bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Range Oversampling to Achieve Faster Scanning on the National Weather Radar Testbed Phased-Array Radar
Authors: Curtis Christopher D. , Torres Sebastián M. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
This paper describes a real-time implementation of adaptive range oversampling processing on the National Weather Radar Testbed phased-array radar. It is demonstrated that, compared to conventional matched-filter processing, range oversampling can be used to reduce scan update times by a factor of 2 while producing meteorological data with similar quality. Adaptive range oversampling uses moment-specific transformations to minimize the variance of meteorological variable estimates. An efficient algorithm is introduced that allows for seamless integration with other signal processing functions and reduces the computational burden. Through signal processing, a new dimension is added to the traditional trade-off triangle that includes the variance of estimates, spatial coverage, and update time. That is, by trading an increase in computational complexity, data with higher temporal resolution can be collected and the variance of estimates can be improved without affecting the spatial coverage.
Psychiatrists’ attitudes towards the procedure of involuntary admission to mental hospitals in China
Authors: Shao Yang , Xie Bin , Wu Zhiguo 
Published: August 2011

Background: In order to protect the rights of the mentally ill, legislation on the standards and procedures of compulsory detention has been made at the local and national level in China. Aims: This study aims to examine psychiatrists’ attitudes towards seeking involuntary admission in mainland China. Method: Three hundred and fourteen (314) qualified members of the Chinese Psychiatrist Association (CPA) were surveyed using a questionnaire to assess their attitudes about the procedure of involuntary admission to mental hospitals. Data were analysed using χ2 and logistic regression. Results: Some psychiatrists in the CPA had several arbitrary attitudes towards the process of admission. Females, aged under 35, with a low education level and a low position in the institution showed stricter attitudes in the procedure of involuntary admission. Areas with mental health legislation showed significant positive relationships with stricter attitudes. Conclusions: Every effort needs to be made to minimize these arbitrary attitudes to prevent potential negative outcomes. There is still a long way to go in protecting the rights of people diagnosed with mental illness.
Subjective accounts of the causes of mental illness in the USA
Authors: Elliott Marta , Maitoza Robyn , Schwinger Erik 
Published: August 2011

Background: Psychiatrists and advocates for persons with mental illness in the USA argue that the biomedical model of mental illness as a brain disease is both accurate and effective in reducing stigma. Few studies have queried individuals diagnosed with mental illness to determine the extent to which they define their condition as biologically based versus caused by social and psychological factors. Method: Fifty inpatients in a behavioral health unit of a non-profit hospital in Western USA were interviewed in depth regarding their perceptions of the nature and causes of the condition that brought them into the hospital. Results: The vast majority of patients, regardless of diagnosis, emphasized painful life experiences brought about by others and outside their own control as the primary cause of their mental illness. Conclusions: The biomedical model of mental illness does not necessarily dominate the minds of people with mental illness; therefore mental health practitioners should understand and respect their patients’ explanatory models in order to enlist their trust and compliance.
Effectiveness of family work interventions on schizophrenia: Evidence from a multicentre study in Catalonia
Authors: Tomás Esther Pousa , Hurtado Gemma , Noguer Sílvia , Domènech Cristina , García Montse , López Nuria , Negredo MaríaCruz , Penadés Rafael , Reinares María , Serrano Dolors , Dolz Montse , Gallo Pedro 
Published: August 2011

Background: Despite their proven efficacy, family work interventions on families of patients with schizophrenia are not being implemented in routine clinical practice in contexts where expressed emotion levels among caregivers are relatively high. Aims: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a family work intervention in a Mediterranean environment in Catalonia, Spain. Method: Participants were 23 patients and 35 key relatives in five different clinical settings. The family intervention was provided by 10 trained health care professionals during a nine-month period. A six-month follow-up was also conducted. Results: Statistically significant improvements were found in patients’ clinical status, global functioning and social functioning levels, as well as in caregivers’ burden of care. These results were maintained during follow-up. Conclusion: This is the first study to explore the effectiveness of family intervention in a high-expressed emotion context in Catalonia. The findings add weight to the growing literature supporting these interventions in different cultural settings.
Time-Frequency Analysis of Chewing Activity in the Natural Environment
Authors: Po J.M.C. , Kieser J.A. , Gallo L.M. , Tésenyi A.J. , Herbison P. , Farella M. 
Published: August 2011

The aim of this observational study was to investigate the features of the chewing activity and the variability of the human chewing pace, as assessed in the natural environment. It was hypothesized that the chewing pace is relatively constant within individuals across different days but is variable across individuals. Electromyographic surface activity was recorded unilaterally from the masseter in 21 participants for 3 hours over 3 recording days, in the natural environment, by means of portable recorders. The time-frequency properties of chewing activity were assessed with a previously validated algorithm. Repeated-measurements ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Chewing activity mainly occurred in the range of 0.94 Hz (5th percentile) and 2.17 Hz (95th percentile). Mean and median chewing frequencies were 1.57 Hz and 1.58 Hz, respectively (95% confidence intervals: 1.45-1.68 Hz). The mean duration of chewing episodes was 13.0 sec, the 5th and 95th percentiles being 2.7 sec and 34.9 sec, respectively. Variability of the mean chewing frequency between individuals was much greater than that within individuals (F = 29.8; p < 0.001). The individual chewing paces were stable across different days (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.88; 95% confidence intervals = 0.79-0.94). Our findings provide evidence that each individual, in the natural environment, chews with a consistent pace across different days. Abbreviations: ANOVA, analysis of variance; CPG, central pattern generator; EMG, electromyography; ICC, Intra-class Correlation coefficient; SD, standard deviation.
A brief guided self-help intervention for psychological distress in palliative care patients: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Galfin John M , Watkins Ed R , Harlow Tim 
Published: August 2011

Background: Previous findings implicated rumination (recurrent dwelling on abstract concerns) in elevated psychological distress in palliative patients. We hypothesised that reducing rumination may be important in addressing psychological distress in palliative care. Aim: This study tested the prediction that a brief guided self-help technique targeting abstract rumination would reduce psychological distress in palliative patients. Design: A randomised controlled trial evaluated 4 weeks of guided self-help that involved patients practising thinking more concretely by recalling specific and vivid memories of when they were completely absorbed in an activity or scene. Participants completed a combination of standardised questionnaires to assess anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Setting/participants: Palliative care patients who were reporting clinically significant psychological distress, whilst also physically well enough to take part in the trial were recruited from hospices in Devon and Somerset and randomised to either a treatment condition ( n = 19) receiving 4 weeks of guided self-help, or a waiting-list control condition ( n = 15) receiving treatment as usual. Results: As predicted, the palliative patients receiving the intervention reported significantly greater reductions in anxiety than the waiting-list controls ( F(1,23) = 20.55, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.47). However, no significant effect was found on depression or quality of life. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a brief guided self-help intervention based on concreteness training can be effective in addressing anxiety in palliative care.
Intermediate-affinity interleukin-2 receptor expression predicts CD56bright natural killer cell expansion after daclizumab treatment in the CHOICE study of patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sheridan James P , Zhang Ying , Riester Katherine , Tang Meina T , Efros Lyubov , Shi Jia , Harris Jeffrey , Vexler Vladimir , Elkins Jacob S 
Published: August 2011

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor expression on CD56bright natural killer (NK) cells predicted CD56bright NK cell expansion and therapeutic response to daclizumab (DAC) in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: DAC exposure, CD56bright NK cell counts, IL-2 receptor alpha (CD25) and beta (CD122) subunits, and new or enlarged lesions on brain MRI were measured in 64 subjects in a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic substudy of the phase 2 CHOICE trial at multiple time points. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples were obtained from healthy subjects to assess the relationship among DAC treatment, intermediate affinity IL-2 signaling, and CD56bright NK cell expansion. Results: Increased CD56bright NK cell counts in DAC/interferon beta (IFNβ)-treated subjects were observed by day 14, the first post-dosing time point (mean [SD] ln{CD56bright NK cell count}: DAC high/IFNβ, 2.01 [1.25]; DAC low/IFNβ, 2.29 [1.06]; placebo/IFNβ, 1.01 [1.03]; adjusted p = 0.003), and persisted throughout the treatment period. Higher DAC dose predicted a faster rate of CD56bright NK cell expansion ( p < 0.001), but individual subjects’ increases in CD56bright NK cells from baseline levels were only weakly correlated with DAC exposure ( r2 = 0.167). Higher expression of the intermediate-affinity IL-2 receptor subunit (CD122) on CD56bright NK cells at baseline predicted fewer new gadolinium-enhanced (Gd+) lesions during the treatment period (1.77 vs. 0.62 adjusted mean new Gd+ lesions during weeks 8–24, lowest vs. highest quartile of percentage CD122+ CD56bright NK cells; p = 0.033) and a greater increase in CD56bright NK cell counts at the end of DAC dosing ( p = 0.029). Conclusion: CD56bright NK cell expansion after DAC treatment appears to reflect individual differences in the capacity for intermediate-affinity IL-2 signaling and could provide a basis for predicting clinical response to DAC in MS.
Selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of hypersensitive esophagus
Authors: Viazis Nikos , Karamanolis George , Vienna Eleni , Karamanolis Dimitrios G. 
Published: August 2011

In patients with proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) resistant reflux symptoms, ambulatory 24 h pH impedance monitoring can be used to assess whether a relationship exists between symptoms and reflux episodes. Using this technique it has been suggested that patients with typical reflux symptoms and a normal upper endoscopy should be subclassified as follows: normal endoscopy and abnormal distal acid esophageal exposure (patients with acid reflux); normal endoscopy, with normal distal acid esophageal exposure and a positive symptom association for either acid or nonacid reflux (patients with hypersensitive esophagus); and normal endoscopy, normal distal acid esophageal exposure and a negative symptom association for acid and nonacid reflux (patients with functional heartburn). Although for patients with a normal endoscopy and abnormal distal acid esophageal exposure more aggressive acid suppression can be recommended, managing patients with hypersensitive esophagus and functional heartburn remains a real challenge. Therefore, investigators have evaluated the role of tricyclic antidepressants or selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in influencing esophageal perception. Imipramine has been shown to decrease pain perception in healthy male volunteers and improve symptoms of patients with chest pain and normal coronary angiograms. Trazodone improved symptoms in patients with esophageal contraction abnormalities, while administration of SSRIs lowered chemical and mechanical sensitivity and benefited patients with diffuse esophageal spasm. Furthermore, in a recent study conducted by our group, citalopram administered once daily for 6 months was effective in a select group of patients with hypersensitive esophagus, suggesting that there is a role for SSRIs in the treatment of this disorder.
Molecular adaptation in flowering and symbiotic recognition pathways: insights from patterns of polymorphism in the legume Medicago truncatula
Authors: De Mita Stéphane , Chantret Nathalie , Loridon Karine , Ronfort Joëlle , Bataillon Thomas 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
We studied patterns of molecular adaptation in the wild Mediterranean legume Medicago truncatula. We focused on two phenotypic traits that are not functionally linked: flowering time and perception of symbiotic microbes. Phenology is an important fitness component, especially for annual plants, and many instances of molecular adaptation have been reported for genes involved in flowering pathways. While perception of symbiotic microbes is also integral to adaptation in many plant species, very few reports of molecular adaptation exist for symbiotic genes. Here we used data from 57 individuals and 53 gene fragments to quantify the overall strength of both positive and purifying selection in M. truncatula and asked if footprints of positive selection can be detected at key genes of rhizobia recognition pathways.

Results
We examined nucleotide variation among 57 accessions from natural populations in 53 gene fragments: 5 genes involved in nitrogen-fixing bacteria recognition, 11 genes involved in flowering, and 37 genes used as control loci. We detected 1757 polymorphic sites yielding an average nucleotide diversity (pi) of 0.003 per site. Non-synonymous variation is under sizable purifying selection with 90% of amino-acid changing mutations being strongly selected against. Accessions were structured in two groups consistent with geographical origins. Each of these two groups harboured an excess of rare alleles, relative to expectations of a constant-sized population, suggesting recent population expansion. Using coalescent simulations and an approximate Bayesian computation framework we detected several instances of genes departing from selective neutrality within each group and showed that the polymorphism of two nodulation and four flowering genes has probably been shaped by recent positive selection.

Conclusion
We quantify the intensity of purifying selection in the M. truncatula genome and show that putative footprints of natural selection can be detected at different time scales in both flowering and symbiotic pathways.
Large-scale RNAi screen of G protein-coupled receptors involved in larval growth, molting and metamorphosis in the red flour beetle
Authors: Bai Hua , Zhu Fang , Shah Kapil , Palli Subba Reddy 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
The G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) belong to the largest superfamily of integral cell membrane proteins and play crucial roles in physiological processes including behavior, development and reproduction. Because of their broad and diverse roles in cellular signaling, GPCRs are the therapeutic targets for many prescription drugs. However, there is no commercial pesticide targeting insect GPCRs. In this study, we employed functional genomics methods and used the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, as a model system to study the physiological roles of GPCRs during the larval growth, molting and metamorphosis.

Results
A total of 111 non-sensory GPCRs were identified in the T. castaneum genome. Thirty-nine of them were not reported previously. Large-scale RNA interference (RNAi) screen was used to study the function of all these GPCRs during immature stages. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated knockdown in the expression of genes coding for eight GPCRs caused severe developmental arrest and ecdysis failure (with more than 90% mortality after dsRNA injection). These GPCRs include dopamine-2 like receptor (TC007490/D2R) and latrophilin receptor (TC001872/Cirl). The majority of larvae injected with TC007490/D2R dsRNA died during larval stage prior to entering pupal stage, suggesting that this GPCR is essential for larval growth and development.

Conclusions
The results from our study revealed the physiological roles of some GPCRs in T. castaneum. These findings could help in development of novel pesticides targeting these GPCRs.
Role of epithelial integrin-linked kinase in promoting intestinal inflammation: effects on CCL2, fibronectin and the T cell repertoire
Authors: Assi Kiran , Patterson Scott , Dedhar Shoukat , Owen David , Levings Megan , Salh Baljinder 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe role of integrin signaling in mucosal inflammation is presently unknown. Hence, we aimed to investigate the role of epithelial-derived integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a critical integrin signaling intermediary molecule, in colonic inflammation.MethodsConditional intestinal epithelial cell ILK knockout mice were used for assessment of acute and chronic dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) -induced colitis. Disease activity was scored using standard histological scoring, mucosal cytokines were measured using ELISA, chemokines were determined using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, as well as Q-PCR, and intracellular cytokine staining performed using FACS analysis.ResultsIn both acute and chronic DSS-induced colitis, compared to wild-type mice, ILK-ko mice exhibit less weight loss, and have reduced inflammatory scores. In anin vitromodel system using HCT116 cells, we demonstrate that si-RNA mediated down-regulation of ILK results in a reduction in monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1, CCL2) chemokine expression. A reduction in CCL2 levels is also observed in the tissue lysates of chronically inflamed colons from ILK-ko mice. Examination of mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes from ILK-ko mice reveals that there is a reduction in the levels of IFN gamma using intracellular staining, together with an increase in Foxp3+ T regulatory cells. Immunohistochemistry demonstrates that reduced fibronectin expression characterizes the inflammatory lesions within the colons of ILK-ko mice. Intriguingly, we demonstrate that fibronectin is directly capable of downregulating T regulatory cell development.ConclusionsCollectively, the data indicate for the first time that ILK plays a pro-inflammatory role in intestinal inflammation, through effects on chemokine expression, the extracellular matrix and immune tolerance.
Waist circumference and risk of elevated blood pressure in children: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Choy Cheuk-Sing , Chan Wan-Yu , Chen Ta-Liang , Shih Chun-Chuan , Wu Li-Chu , Liao Chien-Chang 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackgroundIncreasing childhood obesity has become a major health threat. This cross-sectional study reports associations between schoolchildren's waist circumference (WC) and risk of elevated blood pressure.MethodsWe measured height, weight, neck and waist circumference, and blood pressure in regular health examinations among children in grade 1 (ages 6-7 years) at six elementary schools in Taipei County, Taiwan. Elevated blood pressure was defined in children found to have mean systolic or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to the gender-, age-, and height-percentile-specific 95th-percentile blood pressure value.ResultsAll 2,334 schoolchildren were examined (response rate was 100% in the six schools). The mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased as WC quartiles increased (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of elevated blood pressure for boys and girls within the fourth quartile of waist circumference was 38.9% and 26.8%, respectively. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, the adjusted odds ratios of elevated blood pressure were 1.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13-2.80), 2.45 (95% CI = 1.56-3.85), and 6.03 (95% CI = 3.59-10.1) for children in the second, third, and fourth waist circumference quartiles compared with the first quartile. The odds ratios for per-unit increase and per increase of standard deviation associated with elevated blood pressure were 1.14 (95% CI = 1.10-1.18) and 2.22 (95% CI = 1.76-2.78), respectively.ConclusionsElevated blood pressure in children was associated with waist circumference. Not only is waist circumference easier to measure than blood pressure, but it also provides important information on metabolic risk. Further research is needed on effective interventions to identify and monitor children with increased waist circumference to reduce metabolic and blood pressure risks.
Spatiotemporal expression of SERPINE2 in the human placenta and its role in extravillous trophoblast migration and invasion
Authors: Chern Schu-Rern , Li Sheng-Hsiang , Chiu Chien-Ling , Chang Hsiao-Ho , Chen Chih-Ping , Tsuen Chen Edmund I 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
SERPINE2, one of the potent serpins belonging to the plasminogen activator (PA) system, is involved in the tissue remodeling. We previously demonstrated the expression patterns of Serpine2 in the mouse placenta and uterus, indicating that Serpine2 is a major PA inhibitor in the placenta and uterus during the estrous cycle, pregnancy, and lactation. In this study, we further investigated the expression pattern of SERPINE2 in the human placenta and explored possible functional roles of SERPINE2 in regulating trophoblast activity.

Methods
Placental tissues from various trimesters were collected for real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction quantification. Immunohistochemical staining was performed in placental tissues to assure localization of SERPINE2. SERPINE2 small interfering (si) RNA was applied to suppress its expression in villous explants and extravillous trophoblast-like 3A cells. Subsequent experiments to evaluate SERPINE2 levels, villous outgrowth, trophoblast invasion, and tube formation were performed.

Results

SERPINE2 messenger RNA was detected in the human placenta during pregnancy with the highest levels in the third trimester. The SERPINE2 protein was present in villous syncytiotrophoblasts and trophoblasts of chorionic villi for anti-SERPINE2 immunostaining. Extravillous trophoblasts in the chorionic plate and basal plate confronting the invasive face of anchoring villi were also positive. In most decidual cells, SERPINE2 was observed in the cytoplasm. In addition, fibrinoid deposit was weakly immunoreactive. Introduction of SERPINE2 siRNA into villous explants and trophoblast cells led to significantly reduced villous outgrowth, and trophoblastic migration and invasion. Moreover, capillary-like network formation of 3A cells in Matrigel was greatly attenuated by SERPINE2 siRNA and SERPINE2 antiserum.

Conclusions
These data identify the temporal and spatial SERPINE2 distribution in the human placenta and suggest its possible role in modulating tissue remodeling of extravillous trophoblasts in the placenta during pregnancy.