bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adaptive and Dynamic Adaptive Procedures for False Discovery Rate Control and Estimation
Authors: Liang Kun , Nettleton Dan 
Published: November 2011

SummaryMany methods for estimation or control of the false discovery rate (FDR) can be improved by incorporating information about π0, the proportion of all tested null hypotheses that are true. Estimates of π0 are often based on the number of p-values that exceed a threshold λ. We first give a finite sample proof for conservative point estimation of the FDR when the λ-parameter is fixed. Then we establish a condition under which a dynamic adaptive procedure, whose λ-parameter is determined by data, will lead to conservative π0- and FDR estimators. We also present asymptotic results on simultaneous conservative FDR estimation and control for a class of dynamic adaptive procedures. Simulation results show that a novel dynamic adaptive procedure achieves more power through smaller estimation errors for π0 under independence and mild dependence conditions. We conclude by discussing the connection between estimation and control of the FDR and show that several recently developed FDR control procedures can be cast in a unifying framework where the strength of the procedures can be easily evaluated.
Achieving near Perfect Classification for Functional Data
Authors: Delaigle Aurore , Hall Peter 
Published: November 2011

SummaryWe show that, in functional data classification problems, perfect asymptotic classification is often possible, making use of the intrinsic very high dimensional nature of functional data. This performance is often achieved by linear methods, which are optimal in important cases. These results point to a marked contrast between classification for functional data and its counterpart in conventional multivariate analysis, where the dimension is kept fixed as the sample size diverges. In the latter setting, linear methods can sometimes be quite inefficient, and there are no prospects for asymptotically perfect classification, except in pathological cases where, for example, a variance vanishes. By way of contrast, in finite samples of functional data, good performance can be achieved by truncated versions of linear methods. Truncation can be implemented by partial least squares or projection onto a finite number of principal components, using, in both cases, cross-validation to determine the truncation point. We establish consistency of the cross-validation procedure.
Strong Rules for Discarding Predictors in Lasso-Type Problems
Authors: Tibshirani Robert , Bien Jacob , Friedman Jerome , Hastie Trevor , Simon Noah , Taylor Jonathan , Tibshirani Ryan J. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryWe consider rules for discarding predictors in lasso regression and related problems, for computational efficiency. El Ghaoui and his colleagues have proposed ‘SAFE’ rules, based on univariate inner products between each predictor and the outcome, which guarantee that a coefficient will be 0 in the solution vector. This provides a reduction in the number of variables that need to be entered into the optimization. We propose strong rules that are very simple and yet screen out far more predictors than the SAFE rules. This great practical improvement comes at a price: the strong rules are not foolproof and can mistakenly discard active predictors, i.e. predictors that have non-zero coefficients in the solution. We therefore combine them with simple checks of the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions to ensure that the exact solution to the convex problem is delivered. Of course, any (approximate) screening method can be combined with the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions to ensure the exact solution; the strength of the strong rules lies in the fact that, in practice, they discard a very large number of the inactive predictors and almost never commit mistakes. We also derive conditions under which they are foolproof. Strong rules provide substantial savings in computational time for a variety of statistical optimization problems.
New Findings from Terrorism Data: Dirichlet Process Random-Effects Models for Latent Groups
Authors: Kyung Minjung , Gill Jeff , Casella George 
Published: November 2011

SummaryData obtained describing terrorist events are particularly difficult to analyse, owing to the many problems that are associated with the data collection process, the inherent variability in the data themselves and the usually poor level of measurement coming from observing political actors who seek not to provide reliable data on their activities. Thus, there is a need for sophisticated modelling to obtain reasonable inferences from these data. Here we develop a logistic random-effects specification using a Dirichlet process to model the random effects. We first look at how such a model can best be implemented, and then we use the model to analyse terrorism data. We see that the richer Dirichlet process random-effects model, compared with a normal random-effects model, can remove more of the underlying variability from the data, uncovering latent information that would not otherwise have been revealed.
Assessing the Accuracy of a Multiphase Diagnosis Procedure for Dementia
Authors: Yu Binbing , Zhou Chuan 
Published: November 2011

SummaryMultiphase (stage) designs that involve more than two phases are increasingly used by clinicians and psychologists for diagnosis and screening of dementia and many other diseases, e.g. colorectal or breast cancer. The multiphase design is an extension of the commonly used two-phase design, where an inexpensive initial screening test is followed by a gold standard. In a typical three-phase design, the screening test in phase 1 usually has high sensitivity but relatively low specificity. Phase 2 consists of a repeated application of the initial screening test and/or a more confirmatory test and then the gold standard test is used in phase 3. In such designs, both the verification process and the accuracy of each screening test may depend on patients’ characteristics. In addition, multiple-screening tests are correlated and composite decision rules may be used. However, no estimation methods exist for assessing the accuracy of a multiphase diagnosis procedure. To address these problems, we develop a method of estimating the diagnostic accuracy for each individual test and for the whole diagnostic procedure in a multiphase design in the presence of verification bias. Simulation studies are carried out to evaluate the performance of the method proposed and to compare different strategies of combining sequential tests. The method proposed is applied to data from a multiphase study of dementia.
Spatial Modelling of Lupus Incidence Over 40 Years with Changes in Census Areas
Authors: Li Ye , Brown Patrick , Rue Håvard , al-Maini Mustafa , Fortin Paul 
Published: November 2011

SummaryClinical data on the location of residence at the time of diagnosis of new lupus cases in Toronto, Canada, for the 40 years to 2007 are modelled with the aim of finding areas of abnormally high risk. Inference is complicated by numerous irregular changes in the census regions on which population is reported. A model is introduced consisting of a continuous random spatial surface and fixed effects for time and ages of individuals. The process is modelled on a fine grid and Bayesian inference performed by using integrated nested Laplace approximations. Predicted risk surfaces and posterior probabilities of exceedance are produced for lupus and, for comparison, psoriatic arthritis data from the same clinic. Simulations studies are also carried out to understand better the performance of the model proposed as well as to compare with existing methods.
Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis: clinical and histopathological study of 10 cases from Lebanon
Authors: Tamraz H. , Raffoul M. , Kurban M. , Kibbi A.‐G. , Abbas O. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackground  Confluent and reticulate papillomatosis (CRP) is a rare disorder that has mostly been described in case reports and limited case series. Studies on this condition from our region are lacking.Objective/methods  To describe the clinical and histopathological findings, as well as response to treatment of all patients diagnosed with CRP at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUB‐MC) between 1999 and 2009, and to compare our findings with those published in the literature.Results  Confluent and reticulate papillomatosis was diagnosed in 10 patients (five men, five women). Mean age at diagnosis was 19 years. Duration of lesions ranged from few months to several years. Skin lesions mainly consisted of reticulated, pigmented macules, patches and plaques. The most common area of involvement was the chest in five cases. The rash was asymptomatic in eight patients. Skin biopsy specimens from all patients revealed hyperkeratosis, papillomatosis and variable acanthosis. Whereas follicular plugging was observed in nine cases, anastomosis of the rete ridges was noted in three. Periodic acid Schiff stains highlighted yeast forms in six cases.Conclusion  The clinical and histopathological features of the CRP patients in our study are generally comparable to those published in the literature, with minor differences. Clinically, one case had an atypical clinical presentation, and microscopically follicular plugging was seen in the majority of cases. Yeast‐like spores were seen in six cases further supporting a role of Malassezia furfur in the pathogenesis of CRP.
What type of leader am I?: a training needs analysis of health library and information managers
Authors: Sutton Anthea , Booth Andrew 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackground:  Leadership is a necessary facet of professional practice for health library and information managers (HLIMs). Several training needs analyses (TNA) in the health library and information services field have been conducted in recent years, all identifying a need for professional development in leadership skills. However, these previous TNAs have not focused on specific elements of leadership skills required by health library and information managers.Objectives:  The National Library for Health (NLH) commissioned the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) at the University of Sheffield to conduct a TNA where HLIMs assess their current leadership skills and identify any future development needs in this area. The results would inform a programme of influencing skills workshops.Methods:  HLIMs in the UK were invited to complete a self‐assessment online questionnaire. The questionnaire utilised items from Manning and Robertson’s Influencing Skills Style Profile (ISSP). This allowed the results to be characterised by influencing ‘style’.Results:  HLIMs considered themselves to have strengths in the leadership areas of influencing, negotiating, managing change and delivering presentations to decision‐makers. They identified significant development needs in communicating with stakeholders, conflict resolution, using body language and being assertive. Most HLIMs demonstrated two collaborative styles identified by the ISSP, namely strategic collaborator and opportunistic collaborator.Conclusions:  In difficult times, HLIMs may need to adapt to more of an ‘opportunistic‐battler’ influencing style. It is important that HLIMs not only assess their own leadership skills but also that they take opportunities to employ 360° feedback, comprising assessment from subordinates, peers and supervisors.
The Right Ventricular Septum Presents the Optimum Site for Maximal Electrical Separation During Left Ventricular Pacing
Authors: MIRANDA RODRIGO I. , NAULT MICHAEL , SIMPSON CHRISTOPHER S. , MICHAEL KEVIN A. , ABDOLLAH HOSHIAR , BARANCHUK ADRIAN , REDFEARN DAMIAN P. 
Published: November 2011

Septum Presents the Optimum Site for Maximal Electrical Separation.
Cardiac
resynchronization therapy (CRT) benefits selected heart failure (HF) patients. The optimal placement of the right ventricle (RV) lead during biventricular pacing has not been assessed. Greater electrical separation (ES) between left ventricle (LV) and RV leads has been associated with better clinical outcomes. The site of maximal electrical separation(MES) in the RV is unknown.
Methods:
Prospective study of 50 CRT patients. The LV lead was placed in a postero‐lateral branch of the coronary sinus. ES was recorded at 6 sites within the RV during LV pacing at 600 milliseconds cycle length (CL). The median ES was recorded with a roving deflectable catheter at the RV outflow tract (RVOT), high septum, inflow septum, mid‐septum, apical septum and apex.
Results:
Mean age was 67 ± 7 years, 39 were male (78%). Thirty had ischemic etiology (60%). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 25 ± 7%, QRS duration pre and post was 165 ± 26 milliseconds and 138.5 ± 15.6 milliseconds (P  <  0.001). Mapping ES showed a difference between 20 and 50 milliseconds distributed across the RV in the majority of patients (40/49). However, 7 subjects demonstrated delay distribution of between 50 and 82 milliseconds. ES was significant greater in the RV mid‐septum (161.2 ± 23.7 milliseconds) compared with RVOT (154.1 ± 20.8 milliseconds) and apex (148.0 ± 25.5 milliseconds; P < 0.001). The site of Maximal ES was most commonly found at the mid‐septum (40 patients, 80%) and only rarely at the RVOT (5, 10%) and apex (5, 10%; P  <  0.01).
Conclusion:
MES was observed most commonly at the RV septum and rarely at the RV apex. Better correction of electrical and mechanical dyssynchrony by CRT may be achieved by placing the RV lead in a site outside of the apex in the majority of patients. Clinical studies exploring RV septal pacing in CRT seem warranted.
Misconceived Causal Explanations for Emergent Processes
Authors: Chi Michelene T. H. , Roscoe Rod D. , Slotta James D. , Roy Marguerite , Chase Catherine C. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractStudies exploring how students learn and understand science processes such as diffusion and natural selection typically find that students provide misconceived explanations of how the patterns of such processes arise (such as why giraffes’ necks get longer over generations, or how ink dropped into water appears to “flow”). Instead of explaining the patterns of these processes as emerging from the collective interactions of all the agents (e.g., both the water and the ink molecules), students often explain the pattern as being caused by controlling agents with intentional goals, as well as express a variety of many other misconceived notions. In this article, we provide a hypothesis for what constitutes a misconceived explanation; why misconceived explanations are so prevalent, robust, and resistant to instruction; and offer one approach of how they may be overcome. In particular, we hypothesize that students misunderstand many science processes because they rely on a generalized version of narrative schemas and scripts (referred to here as a Direct‐causal Schema) to interpret them. For science processes that are sequential and stage‐like, such as cycles of moon, circulation of blood, stages of mitosis, and photosynthesis, a Direct‐causal Schema is adequate for correct understanding. However, for science processes that are non‐sequential (or emergent), such as diffusion, natural selection, osmosis, and heat flow, using a Direct Schema to understand these processes will lead to robust misconceptions. Instead, a different type of general schema may be required to interpret non‐sequential processes, which we refer to as an Emergent‐causal Schema. We propose that students lack this Emergent Schema and teaching it to them may help them learn and understand emergent kinds of science processes such as diffusion. Our study found that directly teaching students this Emergent Schema led to increased learning of the process of diffusion. This article presents a fine‐grained characterization of each type of Schema, our instructional intervention, the successes we have achieved, and the lessons we have learned.
Localized colonic stem cell transplantation enhances tissue regeneration in murine colitis
Authors: Zhou QiQi , Price Donald D. , Dreher Kara L. , Pronold Barry , Callam Christopher S. , Sharma Jay , Verne G. Nicholas 
Published: November 2011

AbstractMany patients suffer from chronic gastrointestinal diseases characterized by chronic inflammation, increased intestinal permeability and visceral pain in which there is no definitive treatment. Adult stem cells have recently been used in various disease states to contribute wound‐healing processes. In the current study we investigated the ability of intra‐colonic adult stem cells application to heal colonic inflammation in IL‐10−/− mice with active colitis. The aims of this study were to determine whether intra‐colonic infusion of adult colonic stem cells (CSCs) (local stem cell transplantation): (i) restores intestinal permeability; (ii) attenuates visceral hypersensitivity; (iii) heals murine colitis. IL‐10−/− mice with active colitis were transplanted with adult stem cells. Mice received either a single intracolonic infusion of CSCs or colonic epithelial cells. Two weeks after transplantation, we measured visceral hypersensitivity and intestinal permeability and correlated these with histological improvement of colitis. IL‐10−/− mice that received stem cell transplantation showed histopathologic evidence of recovery from colitis. Improvement in colitis as graded by pathology scores correlated with restoration of intestinal permeability and decreased visceral hypersensitivity. Intra‐colonic administration of CSCs is a potential therapeutic method for treating refractory symptoms in patients with chronic gastrointestinal diseases associated with chronic inflammation and visceral hypersensitivity. This method may be safer and should have far fewer side effects than systemic stem cell administration.
Self‐reported dry mouth in Swedish population samples aged 50, 65 and 75 years
Authors: Johansson Ann‐Katrin , Johansson Anders , Unell Lennart , Ekbäck Gunnar , Ordell Sven , Carlsson Gunnar E. 
Published: November 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00420.xSelf‐reported dry mouth in Swedish population samples aged 50, 65 and 75 yearsBackground:  Reduced salivary flow may have a negative impact on general well‐being, quality of life and oral health.Objectives:  To examine xerostomia in 50‐, 65‐ and 75‐year‐olds, background factors and effect on Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP).Methods:  In 1992, a questionnaire was sent to all 50‐year‐old persons (n = 8888) in two Swedish counties. In 2007, the same questionnaire was sent to all 65‐year‐olds (n = 8313) in the two counties and to all 75‐year‐olds (n = 5195). Response rate was for the 50, 65 and 75 year olds 71.4, 73.1 and 71.9%, respectively.Results:  Xerostomia was higher in women than in men in all age groups. There was higher prevalence of xerostomia with increasing age in both sexes and it was more frequent at night than during daytime. ‘Often mouth dryness’ was 2.6–3.4 times more prevalent in those who reported an impact from OIDP. The highest odd ratios were for daytime xerostomia and for the variables burning mouth (17.1), not feeling healthy (4.5), daily smoking (4.4), and medication (4.1).Conclusions:  The dramatic increase of xerostomia between age 50 and 75, especially amongst women, needs to be considered in the management of this age group.
A preliminary assessment of the periodontal status of elderly pensioners in Benin City, Nigeria
Authors: Okeigbemen Sunny A. , Jeboda Sonny O. , Umweni Alice A. 
Published: November 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00466.xA preliminary assessment of the periodontal status of elderly pensioners in Benin City, NigeriaAim:  This study was to assess the periodontal status of pensioners in Benin City and obtain baseline data.Materials and methods:  The cross‐sectional descriptive study involved 250 subjects selected by systematic random sampling from three clusters of general, university and teaching hospital pensioners examined using the Community Periodontal Index index in four locations within Benin City.Results:  The percentages of the dentate subjects with healthy gingiva, bleeding on probing, calculus, shallow pockets and deep pockets were 2.4, 5.2, 46.8, 38.8 and 6.8%, respectively. Only 2% needed no periodontal treatment; those requiring oral hygiene instructions, scaling and polishing and complex treatment were 52, 39 and 7%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the periodontal status of the pensioners by gender, age or tooth brushing habits.Conclusion:  The presence of calculus accounted for the most prevalent periodontal condition among the elderly pensioners followed by shallow periodontal pocketing apparently owing to poor dental attendance or lack of access to care. A comprehensive pensioner’s oral health programme is recommended.
6‐mercaptopurine transport in human lymphocytes: Correlation with drug‐induced cytotoxicity
Authors: CONKLIN Laurie S. , CUFFARI Carmen , OKAZAKI Toshihiko , MIAO Yinglei , SAATIAN Bahman , CHEN Tian‐E. , TSE Ming , BRANT Steven R. , LI Xuhang 
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE: 6‐mercaptopurine (6‐MP) is efficacious in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, about one‐third of patients respond poorly to therapy. This study aimed to characterize the inherent differences in 6‐MP transport that may cotribute to the differences in treatment responses.METHODS: Intracellular 6‐MP accumulation was assayed in Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐transformed lymphocytes from IBD patients, using14C‐radiolabeled 6‐MP. Cell proliferation was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Apoptosis was assayed based on the activation of caspase 3. The expressions of 15 potential 6‐MP transporters were evaluated by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).RESULTS: Intracellular 6‐MP accumulation, varying significantly among patients, was carrier‐dependent and partially sodium‐dependent. 6‐MP cytotoxicity was, at least in part, due to apoptosis and correlated with intracellular drug accumulation. The efflux transporters did not appear to contribute to the variability of intracellular drug accumulation between patients, since none correlated with drug accumulation or cytotoxicity. Rather, differential expression of five influx/uptake transporters might be a key contributor to the difference in the accumulation of and susceptibility to the drug.CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneity of the drug transporters may be the reason for the therapeutic sensitivity of 6‐MP in IBD patients. As the 6‐MP uptake is a carrier‐mediated and partially sodium‐dependent process, future studies are necessary to evaluate the role of the putative transporters and their correlation with drug sensitivity in patients.