bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying Interpolation Errors in Urban Airborne Laser Scanning Models
Authors: Smith S. L. , Holland D. A. , Longley P. A.
Published: March 2005

Airborne laser scanning (ALS) is becoming an increasingly popular data capture technique for a variety of applications in urban surface modeling. Raw ALS data are captured and supplied as a 3D point cloud. Many applications require that these data are interpolated onto a regular grid in order that they may be processed. In this article, we identify and analyze the magnitudes and spatial patterning of residuals from ALS models of urban surfaces, at a range of different scales. Previous research has demonstrated the effects of interpolation method and scale upon the nature of error in digital surface models (DSMs), but the size and spatial patterning of such errors have not hitherto been investigated for urban surfaces. The contribution of this analysis is thus to investigate the ways in which different methods may introduce error, and to understand the uncertainty that characterizes urban surface models that are devised for a wide range of applications. The importance of the research is shown using examples of how the different methods may introduce different amounts of error and how the uncertainty information may benefit users of ALS height models. Our analysis uses a range of validation techniques, including split‐sample, cross‐validation, and jackknifing, to estimate the error created in DSMs of urban areas.
Influence of physical activity and maturation status on bone mass and geometry in early pubertal girls1
Authors: Wang Q. J. , Suominen H. , Nicholson P. H. F. , Zou L. C. , Alen M. , Koistinen A. , Cheng S.
Published: March 2005

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of leisure‐time physical activity on the development of bone mass and density in early pubertal girls. Scores of physical activity were obtained from 242 Finnish girls (10–12 years old within Tanner Stages I–II) using a questionnaire. Bone mass and density were assessed using different densitometric techniques. At Tanner Stage I, active girls had significantly higher bone mineral mass (BMC) and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) of the whole body and cortical volumetric BMD and thickness of the tibial shaft compared with sedentary girls (P<0.05). On the other hand, the active girls at Tanner Stage II showed significantly higher values only in BMC and aBMD at the lumbar spine (P=0.017 and P=0.007, respectively). These indicated that girls at Tanner Stage I with higher leisure‐time physical activity level benefited more from physical activity in terms of their bone development than their less active counterparts. Our results provide evidence that the most beneficial time for physical exercise to exhibit its effect on bone development is in the earlier pubertal period for normal school children, but the positive effect on the lumbar spine is also demonstrated in Tanner Stage II.
Defective place cell activity in nociceptin receptor knockout mice with elevated NMDA receptor‐dependent long‐term potentiation
Authors: Taverna Franco A. , Georgiou John , McDonald Robert J. , Hong Nancy S. , Kraev Alexander , Salter Michael W. , Takeshima Hiroshi , Muller Robert U. , Roder John C.
Published: March 2005

There is growing evidence that NMDA receptor‐dependent long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus mediates the synaptic plasticity that underlies spatial learning and memory. LTP deficiencies correlate well with spatial memory deficits and LTP enhancements may improve spatial memory. In addition, LTP deficiencies are associated with abnormal place cells as expected from the spatial mapping hypothesis of hippocampal function. In contrast, nothing is known on how enhanced NMDA receptor‐dependent LTP affects place cells. To address this question we recorded place cells from mice lacking the nociceptin receptor (NOP1/ORL1/OP4) that have enhanced hippocampal LTP. We found that the enhanced LTP was mediated by NMDA receptors, did not require L‐type calcium channels, and occurred only when high frequency tetanizing stimulus trains were used. Place cells in nociceptin receptor knockout mice were abnormal in several ways: they were less stable, had noisier positional firing patterns, larger firing fields and higher discharge rates inside and outside the firing fields. Our results suggest that excessive LTP can cause subnormal hippocampal place cell function. The effects of LTP enhancement on place cell function may therefore also depend on molecular details of synaptic plasticity, including the relationship between stimulus frequency and synaptic strength, and not merely on the magnitude of synaptic strength increases. The data have important clinical implications on development of strategies to improve cognitive function.
Reactive oxygen species contribute to the presynaptic action of extracellular ATP at the frog neuromuscular junction
Authors: Giniatullin A. R. , Grishin S. N. , Sharifullina E. R. , Petrov A. M. , Zefirov A. L. , Giniatullin R. A.
Published: March 2005

During normal cell metabolism the production of intracellular ATP is associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which appear to be important signalling molecules. Both ATP and ROS can be released extracellularly by skeletal muscle during intense activity. Using voltage clamp recording combined with imaging and biochemical assay of ROS, we tested the hypothesis that at the neuromuscular junction extracellular ATP generates ROS to inhibit transmitter release from motor nerve endings. We found that ATP produced the presynaptic inhibitory action on multiquantal end‐plate currents. The inhibitory action of ATP (but not that of adenosine) was significantly reduced by several antioxidants or extracellular catalase, which breaks down H2O2. Consistent with these data, the depressant effect of ATP was dramatically potentiated by the pro‐oxidant Fe2+. Exogenous H2O2 reproduced the depressant effects of ATP and showed similar sensitivity to anti‐ and pro‐oxidants. While NO also inhibited synaptic transmission, inhibitors of the NO‐producing cascade did not prevent the depressant action of ATP. The ferrous oxidation in xylenol orange assay showed the increase of ROS production by ATP and 2‐MeSADP but not by adenosine. Suramin, a non‐selective antagonist of P2 receptors, and pertussis toxin prevented the action of ATP on ROS production. Likewise, imaging with the ROS‐sensitive dye carboxy‐2′,7′‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein revealed increased production of ROS in the muscle treated with ATP or ADP while UTP or adenosine had no effect. Thus, generation of ROS contributed to the ATP‐mediated negative feedback mechanism controlling quantal secretion of ACh from the motor nerve endings.
Extrusion of Cells with Inappropriate Dpp Signaling from
Drosophila
Wing Disc Epithelia
Authors: Shen Jie , Dahmann Christian
Published: March 2005

Decapentaplegic (Dpp) is a signaling molecule that controls growth and patterning of the developing
Drosophila
wing. Mutant cells lacking Dpp signal transduction have been shown to activate c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK)–dependent apoptosis and to be lost from the wing disc epithelium. These observations have led to the hypothesis that Dpp promotes cell survival by preventing apoptosis. Here, we show that in the absence of JNK-dependent apoptosis, mutant cells lacking Dpp signal transduction can survive; however, they are still lost from the wing disc epithelium. This loss correlates with extensive cytoskeletal changes followed by basal epithelial extrusion. We propose that Dpp promotes cell survival within disc epithelia by affecting cytoskeletal organization.
MicroRNAs Regulate Brain Morphogenesis in Zebrafish
Authors: Giraldez Antonio J. , Cinalli Ryan M. , Glasner Margaret E. , Enright Anton J. , Thomson J. Michael , Baskerville Scott , Hammond Scott M. , Bartel David P. , Schier Alexander F.
Published: March 2005

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally. To block all miRNA formation in zebrafish, we generated maternal-zygotic
dicer
(MZ
dicer
) mutants that disrupt the Dicer ribonuclease III and double-stranded RNA-binding domains. Mutant embryos do not process precursor miRNAs into mature miRNAs, but injection of preprocessed miRNAs restores gene silencing, indicating that the disrupted domains are dispensable for later steps in silencing. MZ
dicer
mutants undergo axis formation and differentiate multiple cell types but display abnormal morphogenesis during gastrulation, brain formation, somitogenesis, and heart development. Injection of miR-430 miRNAs rescues the brain defects in MZ
dicer
mutants, revealing essential roles for miRNAs during morphogenesis.
THE HAUSDORFF VORONOI DIAGRAM OF POLYGONAL OBJECTS: A DIVIDE AND CONQUER APPROACH
Authors: PAPADOPOULOU EVANTHIA , LEE D. T.
Published: March 2005

We study the Hausdorff Voronoi diagram of a set S of polygonal objects in the plane, a generalization of Voronoi diagrams based on the maximum distance of a point from a polygon, and show that it is equivalent to the Voronoi diagram of S under the Hausdorff distance function. We investigate the structural and combinatorial properties of the Hausdorff Voronoi diagram and give a divide and conquer algorithm for the construction of this diagram that improves upon previous results. As a byproduct we introduce the Hausdorff hull, a structure that relates to the Hausdorff Voronoi diagram in the same way as a convex hull relates to the ordinary Voronoi diagram. The Hausdorff Voronoi diagram finds direct application in the problem of computing the critical area of a VLSI Layout, a measure reflecting the sensitivity of a VLSI design to random manufacturing defects, described in a companion paper.13
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF VISUAL AREA MT
Authors: Born Richard T. , Bradley David C.
Published: March 2005

The small visual area known as MT or V5 has played a major role in our understanding of the primate cerebral cortex. This area has been historically important in the concept of cortical processing streams and the idea that different visual areas constitute highly specialized representations of visual information. MT has also proven to be a fertile culture dish—full of direction- and disparity-selective neurons—exploited by many labs to study the neural circuits underlying computations of motion and depth and to examine the relationship between neural activity and perception. Here we attempt a synthetic overview of the rich literature on MT with the goal of answering the question, What does MT do?
Improved muscular efficiency displayed as Tour de France champion matures
Authors: Coyle Edward F.
Published: March 2005

This case describes the physiological maturation from ages 21 to 28 yr of the bicyclist who has now become the six-time consecutive Grand Champion of the Tour de France, at ages 27–32 yr. Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2 max) in the trained state remained at ∼6 l/min, lean body weight remained at ∼70 kg, and maximal heart rate declined from 207 to 200 beats/min. Blood lactate threshold was typical of competitive cyclists in that it occurred at 76–85% V̇o2 max, yet maximal blood lactate concentration was remarkably low in the trained state. It appears that an 8% improvement in muscular efficiency and thus power production when cycling at a given oxygen uptake (V̇o2) is the characteristic that improved most as this athlete matured from ages 21 to 28 yr. It is noteworthy that at age 25 yr, this champion developed advanced cancer, requiring surgeries and chemotherapy. During the months leading up to each of his Tour de France victories, he reduced body weight and body fat by 4–7 kg (i.e., ∼7%). Therefore, over the 7-yr period, an improvement in muscular efficiency and reduced body fat contributed equally to a remarkable 18% improvement in his steady-state power per kilogram body weight when cycling at a given V̇o2 (e.g., 5 l/min). It is hypothesized that the improved muscular efficiency probably reflects changes in muscle myosin type stimulated from years of training intensely for 3–6 h on most days.
Regional hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in prone pigs
Authors: Starr I. R. , Lamm W. J. E. , Neradilek B. , Polissar N. , Glenny R. W. , Hlastala M. P.
Published: March 2005

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is known to affect regional pulmonary blood flow distribution. It is unknown whether lungs with well-matched ventilation (V̇)/perfusion (Q̇) have regional differences in the HPV response. Five prone pigs were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated (positive end-expiratory pressure = 2 cmH2O). Two hypoxic preconditions [inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) = 0.13] were completed to stabilize the animal's hypoxic response. Regional pulmonary blood Q̇ and V̇ distribution was determined at various FiO2 (0.21, 0.15, 0.13, 0.11, 0.09) using the fluorescent microsphere technique. Q̇ and V̇ in the lungs were quantified within 2-cm3 lung pieces. Pieces were grouped, or clustered, based on the changes in blood flow when subjected to increasing hypoxia. Unique patterns of Q̇ response to hypoxia were seen within and across animals. The three main patterns (clusters) showed little initial difference in V̇/Q̇ matching at room air where the mean V̇/Q̇ range was 0.92–1.06. The clusters were spatially located in cranial, central, and caudal portions of the lung. With decreasing FiO2, blood flow shifted from the cranial to caudal regions. We determined that pulmonary blood flow changes, caused by HPV, produced distinct response patterns that were seen in similar regions across our prone porcine model.
A Hobbesian Approach to Political-Economic History
Authors: Temin Peter
Published: March 2005

Hobbesian theory provides a key to understanding the interaction of economics and politics in the history of many countries, revealing that the suppression of violence is the first task of any nascent state. Only after governments have assured lasting internal peace by monopolizing violence can economic growth and political stability reinforce each other.
Correlation and prediction of gene expression level from amino acid and dipeptide composition of its protein
Authors: Raghava Gajendra PS , Han Joon H
Published: March 2005

Background

A large number of papers have been published on analysis of microarray data with particular emphasis on normalization of data, detection of differentially expressed genes, clustering of genes and regulatory network. On other hand there are only few studies on relation between expression level and composition of nucleotide/protein sequence, using expression data. There is a need to understand why particular genes/proteins express more in particular conditions. In this study, we analyze 3468 genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae obtained from Holstege et al., (1998) to understand the relationship between expression level and amino acid composition.

Results

We compute the correlation between expression of a gene and amino acid composition of its protein. It was observed that some residues (like Ala, Gly, Arg and Val) have significant positive correlation (r > 0.20) and some other residues (Like Asp, Leu, Asn and Ser) have negative correlation (r < -0.15) with the expression of genes. A significant negative correlation (r = -0.18) was also found between length and gene expression. These observations indicate the relationship between percent composition and gene expression level. Thus, attempts have been made to develop a Support Vector Machine (SVM) based method for predicting the expression level of genes from its protein sequence. In this method the SVM is trained with proteins whose gene expression data is known in a given condition. Then trained SVM is used to predict the gene expression of other proteins of the same organism in the same condition. A correlation coefficient r = 0.70 was obtained between predicted and experimentally determined expression of genes, which improves from r = 0.70 to 0.72 when dipeptide composition was used instead of residue composition. The method was evaluated using 5-fold cross validation test. We also demonstrate that amino acid composition information along with gene expression data can be used for improving the function classification of proteins.

Conclusion

There is a correlation between gene expression and amino acid composition that can be used to predict the expression level of genes up to a certain extent. A web server based on the above strategy has been developed for calculating the correlation between amino acid composition and gene expression and prediction of expression level http://kiwi.postech.ac.kr/raghava/lgepred/. This server will allow users to study the evolution from expression data.
Reliability of videotaped observational gait analysis in patients with orthopedic impairments
Authors: Brunnekreef Jaap J , van Uden Caro JT , van Moorsel Steven , Kooloos Jan GM
Published: March 2005

Background

In clinical practice, visual gait observation is often used to determine gait disorders and to evaluate treatment. Several reliability studies on observational gait analysis have been described in the literature and generally showed moderate reliability. However, patients with orthopedic disorders have received little attention. The objective of this study is to determine the reliability levels of visual observation of gait in patients with orthopedic disorders.

Methods

The gait of thirty patients referred to a physical therapist for gait treatment was videotaped. Ten raters, 4 experienced, 4 inexperienced and 2 experts, individually evaluated these videotaped gait patterns of the patients twice, by using a structured gait analysis form. Reliability levels were established by calculating the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), using a two-way random design and based on absolute agreement.

Results

The inter-rater reliability among experienced raters (ICC = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.38–0.46) was comparable to that of the inexperienced raters (ICC = 0.40; 95%CI: 0.36–0.44). The expert raters reached a higher inter-rater reliability level (ICC = 0.54; 95%CI: 0.48–0.60). The average intra-rater reliability of the experienced raters was 0.63 (ICCs ranging from 0.57 to 0.70). The inexperienced raters reached an average intra-rater reliability of 0.57 (ICCs ranging from 0.52 to 0.62). The two expert raters attained ICC values of 0.70 and 0.74 respectively.

Conclusion

Structured visual gait observation by use of a gait analysis form as described in this study was found to be moderately reliable. Clinical experience appears to increase the reliability of visual gait analysis.
Mast cell infiltration associated with tubulointerstitial fibrosis in chronic Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy
Authors: Wu Yichao , Liu Zhihong , Hu Weixin , Li Leishi
Published: March 2005

Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy (AAN) is regarded as a kind of toxic nephropathy caused by the formation of DNA- aristolochic acid adducts in renal parenchymal cells. However, the underlying mechanisms driving the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis in AAN still remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the role of some immunological factors, especially mast cells (MCs), in the pathogenesis of AAN. Sixteen patients with AAN were enrolled in this study, including five acute and 11 chronic AAN. Monoclonal antibodies against human tryptase, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and CD68 were applied on serial sections, which were further counterstained with Periodic Acid-Schiff. It was found that massive tryptase-positive MCs were observed in the fibrotic areas in chronic AAN, especially around thickened tubular basement membranes where myofibroblasts accumulated too. In contrast, MCs infiltrated to a less extent in acute AAN, and were barely found in normal control kidneys. In chronic AAN, the number of MCs in the tubulointerstitium was positively correlated with the degree of renal fibrosis ( r=0.64, P<0.05), but not with serum creatinine levels. Meanwhile, the recruitment of MCs into the renal interstitium is accompanied with local proliferation of myofibroblasts. Macrophages were not abundant, neither in acute nor in chronic AAN. Our findings show for the first time that mast cell infiltration seems to be associated with the progression of fibrosis in the renal tubulointerstitium in chronic AAN.
Phase II Study of Radiotherapy Employing Proton Beam for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Kawashima Mitsuhiko , Furuse Junji , Nishio Teiji , Konishi Masaru , Ishii Hiroshi , Kinoshita Taira , Nagase Michitaka , Nihei Keiji , Ogino Takashi
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of proton beam radiotherapy (PRT) for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Patients and Methods

Eligibility criteria for this study were: solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); no indication for surgery or local ablation therapy; no ascites; age ≥ 20 years; Zubrod performance status of 0 to 2; no serious comorbidities other than liver cirrhosis; written informed consent. PRT was administered in doses of 76 cobalt gray equivalent in 20 fractions for 5 weeks. No patients received transarterial chemoembolization or local ablation in combination with PRT.

Results

Thirty patients were enrolled between May 1999 and February 2003. There were 20 male and 10 female patients, with a median age of 70 years. Maximum tumor diameter ranged from 25 to 82 mm (median, 45 mm). All patients had liver cirrhosis, the degree of which was Child-Pugh class A in 20, and class B in 10 patients. Acute reactions of PRT were well tolerated, and PRT was completed as planned in all patients. Four patients died of hepatic insufficiency without tumor recurrence at 6 to 9 months. Three of these four patients had pretreatment indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes of more than 50%. After a median follow-up period of 31 months (16 to 54 months), only one patient experienced recurrence of the primary tumor, and 2-year actuarial local progression-free rate was 96% (95% CI, 88% to 100%). Actuarial overall survival rate at 2 years was 66% (48% to 84%).

Conclusion

PRT showed excellent control of the primary tumor, with minimal acute toxicity. Further study is warranted to scrutinize adequate patient selection in order to maximize survival benefit of this promising modality.
EGR1 Predicts PTEN and Survival in Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Ferraro Bernadette , Bepler Gerold , Sharma Swati , Cantor Alan , Haura Eric B.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The zinc finger transcription factor early growth response gene 1 (EGR1) is underexpressed in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared with normal lung. EGR1 expression has been linked to tumor suppression as a result of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through regulation of tumor suppressor pathways including PTEN. For these reasons, we hypothesized that reduced levels of EGR1 would correlate with inferior outcome in patients with NSCLC.

Patients and Methods

Patients who underwent surgical resection for NSCLC had RNA extracted from tumor tissue and EGR1 gene expression was quantified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The levels of EGR1 expression were examined in relationship to patient characteristics, histology, tumor stage, PTEN expression, and overall and disease-free survival.

Results

EGR1 expression strongly correlated with PTEN expression (P < .0001). No correlation of EGR1 with histology or stage was detected. Patients with high levels of EGR1 had better overall and disease-free survival compared with patients with low levels of EGR1 (P = .040 and P = .096, respectively). In a stratified log-rank test, low EGR1 expression was predictive of poor survival independent of tumor stage.

Conclusion

EGR1 gene expression predicts PTEN levels and survival after surgical resection of NSCLC. Consistent with its known tumor suppressor properties, lower levels of EGR1 are associated with poor outcome. Identification of patients with low EGR1 therefore may identify patients at high risk for disease recurrence and may also identify patients who have tumors resistant to therapy secondary to loss of pathways such as PTEN.
Minireview: Cellular Redox State Regulates Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Activity and Intracellular Hormone Potency
Authors: Agarwal Anil K. , Auchus Richard J.
Published: March 2005

Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) interconvert potent and relatively inactive forms of individual steroid hormones using nicotinamide cofactors NADPH/NADP+ and NADH/NAD+ [nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate), reduced/oxidized forms]. Although reactions with purified enzymes in vitro may be driven in either direction depending on the assay conditions, HSD enzymes appear to function in one direction or the other in intact cells. At least for some of these enzymes, however, the apparent unidirectional metabolism actually reflects bidirectional catalysis that reaches a pseudoequilibrium state with a strong directional preference. This directional preference, in turn, derives from intracellular concentration gradients for the nicotinamide cofactors and the relative affinities of each HSD for these cofactors. Because the concentrations of free cofactor exceed those of steroids by many orders of magnitude, the activities of these enzymes are predominantly driven by cofactor abundance, which is linked to intermediary metabolism. Consequently, the amount of active steroids in cells containing HSDs may be modulated by cofactor abundance and, hence, intracellular redox state. We will review the evidence linking cofactor handling and HSD activity, speculate on additional ways that intracellular metabolism can alter HSD activity and, thus, hormone potency, and discuss fruitful avenues of further investigation.
Golgi-Localized, γ-Ear-Containing, Arf-Binding Protein Adaptors Mediate Insulin-Responsive Trafficking of Glucose Transporter 4 in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
Authors: Li Lin V. , Kandror Konstantin V.
Published: March 2005

Small glucose transporter 4 (Glut4)-containing vesicles represent the major insulin-responsive compartment in fat and skeletal muscle cells. The molecular mechanism of their biogenesis is not yet elucidated. Here, we studied the role of the newly discovered family of monomeric adaptor proteins, GGA (Golgi-localized, γ-ear-containing, Arf-binding proteins), in the formation of small Glut4 vesicles and acquisition of insulin responsiveness in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In these cells, all three GGA isoforms are expressed throughout the differentiation process. In particular, GGA2 is primarily present in trans-Golgi network and endosomes where it demonstrates a significant colocalization with the recycling pool of Glut4. Using the techniques of immunoadsorption as well as glutathione-S-transferase pull-down assay we found that Glut4 vesicles (but not Glut4 per se) interact with GGA via the Vps-27, Hrs, and STAM (VHS) domain. Moreover, a dominant negative GGA mutant inhibits formation of Glut4 vesicles in vitro. To study a possible role of GGA in Glut4 traffic in the living cell, we stably expressed a dominant negative GGA mutant in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Formation of small insulin-responsive Glut4-containing vesicles and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in these cells were markedly impaired. Thus, GGA adaptors participate in the formation of the insulin-responsive vesicular compartment from the intracellular donor membranes both in vivo and in vitro.
Conceptions of objects across categories: Childhood patterns resemble those of adults
Authors: Hughes Diana , Woodcock Jayne , Funnell Elaine
Published: March 2005

Studies of category‐specific disorders have suggested that categories of living and non‐living things vary in the properties that are most salient to recognition. Studies of the object features generated by normal adults have also revealed different patterns of responses to different categories. These adult patterns are likely to originate in childhood, but there are few reports of children's verbal conceptions of objects, and none at present of objects from different categories. This paper investigates the development of object conceptions, in a large group of children, aged 3 years 7 months to 11 years 6 months, in response to ‘What is a — ?’ questions directed to 72 objects, selected from two categories of living things (animals and fruit/vegetables) and two categories of artifacts (implements and vehicles). Proportions of perceptual‐to‐functional features provided by the children to living and non‐living things varied with the range of features defined as functions, just as studies of adults have found. Apart from the distribution of superordinate responses, which were significantly more salient to living than to non‐living categories, no other property separated the two categories. Only the category of implements could be distinguished from the other categories on the basis of the features generated. It is argued that the perceptual‐functional theory of category‐specific disorders receives little support from this study, but that in general the distribution of features generated by young children is similar to that produced by normal adults.
Distinguishing heroes from celebrities
Authors: North Adrian C. , Bland Victoria , Ellis Nicky
Published: March 2005

Although numerous studies have concerned both ‘greatness’ and ‘celebrity worship,’ little previous research has overtly investigated the psychological bases for distinguishing ‘heroes’ from ‘celebrities’. Study 1 indicated that, in response to 13 attitudinal measures, participants' responses to heroes could be summarized in terms of emotional attachment, drive for affiliation, and ordinariness, whereas the corresponding factors for celebrities were drive for affiliation, disdain, and ordinariness. Study 2 investigated how certain individuals might come to be perceived as producing ‘great’ outputs. Using a vignette, manipulations of ‘dead versus alive,’ and ‘good conduct versus bad conduct’ mediated perceptions of the emotional significance of a pop song. The results are used to generate some tentative theoretical explanations for the differences between heroism and celebrity.
Thought suppression and cognitive vulnerability to depression
Authors: Van der Does Willem
Published: March 2005

Objectives. Cognitive reactivity (CR) has been defined as the relative ease with which maladaptive cognitions or cognitive styles are triggered by mild (non‐pathological) mood fluctuations. CR has been found to predict relapse of depression (Segal, Gemar & Williams, 1999). This study compared different measures of CR, and also investigated the role of thought suppression as a possible mechanism underlying CR.

Design and methods. Participants included 24 previously depressed, and 24 never depressed individuals who underwent a mood induction. They also completed a questionnaire designed to measure CR (LEIDS; Van der Does, 2002a), and participated in the scrambled sentences task (SST). The SST was designed to uncover thought suppression tendencies, and has been shown to discriminate between never depressed and previously depressed samples.

Results. LEIDS scores were higher for previously depressed than for never depressed individuals. However, CR as measured with the mood induction did not distinguish between these groups. The LEIDS was correlated with the results of the SST and with self‐report measures of thought suppression.

Conclusion. Active suppression of unwanted thoughts may be involved in the apparent inactive state of depressive cognitions during remission.
Mixing sound and vision: The interaction of auditory and visual information for earwitnesses of a crime scene
Authors: Wright Daniel B. , Wareham Gary
Published: March 2005

Purpose. Previous research has shown that visual information impairs the perception of the sound of individual syllables, often called the McGurk effect. In everyday life sounds are seldom heard as individual syllables, but are embedded in words, and these words within sentences. The purpose of this research is to see whether auditory and visual information interact in the perception of a contextually rich scene that is of forensic importance.

Methods. Participants were shown a video of a man following a woman. The man either says ‘He's got your boot’ or ‘He's gonna shoot’. Half the participants saw the actor say the same phrase as they heard, and half saw a different phrase than they heard.

Results. When the visual and acoustic patterns did not match, people made mistakes. Many reported the fusion: ‘He's got your shoe’.

Conclusions. This is the first demonstration of the interaction of auditory and visual information for complex scenes. The scene is one of forensic importance and therefore the findings are of importance within the emerging field of earwitness testimony.
Treating offending children: What works?
Authors: Nee Claire , Ellis Tom
Published: March 2005

Purpose. There is little evidence on the effectiveness of interventions with offending children and juveniles, either in Europe or North America. We present the evaluation findings of an innovative intervention and relate these to the existing evidence base for young offenders and to the more extensive literature on older offenders.

Methods. Using an established risk predictor, The Level of Service Inventory–Revised (LSI‐R; Andrews & Bonta, 1995), we measured the criminogenic risks and needs of the intervention group and a non‐intervention group of child and juvenile offenders at 6‐monthly intervals. Local police charges data were also collected for both groups as an indicator of offending behaviour.

Results. Over the first 30 months of the project, a statistically significant drop was seen in the LSI‐R scores of the project participants, with favourable effect sizes. Effect sizes improved markedly with longer‐term intervention. There were also strong indications that the level of offending behaviour had decreased during the intervention. The comparison group showed no change in risks, needs or offending rate.

Conclusions. We suggest this study provides an important contribution to the evidence base of what works with child and juvenile offenders and we suggest that an increased focus on understanding effective intervention with very young offenders is required.
Determinants of condom use among a random sample of single heterosexual adults
Authors: Godin Gaston , Gagnon Hélène , Lambert Léo‐Daniel , Conner Mark
Published: March 2005

Objectives. The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of single heterosexuals' use of condoms during each sexual intercourse.

Design. Cohort of individuals followed over a period of 2 years.

Methods. Respondents were 574 single heterosexual individuals who answered questions during a telephone interview.

Results. Attitude, perceived behavioural control, self‐efficacy and moral norm explained 65% of the variance in intentions to use condoms (p <.0001). The determinants of condom use at 1 year follow‐up (27% explained variance) were perceived behavioural control, past behaviour, and the interaction between intention and intention stability. At 2 years follow‐up, the significant determinants were past behaviour and intention by intention stability. In the present study, intentions to use condoms which remained stable across time were strong predictors of condom use (at 1 year: β=.42, p <.0001; at 2 years: β=.39, p <.003), while unstable intentions were not (at 1 year: β=.02, ns; at 2 years: β=.19, ns).

Conclusion. Intention stability is a major determinant of the accuracy of intention for the prediction of subsequent behaviour.
Prediction of fibrosis in HCV-infected liver transplant recipients with a simple noninvasive index
Authors: Benlloch Salvador , Berenguer Marina , Prieto Martín , Rayón José Miguel , Aguilera Victoria , Berenguer Joaquín
Published: March 2005

Recurrent hepatitis C is a frequent event in liver transplantation (LT). Serial liver biopsies remain the best way of monitoring disease progression. Due to the limitations of a liver biopsy, there is an interest in developing noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis. While several models for predicting fibrosis have been constructed in patients who have not undergone transplantation, these are lacking in the transplant population. The aim of this study was to construct one simple model based on routine laboratory data to predict fibrosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected LT patients. A total of 510 yearly protocol liver biopsies performed in 188 LT patients (67% male; median age 54 years) were divided into 2 groups: training set (n = 414) and validation set (n = 96). Laboratory variables at time of biopsies were recorded. Multivariate analysis identified 4 variables as independent predictors of fibrosis: prothrombin time (PT), albumin/total protein ratio, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and time since LT. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUCs) were 0.80 and 0.84 for the training and the validation set, respectively. In the training set, using a cutoff of 0.2, the model had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 74%, 69%, 42%, and 90%, respectively, to differentiate significant (bridging fibrosis and cirrhosis) from mild fibrosis (none or portal). In the validation cohort, these values increased to 87%, 71%, 49%, and 95%, respectively. In conclusion, in the LT setting, a simple fibrosis index is useful to select HCV-infected patients with a very low risk of significant fibrosis in whom protocol liver biopsies may be avoided. (Liver Transpl 2005;11:456–462.)
Viral load at the time of liver transplantation and risk of hepatitis B virus recurrence
Authors: Marzano Alfredo , Gaia Silvia , Ghisetti Valeria , Carenzi Silvia , Premoli Alberto , Debernardi-Venon Wilma , Alessandria Carlo , Franchello Alessandro , Salizzoni Mauro , Rizzetto Mario
Published: March 2005

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after liver transplantation is significantly reduced by prophylaxis with hepatitis B immune globulins (HBIG) or antiviral drugs in nonreplicating patients and by the combination of both drugs in replicating patients. However, the load of HBV DNA, which defines replicating status in patients undergoing liver transplantation, remains unclear. This study analyzes the correlation between the viral load, tested with a single amplified assay, at the time of liver transplantation, and the risk of hepatitis B recurrence in 177 HBV carriers who underwent transplantation in a single center from 1990 to 2002. Overall, HBV relapsed after surgery in 15 patients (8.5%) with a 5- and 8-year actuarial rate of recurrence of 8% and 21%, respectively. After liver transplantation hepatitis B recurred in 9% of 98 selected subjects treated only with immune globulins and in 8% of 79 viremic patients who received immune globulins and lamivudine (

P

= NS). A linear correlation was observed between recurrence and viral load at the time of surgery. In transplant patients with HBV DNA higher than 100,000 copies/mL, 200–99,999 copies/mL, and DNA undetectable by amplified assay, hepatitis B recurred in 50%, 7.5%, and 0% of patients, respectively. Overall, a viral load higher than 100,000 copies/mL at the time of liver transplantation was significantly associated with hepatitis B recurrence (

P

= .0003). In conclusion, spontaneous or antiviral-induced HBV DNA viral load at the time of surgery classifies the risk of HBV recurrence after liver transplantation and indicates the best prophylaxis strategy. (Liver Transpl 2005;11:402–409.)
Erfahrungen mit der Leybold ScrewLine in industriellen Anwendungen. ScrewLine Vacuum Pumps in Industrial Applications
Authors: Dreifert Thomas , Zöllig Uwe , Stahlschmidt Olaf
Published: March 2005

Die Beispiele aus verschiedenen „industriellen”︁ Applikationen zeigen, dass sich das Konzept der ScrewLine SP630 auch unter härtesten Bedingungen hervorragend bewährt. Die Pumpe ist eine echte „Universalpumpe”︁ und kann durch ihr Zubehör auch an viele Prozesse im Randbereich der Chemischen Industrie oder in der Halbleiterindustrie angepaßt werden.

In allen Fällen überzeugen vor allem die sehr niedrigen „Cost of Ownership”︁ und die hohe Robustheit der Pumpe. Außerdem präsentiert sie sich als sehr modernes Produkt und setzt bei Vakuumleistung, Schallpegel und Wartungsfreundlichkeit neue Maßstäbe. Leybold Vacuum bietet mit der ScrewLine also wieder ein echtes „Arbeitspferd”︁ und setzt so eine Tradition mit Produkten wie TRIVAC, SOGEVAC und RUVAC nahtlos fort.
Trust in Troubled Times: Money, Banks, and State-Society Relations in Republican Tianjin. By BRETT SHEEHAN. [Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003. 269 pp. £30.00. ISBN 0-674-01080-9.]
Authors: Yip Ka-che
Published: March 2005

Trust in Troubled Times is an important addition to the still relatively small body of literature on banking and finance in Republican China. In this careful and thoughtful study of the development of banking and paper money in Tianjin from late Qing to the eve of the Sino-Japanese War in 1937, Brett Sheehan analyses the rise of modern banks and the growth of social trust in such financial institutions, and examines their relations to the process of state-building. The work is solidly based on a wealth of primary sources including newspapers published in Tianjin, Beijing and Shanghai, archival materials in China, Taiwan and the United States, as well as interviews with individuals who had worked in Tianjin banks in the 1920s and 1930s. Indeed, one of the main contributions of this book is the tremendous amount of data amassed by the author that illuminates the complexity of the problems associated with banking and finance in the pre-1949 period.

Drawing on Western theories on banking and social trust, Sheehan begins his study with a discussion of a theoretical framework which provides not only a foundation for the analysis of developments in Tianjin, but also the basis for comparative studies of institution and state-building in different political, social and economic milieus. He then examines a series of financial crises, from the moratorium on exchange in 1916, the bank runs under the warlord governments, the financial instability created by the Japanese attack on Shanghai in 1932, and the monetary reforms of the Nationalist government in 1935. The responses of government officials, bankers and the local elites to the crises, the strategies they used to establish and promote impersonal trust in Tianjin banks, and the impact of these crises on the elites, the banking profession and state-society relations constitute the main body of the study. The story is both encouraging and disheartening: encouraging because by 1937, trust in Chinese-owned and operated banks was indeed established; disheartening because the banks failed to gain the autonomy that could have shielded them from the abuses of the government.
Computing the monthly Palmer Drought Index on a weekly basis: A case study comparing data estimation techniques
Authors: Heim Richard R.
Published: March 2005

A methodology is presented for estimating mean monthly temperature and total monthly precipitation before the month is over. The approach involves combining observed data for the month to date with daily normals for the remainder of the month. It is demonstrated to be superior to two other techniques, a persistence method and a moving window method. This normals technique allows the computation of an operational monthly Palmer Drought Index on a weekly (or even daily) basis which is consistent with historical drought indices of the recent past.
Aerosol radiative forcing over east Asia determined from ground‐based solar radiation measurements
Authors: Kim Do‐Hyeong , Sohn B. J. , Nakajima Teruyuki , Takamura Tamio
Published: March 2005

We developed a method of retrieving aerosol optical properties and their associated radiative forcing from simultaneously measured sky radiation and surface solar flux data. The method is then applied to data sets collected at Mandalgovi, Dunhuang, Yinchuan, and Sri‐Samrong sites of the Skyradiometer Network (SKYNET), and at Anmyon, Gosan, and Amami‐Oshima, to examine the aerosol characteristics of east Asia. From the analysis for the SKYNET sites it was found that aerosols in east Asia have smaller single scattering albedos (i.e., 0.89 for Asian dusts in Dunhuang, 0.9 for urban type aerosols in Yinchuan, and 0.88 for biomass burning aerosols in Sri‐Samrong), compared to the single scattering albedo for the same type of aerosols found in other areas. Lower single scattering albedo suggests that the aerosols over east Asia absorb comparatively more solar radiation. The measurements taken during April at the latter three sites over the Korean peninsula and the East China Sea showed that the single scattering albedo of Asian dust becomes smaller during the course of its movement from the source region to east Asian seawaters (i.e., 0.86 at Anmyon, 0.84 at Gosan, and 0.80 in Amami‐Oshima), compared with 0.89 found in the source region (i.e., Dunhuang). These findings strongly suggest that Asian dusts become blackened during the movement because of mixing with soot particles produced over the industrial/urban area of China. The overall atmospheric forcing efficiency (radiation flux per unit aerosol optical thickness at 0.5 μm) of Asian dusts ranges from 65 to 94 W m−2 near the east Asian seaboard area, indicating that atmospheric heating by Asian dusts can be significantly enhanced by the mixing with soot particles.
Simulation of the thermodynamics and removal processes in the sulfate‐ammonia‐nitric acid system during winter: Implications for PM2.5 control strategies
Authors: Vayenas Dimitris V. , Takahama Satoshi , Davidson Cliff I. , Pandis Spyros N.
Published: March 2005

In the eastern United States, inorganic species account for approximately half of the PM2.5 mass, with sulfate salts comprising the largest fraction. Current strategies for reducing PM2.5 mass concentrations target reducing SO2 to reduce sulfate, but in such a case more ammonium nitrate may form when nitric acid is present. Large‐scale chemical transport models suffer from uncertainties associated with emission inventories. To examine how the inorganic PM2.5 concentration responds to changes in emissions, we introduce an observation‐based box model, the thermodynamic model with removal (TMR), to estimate responses of PM2.5 to precursor concentrations. TMR assumes that particles are in equilibrium with the gas phase, but the removal rate of total (PM2.5 + gas) nitric acid from the system depends on the gas/aerosol partitioning of this species. The model is used to investigate sulfate, total ammonia, and total nitric acid control strategies for western Pennsylvania during the winter using measurements obtained in the Pittsburgh Air Quality Study. Predictions from TMR are compared with observations and predictions of a chemical equilibrium model (GFEMN), where the perturbation of sulfate or total ammonia does not affect the total nitric acid availability. Results show that TMR predicts more aerosol nitrate to form than GFEMN in scenarios where the total ammonia to sulfate ratio is increased, but model results are similar under ammonia‐limited conditions. When sulfate is reduced by 50% during the winter, GFEMN predicts that inorganic PM2.5 mass concentrations will be reduced by 23%, while TMR predicts that there will only be an 8% reduction. For a 50% reduction in ammonia availability, inorganic PM2.5 was reduced by 29%, while for a 50% reduction in total nitric acid a 17% reduction in inorganic PM2.5 was predicted. The analysis suggests the importance of the phase state of the aerosol for the effectiveness of the emission control strategies.
The spectral action for Moyal planes
Authors: Gayral Victor , Iochum Bruno
Published: March 2005

Extending a result of Vassilevich, we obtain the asymptotic expansion for the trace of a spatially regularized heat operator LΘ(f)e−tΔΘ, where ΔΘ is a generalized Laplacian defined with Moyal products and LΘ(f) is Moyal left multiplication. The Moyal planes corresponding to any skewsymmetric matrix Θ being spectral triples, the spectral action introduced in noncommutative geometry by Chamseddine and Connes is computed. This result generalizes the Connes–Lott action previously computed by Gayral for symplectic Θ.