bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract B91: Predictors of worsened survival among medically underserved hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Wray Curtis J. , Harvin John A. , Hahn Karin M. , Kao Lillian S.
Published: December 2010

Introduction: We reported that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in the Harris County Hospital District (HCHD) have an overall survival (OS) of 3.4 months. This is the third largest public hospital district in the U.S. and a high percentage of HCC patients appear to survive less than 1 month (OS<1 mo). We sought to explore possible factors associated with this observed disparity in OS.

Methods: An IRB-approved review of the HCHD Tumor Registry was conducted. Insurance and payor status, race, treatment, clinicopathologic parameters were recorded, including liver function tests, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), international normalized ratio (INR), Child-Pugh score and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Outcomes were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests. Chi-square, Student's t-test, univariate, multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards model statistical tests were also used (p<0.05).

Results: A total of 337 HCC patients (N= 272 men and N= 65 female) from 1998-2010 were identified. Only 4% of patients had medicare; whereas 96% relied upon county funding. OS<1mo was noted in 90 patients (26.7%). There were no racial or gender differences between those with an OS<1mo and OS>1 mo. In the OS<1mo group, 22% were Stage I-II, 39% were stage III and 39% were stage IV. In contrast in the OS>1 mo cohort, 38% were Stage I-II, 33% Stage III and 28% were stage IV. Only 6% (N=5) of OS<1mo patients received therapy for HCC, whereas 27% (N=91) patients in the OS>1 mo group received therapy (p=0.00). Both individual laboratory parameters associated with advanced liver disease (elevated bilirubin and decreased albumin) and composite score (Child-Pugh and MELD) were predictive of OS<1 mo. In addition, elevated AFP, elevated creatinine, stage, and lack of treatment were independent predictors of OS<1 mo. A Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated gender, AFP, bilirubin, INR, presence of ascites and stage were predictive of median survival.

Conclusions: Median stage-adjusted survival of medically underserved HCC patients seen in a large urban hospital remains lower than the national average. Although advanced stage and advanced liver disease likely preclude treatment in many patients, there are still a large proportion of patients who receive no treatment. Additional studies are necessary to determine the reasons for lack of treatment and survival disparities in this patient population such as lack of early detection, non-referral to surgeons by primary care physicians, lack of availability of advanced treatments such as transplantation, or a combination of these factors. Furthermore, accurate prediction of those patients unlikely to survive beyond one month may prevent futile use of limited resources.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B91.
Abstract PR-3: CDX-2 polymorphism, calcium intake, and prostate cancer risk for African Americans in a population-based study
Authors: Rowland Glovioell , John Esther , Schwartz Gary G. , Ingles Sue A.
Published: December 2010

Background: Prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates are highest among American men of African descent. The World Cancer Research Fund has classified calcium as a probable cause of prostate cancer. The CDX-2 polymorphism (A to G) in the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) alters calcium absorption in the small intestines. It functionally limits transcriptional activity of the VDR promoter. VDR impacts cell differentiation, metastasis, and apoptosis in the prostate. The CDX-2 polymorphism is potentially useful for determining whether prostate cancer risk is causally related to calcium absorbing activity.

Methods: To study the impact of calcium intake and absorption among our most at-risk ethnic group, we examined 447 African American cases (233 advanced stage at diagnosis; 214 localized) and controls (N=223) from the California Collaborative Study of Aggressive Prostate Cancer. Using DNA extracted from buffy coat, the VDR CDX-2 genotype was measured by TaqMan assay. Dietary calcium was assessed from a 74-item modified Block food frequency questionnaire. Main effects of genotype and of dietary calcium, and diet-gene interactions were estimated using conditional logistic regression, adjusting for SES, age, family history, and total caloric intake.

Results: Men who were least able to absorb calcium (GG genotype) were at 59% decreased risk of advanced prostate cancer; the adjusted relative risk was OR=0.41 (95% confidence interval =0.19, 0.90). Men with high total calcium intake (in the upper quartile) had an approximate two-fold increased risk of advanced prostate cancer compared to those in the lowest quartile; all cases OR= 1.91 (95% CI=1.20,3.03); OR=2.16 (95% CI= 1.26,3.71) for advanced stage. The dose-response relationship was significant (P-value for trend < 0.01). Gene by Nutrition interactions were not significant.

Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence that African American carriers of the ancestral CDX-2 ‘AA’ allele for enhanced biological absorption of calcium, are at high risk for aggressive prostate cancer; and that high intake of dietary or total calcium poses formidable risks for both advanced and localized prostate cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):PR-3.
Abstract PR-4: Genetic heterogeneity in colorectal cancer associations in African Americans
Authors: Kupfer Sonia S. , Anderson Jeffrey R. , Hooker Stanley , Skol Andrew , Kittles Rick A. , Keku Temitope O. , Sandler Robert S. , Ellis Nathan A.
Published: December 2010

Background: Genome-wide association studies of colorectal cancer (CRC) have identified risk variants in 10 genomic regions. None of these studies included African Americans, who have the highest incidence and mortality from CRC in the U.S. For the 10 genomic regions, we performed an association study in African and European Americans. Methods: We genotyped 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA samples from 1194 patients with CRC (795 African Americans and 399 European Americans) and 1352 controls (985 African Americans and 367 European Americans). At chromosome 8q24.21 region 3, we analyzed five additional SNPs from 1000 African American cases and 1393 controls. Association testing was done using multivariate logistic regression controlling for ancestry, age, and sex.

Results: Whereas effects sizes and directions of association for all SNPs tested in European Americans were consistent with previously published studies, the associations ran in the opposite direction for 9 of 22 SNPs tested in African Americans. Among African Americans, the SNP rs6983267 at 8q24.21 was not associated with CRC (OR=1.18; P=0.12); instead, the 8q24.21 SNP rs7014346 (OR=1.15; p=0.03) was associated with CRC in this population. On chromosome 15q13.3, rs10318 was associated with CRC in both populations. On chromosome 10p14, the opposite allele of rs10795668 was associated with CRC in African Americans (OR=1.35; P=0.04). On chromosome 11 q23.1, rs3802842 was significantly associated with rectal cancer risk only among African Americans (OR 1.34; P=0.01); a similar observation was made in previous studies of Europeans. Among European Americans, SNPs on chromosomes 8q24.21,11 q23.1, and 16q22.1 were associated with CRC, in agreement with previous reports.

Conclusion: There is genetic heterogeneity in CRC associations in Americans of African vs. European descent.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):PR-4.
Abstract PR-7: A church-based hepatitis B intervention for Korean Americans
Authors: Ma Grace X. , Tan Yin , Gao Wanzhen , Tram Trong , Rhee Joanne , Chae Wang G.
Published: December 2010

Introduction: Despite the proven efficacy of hepatitis B screening and vaccination in preventing hepatitis B infection, most Korean Americans are neither screened nor vaccinated. Hepatitis B-related liver cancer incidence in Korean Americans is considerably higher than that of other ethnic groups in the U.S. About 80% of Korean Americans are active church members, which is an important venue for health education and intervention programs. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches can stimulate partnership development and community engagement especially among hard-to-reach Asian American communities. The purpose of this study was to design and pilot test a culturally appropriate hepatitis B screening and vaccination program for Korean Americans using CBPR approaches.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design with intervention and control groups was used in the study. Participants (n=330), age 18 and over, were recruited from four Korean churches (two for intervention and two for control group. The intervention group received bilingual community health educator-led hepatitis B education and patient navigation. The control group received general health education. Assessments were obtained at baseline, post-education, and 6-month follow up. Primary outcome measures were hepatitis B screening and vaccination behavior change.

Results: Participants of intervention group reported significantly higher hepatitis B screening and vaccine. The data of intervention group also suggested significant improvement in knowledge of hepatitis B and measures of Health Belief Model.

Conclusions/Discussion: This study suggested that use CBPR principles to engage churches/pastors and cultural appropriate intervention can be an effective approach to address hepatitis B disparities in Korean Americans.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):PR-7.
Possible Neuroprotective Effects of Magnesium Sulfate and Melatonin as Both Pre- and Post-Treatment in a Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Rat Model
Authors: Cetinkaya Merih , Alkan Tülin , Ozyener Fadil , Kafa Ilker Mustafa , Kurt Mustafa Ayberk , Koksal Nilgun
Published: December 2010

Background: Perinatal hypoxia-ischemia is a major cause of mortality and long-term neurological deficits. Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of two neuroprotective agents; magnesium sulfate and melatonin, administered alone or in combination, on brain infarct volume and TUNEL positivity in a neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) rat model. Methods: After being anesthetized, 7-day-old pups (n = 80) underwent ischemia followed by exposure to hypoxia for 2 h. The pups were then divided equally and randomly into 4 groups in order to receive the vehicle (saline, control group), magnesium sulfate, melatonin or a combination of magnesium sulfate and melatonin. Treatments were administered intraperitoneally three times; the first being just before ischemia, the second after hypoxia and the third 24 h after the second dose. The pups were sacrificed on postnatal day 10, their brains harvested and evaluated for infarct volume and neuronal apoptosis. Results: Percent infarcted brain volume was significantly reduced in pups receiving the drugs (either magnesium sulfate, melatonin or their combination) compared with those receiving the vehicle. In addition, TUNEL staining showed markedly reduced numbers of TUNEL-positive cells per unit area in the CA1, CA3 and dentate gyrus regions of the hippocampus and in the cortex. However, no statistically significant differences were found regarding percent infarcted brain volume and number of TUNEL-positive cells among the drug-treated groups. Conclusions: Magnesium sulfate and melatonin, two agents acting at different stages of HI brain damage, administered either alone or in combination, significantly reduced the percent infarcted brain volume and TUNEL positivity, suggesting that these agents may confer a possible benefit in the treatment of infants with HI encephalopathy.
Pituitary Function and IGF-I Levels following Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Boehncke Sandra , Ackermann Hanns , Badenhoop Klaus , Sitzer Matthias
Published: December 2010

Background: Pituitary dysfunction is a known complication of traumatic brain injury and subarachnoidal hemorrhage but there are few data about pituitary dysfunction as a complication of ischemic stroke. Methods: We prospectively studied patients 66–274 days after an ischemic stroke, evaluating the prevalence of pituitary dysfunction (by combined releasing hormone testing: GHRH, CRH), stroke severity, outcome and incidence of anxiety and depression. Results:  Thirty-two patients (82%) presented with some degree of pituitary dysfunction with predominantly impaired growth hormone response (79.5%) and secondary adrenal failure (14.6%). Abnormal anxiety and/or depression was found in 28.3 and 32.7% of the patients. NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) varied between 1 and 15. Improvement in neurological deficit (ΔNIHSS) correlated significantly with NIHSS at baseline (p < 0.001) but not with pituitary function. Conclusions: Patients with ischemic stroke may suffer from pituitary dysfunction with predominantly impaired growth hormone response and secondary adrenal failure. We suggest that patients who suffer from stroke should undergo pituitary testing.
CT-Angiographic Collateralization Predicts Final Infarct Volume after Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis for Acute Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Angermaier A. , Langner S. , Kirsch M. , Kessler C. , Hosten N. , Khaw A.V.
Published: December 2010

Background: Final infarct volume after thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke depends on time to, and degree of reperfusion and residual blood flow, which is influenced by leptomeningeal collateralization. We evaluated the role of collateralization in the ischemic territory as a predictor of infarct size. Methods: Twenty-five patients (17 women, 8 men, mean age: 67.6 ± 12.4 years) selected by non-contrast-enhanced CT and CT angiography (CTA) underwent intra-arterial thrombolysis (iaT) within 6 h after symptom onset (mean 4.1 ± 1.3 h) for middle cerebral and terminal internal carotid artery (MCA/ICA) stroke. CTA was evaluated for collateralization using thick-slice coronal and axial maximum-intensity projection reconstructions according to a simple score, the CTA collateralization score (CTA-cs): 0 = no collateral filling, 1 = ≤50%, 2 = >50% but <100%, and 3 = 100% collateral filling. We analyzed the association between the final infarct volume on CT 5 days after the intervention and the CTA-cs, successful reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction, TIMI, grades 2 and 3) and time to treatment in a prospective study approved by our institutional review board, with informed consent from all patients. Results: Reperfusion was achieved in 72%. Asymptomatic and symptomatic parenchymal hemorrhage occurred in 2 patients (8%) each and hemorrhagic transformation in 4 (16%). CTA-cs (r = –0.63; p < 0.001) and postinterventional TIMI grade (r = –0.403; p = 0.046) were inversely associated with final infarct volume. After multiple regression analysis, CTA-cs and reperfusion remained as independent predictors of final infarct volume whereas time to treatment and initial stroke severity did not. Conclusion: The extent of collateralization and reperfusion are independent predictors of final infarct volume in acute MCA/ICA stroke treated with iaT. Time to treatment and stroke severity had no independent effect on final infarct volume.
Insulin Sensitivity in Prematurely Born Adults: Relation to Preterm Growth Restraint
Authors: Rotteveel Joost , van Weissenbruch Mirjam M. , Twisk Jos W.R. , Delemarre-van de Waal Henriette A.
Published: December 2010

Objective: Preterm infants are at risk of developing insulin resistance. It is not known whether insulin resistance in adult life is different between those with a low weight at term (preterm growth restraint, PGR) and those with a normal weight at term. Study Design: Insulin sensitivity, measured by the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp, was investigated in 21-year-old adults born very preterm (i.e. <32 gestational weeks), of whom 17 were small for gestational age (SGA), 12 were appropriate for gestational age with PGR (AGA-PGR) and 28 were AGA-non-PGR. Results: Insulin sensitivity expressed as M value (glucose disposal mg/kg/min) was lower in AGA-non-PGR (8.9) than in SGA (11.0) or AGA-PGR subjects (10.4). These differences disappeared after adjustment for current body size. Linear growth between 3 months and 21 years of age was different between AGA-non-PGR and SGA subjects and between AGA-nonPGR subjects and the combined AGA-PGR and SGA subjects. Conclusion: In young adults born very preterm, differences in insulin sensitivity between those born SGA, with PGR and without PGR are related to the current body composition.
Lipopolysaccharide Increases Plasma Levels of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone in Rats
Authors: Goebel Miriam , Stengel Andreas , Wang Lixin , Reeve, Jr. Joseph , Taché Yvette
Published: December 2010

Background: Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is expressed in the brain, immune cells and the gut, where gene expression is upregulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 6 h after injection. Whether these changes are reflected by increased circulating levels of CRH and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is unknown. Methods: LPS (100 µg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally in conscious rats, and blood processed for CRH using the new RAPID (reduced temperatures, acidification, protease inhibition, isotopic exogenous controls and dilution) method compared with EDTA blood with or without plasma methanol extraction. Hormone levels were measured by commercial radioimmunoassay. Results: The RAPID method improved blood recovery of 125I-CRH in vitro compared to EDTA only added to the blood without or with methanol extraction (90.8 ± 2.0 vs. 66.9 ± 2.6 and 47.5 ± 2.0%, respectively; p < 0.001 vs. RAPID). Basal CRH levels from blood processed by the RAPID method were 28.9 ± 2.8 pg/ml, and by other methods below the radioimmunoassay detection limit (<10 pg/ml). At 6 h after LPS, CRH plasma levels increased significantly by 2.9 times, and in the proximal colon tended to decrease (–27.6 ± 5.7%; p > 0.05), while circulating levels were unchanged at 3 or 4 h. ACTH levels rose compared to control rats (135.3 ± 13.8 vs. 101.4 ± 6.0 pg/ml; p < 0.05) 30 min after the increase in CRH, while at 3 or 6 h after LPS, the levels were not changed. Conclusion: Intraperitoneal LPS induces a delayed rise in plasma CRH levels associated with an elevation in ACTH plasma levels 30 min later, suggesting that under conditions of immune challenge, CRH of peripheral origin may also contribute to pituitary activation, as detected using the RAPID method of blood processing, which improves CRH recovery.
Typical Patterns of Microwave Signatures and Vertical Profiles of Precipitation in the Midlatitudes from TRMM Data
Authors: Yamamoto Munehisa K. , Nakamura Kenji
Published: December 2010

Representative patterns from multichannel microwave brightness temperature Tb in the midlatitude oceanic region, observed by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI), are studied during precipitation events detected by the TRMM precipitation radar (PR) for three summer and winter seasons using empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The first three patterns are interpreted as rain liquid water, solid particles, and rain type based on the frequency distributions of vertical profiles of the radar reflectivity factor and the heights of the storm top, cloud top, and freezing level. The first EOF (EOF1) correlates with the near-surface rain rate. While the eigenvector for the 85.5-GHz channel is less significant for EOF1 variability in summer, those in all channels contribute equally to the variability in winter. This difference suggests that summer precipitation is caused by additional solid particles formed in developing precipitation systems. The second EOF (EOF2) represents the number of solid particles and also corresponds to the near-surface rain rate. This result suggests an increase of solid particles with the development of precipitation systems. EOF2 varies largely by echo-top height in summer and by echo-top height and freezing height in winter. The positive component score has double Tb peaks. Dividing the score into two patterns according to these peaks reveals highly developed precipitation systems, such as convective rainbands and frontal systems, and weak precipitation with shallow systems caused by cold outbreaks in the winter case. The negative component score also shows shallow and weak precipitation systems with warm rain. The third EOF (EOF3) is related to rain type. Vertical profiles show a significant bright band with a small height difference between the echo top and freezing level for negative EOF3, while positive EOF3 has no bright band with a high echo top relative to the freezing height. The results indicate that stratiform and convective precipitation systems can be characterized by EOF3.
Extreme Precipitation over the West Coast of North America: Is There a Trend?
Authors: Mass Clifford , Skalenakis Adam , Warner Michael
Published: December 2010

Heavy precipitation and the resulting flooding are the most serious weather-related hazards over the west coast of North America. This paper analyzes the trends in heavy precipitation for the period 1950–2009 by examining the decadal distributions of the top 60, 40, and 20 two-day precipitation events for a collection of stations along the coastal zone of the United States and British Columbia, as well as the decadal distribution of maximum daily discharge for unregulated rivers from northern California to Washington State. During the past 60 years there has been a modest increase in heavy precipitation events over southern and central coastal California, a decline in heavy events from northern California through the central Oregon coast, a substantial increase in major events over Washington, and a modest increase over coastal British Columbia. Most of these trends are not significantly different from zero at the 95% level. The trends in maximum daily discharge of unregulated rivers are consistent with the above pattern, with increasing discharges over the past three decades over Washington and northern Oregon and declines over the remainder of Oregon and northern California. Finally, the above trends in heavy rainfall and daily discharge are compared to the future patterns indicated by general circulation models under various global warming scenarios.
Finescale Instabilities of the Double-Diffusive Shear Flow*
Authors: Radko Timour , Stern Melvin E.
Published: December 2010

This study examines dynamics of finescale instabilities in thermohaline–shear flows. It is shown that the presence of the background diapycnal temperature and salinity fluxes due to double diffusion has a destabilizing effect on the basic current. Using linear stability analysis based on the Floquet theory for the sinusoidal basic velocity profile, the authors demonstrate that the well-known Richardson number criterion (Ri < ¼) cannot be directly applied to doubly diffusive fluids. Rigorous instabilities are predicted to occur for Richardson numbers as high as—or even exceeding—unity. The inferences from the linear theory are supported by the fully nonlinear numerical simulations. Since the Richardson number in the main thermocline rarely drops below ¼, whereas the observations of turbulent patches are common, the authors hypothesize that some turbulent mixing events can be attributed to the finescale instabilities associated with double-diffusive processes.
Evaluation of Weather Radar with Pulse Compression: Performance of a Fuzzy Logic Tornado Detection Algorithm
Authors: Alberts Timothy A. , Chilson Phillip B. , Cheong B. L. , Palmer R. D.
Published: December 2010

Trends in current weather research involve active phased-array radar systems that have several advantages over conventional radars with klystron or magnetron transmitters. However, phased-array radars generally do not have the same peak transmit power capability as conventional systems so they must transmit longer pulses to maintain an equivalent average power on target. Increasing transmits pulse duration increases range gate size but the use of pulse compression offers a means of recovering the otherwise lost resolution. To evaluate pulse compression for use in future weather radar systems, modifications to a weather radar simulator have been made to incorporate phase-coding into its functionality. Data derived from Barker-coded pulses with matched and mismatched filters were compared with data obtained from uncoded pulses to evaluate the pulse compression performance. Additionally, pulse compression was simulated using data collected from an experimental radar to validate the simulated results. The data derived from both experimental and simulated methods were then applied to a fuzzy logic tornado detection algorithm to examine the effects of the pulse compression process. It was found that the fuzzy logic process was sufficiently robust to maintain high levels of detection accuracy with low false alarm rates even though biases were observed in the pulse-compressed data.
Model Uncertainty in a Mesoscale Ensemble Prediction System: Stochastic versus Multiphysics Representations
Authors: Berner J. , Ha S.-Y. , Hacker J. P. , Fournier A. , Snyder C.
Published: December 2010

A multiphysics and a stochastic kinetic-energy backscatter scheme are employed to represent model uncertainty in a mesoscale ensemble prediction system using the Weather Research and Forecasting model. Both model-error schemes lead to significant improvements over the control ensemble system that is simply a downscaled global ensemble forecast with the same physics for each ensemble member. The improvements are evident in verification against both observations and analyses, but different in some details. Overall the stochastic kinetic-energy backscatter scheme outperforms the multiphysics scheme, except near the surface. Best results are obtained when both schemes are used simultaneously, indicating that the model error can best be captured by a combination of multiple schemes.
Effects of a Single Bout of Exercise on Arterial Compliance in Older Adults
Authors: Nickel Kevin J. , Acree Luke S. , Gardner Andrew W.
Published: December 2010

The effects of acute exercise on arterial compliance in older adults are unknown. Large and small arterial compliance were assessed during and 24 hours following a 30-minute bicycle ergometer test and on a nonexercise, control condition. The change in large artery compliance was similar between the exercise and nonexercise conditions (P = 0.876). Small artery compliance during the exercise day was higher than the nonexercise day at 45, 60, and 75 minutes following exercise (P < .001), was 17% higher 30 minutes postexercise than at rest (P < .001), and decreased by 20% between 30 minutes (4.5 ± 0.4 mL/mm Hg × 100) and 120 minutes (3.6 ± 0.3 mL/mm Hg × 100) after exercise (P = .027). The current study shows 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise transiently increases small arterial compliance 30 minutes after exercise but does not elicit more sustained increases in either large or small arterial compliance.
Attractiveness of Leg Length: Report From 27 Nations
Authors: Sorokowski Piotr , Szmajke Andrzej , Sorokowska Agnieszka , Borg Cunen Maryann , Fabrykant Marharyta , Zarafshani Kiumars , Amiri Manochehr , Bazzazian Saeideh , Blazevska-Stoilkovska Biljana , Casellas Veronica , Cetinkaya Hakan , Lopez Coutino Berenice , Chavez Maria , Cheng Cecilia , Cristea Ioana , David Daniel , Dural Seda , Dzięcioł Anna , Fauzee Sofian , Frichand Ana , Gulbetekin Evrim , Hromatko Ivana , Javahishvili Tina , Jgenti Anna , Kartasasmita Sandi , Moradi Khadijeh , Musil Bojan , Nongmaithem Sonia , Oladipo Ekundayo , Oluyinka Ojedokun , Patil Kanak , Schell Wanda , Serpekian Hasmig , Slavchev Borislav , Stoyanova Stanislava , Tadinac Meri , Tripathi Nachiketa , Tzu Fang
Published: December 2010

The leg-to-body ratio (LBR) is a morphological index that has been shown to influence a person’s attractiveness. In our research, 3,103 participants from 27 nations rated the physical attractiveness of seven male and seven female silhouettes varying in LBR. We found that male and female silhouettes with short and excessively long legs were perceived as less attractive across all nations. Hence, the LBR may significantly influence perceptions of physical attractiveness across nations.
Openness and internal conflict
Authors: Magee Christopher S P , Massoud Tansa George
Published: December 2010

This article examines the relationship between economic openness and internal conflict. The article first discusses different theoretical perspectives on how openness affects a country’s internal stability and how internal conflict affects openness. Next, empirical estimates of the relationship between conflict and openness are presented, where conflict is measured with both a civil war dummy variable and an events dataset. The correlation between openness and conflict in the data is negative: more open countries have less internal conflict by some measures. However, internal conflict affects the level of openness, which suggests that openness should be treated as an endogenous variable. When the effect of openness on conflict is estimated using instrumental variables or full information maximum likelihood to control for endogeneity, openness does not significantly reduce internal conflict. There is robust evidence, on the other hand, that conflict within a country reduces its international trade. Together, these results suggest that the negative correlation between openness and conflict emerges because stability facilitates international trade rather than because trade flows reduce internal conflict.
The Causal Pathway From Socioeconomic Status to Disability Trajectories in Later Life: The Importance of Mediating Mechanisms for Onset and Accumulation
Authors: Taylor Miles G.
Published: December 2010

This study examines the mechanisms by which different aspects of socioeconomic status affect disability trajectories among older adults. The author conceptualizes and models disability in two life course components, onset and growth, in order to see how socioeconomic status and its mechanisms differ in their effects on the timing and accumulation of disablement. Using the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE), the author finds that the effects of education are mainly preventive for disability onset where financial resources both delay and ameliorate a trajectory of disability accumulation after onset. Health behaviors and mastery work as independent mediators of education while financial-based capital works to mediate both income and education effects. This study highlights transitions and trajectories in health processes, showing that education effects are far reaching and robust but only work for onset, while financial-based capital is effective in ameliorating a trajectory of disability in later life.
The impact of Jalan Sesama on the educational and healthy development of Indonesian preschool children: An experimental study
Authors: Borzekowski Dina L.G. , Henry Holly K.
Published: December 2010

Jalan Sesama was developed to address the developmental needs of Indonesian children ages 3 to 6 years. Using a randomized experimental research study design, this study examined the effect of a 14-week intervention on 160 children in the Pandeglang District in Indonesia’s Banten Province. Results offer solid evidence that early cognitive skills, literacy, mathematics, health and safety knowledge, social development, environmental awareness, and cultural awareness significantly improved from baseline to post-intervention. Those with the greatest exposure to Jalan Sesama performed the best, even after controlling for baseline scores, gender, age, and parents’ education. This paper describes how an educational media intervention can have great benefits, even in locales where the children face difficult hardships and lack basic resources.
The validation of parallel test forms: ‘Mountain’ and ‘beach’ picture series for assessment of language skills
Authors: Bae Jungok , Lee Yae-Sheik
Published: December 2010

Pictures are widely used to elicit expressive language skills, and pictures must be established as parallel before changes in ability can be demonstrated by assessment using pictures prompts. Why parallel prompts are required and what it is necessary to do to ensure that prompts are in fact parallel is not widely known. To date, evidence of equivalence has been documented for only a handful of picture instruments. The present study aims to demonstrate that two picture series, one describing hiking on a mountain, the other a picnic at a beach, designed to elicit narrative writing from children, are statistically parallel. To verify their being parallel, a random group design and a covariate were used. MANCOVA and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the two alternate picture forms were parallel in terms of means, variances, and factor structures with regard to multiple writing components. This study makes a unique contribution to picture-based assessment, first by publishing this parallel picture set and making it available as a tool for assessing children’s productive skills using longitudinal designs, and second by demonstrating a process by which any other test forms, pictorial or otherwise, can be validated as parallel.
Integrating Marketing and Environmental Studies Through an Interdisciplinary, Experiential, Service-Learning Approach
Authors: Wiese Nila M. , Sherman Daniel J.
Published: December 2010

This article describes and evaluates an interdisciplinary, experiential service-learning project that combined environmental studies and marketing courses at a liberal arts college over a 2-year period. The inherent tensions between these two disciplines regarding issues of environmental protection and conservation make this project’s contribution unique. The project is in line with the increased emphasis on environmental issues as a key strategic consideration for both marketing academics and practitioners. Environmental studies students identified and prioritized solid waste streams. Marketing students developed social marketing initiatives aimed at reducing the high-priority waste streams. The two best initiatives were implemented by students via pilot projects in environmental studies and marketing courses. Students in environmental studies were able to identify and apply ways in which marketing tools can be employed to promote social causes and effect positive environmental behavioral change. Marketing students applied marketing concepts to a real-life situation, while gaining a greater awareness of environmental issues and the role of businesses in environmental stewardship. The authors summarize the project’s learning objectives, planning and design, implementation, and assessment of learning outcomes. Challenges and obstacles encountered and recommendations for the development and implementation of similar learning projects are also discussed.
Assessing information literacy competency of Information Science and Library Management graduate students of Dhaka University
Authors: Mohammed Anwarul Islam  , Tsuji Keita
Published: December 2010

The aim of this study is to assess the information literacy competency of Information Science and Library Management (ISLM) graduate students at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, and to determine their strengths and weaknesses. In general it was found that students had limited skills in the area of information literacy, as it is not discussed extensively in their academic course curriculum. This study urges the incorporation of an information literacy programme in the course curriculum, and more writing, discussion and other relevant issues that will make the students more information literate.
Diversity in librarianship: The United States perspective
Authors: Gulati Anjali
Published: December 2010

This paper aims to explain how the concept of diversity has been covered in the professional literature and discusses how diversity has been understood and implemented in the context of tribal community libraries, public libraries, academic libraries and school libraries and the diversity statistics of library professionals. The paper highlights some prominent issues of diversity in libraries, such as: staffing; recruitment and retention; recruitment of students and faculty of color to library schools; library services and organization climate. The paper concludes by mentioning some challenges the library profession is facing, such as lack of representation of minorities among students and faculty, and makes recommendations to overcome these challenges.
Building capacity through the IFLA Building Strong Library Associations programme
Authors: Bradley Fiona
Published: December 2010

An introduction to the Building Strong Library Associations programme of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. The programme is rolled out through country projects which include workshops, specialist mentoring, online blended activities and specially developed cross-programme activities. Three country projects per year will be implemented from 2010 until 2012, one each in Africa, Asia and Oceania, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The programme will be evaluated on three levels with a view towards ensuring sustainability of the programme and each country project.
The First Rite of Passage: Baptism in Medieval Memory
Authors: Deller William S.
Published: December 2010

This article is part of a wider study that examines over 10,000 jurors’ testimonies in proof-of-age hearings from 1246 to 1432, which were conducted to determine the legal majority of heirs-in-chief of the crown. It looks specifically at more than 1,500 references to the ceremony of baptism and tries to build up a picture of what the service was like in the memories of the participants. It reveals the haste and sometimes confusion of the preparations beforehand, the naming of infants, the role of godparents, the use of writing and the giving of gifts to record the birth, the celebrations that accompanied it, and details of the ceremonial itself, including the processions with lit torches and the crowds that often gathered. Despite the stereotypical nature of much testimony, it attempts to capture the atmosphere of what went on and what stuck in the minds of jurors.
Marriage and the Family in a Maltese Parish: St. Mary’s (Qrendi) in the Eighteenth Century
Authors: Ciappara Frans
Published: December 2010

This article addresses the Maltese traditional family, taking St. Mary’s (Qrendi) as a test case. It results that couples married in their early twenties, while a high proportion of men and women never married at all. Marriage was not popular so that one-fifth of all marriages were remarriages. Very few widows remarried and it was only for some economic reason that they sought another man. There is no evidence though that a high rate of celibacy resulted in flagrant promiscuity even if there is evidence that the Qrendin were not so particular about their sex life. No birth control was practiced within marriage and children followed one another regularly. This brings into relief the parents’ unconcern for their offspring’s future as well as the inferior status of women because husbands made their wives several offspring. Relations between the spouses were poor so that dissatisfied couples went their own ways.
Social Status, Race, and the Timing of Marriage in Cuba’s First Constitutional Era, 1902-1940
Authors: Logan Enid Lynette
Published: December 2010

This article examines the practice of marriage among whites, mestizos, blacks, Cubans, and Spaniards during the first constitutional era, focusing upon the reported ages of brides and grooms. The study consists of a quantitative examination of trends found in the records of 900 Catholic marriages celebrated in Havana during the opening decades of independence. The first major finding of the research is that according to most major indicators of status, age was negatively correlated with rank. Thus, contrary to the conclusions of studies conducted in many other contexts, those in the highest strata of society married younger. Furthermore, very significant differences were detected in the marital patterns of those identified as mixed-race and those labeled as black. This finding offers empirical weight to the notion that the early-mid twentieth-century Cuban racial structure would best be characterized as tripartite, rather than binary in nature.
Marrying in the City in Times of Rapid Urbanization
Authors: Moreels Sarah , Matthijs Koen
Published: December 2010

Economic, social, political, and demographic processes changed Western European cities strongly during the nineteenth century. Especially during this time, the northern part of Belgium (Flanders) became highly urbanized. Investigating the long-term development of the marriage pattern in the cities of Antwerp, Aalst, and Ghent gives a detailed picture of the evolution of the urban marriage pattern. In this article, specific emphasis is on gender, social, and migration distinctions. The results confirm that there is a male—female difference and variation among various social and migrant groups in the age at first marriage during the period 1800—1906. Moreover, regional differences are also visible. In the port city of Antwerp, massive immigration caused a unique evolution in the age at first marriage during the last decades of the nineteenth century, which did not appear in the textile cities of Aalst and Ghent during this time.
Correlation of Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit and Total Rotational Motion to Shoulder Injuries in Professional Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Wilk Kevin E. , Macrina Leonard C. , Fleisig Glenn S. , Porterfield Ronald , Simpson Charles D. , Harker Paul , Paparesta Nick , Andrews James R.
Published: December 2010

Background: Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) indicates a 20° or greater loss of internal rotation of the throwing shoulder compared with the nondominant shoulder.

Purpose: To determine whether GIRD and a deficit in total rotational motion (external rotation + internal rotation) compared with the nonthrowing shoulder correlate with shoulder injuries in professional baseball pitchers.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: Over 3 competitive seasons (2005 to 2007), passive range of motion measurements were evaluated on the dominant and nondominant shoulders for 170 pitcher-seasons. This included 122 professional pitchers during the 3 seasons of data collection, in which some pitchers were measured during multiple seasons. Ranges of motion were measured with a bubble goniometer during the preseason, by the same examiner each year. External and internal rotation of the glenohumeral joint was assessed with the participant supine and the arm abducted 90° in the plane of the scapula, with the scapula stabilized anteriorly at the coracoid process. The reproducibility of the test methods had an intraclass correlation coefficient of .81. Days in which the player was unable to participate because of injury or surgery were recorded during the season by the medical staff of the team and defined as an injury.

Results: Pitchers with GIRD (n = 40) were nearly twice as likely to be injured as those without but without statistical significance ( P = .17). Pitchers with total rotational motion deficit greater than 5° had a higher rate of injury. Minor league pitchers were more likely than major league pitchers to be injured. However, when players were injured, major league pitchers missed a significantly greater number of games than minor league pitchers.

Conclusion: Compared with pitchers without GIRD, pitchers with GIRD appear to be at a higher risk for injury and shoulder surgery.
Posterior Instability of the Shoulder
Authors: Provencher Matthew T. , LeClere Lance E. , King Scott , McDonald Lucas S. , Frank Rachel M. , Mologne Timothy S. , Ghodadra Neil S. , Romeo Anthony A.
Published: December 2010

Recurrent posterior instability of the shoulder can be difficult to diagnose and technically challenging to treat. Although not as common as anterior instability, recurrent posterior shoulder instability is prevalent among certain demographic and sporting groups, and may be overlooked if one is not aware of the typical examination and radiographic findings. The diagnosis itself can be difficult as patients typically present with vague or confusing symptoms, and treatment has evolved from open to arthroscopic surgical techniques. This article is intended to review the anatomy and biomechanics associated with posterior shoulder instability, to discuss the pathogenesis and presentation of posterior instability, and to describe the variety of treatment options and clinical results.
Ethnic-Racial Socialization Messages in the Identity Development of Second-Generation Haitians
Authors: Joseph Nancy , Hunter Carla D.
Published: December 2010

This study utilized qualitative inquiry to investigate the role of ethnic-racial socialization messages on ethnic and racial identity development among second-generation Haitians. Nine participants, ranging in age from 15 to 26, took part in individual semistructured qualitative interviews. The data were reviewed for emergent themes, as well as themes present in the ethnic-racial socialization and identity literature. Participants reported receiving positive messages (i.e., Cultural Socialization, Mainstream Socialization, and Preparation for Bias messages) directed at their ethnic groups in the home context and negative messages (i.e., Promotion of Mistrust and discriminatory messages) about their racial group in the home, peer, and societal contexts. In addition, participants who received positive messages directed at their ethnic group reported engaging in identity exploration and endorsing a stable commitment to the identity. Conversely, participants who received negative messages directed at either their ethnic or racial identity reported little to no exploration and exhibited a less stable commitment to that identity. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Cryptochrome-Positive and -Negative Clock Neurons in Drosophila Entrain Differentially to Light and Temperature
Authors: Yoshii Taishi , Hermann Christiane , Helfrich-Förster Charlotte
Published: December 2010

The blue-light photoreceptive protein Cryptochrome (CRY) plays an important role in the light synchronization of the Drosophila circadian clock. Previously, we found that among the approximately 150 clock neurons, many but not all neurons express CRY. We speculated that the CRY-positive pacemaker neurons may be especially important for light entrainment, whereas the CRY-negative neurons may be important for other environmental cues, for example, temperature. To investigate this hypothesis, we tested the entrainability of the clock neurons to out-of-phase light and temperature cycles. When light-dark or light-dim light cycles were shifted by 12 h with respect to temperature cycles, behavioral rhythms of wild-type flies were re-entrained by the light cycles. In this condition, we found that TIMELESS (TIM) level was strongly influenced by the temperature cycles in many CRY-negative clock neurons, suggesting that the CRY-negative neurons have higher sensitivity to temperature. Under the same conditions, cry-null mutants entrained to the temperature cycles or very slowly re-entrained to light-dark cycles. Our results suggest that there are 2 types of clock neurons having differential sensitivities to light and temperature, and CRY is a key component for the preferential entrainment to light.