bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Convergence of the partial wave expansion of the He ground state
Authors: Bromley M. W. J. , Mitroy J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe configuration interaction (CI) method, using a very large Laguerre orbital basis, is applied to the calculation of the He ground state. The largest calculations included a minimum of 35 radial orbitals for each ℓ ranging from 0 to 12, resulting in basis sets in excess of 400 orbitals. The convergence of the energy and electron–electron δ‐function with respect to J (the maximum angular momenta of the orbitals included in the CI expansion) were investigated in detail. Extrapolations to the limit of infinite angular momentum using expansions of the type ΔXJ = AX[J + 1/2]−p + BX[J + 1/2]−p−1 + …, gave an energy accurate to 10−7 Hartree and a value of 〈δ〉 accurate to about 0.5%. Improved estimates of 〈E〉 and 〈δ〉, accurate to 10−8 Hartree and 0.01%, respectively, were obtained when extrapolations to an infinite radial basis were done prior to the determination of the J → ∞ limit. Round‐off errors were the main impediment to achieving even higher precision, since determination of the radial and angular limits required the manipulation of very small energy and 〈δ〉 differences. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on the binding of nicotinic α4β2 receptor PET radiotracer, 18F‐nifene: A measure of acetylcholine competition
Authors: Easwaramoorthy Balasubramaniam , Pichika Rama , Collins Daphne , Potkin Steven G. , Leslie Frances M. , Mukherjee Jogeshwar 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAcetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI's) are used to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the putative mode of action is to increase acetylcholine (ACh) levels. Our goal is to evaluate competition of ACh with nicotinic α4β2 receptor PET agonist radiotracer, 2‐[18F]fluoro‐3‐[2‐((S)‐3‐pyrrolinyl)methoxy]pyridine (18F‐nifene). This ability to measure ACh‐18F‐nifene competition may have potential to assess efficacy of AChEI's in vivo. In vitro studies in rat brain slices used two AChEI's, physostigmine (PHY) and galanthamine (GAL). Brain slices were incubated with 18F‐nifene and various concentrations of PHY (0.2–20 μM) or GAL (0.4–4 μM) prior to 18F‐nifene treatment. For ACh competition, slices were also incubated with PHY + 100 nM ACh or GAL + 100 nM ACh or 100 nM ACh alone. Nonspecific binding of 18F‐nifene was determined using 300 μM nicotine. In the in vitro rat brain homogenate binding assay, ACh inhibited 3H‐cytisine binding to α4β2 receptors with Ki values of 19.2 nM (with PHY) and 34.7 μM (no PHY) indicating ∼1.8 × 103 weaker binding of ACh in the absence of AChEI. Binding of 18F‐nifene was not affected by PHY (0.2–20 μM) or ACh 100 nM alone but decreased substantially by PHY + ACh 100 nM in all brain regions (down by >40% of control in thalamus). Similarly, for GAL (4 μM) no effect on 18F‐nifene binding occurred but GAL (0.4–4 μM) + ACh 100 nM showed a reduction of 18F‐nifene binding in all brain regions (down by ∼15%). The reduction in both cases is a result of ACh competition with 18F‐nifene in the presence of AChEI. These preliminary in vitro results suggest that ACh is able to compete with 18F‐nifene at the α4β2 receptors in the presence of PHY or GAL. The effect is AChEI‐concentration dependent and is greater for PHY than GAL. Thus 18F‐nifene has promise for assessing ACh levels and AChEI effects in vivo. Synapse 61:29–36, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pharmacologically induced, subsecond dopamine transients in the caudate–putamen of the anesthetized rat
Authors: Venton B. Jill , Wightman R. Mark 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSubsecond dopamine (DA) concentration transients have previously been observed in behaving rats. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that DA transients can be pharmacologically induced in anesthetized rats. Coadministration of the D2 receptor antagonist, haloperidol, and the DA uptake inhibitor, nomifensine, results in significantly more DA transients than either drug alone. The results show that both D2 autoreceptors and the dopamine transporter regulate subsecond DA neurotransmission. Synapse 61:37–39, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Linking stream habitats and spider distribution: spatial variations in trophic transfer across a forest–stream boundary
Authors: Iwata Tomoya 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn headwater streams, many aquatic insects rely on terrestrial detritus, while their emergence from streams often subsidizes riparian generalist predators. However, spatial variations in such reciprocal trophic linkages remain poorly understood. The present study, conducted in a northern Japanese stream and the surrounding forest, showed that pool–riffle structure brought about heterogeneous distributions of detritus deposits and benthic aquatic insects. The resulting variations in aquatic insect emergence influenced the distributions of riparian web‐building spiders. Pools with slow current stored greater amounts of detritus than riffles, allowing more benthic aquatic insects to develop in pools. The greater larval biomass in pools and greater tendency for riffle insects to drift into pools at metamorphosis resulted in an emergence rate of aquatic insects from pools that was some four to five times greater than from riffles. In the riparian forest, web‐building spiders (Tetragnathidae and Linyphiidae) were distributed in accordance with the emergence rates of aquatic insects, upon which both spider groups heavily depended. Consequently, the riparian strips bordering pools had a density of tetragnathid spiders that was twice as high as that of the riparian strips adjacent to riffles. Moreover, although limitations of vegetation structure prevented the aggregation of linyphiid spiders around pools, linyphiid density normalized by shrub density was higher in habitats adjacent to pools than those adjacent to riffles. The results indicated that stream geomorphology, which affects the storage of terrestrial organic material and the export of such material to riparian forests via aquatic insect emergence, plays a role in determining the strength of terrestrial–aquatic linkages in headwater ecosystems.
Current epidemiological aspects of human parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy and childhood in the western part of Germany
Authors: ENDERS M. , WEIDNER A. , ENDERS G. 
Published: October 2006

SUMMARYThis investigation was undertaken to provide detailed information on the epidemiology of human parvovirus B19 (B19) infection during pregnancy and childhood in the western part of Germany. Between 1997 and 2004, 40 517 sera from pregnant women aged 17–45 years and 6060 sera from children and young adults were tested for B19 IgG and IgM in our laboratory. In pregnant women, both the history of a ‘specific’ (OR 7·7, 95% CI 5·2–11·4) and a ‘non-specific’ rash (OR 3·3, 95% CI 1·5–7·1) was predictive for B19 IgM positivity. The B19 IgG prevalence was 69·2% (4097/5924) in a subgroup of asymptomatic pregnant women screened for B19 antibodies. In children, the age-specific IgG-positivity rate increased from 12·2% (66/541) at 2 years of age to 71·9% (396/551) in those older than 10 years. In conclusion, the prevalence of B19 IgG in pregnant women from the western part of Germany is higher then previously reported. Contact with children aged 3–10 years is a major risk factor for exposure to B19. Pregnant women with the history of a ‘non-specific’ rash should also be evaluated for acute B19 infection.
Using facsimile cascade to assist case searching during a Q fever outbreak
Authors: VAN WOERDEN H. C. , EVANS M. R. , MASON B. W. , NEHAUL L. 
Published: October 2006

SUMMARYIn September 2002, facsimiles were sent to 360 primary-care physicians alerting them to a local outbreak of Q fever. The physicians subsequently submitted serology samples on significantly more patients than in a previously comparable period in 2001. Facsimile cascade assists effective communication with primary-care physicians in an outbreak investigation.
Modelling vaccination programmes against measles in Taiwan
Authors: CHEN S. C. , CHANG C. F. , JOU L. J. , LIAO C. M. 
Published: October 2006

SUMMARYVaccination has proved a powerful defence against measles. We reappraise measles seroepidemiological data in Taiwan from 1974 to 2004 having robust age-stratified serological information on exposure and immunity to quantitatively characterize measles vaccination programmes. We dynamically model measles seroepidemiology to estimate age-dependent intensity of infection associated with the effects of different contact patterns on pre- and post-vaccination. The WAIFM (who acquires infection from whom) contact matrix is employed to describe the transmission between and within each age group. A deterministic SEIR (susceptible–exposed–infected–recovery) model is used to capture subpopulation dynamics. Our study shows that mass regional or nationwide vaccination programmes could greatly reduce the potential for a major measles epidemic and have strong direct effects on the potential impact of childhood vaccination. We parameterize a predictive model that should reduce the socio-economic costs of measles surveillance in Taiwan and thereby encourage its continuance, especially for preschool children.
A Survey Study of Voting Behavior and Political Participation in Zhejiang
Authors: HE BAOGANG 
Published: October 2006

Two existing models are used to conceptualize the constrained and limited participation in the communist system. The mobilization model suggests that participation was so mobilized by the party/state that it was largely meaningless, while the disengagement model supports the idea that many communist citizens adopted non-participatory behaviors such as non-voting as a means of protest. This paper attempts to demonstrate the importance of a third model – the emergent democratic culture model. The survey results show that the participation index is in proportion to the number of elections in which a villager is involved; and a growing number of voters in Zhejiang are developing citizen-initiated participation, with rights consciousness.This research finds that the level of participation is influenced by three major factors: the perceived worth of the election itself, regularity of electoral procedures, and the fairness of electoral procedures. It also finds that parochial political culture and political apathy still exist, and the emergent democratic consciousness falls short of an ideal democratic standard. While a highly democratic culture helps to develop village democracy, the apathetic attitude continues to support the authoritarian leadership and structure in many villages. The paper also gives an account of survey research in rural China and offers a thoughtful critique of the use of voting and non-voting as the sole indicator of political participation.
Hypothesis testing approaches to the exon prediction problem
Authors: Vilardell Mireia , Sánchez-Pla Alex 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Motivation: Many gene identification methods assign scores to gene elements prior to their assembly into predicted genes. The scoring system is often based on log-likelihood ratios. These methods usually perform well but it is difficult to interpret how significant a score is.
Results: We have developed several tests of significance for the scores: (1) a sum-of-scores test (SST), (2) an intersection-union test (IUT), based on a multiple hypothesis testing interpretation of an exon's score and (3) a meta-analytical approach (MA), which combines several P-values, corresponding to the exon's parts, to yield a global P-value. We performed simulation studies, which show that the MA has better sensitivity and specificity than other methods and is easier to interpret by non-expert users. This is an improvement over other methods and is especially relevant for users who would like to predict incomplete gene sequences.
Contact: asanchez@ub.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Kalman filtering for disease-state estimation from microarray data
Authors: Kelemen János Z. , Kertész-Farkas Attila , Kocsor András , Puskás László G. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMotivation: In this paper, we propose using the Kalman filter (KF) as a pre-processing step in microarray-based molecular diagnosis. Incorporating the expression covariance between genes is important in such classification problems, since this represents the functional relationships that govern tissue state. Failing to fulfil such requirements may result in biologically implausible class prediction models. Here, we show that employing the KF to remove noise (while retaining meaningful covariance and thus being able to estimate the underlying biological state from microarray measurements) yields linearly separable data suitable for most classification algorithms.Results: We demonstrate the utility and performance of the KF as a robust disease-state estimator on publicly available binary and multi-class microarray datasets in combination with the most widely used classification methods to date. Moreover, using popular graphical representation schemes we show that our filtered datasets also have an improved visualization capability.Contact: kelli@nucleus.szbk.u-szeged.hu.Supplementary information:
Assessing families and other client systems in community‐based programmes: development of the CALF
Authors: Leon Ana M. , Armantrout Elizabeth Marie 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTProgrammes providing services to children and families often face the challenge of assessing not only the child referred, but also the child’s family system and its individual members. Recognizing that household/family members can cause, contribute to or affect a child’s problems requires that human service agencies utilize assessment tools capable of assessing family members across the lifespan. The literature references many assessment tools used by clinical programmes in mental‐health settings that are not well suited to use in social service agencies with multidisciplinary staff at different skill levels. As a response to this dilemma, the authors have developed the Collaborative Assessment of Life Functioning (CALF), a user‐friendly tool that assesses various areas of life functioning. Based on Maslow’s motivation theory, person‐in‐environment and systems theories, the CALF can be used with various client systems. This paper describes the development of the tool, its purpose and use, the importance of assessment tools in the helping process and considerations for agencies wishing to use an assessment tool like the CALF. The authors also discuss the applicability of the CALF in human services and social service agency settings and with diverse client populations.
Young people’s satisfaction of transitional care in adolescent rheumatology in the UK
Authors: Shaw K. L. , Southwood T. R. , McDonagh J. E. ,   the British Society of Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground To examine the quality of transitional health care from the perspectives of young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and their parents.Methods Adolescents with JIA and their parents were recruited from 10 major UK rheumatology centres. Satisfaction with health‐care delivery was measured prior to, and 12 months after, the implementation of a structured and co‐ordinated programme of transitional care using self‐completed questionnaires designed for this study.Results Of 359 families invited to participate, 308 (86%) adolescents with JIA and 303 (84%) parents/guardians accepted. A fifth of adolescents had persistent oligoarthritis. Median age was 14.2 (11–18) years with median disease duration of 5.7 (0–16) years. Young people and their parents rated provider characteristics more important than aspects of the physical environment or process issues. Staff honesty and knowledge were rated as the most essential aspects of best practice. Prior to implementing the programme of transitional care, parents rated service delivery for all items significantly worse than best practice. Overall satisfaction improved 12 months after entering the programme. However, while parent satisfaction improved for 70.4% of items, significant improvements were only observed for three (13.6%) items rated by adolescents.Conclusion The perceived quality of health care for young people with JIA and their parents was significantly lower than what they would like. Satisfaction with many aspects of care during transition from paediatric to adult services can be improved through the implementation of a structured, co‐ordinated programme of transitional care.
Development and preliminary validation of the ‘Mind the Gap’ scale to assess satisfaction with transitional health care among adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Shaw K. L. , Southwood T. R. , McDonagh J. E. ,   the British Society of Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground  To develop a scale to assess satisfaction with transitional health care among adolescents with a chronic illness and their parents.Methods  The ‘Mind the Gap’ scale was developed using evidence from a previous needs assessment, in three stages: (1) definition of the construct; (2) design of the scale items, response options and instructions; (3) full administration of the scale, item analysis and dimensionality analysis. The scale was administered to 308 adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and 303 parents/guardians, prior to and 12 months after the implementation of an evaluation of a structured and co‐ordinated programme of transitional care. The patient population involved adolescents with JIA and their parents recruited from 10 major UK rheumatology centres.Results  A total of 301 (97.7%) adolescents and 286 (95.0%) parents chose to complete the questionnaire, with median item completion rates of 100.0% (0–100%) for both adolescents and parents thus confirming feasibility. Face and content validity were confirmed. Factor analyses revealed a three‐factor structure which explained 49.5% and 56.1% of the variation in adolescent and parent scores respectively. The internal consistency of each subscale (‘management of environment’, ‘provider characteristics’ and ‘process issues’) was indicated by Cronbach’s alphas of 0.71, 0.89 and 0.89 for adolescents, respectively, and 0.83, 0.91 and 0.92 for parents respectively. Cronbach’s alphas for the entire scales were 0.91 and 0.94 for the adolescent and parent forms respectively.Conclusion  These preliminary results report the potential of the ‘Mind the Gap’ scale in evaluating transitional care for adolescents with JIA. In view of the generic nature of transitional care reflected in the scale, this scale has wider potential for use with adolescents with other chronic illness in view of the generic nature of transition. This development is particularly timely in the context of transitional care developments in the UK and further validation of the scale is in progress.
Coping styles, psychological functioning and quality of life in children with asthma
Authors: Marsac M. L. , Funk J. B. , Nelson L. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground  Previous research suggests that children dealing with the asthma are at a greater risk for experiencing psychological maladjustment than children without asthma. Research also suggests that coping is a factor in psychological adaptation to chronic stressors such as physical illnesses. The question as to how coping relates to psychological functioning and quality of life in the paediatric asthma population has not yet been answered. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationships among coping, psychological functioning and quality of life in children diagnosed with asthma and to investigate the relationship that mothers’ quality of life has with these variables.Methods  Forty‐seven youths (aged 8–15 years) diagnosed with asthma completed measures of coping with asthma and quality of life. Each youth’s mother completed measures of her child’s coping, psychological functioning and her own quality of life.Results  Mothers and children with asthma both reported that children used significantly more approach coping than avoidant coping when dealing with asthma. Three regression analyses indicated that avoidant coping negatively predicted psychological functioning, child’s quality of life and mother’s quality of life. Bivariate analyses also indicated a positive relationship between child’s quality of life and mother’s quality of life.Conclusions  Results indicate that, in children with asthma, coping style plays an important role in the child’s psychological functioning and quality of life and mother’s quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended that type of coping be assessed when developing comprehensive treatment plans for children with asthma. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of focused coping interventions in improving quality of life and psychological functioning in children with asthma.
Stability and change in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder
Authors: Sugden D. A. , Chambers M. E. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground  Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are a heterogeneous group who have a marked impairment in the performance of functional motor skills. Provision for these children is usually made via a paediatrician through occupational or physiotherapy; though with a prevalence rate of 5%, regular provision is rarely possible because of limited professional resources.Methods  This study covers a period of nearly 4 years and initially examined a group of 31 children first identified as having DCD at 7–9 years of age. The children were observed and assessed before, during and after a total of 16 weeks of intervention carried out by parents and teachers. This was followed by a period of monitoring of performance for 26 of the children in the motor domain plus other abilities such as educational progress and self‐concept. Individual children were tracked using a variety of qualitative and quantitative approaches, building up longitudinal whole child profiles.Results  Following intervention, 14 of the 26 children have shown improvement and stability in all areas and no longer display DCD symptoms. Eight children have profiles which have shown variability, with the children moving in and out of the DCD classification, while the remaining four children have consistently scored poorly in their movement skills and in addition received ongoing support in school for academic subjects.Conclusions  The study has confirmed that children with DCD show varying profiles over a period of time and that the profiles have distinct characteristics related to events in the child’s life. This approach to examining stability and change in the progressions of children’s difficulties is in keeping with an ecological approach to explaining development with its multilayered influences creating changes.