bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe Pulmonary Hypertension in Idiopathic Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia
Authors: Hallowell Robert W. , Reed Robert M. , Fraig Mostafa , Horton Maureen R. , Girgis Reda E.
Published: April 2012

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of interstitial lung disease (ILD), particularly in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and ILD associated with connective tissue disease, where the underlying pathology is often a nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) pattern. The degree of PH in ILD is typically mild to moderate and radiographic changes of ILD are usually prominent. We describe four patients with idiopathic NSIP and severe PH (mPAP > 40 mmHg). The average mean pulmonary artery pressure was 51±7 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance was 13±4 Wood's units. Pulmonary function was characterized by mild restriction (total lung capacity 63–94% predicted) and profound reductions in DLCO (19–53% predicted). Computed tomographic imaging revealed minimal to moderate interstitial thickening without honeycombing. In two of the cases, an initial clinical diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension was made. Both were treated with intravenous epoprostenol, which was associated with worsening of hypoxemia. All four patients died or underwent lung transplant within 4 years of PH diagnonsis. Lung pathology in all four demonstrated fibrotic NSIP with medial thickening of the small and medium pulmonary arteries, and proliferative intimal lesions that stained negative for endothelial markers (CD31 and CD34) and positive for smooth muscle actin. There were no plexiform lesions. Severe pulmonary hypertension can therefore occur in idiopathic NSIP, even in the absence of advanced radiographic changes. Clinicians should suspect underlying ILD as the basis for PH when DLCO is severely reduced or gas exchange deteriorates with pulmonary vasodilator therapy.
Market and Welfare Effects of Mandatory Country‐of‐Origin Labeling in the U.S. Specialty Crops Sector: An Application to Fresh Market Apples
Authors: Plastina Alejandro , Giannakas Konstantinos , Pick Daniel
Published: April 2012

This study provides a new framework of analysis of the market and welfare effects of mandatory country‐of‐origin labeling (MCOOL) for fruits and vegetables that accounts for heterogeneous consumer preferences, differences in producer agronomic characteristics, and retailer market power. The market and welfare effects of MCOOL are shown to be case‐specific and dependent on the labeling costs at the farm and retail levels, the strength of consumer preference for domestic products, the market power of retailers, the marketing margin along the supply chain, and the relative costs of imported and domestic products. Simulation results for the U.S. market of fresh apples indicate that domestic producers are the most likely beneficiaries of MCOOL, followed by domestic consumers. Being unable to exercise market power on consumers or suppliers of fresh apples, retailers will lose if the implementation of MCOOL entails fixed costs. Imports of fresh apples decline after MCOOL introduction.
The Effect of Subtracting a Constant from all Payoffs in a Hawk‐Dove Game: Experimental Evidence of Loss Aversion in Strategic Behavior
Authors: Feltovich Nick
Published: April 2012

Economists and psychologists have documented patterns of individual decision‐making behavior (e.g., loss aversion) whereby losses and gains are treated differently. However, there has been little evidence of such patterns in multiplayer games. I report results showing the strongest evidence I know of that this phenomenon is present in games. Experimental subjects play two hawk‐dove games that are identical up to a constant; in one, all payoffs are positive, while in the other, payoffs are negative if and only if both players choose “hawk.” Under both fixed pairs and random matching, differences between the games are substantial, significant, and consistent with loss aversion.
Putting Agency and Integrity to the Test
Authors: Arce Daniel G.
Published: April 2012

This article examines recent claims about the necessity of integrity in agency relationships by putting agents with preferences that reflect integrity in an evolutionary competition with opportunistic agents. Corporate culture is modeled through a process of assortative matching between principal and agent types (via industry or group effects). This leads to a characterization of corporate governance where integrity is linked with value creation.
Are You Risk Averse over Other People's Money?
Authors: Chakravarty Sujoy , Harrison Glenn W. , Haruvy Ernan E. , Rutström E. Elisabet
Published: April 2012

Decisions with uncertain outcomes are often made by one party in settings where another party bears the consequences. Whenever an individual is delegated to make decisions that affect others, such as in the typical corporate structure, does the individual make decisions that reflect the risk preferences of the party bearing the consequences? We examine this question in two simple settings, lottery choices and sealed‐bid auctions, using controlled laboratory experiments. We find that when an individual makes a decision for an anonymous stranger, there is a tendency to exhibit less risk aversion. This reduction in risk aversion is relative to his or her own preferences, and it is also relative to his or her belief about the preferences of others. This result has significant implications for the design of contracts between principals and agents.
Weathering the Storm: Measuring Household Willingness‐to‐Pay for Risk‐Reduction in Post‐Katrina New Orleans
Authors: Landry Craig E. , Hindsley Paul , Bin Okmyung , Kruse Jamie B. , Whitehead John C. , Wilson Ken
Published: April 2012

The city of New Orleans suffered extensive damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Rebuilding involves decisions on investment in protective measures. An exhaustive list of protective measures has been studied in planning documents, with public comment solicited in town hall meetings. In this study we employ a different approach to examine public sentiment toward the selection and investment in protective measures. Our study uses a stated preference choice experiment with a stratified sample to investigate individuals' willingness‐to‐pay for rebuilding New Orleans's man‐made storm defenses, restoring natural storm protection, and improving evacuation options through a modernized transportation system. We target residents of the New Orleans metropolitan area as well as other U.S. citizens. Our results indicate that individuals are willing to pay for increased storm protection for New Orleans, but values differ among residents of the New Orleans metropolitan area and other U.S. citizens.
Challenges and Opportunities in Economics Experiments in Virtual Worlds
Authors: Haruvy Ernan
Published: April 2012

Economics research in virtual worlds presents opportunities that go far beyond what is possible in the laboratory but also presents new challenges and perils. The purpose of this article is to introduce the works in this special issue, each of which addresses different aspects of virtual world research in terms of new opportunities and insights as well as new sets of concerns.
Canadian Interest Rate Setting: The Information Content of Canadian and U.S. Central Bank Communication
Authors: Hayo Bernd , Neuenkirch Matthias
Published: April 2012

We explain Canadian target rate decisions using macroeconomic variables as well as Bank of Canada and Federal Reserve communication indicators. Econometrically, we employ an ordered probit model of a Taylor rule to explain and predict 60 target rate decisions between 1998 and 2006. We find that communications, especially speeches and testimony by Canadian Governing Council members, provide a significant and robust explanation of Canadian target rate decisions. However, prior to the introduction of fixed announcement dates, Canadian communications contained more information on upcoming policy moves. Finally, communications by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank—which are much more frequent—outperform our Canadian communication indicators in explaining Canadian interest rate decisions.
Risk and Macroeconomic Activity
Authors: Cover James Peery
Published: April 2012

This article explores the macroeconomic role that risk plays using the BAA‐AAA spread as the measure of risk. First, it shows that meaningful upward movements in this spread are associated with recessions and their severity. Second, it includes the BAA‐AAA spread in a structural vector‐autoregression (VAR) to identify a shock‐to‐risk and finds that it causes a statistically significant and economically important decrease in output as well as increased holdings of real‐money balances. Third, it uses historical decompositions to show that the shock‐to‐risk explains an important part of the declines in output during four post‐1970 recessions. Notably, the shock‐to‐risk explains almost none of the decline in output during 2001 prior to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks but does clarify why the recovery was relatively weak afterwards, and it explains the bulk of the decline in output during 2008 and 2009.
Can Credence Advertising Effects Be Isolated? Can They Be Negative?: Evidence from Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Bradford W. David , Kleit Andrew N.
Published: April 2012

We explore the relative impact of informative versus the credence effects of direct‐to‐consumer advertising in the market for prescription drugs. In particular, we examine how advertising for statin medications affects the delay between diagnosis and pharmacological treatment for patients with elevated cholesterol, as well as the time between treatment initiation and therapy switching. Duration models of delay to treatment indicate that over some ranges, advertising increases the likelihood of treatment, while over other ranges greater advertising is associated with lower likelihood of treatment. Results for the switching behavior models indicate that on net, advertising tends to both discourage switching between drugs and encourage therapy continuation. However, the component of the advertising that represents credence effects is generally positive, which indicates that as patients' spell of drug usage lengthens, the Food and Drug Administration–required warnings in advertisements induce consumers to switch away from the pharmaceuticals they are using.
R&D Subsidies, Spillovers, and Privatization in Mixed Markets
Authors: Gil-Moltó Maria José , Poyago-Theotoky Joanna , Zikos Vasileios
Published: April 2012

We examine the use of subsidies to research and development (R&D) in a mixed and a private duopoly market. We show that the socially optimal R&D subsidy is increasing in the degree of spillovers, but it is lower in the private duopoly. The optimal R&D subsidy leads to an increase in total R&D and production; however, it does not lead to the equalization of per firm output and therefore to an efficient distribution of production costs. We also find that privatization of the public firm reduces R&D activity and welfare in the duopoly market. This result stands even when optimal R&D subsidies are provided.
Trust in Second Life
Authors: Duffy John
Published: April 2012

In this article, some issues are raised with regard to conducting economic decision‐making experiments in virtual worlds. I make suggestions for addressing these issues. The issues are illustrated via a visit to an experimental laboratory in Second Life.
Unregulated Stock Markets in Second Life
Authors: Bloomfield Robert J. , Cho Young Jun
Published: April 2012

SLCapex is a stock exchange owned and operated by “residents” of the online virtual world Second Life. Despite its almost complete lack of regulation and legal protections against fraud or insider trading, issuers were able to raise approximately US$145,000 from investors, which grew to US$900,000 in market value before plummeting, resulting in overall investor returns of −71%. Investors in large issuances lost more than investors in small issuances, and small investors experienced more severe losses relative to large investors when more money was at stake, indicating that the market did a poor job of protecting investors from issuers and of providing a level playing field for investors. Theories from financial economics can explain the markets' poor performance in the absence of regulatory and legal institutions, but they cannot easily explain why issuers were able to raise capital in such a setting.
Military Conscription and the (Socially) Optimal Number of Boots on the Ground
Authors: Berck Peter , Lipow Jonathan
Published: April 2012

In this article, we develop a model of military manpower mobilization. We use the model to evaluate the efficacy of volunteer‐ and conscription‐based manpower systems within a framework of social welfare maximization. We find that neither conscription nor a volunteer approach is likely to be “first best” because of asymmetries of information and constraints on the military pay structure. We then modify the general model by considering the possibility that recruits with high civilian productivity are also more capable soldiers and find that, under such circumstances, conscription may be a more benign form of manpower mobilization than previously understood. We also consider and evaluate various alternatives available to militaries attempting to minimize the welfare losses associated with manpower mobilization.
The Effect of Local Area Unemployment on Compensating Wage Differentials for Injury Risk
Authors: Bender Keith A. , Mridha Hosne
Published: April 2012

Compensating wage differential (CWD) theory assumes that workers can always find a job without undesired characteristics, which forces firms with disamenities to pay a CWD. However, a simple theoretical variation of standard CWD theory shows that if there is a probability of job loss due to involuntary unemployment, the CWD is lower. When this probability is proxied by local unemployment rates, we find a downward bias in typical estimated CWDs using cross‐sectional data that span many local labor markets. Estimates from the Current Population Survey data show that the bias can be quite large, which in turn impacts the implicit value of injury estimates.
State Foreign Export Patterns
Authors: Cassey Andrew J.
Published: April 2012

The pattern of U.S. state exports to foreign destinations—which states export which goods to which destinations—has not been studied in detail despite the high profile of exports in the public consciousness. Currently there is not a unified description of facts characterizing exports for all states, destinations, and manufacturing subsectors. I combine research methods from plant‐ or firm‐level and country‐level empirical international trade on a cross section of state export data to list nine stylized facts. I also compare some of these facts to those in , ) to show what differs.
A Distributional Analysis of the FairTax Plan: Annual and Lifetime Income Considerations
Authors: Kuang Yingxu , Englebrecht Ted , Gilley Otis W.
Published: April 2012

Dissatisfaction with the current federal tax system is fostering serious interest in the FairTax Plan, which would replace most of the federal taxes with a national retail sales tax. The FairTax is promoted as being progressive, but there is considerable skepticism of this claim. We examine the distributional effects of the FairTax, as well as the current system it intends to replace, under both annual income and lifetime income approaches. Global measures of progressivity suggest that the current federal tax system is progressive while the FairTax is regressive. Our results are also robust to different assumptions used for estimation.
Inflation Forecast Targeting: An Alternative Approach to Estimating the Inflation‐Output Variability Tradeoff
Authors: Fackler James S. , McMillin W. Douglas
Published: April 2012

We suggest a new way of computing the inflation‐output variability tradeoff under inflation forecast targeting. Our approach is based on dynamic, stochastic simulations of the average inflation rate over a two‐year horizon using the moving average representation of a vector autoregressive (VAR) model. Using real‐time data over two samples, we estimate the inflation‐output variability tradeoff for the United States and show that it has shifted favorably over time. We analyze the policy interventions required to achieve target inflation in each sample and compare these interventions over time.
Federal Reserve Communications and Emerging Equity Markets
Authors: Hayo Bernd , Kutan Ali M. , Neuenkirch Matthias
Published: April 2012

Work on the impact of U.S. monetary policy on emerging financial markets mostly focuses on official target rate announcements; empirical evidence using data on informal communication channels, such as speeches, is scant. Employing a unique data set covering formal and informal communication channels in a generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity model framework, we provide comprehensive evidence on the effects of U.S. monetary policy on 17 emerging equity market returns over the period 1998–2009. We find, first, that both monetary policy actions and communications have a significant impact on market returns. Second, target rate change surprises are an important driver of emerging market returns. However, informal communications—particularly when taking into account their higher frequency—have a larger (cumulative) influence on returns than do target rate surprises. Third, during the recent financial crisis, central bank communication played an even more pronounced role. Finally, American emerging markets react more to communications than do non‐American markets.
Estimating the Euler Equation for Aggregate Investment with Endogenous Capital Depreciation
Authors: Angelopoulou Eleni , Kalyvitis Sarantis
Published: April 2012

This article looks at the empirical consequences of introducing endogenous capital depreciation in the standard neoclassical model with quadratic adjustment costs. To this end, we formulate an empirical specification that accommodates capital maintenance and utilization in the Euler equations for aggregate investment. The empirical estimates with data from the CanadianSurvey on Capital and Repair Expendituresshow that, in contrast to the existing literature, the performance of the Euler equations is improved when we account for the impact of variable capital depreciation.
Job Allocation Rules and Sorting Efficiency: Experimental Outcomes in a Peter Principle Environment
Authors: Dickinson David L. , Villeval Marie Claire
Published: April 2012

An important issue in personnel economics is the design of efficient job allocation rules. Firms often use promotions both to sort workers across jobs and to provide them with incentives. However, the Peter Principle states that employees' output tends to fall after a promotion. Lazear (2004) suggests that self‐selection may improve job allocation efficiency while preserving incentive effects. We reproduce this Peter Principle in the laboratory and compare the efficiency of a promotion standard with subjects self‐selecting their task. We find no evidence of effort distortion, as predicted by theory. Furthermore, we find that when the Peter Principle is not severe, promotion rules often dominate self‐selection efficiency of task assignment. Results are consistent with imperfect appraisal of transitory ability and a lack of strategic behavior.
Endogenous Research and Development and Intellectual Property Laws in Developed and Emerging Economies
Authors: Bagchi Aniruddha , Roy Abhra
Published: April 2012

The incentive of providing protection of intellectual property has been analyzed both for an emerging economy and for a developed economy. The optimal patent length and the optimal patent breadth within a country are found to be positively related to each other for a fixed structure of laws abroad. Moreover, a country can respond to stronger patent protection abroad by weakening its patent protection under certain circumstances and by strengthening its patent protection under other circumstances. These results depend on the curvature of the research‐and‐development production function. Finally, we investigate the impact of an increase in the willingness to pay in the emerging economy and find conditions under which there is an improvement in both patent length and patent breadth in the emerging economy.
Consequences of Debt Capitalization: Property Ownership and Debt versus Tax Choice
Authors: Stadelmann David , Eichenberger Reiner
Published: April 2012

Public debts capitalize into property prices. Thus, they are a burden to the present generation who owns the devalued property. This largely neglected fact has important consequences for the tax versus debt choice. Property owners suffer more from the debt burden and, thus, have a stronger preference for tax financing of government spending than tenants. As a consequence of the resulting democratic struggle between property owners and tenants, higher property ownership rates in a jurisdiction lead to less debt financing. We provide empirical support for this hypothesis by analyzing a cross section of the 171 communities in the Swiss Canton of Zurich in the year 2000.
Did the Recent Housing Boom Signal the Global Financial Crisis?
Authors: Kemme David M. , Roy Saktinil
Published: April 2012

prediction of the current global crisis followed from two key observations: (i) the recent housing booms in the United States and other advanced countries were not explained by economic fundamentals; and (ii) historically similar financial booms eventually collapsed, leading to recession. This article provides an empirical framework linking observations and crisis prediction. We utilize vector error correction models and panel probit and logit models to show that tracking a single variable, real house prices, was sufficient to predict the current global crisis.
Graduates and Active Labour Market Programmes: Evidence of Deactivation
Authors: Stephens Simon
Published: April 2012

This paper explores the experiences of graduates who participated in a range of Active Labour Market Programmes (ALMPs) in Ireland. The paper uses narrative structuring to provide an enhanced understanding of the graduates' experiences. A review of the literature indicates that most empirical studies of the effects of ALMPs are quantitative. Typically, the studies evaluate whether participation in a programme increases the individual probability of leaving unemployment. This paper argues that other, softer outcomes must also be studied if the impact of ALMPs is to be properly understood. The author therefore adopts a qualitative approach to examine the impact of ALMPs on graduates. The data collected during in-depth interviews indicate a mixed picture. While graduates found their experiences during the ALMPs positive in the main, the impact on their outlook and job prospects is not encouraging. Too often, the graduates express a view that the ALMPs are a ‘short-term fix’, offering little prospect of secure employment. The paper identifies the potential problem of deactivation in addition to the problems of deadweight loss, substitution and displacement reported by Fraser (1999).
A Critical Review of Effects of COPD Self-Management Education on Self-Efficacy
Authors: Stellefson Michael , Tennant Bethany , Chaney J. Don
Published: April 2012

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes progressive airflow limitation which results in prolonged episodes of coughing and shortness of breath. COPD self-management education (COPDSME) programs attempt to enhance patient self-efficacy for managing symptoms. The purpose of this paper was to conduct a critical literature review that identified peer-reviewed articles assessing the effects of COPDSME on self-efficacy outcomes. Seven articles were located after an exhaustive search. Most studies () reported statistically significant improvements in self-efficacy following intervention. Almost all of the studies tested interventions that drew upon at least 2 recommended sources of efficacy information. Two studies specifically noted increased self-efficacy for controlling physical exertion following COPDSME. Within the reviewed studies, the content within each educational treatment varied widely and showed a lack of standardization, and the types of instruments used to assess self-efficacy varied. This paper highlights the need for more controlled trials that investigate potential between-subjects effects of different types of COPDSME programs on self-efficacy outcomes. Incorporating practice models for patient-centered primary care in COPD requires the use of tailored efficacy building strategies for specific self-management behaviors.
The Relationship between Symptom Flare of Atopic Dermatitis and Airborne Japanese Cedar and Cypress Pollen Counts: A Self-Scoring Diary Study
Authors: Nishie Haruko , Kato Mariko , Kato Shiori , Odajima Hiroshi , Shibata Rumiko , Nishima Sankei , Kishikawa Reiko , Koto Eiko , Furue Masutaka
Published: April 2012

Background. With an increase in Japanese cedar and cypress (JC) pollinosis, the relationship between JC pollen and atopic dermatitis (AD) has been studied. Some reports suggest that JC pollen can be one exacerbating factor for AD, but there has been no report that discusses JC pollen counts relating to AD symptom flare although actual airborne JC pollen counts can widely fluctuate throughout the pollen season. Objective. The relationship between symptom flare of AD and airborne JC pollen counts was examined. Methods. We monitored JC pollen counts in real time and divided the counts into low and high level. We then analyzed self-scored “itch intensity” recorded by 14 AD patients through a self-scoring diary. Results. Among the 14 patients, 7 had significantly higher itch intensity while the pollen counts were high. Conclusion. Even during the pollen season, actual airborne pollen counts can widely fluctuate. Our study suggested that symptom flare of AD could be influenced by the actual pollen counts.
The Effect of a Silage Inoculant on Silage Quality, Aerobic Stability, and Meat Production on Farm Scale
Authors: Acosta Aragón Y. , Jatkauskas J. , Vrotniakiene V.
Published: April 2012

The effect of inoculation on nutrient content, fermentation, aerobic stability, and beef cattle performance for whole-plant corn silage treated with a commercial product (blend of homo- and heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria, BSM, blend of Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus brevis, DSM numbers 3530, 19457, and 23231, resp.), was compared to a control treatment with no silage additives (CT). The material had a DM of 323 g/kg, crude protein, and water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations of 87.9 and 110.5 g/kg DM, respectively.
BSM increased the fermentation rate with a significantly deeper pH (P<0.01), a significant increase in the total organic acids concentration (P<0.05), more lactic acid (P<0.01), and numerically more acetic acid compared to CT. BSM significantly decreased the concentrations of butyric acid (P<0.01), ethanol, and ammonia-N compared to the CT. BSM-treated silage decreased DM by 3.0 % (P<0.01) and had a higher digestible energy and a higher metabolizable energy concentration by 2.3 (P<0.01) and 1.00 % (P<0.05), respectively, compared to untreated silage. Aerobic stability improved by more than 2 days in BSM silage. The DM intake of silage treated with BSM increased by 6.14 %, and improved weight gain and the feed conversion by 8.0 (P<0.01) and 3.4%.
Development and Validation of Liquid Chromatographic Method for Estimation of Ibuprofen and Famotidine in Combined Dosage Form
Authors: Shah Dimal A. , Suthar Dixita J. , Baldania Sunil L. , Chhalotiya Usman K. , Bhatt Kashyap K.
Published: April 2012

An isocratic, reversed phase-liquid-chromatographic assay method was developed for the quantitative determination of ibuprofen and famotidine in combined-dosage form. A Brownlee C18, 5 μm column with mobile phase containing water : methanol : acetonitrile (30 : 60 : 10, v/v/v) was used. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and effluents were monitored at 264 nm. The retention times of ibuprofen and famotidine were 4.9 min and 6.8 min, respectively. The linearity for ibuprofen and famotidine was in the range of 2–20 μg/mL and 0.1–10 μg/mL, respectively. The proposed method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity, and robustness. The method was successfully applied to the estimation of ibuprofen and famotidine in combined dosage form.
Predicting Cold Flow Properties of Diesel by Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhao Hui , Zhao Kun , Bao Rima
Published: April 2012

The frequency-dependent absorption characteristics of conventional diesel fuel have been researched in the spectral range of 0.2–1.5 THz by the terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). The absorption coefficient increased monotonically with the solidifying point of diesel. A nonlinear regression model was established, and the cold flow properties of fuel were presented quantitatively. The results made the solidifying point prediction possible by THz-TDS technology and indicated the bright future in practical application.
Integrating the Disaster Cycle Model Into Traditional Disaster Diplomacy Concepts
Authors: Callaway David W. , Yim Eugene S. , Stack Colin , Burkle Frederick M.
Published: April 2012

Disaster diplomacy is an evolving contemporary model that examines how disaster response strategies can facilitate cooperation between parties in conflict. The concept of disaster diplomacy has emerged during the past decade to address how disaster response can be leveraged to promote peace, facilitate communication, promote human rights, and strengthen intercommunity ties in the increasingly multipolar modern world. Historically, the concept has evolved through two camps, one that focuses on the interactions between national governments in conflict and another that emphasizes the grassroots movements that can promote change. The two divergent approaches can be reconciled and disaster diplomacy further matured by contextualizing the concept within the disaster cycle, a model well established within the disaster risk management community. In particular, access to available health care, especially for the most vulnerable populations, may need to be negotiated. As such, disaster response professionals, including emergency medicine specialists, can play an important role in the development and implementation of disaster diplomacy concepts.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:53–59)
Mental Health Outcomes Among Adults in Galveston and Chambers Counties After Hurricane Ike
Authors: Ruggiero Kenneth J. , Gros Kirstin , McCauley Jenna L. , Resnick Heidi S. , Morgan Mark , Kilpatrick Dean G. , Muzzy Wendy , Acierno Ron
Published: April 2012

Objective: To examine the mental health effects of Hurricane Ike, the third costliest hurricane in US history, which devastated the upper Texas coast in September 2008.

Method: Structured telephone interviews assessing immediate effects of Hurricane Ike (damage, loss, displacement) and mental health diagnoses were administered via random digit-dial methods to a household probability sample of 255 Hurricane Ike–affected adults in Galveston and Chambers counties.

Results: Three-fourths of respondents evacuated the area because of Hurricane Ike and nearly 40% were displaced for at least one week. Postdisaster mental health prevalence estimates were 5.9% for posttraumatic stress disorder, 4.5% for major depressive episode, and 9.3% for generalized anxiety disorder. Bivariate analyses suggested that peritraumatic indicators of hurricane exposure severity—such as lack of adequate clean clothing, electricity, food, money, transportation, or water for at least one week—were most consistently associated with mental health problems.

Conclusions: The significant contribution of factors such as loss of housing, financial means, clothing, food, and water to the development and/or maintenance of negative mental health consequences highlights the importance of systemic postdisaster intervention resources targeted to meet basic needs in the postdisaster period.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:26–32)
Property prediction and consistency analysis by a reference series method
Authors: Shacham Mordechai , Paster Inga , Brauner Neima
Published: April 2012

Data analysis and prediction of pure component properties of long‐chain substances is considered. The emphasis is on homologous series and properties for which insufficient data are available. A two‐stage procedure is recommended, whereby a linear (or nonlinear) quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) is fitted to a “reference” series, for which an adequate amount of precise data is available. This QSPR should represent correctly both the available data and the asymptotic behavior of the property. In the second stage a quantitative property‐property relationship (QPPR) is derived to represent the predicted property values of a “target” series in terms of the property values of the reference series. The procedure is applied for properties which are highly correlated with the number methylene groups in homologous series: and . It is shown that the method is very useful for consistency analysis of property data and enables a reliable prediction of and , and, thus, also of for long‐chain substances. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 420–428, 2013
A new process variable and dynamics selection method based on a genetic algorithm‐based wavelength selection method
Authors: Kaneko Hiromasa , Funatsu Kimito
Published: April 2012

Soft sensors have been used in industrial plants to estimate process variables that are difficult to measure online. Soft sensor models predicting an objective variable should be constructed with only important explanatory variables in terms of predictive ability, better interpretation of models and lower measurement costs. Besides, some process variables can affect an objective variable with time‐delays. Therefore, we have proposed the methods for selecting important process variables and optimal time‐delays of each variable simultaneously, by modifying the genetic algorithm‐based wavelength selection method that is one of the wavelength selection methods in spectrum analysis. The proposed methods can select time‐regions of process variables as a unit by using process data that includes process variables that are delayed in the range from zero to a set/given maximum value. The case study with simulation data and real industrial data confirmed that predictive, easy‐to‐interpret, and appropriate models were constructed using the proposed methods. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 1829–1840, 2012
Adult presentation of arterial tortuosity syndrome in a 51‐year‐old woman with a novel homozygous c.1411+1G>A mutation in the SLC2A10 gene
Authors: Castori Marco , Ritelli Marco , Zoppi Nicoletta , Molisso Luisa , Chiarelli Nicola , Zaccagna Fulvio , Grammatico Paola , Colombi Marina
Published: April 2012

Arterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS) is an autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder, mainly characterized by tortuosity and elongation of the large‐ and medium‐sized arteries with predisposition to stenoses and aneurysms. ATS is caused by mutations in the SLC2A10 gene, encoding for the facilitative glucose transporter 10 (GLUT10) and is described typically in pediatric patients. We report on a 51‐year‐old woman, originally ascertained because of unexplained widespread chronic pain and positive family history of aortic malformation. The main findings included aged appearance, congenital joint hypermobility, joint instability complications, chronic fatigue syndrome, progressive painful joint stiffness, abdominal hernias, pelvic prolapses, multiple cardiac valve prolapses, varicose veins, easy bruising, and gingival recession. Vascular imaging revealed kinking and anomalous origin of the aortic arch branches, marked tortuosity of the aorta, pulmonary and most middle arteries, and a small aneurysm of the splenic artery. SLC2A10 analysis disclosed homozygosity for the novel c.1411+1G>A splice mutation, leading to a 41 amino acids GLUT10 internal deletion. Expression study by immunofluorescence using healthy control cells showed lack of membrane internalization of GLUT10 in patient's skin fibroblasts. This report describes the first splice‐site SLC2A10 mutation and increases to 19 the repertoire of known mutations in this gene. Comparison with the few previously published adult patients with ATS contributes to the natural history of this condition, which is probably under diagnosed within the expanding family of inherited connective tissue disorders. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
COL1A1 association and otosclerosis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Schrauwen Isabelle , Khalfallah Ayda , Ealy Megan , Fransen Erik , Claes Charlotte , Huber Alex , Murillo Laura Rodriguez , Masmoudi Saber , Smith Richard J.H. , Van Camp Guy
Published: April 2012

Otosclerosis is a disease of abnormal bone remodeling in the human otic capsule that can lead to progressive hearing loss. Little of the underlying disease etiology has been elucidated thus far, although several studies have suggested that COL1A1 may play a role based on its importance in bone metabolism and other diseases like osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta. Genetic association studies between COL1A1 and otosclerosis, however, have been contradictory. To resolve this issue, we studied a large Belgian‐Dutch and a Swiss population for a genetic association between COL1A1 and otosclerosis and additionally performed a meta‐analysis to investigate the overall genetic effect of COL1A1 on all otosclerosis populations studied to date. We found a significant association both in the Belgian‐Dutch population and in the meta‐analysis. In aggregate, our analysis supports evidence for an association between COL1A1 and otosclerosis although effect sizes of the variants reported in the initial studies are likely to be an overestimate of true effect sizes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Autoimmune disease and multiple autoantibodies in 42 patients with RASopathies
Authors: Quaio Caio R.D.C. , Carvalho Jozélio F. , da Silva Clovis A. , Bueno Cleonice , Brasil Amanda S. , Pereira Alexandre C. , Jorge Alexander A.L. , Malaquias Alexsandra C. , Kim Chong A. , Bertola Débora R.
Published: April 2012

The association of RASopathies [Noonan syndrome (NS) and Noonan‐related syndromes] and autoimmune disorders has been reported sporadically. However, a concomitant evaluation of autoimmune diseases and an assessment of multiple autoantibodies in a large population of patients with molecularly confirmed RASopathy have not been performed. The clinical and laboratory features were analyzed in 42 RASopathy patients, the majority of whom had NS and five individuals had Noonan‐related disorders. The following autoantibodies were measured: Anti‐nuclear antibodies, anti‐double stranded DNA, anti‐SS‐A/Ro, anti‐SS‐B/La, anti‐Sm, anti‐RNP, anti‐Scl‐70, anti‐Jo‐1, anti‐ribosomal P, IgG and IgM anticardiolipin (aCL), thyroid, anti‐smooth muscle, anti‐endomysial (AE), anti‐liver cytosolic protein type 1 (LC1), anti‐parietal cell (APC), anti‐mitochondrial (AM) antibodies, anti‐liver‐kidney microsome type 1 antibodies (LKM‐1), and lupus anticoagulant. Six patients (14%) fulfilled the clinical criteria for autoimmune diseases [systemic lupus erythematous, polyendocrinopathy (autoimmune thyroiditis and celiac disease), primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), autoimmune hepatitis, vitiligo, and autoimmune thyroiditis]. Autoimmune antibodies were observed in 52% of the patients. Remarkably, three (7%) of the patients had specific gastrointestinal and liver autoantibodies without clinical findings. Autoimmune diseases and autoantibodies were frequently present in patients with RASopathies. Until a final conclusion of the real incidence of autoimmunity in Rasopathy is drawn, the physicians should be alerted to the possibility of this association and the need for a fast diagnosis, proper referral to a specialist and ultimately, adequate treatment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ASTN1 and alcohol dependence: Family‐based association analysis in multiplex alcohol dependence families
Authors: Hill Shirley Y. , Weeks Daniel E. , Jones Bobby L. , Zezza Nicholas , Stiffler Scott
Published: April 2012

A previous genome‐wide linkage study of alcohol dependence (AD) in multiplex families found a suggestive linkage result for a region on Chromosome 1 near microsatellite markers D1S196 and D1S2878. The ASTN1 gene is in this region, a gene previously reported to be associated with substance abuse, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Using the same family data consisting of 330 individuals with phenotypic data and DNA, finer mapping of a 26 cM region centered on D1S196 was undertaken using SNPs with minor allele frequency (MAF) ≥ 0.15 and pair‐wise linkage disequilibrium (LD) of r2 < 0.8 using the HapMap CEU population. Significant FBAT P‐values for SNPs within the ASTN1 gene were observed for four SNPs (rs465066, rs228008, rs6668092, and rs172917), the most significant, rs228008, within intron 8 had a P‐value of 0.001. Using MQLS, which allows for inclusion of all families, we find three of these SNPs with MQLS P‐values < 0.003. In addition, two additional neighboring SNPs (rs10798496 and rs6667588) showed significance at P = 0.002 and 0.03, respectively. Haplotype analysis was performed using the haplotype‐based test function of FBAT for a block that included rs228008, rs6668092, and rs172917. This analysis found one block (GCG) over‐transmitted and another (ATA) under‐transmitted to affected offspring. Linkage analysis identified a region consistent with the association results. Family‐based association analysis shows the ASTN1 gene significantly associated with alcohol dependence. The potential importance of the ASTN1 gene for AD risk may be related its role in glial‐guided neuronal migration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A re‐review of the association between the NOTCH4 locus and schizophrenia
Authors: Shayevitz Christina , Cohen Ori S. , Faraone Stephen V. , Glatt Stephen J.
Published: April 2012

NOTCH4 has long been identified as a candidate susceptibility gene for schizophrenia, but the collective body of genetic association studies of this gene has been less than conclusive. Recently a variant in NOTCH4 was implicated as one of the most reliably associated polymorphisms observed in a genome‐wide association scan of the disorder, and the collective evidence for this polymorphism now surpasses criteria for genome‐wide significance. To place these developments in context, we now summarize the initial work identifying NOTCH4 as a candidate gene for schizophrenia. The results of the genome‐wide association studies that have confirmed this as a risk gene, and novel bioinformatics analyses that reveal potential functional profiles of the most likely risk‐conferring polymorphisms. These analyses suggest that the NOTCH4 polymorphisms most strongly associated with schizophrenia exert their effects on susceptibility by altering the efficiency and/or alternative splicing of Notch4 transcripts. Further experimental evidence should be pursued to clarify the NOTCH4‐regulated molecular and cellular phenotypes of relevance to the disorder, and the functional consequences of the implicated polymorphisms in the gene. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism moderates the effect of stressful life events on drinking behavior in college students of African descent
Authors: Kranzler Henry R. , Scott Denise , Tennen Howard , Feinn Richard , Williams Carla , Armeli Stephen , Taylor Robert E. , Briggs‐Gowan Margaret J. , Covault Jonathan
Published: April 2012

Covault et al. [Covault et al. (2007); Biol Psychiatry 61(5): 609–616] reported that the common functional polymorphism, 5‐HTTLPR, in the serotonin transporter gene moderated the association between past‐year stressful events and daily reports of drinking in a sample of European‐American (EA) college students. We examined this effect in college students of African descent. Students recruited at a Historically Black University (n = 564) completed web‐based measures of past‐year stressful life experiences and daily reports of drinking and heavy drinking over a 30‐day period. Participants were genotyped for the tri‐allelic 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism and dichotomized as low‐activity S′ allele carriers or high‐activity L′ homozygotes. Generalized linear models were used to examine the effects of life stress, genotype, and their interaction on the two drinking measures. In students who completed 15 or more daily surveys (n = 393), there was a significant interaction of past‐year stressful events, 5‐HTTLPR genotype, and gender on the number of drinking days (P = 0.002). Similar findings were obtained in relation to heavy drinking days (P = 0.007). Men showed a main effect of past‐year stressful events on both drinking outcomes (P's < 0.001), but no main or moderator effects of genotype. In women, the S′ allele moderated the impact of past‐year life stressors on the frequency of drinking and heavy drinking days (P's < 0.001). In college students of African descent, past‐year stressful events were associated with more frequent drinking and heavy drinking, an effect that was moderated by the 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism. However, in contrast to the findings in EA students, in the current sample, 5‐HTTLPR moderated the association only among women. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Flame‐retardant fabric systems based on electrospun polyamide/boric acid nanocomposite fibers
Authors: Selvakumar N. , Azhagurajan A. , Natarajan T. S. , Mohideen Abdul Khadir M.
Published: April 2012

To examine the feasibility of developing flame‐retardant‐textile coated fabric systems with electrospun polyamide/boric acid nanocomposites, fiber webs coated on cotton substrates were developed to impart‐fire retardant properties. The morphology of the polyamide/boric acid nanocomposite fibers was examined with scanning electron microscopy. The flame‐retardant properties of coated fabric systems with different nanoparticle contents were assessed. The flame retardancy of the boric acid coated fabric systems was evaluated quantitatively with a flammability test apparatus fabricated on the basis of Consumer Product Safety Commission 16 Code of Federal Regulations part 1610 standard and also by thermogravimetric analysis. The 0.05 wt % boric acid nanocomposite fiber web coated on pure cotton fabric exhibited an increment in flame‐spreading time of greater than 80%, and this indicated excellent fire protection. Also, the coated fabric systems with 0.05% boric acid nanocomposite fiber webs exhibited a distinct shift in the peak value in the thermal degradation profile and a 75% increase in char formation in the thermooxidative degradation profile, as indicated by the results of thermogravimetric analysis. The results show the feasibility of successfully imparting flame‐retardant properties to cotton fabrics through the electrospinning of the polymer material with boric acid nanoparticles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012