bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Your Own Musical Community: How YouTube, Miley Cyrus, and the Ukulele Can Create a New Kind of Ensemble
Authors: Thibeault Matthew D. , Evoy Julianne
Published: February 2011

This column presents an account of the Homebrew Ukulele Union: an ensemble where students build their own instruments, write their own compositions and arrangements, and organize performances in the local community. One author, a member of the group, presents the student perspective on building, learning, leading, and performing, whereas the second author focuses on some scholarly ideas that shaped the practice: anthropology, ethnomusicology, and the lifelong-learning era of new media. The authors argue for a sustainable model of musicianship that students can carry forth into their adult lives, making music of their own choosing in small or large groups, built around the local musical culture or that of an online community.
Using Key Messages to Explore Rhetoric in Professional Writing
Authors: Shaver Lisa
Published: February 2011

This article introduces an assignment that uses key messages to introduce students to the different ways that rhetoric is used in professional writing. In particular, this article discusses how analyzing and writing reports about organizational web sites can help students perceive the rhetorical nature of professional communication, gain familiarity with several professional writing genres and writing conventions, become more critical readers, and recognize the relationship between an initial study and a report that communicates the findings from that study.
Haunted by the Past: Effects of Poor Change Management History on Employee Attitudes and Turnover
Authors: Bordia Prashant , Restubog Simon Lloyd D. , Jimmieson Nerina L. , Irmer Bernd E.
Published: February 2011

Change management research has largely ignored the effects of organizational change management history in shaping employee attitudes and behavior. This article develops and tests a model of the effects of poor change management history (PCMH) on employee attitudes (trust, job satisfaction, turnover intentions, change cynicism, and openness to change) and actual turnover. We found that PCMH, through PCMH beliefs, led to lower trust, job satisfaction and openness to change, and higher cynicism and turnover intentions. Also, PCMH beliefs predicted employee turnover over 2 years.
Cross-Cultural Analysis of Models of Romantic Love Among U.S. Residents, Russians, and Lithuanians
Authors: de Munck Victor C. , Korotayev Andrey , de Munck Janina , Khaltourina Darya
Published: February 2011

Our goal was to detect and describe a common “core” structure of romantic love and to also discover and explain variations due to cultural or gender differences between three national cultures: the United States, Russia, and Lithuania. Our sample consisted of 262 American males, 362 American females, 166 Russian males, 130 females, 102 Lithuanian males, and 135 Lithuanian females—a total of 1,157 people. Our analysis was derived from (a) a 14-item questionnaire; (b) freelist responses to the question “What do you associate with romantic love?” and (c) interview and focus group data. The questionnaire was devised by employing well-known quotations about romantic love that cover a range of feelings and perceptions of love. Our results showed that there is no overall consensus but there was cross-cultural consensus on five variables: intrusive thinking, happiness; passion; altruism; and improve well-being of partner. In the freelist portion, we also found some significant similarities—particularly the desire to be together was ranked first across all three cultures. However key cultural differences were found. Friendship and comfort love were critical features of romantic love for the U.S. sample, but nonexistent for the Lithuanian and Russian samples. Conversely, the latter two samples saw love as “unreal,” “temporary,” and “a fairytale.” These cultural differences were explored through interviews and shown to serve as different cultural frames used to interpret similar emotional complexes. We suggest that the differences do not affect the evolutionary functions of romantic love and are adaptations to different types of social organizations. The etic-emic approach used in this cross-cultural research provides for a more nuanced, ethnographically sound, and cross-culturally valid description and analysis of the form and function of romantic love cross culturally than does either approach by itself.
Comparing Agent-Based Computational Simulation Models in Cross-Cultural Research
Authors: Cioffi-Revilla Claudio
Published: February 2011

Mel Ember was co-Principal Investigator in the Mason-HRAF Joint Project on Eastern Africa, a multiyear project aimed at developing and analyzing advanced computational agent-based models of human societies across 10 countries and 12 ecosystems. A major unsolved challenge in this kind of social science research is to devise a systematic way to compare, contrast, and communicate different models of social dynamics along relevant dimensions and characteristics, given the inherent complexity of most computational agent-based models. This article proposes a viable systematic framework for comparing models and illustrates its application using some of the models that Mel helped inspire and develop as senior project participant.
Measuring Grief Following Miscarriage
Authors: Lai Beatrice P. Y. , Chung Tony K. H. , Lee Dominic T. S. , Kong Grace W. S. , Lok Ingrid H.
Published: February 2011

Grief following miscarriage is a complex psychological response. This study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS). A total of 280 Chinese women completed the PGS immediately following a diagnosis of miscarriage (baseline) and were reassessed at 12 months follow-up. The factor structure of the Chinese PGS was explored. The convergent validity of the PGS was established by examining its correlations with the General Health Questionnaire–12 and Beck Depression Inventory at baseline. The reliability of the Chinese PGS was satisfactory. A two-factor structure accounting for 45% of the variance was identified. The Chinese PGS was positively correlated with General Health Questionnaire–12 and Beck Depression Inventory scores. The Chinese PGS was found to be a reliable and valid tool to measure grief following miscarriage.
MMPI-2-RF Characteristics of Custody Evaluation Litigants
Authors: Archer Elizabeth M. , Hagan Leigh D. , Mason Janelle , Handel Richard , Archer Robert P.
Published: February 2011

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2–Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is a 338-item objective self-report measure drawn from the 567 items of the MMPI-2. Although there is a substantial MMPI-2 literature regarding child custody litigants, there has been only one previously published study using MMPI-2-RF data in this population that focused on Validity scales L-r and K-r. The current study evaluated the MMPI-2-RF results of 344 child custody litigants and showed substantial consistency between T-score elevations typically found on MMPI-2 Validity scales L and K, and comparable elevations for MMPI-2-RF validity scales L-r and K-r. Mean T-scores well within normal limits characterized results for clinical scales on both instruments. The RC scale intercorrelation patterns, and alpha coefficient values found for MMPI-2-RF scales in a custody population, were also found to be very similar to those reported for other populations. Directions for future research are presented.
Review: Contaminants in Heparin: Review of the Literature, Molecular Profiling, and Clinical Implications
Authors: Ramacciotti Eduardo , Clark Melanie , Sadeghi Nasir , Hoppensteadt Debra , Thethi Indermohan , Gomes Marise , Fareed Jawed
Published: February 2011

Background: The contaminant isolated from contaminated heparin was oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS). Other possible contaminants should be evaluated. Methods: Contaminants were isolated from recalled contaminated heparin and were compared to OSCS from animal sources and to heparin by-products synthetically persulfated. Results: A great variability in molecular weight was observed in the isolated contaminants. Dermatan sulfate with high-molecular-weight in addition to OSCS was detected. Oversulfated chondroitin sulfate from different sources as well as heparin by-products produced activation of prekallikrein to kallikrein at variable rates as measured by the generation of kallikrein. All agents produced activation of the complement system. All compounds formed complexes with platelet factor 4 (PF4) and all produced 14C serotonin release in the heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) analysis. The agents also exhibited variable anticoagulant responses that were mostly mediated via heparin cofactor II. Conclusion: These results suggest that heparin contaminants represent a heterogeneous group of oversulfated glycosaminoglycans (OSGAGs) which may mediate multiple pathophysiologic responses.
Prognostic Value of D-Dimer in Stable Patients with Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Stein Paul D. , Janjua Muhammad , Matta Fadi , Alrifai Ahmed , Jaweesh Fadel , Chughtai Haroon L.
Published: February 2011

Prognosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) based on levels ofD-dimer has shown mixed results, and data on in-hospital prognosis of stable patients are sparse. We assessed in-hospital prognosis in 292 stable patients with PE based on retrospective chart review using an arbitrarily selected value ofD-dimer ≥5000 ng/mL as cut-off level. In-hospital mortality from PE was 0% (0 of 222) withD-dimer <5000 ng/mL compared with 2.9% (2 of 70) withD-dimer ≥5000 ng/mL ( P = .06). In-hospital all-cause mortality was 2.3% (5 of 222) withD-dimer <5000 ng/mL compared with 2.9% (2 of 70) withD-dimer ≥5000 ng/mL (NS). Markedly elevated levels ofD-dimer, therefore, did not indicate a high mortality from PE or all-cause mortality during hospitalization.
How Oppositionality, Inattention, and Hyperactivity Affect Response to Atomoxetine Versus Methylphenidate
Authors: van Wyk Gregory W. , Hazell Philip L. , Kohn Michael R. , Granger Renee E. , Walton Richard J.
Published: February 2011

Objective: To assess how threshold oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), inattention, and hyperactivity-impulsivity affect the response to atomoxetine versus methylphenidate. Method: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs; ≥6 weeks follow-up). The primary measure was core symptom response—≥40% reduction in ADHD Rating Scale-IV–Parent Version: investigator administered and scored total or domain subscores, as appropriate. Results: Data from 1,391 children and adolescents (823 atomoxetine, 568 methylphenidate; 7 RCTs) were meta-analyzed. The mean difference in response rates for patients with ODD was 0.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = −11.9%-13.1%). The “without ODD” patient group showed significant between-trial heterogeneity ( p < .001). Response rate differences for patients meeting the threshold for inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity were −3.1% (95% CI = −11.5%-5.3%) and −4.9% (95% CI = −14.3%-4.4%), respectively. Conclusions: Meeting the threshold criteria for oppositionality, inattention, or hyperactivity-impulsivity did not alter core ADHD symptom response to atomoxetine versus methylphenidate, which was equivalent.
Substance Use in College Students With ADHD
Authors: Rooney Mary , Chronis-Tuscano Andrea , Yoon Yesel
Published: February 2011

Objective: The college years represent a developmental transition during which the initiation and escalation of heavy drinking set the stage for lifelong difficulties with alcohol and other drugs. Evidence from studies of adolescents and young adults with ADHD suggests that college students with the disorder may be uniquely vulnerable to alcohol- and drug-related problems. However, no studies have examined substance use in college students with ADHD. Method: Tobacco, alcohol, illicit drug use, and associated impairment were examined in 91 college students with ( n = 53) and without ( n = 38) ADHD. Results: ADHD was associated with increased frequency of tobacco use, higher rates of dangerous or hazardous patterns of alcohol use, and higher levels of impairment related to marijuana and nonmarijuana illicit drug use, independent of conduct disorder history. Conclusion: These findings suggest that college students with ADHD may be at elevated risk for problematic patterns of substance use.
The Relationship Between ADHD Symptoms and Competence as Reported by Both Self and Others
Authors: Jiang Yuanyuan , Johnston Charlotte
Published: February 2011

Objective: This study examines the relative relationships of self- and other-reports of adult ADHD symptoms to important life competencies, and also investigates whether self- and other-reports of ADHD symptoms are differentially associated with interrater differences in reports of competence. Method: A total of 91 women completed a self-perception questionnaire assessing competence. Other individuals who knew the women well completed the same questionnaire with regard to the women. The women’s ADHD symptoms were also rated by themselves and others. Results: Regressions of self- and other-reports of ADHD symptoms on competence scores suggest that other-reports of ADHD symptoms are more valid than self-reports. Also, correlations between reports of ADHD symptoms and interrater differences in rated competence were consistent with a positive illusory bias among women with high ADHD symptoms. Conclusion: Other-reports of ADHD symptoms may be better associated with an individual’s competence than self-reports.
Can group discussion promote cooperative ultimatum bargaining?
Authors: Choi Dong-Won , Menghrajani Ekta
Published: February 2011

The influence of discussion-induced shared cognition on bargaining behavior was examined. Three studies tested the hypothesis that shared cognition regarding the best method for reaching a bargaining agreement would decrease the frequency of selfish offers. Consistent with this prediction, participants who engaged in such a group discussion made less selfish offers than those who did not discuss (all studies) or those who engaged in a group discussion regarding commonalities that they shared (Study 2). Study 3 showed that the discussion effect was mediated by shared cognition developed through the discussion. Thus, discussion regarding how best to reach bargaining settlements may develop shared cognition that assists in cooperative bargaining. Implications and limitations of the studies are discussed.
Group heterogeneity and social validation of everyday knowledge
Authors: Vala Jorge , Drozda-Senkowska Ewa , Oberlé Dominique , Lopes Diniz , Silva Pedro
Published: February 2011

Studies presented in this article show that participants attribute greater validity to opinions supported by heterogeneous groups than by homogeneous ones, that this effect occurs whether participants anticipate group belonging or not and that the relationship between heterogeneity and the attribution of validity to opinions is mediated by the perception of participation within heterogeneous groups. More specifically, an experimental scenario was tested in a pilot study (N = 299): group heterogeneity was manipulated and perceived group participation as well as perceived validity of group opinions was measured. Results show the expected effect of heterogeneity on the validation of opinions and also a mediating effect of perceived participation. The main study (N = 336) shows that the effect of heterogeneity occurs not only when participants are mere observers of groups but also when they anticipate group belonging. Furthermore, this study shows that whereas the effect of group heterogeneity was mediated by perceived participation, the effect of group belonging on perceived validity of group opinions was mediated by trust.
Cyberbomb
Authors: Van Beest Ilja , Williams Kipling D. , Van Dijk Eric
Published: February 2011

Recent research has shown that ostracism is distressful regardless of mitigating circumstances, providing evidence that humans are hard-wired to be hypervigilant to ostracism cues. Arguing that it is also highly adaptive to avoid being in a situation that signals a threat to survival we reasoned that the immediate distress to ostracism would be mitigated in a game of bomb-toss (Cyberbomb) compared to a game of ball-toss (Cyberball). Results showed that such a symbolic threat to survival is able to reduce the immediate distress caused by ostracism (Study 1 and Study 2), and––when the negative consequences of not surviving are highlighted––still powerful enough to induce aggression to fellow game players (Study 2). Taken together the studies speak to the often assumed but relatively untested relation between exclusion and survival that has been proposed in theories on belonging, exclusion and ostracism.
Effects of Health Policy Reforms on Nursing Resources and Patient Outcomes in New Zealand
Authors: Carryer Jennifer B. , Diers Donna , McCloskey Barbara , Wilson Denise
Published: February 2011

Health policy reforms in New Zealand during the 1990s impacted on hospital operations, on the nursing workforce, and on patients. This study analyses changes in rates of 20 adverse patient outcomes that are potentially sensitive to nursing (OPSNs) before (1989-1993), during (1993-2000), and after (2000-2006) the policy reforms, using all New Zealand public hospital inpatient discharge data for this period. Comparisons of changes in mean annual rates across periods revealed the expected trajectory of acceleration during the reform period relative to the prereform period, and a subsequent deceleration in the postreform period. This S-shaped pattern was clearly evident in 16 of the 20 OPSNs, and partially evident in the remaining 4. These results are interpreted as evidence that the 1990s policy reforms inspired by managerialism had deleterious effects on patient outcomes, and that these effects coincided with changes in nursing resources and the work environment.
Pretending to Be “Postracial”: The Spectacularization of Race in Reality TV’s Survivor
Authors: Drew Emily M.
Published: February 2011

While race is usually an implicit discourse in reality television, making it an explicit discourse seems to have little effect on challenging the prevailing representations of race in prime-time television. This research demonstrates how Survivor ’s “race wars” season attempted to reinforce a “postracial” narrative that race no longer matters in contemporary U.S. society while simultaneously perpetuating the familiar representations that reproduce racial ideology. Using data derived from a systematic content analysis, the author argues that Survivor spectacularized race by (1) using racial logic to explain the success and failure of teams as well as the failure of individuals to survive within their teams, (2) essentializing people of color’s racial identity as biologically and culturally bound while simultaneously making whiteness invisible and normal, and (3) promoting color-blind and postracial assertions that contradicted the clear salience of race in shaping contestants’ “survival.” The author considers what this explicit racialization of the program reveals about the potential for—and pitfalls of—addressing race in reality television.
Disrupting Flow
Authors: Corrigan John Michael , Corrigan Maria
Published: February 2011

This article examines how the Seinfeld and Sopranos series finales problematize a contemporary televisual ethos that Raymond Williams famously characterized as “flow.” These finales at once question their status as product and, in the case of The Sopranos, offer a direct critique to the nature of televisual flow itself. The emergence of such avant-garde intentionality in network and cable television underscores, moreover, a fundamental tension between art and commerce. These finales draw much of their energy by evoking an aesthetic of disruption and subversion not from the outside of the production process but from within the corporate sphere.
Political Knowledge and the Use of Candidate Race as a Voting Cue
Authors: Matsubayashi Tetsuya , Ueda Michiko
Published: February 2011

Do White voters use candidate race as a voting cue in biracial electoral contests? We argue that the answer to this question depends on the level of political knowledge and information that voters have rather than on their attitudes toward minorities. Our analyses of precinct- and individual-level data show that White voters who are likely to be informed about candidates vote less often for the Democratic party when the candidate is Black, whereas vote choices of White voters who are unlikely to be informed about candidates are unaffected by candidate race.
Case Visibility and the Electoral Connection in State Supreme Courts
Authors: Cann Damon M. , Wilhelm Teena
Published: February 2011

Critics traditionally portray state Supreme Court elections as low-information events that fail to accomplish the stated goal of engendering accountability to the public. Recent changes in the intensity of contestable judicial elections have led scholars to consider the effect of public opinion on state court decision making. We delineate necessary conditions for judicial responsiveness to public opinion, integrating research on state court decision making with the broader literature on representation. We then empirically test our framework for judicial responsiveness. Our findings suggest that the strength of the electoral connection between state supreme court justices and their constituents is quite dependent on method of judicial retention and the visibility of the case.
*The Importance of Predictive Power in Early Screening Assessments
Authors: Petscher Yaacov , Kim Young-Suk , Foorman Barbara R.
Published: February 2011

As schools implement response to intervention to identify and serve students with learning difficulties, it is critical for educators to know how to evaluate screening measures. In the present study, Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills Oral Reading Fluency was used to compare the differential decisions that might occur in screening accuracy when predicting two reading comprehension measures (i.e., Stanford Achievement Test–10th Edition and Gates-McGinitie Reading Test–Fourth Edition) at the end of second grade. The results showed that the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills Oral Reading Fluency tended to have higher sensitivity and negative predictive power for Stanford Achievement Test–10th Edition and higher specificity and positive predictive power for Gates-McGinitie Reading Test–Fourth Edition. Furthermore, attempting to achieve a criterion of positive predictive power for a given reading comprehension outcome ( Stanford Achievement Test–10th Edition, in this study) appears to render a favorable balance compared to other indices of diagnostic accuracy. These results are discussed in light of trade-offs and a need for considering specific contexts of schools and districts.
Current Perspectives on Management of Congenital Jugular Vein Aneurysms
Authors: Kloppenburg Geoffrey T. L. , de Vries Jean-Paul P. M. , Schuurman Jaap-Peter , Koelemij Ron , Wille Jan
Published: February 2011

True aneurysms of the internal jugular vein are relatively rare. This study describes 3 cases and the current management of congenital internal jugular vein aneurysms.
Risks and Benefits of a Gun in the Home
Authors: Hemenway David
Published: February 2011

This article summarizes the scientific literature on the health risks and benefits of having a gun in the home for the gun owner and his/her family. For most contemporary Americans, scientific studies indicate that the health risk of a gun in the home is greater than the benefit. The evidence is overwhelming for the fact that a gun in the home is a risk factor for completed suicide and that gun accidents are most likely to occur in homes with guns. There is compelling evidence that a gun in the home is a risk factor for intimidation and for killing women in their homes. On the benefit side, there are fewer studies, and there is no credible evidence of a deterrent effect of firearms or that a gun in the home reduces the likelihood or severity of injury during an altercation or break-in. Thus, groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics urge parents not to have guns in the home.
Is It All Relative?
Authors: Goffin Richard D. , Olson James M.
Published: February 2011

We argue that various types of evaluative social judgments about the self or others (e.g., employee job performance ratings, self-reported attitudes, ratings of others' traits) may be obtained more accurately using comparative ratings rather than absolute ratings. Comparative ratings involve relative judgments of a target in comparison with other individuals or groups, whereas absolute ratings involve judgments of a target on scales that do not explicitly reference other people. In industrial–organizational, social, and personality psychology research that has compared the validity of comparative and absolute ratings, we have found evidence of more valid measurement as a result of comparative judgmental ratings, despite the nearly exclusive reliance on absolute judgmental ratings in these areas. We offer a social cognitive and evolutionary explanation in support of the hypothesis that humans may often be able to make more accurate ratings using comparative measures. We also recommend an agenda for greater exploitation and understanding of relative judgments in psychological research and practice.
Building a Better America—One Wealth Quintile at a Time
Authors: Norton Michael I. , Ariely Dan
Published: February 2011

Disagreements about the optimal level of wealth inequality underlie policy debates ranging from taxation to welfare. We attempt to insert the desires of “regular” Americans into these debates, by asking a nationally representative online panel to estimate the current distribution of wealth in the United States and to “build a better America” by constructing distributions with their ideal level of inequality. First, respondents dramatically underestimated the current level of wealth inequality. Second, respondents constructed ideal wealth distributions that were far more equitable than even their erroneously low estimates of the actual distribution. Most important from a policy perspective, we observed a surprising level of consensus: All demographic groups—even those not usually associated with wealth redistribution such as Republicans and the wealthy—desired a more equal distribution of wealth than the status quo.
Causation From Perception
Authors: Rips Lance J.
Published: February 2011

Beginning with the research of Albert Michotte, investigators have identified simple perceptual events that observers report as causal. For example, suppose a square moves across a screen and comes to a halt when it makes contact with a second square. If the second square then begins moving in the same direction, observers sometimes report that the first square “pushed” the second or “caused it to move.” Based on such reports, Michotte claimed that people perceive causality, and a number of psychologists and philosophers have followed his lead. This article examines Michotte’s hypothesis by comparing it with its chief rival: Observers possess representations of pushings, pullings, and other events in long-term memory. A Michottean display triggers one of these representations, and the representation classifies the display as an instance of pushing (or pulling, etc.). According to this second explanation, recognizing an event as a pushing is similar to classifying an object as a cup or a dog. Data relevant to this debate come from infant and animal studies, cognitive and neuropsychological dissociation experiments, and studies of context effects and individual differences. However, a review of research in these paradigms finds no reason to prefer Michotte’s theory over its competitor.
Evolutionary Theory and the Ultimate–Proximate Distinction in the Human Behavioral Sciences
Authors: Scott-Phillips Thomas C. , Dickins Thomas E. , West Stuart A.
Published: February 2011

To properly understand behavior, we must obtain both ultimate and proximate explanations. Put briefly, ultimate explanations are concerned with why a behavior exists, and proximate explanations are concerned with how it works. These two types of explanation are complementary and the distinction is critical to evolutionary explanation. We are concerned that they have become conflated in some areas of the evolutionary literature on human behavior. This article brings attention to these issues. We focus on three specific areas: the evolution of cooperation, transmitted culture, and epigenetics. We do this to avoid confusion and wasted effort—dangers that are particularly acute in interdisciplinary research. Throughout this article, we suggest ways in which misunderstanding may be avoided in the future.
Consensus at the Heart of Division: Commentary on Norton and Ariely (2011)
Authors: Dunn Elizabeth W. , Buchtel Emma E. , Aknin Lara B.
Published: February 2011

We argue that seemingly deep-seated partisan divisions may be built on a foundation of surprising consensus, not only in terms of the wealth distributions that people prefer ( Norton & Ariely, 2011 , this issue), but also in the gut-level moral reactions and beliefs about money and happiness that may underlie those preferences.
A New Veil of Ignorance? Commentary on Norton and Ariely (2011)
Authors: Schwartz Barry
Published: February 2011

Norton and Ariely’s (2011 , this issue) finding that people prefer relatively equal distributions of wealth begs for further research. It is one thing to argue, as T. Frank (2004) has, that people vote against their interests. But Norton and Ariely seem to show that people vote against their preferences. What does that even mean, and how does it happen?
Unclear Implications
Authors: Kagan Shelly
Published: February 2011

Despite the suggestiveness of their empirical findings, I argue that the implications of Norton and Ariely’s work are unclear, both morally and politically.
Best Friends
Authors: DeScioli Peter , Kurzban Robert , Koch Elizabeth N. , Liben-Nowell David
Published: February 2011

Like many topics of psychological research, the explanation for friendship is at once intuitive and difficult to address empirically. These difficulties worsen when one seeks, as we do, to go beyond “obvious” explanations (“humans are social creatures”) to ask deeper questions, such as “What is the evolved function of human friendship?” In recent years, however, a new window into human behavior has opened as a growing fraction of people’s social activity has moved online, leaving a wealth of digital traces behind. One example is a feature of the MySpace social network that allows millions of users to rank their “Top Friends.” In this study, we collected over 10 million people’s friendship decisions from MySpace to test predictions made by hypotheses about human friendship. We found particular support for the alliance hypothesis, which holds that human friendship is caused by cognitive systems that function to create alliances for potential disputes. Because an ally’s support can be undermined by a stronger outside relationship, the alliance model predicts that people will prefer partners who rank them above other friends. Consistent with the alliance model, we found that an individual’s choice of best friend in MySpace is strongly predicted by how partners rank that individual.
Procedural Justice Shapes Evaluations of Income Inequality: Commentary on Norton and Ariely (2011)
Authors: Tyler Tom
Published: February 2011

Research finds that people’s reactions to inequality in wealth are more strongly related to their views about the fairness of the procedures of wealth allocation than they are by inequality itself. Hence, the key issue is whether people think markets are procedurally just allocation mechanisms.
An exploratory investigation of the risk of pathogenic contamination at selected New Jersey skilled nursing and assisted living residences
Authors: Feldman Charles , Nothstein Gary , Somaiya Chintan K , Obeidallah Heba , Silverthorne Elizabeth , Wunderlich Shahla , Goodey Nina M
Published: February 2011

Elderly populations are vulnerable and generally have the highest incidence of morbidity related to foodborne illnesses and this problem may be aggravated in institutional or communal eating settings. The objective of this investigation was to examine the potential risk of food contamination in selected skilled nursing and assisted-living residences using bacteria indicator tests for Listeria spp., Salmonella spp. and E. coli. Of the 45 samples tested for Listeria, three (6.67 %) were found to be contaminated; Salmonella or E. coli contamination was not found in any of the samples. Reported incidents of foodborne illnesses are increasing in institutional settings, therefore there is an urgent need to collect information on practices that can prevent bacterial contamination of food served in elderly residences.
Evi1 represses PTEN expression and activates PI3K/AKT/mTOR via interactions with polycomb proteins
Authors: Yoshimi Akihide , Goyama Susumu , Watanabe-Okochi Naoko , Yoshiki Yumiko , Nannya Yasuhito , Nitta Eriko , Arai Shunya , Sato Tomohiko , Shimabe Munetake , Nakagawa Masahiro , Imai Yoichi , Kitamura Toshio , Kurokawa Mineo
Published: February 2011

Evi1 (ecotropic viral integration site 1) is essential for proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and implicated in the development of myeloid disorders. Particularly, high Evi1 expression defines one of the largest clusters in acute myeloid leukemia and is significantly associated with extremely poor prognosis. However, mechanistic basis of Evi1-mediated leukemogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that Evi1 directly represses phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) transcription in the murine bone marrow, which leads to activation of AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. In a murine bone marrow transplantation model, Evi1 leukemia showed modestly increased sensitivity to an mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. Furthermore, we found that Evi1 binds to several polycomb group proteins and recruits polycomb repressive complexes for PTEN down-regulation, which shows a novel epigenetic mechanism of AKT/mTOR activation in leukemia. Expression analyses and ChIPassays with human samples indicate that our findings in mice models are recapitulated in human leukemic cells. Dependence of Evi1-expressing leukemic cells on AKT/mTOR signaling provides the first example of targeted therapeutic modalities that suppress the leukemogenic activity of Evi1. The PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and the Evi1-polycomb interaction can be promising therapeutic targets for leukemia with activated Evi1.
Lentiviral gene transfer regenerates hematopoietic stem cells in a mouse model for Mpl-deficient aplastic anemia
Authors: Heckl Dirk , Wicke Daniel C. , Brugman Martijn H. , Meyer Johann , Schambach Axel , Büsche Guntram , Ballmaier Matthias , Baum Christopher , Modlich Ute
Published: February 2011

Thpo/Mpl signaling plays an important role in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in addition to its role in megakaryopoiesis. Patients with inactivating mutations in Mpl develop thrombocytopenia and aplastic anemia because of progressive loss of HSCs. Yet, it is unknown whether this loss of HSCs is an irreversible process. In this study, we used the Mpl knockout (Mpl−/−) mouse model and expressed Mpl from newly developed lentiviral vectors specifically in the physiologic Mpl target populations, namely, HSCs and megakaryocytes. After validating lineage-specific expression in vivo using lentiviral eGFP reporter vectors, we performed bone marrow transplantation of transduced Mpl−/− bone marrow cells into Mpl−/− mice. We show that restoration of Mpl expression from transcriptionally targeted vectors prevents lethal adverse reactions of ectopic Mpl expression, replenishes the HSC pool, restores stem cell properties, and corrects platelet production. In some mice, megakaryocyte counts were atypically high, accompanied by bone neo-formation and marrow fibrosis. Gene-corrected Mpl−/− cells had increased long-term repopulating potential, with a marked increase in lineage−Sca1+cKit+ cells and early progenitor populations in reconstituted mice. Transcriptome analysis of lineage−Sca1+cKit+ cells in Mpl-corrected mice showed functional adjustment of genes involved in HSC self-renewal.
Evaluation of Ergocalciferol or Cholecalciferol Dosing, 1,600 IU Daily or 50,000 IU Monthly in Older Adults
Authors: Binkley N. , Gemar D. , Engelke J. , Gangnon R. , Ramamurthy R. , Krueger D. , Drezner M. K.
Published: February 2011

Context:

Whether ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3) are equally effective to increase and maintain serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration is controversial.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of daily and once monthly dosing of D2 or D3 on circulating 25(OH)D and serum and urinary calcium.

Design, Setting and Participants:

In a university clinical research setting, 64 community dwelling adults age 65+ were randomly assigned to receive daily (1,600 IU) or once-monthly (50,000 IU) D2 or D3 for 1 yr.

Main Outcome Measures:

Serum 25(OH)D, serum calcium, and 24-h urinary calcium were measured at months 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12. Serum PTH, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, and N-telopeptide were measured at months 0, 3, 6, and 12.

Results:

Serum 25(OH)D was less than 30 ng/ml in 40% of subjects at baseline; after 12 months of vitamin D dosing, levels in 19% of subjects (n = 12, seven receiving daily doses and five monthly doses) remained low, despite compliance of more than 91%. D2 dosing increased 25(OH)D2 but produced a decline (P < 0.0001) in 25(OH)D3. Substantial between-individual variation in 25(OH)D response was observed for both D2 and D3. The highest 25(OH)D observed was 72.5 ng/ml. Vitamin D administration did not alter serum calcium, PTH, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, N-telopeptide, or 24-h urine calcium.

Conclusions:

Overall, D3 is slightly, but significantly, more effective than D2 to increase serum 25(OH)D. One year of D2 or D3 dosing (1,600 IU daily or 50,000 IU monthly) does not produce toxicity, and 25(OH)D levels of less than 30 ng/ml persist in approximately 20% of individuals. Substantial between-individual response to administered vitamin D2 or D3 is observed.
The Effect of Very-Low-Calorie Diet on mRNA Expression of Inflammation-Related Genes in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue and Peripheral Monocytes of Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Mraz M. , Lacinova Z. , Drapalova J. , Haluzikova D. , Horinek A. , Matoulek M. , Trachta P. , Kavalkova P. , Svacina S. , Haluzik M.
Published: February 2011

Context:

Low-grade inflammation links obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cardiovascular diseases.

Objective:

To explore the expression profile of genes involved in inflammatory pathways in adipose tissue and peripheral monocytes (PM) of obese patients with and without T2DM at baseline and after dietary intervention.

Design:

Two-week intervention study with very-low-calorie diet (VLCD).

Setting:

University hospital.

Patients:

Twelve obese females with T2DM, 8 obese nondiabetic females (OB) and 15 healthy age-matched females.

Intervention:

Two weeks of VLCD (2500 kJ/d).

Main Outcome Measures:

Metabolic parameters, circulating cytokines, hormones, and mRNA expression of 39 genes in sc adipose tissue (SCAT) and PM.

Results:

Both T2DM and OB group had significantly increased serum concentrations of circulating proinflammatory factors (C-reactive protein, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8), mRNA expression of macrophage antigen CD68 and proinflammatory chemokines (CCL-2, -3, -7, -8, -17, -22) in SCAT and complementary chemokine receptors (CCR-1, -2, -3, -5) and other proinflammatory receptors (toll-like receptor 2 and 4, TNF receptor superfamily 1A and 1B, IL-6R) in PM, with OB group showing less pronounced chemoattracting and proinflammatory profile compared to T2DM group. In T2DM patients VLCD decreased body weight, improved metabolic profile, and decreased mRNA expression of up-regulated CCRs in PM and chemokines [CCL 8, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10] in SCAT. VLCD markedly increased mRNA expression of T-lymphocyte attracting chemokine CCL-17 in SCAT.

Conclusion:

Obese patients with and without T2DM have increased mRNA expression of chemotactic and proinflammatory factors in SCAT and expression of corresponding receptors in PM. Two weeks of VLCD significantly improved this profile in T2DM patients.
Effect of Bariatric Surgery-Induced Weight Loss on SR-BI-, ABCG1-, and ABCA1-Mediated Cellular Cholesterol Efflux in Obese Women
Authors: Aron-Wisnewsky Judith , Julia Zélie , Poitou Christine , Bouillot Jean-Luc , Basdevant Arnaud , Chapman M. John , Clement Karine , Guerin Maryse
Published: February 2011

Aim:

We tested the hypothesis that quantitative changes in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles weight loss induced by Roux-en-Y bypass (RYGBP) in morbidly obese subjects might be associated with improved functionality of these particles in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway.

Methods and Results:

Thirty-four morbidly obese women were recruited and followed up before and 6 months after RYGBP. After surgery, along with a major weight loss (−20%; P < 0.0001), we observed a significant increase in HDL mass concentration (+14%; P < 0.04), reflecting a specific increase in large HDL2 subfraction levels (+42%; P < 0.01), whereas those of HDL3 remained unchanged. Cholesterol ester transfer protein activity decreased significantly (−15%; P < 0.0001). Efflux capacity of total plasma increased significantly via both scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) (+58%; P < 0.0001) and ATP binding cassette G1 (ABCG1) (+26%; P < 0.0001) pathways. Such enhanced capacity resulted from increased capacity of HDL2 particles to mediate cholesterol efflux through the SR-BI pathway (+56%, P < 0.001) and from the increase plasma level of cholesteryl ester-rich HDL2 particles for the ABCG1 pathway.

Conclusion:

RYGBP-induced weight loss results in improvement in atherogenic lipid profile including a shift toward a more cardioprotective HDL subfraction profile. In addition, our in vitro studies demonstrated an increased in plasma efflux capacity via both SR-BI and ABCG1 after surgery.
The Akt-Specific Inhibitor MK2206 Selectively Inhibits Thyroid Cancer Cells Harboring Mutations That Can Activate the PI3K/Akt Pathway
Authors: Liu Ruixin , Liu Dingxie , Trink Eliana , Bojdani Ermal , Ning Guang , Xing Mingzhao
Published: February 2011

Context:

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway is widely postulated to be an effective therapeutic target in thyroid cancer.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to test the therapeutic potential of the novel Akt inhibitor MK2206 for thyroid cancer.

Design:

We examined the effects of MK2206 on thyroid cancer cells with respect to the genotypes of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Results:

Proliferation of thyroid cancer cells OCUT1, K1, FTC133, C643, Hth7, and TPC1, which harbored PIK3CA, PTEN, Ras, or RET/PTC mutations that could activate the PI3K/Akt pathway, was potently inhibited by MK2206 with IC50 values mostly below or around 0.5 μm. In contrast, no potent inhibition by MK2206 was seen in most of the Hth74, KAT18, SW1736, WRO, and TAD2 cells that did not harbor mutations in the PI3K/Akt pathway. The inhibition efficacy was also genetic-selective. Specifically, the average inhibition efficacies were 59.2 ± 11.3 vs. 36.4 ± 8.8% (P = 0.005) at 1 μm MK2206 and 64.4 ± 11.5 vs. 38.5 ± 18.9% (P = 0.02) at 3 μm MK2206 for cells with mutations vs. cells without. The SW1736 cell, lacking mutations in the PI3K/Akt pathway, had minimal response to MK2206, but transfection with exogenous PIK3CA mutants, PIK3CA H1047R and E545K, significantly increased its sensitivity to MK2206. MK2206 also completely overcame the feedback activation of Akt from temsirolimus-induced mammalian target of rapamycin suppression, and the two inhibitors synergistically inhibited thyroid cancer cell growth.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrates a genetic selectivity of MK2206 in inhibiting thyroid cancer cells by targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway, supporting a clinical trial in thyroid cancer.
Computing Near-Optimal Policies in Generalized Joint Replenishment
Authors: Adelman Daniel , Klabjan Diego
Published: February 2011

We provide a practical methodology for solving the generalized joint replenishment (GJR) problem, based on a mathematical programming approach to approximate dynamic programming. We show how to automatically generate a value function approximation basis built upon piecewise-linear ridge functions by developing and exploiting a theoretical connection with the problem of finding optimal cyclic schedules. We provide a variant of the algorithm that is effective in practice, and we exploit the special structure of the GJR problem to provide a coherent, implementable framework.
Constraint-Based Local Search for Inventory Control Under Stochastic Demand and Lead Time
Authors: Rossi Roberto , Tarim S. Armagan , Bollapragada Ramesh
Published: February 2011

In this paper, we address the general multiperiod production/inventory problem with nonstationary stochastic demand and supplier lead time under service-level constraints. A replenishment cycle policy is modeled. We propose two hybrid algorithms that blend constraint programming and local search for computing near-optimal policy parameters. Both algorithms rely on a coordinate descent local search strategy; what differs is the way this strategy interacts with the constraint programming solver. These two heuristics are first, compared for small instances against an existing optimal solution method. Second, they are tested and compared with each other in terms of solution quality and run time on a set of larger instances that are intractable for the exact approach. Our numerical experiments show the effectiveness of our methods.
Experiments with Two-Row Cuts from Degenerate Tableaux
Authors: Basu Amitabh , Bonami Pierre , Cornuéjols Gérard , Margot François
Published: February 2011

There has been a recent interest in cutting planes generated from two or more rows of the optimal simplex tableau. One can construct examples of integer programs for which a single cutting plane generated from two rows dominates the entire split closure. Motivated by these theoretical results, we study the effect of adding a family of cutting planes generated from two rows on a set of instances from the MIPLIB library. The conclusion of whether these cuts are competitive with Gomory mixed-integer cuts is very sensitive to the experimental setup. In particular, we consider the issue of reliability versus aggressiveness of the cut generators, an issue that is usually not addressed in the literature.
Discounted Approximations for Risk-Sensitive Average Criteria in Markov Decision Chains with Finite State Space
Authors: Cavazos-Cadena Rolando , Hernández-Hernández Daniel
Published: February 2011

This work concerns Markov decision processes with finite state space and compact action set. The performance of a control policy is measured by a risk-sensitive average cost criterion and, under standard continuity-compactness conditions, it is shown that the discounted approximations converge to the optimal value function, and that the superior and inferior limit average criteria have the same optimal value function. These conclusions are obtained for every nonnull risk-sensitivity coefficient, and regardless of the communication structure induced by the transition law.