bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of hunchback in segment patterning of Locusta migratoria manilensis revealed by parental RNAi
Authors: He Zheng‐Bo , Cao Yue‐Qing , Yin You‐Ping , Wang Zhong‐Kang , Chen Bin , Peng Guo‐Xiong , Xia Yu‐Xian 
Published: September 2006

In long germ embryos, all body segments are specified simultaneously during the blastoderm stage. In contrast, in short germ embryos, only the anterior segments are specified during the blastoderm stage, leaving the rest of the body plan to be specified later. The striking embryological differences between short and long germ segmentation imply fundamental differences in patterning at the molecular level. To gain insights into the segmentation mechanisms of short germ insects, we have investigated the role of the homologue of the Drosophila gap gene hunchback (hb) in a short germ insect Locusta migratoria manilensi by paternal RNA interference (RNAi). Phenotypes resulting from hb knockdown were categorized into three classes based on severity. In the most extreme case, embryos developed the most anterior structures only, including the labrum, antennae and eyes. The following conclusions were drawn: (i) L. migratoria manilensis hb (Lmm’hb) controls germ band morphogenesis and segmentation in the anterior region; (ii) Lmm’hb may function as a gap gene in a wide domain including the entire gnathum and thorax; and (iii) Lmm’hb is required for proper growth of the posterior germ band. These findings suggest a more extensive role for L. migratoria manilensis hunchback in anterior patterning than those described in Drosophila.
Evaluating the impact of guest speaker postings in online discussions
Authors: Hemphill Leaunda S. , Hemphill Hoyet H. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis study investigated the impact of virtual guest speakers facilitating asynchronous discussions. The setting was an online instructional technology course with 16 graduate students and two guest speakers. The research reports the quantity and level of critical thinking of the students and guests. Each posting was coded for frequency and critical thinking. The results indicate that higher‐order thinking occurred and student participation remained high throughout the length of both threaded discussions, regardless of the amount of postings and time spent by the guests. The findings support that guest speakers can be used sparingly in online discussions while still maintaining the quality of the online discussion and frequent, meaningful interactions among students.
Students’ experiences with and preferences for using information technology in music learning in Shanghai’s secondary schools
Authors: Ho Wai‐Chung 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis study explores the centrality of information technology (IT) to Chinese students’ experiences in music lessons. Students involved in this qualitative and quantitative study described the possibilities of using technology when learning music. From among the students of 15 Shanghai secondary schools, 1741 responded to a written questionnaire and 68 took part in interviews. The students’ perceptions of the use of IT were grouped in relation to three categories: (1) the students’ motivation to learn music, (2) their preferred musical activities and (3) the musical styles preferred for classroom learning. Most students believed that IT could provide motivation for music learning. They used IT mainly in their listening activities but believed that it could also be helpful in learning both classical and popular musical styles. The findings suggest that the use of IT could extend the boundaries of music learning in the classroom, giving rise to a multitude of new and exciting possibilities. This approach to curriculum formulation is argued to be significant in terms of developing students’ technological literacy and providing rich learning environments that make use of computer‐mediated communications and the effectiveness of technology and teacher fidelity in implementing pedagogy.
Review question formats and web design usability in computer‐assisted instruction
Authors: Green Rebecca S. , Eppler Marion A. , Ironsmith Marsha , Wuensch Karl L. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe tested the effects of two embedded review question formats and the application of web design guidelines in a computer‐assisted mastery learning course in developmental psychology. Students used either a branching review question format that redirected them to relevant portions of the study module after incorrect answers or a linear format that only provided the correct answer and then continued to the next review question. Students who used the branching format scored higher on their first attempt to pass the mastery quiz, and they required fewer tries to achieve the 90% mastery criterion. The effectiveness of web design guidelines was evaluated based on students’ opinions. Students with positive opinions about the readability and navigational usability of the study module scored higher on their first quiz.
Anger/frustration, task persistence, and conduct problems in childhood: a behavioral genetic analysis
Authors: Deater‐Deckard Kirby , Petrill Stephen A. , Thompson Lee A. 
Published: September 2006

Background: Individual differences in conduct problems arise in part from proneness to anger/frustration and poor self‐regulation of behavior. However, the genetic and environmental etiology of these connections is not known.Method: Using a twin design, we examined genetic and environmental covariation underlying the well‐documented correlations between anger/frustration, poor attention regulation (i.e., task persistence), and conduct problems in childhood. Participants included 105 pairs of MZ twins and 154 pairs of same‐sex DZ twins (4–8 year olds). Independent observers rated child persistence and affect based on behavior during a challenging in‐home cognitive and literacy assessment. Teachers and parents provided reports of conduct problems.Results: Persistence, anger/frustration, and conduct problems included moderate heritable and nonshared environmental variance; conduct problems included moderate shared environmental variance as well. Persistence and anger/frustration had independent genetic covariance with conduct problems and nonshared environmental covariance with each other.Conclusions: The findings indicate genetically distinct though inter‐related influences linking affective and self‐regulatory aspects of temperament with behavior problems in childhood.
Attention difficulties and mood‐related ruminative response style in adolescents with unipolar depression
Authors: Wilkinson Paul O. , Goodyer Ian M. 
Published: September 2006

Background:  Depressed adults may show impairment in switching attention from one task to another. Rumination on negative thoughts is associated with the onset and persistence of depressive episodes. It is unclear if such mood‐related ruminations are specifically associated with slowed ability in switching attention from one task to another.Method:  Adolescents with current unipolar depression (n = 40) were compared with age and sex‐matched controls (n = 38) on tests of attention and general cognitive abilities and completed the mood‐related ruminative response style questionnaire.Results:  Compared to controls, depressed participants were significantly slower at switching attention. There was no association between attentional switching and mood‐related ruminations and both processes contributed to the likelihood of being depressed. Findings were not accounted for by slowness in reading and speaking, the effects of antidepressants nor being more careful on tasks.Conclusions:  Depressed adolescents demonstrate dual deficits in mood‐related ruminative thinking and attention. Further studies are needed to investigate whether higher ruminations are associated with attention impairments in emotionally‐valent attentional switching tasks, and whether both processes precede the emergence of clinical disorder.
Small body size at birth and behavioural symptoms of ADHD in children aged five to six years
Authors: Lahti J. , Räikkönen K. , Kajantie E. , Heinonen K. , Pesonen A‐K. , Järvenpää A‐L. , Strandberg T. 
Published: September 2006

Background:  Behavioural disorders with a neurodevelopmental background, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), have been associated with a non‐optimal foetal environment, reflected in small body size at birth. However, the evidence stems from highly selected groups with birth outcomes biased towards the extreme low end of the distribution in birth weight. Whether a similar association exists among the normal range of term birth is unclear.Methods:  The ADHD Rating Scale was filled in by the biological mothers and fathers of children aged five to six years who were born healthy at term. Information on weight (kg), height (cm), head circumference (cm), and gestational age at birth were obtained from hospital records, and the ponderal index (kg/m3), a commonly used measure of thinness, and head circumference‐to‐length ratio were calculated.Results:  Behavioural symptoms of ADHD were predicted by a lower ponderal index, a smaller head circumference, and a smaller head circumference‐to‐length ratio (β’s: −.12 to −.14, p’s < .05). Adjustments for length of gestation, mother's age, tobacco and alcohol use during pregnancy, pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI), or parity, the monthly gross income of the family, child's BMI at the age of five to six years or gender did not change the associations.Conclusion:  These results suggest that physiological adaptation in utero, indicated by small body size at birth, within term gestational range may increase the susceptibility to behavioural symptoms of ADHD.
Psychopathology, temperament and unintentional injury: cross‐sectional and longitudinal relationships
Authors: Rowe Richard , Simonoff Emily , Silberg Judy L. 
Published: September 2006

Background:  Growing evidence indicates a link between unintentional injury and both disruptive and emotional psychopathology. We present further evidence of these associations and address the underlying mechanisms. We also examine the genetic contribution to unintentional injury.Methods:  The Virginia Twin Study of Adolescent Behavioral Development provides genetically informative multi‐wave and multi‐informant data regarding common psychopathology using the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment interview. The EASI temperament scales and child injury involvement were measured in parent‐report questionnaires.Results:  Unintentional injury showed significant genetic effects in girls and significant shared environmental effects in boys and girls. Symptoms of over‐anxious disorder (OAD), and the EASI temperament scales were independently associated with injury. Longitudinal modeling showed impulsivity and OAD symptoms were related prospectively to injury involvement. Injuries did not increase risk for later impulsivity or OAD symptoms but were related prospectively to separation anxiety disorder symptoms.Conclusions:  Impulsivity and OAD symptoms increased risk of later injury. We discuss the processes that may be involved in these relationships.
Electromagnetic brain activity evoked by affective stimuli in schizophrenia
Authors: Rockstroh Brigitte , Junghöfer Markus , Elbert Thomas , Buodo Giulia , Miller Gregory A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSchizophrenia is typically associated with cognitive deficits, but symptoms also point to alterations in the processing of affective material, with potential impact on behavioral performance. This impact may unfold on multiple time scales, but initial processing of rapidly unfolding social cues may be particularly important. MEG‐assessed regional brain activity associated with the capacity to process the emotional content of rapid visual stimuli (3/s) was examined in 12 individuals with schizophrenia and 12 matched controls. Patients showed less differentiation of emotional versus neutral stimuli 90–300 ms following picture onset. Together with group differences in the lateral topography of valence effects, these results are discussed as evidence of deficient automatic processing of emotionally potent stimuli in schizophrenia.
Modified oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies: evaluation of the partial replacement of sugar and/or fat to reduce calories
Authors: Swanson Ruthann B. , Perry Jennifer M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractOatmeal and chocolate chip cookies were prepared using a non‐sucrose sweetener blend (dextrose/acesulfame‐K) and/or prune puree to replace 50% of the sugar and/or fat, respectively, following manufacturers’ recommendations. Similar effects of modification were found for both cookie types. Specific gravity (P < 0.05) and water activity (P < 0.05) increased with modification; cookie spread (P < 0.05) decreased. Probing (P < 0.05) revealed that the increase in hardness and chewiness associated with fat reduction was moderated to some extent when coupled with sugar reduction. Sensory assessments of texture using the Consumer Profile Ballot reflected the instrumental textural assessment. There were few significant sensory differences between the full‐fat/full‐sugar control oatmeal cookie and either modified oatmeal cookie. In chocolate chip cookies, sensory results (P < 0.05) suggest an increase in off‐flavours and bitterness, and a decrease in sweet and buttery attributes with modification. Panelists indicated that all formulations of each cookie type were acceptable with ratings above mid‐point on the scale for flavour and texture acceptability. Total fat reduction was 32% and 45% in the oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies respectively. Caloric reductions were 14–15% in the modified oatmeal cookies, and 12–13% in the modified chocolate chip cookies.
Geographic Information Systems: A New Tool for Environmental Health Assessments
Authors: Choi Mona , Afzal Brenda , Sattler Barbara 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT
Objectives: (1) To develop tools for health care professionals and communities to assess environmental exposures and (2) to evaluate the utility of integrating patient‐reported environmental health information with geographic information systems (GIS) mapping of environmental data in a pilot study.Methods: A survey was used to collect self‐reported environmental exposure and health data from a convenience sample of people at an urban community health center (N=101). Environmental exposure and census information were obtained from federal agencies. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and GIS.Results: Frequent environmental health risk factors were reported, such as older housing (93%) and household smoking (78%). Health problems including asthma (54%) and lead poisoning (14%) were reported. Odds ratios indicated a statistically significant relationship between mold/mildew and reporting asthma. GIS was found to be a useful tool in displaying environmental risk factors and potentially associated health effects.Conclusions: Given the important role that environmental health risks can play in public health, it is critical that community/public health nurses begin to integrate environmental health assessment skills into their professional practices. Simple community surveys can be an effective means to raise awareness about environmental health risk factors and utilizing GIS can further enhance the accessibility of the combined exposure and health information.
Rural Parents' Perceptions of Risks Associated with Their Children's Exposure to Radon
Authors: Hill Wade G. , Butterfield Patricia , Larsson Laura S. 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT
Objectives: To examine the level of awareness of radon issues, correlates of elective testing behaviors, and the accuracy of risk perception for radon exposures among rural residents receiving public health services.Design: A cross‐sectional design was used in which questionnaire data and household analytic data for radon levels were collected from a nonprobabilistic sample of rural households.Sample: Thirty‐one rural households with 71 adults and 60 children participated in the study. Primary household respondents were female (100%), Caucasian (97%), and primarily (94%) between 21 and 40 years of age.Measurement: Questionnaire data consisted of knowledge and risk perception items about radon and all homes were tested for the presence of radon.Results: The prevalence of high airborne radon (defined as≥4 pCi/l) was 32%. More than a third of the sample underestimated the seriousness of health effects of radon exposure, 39% disagreed that being around less radon would improve the long‐term health of their children, and 52% were unsure whether radon could cause health problems. After adjusting for chance, only 21% of the subjects correctly understood their risk status.Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that low‐income rural citizens do not understand their risk of radon exposure or the deleterious consequences of exposure.
Evaluation of a Multistate Faith‐based Program for Children Affected by Natural Disaster
Authors: Zotti Marianne E. , Graham Juanita , Whitt Anna Lyn , Anand Susan , Replogle William H. 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT
Objectives: To systematically evaluate Camp Noah, a faith‐based intervention for children affected by natural disaster: to assess the extent to which the camps were carried out according to the program design, to describe how the Camp Noah program was implemented, and to explore Camp Noah program effects on children.Design: Qualitative survey.Sample: Twenty‐eight local, state, and national stakeholders.Measurement: Open‐ended interviews.Results: Although camps adhered to the curriculum, many implementation weaknesses resulted from a lack of clear program structure and written procedures. Stakeholders observed that children generally were able to process their disaster experiences in the camp, and some children exhibited increased understanding of God's role in their disaster experience. Stakeholders also described parent reports of increased coping skills related to weather among some children. Lastly, stakeholders both observed positive effects of Camp Noah on children's behaviors and symptoms and described changes reported to them by parents.Conclusions: Every year, thousands of children suffer emotionally as a result of natural disaster in the United States. With public health nursing support and improvements in infrastructure, Camp Noah may be a promising intervention to address this important public health problem.
CPU86017: a Novel Class III Antiarrhythmic Agent with Multiple Actions at Ion Channels
Authors: Dai De‐Zai 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTCPU86017 is a novel Class III antiarrhythmic agent derived from berberine and with an improved pharmacological profile, solubility and bioavailability. It is active in suppressing arrhythmias in several animal models. The ED50 of CPU86017 for suppressing ischemia/reperfusion arrhythmias in rats was 0.22 mg/kg against 2.23 mg/kg for lidocaine. CPU86017 is about 10‐fold more potent than lidocaine. It blocks IKR.tail, IKS, and ICaL currents with IC50 values of 25, 14.4, and 11.5 μM, respectively. The plasma t1/2 of CPU86017, i.v. bolus, in rabbits and dogs is approximately 90 min. The effective plasma levels of CPU86017 in rabbits required to delay the appearance of oubain‐induced ventricular arrhythmias is in the range of 0.13–0.31 μg/mL. Higher levels of the drug are required to eliminate ventricular arrhythmias produced by two‐stage ligation of the coronary artery in anesthetized dogs. Drug levels in myocardium are much higher than in plasma. CPU80617 has an antioxidant effect that is likely to contribute to its antiarrhythmic activity. The abnormal expression of the ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) and of FKBP12.6 is reduced by CPU80617 during its ventricular tachyarrhythmia‐suppressing action. CPU86017 appears to be a promising antiarrhythmic agent with a cardioprotective action. It can be expected to protect from malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death by suppressing molecular events caused by channelopathies.
Role of Adenosine as Adjunctive Therapy in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Forman Mervyn B. , Stone Gregg W. , Jackson Edwin K. 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTAlthough early reperfusion and maintained patency is the mainstay therapy for ST elevation myocardial infarction, experimental studies demonstrate that reperfusion per se induces deleterious effects on viable ischemic cells. Thus “myocardial reperfusion injury” may compromise the full potential of reperfusion therapy and may account for unfavorable outcomes in high‐risk patients. Although the mechanisms of reperfusion injury are complex and multifactorial, neutrophil‐mediated microvascular injury resulting in a progressive decrease in blood flow (“no‐reflow” phenomenon) likely plays an important role. Adenosine is an endogenous nucleoside found in large quantities in myocardial and endothelial cells. It activates four well‐characterized receptors producing various physiological effects that attenuate many of the proposed mechanisms of reperfusion injury. The cardio‐protective effects of adenosine are supported by its role as a mediator of pre‐ and post‐conditioning. In experimental models, administration of adenosine in the peri‐reperfusion period results in a marked reduction in infarct size and improvement in ventricular function. The cardioprotective effects in the canine model have a narrow time window with the drug losing its effect following three hours of ischemia. Several small clinical studies have demonstrated that administration of adenosine with reperfusion therapy reduces infarct size and improves ventricular function. In the larger AMISTAD and AMISTAD II trials a 3‐h infusion of adenosine as an adjunct to reperfusion resulted in a striking reduction in infarct size (55–65%).Post hocanalysis of AMISTAD II showed that this was associated with significantly improved early and late mortality in patients treated within 3.17 h of symptoms. An intravenous infusion of adenosine for 3 h should be considered as adjunctive therapy in high risk‐patients undergoing reperfusion therapy.
The Impact of Insurance Fraud Detection Systems
Authors: Schiller Jörg 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis article analyzes the impact of detection systems in an insurance fraud context. In a noncommitment Costly State Verification setting insurers can only detect fraudulent claims by performing costly audits, and policyholders are overcompensated by the optimal insurance contract. We show that auditing becomes more effective and overcompensation can be reduced, when insurers are able to condition their audits on the information provided by detection systems.
Subjective Economic Risk to Beneficiaries in Notional Defined Contribution Accounts
Authors: Vidal‐Meliá Carlos , Domínguez‐Fabián Inmaculada , Enrique Devesa‐Carpio José 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis article aims to quantify the aggregate subjective economic risk to which beneficiaries would be exposed if a retirement pension system based on notional account philosophy were introduced. We use scenario generation techniques to make projections of the factors that determine the real expected internal rate of return (IRR) and the expected replacement rate (RR) for the beneficiary according to six retirement formulae based on the most widely accepted rates or indices. We then apply the model to the case of Spain. Our projections are based on Herce and Alonso's macroeconomic scenario 2000–2050 (2000) and include information about the past performance of the indices and the time period the forecast is to cover. The results of the IRR calculation—average value, standard deviation, and value‐at‐risk (VaR)—are analyzed both in objective terms and for different degrees of participants' risk aversion.