bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ancestral Veneration and the Possiblity of its Incorporation into the Christian Faith
Authors: Jebadu Alexander
Published: August 2007

In Nostra Aetate – one of the 16 documents of the Second Vatican Council – the Catholic Church firmly declares: 'The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in other religions⃜ The Church, therefore, urges all her sons and daughters to enter with prudence and charity into discussions and collaboration with members of other religious faith traditions…; (cf. NA. 2). The so-called 'other religions' as stated by Nostra Aetate includes traditional religion in the form of ancestral veneration. It is still widely and popularly practiced by Christians of various ethnic groups in Asia and Africa as well as in other parts of the world – Latin America, Melanesia and Australia (the Aborigines). Despite the suppression and expulsion done in the past, this religious tradition is still able to survive and continue to demonstrate its vital force in the lives of many Asians and Africans, including those who have embraced the Christian faith. In this article we argue that ancestral veneration does not contradict the Christian faith. It has a place in the Christian faith and should be incorporated into, at least, in Catholic Christian devotion.
An Idealized Two-Dimensional Framework to Study the West African Monsoon. Part I: Validation and Key Controlling Factors
Authors: Peyrillé Philippe , Lafore Jean-Philippe , Redelsperger Jean-Luc
Published: August 2007

An idealized vertical–meridional zonally symmetric model is developed in order to recover a July typical monsoon regime over West Africa in response to surface conditions. The model includes a parameterization to account for heat and momentum fluxes associated with eddies. The sensitivity of the simulated West African monsoon equilibrium regime to some major processes is explored. It allows confirmation of the important role played by the sun’s latitudinal position, the aerosols, the albedo, and the SST’s magnitude in the Gulf of Guinea and in the Mediterranean Sea.

The important role of aerosols in warming the Saharan lower layers and their effect on the whole monsoon is underlined. Model results also stress the importance of the Mediterranean Sea, which is needed to obtain the extreme dryness of the Sahara. The use of this idealized model is finally discussed for studying the scale interactions and coupling involved in the West African monsoon as explored in a companion paper.
Interannual Variability in the Southern Hemisphere Circulation Organized by Stratospheric Final Warming Events
Authors: Black Robert X. , McDaniel Brent A.
Published: August 2007

A composite observational analysis is presented demonstrating that austral stratospheric final warming (SFW) events provide a substantial organizing influence upon the large-scale atmospheric circulation in the Southern Hemisphere. In particular, the annual weakening of high-latitude westerlies in the upper troposphere and stratosphere is accelerated during SFW onset. This behavior is associated with a coherent annular circulation change with zonal wind decelerations (accelerations) at high (low) latitudes. The high-latitude stratospheric decelerations are induced by the anomalous wave driving of upward-propagating tropospheric waves. Longitudinally asymmetric circulation changes occur in the lower troposphere during SFW onset with regionally localized height increases (decreases) at subpolar (middle) latitudes. Importantly, the tropospheric and stratospheric circulation change patterns identified here are structurally distinct from the Southern Annular Mode. It is concluded that SFW events are linked to interannual atmospheric variability with potential bearing upon weather and climate prediction.
Blocking and Rossby Wave Breaking on the Dynamical Tropopause in the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Berrisford P. , Hoskins B. J. , Tyrlis E.
Published: August 2007

Rossby wave breaking on the dynamical tropopause in the Southern Hemisphere (the −2-PVU surface) is investigated using the ERA-40 dataset. The indication of wave breaking is based on reversal in the meridional gradient of potential temperature, and persistent large-scale wave breaking is taken as a strong indication that blocking may be present. Blocking in the midlatitudes is found to occur predominantly during wintertime in the Pacific and is most vigorous in the east Pacific, while during summertime, the frequency of blocking weakens and its extent becomes confined to the west Pacific. The interannual variability of blocking is found to be high. Wave breaking occurs most frequently on the poleward side of the polar jet and has some, but not all, of the signatures of blocking, so it is referred to as high-latitude blocking. In general, cyclonic wave breaking occurs on the poleward side of the polar jet, otherwise anticyclonic breaking occurs. However, at least in wintertime, wave breaking in the New Zealand/west to mid-Pacific sector between the polar and subtropical jets is a mixture between cyclonic and anticyclonic types. Together, episodes of wave breaking and enhanced westerly flow describe much of the variability in the seasonal Antarctic Oscillation (AnO) index and give a synoptic manifestation of it with a focus on the date line and Indian Ocean that is in agreement with the centers of action for the AnO. During summertime, anticyclonic wave breaking in the upper troposphere is also to be found near 30°S in both the Pacific and Atlantic, and appears to be associated with Rossby waves propagating into the subtropics from the New Zealand region.
Linear Anelastic Equations for Atmospheric Vortices
Authors: Hodyss Daniel , Nolan David S.
Published: August 2007

A linear anelastic-vortex model is derived using assumptions appropriate to waves on vortices with scales similar to tropical cyclones. The equation set is derived through application of a multiple-scaling technique, such that the radial variations of the thermodynamic fields are incorporated into the reference state. The primary assumption required for the model is that the horizontal variations in the thermodynamic variables describing the reference state are appreciably longer than the waves on the vortex. This new version of the anelastic system makes no approximation to the requirements for hydrostatic and gradient wind balance, or the buoyancy frequency, in the core of the vortex. A small but measurable improvement in the performance of the new equation set is demonstrated through simulations of gravity waves and vortex–Rossby waves in a baroclinic vortex.
Variational Assimilation of Global Microwave Rainfall Retrievals: Physical and Dynamical Impact on GEOS Analyses
Authors: Lin Xin , Zhang Sara Q. , Hou Arthur Y.
Published: August 2007

Global microwave rainfall retrievals from a five-satellite constellation, including the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager, Special Sensor Microwave Imager from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F13, F14, and F15, and the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer from the Earth Observing System Aqua, are assimilated into the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) Data Assimilation System using a 1D variational continuous assimilation (VCA) algorithm. The physical and dynamical impact of rainfall assimilation on GEOS analyses is examined at various temporal and spatial scales. This study demonstrates that the 1D VCA algorithm, which was originally developed and evaluated for rainfall assimilations over tropical oceans, can effectively assimilate satellite microwave rainfall retrievals and improve GEOS analyses over both the Tropics and the extratropics where the atmospheric processes are dominated by different large-scale dynamics and moist physics, and also over land, where rainfall estimates from passive microwave radiometers are believed to be less accurate. Results show that rainfall assimilation renders the GEOS analysis physically and dynamically more consistent with the observed precipitation at the monthly mean and 6-h time scales. Over regions where the model precipitation tends to misbehave in distinctly different rainy regimes, the 1D VCA algorithm, by compensating for errors in the model’s moist time tendency in a 6-h analysis window, is able to bring the rainfall analysis closer to the observed. The radiation and cloud fields also tend to be in better agreement with independent satellite observations in the rainfall–assimilation run especially over regions where rainfall analyses indicate large improvements. Assimilation experiments with and without rainfall data for a midlatitude frontal system clearly indicate that the GEOS analysis is improved through changes in the thermodynamic and dynamic fields that respond to the rainfall assimilation. The synoptic structures of temperature, moisture, winds, divergence, and vertical motion, as well as vorticity, are more realistically captured across the front.
Adjoint Sensitivity of Surface Precipitation to Initial Conditions
Authors: Mahfouf Jean-François , Bilodeau Bernard
Published: August 2007

The adjoint version of the Global Environmental Multiscale model including a comprehensive package of simplified and linearized physical processes (large-scale condensation, deep moist convection, vertical diffusion, and subgrid-scale orographic effects) is used to evaluate the sensitivity of surface precipitation to initial conditions for up to 24 h for two meteorological systems: a midlatitude front and a tropical cyclone. Such diagnostics are useful to improve the understanding on variational assimilation of precipitation data. In agreement with a similar study, the largest sensitivity is found with respect to the temperature field for both stratiform and convective precipitation. Close to the observation time and for stratiform precipitation, the sensitivity with respect to specific humidity is rather large, which corroborates conclusions from previous one-dimensional variational data assimilation experimentations. The sensitivity is then reduced significantly after the observation time. The sensitivities of surface precipitation to the wind components and to specific humidity are comparable and are at a maximum at the observation time. The sensitivity to the surface pressure is always much smaller than the sensitivity to the other variables. In general, sensitivities are largest at the observation time and then decrease. However, for the midlatitude perturbation, the sensitivity is enhanced after 12 h for stratiform precipitation and also for convective precipitation using a scheme based on the moisture convergence closure. This results from a dynamical coupling upstream of the area of interest through baroclinic instability as evidenced by vertically backward-tilted sensitivities. Such enhancement is not observed for the tropical case. The tangent-linear approximation remains acceptable for accumulated precipitation up to 24 h but is rather poor for instantaneous rain rates. The variational assimilation of accumulated precipitation should thus be favored.
Web Sites and Pediatric Residency Training Programs in the United States
Authors: Kumar Ashir , Sigal Yakov , Wilson Erika
Published: August 2007

The purpose of this study was to describe the use of Web sites by pediatric residency programs in the United States, the information provided on those Web sites, and the degree of user-friendliness in navigating the Web sites. Most residency programs (137/197) listed a Web address; 96% (131) of these sites were accessible and were analyzed. Most programs (98/131) provided information for 11 to 20 content items, 11 programs described less than 10 content items, and the remaining 22 programs listed 21 to 42 content items on their Web sites. Most Web sites (87%) were categorized into the user-friendly level. Extremely user-friendly Web sites also provided information on significantly more content items. Although 95% and 96% of positions were filled through match in programs with user-friendly Web sites and programs with extremely user-friendly Web sites, respectively, these were not statistically different from the programs with less user-friendly Web sites, where only 88% of positions were filled through the match. The majority of pediatric residency training programs have Web sites. Most of these Web sites were user-friendly and provided a variety of information sought by applicants.
Improving Pediatric Practice Immunization Rates Through Distance-Based Quality Improvement: A Feasibility Trial from PROS
Authors: Slora Eric J. , Steffes Jennifer M. , Harris Donna , Clegg Herbert W. , Norton David , Darden Paul M. , Sullivan Susan A. , Wasserman Richard C.
Published: August 2007

The feasibility and effectiveness of a distance-based quality improvement model were examined in a cohort of Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS) practices, with the goal of improving immunization rates and practitioner behaviors and attitudes. Of an initially assessed 82 practices, 29 with baseline rates of ≤88% for children 8 to 15 months of age were randomized into year-long paper-based education or distance-based quality improvement intervention groups. Outcomes were utility/helpfulness of quality improvement modalities, immunization rate change, and behavior/attitude change. Quality improvement participants attended approximately 75% of monthly conference calls but used the quality improvement Listserv and Web site infrequently (mean 1.09 and 0.92 uses, respectively). Helpfulness ratings of quality improvement modalities mirrored usage. Analyses revealed a 4.9% increase in quality improvement group immunization rates ( P = .061), a 0.8% education group increase ( P = .752), and a 4.1% difference between groups ( P = .261). More quality improvement practices adopted systems identifying children behind in immunizations. A distance-based quality improvement model is feasible and may improve immunization rates.
Being `Hefted': Reflections on Place, Stories and Contextual Bible Study
Authors: Lawrence Louise J.
Published: August 2007

This article explores issues surrounding people's (declining) attitudes and relationships to their `place'. A `place' is somewhere involving a shared history, narrative and, most crucially, embodied interaction. A `non-place' by contrast is bereft of such relationships. I propose that a key `place-making' activity for communities is Contextual Bible Study and the sharing of stories. An example drawn from a pilot study in the Devon rural village of Drewsteignton, serves to illustrate the method and to explore this hypothesis.
Theology as `Soundtrack': Popular Culture and Narratives of the Self
Authors: Marsh Clive
Published: August 2007

Christian theology has to find a way of working which meshes with how people make meaning today. This article uses the concept of `soundtrack' in both literal and metaphorical senses. Music is a key `text' for many people, though other `texts' are used. A theological tradition is itself a `classic soundtrack' for it accompanies life and helps people interpret what is happening.
Less need to be there: Cross-level effects of work practices that support work-life flexibility and enhance group processes and group-level OCB
Authors: Van Dyne Linn , Kossek Ellen , Lobel Sharon
Published: August 2007

Flexible work arrangements that give employees more control over when and where they work (such as part-time, flextime, and flexplace) have resulted in growing workplace trends of reduced face time, namely less visible physical time at the workplace. Most previous writings highlight negative effects on work group processes and effectiveness. In contrast, we develop a cross-level model specifying facilitating work practices that enhance group processes and effectiveness. These work practices: collaborative time management, re-definition of work contributions, proactive availability, and strategic self-presentation enhance overall awareness of others' needs in the group and overall caring about group goals, reduce process losses, and enhance group-level organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Our model presents testable propositions to guide empirical research on potentially positive effects of individual reduced face time on group outcomes.
Participants' accounts of a stress management intervention
Authors: Randall Raymond , Cox Tom , Griffiths Amanda
Published: August 2007

Organizational-level stress management interventions are usually evaluated using quasi-experimental methods. In order to test intervention effectiveness, such methods examine the outcomes of between-group differences in intervention exposure: participants are rarely asked about their experiences of the intervention. However, this approach has been criticized because it provides little or no information about why interventions succeed or fail. The aim of this study was to examine whether an analysis of participants' narratives of what had happened during an organizational-level intervention might prove useful during evaluation. Nurses working in a UK hospital ( n = 26) who had received an intervention to help them balance their administrative and clinical workloads, provided information about their experiences of it, and how these experiences were related to the effectiveness of the intervention. Template analysis of the data in their narratives identified codes relating to: i) intervention contexts (both pre-intervention and during the intervention); ii) implementation processes (including how participants made use of the intervention); and iii) participants' perceptions of the intervention's impact. The results indicated that participants' accounts provided information that is not captured by the dominant evaluation paradigm. Specifically, these data can i) help organizations to make better use of interventions, and ii) enhance research into the links between intervention processes, contexts and outcomes.
A Whole Lot of Challenges for Linguistics
Authors: Jackendoff Ray
Published: August 2007

The most important challenges for linguistics in the coming years involve making better contact with colleagues, with other frameworks and subdisciplines within linguistics, with theories of meaning and conceptualization, with psycholinguistics, with theories of other domains of cognition, with neuroscience, and with education.
What's in the Name “Linguistics” for Variationists
Authors: Kretzschmar William A.
Published: August 2007

Linguistics is a problematic home for language variationists. Dominant North American linguistic theories are different from NeoFirthian ideas in Britain, yielding a complex array of possible research approaches to language as people use it. Technological advances make this an excellent time to study language variation, while confusion about relations between different theoretical positions may complicate the ability of researchers on either side of the Atlantic to get the funding they need. In the twenty-first century, linguists need to understand and accept the idea that there are many different valid ways to study human language.
Wives' Shift Work Schedules and Husbands' and Wives' Well-Being in Dual-Earner Couples With Children
Authors: Chait Barnett Rosalind , Gareis Karen C. , Brennan Robert T.
Published: August 2007

In a sample of 55 dual-earner families with children aged 8 to 14 in which the mothers are registered nurses regularly working either day shifts (typically 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) or evening shifts (typically 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.), we estimated the within-couple relationship between the wife's work variables (i.e., work shift, work hours, and the interaction between work shift and work hours) and each spouse's work—family conflict, psychological distress, and marital-role quality. Wives' work variables predicted their own work—family conflict and psychological distress and showed a trend to predict their husbands' work—family conflict.
Negotiating Lesbian Family Identity via Symbols and Rituals
Authors: Suter Elizabeth A. , Daas Karen L. , Bergen Karla Mason
Published: August 2007

This study reports how lesbian families negotiate their family identities via symbols and rituals. Sixteen couple interviews were conducted with lesbian co-mothers (for a total of 32 participants) who had their children via donor insemination in the contexts of their current same-sex relationships. Interviews were analyzed using grounded theory. Framed by symbolic interactionism, this study reports how these families negotiated affirmation and disconfirmation of their identities when interacting with families of origin, social networks, sperm donors, and community institutions.
“I Would Want to Give My Child, Like, Everything in the World”
Authors: Jones Rachel K. , Frohwirth Lori F. , Moore Ann M.
Published: August 2007

The majority of U.S. women who have abortions (61%) have children. This exploratory study analyzes qualitative information from 38 women obtaining abortions to examine how issues of motherhood influenced their decisions to terminate their pregnancies. Women in the sample had abortions because of the material responsibilities of motherhood, such as the care for their existing children, as well as the more abstract expectations of parenting, such as the desire to provide children with a good home. The women believed that children were entitled to a stable and loving family, financial security, and a high level of care and attention. One fourth of the women had considered adoption but regarded it as being emotionally distressing. The findings demonstrate reasons why women have abortions throughout their reproductive life spans and that their decisions to terminate pregnancies are often influenced by the desire to be a good parent.
Breathing-enhanced upper extremity exercises for patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mutluay F.K. , Demir R. , Ozyilmaz S. , Caglar A.T. , Altintas A. , Gurses H.N.
Published: August 2007

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of breathing-enhanced upper extremity exercises on the respiratory function of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Design: Randomized controlled study of six-week duration.

Subjects: Forty patients with multiple sclerosis (age 39.2 ± 7 years; Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale scores: 4.51 ± 1.55) randomly divided into two groups.

Methods: The training group followed a six-week home training programme designed to strengthen accessory respiratory muscles. Controls performed no exercises. All subjects submitted to baseline and post-training tests of spirometry, respiratory muscle strength and 6-minute walking. They were also assessed with pulmonary dysfunction and exertion fatigue indices.

Results: Spirometry revealed clear improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1) (+13%, P = 0.003) resulting in higher FEV1/FVC (forced vital capacity) (+8.5%, P = 0.03). Maximal inspiratory pressure ( PImax) increased by +7.1% but not significantly. Maximal expiratory pressure ( PEmax) and FVC were significantly higher (by +7.1%, P = 0.0066 and +4.8%, P = 0.036 respectively) with respect to baseline measures. Pulmonary dysfunction was reduced (—9%, P = 0.002) while 6-minute walking distance was longer (+16%, P = 0.029) at equal exertion fatigue level.

Conclusions: The programme improved most pulmonary performance measures and had clinical significance. Its sustained application may prevent respiratory complications frequently observed in the later stages of multiple sclerosis.
Validation of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL): test of reliability and validity of the Danish version (SS-QOL-DK)
Authors: Muus Ingrid , Williams Linda S. , Ringsberg Karin C.
Published: August 2007

Objective: To test the reliability and validity of the Danish version of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale version 2.0 (SS-QOL-DK), an instrument for evaluation of health-related quality of life.

Design: A correlational study.

Setting: A stroke unit that provides acute care and rehabilitation for stroke patients in Frederiksborg County, Denmark.

Subjects: One hundred and fifty-two stroke survivors participated; 24 of these performed test—retest.

Intervention: Questionnaires were sent out and returned by mail. A subsequent telephone interview assessed functional level and missing items.

Main outcome measures : Test—retest was measured using Spearman's r, internal consistency was estimated using Cronbach's alpha, and evaluation of floor and ceiling values in proportion of minimum and maximum scores. Construct validity was assessed by comparing patients' scores on the SS-QOL-DK with those obtained by other test methods: Beck's Depression Index, the General Health Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36), the Barthel Index and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, evaluating shared variance using coefficient of determination, r2. Comparing groups with known scores assessed known-group validity. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed.

Results: Test—retest of SS-QOL-DK showed excellent stability, Spearman's r = 0.65—0.99. Internal consistency for all domains showed Cronbach's α = 0.81—0.94. Missing items rate was 1.0%. Most SS-QOL-DK domains showed moderately shared variance with similar domains of other test methods, r2 = 0.03—0.62. Groups with known differences showed statistically significant difference in scores. Item-to-scale correlation coefficients of 0.37—0.88 supported convergent validity.

Conclusions: SS-QOL-DK is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring self-reported health-related quality of life on group level among people with mild to moderate stroke.
Pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of additional supported standing practice on functional ability post stroke
Authors: Allison Rhoda , Dennett Rachel
Published: August 2007

Objective: To investigate whether provision of additional standing practice increases motor recovery and mobility post stroke.

Design: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Setting: A stroke rehabilitation unit in the UK.

Participants: Seventeen participants, seven women and ten men, age range 51—92 admitted to the unit 6—58 days post stroke.

Intervention: Each participant was randomly allocated into a control (conventional physiotherapy) or treatment (conventional therapy plus an additional session of standing practice) group. The period of intervention ranged from 14 to 28 days dependent upon length of stay on the unit.

Outcome measures: The Gross Functional Tool Section of the Rivermead Motor Assessment, the Trunk Control Test and the Berg Balance Scale were used on admission to the study, at weekly intervals during the intervention, and at 12 weeks (after discharge).

Results: Of the 17 participants recruited, three withdrew from the additional intervention group citing fatigue as a barrier and 15 completed the study.

Participants completing additional standing practice demonstrated higher scores in all motor measures at week 12, but this difference was not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant difference ( P < 0.05) in the changes in Berg Balance score when comparing week 1 with week 12, in support of the group receiving extra standing practice.

Conclusions: A larger study is required to establish the value of additional standing practice after stroke. This pilot demonstrates that the Gross Functional Tool Section of the Rivermead Motor Assessment and the Berg Balance Scale would be useful in such a study. Fatigue may be a significant barrier to ability to participate in more intensive programmes so screening participants for severe fatigue may be useful.
Ensemble clustering method based on the resampling similarity measure for gene expression data
Authors: Seo Young Kim  , Won Lee Jae
Published: August 2007

The rapid development of microarray technologies enabled the monitoring of expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously. Microarray technology has great potential for creating an enormous amount of data in a short time, and now becomes a new tool for studying such broad problems as classification of tumors in biology and medical science. Many statistical methods are available for analysing and systematizing these complex data into meaningful information, and one of the main goals in analysing gene expression data is the detection of samples or genes with similar expression patterns. In this paper, we developed a new clustering method of class discovery in a dataset. The performances of the new and existing methods were compared using both simulated data and real gene expression data. The proposed method was generally found to give more accurate cluster numbers and cluster assignments for individual objects than the three well-known general clustering methods such as agglomerative and divisive hierarchical clustering (HC) and self-organizing map (SOM). It also gave better results than the three consensus clustering methods based on agglomerative and divisive HC and SOM.
Voting as a Rational Choice
Authors: Edlin Aaron , Gelman Andrew , Kaplan Noah
Published: August 2007

For voters with `social' preferences, the expected utility of voting is approximately independent of the size of the electorate, suggesting that rational voter turnouts can be substantial even in large elections. Less important elections are predicted to have lower turnout, but a feedback mechanism keeps turnout at a reasonable level under a wide range of conditions. The main contributions of this paper are: (1) to show how, for an individual with both selfish and social preferences, the social preferences will dominate and make it rational for a typical person to vote even in large elections; (2) to show that rational socially motivated voting has a feedback mechanism that stabilizes turnout at reasonable levels (e.g., 50% of the electorate); (3) to link the rational social-utility model of voter turnout with survey findings on socially motivated vote choice.
Implementing Process Innovations
Authors: Krause Diana E. , Gebert Diether , Kearney Eric
Published: August 2007

Previous research leaves open which facets of leadership foster the implementation of process innovations. In this study, the authors analyze the effects of delegative-participative and consultative-advisory leadership, respectively, on the implementation success of process innovations. They argue that each of these leadership behaviors entails specific advantages and risks and that therefore the two patterns complement each other. The sample consisted of managers from different organizations. Although the posited main effects of both delegative-participative and consultative-advisory leadership are confirmed, the significant interaction between these two leadership styles has a different direction than the authors hypothesized.
Participation in Social Programs by Consumers and Companies
Authors: Hauge Janice A. , Jamison Mark A. , Jewell R. Todd
Published: August 2007

Lifeline is a unique nationwide public assistance program created by the Federal Communications Commission to provide price discounts to low-income telephone subscribers. Recently there has been concern that program participation rates are low and that there is great variation in participation across states. We examine the Lifeline Program to explain why people do not participate in a program that provides them with financial benefits. Using state-level panel data, we consider reasons Lifeline participation varies among states and why only approximately one-third of eligible households nationwide enroll in the program. We find that participation is actually closely aligned with what is predicted given state characteristics when we control for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. We also find that in addition to the demographic factors affecting participation, telecommunications companies appear to affect Lifeline participation rates.
Adaptor protein Lnk negatively regulates the mutant MPL, MPLW515L associated with myeloproliferative disorders
Authors: Gery Sigal , Gueller Saskia , Chumakova Katya , Kawamata Norihiko , Liu Liqin , Koeffler H. Phillip
Published: August 2007

Recently, activating myeloproliferative leukemia virus oncogene (MPL) mutations, MPLW515L/K, were described in myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) patients. MPLW515L leads to activation of downstream signaling pathways and cytokine-independent proliferation in hematopoietic cells. The adaptor protein Lnk is a negative regulator of several cytokine receptors, including MPL. We show that overexpression of Lnk in Ba/F3-MPLW515L cells inhibits cytokine-independent growth, while suppression of Lnk in UT7-MPLW515L cells enhances proliferation. Lnk blocks the activation of Jak2, Stat3, Erk, and Akt in these cells. Furthermore, MPLW515L-expressing cells are more susceptible to Lnk inhibitory functions than their MPL wild-type (MPLWT)–expressing counterparts. Lnk associates with activated MPLWT and MPLW515L and colocalizes with the receptors at the plasma membrane. The SH2 domain of Lnk is essential for its binding and for its down-regulation of MPLWT and MPLW515L. Lnk itself is tyrosine-phosphorylated following thrombopoietin stimulation. Further elucidating the cellular pathways that attenuate MPLW515L will provide insight into the pathogenesis of MPD and could help develop specific therapeutic approaches.
Absence of regulatory T-cell control of TH1 and TH17 cells is responsible for the autoimmune-mediated pathology in chronic graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Chen Xiao , Vodanovic-Jankovic Sanja , Johnson Bryon , Keller Melissa , Komorowski Richard , Drobyski William R.
Published: August 2007

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains the major complication after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The process whereby acute GVHD mediated by alloreactive donor T cells transitions into chronic GVHD, which is characterized by prominent features of auto-immunity, has long been unresolved. In this study, we demonstrate that GVHD-associated autoimmunity and, by extension, chronic GVHD is attributable to the progressive loss of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells during the course of acute GVHD. This leads to the expansion of donor-derived CD4+ T cells with TH1 and TH17 cytokine phenotypes that release proinflammatory cytokines and cause autoimmune-mediated pathological damage. These T cells are present early after transplantation, indicating that the pathophysiological events that lead to chronic GVHD are set in motion during the acute phase of GVHD. We conclude that the absence of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells coupled with unregulated TH1 and TH17 cells leads to the development of autoimmunity and that donor-derived TH1 and TH17 cells serve as the nexus between acute and chronic GVHD.
CysLT2 receptors interact with CysLT1 receptors and down-modulate cysteinyl leukotriene–dependent mitogenic responses of mast cells
Authors: Jiang Yongfeng , Borrelli Laura A. , Kanaoka Yoshihide , Bacskai Brian J. , Boyce Joshua A.
Published: August 2007

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) induce inflammation through 2 G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), CysLT1 and CysLT2, which are coexpressed by most myeloid cells. Cys-LTs induce proliferation of mast cells (MCs), transactivate c-Kit, and phosphorylate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Although MCs express CysLT2, their responses to cys-LTs are blocked by antagonists of CysLT1. We demonstrate that CysLT2 interacts with CysLT1, and that knockdown of CysLT2 increases CysLT1 surface expression and CysLT1-dependent proliferation of cord blood–derived human MCs (hMCs). Cys-LT–mediated responses were absent in MCs from mice lacking CysLT1 receptors, but enhanced by the absence of CysLT2 receptors. CysLT1 and CysLT2 receptors colocalized to the plasma membranes and nuclei of a human MC line, LAD2. Antibody-based fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy confirmed complexes containing both receptors based on fluorescence energy transfer. Negative regulation of CysLT1-induced mitogenic signaling responses of MCs by CysLT2 demonstrates physiologically relevant functions for GPCR heterodimers on primary cells central to inflammation.
Expressed sequences tags of the anther smut fungus, Microbotryum violaceum, identify mating and pathogenicity genes
Authors: Yockteng Roxana , Marthey Sylvain , Chiapello Hélène , Gendrault Annie , Hood Michael E , Rodolphe François , Devier Benjamin , Wincker Patrick , Dossat Carole , Giraud Tatiana
Published: August 2007

Background

The basidiomycete fungusMicrobotryum violaceumis responsible for the anther-smut disease in many plants of the Caryophyllaceae family and is a model in genetics and evolutionary biology. Infection is initiated by dikaryotic hyphae produced after the conjugation of two haploid sporidia of opposite mating type. This study describesM. violaceumESTs corresponding to nuclear genes expressed during conjugation and early hyphal production.

Results

A normalized cDNA library generated 24,128 sequences, which were assembled into 7,765 unique genes; 25.2% of them displayed significant similarity to annotated proteins from other organisms, 74.3% a weak similarity to the same set of known proteins, and 0.5% were orphans. We identified putative pheromone receptors and genes that in other fungi are involved in the mating process. We also identified many sequences similar to genes known to be involved in pathogenicity in other fungi. TheM. violaceumEST database, MICROBASE, is available on the Web and provides access to the sequences, assembled contigs, annotations and programs to compare similarities against MICROBASE.

Conclusion

This study provides a basis for cloning the mating type locus, for further investigation of pathogenicity genes in the anther smut fungi, and for comparative genomics.
Reduced tumor growth in vivo and increased c-Abl activity in PC3 prostate cancer cells overexpressing the Shb adapter protein
Authors: Davoodpour Padideh , Landström Maréne , Welsh Michael
Published: August 2007

Background

Induction of apoptosis is one strategy for treatment of prostate cancer. The Shb adapter protein has been found to regulate apoptosis in various cell types and consequently human prostate cancer 3 (PC3) cells were transfected to obtain cells overexpressing Shb in order to increase our understanding of the mechanisms regulating PC3 cell apoptosis.

Methods

Human prostate cancer cells (PC3) were transfected with control vector or a vector containing the Shb cDNA. Clones overexpressing Shb were studied with respect to apoptosis (Dapi, M30) and c-Abl activation (Western blot for pY-245-Abl). The cells were exposed to the anti-tumor agent 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) and the p38 MAPK and c-Abl inhibitors SB203580 and STI-571, respectively, after which cell death was determined. In vivo tumor growth and tumor cell proliferation (Ki-67 staining) or apoptosis (active caspase 3 staining) were also determined in nude mice.

Results

PC3 cells overexpressing Shb exhibited increased rates of apoptosis in the presence of the anti-tumor agent 2-ME. The Shb cells displayed increased activity of the pro-apoptotic kinase c-Abl. Pre-treatment with p38 MAPK (SB203580) or c-Abl (STI-571) inhibitors completely blocked 2-ME-induced apoptosis, implicating these two pathways in the response. The PC3-Shb cells displayed reduced tumor growth in vivo, an effect occurring as a consequence of increased apoptosis and reduced DNA synthesis.

Conclusion

It is concluded that Shb promotes 2-ME-induced PC3 cell apoptosis by increased pro-apoptotic signaling via the c-Abl pathway and that this causes reduced tumor growth in vivo.
Hitting bacteria at the heart of the central dogma: sequence-specific inhibition
Authors: Rasmussen Louise Carøe Vohlander , Sperling-Petersen Hans Uffe , Mortensen Kim Kusk
Published: August 2007

An important objective in developing new drugs is the achievement of high specificity to maximize curing effect and minimize side-effects, and high specificity is an integral part of the antisense approach. The antisense techniques have been extensively developed from the application of simple long, regular antisense RNA (asRNA) molecules to highly modified versions conferring resistance to nucleases, stability of hybrid formation and other beneficial characteristics, though still preserving the specificity of the original nucleic acids. These new and improved second- and third-generation antisense molecules have shown promising results. The first antisense drug has been approved and more are in clinical trials. However, these antisense drugs are mainly designed for the treatment of different human cancers and other human diseases. Applying antisense gene silencing and exploiting RNA interference (RNAi) are highly developed approaches in many eukaryotic systems. But in bacteria RNAi is absent, and gene silencing by antisense compounds is not nearly as well developed, despite its great potential and the intriguing possibility of applying antisense molecules in the fight against multiresistant bacteria. Recent breakthrough and current status on the development of antisense gene silencing in bacteria including especially phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (PS-ODNs), peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) and phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) will be presented in this review.
Effects of steroidal and nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors on markers of bone turnover in healthy postmenopausal women
Authors: Goss Paul E , Hadji Peyman , Subar Milayna , Abreu Paula , Thomsen Torben , Banke-Bochita Jose
Published: August 2007

Introduction

In contrast to nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors, the steroidal aromatase inactivator exemestane does not have detrimental effects on bone in animal models. This study was designed to compare the effects of exemestane with the nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors anastrozole and letrozole on serum and urine levels of biomarkers of bone turnover in healthy postmenopausal women.

Methods

Changes in the concentrations of bone-turnover markers, estrogens, and lipids were assessed after daily administration of exemestane (25 mg), letrozole (2.5 mg), anastrozole (1 mg), or placebo for 24 weeks in healthy postmenopausal women. The primary end point was the percentage change from baseline in bone-turnover-marker levels at week 24. The baseline-adjusted area under the curve (AUC) for weeks 0–12 and 0–24 was calculated to evaluate changes in bone turnover over time, rather than at discrete time points.

Results

Seventy-four (88%) of 84 randomized subjects were evaluable for bone-marker assays. Reductions in plasma estrogen levels and increases in bone-resorption markers were comparable for each aromatase inhibitor. Uniquely, exemestane consistently increased the percentage change from baseline in the level of serum procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), a marker of bone formation, at week 24. In the active-treatment groups, the baseline-adjusted AUC at weeks 0–12 and 0–24 for PINP was significantly greater for exemestane than the other aromatase inhibitors.

Conclusion

Exemestane increased serum levels of the bone-formation marker PINP after 24 weeks, suggesting a specific bone-formation effect related to its androgenic structure. Potential effects on cortical bone and reduced fracture risk must be verified in a comparative clinical trial.
Prevalence of Symptomatic Androgen Deficiency in Men
Authors: Araujo Andre B. , Esche Gretchen R. , Kupelian Varant , O’Donnell Amy B. , Travison Thomas G. , Williams Rachel E. , Clark Richard V. , McKinlay John B.
Published: August 2007

Context: Despite recognition that androgen deficiency in men should be defined according to biochemical and clinical criteria, most prevalence estimates are based on low testosterone levels alone.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association between symptoms of androgen deficiency and low total and calculated free testosterone levels and estimate the prevalence of symptomatic androgen deficiency in men.

Design: This study was a population-based, observational survey.

Participants: A total of 1475 Black, Hispanic, and white men, between the ages of 30–79 yr, with complete data on testosterone, SHBG, and symptoms of androgen deficiency, and who are not taking medications that impact sex steroid levels were randomly selected from the Boston Area Community Health Survey.

Outcome: Outcomes were measured as symptomatic androgen deficiency, defined as low total (<300 ng/dl) and free (<5 ng/dl) testosterone plus presence of low libido, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis or fracture, or two or more of following symptoms: sleep disturbance, depressed mood, lethargy, or diminished physical performance.

Results: Mean age of the sample was 47.3 ± 12.5 yr. Approximately 24% of subjects had total testosterone less than 300 ng/dl, and 11% of subjects had free testosterone less than 5 ng/dl. Prevalence of symptoms were as follows: low libido (12%), erectile dysfunction (16%), osteoporosis/fracture (1%), and two or more of the nonspecific symptoms (20%). Low testosterone levels were associated with symptoms, but many men with low testosterone levels were asymptomatic (e.g. in men 50+ yr, 47.6%). Crude prevalence of symptomatic androgen deficiency was 5.6% (95% confidence interval: 3.6%, 8.6%), and was not significantly related to race and ethnic group. Prevalence was low in men less than 70 yr (3.1–7.0%) and increased markedly with age to 18.4% among 70 yr olds. Projection of these estimates to the year 2025 suggests that there will be as many as 6.5 million American men ages 30–79 yr with symptomatic androgen deficiency, an increase of 38% from 2000 population estimates.

Conclusions: Prevalence of symptomatic androgen deficiency in men 30 and 79 yr of age is 5.6% and increases substantially with age. The aging of the U.S. male population will cause a large increase in the burden of symptomatic androgen deficiency. Future work should address the clinical significance of low testosterone levels in asymptomatic men.
Effects of Vibration on Sedentary Activities in Passenger Trains
Authors: Khan M. Shafiquzzaman , Sundstrom Jerker
Published: August 2007

The effects of vibration on train passengers' sedentary activities were investigated with a questionnaire survey as well as onboard vibration measurements. Three types of Swedish inter-regional trains were studied on four different lines. 330 passengers were randomly selected for the questionnaire survey. The vibration measurements were made at five positions around a passenger seat above the bogie during normal service. The vibration data were weighted according to ISO 2631–1 and the older German (Sperling) Ride Index Wz. Two-thirds of the passengers reported difficulties in performing sedentary activities such as reading and writing due to vibration and shocks. However, the standardized measurements did not reveal any severe discomfort values due to the vibration. This reveals that ISO and Wz standards do not evaluate vibrations effect on sedentary activities correctly. This also indicates that even low levels of vibration can reduce the ability to perform sedentary activities. Both chair and table produced more vibration than the floor. The spectral analysis showed that the chair had nearly the same frequency content as the floor, below 10 Hz. This range is critical since it coincides with the most vulnerable range for reading and writing as well as the perception of ride comfort.
The Central Role of Interpersonal Conflict in Low Frequency Noise Annoyance
Authors: Benton Stephen
Published: August 2007

This paper considers the relationship between the Environmental Health Officer and the Low Frequency Noise complainant (sufferer). It is suggested that the characteristic psychoacoustic properties of Low Frequency Noise may interact with inappropriate assessment protocols to produce a series of interpersonal pressures that play an active part in shaping the overall noise problem. This interaction may be considered as a legitimate and common impact factor within Low Frequency Noise complaints. The confounding role of misperception and miscommunication, between the parties, is explored and models of conflict resolution are considered as a means for providing counter measures to the behavioural consequences of failed assessment procedures and ineffective personal coping strategies.