bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Moderating Role of Cognitive Capacities in the Association Between Social Norms and Drinking Behaviors
Authors: Meisel Samuel N. , Colder Craig R. , Hawk Larry W. 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundThe literature documents 2 related yet distinct social normative influences on adolescent drinking. Descriptive norms refer to perceptions of how much others engage in a particular behavior, whereas injunctive norms refer to the extent to which others approve of a particular behavior. Theoretical formulations suggest that whether descriptive or injunctive norms guide drinking behavior depends on cognitive factors related to executive functioning. Cognitive capacities, specifically inhibitory control (IC) and preplanning, were tested as moderators of the association between social norms and alcohol use using a longitudinal design and community sample of adolescents.MethodsThis longitudinal study included 387 adolescents and 3 annual waves of data. Behavioral tasks assessed IC (Stop Signal Task) and preplanning (Tower of London) and social norms and drinking were assessed using self‐report measures.ResultsSignificant interactions were found for descriptive and injunctive norms with preplanning and descriptive norms with IC. As hypothesized, descriptive norms were stronger prospective predictors of alcohol use at low levels of cognitive preplanning, whereas injunctive norms were stronger prospective predictors at high levels of cognitive preplanning. Descriptive norms prospectively predicted alcohol use at high, but not at low levels of IC.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the complexity of normative influences and suggest that descriptive and injunctive norms have differential effects on future drinking for individuals with different cognitive capacities.
Role Transitions and Young Adult Maturing Out of Heavy Drinking: Evidence for Larger Effects of Marriage Among More Severe Premarriage Problem Drinkers
Authors: Lee Matthew R. , Chassin Laurie , MacKinnon David P. 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundResearch has shown a developmental process of “maturing out” of problem drinking beginning in young adulthood. Perhaps surprisingly, past studies suggest that young adult drinking reductions may be particularly pronounced among those exhibiting relatively severe forms of problem drinking earlier in emerging adulthood. This may occur because more severe problem drinkers experience stronger ameliorative effects of normative young adult role transitions like marriage.MethodsThe hypothesis of stronger marriage effects among more severe problem drinkers was tested using 3 waves of data from a large ongoing study of familial alcohol disorder (N = 844; 51% children of alcoholics).ResultsLongitudinal growth models characterized (i) the curvilinear trajectory of drinking quantity from ages 17 to 40, (ii) effects of marriage on altering this age‐related trajectory, and (iii) moderation of this effect by premarriage problem drinking levels (alcohol consequences and dependence symptoms). Results confirmed the hypothesis that protective marriage effects on drinking quantity trajectories would be stronger among more severe premarriage problem drinkers. Supplemental analyses showed that results were robust to alternative construct operationalizations and modeling approaches.ConclusionsConsistent with role incompatibility theory, findings support the view of role conflict as a key mechanism of role‐driven behavior change, as greater problem drinking likely conflicts more with demands of roles like marriage. This is also consistent with the developmental psychopathology view of transitions and turning points. Role transitions among already low‐severity drinkers may merely represent developmental continuity of a low‐risk trajectory, whereas role transitions among higher‐severity problem drinkers may represent developmentally discontinuous “turning points” that divert individuals from a higher‐ to a lower‐risk trajectory. Practically, findings support the clinical relevance of role‐related “maturing out processes” by suggesting that they often reflect natural recovery from clinically significant problem drinking. Thus, understanding these processes could help clarify the nature of pathological drinking and inform interventions.
Computer‐Delivered Screening and Brief Intervention for Alcohol Use in Pregnancy: A Pilot Randomized Trial
Authors: Ondersma Steven J. , Beatty Jessica R. , Svikis Dace S. , Strickler Ronald C. , Tzilos Golfo K. , Chang Grace , Divine George W. , Taylor Andrew R. , Sokol Robert J. 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundAlthough screening and brief intervention (SBI) for unhealthy alcohol use has demonstrated efficacy in some trials, its implementation has been limited. Technology‐delivered approaches are a promising alternative, particularly during pregnancy when the importance of alcohol use is amplified. The present trial evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of an interactive, empathic, video‐enhanced, and computer‐delivered SBI (e‐SBI) plus 3 tailored mailings, and estimated intervention effects.MethodsWe recruited 48 pregnant women who screened positive for alcohol risk at an urban prenatal care clinic. Participants were randomly assigned to the e‐SBI plus mailings or to a control session on infant nutrition, and were re‐evaluated during their postpartum hospitalization. The primary outcome was 90‐day period prevalence abstinence as measured by timeline follow‐back interview.ResultsParticipants rated the intervention as easy to use and helpful (4.7 to 5.0 on a 5‐point scale). Blinded follow‐up evaluation at childbirth revealed medium‐size intervention effects on 90‐day period prevalence abstinence (OR = 3.4); similarly, intervention effects on a combined healthy pregnancy outcome variable (live birth, normal birthweight, and no neonatal intensive care unit stay) were also of moderate magnitude in favor of e‐SBI participants (OR = 3.3). As expected in this intentionally underpowered pilot trial, these effects were nonsignificant (p = 0.19 and 0.09, respectively).ConclusionsThis pilot trial demonstrated the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of e‐SBI plus tailored mailings for alcohol use in pregnancy. These findings mirror the promising results of other trials using a similar approach and should be confirmed in a fully powered trial.
Advances in nicotine research in Addiction Biology
Authors: Bernardi Rick E. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe aim of Addiction Biology is to advance our understanding of the action of drugs of abuse and addictive processes via the publication of high‐impact clinical and pre‐clinical findings resulting from behavioral, molecular, genetic, biochemical, neurobiological and pharmacological research. As of 2013, Addiction Biology is ranked number 1 in the category of Substance Abuse journals (SCI). Occasionally, Addiction Biology likes to highlight via review important findings focused on a particular topic and recently published in the journal. The current review summarizes a number of key publications from Addiction Biology that have contributed to the current knowledge of nicotine research, comprising a wide spectrum of approaches, both clinical and pre‐clinical, at the cellular, molecular, systems and behavioral levels. A number of findings from human studies have identified, using imaging techniques, alterations in common brain circuits, as well as morphological and network activity changes, associated with tobacco use. Furthermore, both clinical and pre‐clinical studies have characterized a number of mechanistic targets critical to understanding the effects of nicotine and tobacco addiction. Together, these findings will undoubtedly drive future studies examining the dramatic impact of tobacco use and the development of treatments to counter nicotine dependence.
Trans‐Ethnic Meta‐Analysis Identifies Common and Rare Variants Associated with Hepatocyte Growth Factor Levels in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
Authors: Larson Nicholas B. , Berardi Cecilia , Decker Paul A. , Wassel Christina L. , Kirsch Phillip S. , Pankow James S. , Sale Michele M. , de Andrade Mariza , Sicotte Hugues , Tang Weihong , Hanson Naomi Q. , Tsai Michael Y. , Taylor Kent D. , Bielinski Suzette J. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryHepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a mesenchyme‐derived pleiotropic factor that regulates cell growth, motility, mitogenesis, and morphogenesis in a variety of cells, and increased serum levels of HGF have been linked to a number of clinical and subclinical cardiovascular disease phenotypes. However, little is currently known regarding which genetic factors influence HGF levels, despite evidence of substantial genetic contributions to HGF variation. Based upon ethnicity‐stratified single‐variant association analysis and trans‐ethnic meta‐analysis of 6201 participants of the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), we discovered five statistically significant common and low‐frequency variants: HGF missense polymorphism rs5745687 (p.E299K) as well as four variants (rs16844364, rs4690098, rs114303452, rs3748034) within or in proximity to HGFAC. We also identified two significant ethnicity‐specific gene‐level associations (A1BG in African Americans; FASN in Chinese Americans) based upon low‐frequency/rare variants, while meta‐analysis of gene‐level results identified a significant association for HGFAC. However, identified single‐variant associations explained modest proportions of the total trait variation and were not significantly associated with coronary artery calcium or coronary heart disease. Our findings indicate that genetic factors influencing circulating HGF levels may be complex and ethnically diverse.
Bacterial vaccines in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: effects on clinical outcomes and cytokine levels
Authors: Ruso Salvador , Marco Francisco M. , Martínez‐Carbonell Juan A. , Carratalá José A. 
Published: May 2015

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Exacerbation episodes impair lung function leading to disease progression. Levels of inflammation markers correlate with disease severity. Bacterial immunomodulators have shown a beneficial effect in COPD, improving symptoms and reducing the rate of exacerbations. This is an observational prospective study on 30 patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis and COPD, who received bacterial autogenous vaccine for 12 months. The rate of exacerbation, severity of symptoms and lung function were studied at baseline and after treatment. In addition, plasma levels CRP, IL6, IL8, and TNFα were measured. After treatment we found a reduction in mean acute respiratory infections and signs of lung disease. Acute phase proteins IL6 and CRP increased in blood and IL8 decreased. These changes may be related to the repeated injection of inactivated bacteria. Given the implication of these factors in the pathogenesis of COPD, particularly the production of IL8, the causes and consequences of cytokine modulation by bacterial vaccines should be investigated. Vaccination with autogenous vaccines for 1 year can produce a significant clinical improvement in COPD patients, reducing the frequency of exacerbations associated to changes in the profile of markers of inflammation.
Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in infertile Bulgarian men with multiplex real‐time polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Ouzounova‐Raykova Vessela , Rangelov Simeon , Ouzounova Iordanka , Mitov Ivan 
Published: May 2015

The effect of Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis over the sperm quality is still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine their prevalence in infertile Bulgarian men. A total of 281 men were examined by applying mRT‐PCR. The registered prevalence was as follows: C. trachomatis – 13.9%, U. urealyticum – 19.2%, M. hominis – 9.9%. Co‐infection was established in eight swabs. This first in Bulgaria to study for detection of chlamydia and mycoplasmas in infertile men by mRT‐PCR demonstrates higher prevalence of the tested microorganisms in the infertile group toward the control one.
Free availability of high‐energy foods led to energy over‐ingestion and protein under‐ingestion in choice‐fed broilers
Authors: Catanese Francisco , Rodriguez Ganduglia Héctor , Villalba Juan J. , Distel Roberto A. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe objective of this study was to compare energy and protein content of the diet selected by choice‐fed broilers with that of broilers fed a balanced diet. One hundred and eighty 1‐day‐old male broilers were randomly assigned in groups of 10 to one of three experimental treatments (n = 6). Control broilers were fed a standard balanced diet, whereas choice‐fed broilers were fed three foods which were more concentrated (Choice C+ treatment) or less concentrated (Choice C– treatment) in protein, carbohydrate or fat. We evaluated food intake behavior, nutrient intake, and performance parameters of broilers from 2 to 7 weeks of age. Choice C+ broilers showed enhanced preference for the high‐fat food, which led to higher energy intake and lower protein intake than those of control broilers at 2 to 4 weeks of age. Body weight, weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were negatively affected by diet selection of Choice C+ broilers. Choice C– broilers selected a balanced diet, and showed performance parameters similar to those of control broilers. Our results supported the hypothesis that free availability of high‐energy foods bias ingestive behavior of choice‐fed broilers toward selecting a diet with higher energy and lower protein than needed for normal growth.
Continuous versus group sequential analysis for post‐market drug and vaccine safety surveillance
Authors: Silva I. R. , Kulldorff M. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryThe use of sequential statistical analysis for post‐market drug safety surveillance is quickly emerging. Both continuous and group sequential analysis have been used, but consensus is lacking as to when to use which approach. We compare the statistical performance of continuous and group sequential analysis in terms of type I error probability; statistical power; expected time to signal when the null hypothesis is rejected; and the sample size required to end surveillance without rejecting the null. We present a mathematical proposition to show that for any group sequential design there always exists a continuous sequential design that is uniformly better. As a consequence, it is shown that more frequent testing is always better. Additionally, for a Poisson based probability model and a flat rejection boundary in terms of the log likelihood ratio, we compare the performance of various continuous and group sequential designs. Using exact calculations, we found that, for the parameter settings used, there is always a continuous design with shorter expected time to signal than the best group design. The two key conclusions from this article are (i) that any post‐market safety surveillance system should attempt to obtain data as frequently as possible, and (ii) that sequential testing should always be performed when new data arrives without deliberately waiting for additional data.
Children's Temperament and Academic Skill Development During First Grade: Teachers' Interaction Styles as Mediators
Authors: Viljaranta Jaana , Aunola Kaisa , Mullola Sari , Virkkala Johanna , Hirvonen Riikka , Pakarinen Eija , Nurmi Jari‐Erik 
Published: May 2015

The present study followed 156 Finnish children (Mage = 7.25 years) during the first grade of primary school to examine to what extent parent‐ and teacher‐rated temperament impacts children's math and reading skill development during the first grade, and the extent to which this impact would be mediated by teachers' interaction styles with the children. The results showed that the impact of children's low task orientation and negative emotionality on their math skill development was mediated via teachers' behavioral control and, among girls, also by psychological control. The negative impact of children's inhibition on math skill development, in turn, was not mediated via teachers' interaction styles. Temperament did not predict the children's reading skill development during first grade.
Cough during infancy and subsequent childhood asthma
Authors: Oren E. , Rothers J. , Stern D. A. , Morgan W. J. , Halonen M. , Wright A. L. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryObjectivesWheezing in infancy has been associated with subsequent asthma, but whether cough similarly influences asthma risk has been little studied. We sought to determine whether prolonged cough and cough without cold in the first year of life are associated with childhood asthma.MethodsParticipants in the Infant Immune Study, a non‐selected birth cohort, were surveyed 7 times in the first 9 months of life regarding the presence of wheeze and cough. Cough for more than 28 days was defined as prolonged. Parents were asked at 1 year if the child ever coughed without a cold. Asthma was defined as parental report of physician diagnosis of asthma, with symptoms or medication use between 2 and 9 years. Logistic regression was used to assess adjusted odds for asthma associated with cough characteristics.ResultsA total of 24% (97) of children experienced prolonged cough and 23% (95) cough without cold in the first 9 months, respectively. Prolonged cough was associated with increased risk of asthma relative to brief cough (OR 3.57, CI: 1.88, 6.76), with the risk being particularly high among children of asthmatic mothers. Cough without cold (OR 3.13, 95% CI: 1.76, 5.57) was also independently associated with risk of childhood asthma. Both relations persisted after adjustment for wheeze and total IgE at age 1.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceProlonged cough in infancy and cough without cold are associated with childhood asthma, independent of infant wheeze. These findings suggest that characteristics of cough in infancy are early markers of asthma susceptibility, particularly among children with maternal asthma.
Beyond the Business Case: The Need for Both Utility and Justice Rationales for Increasing the Share of Women on Boards
Authors: Seierstad Cathrine 
Published: May 2015

AbstractManuscript typeEmpiricalResearch QuestionIn the context of the recent introduction of gender representation regulations (quotas) for boards in public limited companies (PLCs) in Norway, this article explores how gender quotas designed to increase the share of women in senior positions are rationalized and/or justified by those who benefit, and asks: what arguments do the beneficiaries of quotas tend to use when discussing their usefulness?Research Findings/InsightsDrawing on qualitative interview data from 19 female non‐executive board members, the article illustrates how women draw on utility, mainly the “business case,” and individual justice arguments both in support of quotas and to justify their use in helping women attain board positions. Further, it highlights how issues of merit and of gender are entangled with these arguments in often contradictory ways. In so doing, the article challenges and complicates some of the key critiques of gender quotas often found in the public and academic debates.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsThis article advances theory around the intersection of justice and utility arguments in relation to the use of quotas to increase diversity on boards. Moreover, this article provides empirical support by demonstrating how “the first wave” of women affected by quotas are legitimizing their role on boards in a context in which their role is in question. In addition, this article advances the literature regarding women on boards by demonstrating the need for a discourse about political strategies, such as quotas on boards, that goes beyond the narrow understanding of the business case that has until now dominated public, political, and academic debates. In particular, this article argues for the need to build on both utility and justice logic when making a case for increasing the share of women on boards.Practical ImplicationsWith the current focus on how to increase diversity and the share of women on boards, this study highlights the importance of regulation as well as the importance of reframing the debate using utility and justice lines of arguments rationalized by merit arguments.
What would Batman do? Self‐distancing improves executive function in young children
Authors: White Rachel E. , Carlson Stephanie M. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThis experimental research assessed the influence of graded levels of self‐distancing – psychological distancing from one's egocentric perspective – on executive function (EF) in young children. Three‐ (n = 48) and 5‐year‐old (n = 48) children were randomly assigned to one of four manipulations of distance from the self (from proximal to distal: self‐immersed, control, third person, and exemplar) on a comprehensive measure of EF. Performance increased as a function of self‐distancing across age groups. Follow‐up analyses indicated that 5‐year‐olds were driving this effect. They showed significant improvements in EF with increased distance from the self, outperforming controls both when taking a third person perspective on the self and when taking the perspective of an exemplar other (e.g., Batman) through role play. Three‐year‐olds, however, did not show increased EF performance as a function of greater distance from the self. Preliminary results suggest that developments in theory of mind might contribute to these age‐related differences in efficacy. These findings speak to the importance of psychological distancing in the expression of conscious control over thought and action from a young age and suggest a promising new avenue for early EF intervention.
Cardiac Tamponade on the Edge
Authors: Krishnasamy Kavita P. , Frazin Leon J. , Kansal Mayank 
Published: May 2015

Mini‐AbstractLow‐pressure cardiac tamponade is an uncommon phenomenon in the spectrum of pericardial diseases. We describe a case of a 37‐year‐old man with recurring admissions for dyspnea whose clinical picture challenged the classic exhibition of cardiac tamponade.
Ratio of Acceleration Time to Ejection Time for Assessing Aortic Stenosis Severity
Authors: Gamaza‐Chulián Sergio , Camacho‐Freire Santiago , Toro‐Cebada Rocío , Giráldez‐Valpuesta Alberto , Benezet‐Mazuecos Javier , Vargas‐Machuca José Carlos 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundInconsistencies in the grading of aortic valve stenosis are frequent (24–38%). Guidelines highlight the waveform shape when discrepancies are present. Our aim was to evaluate the severity of aortic stenosis by the ratio of acceleration time to ejection time (AT/ET).MethodsBetween January 2011 and January 2013, patients with at least moderate aortic stenosis (valve area < 1.5 cm2) evaluated in our echocardiography laboratory were enrolled. Clinical data were recorded including symptoms attributable to aortic stenosis. Quantitative echocardiographic Doppler parameters as ejection dynamics (ejection time and acceleration time) and conventional parameters, and usual laboratory test including natriuretic peptides (NT‐proBNP) were analyzed.ResultsOne hundred eight patients with aortic valve stenosis were recruited (mean age 77 ± 7 years; 57% women). Comorbidity of the patients was frequent: 85% hypertension, 59% diabetes, 31% chronic renal failure, 26% smokers, mean body mass index 30.0 ± 6.6 kg/m2. Ninety‐six patients (90%) were symptomatic at the index visit. Using a cutoff of 0.35, AT/ET had a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 100% to discriminate symptomatic patients. Serum value of NT‐proBNP was higher in patients with AT/ET > 0.35 (9885 ± 3111 vs. 2600 ± 1175, P < 0.001). This ratio showed a good correlation with indexed left ventricle mass (r = 0.60, P < 0.001), DVI (r = −0.56, P < 0.001), and AVA (r = −0.49, P < 0.001).ConclusionsEjection dynamics through aortic valve, particularly AT/ET ratio, is a useful tool for assessing aortic stenosis severity, with a good correlation with flow‐independent parameters in aortic stenosis.