Effects of simplifying choice tasks on estimates of taste heterogeneity in stated-choice surveys

Researchers usually employ orthogonal arrays or D-optimal designs with little or no attribute overlap in stated-choice surveys. The challenge is to balance statistical efficiency and respondent burden to minimize the overall error in the survey responses. This study examined whether simplifying the choice task, by using a design with more overlap, provides advantages over standard minimum-overlap methods. We administered two designs for eliciting HIV test preferences to split samples. Surveys were undertaken at four HIV testing locations in San Francisco, California. Personal characteristics had different effects on willingness to pay for the two treatments, and gains in statistical efficiency in the minimal-overlap version more than compensated for possible imprecision from increased measurement error.     

慢性应激对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞的效应及与焦虑行为的关系

目的探讨慢性精神应激对血管平滑肌细胞的影响及与焦虑行为的关系。方法将38只SD大鼠按照随机数字表随机分为精神应激组(30只)和对照组(8只)。对应激组采用限制应激和饮水冲突应激,持续2个月;分别于应激前、应激后1,2个月用空场实验和高架十字迷宫实验观察大鼠焦虑水平,计算出中央格爬行次数、外周格爬行次数、开放臂进入次数及停留时间、闭合臂进入次数及停留时间。以免疫组化方法测定主动脉血管局部增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)表达,并用苏木素-伊红染色法观察主动脉结构变化。结果(1)与对照组比较,应激1个月后,应激组大鼠在开放臂的次数和时间、闭合臂的次数少(P<0·05),闭合臂的时间多(均P<0·01);应激2个月后,应激组大鼠在外周格爬行的个数和闭合臂时间多(P<0·01),开放臂时间少(P<0·01)。(2)应激组大鼠主动脉失去原有的正常结构,中层血管平滑肌细胞排列紊乱,数目增多。(3)应激组大鼠血管壁PCNA表达的阳性细胞数为(16485±10694)个/MM2,对照组大鼠为(4012±2256)个/MM2,T=4·359,P<0·01。(4)中度焦虑组大鼠PCNA表达与大鼠焦虑呈正相关(PEARSON相关系数为0·718,P=0·004)。结论大鼠中度焦虑时,其血管平滑肌细胞增殖率与焦虑情绪呈正相关。     

A quantitative analysis of valgus torque on the ACL: a human cadaveric study.

The loads needed to elicit a positive pivot shift test in a knee with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture have not been quantified. The coupled anterior tibial translation (ATT), coupled internal tibial rotation (ITR), and the in situ force in the ACL in response to a valgus torque, an inherent component of the pivot shift test, were measured in 10 human cadaveric knee specimens. Using a robotic/universal force-moment sensor testing system, valgus torques ranging from 0.0 to 10.0 Nm were applied in nine increments on the intact and ACL-deficient knee in flexion ranging from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. At 15 degrees of knee flexion, the coupled ATT and ITR were significantly increased in the ACL-deficient knee when compared to the intact knee. Coupled ATT increased a maximum of 291% (6.7 mm, p<0.05), while coupled ITR increased a maximum of 85% (5.1 degrees, p<0.05). At 30 degrees, the increases in coupled ATT and ITR were significant at valgus loads of 3.3 Nm and greater with a maximum increase in coupled ATT of 137% (6.3 mm, p<0.05) and a maximum increase in coupled ITR of 38% (3.6 degrees, p<0.05). At 45 degrees, coupled ATT increased significantly (maximum of 69%, 4.4 mm, p<0.05), but only at torques > or =6.7 Nm. The in situ force in the ACL was less than 20 N for all flexion angles when a torque between 3.3 and 5.0 Nm was applied. Low valgus torque elicited tibial subluxation in the ACL-deficient knee with low in situ ACL forces, similar to a positive pivot shift test. Thus, application of a valgus torque may be suitable to evaluate ACL-deficient and ACL-reconstructed knees, since subluxation can be achieved with minimal harm to the ACL graft. This work is important in understanding one load component needed for the pivot shift examination; further studies quantifying other load components are essential for better comprehension of the in vivo pivot shift examination.     

Allergic contact dermatitis from grasses

This study attempts to demonstrate the existence of allergic contact dermatitis from grass, and to develop a patch test series to screen patients with grass intolerance. 6 common grass species from lawns and military training areas were collected. Solvent extracts of polar. non-polar and volatile fractions were prepared and used for patch testing in 20 control subjects and 46 patients with a history of grass intolerance. The 20 control had negative responses to patch testing. 5 out of 46 patients had positive patch tests to Axonopus compressus (carpet grass). Ischaenmum muticum (sea-shore centipede grass). Imperata evlindrica (lalang). Panicum maximum (Guinea grass) and Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass). Reactions to the non-polar fraction for all 5 species were noted. This study demonstrates the existence of allergic contact dermatitis from various common species of grass. In our series, this is seen in 11% of those with a history of grass intolerance.     

Auditory and vestibular system findings in patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia

Impairment of the auditory-vestibular system has been reported in patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD), but little is known about the underlying cause of the symptoms. Auditory testing (pure tone audiometry, auditory brain stem response and stapedius reflex) and vestibular tests (assessment of nystagmus, eye tracking tests, caloric test and rotational test) were performed in 23 patients with auditory-vestibular symptoms and/or cranial nerve impairment associated with VBD. Specific evidence of auditory and/or vestibular system impairment was observed in 19 cases (83%). Among patients with abnormal test findings, 47% had evidence suggesting peripheral impairment, 16% evidence suggesting central dysfunction, and 37% evidence suggesting both peripheral and central dysfunction. Although compression of the vestibulocochlear nerve plays an important role in the genesis of the auditory-vestibular dysfunction in patients with VBD, mechanism such as brain stem-cerebellar ischemia and impaired blood supply to the vestibular labyrinth may be just as important.     

Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Counseling: A Clinician's Guide

Abstract: Most individuals concerned about hereditary breast cancer risk will neither order nor benefit from genetic testing at the present time. Many will, however, seek information about their risk and testing. Risk assessment services, in addition to providing information about hereditary risk and genetic testing, need also to include assessment of non-hereditary risks, information about how to evaluate risks, early detection modalities, the etiology of cancer, and assistance in devising follow-up health care plans. Psychosocial factors, particularly those pertaining to the individual's past history with illness and beliefs about causes and prognosis, must be taken into account to provide relevant information that is understood. A case history with examples of some of the types of information that lead to informed consent in a cancer risk assessment setting is provided.     

灰色系统理论对城市道路交通噪声的建模与预测

以豫西三门峡市1996～2000年道路交通噪声监测数据为依据，运用灰色系统理论建立了GM(1，1)预测模型，经用四种不同方法对模型精度进行检验，均满足要求，用此模型预测三门峡市未来几年道路交通噪声呈下降趋势。     

Comparative study of TRUE Test and Finn Chamber patch test techniques in Singapore

This is a report on a comparative study of the reactivity of TRUE Test and Finn Chamber patch test techniques. 413 patients attending a contact dermatitis clinic in Singapore were simultaneously patch tested with panels 1 and 2 of the TRUE Test standard series and with corresponding allergens (Hermal, Hamburg) using Finn Chambers. The left/right application of the TRUE Test and Finn Chambers was randomized. The concordance of positive patch test reactions to the 2 test techniques was studied. The number of patient with positive reactions was 38% and 42% for TRUE Test and Finn Chamber techniques, respectively (n.s.). The overall concordance of positive patch test reactions was 64% (209/328). 13% (42/328) of positive reactions appeared on TRUE Test only and 24% (77/328) on Finn Chamber only. When only relevant positive reactions were considered, the concordance rate was 67%; 11.6% of positive reactions appeared on TRUE Test only and 21% on Finn Chamber only. Positive reactions to p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and neomycin were more frequent with the Finn Chamber technique than with TRUE Test, i.e., false negative reactions to PPD and neomycin were more likely to occur with TRUE Test. It appeared that the TRUE Test and Finn Chamber techniques were comparable when used for patch testing. However false negative and false positive patch test reactions can occur when using either technique.