bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Cytomegalovirus UL144 Is Associated with Viremia and Infant Development Sequelae in Congenital Infection
Authors: Waters Allison , Hassan Jaythoon , deGascun Cillian , Kissoon Ghia , Knowles Susan , Molloy Eleanor , Connell Jeff , Hall William W.
Published: September 2010

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strains may be genotyped based on polymorphisms that exist within the UL144 gene, which is one of 19 viral genes lost in attenuated laboratory strains. In the present study, UL144 genotypes in congenitally infected babies (congenital cytomegalovirus [cCMV]) were determined, and the relationship between the genotype, viral load, cytokine profile, and patient developmental outcome was investigated. All cCMV infections identified during 2006 and 2007 were included (n= 29). A portion of the infants were clinically assessed at birth and at 12 to 18 months postinfection for cCMV clinical sequelae (n= 18/29). The plasma viral load (PVL) was requested for 23/29 patients, and the UL144 genotype was determined (n= 27/29). The cytokine profile in patient plasma or serum was assessed (n= 20/29). UL144 genotypes A, B, and C were detected within the cCMV population at 33.3%, 29.6%, and 25.9%, respectively. UL144 A and C were associated with a high PVL (P< 0.04). Furthermore, a significant association between the developmental outcome and UL144 A and C was observed (P< 0.04). Only patients infected with UL144 B and A/B were described as having a normal clinical outcome. In addition, a significant correlation between interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels and the PVL was observed (P< 0.04); however, there was no association between the genotype and the cytokine profile. The present study determined that the specific detection of UL144 genotypes A and C was indicative of serious cCMV infection and more likely to lead to long-term cCMV-associated clinical manifestations. The inclusion of HCMV UL144 genotyping along with the recommended PVL monitoring following cCMV diagnosis may aid prediction of the clinical outcome.
It's Not Easy Being Green: the Viridans Group Streptococci, with a Focus on Pediatric Clinical Manifestations
Authors: Doern Christopher D. , Carey-Ann Burnham D.
Published: September 2010

The viridans group streptococci (VGS) are a heterogeneous group of organisms that can be human commensals, colonizing the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts in addition to the oral mucosa. VGS are generally considered to be of low pathogenic potential in immunocompetent individuals. However, in certain patient populations, VGS can cause invasive disease, such as endocarditis, intra-abdominal infection, and shock. Within the VGS, the rates and patterns of antimicrobial resistance vary greatly depending upon the species identification and the patient population. In general,Streptococcus mitisgroup organisms are resistant to more antimicrobial agents than the other VGS species. This review addresses current VGS taxonomy, in addition to the current methodologies being used in clinical microbiology laboratories for identification of VGS. Automated systems struggle overall with species level identification and susceptibility testing for VGS. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) identification is emerging as a potential alternative for organism identification. A review of recent pediatric-specific data regarding the clinical manifestations of VGS revealed that theStreptococcus anginosusgroup (SAG) organisms may be important pathogens in pediatric patients and that the VGS may contribute to disease in patients with cystic fibrosis. It also appears that rates of antimicrobial resistance in VGS in pediatric patients are surpassing those of the adult population.
From Structure to Function: the Ecology of Host-Associated Microbial Communities
Authors: Robinson Courtney J. , Bohannan Brendan J. M. , Young Vincent B.
Published: August 2010

In the past several years, we have witnessed an increased interest in understanding the structure and function of the indigenous microbiota that inhabits the human body. It is hoped that this will yield novel insight into the role of these complex microbial communities in human health and disease. What is less appreciated is that this recent activity owes a great deal to the pioneering efforts of microbial ecologists who have been studying communities in non-host-associated environments. Interactions between environmental microbiologists and human microbiota researchers have already contributed to advances in our understanding of the human microbiome. We review the work that has led to these recent advances and illustrate some of the possible future directions for continued collaboration between these groups of researchers. We discuss how the application of ecological theory to the human-associated microbiota can lead us past descriptions of community structure and toward an understanding of the functions of the human microbiota. Such an approach may lead to a shift in the prevention and treatment of human diseases that involves conservation or restoration of the normal community structure and function of the host-associated microbiota.
THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND TIME VALUE OF MONEY ON A PRODUCTION MODEL WITH A RANDOM PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE
Authors: YU JONAS C. P. , WEE HUI-MING , WIDYADANA GEDE A. , CHANG JER-YUAN
Published: September 2010

In Moon and Lee's model (2000), they developed a finite planning horizon economic order quantity (EOQ) model with time value of money and inflation. This paper extends Moon and Lee's model to examine a production system with a random life cycle. Two conditions are discussed: the first is when the product life cycle ends in the production stage and the second is when the product life cycle ends in the non-production stage. We develop an algorithm to derive the optimal period time and expected total cost. Numerical examples and sensitivity analyses are given to validate the results of the production model.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO RELATE MOND WITH HOŘAVA GRAVITY?
Authors: ROMERO JUAN M. , BERNAL-JAQUEZ R. , GONZÁLEZ-GAXIOLA O.
Published: August 2010

In this work we present a scalar field theory invariant under space-time anisotropic transformations with a dynamic exponent z. It is shown that this theory possesses symmetries similar to Hořava gravity and that in the limit z = 0 the equations of motion of the non-relativistic MOND theory are obtained. This result allow us to conjecture the existence of a Hořava type gravity that in the limit z = 0 is consistent with MOND.
LORENTZ INVARIANCE VIOLATION MATRIX FROM A GENERAL PRINCIPLE
Authors: ZHOU LINGLI , MA BO-QIANG
Published: August 2010

We show that a general principle of physical independence or physical invariance of mathematical background manifold leads to a replacement of the common derivative operators by the covariant co-derivative ones. This replacement naturally induces a background matrix, by means of which we obtain an effective Lagrangian for the minimal standard model with supplement terms characterizing Lorentz invariance violation or anisotropy of spacetime. We construct a simple model of the background matrix and find that the strength of Lorentz violation of proton in the photopion production is of the order 10-23.
ON THE CONSUMPTION/DISTRIBUTION THEOREM UNDER THE LONG-RUN GROWTH CRITERION SUBJECT TO A DRAWDOWN CONSTRAINT
Authors: KLASS MICHAEL J. , NOWICKI KRZYSZTOF
Published: August 2010

Consider any discrete time sequence of investment fortunes Fn which has a finite long-run growth rate [Formula: see text] when subject to the present value capital drawdown constraint Fne-rn ≥ λ* max 0≤k≤nFke-rk, where 0 ≤ λ* < 1, in the presence of a riskless asset affording a return of er dollars per time period per dollar invested. We show that money can be withdrawn for consumption from the invested capital without either reducing the long-run growth rate of such capital or violating the drawdown constraint for our capital sequence, while simultaneously increasing the amount of capital withdrawn for consumption at the identical long-term rate of V(r, λ*). We extend this result to an exponentially increasing number of consumption categories and discuss how additional yearly contributions can temporarily augment the total capital under management. In addition, we assess the short-term practicality of creating such an endowment/consumption/distribution program.
GUARANTEED STRATEGIES FOR NONLINEAR MULTI-PLAYER PURSUIT-EVASION GAMES
Authors: STIPANOVIĆ DUŠAN M. , MELIKYAN ARIK , HOVAKIMYAN NAIRA
Published: September 2010

In this paper, we provide a methodology to design strategies for either guaranteed capture or guaranteed evasion in the case of pursuit-evasion games with multiple players which are represented by nonlinear dynamic models. This methodology is based on the continuously differentiable upper and lower approximations of the minimum and maximum function of an arbitrary number of arguments, comparison principle, and differential inequalities.
SHAPLEY VALUE IN A MODEL OF INFORMATION TRANSFERAL
Authors: GALDEANO PATRICIA LUCIA , OVIEDO JORGE , QUINTAS LUIS GUILLERMO
Published: September 2010

In this paper we analyze the value of the information in a cooperative model. There is an agent (the innovator), having relevant information which can be sold to some potential buyers. The n potential users of the information share a market. The expected utility of each of them can be improved by obtaining the information. The whole situation is modelled as a (n + 1)–person cooperative game.

We study the properties of the characteristic function of this game. It fulfills a weak version of the superadditivity property, namely 0-monotonicity. The game is proved to be monotonic.

We compute the Shapley value and we prove it is an imputation for the game. We compare the Shapley value with the equilibrium studied in a noncooperative model by Quintas (1995). We also study some limit cases when the potential buyers are completely informed or uninformed. It includes Big Boss Games (Muto et al. (1988)) and other limit cases.

We conclude that in a cooperative environment the buyers avoid being exploited by the innovator. Conversely the innovator obtains a higher utility in a noncooperative game.
REMARKS ON INVARIANTS OF HAMILTONIAN LOOPS
Authors: SHELUKHIN EGOR
Published: September 2010

In this paper the interrelations between several natural morphisms on the π1of groups of Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms are investigated. As an application, the equality of the (nonlinear) Maslov index of loops of quantomorphisms of prequantizations of ℂPnand the Calabi–Weinstein invariant is shown, settling affirmatively a conjecture by Givental. We also prove, in the wake of a remark by Woodward, the proportionality of the mixed action-Maslov morphism and the Futaki invariant on loops of Hamiltonian biholomorphisms of Fano Kahler manifolds. Finally, a family of generalized action-Maslov invariants is computed for toric manifolds, on loops coming from the torus action, via barycenters of their moment polytopes, with an application to mass-linear functions recently introduced by McDuff and Tolman. In addition, we reinterpret the quasimorphism of Py on the universal cover of the group of Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms of monotone symplectic manifolds.
Calcium-activated force of human muscle fibers following a standardized eccentric contraction
Authors: Choi Seung Jun , Widrick Jeffrey J.
Published: September 2010

Peak Ca2+-activated specific force (force/fiber cross-sectional area) of human chemically skinned vastus lateralis muscle fiber segments was determined before and after a fixed-end contraction or an eccentric contraction of standardized magnitude (+0.25 optimal fiber length) and velocity (0.50 unloaded shortening velocity). Fiber myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform content was assayed by SDS-PAGE. Posteccentric force deficit, a marker of damage, was similar for type I and IIa fibers but threefold greater for type IIa/IIx hybrid fibers. A fixed-end contraction had no significant effect on force. Multiple linear regression revealed that posteccentric force was explained by a model consisting of a fiber type-independent and a fiber type-specific component ( r2 = 0.91). Preeccentric specific force was directly associated with a greater posteccentric force deficit. When preeccentric force was held constant, type I and IIa fibers showed identical susceptibility to damage, while type IIa/IIx fibers showed a significantly greater force loss. This heightened sensitivity to damage was directly related to the amount of type IIx MHC in the hybrid fiber. Our model reveals a fiber-type sensitivity of the myofilament lattice or cytoskeleton to mechanical strain that can be described as follows: type IIa/IIx > type IIa = type I. If these properties extend to fibers in vivo, then alterations in the number of type IIa/IIx fibers may modify a muscle's susceptibility to eccentric damage.
Myristate is selectively incorporated into surfactant and decreases dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine without functional impairment
Authors: Pynn Christopher J. , Picardi M. Victoria , Nicholson Tim , Wistuba Dorothee , Poets Christian F. , Schleicher Erwin , Perez-Gil Jesus , Bernhard Wolfgang
Published: September 2010

Lung surfactant mainly comprises phosphatidylcholines (PC), together with phosphatidylglycerols and surfactant proteins SP-A to SP-D. Dipalmitoyl-PC (PC16:0/16:0), palmitoylmyristoyl-PC (PC16:0/14:0), and palmitoylpalmitoleoyl-PC (PC16:0/16:1) together comprise 75–80% of surfactant PC. During alveolarization, which occurs postnatally in the rat, PC16:0/14:0 reversibly increases at the expense of PC16:0/16:0. As lipoproteins modify surfactant metabolism, we postulated an extrapulmonary origin of PC16:0/14:0 enrichment in surfactant. We, therefore, fed rats (d19–26) with trilaurin (C12:03), trimyristin (C14:03), tripalmitin (C16:03), triolein (C18:13) or trilinolein (C18:23) vs. carbohydrate diet to assess their effects on surfactant PC composition and surface tension function using a captive bubble surfactometer. Metabolism was assessed with deuterated C12:0 (ω-d3-C12:0) and ω-d3-C14:0. C14:03increased PC16:0/14:0 in surfactant from 12 ± 1 to 45 ± 3% and decreased PC16:0/16:0 from 47 ± 1 to 29 ± 2%, with no impairment of surface tension function. Combined phospholipase A2assay and mass spectrometry revealed that 50% of the PC16:0/14:0 peak comprised its isomer 1-myristoyl-2-palmitoyl-PC (PC14:0/16:0). While C12:03was excluded from incorporation into PC, it increased PC16:0/14:0 as well. C16:03, C18:13, and C18:23had no significant effect on PC16:0/16:0 or PC16:0/14:0. d3-C14:0 was enriched in lung PC, either via direct supply or via d3-C12:0 elongation. Enrichment of d3-C14:0 in surfactant PC contrasted its rapid turnover in plasma and liver PC, where its elongation product d3-C16:0 surmounted d3-C14:0. In summary, high surfactant PC16:0/14:0 during lung development correlates with C14:0 and C12:0 supply via specific C14:0 enrichment into lung PC. Surfactant that is high in PC16:0/14:0 but low in PC16:0/16:0 is compatible with normal respiration and surfactant function in vitro.
Secretoneurin is a potential paracrine factor from lactotrophs stimulating gonadotropin release in the goldfish pituitary
Authors: Zhao E. , Grey Caleb L. , Zhang Dapeng , Mennigen Jan A. , Basak Ajoy , Chang John P. , Trudeau Vance L.
Published: September 2010

Secretoneurin (SN) is a functional neuropeptide derived from the evolutionarily conserved part of precursor protein secretogranin II (SgII). In the time course study, SN (10 nM) stimulates luteinizing hormone (LH) production and secretion after 6 h of static incubation of goldfish pituitary cells. Due to the existence of SN-immunoreactivity (SN-IR) in goldfish lactotrophs, endogenous SN might exert a paracrine effect on LH in the pituitary. In an in vitro immunoneutralization experiment, coincubation with anti-SN antiserum reduces the stimulatory effect of salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone (sGnRH) on LH release by 64%. Using Western blot analysis, we demonstrate that sGnRH significantly increases the expression of the major SgII-derived peptide (∼57 kDa, with SN-IR) and prolactin (PRL) after 12 h in the static culture of goldfish pituitary cells. Furthermore, there exists a significant correlation between the levels of these two proteins ( R = 0.76, P = 0.004). Another ∼30 kDa SgII-derived peptide containing SN is only observed in sGnRH-treated pituitary cells. Consistent with the Western blot analysis results, real-time RT-PCR analysis shows that a 12-h treatment with sGnRH induced 1.6- and 1.7-fold increments in SgII and PRL mRNA levels, respectively. SgII gene expression was also associated with PRL gene expression ( R = 0.66; P = 0.02). PRL cells loaded with the calcium-sensitive dye, fura 2/AM, respond to sGnRH treatment with increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration level, suggesting a potential mechanism of GnRH on PRL cells and thus SgII processing and SN secretion. Taken together, endogenous lactotroph-generated SN, under the control of hypothalamic GnRH, exerts a paracrine action on neighboring gonadotrophs to stimulate LH release.
Reduction of renal dopamine receptor expression in obese Zucker rats: role of sex and angiotensin II
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Li Fengmin , Jose Pedro A. , Ecelbarger Carolyn M.
Published: September 2010

Dopamine produced by renal proximal tubules increases sodium excretion via a decrease in renal sodium reabsorption. Dopamine natriuresis is impaired in obese Zucker rats; however, the mechanism is not fully understood. To test the hypothesis that renal expression of one or more of the subtypes are altered in these rats, we measured whole kidney protein levels by immunoblotting of D1-like (D1R and D5R) and D2-like (D2R, D3R, and D4R) dopamine receptors in both male and female obese and lean Zucker rats. In obese males on 1% NaCl diet, D1R, D2R, D4R, and D5R were decreased, while D3R was increased, relative to lean rats. Under a 4% NaCl diet, D2R and D3R levels in obese rats were restored to lean levels. 4% NaCl diet reduced D5R in both body types, relative to 1% NaCl diet. Female rats had higher expression of D1R and D3R than did male; however, the sex difference for D1R was markedly blunted in obese rats. In obese rats, dietary candesartan (angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker) normalized downregulated D1R and D2R, but either decreased (D3R), did not affect (D4R), or further downregulated (D5R) the other subtypes. Candesartan also decreased D4R in lean rats. In summary, reduced renal protein levels of D1R, D2R, D4R, and D5R in obese Zucker rats could induce salt sensitivity and elevate blood pressure. Increased angiotensin II type 1 receptor activity may be mechanistically involved in the decreased expression of D1R and D2R in obese rats. Finally, reduced D1R and D3R in male rats may contribute to sex differences in blood pressure.
An Evaluation of the Conductivity Profile in the Somatosensory Barrel Cortex of Wistar Rats
Authors: Goto Takakuni , Hatanaka Rieko , Ogawa Takeshi , Sumiyoshi Akira , Riera Jorge , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: September 2010

Microelectrode arrays used to record local field potentials from the brain are being built with increasingly more spatial resolution, ranging from the initially developed laminar arrays to those with planar and three-dimensional (3D) formats. In parallel with such development in recording techniques, current source density (CSD) analyses have recently been expanded up to the continuous-3D form. Unfortunately, the effect of the conductivity profile on the CSD analysis performed with contemporary microelectrode arrays has not yet been evaluated and most of the studies assumed it was homogeneous and isotropic. In this study, we measured the conductivity profile in the somatosensory barrel cortex of Wistar rats. To that end, we combined multisite electrophysiological data recorded with a homemade assembly of silicon-based probes and a nonlinear least-squares algorithm that implicitly assumed that the cerebral cortex of rodents could be locally approximated as a layered anisotropic spherical volume conductor. The eccentricity of the six cortical layers in the somatosensory barrel cortex was evaluated from postmortem histological images. We provided evidence for the local spherical character of the entire barrels field, with concentric cortical layers. We found significant laminar dependencies in the conductivity values with radial/tangential anisotropies. These results were in agreement with the layer-dependent orientations of myelinated axons, but hardly related to densities of cells. Finally, we demonstrated through simulations that ignoring the real conductivity profile in the somatosensory barrel cortex of rats caused considerable errors in the CSD reconstruction, with pronounced effects on the continuous-3D form and charge-unbalanced CSD. We concluded that the conductivity profile must be included in future developments of CSD analysis, especially for rodents.
Developmental Changes in Hemodynamic Responses and Cardiovagal Modulation during Isometric Handgrip Exercise
Authors: Goulopoulou Styliani , Fernhall Bo , Kanaley Jill A.
Published: August 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in pressor response and cardiovagal modulation during isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) between children and adults. Beat-to-beat heart rate (HR) and blood pressure were measured in 23 prepubertal children and 23 adults at baseline and during IHG. Cardiovagal modulation was quantified by analysis of HR variability. Mean arterial pressure responses to IHG were greater in adults compared to children (P<.05) whereas there were no group differences in HR responses (P>.05). Children had a greater reduction in cardiovagal modulation in response to IHG compared to adults (P<.05). Changes in mean arterial pressure during IHG were correlated with baseline cardiovagal modulation and force produced during isometric contraction (P<.05). In conclusion, differences in pressor reflex response between children and adults cannot be solely explained by differences in autonomic modulation and appear to be associated with factors contributing to the force produced during isometric contraction.
Nonlinear Contractive Conditions for Coupled Cone Fixed Point Theorems
Authors: Du Wei-Shih
Published: August 2010

We establish some new coupled fixed point theorems for various types of nonlinear contractive maps in the setting of quasiordered cone metric spaces which not only obtain several coupled fixed point theorems announced by many authors but also generalize them under weaker assumptions.
Parental Misperception of Their Child's Body Weight Status Impedes the Assessment of the Child's Lifestyle Behaviors
Authors: Mathieu Marie-Eve , Drapeau Vicky , Tremblay Angelo
Published: September 2010

Objectives. To examine if distinct characteristics are associated with parental misclassification of underweight (UW), normal weight (NW), and overweight or obese (OWOB) children and the implications of misclassification on the parental evaluation of the child's lifestyle habits.Methods. Cross-sectional analysis (2004 sample) of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (1998–2010) (n=1,125).Results. 16%, 55%, and 77% of NW, UW and OWOB children were perceived inaccurately, respectively. Misperception was significantly higher in nonimmigrant parents of UW children, in highly educated parents of NW children and in NW and OWOB children with lower BMI percentiles. Erroneous body weight status identification impedes the evaluation of eating habits of all children as well as physical activity and fitness levels of UW and OWOB children.Conclusion. Parental misclassification of the child's body weight status and lifestyle habits constitutes an unfavorable context for healthy body weight management.
A Nonlinear Projection Neural Network for Solving Interval Quadratic Programming Problems and Its Stability Analysis
Authors: Wu Huaiqin , Shi Rui , Qin Leijie , Tao Feng , He Lijun
Published: August 2010

This paper presents a nonlinear projection neural network for solving interval
quadratic programs subject to box‐set constraints in engineering applications. Based on the Saddle point theorem, the equilibrium point of the proposed neural network is proved to be equivalent to the optimal solution of the interval quadratic optimization problems. By employing Lyapunov function approach, the global exponential stability of the proposed neural network is analyzed. Two illustrative examples are provided to show the feasibility and the efficiency of the proposed method in this paper.
Focusing X-Rays with Curved Multiplate Crystal Cavity
Authors: Chang Ying-Yi , Chen Sung-Yu , Weng Shih-Chang , Chu Chia-Hung , Tang Mau-Tsu , Stetsko Yuriy , Shew Bo-Yuan , Yabashi Makina , Chang Shih-Lin
Published: August 2010

An overview is given of the study on X-ray focusing using the Fabry-Perot type multi-plate silicon crystal cavities consisting of compound refractive lenses. Silicon (12 4 0) is used as the back reflection for cavity resonance at the photon energy of 14.4388 keV. Measurements of focal length of the transmitted beam through the crystal cavities show enhanced focusing effect due to the presence of back diffraction. Also, an incident beam with ultrahigh energy resolution can improve the focusing owing to the wider acceptance angle of the back diffraction. Considerations based on the excitation of dispersion surface within the framework of X-ray dynamical diffraction theory are also presented to reveal the origin of this enhanced focusing.
An Innovative Mathematical Model: A Key to the Riddle of
Authors: Kahrom Mahdi
Published: August 2010

is a standard clinical assessment of glycemia and the basis of most data relating glycemic control to complications. While daily blood glucose testing gives a picture of day-to-day fluctuations, the test offers an overview of how well glucose has been controlled over the past 4 months. I devised an innovative mathematical model to describe novel equations governing which enables analysis of behavior and provides emerging new concepts in assessment of diabetes management. Linear relationship of and mean plasma glucose along with the kinetic analysis of formation has been used as the basic suppositions to construct this model. The main application of this devised model is prediction of mean plasma glucose at any desired point in time after a change in therapy and with great certainty. This model also appraises the pattern of changes over time and provides a unique opportunity to address common mistakes and misconceptions in routine application of that could have potentially important implications on diabetes control.
Relaxation Acupressure Reduces Persistent Cancer‐Related Fatigue
Authors: Zick Suzanna M. , Alrawi Sara , Merel Gary , Burris Brodie , Sen Ananda , Litzinger Amie , Harris Richard E.
Published: September 2010

Persistent cancer‐related fatigue (PCRF) is a symptom experienced by many cancer survivors. Acupressure offers a potential treatment for PCRF. We investigated if acupressure treatments with opposing actions would result in differential effects on fatigue and examined the effect of different “doses” of acupressure on fatigue. We performed a trial of acupressure in cancer survivors experiencing moderate to severe PCRF. Participants were randomized to one of three treatment groups: relaxation acupressure (RA), high‐dose stimulatory acupressure (HIS), and low‐dose stimulatory acupressure (LIS). Participants performed acupressure for 12‐weeks. Change in fatigue as measured by the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) was our primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were assessment of blinding and compliance to treatment. Fatigue was significantly reduced across all treatment groups (mean ± SD reduction in BFI: RA 4.0 ± 1.5, HIS 2.2 ± 1.6, LIS 2.7 ± 2.2),
with significantly greater reductions in the RA group. In an adjusted analysis, RA resulted in significantly less fatigue after
controlling for age, cancer type, cancer stage, and cancer treatments. Self‐administered RA caused greater reductions in
fatigue compared to either HIS or LIS. The magnitude of the reduction in fatigue was clinically relevant and could represent a
viable alternative for cancer survivors with PCRF.
The Iranian version of the exercise self-efficacy scale (ESES)
Authors: Noroozi Azita , Ghofranipour Fazlollah , Heydarnia Ali Reza , Nabipour Iraj , Tahmasebi Rahim , Tavafian Sedighe Sadat
Published: September 2010

Purpose: The exercise self-efficacy scale (ESES) is largely used among diabetic patients to enhance exercise behaviour. However, the Iranian version of ESES was not available. The aim of this study was to validate ESES in this country.

Method: Data were collected from 348 women who referred to a diabetes institute in Iran through convenience sampling procedure. In this cross-sectional study, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine construct validity of scale.

Results: Through exploratory factor analysis, 18 items of the scale converged to three factors with rotation. Construct validity was determined by confirmatory factor analysis through which modified model of self-efficacy scale with 17 items was supported and cross validated. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the whole scale was obtained as .92, which indicates the reliability of the scale.

Conclusion: In general the findings suggest that the ESES with some minor changes is a reliable and valid measure of exercise self-efficacy among the Iranian diabetic population. However, further studies are needed to establish stronger psychometric properties for this scale.
Categorizing health websites
Authors: Usher Wayne , Skinner James
Published: September 2010

This article presents three types of health website categories (e-knowledge, e-business and e-professional) which are currently being used to disseminate health-related information, services and medical literature to the health consumer and professional. Moreover, criteria which have been used to establish a health website’s category is demonstrated throughout this article and specific screen captures are used to illustrate each. At present, literature surrounding the categorization and evaluation of health websites is limited; therefore, much of the criteria generated have been developed from an extensive review and critique of current health websites. The presented criteria checklist forms the guiding framework for this article and assists in giving understanding to the categorization and evaluation process. Furthermore, this article further presents how health consumers and professionals, through the application of such a checklist, may determine and evaluate a health website’s level of appropriateness for their specific needs (knowledge, business and professional). The criteria checklist assists the health consumer and professional to determine the levels of e-health literacy, evaluation tools and interactivity and usability components associated with each health website category.
Cost-effectiveness comparison of breast cancer screening and vascular event primary prevention with aspirin in Wales
Authors: Morgan Gareth
Published: September 2010

Aim: For the first time, this article presents a cost-effectiveness comparison of a breast cancer screening programme with a possible health education programme with aspirin for vascular event primary prevention.

Background: Breast cancer screening is a well established part of cancer control programmes yet recent evidence on this intervention has raised questions about harms. Aspirin prophylaxis for the primary prevention of vascular events, such as heart attack, is controversial based on debates about the benefit versus risk balance of the medicine.

Methods: A health economic analysis was undertaken using a cost-effectiveness methodology. The comparison offered a methodological challenge given that breast cancer screening and aspirin prophylaxis are very different interventions. One single end-point of comparison was therefore used, namely number of lives saved. The entire study was set in the context of the country of Wales, given the availability of pertinent previous Welsh research which underpinned some of the key calculations.

Results: The estimated cost per life saved by breast cancer screening was £6,000–£130,000, while for aspirin primary prevention against vascular events, the respective estimation was £50,000–£100,000. These results overlap and suggest the two interventions are comparable in terms of their cost-effectiveness of lives saved.

Conclusions: Based on this analysis, perhaps policy makers might begin to consider the possibility of a health education campaign which clearly presents the benefits and risks of aspirin. As part of this consideration, further studies would appear to be warranted, such as economic and health impact studies on the existing use of aspirin in the community.

aspirin, breast cancer, comparison, cost-effectiveness
Assimilating and following through with nutritional recommendations by adolescents
Authors: Pich Jordi , Ballester Lluís , Thomàs Mònica , Canals Ramon , Tur Josep A.
Published: September 2010

Objective: To investigate the relationship between knowledge about a healthy diet and the actual food consumption habits of adolescents.

Design: A survey of several food-related aspects applied to a representative sample of adolescents.

Setting: One thousand, six hundred and sixty three individuals aged 11 to 18 from 40 schools randomly selected from among all the schools in the Balearic Islands.

Method: The survey was administered under the supervision of a researcher during the school day. The adolescents were asked about proper eating habits and invited to classify 43 food items as healthy or not healthy. The subjects later reported the frequency with which they consumed these foods, as well as the types of products they consumed between meals.

Results: The adolescents in the sample considered the abundant consumption of vegetables, fish and fruit to be the key to a healthy diet and, as of 15 years of age, recognized the need for a balanced, varied diet. They also correctly identified all the healthy foods, whereas typical fast food items, sweets and alcoholic drinks received highly negative ratings. However, only the girls’ lower consumption of unhealthier products was consistent with this knowledge. The consumption of foods such as vegetables and fish by the older subjects even declined, despite their higher dietary ratings. Three-quarters of the subjects also reported that they customarily snack on calorie-rich food with scant nutritional value.

Conclusion: While dietary ratings are consistent and seem to be reinforced by the constant messages in favour of the Mediterranean diet aimed at adults, the minimum impact of this knowledge on the subjects’ habits observed in the study poses the need to seek new communicative strategies that are not exclusively based on providing adolescents with more information on proper diet.
Coping Strategies as Moderators of the Relationship Between Race-and Gender-Based Discrimination and Psychological Symptoms for African American Women
Authors: Greer Tawanda M.
Published: September 2010

The present study tested the moderating effect of culture-specific coping strategies to understand the relationships between race- and gender-based discrimination and psychological symptoms for African American women. Previous literature suggests that African American women experience adverse psychological outcomes related to race and gender discrimination. Therefore, it was hypothesized that coping strategies would influence the severity of discrimination-related psychological consequences, such that frequent use of coping efforts would be related to less severe psychological symptoms. Moderated structural equation modeling was used to test the study hypothesis. Results revealed that race and gender discrimination were associated with increased psychological symptoms. No moderating effect of coping strategies was found. Implications for future research are discussed.
Investigation of priority needs in terms of museum service accessibility for visually impaired visitors
Authors: Handa Kozue , Dairoku Hitoshi , Toriyama Yoshiko
Published: September 2010

This study investigates the priority needs of museum service accessibility for visually impaired visitors. For this purpose, conjoint analysis was utilized. Four conjoint attributes of museum services were selected: A — facilities for wayfinding; B — exhibitions and collections including objects for touching, hearing, smelling, etc.; C — information in braille, audio and large print; and D — assistance and interpretation by museum staff and volunteers. Participants were 30 visually impaired adults ranging in age from teenagers to septuagenarians. The results revealed that the priority needs in services for visually impaired visitors were accessibility to exhibitions and collections, and staff assistance. This finding was also supported by statements gathered in interviews. Based on this result, the potential for promoting museum accessibility for the visually impaired population in Japan is discussed.
Strategic changes in family firms post management buyout: Ownership and governance issues
Authors: Scholes Louise , Wright Mike , Westhead Paul , Bruining Hans
Published: September 2010

When no suitable family successor can be identified, private family firm owners may select a management buyout (MBO) or a management buyin (MBI) exit route. After a private equity backed MBO/I, new owners may select strategies that encourage superior firm performance. We explore the strategic orientation of former private family firms pre- and post-MBO/Is. Ownership and governance issues are considered. Following insights from agency and stewardship theory, several hypotheses are derived and tested with reference to a representative sample of 104 MBO/ Is located across Europe. Univariate analysis suggests greater scope for efficiency gains and growth in cases where the founder was present at time of buyout, where no managers with equity stakes or non-executive directors were employed pre-buyout, and where the private equity investor and management were involved in succession planning. Multinomial logistic regression suggests efficiency gains in firms with no equity holding non-family managers pre-buyout. Conclusions and implications are discussed.
The Use of Play Expansions to Increase the Diversity and Complexity of Object Play in Young Children With Disabilities
Authors: Frey Jennifer R. , Kaiser Ann P.
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this study was to determine if an intervention consisting of contingently imitating play, modeling expansions of play actions, and describing play actions increased the diversity of object play in young children with disabilities. The multicomponent intervention was introduced in a multiple-probe design across three young children in their classrooms. Generalization probe sessions, using an untrained toy set, were conducted throughout baseline and intervention. Follow-up sessions were conducted approximately 1 month after completion of the intervention. All participants increased their performance of different actions and the complexity of their play with toys; however, the magnitude of effects varied across participants. In addition, all participants spoke more and used more different words at the end of intervention when compared to the end of baseline. Performance during generalization and maintenance assessments was variable. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Cost-Saving Tree-Structured Survival Analysis for Hip Fracture of Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Data
Authors: Jin Hua , Lu Ying
Published: September 2010

It is important to predict osteoporotic fracture risk accurately in order to select high-risk patients for treatment. Previous tree-structured survival analysis (TSSA) methods focused on optimization in statistical performance in construction of survival trees. However, they did not take into account the cost of the predictive variables. Because of the high cost of some predictors, the derived algorithm may have only limited application in practice. In this article, the authors consider the cost-effectiveness in TSSA and propose a cost-saving TSSA (denoted as CSTSSA) to construct the survival tree for identifying subjects at high risk of hip fracture based on the data from Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. The new rule is compared with the optimum classification based on log-rank test statistics using the noninferiority test by Lu and others. The comparison results suggest that, for identifying patients at high risk of hip fracture, the CSTSSA is a good alternative to the optimum classification.
Absent Husbands, Single Wives: Success, Domesticity, and Seminuclear Families in the Nineteenth-Century Great Lakes World
Authors: Nutting P. Bradley
Published: September 2010

The industrial and transportation revolutions of nineteenth-century America separated work from home (at least for the growing middle class) and intensified the development of masculine and feminine spheres devoted to success and domesticity, respectively. This development tended to reduce the husband’s traditional patriarchal roles to that of provider only, while leaving the wife and mother with enhanced authority over household management and child rearing, a development with consequences for feminism. This article examines two extreme cases of separation of work from home: absent husbands, respected professional men, who left their wives alone for months or years and, while they provided financial support, surrendered all household authority to ‘‘single’’ wives.
Potential use of natural fiber composite materials in India
Authors: Saravana Bavan D. , Mohan Kumar GC
Published: September 2010

This study focuses on the potential use of natural fibers in composite materials, their availability, processing features, mechanical and physical properties, and some of their applications in India.
Effect of a Computer-Delivered Math Fact Intervention as a Supplemental Intervention for Math in Third and Fourth Grades
Authors: Burns Matthew K. , Kanive Rebecca , DeGrande Megan
Published: September 2010

The current study reviews a computer-based math fluency intervention with 216 third- and fourth-grade students who were at risk for math difficulties. The intervention used a computer software program to practice math facts an average of three times per week for 8 to 15 weeks. Data were compared to those of 226 students in a control group. Results indicated that students who participated in the intervention had significantly larger gains on their math scores than those in the control group, and students with severe math problems (at or below the 15th percentile) grew at a rate that was equal to that of students with a pretest score that was between the 15th and 25th percentiles. Moreover, significantly fewer students remained at risk for math failure in the intervention group after participating in the intervention. These data suggest that the computer-based intervention was a useful supplemental math intervention. Suggestions for future research are provided.
Composite MRI scores improve correlation with EDSS in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Poonawalla AH , Datta S. , Juneja V. , Nelson F. , Wolinsky JS , Cutter G. , Narayana PA
Published: September 2010

Background: Quantitative measures derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been widely investigated as non-invasive biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the correlation of single measures with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is poor, especially for studies with large population samples.

Objective: To explore the correlation of MRI-derived measures with EDSS through composite MRI scores.

Methods: Magnetic resonance images of 126 patients with relapsing—remitting MS were segmented into white and gray matter, cerebrospinal fluid, T2-hyperintense lesions, gadolinium contrast-enhancing lesions, T1-hypointense lesions (‘black holes’: BH). The volumes and average T2 values for each of these tissues and lesions were calculated and converted to a z-score (in units of standard deviation from the mean). These z-scores were combined to construct composite z-scores, and evaluated against individual z-scores for correlation with EDSS.

Results: Composite scores including relaxation times of different tissues and/or volumetric measures generally correlated more strongly with EDSS than individual measures. The maximum observed correlation of a composite with EDSS was r = 0.344 ( p < 0.0001), which is an improvement over the highest-performing single MRI measure (BH; r = 0.298, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Z-transformation permits construction of composite scores including volumetric and T2-relaxation measures. Inclusion of multiple MRI measures in the composite can provide a broader characterization of the disease process, resulting in more robust correlations with EDSS.
The Quiapo cinémathèque
Authors: Trice Jasmine Nadua
Published: September 2010

• This article examines Quiapo, the pirated DVD district in Manila. It contextualizes the ways in which public discourse in Manila narrativizes the local practices of global cinema consumption taking place on Quiapo’s streets. Drawing from academic debates concerning the multiplicity of modernity, the article suggests that the self-reflexive accounts Manilenyos circulate in popular media, blogs and other arenas present a complex case of ‘creative adaptation’ to manifestations of global modernity, not through the diversity of local practices in self-conscious resistance to global culture, but rather through a more difficult ideological terrain that moves from the hybridity of postcolonialism to the cosmopolitanism of cultural globality. •
‘You aren’t the first and you won’t be the last’
Authors: Scherz China
Published: September 2010

During the last decades of the 20th century, notions of morality related to sexuality and family life underwent a dramatic transition in Ireland. In this paper, I explore changing attitudes towards a rapidly growing population of unmarried mothers in a small community in rural Ireland. In my analysis, I draw upon recent work on the anthropology of ethics, morality, and cultural change to analyze the ways in which individual experiences of ethical conflict and transformation relate to aggregate processes of cultural change. My analysis of one woman’s account of her own moral epiphany speaks to the limits of conceptualizing ethico-moral change as a necessarily conscious or cognitive process.
‘Heart of Darkness’
Authors: Kabamba Patience
Published: September 2010

This article provides a critical overview of dominant images of Africa in general and of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in particular, in Western media as well as some scholarly literature. I then go on to show that these images are products of a very specific conception of the state and sovereignty. The study is primarily concerned with the nature of the African postcolonial state: is it failed or not? Is it absent or not? What role has it afforded new ethnic networks? Scholars of the state in Africa argue that it is ‘weak’ or has ‘failed’. When they do so they are drawing on the evidence of a real crisis prevalent in state structures in Africa today — however, as the study shows, they conflate the absence of government with the absence of governance. I argue that the state has not disappeared, but many of its traditional roles such as the provision of education, infrastructure, and security have been taken over by subordinate groups, mostly mobilized along ethnic lines.
Strategic Canonization and the Audio-Vision-ary Pragmatics of Stan VanDerBeek’s Culture: Intercom
Authors: Bartlett Mark
Published: September 2010

Revisioning the significance of Stan VanDerBeek is beset with a number of historiographical problems that tell us a great deal about history-making in technological times. Why, and more importantly, how, does a key experimental filmmaker breaking radical ground in animation and a technoart innovator of the American avant-garde of the 1960s and 70s fall into complete obscurity? The author argues that a very similar process is taking place around the reductive term ‘digital media’, the shift in technocultural production and consumption that rendered all filmic consciousness as animation.