bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating conditional proportion curves by regression residuals
Authors: Han Bing , Lim Nelson 
Published: March 2010

AbstractResearchers often derive a categorical outcome from an observed continuous measurementy. For example, human obesity status can be defined by the body mass index. They proceed to estimate the conditional proportion curvep(x) =P(y⩽c(x)|x) versus the covariatexby regular categorical data analysis. In doing so, they fail to fully use the rich information in the original continuous measurement. Researchers also face additional difficulties caused by the uncertainty of the cutoffc(x), which defines the categories. For example, some cutoff may cause artificial discontinuity or non‐smoothness in the conditional proportion curvep(x). We propose a fully nonparametric empirical estimator using the standardized regression residuals from the general location‐scale modely=m(x) +v(x)efor the original continuous measurement. We prove the consistency of the proposed estimator in regular settings. The proposed estimator has several attractive features: it readily provides estimates for alternative cutoff values, and easily accommodates the discontinuity inp(x) caused by special cutoff. Numerical examples demonstrate that our method has better performance in mean‐squared error than some alternative approaches. We also discuss a design‐adjusted version of the proposed estimators to accommodate survey designs. The proposed methods are applied to data on obesity measurements among female Hispanic Americans. This new approach can be applied to other epidemiological and socio‐economic research that needs to define population categories from underlying continuous measurements. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liposome Destabilization by a 2,7‐Diazapyrenium Derivative Through Formation of Transient Pores in the Lipid Bilayer
Authors: Zappacosta Romina , Semeraro Monica , Baroncini Massimo , Silvi Serena , Aschi Massimiliano , Credi Alberto , Fontana Antonella 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe effect of the luminescent heteroaromatic electron acceptor N,N′‐dimethyl‐2,7‐diazapyrenium dichloride (DM‐DAP2+) on the stability of 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoylphosphatydilcholine (POPC) liposomes is determined on the basis of the rate of release of different fluorescent probes entrapped within the liposome. The experiments show that DM‐DAP2+ exerts a substantial destabilizing action on the liposomal bilayer, particularly at low concentrations. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the activity of DM‐DAP2+ is related to its tendency to surround itself with water molecules, conceivably favoring the formation of transient pores across the bilayer.
Bone Marrow-Derived Hematopoietic Cells Undergo Myogenic Differentiation Following a Pax-7 Independent Pathway
Authors: Xynos Alexandros , Corbella Paola , Belmonte Nathalie , Zini Roberta , Manfredini Rossella , Ferrari Giuliana 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Several reports showed that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) participate in muscle regeneration, raising hope for their therapeutic potential for degenerative muscle diseases. However, proof that HSCs are able to reprogram their fate and enter a myogenic pathway, remains elusive. We demonstrate that murine bone marrow (BM)-derived hematopoietic cells, carrying reporter genes controlled by muscle-specific regulatory elements from the Myf5, myosin light chain (MLC3F), or MCK genes, are induced by myoblasts to activate muscle-specific genes. This potential resides in the more undifferentiated progenitors, expressing surface markers typical of HSCs. Comparative gene expression profiling of CD45+/Sca1+ cells isolated from muscle or BM shows that hematopoietic cells participate to muscle regeneration, by undergoing a profound although incomplete myogenic reprogramming on interaction with the muscle microenviroment. These cells undergo specification and differentiation independently from Pax7 and MyoD, and lack Pax7-associated properties, such as self-renewal and proliferation, distinguishing from satellite cells. Our findings indicate that hematopoietic cells, on seeding in the muscle, become a distinct cell population endowed with myogenic potential.
Tight bounds for the first order Marcum Q‐function
Authors: Wang Jiangping , Wu Dapeng 
Published: March 2010

AbstractIn this paper, we develop new bounds for the first order Marcum Q‐function, which are extremely tight and tighter than any of the existing bounds to the best of our knowledge. The key idea of our approach is to derive refined approximations for the 0th order modified Bessel function in the integration region of the Marcum Q‐function. The new bounds are very tight and can serve as an effective means in bit error rate (BER) performance analysis for non‐coherent demodulation in digital communication. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visitor interest in zoo animals and the implications for collection planning and zoo education programmes
Authors: Moss Andrew , Esson Maggie 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAs zoos have sought to further their conservation missions, they have become powerful providers of environmental education. Outside of “formal” education initiatives, such as those designed for school and other organized groups, or structured public talks programmes, much of the learning potential that the zoo has to offer is around the viewing of animals and the response of visitors to them. In this, zoo learning is a very personal construct, develops from the previous knowledge, and experiences and motivations of each individual. In this article, we make the assertion that learning potential, although difficult to quantify, is very much related to the attractiveness of animal species and the interest that visitors show in them. Using standard behaviorist measures of attraction and interest (the proportion of visitors that stop and for how long), we analyzed the relative interest in 40 zoo species held in a modern UK zoo and the variables that are significant in predicting that popularity. Further to this, the suggestion is made that the zoo collection planning process could use such information to make more informed decisions about which species should be housed for their educational value. Taxonomic grouping was found to be the most significant predictor of visitor interest—that is, visitors were far more interested in mammals than any other group—although body size (length), increasing animal activity and whether the species was the primary or “flagship” species in an exhibit or not, were all found to have a significant bearing on visitor interest. Zoo Biol 29:715–731, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk‐Adapted Anastomosis for Partial Pancreaticoduodenectomy Reduces the Risk of Pancreatic Fistula: A Pilot Study
Authors: Niedergethmann Marco , Dusch Niloufar , Widyaningsih Rizky , Weiss Christel , Kienle Peter , Post Stefan 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackgroundPancreatic fistula (PF) is the main cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality after pancreatectomy. Two reasons for PF are a “soft” pancreatic texture and a narrow pancreatic duct (high‐risk gland). Pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) may lead to a higher fistula rate in such glands. In the literature there are no data available on risk‐adapted assignment of pancreatogastrostomy (PG) in a high‐risk gland. Therefore, an observational pilot study was conducted to address this issue.MethodsSince January 2007 the concept of a “risk‐adapted pancreatic anastomosis” (RAP) was introduced (PG for high‐risk glands). The PF rate, morbidity, and mortality during this period (January 2007 to December 2008, n = 74) were compared to those between January 2004 and December 2006 (n = 119, only PJ). PF was defined according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery.ResultsThrough RAP the PF rate was reduced from 22 to 11% (P = 0.0503). Grade C PF rate was reduced from 6.7 to 1.4% (P = 0.1569) and grade A PF from 6 to 1.4% (P = 0.2537). The PF‐associated mortality was reduced from 3.4 to 1.4%. PG revealed a PF rate of 7% and PJ accounted for 19% of PFs (P = 0.1765). There was no incidence of grade C PF following PG. The incidence of intraluminal hemorrhage (P = 0.0422) and delayed gastric emptying (P = 0.0572) was higher following PG.ConclusionsThe rate of PF could be significantly reduced with the use of RAP. One should be cautious about the indication for PG, since it is associated with a higher rate of intraluminal hemorrhage and delayed gastric emptying. There are no long‐term results on PG with respect to its durability and function. A general recommendation for its use cannot currently be made.
Developing a management procedure robust to uncertainty for southern bluefin tuna: a somewhat frustrating struggle to bridge the gap between ideals and reality
Authors: Kurota Hiroyuki , Hiramatsu Kazuhiko , Takahashi Norio , Shono Hiroshi , Itoh Tomoyuki , Tsuji Sachiko 
Published: March 2010

AbstractFisheries management is conducted to achieve sustainable use of fishery resources, mainly through regulation of fishing activities. For almost a decade, the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) struggled to reach agreement on a total allowable catch (TAC) for southern bluefin tuna (SBT) because of stock assessment uncertainties. To address this, in 2002 the CCSBT commenced development of a management procedure (MP), a pre‐agreed set of rules to determine how the TAC will be adjusted as new monitoring data become available. The CCSBT Scientific Committee tested various candidate MPs using operating models which simulate fish population and fishery dynamics as well as incorporate process, observation, and model uncertainties. Candidate MPs were evaluated using performance measures related to the following management objectives: maximize catches, avoid stock collapse, and minimize interannual catch variation. Of the MPs explored, some relied solely on empirical data [i.e., adjusted TAC based on catch per unit effort (CPUE) trends], whereas others were more complicated, based on population models. In 2005, the CCSBT adopted a model‐based MP that realized a moderate catch with low variability and avoided stock collapse. This MP struck a compromise between the risk‐prone and risk‐averse standpoints of the different stakeholders. However, despite this concerted scientific effort, the MP was not implemented because, shortly after its adoption, it became evident that historical catches may have been substantially underreported. This complication necessitates returning to near the beginning of the development process. MP approaches have various advantages and challenges to be explored further. However, it is essential to lessen human‐introduced uncertainty (such as catch misreporting) by enhanced enforcement, and to increase management robustness to biological uncertainties by implementing MPs.
Global stressors and the global decline of amphibians: tipping the stress immunocompetency axis
Authors: Kiesecker Joseph M. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThere is a widespread consensus that the earth is experiencing a mass extinction event and at the forefront are amphibians, the most threatened of all vertebrate taxa. A recent assessment found that nearly one‐third (32%, 1,856 species) of the world's amphibian species are threatened. Amphibians have existed on the earth for over 300 million years, yet in just the last two decades there have been an alarming number of extinctions, nearly 168 species are believed to have gone extinct and at least 2,469 (43%) more have populations that are declining. Infectious diseases have been recognized as one major cause of worldwide amphibian population declines. This could be the result of the appearance of novel pathogens, or it could be that exposure to environmental stressors is increasing the susceptibility of amphibians to opportunistic pathogens. Here I review the potential effects of stressors on disease susceptibility in amphibians and relate this to disease emergence in human and other wildlife populations. I will present a series of case studies that illustrate the role of stress in disease outbreaks that have resulted in amphibian declines. First, I will examine how elevated sea‐surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific since the mid‐1970s have affected climate over much of the world and could be setting the stage for pathogen‐mediated amphibian declines in many regions. Finally, I will discuss how the apparently rapid increase in the prevalence of amphibian limb deformities is linked to the synergistic effects of trematode infection and exposure to chemical contaminants.
The psychological impact of peer victimization: Exploring social‐cognitive mediators of depression
Authors: Barchia Kirstin , Bussey Kay 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTAlthough the association between peer victimization and depression is well established (Hawker & Boulton, 2000; Nansel et al., 2001), little research has examined the processes whereby victimization may lead to depression. This study examined the social‐cognitive processes that mediate the relationship between peer victimization and depression. A questionnaire measuring peer victimization, depression, depression rumination, self efficacy to enlist support, and collective school efficacy to stop peer aggression at two time points during one school year was completed by 1167 secondary school children. Rumination, collective school efficacy and self efficacy to enlist support from a friend partially mediated the relationship between victimization and depression. Children who were victimized ruminated more, which lead to increased levels of depression. Victims were also less likely to believe that students and teachers could work together to stop peer aggression, which impacted their propensity to access the support of friends leading to higher depression.
Internet use and video gaming predict problem behavior in early adolescence
Authors: Holtz Peter , Appel Markus 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTIn early adolescence, the time spent using the Internet and video games is higher than in any other present‐day age group. Due to age‐inappropriate web and gaming content, the impact of new media use on teenagers is a matter of public and scientific concern. Based on current theories on inappropriate media use, a study was conducted that comprised 205 adolescents aged 10–14 years (Md = 13). Individuals were identified who showed clinically relevant problem behavior according to the problem scales of the Youth Self Report (YSR). Online gaming, communicational Internet use, and playing first‐person shooters were predictive of externalizing behavior problems (aggression, delinquency). Playing online role‐playing games was predictive of internalizing problem behavior (including withdrawal and anxiety). Parent‐child communication about Internet activities was negatively related to problem behavior.
Regulatory focus and reliance on implicit preferences in consumption contexts
Authors: Florack Arnd , Friese Malte , Scarabis Martin 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe present research tested the assumption that implicit preferences fit the eagerness of a promotion focus, but not the need for safe judgments and decisions of a prevention focus. In three studies, we assessed individual differences in implicit preferences for consumer goods and investigated their influence on self‐regulatory behavior. In line with expectations, implicit preferences predicted choice intentions (Study 1), single and repeated choices between consumer goods (Study 2), and the amount of product consumption (Study 3) better for individuals in a promotion focus than in a prevention focus. The results were found with two different measures of implicit preferences.
Mentoring in otolaryngology training programs
Authors: Gurgel Richard K. , Schiff Bradley A. , Flint John H. , Miller Robert A. , Zahtz Gerald D. , Smith Richard V. , Fried Marvin P. , Smith Richard J.H. 
Published: March 2010

ObjectiveThe Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's focus on outcome‐based training has made the mentoring process critical for resident education. It is unknown how otolaryngology training programs mentor residents. Our objective was to determine the current state of mentoring in otolaryngology training programs and describe resident perceptions of mentoring.Study DesignCross‐sectional survey.SettingAccredited U.S. otolaryngology training programs.Subjects and MethodsAll U.S. otolaryngology residents and program directors were contacted via e‐mail with a link to an online survey.ResultsOf the 1411 residents contacted, 27.7 percent responded, representing 71 of the 103 accredited otolaryngology programs. Of the 103 program directors contacted, 37.9 percent responded. Of these programs, 26 had formal mentoring programs, 45 did not have formal mentoring programs, and 12 programs were listed in both categories. Fifty‐one percent of male residents and 49 percent of female residents had mentors. The most important mentor characteristics were personality match, good clinical role model, and similar subspecialty interests. Least important characteristics were race, gender, and age. Twenty‐six percent of residents felt that mentoring was critical to their training, while 63 percent of residents listed mentoring as important but not critical. Programs with fewer faculty and residents were less likely to offer formal mentoring (P = 0.007 and 0.054, respectively). Of residents who did not have mentors, 80 percent lacked a mentor because their residency had no formal mentoring program.ConclusionResidents perceive mentoring as important, and formal mentoring programs should be incorporated into otolaryngology training programs.
A novel surgical technique for management of tinnitus due to high dehiscent jugular bulb
Authors: El‐Begermy Mohamed A. , Rabie Amr N. 
Published: March 2010

ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness of middle ear floor reconstruction in management of vascular tinnitus due to high jugular bulb with dehiscent middle ear floor.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary academic medical center.Subjects and MethodsWe reviewed the medical records of seven patients with high dehiscent jugular bulb, presenting with incapacitating pulsatile roaring tinnitus that was abolished by digital compression of the ipsilateral jugular vein, from January 2002 to December 2006. The diagnosis was confirmed by CT scan of the temporal bone (bone window, coronal views). The seven patients were surgically explored, five under local anesthesia (to monitor the results with possible intraoperative revision) and two under general endotracheal anesthesia, for middle ear floor reconstruction that was done using bone dust, perichondrium, and tragal cartilage (mean follow‐up 28 months).ResultsOf the seven patients, tinnitus disappeared in four (57%) and decreased in one. The overall improvement was five of seven (71%). One patient had postoperative increased intracranial pressure.ConclusionThe preliminary results suggest that surgical reconstruction of the middle ear floor under local anesthesia offers valuable treatment for patients with incapacitating tinnitus due to dehiscent middle ear floor. However, the risk of sigmoid sinus thrombosis should be considered. To our knowledge, this is the first trial of multilayer reconstruction of the middle ear floor dehiscence to manage high jugular bulb causing tinnitus.
Disease relapse after segmental resection and free flap reconstruction for mandibular osteoradionecrosis
Authors: Suh Jeffrey D. , Blackwell Keith E. , Sercarz Joel A. , Cohen Marc , Liu Jerome H. , Tang Christopher G. , Abemayor Elliot , Nabili Vishad 
Published: March 2010

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the outcomes, complications, and incidence of disease recurrence of mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) after resection and microvascular free flap reconstruction.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingAcademic medical center.Subjects And MethodsRetrospective patient data review of 40 patients with mandibular ORN who were treated by segmental mandibulectomy and microvascular reconstruction between 1995 and 2009. All patients received radiation therapy for previous head and neck cancer, and 12 of 40 patients received concurrent chemotherapy. All patients failed to respond to conservative management. There were 26 males and 14 females, with a median age of 62 years. Median follow‐up was 17.4 months.ResultsThere were no free flap failures. The incidence of wound‐related complications was 55 percent. Median time to complication was 10.6 months. Ten (25%) patients developed symptoms of residual or recurrent ORN, with 70 percent of the recurrences arising in unresected condyles that were adjacent to the segmental mandibulectomy. Statistical analysis revealed that current smokers were at reduced risk to develop residual or recurrent ORN.ConclusionThis present study confirms that microvascular free flaps are reliable for treatment of advanced mandibular ORN. Nevertheless, there remains a 55 percent incidence of wound‐healing complications. The lack of objective clinical criteria to judge the appropriate amount of mandible resection in patients with ORN remains an unresolved issue that resulted in the development of recurrent ORN in 25 percent of patients. Further investigations are needed to better understand the pathophysiology of ORN to prevent postoperative wound complications and disease recurrence.
Intratympanic gentamicin treatment of patients with Ménière's disease with normal hearing
Authors: Silverstein Herbert , Wazen Jack , Van Ess Mark J. , Daugherty Julie , Alameda Yadiel A. 
Published: March 2010

ObjectiveUnderstand the safety and outcomes of intratympanic gentamicin treatment in patients with Ménière's disease with normal hearing.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary referral center.Subjects and MethodsA total of 224 patients with disabling Ménière's disease treated between May 1996 and June 2007 were grouped according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO‐HNS) 1995 Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium staging guidelines: stage 1 (<25 dB pure‐tone average [PTA]); stage 2 through 4 (>25 dB PTA). Patients underwent self‐treatment with intratympanic gentamicin (10 mg/mL) three times daily for one to eight weeks. Outcome measures included pre‐ and post‐treatment speech discrimination score (SDS), PTA, electronystagmography, vertigo relief, and statistical analysis utilizing the Pearson χ2 test.ResultsTwenty‐two (88%) of 24 patients with stage 1 Ménière's disease showed unchanged or improved SDS. All 24 patients showed a mean PTA loss of 8 dB. Seventeen (71%) patients reported complete or improved vertigo control. One hundred sixteen (59%) of 200 patients with stage 2 through 4 Ménière's disease showed unchanged or improved SDS. All 200 patients showed a mean PTA loss of 11 dB. One hundred forty‐eight (74%) patients reported complete or improved vertigo control.ConclusionsPatients with stage 1 Ménière's disease appear to have similar vertigo control with better hearing preservation than patients with advanced disease when treated with low‐dose intratympanic gentamicin (10 mg/mL).