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Observed Differences (observed + difference)
Selected AbstractsDifferences in the measured alcohol content of drinks between black, white and Hispanic men and women in a US national sampleADDICTION, Issue 9 2009William C. Kerr ABSTRACT Aims To measure and describe drink alcohol content differences between Hispanic, non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black men and women in the United States. Design A telephone survey re-interview of 397 respondents who participated originally in the 2005 National Alcohol Survey, of whom 306 provided complete information on home drinks. Setting United States. Participants Adults aged 18 years and older from across the United States. Measurements Direct measurement by respondents of simulated drink pours in respondents' own glassware using a provided beaker and reported beverage brands were used to calculate drink alcohol content. Findings Black men were found to have the largest overall mean drink alcohol content at 0.79 oz (23 ml) of alcohol. This was significantly larger than the mean for white men or for black women and added 30% to black men's monthly alcohol intake when applied to their reported number of drinks. Spirits drinks were found to be particularly large for men. Multivariate models indicated that drink alcohol content differences are attributable more to income and family structure differences than to unmeasured cultural factors tied to race or ethnicity per se. Models predicting alcohol-related consequences and dependence indicate that adjusting drink alcohol content improves model fit and reduces differences between race/ethnicity defined groups. Conclusions Differences in drink alcohol content by gender, race/ethnicity and beverage type choice should be considered in comparisons of drinking patterns and alcohol-related outcomes. Observed differences can be explained partially by measured characteristics regarding family structure and income. [source] Schmorl's nodes in a post-medieval skeletal sample from Klostermarienberg, AustriaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Article first published online: 11 NOV 200, H. Üstünda Abstract The prevalence and distribution pattern of Schmorl's nodes (SNs) were studied in a post-medieval skeletal sample (n,=,473) from the 16th,18th century cemetery of Klostermarienberg, Austria. The reasons for the prevalence and distribution pattern of SNs in this sample are discussed with regard to their aetiology. SNs were correlated with age and sex as well as with degenerative spinal joint disease such as vertebral osteophytosis (VO) and apophyseal osteoarthritis (OA). SNs were most commonly found in the lower thoracic region, in agreement with other studies. Males were more affected than females by SNs, especially in the lower thoracic region. SNs show a completely different distribution pattern to VO and OA. Additionally, there was no relationship found between SNs and ageing. Observed differences in the prevalence of SNs in the vertebral column and between the sexes suggest that mechanical factors may be responsible. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Influence of Orthogonal Overload on Human Vertebral Trabecular Bone Mechanical Properties,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 11 2007Arash Badiei Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of overload in orthogonal directions on longitudinal and transverse mechanical integrity in human vertebral trabecular bone. Results suggest that the trabecular structure has properties that act to minimize the decrease of apparent toughness transverse to the primary loading direction. Introduction: The maintenance of mechanical integrity and function of trabecular structure after overload remains largely unexplored. Whereas a number of studies have focused on addressing the question by testing the principal anatomical loading direction, the mechanical anisotropy has been overlooked. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of overload in orthogonal directions on longitudinal and transverse mechanical integrity in human vertebral trabecular bone. Materials and Methods: T12/L1 vertebral bodies from five cases and L4/L5 vertebral bodies from seven cases were retrieved at autopsy. A cube of trabecular bone was cut from the centrum of each vertebral body and imaged by ,CT. Cubes from each T12/L1 and L4/L5 pairs were assigned to either superoinferior (SI) or anteroposterior (AP) mechanical testing groups. All samples were mechanically tested to 10% apparent strain by uniaxial compression according to their SI or AP allocation. To elucidate the extent to which overload in orthogonal directions affects the mechanical integrity of the trabecular structure, samples were retested (after initial uniaxial compression) in their orthogonal direction. After mechanical testing in each direction, apparent ultimate failure stresses (UFS), apparent elastic moduli (E), and apparent toughness moduli (u) were computed. Results: Significant differences in mechanical properties were found between SI and AP directions in both first and second overload tests. Mechanical anisotropy far exceeded differences resulting from overloading the structure in the orthogonal direction. No significant differences were found in mean UFS and mean u for the first or second overload tests. A significant decrease of 35% was identified in mean E for cubes overloaded in the SI direction and then overloaded in the AP direction. Conclusions: Observed differences in the mechanics of trabecular structure after overload suggests that the trabecular structure has properties that act to minimize loss of apparent toughness, perhaps through energy dissipating sacrificial structures transverse to the primary loading direction. [source] Observations on the histochemistry and ultrastructure of regenerating caudal epidermis of the tuatara Sphenodon punctatus (Sphenodontida, Lepidosauria, Reptilia)JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Lorenzo Alibardi Abstract Study of the histology, histochemistry, and fine structure of caudal epidermal regeneration in Sphenodon punctatus through restoration of a scaled form reveals that the processes involved resemble those known in lizards. Following establishment of a wound epithelium (WE), subjacent scale neogenesis involves epidermal downgrowths into the dermis. Although the process is extremely slow, and most new scales do not overlap, their epidermal coverings reestablish epidermal generation (EG) formation. As in lizards, the flat, ,-keratogenic, WE cells contain lipids as revealed by their affinity for Sudan III. A few mucous cells that store large PAS-positive mucus-like granules also occur in WE. During differentiation of WE cells, among the bundles of 70-nm tonofilaments are many lamellar bodies (LBs) and mucous granules (MGs) that discharge their contents into the cytoplasm and extracellular spaces producing a strongly PAS-positive keratinized tissue. Richness of epidermal lipids coexistent with mucus is a primitive characteristic for amniote vertebrates, probably related to functions as a barrier to cutaneous water loss (CWL). As scale neogenesis begins, beneath the superficial WE appear 3,5 layers of irregularly shaped cells. These contain tonofilament bundles surrounded by small, round keratohyalin-like granules (KHLGs) and a keratinized matrix with ,-keratin packets and a 3,5-nm thick keratin granulation. This mixture of ,- and ,-keratogenic capacities resembles that seen in the innermost cells of a normal tuatara epidermal generation. As in the latter, but in contrast to both normal and regenerating lizard epidermis, no definable shedding complex with interdigitating clear layer and oberhautchen cells occurs (Alibardi and Maderson, 2003). The tortuous boundaries, and merging ,-keratin packets, identify subjacent keratinizing cells as precursors of the typical stratified, squamous ,-layer seen in long-term regenerated caudal skin wherein the entire vertical sequence of epidermal layers resembles that of normal scales. The sequence of events in caudal epidermal regeneration in S. punctatus resembles that documented for lizards. Observed differences between posttrauma scale neogenesis and scale embryogenesis are responses to functional problems involved in, respectively, restoring, or forming, a barrier to CWL while accommodating rapid somatic growth. J. Morphol. 256:134,145, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] PARASITISM OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC DINOFLAGELLATES BY THREE STRAINS OF AMOEBOPHRYA (DINOPHYTA): PARASITE SURVIVAL, INFECTIVITY, GENERATION TIME, AND HOST SPECIFICITY1JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 3 2002D. Wayne Coats Amoebophrya ceratii (Koeppen) Cachon is an obligate parasite of dinoflagellates and may represent a species complex. However, little is known about the biology and host range of different strains of Amoebophrya Cachon. Here, we determined parasite generation time and dinospore infectivity, survival, and ability to infect nonprimary hosts for strains of Amoebophrya from Akashiwo sanguinea (Hirasaka) G. Hansen et Moestrup, Gymnodinium instriatum (Freudenthal et Lee) Coats comb. nov., and Karlodinium micrum (Leadbeater et Dodge) J. Larsen. Akashiwo sanguinea was readily infected, with parasite prevalence reaching 100% in dinospore:host inoculations above a 10:1 ratio. Parasitism also approached 100% in G. instriatum, but only when inoculations exceeded a 40:1 ratio. Karlodinium micrum appeared partially resistant to infection, as parasite prevalence saturated at 92%. Parasite generation time differed markedly among Amoebophrya strains. Survival and infectivity of dinospores decreased over time, with strains from G. instriatum and A. sanguinea unable to initiate infections after 2 and 5 days, respectively. By contrast, dinospores from Amoebophrya parasitizing K. micrum remained infective for up to 11 days. Akashiwo sanguinea and G. instriatum were not infected when exposed to dinospores from nonprimary Amoebophrya strains. Karlodinium micrum, however, was attacked by dinospores of Amoebophrya from the other two host species, but infections failed to reach maturity. Observed differences in host,parasite biology support the hypothesis that Amoebophrya ceratii represents a complex of host-specific species. Results also suggest that Amoebophrya strains have evolved somewhat divergent survival strategies that may encompass sexuality, heterotrophy during the "free-living" dinospore stage, and dormancy. [source] Differences in Growth and Nutrient Efficiency Between and Within Two Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus StrainsJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2005Brian. A 6-wk growth study was conducted comparing fingerling (mean weight = 24.7 g) USDA103 strain channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus to Norris strain channel catfish in an effort to determine strain differences in growth and nutrient efficiency. Variability within strains also was assessed by randomly selecting four families from each strain for comparison. On average, USDA103 fish gained significantly (P < 0.05) more weight (51.2 vs. 31.7 g) and length (4.7 vs. 4.1 cm) compared to Norris strain catfish. Significantly (P < 0.05) greater feed consumption (56.6 vs 41.3 g) and feed efficiency (95.7 vs. 89.9) for USDA103 catfish were also observed. Family differences in weight and length gain and feed intake were significant (P < 0.05) among USDA103 families; whereas, only differences in feed intake and feed efficiency were significant (P < 0.05) among Norris families. Nitrogen retention was higher (P < 0.05) for the Norris strain catfish (35.6%) relative to the USDA103 strain average (31.0%). The results of this study reiterate the superior growth and feed efficiency of the USDA103 strain of channel catfish. Observed differences among USDA103 families suggest that further improvements in weight gain can be made through selective breeding; however, improvements in feed and protein efficiency may be difficult. [source] Prevalence of obesity and associated socioeconomic factors among Tunisian women from different living environmentsOBESITY REVIEWS, Issue 2 2009L. Beltaïfa Summary Adult Tunisian women aged 20,59 (national random sample, n = 1849), were assessed with respect to environmental and socioeconomic factors associated with obesity (body mass index ,30 kg m,2) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference ,88 cm). At the national level, prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity were, respectively, 22.6% and 29.2%, but varied markedly (both P < 0.0001) among living environments classified as big cities (30.2% and 36.6%), other cities (25.9% and 32.4%), rural clustered (19.4% and 24.8%) and rural dispersed (9.5% and 16.5%). Adjusted prevalences of both types of obesity increased with age, parity and economic level of the household, while educationally, the risk was greatest in women with intermediate schooling. Differences between the four environments were accounted for by socioeconomic factors, mostly household wealth, except for most rural environment; socio-cultural factors were possibly influential. Observed differences between rural areas confirmed that finer measures of urbanization are necessary for the drivers of obesity prevalence at the national level. Obesity was still more prevalent in wealthy than in poor women, but given the high prevalence in all the environments, actions are needed at the national level before highly prevalent obesity extends into those of lower socioeconomic status and thereby increases health inequities. [source] Time-lapsed imaging for in-process evaluation of supercritical fluid processing of tissue engineering scaffoldsBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 4 2009Melissa L. Mather Abstract This article demonstrates the application of time-lapsed imaging and image processing to inform the supercritical processing of tissue scaffolds that are integral to many regenerative therapies. The methodology presented provides online quantitative evaluation of the complex process of scaffold formation in supercritical environments. The capabilities of the developed system are demonstrated through comparison of scaffolds formed from polymers with different molecular weight and with different venting times. Visual monitoring of scaffold fabrication enabled key events in the supercritical processing of the scaffolds to be identified including the onset of polymer plasticization, supercritical points and foam formation. Image processing of images acquired during the foaming process enabled quantitative tracking of the growing scaffold boundary that provided new insight into the nature of scaffold foaming. Further, this quantitative approach assisted in the comparison of different scaffold fabrication protocols. Observed differences in scaffold formation were found to persist, post-fabrication as evidenced by micro x-ray computed tomography (, x-ray CT) images. It is concluded that time-lapsed imaging in combination with image processing is a convenient and powerful tool to provide insight into the scaffold fabrication process. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source] Association between Insurance Status and Admission Rate for Patients Evaluated in the Emergency DepartmentACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2003Jennifer Prah Ruger PhD Abstract Objectives: To determine if differences exist in hospital and intensive care unit (ICU)/operating room admission rates based on health insurance status. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of data from hospital clinical and financial records for all 2001 emergency department (ED) visits (80,209) to an academic urban hospital. Hospital admission and intensive care unit (ICU)/operating room admissions were analyzed, controlling for triage acuity, primary complaint, diagnosis, diagnosis-related group (DRG) severity, and demographics. Multivariate logistic regression models identified factors associated with hospital admission for underinsured (self-pay and Medicaid) compared with other insured (private health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization, worker's compensation, and Medicare) patients. Results: Compared with the other insured group, underinsured patients were less likely, overall, to be admitted to the hospital (odds ratio [OR], 0.82; 95% CI = 0.76 to 0.90), controlling for all other factors studied. Subgroup analysis of common complaints showed underinsured patients with a chief complaint of abdominal pain (OR, 0.67; 95% CI = 0.55 to 0.80) or headache (OR, 0.61; 95% CI = 0.39 to 0.95) had the lowest adjusted ORs for admission to the hospital, compared with other insured patients. Underinsured patients with DRG of "menstrual and other female reproductive system disorders" (OR, 0.17; 95% CI = 0.06 to 0.51) or "esophagitis, gastroenteritis, and miscellaneous digestive disorders" (OR, 0.55; 95% CI = 0.28 to 0.96) also were less likely to be admitted compared with the other insured group. No significant differences in ICU/operating room admission rates were found between insurance groups. Conclusions: Whereas there was no difference in admission rates to the ICU/operating room by insurance status, this single-center study does suggest an association between insurance status and admission to a general hospital service, which may or may not be causally related. Factors other than provider bias may be responsible for this observed difference. [source] Stabilization of mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) protein by coexpressed wild SOD1 protein accelerates the disease progression in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis miceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2001Kei Fukada Abstract Transgenic mice carrying familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS)-linked mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) genes such as G93A (G93A-mice) and G85R (G85R-mice) genes develop limb paresis. Introduction of human wild type SOD1 (hWT-SOD1) gene, which does not cause motor impairment by itself, into different FALS mice resulted in different effects on their clinical courses, from no effect in G85R-mice to acceleration of disease progression in G93A-mice. However, the molecular mechanism which causes the observed difference, has not been clarified. We hypothesized that the difference might be caused by the stability of mutant SOD1 proteins. Using a combination of mass spectrometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we found that the concentration of G93A-SOD1 protein was markedly elevated in tissues of transgenic mice carrying both G93A - and hWT-SOD1 genes (G93A/hWT-mice) compared to that in G93A-mice, and also found that the concentration of G93A-SOD1 protein had a close relation to the disease duration. The concentration of metallothionein-I/II in the spinal cord, reflecting the degree of copper-mediated oxidative stress, was highest in G93A/hWT-mice, second in G93A-mice, and normal in the mice carrying hWT-SOD1 gene. These results indicated that the increase of G93A-SOD1 protein was responsible for the increase of oxidative stress and disease acceleration in G93A/hWT-mice. We speculate that coexpression of hWT-SOD1 protein is deleterious to transgenic mice carrying a stable mutant such as G93A-SOD1, because this mutant protein is stabilized by hWT-SOD1 protein, but not to transgenic mice carrying an unstable mutant such as G85R-SOD1, because this mutant protein is not stabilized by hWT-SOD1. [source] Prognosis for splicing factor PRPF8 retinitis pigmentosa, novel mutations and correlation between human and yeast phenotypes,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 5 2010Katherine V. Towns Abstract PRPF8 -retinitis pigmentosa is said to be severe but there has been no overview of phenotype across different mutations. We screened RP patients for PRPF8 mutations and identified three new missense mutations, including the first documented mutation outside exon 42 and the first de novo mutation. This brings the known RP-causing mutations in PRPF8 to nineteen. We then collated clinical data from new and published cases to determine an accurate prognosis for PRPF8 -RP. Clinical data for 75 PRPF8 -RP patients were compared, revealing that while the effect on peripheral retinal function is severe, patients generally retain good visual acuity in at least one eye until the fifth or sixth decade. We also noted that prognosis for PRPF8 -RP differs with different mutations, with p.H2309P or p.H2309R having a worse prognosis than p.R2310K. This correlates with the observed difference in growth defect severity in yeast lines carrying the equivalent mutations, though such correlation remains tentative given the limited number of mutations for which information is available. The yeast phenotype is caused by lack of mature spliceosomes in the nucleus, leading to reduced RNA splicing function. Correlation between yeast and human phenotypes suggests that splicing factor RP may also result from an underlying splicing deficit. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effectiveness and tolerability of paroxetine controlled release (CR) in the treatment of major depressive disorder: an open-label, prospective, multi-center trial in KoreaHUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 6 2007Chi-Un Pae Abstract Objectives This study evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of paroxetine controlled release (CR) for the treatment of Korean patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a naturalistic treatment setting. Methods One hundred and ninety patients with MDD were enrolled in this study. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 item (HAMD-17) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scores were measured at the baseline (day 0) and at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 (endpoint). The primary measure of effectiveness was a change in the mean HAMD-17 scores from the baseline to the endpoint. The secondary effectiveness measures included a decrease in the HAMD-17 scores of 50% or more at the endpoint compared with the baseline and a change in the mean CGI-S scores from the baseline to the endpoint. Remission was defined as a HAMD-17 score,,,7 at the endpoint. Results The HAMD-17 scores decreased by 56.5% (observed difference, OD,=,,13.3) (t,=,26.63, p,<,0.0001) from the baseline. The CGI-S scores also decreased by 50.0% (OD,=,,2.3) (t,=,24.47, p,<,0.0001). The response and remission rate at the endpoint was 64.2 and 48.4%, respectively. The adverse events were tolerable. No unexpected or serious side effects were observed. Conclusions Despite the methodological limitations, this study demonstrated that paroxetine CR is effective and tolerable for treating patients with MDD in an East Asian population. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Switching from HPLC/UV to MEIA for whole blood sirolimus quantitation: comparison of methodsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 6 2006Luigi Alberto Pini Abstract Sirolimus is a immunosuppressive agent for renal transplant recipients. Monitoring of whole blood sirolimus concentration is necessary in order to improve clinical outcomes. An increasing number of clinical laboratories (4,14% during 2005) are using microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) for sirolimus quantitation but previous reports indicated a high variability, with a mean difference of 17% for MEIA method vs. high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet (HPLC/UV). This study was aimed at comparing the reliability of MEIA with the HPLC/UV method. Blood samples from transplant patients were processed using both HPLC/UV and MEIA assays. Comparison and Bland-Altman plots, as well as regression analysis and paired t -test were used to compare results of the assays. Concentrations were stratified into three groups and used to investigate whether any observed difference between methods could be influenced by sirolimus concentration. Regression analysis yielded a coefficient of correlation R of 0.9756, the line of best fit being y=0.9832x+0.1976. The statistical analysis showed no difference between the two sets of experimental data. The average percentage difference between the two methods was found to be ,0.2±19.2%. On the basis of our present results, the tested MEIA assay is able to quantify sirolimus concentration with a clinically acceptable imprecision, similar to that of HPLC/UV method. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 20:239,244, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Comparative thrombotic event incidence after infusion of recombinant factor VIIa versus factor VIII inhibitor bypass activityJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 10 2004L. M. Aledort Summary. Thrombosis is a rare but well-recognized potential complication of Factor VIII Inhibitor Bypass Activity (FEIBA) infusion. Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) is increasingly used as an alternative to FEIBA; however, the thrombotic safety profile of rFVIIa remains incompletely characterized. To determine the incidence rates of thrombotic adverse events (AEs) after infusion of rFVIIa and FEIBA. Data from the MedWatch pharmacovigilance program of the US Food and Drug Administration, as supplemented by published case reports, were used in conjunction with estimated numbers of infusions available from manufacturers to assess comparative incidence of thrombotic AEs in patients receiving rFVIIa or FEIBA in the period from April 1999 through June 2002. Reported thrombotic AEs were rare, with incidence rates of 24.6 per 105 infusions (CI, 19.1,31.2 per 105 infusions) for rFVIIa and 8.24 per 105 infusions (CI, 4.71,13.4 per 105 infusions) for FEIBA. Thrombotic AEs were significantly more frequent in rFVIIa than FEIBA recipients (incidence rate ratio, 2.98; CI, 1.71,5.52). The most commonly documented single type of thrombotic AE after rFVIIa infusion was cerebrovascular thrombosis, while myocardial infarction was the most frequent type in patients receiving FEIBA. Contrasting AE reporting patterns between rFVIIa and FEIBA may have contributed to the observed difference in thrombotic event incidence. Nevertheless, this comprehensive pharmacovigilance assessment does not support superior thrombotic safety of rFVIIa and suggests that thrombotic AE risk may be higher in rFVIIa than FEIBA recipients. [source] When should we use one-tailed hypothesis testing?METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, Issue 2 2010Graeme D. Ruxton Summary 1. Although one-tailed hypothesis tests are commonly used, clear justification for why this approach is used is often missing from published papers. 2. Here we suggest explicit questions authors should ask of themselves when deciding whether or not to adopt one-tailed tests. 3. First, we suggest that authors should only use a one-tailed test if they can explain why they are more interested in an effect in one direction and not the other. 4. We suggest a further requirement that adoption of one-tailed testing requires an explanation why the authors would treat a large observed difference in the unexpected direction no differently from a difference in the expected direction that was not strong enough to justify rejection of the null hypothesis. 5. These justifications should be included in published works that use one-tailed tests, allowing editors, reviewers and readers the ability to evaluate the appropriateness of the adoption of one-tailed testing. 6. We feel that adherence to our suggestions will allow authors to use one-tailed tests more appropriately, and readers to form their own opinion about such appropriateness when one-tailed tests are used. [source] On the evolution of young radio-loud AGNMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 2 2000I. A. G. Snellen This paper describes an investigation of the early evolution of extragalactic radio sources using samples of faint and bright gigahertz peaked spectrum (GPS) and compact steep spectrum (CSS) radio galaxies. Correlations found between their peak frequency, peak flux density and angular size provide strong evidence that synchrotron self-absorption is the cause of the spectral turnovers, and indicate that young radio sources evolve in a self-similar way. In addition, the data seem to suggest that the sources are in equipartition while they evolve. If GPS sources evolve to large size radio sources, their redshift dependent birth-functions should be the same. Therefore, since the lifetimes of radio sources are thought to be short compared to the Hubble time, the observed difference in redshift distribution between GPS and large size sources must be due to a difference in slope of their luminosity functions. We argue that this slope is strongly affected by the luminosity evolution of the individual sources. A scenario for the luminosity evolution is proposed in which GPS sources increase in luminosity and large-scale radio sources decrease in luminosity with time. This evolution scenario is expected for a ram-pressure confined radio source in a surrounding medium with a King profile density. In the inner parts of the King profile, the density of the medium is constant and the radio source builds up its luminosity, but after it grows large enough the density of the surrounding medium declines and the luminosity of the radio source decreases. A comparison of the local luminosity function (LLF) of GPS galaxies with that of extended sources is a good test for this evolution scenario. Unfortunately, only a handful of GPS sources are known at low redshift, and an LLF can only be derived, assuming that their cosmological number density evolution is similar to that of steep spectrum sources. The LLF derived in this way is shown to be in good agreement with the proposed evolution scenario. However, the uncertainties are large, and larger, homogeneously selected samples of GPS sources are needed. [source] Human capital and per capita product: A comparison of US states,PAPERS IN REGIONAL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2000Saurav Dev Bhatta Human capital; US states; gross regional product; growth accounting Abstract. This article analyzes the extent to which human capital differences can explain the differences in gross state product (GSP) per capita levels between the richer and poorer states of the US. It uses 1990 Census and Bureau of Economic Analysis data on educational attainment, wage levels of different segments of the labor force, and GSP to compare New York , our representative rich state , with the poorest third of the states. The findings indicate that human capital differences explain at least 49% of the observed difference in GSP per capita between New York and each of the poor states. [source] Three quinolone compounds featuring O...I halogen bondingACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 10 2009Jurica Bauer Ethyl 1-ethyl-6-iodo-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylate, C14H14INO3, (I), and ethyl 1-cyclopropyl-6-iodo-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylate, C15H14INO3, (II), have isomorphous crystal structures, while ethyl 1-dimethylamino-6-iodo-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylate, C14H15IN2O3, (III), possesses a different solid-state supramolecular architecture. In all three structures, O...I halogen-bonding interactions connect the quinolone molecules into infinite chains parallel to the unique crystallographic b axis. In (I) and (II), these molecular chains are arranged in (101) layers, via,,, stacking and C,H..., interactions, and these layers are then interlinked by C,H...O interactions. The structural fragments involved in the C,H...O interactions differ between (I) and (II), accounting for the observed difference in planarity of the quinolone moieties in the two isomorphous structures. In (III), C,H...O and C,H..., interactions form (100),molecular layers, which are crosslinked by O...I and C,H...I interactions. [source] Virulence status, viral accommodation and structural protein profiles of white spot syndrome virus isolates in farmed Penaeus monodon from the southeast coast of IndiaAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 2 2009Victor Stalinraj Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the reason for variation in the virulence of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) from different shrimp farms in the Southeast coast of India. Six isolates of WSSV from farms experiencing outbreaks (virulent WSSV; vWSSV) and three isolates of WSSV from farms that had infected shrimps but no outbreaks (non-virulent WSSV; nvWSSV) were collected from different farms in the Southeast coast of India. The sampled animals were all positive for WSSV by first-step PCR. The viral isolates were compared using histopathology, electron microscopy, SDS-PAGE analysis of viral structural proteins, an in vivo infectivity experiment and sequence comparison of major structural protein VP28; there were no differences between isolates in these analyses. A significant observation was that the haemolymph protein profile of nvWSSV-infected shrimps showed three extra polypeptide bands at 41, 33 and 24 kDa that were not found in the haemolymph protein profile of vWSSV-infected shrimps. The data obtained in this study suggest that the observed difference in the virulence of WSSV may not be due to any change in the virus, rather it could be due to the shrimp defence system producing certain factors that help it to accommodate the virus without causing any mortality. [source] A structural comparison of three isoforms of anionic trypsin from chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 7 2009Eiko Toyota Three anionic salmon trypsin isoforms (CST-1, CST-2 and CST-3) were isolated from the pyloric caeca of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). The order of catalytic efficiency (Km/kcat) of the isoforms during BAPA hydrolysis was CST-2 > CST-1 > CST-3. In order to find a structural rationalization for the observed difference in catalytic efficiency, the X-ray crystallographic structures of the three isoforms were compared in detail. Some structural differences were observed in the C-terminal ,-helix, interdomain loop and active-site region. From the results of the detailed comparison, it appears that the structural flexibility of the C-terminal ,-helix, which interacts with the N-terminal domain, and the substrate-binding pocket in CST-3 are lower than those in CST-1 and CST-2. In addition, the conformation of the catalytic triad (His57, Asp102 and Ser195) differs among the three isoforms. The imidazole N atom of His57 in CST-1 and CST-2 forms a hydrogen bond to the hydroxyl O atom of Ser195, but the distance between the imidazole N atom of His57 and the hydroxyl O atom of Ser195 in CST-3 is too great (3.8,Å) for the formation of a hydrogen bond. Thus, the nucleophilicity of the hydroxyl group of Ser195 in CST-3 is weaker than that in CST-1 or CST-2. Furthermore, the electrostatic potential of the substrate-binding pocket in CST-2 is markedly lower than those in CST-1 and CST-3 owing to the negative charges of Asp150, Asp153 and Glu221B that arise from the long-range effect. These results may explain the higher catalytic efficiency of CST-2 compared with CST-1 and CST-3. [source] A Cautionary Note on Exact Unconditional Inference for a Difference between Two Independent Binomial ProportionsBIOMETRICS, Issue 2 2003Devan V. Mehrotra Summary Fisher's exact test for comparing response proportions in a randomized experiment can be overly conservative when the group sizes are small or when the response proportions are close to zero or one. This is primarily because the null distribution of the test statistic becomes too discrete, a partial consequence of the inference being conditional on the total number of responders. Accordingly, exact unconditional procedures have gained in popularity, on the premise that power will increase because the null distribution of the test statistic will presumably be less discrete. However, we caution researchers that a poor choice of test statistic for exact unconditional inference can actually result in a substantially less powerful analysis than Fisher's conditional test. To illustrate, we study a real example and provide exact test size and power results for several competing tests, for both balanced and unbalanced designs. Our results reveal that Fisher's test generally outperforms exact unconditional tests based on using as the test statistic either the observed difference in proportions, or the observed difference divided by its estimated standard error under the alternative hypothesis, the latter for unbalanced designs only. On the other hand, the exact unconditional test based on the observed difference divided by its estimated standard error under the null hypothesis (score statistic) outperforms Fisher's test, and is recommended. Boschloo's test, in which the p-value from Fisher's test is used as the test statistic in an exact unconditional test, is uniformly more powerful than Fisher's test, and is also recommended. [source] Prospective Clinical Trial, DEFI 2005: Does an AED Algorithm with More CPR Impact Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Prognosis?ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2008Herve Degrange Background:, Level 1 evidence is lacking for the Guidelines 2005 recommended changes in CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) protocols. Objectives:, We conducted a block-randomized controlled trial to evaluate if changes to CPR during AED use could improve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and hospital admission rates. Methods:, From September 2005 to March 2007, 200 biphasic LIFEPAKs, 500 AEDs, used by firefighters, were randomized every 2 months by fire station (clinicaltrials.gov NCT00139542). The 100 CONTROL AEDs conformed to Guidelines 2000. The 100 STUDY AEDs added pre-shock CPR and removed stacked shocks and post-shock pulse checks. In both groups, firefighters received weekly CPR training. ECG and impedance signals recorded by AEDs were reviewed to quantify CPR delivery. Median [interquartile range], *p < 0.05. Results:, Informed consent was obtained for 840 defibrillated patients (420 CONTROL vs. 420 STUDY). There were no differences in patient characteristics (age, sex, location, etiology, witnessed, bystander CPR, chest compression (CC) rate) and time from call to AED power on. The STUDY AEDs prompted for more CPR during AED use (81% [80, 83] vs. 62% [55, 67]*), resulting in more hands-on time (62% [54, 69] vs 49% [39, 57]*), more patients receiving only one shock (40 vs 33%*), and shorter pauses in CC before (9s [7, 13] vs 19s [16, 21]*) and after (11s [8, 14] vs 32s [26, 38]*) the shock. There was no difference in the rates of ROSC (48% [44, 53] vs 50% [45, 55], p = 0.63) and hospital admission (44% [40, 49] vs 45% [40, 49], p = 0.94) for the STUDY vs CONTROL groups. Conclusions:, Increasing CPR, shortening CC pauses and delivering fewer shocks resulted in no observed difference in ROSC or survival to hospital admission. The overall rate of hospitalization was higher than the historical expectation (34% hospital admission before study), possibly due to the increased emphasis on training and importance of CPR in both groups. [source] Comparison of two partial coherence interferometers for corneal pachymetry in high myopia and after LASIKACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 4 2009Anders Ivarsen Abstract. Purpose:, We aimed to compare the Haag-Streit optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR) pachymeter and the Zeiss Anterior Chamber Master (ACMaster) for measuring central corneal thickness (CCT) in high myopes and after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia. Methods:, Central corneal thickness was measured in 55 eyes of 30 myopic subjects (spherical equivalent refraction of , 5.25 D to , 10.75 D, maximal astigmatism of , 2 D), and in 37 eyes of 21 patients 3 months after LASIK for myopia (preoperative spherical equivalent refraction of , 6.0 D to , 10.75 D, maximal astigmatism of , 2 D). All measurements were performed with the Haag-Streit OLCR pachymeter and the Zeiss ACMaster, using group refractive indices of 1.376 and 1.3851, respectively. Thickness measurements were compared using paired t -tests, Pearson's correlation, linear regression and Bland,Altman plots. Results:, In myopic subjects, CCT measured 531 ± 28 ,m and 533 ± 27 ,m with the OLCR pachymeter and the ACMaster, respectively (p < 0.01); all measurements correlated closely (r = 0.99, p < 0.01). In LASIK-treated eyes, CCT measured 472 ± 24 ,m using the OLCR pachymeter and 475 ± 23 ,m using the ACMaster (p < 0.01), again with close correlation between the two instruments (r = 0.99, p < 0.01). Conclusions:, Measurements of CCT in high myopes and after myopic LASIK were very similar with the Haag-Streit OLCR pachymeter and the Zeiss ACMaster. Using the current group refractive indices, the observed difference between the two instruments of < 3 ,m is of little clinical importance. Thus, it would seem safe to use the OLCR pachymeter and the ACMaster interchangeably for CCT measurements in myopia as well as after myopic LASIK. [source] A COMPARISON OF MEXICAN MIGRANT REMITTANCES ACROSS U.S. REGIONSCONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC POLICY, Issue 3 2008STEPHEN T. FAIRCHILD Since 1990, the United States has experienced a geographic dispersion of Mexican migrants from traditional gateways to new regions. Using data from the Mexican Migration Project, we find significant differences in both the likelihood of remitting and the amount remitted by Mexican migrants across U.S. regions. Specifically, Mexican migrants living in U.S. regions that have experienced considerable increases in migrant populations since 1990 (the Northeast, Southeast, Mountain, and Midwest regions) remit at higher rates and in larger quantities than migrants living in more traditional migrant destinations (the Pacific and South Central regions), even after controlling for observed differences in migrant populations. (JEL F22, F32, J11, R23) [source] The effects of social environment on adult neurogenesis in the female prairie voleDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2002Christie D. Fowler Abstract In the mammalian brain, adult neurogenesis has been found to occur primarily in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (DG) and to be influenced by both exogenous and endogenous factors. In the present study, we examined the effects of male exposure or social isolation on neurogenesis in adult female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Newly proliferated cells labeled by a cell proliferation marker, 5-bromo-2,-deoxyuridine (BrdU), were found in the SVZ and DG, as well as in other brain areas, such as the amygdala, hypothalamus, neocortex, and caudate/putamen. Two days of male exposure significantly increased the number of BrdU-labeled cells in the amygdala and hypothalamus in comparison to social isolation. Three weeks later, group differences in BrdU labeling generally persisted in the amygdala, whereas in the hypothalamus, the male-exposed animals had more BrdU-labeled cells than did the female-exposed animals. In the SVZ, 2 days of social isolation increased the number of BrdU-labeled cells compared to female exposure, but this difference was no longer present 3 weeks later. We have also found that the vast majority of the BrdU-labeled cells contained a neuronal marker, indicating neuronal phenotypes. Finally, group differences in the number of cells undergoing apoptosis were subtle and did not seem to account for the observed differences in BrdU labeling. Together, our data indicate that social environment affects neuron proliferation in a stimulus- and site-specific manner in adult female prairie voles. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 51: 115,128, 2002 [source] Diversity of native and alien plant species on rubbish dumps: effects of dump age, environmental factors and toxicityDIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 3 2003Antonín Py Abstract. The flora of 96 rubbish dumps consisting of organic, inorganic and industrial wastes was studied in the Czech Republic. Some dumps contained toxic substances (heavy metals, chlorethylenes, phenols, polychlorinated biphenyls, oil hydrocarbons and biogas). Statistically significant factors explaining the number and proportional representation of native plant species, archaeophytes (introduced before 1500) and neophytes (introduced later) were determined. In total, 588 species of vascular plants were recorded, with archaeophytes (133 species) over-represented and native species (322 species) and neophytes (133 species) under-represented compared to their proportions in the national flora. Minimum adequate models were used to determine the effects of several factors on species numbers and proportions, independent of other factors. Dump area, human density in the region and altitude (non-significant only in archaeophytes) were correlated positively with species numbers. Dump age, expressed as time since dump establishment, interacted with the dump toxicity; species numbers increased with dump age on non-toxic dumps, whereas on toxic dumps no increase in numbers was noted. For neophytes, dump toxicity also interacted with human density; the increase in numbers of neophytes with human density is more pronounced on toxic than on non-toxic dumps. The variables measured failed to explain observed differences in proportional representation of native species, archaeophytes and neophytes. This suggests that the occurrence of species growing in such extreme habitats is driven overwhelmingly by factors such as anthropogenic disturbance. A possible explanation for the positive effect of altitude on species numbers on dumps is that the effect of heating of the deposited substrate by microbiological processes, documented by previous studies, overrides the effect of altitude which was shown repeatedly to have a negative effect on species richness. Neophyte distribution is driven by an interplay of factors distinct from those influencing the distribution of native species, namely toxicity and human density (the latter we interpret as a surrogate for propagule pressure). Their distribution on studied dumps is more restricted than that of native taxa and archaeophytes, and they are more limited by toxic substrata; more intensive propagule pressure is required for their establishment at dumps with higher toxicity levels. [source] Methadone dose and post-mortem blood concentrationDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 4 2002Dr. JOHN R. M. CAPLEHORN Abstract The relationship of methadone dose with post-mortem blood concentration was investigated using data collected from 1994 coronial cases in the Australian state of New South Wales. Data on 31 subjects were summarized using linear regression. The weight-adjusted methadone dose, gender, methadone maintenance treatment status and its interaction with adjusted-dose were all significant predictors of post-mortem blood methadone concentration. Data on the death of a young man from the toxic effects of three daily doses of 30mg methadone are used to give an example of a pair of observed (0.74 mg/l) and predicted (0.48 mg/l) post-mortem blood concentrations. The estimated post-mortem blood concentration for male maintenance patients is at least twice the trough plasma levels estimated from previously published studies of living maintenance patients. The estimated post-mortem blood concentration for female maintenance patients is at least three times the estimated trough level of living subjects. We conclude that post-mortem methadone redistribution is probably the principal cause of the observed differences between males and females in post-mortem blood concentrations and the differences between estimated concentrations for living and deceased subjects. [source] Comparative growth in the postnatal skull of the extant North American turtle Pseudemys texana (Testudinoidea: Emydidae)ACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 2 2008Gabe S. Bever Abstract Bever, G.S. 2007. Comparative growth in the postnatal skull of the extant North American turtle Pseudemys texana (Testudinoidea: Emydidae). ,Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 88: 000,000 Postnatal growth is one of the many aspects of developmental morphology that remains distinctly understudied in reptiles. Variation and ontogenetic scaling within the skull of the extant emydid turtle, Pseudemys texana is described based on 25 continuous characters. Results indicate that skull shape in this species changes little during postnatal growth relative to the only cryptodire taxa for which comparable datasets are available (Apalone ferox and Sternotherus odoratus). This relative lack of change results in the paedomorphic retention of a largely juvenile appearance in the adult form of P. texana. The skulls of males and females, despite the presence of distinct sexual dimorphism in size, grow with similar scaling patterns, and the few observed differences appear to reflect alteration of the male growth trajectory. Comparisons with A. ferox and S. odoratus reveal a number of similarities and differences that are here interpreted within a phylogenetic context. These preliminary hypotheses constitute predictive statements that phylogenetically bracket the majority of extant cryptodire species and provide baseline comparative data that are necessary for the future recognition of apomorphic transformations. Plasticity of ontogenetic scaling as a response to the homeostatic needs and behaviour of individuals commonly is evoked as a limitation of ontogenetic scaling as a means to inform phylogenetic studies. These evocations are largely unfounded considering that variability itself can evolve and thus be phylogenetically informative. [source] Surface and phonological subtypes of adult developmental dyslexiaDYSLEXIA, Issue 3 2002Claire Zabell Abstract In order to assess the efficacy of phonological versus surface dyslexia subtyping within an adult dyslexic population, 45 adult dyslexics were assessed on the Castles and Coltheart (1993) irregular word and non-word reading tasks. Based on the performance of a matched group of 28 non-dyslexics, between 62 and 75% of the dyslexics were divided into phonological and surface subtypes. Phonological dyslexics were those individuals who presented evidence of relatively poor or inefficient non-word reading, whereas the surface dyslexics were those who indicated relative difficulties with irregular word reading. The proportions of dyslexics within each subtype varied according to the use of accuracy-based or latency-based procedures, but were consistent with previous findings with children. Subsequent comparisons between the groups on measures of phonological processing, lexical access and word knowledge/recognition indicated few differences between the two subtypes and, in particular, no differences on measures of phonological ability. The lack of observed differences on such measures casts doubt on the efficacy of this procedure for explaining individual differences amongst adult dyslexics and as a practical procedure for diagnosis and intervention. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The utility of online panel surveys versus computer-assisted interviews in obtaining substance-use prevalence estimates in the NetherlandsADDICTION, Issue 10 2009Renske Spijkerman ABSTRACT Aims Rather than using the traditional, costly method of personal interviews in a general population sample, substance-use prevalence rates can be derived more conveniently from data collected among members of an online access panel. To examine the utility of this method, we compared the outcomes of an online survey with those obtained with the computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) method. Design Data were gathered from a large sample of online panellists and in a two-stage stratified sample of the Dutch population using the CAPI method. Setting The Netherlands. Participants The online sample comprised 57 125 Dutch online panellists (15,64 years) of Survey Sampling International LLC (SSI), and the CAPI cohort 7204 respondents (15,64 years). Measurements All participants answered identical questions about their use of alcohol, cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and performance-enhancing drugs. The CAPI respondents were asked additionally about internet access and online panel membership. Both data sets were weighted statistically according to the distribution of demographic characteristics of the general Dutch population. Findings Response rates were 35.5% (n = 20 282) for the online panel cohort and 62.7% (n = 4516) for the CAPI cohort. The data showed almost consistently lower substance-use prevalence rates for the CAPI respondents. Although the observed differences could be due to bias in both data sets, coverage and non-response bias were higher in the online panel survey. Conclusions Despite its economic advantage, the online panel survey showed stronger non-response and coverage bias than the CAPI survey, leading to less reliable estimates of substance use in the general population. 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