bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patients discharged from medium secure forensic psychiatry
services: reconvictions and risk factors
Authors: Coid Jeremy , Hickey Nicole , Kahtan Nadji , Zhang Tianqiang , Yang Min
Published: March 2007

Background

Treatment within medium secure forensic psychiatry services is expected
to reduce risk to the public.

Aims

To measure the period prevalence and incidence of offending following
discharge and identify associated risk factors.

Method

Follow-up of patients from 7 of 14 regional services in England and Wales
who spent time at risk (n=1344) for a mean of 6.2 years.
Outcome was obtained from offenders index, hospital case-files and the
central register of deaths.

Results

One in 8 men and 1 in 16 women were convicted of grave offences.
Incidence rates indicated low density and most patients were not
subsequently convicted. Offence predictors included gender, younger age,
early-onset offending, previous convictions and a comorbid or primary
diagnosis of personality disorder. Longer in-patient stay and restriction
on discharge were protective.

Conclusions

Risks of reoffending remain for a subgroup of discharged patients. Future
research should aim to improve their identification and risk management
following discharge.
Diagnostic stability of psychiatric disorders in clinical
practice
Authors: Baca-Garcia Enrique , Perez-Rodriguez Maria M. , Basurte-Villamor Ignacio , Fernandez Del Moral Antonio L. , Jimenez-Arriero Miguel A. , Gonzalez De Rivera Jose L. , Saiz-Ruiz Jeronimo , Oquendo Maria A.
Published: March 2007

Background

Psychiatric disorders are among the top causes worldwide of disease
burden and disability. A major criterion for validating diagnoses is
stability over time.

Aims

To evaluate the long-term stability of the most prevalent psychiatric
diagnoses in a variety of clinical settings.

Method

A total of 34 368 patients received psychiatric care in the catchment
area of one Spanish hospital (1992–2004). This study is based on 10 025
adult patients who were assessed on at least ten occasions (360 899
psychiatric consultations) in three settings: in-patient unit, 2000–2004
(n=546); psychiatric emergency room, 2000–2004
(n=1408); and out-patient psychiatric facilities,
1992–2004 (n=10 016). Prospective consistency,
retrospective consistency and the proportion of patients who received
each diagnosis in at least 75% of the evaluations were calculated for
each diagnosis in each setting and across settings.

Results

The temporal consistency of mental disorders was poor, ranging from 29%
for specific personality disorders to 70% for schizophrenia, with
stability greatest for in-patient diagnoses and least for out-patient
diagnoses.

Conclusions

The findings are an indictment of our current psychiatric diagnostic
practice.
Schizophrenia: a common disease caused by multiple rare
alleles
Authors: McClellan Jon M. , Susser Ezra , King Mary-Claire
Published: March 2007

Schizophrenia is widely held to stem from the combined effects of multiple
common polymorphisms, each with a small impact on disease risk. We suggest
an alternative view: that schizophrenia is highly heterogeneous genetically
and that many predisposing mutations are highly penetrant and individually
rare, even specific to single cases or families. This ‘common disease – rare
alleles' hypothesis is supported by recent findings in human genomics and by
allelic and locus heterogeneity for other complex traits. We review the
implications of this model for gene discovery research in schizophrenia.
Phenotypic and genetic complexity of psychosis
Authors: Craddock Nick , O'Donovan Michael C. , Owen Michael J.
Published: March 2007

Psychosis, like other major psychiatric disorders, is both genetically and
clinically complex. Increasingly powerful molecular genetic studies have the
potential to identify DNA variation that influences susceptibility to
genetically complex disorders. There is a need to use a range of genetic
approaches appropriate to identifying a spectrum of risk variants from the
common through to the rare. Some variants might have large effects at the
level of the individual but most are likely to have modest or small effects
at both population and individual level. Extensive clinical heterogeneity is
likely to have a significant impact on the power of even the largest studies
and, more importantly, will lead to extensive variability between studies
and hamper attempts at replication. If we are to realise the potential of
molecular genetics, we need to overcome the major limitations imposed by
current psychiatric diagnostic classifications and identify clinical
phenotypes that reflect the presence of underlying entities with biological
validity.
Specification of cell fate along the proximal-distal axis in the developing chick limb bud
Authors: Sato Kosei , Koizumi Yutaka , Takahashi Masanori , Kuroiwa Atsushi , Tamura Koji
Published: March 2007

Pattern formation along the proximal-distal (PD) axis in the developing limb bud serves as a good model for learning how cell fate and regionalization of domains, which are essential processes in morphogenesis during development,are specified by positional information. In the present study, detailed fate maps for the limb bud of the chick embryo were constructed in order to gain insights into how cell fate for future structures along the PD axis is specified and subdivided. Our fate map revealed that there is a large overlap between the prospective autopod and zeugopod in the distal limb bud at an early stage (stage 19), whereas a limb bud at this stage has already regionalized the proximal compartments for the prospective stylopod and zeugopod. A clearer boundary of cell fate specifying the prospective autopod and zeugopod could be seen at stage 23, but cell mixing was still detectable inside the prospective autopod region at this stage. Detailed analysis of HOXA11 AND HOXA13 expression at single cell resolution suggested that the cell mixing is not due to separation of some different cell populations existing in a mosaic. Our findings suggest that a mixable unregionalized cell population is maintained in the distal area of the limb bud, while the proximal region starts to be regionalized at the early stage of limb development.
Hydrophobization and bioconjugation for enhanced siRNA delivery and targeting
Authors: De Paula Daniel , Bentley M. Vitória L.B. , Mahato Ram I.
Published: March 2007

RNA interference (RNAi) is an evolutionarily conserved process by which double-stranded small interfering RNA (siRNA) induces sequence-specific, post-transcriptional gene silencing. Unlike other mRNA targeting strategies, RNAi takes advantage of the physiological gene silencing machinery. The potential use of siRNA as therapeutic agents has attracted great attention as a novel approach for treating severe and chronic diseases. RNAi can be achieved by either delivery of chemically synthesized siRNAs or endogenous expression of small hairpin RNA, siRNA, and microRNA (miRNA). However, the relatively high dose of siRNA required for gene silencing limits its therapeutic applications. This review discusses several strategies to improve therapeutic efficacy as well as to abrogate off-target effects and immunostimulation caused by siRNAs. There is an in-depth discussion on various issues related to the (1) mechanisms of RNAi, (2) methods of siRNA production, (3) barriers to RNAi-based therapies, (4) biodistribution, (5) design of siRNA molecules, (6) chemical modification and bioconjugation, (7) complex formation with lipids and polymers, (8) encapsulation into lipid particles, and (9) target specificity for enhanced therapeutic effectiveness.
Erratum
Authors: Lin Z.J. , Zhuo M.J. , Zhou Y.C. , Li M.S. , Wang J.Y.
Published: March 2007

“Structural characterization of a new layered-ternary Ta4AlC3 ceramic” [J. Mater. Res. 21, 2587 (2006)]
Erratum
Authors: Zhang C.Y. , Zhang Y.W. , Zeng K.Y. , Shen L. , Wang Y.Y.
Published: March 2007

“Extracting the elastic and viscoelastic properties of a polymeric film using a sharp indentation relaxation test” [J. Mater. Res. 21, 2991 (2006)]
Onset of magnetic interface exchange interactions in epitaxially grown Mn/Co(001)
Authors: Kohlhepp J.T. , Wieldraaijer H. , de Jonge W.J.M
Published: March 2007

Manganese (Mn) grows in a metastable expanded (c/a > 1) face-centered-tetragonal (fct) phase on thin fct-Co(001) template films. A layer-by-layer growth mode is observed for small Mn thicknesses. Antiferromagnetism (AFM) of fct-Mn is evidenced by the observation of shifted magnetization loops antiparallel to the cooling field direction (negative bias) and enhanced coercive fields for Co/Mn bilayers. At low temperature, magnetic exchange interactions are detected at the Co/Mn interface for nominal Mn thicknesses as low as 1.4 monolayer (ML), indicating the onset of AFM in 2-ML-thick Mn islands. However, between 2- and 5-ML Mn, a positive bias of the magnetization loops is observed in a certain temperature range below the blocking temperature (TB) of the films. This peculiar behavior is explained by the dependence of TB on both the local Mn ML thickness and the Mn island size, leading to a unidirectional coercivity enhancement in a temperature range where both blocked and unblocked regions coexist in the Mn layers.
In vitro study of electron beam deposited calcium phosphate coating in simulated body fluid
Authors: Hamdi M. , Ide-Ektessabi Ari , Toque J.A.
Published: March 2007

Calcium phosphate coatings prepared using the technique of electron beam deposition were immersed in a simulated body fluid for different periods of time to determine their response in vitro. The amorphous as-deposited coatings dissolved completely after a few days of immersion. After annealing in air at 700 °C, the dissolution of a small amount of amorphous phase in the crystalline coatings promotes the precipitation of bonelike apatite on the recessed regions by increasing the local supersaturation of calcium and phosphate ions. Formation of apatite was confirmed by the x-ray diffraction peaks at (200), (211), and (203) planes which grew after immersion in simulated body fluid. Fourier transform infrared results conformed to this with the increase in intensity of the absorption band at 1450 cm−1, signifying the increase in carbonate content. Scanning electron microscopy results showed spherical-shaped apatite nucleated on dissolved surface after 8 days of immersion. Sixteen days after immersion, almost 80% of the surface area was covered with apatite formation and grew to coalesce between neighboring particles forming an integrated platelike layer after 28 days. No obvious detachment between the grown layer and the underlying coating was observed.
Sublimation growth of aluminum nitride on silicon carbide substrate with aluminum nitride–silicon carbide alloy transition layer
Authors: Gu Z. , Edgar J.H. , Raghothamachar B. , Dudley M. , Zhuang D. , Sitar Z. , Coffey D.W.
Published: March 2007

The advantages of depositing AlN–SiC alloy transition layers on SiC substrates before the seeded growth of bulk AlN crystals were examined. The presence of AlN–SiC alloy layers helped to suppress the SiC decomposition by providing vapor sources of silicon and carbon. In addition, cracks in the final AlN crystals decreased from ∼5 × 106/mm2 for those grown directly on SiC substrates to less than 1 × 106/mm2 for those grown on AlN–SiC alloy layers because of the intermediate lattice constants and thermal expansion coefficient of AlN–SiC. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of pure single-crystalline AlN upon both AlN–SiC alloys and SiC substrates. X-ray topography (XRT) demonstrated that strains present in the AlN crystals decreased as the AlN grew thicker. However, the XRT for AlN crystals grown directly on SiC substrates was significantly distorted with a high overall defect density compared to those grown on AlN–SiC alloys.
Fabrication of nanoporous titania on glass and transparent conducting oxide substrates by anodization of titanium films
Authors: Leenheer Andrew J. , Miedaner Alexander , Curtis Calvin J. , van Hest Maikel F.A.M. , Ginley David S.
Published: March 2007

Nanoporous titania (TiO2) or titania nanotubes could provide a continuous nanostructured electron-conducting anode for organic photovoltaics. In this work, nanoporous titania was formed by anodizing thin films of titanium on both glass and transparent conducting oxide (TCO) substrates. Titanium thin films (500–700 nm) were deposited by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. Films were anodized in acidic electrolytes containing small amounts of hydrofluoric acid (HF) at constant voltages ranging from 7 to 15 V. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed a nanoporous structure. Nanoporous titania structures were grown on glass in an electrolyte containing sulfuric acid, trisodium citrate, and potassium fluoride, with pore diameters around 50 nm. Analyzing the films at different anodization times, the stages of nanopore formation were elucidated. Additionally, nanoporous titania was formed on a TCO substrate by anodizing in an electrolyte containing acetic acid and hydrofluoric acid. While not completely transparent, the nanoporous titania is promising for use in organic photovoltaics.
Interfacial stability of eutectic SnPb solder and composite 60Pb40Sn solder on Cu/Ni(V)/Ti under-bump metallization
Authors: Wu Albert T. , Hua F.
Published: March 2007

Eutectic SnPb solder has been widely used in packaging for several decades. The stability of the interface between solder and under-bump metallization (UBM) is an important issue that has led to many studies. Even though Ni atoms dissolve much slower into SnPb solder than Cu, the intermetallic compound, Ni3Sn4, which forms when eutectic SnPb solder reacts with Ni(V)/Ti UBM, is not stable on Ti layer, creates V-rich zone, and causes spalling. To prevent the phenomenon, and the resulting reduction of mechanical reliability in solder joints, we propose the addition of a layer of Cu thin film to serve as a sacrificial layer. Both eutectic SnPb solder and composite solder (high-Pb solder with eutectic SnPb solder) were studied in severe reflow conditions to simulate the worst case of die attach and later reflow process. Cu film first was consumed completely to form a compound. Due to lower interfacial energy between Cu6Sn5 and Ni(V), the interface was stable and no spalling occurred. However, the same thickness of Cu was insufficient to prevent Ni from diffusing into solder or compound. Not only diffusion of Ni atoms was observed; Sn atoms also diffused into the Ni(V) layer. The Sn–Ni reaction caused the interface between the compound and Ni(V) to retreat into the Ni(V) layer. The compound was not stable at the interface, and spalling could be seen. Due to the interdiffusion of Ni and Sn, many Kirkendall voids were also observed at both side of the interface.
Ion transport and electrochemical tuning of Fermi level in single-wall carbon nanotubes: In situ Raman scattering
Authors: Gupta S.
Published: March 2007

The in situ Raman spectroscopy technique was used to investigate the ion transport and to determine the concomitant electrochemical tuning of Fermi level in single-wall carbon nanotubes. The variation of structural bonding in a single-wall carbon nanotube bundle dipped in aqueous alkaline earth halide electrolyte such as CaCl2 with electrochemical biasing was monitored. This is because Raman scattering can detect changes in C–C bond length through radial breathing mode (RBM) at ∼184 cm−1, which varies inversely with the nanotube diameter and the G band at ∼1590 cm−1, varying with the axial bond length. Consistent reversible and substantial variation in Raman intensity of both modes was induced by electrode potential point at the fine and continuous tuning (alternatively, emptying/depleting or filling) of the specific bonding and anti-bonding molecular states. Qualitatively, the results were explained in terms of changes in the energy gap occurring between the one-dimensional van Hove singularities present in the electron density of states, possibly arising due to the alterations in the overlap integral of π bonds between the p orbitals of the adjacent carbon atoms. We estimated the extent of variation of the absolute potential of the Fermi level and overlap integral (γ0) between the nearest-neighbor carbon atoms by modeling the electrochemical potential dependence of Raman intensity. Observations also suggested that the work function of the tube becomes larger for the metallic nanotubes in contrast to the simultaneously present semiconducting nanotubes.
Infiltration pressure of a nanoporous liquid spring modified by an electrolyte
Authors: Han A. , Qiao Y.
Published: March 2007

In a hydrophobic zeolite, the infiltration and defiltration of water can be controlled by adjusting external pressure, and therefore the system behaves as a “liquid spring.” Since the hysteresis of sorption isotherm is negligible and the working pressure is thermally controllable, volume memory devices can be developed based on this phenomenon. With the addition of sodium chloride, both infiltration and defiltration pressures increase, which should be attributed to the cation exchange. The temperature sensitivity of the system increases with the electrolyte concentration, beneficial to improving the output energy density.
Electrochemical stability in cerium-phosphate–coated LiCoO2 thin films
Authors: Ahn Donggi , Kim Chunjoong , Lee Joon-Gon , Kim Byoungsoo , Park Yejun , Park Byoungwoo
Published: March 2007

The electrochemical stability of LiCoO2 thin films was improved by cerium-phosphate coating deposited at room temperature. The cerium-phosphate coating layer also effectively suppressed the increase of charge-transfer resistance during cycling. However, the cycling stability and the initial capacity of the coated LiCoO2 thin films deteriorated as the annealing temperature increased, different from other metal-phosphate coating. These phenomena were attributed to the interdiffusion between the cerium-phosphate coating layer and LiCoO2 thin film, instead of the nanocrystal formation in the amorphous coating layer.
Investigation on the nucleation mechanism of deformation-induced martensite in an austenitic stainless steel under severe plastic deformation
Authors: Huang C.X. , Yang G. , Gao Y.L. , Wu S.D. , Li S.X.
Published: March 2007

The nucleation mechanism of deformation-induced martensite was investigated by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope in an ultra-low carbon austenitic stainless steel deformed by equal channel angular pressing at room temperature. It was found that two types of martensite transformation mechanism, stress-assisted and strain-induced, occurred via the sequences of γ (fcc) → ɛ (hcp) → α′ (bcc) and/or γ → α′. In both cases, the crystallographic relationships among γ, ɛ, and α′ followed the Kurdjumov-Sachs orientation relationships: {111}γ //{0001}ɛ //{011}α′ and 〈110〉γ//〈1120〉ɛ//〈111〉α′.
Assembly of metallic nanoparticles with controllable size in nanopores of biomorphic oxide fibers templated by cotton tissue
Authors: Li Xufan , Fan Tongxiang , Zhang Di , Guo Qixin , Ogawa Hiroshi
Published: March 2007

Biomorphic SiO2 fibers were synthesized with cotton tissue as the template and with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as surfactant through a surface sol-gel process. The as-prepared samples retain well the original morphology of cotton and show a uniform and large amount of nanopores. Sliver nanoparticles were successfully incorporated into the nanopores through impregnation and chemical reduction to form SiO2/Ag composite fibers. Ag nanoparticles with mean diameter approximately 3 nm have a size distribution in accordance with the nanoporosity of SiO2 matrix. Such composite fibers show prominent surface plasma resonance (SPR) effect, and during heat treatment under increasing temperatures, the SPR intensity is enhanced because of the size effect, and the SPR position undergoes a redshift first and then a blueshift.
Potential Effluent Quality from Commercial Crawfish Ponds
Authors: Orellana Francisco Xavier , Romaire Robert P
Published: March 2007

Seventeen commercial and two demonstration crawfish ponds in southern Louisiana that were either planted with rice Oryza sativa or a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor × S. sudanese) or colonized with volunteer terrestrial or semiaquatic vegetation were evaluated for potential effluent quality. Nutrients and solids concentrations in potential crawfish pond effluents increased significantly in spring and summer from fall and winter levels. Potential effluent quality was poorest during the annual summer drawdown and is likely to have the greatest impact on receiving waterways. Total suspended solids and turbidity most frequently exceeded Louisiana water quality standards. Ponds with volunteer vegetation had significantly lower concentrations of chemical oxygen demand, turbidity, total suspended solids, total volatile suspended solids, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen than ponds with rice and sorghum-sudangrass. Soluble reactive phosphorus, total phosphorus, total ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate were highest in ponds with sorghum-sudangrass. Nutrient and solid concentrations were generally lower in ponds with volunteer vegetation, presumably as a result of nutrient uptake by aquatic macrophytes and reduced suspended sediment loads. Establishing limited stands of aquatic macrophytes inside crawfish ponds or using effluent to replenish water in adjacent ricefields may reduce the amount of suspended solids and nutrients entering receiving waters.
Competition between Hatchery-Raised Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout and Wild Brown Trout
Authors: Shemai Barak , Sallenave Rossana , Cowley David E.
Published: March 2007

An important problem for conservation of cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii is the presence of nonnative trout. We used eight 20-m instream enclosures on the Rio Cebolla, New Mexico, to evaluate competition between hatchery-raised Rio Grande cutthroat trout O. clarkii virginalis and similar-sized wild, nonnative brown trout Salmo trutta. Four control enclosures each contained 20 fish of the same species; four treatment enclosures each contained equal numbers of like-sized fish of the two species. Results indicated that wild brown trout were superior competitors to hatchery-raised Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Significant interspecific competition was inferred from comparisons of treatment fish with their controls. Among Rio Grande cutthroat trout, control fish grew in length and body weight, whereas growth of fish confined in enclosures with brown trout was significantly lower than that of controls (P < 0.001). In contrast, brown trout enclosed with Rio Grande cutthroat trout experienced significantly greater growth than did control brown trout (P < 0.005). Rio Grande cutthroat trout in enclosures with brown trout had lower postmortem fat content and an elevated incidence of caudal fin damage than did control fish. Gut contents showed that control fish of both species fed most frequently on small larval caddisflies Lepidostoma spp. However, when the two species were confined together, more brown trout had food in the gut and the food items consumed by Rio Grande cutthroat trout shifted from Lepidostoma spp. to surface-occurring invertebrates (terrestrial infall, water striders, water mites, and phaerate adult aquatic insects) and benthic-associated invertebrates (oligochaetes, caddisflies (Limnephilidae and Helicopsyche spp.), and snails). Collectively, the results indicated interspecific competition that was mediated through elevated aggression by brown trout that altered foraging activity by both species. The results underscore the importance of minimizing contact with nonnative brown trout when using hatchery fish to restore cutthroat trout to suitable habitats.
Maxillary Distraction Osteogenesis in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients with Skeletal Anchorage
Authors: Minami Katsuhiro , Mori Yoshihide , Tae-Geon Kwon , Shimizu Hidetaka , Ohtani Miyuki , Yura Yoshiaki
Published: March 2007

Objective:

Maxillary distraction osteogenesis with the rigid external distraction (RED) system has been used to treat cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients with severe maxillary hypoplasia. We introduce maxillary distraction osteogenesis for CLP patients with skeletal anchorage adapted on a stereolithographic model.

Patients:

Six maxillary deficiency CLP patients treated according to our CLP treatment protocol had undergone maxillary distraction osteogenesis.

Method:

In all patients, computed tomography (CT) images were recorded preoperatively, and the data were transferred to a workstation. Three-dimensional skeletal structures were reconstructed with CT data sets, and a stereolithographic model was produced. On the stereolithographic model, miniplates were adapted to the surface of maxilla beside aperture piriforms. The operation performed involved a high Le Fort I osteotomy with pterygomaxillary disjunction. Miniplates were fixed to the maxillary segment with three or four screws and used for anchorage of the RED system. Retraction of the maxillary segment was initiated after 1 week.

Results:

The accuracy of the stereolithographic models was enough to adapt the miniplates so that there was no need to readjust the plates during surgery. Postoperative cephalometric analysis showed that the direction of the retraction was almost parallel to the palatal plane, and dental compensation did not occur.

Conclusions:

We performed maxillary distraction osteogenesis with skeletal anchorage adapted on the stereolithographic models. Excellent esthetic outcome and skeletal advancement were achieved without dentoalveolar compensations.
Schimmelpenning Syndrome: An Association with Vascular Anomalies
Authors: Greene Arin K. , Rogers Gary F. , Mulliken John B.
Published: March 2007

Objective:

Schimmelpenning syndrome is a rare neurocutaneous disorder characterized by craniofacial nevus sebaceus in association with seizures, developmental delay, and ocular or skeletal pathology. Vascular anomalies also have been described in this condition, and some authors have suggested that the two entities are associated. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of vascular anomalies in Schimmelpenning syndrome.

Methods:

We reviewed the medical records of patients with Schimmelpenning syndrome who were evaluated or were managed at Children's Hospital Boston between 1980 and 2005. In addition, all published cases purported to be Schimmelpenning syndrome were analyzed to determine whether the primary diagnosis was accurate and whether or not there were concurrent vascular anomalies.

Results:

Three of nine patients (33.3%) in our series had a vascular malformation. One patient had coarctation, aortic aneurysm, renal artery, and carotid stenosis; another had a thoracic lymphatic anomaly with chylothorax; and the third had lymphedema of the lower extremities and lymphatic malformation of the neck/chest with chylothorax. Additional findings were seizures (78%), ocular pathology (78%), developmental delay (56%), and skeletal abnormalities (67%). Of 119 cases of authenticated Schimmelpenning syndrome in the literature, 18 vascular malformations were documented in 15 patients (12.6%): venous (n = 7); arterial (n = 5); lymphatic (n = 3); capillary (n = 2); and arteriovenous (n = 1).

Conclusions:

Vascular malformations occur with a higher frequency (12.6 to 33%) in patients with Schimmelpenning syndrome compared with the general population (<1%). Therefore, we conclude that there is an association between vascular anomalies and Schimmelpenning syndrome.
Maxillary Growth Controversies after Two-Stage Palatal Repair with Delayed Hard Palate Closure in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients: Perspectives from Literature and Personal Experience
Authors: Friede Hans
Published: March 2007

Objective:

To analyze published papers dealing with delayed hard palate repair within a two-stage palatal surgery protocol in treatment of cleft lip and palate. Timing of the procedures, methods used, as well as growth results were considered.

Method:

By utilizing this information in relation to knowledge about normal maxillary development, efforts were made to explain differences in growth outcome between different investigations. Particularly, follow-up reports of unilateral cleft lip and palate patients with records up to at least 10 years of age were studied.

Results:

Most papers reported an excellent or very good maxillary growth outcome after their delayed hard palate closure protocols. Where unsatisfactory results were published, reasonable explanations were found accounting for why the method had failed the expectation of good maxillary growth.

Conclusion:

Based on the published reports and the experience from a cleft team where the studied protocol has been practiced since 1975, recommendation for method as well as timing for the two-stage protocol is laid out in some detail.
Physical Activity in Young Adults and Incident Hypertension Over 15 Years of Follow-Up: The CARDIA Study
Authors: Parker Emily D. , Schmitz Kathryn H. , Jacobs David R. , Dengel Donald R. , Schreiner Pamela J.
Published: March 2007

Objective. We sought to examine the relation between physical activity and incident hypertension in young adults over 15 years of follow-up in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study.

Methods. A total of 3993 Black and White men and women aged 18 to 30 years were examined at baseline, and 2, 5, 7, 10, and 15 years later. Blood pressure and physical activity were measured at each exam. Hypertension was defined as systolic 140 mm Hg or higher, diastolic 90 mm Hg or higher, or antihypertensive medication use. Average physical activity and incident hypertension over 15 years of follow-up were analyzed.

Results. There were 634 cases of incident hypertension over 15 years of follow-up. Those who were more versus less physically active experienced a reduced risk (hazard rate ratio = 0.83; 95% confidence interval = 0.73, 0.93) for incident hypertension, after adjustment for race, sex, age, education, and family history of high blood pressure.

Conclusions. Physical activity merits attention in the prevention of incident hypertension among young adults, particularly as they move into middle age.
Beyond Effectiveness: Evaluating the Public Health Impact of the WISEWOMAN Program
Authors: Farris Rosanne P. , Will Julie C. , Khavjou Olga , Finkelstein Eric A.
Published: March 2007

Interventions that are effective are often improperly or only partially implemented when put into practice. When intervention programs are evaluated, feasibility of implementation and effectiveness need to be examined. Reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance make up the RE-AIM framework used to assess such programs. To examine the usefulness of this metric, we addressed 2 key research questions. Is it feasible to operationalize the RE-AIM framework using women’s health program data? How does the determination of a successful program differ if the criterion is (1) effectiveness alone, (2) reach and effectiveness, or (3) the 5 dimensions of the RE-AIM framework? Findings indicate that it is feasible to operationalize the RE-AIM concepts and that RE-AIM may provide a richer measure of contextual factors for program success compared with other evaluation approaches.
Symptom Expression in Coronary Heart Disease and Revascularization Recommendations for Black and White Patients
Authors: Hravnak Marilyn , Whittle Jeff , Kelley Mary E. , Sereika Susan , Good Chester B. , Ibrahim Said A. , Conigliaro Joseph
Published: March 2007

Objectives. We examined whether symptoms of coronary heart disease vary between Black and White patients with coronary heart disease, whether presenting symptoms affect physicians’ revascularization recommendations, and whether the effect of symptoms upon recommendations differs in Black and White patients.

Methods. We interviewed Black and White patients in Pittsburgh in 1997 to 1999 who were undergoing elective coronary catheterization. We interviewed them regarding their symptoms, and we interviewed their cardiologist decision-makers regarding revascularization recommendations. We obtained coronary catheterization results by chart review.

Results. Black and White patients (N=1196; 9.7% Black) expressed similar prevalence of chest pain, angina equivalent, fatigue, and other symptoms, but Black patients had more shortness of breath (87% vs 72%, P=.001). When we considered only those patients with significant stenosis (n=737, 7.1% Black) and controlled for race, age, gender, and number of stenotic vessels, those who expressed shortness of breath were less likely to be recommended for revascularization (odds ratio=0.535; 95% confidence interval=0.375, 0.762; P<.001), but there was no significant interaction with race.

Conclusions. Black patients reported shortness of breath more frequently than did White subjects. Shortness of breath was a negative predictor for revascularization for all patients with significant stenosis, but there was no difference in the recommendations by symptom by race.
Children’s Health Initiatives in California: The Experiences of Local Coalitions Pursuing Universal Coverage for Children
Authors: Stevens Gregory D. , Rice Kyoko , Cousineau Michael R.
Published: March 2007

Objectives. Many county coalitions throughout California have created local health insurance programs known as Healthy Kids to cover uninsured children ineligible for public programs as a result of family income level or undocumented immigrant status. We sought to gain an understanding of the experiences of these coalitions as they pursue the goal of universal coverage for children.

Methods. We conducted semistructured telephone-based or in-person interviews with coalition leaders from 28 counties or regions engaged in expansion activities.

Results. Children’s Health Initiative coalitions have emerged in 31 counties (17 are operational and 14 are planned) and have enrolled more than 85000 children in their health insurance program, Healthy Kids. Respondents attributed the success of these programs to strong leadership, diverse coalitions of stakeholders, and the generosity of local and statewide contributors. Because Healthy Kids programs face major sustainability challenges and difficulties with provider capacity, most are cautiously looking toward statewide legislative solutions.

Conclusions. The expansion of Healthy Kids programs demonstrates the ability of local coalitions to reduce the number of uninsured children through local health reform. Such local programs may become important models as other states struggle with declines in employer-based coverage and increasing immigration and poverty rates.
Eat Better & Move More: A Community-Based Program Designed to Improve Diets and Increase Physical Activity Among Older Americans
Authors: Wellman Nancy S. , Kamp Barbara , Kirk-Sanchez Neva J. , Johnson Paulette M.
Published: March 2007

Objectives. We assessed outcomes of an integrated nutrition and exercise program designed for Older Americans Act Nutrition Program participants as part of the Administration on Aging’s You Can! campaign.

Methods. A 10-site intervention study was conducted. Preintervention and postintervention assessments focused on nutrition and physical activity stages of change, self-reported health status, dietary intakes, physical activity, and program satisfaction.

Results. Of 999 enrollees, the 620 who completed the program were aged 74.6 years on average; 82% were women, and 41% were members of racial/ethnic minority groups. Factors associated with program completion were site, health conditions, and nutrition risk. Seventy-three percent and 75% of participants, respectively, made a significant advance of 1 or more nutrition and physical activity stages of change; 24% reported improved health status. Daily intake of fruit increased 1 or more servings among 31% of participants; vegetables, 37%; and fiber, 33%. Daily steps increased 35%; blocks walked, 45%; and stairs climbed, 24%. Program satisfaction was 99%.

Conclusions. This easy-to-implement program improves diets and activity levels. Local providers should offer more such programs with the goal of enabling older Americans to take simple steps toward successful aging.
Reporting Implementation in Randomized Trials: Proposed Additions to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials Statement
Authors: Mayo-Wilson Evan
Published: March 2007

Randomized controlled trials of public health interventions are often complex: practitioners may not deliver interventions as researchers intended, participants may not initiate interventions and may not behave as expected, and interventions and their effects may vary with environmental and social context.

Reports of randomized controlled trials can be misleading when they omit information about the implementation of interventions, yet such data are frequently absent in trial reports, even in journals that endorse current reporting guidelines.

Particularly for complex interventions, the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement does not include all types of information needed to understand the results of randomized controlled trials. CONSORT should be expanded to include more information about the implementation of interventions in all trial arms.
Survival and Recovery Rate of Canada Geese Staging in Interior Alaska
Authors: EICHHOLZ MICHAEL W. , SEDINGER JAMES S.
Published: March 2007

Abstract: Lesser Canada geese (Branta canadensis parvipes) are indistinguishable from other subspecies of small Canada geese on the wintering grounds using current survey methods. Consequently, managers are unable to adequately measure their abundance. Without direct estimates of abundance, researchers often use estimates of vital rates that influence abundance (e.g., annual survival) to monitor potential impact of harvest on the population. Based on capture and re‐sighting data records of 567 geese marked from 1994 through 1998, we calculated annual survival and recovery rates for different age and sex classes of white‐cheeked geese staging in interior Alaska. We compared those survival and recovery rates with those of other neck‐collared white‐cheeked geese. The best approximating model allowed survival to vary by age class while holding Seber's recovery probability (r̂) constant over sex, age class, and time. We estimated annual survival to be 0.49 (SE = 0.05) for hatch‐year geese and 0.68 (SE = 0.03) for after‐hatch‐year geese based on the weighted average of all models with a change in Akaike's Information Criterion adjusted for small sample size and lack of fit < 4. Estimates of annual survival of white‐cheeked geese in this study are among the lowest and recovery estimates are among the highest for migratory populations of neck‐collared geese. Low survival estimates of Canada geese in our study suggest that harvest rates may be higher than in many other populations. Surveys to estimate abundance or other population parameters such as reproductive success and recruitment are necessary to determine whether this population is self‐sustaining. Furthermore, we recommend monitoring abundance and harvest of small white‐cheeked geese east and west of the Cascade Mountain Range separately to better determine harvest pressure on white‐cheeked geese wintering east of the Cascades.
Mist Net Effort Required to Inventory a Forest Bat Species Assemblage
Authors: WELLER THEODORE J. , LEE DANNY C.
Published: March 2007

Abstract: Little quantitative information exists about the survey effort necessary to inventory temperate bat species assemblages. We used a bootstrap resampling algorithm to estimate the number of mist net surveys required to capture individuals from 9 species at both study area and site levels using data collected in a forested watershed in northwestern California, USA, during 1996–2000. The mean number of simulated surveys required to capture individual species varied with species' rarity and ranged from 1.5 to 44.9. We retrospectively evaluated strategies to reduce required survey effort by subsampling data from 1996 to 1998 and tested the strategies in the field during 1999 and 2000. Using data from 1996 to 1998, the mean number of simulated surveys required to capture 8 out of 9 species was 26.3, but a 95% probability of capture required >61 surveys. Inventory efficiency, defined as the cumulative proportion of species detected per survey effort, improved for both the study area and individual sites by conducting surveys later in summer. We realized further improvements in study area inventory efficiency by focusing on productive sites. We found that 3 surveys conducted between 1 July and 10 September at each of 4 productive sites in this 10‐km2 study area resulted in the capture of 8 species annually. Quantitative estimation of the survey effort required to assess bat species occurrence improves the ability to plan and execute reliable, efficient inventories. Results from our study should be useful for planning inventories in nearby geographical areas and similar habitat types; further, the analytical methods we used to assess effort are broadly applicable to other survey methods and taxa.
Response of Elk to Changes in Plant Production and Nutrition Following Prescribed Burning
Authors: VAN DYKE FRED , DARRAGH JEFFREY A.
Published: March 2007

Abstract: Researchers have ascribed use of areas by grazers after burning to changes in plant community structure, community composition, nutritional quality, and seasonal availability. Researchers can better evaluate these alternatives if they monitor changes in plant communities following burning concurrently with changes in animal use. We examined responses of elk (Cervus elaphus) to prescribed burning of areas dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) in south‐central Montana, USA, within which we monitored changes in plant production, nutritional quality, and community composition and diversity from 1989 to 1999. Elk increased use of burned sites 1–2 years after burning, then reduced use to levels associated with preburn conditions over the next 3–10 years. Burning transformed low‐diversity, sagebrush‐dominated communities into relatively high‐diversity, grass‐ and forb‐dominated communities that persisted for 10 years, but forage biomass and protein content declined on burned sites after initial short‐term increases. Changes in elk use closely tracked changes in production and nutritional quality of plants. Therefore, we concluded that increases in quantity and quality of forage were the primary cause for increased use of burned sites by elk. Managers may observe only short‐term responses from elk following burning but can expect longer‐term increases in plant diversity and persistence of grass—forb communities on burned sites for >10 years that may be important to elk or other grazing ungulates.
Lesser Scaup Nest Success and Duckling Survival on the Yukon Flats, Alaska
Authors: CORCORAN ROBIN M. , LOVVORN JAMES R. , BERTRAM MARK R. , VIVION MICHAEL T.
Published: March 2007

Abstract:Over the last 20 years scaup numbers have declined, and these declines have been greatest in the northern boreal forests of Canada and Alaska where most lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) nest. We studied nest success and duckling survival of lesser scaup over 3 field seasons, 2001–2003, on the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Alaska, USA. Daily survival rate (DSR) of nests on our study area across all 3 years was 0.943 (n= 177 nests, 95% CI: 0.930–0.954), corresponding to a nest success of only 12.3%, considerably lower than published estimates of an average nest success as high as 57% for lesser scaup in the northern boreal forest. With Mayfield logistic regression, we investigated effects on nest survival of year, clutch initiation date, and nesting habitat type (large wetlands >10 ha, small wetlands <10 ha, and wooded creeks). Neither year nor clutch initiation date influenced nest survival; however, the odds of nest success on large wetlands was 49% lower than on wooded creeks (odds ratio = 0.512, 95% CI = 0.286, 0.918). Based on the model that used only habitat type for estimation, DSR on large wetlands was 0.931 (corresponding nest success = 7.6%), DSR on small wetlands was 0.941 (nest success = 11.1%), and DSR on wooded creeks was 0.963 (nest success = 26.2%). To estimate duckling survival, we monitored 10 broods (n= 75 ducklings) over 3 field seasons by radiotagging hens at nest hatch. Most duckling mortality (94%) occurred in the first 10 days after hatch. Average duckling survival during 1–10 days was 0.321 (95% CI: 0.122–0.772), during 11–20 days was 0.996 (95% CI: 0.891–1.040), and during 21–30 days was 0.923 (95% CI: 0.769–1.041). Three of 10 hens moved all or part of their broods overland between nesting and brood‐rearing wetlands for distances of 0.3–1.6 km. Our estimates of lesser scaup nest success and duckling survival on the Yukon Flats were among the lowest ever reported for ducks nesting at northern latitudes, even though the study site was in pristine boreal forest. Estimating and comparing scaup demographic rates from different geographic areas can contribute to improved conservation. Given the scarcity of information on scaup nesting in the boreal forest, basic nesting parameters are important to those trying to model scaup population dynamics.
Effects of Joint Space Use and Group Membership on Contact Rates Among White‐Tailed Deer
Authors: SCHAUBER ERIC M. , STORM DANIEL J. , NIELSEN CLAYTON K.
Published: March 2007

Abstract: Establishment and spread of infectious diseases are controlled by the frequency of contacts among hosts. Although managers can estimate transmission coefficients from the relationship between disease prevalence and age or time, they may wish to quantify or compare contact rates before a disease is established or while it is at very low prevalence. Our objectives were to quantify direct and indirect contacts rates among white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and to compare these measures of contact rate with simpler measures of joint space use. We deployed Global Positioning System (GPS) collars on 23 deer near Carbondale, Illinois, USA, from 2002 to 2005. We used location data from the GPS collars to measure pairwise rates of direct and indirect contact, based on a range of proximity criteria and time lags, as well as volume of intersection (VI) of kernel utilization distributions. We analyzed contact rates at a given distance criterion and time lag using mixed‐model logistic regression. Direct contact rates increased with increasing VI and were higher in autumn—spring than in summer. After accounting for VI, the estimated odds of direct contact during autumn—spring periods were 5.0–22.1‐fold greater (depending on the proximity criterion) for pairs of deer in the same social group than for between‐group pairs, but for direct contacts during summer the within:between‐group odds ratio did not differ significantly from 1. Indirect contact rates also increased with VI, but the effects of both season and pair‐type were much smaller than for direct contacts and differed little as the time lag increased from 1–30 days. These results indicate that simple measures of joint space use are insufficient indices of direct contact because group membership can substantially increase contacts at a given level of joint space use. With indirect transmission, however, group membership had a much smaller influence after accounting for VI. Relationships between contact rates and season, VI, and pair‐type were generally robust to changes in the proximity criterion defining a contact, and patterns of indirect contacts were affected little by the choice of time lag from 1–30 days. The use of GPS collars provides a framework for testing hypotheses about the form of contact networks among large mammals and comparing potential direct and indirect contact rates across gradients of ecological factors, such as population density or landscape configuration.