bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Penalized mixtures of factor analyzers with application to clustering high-dimensional microarray data
Authors: Xie Benhuai , Pan Wei , Shen Xiaotong 
Published: December 2009

AbstractMotivation: Model-based clustering has been widely used, e.g. in microarray data analysis. Since for high-dimensional data variable selection is necessary, several penalized model-based clustering methods have been proposed tørealize simultaneous variable selection and clustering. However, the existing methods all assume that the variables are independent with the use of diagonal covariance matrices.Results: To model non-independence of variables (e.g. correlated gene expressions) while alleviating the problem with the large number of unknown parameters associated with a general non-diagonal covariance matrix, we generalize the mixture of factor analyzers to that with penalization, which, among others, can effectively realize variable selection. We use simulated data and real microarray data to illustrate the utility and advantages of the proposed method over several existing ones.Contact: weip@biostat.umn.eduSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Spectral gradient flow and equilibrium configurations of point vortices
Authors: Barreiro Andrea , Bronski Jared , Newton Paul K. 
Published: December 2009

We formulate the problem of finding equilibrium configurations of
N
-point vortices in the plane in terms of a gradient flow on the smallest singular value of a skew-symmetric matrix
M
whose nullspace structure determines the (real) strengths, rotational frequency and translational velocity of the configuration. A generic configuration gives rise to a matrix with empty nullspace, and hence is not a relative equilibrium for any choice of vortex strengths. We formulate the problem as a gradient flow in the space of square covariance matrices
M
T
M
. The evolution equation for

drives the configuration to one with a real nullspace, establishing the existence of an equilibrium for vortex strengths that are elements of the nullspace of the matrix. We formulate both the unconstrained gradient flow problem where the point vortex strengths are determined
a posteriori
by the nullspace of
M
and the constrained problem where the point vortex strengths are chosen
a priori
and one seeks configurations for which those strengths are elements of the nullspace.
Why birds eat colourful grit: colour preferences revealed by the colour of gizzard stones
Authors: Mèller A. P. , Erritzèe J. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Colour preferences from sexual or social contexts are assumed to have arisen owing to preferences for specific kinds of food, representing a sensory bias, but once colour preferences have evolved in a sexual context, they may also be expressed during foraging. We tested whether preferences for specific body colours (i.e. plumage and soft parts) were related to colour preferences for grit ingested by birds. Birds eat grit to facilitate break down of food by the gizzard, and this function is independent of the colour of grit, but depends on the physical properties of stones. Bird species were significantly consistent in colour of grit, and grit of different colours varied in prevalence among species, even when analyses were restricted to a sample from a single locality. There were positive correlations between presence of lilac and red grit in the gizzard and presence of sexually dichromatic lilac and red colour on the body. There was a positive correlation between red grit colour and red sexually monochromatic body colour. Bird species with many different sexual colours, but not sexually monochromatic colours on their body had many different colours of grit. Males had more lilac and red grit than females, with this effect differing among species, whereas that was not the case for grit of other colours. These findings are consistent with the sensory bias hypothesis that birds express preferences for grit of specific colours and a high diversity of colours related to sexual colouration of the body, even when the colour of such grit is only visible to the individual at the moment of ingestion.
Assessment of the incidence of GDV following splenectomy in dogs
Authors: Goldhammer M. A. , Haining H. , Milne E. M. , Shaw D. J. , Yool D. A. 
Published: December 2009

Objective: To establish if splenectomy increases the incidence of gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) in dogs.Methods: Two case‐series studies of cases and controls were performed. Records of dogs that had undergone splenectomy (37 cases) were compared with records of dogs that had undergone other abdominal surgery (43 cases). Records of dogs that presented for non‐elective gastropexy (33 cases) were compared with records of dogs presented to the hospital for unrelated reasons (39 cases). Survival following splenectomy and development of GDV in the first 12 months following surgery were retrieved from the clinical records and by questionnaire‐based canvassing of the referring clinician. The incidence of GDV following splenectomy was established and the association between a current episode of GDV and previous splenectomy was assessed.Results: There was no evidence that splenectomy was associated with an increased incidence of subsequent GDV (P=0·469). No association between a current episode of GDV and previous splenectomy was found.Clinical Significance: Splenectomy is not associated with an increase in the incidence of GDV.
Effects of a probiotic intervention in acute canine gastroenteritis – a controlled clinical trial
Authors: Herstad H. K. , Nesheim B. B. , L’Abée‐Lund T. , Larsen S. , Skancke E. 
Published: December 2009

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of a probiotic product in acute self‐limiting gastroenteritis in dogs.Methods: Thirty‐six dogs suffering from acute diarrhoea or acute diarrhoea and vomiting were included in the study. The trial was performed as a randomised, double blind and single centre study with stratified parallel group design. The animals were allocated to equal looking probiotic or placebo treatment by block randomisation with a fixed block size of six. The probiotic cocktail consisted of thermo‐stabilised Lactobacillus acidophilus and live strains of Pediococcus acidilactici, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Lactobacillus farciminis.Results: The time from initiation of treatment to the last abnormal stools was found to be significantly shorter (P = 0·04) in the probiotic group compared to placebo group, the mean time was 1·3 days and 2·2 days, respectively. The two groups were found nearly equal with regard to time from start of treatment to the last vomiting episode.Clinical Significance: The probiotic tested may reduce the convalescence time in acute self‐limiting diarrhoea in dogs.
Recovery of dermatophytes in pet grooming tools from veterinary clinics and pet grooming salons
Authors: Baǧcigil A. F. , ÍKiz S. , ÖZgür N. Y. , Ilgaz A. 
Published: December 2009

Objectives: Fomites such as brushes and clippers are known to be potential risk factors for the transmission of dermatophytes between pet animals. The aim of this study was to investigate this risk by examining those grooming implements for the presence of any viable dermatophytes.Methods: For this purpose, samples from 235 pieces of grooming equipments and swab samples from the surface of the 14 grooming tables were taken from 41 veterinary clinics and 3 pet grooming salons.Results: Trichophyton tonsurans was isolated from two clipper blades from one veterinary clinic and Microsporum canis were isolated from three clipper blades and one toothbrush from another clinic.Clinical Significance: This study shows that current disinfection protocols and grooming procedures of the veterinary clinics and pet grooming salons appear to be adequate.
The Interferon Stimulator Mitochondrial Antiviral Signaling Protein Facilitates Cell Death by Disrupting the Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and by Activating Caspases
Authors: Yu Chia-Yi , Chiang Ruei-Lin , Chang Tsung-Hsien , Liao Ching-Len , Lin Yi-Ling 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT
Interferon (IFN) signaling is initiated by the recognition of viral components by host pattern recognition receptors. Dengue virus (DEN) triggers IFN-β induction through a molecular mechanism involving the cellular RIG-I/MAVS signaling pathway. Here we report that the MAVS protein level is reduced in DEN-infected cells and that caspase-1 and caspase-3 cleave MAVS at residue D429. In addition to its well-known function in IFN induction, MAVS is also a proapoptotic molecule that triggers disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of caspases. Although different domains are required for the induction of cytotoxicity and IFN, caspase cleavage at residue 429 abolished both functions of MAVS. The apoptotic role of MAVS in viral infection and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) stimulation was demonstrated in cells with reduced endogenous MAVS expression induced by RNA interference. Even though IFN-β promoter activation was largely suppressed, DEN production was not affected greatly in MAVS knockdown cells. Instead, DEN- and dsRNA-induced cell death and caspase activation were delayed and attenuated in the cells with reduced levels of MAVS. These results reveal a new role of MAVS in the regulation of cell death beyond its well-known function of IFN induction in antiviral innate immunity.
Viral Sanctuaries during Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in a Nonhuman Primate Model for AIDS
Authors: North Thomas W. , Higgins Joanne , Deere Jesse D. , Hayes Timothy L. , Villalobos Andradi , Adamson Lourdes , Shacklett Barbara L. , Schinazi Raymond F. , Luciw Paul A. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTHighly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) enables long-term suppression of plasma HIV-1 loads in infected persons, but low-level virus persists and rebounds following cessation of therapy. During HAART, this virus resides in latently infected cells, such as resting CD4+T cells, and in other cell types that may support residual virus replication. Therapeutic eradication will require elimination of virus from all reservoirs. We report here a comprehensive analysis of these reservoirs in fluids, cells, and tissues in a rhesus macaque model that mimics HAART in HIV-infected humans. This nonhuman primate model uses RT-SHIV, a chimera of simian immunodeficiency virus containing the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). Methods were developed for extraction, preamplification, and real-time PCR analyses of viral DNA (vDNA) and viral RNA (vRNA) in tissues from RT-SHIV-infected macaques. These methods were used to identify viral reservoirs in RT-SHIV-infected macaques treated with a potent HAART regimen consisting of efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir. Plasma virus loads at necropsy ranged from 11 to 28 copies of vRNA per ml. Viral RNA and DNA were detected during HAART, in tissues from numerous anatomical locations. Additional analysis provided evidence for full-length viral RNA in tissues of animals with virus suppressed by HAART. The highest levels of vDNA and vRNA in HAART-treated macaques were in lymphoid tissues, particularly the spleen, lymph nodes, and gastrointestinal tract tissues. This study is the first comprehensive analysis of the tissue and organ distribution of a primate AIDS virus during HAART. These data demonstrate widespread persistence of residual virus in tissues during HAART.
Role of Remittances in Economic Growth in Pacific Island Countries: A Study of Samoa
Authors: Jayaraman  , Choong Chee-Keong , Kumar Ronald 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Remittances have been a great support to Pacific island countries (PICs). Aside from providing additions to domestic savings and, hence, real resources, they have been one of the major sources of foreign exchange earnings. In the context of falling exports and limited options to diversify their exports, inward remittances have assumed greater importance. This paper examines the nexus between growth and remittances in Samoa.
Allogeneic transplantation for therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Litzow Mark R. , Tarima Sergey , Pérez Waleska S. , Bolwell Brian J. , Cairo Mitchell S. , Camitta Bruce M. , Cutler Corey S. , de Lima Marcos , DiPersio John F. , Gale Robert Peter , Keating Armand , Lazarus Hillard M. , Luger Selina , Marks David I. , Maziarz Richard T. , McCarthy Philip L. , Pasquini Marcelo C. , Phillips Gordon L. , Rizzo J. Douglas , Sierra Jorge , Tallman Martin S. , Weisdorf Daniel J. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Therapy-related myelodysplastic syndromes (t-MDSs) and acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) have a poor prognosis with conventional therapy. Encouraging results are reported after allogeneic transplantation. We analyzed outcomes in 868 persons with t-AML (n = 545) or t-MDS (n = 323) receiving allogeneic transplants from 1990 to 2004. A myeloablative regimen was used for conditioning in 77%. Treatment-related mortality (TRM) and relapse were 41% (95% confidence interval [CI], 38-44) and 27% (24-30) at 1 year and 48% (44-51) and 31% (28-34) at 5 years, respectively. Disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 32% (95% CI, 29-36) and 37% (34-41) at 1 year and 21% (18-24) and 22% (19-26) at 5 years, respectively. In multivariate analysis, 4 risk factors had adverse impacts on DFS and OS: (1) age older than 35 years; (2) poor-risk cytogenetics; (3) t-AML not in remission or advanced t-MDS; and (4) donor other than an HLA-identical sibling or a partially or well-matched unrelated donor. Five-year survival for subjects with none, 1, 2, 3, or 4 of these risk factors was 50% (95% CI, 38-61), 26% (20-31), 21% (16-26), 10% (5-15), and 4% (0-16), respectively (P < .001). These data permit a more precise prediction of outcome and identify subjects most likely to benefit from allogeneic transplantation.
Regulation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Enhanceosome Formation by Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1 in Hepatic Acute Phase Response
Authors: Ray Sutapa , Lee Chang , Hou Tieying , Bhakat Kishor K. , Brasier Allan R. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) is a latent IL-6 inducible transcription factor that mediates hepatic and vascular inflammation. In this study, we make the novel observation that STAT3 forms an inducible complex with the apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1)/redox effector factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1), an essential multifunctional protein in DNA base excision repair, and studied the role of APE1/Ref-1 in STAT3 function. Using a transfection-coimmunoprecipitation assay, we observed that APE1 selectively binds the NH2-terminal acetylation domain of STAT3. Ectopic expression of APE1 potentiated inducible STAT3 reporter activity, whereas knockdown of APE1 resulted in reduced IL-6-inducible acute-phase reactant protein expression (C-reactive protein and serum amyloid P) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression. The mechanism for APE1 requirement in IL-6 signaling was indicated by reduced STAT3 DNA binding activity observed in response to small interfering RNA-mediated APE1 silencing. Consistent with these in vitro studies, we also observed that lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of acute-phase reactant protein expression is significantly abrogated in APE1 heterozygous mice compared with wild-type mice. IL-6 induces both STAT3 and APE1 to bind the suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 and γ-fibrionogen promoters in their native chromatin environment. Moreover, we observed that APE1 knockdown destabilized formation of the STAT3-inducible enhanceosome on the endogenous γ-fibrionogen promoter. Taken together, our study indicates that IL-6 induces a novel STAT3-APE1 complex, whose interaction is required for stable chromatin association in the IL-6-induced hepatic acute phase response.
Asymptotics for Operational Risk Quantified with Expected Shortfall
Authors: Biagini Francesca , Ulmer Sascha 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIn this paper we estimate operational risk by using the convex risk measure Expected Shortfall (ES) and provide an approximation as the confidence level converges to 100% in the univariate case. Then we extend this approach to the multivariate case, where we represent the dependence structure by using a Lévy copula as in Böcker and Klüppelberg (2006) and Böcker and Klüppelberg, C. (2008). We compare our results to the ones obtained in Böcker and Klüppelberg (2006) and (2008) for Operational VaR and discuss their practical relevance.
Brief Screening Tool for Disordered Eating in Diabetes
Authors: Markowitz Jessica T. , Butler Deborah A. , Volkening Lisa K. , Antisdel Jeanne E. , Anderson Barbara J. , Laffel Lori M.B. 
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVE
To update and validate a diabetes-specific screening tool for disordered eating (the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey [DEPS]) in contemporary youth with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A total of 112 youth with type 1 diabetes, ages 13–19 years, completed the DEPS. Higher scores on the DEPS indicate more disordered eating behaviors. Youth and their parents also completed additional surveys to examine diabetes-specific family conflict, negative affect related to blood glucose monitoring, youth quality of life, and diabetes burden. Clinicians provided data on height, weight, A1C, and insulin dosing. The DEPS was revised into a shorter, updated measure and validated.

RESULTS
The revised 16-item DEPS (DEPS-R) displayed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.86). Construct validity was demonstrated by positive correlations with zBMI (P = 0.01), A1C (P = 0.001), diabetes-specific family conflict (P &lt; 0.005), youth negative affect around blood glucose monitoring (P = 0.001), parental diabetes-specific burden (P = 0.0005), and negative correlations with frequency of blood glucose monitoring (P = 0.03) and quality of life (P ≤ 0.002). External validity was confirmed against clinician report of insulin restriction.

CONCLUSIONS
The DEPS-R is a 16-item diabetes-specific self-report measure of disordered eating that can be completed in &lt;10 min. It demonstrated excellent internal consistency, construct validity, and external validity in this contemporary sample of youth with type 1 diabetes. Future studies should focus on using the DEPS-R to identify high-risk populations for prevention of and early intervention for disordered eating behaviors.
A New Strategy for the Identification of Novel Molecules with Targeted Proresolution of Inflammation Properties
Authors: Navarro-Xavier Roberta A. , Newson Justine , Silveira Vera Lucia Flor , Farrow Stuart N. , Gilroy Derek W. , Bystrom Jonas 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
As our understanding of inflammatory resolution increases, drugs that trigger proresolution pathways may become significant in treating chronic inflammatory diseases. However, anti-inflammatory drugs are traditionally tested during the first hours of onset (i.e., to dampen leukocyte and edema formation), and their ability to trigger proresolution processes has never been investigated. Moreover, there is no model available to screen for putative proresolving agents. In this study, we present a new strategy to identify therapeutics for their ability to switch inflammation off and restore homeostasis. Injecting 1.0 mg of zymosan i.p. causes transient inflammation characterized by polymorphonuclear neutrophil clearance and dominated by recently described resolution-phase macrophages along with an innate-type lymphocyte repopulation, the latter being a marker of tissue homeostasis. In contrast, 10 mg of zymosan elicits an aggressive response characterized by classically activated macrophages leading to systemic inflammation and impaired lymphocyte repopulation. Although this latter model eventually resolves, it nonetheless represents inflammation in the clinically relevant setting of polymorphonuclear neutrophil/classically activated macrophage dominance driving a cytokine storm. Treating such a reaction therapeutically with proresolution drugs provides quantifiable indices of resolution—polymorphonuclear neutrophil/macrophage clearance, macrophage phenotype switching (classically activated to resolution phase), and repopulation with resolution-phase lymphocytes—cardinal signs of inflammatory resolution and homeostasis in the peritoneum. As an illustration, mice bearing peritonitis induced by 10 mg of zymosan- were given ibuprofen, resolvin E1, a prostaglandin D2 receptor 1 agonist, dexamethasone, rolipram, or azithromycin, and their ability to trigger resolution and homeostasis in this new inflammatory setting was investigated. We present the first model for testing drugs with targeted proresolution properties using quantifiable parameters of inflammatory resolution and homeostasis.
Peer and cyber aggression in secondary school students: the role of moral disengagement, hostile attribution bias, and outcome expectancies
Authors: Pornari Chrisa D. , Wood Jane 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis study investigated the relationship between cognitive mechanisms, applied by people to rationalize and justify harmful acts, and engagement in traditional peer and cyber aggression among school children. We examined the contribution of moral disengagement (MD), hostile attribution bias, and outcome expectancies, and we further explored the individual contribution of each MD mechanism. Our aim was to identify shared and unique cognitive factors of the two forms of aggression. Three hundred and thirty‐nine secondary school children completed self‐report measures that assessed MD, hostile attribution bias, outcome expectancies, and their roles and involvement in traditional and cyber aggression. We found that the MD total score positively related to both forms of peer‐directed aggression. Furthermore, traditional peer aggression positively related to children's moral justification, euphemistic language, displacement of responsibility and outcome expectancies, and negatively associated with hostile attribution bias. Moral justification also related positively to cyber aggression. Cyber aggression and cyber victimization were associated with high levels of traditional peer aggression and victimization, respectively. The results suggest that MD is a common feature of both traditional and cyber peer aggression, but it seems that traditional forms of aggression demand a higher level of rationalization or justification. Moreover, the data suggest that the expectation of positive outcomes from harmful behavior facilitates engagement in traditional peer aggression. The differential contribution of specific cognitive mechanisms indicates the need for future research to elaborate on the current findings, in order to advance theory and inform existing and future school interventions tackling aggression and bullying. Aggr. Behav. 36:81–94, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.