bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shrinkage Tuning Parameter Selection with a Diverging number of Parameters
Authors: Wang Hansheng , Li Bo , Leng Chenlei 
Published: December 2008

SummaryContemporary statistical research frequently deals with problems involving a diverging number of parameters. For those problems, various shrinkage methods (e.g. the lasso and smoothly clipped absolute deviation) are found to be particularly useful for variable selection. Nevertheless, the desirable performances of those shrinkage methods heavily hinge on an appropriate selection of the tuning parameters. With a fixed predictor dimension, Wang and co-worker have demonstrated that the tuning parameters selected by a Bayesian information criterion type criterion can identify the true model consistently. In this work, similar results are further extended to the situation with a diverging number of parameters for both unpenalized and penalized estimators. Consequently, our theoretical results further enlarge not only the scope of applicabilityation criterion type criteria but also that of those shrinkage estimation methods.
How far are associations between child, family and community factors and child psychopathology informant‐specific and informant‐general?
Authors: Collishaw Stephan , Goodman Robert , Ford Tamsin , Rabe‐Hesketh Sophia , Pickles Andrew 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Assessments of child psychopathology commonly rely on multiple informants, e.g., parents, teachers and children. Informants often disagree about the presence or absence of symptoms, reflecting reporter bias, situation‐specific behaviour, or random variation in measurement. However, few studies have systematically tested how far correlates of child psychopathology differ between informants.Methods:  Parents, teachers and children in the 1999 British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Survey (n = 4,525, ages 11–15 years) completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multiple source regression models tested the extent to which child, family, school and neighbourhood characteristics were differentially associated with the three informants’ reports. The 2004 British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Survey (n = 3,438, ages 11–15 years) was used for replication.Results:  Almost all significant correlates of child mental health were differentially related to parent, teacher and child ratings of adjustment. Parental distress, parent‐rated family functioning, and child physical health problems were most strongly associated with parent ratings. Child ability and attainment, socio‐economic factors, and school and neighbourhood disadvantage were more strongly associated with teacher and parent rated mental health than with children’s own ratings. Gender differences in externalising problems were most pronounced for teacher ratings, and least so for child ratings; the opposite held true for emotional problems. Effect sizes for combined latent scores fell near the upper end of the range of effect sizes estimated for the three individual informants. Results showed good replication across the two samples.Conclusions:  The study highlights that there is substantial variation across informants in the links between associated factors and child psychopathology.
Reassessment of the trophic position of Bullidae (Gastropoda: Cephalaspidea) and the importance of diet in the evolution of cephalaspidean gastropods
Authors: Malaquias M. A. E. , Berecibar E. , Reid D. G. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA review of the available data on the diet of species of Bullidae is presented. Their trophic level is reassessed through gut content analysis of worldwide species from various habitats. Gut contents were identified by light and scanning electron microscopy. The previous claims of omnivory and carnivory were not supported. Worldwide species of Bullidae feed preferentially on algae and secondarily on diatoms, and are therefore herbivorous. The influence of dietary specialization on the evolution of cephalaspidean gastropods was assessed by superimposing the diet onto a molecular family‐level phylogeny. Herbivory was found to be the plesiomorphic condition, with carnivory having arisen independently two or three times. This evidence suggests that dietary specialization has played a major role in the adaptive radiation of the group.
Age‐related paraxial schematic emmetropic eyes
Authors: Atchison David A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBased on recent biometric data, four‐surface paraxial schematic emmetropic eyes for different ages have been developed. There are three sets of schematic eyes: male, female and overall. With increase in age, the changes in the schematic eyes are decreased anterior chamber depth, increased lens thickness, decreased vitreous length, increased axial length, decreased anterior lens radius of curvature and increased lens equivalent refractive index. Gender differences are greater anterior corneal radii of curvature (0.07 mm), longer vitreous chambers (0.70 mm), longer axial length (0.70 mm) and lower lens equivalent refractive indices of male eyes (0.007) relative to female eyes. Gaussian parameters of the various schematic eyes are given.
A critical evaluation of the evidence supporting the practice of behavioural vision therapy
Authors: Barrett Brendan T. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn 2000, the UK’s College of Optometrists commissioned a report to critically evaluate the theory and practice of behavioural optometry. The report which followed Jennings (2000; Behavioural optometry – a critical review. Optom. Pract. 1: 67) concluded that there was a lack of controlled clinical trials to support behavioural management strategies. The purpose of this report was to evaluate the evidence in support of behavioural approaches as it stands in 2008. The available evidence was reviewed under 10 headings, selected because they represent patient groups/conditions that behavioural optometrists are treating, or because they represent approaches to treatment that have been advocated in the behavioural literature. The headings selected were: (1) vision therapy for accommodation/vergence disorders; (2) the underachieving child; (3) prisms for near binocular disorders and for producing postural change; (4) near point stress and low‐plus prescriptions; (5) use of low‐plus lenses at near to slow the progression of myopia; (6) therapy to reduce myopia; (7) behavioural approaches to the treatment of strabismus and amblyopia; (8) training central and peripheral awareness and syntonics; (9) sports vision therapy; (10) neurological disorders and neuro‐rehabilitation after trauma/stroke. There is a continued paucity of controlled trials in the literature to support behavioural optometry approaches. Although there are areas where the available evidence is consistent with claims made by behavioural optometrists (most notably in relation to the treatment of convergence insufficiency, the use of yoked prisms in neurological patients, and in vision rehabilitation after brain disease/injury), a large majority of behavioural management approaches are not evidence‐based, and thus cannot be advocated.
Reconstructing ocular surfaces by Purkinje images: an exact ray approach
Authors: Turuwhenua Jason 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA method originally developed for corneal topography (using discrete sources and Zernike polynomials) was extended to estimate the geometry of ocular surfaces internal to the eye. The approach was tested in simulation as a candidate method for phakometry. Purkinje images from the anterior surface of an intra‐ocular lens (IOL) (aligned and decentered) were simulated using the Navarro eye. The ‘full’ Navarro eye and a simplified eye were assumed for recovery purposes. Root mean square (RMS) errors and (anterior) IOL radii of curvatures (best‐fit spheres) were estimated. The robustness of the method to axial shifts in lens position (both eye models) along with assumed refractive index (simplified eye only) was tested. When axial shifts were ignored, RMS errors for the full eye were sub‐micron (<0.8 μm), and radii of curvature errors were ∼1 μm. Axial shifting increased these errors linearly. The n = 1.32 error curve (simplified eye) matched the full eye error curves closely (for both RMS error and IOL lens radius), although the RMS error curve exhibited some asymmetry for a decentered IOL. The nominal refractive index (n = 1.3305) was sub‐optimal in all cases. The resulting method is a potentially useful way to estimate the geometry of the internal ocular surfaces.
Willingness of pregnant women and clinicians to participate in a hypothetical randomised controlled trial comparing vaginal delivery and elective caesarean section
Authors: TURNER Catherine E. , YOUNG Jane M. , SOLOMON Michael J. , LUDLOW Joanne , BENNESS Christopher , PHIPPS Hala 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Elective caesarean section is controversial in the absence of compelling evidence of the relative benefits and harms compared with vaginal delivery. A randomised trial of the two procedures to compare outcomes for women and babies would provide the best quality scientific evidence to confirm this debate but it is not known whether such a trial would be feasible.Aims:  To ascertain the proportion of primiparas and clinicians who would participate in a hypothetical randomised controlled trial comparing vaginal delivery with elective caesarean section.Methods:  Pregnant women (mean 22 weeks gestation) recruited from public and private antenatal clinics at a major tertiary referral centre were interviewed to ascertain their willingness to participate in a hypothetical randomised controlled trial. A self‐administered questionnaire was mailed to midwives, obstetricians, urogynaecologists and colorectal surgeons, and results between groups were compared.Results:  One hundred pregnant women, 84 midwives, 166 obstetricians, 12 urogynaecologists and 87 colorectal surgeons participated. Only 14% (95% confidence interval (CI), 8–22) of pregnant women and 31% (95% CI, 26–36) of clinicians indicated that they would participate in a randomised controlled trial.Conclusions:  A randomised controlled trial comparing vaginal delivery and elective caesarean section may not be feasible due to low levels of willingness to participate, particularly among pregnant women.
Brief Intervention for Problem Drinkers in a Chinese Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a Hospital Setting
Authors: Tsai Yun‐Fang , Tsai Mei‐Chu , Lin Yea‐Pyng , Chen Ching‐Yen 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Alcohol is a legal and accessible substance in Taiwan. As excessive alcohol has been linked to health and social problems, it is necessary to develop a brief, rapid, and low‐cost tool to help health care providers deal with persons in Taiwan whose alcohol consumption has become hazardous or harmful to their health.Methods:  A randomized controlled clinical trial with 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐ups was designed. Eighteen medical/surgical units at a medical center in northern Taiwan were randomly assigned to 2 groups: experimental (n = 9) and control (n = 9). Inpatients on the units were enrolled if they met the following criteria: were older than 18 years, had no severe psychiatric illness, and were not pregnant. The experimental group (n = 138) received the intervention, a 15‐minute counseling visit in which nurses screened participants using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), provided a health promotion booklet for adults, and individually discussed the booklet contents with patients based on their drinking level (AUDIT score). The control group (n = 137) received no treatment. Patterns of alcohol consumption were determined by AUDIT scores at baseline, 6, and 12 months later.Results:  Alcohol use disorders identification test scores decreased significantly in both groups at 6 months after the intervention, but did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. However, 12 months after the brief alcohol intervention, experimental subjects’ AUDIT scores were significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusions:  Our brief alcohol intervention provided a 12‐month benefit for problem drinkers in Taiwan.
Alcohol and Colorectal Cancer: The Role of Alcohol Dehydrogenase 1C Polymorphism
Authors: Homann Nils , König Inke R. , Marks Michael , Benesova Monika , Stickel Felix , Millonig Gunda , Mueller Sebastian , Seitz Helmut K. 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Chronic alcohol consumption is a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Animal experiments as well as genetic linkage studies in Japanese individuals with inactive acetaldehyde dehydrogenase leading to elevated acetaldehyde concentrations following ethanol ingestion support the hypothesis that acetaldehyde may be responsible for this carcinogenic effect of alcohol. In Caucasians, a polymorphism of alcohol dehydrogenase 1C (ADH1C) exists resulting in different acetaldehyde concentrations following ethanol oxidation.Methods:  To evaluate whether the association between alcohol consumption and colorectal tumor development is modified by ADH1C polymorphism, we recruited 173 individuals with colorectal tumors diagnosed by colonoscopy and 788 control individuals without colorectal tumors. Genotyping was performed using genomic DNA extracted from whole blood followed by polymerase chain reaction.Results:  Genotype ADH1C*1/1 was more frequent in patients with alcohol‐associated colorectal neoplasia compared to patients without cancers in the multivariate model controlling for age, gender, and alcohol intake (odds ratio = 1.674, 95% confidence interval = 1.110–2.524, 2‐sided p from Wald test = 0.0139). In addition, the joint test of the genetic effect and interaction between ADH1C genotype and alcohol intake (2‐sided p = 0.0007) indicated that the difference in ADH1C*1 polymorphisms between controls and colorectal neoplasia is strongly influenced by the alcohol consumption and that only individuals drinking more than 30 g ethanol per day with the genotype ADH1C*1/1 had an increased risk for colorectal tumors.Conclusions:  These data identify ADH1C homozygosity as a genetic risk marker for colorectal tumors in individuals consuming more than 30 g alcohol per day and emphasize the role of acetaldehyde as a carcinogenic agent in alcohol‐related colorectal carcinogenesis.
The Overlap in Predicting Alcohol Outcome for Two Measures of the Level of Response to Alcohol
Authors: Schuckit Marc A. , Smith Tom L. , Trim Ryan , Fukukura Tsutomu , Allen Rhonda 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Two different measures have been used to establish a person’s level of response (LR) to alcohol as a risk factor for alcohol use disorders. LR values established by the alcohol challenge protocol and the Self‐Report of the Effects of Ethanol (SRE) questionnaire usually correlate at 0.3 to 0.4, up to 0.6. However, it is not clear how this correlation relates to the ability of each measure to predict alcohol outcomes. This paper evaluates that overlap.Methods:  Sixty‐six Caucasian males (mean age = 22 years) from 2 protocols participated in alcohol challenges with 0.75 ml/kg of ethanol, filled out the SRE, and were followed with a structured interview ∼5 years later. The relationship between the subjective feelings of intoxication at the time of peak breath alcohol levels from the alcohol challenge and the SRE score for a time early in the drinking career were evaluated regarding predicting the drinks per occasion in the 6 months prior to follow‐up.Results:  Cross‐sectional correlations between alcohol challenge and SRE LR’s ranged from −0.25 (p < 0.05) to −0.32 (p = 0.02) for the full sample, and the 2 LR measures correlated with drinking at follow‐up (−0.26 and 0.41, respectively). The SRE measure was more robust than the challenge in a regression analysis predicting the outcome in the context of other baseline predictors (e.g., drinking at baseline). As much as 60% of the ability of the more well established (gold standard) alcohol challenge LR to predict outcome was shared with the SRE. The alcohol challenge accounted for as much as 44% of the ability of the SRE to predict outcome.Conclusions:  The SRE‐generated LR overlapped considerably with the alcohol challenge LR in the ability to predict future heavier drinking.
Colicross‐a teaching programme simulating the action of bacterial operons
Authors: Clark Alan G. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA computer program is described which simulates the response of four different types of bacterial operon to the addition of the ligand regulating their expression. The response is recorded as an increase in specific activity of the bacterial culture of an enzyme coded for by the operon under consideration. The results are displayed both numerically and graphically. The behaviour of each of 12 different strains of bacteria carrying each operon may be modelled. These 12 strains comprise the wild type and mutants which may be affected in one or all of the regulator gene, the structural gene or its operator or promoter. The response of single strains of bacteria to the addition of ligand may be modelled or the behaviour of hybrid strains formed by the transfer of genetic material from one strain to another can be simulated. The programme challenges students to identify the regulatory mechanism acting in a given operon by analysing the simulated behaviour of the different strains. The programme is available in DOS or Windows 3.1 or 95/97 formats. © 2000 IUBMB. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
A simple laboratory exercise illustrating active transport in yeast cells
Authors: Stambuk Boris U. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA simple laboratory class illustrating the chemiosmotic principles of active transport in yeast cells is described. The energy coupling mechanism of active x‐glucoside uptake by Saccharomyces ceretisiae cells is easily demonstrated with a colorimetric transport assay using very simple equipment. The experiment can stimulate a range of tutorial discussion topics relevant to yeast sugar metabolism and biotechnology. © 2001 IUBMB. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Favorable Outcome Using an Abbreviated Procedure for Catheter Ablation of AVNRT: Results from a Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: STEVEN DANIEL , ROSTOCK THOMAS , HOFFMANN BORIS A. , SERVATIUS HELGE , DREWITZ IMKE , MÜLLERLEILE KAI , KLEMM HANNO , MELCHERT CARSTEN , WEGSCHEIDER KARL , MEINERTZ THOMAS , WILLEMS STEPHAN 
Published: December 2008

Introduction:
Radiofrequency catheter ablation aiming slow pathway modulation is a widely established procedure with high success and low recurrence rates in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT). However, the necessity of a waiting period following successful slow pathway modulation to increase the long‐term success rates has not been systematically evaluated thus far.
Methods and Results:
This prospective study comprised 138 consecutive patients (mean age 50.3 ± 15.1 years) with AVNRT. These patients were randomly assigned to two groups: in group I (n = 70), a waiting period of 30 min was part of the procedure, whereas in group II (n = 68), the procedure ended without a waiting period. Electrophysiological standard parameters, i.e., ERP of RA, fast and slow pathway, RV as well as antegrade and retrograde AV node conduction capacity, were assessed prior to and after the ablation.During a follow‐up period of 22.8 ± 5.9 months, four patients in group I and three patients in group II developed recurrence of AVNRT (4.9%; P = 0.4). The mean procedure time was 115.1 ± 23.6 min in the group with and 88.9 ± 23.3 min in the group without waiting period (P = 0.009). No high degree AV‐node conduction block was observed during the study.
Conclusion:
In the present study we could show that no long‐term benefit results from a 30 min waiting period for patients who underwent an acutely successful catheter ablation for AVNRT. We therefore conclude that a 30‐min waiting period can be omitted in standard procedures, thus resulting in significant shorter procedure durations.
Short‐Long Sequences Prior to Ventricular Tachycardia Onset: Analysis of VAST Trial Electrograms
Authors: NĚMEC JAN , EL‐SAED AIMAN , LEREW DARIN R. , NEUMAN STACEY , ASIRVATHAM SAMUEL , SABA SAMIR F. , SHEN WIN‐KUANG , FRIEDMAN PAUL A. 
Published: December 2008

Background:
The recently published Ventricular Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (VAST) found no effect of rate‐smoothing (RS) algorithm on frequency of ventricular tachycardia (VT) episodes in patients with implantable defibrillator. A similar recent trial reported an opposite result. In order to determine possible reasons for the discrepancy between the trials and achieve better understanding of events preceding VT onset, we analyzed stored device electrograms preceding 162 VT episodes from 50 VAST trial patients with dual‐chamber devices.
Results:
In this analysis, short‐long sequences were more common prior to polymorphic VTs than before monomorphic VTs. The proportion of VT episodes preceded by short‐long sequences was lower during randomization to RS ON (5.3% vs 31.3%, P < 0.001). For patients with multiple episodes of monomorphic VT, there was higher interpatient than intrapatient variability in preceding RR intervals. When adjusting for this similarity of RR interval sequences preceding VT onset in individual patients, the difference in proportion short‐long sequences between RS ON and RS OFF programming was no longer significant.
Conclusion:
Episodes of VT were preceded by stereotypic, patient‐specific sequences of RR intervals in several VAST trial patients. RS reduced the percentage of VTs preceded by short‐long sequences, but did not change overall VT incidence.
Bladder cancer: an update
Authors: Turner Bruce 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBladder cancer remains a significant public health problem in the UK with considerable health and economic consequences. This article focuses on the anatomical, pathological, diagnostic and treatment perspectives of bladder cancer to help equip nurses with a thorough knowledge of the disease to help diagnose, treat and monitor patients with bladder cancer and to impart this knowledge onto patients to help them make informed decisions regarding their care.
Feasibility and acceptability of the pelvic floor muscle and bladder training programme
Authors: Rosqvist Eerika , Aukee Pauliina , Kallinen Mauri , Rantanen Taina 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is the most commonly used physical therapy treatment for urinary incontinence, and it is more effective when combined with bladder training (BT) than alone. However, to our knowledge, there are no earlier intervention studies of the user feasibility and acceptability of the pelvic floor muscle and BT programme. The aim of this study was to pilot test the feasibility and acceptability and follow the compliance of the 8‐week pelvic floor muscle and BT programme. Pre–post intervention study among 11 community‐dwelling women born in 1936 with self‐reported urinary incontinence and without current PFMT was practised. Primary outcomes were the feasibility, acceptability and compliance of the intervention. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed using a scale from 1 to 10, higher scores indicating better feasibility/acceptability. The compliance was measured using the PFMT diary and 3‐day fluid intake and urinary diary. Pelvic floor muscle and BT were perceived as feasible and acceptable. Following the training programme in daily life was perceived as quite easy. The compliance of the training programme was very high. After 8‐week intervention, the number of involuntary urine leakages and perceived negative impact of urinary incontinence on life decreased. With respect to testing of the 8‐week pelvic floor muscle and BT programme, our pilot suggests that the intervention is suitable in its present form to be used in future randomized controlled trial.