bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total access block time: A comprehensive and intuitive way to measure the total effect of access block on the emergency department
Authors: Paoloni Richard , Fowler Dawn
Published: January 2008

Objective:  Access block refers to delayed transfer of admitted patients in the ED to wards from lack of an inpatient bed. Existing measures are crude indicators of its impact on ED function. Our aim was to devise measures of the total burden of access block on ED function which better measured the impact on ED function, yet were intuitive and easy to communicate.

Methods:  Current access block measures, reported as percentage of total inpatient admissions, are based upon time intervals and cut points. ‘Total access block time’ (TABT) is obtained by summing the minutes in excess of 8 h that admitted patients spend in the ED. We describe derivation of TABT with reference to its intuitive comprehensibility and potential to improve understanding and communication of access block issues. Two examples of months with similar traditional measures but different TABT are used to highlight its advantages.

Results:  TABT varies over a greater range than traditional measures. High TABT months had higher presentations, higher admissions, more admitted patients with long ED stays and impaired ability to meet triage benchmarks. Differences in these parameters are considered intermediate end‐points which reflect the degree of impairment of ED function.

Conclusions:  TABT is a comprehensive, sensitive indicator of total impact of access block on ED function. Unlike current access block measures, TABT is reflective of long‐stay ED patients. Descriptive statistics derived from TABT, in terms of effective beds and bed‐days lost, will likely improve the communication and comprehension of access block issues.
Neuropharmacological Effects in Mice of Lychnophora Species (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) and Anticonvulsant Activity of 4,5‐di‐O‐[E]‐caffeoylquinic Acid Isolated From the Stem of L. rupestris and L. staavioides
Authors: Taleb‐Contini Silvia H. , Santos Wagner F. , Mortari Márcia R. , Lopes Norberto P. , Lopes João L. C.
Published: January 2008

Abstract:   Aiming at contributing with the search for neuroactive substances from natural sources, we report for the first time antinociceptive and anticonvulsant effects of some Lychnophora species. We verify the protective effects of polar extracts (600 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), and methanolic fractions of L. staavioides and L. rupestris (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) in pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizures on mice. Previously, a screening was accomplished, evaluating the antinociceptive central activity (hot plate test), with different extracts of L. rupestris, L. staavioides and L. diamantinana. It was possible to select the possible extracts of Lychnophora with central nervous system activity. Some of the active extracts were submitted to fractionation and purification process and the methanolic fractions of L. rupestris (stem) and L. staavioides (stem), with anticonvulsant properties (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), yielded 4,5‐di‐O‐[E]‐caffeoylquinic acid. This substance was injected intraperitoneally in mice and showed anticonvulsant effect against pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizures at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg. It has often been shown that seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole are involved in inhibition and/or attenuation of GABAergic neurotransmission. However, other systems of the central nervous system such as adenosinergic and glutamatergic could be involved in the caffeoylquinic acid effects. Further studies should be conducted to verify that the target receptor could be participating in this anticonvulsant property. Although other investigations have reported a series of biological activities from Lychnophora species, this is the first report of central analgesic and anticonvulsant activity in species of this genus.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Does Not Potentiate Doxorubicin‐Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Karagoz Bulent , Suleymanoglu Selami , Uzun Gunalp , Bilgi Oguz , Aydinoz Secil , Haholu Aptullah , Turken Orhan , Onem Yalcin , Kandemir E. Gokhan
Published: January 2008

Abstract:   The current use of doxorubicin is regarded as an absolute contraindication for hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy because of the increased risk of cardiotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether additional exposure to HBO2 during the course of doxorubicin treatment would further increase the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin in rats. Female Wistar rats were treated with either HBO2 (n = 10) or doxorubicin (n = 8) or a combination of both treatments (n = 10) for 4 consecutive weeks and followed up for an additional 4 weeks. Cardiomyopathy was evaluated using two‐dimensional and M‐mode echocardiography at baseline, at the fourth, sixth and eighth weeks, and by histopathological investigation of the rat hearts at the eighth week. Doxorubicin treatment significantly reduced ejection fraction and fractional shortening (P < 0.001) and caused severe histopathological injury (P < 0.05) indicating development of cardiotoxicity. Although the combination of doxorubicin and HBO2 also markedly reduced ejection fraction and fractional shortening (P < 0.001), this reduction was significantly less than that of doxorubicin treatment (P < 0.05). HBO2 therapy also attenuated doxorubicin‐induced histopathological changes in rat hearts (P < 0.05). HBO2 alone did not alter echocardiographic parameters or histopathological findings (P > 0.05). In conclusion, HBO2 therapy does not potentiate doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Cardioprotection conferred by HBO2 against doxorubicin warrants further investigation.
The Influence of Feeding Patch Size and Relative Fruit Density on the Foraging Behavior of the Black Spider Monkey Ateles chamek
Authors: Wallace Robert B.
Published: January 2008

Black spider monkey Ateles chamek foraging data from eastern Bolivia are examined in relation to the size of fruit patches and the relative fruit density within the patch. In general, spider monkeys exhibited a preference for larger fruit patches and foraged for longer and in larger subgroups as patch size and relative fruit density increased. Nevertheless, results for specific resources revealed considerable variation in the primary variables influencing foraging behavior and subgroup size with certain specific resources more influenced by patch size, and others more influenced by relative fruit density. The results are discussed in relation to the foraging ecology of fission–fusion primate social systems and previous studies on the influence of patch size on primate foraging decisions.
The Geographical and Institutional Distribution of Ecological Research in the Tropics
Authors: Stocks Gabriela , Seales Lisa , Paniagua Franklin , Maehr Erin , Bruna Emilio M.
Published: January 2008

We reviewed 1333 papers published inBiotropicaand theJournal of Tropical Ecologyfrom 1995 to 2004. Only 62 percent of tropical countries were represented in our survey, with 62 percent of the publications based on research conducted in only ten countries. Sixty‐two percent of papers had lead authors that were based at institutions outside the country where the research was conducted. Cross‐national collaboration was limited, accounting for only 28 percent of papers with multiple authors. To evaluate if our choice of focal journals could have biased our results, we also reviewed 652 papers published inEcology,Oecologia,Conservation Biology, andBiological Conservationfor five randomly selected years from the same time period. While some differences in authorship and the geographic distribution of research existed, the results from these journals generally mirrored patterns observed in the two focal ones—almost 54 percent of publications were based on research conducted in only ten countries, and most studies had lead authors from a developed country. The results of our review suggest that the geographical distribution of research in the tropics is unequal, and that some important regions remain understudied. The results also suggest a need for a greater focus on establishing collaborative relationships with scientists from tropical countries.
Estimates of Apparent Survival Rates for Forest Birds in Eastern Ecuador
Authors: Blake John G. , Loiselle Bette A.
Published: January 2008

Knowledge of survival rates of Neotropical landbirds remains limited, with estimates of apparent survival available from relatively few sites and species. We used capture–mark–recapture models to estimate apparent survival of 31 species from eastern Ecuador based on data collected from 2001 to 2006. Models assuming constant survival had highest support for 27 species; models incorporating effects of transients were highest for four. Average apparent survival across 30 species of passerines was 0.58 (± 0.02 SE); apparent survival was lower during the first interval after initial capture (φ1: mean = 0.49 ± 0.03) than during subsequent intervals (φ2: mean = 0.60 ± 0.02). Apparent survival was similar among three families represented by at least four species (Thamnophilidae: 0.57 ± 0.03,N= 10; Furnariidae: 0.59 ± 0.03,N= 5; Pipridae: 0.56 ± 0.02,N= 4). There was no indication that species that occur in flocks had higher survival than nonflocking species (obligate flock members: 0.57 ± 0.03,N= 10; facultative flock members: 0.56 ± 0.04,N= 5; nonflocking: 0.59 ± 0.03,N= 15). Comparisons of published estimates of apparent survival of tropical species demonstrated substantial differences among species and, in some cases, within species across different sites in the Neotropics. Our results support previous studies that concluded that early estimates of high (> 85%) survival in tropical birds may not be representative of all tropical species. Future studies should focus on understanding factors (e.g., life‐history traits) that promote differences in survival among species within tropical forests.
Galaxy peculiar velocities and evolution-bias
Authors: Percival Will J. , Schäfer Björn Malte
Published: January 2008

Galaxy-bias can be split into two components: a formation-bias based on the locations of galaxy creation, and an evolution-bias that details on their subsequent evolution. In this Letter, we consider evolution-bias in the peaks model. In this model, galaxy formation takes place at local maxima in the density field, and we analyse the subsequent peculiar motion of these galaxies in a linear model of structure formation. The peak restriction yields differences in the velocity distribution and correlation between the galaxy and the dark matter fields, which causes the evolution-bias component of the total bias to evolve in a scale-dependent way. This mechanism naturally gives rise to a change in shape between galaxy and matter correlation functions that depends on the mean age of the galaxy population. This model predicts that older galaxies would be more strongly biased on large scales compared to younger galaxies. Our arguments are supported by a Monte Carlo simulation of galaxy pairs propagated using the Zel'dovich approximation for describing peculiar galaxy motion.
Evaluating Ethnopedological Knowledge Systems for Classifying Soil Quality. A Case Study in Bo Hamlet with Muong People of Northern Vietnam
Authors: TRUNG NGUYEN DAI , VERDOODT ANN , DUSAR MICHIEL , VAN TRAN TAN , VAN RANST ERIC
Published: January 2008

Ethnopedological knowledge is incorporated in a case study for sustainable land management of mountain karst areas in Vietnam. The research is based on a multidisciplinary approach, including participation of local inhabitants for identifying and classifying local indicators of soil quality, next to scientifically sound approaches to soil quality assessment based on analytical soil data and a statistical treatment of the results. The case study focuses on Bo hamlet, located in the Ngo Luong commune of the Tan Lac district, Hoa Binh province. The participatory approach reveals that local people of the Muong ethnic group distinguish seven land use types and six soil types. They also identified nine local indicators of soil quality: presence of earthworms; crop productivity; topsoil colour; presence of a humus layer; soil surface compaction; erosion; slope gradient; surface water, and soil moisture status. Based on this indigenous knowledge, 19 soil samples from nine soil profiles in Bo hamlet were analysed for fertility indicators. Laboratory results confirmed the validity of indigenous knowledge for identifying and classifying local indicators of soil fertility, compared to scientific standards of soil quality.
Active Learning for Understanding Land Degradation: African Catchment Game and Riskmap
Authors: ROWNTREE K. M. , FOX R. C.
Published: January 2008

Land degradation is the result of the intersection of a complex set of biophysical and socio‐economic factors. The capacity of an individual or community to address land degradation is likewise constrained. While it is quite possible for professionals and learners to grasp the main issues around land degradation from a theoretical perspective, internalising the reality of what it means to be the resource degrader is more difficult. We have developed two active learning methods that aim to address this problem. The first is the African Catchment Game, a role‐playing game based on Graham Chapman's Green Revolution Game, adapted for the southern Africa context and incorporating a land degradation component. In this game participants play out the complex dynamics of rural‐urban‐global linkages against a background of environmental hazards. The second is based on Save the Children Fund's RiskMap computer simulation that models risk in terms of rural livelihoods for different income groups. Ethiopia is used as the example. This paper evaluates the two active learning techniques as tools for exploring the relationships between land degradation and poverty through an evaluation of participants’ experiences. The analysis shows clear potential for developing alternative teaching curricula that are aligned to our theoretical understanding.
Design of a Prospective Multi-National CLOTBUST Collaboration on Reperfusion Therapies for Stroke
Authors: Saqqur Maher , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Molina Carlos A. , Demchuk Andrew M. , Garami Zsolt , Barreto Andrew , Spengos Konstantinos , Forteza Alex , Mikulik Robert , Sharma Vijay K. , Brunser Alex , Martinez Patricia , Montaner Joan , Kohrmann Martin , Schellinger Peter D. , Alexandrov Andrei V. ,   for the CLOTBUST-PRO Investigators
Published: January 2008

Background

The benefit of intravenous (i.v.) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in acute ischemic stroke (IS) is attributable to lysis of thrombus and restoration of perfusion to ischemic but not yet infarcted brain.

Aims

Our multicentre collaborative group prospectively implemented a protocol for transcranial Doppler assessment of intracranial recanalization with tPA treatment based on the CLOTBUST clinical trial (CLOTBUST-PRO). We aim to determine whether early recanalization (within 1 h from tPA bolus) is independently associated with better 3-month outcome in patients with intracranial arterial occlusions and correlates to a shorter time interval elapsed from symptom onset to tPA bolus.

Subjects and methods

Consecutive patients with acute IS due to intracranial arterial occlusions will be treated with standard i.v.-tPA and continuously monitored with 2 MHz Transcranial Doppler for arterial recanalization. Early recanalization will be determined with the previously validated Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia flow-grading system within 60 min after tPA bolus. Power calculations are based on the assumption of α = 0·05 (two-sided test) and probabilities of functional independence at 3 months of 0·50 and 0·35 in patients with early complete recanalization and persisting occlusion, respectively. Detection of a 15% difference with a power of 0·824 requires an estimated sample of 480 patients of whom 25% are expected to achieve early recanalization while 75% will have persisting occlusion at 1 h after tPA bolus. We also plan to test prespecified secondary hypotheses within the projected study sample.

Conclusions

CLOTBUST-PRO is designed to determine if the timing (within 1 h from tPA bolus) of tPA-induced arterial recanalization is an independent determinant of 3-month functional recovery. We also seek to demonstrate that the sooner the tPA is given to stroke patients, the earlier the recanalization occurs and the greater is the likelihood of functional independence at 3 months.

Introduction

Intravenous (i.v.) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) remains the only approved therapy for acute ischemic stroke (IS) with faster time to treatment being associated with better outcomes at 3 months ( 1 ). Although the benefit of tPA is attributable to lysis of thrombus and restoration of perfusion to ischemic but not yet infarcted brain ( 2 ), recanalization was not documented in pivotal tPA trials. This hypothesis is supported by both animal and smaller human studies showing that the duration of impaired perfusion is associated with final infarct volume and that early recanalization correlates with smaller infarct size ( 3 – 5 ).
An Improved Scoring System for Identifying Patients at High Early Risk of Stroke and Functional Impairment after an Acute Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Stroke
Authors: Coutts Shelagh B. , Eliasziw Michael , Hill Michael D. , Scott James N. , Subramaniam Suresh , Buchan Alastair M. , Demchuk Andrew M.
Published: January 2008

Background

Risk of a subsequent stroke following an acute transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is high. The ABCD2 tool was proposed as a method to triage these patients using five clinical factors. Modern imaging of the brain was not included. The present study quantified the added value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) factors to the ABCD2 tool.

Methods

Patients with TIA or minor stroke were examined within 12 h and had a brain MRI within 24 h of symptom onset. Primary outcomes were recurrent stroke and functional impairment at 90 days. A new tool, ABCD2+ MRI, was created by adding diffusion-weighted imaging lesion and vessel occlusion status to the ABCD2 tool. The predictive accuracy of both tools was quantified by the area under the curve (AUC).

Results

One hundred and eighty patients were enrolled and 11·1% had a recurrent stroke within 90 days. The predictive accuracy of the ABCD2+MRI was significantly higher than ABCD2 (AUC of 0·88 vs. 0·78, P = 0·01). Those with a high score ( 7 – 9 ) had a 90-day recurrent stroke risk of 32·1%, moderate score ( 5 – 6 ) risk of 5·4%, and low score (0-4) risk of 0·0%. The ABCD2 tool did not predict risk of functional impairment at 90 days ( P = 0·33), unlike the ABCD2+MRI ( P = 0·02): high score (22·9%), moderate (7·5%), low (7·7%).

Conclusions

Risk of recurrent stroke and functional impairment after a TIA or minor stroke can be accurately predicted by a scoring system that utilizes both clinical and MRI information. The ABCD2+MRI score is simple and its components are commonly available during the time of admission.
Effect of Microparticulate Diets on Growth and Survival of Spotted Sand Bass Larvae, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, at Two Early Weaning Times
Authors: Civera‐Cerecedo Roberto , Alvarez‐González Carlos A. , García‐Gómez Rubén E. , Carrasco‐Chávez Victor , Ortiz‐Galindo José L. , Rosales‐Velázquez Martín O. , Grayeb‐Del Álamo Tanos , Moyano‐López Francisco J.
Published: January 2008

Early weaning in spotted sand bass larvae, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, was evaluated, testing a combination of two weaning times, 17 and 22 d after hatching (d.a.h.), and three different microparticulate diets. Protein in diets was mainly from sardine meal and from 15% squid meal, beef blood meal, or fish protein hydrolysate. Anatomical (standard length), histological (gut development), and biochemical (highly unsaturated fatty acids) parameters were measured in larvae, as well as survival and resistance to a stress test measured 40 d.a.h. For larvae weaned at 17 d.a.h., the best growth and survival were obtained with diets containing fish protein hydrolysates; for larvae weaned at 22 d.a.h., best results were obtained with squid meal and fish protein hydrolysate. Growth and survival were significantly lower when using beef blood meal in both weaning treatments. The best relative and total survival were for larvae weaned at 22 d.a.h. After the resistance test, 100% survival occurred in larvae fed on any microparticulate diet and either weaning treatment. No significant differences in arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, or docosahexaenoic acid concentrations in fish fed on any diet occurred. Results suggest that weaning at 22 d.a.h. with diets containing fish protein hydrolysate or squid meal is preferred by this species.
Effects of Different Dietary Lipid Sources on the Survival, Growth, and Fatty Acid Composition of South American Catfish, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, Surubim, Juveniles
Authors: Arslan Murat , Rinchard Jacques , Dabrowski Konrad , Portella Maria Celia
Published: January 2008

The present study examines the effect of four semi‐purified diets (casein–gelatin based) where the source of fatty acids was free (esterified) oleic acid and linoleic acid (LA) (LOA diet), linseed and olive oil (predominantly LA and linolenic acid) (LO diet), cod liver oil (rich in highly unsaturated fatty acids) (CLO diet), and soybean lecithin (phospholipids; mostly LA) (LE diet) on the growth of juvenile South American catfish (surubim, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, Pimelodidae) (0.98 ± 0.04 g individual weight). Fish were fed at a restricted–readjusted feeding rate for 8 wk. At the end of the experiment, LE‐diet‐fed fish grew significantly larger than those of the other three groups (P < 0.05). Considerable cannibalism was observed in all the treatments. It is suggested that the quantitative growth performance may possibly change under other conditions, with less or no cannibalism. Survival did not differ significantly among the fish fed four different diets. Muscle and liver lipid contents did not vary among dietary treatments (P > 0.05), but whole‐body lipid concentrations were affected by dietary treatments. Fish fed LE diet contained significantly lower lipid level than those fed three other diets (P < 0.05). Muscle and liver fatty acid profiles reflected dietary fatty acid composition. Arachidonic acid level was significantly higher in muscle and liver of fish fed LOA and LE diets than in those fed LO and CLO diets. The results suggest that the efficiency of elongation and desaturation of 18C fatty acids depends on the dietary lipid source, and South American catfish has considerable capacity to transform linoleate to arachidonate.
An Economic Analysis of Freshwater Prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Farming in Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Nesar , Ahammed Faisal , Van Brakel Martin
Published: January 2008

This paper deals with production systems, cost structure, and profitability of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, farming in a new area of Mymensingh district in the north‐central part of Bangladesh. In the study area, prawn farming practice is still extensive, and only a few farmers (20%) cultivate semiintensively. The costs and returns of extensive and semiintensive farming systems are compared. All farmers in different farming systems made a profit, with seed and feed dominating variable costs. Considerable variation in production costs and profitability was observed. Based on the Cobb–Douglas production function model, return to scale indicates that there is scope to increase production and income from prawn farms in extensive and semiintensive systems by applying more inputs (i.e., seed, feed, and fertilizer).
Evaluation of Growth and Disease Resistance of USDA103, USDA303, USDA102, and USDA102 × USDA103 Strains of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus
Authors: Peterson Brian C. , Bilodeau Lanie , Bosworth Brian G.
Published: January 2008

USDA103, USDA303, USDA102, and USDA102 × USDA103 strains of channel catfish (27.7 ± 0.7 g/fish) were fed daily for 6 wk. Feed consumption and weight gain were highest (P < 0.001) in USDA103, USDA303, and USDA102 × USDA103 fish. USDA102 fish exhibited the poorest (P < 0.01) feed conversion ratio. Fillet and whole‐body content were similar (P > 0.05) among strains when final weight was used as a covariate. USDA103, USDA303, and USDA102 × USDA103 strains had higher (P < 0.01) protein efficiency ratios compared to USDA102. In a second study, the four groups of catfish (22.2 ± 1.9 g/fish) were challenged with Edwardsiella ictaluri and mortality was recorded for 3 wk postchallenge. Survival was higher (P < 0.02) for USDA303 and USDA102 × USDA103 fish. Results of these studies demonstrate that the USDA103 and USDA303 strains of catfish were superior in growth performance. Results of the bacterial challenge show that the USDA303 and USDA102 × USDA103 strains of fish exhibited increased survival. Continued selection of the USDA103 line and crossing this line of fish with lines of fish such as the USDA102 strain may produce fish with desirable growth and disease characteristics.
Use of Microbial Flocs Generated from Tilapia Effluent as a Nutritional Supplement for Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
Authors: Kuhn David D. , Boardman Gregory D. , Craig Steven R. , Flick George J. , McLean Ewen
Published: January 2008

Recovering nutrients in a fish effluent to be used as a supplemental feed for shrimp culture could ease constraints (e.g., environmental issues and high production cost) that have limited the US shrimp farming industry in the past. In this study under laboratory scale conditions, fish effluent was collected from a commercial tilapia farm and nutrients from the waste stream were offered as supplemental feed as either (1) untreated solids from tilapia effluent or (2) microbial flocs generated from the biological treatment of the effluent by reducing soluble chemical oxygen demand >80%. The first feeding trial demonstrated that microbial flocs contributed significantly (P < 0.05) to overall growth while untreated solids did not. Moreover, microbial flocs were larger and contained higher levels (P < 0.05) of protein. The second feeding trial investigated different feeding rates of commercial diets with and without microbial floc supplementation. Weekly measurements of mass and specific growth rates demonstrated that microbial flocs significantly (P < 0.05) contributed to shrimp performance. Weekly food conversion ratios were also reported. Water quality in shrimp systems during both studies was within safe levels, and no differences (P > 0.05) between treatments were observed for dissolved oxygen, nitrate‐nitrogen, nitrite‐nitrogen, pH, salinity, total ammonia nitrogen, and temperature.
Variation and Morphosyntactic Theory: Competition Fractionated
Authors: Embick David
Published: January 2008

The study of the ‘dynamic’ aspects of language – variation and change – and the development of grammatical theory are often pursued independently of one another. Concentrating on morphosyntax, this article explores connections between these domains that are centered on the notion of ‘competition’. When the relationship betweencompetition for grammaticalityandcompetition for useis articulated, it is clear thatgrammar competitionmodels of variation and change are connected directly to specific theoretical approaches to synchronic grammar.
The Interpretation of Pronouns
Authors: Elbourne Paul D.
Published: January 2008

There is no overall consensus on the interpretation of pronouns, but recent research generally argues for one of three positions: that pronouns are individual variables, that they are covert definite descriptions, or that they are identity functions.
Treebank‐Based Probabilistic Phrase Structure Parsing
Authors: Cahill Aoife
Published: January 2008

The area of probabilistic phrase structure parsing has been a central and active field in computational linguistics. Stochastic methods in natural language processing, in general, have become very popular as more and more resources become available. One of the main advantages of probabilistic parsing is in disambiguation: it is useful for a parsing system to return a ranked list of potential syntactic analyses for a string. In this article, we introduce probabilistic context‐free grammars (PCFGs) and outline some of their strengths and weaknesses. We concentrate on the automatic extraction of stochastic grammars from treebanks (large collections of hand‐corrected syntactic structures). We describe the current state of the field and the current research on improving the basic PCFG model. This includes lexicalized, history‐based and generative models. Finally, we briefly mention some research into probabilistic phrase structure parsing for domains other than traditional treebank text and languages other than English (Chinese, Arabic, German and French).
Language Processing in Frontotemporal Dementia: A Brief Review
Authors: Peelle Jonathan E. , Grossman Murray
Published: January 2008

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative condition that presents with a number of distinct behavioral phenotypes. Here we review language‐processing deficits in three subgroups of FTD patients: progressive nonfluent aphasia (PNFA), semantic dementia (SD), and nonaphasic FTD patients with a disorder of social and executive functioning (SOC/EXEC). These three clinical subgroups have contrasting patterns of regional cortical atrophy that can be linked to their language impairments. PNFA patients’ disease includes left ventral inferior frontal cortex, resulting in impaired grammatical processing. SD patients demonstrate a profound impairment for semantic knowledge related to atrophy of the left temporal lobe. SOC/EXEC patients’ frontal atrophy tends to be more right lateralized and is associated with declines in executive functioning. SOC/EXEC patients’ limited executive resources impact language processing in a variety of ways, including slowed grammatical processing and impaired narrative discourse. FTD patients therefore provide converging evidence regarding dissociable components of language processing and their neuroanatomical bases.
RESEARCH ARTICLE: Clinical Anesthesia Causes Permanent Damage to the Fetal Guinea Pig Brain
Authors: Rizzi Sabina , Carter Lisa B. , Ori Carlo , Jevtovic‐Todorovic Vesna
Published: January 2008

Exposure of the immature brain to general anesthesia is common. The safety of this practice has recently been challenged in view of evidence that general anesthetics can damage developing mammalian neurons. Initial reports on immature rats raised criticism regarding the possibly unique vulnerability of this species, short duration of their brain development and a lack of close monitoring of nutritional and cardiopulmonary homeostasis during anesthesia. Therefore, we studied the neurotoxic effects of anesthesia in guinea pigs, whose brain development is longer and is mostly a prenatal phenomenon, so that anesthesia‐induced neurotoxicity studies of the fetal brain can be performed by anesthetizing pregnant female pigs. Because of their large size, these animals made invasive monitoring of maternal and, indirectly, fetal well‐being technically feasible. Despite adequate maintenance of maternal homeostasis, a single short maternal exposure to isoflurane, whether alone or with nitrous oxide and/or midazolam at the peak of fetal synaptogenesis, induced severe neuroapoptosis in the fetal guinea pig brain. As detected early in post‐natal life, this resulted in the loss of many neurons from vulnerable brain regions, demonstrating that anesthesia‐induced neuroapoptosis can cause permanent brain damage.
Exploring the Problem of Mold Growth and the Efficacy of Various Mold Inhibitor Methods during Moisture Sorption Isotherm Measurements
Authors: Yu X. , Martin S.E. , Schmidt S.J.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT:  Mold growth is a common problem during the equilibration of food materials at high relative humidity values using the standard saturated salt slurry method. Exposing samples to toluene vapor and mixing samples with mold inhibitor chemicals are suggested methods for preventing mold growth while obtaining isotherms. However, no published research was found that examined the effect of mold growth on isotherm performance or the efficacy of various mold inhibitor methods, including their possible effect on the physicochemical properties of food materials. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) explore the effect of mold growth on isotherm performance in a range of food materials, (2) investigate the effectiveness of 4 mold inhibitor methods, irradiation, 2 chemical inhibitors (potassium sorbate and sodium acetate), and toluene vapor, on mold growth on dent corn starch inoculated with A. niger, and (3) examine the effect of mold inhibitor methods on the physicochemical properties of dent corn starch, including isotherm performance, pasting properties, gelatinization temperature, and enthalpy. Mold growth was found to affect starch isotherm performance by contributing to weight changes during sample equilibration. Among the 4 mold inhibitor methods tested, irradiation and toluene vapor were found to be the most effective for inhibiting growth of A. niger on dent cornstarch. However, both methods exhibited a significant impact on the starches' physiochemical properties, suggesting the need to probe the efficacy of other mold inhibitor methods and explore the use of new rapid isotherm instruments, which hamper mold growth by significantly decreasing measurement time.
β‐Carotene‐Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers
Authors: Hentschel A. , Gramdorf S. , Müller R.H. , Kurz T.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT:  Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) technology was used to disperse hydrophobic β‐carotene in an aqueous phase. NLC are lipid nanoparticles with a particle matrix consisting of a blend of a liquid and solid lipid. They were produced by melting the lipid blend at 80 °C and dispersing it into a hot emulsifier solution. The aim of this study was to extend the limited knowledge of melt‐emulsified lipidic colloids in food systems and to evaluate the feasibility for further applications as functional ingredient in beverages. Physical stability of the NLC suspension was examined at 2 different storage temperatures by measuring the particle size with photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and laser diffractometry (LD). All particles containing sufficient amounts of emulsifier were smaller than 1 μm (LD diameter 100%) at a mean particle size of around 0.3 μm (LD) for 9 wk at 20 °C and at least 30 wk at 4 to 8 ° C. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the solid state of the lipids both in the β‐carotene loaded PGMS and in the NLC particles. Propylene glycol monostearate (PGMS) when dispersed as NLC recrystallized up to 98% during storage time. Within the regarded period of 7 mo no polymorph transitions were observed. Furthermore, stability of the β‐carotene in water dependent on NLC concentration and tocopherol content was measured photospectrometrically to get an estimation of the behavior of NLC in beverages.
Methodological Evaluation of Method for Dietary Heavy Metal Intake
Authors: Żukowska J. , Biziuk M.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT:  Exposure to environmental pollutants is an important problem of environmental toxicology. Heavy metals are regarded as toxic to living organisms because of their tendency to accumulate in selected tissues. Moreover, their presence is a causative agent of various sorts of disorders, including neuro‐, nephro‐, carcino‐, terato‐, and immunological. Exposures of human to environmental chemicals can occur simultaneously from various sources. One exposure route is ingestion of hazardous chemicals through contaminated food and beverages. Considering the above‐mentioned menace, efforts should be focused on the estimation of dietary intakes of potential toxic agents by consumers. Dietary exposure assessment to nonnutrients is usually performed by combining 2 sets of data—the concentration of elemental contaminants in various food products and the consumption data of these food items. A variety of approaches exist for evaluating exposure to food chemicals, and the method chosen is influenced, among others, by the intended goal, the availability of data, cost, and time frame. Moreover, it is also important to note how accurate and detailed the information concerning toxic elements intake needs to be. There are a number of sources of food consumption data currently used in exposure assessments, which range from 1 d to habitual intake. Frequently, the heavy metals for which dietary exposure is of interest are present in trace and ultra‐trace quantities. Hence, an analytical technique with sufficient sensitivity is required for the accurate determination of these chemicals in food samples. It is important to remember that the accuracy of quantitative analysis is strongly dependent on the sampling and preparation steps.
Role of UV in Cutaneous Melanoma†
Authors: Maddodi Nityanand , Setaluri Vijayasaradhi
Published: January 2008

Malignant melanoma arises from epidermal melanocytes, the cells responsible for the production of the skin pigment melanin. The photoprotective role of melanin, which is transferred to neighboring keratinocytes, in UV‐induced skin carcinogenesis, specifically in nonmelanoma skin cancers, has been well documented. Although melanocyte‐resident melanin is expected to offer similar protection to melanocytes from UV‐induced damage, UV radiation has long been suspected to have an etiologic role in cutaneous melanoma. However, nearly three decades of efforts using a variety of in vitro and in vivo models of human skin and mouse genetic models have produced conflicting data. Epidemiologic studies have also failed to establish a definitive association between UV exposure and risk of melanoma. In this review, we evaluate the dual role of the melanin pigment as a photoprotector as well as a photosensitizer and examine the evidence for association between melanin levels (constitutive and induced) and melanoma risk. We also discuss possible reasons for the lack of signature UV mutations in melanoma oncogenes known to date and potential alternative mechanisms to explain the role of UV in melanomagenesis.
DNA Damage, Apoptosis and Langerhans Cells—Activators of UV‐induced Immune Tolerance†
Authors: Timares Laura , Katiyar Santosh K. , Elmets Craig A.
Published: January 2008

Solar UVR is highly mutagenic but is only partially absorbed by the outer stratum corneum of the epidermis. UVR can penetrate into the deeper layers of the epidermis, depending on melanin content, where it induces DNA damage and apoptosis in epidermal cells, including those in the germinative basal layer. The cellular decision to initiate either cellular repair or undergo apoptosis has evolved to balance the acute need to maintain skin barrier function with the long‐term risk of retaining precancerous cells. Langerhans cells (LCs) are positioned suprabasally, where they may sense UV damage directly, or indirectly through recognition of apoptotic vesicles and soluble mediators derived from surrounding keratinocytes. Apoptotic vesicles will contain UV‐induced altered proteins that may be presented to the immune system as foreign. The observation that UVR induces immune tolerance to skin‐associated antigens suggests that this photodamage response has evolved to preserve the skin barrier by protecting it from autoimmune attack. LC involvement in this process is not clear and controversial. We will highlight some basic concepts of photobiology and review recent advances pertaining to UV‐induced DNA damage, apoptosis regulation, novel immunomodulatory mechanisms and the role of LCs in generating antigen‐specific regulatory T cells.
Resource Evaluation of Indium in the Dajing Tin‐Polymetallic Deposits, Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Ishihara Shunso , Qin Kezhang , Wang Yuwang
Published: January 2008

Individual ores of 37 specimens and five mill concentrates were analyzed chemically, and anomalous indium contents were detected in the tin‐polymetallic veins of the Dajing mine. The indium contents are heterogenously distributed (0.5–296 ppm In), and are low generally in the ores of the East Block. Indium is mainly correlated with copper, partly with zinc in the Dajing deposits, implying that the element is substituted in copper and zinc sulfides and sulfosalts. The total indium content is expected as >768 tons, which is lower than a previous estimation of this mine. The whole tonnage of the southern part of the Da Hinggang Mountains is >1200 tons In, which is the second largest in China after the tin‐polymetallic deposits in the southern China.
Scandium‐Bearing Minerals in the Bayan Obo Nb‐REE‐Fe Deposit, Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Shimazaki Hidehiko , Yang Zhuming , Miyawaki Ritsuro , Shigeoka Masako
Published: January 2008

Aegirine, “perrierite‐(Ce)”, and ferrocolumbite, occurring in the Bayan Obo Nb‐REE‐Fe deposit in Inner Mongolia, China, contain appreciable amounts of scandium. The Sc2O3 content in aegirine (sample TS‐15) was 0.34–1.81 wt% (with one exceptionally high value of 3.45%) with an average value of 1.19%. The Sc2O3 content of “perrierite‐(Ce)” (TS‐20) was 2.82–3.64% with an average value of 3.26%. In the ferrocolumbite samples (TS‐16, TS‐23), the Sc2O3 content was 0.20–0.25% with an average value of 0.22% in sample TS‐16, and 0.56–1.04% with an average value of 0.67% in sample TS‐23. These data provide the basic information for future possible recovery of scandium as a by‐product from the deposit.
Oxygen Isotope Study of Paleoproterozoic Banded Iron Formation, Hamersley Basin, Western Australia
Authors: Hayashi Ken‐ichiro , Naraoka Hiroshi , Ohmoto Hiroshi
Published: January 2008

A submillimeter‐scale variation of δ18O in quartz was identified in chert and Fe‐oxide mesobands of the Brockman Iron Formation, Western Australia, using an in situ CO2‐laser fluorination technique. The total range of variation is 11.2–23.0‰, with >5‰ variations within a single mesoband of approximately 2 cm thickness. These data contradict most previous works, which have suggested that banded iron formations are isotopically homogeneous. The present sample was obtained outside of the iron mining area, and as such is considered to have been less altered by the hydrothermal event recently shown to be responsible for the formation of the iron ore. The data suggest that the largest Paleoproterozoic banded iron formations may have formed not in a stable, quiescent sea, but instead as a result of increased influx of iron‐ and silica‐rich solutions during periods of increased magmatism and submarine hydrothermal activity in a rift basin environment.
Explaining False Uniqueness: Why We are Both Better and Worse Than Others
Authors: Chambers John R.
Published: January 2008

People see themselves as unique from others – as having better personalities and abilities, more desirable opinions, and brighter futures than almost everyone else. In the past, researchers attributed these ‘false uniqueness perceptions’ primarily to a need or desire to see oneself in the most charitable light possible (i.e., self‐enhancement). More recent findings – that oftentimes people claim to be worse off than others – call this view into question and raise the need to find explanations that can account for both positive and negative forms of uniqueness perceptions. This review describes several of the leading non‐motivated (cognitive) explanations for false uniqueness perceptions and discusses recent empirical findings that establish their role in these phenomena. The rationality of false uniqueness perceptions and the status of motivated reasoning are also briefly considered.
Localism and the Environment
Authors: Hess David J.
Published: January 2008

Localism, understood here as a movement to regain sovereignty over the local economy in an era of globalization, offers an alternative economic development strategy to that of the high‐tech, export‐oriented manufacturing cluster. Instead, localism advocates call attention to the benefits of import‐replacing strategies that strengthen locally owned businesses, farms, and nonprofit organizations, as well as local government agencies. Primary examples of localism include the ‘buy local movement’ supported by independent retailers and banks, community‐controlled energy, and local food and agricultural networks. Localism may generate environmental benefits due to decreased transportation and increased awareness of the environmental effects of production when located near consumers, but the connection between localism and environmental dividends is variable and tenuous.
Effects of isolation on the colonisation of restored habitat patches by forest‐dependent arthropods of soil and litter
Authors: NAKAMURA AKIHIRO , CATTERALL CARLA P. , KITCHING ROGER L. , HOUSE ALAN P. N. , BURWELL CHRIS J.
Published: January 2008

Abstract. 

A novel experimental approach was taken to investigate the effects of distance from rainforest remnants on the recolonisation patterns of ants and other soil and litter arthropods in ‘restored’ habitat patches within a pasture matrix.

Experimental habitat patches were created by adding a thick mulch of sterilised woodchips and leaves, and simulating shade using shadecloth, to create conditions similar to those that occur during rainforest restoration. These patches were deployed at five experimental sites in the Maleny plateau of subtropical eastern Australia. Artificial habitat patches were located at varying distances from a rainforest edge at each site, as well as within the rainforest. The experiment also included a test for efficacy of inoculation, which involved translocation of a small quantity of litter (containing live arthropods) from rainforest habitat to isolated habitat patches.

The results showed that, after 9 months, there was little colonisation by rainforest‐dependent taxa in any of the experimental plots beyond those closely adjacent to forest patches. Inoculation was unsuccessful in increasing the extent of arthropod establishment.

A number of explanations that potentially account for the observed results are suggested. An experimental approach provides an opportunity to test explicitly for factors considered important for the development of biota in restored habitat patches. There are, however, unavoidable limitations associated with the design of experiments that simulate small‐scale analogues of restoration treatments. Avoiding these limitations may require controlled and replicated efforts in experimental restoration over larger areas, based on collaborations between researchers and practitioners.