bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydraulic Criticality of the Exchange Flow through the Strait of Gibraltar
Authors: Sannino Gianmaria , Pratt Lawrence , Carillo Adriana
Published: April 2009

The hydraulic state of the exchange circulation through the Strait of Gibraltar is defined using a recently developed critical condition that accounts for cross-channel variations in layer thickness and velocity, applied to the output of a high-resolution three-dimensional numerical model simulating the tidal exchange. The numerical model uses a coastal-following curvilinear orthogonal grid, which includes, in addition to the Strait of Gibraltar, the Gulf of Cadiz and the Alboran Sea. The model is forced at the open boundaries through the specification of the surface tidal elevation that is characterized by the two principal semidiurnal and two diurnal harmonics: M2, S2, O1, and K1. The simulation covers an entire tropical month.

The hydraulic analysis is carried out approximating the continuous vertical stratification first as a two-layer system and then as a three-layer system. In the latter, the transition zone, generated by entrainment and mixing between the Atlantic and Mediterranean flows, is considered as an active layer in the hydraulic model. As result of these vertical approximations, two different hydraulic states have been found; however, the simulated behavior of the flow only supports the hydraulic state predicted by the three-layer case. Thus, analyzing the results obtained by means of the three-layer hydraulic model, the authors have found that the flow in the strait reaches maximal exchange about 76% of the tropical monthlong period.
The Salinity, Heat, and Buoyancy Budgets of a Coastal Current in a Marginal Sea
Authors: Wåhlin A. K. , Johnson H. L.
Published: April 2009

The Atlantic overturning circulation has conventionally been pictured in the meridional–vertical plane, but a significant densification of the water masses involved also occurs as the surface branch of the circulation flows in boundary currents around the subpolar gyre and northern marginal seas. Here an analytical model of the heat and salt budget for an idealized coastal boundary current in a marginal sea is presented. The boundary current exchanges heat and freshwater with the atmosphere as well as with the interior of the basin through eddy and Ekman transports. Its along-coast volume transport is assumed to be constant and independent of buoyancy; it is set, for example, by the wind forcing. Because the atmospheric fluxes of heat and freshwater are different, the temperature and salinity of the boundary current adjust on different length scales. The size of these length scales compared with the circumference of the basin determines the properties of the water that flows over the sill. Furthermore, the relative size of the two length scales determines the evolution of the density as the current moves around the basin. If temperature and salinity adjust on the same length scale (or if the density forcing is represented by a single component), then the density will increase or decrease monotonically from the inflow to the outflow. However, when the adjustment length scale for temperature is shorter than that for salinity, a warm and salty inflow can cool significantly before it freshens. As a result, the density first increases to a local maximum before decreasing again. Therefore, when salinity as well as temperature is included in the buoyancy forcing, the outflow from the basin can be significantly denser than for the equivalent single-component density forcing and can be more sensitive to the forcing parameters. The relevance and implications for the Nordic seas are discussed.
A Model of Multiple Zonal Jets in the Oceans: Dynamical and Kinematical Analysis
Authors: Berloff P. , Kamenkovich I. , Pedlosky J.
Published: April 2009

Multiple alternating zonal jets observed in the ocean are studied with an idealized quasigeostrophic zonal-channel model, with the supercritical, zonal background flow imposed. Both eastward and westward background flows with vertical shear are considered. The underlying nonlinear dynamics is illuminated with analysis of the vertical-mode interactions and time-mean eddy fluxes.

Interactions between the vertical modes are systematically studied. The barotropic component of the jets is maintained by both barotropic–barotropic and baroclinic–baroclinic time-mean interactions; thus, the barotropic component of the jets cannot be accurately simulated with a randomly forced barotropic model. The roles of the vertical-mode interactions in driving the baroclinic component of the jets are also characterized. Not only the first but also the second baroclinic mode is found to be important for maintaining the baroclinic component of the jets, whereas the barotropic component of the jets is maintained mostly by the barotropic and first baroclinic modes.

The properties of the eddy forcing were systematically studied. It is shown that the baroclinic component of the jets is maintained by Reynolds stress forcing and resisted by form stress forcing only in the eastward background flow. In the westward background flow, the jets are maintained by form stress forcing and resisted by Reynolds stress forcing.

The meridional scaling and kinematical properties of the jets are studied as well as the roles of meridional boundaries. The Rhines scaling for meridional spacing of the jets is not generally confirmed, and it is also shown that there are multiple stable equilibria with different numbers of the time-mean jets. It is also found that the jets are associated with alternating weak barriers to the meridional material transport, but the locations of these barriers are not unique and depend on the direction of the background flow and depth. Finally, if the channel is closed with meridional walls, then the jets become more latent but the eddy forcing properties do not change qualitatively.
Hybrid Rossby-Shelf Modes in a Laboratory Ocean
Authors: Bokhove Onno , Ambati Vijaya
Published: April 2009

Idealized laboratory experiments reveal the existence of forced–dissipative hybrid Rossby-shelf modes. The laboratory ocean consists of a deeper ocean (accommodating basin-scale Rossby modes) and a coastal step shelf (accommodating trapped shelf modes). Planetary Rossby modes are mimicked in the laboratory via a uniform topographic slope in the north–south direction. Hybrid modes are found as linear modes in numerical calculations, and similar streamfunction patterns exist in streak photography of the rotating tank experiments. These numerical calculations are based on depth-averaged potential vorticity dynamics with Ekman forcing and damping. Preliminary nonlinear calculations explore the deficiencies observed between reality and the linear solutions. The aim of the work is twofold: to show that idealized hybrid Rossby-shelf modes exist in laboratory experiments and to contribute in a general sense to the discussion on the coupling and energy exchange associated with hybrid modes between shallow coastal seas and deep-ocean basins.
A New Look at Richardson Number Mixing Schemes for Equatorial Ocean Modeling
Authors: Zaron Edward D. , Moum James N.
Published: April 2009

A reexamination of turbulence dissipation measurements from the equatorial Pacific shows that the turbulence diffusivities are not a simple function of the gradient Richardson number. A widely used mixing scheme, the K-profile parameterization, overpredicts the turbulent vertical heat flux by roughly a factor of 4 in the stably stratified region between the surface mixed layer and the Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC). Additionally, the heat flux divergence is of the incorrect sign in the upper 80 m. An alternative class of parameterizations is examined that expresses the mixing coefficients in terms of the large-scale kinetic energy, shear, and Richardson number. These representations collapse the turbulence diffusivities above and below the Equatorial Undercurrent, and a tuned version is able to reproduce the vertical turbulence heat flux within the 50–180-m depth range. Kinetic energy is not Galilean invariant, so the collapse of the data with the new parameterization suggests that oceanic turbulence responds to boundary forcing at depths well below the surface mixed layer.
Thermally Driven Flows at an Asymmetric Valley Exit: Observations and Model Studies at the Lech Valley Exit
Authors: Spengler Thomas , Schween Jan H. , Ablinger Markus , Zängl Günther , Egger Joseph
Published: April 2009

The summertime thermal circulation in the region of an asymmetric valley exit is investigated by means of observations and high-resolution model simulations. The northeastward-oriented Alpine Lech Valley opening into the Bavarian Alpine foreland has an eastern slope exceeding the western slope by about 15 km. Northerly winds along the eastern slope are frequently observed, reaching substantial strength during fair weather conditions. A field experiment has been conducted to explore this phenomenon and to pinpoint the connection of the northeasterly flow to the Lech Valley wind circulation. Numerical simulations have also been carried out to support the interpretation of the observations. It is found that the northerlies owe their existence to the dominantly easterly flow along the foothills of the Alps, which is partly induced by the Alpine heat low but may be strengthened by favorable synoptic conditions. Examples for both situations will be discussed. The diurnal flow in the Lech Valley has little obvious impact on these northeasterlies. On days with moderate synoptic easterly flow, a wake is present on the lee of the eastern slope of the exit region, accompanied by a shear zone along the edge of the wake. This shear zone is forced southward during the daytime because of thermally initiated pressure gradients between the Alpine foreland and the Alps, leading to sudden wind changes in the exit area at the time of its passage.
Co-Morbid Social Phobia in Schizophrenia
Authors: Mazeh Doron , Bodner Ehud , Weizman Ronit , Delayahu Yael , Cholostoy Alexander , Martin Tatiana , Barak Yoram
Published: April 2009

Background: The co-morbid occurrence of anxiety disorders and schizophrenia has recently begun to be investigated. Social anxiety may be especially important to diagnose and manage among patients with schizophrenia.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence and correlates of social phobia in patients with schizophrenia.

Method: Diagnosis of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders as well as co-morbid anxiety disorders was established according to DSM-IV and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis (SCID-P Hebrew version). Severity of psychotic symptoms and social anxiety symptoms was assessed with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS).

Results: The cohort studied included 117 patients with schizophrenia. Thirteen patients were diagnosed as suffering from co-morbid social phobia (11%). There was a tendency for patients with co-morbid social phobia to have higher severity PANSS total score. There was a significant correlation between the score of the LSAS `fear' and PANSS positive subscales. Avoidance scores were higher among patients with negative signs.

Conclusion: Co-morbidity of schizophrenia and social anxiety disorder is not rare among patients with schizophrenia. Treatment implications need be further investigated.
Quality of Life in Opium-Addicted Patients With Coronary Artery Disease as Measured With WHOQOL-BREF
Authors: Najafi Mahdi , Sheikhvatan Mehrdad , Montazeri Ali , Sheikhfathollahi Mahmood
Published: April 2009

Objective: Several factors can influence the quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The goal of this research was to measure quality of life in opium-addicted patients with CAD in order to assess the effect of CAD risk factors on their quality of life.

Method: The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was completed through interviews with 275 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass surgery in Tehran Heart Centre between May and September 2006.

Results: No significant differences were found in the mean scores of the four domains of quality of life between the addicted and non-addicted patients. Furthermore, the evaluation of QOL in the groups with CAD risk factors showed that the mean QOL domains were statistically similar between opium addicted and non-opium addicted patients. In the addicted group, men had a higher psychological health score than women. A previous history of myocardial infarction reduced the psychological score in this group. Also, in the addicted patients with a history of diabetes mellitus, social functioning was better than that of the non-diabetics.

Conclusions: The different domains of quality of life in our opium-addicted and non-addicted patients with CAD were similar; and among all the major risk factors for coronary artery disease, only female gender and a previous history of myocardial infarction could influence quality of life in the opium-addicted patients.
Errors in Multi-Digit Arithmetic and Behavioral Inattention in Children With Math Difficulties
Authors: Raghubar Kimberly , Cirino Paul , Barnes Marcia , Ewing-Cobbs Linda , Fletcher Jack , Fuchs Lynn
Published: April 2009

Errors in written multi-digit computation were investigated in children with math difficulties. Third- and fourth-grade children ( n = 291) with coexisting math and reading difficulties, math difficulties, reading difficulties, or no learning difficulties were compared. A second analysis compared those with severe math learning difficulties, low average achievement in math, and no learning difficulties. Math fact errors were related to the severity of the math difficulties, not to reading status. Contrary to predictions, children with poorer reading, regardless of math achievement, committed more visually based errors. Operation switch errors were not systematically related to group membership. Teacher ratings of behavioral inattention were related to accuracy, math fact errors, and procedural bugs. The findings are discussed with respect to hypotheses about the cognitive origins of arithmetic errors and in relation to current discussions about how to conceptualize math disabilities.
The Challenge of Measuring Financial Impacts From Investments in Corporate Social Performance
Authors: Peloza John
Published: April 2009

There is a small, but positive, relationship between corporate social performance and company financial performance. However, research in this area has provided little guidance to managers on how they should measure the financial impacts of their CSP strategies. Commonly used market measures, such as share price, or accounting measures, such as return on equity, are impacted by a host of other variables. These metrics do not provide the necessary level of detail for managers who want to establish an optimal level of CSP investment for their company. Further, academic research has tended to overlook the mediation process between CSP and financial performance. This gap limits the practical application of research and leaves the question of causality unaddressed. The author reviews the research examining the business case for CSP from both the academic and practitioner literatures, and provide recommendations for managers interested in measuring the impacts of CSP investment on financial performance.
Domestic Homicide Followed by Parasuicide
Authors: Liem Marieke , Hengeveld Michiel , Koenraadt Frans
Published: April 2009

Homicide—suicides are a rare yet very serious form of interpersonal violence that occur mainly in partnerships and families. As both perpetrator and victim die in a homicide— suicide, data sources in previous studies typically lack detailed information. This study overcomes this limitation by making use of homicides followed by a suicide attempt of the perpetrator (homicide—parasuicides). The authors examine to what extent these homicide—parasuicides can be understood as being primarily an expression of homicidal or of suicidal behavior. In total, 77 homicide—parasuicides are compared to 430 homicides and 161 parasuicides. The results show that homicide—parasuicides constitute a different category of lethal violence with regard to demographic, individual, and event-related characteristics. Subanalyses of homicide—parasuicides involving women and children reveal similar differences. The finding that a large majority of the perpetrators were mentally ill, dependent on the victim, and killed when faced with separation from the victim may suggest that increased monitoring of this group might have preventive value.
Defining Gendered Oppression in U.S. Newspapers
Authors: Wade Lisa
Published: April 2009

According to the logic of the gendered modernity/tradition binary, women in traditional societies are oppressed and women in modern societies liberated. While the binary valorizes modern women, it potentially erases gendered oppression in the West and undermines feminist movements on behalf of Western women. Using U.S. newspaper text, I ask whether female genital cutting (FGC) is used to define women in modern societies as liberated. I find that speakers use FGC to both uphold and challenge the gendered modernity/ tradition binary. Speakers use FGC to denigrate non-Western cultures and trivialize the oppressions that U.S. women typically encounter, but also to make feminist arguments on behalf of women everywhere. I argue that in addition to examining how culturally imperialist logics are reproduced, theorists interested in feminist postcolonialism should turn to the distribution of such logics, emphasizing the who, where, when, and how of reinscription of and resistance to such narratives.
The Use of the Ethical Genogram in Supervision
Authors: Bilot Jennifer , Peluso Paul R.
Published: April 2009

The purpose of this article is to serve as a follow-up to previous articles using P. R. Peluso's (2003) ethnical genogram and the expansion of the ethical genogram to include ethical principals and ethical decision-making styles (P. R. Peluso, 2006). The authors develop monitoring forms for use in the supervision process, both for the supervisor and the supervisee. They further illustrate the use of these monitoring forms as a tool to address possible areas of development and conflict as well as to keep in the forefront the supervisee's areas of strength. Using a case example, they demonstrate the use of these monitoring forms in the supervision process. Finally, the usefulness of this tool for supervision is discussed.
Therapeutic Response to Patients and Families Experiencing Chronic Medical Conditions
Authors: Sperry Len
Published: April 2009

Experienced counselors working with individuals, couples, and families with psychological conditions are able to adapt and tailor their therapeutic response to client need and phase of treatment. To the extent to which the therapeutic landscape of psychological conditions is familiar to them, counselors can confidently and effectively respond therapeutically. However, working effectively with patients and families experiencing chronic medical conditions can be a challenge for many counselors because the therapeutic landscapes of chronic medical conditions and psychological conditions differ. This article sketches the phases of chronic medical illness and provides a framework for tailoring therapeutic responses to patients and their families.
Commitment as a Predictor of Participation in Premarital Education
Authors: Blair Jonathan M. , Córdova James V.
Published: April 2009

The efficacy of premarital education programs has been well established; yet few studies have attempted to identify factors that may lead to increased participation. The current study examined questionnaire data from 46 engaged couples to determine whether marital commitment is a unique predictor of both interest in premarital education and intent to participate in premarital education. Analyses suggest commitment to marriage, spirituality, and health beliefs were all uniquely predictive of women's interest in premarital education and intent to participate in a premarital education program. Men's intent to participate in a premarital education program was only predicted by women's interest in premarital education. Implications and recommendations for increasing participation in premarital education programs are discussed.
Musical Relationship Metaphors: Using A Musical Chronology and the Emerging Life Song With Couples
Authors: Duffey Thelma , Somody Catherine , Eckstein Daniel
Published: April 2009

The authors use the metaphor of music for helping couples identify and describe formulative events in their relationship. A seven-step process for creating a couple's musical chronology is suggested. Couples link their relational history to specific music, a process that encourages them to deepen their connection and rekindle feelings that once brought them together. Other relationship metaphors are identified. Applications of musical metaphors as a creative problem-solving process conclude the article.
East Indian Families Raising ABCD Adolescents: Cultural and Generational Challenges
Authors: Poulsen Shruti S.
Published: April 2009

Immigration is a process fraught with both challenges and opportunities for families. In particular, East Indian families with U.S.-born adolescents experience the challenges of bridging cultures across generational divides; they are perceived by others as confused, identity less, and conflicted or as American-Born, Confused Desis (ABCDs). This article explores the history of East Indian immigration to the United States, the cultural values and belief systems of these parents and adolescents, and some clinical and research implications for developing a richer and more complex understanding of this group.
I Knew You When: A Case Study of Managing Preexisting Nonamorous Relationships in Counseling
Authors: Heaton Kevin J. , Black Linda L.
Published: April 2009

Multiple and dual relationships between client and counselor have been the topic of much discussion in our field. In 2005, the American Counseling Association revised and updated the code of ethics that further delineated the guidelines around these types of relationships. The impact of the code is addressed via a case study to demonstrate the issues surrounding multiple relationships in a personal, nonromantic relationship that had been established, prior to the therapeutic relationship. Implications of the previous relationship and the ethical decision-making process are addressed as well as recommendations for practitioners.
Writing in Korean, Living in the U.S
Authors: Park Hye-Young
Published: April 2009

The author uses a screenplay form of experimental writing to enhance the sensory richness of her bilingual data. The author takes her academic prose1 and transforms it, using multilayered scenes to better portray both her and bilingual son's voices. Voices often squeak with conflict resulting mainly from differences in people's linguistic/cultural understandings. As Orwell observed, people remain ignorant of their surroundings even when the evidence is staring them in the face; in this way, the author describes how she was unable to recognize her son's bilingual/cultural dilemma until she stopped evaluating him through a monolingual lens. In this piece, the author takes readers on a journey into the everyday world of parent—child interactions. Using the genre of screenplay contributes to the emerging construction of new traditions in scholarly writing with bilingual data, and promotes the decolonization of bilingual research from the standard monolingual/cultural perspective.
All for One and One for All
Authors: Krafft Cindy
Published: April 2009

Providing care as an interdisciplinary team meets with unique challenges in the home health setting ranging from the physical logistics of care delivery to developing an agency culture that encourages all disciplines to actively participate in care planning. Entities such as Medicare are scrutinizing patient outcomes with ever-increasing urgency, as the move toward a pay for performance model becomes a reality. Successful agencies have all disciplines engaged in the team approach with the patient at the center. The focus is on intentional delivery of positive outcomes. Agencies cannot assume that this mind-set will just happen on its own as it requires structure and support from staff at all levels of the organization.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Sinzig Judith , Walter Daniel , Doepfner Manfred
Published: April 2009

Objective: This study aims to evaluate ADHD-like symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on single-item analysis, as well as the comparison of two ASD subsamples of children with ADHD (ASD+) and without ADHD (ASD-). Methods: Participants are 83 children with ASD. Dimensional and categorical aspects of ADHD are evaluated using a diagnostic symptom checklist according to DSM-IV. Results: Of the sample, 53% fulfill DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. The comparison of the ASD+ and the ASD- samples reveals differences in age and IQ. Correlations of ADHD and PDD show significant results for symptoms of hyperactivity with impairment in communication and for inattention with stereotyped behavior. Item profiles of ADHD symptoms in the ASD+ sample are similar to those in a pure ADHD sample. Conclusion: The results of our study reveal a high phenotypical overlap between ASD and ADHD. The two identified subtypes , inattentive-stereotyped and hyperactive-communication impaired, reflect the DSM classification and may theoretically be a sign of two different neurochemical pathways, a dopaminergic and a serotonergic. ( J. of Att. Dis. 2009; 13(2) 117-126)
Comorbidity of Enuresis in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Ghanizadeh Ahmad
Published: April 2009

Objective: To compare parental psychopathology and psychiatric disorders in ADHD children with and those without enuresis. Method: The participants of the clinical sample interviewed according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were 35 children with ADHD and enuresis, 153 ADHD children without enuresis, 115 fathers, and 172 mothers. Results: Only ODD comorbidity was the predictor of enuresis. Conduct disorder, tic disorder, major depressive disorder, separation anxiety disorder, bruxism, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and nail biting were not statistically more frequent in ADHD children with enuresis than in the ADHD children without enuresis. The only parental psychiatric disorder that was related to the groups was father’s major depressive disorder. Conclusion: Enuresis in ADHD has a relationship with ODD. Physicians who treat patients with ADHD and enuresis should routinely inquire about the presence of major depression in the fathers. (J. of Att. Dis. 2010; 13(5) 464-467)
Health and Happiness among Older Adults
Authors: Angner Erik , Ray Midge N. , Saag Kenneth G. , Allison Jeroan J.
Published: April 2009

The relationship between health and happiness was explored using a cross-sectional survey of 383 community-dwelling older adults. As a function of self-reported health, median happiness was increasing at a decreasing rate; happiness variability was decreasing at a decreasing rate. In multivariable logistic regression, lowest-quartile happiness was associated with poverty, unfavorable subjective health, debilitating pain and urinary incontinence, but not with the comorbidity count or other comorbidities. The results, robust to common method bias, suggest that subjective health measures are better predictors of happiness than objective measures are, except for conditions that disrupt daily functioning or are associated with social stigma.
Perfectionism and the Five-factor Personality Traits as Predictors of Mortality in Older Adults
Authors: Fry Prem S. , Debats Dominique L.
Published: April 2009

The major hypothesis of the study was that perfectionism as a personality trait, along with the five-factor personality traits and dispositional optimism, is strongly associated with mortality in late life. After baseline assessment of health and personality traits as predictors of mortality, 450 participants were followed over a period of 6.5 years. Consistent with our hypotheses, findings demonstrated that risk of death was significantly greater for high scorers in perfectionism and neuroticism, compared to low scorers at the time of base line. Conversely, risk of death was significantly lower for high scorers in conscientiousness, extraversion and optimism. Implications for health and longevity are discussed.
Why My Classmates Drink
Authors: Kuntsche Emmanuel , Stewart Sherry H.
Published: April 2009

A structural equation model was estimated based on a Swiss national sample of 5649 12- to 18-year-olds to test whether individual drinking motives mediate the link between classmates' motives and individual alcohol use. Results showed that the social, enhancement, coping and conformity motives of individual students are associated with the corresponding motive dimension of other students in the class. No direct effect of the four classmates' motives on individual drinking, but an indirect effect via individual motives was observed. It appears that drinking motives within the adolescent social environment exert their influence on drinking by way of shaping individual motives.
College Smokers' Estimates of Their Probabilities of Remaining a Smoker in the Near Future
Authors: Lipkus Isaac , Shepperd James
Published: April 2009

Community college and university smokers (N = 662) estimated their probability (0% to 100%) of remaining a smoker one and six months later and reported their confidence in their estimates. Smoking status was assessed at each time point. Analyses controlled for several correlates of both smoking status and probability estimates of remaining a smoker. Estimates of smoking status interacted with confidence to predict smoking status at one month, but only estimates predicted smoking status at six months. Findings suggest that: 1) personal estimate of future smoking status is a unique correlate of continued smoking; and 2) confidence in personal estimates is a strong moderator for short-term projections of smoking status.
Autonomous Regulation and Locus of Control as Predictors of Antiretroviral Medication Adherence
Authors: Lynam Ian , Catley Delwyn , Goggin Kathy , Rabinowitz Joshua L. , Gerkovich Mary M. , Williams Karen , Wright Julie ,   & MOTIV8
Published: April 2009

The purpose of the current study was to examine the interrelationships between autonomous regulation (AR) and locus of control (LOC) and their prediction of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) adherence among 189 HIV+ patients. Path analyses revealed that neither AR nor LOC directly predicted adherence although AR was indirectly related when mediated by self-efficacy. AR was positively related to internal and doctors LOC, but not related to chance or others LOC. Overall, results support Self-determination Theory's conceptualization of AR and indicate that AR may be a more robust predictor of medication adherence than LOC variables.
Early Childhood Psychological Problems Predict a Poor Sense of Coherence in Adolescents
Authors: Honkinen Päivi-Leena , Aromaa Minna , Suominen Sakari , Rautava Päivi , Sourander Andre , Helenius Hans , Sillanpää Matti
Published: April 2009

The aim of the present 15-year follow-up was to study the association between childhood psychological symptoms and sense of coherence (SOC) in adolescence. Destructive behaviour at three years, attention problems and thought problems at 12 years, attention problems, anxiety/depression, delinquency and somatic complaints at 15 years predicted a poor SOC at 18 years. Problems reported by adolescents themselves explained a poor SOC much more often than problems reported by parents. The identification of early childhood behavioural problems helps us to identify children at risk of ill-being in adolescence since problems seem to persist unchanged until that period of life.
The Effect of Patients' Race on Provider Treatment Choices in Coronary Care
Authors: Greene Jackson Dorothy , Hamilton Patti , Hutchinson Shirley , Huber Jeffrey
Published: April 2009

This selective literature review provides insight into the depth and breadth of the problem of unequal medical treatment of Blacks compared with Whites, with particular focus on coronary heart disease. Poor health outcomes among Blacks, when compared with Whites, are well documented, and these disparities are linked to lower quality of and less aggressive medical treatment. It is not clear why these disparities in treatment occur. This review provides theoretical frameworks that attempt to explain the effect of race on treatment and presents an analysis of the quality and strength of existing evidence of racial disparity related to coronary care. Based on the review, implications for policy makers and providers are identified.
Patterns of Community-Based End-of-Life Care in Rural Areas of the United States
Authors: Madigan Elizabeth A. , Wiencek Clareen A. , Vander Schrier Ann L.
Published: April 2009

There is relatively little empirical data on the supply of community-based end-of-life (EOL) providers especially in rural areas despite projections for growth. This study examined the availability of community-based EOL providers in eight states using mapping techniques and statistical approaches. Analysis of variance and geographic information system approaches were used to compare the availability of community-based EOL providers at the county level by degree of rurality. Examining numbers of rural counties by provider, it was found that hospices were the least available community-based EOL providers in rural counties with 62% to 92% of rural counties not having hospice providers (exception: Vermont). When examining the number of providers by population older than 65 years, few differences were found. It is concluded that there are substantially fewer hospice providers in the most rural areas, raising issues of access to care. Examination of both unadjusted and adjusted numbers of providers is important to understand community-based EOL provider supply.
Dyslipidemia and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: Role of Lifestyle Approaches for Its Management
Authors: Leon Arthur S. , Bronas Ulf G.
Published: April 2009

Multiple risk factors have a causative relationship to the etiology of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, it is clear that dyslipidemia plays a central role. The chain of evidence is strongest for elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). An inverse association has also been demonstrated between levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and its principal apolipoprotein, A-1, and risk of CHD. Elevated levels of fasting triglyceride (TG) also are a predictor of CHD, but the independent contribution of TG is difficult to prove because of its usual association with reduced levels of HDL-C; elevated levels of small, dense, highly-atherogenic LDL particles; and the metabolic syndrome. Elevated fasting levels of non—HDL-C (TC — LDL-C) and apolipoprotein B also are strongly predictive of the risk of CHD. Therapeutic lifestyle changes are important adjuncts to pharmacologic management of dyslipidemia. The purpose of this article is to review these contributions with an emphasis on dietary habits (particularly lipid intake), weight management, and aerobic exercise.
CXCR7 heterodimerizes with CXCR4 and regulates CXCL12-mediated G protein signaling
Authors: Levoye Angélique , Balabanian Karl , Baleux Françoise , Bachelerie Françoise , Lagane Bernard
Published: April 2009

The stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXCL12 chemokine engages the CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors and regulates homeostatic and pathologic processes, including organogenesis, leukocyte homeostasis, and tumorigenesis. Both receptors are widely expressed in mammalian cells, but how they cooperate to respond to CXCL12 is not well understood. Here, we show that CXCR7 per se does not trigger Gαi protein–dependent signaling, although energy transfer assays indicate that it constitutively interacts with Gαi proteins and undergoes CXCL12-mediated conformational changes. Moreover, when CXCR4 and CXCR7 are coexpressed, we show that receptor heterodimers form as efficiently as receptor homodimers, thus opening the possibility that CXCR4/CXCR7 heterodimer formation has consequences on CXCL12-mediated signals. Indeed, expression of CXCR7 induces conformational rearrangements within preassembled CXCR4/Gαi protein complexes and impairs CXCR4-promoted Gαi-protein activation and calcium responses. Varying CXCR7 expression levels and blocking CXCL12/CXCR7 interactions in primary T cells suggest that CXCR4/CXCR7 heterodimers form in primary lymphocytes and regulate CXCL12-promoted chemotaxis. Taken together, these results identify CXCR4/CXCR7 heterodimers as distinct functional units with novel properties, which can contribute to the functional plasticity of CXCL12.
Receptor targeting of hemoglobin mediated by the haptoglobins: roles beyond heme scavenging
Authors: Nielsen Marianne Jensby , Moestrup Søren Kragh
Published: April 2009

Haptoglobin, the haptoglobin-hemoglobin receptor CD163, and the heme oxygenase-1 are proteins with a well-established function in the clearance and metabolism of “free” hemoglobin released during intravascular hemolysis. This scavenging system counteracts the potentially harmful oxidative and NO-scavenging effects associated with “free” hemoglobin, and, furthermore, elicits an anti-inflammatory response. In the late primate evolution, haptoglobin variants with distinct functions have arisen, including haptoglobin polymers and the haptoglobin-related protein. The latter associates with a subspecies of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles playing a crucial role in the innate immunity against certain trypanosome parasites. Recent studies have elucidated this fairly sophisticated immune defense mechanism that takes advantage of a trypanosomal haptoglobin-hemoglobin receptor evolved to supply the parasite with heme. Because of the high resemblance between haptoglobin and haptoglobin-related protein, the receptor also takes up the complex of hemoglobin and the HDL-bound haptoglobin-related protein. This tricks the parasite into internalizing another HDL-associated protein and toxin, apolipoprotein L-I, that kills the parasite. In conclusion, variant human homologous hemoglobin-binding proteins that collectively may be designated the haptoglobins have diverted from the haptoglobin gene. On hemoglobin and receptor interaction, these haptoglobins contribute to different biologic events that go beyond simple removal from plasma of the toxic hemoglobin.
Differential efficacy of bortezomib plus chemotherapy within molecular subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Dunleavy Kieron , Pittaluga Stefania , Czuczman Myron S. , Dave Sandeep S. , Wright George , Grant Nicole , Shovlin Margaret , Jaffe Elaine S. , Janik John E. , Staudt Louis M. , Wilson Wyndham H.
Published: April 2009

Gene expression profiling of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has revealed distinct molecular subtypes that include germinal center B cell–like (GCB) and activated B cell–like (ABC) DLBCL. ABC DLBCL has a worse survival after upfront chemotherapy and is characterized by constitutive activation of the antiapoptotic nuclear factor–kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, which can inhibit chemotherapy. We hypothesized that inhibition of NF-κB might sensitize ABC but not GCB DLBCL to chemotherapy and improve outcome. As the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib can inhibit NF-κB through blocking IκBα degradation, we investigated bortezomib alone followed by bortezomib and doxorubicin-based chemotherapy in recurrent DLBCL. Tumor tissue was analyzed by gene expression profiling and/or immunohistochemistry to identify molecular DLBCL subtypes. As a control, we showed that relapsed/refractory ABC and GCB DLBCL have equally poor survivals after upfront chemotherapy. Bortezomib alone had no activity in DLBCL, but when combined with chemotherapy, it demonstrated a significantly higher response (83% vs 13%; P < .001) and median overall survival (10.8 vs 3.4 months; P = .003) in ABC compared with GCB DLBCL, respectively. These results suggest bortezomib enhances the activity of chemotherapy in ABC but not GCB DLBCL, and provide a rational therapeutic approach based on genetically distinct DLBCL subtypes. This trial is registered with http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT00057902.
Hepcidin, the hormone of iron metabolism, is bound specifically to α-2-macroglobulin in blood
Authors: Peslova Gabriela , Petrak Jiri , Kuzelova Katerina , Hrdy Ivan , Halada Petr , Kuchel Philip W. , Soe-Lin Shan , Ponka Prem , Sutak Robert , Becker Erika , Huang Michael Li-Hsuan , Suryo Rahmanto Yohan , Richardson Des R. , Vyoral Daniel
Published: April 2009

Hepcidin is a major regulator of iron metabolism. Hepcidin-based therapeutics/diagnostics could play roles in hematology in the future, and thus, hepcidin transport is crucial to understand. In this study, we identify α2-macroglobulin (α2-M) as the specific hepcidin-binding molecule in blood. Interaction of 125I-hepcidin with α2-M was identified using fractionation of plasma proteins followed by native gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Hepcidin binding to nonactivated α2-M displays high affinity (Kd 177 ± 27 nM), whereas hepcidin binding to albumin was nonspecific and displayed nonsaturable kinetics. Surprisingly, the interaction of hepcidin with activated α2-M exhibited a classical sigmoidal binding curve demonstrating cooperative binding of 4 high-affinity (Kd 0.3 μM) hepcidin-binding sites. This property probably enables efficient sequestration of hepcidin and its subsequent release or inactivation that may be important for its effector functions. Because α2-M rapidly targets ligands to cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis, the binding of hepcidin to α2-M may influence its functions. In fact, the α2-M–hepcidin complex decreased ferroportin expression in J774 cells more effectively than hepcidin alone. The demonstration that α2-M is the hepcidin transporter could lead to better understanding of hepcidin physiology, methods for its sensitive measurement and the development of novel drugs for the treatment of iron-related diseases.
Data-driven normalization strategies for high-throughput quantitative RT-PCR
Authors: Mar Jessica C , Kimura Yasumasa , Schroder Kate , Irvine Katharine M , Hayashizaki Yoshihide , Suzuki Harukazu , Hume David , Quackenbush John
Published: April 2009

Background

High-throughput real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is a widely used technique in experiments where expression patterns of genes are to be profiled. Current stage technology allows the acquisition of profiles for a moderate number of genes (50 to a few thousand), and this number continues to grow. The use of appropriate normalization algorithms for qPCR-based data is therefore a highly important aspect of the data preprocessing pipeline.

Results

We present and evaluate two data-driven normalization methods that directly correct for technical variation and represent robust alternatives to standard housekeeping gene-based approaches. We evaluated the performance of these methods against a single gene housekeeping gene method and our results suggest that quantile normalization performs best. These methods are implemented in freely-available software as an R package qpcrNorm distributed through the Bioconductor project.

Conclusion

The utility of the approaches that we describe can be demonstrated most clearly in situations where standard housekeeping genes are regulated by some experimental condition. For large qPCR-based data sets, our approaches represent robust, data-driven strategies for normalization.
Detection of discriminative sequence patterns in the neighborhood of proline cis peptide bonds and their functional annotation
Authors: Exarchos Konstantinos P , Exarchos Themis P , Papaloukas Costas , Troganis Anastassios N , Fotiadis Dimitrios I
Published: April 2009

Background

Polypeptides are composed of amino acids covalently bonded via a peptide bond. The majority of peptide bonds in proteins is found to occur in the trans conformation. In spite of their infrequent occurrence, cis peptide bonds play a key role in the protein structure and function, as well as in many significant biological processes.

Results

We perform a systematic analysis of regions in protein sequences that contain a proline cis peptide bond in order to discover non-random associations between the primary sequence and the nature of proline cis/trans isomerization. For this purpose an efficient pattern discovery algorithm is employed which discovers regular expression-type patterns that are overrepresented (i.e. appear frequently repeated) in a set of sequences. Four types of pattern discovery are performed: i) exact pattern discovery, ii) pattern discovery using a chemical equivalency set, iii) pattern discovery using a structural equivalency set and iv) pattern discovery using certain amino acids' physicochemical properties. The extracted patterns are carefully validated using a specially implemented scoring function and a significance measure (i.e. log-probability estimate) indicative of their specificity. The score threshold for the first three types of pattern discovery is 0.90 while for the last type of pattern discovery 0.80. Regarding the significance measure, all patterns yielded values in the range [-9, -31] which ensure that the derived patterns are highly unlikely to have emerged by chance. Among the highest scoring patterns, most of them are consistent with previous investigations concerning the neighborhood of cis proline peptide bonds, and many new ones are identified. Finally, the extracted patterns are systematically compared against the PROSITE database, in order to gain insight into the functional implications of cis prolyl bonds.

Conclusion

Cis patterns with matches in the PROSITE database fell mostly into two main functional clusters: family signatures and protein signatures. However considerable propensity was also observed for targeting signals, active and phosphorylation sites as well as domain signatures.