bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
REDUCED BIO-BASIS FUNCTION NEURAL NETWORKS FOR PROTEASE CLEAVAGE SITE PREDICTION
Authors: YANG ZHENG RONG , BERRY EMILY A.
Published: September 2004

This paper presents a new neural learning algorithm for protease cleavage site prediction. The basic idea is to replace the radial basis function used in radial basis function neural networks by a so-called bio-basis function using amino acid similarity matrices. Mutual information is used to select bio-bases and a corresponding selection algorithm is developed. The algorithm has been applied to the prediction of HIV and Hepatitis C virus protease cleavage sites in proteins with success.
AN INTEGRATED COMPREHENSIVE WORKBENCH FOR INFERRING GENETIC NETWORKS: VOYAGENE
Authors: MAKI YUKIHIRO , TAKAHASHI YORIKO , ARIKAWA YUJI , WATANABE SHOJI , AOSHIMA KEN , EGUCHI YUKIHIRO , UEDA TAKANORI , ABURATANI SACHIYO , KUHARA SATORU , OKAMOTO MASAHIRO
Published: September 2004

We propose an integrated, comprehensive network-inferring system for genetic interactions, named VoyaGene, which can analyze experimentally observed expression profiles by using and combining the following five independent inferring models: Clustering, Threshold-Test, Bayesian, multi-level digraph and S-system models. Since VoyaGene also has effective tools for visualizing the inferred results, researchers may evaluate the combination of appropriate inferring models, and can construct a genetic network to an accuracy that is beyond the reach of a single inferring model. Through the use of VoyaGene, the present study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining different inferring models.
BIOIE: RETARGETABLE INFORMATION EXTRACTION AND ONTOLOGICAL ANNOTATION OF BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS FROM THE LITERATURE
Authors: KIM JUNG-JAE , PARK JONG C.
Published: September 2004

The need for extracting general biological interactions of arbitrary types from the rapidly growing volume of the biomedical literature is drawing increased attention, while the need for this much diversity also requires both a robust treatment of complex linguistic phenomena and a method to consistently characterize the results. We present a biomedical information extraction system, BioIE, to address both of these needs by utilizing a full-fledged English grammar formalism, or a combinatory categorial grammar, and by annotating the results with the terms of Gene Ontology, which provides a common and controlled vocabulary. BioIE deals with complex linguistic phenomena such as coordination, relative structures, acronyms, appositive structures, and anaphoric expressions. In order to deal with real-world syntactic variations of ontological terms, BioIE utilizes the syntactic dependencies between words in sentences as well, based on the observation that the component words in an ontological term usually appear in a sentence with known patterns of syntactic dependencies.
IDENTIFYING PATTERNS OF DNA FOR TUMOR DIAGNOSIS USING CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS-AMPLIFIED FRAGMENT LENGTH POLYMORPHISM (CE-AFLP) SCREENING
Authors: WONG KEE YEW , CHUAN YIN CHOY , AGGARWAL AMIT , THAM LAWRENCE , KONG WAI MING , TAN PATRICK
Published: September 2004

Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) screening is a genome-wide genotyping strategy that has been widely used in plants and bacteria, but little has been reported concerning its use in humans. We investigated if the AFLP procedure could be coupled with high-throughput capillary electrophoresis (CE) for use in tumor diagnosis and classification. Using CE-AFLP, a series of molecular 'fingerprints' were generated for a set of gastric tumor and normal genomic DNA samples. The CE-AFLP procedure was qualitatively and quantitatively robust, and a variety of clustering tools were used to identify a specific DNA marker 'pattern' of 20 features that classified the tumor and normal samples to reasonable degrees of accuracy (Sensitivity 95%, Specificity 80%). The CE-AFLP-based approach also correctly classified 16 tumor samples, which in a previous study had exhibited no detectable genomic aberrations by comparative genome hybridization (CGH). This is the first reported application of CE-AFLP screening in tumor diagnosis. As the procedure is relatively inexpensive and requires minimal prior sequence knowledge and biological material, we suggest that CE-AFLP-based protocols may represent a promising new approach for DNA-based cancer screening and diagnosis.
ROBUSTNESS OF METABOLIC MAP RECONSTRUCTION
Authors: AHREN DAG G. , OUZOUNIS CHRISTOS A.
Published: September 2004

With the ever increasing amount of genomic data available, the interest for generating biochemical pathways has grown tremendously. So far, mainly complete genomes have been used to reconstruct the biochemical pathways and their associated interactions. However, a large number of low coverage genomes, as well as other sources of partial genomic data, are currently available for many organisms. In order to be able to use incomplete data for metabolic reconstruction, the inherent properties of this procedure need to be investigated. In this short note, we describe the robustness and predictive power of metabolic reconstructions using partial information from Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We also discuss the implications of the results on reference genome projects as well as other large-scale sequencing data.
COMPUTATIONAL INVESTIGATION OF THE FLOW IN PRE-SWIRL STATOR-ROTOR SYSTEMS
Authors: BENIM A. C. , BRILLERT D. , CAGAN M.
Published: September 2004

A 3D computational analysis has been applied to investigate direct transfer, pre-swirl systems for gas turbine cooling. Alternative computational procedures have been applied and results have been compared with measurements. Based on these validation studies, strategies for modeling such systems have been proposed. Present results suggest that sufficiently accurate predictions can be obtained using a quasi-steady analysis applying the "frozen rotor" approach for treating the interface between the stationary and rotating domains.
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF SMART STRUCTURES WITH UNCERTAINTIES
Authors: VALLIAPPAN S. , CHEE C. K.
Published: September 2004

In this paper, a numerical method for the analysis of smart structures with uncertainties involved in the material parameters is presented. This method combines the finite element technique, concepts of fuzzy sets and optimization. For the optimization of fuzzy parameters, a sensitivity index is proposed. The sensitivity analysis based on the proposed sensitivity index can be effectively used to reduce the number of variables to be fuzzified and thus reducing the computational efforts considerably.
A FEM-BASED MESHFREE METHOD WITH A PROBABILISTIC NODE GENERATION TECHNIQUE
Authors: FUJISAWA TOSHIMITSU , YAGAWA GENKI
Published: September 2004

In this paper, a FEM-based meshfree method with a probabilistic node generation technique is presented. In the proposed method, all computational procedures, from the mesh generation to the solution of a system of equations, can be performed seamlessly in parallel in terms of nodes. Local finite element mesh is generated robustly around each node, even for acute boundary shapes such as cracks. The algorithm and the data structure of finite element calculation are based on nodes, and parallel computing is realized by dividing a system of equations by the row of the global coefficient matrix. In addition, the node-based finite element method is accompanied by a probabilistic node generation technique, which generates good-natured points for nodes of finite element mesh. Furthermore, the probabilistic node generation technique can be performed in parallel environments. As a numerical example of the proposed method, we perform a compressible flow simulation containing strong shocks. Numerical simulations with frequent mesh refinement, which are required for such kind of analysis, can be effectively performed on parallel processors by using the proposed method.
NOVEL COUPLING CONSTRAINT TECHNIQUE FOR EXPLICIT FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
Authors: HO R. J. , MEGUID S. A. , SAUVÉ R. G.
Published: September 2004

This paper presents a unified novel technique for enforcing nonlinear beam-to-shell, beam-to-solid, and shell-to-solid constraints in explicit finite element formulations. The limitations of classical multi-point constraint approaches are examined at length, particularly in the context of explicit solution schemes. Novel formulation of a generalized constraint method that ensures proper element coupling is then presented, and its computer implementation in explicit integration algorithms is discussed. Crucial in this regard is the accurate and efficient representation of finite rotations, accomplished using an incremental rotation tensor. The results of some illustrative test cases show the accuracy and robustness of the newly developed algorithm for a wide range of deformation, including that in which large rotations are encountered. When compared to existing works, the salient features of the current method are in evidence.
FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF ELEMENT-FREE GALERKIN METHOD USING MOVING KRIGING INTERPOLATION
Authors: TONGSUK P. , KANOK-NUKULCHAI W.
Published: September 2004

Following its first introduction, this study further scrutinizes the new type of shape functions for Element-free Galerkin Method (EFGM) based on the Moving Kriging (MK) interpolation. Kriging is a geostatistical method of spatial interpolation. Its basic premise is that every unknown point can be interpolated from known scattered points in its specified neighborhood. This property is ideal for EFGM. Previously, a shortcoming of EFGM based on Moving Least Square (MLS) approximation is associated with its limitation to satisfy essential boundary conditions exactly. With MK interpolation functions, EFGM solution can satisfy essential boundary conditions automatically. Numerical tests on one and two-dimensional elasticity problems have confirmed the effectiveness of MK in addressing this specific shortcoming of EFGM. Furthermore, the study also finds the accuracy of EFGM to be greatly enhanced with the use of MK shape functions.
ON THE RATE OF CONVERGENCE AND COMPLEXITY OF NORMALIZED IMPLICIT PRECONDITIONING FOR SOLVING FINITE DIFFERENCE EQUATIONS IN THREE SPACE VARIABLES
Authors: GRAVVANIS GEORGE A. , GIANNOUTAKIS KONSTANTINOS M.
Published: September 2004

Normalized approximate factorization procedures for solving sparse linear systems, which are derived from the finite difference method of partial differential equations in three space variables, are presented. Normalized implicit preconditioned conjugate gradient-type schemes in conjunction with normalized approximate factorization procedures are presented for the efficient solution of sparse linear systems. The convergence analysis with theoretical estimates on the rate of convergence and computational complexity of the normalized implicit preconditioned conjugate gradient method are also given. Application of the proposed method on characteristic three dimensional boundary value problems is discussed and numerical results are given.
BLENDED MESH METHODS FOR FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTION
Authors: TAN V. B. C. , BELYTSCHKO T.
Published: September 2004

In many cases, it is advantageous to discretize a domain using several finite element meshes instead of a single mesh. For example, in fluid-structure interaction problems, an Eulerian mesh is advantageous for the fluid domain while a Lagrangian mesh is most suited for the structure. However, the interface conditions between different types of meshes often lead to significant errors. A method of treating different meshes by smoothly varying the description from Lagrangian to Eulerian in an interface or blending domain is presented. A Lagrangian mesh is used for the structure while two different types of mesh are used for the fluid. Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) meshes are used in the regions of the fluid-structure interfaces while Eulerian meshes are used for the remainder of the fluid domain. A blending function is used to couple the ALE and Eulerian meshes to ensure a smooth transition from one mesh to another. The method is tested on two fluid-structure problems — flow past a hinged plate, and fluid expansion in a closed container. Results are in good agreement with standard finite element and analytical solutions.
THE PARTICLE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD — AN OVERVIEW
Authors: OÑATE E. , IDELSOHN S. R. , DEL PIN F. , AUBRY R.
Published: September 2004

We present a general formulation for the analysis of fluid-structure interaction problems using the particle finite element method (PFEM). The key feature of the PFEM is the use of a Lagrangian description to model the motion of nodes (particles) in both the fluid and the structure domains. Nodes are thus viewed as particles which can freely move and even separate from the main analysis domain representing, for instance, the effect of water drops. A mesh connects the nodes defining the discretized domain where the governing equations, expressed in an integral form, are solved as in the standard FEM. The necessary stabilization for dealing with the incompressibility condition in the fluid is introduced via the finite calculus (FIC) method. A fractional step scheme for the transient coupled fluid-structure solution is described. Examples of application of the PFEM method to solve a number of fluid-structure interaction problems involving large motions of the free surface and splashing of waves are presented.
Short-term resistance to diet-induced obesity in A/J mice is not associated with regulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides
Authors: Bullen John W. , Ziotopoulou Mary , Ungsunan Linda , Misra Jatin , Alevizos Ilias , Kokkotou Efi , Maratos-Flier Eleftheria , Stephanopoulos Gregory , Mantzoros Christos S.
Published: September 2004

To investigate the mechanisms underlying long-term resistance of the A/J mouse strain to diet-induced obesity, we studied, over a period of 4 wk, the expression of uncoupling proteins in brown adipose tissue and the expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides known to regulate energy homeostasis and then used microarray analysis to identify other potentially important hypothalamic peptides. Despite increased caloric intake after 2 days of high-fat feeding, body weights of A/J mice remained stable. On and after 1 wk of high-fat feeding, A/J mice adjusted their food intake to consume the same amount of calories as mice fed a low-fat diet; thus their body weight and insulin, corticosterone, free fatty acid, and glucose levels remained unchanged for 4 wk. We found no changes in hypothalamic expression of several orexigenic and/or anorexigenic neuropeptides known to play an important role in energy homeostasis for the duration of the study. Uncoupling protein-2 mRNA expression in brown adipose tissue, however, was significantly upregulated after 2 days of high-fat feeding and tended to remain elevated for the duration of the 4-wk study. Gene array analysis revealed that several genes are up- or downregulated in response to 2 days and 1 wk of high-fat feeding. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed that expression of the hypothalamic IL-1 pathway (IL-1β, IL-1 type 1 and 2 receptors, and PPM1b/PP2C-β, a molecule that has been implicated in the inhibition of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase-1-mediated IL-1 action) is altered after 2 days, but not 1 wk, of high-fat feeding. The role of additional molecules discovered by microarray analysis needs to be further explored in the future.
Metabolic pathways implicated in the kinetic impairment of muscle glutamine homeostasis in adult and old glucocorticoid-treated rats
Authors: Minet-Quinard R. , Moinard C. , Villie F. , Vasson M. P. , Cynober L.
Published: September 2004

An impairment of muscle glutamine metabolism in response to dexamethasone (DEX) occurs with aging. To better characterize this alteration, we have investigated muscle glutamine release with regard to muscle glutamine production (net protein breakdown, de novo glutamine synthesis) in adult and old glucocorticoid-treated rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (3 or 24 mo old) were divided into seven groups: three groups received 1.5 mg/kg of DEX once a day by intraperitoneal injection for 3, 5, or 7 days; three groups were pair fed to the three treated groups, respectively; and one control group of healthy rats was fed ad libitum. Muscle glutamine synthetase activity increased earlier in old rats ( day 3) than in adult rats ( day 7), whereas an increase in muscle glutamine release occurred later in old rats ( day 5) than in adult DEX-treated rats ( day 3). Consequently, muscle glutamine concentration decreased later in old rats ( day 5) than in adults ( day 3). Finally, net muscle protein breakdown increased only in old DEX-treated rats ( day 7). In conclusion, the impairment of muscle glutamine metabolism is due to a combination of an increase in glutamine production and a delayed increase in glutamine release.
ADAM-15 inhibits wound healing in human intestinal epithelial cell monolayers
Authors: Charrier Laetitia , Yan Yutao , Driss Adel , Laboisse Christian L. , Sitaraman Shanthi V. , Merlin Didier
Published: September 2004

The disintegrin metalloproteases (or ADAMs) are membrane-anchored glycoproteins that have been implicated in cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions and in proteolysis of molecules on the cell surface. The expression and/or the pathophysiological implications of ADAMs are not known in intestinal epithelial cells. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the expression and the role of ADAMs in intestinal epithelial cells. Expression of ADAMs was assessed by RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunufluorescence experiments. Wound-healing experiments were performed by using the electric cell substrate impedence sensing technology. Our results showed that ADAMs-10, -12, and -15 mRNA are expressed in the colonic human cell lines Caco2-BBE and HT29-Cl.19A. An ADAM-15 complementary DNA cloned from Caco2-BBE poly(A)+RNA, and encompassing the entire coding region, was found to be shorter and to present a different region encoding the cytoplasmic tail compared with ADAM-15 sequence deposited in the database. In Caco2-BBE cells and colonic epithelial cells, ADAM-15 protein was found in the apical, basolateral, and intracellular compartments. We also showed that the overexpression of ADAM-15 reduced cell migration in a wound-healing assay in Caco2-BBE monolayers. Our data show that 1) ADAM-15 is expressed in human intestinal epithelia, 2) a new variant of ADAM-15 is expressed in a human intestinal epithelial cell line, and 3) ADAM-15 is involved in intestinal epithelial cells wound-healing processes. Together, these results suggest that ADAM-15 may have important pathophysiological roles in intestinal cells.
sPAR-3, a splicing variant of PAR-3, shows cellular localization and an expression pattern different from that of PAR-3 during enterocyte polarization
Authors: Yoshii Takako , Mizuno Keiko , Hirose Tomonori , Nakajima Atsushi , Sekihara Hisahiko , Ohno Shigeo
Published: September 2004

PAR-3 (partitioning-defective) is a scaffold-like PDZ (postsynaptic density-95/discs large/zonula occludens-1) domain-containing protein that forms a complex with PAR-6 and atypical PKC, localizes to tight junctions, and contributes to the formation of functional tight junctions. There are several alternatively spliced isoforms of PAR-3, although their physiological significance remains unknown. In this study, we show that one of the major isoforms of PAR-3, sPAR-3, is predominantly expressed in the Caco-2 cells derived from colon carcinoma and is used as a model to investigate the events involved in the epithelial cell differentiation and cell polarity development. During the polarization of Caco-2 cells, the expression of PAR-3 increases as do those of other cell-cell junction proteins, whereas the expression of sPAR-3 decreases. Biochemical characterization revealed that sPAR-3 associates with atypical PKC, as does PAR-3. On the other hand, immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that sPAR-3 does not concentrate at the cell-cell contact region in fully polarized cells, whereas it concentrates at premature cell-cell junctions. This makes a contrast to PAR-3, which concentrates at tight junctions in fully polarized cells. These results provide evidence suggesting the difference in the role between sPAR-3 and PAR-3 in epithelial cells.
TNF-α induces proliferation or apoptosis in human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells depending on phenotype
Authors: Wang Zhongbiao , Rao Pulipaka J. , Castresana Manuel R. , Newman Walter H.
Published: September 2004

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is implicated in development of restenotic and atherosclerotic vascular lesions, which are pathological processes involving both proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Human VSMCs were recently found to contain heterogeneous subpopulations. We therefore examined whether TNF has different effects on distinct subpopulations of VSMCs. With the use of cloning techniques, two stable subpopulations of VSMCs were isolated from human saphenous vein: spindle- and epithelioid-shaped smooth muscle cells (Sp- and Ep-SMCs, respectively). We found that TNF stimulated growth in Sp-SMCs but had a toxic effect on Ep-SMCs. TNF did not induce apoptosis in Sp-SMCs as determined by nuclear staining and cellular DNA electrophoresis. In contrast, the reduction of viability in Ep-SMCs was associated with induction of apoptosis as characterized by cellular DNA fragmentation and nuclear condensation. Higher levels of the TNF-R1 receptor subtype were detected in membrane preparations from Ep-SMCs than in membranes from Sp-SMCs. Activation of caspase-3 was also selectively induced in Ep-SMCs but not in Sp-SMCs. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, enhanced the toxicity of TNF in Ep-SMCs. This effect of cycloheximide was not seen in Sp-SMCs. The data presented here demonstrate for the first time that TNF either promotes growth or induces apoptosis in human VSMCs depending on phenotype.
Maturational modulation of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in ovine cerebral arteries
Authors: Williams James M. , Hull Andrew D. , Pearce William J.
Published: September 2004

To address the hypothesis that maturation enhances endothelial vasodilator function in cerebral arteries, relaxant responses to ADP and A-23187 were determined in ovine carotid and cerebral arteries harvested from 25 newborn lambs (3–7 days) and 23 adult sheep. Maturation significantly increased pD2values for A-23187 (newborn range: 4.9 ± 0.3 to 5.4 ± 0.3; adult range: 6.0 ± 0.2 to 7.1 ± 0.2) and the maximal vasodilator response to A-23187 by 10–18%. In contrast, maturation decreased maximum responses to ADP by 5–25% with no change in pD2. The magnitudes of endothelium-dependent relaxation were not affected by 10 μM indomethacin but were virtually abolished by 100 μM NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester/l-nitro arginine, indicating that nitric oxide (NO) is the primary endothelium-dependent vasodilator in these arteries. Maturation also modestly decreased endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) abundance in both carotid (32%) and cerebral (26%) arteries. Together, these findings reinforce the view that receptor coupling to endothelial activation is tightly regulated and may offset underlying changes in maximal endothelial vasodilator capacity. This capacity, in turn, appears to increase with postnatal age despite major growth and expansion of endothelial cell size and vascular wall volume. In ovine cerebral arteries, endothelial vasodilator capacity appears completely dependent on eNOS activity but not on cyclooxygenase activity. In turn, eNOS activity appears to be postnatally regulated by mechanisms independent of changes in eNOS abundance alone.
Effects of transdifferentiation and EGF on claudin isoform expression in alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Chen Stephen P. , Zhou Beiyun , Willis Brigham C. , Sandoval Argelia J. , Liebler Janice M. , Kim Kwang-Jin , Ann David K. , Crandall Edward D. , Borok Zea
Published: September 2004

Rat alveolar epithelial type II cells grown on polycarbonate filters form high-resistance monolayers and concurrently acquire many phenotypic properties of type I cells. Treatment with EGF has previously been shown to increase transepithelial resistance across alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) monolayers. We investigated changes in claudin expression in primary cultured AEC during transdifferentiation to the type I cell-like phenotype ( days 0, 1, and 8), and on day 5 in culture ± EGF (10 ng/ml) from day 0 or day 4. Claudins 4 and 7 were increased, whereas claudins 3 and 5 were decreased, on later compared with earlier days in culture. Exposure to EGF led to increases in claudins 4 and 7 and decreases in claudins 3 and 5. Claudin 1 was only faintly detectable in freshly isolated type II cells and remained unchanged over time in culture and after exposure to EGF. These results suggest that increases in transepithelial resistance accompanying AEC transdifferentiation and/or EGF exposure are mediated, at least in part, by changes in the pattern of expression of specific claudin isoforms.
Thrombophilia and pregnancy complications
Authors: Grabowski Eric , Hellgren Margaretta , Kenet Gili , Massicotte Patricia , Manco-Johnson Marilyn , Mathew Prasad , Muntean Wolfgang , Schlegel Nicole , Nowak-Göttl Ulrike , Brenner Benjamin
Published: September 2004

The implications of currently available data on the association of gestational vascular complications with thrombophilia are presented in this consensus report. Screening is recommended for women with the following previous complications: fetal loss including three or more first trimester loss, two or more second trimester loss, or any stillbirth; early, severe or recurrent preeclampsia and severe intrauterine growth restriction. Maternal antithrombotic therapy is currently evaluated in women with thrombophilia and previous complications.

On behalf of the Scientific Subcommittee on Perinatal and Pediatric Hemostasis and Working Group on Women’s health Issues and Standardization Committee of the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis.
Common Promoter C516T Polymorphism in the ApoB Gene Is an Independent Predictor of Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease in Subjects Presenting a Broad Range of Plasma Cholesterol Levels
Authors: Sposito Andrei C. , Gonbert Sophie , Turpin Gerard , Chapman M. John , Thillet Joëlle
Published: September 2004

Objective—

A common polymorphism in the promoter of the apolipoprotein B (apoB) gene, a C to T change at position −516, increases the transcription rate of apoB, resulting in elevated circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

Methods and Results—

We tested the hypothesis that carriers of the −516T allele, who may display consistent elevation in plasma cholesterol over their lifetime, may present more extensive atherosclerotic disease than noncarriers. Genotyping of the apoB 516 C/T promoter polymorphism was performed in 326 subjects at low cardiovascular risk. Homozygotes for allele T displayed higher plasma levels of apoB and LDL than did heterozygotes. Furthermore, both homozygotes and heterozygotes for allele T exhibited higher plasma levels of apoB and LDL than did homozygotes for allele C (
P
<0.0001). In addition, homozygotes for allele T displayed higher carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) than subjects who were heterozygous. Moreover, both groups had higher carotid IMT than subjects of genotype −516C/C (
P
<0.001). Only age, high-density lipoprotein, and the presence of allele T were identified as independent predictors of the presence of carotid plaque. No association existed between the polymorphism and plasma concentrations of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, or apoAI.

Conclusions—

Our data indicate that a C to T change at position −516 of the apoB gene is independently associated with the presence of carotid atherosclerotic disease. Identification of the −516C/T polymorphism may therefore contribute to the estimation of overall cardiovascular risk.
Cyclosporin A Traps ABCA1 at the Plasma Membrane and Inhibits ABCA1-Mediated Lipid Efflux to Apolipoprotein A-I
Authors: Le Goff Wilfried , Peng Dao-Quan , Settle Megan , Brubaker Gregory , Morton Richard E. , Smith Jonathan D.
Published: September 2004

Objective—

ABCA1 mediates cellular cholesterol and phospholipid efflux to apolipoprotein A-I and other apolipoprotein acceptors. In this study, we analyzed the effect of the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A on the ABCA1-mediated lipid effluxes reactions.

Methods and Results—

Cyclosporin A acted as a potent inhibitor of ABCA1 activity in several cell lines. Using the RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cell line, in which ABCA1 and its associated cholesterol efflux activity are inducible by cAMP analogues, cyclosporin A inhibition of cholesterol efflux to apolipoprotein A-I was rapidly reversible after its removal from the culture media, implying that ABCA1 levels were not drastically reduced by cyclosporin A. In fact, cyclosporin A treatment decreased ABCA1 turnover and yielded a 2-fold increase in cell-surface ABCA1. Despite the increase in cell-surface ABCA1, cyclosporin A decreased apolipoprotein A-I uptake, resecretion, and degradation in RAW cells. Finally, consistent with the inhibition of ABCA1 in vitro, cyclosporin A treatment induced a 33% reduction of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in mice.

Conclusion—

ABCA1 inhibition by cyclosporin A supports a role for ABCA1 endocytic trafficking in ABCA1-mediated lipid efflux and could explain in part the low HDL levels observed in some patients with transplants.
The Differential Predictive Validity of the Initial Skills Analysis: Reading Screening Tests for K-3
Authors: Pomplun Mark
Published: September 2004

The present study investigated the differential predictive validity of the Initial Skills Analysis. In the fall, these reading screening tests were administered to students in Grades K to 3. In the spring, a series of reading outcomes tests were administered to these same students, and teachers provided judgments of the students’ reading skills. For the male-female, Hispanic/non-Hispanic, and Black/non-Black comparisons, the hierarchical regression models showed that if a single prediction model was used, the screening tests over predicted minority performance at several grade levels. However, no consistent evidence of differential prediction with practical importance was found for any of the groups studied. Although the results were consistent with past research, over prediction of the criterion scores by a screening test could result in minority students not receiving needed remediation services. As a result, further evidence for the validity of these screening tests should continue to be collected.
A Rasch Analysis of Three Measures of Teacher Perception Generated from the School and Staffing Survey
Authors: Wolfe Edward W. , Ray Lisa M. , Harris Debbi C.
Published: September 2004

The National Center for Educational Statistics’1999-2000 Schools and Staffing Survey data are used extensively by researchers conducting secondary analysis on a variety of issues including teacher quality, teacher preparation, and the use of technology in the classroom. Researchers frequently combine the data from several related survey questions to create scaled variables, but little is known about the psychometric quality of these created variables. In this article, a Rasch analysis is conducted on three types of teacher perception: perception of influence, perception of students, and school climate. Measures for each type of teacher perception are scaled using a Rasch Rating Scale Model. The quality of these measures for the three scales is then examined. Evaluations focus on six characteristics of each instrument: dimensionality, internal consistency, rating category effectiveness, item quality, item hierarchy, and measure quality. Overall, the three scaled variables exhibit acceptable quality and are appropriate for use in secondary data analysis.
The Convergent Validity of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking and Creativity Interest Inventories
Authors: Clapham Maria M.
Published: September 2004

This study compared scores on two divergent thinking tests, the Verbal and the Figural Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking(TTCT), with scores on two creativity interest inventories, Davis’s How Do You Think? and Raudsepp’s How Creative Are You? The creativity interest inventories showed weak correlations with the Verbal TTCT and no correlations with the Figural TTCT. The two interest inventories showed a strong intercorrelation, but the Verbal and Figural TTCTs were only moderately intercorrelated. These interrelationships were not substantially affected by controlling for standardized academic test scores. A principal components analysis of the subscale scores on the four tests resulted in three factors: Interests and Attitudes, Verbal Divergent Thinking, and Figural Divergent Thinking. These results provide evidence that creative interest inventories are not measuring the same construct as divergent thinking tests and that both are distinct from academic aptitude/achievement. They also support the contention that divergent thinking is multidimensional.
Gain Score in Item Response Theory as an Effect Size Measure
Authors: Wang Wen-Chung , Chyi-In Wu
Published: September 2004

Because of the requirement of reporting effect sizes and in the interest of measurement of change within the item response theory framework, their combination becomes a new issue. In the present study, repeated measures are decomposed as an initial ability and one or more modifiabilities (gain score) using a multidimensional Rasch model. The modifiability can be directly interpreted in terms of logit scale. The standardized mean modifiability is recommended for meta-analysis when test equating is not possible across studies. A simulation study was conducted to assess parameter recovery. It appeared that the point estimates were accurate whereas the error variances were underestimated. The bootstrap method was used and found appropriate for estimating the error variances. Implications and applications are illustrated through an empirical example.
An Empirical Study of Reporting Practices Concerning Measurement Validity
Authors: Hogan Thomas P. , Agnello Jessica
Published: September 2004

This study investigates the current research practice concerning reporting measurement validity evidence based on a sample of 696 research reports listed in the American Psychological Association’s Directory of Unpublished Experimental Mental Measures. Only 55% of the reports included any type of validity evidence. This was a substantially lower percentage than the percentage for reports of reliability found in an earlier study. Of those entries that included validity evidence, the vast majority reported correlations with other variables. Little use was made of the numerous other types of validation approaches described in measurement textbooks and in the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and National Council on Measurement in Education’s Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Inconsistent reports of validity characterized nearly all journals covered in the study.
Testing the Structure of Psychological Empowerment: Does Gender Make a Difference?
Authors: Boudrias Jean-Sébastien , Gaudreau Patrick , Laschinger Heather K. Spence
Published: September 2004

Psychological empowerment (PE) is presumed to be a second-order latent construct composed of four dimensions: meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact. Based on the results of two validation studies, it has been hypothesized that loadings of the four dimensions on PE could vary across gender groups. A multiple-group second-order confirmatory factor analysis was performed to verify if the factor structure of Spreitzer’s PE questionnaire was invariant between groups of 191 male and 200 female nurses. Results indicated that the structure of the PE questionnaire could be assumed invariant across genders. Directions for future research are discussed.
Shorter can Also be Better: The Abridged Job in General Scale
Authors: Russell Steven S. , Spitzmüller Christiane , Lin Lilly F. , Stanton Jeffrey M. , Smith Patricia C. , Ironson Gail H.
Published: September 2004

The Job Descriptive Index family of job attitude measures includes the Job in General (JIG) scale, a measure of global satisfaction with one’s job. The scale was originally developed and validated by Ironson, Smith, Brannick, Gibson, and Paul. Following structured scale reduction procedures developed by Stanton, Sinar, Balzer, and Smith, the current authors developed an abridged version of the JIG for use by practitioners and researchers of organizational behavior. They report the results of three validation studies documenting the process of scale reduction and the psychometric suitability of the reduced-length scale.
Setting Standards and Detecting Intrajudge Inconsistency Using Interdependent Evaluation of Response Alternatives
Authors: Chang Lei , Van Der Linden Wim J. , Vos Hans J.
Published: September 2004

This article introduces a new test-centered standard-setting method as well as a procedure to detect intrajudge inconsistency of the method. The standard-setting method that is based on interdependent evaluations of alternative responses has judges closely evaluate the process that examinees use to solve multiple-choice items. The new method is analyzed against existing methods, particularly the Nedelsky and Angoff methods. Empirical results from three different experiments confirm the hypothesis that standards set by the new method are higher than those of the Nedelsky but lower than those of the Angoff method. The procedure for detecting intrajudge inconsistency is based on residual diagnosis of the judgments, which makes it possible to identify the sources of inconsistencies in the items, response alternatives, and/or judges. An empirical application of the procedure in an experiment with the new standard-setting method suggests that the method is internally consistent and has also revealed an interesting difference between residuals for the correct and incorrect alternatives.
On Chi-Square Difference and z Tests in Mean and Covariance Structure Analysis when the Base Model is Misspecified
Authors: Yuan Ke-Hai , Bentler Peter M.
Published: September 2004

In mean and covariance structure analysis, the chi-square difference test is often applied to evaluate the number of factors, cross-group constraints, and other nested model comparisons. Let model M a be the base model within which model M b is nested. In practice, this test is commonly used to justify M b even when M a is misspecified. The authors study the behavior of the chi-square difference test in such a circumstance. Monte Carlo results indicate that a nonsignificant chi-square difference cannot be used to justify the constraints in M b. They also show that when the base model is misspecified, the z test for the statistical significance of a parameter estimate can also be misleading. For specific models, the analysis further shows that the intercept and slope parameters in growth curve models can be estimated consistently even when the covariance structure is misspecified, but only in linear growth models. Similarly, with misspecified covariance structures, the mean parameters in multiple group models can be estimated consistently under null conditions.
Framing the War Against Terrorism
Authors: Ryan Michael
Published: September 2004

Editorial writers for the US’ 10 largest newspapers created - during perhaps the most critical month in the war against terrorism - a singular symbolic narrative about possible military strikes in that ‘new kind of war’. The period of study is 12 September 2001, the day following the terrorist attacks, to 8 October, the day the bombing of Kabul began. It was during this critical period that the US decided to use military strikes as part of its response. Editorial writers drew selectively on historical references, government sources and contextual statements in similar ways to frame the tragedy and the potential US response to it. No editorial suggested that military intervention would be inappropriate and none stated that military intervention would not ultimately succeed, although some urged caution.
Media Coverage of Palestinian Children and the Intifada
Authors: Aqtash Nashat A. , Seif Anna , Seif Ahmed
Published: September 2004

Using qualitative and quantitative research tools, this article attempts to examine the media coverage of Palestinian children in relation to the current Palestinian uprising. The criteria for the selection of the news outlets and indicator categories were agreed upon by Birzeit University Media Institute and the UNICEF representative. The regional and international outlets selected were as follows: NBC TV (US), BBC World Service radio station (UK), The Guardian (UK), Aljazeera TV (Qatar), The New York Times and The Jerusalem Post. All the outlets are representative of regional and international categories and are leaders in terms of news-making or represent contrasting political views. The results of this particular study seem to confirm assumptions that Palestinian children have very little media access and issues relating to them rarely feature in the dominant news narrative despite the privileged position of the Middle East crisis in these international news agendas.
Exposure, Involvement and Satisfaction with Online Activities
Authors: Patwardhan Padmini
Published: September 2004

Within a context of primary online activities (e-commerce, information search, communication and entertainment), this study explores exposure (time and frequency), involvement (cognitive and emotional) and post-exposure satisfaction with online activities among Internet users in the US and India. Data were collected through a cross-sectional online survey administered to a non-probability sample of US and Indian Internet users ( N = 700). US and Indian Internet users displayed similar patterns of activity engagement. Informative and communicative Internet use, as compared to commercial and recreational use, appears more prevalent at this time. Satisfaction was highest for information search and communication, activities for which higher levels of cognitive and emotional involvement and exposure were also reported. By comparison, lower satisfaction levels were reported for e-commerce and online entertainment, with lower levels of involvement and exposure as well. A notable exception was high cognitive involvement in e-commerce, an activity in which higher levels of cognition may be expected. Indian users appear to be leapfrogging the digital divide. However, use of convenience sampling and likelihood of respondents being early Internet adopters in India may have influenced findings and further research is required to validate the results.
Indian Audience Interpretations of Health-Related Content in the Bold and the Beautiful
Authors: Rogers Everett M. , Singhal Arvind , Thombre Avinash
Published: September 2004

This article explores the meanings given by Indian viewers to a series of health-related episodes dealing with ‘Tony’s HIV’ in the Hollywood television soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful. Forty-two respondents in six focus group interviews and in 17 in-depth personal interviews were asked for their interpretations of this television health content. Indian respondents interpreted the sexual explicitness and the assertiveness of female characters as characteristic of the US, but not as a part of Indian reality. The sexual openness in The Bold and the Beautiful ‘shocked’ Indian viewers, and led some to watch the episodes only in private. Indian respondents generally had positive reactions to the ‘Tony’s HIV’ episodes, although they felt that self-disclosure of HIV/AIDS status could not happen in India, where HIV/AIDS is highly stigmatized. In general, Indian respondents felt that ‘Tony’s HIV’ showed an ideal situation regarding HIV/AIDS, but one that was far removed from Indian reality.
The Independent and Interactive Antecedents of International Knowledge
Authors: Beaudoin Christopher E.
Published: September 2004

In light of low levels of international knowledge among the American public, the current study examines the roles that news attention, education, interpersonal discussion and international involvement play in the development of international knowledge. Predictor patterns for an American sample are quite similar for close- and open-ended knowledge measures. News attention, education and interpersonal discussion play positive roles. In terms of the interactive roles of these information inputs, interpersonal discussion news attention and international involvement interpersonal discussion narrow gaps in knowledge. Finally, there was one significant three-way interaction - that of education news attention interpersonal discussion.
African American English and other Vernaculars in Education
Authors: Rickford John R. , Sweetland Julie , Rickford Angela E.
Published: September 2004

For more than 50 years, linguists have been interested in the educational challenges faced by speakers of African American Vernacular English, creoles, and other vernaculars, believing that the perspective of our discipline could be helpful to teachers and students alike. Psychologists, educators, and other scholars have also contributed insights from their disciplines. In this bibliography, we assemble nearly 700 references on this topic, assigning them codes depending on the topics to which they are relevant: assessment and achievement; bidialectalism and contrastive analysis; culture and curriculum; dialect readers; edited volumes; linguistic descriptions; pidgins and creoles; controversies about AAVE in the schools; narratives and other discourse-level features; speaking and listening; politics and policy; reading; strategies for instruction; teacher preparation; writing; linguistic interference; and normal and abnormal language acquisition and development. The bibliography is preceded by abbreviated (author/date) lists of citations indicating which references are relevant to each topic, along with a brief introduction.
Evaluating Institutionalization by Comparing the Use of Health Services before and after Admission to a Long-Term-Care Facility
Authors: Wilson Donna M. , Truman Corrine D.
Published: September 2004

Despite concern over increased health services utilization with population aging, few studies describe health services utilization by long-term-care (LTC) residents. An investigation was designed to compare health services use before and after LTC admission. Comprehensive 1988 to 1999 data for all LTC residents (N = 47,510) in Alberta, Canada, were obtained. Utilization comparisons involved equal pre/post timeframes. Only non-hospital physician services increased post-LTC admission. Home care was not provided after admission (51% had been recipients). Hospital and ambulatory services use declined, with these patterns stable for 5 years pre- and post-LTC admission. When hospital or ambulatory care was sought by LTC residents, they were not disadvantaged in the type or scope of care as compared to the care received prior to LTC admission. These findings should raise interest in the services provided by LTC facilities and the outcomes of long-term, facility-based care. LTC services could be beneficial for people with advanced age and dependency.
Performance Assessment in Medical Education
Authors: Howley Lisa D.
Published: September 2004

The assessment of clinical competence is becoming increasingly complex, patient cen tered, and student driven. Traditionally, clini cal evaluation methods consisted primarily of faculty observations, oral examinations, and multiple-choice tests. Increased faculty work load, discontent with traditional methods of clinical skill assessment, and developments in the fields of psychology and education have led to the formation of new modalities, namely performance assessments. The literature per taining to the performance assessment with standardized patients is reviewed. Based on this literature, several areas for the future direction of performance assessment are pro posed, including (a) toward evidence-based locally developed assessments, (b) toward an understanding of educational outcomes and noncognitive assessment factors, and (c) toward more student-driven assessments.