bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Nonstationary Extreme Value Analysis for the Assessment of Changes in Extreme Annual Wind Speed over the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada
Authors: Hundecha Y. , St-Hilaire A. , Ouarda T. B. M. J. , El Adlouni S. , Gachon P.
Published: April 2008

Changes in the extreme annual wind speed in and around the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Canada) were investigated through a nonstationary extreme value analysis of the annual maximum 10-m wind speed obtained from the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) dataset as well as observed data from selected stations of Environment Canada. A generalized extreme value distribution with time-dependent location and scale parameters was used to estimate quantiles of interest as functions of time at locations where significant trend was detected. A Bayesian method, the generalized maximum likelihood approach, is implemented to estimate the parameters. The analysis yielded shape parameters very close to 0, suggesting that the distribution can be modeled using the Gumbel distribution. A similar analysis using a nonstationary Gumbel model yielded similar quantiles with narrower credibility intervals. Overall, little change was detected over the period 1979–2004. Only 7% of the investigated grids exhibited trends at the 5% significant level, and the analysis performed on the reanalysis data at locations of significant trend indicated a rise in the median extreme annual wind speed by up to 2 m s−1 per decade in the southern coastal areas with a corresponding increase in the 90% and 99% quantiles of the extreme annual wind speeds by up to 5 m s−1 per decade. Also in the northern part of the gulf and some offshore areas in the south, the 50%, 90%, and 99% quantile values of the extreme annual wind speeds are noted to drop by up to 1.5, 3, and 5 m s−1, respectively. While the directions of the changes in the annual extremes at the selected stations are similar to those of the reanalysis data at nearby grid cells, the magnitudes and significance levels of the changes are generally inconsistent. Change at the same significance level over the same period of the NARR dataset was noted only at 2 stations out of 13.
Sensitivity of MJO Simulation and Predictability to Sea Surface Temperature Variability
Authors: Kim Hye-Mi , Hoyos Carlos D. , Webster Peter J. , Kang In-Sik
Published: April 2008

The influence of sea surface temperature (SST) on the simulation and predictability of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is examined using the Seoul National University atmospheric general circulation model (SNU AGCM). Forecast skill was examined using serial climate simulations spanning eight different winter seasons with 30-day forecasts commencing every 5 days, giving a total of 184 thirty-day simulations. The serial runs were repeated using prescribing observed SST with monthly, weekly, and daily temporal resolutions. The mean SST was the same for all cases so that differences between experiments result from the different temporal resolutions of the SST boundary forcing.

It is shown that high temporal SST frequency acts to improve 1) the MJO activity of 200-hPa velocity potential field over the entire Asian monsoon region at all lead times; 2) the percentage of filtered variance of the two leading EOF modes that explain the eastward propagation of MJO; 3) the power of the wavenumber 1 eastward propagating mode; and 4) the forecast skill of MJO, maintaining it for longer periods. However, the MJO phase relationship between MJO convection and SST, as is often the case with many atmosphere-only models, although well simulated at the beginning of forecast period becomes distorted rapidly as the forecast lead time increases, even with the daily SST forcing case. Comparison of AGCM simulations with coupled GCM (CGCM) integrations shows that ocean–atmosphere coupling improves considerably the phase relationship between SST and convection. The CGCM results reinforce that the MJO is a coupled phenomenon and suggest strongly the need of the ocean–atmosphere coupled processes to extend predictability.
Climatological Basin-Scale Amazonian Evapotranspiration Estimated through a Water Budget Analysis
Authors: Karam Hanan N. , Bras Rafael L.
Published: April 2008

Spatially averaged evapotranspiration [ET] over the Amazon Basin is computed as the residual of the basin’s atmospheric water balance equation, at the monthly time scale and for the period 1988–2001. Basin-averaged rainfall [P] is obtained from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) dataset, and alternative estimates of the net convergence of atmospheric water vapor flux over the basin [C] are derived from three global reanalyses: the NCEP–NCAR and NCEP–Department of Energy (DOE) reanalyses and the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40). Additionally, a best estimate of [C] is obtained by taking a weighted average of data from these three sources, in which the weight factors are based on the random error attributed to each reanalysis’ [C] estimates by comparison to river discharge data. The resulting time series is dominated by ERA-40’s contribution, which was found to be the most accurate over the study period. Data products from the three reanalyses are also employed to compute the monthly tendencies of total precipitable water over the basin. While the seasonal signature of this “accumulation term” provides important insight into the Amazon Basin’s hydrological cycle, its magnitude is found to be negligible relative to the other components of the water budget. The value of mean annual [ET] presented in this work is significantly lower than other published estimates that are based on simulations by various land surface models. Furthermore, when the best estimate of [C] is used, the resulting [ET] time series exhibits a seasonal cycle that is in phase with that of basin-averaged surface net radiation, suggesting that Amazonian evapotranspiration is prevalently limited by energy availability. In contrast, most land surface models, including that of the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis, simulate water-limited evapotranspiration in the Amazon Basin. The analysis presented here supports the hypothesis that most Amazonian trees sustain elevated evapotranspiration rates during the dry season through deep roots, which tap into large reservoirs of soil water that are replenished during the following wet season.
Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Radiometric and Radiosonde Observations in an Arctic Environment
Authors: Mattioli V. , Westwater E. R. , Cimini D. , Gasiewski A. J. , Klein M. , Leuski V. Y.
Published: April 2008

In a recent paper by Mattioli et al., a significant difference was observed between upper-tropospheric and lower-stratospheric water vapor profiles as observed by two radiosonde systems operating in the Arctic. The first was the Vaisala RS90 system as operated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program; the second was the operational radiosondes launched by the U.S. National Weather Service that used the Sippican VIZ-B2 type. Observations of precipitable water vapor by ground-based microwave radiometers and GPS did not reveal these differences. However, both the microwave radiometer profiler (MWRP) and the ground-based scanning radiometer (GSR) contain channels that receive a significant response from the upper-tropospheric region. In this paper, it is shown that brightness temperature (Tb) observations from these instruments are in consistent agreement with calculations based on the RS90 data but differ by several degrees with calculations based on the VIZ radiosondes. It is also shown that calculations of Tb can serve as a gross quality control of upper-tropospheric soundings.
Strengthening Student Voice Initiatives in High Schools
Authors: Mitra Dana L.
Published: April 2008

School environments offer a particularly difficult setting for fostering youth-adult partnerships because of the sharp power and status distinctions among students, teachers, and administrators. Drawing on interview and observational data examining 13 student-voice initiatives in northern California, this research examines the type of supports that can enable the development of strong school-based youth-adult partnerships. The data demonstrate that efforts to reshape student roles face great resistance and require intentional effort on the part of adults and youth to sustain partnerships. Specifically, the institutional constraints of schools required extra attention to fostering more equitable relationships between youth and adults within school walls, establishing the legitimacy of these new relationships through the completion of specific and yet meaningful objectives established by the partnership, and finding sufficient time to engage in the work of building these partnerships.
You can degrade but you can't hit: Differences in perceptions of psychological versus physical aggression
Authors: Capezza Nicole M. , Arriaga Ximena B.
Published: April 2008

This study fills two major gaps in the partner aggression literature. First, little is known about perceptions of psychological aggression. Second, it is unclear whether any physical aggression or just high physical aggression is perceived to be negative and severe. We conducted an experiment with college students (N = 212) to examine perceptions of a hypothetical marital conflict that varied the husband's level of physical aggression (absent, low, high) and psychological aggression (low, high). The effect of manipulating the husband's physical aggression led to robust main effects on perceptions of negativity and severity. The distinction between any versus low or high physical aggression depended on the variable. The effect of manipulating the husband's psychological aggression was not nearly as robust.
Girls' cognitions of hypothetical friends: Are they related to depression, loneliness, social anxiety and perceived similarity?
Authors: Romero Leslie E. , Epkins Catherine C.
Published: April 2008

We examined in 100 girls whether girls' depression, loneliness, social anxiety, and perceived similarity were related to their cognitions of hypothetical friends (prosocial, withdrawn/ depressed, and aggressive). Depression, loneliness, and social anxiety were each related to various friend-related cognitions, but only social anxiety and loneliness had unique relations when these three internalizing problems were examined simultaneously and with perceived similarity. After accounting for the three internalizing constructs, perceived similarity was related to higher wanting to be friends with and perceived acceptance from all three hypothetical friends, lower not wanting aggressive girls as friends, and lower expected rejection by prosocial girls. Findings highlight the importance of perceived similarity, and the importance of examining depression, loneliness, and social anxiety simultaneously, when assessing girls' friendship-related cognitions.
Perpetrators of Sexual Assault Continuing to Have Sex With Their Victims Following the Initial Assault
Authors: Ellis Lee , Widmayer Alan , Palmer Craig T.
Published: April 2008

Among a sample of college students, roughly 30% of the women and 12% of the men reported having been the victim of a sexual assault sometime in their lives. Of the assault victims, approximately 23% of both sexes stated that they had sexual intercourse with their assaulters on at least one subsequent occasion. Female victims of a completed sexual assault were significantly more likely to continue being sexually active with their assailants than were female victims who managed to block the assault, while no such difference was found for male victims. This would imply that some men are using assaultive tactics to secure sex partners beyond a single sexual episode, thereby enhancing their potential reproductive success in evolutionary terms. Also, men who committed sexual assault reported having had more lifetime sex partners than did sexually experienced men with no sexual assault history. Overall, the idea that sexual assault is part of an evolved reproductive strategy is consistent with findings from this study.
Numbers 16: The Significance of Place— An Analysis of Spatial Markers
Authors: Mirguet Françoise
Published: April 2008

The present study is devoted to the composite and complex story of Numbers 16. The episode is analyzed through the lenses of the construction of narrative space, paying close attention to the locations where action takes place, to the movements of characters, and to the associated adverbs and prepositions. Seven spatial markers are successively considered in order to sketch an interpretation for the whole episode. The study shows that, as the spatial signals unfold, a symbolic meaning of the story can emerge, the stakes of which concern Israel's organization, its recognition of YHWH, and its very survival.
Removing Ruth: Tiqqune Sopherim in Ruth 3.3-4?
Authors: Irwin Brian P.
Published: April 2008

Commentators on Ruth 3.3-4 often pause to note the kethib—qere found in these verses, explaining the unusual form of the kethibs ‭יחדריו‬ and ‭יחבכשו‬ as archaic second feminine singular perfects. This article suggests that the kethib forms found in Ruth 3.3-4 are not archaic, but are the result of an intentional emendation of the text by a scribe intent on reconciling the passage with the teaching of the Torah. The effect of this change is to remove Ruth from any possible intimate encounter with Boaz and replace her with Naomi. Thus, these two readings should be considered as an unrecognized occurrence of tiqqune sopherim.
Time to climb out of the sewer
Authors: Leigh David
Published: April 2008

Award-winning Guardian reporter Leigh draws upon Nick Davies' new book, Flat Earth News, is examining the state of investigative journalism today and concluding: "The waters of British investigative journalism in 2008 certainly appear to be heavily polluted. But nonetheless, along with the tide of dead dogs, used condoms and toxic waste, there do seem to be nutritious public interest fish still to be caught. Liberty is indivisible, as the saying goes. And a free press is better than any of the alternatives."
The uses of literature: towards a bidirectional stylistics
Authors: Gugin David L.
Published: April 2008

In this article, I demonstrate how an examination of the pragmatics of the pseudo-cleft in the fiction of Flannery O'Connor can do more than simply illustrate the precise manner in which she employs and patterns a given linguistic structure. Such an examination can also provide persuasive evidence of the overall value of literary language for the study of linguistics. That is to say, a careful, complete analysis of the pragmatics of the pseudo-cleft in O'Connor's fiction not only shows how linguistics can be used to enrich our understanding of literature, but, more importantly, how literature can be used to enrich our understanding of linguistics. More specifically, though previous linguistic definitions of the pseudo-cleft differ in a variety of ways, to my knowledge none of those definitions have ever discussed the pseudo-cleft as a given + given (presupposition only) information packaging structure. Since 18 of the 79 pseudo-clefts in O'Connor's canon do, in fact, pattern as given + given structures, I will argue that, at the very least, O'Connor's use of the pseudo-cleft challenges existing linguistic accounts of the structure. Based on the results of my analysis, I therefore argue for what I call a `bidirectional stylistics' — a broader approach to stylistics that emphasizes its ability as a discipline to expand and complete existing linguistic explanations that are based only on non-literary data.
Nurses' Moral Sensitivity and Hospital Ethical Climate: a Literature Review
Authors: Schluter Jessica , Winch Sarah , Holzhauser Kerri , Henderson Amanda
Published: April 2008

Increased technological and pharmacological interventions in patient care when patient outcomes are uncertain have been linked to the escalation in moral and ethical dilemmas experienced by health care providers in acute care settings. Health care research has shown that facilities that are able to attract and retain nursing staff in a competitive environment and provide high quality care have the capacity for nurses to process and resolve moral and ethical dilemmas. This article reports on the findings of a systematic review of the empirical literature (1980 — February 2007) on the effects of unresolved moral distress and poor ethical climate on nurse turnover. Articles were sought to answer the review question: Does unresolved moral distress and a poor organizational ethical climate increase nurse turnover? Nine articles met the criteria of the review process. Although the prevailing sentiment was that poor ethical climate and moral distress caused staff turnover, definitive answers to the review question remain elusive because there are limited data that confidently support this statement.
Nurses as Guests or Professionals in Home Health Care
Authors: Öresland Stina , Määttä Sylvia , Norberg Astrid , Jörgensen Marianne Winther , Lützén Kim
Published: April 2008

The aim of this study was to explore and interpret the diverse subject of positions, or roles, that nurses construct when caring for patients in their own home. Ten interviews were analysed and interpreted using discourse analysis. The findings show that these nurses working in home care constructed two positions: `guest' and `professional'. They had to make a choice between these positions because it was impossible to be both at the same time. An ethics of care and an ethics of justice were present in these positions, both of which create diverse ethical appeals, that is, implicit demands to perform according to a guest or to a professional norm.
Exposing Nursing Students To the Marketing Methods of Pharmaceutical Companies
Authors: Civaner Murat , Sarikaya Ozlem , Alici Sevim Ulupinar , Bozkurt Gulcin
Published: April 2008

There is a strong association between reliance on the promotional activities of pharmaceutical companies and a generally less appropriate use of prescription drugs. Pharmaceutical companies direct some of their promotion towards health workers who do not have the authority to prescribe medicines, such as nurses in certain countries. The aim of this study was to determine the impact that exposure to the marketing methods of pharmaceutical companies has on judgments made by nursing students about health worker—pharmaceutical company relationships. A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 442 nursing students in Istanbul, Turkey. The exposure of students to the marketing methods of pharmaceutical companies, whether it be indirectly through observation or directly by first-hand experience, increases the probability that students will adopt rationales that underlie affirmative judgments of health worker—pharmaceutical company relationships. Based on the pervasiveness and ability of drug promotion to influence the perceptions of students, it is imperative that attempts be made to reduce its negative impact.
Conducting Projects in Uncertain Times
Authors: Simard Louis
Published: April 2008

Major engineering projects are encountering increasingly tough resistance, and sponsors are applying innovative means to make project implementation more predictable. Electricity transmission projects are strongly affected by these trends, particularly with the opening up of electricity markets. This article sheds light on the difficulties involved in project implementation and network upgrading by applying time-frame analysis to the conduct of power-line projects. On the basis of four extremely high voltage power-line projects in France and Quebec, a comprehensive interpretation of the challenges involved in incorporating time into the analysis of projects with extensive social and political implications is advanced. The conduct of projects is examined using a typology of four basic time frames, and the corporate quest to move from uncertain spasmodic time to more predictable strategic time is discussed.
Bilateral Popliteal Artery Occlusion in a Competitive Bike Rider: Case Report and Clinical Review
Authors: McAree Barry J. , O'Donnell Mark E. , Davison Gareth W. , Boyd Christopher , Lee Bernard , Soong Chee V.
Published: April 2008

Since its first description in 1879, popliteal artery entrapment syndrome remains a debilitating condition, which frequently affects young active people. Increased awareness of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome combined with improvements in investigative modalities has resulted in a more frequent diagnosis of this eminently treatable condition. In this article, a rare case of bilateral popliteal artery entrapment syndrome in a physically active 33-year-old man precipitated by competitive Bicycle Moto-Cross riding is presented. A higher index of suspicion for popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is recommended as the underlying pathology in a young active person with symptoms of lower limb claudication. Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome should be investigated with thorough radiological assessment prior to any therapeutic intervention, which is often fraught with difficulty due to chronically diseased vasculature and inherent anatomical anomalies.
ALK− anaplastic large-cell lymphoma is clinically and immunophenotypically different from both ALK+ ALCL and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified: report from the International Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Project
Authors: Savage Kerry J. , Harris Nancy Lee , Vose Julie M. , Ullrich Fred , Jaffe Elaine S. , Connors Joseph M. , Rimsza Lisa , Pileri Stefano A. , Chhanabhai Mukesh , Gascoyne Randy D. , Armitage James O. , Weisenburger Dennis D.
Published: April 2008

The International Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Project is a collaborative effort designed to gain better understanding of peripheral T-cell and natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs). A total of 22 institutions in North America, Europe, and Asia submitted clinical and pathologic information on PTCLs diagnosed and treated at their respective centers. Of the 1314 eligible patients, 181 had anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL; 13.8%) on consensus review: One hundred fifty-nine had systemic ALCL (12.1%) and 22 had primary cutaneous ALCL (1.7%). Patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase–positive (ALK+) ALCL had a superior outcome compared with those with ALK− ALCL (5-year failure-free survival [FFS], 60% vs 36%; P = .015; 5-year overall survival [OS], 70% vs 49%; P = .016). However, contrary to prior reports, the 5-year FFS (36% vs 20%; P = .012) and OS (49% vs 32%; P = .032) were superior for ALK− ALCL compared with PTCL, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS). Patients with primary cutaneous ALCL had a very favorable 5-year OS (90%), but with a propensity to relapse (5-year FFS, 55%). In summary, ALK− ALCL should continue to be separated from both ALK+ ALCL and PTCL-NOS. Although the prognosis of ALK− ALCL appears to be better than that for PTCL-NOS, it is still unsatisfactory and better therapies are needed. Primary cutaneous ALCL is associated with an indolent course.
Polymorphisms in the type IV collagen α3 gene and the risk of COPD
Authors: Kim K. M. , Park S. H. , Kim J. S. , Lee W. K. , Cha S. I. , Kim C. H. , Kang Y. M. , Jung T. H. , Kim I. S. , Park J. Y.
Published: April 2008

A number of genome-wide linkage analyses have identified the 2q33.3–2q37.2 region as the most likely to contain the genes that contribute to the susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It was hypothesised that the type IV collagen α3 (COL4A3) gene, which is one of the genes located in the 2q33.3–2q37.2 region, may act as a low-penetrance susceptibility gene for COPD.

To test this hypothesis, the association ofCOL4A3-1162T>C, IVS2+12C>A, P141L, G162E, H451R, P574L and *315C>A polymorphisms with the risk of COPD was investigated in a case–control study of 311 COPD patients and 386 controls.

The presence of at least one 451R allele was associated with a significantly higher risk of COPD compared with the 451 H/H genotype (adjusted odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval (1.03–2.14)). When the subjects were stratified according to age and COPD severity, the 451R allele was associated with a significantly higher risk of COPD only in younger individuals with severe COPD (3.02 (1.37–6.67)).

In conclusion, these findings suggest that the type IV collagen α3 gene contributes to the genetic susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Pre-immigration screening process and pulmonary tuberculosis among Ethiopian migrants in Israel
Authors: Mor Z. , Lerman Y. , Leventhal A.
Published: April 2008

More than 75,000 displaced Ethiopians have moved to Israel. Tuberculosis (TB) incidence in Ethiopia is 44 times higher than in Israel (344versus8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively). The aims of the present retrospective cohort study were to evaluate the pre-immigration screening process initiated in 2001 on pulmonary TB (PTB) morbidity and to assess its cost-effectiveness.

Ethiopian immigrants who were screened before departure (study group) were compared with those who were screened after arrival (comparison group).

Between 1998 and 2005, 24,051 Ethiopian immigrants arrived in Israel. PTB was diagnosed in 332 (1.4%) immigrants, an incidence density of 325 patients per 100,000 person-yrs. PTB cumulative incidence was lower in the study group than in the comparison group: 711 compared with 1,746 patients per 100,000 immigrants, respectively (rate ratio 0.4). PTB was detected significantly earlier in the study group than in the comparison group: 193versus487 days after entry, respectively. Disease incidence declined significantly during the first 2 yrs following immigration. A 5-yr predictive model indicated that 98 individuals would be free of PTB, saving US$91,055 on annual treatment cost, due to screening.

The pre-immigration screening process reduced pulmonary tuberculosis incidence in subsequent years following immigration. Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed earlier in the screened group than in the comparison group and the process was found to be both cost-beneficial and cost-effective.
Health-related quality of life in COPD patients with chronic respiratory failure
Authors: Duiverman M. L. , Wempe J. B. , Bladder G. , Kerstjens H. A. M. , Wijkstra P. J.
Published: April 2008

The Maugeri Respiratory Failure (MRF-28) and Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI) questionnaires were recently developed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic respiratory failure, although not exclusively in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the MRF-28 and SRI are reliable and valid HRQoL questionnaires in COPD patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF).

In total, 72 COPD patients with CHRF underwent pulmonary function and exercise testing, and completed the MRF-28, the SRI, the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Groningen Activity and Restriction Scale and two dyspnoea indexes.

Physical domain scores of the questionnaires correlated with exercise tolerance, dyspnoea and daily activities, while psychological domains correlated strongly with anxiety and depression. Anxiety scores accounted for 51 and 56% of the total explained variance in total CRQ and SRI scores, respectively. The emphasis of the MRF-28 was restrictions in activities of daily living (52% of total variance).

In conclusion, the present study showed that the Maugeri Respiratory Failure and Severe Respiratory Insufficiency questionnaires were reliable and valid questionnaires in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure. While the emphasis in the Maugeri Respiratory Failure questionnaire is on activities of daily living, the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency questionnaire, like the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire, is more related to anxiety and depression.
Clinical predictors of pulmonary hypertension in sarcoidosis
Authors: Bourbonnais J. M. , Samavati L.
Published: April 2008

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) adversely affects outcome in sarcoidosis and is an important predictor of mortality in these patients. Early and accurate diagnosis of this complication may improve outcome. The current authors hypothesised that integration of 6-min walk test (6MWT) as part of the evaluation leads to an earlier diagnosis of this complication.

A total of 162 patients with sarcoidosis underwent 6MWT. Demographic and pulmonary function results were analysed. Patients were further assessed by echocardiography and right heart catheterisation when clinically indicated.

Patients with sarcoidosis-associated PH had significantly decreased results on pulmonary function testing. They also walked shorter distances and desaturated to lower levels on 6MWT. On logistic regression analyses, significant predictors of PH were oxygen saturation <90% on 6MWT (odds ratio (OR) 12.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.66–19.73) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide <60% predicted (OR 7.3, 95% CI 1.98–24.82). Moreover, by combining the results of oxygen saturation at 6 min with those of echocardiography, the ability to correctly predict the presence of PH by right heart catheterisation was improved.

Patients with diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide <60% predicted and oxygen desaturation <90% on 6-min walk test have a high likelihood of pulmonary hypertension and should undergo further evaluation for the presence of this disorder.
Failure to replicate an association of SNPs in the oxidized LDL receptor gene (OLR1) with CAD
Authors: Knowles Joshua W , Assimes Themistocles L , Boerwinkle Eric , Fortmann Stephen P , Go Alan , Grove Megan L , Hlatky Mark , Iribarren Carlos , Li Jun , Myers Richard , Risch Neil , Sidney Stephen , Southwick Audrey , Volcik Kelly A , Quertermous Thomas
Published: April 2008

Background

The lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor LOX-1 (encoded by OLR1) is believed to play a key role in atherogenesis and some reports suggest an association of OLR1 polymorphisms with myocardial infarction (MI). We tested whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in OLR1 are associated with clinically significant CAD in the Atherosclerotic Disease, VAscular FuNction, & Geneti C Epidemiology (ADVANCE) study.

Methods

ADVANCE is a population-based case-control study of subjects receiving care within Kaiser Permanente of Northern California including a subset of participants of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. We first resequenced the promoter, exonic, and splice site regions of OLR1 and then genotyped four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including a non-synonymous SNP (rs11053646, Lys167Asn) as well as an intronic SNP (rs3736232) previously associated with CAD.

Results

In 1,809 cases with clinical CAD and 1,734 controls, the minor allele of the coding SNP was nominally associated with a lower odds ratio (OR) of CAD across all ethnic groups studied (minimally adjusted OR 0.8, P = 0.007; fully adjusted OR 0.8, P = 0.01). The intronic SNP was nominally associated with an increased risk of CAD (minimally adjusted OR 1.12, p = 0.03; fully adjusted OR 1.13, P = 0.03). However, these associations were not replicated in over 13,200 individuals (including 1,470 cases) in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Conclusion

Our results do not support the presence of an association between selected common SNPs in OLR1 and the risk of clinical CAD.
Design of the P acemaker RE mote F ollow-up E valuation and R eview (PREFER) trial to assess the clinical value of the remote pacemaker interrogation in the management of pacemaker patients
Authors: Chen Jane , Wilkoff Bruce L , Choucair Wassim , Cohen Todd J , Crossley George H , Johnson W Ben , Mongeon Luc R , Serwer Gerald A , Sherfesee Lou
Published: April 2008

Background

Although pacemakers are primarily used for the treatment of bradycardia, diagnostic data available in current pacemakers allow them to be also used as sophisticated, continuous monitoring devices. Easy access to these stored data may assist clinicians in making diagnostic and therapeutic decisions sooner, thus avoiding potential long-term sequelae due to untreated clinical disorders. Internet-based remote device interrogation systems provide clinicians with frequent and complete access to stored data in pacemakers. In addition to monitoring device function, remote monitors may be a helpful tool in assisting physicians in the management of common arrhythmia disorders.

Methods

The Pacemaker Remote Follow-up Evaluation and Review (PREFER) trial is a prospective, randomized, parallel, unblinded, multicenter, open label clinical trial to determine the utility of remote pacemaker interrogation in the earlier diagnosis of clinically actionable events compared to the existing practice of transtelephonic monitoring. There have been 980 patients enrolled and randomized to receive pacemaker follow up with either remote interrogation using the Medtronic CareLink® Network (CareLink) versus the conventional method of transtelephonic monitoring (TTM) in addition to periodic in-person interrogation and programming evaluations. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the design of the PREFER trial. The results, to be presented separately, will characterize the number of clinically actionable events as a result of pacemaker follow-up using remote interrogation instead of TTM.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00294645.
Critical numbers of neural crest cells are required in the pathways from the neural tube to the foregut to ensure complete enteric nervous system formation
Authors: Barlow Amanda J. , Wallace Adam S. , Thapar Nikhil , Burns Alan J.
Published: April 2008

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is mainly derived from vagal neural crest cells (NCC) that arise at the level of somites 1-7. To understand how the size and composition of the NCC progenitor pool affects ENS development, we reduced the number of NCC by ablating the neural tube adjacent to somites 3-6 to produce aganglionic gut. We then back-transplanted various somite lengths of quail neural tube into the ablated region to determine the `tipping point',whereby sufficient progenitors were available for complete ENS formation. The addition of one somite length of either vagal, sacral or trunk neural tube into embryos that had the neural tube ablated adjacent to somites 3-6,resulted in ENS formation along the entire gut. Although these additional cells contributed to the progenitor pool, the quail NCC from different axial levels retained their intrinsic identities with respect to their ability to form the ENS; vagal NCC formed most of the ENS, sacral NCC contributed a limited number of ENS cells, and trunk NCC did not contribute to the ENS. As one somite length of vagal NCC was found to comprise almost the entire ENS, we ablated all of the vagal neural crest and back-transplanted one somite length of vagal neural tube from the level of somite 1 or somite 3 into the vagal region at the position of somite 3. NCC from somite 3 formed the ENS along the entire gut, whereas NCC from somite 1 did not. Intrinsic differences, such as an increased capacity for proliferation, as demonstrated in vitro and in vivo,appear to underlie the ability of somite 3 NCC to form the entire ENS.
Mob4 plays a role in spindle focusing in Drosophila S2 cells
Authors: Trammell Matthew A. , Mahoney Nicole M. , Agard David A. , Vale Ronald D.
Published: April 2008

The characteristic bipolar shape of the mitotic spindle is produced by the focusing of the minus ends of microtubules at the spindle poles. The focus is maintained by the centrosome, a microtubule-nucleating organelle, as well as by proteins that are capable of focusing kinetochore fibers (K fibers) even in the absence of a centrosome. Here, we have performed a small-scale RNA interference (RNAi) screen of known or suspected pole-related proteins in Drosophila S2 cells. An unexpected outcome of this screen was the finding that one of the four Drosophila Mob proteins (a family of kinase regulators) plays a role in spindle pole organization. Time-lapse microscopy of mitotic cells depleted of Drosophila Mob4 by RNAi revealed that the K fibers splay apart and do not maintain their focus either in the presence or absence of functional centrosomes. The Mob4 RNAi phenotype most closely resembles that observed after depletion of the protein encoded by abnormal spindle (Asp), although Asp localization is not substantially affected by Mob4 RNAi. Expression of a Drosophila Mob4-GFP fusion protein revealed its localization to the nucleus in interphase and to spindle poles and kinetochores during mitosis. We propose that Mob4 in Drosophila controls a mitotic kinase that in turn regulates downstream target proteins involved in K fiber focusing at the poles.
Actin-based propulsive forces and myosin-II-based contractile forces in migratingDictyosteliumcells
Authors: Iwadate Yoshiaki , Yumura Shigehiko
Published: April 2008

It has been suggested that myosin II exerts traction forces at the posterior ends and retracting pseudopodia of migrating cells, but there is no direct evidence. Here, using a combination of total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy and force microscopy with a high spatial resolution of ∼400 nm, we simultaneously recorded GFP-myosin II dynamics and traction forces under migrating Dictyostelium cells. Accumulation of filamentous myosin II and a subsequent increase in traction forces were detected in pseudopodia just before retraction. In the case of motorless myosin II, traction forces did not increase after accumulation, suggesting that the source of the retraction force is the motor activity of accumulated myosin II. Simultaneous recording of F-actin and traction forces revealed that traction forces were exerted under spot-like regions where F-actin accumulated. Cells migrated in a direction counter to the sum of the force vectors exerted at each spot, suggesting that the stress spots act as scaffolds to transmit the propulsive forces at the leading edge generated by actin polymerization.
WASP and SCAR have distinct roles in activating the Arp2/3 complex during myoblast fusion
Authors: Berger Susanne , Schäfer Gritt , Kesper Dörthe A. , Holz Anne , Eriksson Therese , Palmer Ruth H. , Beck Lothar , Klämbt Christian , Renkawitz-Pohl Renate , Önel Susanne-Filiz
Published: April 2008

Myoblast fusion takes place in two steps in mammals and in Drosophila. First, founder cells (FCs) and fusion-competent myoblasts (FCMs) fuse to form a trinucleated precursor, which then recruits further FCMs. This process depends on the formation of the fusion-restricted myogenic-adhesive structure (FuRMAS), which contains filamentous actin (F-actin) plugs at the sites of cell contact. Fusion relies on the HEM2 (NAP1) homolog Kette, as well as Blow and WASP, a member of the Wiskott-Aldrich-syndrome protein family. Here, we show the identification and characterization of schwächling – a new Arp3-null allele. Ultrastructural analyses demonstrate that Arp3schwächling mutants can form a fusion pore, but fail to integrate the fusing FCM. Double-mutant experiments revealed that fusion is blocked completely in Arp3 and wasp double mutants, suggesting the involvement of a further F-actin regulator. Indeed, double-mutant analyses with scar/WAVE and with the WASP-interacting partner vrp1 (sltr, wip)/WIP show that the F-actin regulator scar also controls F-actin formation during myoblast fusion. Furthermore, the synergistic phenotype observed in Arp3 wasp and in scar vrp1 double mutants suggests that WASP and SCAR have distinct roles in controlling F-actin formation. From these findings we derived a new model for actin regulation during myoblast fusion.
An alternatively spliced isoform of PECAM-1 is expressed at high levels in human and murine tissues, and suggests a novel role for the C-terminus of PECAM-1 in cytoprotective signaling
Authors: Bergom Carmen , Paddock Cathy , Gao Cunji , Holyst Trudy , Newman Debra K. , Newman Peter J.
Published: April 2008

The Ig-ITIM family member PECAM-1 is expressed in vascular and endothelial cells, and its functions include suppression of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Previous studies have identified distinct PECAM-1 cytoplasmic domain splice variants at the mRNA, but not protein, level. Several relatively abundant mRNA isoforms lack exon 15 (Δ15) and would theoretically encode a protein with a truncated cytoplasmic domain and a unique C-terminal sequence. Using a novel rabbit polyclonal antibody that specifically recognizes Δ15 PECAM-1, we found that the Δ15 PECAM-1 isoform was expressed in human tissues, including brain, testes and ovary. This isoform was also expressed on the cell surface of human platelets, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the Jurkat T-cell leukemia, human erythroleukemia (HEL) and U937 histiocytic lymphoma cell lines. Furthermore, murine platelets and lung lysates demonstrated abundant amounts of exon-15-deficient PECAM-1. Functional studies revealed that Δ15 PECAM-1 retains both its homophilic binding capacity and its ability to signal by means of its immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) domains. Δ15 PECAM-1 was unable, however, to protect against apoptosis induced by overexpression of Bax or treatment with the chemotherapy agent etoposide. These studies suggest a novel role for the PECAM-1 C-terminus in cytoprotective signaling and highlight a need for further characterization of expression of PECAM-1 isoforms in normal and malignant tissues.
A web-based assembly planning approach
Authors: Lu C , Wong Y S , Fuh J Y H
Published: April 2008

This paper presents a web-based assembly planning approach that enables geographically dispersed planners to carry out the assembly planning task collaboratively and concurrently based on an assembly planning approach using a multiobjective genetic algorithm. Issues in web-based assembly planning are discussed and a workflow is presented. A framework is proposed for web-based assembly planning and the working mechanism is discussed. Finally, a case study is given to verify the proposed approach.
Relative Income, Happiness, and Utility: An Explanation for the Easterlin Paradox and Other Puzzles
Authors: Clark Andrew E , Frijters Paul , Shields Michael A
Published: April 2008

The well-known Easterlin paradox points out that average happiness has remained constant over time despite sharp rises in GNP per head. At the same time, a micro literature has typically found positive correlations between individual income and individual measures of subjective well-being. This paper suggests that these two findings are consistent with the presence of relative income terms in the utility function. Income may be evaluated relative to others (social comparison) or to oneself in the past (habituation). We review the evidence on relative income from the subjective well-being literature. We also discuss the relation (or not) between happiness and utility, and discuss some nonhappiness research (behavioral, experimental, neurological) related to income comparisons. We last consider how relative income in the utility function can affect economic models of behavior in the domains of consumption, investment, economic growth, savings, taxation, labor supply, wages, and migration. Every pitifulest whipster that walks within a skin has had his head filled with the notion that he is, shall be, or by all human and divine laws ought to be, “happy.” Thomas Carlyle
Changing times? Doctors' sick leave in a district general hospital
Authors: Duffy DJ , Jeys L , London NJ
Published: April 2008

Most junior doctors now work shifts to comply with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) and the New Deal. Increasingly there has been general concern among senior medical staff that this has undermined the traditional medical team or 'firm' structure. The effect of this has been witnessed most acutely with the fragmentation of many units, with lead clinicians often struggling to develop and foster a working relationship with their junior staff. The net effect has been a loss of clear line management, team support and in some cases, career guidance. As a result an increase in absenteeism in junior doctors has been perceived to occur. This study set out to investigate the rates of such absenteeism among medical staff in a district general hospital.
Showcasing the FGDP(UK) and the College
Authors: Fowler Jacqueline
Published: April 2008

The Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) has used several events held during February to highlight its work and the benefits of membership, as well as showcasing College facilities.
Libertas Reverentiam Remisit: Politics and Metaphor in Statius Silvae 1.6
Authors: Chinn Christopher
Published: March 2008

This article argues that Statius Siluae 1.6 may be understood as an enactment of the politics of freedom in Flavian Rome. In describing Saturnalia and praising the emperor simultaneously, the poem engages with two different types of rhetoric and employs figurative language in an attempt to reconcile the two. Nevertheless, the literal meanings of these figures of speech come into play in the poem. In several instances analyzed here, the various ways of understanding libertas come into conflict. This literary conflict of figurative language reenacts the political contestation over the meaning of libertas at Rome.
Augustus and I: Horace and "Horatian" Identity in Odes 3.14
Authors: Marks Raymond
Published: March 2008

Horace does not distinguish neatly between the public "Augustan" voice he adopts in stanzas 1-3 of Odes 3.14 and the private "Horatian" voice he adopts in stanzas 5-7. In the latter, Horace both differentiates himself from and assimilates himself to Augustus, as portrayed earlier in the poem, and thus offers a portrait of himself that is best understood as a Horatio-Augustan composite. As both voices coexist in his self-representation, the similarities and differences between them cannot be interpreted as expressions of acceptance or rejection of Augustus as many have done. Instead, Horace is engaged in a form of identity negotiation.
The Legacy of Aphrodite: Anchises' Offspring in the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite
Authors: Faulkner Andrew
Published: March 2008

The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite has traditionally been understood to pay honour to a family of Aineiadai who once held power in the Troad, but in more recent years some scholars have rejected this view. This article first revisits this controversial issue, suggesting that concentrated attention paid in the hymn to the birth of Aineias and his lineage supports the position that the poem was composed for a group that identified itself with Aineias. It then goes on to consider the view that the Hymn to Aphrodite narrates the end of Aphrodite's mixing gods and mortals in love. It is argued that this reading is not required by the text of the poem.
Anacreon's "Self": An Alternative Role Model for the Archaic Elite Male?
Authors: Lear Andrew
Published: March 2008

Anacreon's poetic persona embodies a value system that contrasts sharply with the one, often viewed as traditionally Greek, that is embodied by the persona of the Theognidean poets. While "Theognis" is moderate, loyal, almost exclusively pederastic, and focused on public affairs, "Anacreon" is immoderate, promiscuous, bisexual, and focused on private concerns. Paradoxically, like "Theognis," "Anacreon" serves as a role model for the male listener. The "self's" domination by Eros is a central problem for the two poets/traditions; in Anacreon, this is part of a broader theme of immoderation, but "Anacreon" also has strategies of metacontrol over his lack of control unknown to "Theognis."
A Constructivist Case Study Examining the Leadership Development of Undergraduate Students in Campus Recreational Sports
Authors: Hall Stacey L. , Scott Forrester , Borsz Melissa
Published: March 2008

This constructivist case study examined undergraduate student leadership development. Twenty-one student leaders, 13 females and 8 males, in a campus recreational sports department were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol. Seven broad themes: organizing, planning, and delegating; balancing academic, personal and professional roles; mentor/role model and motivating others; problem solving and decision making; communication skills; working with others/diversity; and giving and receiving feedback emerged from the analysis.