bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Out‐of‐Core and Dynamic Programming for Data Distribution on a Volume Visualization Cluster
Authors: Frank S. , Kaufman A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractRay directed volume‐rendering algorithms are well suited for parallel implementation in a distributed cluster environment. For distributed ray casting, the scene must be partitioned between nodes for good load balancing, and a strict view‐dependent priority order is required for image composition. In this paper, we define the load balanced network distribution (LBND) problem and map it to the NP‐complete precedence constrained job‐shop scheduling problem. We introduce a kd‐tree solution and a dynamic programming solution. To process a massive data set, either a parallel or an out‐of‐core approach is required. Parallel preprocessing is performed by render nodes on data, which are allocated using a static data structure. Volumetric data sets often contain a large portion of voxels that will never be rendered, or empty space. Parallel preprocessing fails to take advantage of this. Our slab‐projection slice,introduced in this paper, tracks empty space across consecutive slices of data to reduce the amount of data distributed and rendered. It is used to facilitate out‐of‐core bricking and kd‐tree partitioning. Load balancing using each of our approaches is compared with traditional methods using several segmented regions of the Visible Korean data set.
Parametric and Non‐parametric Encompassing Procedures*
Authors: Bontemps Christophe , Florens Jean‐Pierre , Richard Jean‐François 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe study the asymptotic behaviour of encompassing statistics in general regression models. The theory for testing one parametric model against another parametric model is now well known, but the comparison of two non‐parametric models, or ‘crossed’ situations where a parametric model is tested against a non‐parametric one, has not been treated previously. The encompassing test statistics for the four cases presented here are based on an appropriately normalized difference between an estimator of parameters (eventually functional), and its pseudo‐true value under . The specification tests for non‐parametrically estimated models have meaning only when the smoothing parameter is not arbitrarily chosen, and so the window widths are calculated by an automatic empirical method (cross‐validation). As the window width determination is part of the estimation procedure, the pseudo‐true window width, associated with the pseudo‐true value, is defined.
Simulation Encompassing: Testing Non‐nested Hypotheses*
Authors: Lu Maozu , Mizon Grayham E. , Monfardini Chiara 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis paper considers simulation‐based procedures to compute the Wald encompassing and the Cox test statistics for non‐nested models. These simulation estimation procedures are applied to both the encompassing contrast and its covariance matrix in the case of a Wald non‐nested test statistic, and both the numerator and the denominator in the Cox test statistic. The proposed procedures are illustrated by the example of comparing a linear with a log‐linear model. Monte Carlo studies are conducted for both examples and the results indicate that with simulated covariance matrices, the small sample behaviour of both test statistics is close to that of their asymptotic distributions.
Log Income vs. Linear Income: An Application of the Encompassing Principle*
Authors: Ermini Luigi , Hendry David F. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAn open question in empirical economics is whether models should be estimated by using the actual, or linear, values of economic variables or their logarithms. This paper applies the principle of encompassing to suggest specification and mis‐specification tests of log vs. linear individual equations fitted toI(1) data, and illustrates the analysis for US quarterly disposable income. The finite‐sample properties of the encompassing tests are examined in a Monte Carlo experiment customized to the parameter values found in the empirical analysis.
Linear vs. Log‐linear Unit‐Root Specification: An Application of Mis‐specification Encompassing*
Authors: Spanos Aris , Hendry David F. , James Reade J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to apply the mis‐specification (M‐S) encompassing perspective to the problem of choosing between linear and log‐linear unit‐root models. A simple M‐S encompassing test, based on an auxiliary regression stemming from the conditional second moment, is proposed and its empirical size and power are investigated using Monte Carlo simulations. It is shown that by focusing on the conditional process the sampling distributions of the relevant statistics are well behaved under both the null and alternative hypotheses. The proposed M‐S encompassing test is illustrated using US total disposable income quarterly data.
The Fragility of Sensitivity Analysis: An Encompassing Perspective*
Authors: Ericsson Neil R. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractRobustness and fragility in Leamer's sense are defined with respect to a particular coefficient over a class of models. This paper shows that inclusion of the data generation process in that class of models is neither necessary nor sufficient for robustness. This result holds even if the properly specified model has well‐determined, statistically significant coefficients. The encompassing principle explains how this result can occur. Encompassing also provides a link to a more common‐sense notion of robustness, which is still a desirable property empirically; and encompassing clarifies recent discussion on model averaging and the pooling of forecasts.
An Omnibus Test for Univariate and Multivariate Normality*
Authors: Doornik Jurgen A. , Hansen Henrik 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe suggest a convenient version of the omnibus test for normality, using skewness and kurtosis based on Shenton and Bowman [Journal of the American Statistical Association (1977) Vol. 72, pp. 206–211], which controls well for size, for samples as low as 10 observations. A multivariate version is introduced. Size and power are investigated in comparison with four other tests for multivariate normality. The first power experiments consider the whole skewness–kurtosis plane; the second use a bivariate distribution which has normal marginals. It is concluded that the proposed test has the best size and power properties of the tests considered.
Preattentive dysfunction in major depression: A magnetoencephalography study using auditory mismatch negativity
Authors: Takei Yuichi , Kumano Sumie , Hattori Suguru , Uehara Toru , Kawakubo Yuki , Kasai Kiyoto , Fukuda Masato , Mikuni Masahiko 
Published: November 2008

AbstractInformation processing deficits in major depressive disorder have been infrequently examined electrophysiologically. Its preattentive and sensory information processing was examined using mismatch field (MMNm) and P1m components, respectively, by magnetoencephalography. Fourteen major depressive disorder patients and 19 healthy volunteers participated in the study. MMNm was elicited in response to duration and frequency changes of pure‐tone stimuli and in response to a vowel across‐category change. The magnetic global field power (mGFP) of MMNm was significantly smaller in the major depressive disorder patients than in the healthy volunteers, although that of P1m did not differ between the two groups. Information processing at the preattentive level is impaired functionally in major depressive disorder, and this dysfunction is not due to the dysfunction at the lower level of information processing.
Use of the Emergency Department for Severe Headache. A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Friedman Benjamin W. , Serrano Daniel , Reed Michael , Diamond Merle , Lipton Richard B. 
Published: November 2008

Background.— Although headache is a common emergency department (ED) chief complaint, the role of the ED in the management of primary headache disorders has rarely been assessed from a population perspective. We determined frequency of ED use and risk factors for use among patients suffering severe headache.Methods.— As part of the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention study, a validated self‐administered questionnaire was mailed to 24,000 severe headache sufferers, who were randomly drawn from a larger sample constructed to be sociodemographically representative of the US population. Participants were asked a series of questions on headache management, healthcare system use, sociodemographic features, and number of ED visits for management of headache in the previous 12 months. In keeping with the work of others, “frequent” ED use was defined as a particpant's report of 4 or more visits to the ED for treatment of a headache in the previous 12 months. Headaches were categorized into specific diagnoses using a validated methodology.Results.— Of 24,000 surveys, 18,514 were returned, and 13,451 (56%) provided complete data on ED use. Sociodemographic characteristics did not differ substantially between responders and nonresponders. Among the 13,451 responders, over the course of the previous year, 12,592 (94%) did not visit the ED at all, 415 (3%) visited the ED once, and 444 (3%) visited the ED more than once. Patients with severe episodic tension‐type headache were less likely to use the ED than patients with severe episodic migraine (OR 0.4 [95% CI: 0.3, 0.6]). Frequent ED use was reported by 1% of the total sample or 19% (95% CI: 17%, 22%) of subjects who used the ED in the previous year, although frequent users accounted for 51% (95% CI: 49%, 53%) of all ED visits. Predictors of ED use included markers of disease severity, elevated depression scores, low socioeconomic status, and a predilection for ED use for conditions other than headache.Conclusions.— Most individuals suffering severe headaches do not use the ED over the course of a single year. The majority of ED visits for severe headache are accounted for by a small subset of all ED users. Increasing disease severity and depression are the most readily addressable factors associated with ED use.
Role of Early Symptoms in Assessment of Syncope in Elderly People: Results from the Italian Group for the Study of Syncope in the Elderly
Authors: Galizia Galizia , Abete Pasquale , Mussi Chiara , Noro Gabriele , Morrione Alessandro , Langellotto Assunta , Landi Annalisa , Cacciatore Francesco , Masotti Giulio , Rengo Franco , Marchionni Niccolò , Ungar Andrea 
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVES: To assess the ability of specific early symptoms to predict cardiac and noncardiac syncope in elderly people.DESIGN: Multicenter cross‐sectional observational study.SETTING: Inpatient geriatric acute care departments and outpatient clinics.PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred forty‐two patients with syncope (mean age 79±8) consecutively referred for evaluation of transient loss of consciousness to any of six clinical centers participating in the Italian Group for the Study of Syncope in the Elderly (GIS Study).MEASUREMENTS: All patients were assessed according to European Society of Cardiology Syncope guidelines and interviewed about symptoms and signs present before syncope.RESULTS: One hundred seventy‐four of 242 patients (75.4%) had noncardiac syncope, and 34 (14.7%) had cardiac syncope; 165 patients (71.1%) related symptoms before the loss of consciousness. When elderly patients with syncope were stratified for the presence and absence of symptoms, noncardiac syncope showed the highest prevalence of symptoms (75.3%, P<.01). Awareness of being about to faint, sweating, blurred vision, and nausea are more prevalent in noncardiac syncope. Dyspnea is more prevalent in cardiac syncope. All symptoms except awareness of being about to faint and weakness had good specificity, but sensitivity was low for all symptoms considered. Multivariate regression analysis adjusted for sex and age indicated that nausea (relative risk (RR)=3.7, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.26–11.2), blurred vision (RR=3.5, 95% CI=1.34–9.59), and sweating (RR=2.8, 95% CI=.21–6.89) were predictive of noncardiac syncope. Dyspnea (RR=5.5, 95% CI=1.0–30.2) was the only symptom predictive of cardiac syncope.CONCLUSION: The data show that symptoms such as nausea, blurred vision, and sweating are predictive of noncardiac syncope, whereas only dyspnea is predictive of cardiac syncope in elderly people.
Rejuvenation of stored human red blood cells reverses the renal microvascular oxygenation deficit in an isovolemic transfusion model in rats
Authors: Raat Nicolaas J.H. , Hilarius Petra M. , Johannes Tanja , De Korte Dirk , Ince Can , Verhoeven Arthur J. 
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND: Storage of red blood cells (RBCs) results in various biochemical changes, including a decrease in cellular adenosine triphosphate and 2,3‐diphosphoglycerate acid. Previously it was shown that stored human RBCs show a deficit in the oxygenation of the microcirculation in the gut of anesthetized rats. In this study, the effect of RBCs on rat kidney oxygenation and the effect of rejuvenation of stored RBCs on their ability to deliver oxygen were investigated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Washed RBCs, derived from leukoreduced RBCs stored in saline‐adenine‐glucose‐mannitol, were tested in an isovolemic transfusion model in rats after hemodilution until 30 percent hematocrit (Hct). The cells were derived from RBCs stored for up 3 days or from RBCs stored for 5 to 6 weeks with or without incubation in Rejuvesol to rejuvenate the cells. Renal microvascular oxygen concentrations (µPO2) were determined by Pd‐porphyrin phosphorescence lifetime measurements.RESULTS: Isovolemic transfusion exchange of 5‐ to 6‐week‐stored RBCs resulted in a significantly larger decrease in renal µPO2 than RBCs stored for up to 3 days: 16.1 ± 2.3 mmHg versus 7.1 ± 1.5 mmHg, respectively (n = 5). Rejuvenation of stored RBCs completely prevented this deficit in kidney oxygenation. The differences in oxygen delivery were not due to different recoveries of the human RBCs in the rat circulation.CONCLUSION: This study shows that the storage‐induced deficit of human RBCs to oxygenate the rat kidney microcirculation at reduced Hct is completely reversible. Prevention of metabolic changes during storage is therefore a valid approach to prevent this deficit.
Murine monoclonal anti‐s and other anti‐glycophorin B antibodies resulting from immunizations with a GPB.s peptide
Authors: Halverson Gregory R. , Tossas Edith , Velliquette Randall W. , Lobo Cheryl , Reid Marion E. , Frame Tom , Castilho Lilian , Lee Agnes H. , Storry Jill R. , Grodecka Magdalena , Waśniowska Kazimiera , Duk Maria , Lisowska Elwira 
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND: The blood group antigens S and s are defined by amino acids Met or Thr at position 29, respectively, on glycophorin B (GPB). Commercial anti‐s reagents are expensive to produce because of the scarcity of human anti‐s serum. Our aim was to develop hybridoma cell lines that secrete reagent‐grade anti‐s monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to supplement the supply of human anti‐s reagents.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Mice were immunized with the GPBs peptide sequence TKSTISSQTNGETGQLVHRF. Hybridomas were produced by fusing mouse splenocytes with mouse myeloma cells (X63.Ag8.653). Screening for antibody production was done on microtiter plates by hemagglutination. Characterization of the MoAbs was done by hemagglutination, immunoblotting, and epitope mapping.RESULTS: Eight immunoglobulin G MoAbs were identified. Five antibodies are specific by hemagglutination for s and two MoAbs, when diluted, are anti‐S–like, but additional analyses shows a broad range of reactivity for GPB. Typing red blood cells (RBCs) for s from 35 donors was concordant with molecular analyses as were tests on RBCs with a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) from 15 patients. The anti‐s MoAbs are most reactive with peptides containing the 31QLVHRF36 motif, with 29Thr. By Pepscan analyses, the anti‐S–like MoAbs reacted within the same regions as did anti‐s, but independently of 29Met. One antibody was defined serologically as anti‐U; however, its epitope was identified as 21ISSQT25, a sequence common for both GPA and GPB.CONCLUSION: In addition to their value as typing reagents, these MoAbs can be used to phenotype RBCs with a positive DAT without pre‐test chemical modification.
Evolution of a Conceptual Model for Adaptation to Chronic Illness
Authors: Weinert Clarann , Cudney Shirley , Spring Amber 
Published: November 2008

Purpose:To describe the evolution of “The Women to Women Conceptual Model for Adaptation to Chronic Illness.”Design:A three‐phase, computer‐based research intervention to provide support and health information to chronically ill middle‐aged women living in rural areas of the intermountain West.Evolution of a Conceptual Model:The path of the conceptualization of the WTW project was traced from a single concept to its present explanatory, multiconcept model consisting of three major adaptation constructs (environmental stimuli, psychosocial response, illness management) with related middle‐range theoretical concepts (focal, contextual, and residual stimuli, psychosocial adaptation, chronic illness self‐management, and quality of life) including empirical indicators and measures for each.Clinical Relevance:As the computer‐based intervention is maturing, we are demonstrating its efficacy in helping rural women to better manage chronic illness. At the completion of this study, the intervention should be adequately tested so that it could be adapted for use by advanced practice nurses especially those working with people in isolated rural areas.
Effect of Abuse by a Close Family Member on Health
Authors: Kolbrun Svavarsdottir Erla , Orlygsdottir Brynja 
Published: November 2008

Purpose: To examine the effects of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse on physical and psychological health among Icelandic women visiting an emergency department (ED) or high‐risk prenatal care clinic (HRPCC). We hypothesized that the women's previous experience of abuse by a close family member and current experiences of abuse by an intimate partner, would predict their physical and psychological health.
Method: A cross‐sectional study design was used. Data were collected using questionnaires (e.g., Women Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) and semistructured interviews, from a sample of 208 women (101 visiting the ED and 107 visiting the HRPCC).
Results: For the women seen in the ED, their experience of previous sexual abuse by a close family member, emotional abuse within the preceding year, and current abuse predicted the women's psychological health. For the women seen at the HRPCC, their previous experience of physical abuse, sexual abuse by a close family member, and being currently in an abusive relationship significantly predicted the women's psychological health.
Conclusions: Women in Iceland, who are survivors of abuse, seek healthcare services from EDs and high‐risk prenatal clinics. The complex effects of both former and current abuse on women's health indicates the importance of regular screening for abuse against women.
Clinical Relevance: Offering appropriate interventions within emergency departments and high‐risk prenatal clinics to women who are victims of abuse is vital.
Adult Protective Services Use for Older Adults at the Time of Hospital Discharge
Authors: Popejoy Lori L. 
Published: November 2008

Purpose: In this article a description is given of the use of adult protective services (APS) as a “safety net” by healthcare team members (HCTMs) when concerns were evident about an older adult's hospital discharge decisions.
Design and Methods: The study had a descriptive qualitative design and participants' perceptions of discharge destination decisions were explored. A total of 13 semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 7 HCTMs, who were the primary discharge planners for 13 frail older adults.
Findings: Themes that emerged were safety, “reconciling the differences,”“letting them fail,” having confidence in the family caregiver, and weighing the options. If HCTMs did not view the older adults' discharge decisions as safe, they would first try to persuade the older adults to change their minds, and if that failed, they would report the older adult to APS for follow‐up.
Conclusions: The APS system does not augment, nor does it replace, adequate hospital discharge planning. The use of the APS system as a safety net at the time of hospital discharge is a symptom of a grave problem that will only worsen as the number of elderly adults increases and adds stress to an already overburdened healthcare system.
Clinical Relevance: Access to health and social services at the time of hospital discharge is essential to the health and well‐being of frail older adults; major gaps in services must be identified and corrected.
The Legacy of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Family Adversity
Authors: Martsolf Donna S. , Draucker Claire Burke 
Published: November 2008

Purpose: To describe the process by which childhood adversity influences the life course of survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Design: A community‐based, qualitative, grounded‐theory design.
Methods: In this grounded theory study, data were drawn from open‐ended interviews conducted as part of a larger study of women's and men's responses to sexual violence. The current study indicates the experiences of 48 female and 40 male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and family adversity. Data were analyzed using the constant comparison method.
Findings: Participants described a sense of inheriting a life of abuse and adversity. The process by which childhood adversity influences the life course of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse is labeled Living the Family Legacy. The theory representing the process of Living the Family Legacy includes three major life patterns: (a) being stuck in the family legacy, (b) being plagued by the family legacy, and (c) rejecting the family legacy/creating a new one. Associated with these life patterns are three processes by which participants passed on a legacy to others, often their children: (a) passing on the family legacy, (b) taking a stab at passing on a new legacy, and (c) passing on a new legacy.
Conclusions: The legacy of abuse and adversity has a profound effect on the lives of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. There are several trajectories by which the influence of childhood adversity unfolds in the lives of adult survivors and by which the legacy is passed on to others.
Clinical Relevance: The model representing the theoretical process of Living the Family Legacy can be used by clinicians who work with survivors of childhood sexual abuse and childhood adversity, especially those who have parenting concerns.