Showing papers by "University of Kentucky published in 2011"
TL;DR: The development and psychometric evaluation of a second version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), which assesses the construct referred to as, variously, acceptance, experiential avoidance, and psychological inflexibility, indicates the satisfactory structure, reliability, and validity of this measure.
2,818 citations
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation1, University of Washington2, University of Copenhagen3, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston4, University of Kentucky5, Geron Corporation6, Vancouver General Hospital7, Shriners Hospitals for Children8, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital9, Medical College of Wisconsin10
TL;DR: The booklet describes the recommended International Standards examination, including both sensory and motor components, and describes the ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) Impairment Scale (AIS) to classify the severity (i.e. completeness) of injury.
Abstract: This article represents the content of the booklet, International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury, revised 2011, published by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA). For further explanation of the clarifications and changes in this revision, see the accompanying article (Kirshblum S., et al. J Spinal Cord Med. 2011:doi 10.1179/107902611X13186000420242
The spinal cord is the major conduit through which motor and sensory information travels between the brain and body. The spinal cord contains longitudinally oriented spinal tracts (white matter) surrounding central areas (gray matter) where most spinal neuronal cell bodies are located. The gray matter is organized into segments comprising sensory and motor neurons. Axons from spinal sensory neurons enter and axons from motor neurons leave the spinal cord via segmental nerves or roots.
In the cervical spine, there are 8 nerve roots. Cervical roots of C1-C7 are named according to the vertebra above which they exit (i.e. C1 exits above the C1 vertebra, just below the skull and C6 nerve roots pass between the C5 and C6 vertebrae) whereas C8 exists between the C7 and T1 vertebra; as there is no C8 vertebra. The C1 nerve root does not have a sensory component that is tested on the International Standards Examination.
The thoracic spine has 12 distinct nerve roots and the lumbar spine consists of 5 distinct nerve roots that are each named accordingly as they exit below the level of the respective vertebrae. The sacrum consists of 5 embryonic sections that have fused into one bony structure with 5 distinct nerve roots that exit via the sacral foramina. The spinal cord itself ends at approximately the L1-2 vertebral level. The distal most part of the spinal cord is called the conus medullaris. The cauda equina is a cluster of paired (right and left) lumbosacral nerve roots that originate in the region of the conus medullaris and travel down through the thecal sac and exit via the intervertebral foramen below their respective vertebral levels. There may be 0, 1, or 2 coccygeal nerves but they do not have a role with the International Standards examination in accordance with the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI).
Each root receives sensory information from skin areas called dermatomes. Similarly each root innervates a group of muscles called a myotome. While a dermatome usually represents a discrete and contiguous skin area, most roots innervate more than one muscle, and most muscles are innervated by more than one root.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects conduction of sensory and motor signals across the site(s) of lesion(s), as well as the autonomic nervous system. By systematically examining the dermatomes and myotomes, as described within this booklet, one can determine the cord segments affected by the SCI. From the International Standards examination several measures of neurological damage are generated, e.g., Sensory and Motor Levels (on right and left sides), NLI, Sensory Scores (Pin Prick and Light Touch), Motor Scores (upper and lower limb), and ZPP. This booklet also describes the ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) Impairment Scale (AIS) to classify the severity (i.e. completeness) of injury.
This booklet begins with basic definitions of common terms used herein. The section that follows describes the recommended International Standards examination, including both sensory and motor components. Subsequent sections cover sensory and motor scores, the AIS classification, and clinical syndromes associated with SCI. For ease of reference, a worksheet (Appendix 1) of the recommended examination is included, with a summary of steps used to classify the injury (Appendix 2). A full-size version for photocopying and use in patient records has been included as an enclosure and may also be downloaded from the ASIA website (www.asia-spinalinjury.org). Additional details regarding the examination and e-Learning training materials can also be obtained from the website15.
1,858 citations
TL;DR: The Alzheimer Disease Genetics Consortium performed a genome-wide association study of late-onset Alzheimer disease using a three-stage design consisting of a discovery stage (stage 1), two replication stages (stages 2 and 3), and both joint analysis and meta-analysis approaches were used.
Abstract: The Alzheimer Disease Genetics Consortium (ADGC) performed a genome-wide association study of late-onset Alzheimer disease using a three-stage design consisting of a discovery stage (stage 1) and two replication stages (stages 2 and 3). Both joint analysis and meta-analysis approaches were used. We obtained genome-wide significant results at MS4A4A (rs4938933; stages 1 and 2, meta-analysis P (P(M)) = 1.7 × 10(-9), joint analysis P (P(J)) = 1.7 × 10(-9); stages 1, 2 and 3, P(M) = 8.2 × 10(-12)), CD2AP (rs9349407; stages 1, 2 and 3, P(M) = 8.6 × 10(-9)), EPHA1 (rs11767557; stages 1, 2 and 3, P(M) = 6.0 × 10(-10)) and CD33 (rs3865444; stages 1, 2 and 3, P(M) = 1.6 × 10(-9)). We also replicated previous associations at CR1 (rs6701713; P(M) = 4.6 × 10(-10), P(J) = 5.2 × 10(-11)), CLU (rs1532278; P(M) = 8.3 × 10(-8), P(J) = 1.9 × 10(-8)), BIN1 (rs7561528; P(M) = 4.0 × 10(-14), P(J) = 5.2 × 10(-14)) and PICALM (rs561655; P(M) = 7.0 × 10(-11), P(J) = 1.0 × 10(-10)), but not at EXOC3L2, to late-onset Alzheimer's disease susceptibility.
1,743 citations
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TL;DR: This paper analyzes two well-known network theories, Granovetter's strength of weak ties theory and Burt's structural holes theory, to identify characteristic elements of network theorizing and argues that both theories share an underlying theoretical model, which is labelled the network flow model, from which they derive additional implications.
Abstract: Research on social networks has grown considerably in the last decade. However, there is a certain amount of confusion about network theory — for example, what it is, what is distinctive about it, and how to generate new theory. This paper attempts to remedy the situation by clarifying the fundamental concepts of the field (such as the network) and characterizing how network reasoning works. We start by considering the definition of network, noting some confusion caused by two different perspectives, which we refer to as realist and nominalist. We then analyze two well-known network theories, Granovetter’s strength of weak ties, to identify characteristic elements of network theorizing. We argue that both theories share an underlying theoretical model, which we label the network flow model, from which we derive additional implications. We also discuss network phenomena that do not appear to fit the flow model and discuss the possibility of a second fundamental model, which we call the bond model. We close with a discussion of the merits of model-based network theorizing for facilitating the generation of new theory, as well as a discussion of endogeneity in network theorizing.
1,166 citations
University of Kentucky1, Dartmouth College2, Washington University in St. Louis3, Wake Forest University4, Anschutz Medical Campus5, Oregon Health & Science University6, Society of Thoracic Surgeons7, Yeshiva University8, Stanford University9, University of Toronto10, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center11, Duke University12, University of Pittsburgh13, Flinders University14, Harvard University15
TL;DR: Much has changed since the previously published 2007 STS blood management guidelines and this document contains new and revised recommendations.
1,090 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify characteristic elements of network theorizing and argue that both theories share an underlying theoretical model, which they label the network flow model, from which they derive additional implications.
Abstract: Research on social networks has grown considerably in the last decade. However, there is a certain amount of confusion about network theory---for example, what it is, what is distinctive about it, and how to generate new theory. This paper attempts to remedy the situation by clarifying the fundamental concepts of the field (such as the network) and characterizing how network reasoning works. We start by considering the definition of network, noting some confusion caused by two different perspectives, which we refer to as realist and nominalist. We then analyze two well-known network theories, Granovetter's strength of weak ties theory [Granovetter, M. S. 1973. The strength of weak ties. Amer. J. Sociol.78(6) 1360--1380] and Burt's structural holes theory [Burt, R. S. 1992. Structural Holes: The Social Structure of Competition. Havard University Press, Cambridge, MA], to identify characteristic elements of network theorizing. We argue that both theories share an underlying theoretical model, which we label the network flow model, from which we derive additional implications. We also discuss network phenomena that do not appear to fit the flow model and discuss the possibility of a second fundamental model, which we call the bond model. We close with a discussion of the merits of model-based network theorizing for facilitating the generation of new theory, as well as a discussion of endogeneity in network theorizing.
1,068 citations
TL;DR: The motivation and key concepts behind answer set programming---a promising approach to declarative problem solving.
Abstract: The motivation and key concepts behind answer set programming---a promising approach to declarative problem solving.
911 citations
Wayne State University1, National Institutes of Health2, Michigan State University3, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram4, Thomas Jefferson University5, Cooper University Hospital6, B. J. Medical College, Pune7, Albert Einstein College of Medicine8, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis9, University of Kentucky10, Donetsk National Medical University11, Winthrop-University Hospital12, Eastern Virginia Medical School13, University of Pennsylvania14, United States Public Health Service15, Boston University16, Sage Group17
TL;DR: The efficacy and safety of using micronized vaginal progesterone gel to reduce the risk of preterm birth and associated neonatal complications in women with a sonographic short cervix is determined.
Abstract: Objectives Women with a sonographic short cervix in the mid-trimester are at increased risk for preterm delivery. This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy and safety of using micronized vaginal progesterone gel to reduce the risk of preterm birth and associated neonatal complications in women with a sonographic short cervix. Methods This was a multicenter, randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial that enrolled asymptomatic
777 citations
TL;DR: A three-year study by the CIRP's Collaborative Working Group on Surface Integrity and Functional Performance of Components as discussed by the authors reported recent progress in experimental and theoretical investigations on surface integrity in material removal processes.
769 citations
TL;DR: Each of these possible forms of inter-relationship in personality and psychopathology can have a causal role in the development or etiology of one another is considered.
748 citations
TL;DR: The ability to React with all types of Agents, Ease of Application, and Compatibility with Treated Objects is outlined, as well as possible Metal Ion Binding Modes in Solution, are examined.
Abstract: 1. Scope of Article and Previous Related Reviews 5346 2. Introduction 5346 2.1. Destruction 5347 2.2. Sensing 5347 2.3. Historical Context 5348 2.3.1. Brief History and Molecular Structure 5348 2.4. Related Compounds and Nomenclature 5348 2.4.1. Phosphorus(V) Parent Compounds and Fundamental Chemistry 5348 2.4.2. Pesticides 5349 2.4.3. Simulants 5349 2.4.4. Decomposition Products 5350 2.5. Toxicology 5351 2.5.1. Acetylcholine Esterase (AChE) Inhibition 5351 2.5.2. Endocannabinoid System Activation 5352 2.6. Critical Needs To Decontaminate and Detect 5353 2.7. Treaties and Conventions 5354 3. Stockpile Destruction 5355 3.1. Agent Storage 5355 3.2. Protection Protocols and Logistics 5355 3.3. Background 5355 3.4. Methods Currently Employed 5355 3.4.1. Incineration 5355 3.4.2. Neutralization by Base Hydrolysis 5356 4. Decomposition Reactions 5357 4.1. Hydrolysis 5357 4.2. Autocatalytic Hydrolysis or Hydrolysis Byproducts 5358 4.3. Use of Peroxide 5359 4.4. Oxidation with Bleach and Related Reagents 5360 4.5. Alkoxide as Nucleophile 5360 4.5.1. Basic Media 5360 4.5.2. Metal-Catalyzed Reactions 5361 4.5.3. Metal-Assisted Reactions 5363 4.5.4. Biotechnological Degradation 5363 4.5.5. Cyclodextrin-Assisted Reactions 5370 4.6. Halogen as the Nucleophile 5370 4.6.1. Use of BrOx 5370 4.6.2. Use of Other Halogens 5371 4.6.3. Use of Group 13 Chelates 5371 4.7. Surface Chemistry 5371 4.7.1. Bare Metals and Solid Nanoparticles 5371 4.7.2. Metal Oxides 5371 4.7.3. Representative Elements 5372 4.7.4. d-Block (Groups 4 10) 5373 4.7.5. Solid Metal Oxides of Group 3 and the Lanthanides 5375 4.7.6. Porous Silicon and Related Systems 5375 4.7.7. Zeolites 5375 4.7.8. Comparative IR Data 5375 4.8. Other Types of Systems 5375 5. Decontamination 5376 5.1. Overview: Ability to React with All Types of Agents, Ease of Application, and Compatibility with Treated Objects 5376 6. Agent Fate and Disposal 5378 6.1. Indoor 5378 6.2. Concrete and Construction Surfaces 5378 6.3. Landfills 5379 7. Sensing and Detection 5379 7.1. Possible Metal Ion Binding Modes in Solution 5379 7.1.1. Early Reports of Phosph(on)ate [R3PdO 3 3 3M nþ] Interactions (R= Alkyl, Alkoxyl) 5380 7.1.2. Coordination Chemistry of Downstream Non-P-Containing Products of Decomposition 5380 7.2. Colorimetric Detection 5381 7.3. Chemiluminescence: Fluorescence and Phosphorescence 5382 7.3.1. Lanthanide-Based Catalysts 5382 7.3.2. Organometallic-Based Sensors 5382 7.3.3. Organic Design 5382 7.3.4. Biologically-Based Luminescence Detection 5382 7.3.5. Polymer and Bead Supports 5382 7.4. Porous Silicon 5383 7.5. Carbon Nanotubes 5383
Henry Ford Health System1, University of Kentucky2, Virginia Mason Medical Center3, Mayo Clinic4, University of Arizona5, University of California, San Diego6, Henry Ford Hospital7, Cornell University8, Dartmouth College9, Duke University10, Washington University in St. Louis11, City University of New York12
TL;DR: This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients who present with sudden sensorineural hearing loss in adult patients (aged 18 and older), with particular emphasis on managing SSNHL.
Abstract: Objective. Sudden hearing loss (SHL) is a frightening symptom that often prompts an urgent or emergent visit to a physician. This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis...
TL;DR: Both the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and the FFMQ-SF are reliable and valid instruments for use in adults with clinically relevant symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Abstract: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in therapies that include the learning of mindfulness skills. The 39-item Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) has been developed as a reliable and valid comprehensive instrument for assessing different aspects of mindfulness in community and student samples. In this study, the psychometric properties of the Dutch FFMQ were assessed in a sample of 376 adults with clinically relevant symptoms of depression and anxiety. Construct validity was examined with confirmatory factor analyses and by relating the FFMQ to measures of psychological symptoms, well-being, experiential avoidance, and the personality factors neuroticism and openness to experience. In addition, a 24-item short form of the FFMQ (FFMQ-SF) was developed and assessed in the same sample and cross-validated in an independent sample of patients with fibromyalgia. Confirmatory factor analyses showed acceptable model fit for a correlated five-factor structure of the FFMQ and good model fit for the structure of the FFMQ-SF. The replicability of the five-factor structure of the FFMQ-SF was confirmed in the fibromyalgia sample. Both instruments proved highly sensitive to change. It is concluded that both the FFMQ and the FFMQ-SF are reliable and valid instruments for use in adults with clinically relevant symptoms of depression and anxiety.
TL;DR: These data demonstrate consistent DFS and OS advantages of adjuvant trastuzumab over time, with the longest follow-up reported to date, and the clinical benefits continue to outweigh the risks of adverse effects.
Abstract: Purpose Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The clinical benefits of adjuvant trastuzumab have been demonstrated in interim analyses of four large trials. Initial data of the combined analysis of the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) N9831 Intergroup trial and National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) B-31 trial were reported in 2005. Long-term follow-up results on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) have been awaited. Patients and Methods Patients with HER2-positive operable breast cancer were randomly assigned to doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel with or without trastuzumab in the NCCTG N9831 and NSABP B-31 trials. The similar design of both trials allowed data from the control and trastuzumab-containing arms to be combined in a joint analysis. Results At 3.9 years of median follow-up, there continues to be a highly statistically significant reduction in DFS event...
TL;DR: The potential of coordinate descent algorithms for fitting models, establishing theoretical convergence properties and demonstrating that they are significantly faster than competing approaches are demonstrated, and the numerical results suggest that MCP is the preferred approach among the three methods.
Abstract: A number of variable selection methods have been proposed involving nonconvex penalty functions. These methods, which include the smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) penalty and the minimax concave penalty (MCP), have been demonstrated to have attractive theoretical properties, but model fitting is not a straightforward task, and the resulting solutions may be unstable. Here, we demonstrate the potential of coordinate descent algorithms for fitting these models, establishing theoretical convergence properties and demonstrating that they are significantly faster than competing approaches. In addition, we demonstrate the utility of convexity diagnostics to determine regions of the parameter space in which the objective function is locally convex, even though the penalty is not. Our simulation study and data examples indicate that nonconvex penalties like MCP and SCAD are worthwhile alternatives to the lasso in many applications. In particular, our numerical results suggest that MCP is the preferred approach among the three methods.
University of Kentucky1, Yonsei University2, University of Colorado Boulder3, University of Florida4, University of Pennsylvania5, Sungkyunkwan University6, Meharry Medical College7, University of Southern California8, Clark Atlanta University9, Australian National University10, University of Sydney11, Rockefeller University12, New York University13, Veterans Health Administration14, University of Utah15, Johns Hopkins University16, Laval University17
TL;DR: Findings reveal a miRNA-independent cell survival function for DICER1 involving retrotransposon transcript degradation, show that Alu RNA can directly cause human pathology, and identify new targets for a major cause of blindness.
Abstract: Geographic atrophy (GA), an untreatable advanced form of age-related macular degeneration, results from retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cell degeneration. Here we show that the microRNA (miRNA)-processing enzyme DICER1 is reduced in the RPE of humans with GA, and that conditional ablation of Dicer1, but not seven other miRNA-processing enzymes, induces RPE degeneration in mice. DICER1 knockdown induces accumulation of Alu RNA in human RPE cells and Alu-like B1 and B2 RNAs in mouse RPE. Alu RNA is increased in the RPE of humans with GA, and this pathogenic RNA induces human RPE cytotoxicity and RPE degeneration in mice. Antisense oligonucleotides targeting Alu/B1/B2 RNAs prevent DICER1 depletion-induced RPE degeneration despite global miRNA downregulation. DICER1 degrades Alu RNA, and this digested Alu RNA cannot induce RPE degeneration in mice. These findings reveal a miRNA-independent cell survival function for DICER1 involving retrotransposon transcript degradation, show that Alu RNA can directly cause human pathology, and identify new targets for a major cause of blindness.
TL;DR: Results provide convincing evidence that skeletal muscle fibers are capable of mounting a robust hypertrophic response to mechanical overload that is not dependent on satellite cells.
Abstract: An important unresolved question in skeletal muscle plasticity is whether satellite cells are necessary for muscle fiber hypertrophy. To address this issue, a novel mouse strain (Pax7-DTA) was created which enabled the conditional ablation of >90% of satellite cells in mature skeletal muscle following tamoxifen administration. To test the hypothesis that satellite cells are necessary for skeletal muscle hypertrophy, the plantaris muscle of adult Pax7-DTA mice was subjected to mechanical overload by surgical removal of the synergist muscle. Following two weeks of overload, satellite cell-depleted muscle showed the same increases in muscle mass (approximately twofold) and fiber cross-sectional area with hypertrophy as observed in the vehicle-treated group. The typical increase in myonuclei with hypertrophy was absent in satellite cell-depleted fibers, resulting in expansion of the myonuclear domain. Consistent with lack of nuclear addition to enlarged fibers, long-term BrdU labeling showed a significant reduction in the number of BrdU-positive myonuclei in satellite cell-depleted muscle compared with vehicle-treated muscle. Single fiber functional analyses showed no difference in specific force, Ca2+ sensitivity, rate of cross-bridge cycling and cooperativity between hypertrophied fibers from vehicle and tamoxifen-treated groups. Although a small component of the hypertrophic response, both fiber hyperplasia and regeneration were significantly blunted following satellite cell depletion, indicating a distinct requirement for satellite cells during these processes. These results provide convincing evidence that skeletal muscle fibers are capable of mounting a robust hypertrophic response to mechanical overload that is not dependent on satellite cells.
TL;DR: This study was a comprehensive, quantitative synthesis of the literature, using a total of 59 studies from 1947 to 2009 for analysis and indicated a significant and positive effect of physical activity on children's achievement and cognitive outcomes.
Abstract: It is common knowledge that physical activity leads to numerous health and psychological benefits. However, the relationship between children's physical activity and academic achievement has been debated in the literature. Some studies have found strong, positive relationships between physical activity and cognitive outcomes, while other studies have reported small, negative associations. This study was a comprehensive, quantitative synthesis of the literature, using a total of 59 studies from 1947 to 2009 for analysis. Results indicated a significant and positive effect of physical activity on children's achievement and cognitive outcomes, with aerobic exercise having the greatest effect. A number of moderator variables were also found to play a significant role in this relationship. Findings are discussed in light of improving children's academic performance and changing school-based policy.
Utah State University1, University of Minnesota2, University of Oldenburg3, University of Zurich4, Iowa State University5, Oregon State University6, United States Geological Survey7, Wake Forest University8, University of Washington9, Colorado State University10, University of Queensland11, University of New Mexico12, Lanzhou University13, University of California, San Diego14, Dartmouth College15, Imperial College London16, University of Wisconsin-Madison17, University of Colorado Boulder18, United States Department of Agriculture19, Queensland University of Technology20, University of Maryland, College Park21, Yale University22, University of KwaZulu-Natal23, Agricultural Research Service24, University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)25, University of Nebraska–Lincoln26, University of Guelph27, University of Kentucky28, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill29, University of Melbourne30, La Trobe University31, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation32, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research33, Open University34, Lancaster University35, Duke University36, University of California, Davis37
TL;DR: This article conducted a standardized sampling in 48 herbaceous-dominated plant communities on five continents and found no clear relationship between productivity and fine-scale (meters−2) richness within sites, within regions, or across the globe.
Abstract: For more than 30 years, the relationship between net primary productivity and species richness has generated intense debate in ecology about the processes regulating local diversity. The original view, which is still widely accepted, holds that the relationship is hump-shaped, with richness first rising and then declining with increasing productivity. Although recent meta-analyses questioned the generality of hump-shaped patterns, these syntheses have been criticized for failing to account for methodological differences among studies. We addressed such concerns by conducting standardized sampling in 48 herbaceous-dominated plant communities on five continents. We found no clear relationship between productivity and fine-scale (meters−2) richness within sites, within regions, or across the globe. Ecologists should focus on fresh, mechanistic approaches to understanding the multivariate links between productivity and richness.
TL;DR: It is found that increased expression of mTOR, Raptor, and Rictor mRNA was noted with advanced stages of CRC, suggesting that mTOR signaling may be associated with CRC progression and metastasis, and provides the rationale for including mTOR kinase inhibitors, which inhibit both mTORC1 and m TORC2, as part of the therapeutic regimen for CRC patients.
Abstract: Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling is associated with growth and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). We have previously shown that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase, a downstream effector of PI3K/Akt signaling, regulates tumorigenesis of CRC. However, the contribution of mTOR and its interaction partners towards regulating CRC progression and metastasis remains poorly understood. We found that increased expression of mTOR, Raptor and Rictor mRNA was noted with advanced stages of CRC suggesting that mTOR signaling may be associated with CRC progression and metastasis. mTOR, Raptor and Rictor protein levels were also significantly elevated in primary CRCs (stage IV) and their matched distant metastasis compared to normal colon. Inhibition of mTOR signaling, using rapamycin or stable inhibition of mTORC1 (Raptor) and mTORC2 (Rictor), attenuated migration and invasion of CRCs. Furthermore, knockdown of mTORC1 and mTORC2 induced a mesenchymal-epithelial transition and enhanced chemosensitivity of CRCs to oxaliplatin. We observed increased cell-cell contact as well as decreased actin cytoskeletal remodeling concomitant with decreased activation of the small GTPases, RhoA and Rac1, upon inhibition of both mTORC1 and mTORC2. Finally, establishment of CRC metastasis in vivo was completely abolished with targeted inhibition of mTORC1 and mTORC2 irrespective of the site of colonization. Our findings support a role for elevated mTORC1 and mTORC2 activity in regulating EMT, motility and metastasis of CRCs via RhoA and Rac1 signaling. These findings provide the rationale for including mTOR kinase inhibitors, which inhibit both mTORC1 and mTORC2, as part of the therapeutic regimen for CRC patients.
TL;DR: In this article, the potential of coordinate descent algorithms for fitting nonconvex penalty functions has been demonstrated, and the authors demonstrate the utility of convexity diagnostics to determine regions of the parameter space in which the objective function is locally convex even though the penalty is not.
Abstract: A number of variable selection methods have been proposed involving nonconvex penalty functions. These methods, which include the smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) penalty and the minimax concave penalty (MCP), have been demonstrated to have attractive theoretical properties, but model fitting is not a straightforward task, and the resulting solutions may be unstable. Here, we demonstrate the potential of coordinate descent algorithms for fitting these models, establishing theoretical convergence properties and demonstrating that they are significantly faster than competing approaches. In addition, we demonstrate the utility of convexity diagnostics to determine regions of the parameter space in which the objective function is locally convex, even though the penalty is not. Our simulation study and data examples indicate that nonconvex penalties like MCP and SCAD are worthwhile alternatives to the lasso in many applications. In particular, our numerical results suggest that MCP is the preferred approach among the three methods.
TL;DR: This paper presented a new dataset on coups from 1950 to 2010 and examined general trends in the data across time and space, concluding that scholars studying a variety of topics, including civil wars, regime stability, and democratization, would benefit from paying closer attention to coups.
Abstract: Once considered a ‘hot topic’ among scholars, research on coups d’etat has waned in recent years. This decline is surprising given that 7 coups have happened between January 2008 and December 2010, bringing the last decade’s total to almost three dozen. One explanation for the lack of coup research is the absence of a temporally and spatially comprehensive dataset to test theories. Also absent is a discussion of what makes coups distinct from other forms of anti-regime activity. This article seeks to remedy these problems. The authors present a new dataset on coups from 1950 to 2010. They begin by explaining their theoretical definition and coding procedures. Next, they examine general trends in the data across time and space. The authors conclude by explaining why scholars studying a variety of topics, including civil wars, regime stability, and democratization, would benefit by paying closer attention to coups.
TL;DR: Results suggest that the CAMM is a developmentally appropriate measure with adequate internal consistency and may be a useful measure of mindfulness skills for school-aged children and adolescents.
Abstract: This article presents 4 studies (N = 1,413) describing the development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). In Study 1 (n = 428), the authors determined procedures for item development and examined comprehensibility of the initial 25 items. In Study 2 (n = 334), they reduced the initial item pool from 25 to 10 items through exploratory factor analysis. Study 3 (n = 332) evaluated the final 10-item measure in a cross-validation sample, and Study 4 (n = 319) determined validity coefficients for the CAMM using bivariate and partial correlations with relevant variables. Results suggest that the CAMM is a developmentally appropriate measure with adequate internal consistency. As expected, CAMM scores were positively correlated with quality of life, academic competence, and social skills and negatively correlated with somatic complaints, internalizing symptoms, and externalizing behavior problems. Correlations were reduced but generally still significant after controlling for the effects of 2 overlapping processes (thought suppression and psychological inflexibility). Overall, results suggest that the CAMM may be a useful measure of mindfulness skills for school-aged children and adolescents.
TL;DR: The relationship between mental illness stigma and culture for Americans of American Indian, Asian, African, Latino, Middle Eastern, and European descent is examined.
TL;DR: Using a cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 7,945 college undergraduates, the association between having received Green Dot active bystander behavior training and the frequency of actual and observed self-reported active bystanderser behaviors as well as violence acceptance norms is reported.
Abstract: Using a cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 7,945 college undergraduates, we report on the association between having received Green Dot active bystander behavior training and the frequency of actual and observed self-reported active bystander behaviors as well as violence acceptance norms. Of 2,504 students aged 18 to 26 who completed the survey, 46% had heard a Green Dot speech on campus, and 14% had received active bystander training during the past 2 years. Trained students had significantly lower rape myth acceptance scores than did students with no training. Trained students also reported engaging in significantly more bystander behaviors and observing more self-reported active bystander behaviors when compared with nontrained students. When comparing selfreported active bystander behavior scores of students trained with students hearing a Green Dot speech alone, the training was associated with significantly higher active bystander behavior scores. Those receiving bystander training appeared to report more active bystander behaviors than those simply hearing a Green Dot speech, and both intervention groups reported more observed and active bystander behaviors than nonexposed students.
TL;DR: Patients with NAFLD with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis have lower rates of liver‐related complications and hepatocellular cancer than corresponding patients with HCV infection, but similar overall mortality.
TL;DR: The General Aggression Model (GAM) as discussed by the authors provides a comprehensive and integrative social-cognitive framework for understanding aggression and violence, which can be used to better understand 4 topics related to phenomena that occur primarily outside the laboratory and apply to a broad range of people.
Abstract: This article discusses the General Aggression Model (GAM), which provides a comprehensive and integrative social-cognitive framework for understanding aggression and violence. After providing a brief description of the basic components of GAM, we discuss how it can be used to better understand 4 topics related to phenomena that occur primarily outside the laboratory and apply to a broad range of people. Specifically, we apply GAM to better understand intimate partner violence, intergroup violence, global climate change effects on violence, and suicide. We also explain how the tenets of GAM can be used to inform interventions aimed at reducing these forms of violence. Finally, we show how GAM can explain why people do not behave violently, such as in societies where violence is exceedingly rare. Applying GAM to violent behavior that occurs outside the laboratory adds to its explanatory power and enhances the external validity of its predictions. Because the 4 topics apply to such a broad range of people, GAM may have broader influence in fostering understanding of aggression in these domains. By increasing our understanding of the causes of violent behavior, GAM may help reduce it. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)
TL;DR: The data suggest that, in addition to increased age, a prior diagnosis of asthma and, among women, lower education levels are associated with an increased risk for COPD among never smokers.
TL;DR: There is a growing impetus in developing novel strategies to address global concerns regarding food security as crop productivity gains through traditional breeding begin to lag and arable land becomes scarcer.
Abstract: There is a growing impetus in developing novel strategies to address global concerns regarding food security. As crop productivity gains through traditional breeding begin to lag and arable land becomes scarcer, it seems that we are heading for unsustainable global populations. It has been
TL;DR: A short review of the progress toward higher efficiency in non-fullerene small-molecule acceptors for organic solar cells can be found in this article, where a number of research efforts have focused on the development of new small molecules acceptors.
Abstract: In the field of polymer bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaics, fullerenes and fullerene derivatives clearly play the dominant role as acceptor materials. Recently, a number of research efforts have focused on the development of new small-molecule acceptors for this device configuration. Although few materials prepared to-date have demonstrated power conversion efficiencies close to those achieved with fullerenes, numerous design rules and some interesting new materials classes have been explored. This short review will highlight the progress toward higher efficiency in nonfullerene small-molecule acceptors for organic solar cells.