bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Adaptive Community‐Based Participatory Approach to Formative Assessment With High Schools for Obesity Intervention*
Authors: Kong Alberta S. , Farnsworth Seth , Canaca Jose A. , Harris Amanda , Palley Gabriel , Sussman Andrew L. 
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: In the emerging debate around obesity intervention in schools, recent calls have been made for researchers to include local community opinions in the design of interventions. Community‐based participatory research (CBPR) is an effective approach for forming community partnerships and integrating local opinions. We used CBPR principles to conduct formative research in identifying acceptable and potentially sustainable obesity intervention strategies in 8 New Mexico school communities.METHODS: We collected formative data from 8 high schools on areas of community interest for school health improvement through collaboration with local School Health Advisory Councils (SHACs) and interviews with students and parents. A survey based on formative results was created to assess acceptability of specific intervention strategies and was provided to SHACs. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data were evaluated using an iterative analytic process for thematic identification.RESULTS: Key themes identified through the formative process included lack of healthy food options, infrequent curricular/extracurricular physical activity opportunities, and inadequate exposure to health/nutritional information. Key strategies identified as most acceptable by SHAC members included healthier food options and preparation, a healthy foods marketing campaign, yearly taste tests, an after‐school noncompetitive physical activity program, and community linkages to physical activity opportunities.CONCLUSION: An adaptive CBPR approach for formative assessment can be used to identify obesity intervention strategies that address community school health concerns. Eight high school SHACs identified 6 school‐based strategies to address parental and student concerns related to obesity.
Interlaboratory comparison of current high‐performance methods for HbA2
Authors: PALEARI R. , GULBIS B. , COTTON F. , MOSCA A. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryIntroduction:  Few data are available on the alignment of the different methods used for HbA2 quantitation and recent external quality survey results show a consistent spread of HbA2 values. To this aim, a comparison study among the actual best performing techniques for HbA2 determination, comprising HPLC and CE methods, was performed.Methods:  A total of 80 blood samples collected from normal subjects and β‐thalassemia carriers were analyzed by different HPLC (Bio‐Rad Variant I, Bio‐Rad Variant II, Menarini HA‐8160, Tosoh G7, Tosoh G8) and capillary electrophoresis (Beckman Coulter MDQ and ProteomeLab PA 800, Sebia Capillarys 2) methods. Patient’s samples with clinically relevant hemoglobin variants (HbC, HbD, HbE, HbS, and δ‐chain variants) were also tested by all methods.Results:  The mean within‐run imprecision of HbA2 measurement (expressed as CV, %) was between 0.5% and 4.4% (HPLC) and between 1.2% and 4.4% (capillary electrophoresis). The comparison study showed that the different methods were highly correlated (r between 0.974 and 0.997) although biased each other. HbA2 determination in presence of abnormal hemoglobins was variously interfered by both HPLC and CE methods. Concerning HbF, the mean imprecision at HbF values ≥1.5% was between 1.2% and 8.2% (as CVs).Conclusions:  A poor alignment of routine methods for HbA2 measurement was found. The need of a better standardization of HbA2 measurement procedures was underlined.
Death and Dying in the Contemporary United States: What are the Psychological Implications of Anticipated Death?
Authors: Carr Deborah 
Published: February 2012

AbstractOver the last 200 years, where, when and how Americans die has changed dramatically. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, most deaths occurred with little warning, typically due to short‐term infectious diseases. In the contemporary United States, death typically happens to older adults following a long‐term chronic illness. Most older adults die in institutions rather than at home, and many rely on life‐extending medical technologies. For most older Americans, it is more useful and accurate to conceptualize the end of life as an anticipated and protracted process (i.e., dying) rather than a discrete and sudden event (i.e., death). In this article, I summarize historical and epidemiologic patterns of death and dying, and describe the implications of these patterns for two psychological processes: preparations for one’s own end of life; and psychological adjustment to the death of a loved one.
A Cross‐Cultural Comparison of Studies of Obedience Using the Milgram Paradigm: A Review
Authors: Blass Thomas 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis report presents cross‐cultural comparisons of studies on obedience to authority using the classic Milgram paradigm, which provide answers to the following questions:1. Overall, does the level of obedience found in the United States differ from that found in other countries?2. Is the nature or pattern of sex differences in obedience the same or different in the United States and elsewhere?3. How does Milgram’s “agentic state” conceptualization – that destructive obedience presupposes a shift in responsibility from the perpetrator to the authority – fare cross‐culturally?
How Couples Manage Interracial and Intercultural Differences: Implications for Clinical Practice
Authors: Seshadri Gita , Knudson‐Martin Carmen 
Published: February 2012

This study focused on how couples managed their interracial and intercultural differences. To understand their experiences, a qualitative grounded theory analysis was used (n = 17). Analysis revealed that couples experienced most issues as cultural issues; race only occurred during their interactions with “others.” They appeared to organize their responses according to four relationship structures: Integrated, Singularly Assimilated, Coexisting, and Unresolved. Couples in each of these structures managed daily process through four sets of relationship strategies: (a) creating a “we,” (b) framing differences, (c) emotional maintenance, and (d) positioning in relationship to familial and societal context. These findings are a step toward a strength‐based and research‐informed education and clinical interventions for this population.Video Abstract
Convergent Pad Polishing of Amorphous Silica
Authors: Suratwala Tayyab , Steele Rusty , Feit Michael , Desjardin Richard , Mason Dan 
Published: February 2012

A new method of optical polishing termed “Convergent Polishing” is demonstrated where a workpiece, regardless of its initial surface figure, will converge to the lap shape in a single iteration. This method of polishing is accomplished by identifying the phenomena that contribute to non‐uniform spatial material removal, and mitigating the non‐uniformity for each phenomenon (except for the workpiece‐lap mismatch due to the workpiece surface shape). The surface mismatch at the interface between the workpiece and lap causes a spatial and time varying pressure differential which decreases with removal, thus allowing the workpiece to converge to the shape of the lap. In this study, fused (amorphous) silica workpieces are polished using ceria slurry on various polyurethane pads. Polishing parameters were systematically controlled to prevent various sources of non‐uniform material removal which include: (i) moment force, (ii) viscoelastic lap relaxation, (iii) kinematics, (iv) pad wear, and (v) workpiece bending. The last two are described herein. With these mitigations, removal uniformity has been demonstrated to within 1.0 μm over the surface after 83 μm of material removal corresponding to a within workpiece non‐uniformity (WIWNU) of <1.2%. Also, convergence has been demonstrated down to 0.18 ± 0.04 μm peak‐to‐valley flatness on 100 mm‐sized workpieces.
Information Content of Unsolicited Credit Ratings: Evidence from Japanese Firms*
Authors: Byoun Soku , Shin Yoon S. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractUnsolicited ratings are credit ratings of firms that have not requested rating evaluation and, therefore, do not pay fees. Accordingly, unsolicited ratings are issued solely at the discretion of rating agencies based on public information. Given the controversy surrounding unsolicited ratings raised in some published studies as well as by Japanese firms, we examine whether the market extracts any new information from unsolicited ratings. We find that unsolicited ratings are typically of speculative grade rather than investment grade, they induce significant announcement period abnormal returns for downgrades, and they have greater impact for speculative‐grade ratings than investment‐grade ratings. Keiretsu affiliation of Japanese firms does not mitigate the negative market reaction to unsolicited rating downgrades. Our results suggest that high‐quality firms signal their type through solicited ratings while low‐quality firms are revealed through unsolicited ratings.
Syndicate Structure in Initial Public Offerings: Syndicate Formation, Share Allocation, Fee Distribution, and Underpricing in the Korean Market*
Authors: Lee Jong‐Ryong , Cho Young‐Gon 
Published: February 2012

AbstractUsing unique information obtained from Korea regarding syndicates’ underwriting of initial public offerings (IPOs), this paper examines how syndicates are formed into syndicate structures, including fee distributions among syndicate members, and also investigates how they affect the IPO process, such as the underpricing of IPOs. Reciprocal participation among syndicates affects the formation of syndicates, and the formation strongly depends on the regulation of underwriting. Approximately 30% of the sample, which was hand‐collected, is managed by sole syndicates in that the book manager of the IPO underwrites the entire shares and takes out the overall underwriting fee. The remaining 70% is mainly controlled by the book managers in that over 90% of the shares for an IPO are allocated to the book managers, and over 90% of the underwriting fees are distributed to the book managers. The syndicate structure of an IPO has little effect on underpricing, which strongly depends on underwriting regulation, market conditions during the IPO process, and price adjustment after book building.
Maternal depression and child BMI: longitudinal findings from a US sample
Authors: Duarte C. S. , Shen S. , Wu P. , Must A. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryObjectiveTo examine the association between maternal depression and child body mass index (BMI) from Kindergarten (K) to fifth grade.MethodsAnalysis of four waves of data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Kindergarten spanning K to fifth grade. Maternal depressive symptoms (MDSs) were measured by a brief version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analyses, adjusting for key covariates and potential confounders. The analytic sample was restricted to children of normal birth weight.ResultsThe relationship between MDS and child BMI varies by child gender and age. Among girls, severe MDS at K was related to lower BMI at third grade (but not later at fifth grade) and to an increase in BMI from K to third and K to fifth grades. Among boys, severe MDS at K was related to higher boys’ BMI at fifth grade. When severe MDS occurred at third grade, it was related to higher BMI at fifth grade among girls whereas no statistically significant relationship was found for boys. Low levels of physical activity in comparison to peers at fifth grade and more screen time on weekends at third grade are likely mediators of the relationship between MDS and child BMI among girls, while among boys the relationship appears to be mediated by unhealthy eating habits.ConclusionsOur findings, indicating developmental and gender differences in the relationship between maternal depression and child BMI, if confirmed, suggest that interventions addressing maternal depression may have concomitant impact on childhood obesity.
CD4 T Cell Antigens from Staphylococcus aureus Newman Strain Identified following Immunization with Heat-Killed Bacteria
Authors: Lawrence Paulraj K. , Rokbi Bachra , Arnaud-Barbe Nadège , Sutten Eric L. , Norimine Junzo , Lahmers Kevin K. , Brown Wendy C. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusis a commensal bacterium associated with the skin and mucosal surfaces of humans and animals that can also cause chronic infection. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistantS. aureus(MRSA) and strains causing chronic intramammary infections (IMI) in cows results in severe human and livestock infections. Conventional approaches to vaccine development have yielded only a few noneffective vaccines against MRSA or IMI strains, so there is a need for improved vaccine development. CD4 T lymphocytes are required for promoting gamma interferon (IFN-γ) mediated immunoglobulin isotype switching in B lymphocytes to produce high-affinity IgG antibodies and IFN-γ-mediated phagocyte activation for an effective resolution of bacterial infection. However, the lack of known CD4 T cell antigens fromS. aureushas made it difficult to design effective vaccines. The goal of this study was to identifyS. aureusproteins recognized by immune CD4 T cells. Using a reverse genetics approach, 43 antigens were selected from theS. aureusNewman strain. These included lipoproteins, proteases, transcription regulators, an alkaline shock protein, conserved-domain proteins, hemolysins, fibrinogen-binding protein, staphylokinase, exotoxin, enterotoxin, sortase, and protein A. Screening of expressed proteins for recall T cell responses in outbred, immune calves identified 13 proteins that share over 80% sequence identity among MRSA or IMI strains. These may be useful for inclusion in a broadly protective multiantigen vaccine against MRSA or IMI.
Epidemiological Significance of the Domestic Black Pig (Sus scrofa) in Maintenance of Bovine Tuberculosis in Sicily
Authors: Di Marco Vincenzo , Mazzone Piera , Capucchio Maria Teresa , Boniotti Maria Beatrice , Aronica Vincenzo , Russo Miriam , Fiasconaro Michele , Cifani Noemi , Corneli Sara , Biasibetti Elena , Biagetti Massimo , Pacciarini Maria Lodovica , Cagiola Monica , Pasquali Paolo , Marianelli Cinzia 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an emerging disease among wild animals in many parts of the world. Wildlife reservoir hosts may thus represent a potential source of infection for livestock and humans. We investigated the role played by the Sicilian black pig, an autochthonous free- or semi-free-ranging domestic pig breed, as a potential source of bTB infection in an area where bTB prevalence in cattle is high. We initially performed a preliminary field study to assess the occurrence of bTB in such animals. We sampled 119 pigs at abattoir and found 6.7% and 3.4% of them to be affected by gross tuberculous-like lesions (TBL) and
Mycobacterium bovis
culture positive, respectively. We then proceeded to investigate the dissemination and characteristics of lesions in a second field study performed on 100 animals sampled from infected herds. Here, tissues collected at the abattoir were examined macroscopically, microscopically, and by culture tests. Most pigs with TBL showed generalized lesions in both gross and histological examinations (53% and 65.5%, respectively). Head lymph nodes were the most frequently affected in both localized and generalized TB cases observed macroscopically and microscopically.
M. bovis
was the most frequently isolated etiologic agent. The molecular characterization of isolates from both field studies by spoligotyping and analysis of 12 mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit–variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) loci, followed by their comparison to isolates of cattle origin, suggested a potential transmission of mycobacteria from domestic animals to black pigs and vice versa. Our findings, along with ethological, ecological, and management considerations, suggest that the black pig might act as a bTB reservoir in the ecosystem under study. However, additional studies will be necessary to establish the true epidemiological significance of the Sicilian black pig.
RNA Synthesis by the Brome Mosaic Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase in Human Cells Reveals Requirements for
De Novo
Initiation and Protein-Protein Interaction
Authors: Subba-Reddy Chennareddy V. , Tragesser Brady , Xu Zhili , Stein Barry , Ranjith-Kumar C. T. , Kao C. Cheng 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Brome mosaic virus (BMV) is a model positive-strand RNA virus whose replication has been studied in a number of surrogate hosts. In transiently transfected human cells, the BMV polymerase 2a activated signaling by the innate immune receptor RIG-I, which recognizes
de novo
-initiated non-self-RNAs. Active-site mutations in 2a abolished RIG-I activation, and coexpression of the BMV 1a protein stimulated 2a activity. Mutations previously shown to abolish 1a and 2a interaction prevented the 1a-dependent enhancement of 2a activity. New insights into 1a-2a interaction include the findings that helicase active site of 1a is required to enhance 2a polymerase activity and that negatively charged amino acid residues between positions 110 and 120 of 2a contribute to interaction with the 1a helicase-like domain but not to the intrinsic polymerase activity. Confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed that the BMV 1a and 2a colocalized to perinuclear region in human cells. However, no perinuclear spherule-like structures were detected in human cells by immunoelectron microscopy. Sequencing of the RNAs coimmunoprecipitated with RIG-I revealed that the 2a-synthesized short RNAs are derived from the message used to translate 2a. That is, 2a exhibits a strong
cis
preference for BMV RNA2. Strikingly, the 2a RNA products had initiation sequences (5′-GUAAA-3′) identical to those from the 5′ sequence of the BMV genomic RNA2 and RNA3. These results show that the BMV 2a polymerase does not require other BMV proteins to initiate RNA synthesis but that the 1a helicase domain, and likely helicase activity, can affect RNA synthesis by 2a.
Enhanced Susceptibility of Ago1/3 Double-Null Mice to Influenza A Virus Infection
Authors: Van Stry Melanie , Oguin Thomas H. , Cheloufi Sihem , Vogel Peter , Watanabe Makiko , Pillai Meenu R. , Dash Pradyot , Thomas Paul G. , Hannon Gregory J. , Bix Mark 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

RNA interference (RNAi) is a critical component of many cellular antiviral responses in plants, invertebrates, and mammals. However, its
in vivo
role in host protection from the negative-sense RNA virus influenza virus type A (flu) is unclear. Here we have examined the role of RNAi in host defense to flu by analyzing Argonaute 1 and 3 double-knockout mice deficient in components of the RNA-induced silencing complex. Compared to littermate controls, flu-infected double-knockout mice exhibited increased mortality, consistent with more severe alveolitis and pneumonitis. These data indicate that optimal resistance to flu requires Argonaute 1 and/or 3. Enhanced mortality of double-knockout mice was not associated either with increased viral replication or with differential pulmonary recruitment or function of innate and adaptive immune cells. Given the absence of detectable immune defects, our results support the notion that the enhanced flu susceptibility of double-knockout mice arises from an intrinsic impairment in the ability of lung cells to tolerate flu-elicited inflammation.
The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Valproic Acid Lessens NK Cell Action against Oncolytic Virus-Infected Glioblastoma Cells by Inhibition of STAT5/T-BET Signaling and Generation of Gamma Interferon
Authors: Alvarez-Breckenridge Christopher A. , Yu Jianhua , Price Richard , Wei Min , Wang Yan , Nowicki Michal O. , Ha Yoonhee P. , Bergin Stephen , Hwang Christine , Fernandez Soledad A. , Kaur Balveen , Caligiuri Michael A. , Chiocca E. Antonio 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTTumor virotherapy has been and continues to be used in clinical trials. One barrier to effective viral oncolysis, consisting of the interferon (IFN) response induced by viral infection, is inhibited by valproic acid (VPA) and other histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi). Innate immune cell recruitment and activation have been shown to be deleterious to the efficacy of oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) infection, and in this report we demonstrate that VPA limits this deleterious response. VPA, administered prior to oHSV inoculation in an orthotopic glioblastoma mouse model, resulted in a decline in NK and macrophage recruitment into tumor-bearing brains at 6 and 24 h post-oHSV infection. Interestingly, there was a robust rebound of recruitment of these cells at 72 h post-oHSV infection. The observed initial decline in immune cell recruitment was accompanied by a reduction in their activation status. VPA was also found to have a profound immunosuppressive effect on human NK cellsin vitro. NK cytotoxicity was abrogated following exposure to VPA, consistent with downmodulation of cytotoxic gene expression of granzyme B and perforin at the mRNA and protein levels. In addition, suppression of gamma IFN (IFN-γ) production by VPA was associated with decreased STAT5 phosphorylation and dampened T-BET expression. Despite VPA-mediated immune suppression, mice were not at significantly increased risk for HSV encephalitis. These findings indicate that one of the avenues by which VPA enhances oHSV efficacy is through initial suppression of immune cell recruitment and inhibition of inflammatory cell pathways within NK cells.
CRM1-Dependent Trafficking of Retroviral Gag Proteins Revisited
Authors: Baluyot Mariju F. , Grosse Sarah A. , Lyddon Terri D. , Janaka Sanath K. , Johnson Marc C. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT
We analyzed the nuclear trafficking ability of Gag proteins from six retroviral genera. Contrary to a previous report, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag showed no propensity to cycle through the nucleus. The only Gag protein that displayed CRM1-dependent nuclear cycling was that of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). Surprisingly, this cycling could be eliminated without compromising infectivity by replacing the RSV Gag N-terminal matrix (MA) domain with HIV MA.
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS BASED ON SIMULATION COMBINED WITH OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR MAINTENANCE SERVICE MANAGEMENT WITHIN COMPLEX SYSTEMS
Authors: BRUZZONE AGOSTINO , BOCCA ENRICO 
Published: February 2012

The research proposes a simulation model combined with smart optimizer based on Artificial Intelligence techniques, in order to support service and maintenance of pools within Complex Systems, such as power plants or vessel/aircraft fleet. The authors propose an innovative methodology allowing the evaluation and the optimization of service and maintenance policies in order to improve inventory management and scheduling operations within complex systems. This methodology is based on the development of a simulator combined with an intelligent optimizer. The authors proposed a new metrics to evaluate the real performance of pool service management of the whole complex system and support the optimization processes.