bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High School Concussions in the 2008-2009 Academic Year
Authors: Meehan William P. , d'Hemecourt Pierre , Dawn Comstock R.
Published: August 2010

Background

An estimated 136 000 concussions occur per academic year in high schools alone. The effects of repetitive concussions and the potential for catastrophic injury have made concussion an injury of significant concern for young athletes.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to describe the mechanism of injury, symptoms, and management of sport-related concussions using the High School Reporting Information Online (HS RIO) surveillance system.

Study Design

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods

All concussions recorded by HS RIO during the 2008-2009 academic year were included. Analyses were performed using SPSS software. Chi-square analysis was performed for all categorical variables. Statistical significance was considered for P < .05.

Results

A total of 544 concussions were recorded. The most common mechanism (76.2%) was contact with another player, usually a head-to-head collision (52.7%). Headache was experienced in 93.4%; 4.6% lost consciousness. Most (83.4%) had resolution of their symptoms within 1 week. Symptoms lasted longer than 1 month in 1.5%. Computerized neuropsychological testing was used in 25.7% of concussions. When neuropsychological testing was used, athletes were less likely to return to play within 1 week than those for whom it was not used (13.6% vs 32.9%; P < .01). Athletes who had neuropsychological testing appeared less likely to return to play on the same day (0.8% vs 4.2%; P = .056). A greater proportion of injured, nonfootball athletes had computerized neuropsychological testing than injured football players (23% vs 32%; P = .02)

Conclusion

When computerized neuropsychological testing is used, high school athletes are less likely to be returned to play within 1 week of their injury. Concussed football players are less likely to have computerized neuropsychological testing than those participating in other sports. Loss of consciousness is relatively uncommon among high school athletes who sustain a sport-related concussion. The most common mechanism is contact with another player. Some athletes (1.5%) report symptoms lasting longer than 1 month.
On the mechanical response of carbon nanotube array laminated composite materials
Authors: Abot Jandro L , Yi Song
Published: August 2010

The mechanical response of a nanoreinforced laminated composite (NRLC) with interspersed carbon nanotube arrays between the laminae under interlaminar shear, in-plane tensile, and out-of-plane compressive quasi-static loading was determined in an experimental study. It is revealed that the interlaminar shear and tensile properties of the NRLC are strongly dependent on the height of the carbon nanotube array. The highest mechanical properties are obtained for the NRLC with the shortest arrays. The interlaminar shear and in-plane tensile elastic properties of the NRLC increase up to 87% and decrease 16% with respect to those of the laminated composites without the arrays, respectively. The deformation mechanisms of the carbon nanotube array layer were also studied through simultaneous out-of-plane compression loading and optical or electron microscopy imaging. It is shown that the array layer toughens the laminated composite and that the carbon nanotubes bridge the cracks in the interlaminar interfaces.
Modeling the geometric characteristics of five-dimensionally woven composites
Authors: Buchanan Saul , Quinn Justin , McIlhagger Alistair , Grigorash Alexander , Archer Edward
Published: August 2010

An analytical modeling approach for the prediction of the geometric characteristics of five-dimensional (5D) woven composites has been formulated. The model is driven by readily available data including the weaving parameters and constituent material properties. The new model calculates the individual proportions of fiber in each direction, areal density, overall fiber volume fraction, and laminate thickness. This information is useful for the engineer in the design and manufacture of 5D woven composites. In addition the present model outputs the mathematical definition of the 5D woven composite unit cell, which could be implemented as the geometric input for a downstream analytical model that is capable of predicting the elastic stiffness of 5D woven composites. Input parameters have been sourced from existing published work and the subsequent predictions made by the model are compared with the available experimental data on 5D woven composites.
Repair and strengthening of reinforced concrete columns with CFRPs
Authors: Ozcan Okan , Binici Baris , Canbay Erdem , Ozcebe Guney
Published: August 2010

In this study, seismic retrofitting of undamaged and moderately damaged RC columns with CFRP was investigated. The experimental program was conducted on five RC columns with inadequate tie spacing, 90-degree hooks at tie ends, and plain (undeformed) reinforcing bars. Columns were tested under a constant axial load of 27% of axial capacity and under reversed lateral cyclic loading. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of sustained axial load during repairing, damage, and corner-rounding radius of CFRP wraps on the seismic performance of RC columns. Improved performance in terms of ductility, dissipated energy, and secant-stiffness degradation was observed for the CFRP strengthened columns. Reducing the corner-rounding radius deteriorated the seismic behavior of the columns, while the stiffness degradation response remained unaffected. The sustained axial load during repairing had only minor effect on column behavior. After CFRP repairing, the increase in yield drift ratio and curvature was observed to be in proportion with the corresponding consumed ductility values during damage cycles. A drift-based design equation for FRP repaired columns was proposed that considers the damage amount and axial load level as the major parameters as consistent with the experimental results.
Effect of composite hygrothermal aging on the SIF variation in bonded composite repair of aircraft structures
Authors: Rezgani L. , Bachir Bouiadjra B. , Belhouari M. , Madani K. , Serier B. , Feaugas X.
Published: August 2010

In this study, the finite element method is used to analyze the effect of hygrothermal aging of composite on the stress intensity factor variation for the crack repaired with bonded composite patch. The obtained results show that moisture absorption has a negative effect on the repair performance. Indeed, the stress intensity factor increases with an increase in the water absorption in both mode I and mixed mode of crack propagation. The fatigue life of the repaired structures decreases with the increase in water absorption by the composite patch.
Is Unstructured Socializing a Dynamic Process? An Exploratory Analysis Using a Semiparametric Group-Based Modeling Approach
Authors: Higgins George E. , Jennings Wesley G.
Published: August 2010

Relying on the theory of Osgood et al. of unstructured socializing (US) and using longitudinal data from the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program, this study examines whether US is a dynamic process and how the changes in US may relate to changes in delinquency during adolescence for groups, who demonstrate different levels of involvement and frequency of offending over time. Results from semiparametric group-based models indicate that individuals tend to follow three distinct trajectories of US and four trajectories of delinquency. Furthermore, additional results from multinomial regressions suggest that key covariates can significantly distinguish group membership and that the covariates that distinguish US trajectories distinguish the delinquency trajectories. Finally, the results demonstrate that there is a considerable degree of overlap across trajectory groups. That is, those that follow the high-rate US trajectory also tend to follow the high-rate delinquency trajectory. Study limitations and possible theoretical implications are also discussed.
Predictors of Early Job Turnover Among Juvenile Correctional Facility Staff
Authors: Minor Kevin I. , Wells James B. , Angel Earl , Matz Adam K.
Published: August 2010

Although there is minimal research on job turnover among staff working in juvenile correctional facilities, turnover continues to be a costly problem with far reaching ramifications. This study examined 12-month turnover (operationalized in terms of resignations) among 13 successive cohorts of 475 staff who completed a basic training academy over a 3-year period. Turnover approached one quarter and was most probable during the first 6 months following academy completion. Seven demographic and nine work-related predictors were analyzed, including measures of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Only one variable predicted turnover. Turnover was significantly less likely among staff displaying satisfaction with coworkers. The findings imply that turnover among newer employees might be curtailed through programs such as staff mentoring implemented during the first 6 to 9 months of a new employee’s tenure to foster positive coworker relations.
Race, Gender, and the Perception of Recently Experiencing Unfair Treatment by the Police: Exploratory Results From an All-Black Sample
Authors: Gabbidon Shaun L. , Higgins George E. , Potter Hillary
Published: August 2010

Using a national poll with a representative sample of Blacks (N = 854), this article examined the experiences of those Blacks who believe that they had recently been treated unfairly by the police. More specifically, the research examined the role of gender in the perception of unfair treatment by the police. The results of the analysis from the full sample found that age (being older), region (being from the South), and being female decreased the likelihood of reporting having been recently treated unfairly by the police. To examine the differences between Black men and women, the authors conducted a split-sample binary logistic regression analysis. The analysis revealed that Black women who resided in the South were less likely to report experiencing unfair treatment by the police. For Black men, being older and having a higher income resulted in the reduced likelihood of the perception of having been treated unfairly. The implications of the research also are considered.
Frequency of Epileptiform Discharges in the Sleep-Deprived Electroencephalogram in Children Evaluated for Attention-Deficit Disorders
Authors: Millichap John J. , Stack Cynthia V. , Millichap J. Gordon
Published: August 2010

The authors determined the frequency of epileptiform discharges in the electroencephalogram (EEG) of a cohort of children and adolescents referred to a neurology specialty clinic for evaluation of attention-deficit disorders. Of 624 records, 461 (73.9%) were normal and 163 (26.1%) abnormal. Of abnormal EEGs, 70 (42.9%) had focal epileptiform discharges only, 68 (41.7%) had generalized epileptiform discharges only, and 19 (11.6%) had both independent focal and generalized spikes. Focal spikes were localized chiefly in central, frontal, and temporal regions. Of 163 records with abnormalities, 154 (94.5%) were sleep deprived and 159 (97.5%) were sleep records. One-quarter of the nonepileptic children evaluated for attention-deficit disorder have epileptiform discharges in the EEG, and just more than half are focal. Sleep-deprived sleep is essential to exclude epileptiform abnormalities. The utility of the EEG in the management of attention-deficit disorders and selection of stimulant or nonstimulant medication deserves further study.
The Punitive Turn in Social Policies: Critical Race Feminist Reflections on the USA, Great Britain, and Beyond
Authors: Fisher Tracy , Reese Ellen
Published: August 2010

This article reviews Loic Wacquant’s (2009) book Punishing the Poor, arguing that critical race or intersectional feminist theory and scholarship on the state provides important insights on social policy developments that are overlooked or under-theorized by Wacquant. We draw heavily from our own research on welfare state restructuring and grassroots welfare rights activism in the USA and Great Britain, but we also review other relevant scholarship on welfare and criminal justice policies. We conclude with both a research agenda for further critical race and feminist analysis of recent transformations in the state, and a political agenda informed by critical race feminism for those interested in challenging the punitive trends in policies towards the poor.
Meta-analysis of binary outcomes from two-by-two tables when the length of follow-up varies and hazards are proportional
Authors: Combescure C , Courvoisier DS , Haller G , Perneger TV
Published: August 2010

Odds ratios (ORs) and relative risks (RRs) are sensitive to the length of follow-up. In meta-analyses, pooling such results from studies with different lengths of follow-up may lead to an artificial heterogeneity and discrepancy caused by the choice of the summary index. In this article, we explore the utility of a meta-analysis method that uses the ratio of logarithms of survival probability as the measure of association, and that avoids the problems mentioned above when hazards are proportional. Meta-analyses of ORs, RRs and ratios of logarithms of survival probability are compared through a simulation study, in which data are simulated from a proportional hazard model and the length of follow-up varies across studies using realistic patterns of variability. Results show that the heterogeneity increases with the variability of length of follow-up for OR and RR, but not for the ratio of the logarithms of survival probability. A published meta-analysis is used to illustrate the method.
Health Care Management Training Needs in Pakistan
Authors: Khurshid Anjum
Published: August 2010

The management of health care organisations (HCOs) significantly determines the quality and efficiency of health care delivery in developing countries like Pakistan. HCO managers are needed to plan and execute expansion and corporatisation of private HCOs and to transform public sector charity hospitals to self-sustaining efficient organisations and private clinics into profitable ventures. The objective of this study was to assess the need for health care management training in Pakistan using semi-structured interviews of key informants in different cities. We asked experts about the existing HCO management training opportunities, demand for such skills and its impact on the future of health services delivery. Unanimous support for HCO management training emerged in the wake of dissatisfaction with limited opportunities for such training in the country. The participants agreed that trained HCO managers can help introduce modern management practices in health care service delivery, thereby making the HCOs more efficient and effective. We conclude that well-reputed management schools would be performing an important service to the improvement of the health sector in Pakistan if they can design and offer effective management training programmes for HCOs.
Technical Efficiency and Scale Efficiency of District Hospitals
Authors: Dash Umakant , Vaishnavi S.D. , Muraleedharan V.R.
Published: August 2010

The Government of Tamil Nadu state in India has been implementing various health sector reforms (for example, expansion and upgradation of public health facilities, provision of round the clock services in selected primary health centres and continuous availability of quality medicines decentralisation) in a bid to improve efficiency in health care. However, few attempts have been made to make an estimate of the efficiency of hospitals in Tamil Nadu as well as in India till date. The objectives of this study are: (i) to estimate the relative technical efficiency (TE) and scale efficiency (SE) of a sample of public hospitals in Tamil Nadu; and (ii) to demonstrate policy implications for health sector policy makers. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach, a well-known operations research (OR) technique for evaluating the relative efficiency of a set of similar decision making units (DMU), was used to estimate the efficiency of these hospitals. To do so we made use of the data collected from the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMRHS) for 29 districts of Tamil Nadu in 2004–05. The output data included are outpatient visits, number of inpatients, number of surgeries undertaken, number of deliveries and number of emergency cases. The numbers of staff members and bed strength were used as input. Of the 29 hospitals, it was found that 52 per cent were technically efficient as they had relative efficiency score 1.00 and lie on the efficiency frontier, while the remaining 48 per cent were technically inefficient and can use some of the efficient hospitals as their peers to improve their efficiency. Further, the average scale efficiency among the inefficient hospitals was 81 per cent, which implies that the scale inefficient hospitals could reduce their size by 19 per cent without reducing their current output levels.
Reaching the Unreached
Authors: Syamala T.S.
Published: August 2010

This article brings out the importance of the reproductive health problems of the older women in the context of the recent reproductive and child health (RCH) programmes and examines the need to integrate services to the older women with the existing RCH programme, which is otherwise neglected. The study also identifies major challenges in the provision of RCH services to older women as women beyond 40 years of age need both maternity and menopausal related services simultaneously as many women in their 40s reach menopause and many others continue to bear children. Further, this article also identifies the need to address other reproductive health problems like cancers to breast, uterus and ovary, hysterectomy and other gynaecological disorders as well in the programme.
India’s Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP)
Authors: Muniyandi M. , Rajeswari R. , Balasubramanian R. , Thomas A. , Santha T. , Narayanan P.R.
Published: August 2010

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of death in India, which bears nearly 20 per cent of the global burden. In 1992, a review of the TB control programme identified frequent shortages of drugs and inadequate staff and budget as some of the reasons for poor case detection and treatment completion rates. Since 1993, India has revised the programme with the assistance from the World Bank, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and bilateral donors. This article makes an attempt to review the relationship between the TB control experience and external aid for TB control over a period in India. Expenditures by the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) had increased considerably from US$ 36 million in 2002 to US$ 67 million in 2008 and according to the WHO, in Global TB Control Report for 2008 there were no funding gaps reported for TB control since year 2002. More funding came from grants and a World Bank loan. By March 2006, 100 per cent of the population had been covered under RNTCP. Since the inception of RNTCP more than 8 million patients have been initiated on treatment with the treatment success rate of 86 per cent. This suggests that having a committed programme with good funding has helped in improving the performance of the TB control programme.
The Interface between the Family and the Health Care System in the Care of People with HIV/AIDS
Authors: D’Cruz Premilla , Arora Bhupinder
Published: August 2010

Family care experiences of caregivers and care receivers in the context of HIV/AIDS were studied in Mumbai, India, following van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Data were gathered through conversational interviews and were subjected to holistic and highlighting thematic analyses. The findings underscore that interactions with the formal health care system contributed to the essential meaning of participants’ experiences even though the context of care was primarily familial. These interactions included instances of violations of testing and confidentiality guidelines and refusals to provide treatment in private, and some public health centres and the provision of instrumental and affective support by the voluntary sector. The poor quality of care in public sector hospitals serving HIV positive individuals was also described.
Population Control Programme in India
Authors: Verma M.M.
Published: August 2010

The need for control of population growth is quite pressing for India, as it hampers the country’s growth prospects and leads to sustenance of poverty and unemployment, etc. Hence, India was the first nation to have officially launched the family planning programme.However, the health care system created for delivery of various health and family welfare services has not been effective enough to curtail the enormous population growth as well as to better the general health standards of the common masses.The article analyses in detail the various factors responsible for it. It brings out the lacuna in the health system as well as the unmet needs and deficiencies at different levels. The article not only throws light on the qualitative inadequacies in the health manpower but also suggests certain measures to enhance their effectiveness.
Do OEM Exporters Differ from Independent Exporters in Terms of Global Connectivity and Export Performance?
Authors: Pham Ha Thi Van , Petersen Bent
Published: August 2010

It is an unresolved issue whether insertion of emerging market firms into global value chains (GVCs) is a better way of internationalisation than developing own export products and independent sales channels–as has been the ‘conventional’ internationalisation path of firms from mature market economies. On the basis of unique firm survey data from Vietnam, we compare two groups of exporters in terms of ‘global connectivity’–that is, how well a firm can connect directly to global markets–and economic and strategic export performance. One group of Vietnamese firms includes basically independent exporters that are only weakly connected to GVCs. The other group consists of original equipment manufacturers (OEM) exporters, characterised by high dependency on GVCs. Using ANOVA, SEM and regression analyses, we find that the two groups of firms differ significantly as regards global connectivity and economic and strategic export performance, but less so in terms of the relationship between global connectivity and export performance.
Upstream Control and Downstream Liberty of Action?
Authors: Ivarsson Inge , Alvstam Claes Göran
Published: August 2010

This article deals with the issue whether the ambition by foreign TNCs to secure quality control, technology and knowledge exclusiveness, cost efficiency and delivery terms among its host country suppliers leads to a strategy to tie up the suppliers to a forced dependence on their customers. It is often assumed that the need by foreign TNCs to secure upstream control in the host country will lead to putting pressure on its local suppliers to limit contacts with competing clients and to become the dominant customer. Our empirical studies among Swedish TNCs, in Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, show instead that the normal pattern was not to become the dominant client among its local suppliers. Rather than resulting in ‘captive’ governance structures, our findings suggest that in these types of value chains, ‘developmental’ buyer–supplier relations are likely, resulting in technological upgrading of less capable, domestic suppliers.
Information Transparency and Agency Costs in the Microfinance Industry
Authors: Yaron Jacob , Manos Ronny
Published: August 2010

The microfinance sector is an important ingredient in the process of global integration of the financial markets. The rapid development of the microfinance sector in many developing countries motivated prominent donors to develop systems for standardised and comparable reporting of financial and social performance. This effort has yielded substantial results in terms of promoting transparency, reducing information asymmetries and mitigating agency conflicts in an industry vulnerable to such problems. The article discusses these problems and the steps initiated by the industry to overcome them. We also point to conflicts of interests that may persist because the information platform and the indicators that are being reported are managed and selected by the industry itself. In particular, we use a common indicator of performance, the Operational Self-Sufficiency Index, to highlight the tendency of selected indicators to overstate performance and understate subsidies and costs.
Headquarters–Subsidiary Relationships during Dramatic Strategic Changes—The Local Implementation of a Global Merger between MNCs in India
Authors: Schweizer Roger
Published: August 2010

This article, using an in-depth single case study approach, studies the local integration process between two globally merging multinational companies’ (MNCs) subsidiaries in India. The focus is on the interplay between the parent company and the subsidiary level during the local implementation of such a global strategic decision. The article shows that the parent company does not in detail coordinate and control the local implementation due to (a) an in-beforehand strictly defined framework and (b) the existing vacuum in MNC internal values and norms. The article further suggests that the strategic importance of a subsidiary’s market is positively and the degree of perceived resemblance between the parent’s home country and the subsidiary’s local environment is negatively related to the degree of parental involvement. Finally, the article suggests that subsidiaries’ reactions towards parental involvement are influenced by: (a) the type of involvement/coordination mechanisms used, (b) the local institutional environment and (c) the relational context.
Integrative Capacity as a Moving Force in Newly Formed Icelandic Multinational Enterprises
Authors: Dís Óladóttir Ásta
Published: August 2010

The rapid growth of multinational enterprises in Iceland at the beginning of the 21st century is one of the most intriguing events in the practice on international business. Past decades have been characterised by profound changes and an increased rate of globalisation. However, much of the globalisation was initiated by large companies in major developed countries. As globalisation proceeds, smaller companies from small countries joined the process. As a result, there have been dramatic shifts in the way businesses are organised and how they compete. These rapid changes in the nature of global competition have caused international managers and international management researchers alike to search for new ways to frame problems and answer questions about how to manage complex multinational corporations (MNCs) most effectively. When a corporation establishes a subsidiary in a foreign country, through Greenfield or acquisition, its managers must decide how much control they need to maintain over the subsidiary; should the company operate separately or should it be integrated into the already existing system. A good balance is attained when the managers in the headquarters have global vision, core values and cultural principles which are shared by all subsidiary managers. The smaller the organisation at the headquarter, the more important is the integrative capacity of the initiators and the builders of the new multinational enterprise. Integrative capacity can be described in the following way: the strategic infrastructure of the corporation is seen as a multidimensional system which contains strategic resources or capability and organisational infrastructure, which might provide a foundation for global expansion and latent linkages within the MNC. When the firm boundaries are fuzzy, a conventional organisational structure is unable to satisfy the internal need for ecological evolution within its network. In a situation like this, a strategic infrastructure is necessary to the coordination and integration of business units that are geographically dispersed, while also maintaining internal differentiation and local responsiveness among individual subunits. The integrative capacity of newly formed Icelandic MNEs is discussed based on a case study of two such companies, Actavis and Marel.
Should the concomitant use of erlotinib and acid-reducing agents be avoided? The drug interaction between erlotinib and acid-reducing agents
Authors: Duong Silvia , Leung Mova
Published: August 2010

Context. Erlotinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, exhibits a drug interaction with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs). The manufacturer recommends avoidance of the combination however, the extent of the drug interaction is not clearly understood.

Evidence acquisition. A literature search was performed and the pharmacokinetics and pharmacology of acid-reducing agents were reviewed.

Results. Acid-reducing agents reduce the solubility, and subsequent absorption, of erlotinib by raising gastric pH. Our literature search was unable to identify any published studies or case reports that address this issue. Until more information is available, the clinical relevance of this interaction, and whether it actually leads to failure of therapy, is unknown. PPIs would all be expected to exhibit a similar effect on erlotinib. Of the H2RAs, co-administration appears to have a greater impact than administering them separately. Ranitidine, famotidine, and nizatidine should likely have similar effects on erlotinib absorption. Cimetidine has a shorter duration of action, but should be used with caution because of its effects on cytochrome P450 3A4, a pathway also utilized by erlotinib. Antacids are not expected to have a significant effect.

Conclusions. The clinical relevance of this drug interaction is unknown. Until more information is available, decision making regarding this interaction should be on a patient-by-patient basis. The indication for acid-reducing therapy should be reevaluated and stopping therapy or changing therapy can be considered. However, there may be occasions where any benefit of such actions will be exceeded by its risks.
A Meta-Analysis of Interventions to Reduce Loneliness
Authors: Masi Christopher M. , Chen Hsi-Yuan , Hawkley Louise C. , Cacioppo John T.
Published: August 2010

Social and demographic trends are placing an increasing number of adults at risk for loneliness, an established risk factor for physical and mental illness. The growing costs of loneliness have led to a number of loneliness reduction interventions. Qualitative reviews have identified four primary intervention strategies: (a) improving social skills, (b) enhancing social support, (c) increasing opportunities for social contact, and (d) addressing maladaptive social cognition. An integrative meta-analysis of loneliness reduction interventions was conducted to quantify the effects of each strategy and to examine the potential role of moderator variables. Results revealed that single-group pre-post and nonrandomized comparison studies yielded larger mean effect sizes relative to randomized comparison studies. Among studies that used the latter design, the most successful interventions addressed maladaptive social cognition. This is consistent with current theories regarding loneliness and its etiology. Theoretical and methodological issues associated with designing new loneliness reduction interventions are discussed.
Obesity Predicts Differential Response to Cancer Prevention Interventions Among African Americans
Authors: Leone Lucia A. , James Aimee S. , Allicock Marlyn , Campbell Marci K.
Published: August 2010

Wellness for African Americans Through Churches was a randomized trial that tested the effectiveness of tailored print and video (TPV) and/or lay health advisors (LHA) at increasing recreational physical activity (RPA), fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption, and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in African American churches. Baseline data revealed lower screening and RPA rates among obese individuals but no weight-related differences in F&V consumption. This analysis examined if intervention effectiveness was also moderated by participant weight group. Regression analyses tested for interactions between intervention and weight group for screening and RPA. Weight group was found to be a moderator of intervention effectiveness ( p = .02); normal and overweight individuals receiving the LHA intervention increased RPA more, whereas obese individuals responded better to TPV. For CRC screening, the interaction term was not significant; weight alone was related to screening at follow-up ( p = .049), with obese individuals reporting less screening. These results suggest that weight tailoring may improve the effectiveness of behavior change interventions.
The Redistributive Effects and Cost-Effectiveness of Increasing the Federal Minimum Wage
Authors: Formby John P. , Bishop John A. , Kim Hoseong
Published: August 2010

Simulation methods are used to investigate the cost-effectiveness and poverty-reducing effects of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 (FMWA). The data set is created by matching and merging the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (March CPS) with the Earner Study files, which contain the best available information on wages, hours, and earnings. Three 70¢ increments in the minimum wage are compared to alternative labor market policies that could have been adopted in lieu of the FMWA. Specifically, the costs of rising minimum wages are compared to the costs of equiproportionate increases in the earned income tax credit (EITC) and equiproportionate reductions in Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)(payroll) taxes of workers in low-income families that achieve the same poverty-reducing policy objective. The FMWA simulations are expanded to evaluate a hypothetical extension of the federal minimum wage to $9.50. The overall redistributive effects of the FMWA, the hypothetical $9.50 minimum wage, and the alternative EITC and FICA labor market policies are also compared.
Linkages, contests and overlaps in the global intellectual property rights regime
Authors: Muzaka Valbona
Published: August 2010

Intellectual property rights (IPRs) ultimately delineate the way in which knowledge is created, owned, controlled and diffused, domestically and now globally. They have always been contested because knowledge is both a form of capital and a public good, but these contests have become more acute since the WTO TRIPs Agreement came into force in 1995. As a result of new frames and linkages propelled by various actors between IPRs and other issue-areas, the current intellectual property regime has become complex and somewhat inconsistent. This article contributes to a better understanding of the concrete mechanisms and processes through which various global regimes come to overlap with each other in the area of IPRs, of the actors that are involved in these processes, as well as of the consequences of such developments for the governance of IPRs and global governance more generally.
The JAK3-selective inhibitor PF-956980 reverses the resistance to cytotoxic agents induced by interleukin-4 treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells: potential for reversal of cytoprotection by the microenvironment
Authors: Steele Andrew J. , Prentice Archibald G. , Cwynarski Kate , Hoffbrand A. Victor , Hart Stephen M. , Lowdell Mark W. , Samuel Edward R. , Wickremasinghe R. Gitendra
Published: August 2010

Extensive evidence suggests that the malignant cells of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients are in close contact with activated T lymphocytes, which secrete a range of cytoprotective cytokines including interleukin-4 (IL-4). IL-4 induced the rapid phosphorylation and activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 transcription factor in CLL cells in vitro. Longer incubation with IL-4 resulted in up-regulation of the antiapoptotic proteins, Mcl-1 and Bcl-XL. All of these events were blocked by the JAK3-selective inhibitor, PF-956980. A dye reduction cytotoxicity assay showed that IL-4 induced resistance to the cytotoxic drugs fludarabine and chlorambucil and to the novel p53-elevating agent nutlin 3. IL-4–induced drug resistance was reversed by PF-956980. These conclusions were confirmed by independent assays for apoptosis induction (annexin V binding, cleavage of poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase, and morphologic analysis). Coculture with bone marrow stromal cells in the presence of supernatants derived from activated T-lymphocyte cultures also protected CLL cells from apoptosis induction by chlorambucil. Protection by these combined signals was reversed by PF-956980. The data here provide a preclinical rationale for the possible therapeutic use of PF-956980 in conjunction with conventional cytotoxic drugs to achieve more extensive killing of CLL cells by overcoming antiapoptotic signaling by the microenvironment.
von Willebrand factor promotes leukocyte extravasation
Authors: Petri Björn , Broermann Andre , Li Hang , Khandoga Alexander G. , Zarbock Alexander , Krombach Fritz , Goerge Tobias , Schneider Stefan W. , Jones Claire , Nieswandt Bernhard , Wild Martin K. , Vestweber Dietmar
Published: August 2010

von Willebrand factor (VWF) is an important player in hemostasis but has also been suggested to promote inflammatory processes. Gene ablation of VWF causes a simultaneous defect in P-selectin expression making it difficult to identify VWF-specific functions. Therefore, we analyzed whether blocking antibodies against VWF would be able to interfere with neutrophil extravasation. We found that these antibodies inhibited neutrophil recruitment into thioglycollate-inflamed peritoneum and KC-stimulated cremaster by approximately 50%. Whereas platelet-VWF was not involved, the contribution of VWF to granulocyte recruitment was strictly dependent on the presence of platelets and the accessibility of their VWF-receptor glycoprotein Ib. Surprisingly, platelet P-selectin was largely dispensable for leukocyte extravasation, in agreement with our observation that anti-VWF antibodies did not affect leukocyte rolling and adhesion. Searching for possible effects downstream of leukocyte capture, we found that anti-VWF antibodies significantly inhibited thioglycollate-induced vascular permeability. The increase of permeability was independent of circulating granulocytes, showing that it was not a side effect of neutrophil diapedesis. Collectively, our results demonstrate that VWF-associated platelets strongly support neutrophil extravasation at a step downstream of leukocyte docking to the vessel wall. This step could be related to leukocyte diapedesis facilitated by destabilization of the endothelial barrier.
Zosuquidar, a novel modulator of P-glycoprotein, does not improve the outcome of older patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 3999
Authors: Cripe Larry D. , Uno Hajime , Paietta Elisabeth M. , Litzow Mark R. , Ketterling Rhett P. , Bennett John M. , Rowe Jacob M. , Lazarus Hillard M. , Luger Selina , Tallman Martin S.
Published: August 2010

Zosuquidar, which modulates P-glycoprotein (P-gp) with minimal delay of anthracycline clearance, may reverse P-gp–mediated resistance in acute myeloid leukemia without increased toxicity. A total of 449 adults older than 60 years with acute myeloid leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome enrolled in a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 3999). Overall survival was compared between patients receiving conventional-dose cytarabine and daunorubicin and either zosuquidar (550 mg; 212 patients) or placebo (221 patients). Median and 2-year overall survival values were 7.2 months and 20% on zosuquidar and 9.4 months and 23% on placebo, respectively (P = .281). Remission rate was 51.9% on zosuquidar and 48.9% on placebo. All cause mortality to day 42 was not different (zosuquidar 22.2% vs placebo 16.3%; P = .158). In vitro modulation of P-gp activity by zosuquidar and expression of P-gp, multidrug resistance-related protein 1, lung resistance protein, and breast cancer resistance protein, were comparable in the 2 arms. Poor-risk cytogenetics were more common in P-gp+ patients. P-gp expression and cytogenetics were correlated, though independent prognostic factors. We conclude that zosuquidar did not improve outcome in older acute myeloid leukemia, in part, because of the presence P-gp independent mechanisms of resistance. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00046930.
Polycomb proteins in hematologic malignancies
Authors: Martin-Perez Daniel , Piris Miguel A. , Sanchez-Beato Margarita
Published: August 2010

The Polycomb group (PcG) of proteins is a major mechanism of epigenetic regulation that has been broadly linked to cancer. This system can repress gene expression by chromatin modification and is essential for establishing cell identity. PcG proteins are important for stem cell function and differentiation and have a profound impact during hematopoiesis. In recent years, several published studies have deepened our knowledge of the biology of the PcG in health and disease. In this article, we review the current understanding of the mechanisms of PcG-mediated repression and their relation to DNA methylation, and we discuss the role of the PcG system in hematopoiesis and hematologic malignancies. We suggest that alteration of different PcG members is a frequent event in leukemia and lymphomas that confers the stem cell properties on tumor cells. Thus, drugs targeting Polycomb complexes could be useful for treating patients with these diseases.
Clustering of protein families into functional subtypes using Relative Complexity Measure with reduced amino acid alphabets
Authors: Albayrak Aydin , Otu Hasan H , Sezerman Ugur O
Published: August 2010

Background

Phylogenetic analysis can be used to divide a protein family into subfamilies in the absence of experimental information. Most phylogenetic analysis methods utilize multiple alignment of sequences and are based on an evolutionary model. However, multiple alignment is not an automated procedure and requires human intervention to maintain alignment integrity and to produce phylogenies consistent with the functional splits in underlying sequences. To address this problem, we propose to use the alignment-free Relative Complexity Measure (RCM) combined with reduced amino acid alphabets to cluster protein families into functional subtypes purely on sequence criteria. Comparison with an alignment-based approach was also carried out to test the quality of the clustering.

Results

We demonstrate the robustness of RCM with reduced alphabets in clustering of protein sequences into families in a simulated dataset and seven well-characterized protein datasets. On protein datasets, crotonases, mandelate racemases, nucleotidyl cyclases and glycoside hydrolase family 2 were clustered into subfamilies with 100% accuracy whereas acyl transferase domains, haloacid dehalogenases, and vicinal oxygen chelates could be assigned to subfamilies with 97.2%, 96.9% and 92.2% accuracies, respectively.

Conclusions

The overall combination of methods in this paper is useful for clustering protein families into subtypes based on solely protein sequence information. The method is also flexible and computationally fast because it does not require multiple alignment of sequences.
Calculation of accurate small angle X-ray scattering curves from coarse-grained protein models
Authors: Stovgaard Kasper , Andreetta Christian , Ferkinghoff-Borg Jesper , Hamelryck Thomas
Published: August 2010

Background

Genome sequencing projects have expanded the gap between the amount of known protein sequences and structures. The limitations of current high resolution structure determination methods make it unlikely that this gap will disappear in the near future. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is an established low resolution method for routinely determining the structure of proteins in solution. The purpose of this study is to develop a method for the efficient calculation of accurate SAXS curves from coarse-grained protein models. Such a method can for example be used to construct a likelihood function, which is paramount for structure determination based on statistical inference.

Results

We present a method for the efficient calculation of accurate SAXS curves based on the Debye formula and a set of scattering form factors for dummy atom representations of amino acids. Such a method avoids the computationally costly iteration over all atoms. We estimated the form factors using generated data from a set of high quality protein structures. No ad hoc scaling or correction factors are applied in the calculation of the curves. Two coarse-grained representations of protein structure were investigated; two scattering bodies per amino acid led to significantly better results than a single scattering body.

Conclusion

We show that the obtained point estimates allow the calculation of accurate SAXS curves from coarse-grained protein models. The resulting curves are on par with the current state-of-the-art program CRYSOL, which requires full atomic detail. Our method was also comparable to CRYSOL in recognizing native structures among native-like decoys. As a proof-of-concept, we combined the coarse-grained Debye calculation with a previously described probabilistic model of protein structure, TorusDBN. This resulted in a significant improvement in the decoy recognition performance. In conclusion, the presented method shows great promise for use in statistical inference of protein structures from SAXS data.
Trichostatin A and 5-azacytidine both cause an increase in global histone H4 acetylation and a decrease in global DNA and H3K9 methylation during mitosis in maize
Authors: Yang Fei , Zhang Lu , Li Jun , Huang Jing , Wen Ruoyu , Ma Lu , Zhou Dongfeng , Li Lijia
Published: August 2010

Background

Modifications of DNA and histones in various combinations are correlated with many cellular processes. In this study, we investigated the possible relationship between histone H4 tetraacetylation, DNA methylation and histone H3 dimethylation at lysine 9 during mitosis in maize root meristems.

Results

Treatment with trichostatin A, which inhibits histone deacetylases, resulted in increased histone H4 acetylation accompanied by the decondensation of interphase chromatin and a decrease in both global H3K9 dimethylation and DNA methylation during mitosis in maize root tip cells. These observations suggest that histone acetylation may affect DNA and histone methylation during mitosis. Treatment with 5-azacytidine, a cytosine analog that reduces DNA methylation, caused chromatin decondensation and mediated an increase in H4 acetylation, in addition to reduced DNA methylation and H3K9 dimethylation during interphase and mitosis. These results suggest that decreased DNA methylation causes a reduction in H3K9 dimethylation and an increase in H4 acetylation.

Conclusions

The interchangeable effects of 5-azacytidine and trichostatin A on H4 acetylation, DNA methylation and H3K9 dimethylation indicate a mutually reinforcing action between histone acetylation, DNA methylation and histone methylation with respect to chromatin modification. Treatment with trichostatin A and 5-azacytidine treatment caused a decrease in the mitotic index, suggesting that H4 deacetylation and DNA and H3K9 methylation may contain the necessary information for triggering mitosis in maize root tips.