil patient expectations in a primary care consultation depends on whether those actions are reported by the doctor or the patient.
The OPTION scale: measuring the extent that clinicians involve patients in decision‐making tasks
Authors: Elwyn Glyn , Hutchings Hayley , Edwards Adrian , Rapport Frances , Wensing Michel , Cheung Wai‐Yee , Grol Richard
Published: February 2005

Objective  To examine the psychometric properties of a revised scale, named ‘observing patient involvement in decision making’ (OPTION), by analysing its reapplication to a sample of routine primary care consultations. The OPTION instrument assesses to what degree clinicians involve patients in decision making.

Design  Cross‐sectional assessment of medical interaction by two calibrated raters.

Setting  Primary care.

Participants  Twenty‐one general practitioners provided 186 consultations for assessment.

Measurements  Observational score using the OPTION instrument.

Results  Compared with the first version of the OPTION scale, the revised scale that uses a magnitude instead of an attitude scale, when applied to the same data set, resulted in improvement in the scale's reliability and to lower scores for the levels of involvement achieved by the practitioners. Factor analysis confirms that it is acceptable to regard the scale as a single construct. Although there is moderate variability when raters are assessed on an item by item basis, the agreements between raters at the level of the overall OPTION score is high (the intraclass correlation coefficient scores for total OPTION score was 0.77), a level that is acceptable for the evaluation of a set of consultations per practitioner (e.g. between 5 and 10 consultations), where aggregate scores would be used for determining overall performance.

Conclusions  We conclude that OPTION is sufficiently reliable to be used for formal assessment at the level of the whole instrument (all 12 items).
Developing an assessment tool for evaluating community involvement
Authors: South Jane , Fairfax Pat , Green Eleanor
Published: February 2005

Background  Current UK policy has resulted in greater requirements for public and patient participation in health service planning and decision making. Organizations and services need to be able to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and quality of their community involvement processes, but there are few appropriate evaluation tools or sets of indicators available. This paper reports on work within Bradford Health Action Zone to develop a self‐assessment tool for organizations on community involvement.

Methods  A multi‐agency working group developed the tool. A literature search was undertaken and evaluation resources were reviewed. A set of benchmarks for community involvement in regeneration was utilized in developing the assessment areas. A range of individuals with expertise on community involvement practice and performance management was consulted. The tool was then piloted in two primary care trusts prior to final modifications.

Results  The process resulted in the production of Well Connected – a self‐assessment tool on community involvement designed for organizations to assess their progress and identify areas for improvement. A scoring system assesses evidence of a strategic approach to community involvement, good practice throughout the organization, and a range of opportunities and support. Feedback from the pilots revealed that the tool had facilitated assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of organizational practices.

Conclusion  The paper discusses some of the methodological challenges pertaining to the measurement of community involvement. Notwithstanding those challenges, it is argued that Well Connected provides a robust and practical framework that health organizations and their partners can use to assess practice.
Physicians’ opinions on patients’ requests for specific treatments and examinations
Authors: Toiviainen Hanna K , Vuorenkoski Lauri , Hemminki Elina
Published: February 2005

Objective  The number of technologies used in health care is growing, patients’ educational level has risen, health and drug information is increasingly available and patients today are actively looking for information from different sources. The aim of the study was to investigate physicians’ opinions on patients’ requests for specific treatments and examinations.

Design  The data were gathered as part of an annual physician's survey sent to all Finnish physicians (n = 16 698) by the Finnish Medical Association in March 2002. The response rate was 85% (n = 14 157). Physicians involved in clinical work were selected for this study (n = 12 255).

Results  Half (53%, n = 6521) of the clinicians reported either ‘very often’, or ‘often’ receiving requests from patients for specific treatments or examinations, and of them, 76% (n = 4972) reported an increase in such requests. The younger clinicians received more often patient requests. Women physicians, those working in health centres, and non‐specialized clinicians reported more experience of, and an increase in patients making requests. Of those clinicians who received patient requests ‘very often’ or ‘often’, 24% (n = 1595) considered such requests as having a positive, and 43% (n = 2808) a negative, effect on patient care and interaction; clinicians who did not receive many patient requests had similar opinions. Older, men, those working in private practice and specialized clinicians had a more positive attitude towards such requests than other clinicians. The reasons given for the positive and negative opinions were varied.

Conclusions  Active patients (consumer patients) are a reality in the Finnish health care system. Physicians have varying opinions on this phenomenon.
Bridging the divide between families and health professionals’ perspectives on family‐centred care
Authors: MacKean Gail L. , Thurston Wilfreda E. , Scott Catherine M.
Published: February 2005

Objectives  To describe and discuss key findings from a recent research project that challenge an increasingly prevalent theme, apparent in both family‐centred care research and practice, of conceptualizing family‐centred care as shifting care, care management, and advocacy responsibilities to families. The purpose of the research, from which these findings emerged, was to develop a conceptualization of family‐centred care grounded in the experiences of families and direct health‐care providers.

Design  Qualitative research methods, following the grounded theory tradition, were used to develop a conceptual framework that described the dimensions of the concept of family‐centred care and their interrelationships, in the substantive area of children's developmental services. This article reports on and extends key findings from this grounded theory study, in light of current trends in the literature.

Setting and participants  The substantive area that served as the setting for the research was developmental services at a children's hospital in Alberta, Canada. Data was collected through focus groups and individual interviews with 37 parents of children diagnosed with a developmental problem and 16 frontline health‐care providers.

Findings  Key findings from this research project do not support the current emphasis in family‐centred care research and practice on conceptualizing family‐centred care as the shifting of care, care management, and advocacy responsibilities to families. Rather, what emerged was that parents want to work truly collaboratively with health‐care providers in making treatment decisions and on implementing a dynamic care plan that will work best for child and family.

Discussion and conclusions  A definition of collaboration is provided, and the nature of collaborative relationships described. Contributing factors to the difficulty in establishing true collaborative relationships between families and health‐care professionals, where the respective roles to be played by health‐care professionals and families are jointly determined, are discussed. In light of these findings we strongly advocate for the re‐examination of current family‐centred care policy and practice.
Nomenclature for factors of the SLA class‐I system, 2004
Authors: Smith D.M. , Lunney J.K. , Martens G.W. , Ando A. , Lee J‐H. , Ho C‐S. , Schook L. , Renard C. , Chardon P.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  A systematic nomenclature for the genes and alleles of the swine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is essential to the development and communication of research in swine immunology. The Swine Leucocyte Antigen (SLA) Nomenclature Committee of the International Society for Animal Genetics has reviewed all of the DNA sequence information for MHC class‐I genes, available in GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ databases, and the associated published reports in order to develop such a systematic nomenclature. This report summarizes the proposed nomenclature, which parallels the World Health Organization's nomenclature for factors of the human MHC. The classical class‐I SLA genes are designated as SLA‐1, SLA‐2 and SLA‐3; the non‐classical as SLA‐6, SLA‐7 and SLA‐8. Nomenclature assignments for all SLA class‐I GenBank sequences are now noted. The Committee will add new SLA class‐I allele designations, as they are discovered, and will maintain a publicly available list of all recognized genes and alleles by using the International ImMunoGeneTics Project and its Immuno Polymorphism Database/MHC (IPD/MHC) sequence database for MHC sequences in veterinary species.
Identification of four novel HLA‐B alleles, B*1590, B*1591, B*2726, and B*4705, from an East African population by high‐resolution sequence‐based typing
Authors: Luo M. , Mao X. , Plummer F.A.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  We report here four novel HLA‐B alleles, B*1590, B*1591, B*2726, and B*4705, identified from an East African population during sequence‐based HLA‐B typing. The novel alleles were confirmed by sequencing two separate polymerase chain reaction products, and by molecular cloning and sequencing multiple clones. B*1590 is identical to B*1510 at exon 2 and exon 3, except for a difference (GCCGTC) at codon 158. Sequence differences at codon 152 (GAGGTG) and codon 167 (TGGTCG) differentiate B*1591 from B*1503 at exon 3. B*2726 is identical to B*2708 at exon 2 and exon 3, except for a difference (AAGCAG) at codon 70. B*4705 was identified in three Kenyan women. The allele is identical to B*47010101/02 at exon 2 and exon 3, except for differences at codon 97 (AGGAAT) and codon 99 (TTTTAT). These new alleles have been named by the WHO Nomenclature Committee. Identification of these novel HLA‐B alleles reflects the genetic diversity of this East African population.
Analysis of the functional NFKB1 promoter polymorphism in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Orozco G. , Sánchez E. , Collado M.D. , López‐Nevot M.Á. , Paco L. , García A. , Jiménez‐Alonso J. , Martín J.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  Nuclear factor (NF)‐κB plays an important role in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A functional insertion/deletion polymorphism (−94ins/delATTG) has been identified in the promoter of the NFKB1 gene. In addition, a polymorphic dinucleotide repeat (CA) has been identified in proximity to the coding region of the human NFKB1 gene. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of both the −94ins/delATTG and the (CA) microsatellite NFKB1 polymorphisms in the susceptibility/severity of RA and SLE. We analyzed the distribution of −94ins/delATTG and the multiallelic (CA)n repeat in 272 RA patients, 181 SLE patients, and 264 healthy controls from Southern Spain, in both cases using a polymerase chain reaction‐fluorescent method. No statistically significant difference in the distribution of the −94delATTG NFKB1 genotypes and alleles between RA patients, SLE patients, and control subjects was observed. Similarly, we found no statistically significant differences in the (CA)n microsatellite allele frequency between controls and RA patients or SLE patients. In addition, no association was found between the above mentioned NFKB1 polymorphisms with any of the demographic and clinical parameters tested either in RA or in SLE patients. From these results, it seems that the −94ins/delATTG and the (CA)n repeat of NFKB1 gene may not play a relevant role in RA and/or SLE in our population.
Characterization of a novel allele HLA‐B*3549
Authors: Chang Y. , Desai L. , Fan T.X. , Santana Z. , Day N.K.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  A novel HLA‐B allele, B*3549, was identified in a bone marrow transplantation candidate. B*3549 differs from B*3525 by two nucleotides at exon 2, position 142 (T to G) and 165 (G to C). The difference at position 142 resulted in an amino acid difference (serine to alanine). However, the difference at position 165 did not cause any amino acid change. This novel allele was found on a haplotype with A*3101, B*3549, Cw*0401, DRB1*0407, and DQB1*0302.
Human leukocyte antigen class II alleles in Caucasian women with primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Mullarkey M.E. , Stevens A.M. , McDonnell W.M. , Loubière L.S. , Brackensick J.A. , Pang J.M. , Porter A.J. , Galloway D.A. , Nelson J.L.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  In the current study, we investigated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles in Caucasian women with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), a disease that preferentially affects women. Alleles of DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 were determined by DNA‐based HLA typing for women with PBC (n = 72) and healthy women (n = 381). All study subjects were Caucasian. HLA DRB1*08 was significantly increased in women with PBC compared to healthy women. The increase was primarily due to the DRB1*0801 allele, also the most common DRB1*08 allele among controls. DQB1*04 and DQA1*0401 were significantly increased. DRB1*1501, DQA1*0102, and DQB1*0602 were associated with decreased risk. Analyses conducted comparing parous women with PBC to parous healthy women (n = 68 and n = 282, respectively) yielded similar significant results. Although the DRB1*08‐DQA1*0401‐DQB1*04 haplotype was significantly associated with PBC, consistent with other studies, this haplotype nevertheless represented only 19% (14/72) of all PBC patients and can account for only a minority of the risk of PBC.
Variation in the FcγR3B gene among distinct Brazilian populations
Authors: Covas D.T. , Kashima S. , Guerreiro J.F. , Dos Santos S.E.B. , Zago M.A.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  The FCGR3B gene codes for the FcγR3b receptor, which occurs in three polymorphic forms representing the human neutrophil antigens (HNA)‐1a, HNA‐1b, and HNA‐1c. The alleles that code for these antigens are FCGR3B*1, FCGR3B*2, and FCGR3B*3, respectively. New variants of these alleles have been recently described. In order to study the frequency of these alleles and the occurrence of variant forms, we sequenced part of the FCGR3B gene in 149 individuals belonging to four distinct Brazilian populations, i.e., 60 Amerindians, 30 Whites of European descent, 30 Afro‐Brazilians, and 30 Japanese. The FCGR3B*1 allele showed high frequency among Amerindians (0.850), with the value detected representing the highest frequency described thus far for this allele in population studies. Its frequency was 0.660 in the Japanese population studied, a value equal to that observed in Afro‐Brazilians (0.600) and higher than that observed in Whites (0.480). The FCGR3B*3 allele was only found among Afro‐Brazilians, where it occurred at a frequency of 0.080, which was lower than the frequency observed among Afro‐North Americans (0.207) and Ugandans (0.166). Two variant haplotypes were detected among Amerindians and Afro‐Brazilians, occurring in six individuals (four Amerindians and two Afro‐Brazilians). The variant haplotype FCGR3B*1 A227G, which occurred in homozygosis in two Amerindians and in heterozygosis in two Afro‐Brazilians, is described for the first time in the present report. In general, these data reveal variability in the frequency of alleles of the FCGR3B gene compared to other populations of the same genetic background in other regions of the world.
Chromosome 5q candidate genes in coeliac disease: Genetic variation at IL4, IL5, IL9, IL13, IL17B and NR3C1
Authors: Ryan A.W. , Thornton J.M. , Brophy K. , Daly J.S. , McLoughlin R.M. , O'Morain C. , Abuzakouk M. , Kennedy N.P. , Stevens F.M. , Feighery C. , Kelleher D. , McManus R.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  Genetic predisposition to coeliac disease (CD) is determined primarily by alleles at the HLA‐DQB locus, and evidence exists implicating other major histocompatibility complex‐linked genes (6p21) and the CTLA4 locus on chromosome 2q33. In addition, extensive family studies have provided strong, reproducible evidence for a susceptibility locus on chromosome 5q (CELIAC2). However, the gene responsible has not been identified. We have assayed genetic variation at the IL4, IL5, IL9, IL13, IL17B and NR3C1 (GR) loci, all of which are present on chromosome 5q and have potential or demonstrated involvement in autoimmune and/or inflammatory disease, in a sample of 409 CD cases and 355 controls. Thirteen single nucleotide polymorphisms were chosen on the basis of functional relevance, prior disease association and, where possible, prior knowledge of the haplotype variation present in European populations. There were no statistically significant allele or haplotype frequency differences between cases and controls. Therefore, these results provide no evidence that these loci are associated with CD in this sample population.
HLA‐DPA1 promoter haplotypes are differently distributed in southern Chinese ethnic groups
Authors: Liu X. , Xu Y. , Shen Y. , Zhang H. , Fu Y. , Liu Z. , Xu A.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  DPA1 gene is one of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes and its promoter is highly polymorphic. From comparative studies among five southern Chinese populations, Jing, Li, Bai, Lahu, and Meizhou Han, we describe their single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)/haplotype frequency data of HLA‐DPA1 gene promoter in this study. Within the 760‐bp promoter region, we have identified 21 SNPs and nine possible haplotypes. Pair‐wise comparisons show similar frequencies distribution of the HLA‐DPA1 promoter haplotypes among Jing, Li, and Bai, whereas all pair‐wise comparisons involved with Lahu or Meizhou Han and other ethnic groups show remarkable difference. The differences in frequencies of HLA‐DPA1 promoter alleles may reveal different ethnic origins and demographic histories of the five populations. Our study may help distinguishing each of these populations by sequence variations of HLA‐DPA1 promoter, which may be served as functional molecular markers for clinical and immunological studies involving the DPA1 locus.
A peptide derived from melanocytic protein gp100 and presented by HLA‐B35 is recognized by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes on melanoma cells
Authors: Vigneron N. , Ooms A. , Morel S. , Ma W. , Degiovanni G. , Van den Eynde B.J.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  A panel of autologous cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones have been isolated from blood lymphocytes of a melanoma patient after in vitro stimulation with autologous tumor cells. We previously reported the molecular definition of three distinct antigens recognized by some of these CTL clones. We describe here, the identification of a fourth antigenic peptide expressed by this melanoma line and recognized by a CTL clone restricted by HLA‐B*3503. The antigenic peptide, which is nine‐amino acid long, has the sequence LPHSSSHWL and is derived from melanocyte differentiation antigen gp100. As HLA‐B35 is one of the most frequent HLA‐B alleles, being present in 20% of the Caucasian individuals, this peptide may be a good target for peptide‐based immunotherapy of melanoma.
Association of human leucocyte antigen sharing with recurrent spontaneous abortions
Authors: Beydoun H. , Saftlas A.F.
Published: February 2005

Abstract: An estimated 15% of clinically recognized pregnancies abort spontaneously. Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is defined as three or more consecutive miscarriages conceived with the same partner in the absence of uterine, genetic or autoimmune abnormalities. Evidence points to human leucocyte antigens (HLA) as playing a role in the successful development of the foetus. In particular, HLA compatibility is more prevalent in couples experiencing reproductive failure, especially RSA couples, compared to fertile couples. According to the immunological hypothesis, an adequate immune response is necessary for proper implantation of the embryo; conversely, a depressed response of maternal lymphocytes to the stimulation by paternal antigens because of HLA sharing can result in disorders, such as RSA. The genetic hypothesis implicates homozygosity for recessive lethal alleles in linkage disequilibrium with specific HLA haplotypes. The specificity of HLA alleles or haplotypes responsible for or linked to other RSA susceptibility genes remains unclear. In this study, we identified 40 observational studies (32 case‐control, five cohort, one cross‐sectional, one case series and one basic science) that examined the associations between HLA and RSA, focusing on HLA allele couple and maternal–foetal sharing, and the special role of HLA‐G. We sought to identify consistent findings among studies examining similar questions. Evidence remains divided concerning the role of HLA allele couple sharing. Of major concern is the focus of many studies on couple sharing as a proxy measure of maternal–foetal sharing. Therefore, adequately powered studies are needed, which employ standard case definitions and reproducible methodologies to directly assess the role of maternal–foetal HLA sharing on the risk of RSA.
Association of tumour necrosis factor‐α, lymphotoxin‐α and HLA‐DRB1 gene polymorphisms with Löfgren's syndrome in Czech patients with sarcoidosis
Authors: Mrazek F. , Holla L.I. , Hutyrova B. , Znojil V. , Vasku A. , Kolek V. , Welsh K.I. , Vacha J. , Du Bois R.M. , Petrek M.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disorder showing a clear association with MHC (HLA) class I and class II genes. In order to investigate whether polymorphisms of nearby pro‐inflammatory genes located within the MHC class III region may also contribute to susceptibility to sarcoidosis or to its clinical manifestation, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and lymphotoxin‐α (LT‐α) genes were chosen for analysis in a case‐control association study. In order to evaluate the findings on the TNF‐α and LT‐α genes in connection with the closely linked MHC class II region, ‘classical’ HLA‐DRB1 locus was also investigated. Polymerase chain reaction‐based methodologies were used in order to characterize two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (TNF‐308*G/A and LTΑ+252*A/G) and HLA‐DRB1 allele groups in 114 Czech patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and 425 healthy controls. LTA+252*G and HLA‐DRB1*13 allele carriers were more frequent in patients, compared to those in controls. By contrast, HLA‐DRB1*07 carriers were less frequent among sarcoidosis patients. The overrepresentation of TNF‐308*A, LTΑ+252*G and HLA‐DRB1*03 allele carriers was found in a subgroup of sarcoidosis patients presenting with Löfgren's syndrome (LS) by comparison with the subgroup of patients without LS (NLS; phenotype frequency LS vs NLS: 68.8 vs 37.1% for TNF‐308*A, 93.8 vs 66.3% for LTA+252*G and 68.8 vs 21.3% for DRB1*03). The data suggest that the LTΑ and HLA‐DRB1 genes themselves or a gene located nearby contributes to the susceptibility to sarcoidosis and that TNF‐308*A, LTA+252*G and HLA‐DRB1*03 alleles are associated (directly or via linkage with unknown causative locus) with LS as a specific manifestation of the disease.
A variation of simple repeat sequence in the promoter region of the bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene in beef cattle is similar to water buffalo
Authors: VELLOSO RODRIGUES C. , DIAS NETO E. , LOPES PINHEIRO L. E.
Published: February 2005

Introduction  Bovine growth hormone or somatotropin gene (bGH) maps to chromosome 19q17‐qter (Hediger et al. 1990) and consists of 5 exons (I–V) and 4 introns (A–D). The entire gene, including 5′ and 3′‐untranslated and signal peptide coding regions, covers a total of 2856 base pairs (Gordon et al. 1983). Growth hormone has wide biological activities including mammary development, lactogenic and growth‐promoting activities in cattle. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) have been detected in intron C and exon V of the bGH gene (Hoj et al. 1993; Lucy et al. 1993) that is associated with milk yield, and it also seems to influence the breeding value for carcass gain in Simmental bulls (Schlee et al. 1994). Recently reported variants in the 5′ flanking region of the GH gene and in intron A were associated with potential binding sites for trans‐acting factors (Hecht and Geldermann 1996). Cis‐transcriptional elements and regulatory factors for GH gene expression have been identified in mammalian species: the pituitary‐specific factor PIT‐I (also called GHF‐I), the GHZ box (Lipkin et al. 1993) and the thyroid hormone (TH) (Tuggle and Trenkle 1996). Although the control of human and murine GH gene expression in the pituitary has been extensively studied, the details of GH gene regulation are not well understood in any species (Tuggle and Trenkle 1996). The level of expression of the bGH gene could be associated with some genetic polymorphism and consequently affect the performance of the animal. Therefore, to investigate the possible presence of polymorphisms in the promoter region of the bGH gene, we have genotyped different beef and dairy breeds, Bos taurus and Bos indicus and the water buffalo breeds, Bubalus bubalis.
THE STRUCTURE OF CONSCIENTIOUSNESS: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION BASED ON SEVEN MAJOR PERSONALITY QUESTIONNAIRES
Authors: ROBERTS BRENT W. , CHERNYSHENKO OLEKSANDR S. , STARK STEPHEN , GOLDBERG LEWIS R.
Published: February 2005

The purpose of this study was to identify the underlying structure of the trait domain of Conscientiousness using scales drawn from 7 major personality inventories. Thirty‐six scales conceptually related to Conscientiousness were administered to a large community sample (N= 737); analyses of those scales revealed a hierarchical structure with 6 factors: industriousness, order, self‐control, responsibility, traditionalism, and virtue. All 6 factors demonstrated excellent convergent validity. Three of the 6 factors, industriousness, order, and self‐control, showed good discriminant validity. The remaining 3 factors—responsibility, traditionalism and virtue—appear to be interstitial constructs located equally between Conscientiousness and the remaining Big Five dimensions. In addition, the 6 underlying factors had both differential predictive validity and provided incremental validity beyond the general factor of Conscientiousness when used to predict a variety of criterion variables, including work dedication, drug use, and health behaviors.
FORCED DISTRIBUTION RATING SYSTEMS AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF WORKFORCE POTENTIAL: A BASELINE SIMULATION
Authors: SCULLEN STEVEN E. , BERGEY PAUL K. , AIMAN‐SMITH LYNDA
Published: February 2005

Through simulation we investigate how characteristics of forced distribution rating systems (FDRS), which require firing a certain percentage of the workforce each year, might interact with ratings reliability, selection validity, selection ratio, and voluntary turnover to improve average workforce performance potential. Results suggest that a FDRS could lead to noticeable improvement in workforce potential, that most of the improvement should be expected to occur over the first several years, and that improvement is largely a function of the percentage of workers to be fired and the level of voluntary turnover. Greater improvement is associated with higher numbers being fired and lower levels of voluntary turnover. The effects of bundling FDRS with recruiting and retention initiatives are also investigated.
OUT‐OF‐THE‐MONEY: THE IMPACT OF UNDERWATER STOCK OPTIONS ON EXECUTIVE JOB SEARCH
Authors: DUNFORD BENJAMIN , BOUDREAU JOHN , BOSWELL WENDY
Published: February 2005

The need for future leadership in organizations is widely recognized, and often addressed through leadership development, succession planning, and building a top talent pipeline among existing employees. Equally important is retaining talented executives. Executive retention has become a concern for organizations as plunging stock prices have led to vastly devalued stock options, perhaps causing executives to look elsewhere for more lucrative stock option portfolios. Yet, there has been little research on the relationship between stock option value and executive retention. In a cross‐company, cross‐industry sample of 610 U.S. executives, we explored the relationship between underwater stock options and job search. We found a positive association between the percentage of underwater stock options in executives' portfolios and job search. This relationship was moderated as predicted, by executives' perceptions of alternative employment and money inadequacy beliefs.
LYING PERSON‐TO‐PERSON ABOUT LIFE EVENTS: A COGNITIVE FRAMEWORK FOR LIE DETECTION
Authors: WALCZYK JEFFREY J. , SCHWARTZ JONATHAN P. , CLIFTON RAYNA , ADAMS BARETT , WEI MIN , ZHA PEIJIA
Published: February 2005

Undetected lies of prospective or current employees cost business billions of dollars annually. The ability to detect these lies would be of immense benefit. Several recent reports have called for research on new, theoretically based methods of lie detection. In response, we tested the Activation‐Decision‐Construction Model of lying (Walczyk, Roper, Seeman, & Humphreys, 2003) according to which response time is a cue to deception. Participants were tested person‐to‐person. In Experiment 1, half lied to questions probing recent episodic memories. The other half answered honestly. Liar‐truth teller response time differences were observed between subjects. Discriminant analyses demonstrated the value of response time for uncovering deceit. Those highest in social skills were the quickest liars. In Experiment 2, lying was shown to take longer than truth telling within subjects, and within‐subject response time standard deviations were shown to be converging cues to deception. Based on these data and the ADCM, a Time‐Restricted Integrity Confirmation (Tri‐Con) framework for lie detection is proposed that might one day provide cost effective lie detection for business.
UNDERSTANDING RESPONSES TO MULTI‐SOURCE FEEDBACK: THE ROLE OF CORE SELF‐EVALUATIONS
Authors: BONO JOYCE E. , COLBERT AMY E.
Published: February 2005

This longitudinal study examines the role of core self‐evaluations in responses to multisource feedback. Consistent with past research, feedback recipients were most satisfied when others' ratings were high. Core self‐evaluations was not related to satisfaction with feedback, but was positively linked to goal commitment 4 months after feedback. Polynomial regression results reveal a complex pattern of associations among core self‐evaluations, ratings, satisfaction, and commitment to developmental goals. Specifically, individuals with high core self‐evaluations were most committed to developmental goals when self and others' ratings were discrepant. In contrast, individuals with low core self‐evaluations were most committed to developmental goals when self and others' ratings were in agreement. Our results question the notion that satisfaction with feedback affects motivation to improve and highlight the importance of personality in motivation to improve following feedback. We discuss practical and theoretical implications of our findings and provide a theoretical framework for future research.
Next Generation Devices for Electronic Cooling With Heat Rejection to Air
Authors: Webb Ralph L.
Published: February 2005

Conventional technology to cool desktop computers and servers is that of the “direct heat removal” heat sink, which consists of a heat sink/fan mounted on the CPU. Although this is a very cost effective solution, it is nearing its end of life. This is because future higher power CPUs will require a lower R-value than can be provided by this technology, within current size and fan limits. This paper discusses new technology that uses “indirect heat removal” technology, which involves use of a single or two-phase working fluid to transfer heat from the hot source to an ambient heat sink. This technology will support greater heat rejection than is possible with the “direct heat removal” method. Further, it will allow use of higher performance air-cooled ambient heat sinks than are possible with the “direct heat removal” heat sink. A concern of the indirect heat removal technology is the possibility that it may be orientation sensitive. This paper identifies preferred options and discusses the degree to which they are (or not) orientation sensitive. It should be possible to attain an R-value of 0.12 K/W at the balance point on the fan curve.
A DOS-Enhanced Numerical Simulation of Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Through an Array of Offset Fins With Conjugate Heating in the Bounding Solid
Authors: Sparrow Ephraim M. , Abraham John P. , Chevalier Paul W.
Published: February 2005

The method of Design of Simulation (DOS) was used to guide and enhance a numerical simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer through offset-fin arrays which form the interior geometry of a cold plate. The basic problem involved 11 independent parameters. This prohibitive parametric burden was lessened by the creative use of nondimensionalization that was brought to fruition by a special transformation of the boundary conditions. Subsequent to the reduction of the number of parameters, the DOS method was employed to limit the number of simulation runs while maintaining an accurate representation of the parameter space. The DOS method also provided excellent correlations of both the dimensionless heat transfer and pressure drop results. The results were evaluated with respect to the Colburn Analogy for heat and momentum transfer. It was found that the offseting of the fins created a larger increase in the friction factor than that which was realized for the dimensionless heat transfer coefficient.
Coupled Field Analyses in MEMS With Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Sikakollu Ravi Chandra , Meekisho Lemmy , LaRosa Andres
Published: February 2005

This paper deals with the design and analysis of a horizontal thermal actuator common in MEMS applications using Finite Element Analysis; with the objective of exploring means to improve its sensitivity. The influence of variables like voltage and the dimensions of the cold arm of the actuator unit were examined by comprehensive, coupled thermal-stress analyses. Simulation results from this study showed that the sensitivity of the actuator increases with the applied voltage as well as the width of the cold arm of the thermal actuator. An important observation made from this study is that the size and thermal boundary conditions at the fixed end of the actuator primarily control the stroke and the operating temperature of the actuator for a given potential difference between cold and hot arms. The coupled field analyses also provided a design tool for maximizing the service voltage and dimensional variables without compromising the thermal or structural integrity of the actuator.
Thermal Design of an Airborne Computer Chassis With Air-Cooled, Cast Pin Fin Coldwalls
Authors: Price Donald C. , Short, B. Elliott
Published: February 2005

This paper documents the thermal design process required to provide effective thermal management for an airborne computer, consisting of 24 modules (two P/S modules and 22 PWB modules), which are edge-cooled to two cast, pin fin coldwalls. The computer chassis is mounted in an electronics pod mounted underneath the centerline of an aircraft. The pod consists of several electronics bays and a self-contained, air-cycle, environmental control system (ECS). The computer chassis is mounted in the forward bay, and the ECS is mounted in the rear bay of the electronics pod. The ECS is an air-cycle refrigeration system, which operates on captured ram air directed by an inlet/diffuser to an expansion turbine. This turbine produces low-pressure, chilled air, which is then directed through an air-to-liquid, load heat exchanger to produce chilled liquid. The chilled liquid is piped through small liquid lines to the forward bay of the pod, where the air-cooled computer chassis is located. The chilled liquid is converted back to chilled air in an air-to-liquid heat exchanger. The chilled air is supplied to the forward bay volume and is drawn through the computer chassis coldwalls by a fan integral to the computer chassis. The temperature of the chilled air, produced in this manner, becomes a strong function of the altitude and flight speed of the aircraft, because of the effect of these two parameters on the ram air mass flow rate and temperature at the inlet to the expansion turbine. The mass flow of the air used to cool the chassis is also a variable, because the density of the air is a function of the flight altitude and the fan has altitude-dependent operating characteristics. This fan provides the flow of air through the chassis. Emphasis is placed in the design process on the effect of the operating characteristics of the fan at altitude and the determination of the system performance curve associated with the pin fin coldwalls. This performance curve is controlled by the pressure drop characteristics of the pin fin coldwalls, which are a function of the Fanning f-factor and Colburn j-factor characteristics of the cast pin fin design. Design examples are used to demonstrate the design process.
Effect of the Location and the Properties of Thermostatic Expansion Valve Sensor Bulb on the Stability of a Refrigeration System
Authors: Mulay Veerendra , Kulkarni Amit , Agonafer Dereje , Schmidt Roger
Published: February 2005

The combination of increased power dissipation and increased packaging density has led to substantial increases in chip and module heat flux in high-end computers. The challenge has been to limit the rise in chip temperature. In the past, virtually all commercial computers were designed to operate at temperatures above the ambient. However, researchers have identified the advantages of operating electronics at low temperatures. The primary purpose of low-temperature cooling using a vapor compression system are faster switching times of semiconductor devices, increased circuit speed due to lower electrical resistance of interconnecting materials, and a reduction in thermally induced failures of devices and components. Achievable performance improvements range from 1% to 3% for every 10°C lower transistor temperature, depending on the doping characteristics of the chip. The current research focuses on IBM’s mainframe, which uses a conventional refrigeration system to maintain chip temperatures below that of comparable air-cooled systems, but well above cryogenic temperatures. Although performance has been the key driver in the use of this technology, the second major reason for designing a system with low-temperature cooling is the improvement achieved in reliability to counteract detrimental effects, which rise as technology is pushed to the extremes. A mathematical model is developed to determine the time constant for an expansion valve sensor bulb. This time constant varies with variation in the thermophysical properties of the sensor element; that is, bulb size and bulb liquid. An experimental bench is built to study the effect of variation of evaporator outlet superheat on system performance. The heat load is varied from no load to full load (1 KW) to find out the system response at various loads. Experimental investigation is also done to see how the changes in thermophysical properties of the liquid in the sensor bulb of the expansion valve affect the overall system performance. Different types of thermostatic expansion valves are tested to investigate that bulb size, bulb constant, and bulb location have significant effects on the behavior of the system. Thermal resistance between the bulb and evaporator return line can considerably affect the system stability, and by increasing the thermal resistance, the stability can be further increased.
Impact of Area Contact Between Sensor Bulb and Evaporator Return Line on Modular Refrigeration Unit: Computational and Experimental
Authors: Karajgikar Saket , Lakhkar Nikhil , Agonafer Dereje , Schmidt Roger
Published: February 2005

In the past, virtually all commercial computers were designed to operate at temperatures above the ambient and were primarily air-cooled. However, researchers have always known the advantages of operating electronics at low temperatures. This facilitates faster switching time of semiconductor devices, increased circuit speeds due to lower electrical resistance of interconnecting materials, and reduction in thermally induced failures of devices and components. Depending on the doping characteristics of the chip, performance improvement ranges from 1% to 3% for every 10°C lower transistor temperature can be realized. The IBM S/390 high-end server system is the first IBM design which uses a conventional refrigeration system to maintain the chip temperatures below that of comparable air-cooled systems, but well above cryogenic temperature. In previous work, the focus was to study the effect of variation of evaporator outlet superheat on the flow through thermostatic expansion valve at varying evaporator temperature. The effect of change in bulb location and effect of bulb time constant on the hunting at the evaporator has been reported. The effect of area contact on the stability of the system is been predicted theoretically. Mechanical analysis is performed in order to check the stresses induced. The evaporator return line and the sensor bulb are simply attached. The effect of area contact is further studied experimentally on an experimental bench.