Transcriptome Analysis of Epithelial and Stromal Contributions to Mammogenesis in Three Week Prepartum Cows

Transcriptome analysis of bovine mammary development has provided insight into regulation of mammogenesis. However, previous studies primarily examined expression of epithelial and stromal tissues combined, and consequently did not account for tissue specific contribution to mammary development. Our objective was to identify differences in gene expression in epithelial and intralobular stromal compartments. Tissue was biopsied from non-lactating dairy cows 3 weeks prepartum, cut into explants and incubated for 2 hr with insulin and hydrocortisone. Epithelial and intralobular stromal tissues were isolated with laser capture microdissection. Global gene expression was measured with Bovine Affymetrix GeneChips, and data were preprocessed using RMA method. Moderated t-tests from gene-specific linear model analysis with cell type as a fixed effect showed more than 3,000 genes were differentially expressed between tissues (P<0.05; FDR<0.17). Analysis of epithelial and stromal transcriptomes using Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) showed that epithelial and stromal cells contributed distinct molecular signatures. Epithelial signatures were enriched with gene sets for protein synthesis, metabolism and secretion. Stromal signatures were enriched with genes that encoded molecules important to signaling, extracellular matrix composition and remodeling. Transcriptome differences also showed evidence for paracrine interactions between tissues in stimulation of IGF1 signaling pathway, stromal reaction, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and immune response. Molecular signatures point to the dynamic role the stroma plays in prepartum mammogenesis and highlight the importance of examining the roles of cell types within the mammary gland when targeting therapies and studying mechanisms that affect milk production

The association of health literacy with adherence in older 2 adults, and its role in interventions: a systematic meta-review

Background: Low health literacy is a common problem among older adults. It is often suggested to be associated with poor adherence. This suggested association implies a need for effective adherence interventions in low health literate people. However, previous reviews show mixed results on the association between low health literacy and poor adherence. A systematic meta-review of systematic reviews was conducted to study the association between health literacy and adherence in adults above the age of 50. Evidence for the effectiveness of adherence interventions among adults in this older age group with low health literacy was also explored. Methods: Eight electronic databases (MEDLINE, ERIC, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, DARE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Knowledge) were searched using a variety of keywords regarding health literacy and adherence. Additionally, references of identified articles were checked. Systematic reviews were included if they assessed the association between health literacy and adherence or evaluated the effectiveness of interventions to improve adherence in adults with low health literacy. The AMSTAR tool was used to assess the quality of the included reviews. The selection procedure, data-extraction, and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. Seventeen reviews were selected for inclusion. Results: Reviews varied widely in quality. Both reviews of high and low quality found only weak or mixed associations between health literacy and adherence among older adults. Reviews report on seven studies that assess the effectiveness of adherence interventions among low health literate older adults. The results suggest that some adherence interventions are effective for this group. The interventions described in the reviews focused mainly on education and on lowering the health literacy demands of adherence instructions. No conclusions could be drawn about which type of intervention could be most beneficial for this population. Conclusions: Evidence on the association between health literacy and adherence in older adults is relatively weak. Adherence interventions are potentially effective for the vulnerable population of older adults with low levels of health literacy, but the evidence on this topic is limited. Further research is needed on the association between health literacy and general health behavior, and on the effectiveness of interventions

Limits on WWZ and WW\gamma couplings from p\bar{p}\to e\nu jj X events at \sqrt{s} = 1.8 TeV

We present limits on anomalous WWZ and WW-gamma couplings from a search for WW and WZ production in p-bar p collisions at sqrt(s)=1.8 TeV. We use p-bar p -> e-nu jjX events recorded with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider during the 1992-1995 run. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 96.0+-5.1 pb^(-1). Assuming identical WWZ and WW-gamma coupling parameters, the 95% CL limits on the CP-conserving couplings are -0.33<lambda<0.36 (Delta-kappa=0) and -0.43<Delta-kappa<0.59 (lambda=0), for a form factor scale Lambda = 2.0 TeV. Limits based on other assumptions are also presented.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, 2 table

Monitoring credit risk in the social economy sector by means of a binary goal programming model

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11628-012-0173-7Monitoring the credit risk of firms in the social economy sector presents a considerable challenge, since it is difficult to calculate ratings with traditional methods such as logit or discriminant analysis, due to the relatively small number of firms in the sector and the low default rate among cooperatives. This paper intro- duces a goal programming model to overcome such constraints and to successfully manage credit risk using economic and financial information, as well as expert advice. After introducing the model, its application to a set of Spanish cooperative societies is described.García García, F.; Guijarro Martínez, F.; Moya Clemente, I. (2013). Monitoring credit risk in the social economy sector by means of a binary goal programming model. Service Business. 7(3):483-495. doi:10.1007/s11628-012-0173-7S48349573Alfares H, Duffuaa S (2009) Assigning cardinal weights in multi-criteria decision making based on ordinal rankings. J Multicriteria Decis Anal 15:125–133Altman EI (1968) Financial ratios, discriminant analysis and the prediction of corporate bankruptcy. J Financ 23:589–609Altman EI, Hadelman RG, Narayanan P (1977) Zeta analysis: a new model to identify bankruptcy risk of corporations. J Bank Financ 1:29–54Andenmatten A (1995) Evaluation du risque de défaillance des emetteurs d’obligations: Une approche par l’aide multicritère á la décision. Presses Polytechniques et Univertitaires Romandes, LausanneBeaver WH (1966) Financial ratios as predictors of failure. J Account Res 4:71–111Boritz JE, Kennedey DB (1995) Effectiveness of neural network types for prediction of business failure. Expert Syst Appl 9:503–512Bottomley P, Doyle J, Green R (2000) Testing the reliability of weight elicitation methods: direct rating versus point allocation. J Mark Res 37:508–513Casey M, McGee V, Stinkey C (1986) Discriminating between reorganized and liquidated firms in bankruptcy. Account Rev 61:249–262Cruz S, Gonzalez T, Perez C (2010) Marketing capabilities, stakeholders’ satisfaction, and performance. Serv Bus 4:209–223Díaz M, Marcuello C (2010) Impacto económico de las cooperativas. La generación de empleo en las sociedades cooperativas y su relación con el PIB. CIRIEC 67:23–44Dimitras AI, Zopounidis C, Hurson C (1995) A multicriteria decision aid method for the assessment of business failure risk. Found Comput Decis Sci 20:99–112Dimitras AI, Slowinski R, Susmaga R, Zopounidis C (1999) Business failure prediction using rough sets. Eur J Oper Res 114:263–280Elmer PJ, Borowski DM (1988) An expert system approach to financial analysis: the case of S&L bankruptcy. Financ Manage 17:66–76Frydman H, Altman EI, Kao DL (1985) Introducing recursive partitioning for financial classification: the case of financial distress. J Financ 40:269–291García F, Guijarro F, Moya I (2008) La valoración de empresas agroalimentarias: una extensión de los modelos factoriales. Rev Estud Agro-Soc 217:155–181Gupta MC, Huefner RJ (1972) A cluster analysis study of financial ratios and industry characteristics. J Account Res 10:77–95Jensen RE (1971) A cluster analysis study of financial performance of selected firms. Account Rev 16:35–56Juliá J (2011) Social economy: a responsible people-oriented economy. Serv Bus 5:173–175Keasey K, Mcguinnes P, Short H (1990) Multilogit approach to predicting corporate failure: further analysis and the issue of signal consistency. Omega-Int J Manage S 18:85–94Li H, Adeli H, Sun J, Han JG (2011) Hybridizing principles of TOPSIS with case-based reasoning for business failure prediction. Comput Oper Res 38:409–419Luoma M, Laitinen EK (1991) Survival analysis as a tool for firm failure prediction. Omega-Int J Manage S 19:673–678March I, Yagüe RM (2009) Desempeño en empresas de economía social. Un modelo para su medición. CIRIEC 64:105–131Martin D (1977) Early warning of bank failure: a logit regression approach. J Bank Financ 1:249–276Mateos A, Marín M, Marí S, Seguí E (2011) Los modelos de predicción del fracaso empresarial y su aplicabilidad en cooperativas agrarias. CIRIEC 70:179–208McKee T (2000) Developing a bankruptcy prediction model via rough sets theory. Int J Intell Syst Account Finan Manage 9:159–173Messier WF, Hansen JV (1988) Inducing rules for expert system development: an example using default and bankruptcy data. Manage Sci 34:1403–1415Ohlson JA (1980) Financial ratios and the probabilistic prediction of bankruptcy. J Account Res 18:109–131Peel MJ (1987) Timeliness of private firm reports predicting corporate failure. Invest Anal J 83:23–27Saaty TL (1980) The analytic hierarchy process. McGraw-Hill, New YorkScapens RW, Ryan RJ, Flecher L (1981) Explaining corporate failure: a catastrophe theory approach. J Bus Finan Account 8:1–26Skogsvik R (1990) Current cost accounting ratios as predictors of business failures: the Swedish case. J Bus Finan Account 17:137–160Slowinski R, Zopounidis C (1995) Application of the rough set approach to evaluation of bankruptcy risk. Int J Intell Syst Account Finan Manage 4:24–41Vranas AS (1992) The significance of financial characteristics in predicting business failure: an analysis in the Greek context. Found Comput Decis Sci 17:257–275Westgaard S, Wijst N (2001) Default probabilities in a corporate bank portfolio: a logistic model approach. Eur J Oper Res 135:338–349Wilson RL, Sharda R (1994) Bankruptcy prediction using neuronal networks. Decis Support Syst 11:545–557Zavgren CV (1985) Assessing the vulnerability to failure of American industrial firms. A logistic analysis. J Bus Financ Account 12:19–45Zmijewski M (1984) Methodological issues related to the estimation of financial distress prediction models. Studies on Current Econometric Issues in Accounting Research. J Account Res 22:59–86Zopounidis C, Doumpos M (2002) Multicriteria classification and sorting methods: a literature review. Eur J Oper Res 138:229–24

Search For Heavy Pointlike Dirac Monopoles

We have searched for central production of a pair of photons with high transverse energies in $p\bar p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 1.8$ TeV using $70 pb^{-1}$ of data collected with the D\O detector at the Fermilab Tevatron in 1994--1996. If they exist, virtual heavy pointlike Dirac monopoles could rescatter pairs of nearly real photons into this final state via a box diagram. We observe no excess of events above background, and set lower 95% C.L. limits of $610, 870, or 1580 GeV/c^2$ on the mass of a spin 0, 1/2, or 1 Dirac monopole.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

The Dijet Mass Spectrum and a Search for Quark Compositeness in bar{p}p Collisions at sqrt{s} = 1.8 TeV

Using the DZero detector at the 1.8 TeV pbarp Fermilab Tevatron collider, we have measured the inclusive dijet mass spectrum in the central pseudorapidity region |eta_jet| < 1.0 for dijet masses greater than 200 Gev/c^2. We have also measured the ratio of spectra sigma(|eta_jet| < 0.5)/sigma(0.5 < |eta_jet| < 1.0). The order alpha_s^3 QCD predictions are in good agreement with the data and we rule out models of quark compositeness with a contact interaction scale < 2.4 TeV at the 95% confidence level.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Search for High Mass Photon Pairs in p-pbar --> gamma-gamma-jet-jet Events at sqrt(s)=1.8 TeV

A search has been carried out for events in the channel p-barp --> gamma gamma jet jet. Such a signature can characterize the production of a non-standard Higgs boson together with a W or Z boson. We refer to this non-standard Higgs, having standard model couplings to vector bosons but no coupling to fermions, as a "bosonic Higgs." With the requirement of two high transverse energy photons and two jets, the diphoton mass (m(gamma gamma)) distribution is consistent with expected background. A 90(95)% C.L. upper limit on the cross section as a function of mass is calculated, ranging from 0.60(0.80) pb for m(gamma gamma) = 65 GeV/c^2 to 0.26(0.34) pb for m(gamma gamma) = 150 GeV/c^2, corresponding to a 95% C.L. lower limit on the mass of a bosonic Higgs of 78.5 GeV/c^2.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures. Replacement has new H->gamma gamma branching ratios and corresponding new mass limit

Zgamma Production in pbarp Collisions at sqrt(s)=1.8 TeV and Limits on Anomalous ZZgamma and Zgammagamma Couplings

We present a study of Z +gamma + X production in p-bar p collisions at sqrt{S}=1.8 TeV from 97 (87) pb^{-1} of data collected in the eegamma (mumugamma) decay channel with the D0 detector at Fermilab. The event yield and kinematic characteristics are consistent with the Standard Model predictions. We obtain limits on anomalous ZZgamma and Zgammagamma couplings for form factor scales Lambda = 500 GeV and Lambda = 750 GeV. Combining this analysis with our previous results yields 95% CL limits |h{Z}_{30}| < 0.36, |h{Z}_{40}| < 0.05, |h{gamma}_{30}| < 0.37, and |h{gamma}_{40}| < 0.05 for a form factor scale Lambda=750 GeV.Comment: 17 Pages including 2 Figures. Submitted to PR

Child and Family Therapy Process: Concordance of Therapist and Observational Perspectives

The objective of this study is to examine the characteristics of outpatient mental health services delivered in community-based outpatient clinics, comparing information obtained from two different sources, therapists serving children and families, and observational coders viewing tapes of the same treatment sessions. Videotaped therapy sessions were rated by therapists and independent coders regarding goals and strategies pursued during each session. Sixty-three sessions were taped of outpatient care provided to 18 children and their caregivers by 11 therapists. Children were 4–13 years old and families were receiving services at least in part due to reported child behavior problems, confirmed by ratings from the Child Behavior Checklist and Conners Parent Rating Scale—Revised. Analyses assessed the frequency, type, and intensity of goals and strategies pursued in therapy sessions from both therapist and observational coders’ perspectives. Reliability of observer ratings and correspondence between therapist and observer reports were also examined. The reliability of observational coding of goals and strategies was moderate to good, with 76% of 39 codes having ICCs of .5 or greater. Therapists reported pursuing 2.5 times more goals and strategies per session, on average, than identified by observational coders. Correspondence between therapists and coders about the occurrence of specific goals and strategies in treatment sessions was low, with 20.5% of codes having a Kappa of .4 or higher. Substantial differences exist in what therapists and independent coders report as occurring in outpatient treatment sessions. Both perspectives suggest major differences between the content of services provided in community-based outpatient clinics and the structure of evidence-based programs, which emphasize intense pursuit of a small number of goals and strategies in each treatment session. Implications of the findings for quality improvement efforts in community-based mental health care settings are discussed

A Measurement of the W Boson Mass

We report a measurement of the W boson mass based on an integrated luminosity of 82 pb$^{-1}$ from \ppbar collisions at $\sqrt{s}=1.8$ TeV recorded in 1994--1995 by the \Dzero detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We identify W bosons by their decays to $e\nu$ and extract the mass by fitting the transverse mass spectrum from 28,323 W boson candidates. A sample of 3,563 dielectron events, mostly due to Z to ee decays, constrains models of W boson production and the detector. We measure \mw=80.44\pm0.10(stat)\pm0.07(syst)~GeV. By combining this measurement with our result from the 1992--1993 data set, we obtain \mw=80.43\pm0.11 GeV.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure