bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Vegetation Condition and Surface Fluxes during NAME 2004
Authors: Watts Christopher J. , Scott Russell L. , Garatuza-Payan Jaime , Rodriguez Julio C. , Prueger John H. , Kustas William P. , Douglas Michael
Published: May 2007

The vegetation in the core region of the North American monsoon (NAM) system changes dramatically after the onset of the summer rains so that large changes may be expected in the surface fluxes of radiation, heat, and moisture. Most of this region lies in the rugged terrain of western Mexico and very few measurements of these fluxes have been made in the past. Surface energy balance measurements were made at seven sites in Sonora, Mexico, and Arizona during the intensive observation period (IOP) of the North American Monsoon Experiment (NAME) in summer 2004 to better understand how land surface vegetation change alters energy flux partitioning. Satellite data were used to obtain time series for vegetation indices and land surface temperature for these sites. The results were analyzed to contrast conditions before the onset of the monsoon with those afterward. As expected, precipitation during the 2004 monsoon was highly variable from site to site, but it fell in greater quantities at the more southern sites. Likewise, large changes in the vegetation index were observed, especially for the subtropical sites in Sonora. However, the changes in the broadband albedo were very small, which was rather surprising. The surface net radiation was consistent with the previous observations, being largest for surfaces that are transpiring and cool, and smallest for surfaces that are dry and hot. The largest evaporation rates were observed for the subtropical forest and riparian vegetation sites. The evaporative fraction for the forest site was highly correlated with its vegetation index, except during the dry spell in August. This period was clearly detected in the land surface temperature data, which rose steadily in this period to a maximum at its end.
The Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (BIDR)
Authors: Li Andrew , Bagger Jessica
Published: May 2007

The Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (BIDR) is one of the most widely used social desirability scales. The authors conducted a reliability generalization study to examine the typical reliability coefficients of BIDR scores and explored factors that explained the variability of reliability estimates across studies. The results indicated that the overall BIDR scale produced scores that were adequately reliable. The mean score reliability estimates for the two subscales, Self-Deception Enhancement and Impression Management, were not satisfactory. In addition, although a number of study characteristics were statistically significantly related to reliability estimates, they accounted for only a small portion of the overall variability in reliability estimates. The results of these findings and their implications are also discussed.
Assessing Gender-Related Differential Item Functioning and Predictive Validity With the Institutional Integration Scale
Authors: Baker Becca A. , Caison Amy L. , Meade Adam W.
Published: May 2007

This study examined the gender-related differential predictive validity of five subscales of the Institutional Integration Scale (IIS) with regard to college student withdrawal. Differential functioning of the IIS across genders was assessed using an item response theory (IRT)—based framework of differential item and test functioning. The results confirmed the absence of differential functioning and supported the predictive validity of two of the five subscales for student withdrawal. IRT analyses revealed that a number of the items did not adequately reflect the construct and should be revised or removed from the measure. A discussion of these results and the implications for higher education institutions focused on preventing student withdrawal are presented.
Comparative Robustness of Recent Methods for Analyzing Multivariate Repeated Measures Designs
Authors: Vallejo Seco Guillermo , Gras Jaime Arnau , Ato García Manuel
Published: May 2007

This study evaluated the robustness of two recent methods for analyzing multivariate repeated measures when the assumptions of covariance homogeneity and multivariate normality are violated. Specifically, the authors' work compares the performance of the modified Brown—Forsythe (MBF) procedure and the mixed-model procedure adjusted by the Kenward—Roger solution available in SAS PROC MIXED. The authors found that, overall, the MBF procedure appeared to be the least sensitive to the factors examined in the present study; however, this is not necessarily the case for all data sets. As the results show, for tests of the between-subjects main effect, the MBF approach outperformed the mixed-model method when fitting either a patterned or nonpatterned covariance structure. But for tests of within-subjects effects, its Type I error control advantages decrease.
Factors That Promote and Prevent Exercise Engagement in Older Adults
Authors: Newson Rachel S. , Kemps Eva B.
Published: May 2007

Objective: This study aimed to (a) identify factors that motivate or prevent older Australians from exercising; (b) determine how these factors differ as a function of age, gender, and exercise level; and (c) examine how they relate to intentions to exercise in the future. Method: In all, 217 older adults (aged 63 to 86) completed a questionnaire in their own home. Participants rated various motivators and barriers to exercise and indicated future intention to exercise. Results: Health concerns were the strongest motivators to exercise, whereas physical ailments were the most common barrier to exercise. Older Australians were fairly motivated to exercise and experienced few barriers to exercise. Age, gender, and exercise level differentiated between reported motivators and barriers, which in turn were associated with future intentions to exercise. Discussion: Reasons that promote and prevent exercise engagement are quite varied and depend on personal factors. Exercise intervention programs for older adults should incorporate these factors.
Adult Children and Their Parents' Expectations of Future Elder Care Needs
Authors: Walz Helga S. , Mitchell Thomas E.
Published: May 2007

Objective: Lifestyle changes and medical advances warrant an investigation into perceptions of elder care needs held by today's adult children (AC) and their parents. Method: Surveys were distributed to 200 AC. Eighty AC and 102 of their parents responded. Results: Paired sample t tests revealed that AC ( M = 10.61, SD = 4.5) and parents ( M = 10.4, SD = 4.60) did not differ in their own expectations of future care needs. However, ACs' expectations of their parents' needs (M = 15.82, SD = 5.77) were significantly higher than both self-expectations. In addition, among six caregiving tasks minimal but significant differences were found in expected receipt of assistance. Discussion: Consistent with Weinstein's (1980) theory of unrealistic optimism, results demonstrated the tendency for AC and parents to underestimate their own future care needs. Such underestimation may in turn, lead to inadequate planning for future care needs.
Medicare Cost Effects of Recent U.S. Disability Trends in the Elderly
Authors: Manton Kenneth G. , Lamb Vicki L. , XiLiang Gu
Published: May 2007

Objective: The authors examine how trends in disability prevalence and in inflation-adjusted per capita, per annum Medicare costs, 1982 to 1999 and 1989 to 1999, affected total Medicare costs projected to 2004 and 2009. Method: To describe disability trends, the authors applied grade of membership analyses to 27 measures of disability from the 1982 to 1999 National Long Term Care Surveys (NLTCS). This identified seven disability profiles for which individual scores were calculated. These were used to calculate sample weighted Medicare costs and cost trends. Results: Significant declines (up to 19%) in Medicare costs were found in 2004 and 2009 assuming continuation of the 1982 to 1999 disability declines and Medicare cost trends. In addition to declines in disability prevalence, inflation-adjusted per capita, per annum Medicare costs declined for nondisabled persons aged 65 to 84. Discussion: Preserving health in the growing nondisabled population did not require increased health care expenditures.
The Effectiveness of Interventions to Increase Advance Directive Completion Rates
Authors: Jezewski Mary Ann , Meeker Mary Ann , Sessanna Loralee , Finnell Deborah S.
Published: May 2007

Objectives: Despite federal and state laws governing advance directives (ADs), interventions to increase rates of legally completed ADs have not produced significant results. This study synthesizes the state of the science regarding effectiveness of interventions to increase AD completion rates. Methods: Garrard's method for conducting a systematic literature review was followed. In all, 25 studies meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed. Interventions fell into two types: (a) didactic—information distributed through an educational program or clinical encounter or by a mailing and (b) interactive—person-to-person interaction where participants had the opportunity to ask questions and/or receive assistance completing the forms. Results: Postintervention rates of AD completion were: didactic = no change to 34% increase; interactive = 23% to 71% increase. Discussion: Education without the ability to ask questions does not significantly increase the AD completion rate. Didactic interventions did not usually increase completion rates higher than the predicted average rate for the general population.
The Mediating Role of Health Perceptions in the Relation Between Physical and Mental Health
Authors: Yuri Jang  , Bergman Elizabeth , Schonfeld Lawrence , Molinari Victor
Published: May 2007

Objective: Responding to the increased need for research on older residents in assisted living facilities (ALFs), this study assessed the connections between physical and mental health among 150 older residents in ALF settings. Method: The major focus of the study was to explore whether individuals' subjective perceptions of their own health mediate the associations between health-related variables (chronic conditions and functional disability) and depressive symptoms. Results: The analyses showed that the adverse effects of chronic conditions and functional disability on depressive symptoms were not only direct but also indirect through negative health perceptions. Discussion: The findings that health perceptions serve as an intervening step between physical and mental health provide important implications for promotion of mental well-being among older residents in ALFs. In addition to disease/disability prevention and health promotion efforts, attention should be paid to ways to enhance older individuals' positive beliefs and attitudes toward their own health and to promote healthful behaviors.
Using Religious Services to Improve Health
Authors: Benjamins Maureen R. , Finlayson Marcia
Published: May 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the use of religious services to improve health among middle-aged and older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Method: Data from the study “Aging With MS: Unmet Needs in the Great Lakes Region” were used to investigate religious service use among 1,275 adults with MS. Results: The findings indicate that nearly two thirds of the sample currently use religious services to improve their health or well-being. Individuals whose MS is stable and those who have had the disease longer are significantly more likely to use religious services to improve their health. Conclusions: Religious organizations should continue providing out-reach and increasing accessibility for individuals with disabling conditions. In addition, health care professionals should be aware of the importance of religious services to individuals with MS and do their part to facilitate participation for those who desire it.
Uniplexing and Multiplexing of PZT Transducers for Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Annamdas Venu Gopal Madgav  , Chee Kiong Soh
Published: May 2007

Piezoceramic (PZT) transducers are extensively used in structural health monitoring (SHM) and noise and vibration control (NVC) of various aero, civil, and mechanical (ACM) structures. They are surface bonded on the host structure and are excited to produce structural responses. These responses form the basis of PZT—structure interaction based SHM or NVC methods. The last couple of decades have seen many `single input single output' (SISO) type PZT—structure interaction models. However, researchers are compelled to study `multiple input multiple output' (MIMO) or `multiple input single output' (MISO) type PZT—structure interaction models in addition to the SISO models to deal with ACM structures. Multiplexing is a process of active excitation and extraction of output responses from multiple PZT transducers, whereas uniplexing is active excitation and extraction of output response from a single PZT in the presence of other passive distributed transducers. Thus, this article focuses on the experimental study of such MISO/MIMO based multiplexing of PZT transducers, together with SISO based uniplexing on a prototype plate structure. This study also highlights the problems of interference due to transducers during uniplexing/ multiplexing and their influence on output responses.
Retail Store Lighting for Elderly Consumers: An Experimental Approach
Authors: Park Nam‐Kyu , Farr Cheryl A.
Published: May 2007

The study presents an investigation of the influence of the color of light on readability by figure to background value contrast, color perception, and overall room‐light estimation for elderly consumers in an experimental setting representing a retail store. A factorial design with repeated measures was used to identify the impact of three independent variables: (a) lamp color temperatures, (b) lamp color‐rendering properties, and (c) age of the participants. The results show that older adults perceived the higher color temperature light source as less cool than did younger adults. Older adults rated their level of comfort and preference higher than the younger participants under all lighting conditions. Regarding readability, higher color‐rendering light sources provide better readability, and older adults have more difficulty with warmer lighting when value contrasts were reduced. Implications from this study can be applied to retail lighting techniques to attract elderly consumers.
Putting patria back into repatriation
Authors: Welch John R. , Ferguson T.J.
Published: May 2007

In 2003 and 2004 the White Mountain Apache Tribe worked with the Hopi and Zuni tribes and the Western Apache NAGPRA Working Group on a geography-based cultural affiliation assessment of trust lands on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in the uplands of eastern Arizona. The project partnership examined a broad array of evidence bearing on cultural affiliation as a basis for improved implementation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Information provided by representatives of the historical and ancient American Indian occupants of White Mountain Apache lands complemented existing archaeological data about cultural affiliation, thus shifting the focus from artifacts and archaeologically defined cultural groups to sacred landscapes and forms of knowledge linking geography, people, and archaeology. The project provided specific recommendations for intertribal repatriation and reburial efforts as well as more general guidelines for cultural and environmental heritage stewardship.
The art of archaeology
Authors: Vilches Flora
Published: May 2007

This article discusses two `dig projects' of American artist Mark Dion, Tate Thames Dig (1999) and New England Digs (2001), in which he advances a critique of classificatory systems by borrowing the methodology of archaeology. While the artist explicitly displays the process of laboratory analysis as an `object' itself, his critique is not directed to nor informed by any particular theoretical school within the discipline. However, Dion's representation of the archaeological process resonates with some elements of postprocessualism. Knowing the genealogy of the artist is vital to understanding such an affinity. In addition, Dion's classifications have an impact on the audience in terms of the construction and reproduction of historical identity, something apparent in the different reception of his work in England and in the USA. This difference is also apparent in the construction and reproduction of archaeological practice in each country.
teaching respect for cultural diversity in Australian early childhood programs
Authors: MacNaughton Glenda , Hughes Patrick
Published: May 2007

Early childhood teachers in Victoria, Australia face increasing cultural and `racial' diversity among the children and families with whom they work. A small-scale exploratory study found that many teachers were uncertain about how best to respond to such diversity and a mismatch between social expectations that teachers would encourage children to respect cultural diversity and teachers' practice. These findings suggest strongly that the `one-off' isolated session that is the dominant form of professional training in the Australian early childhood field has been ineffective in promoting respect for diversity amongst teachers.
An Event Study of the Economic Impact of Professional Sport Franchises on Local U.S. Economies
Authors: Lertwachara Kaveephong , Cochran James J.
Published: May 2007

It is common for a city to use expensive incentives such as a state-of-the-art stadium or tax exemptions to induce a major professional sport team to relocate to or remain in its area. A city does so because it expects a professional sport team to enhance the local economy. In this article, the authors use an event study approach to evaluate the advisability of this strategy. Their results suggest that major league sports franchises from the four major U.S. team sports (baseball, football, basketball, and hockey) have an adverse impact on local per capita income for U.S. markets in both the short and long run.
A Note on Revenue Sharing in Sports Leagues
Authors: Kräkel Matthias
Published: May 2007

The author discusses the optimal sharing of broadcasting revenues given a central marketing system. A league's sports association wants to maximize the joint profits of the sports clubs' owners. The results show that a winner-take-all scheme should be used if the teams are homogeneous. However, if teams are sufficiently heterogeneous, equal sharing will be optimal.
Identification of genomic classifiers that distinguish induction failure in T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Winter Stuart S. , Jiang Zeyu , Khawaja Hadya M. , Griffin Timothy , Devidas Meenakshi , Asselin Barbara L. , Larson Richard S.
Published: May 2007

The clinical and cytogenetic features associated with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) are not predictive of early treatment failure. Based on the hypothesis that microarrays might identify patients who fail therapy, we used the Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 chip and prediction analysis of microarrays (PAM) to profile 50 newly diagnosed patients who were treated in the Children's Oncology Group (COG) T-ALL Study 9404. We identified a 116-member genomic classifier that could accurately distinguish all 6 induction failure (IF) cases from 44 patients who achieved remission; network analyses suggest a prominent role for genes mediating cellular quiescence. Seven genes were similarly upregulated in both the genomic classifier for IF patients and T-ALL cell lines having acquired resistance to neoplastic agents, identifying potential target genes for further study in drug resistance. We tested whether our classifier could predict IF within 42 patient samples obtained from COG 8704 and, using PAM to define a smaller classifier for the U133A chip, correctly identified the single IF case and patients with persistently circulating blasts. Genetic profiling may identify T-ALL patients who are likely to fail induction and for whom alternate treatment strategies might be beneficial.
AZD1152, a novel and selective aurora B kinase inhibitor, induces growth arrest, apoptosis, and sensitization for tubulin depolymerizing agent or topoisomerase II inhibitor in human acute leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Yang Jing , Ikezoe Takayuki , Nishioka Chie , Tasaka Taizo , Taniguchi Ayuko , Kuwayama Yoshio , Komatsu Naoki , Bandobashi Kentaro , Togitani Kazuto , Koeffler H. Phillip , Taguchi Hirokuni , Yokoyama Akihito
Published: May 2007

Aurora kinases play an important role in chromosome alignment, segregation, and cytokinesis during mitosis. We have recently shown that hematopoietic malignant cells including those from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) aberrantly expressed Aurora A and B kinases, and ZM447439, a potent inhibitor of Aurora kinases, effectively induced growth arrest and apoptosis of a variety of leukemia cells. The present study explored the effect of AZD1152, a highly selective inhibitor of Aurora B kinase, on various types of human leukemia cells. AZD1152 inhibited the proliferation of AML lines (HL-60, NB4, MOLM13), ALL line (PALL-2), biphenotypic leukemia (MV4-11), acute eosinophilic leukemia (EOL-1), and the blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells with an IC50 ranging from 3 nM to 40 nM, as measured by thymidine uptake on day 2 of culture. These cells had 4N/8N DNA content followed by apoptosis, as measured by cell-cycle analysis and annexin V staining, respectively. Of note, AZD1152 synergistically enhanced the antiproliferative activity of vincristine, a tubulin depolymerizing agent, and daunorubicin, a topoisomerase II inhibitor, against the MOLM13 and PALL-2 cells in vitro. Furthermore, AZD1152 potentiated the action of vincristine and daunorubicin in a MOLM13 murine xenograft model. Taken together, AZD1152 is a promising new agent for treatment of individuals with leukemia. The combined administration of AZD1152 and conventional chemotherapeutic agent to patients with leukemia warrants further investigation.
Creating Fragility Functions for Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering
Authors: Porter Keith , Kennedy Robert , Bachman Robert
Published: May 2007

The Applied Technology Council is adapting PEER's performance-based earthquake engineering methodology to professional practice. The methodology's damage-analysis stage uses fragility functions to calculate the probability of damage to facility components given the force, deformation, or other engineering demand parameter (EDP) to which each is subjected. This paper introduces a set of procedures for creating fragility functions from various kinds of data: (A) actual EDP at which each specimen failed; (B) bounding EDP, in which some specimens failed and one knows the EDP to which each specimen was subjected; (C) capable EDP, where specimen EDPs are known but no specimens failed; (D) derived, where fragility functions are produced analytically; (E) expert opinion; and (U) updating, in which one improves an existing fragility function using new observations. Methods C, E, and U are all introduced here for the first time. A companion document offers additional procedures and more examples.
Compensation of actuator dynamics in real-time hybrid tests
Authors: Bonnet P. A. , Williams M. S. , Blakeborough A
Published: May 2007

Real-time hybrid testing is a novel approach to the dynamic testing of structures, in which the system under test is split into physical and numerical substructures which are tested and analysed in parallel, with data passed between them in real time. The success of a test is highly dependent on the performance of the actuators which provide the interface forces and displacements between the two substructures. This paper presents several numerical schemes to compensate for the non-ideal dynamics of typical servohydraulic actuators and evaluates them through a series of real-time hybrid tests on simple mass-spring systems. It is shown that effective schemes can be developed on the basis of a simple representation of the actuator response as combination of a delay and an amplitude error, both of which can vary during a test. The use of a modified online delay estimator, together with one of three simple forward extrapolation schemes, is found to be highly effective in minimizing experimental errors related to the actuator dynamics.
The effect of a judicial declaration of competence on the perceived credibility of children and defendants
Authors: Connolly Deborah A. , Gagnon Nathalie C. , Lavoie Jennifer A.
Published: May 2007

Purpose. Three studies were conducted to determine the effect of a judicial declaration of competence on perceptions of credibility towards a child witness and an adult defendant.

Methods. Undergraduates read vignettes about a 5‐ or a 13‐year‐old child witness or an adult involved in either a sexual assault case or a motor vehicle accident case. In the child conditions, the case was either preceded by a declaration of the child's competence to testify (either specific or general declaration) or there was no mention of the competence of the child. Participants then rated the perceived credibility of both the complainant/witness and the defendant.

Results. A judicial declaration of competence that was targeted at the particular child sometimes increased the credibility ratings of the child and decreased those of the defendant, sometimes to levels beyond those observed in the adult conditions. These effects on credibility were not replicated when a general declaration of all children's competence was used. In fact, the general declaration sometimes resulted in more positive ratings of the defendant.

Conclusions. These results are discussed in the context of recommendations for the use of competence evaluations and declarations of competence in court.
The Myogenic Factor Myf5 Supports Efficient Skeletal Muscle Regeneration by Enabling Transient Myoblast Amplification
Authors: Ustanina Svetlana , Carvajal Jaime , Rigby Peter , Braun Thomas
Published: May 2007

The myogenic factor Myf5 defines the onset of myogenesis in mammals during development. Mice lacking both Myf5 and MyoD fail to form myoblasts and are characterized by a complete absence of skeletal muscle at birth. To investigate the function of Myf5 in adult skeletal muscle, we generated Myf5 and mdx compound mutants, which are characterized by constant regeneration. Double mutant mice show an increase of dystrophic changes in the musculature, although these mice were viable and the degree of myopathy was modest. Myf5 mutant muscles show a small decrease in the number of muscle satellite cells, which was within the range of physiological variations. We also observed a significant delay in the regeneration of Myf5 deficient skeletal muscles after injury. Interestingly, Myf5 deficient skeletal muscles were able to even out this flaw during the course of regeneration, generating intact muscles 4 weeks after injury. Although we did not detect a striking reduction of MyoD positive activated myoblasts or of Myf5-LacZ positive cells in regenerating muscles, a clear decrease in the proliferation rate of satellite cell-derived myoblasts was apparent in satellite cell-derived cultures. The reduction of the proliferation rate of Myf5 mutant myoblasts was also reflected by a delayed transition from proliferation to differentiation, resulting in a reduced number of myotube nuclei after 6 and 7 days of culture. We reason that Myf5 supports efficient skeletal muscle regeneration by enabling transient myoblast amplification.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Phosphoserine Phosphatase Is Expressed in the Neural Stem Cell Niche and Regulates Neural Stem and Progenitor Cell Proliferation
Authors: Nakano Ichiro , Dougherty Joseph D. , Kim Kevin , Klement Ivan , Geschwind Daniel H. , Kornblum Harley I.
Published: May 2007

Phosphoserine phosphatase (PSP) metabolizes the conversion of l-phosphoserine to l-serine, classically known as an amino acid necessary for protein and nucleotide synthesis and more recently suggested to be involved in cell-to-cell signaling. Previously, we identified PSP as being enriched in proliferating neural progenitors and highly expressed by embryonic and hematopoietic stem cells, suggesting a general role in stem cells. Here we demonstrate that PSP is highly expressed in periventricular neural progenitors in the embryonic brain. In the adult brain, PSP expression was observed in slowly dividing or quiescent glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells and CD24-positive ependymal cells in the forebrain germinal zone adjacent to the lateral ventricle and within GFAP-positive cells of the hippocampal subgranular zone, consistent with expression in adult neural stem cells. In vitro, PSP overexpression promoted proliferation, whereas small interfering RNA-induced knockdown inhibited proliferation of neural stem cells derived from embryonic cortex and adult striatal subventricular zone. The effects of PSP knockdown were partially rescued by exogenous l-serine. These data support a role for PSP in neural stem cell proliferation and suggest that in the adult periventricular germinal zones, PSP may regulate signaling between neural stem cells and other cells within the stem cell niche.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Concise Review: Trends in Stem Cell Proteomics
Authors: Baharvand Hossein , Fathi Ali , van Hoof Dennis , Salekdeh Ghasem Hosseini
Published: May 2007

Gene expression analyses of stem cells (SCs) will help to uncover or further define signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in the maintenance of self-renewal, pluripotency, and/or multipotency. In recent years, proteomic approaches have produced a wealth of data identifying proteins and mechanisms involved in SC proliferation and differentiation. Although many proteomics techniques have been developed and improved in peptide and protein separation, as well as mass spectrometry, several important issues, including sample heterogeneity, post-translational modifications, protein-protein interaction, and high-throughput quantification of hydrophobic and low-abundance proteins, still remain to be addressed and require further technical optimization. This review summarizes the methodologies used and the information gathered with proteome analyses of SCs, and it discusses biological and technical challenges for proteomic study of SCs.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Coexpression of Wilms’ tumor suppressor 1 (WT1) and androgen receptor (AR) in the genital tract of human male embryos and regulation of AR promoter activity by WT1
Authors: Köhler Birgit , Delezoide Anne-Lise , Boizet-Bonhoure Brigitte , McPhaul Michael J , Sultan Charles , Lumbroso Serge
Published: May 2007

The Wilms’ tumor suppressor 1 (WT1) is one of the key regulators of early male genital development. The androgen receptor (AR) is the major local factor responsible for the development of the male genitalia. As a subset of patients, with WT1 mutations and virilization defects, were found to present normal testosterone producing testes after birth, which suggests androgen resistance, we hypothesized that WT1 and AR might functionally interact during the development of the external genitalia. Coexpression of WT1 and AR was found in the mesenchyme surrounding the urogenital sinus, the mesonephros, and the Müllerian duct at 7 weeks p.c. and in the epididimys, vas deferens, and the gubernaculum testes from 13 to 27 weeks p.c. in human male embryos. A modification of AR expression by WT1 (WT1+/+, WT1+/−, and WT1+/− R394W) was seen in CV1, Hela, LNCaP, and T293 cells. WT1 was shown to increase or decrease AR expression depending on the cell line (1.6- to 3.7-fold). In this study, we consider LNCaP and T293 cells as the most physiological cell system, as both originate from the human urogenital tract. In these cell lines, a repressional effect of the mutant WT1+/− R394W (0.5-fold) on AR expression in comparison to the wild-type WT1+/− could be demonstrated. From our data, we conclude that a functional interaction of WT1 and AR might play a role during the development of the male external genitalia, but as the regulatory effects were moderate most likely in concert with other local cofactors.
Two differentially active alternative promoters control the expression of the zebrafish orphan nuclear receptor gene Rev-erbα
Authors: Kakizawa Tomoko , Nishio Shin-ichi , Triqueneaux Gerard , Bertrand Stephanie , Rambaud Juliette , Laudet Vincent
Published: May 2007

The orphan nuclear receptor Rev-erbα (NR1D1) plays an important role in the regulation of the circadian pacemaker and its expression has been shown to be regulated with a robust circadian rhythm in zebrafish and mammals. In addition, in zebrafish its expression has been shown to be developmentally regulated. In order to analyze the mechanisms of the zfRev-erbα gene regulation, we have isolated its 5′-upstream region. We found that two promoters control the zfRev-erbα expression. The first one (ZfP1) is characterized by a very high degree of sequence identity with the mammalian P1 promoter and contains, as the mammalian P1, a functional Rev-erbα-binding site (RevDR2). Inhibition of zfRev-erbα activity in zebrafish embryos using antisense-morpholino knockdown results in an increase of zfRev-erbα gene expression suggesting that zfRev-erbα is repressing its own transcription in vivo. In addition, we show that ROR orphan receptors also regulate in vitro and in vivo zfRev-erbα gene expression through the same RevDR2 element. In contrast, the second promoter ZfP2 is strikingly different from the mammalian P2: its sequence is not conserved between zebrafish and mammals and is not regulated by the same transcription factors. Together, these data suggest that ZfP1 is orthologous to the mammalian P1 promoter, whereas zebrafish ZfP2 has no mammalian ortholog and does not function like ZfP1 to control Rev-erbα expression.
Non-monotonic dose–response relationship in steroid hormone receptor-mediated gene expression
Authors: Li Li , Andersen Melvin E , Heber Steffen , Zhang Qiang
Published: May 2007

Steroid hormone receptors are the targets of many environmental endocrine active chemicals (EACs) and synthetic drugs used in hormone therapy. While most of these chemical compounds have a unidirectional and monotonic effect, certain EACs can display non-monotonic dose–response behaviors and some synthetic drugs are selective endocrine modulators. Mechanisms underlying these complex endocrine behaviors have not been fully understood. By formulating an ordinary differential equation-based computational model, we investigated in this study the steady-state dose–response behavior of exogenous steroid ligands in an endogenous hormonal background under various parameter conditions. Our simulation revealed that non-monotonic dose–responses in gene expression can arise within the classical genomic framework of steroid signaling. Specifically, when the exogenous ligand is an agonist, a U-shaped dose–response appears as a result of the inherently nonlinear process of receptor homodimerization. This U-shaped dose–response curve can be further modulated by mixed-ligand heterodimers formed between endogenous ligand-bound and exogenous ligand-bound receptor monomers. When the heterodimer is transcriptionally inactive or repressive, the magnitude of U-shape increases; conversely, when the heterodimer is transcriptionally active, the magnitude of U-shape decreases. Additionally, we found that an inverted U-shaped dose–response can arise when the heterodimer is a strong transcription activator regardless of whether the exogenous ligand is an agonist or antagonist. Our work provides a novel mechanism for non-monotonic, particularly U-shaped, dose–response behaviors observed with certain steroid mimics, and may help not only understand how selective steroid receptor modulators work but also improve risk assessment for EACs.
Interaction of Low Doses of Ionizing Radiation, Potassium Dichromate and Cadmium Chloride in Artemia franciscana Biotest
Authors: Beňová K. , Dvořák P. , Falis M. , Sklenář Z.
Published: May 2007

The influence of cadmium chloride (at concentrations of 100 and 200 mg l-1) and potassium dichromate (at a concentration of 50 mg l-1) along with the effect of gamma radiation 60Co (at a dose of 10 and 50 Gy) on lethality to Artemia franciscana was investigated. Four different interactions were studied, namely, those of potassium dichromate and gamma radiation, cadmium chloride and gamma radiation, and combinations of potassium dichromate and cadmium chloride in interaction with gamma radiation. A significant (α = 0.05) decrease was observed in lethality due to exposure to radiation (10 Gy) in comparison with action of only potassium dichromate and cadmium chloride or their combination without exposure to gamma rays. These results support the theory of hormesis.
Interrelationship between Somatic Cell Count and Acute Phase Proteins in Serum and Milk of Dairy Cows
Authors: Kováč G. , Popelková M. , Tkáčiková Ľ. , Burdová O. , Ihnát O.
Published: May 2007

The aim of the present study was to compare the concentrations of two acute phase proteins, haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA), in serum and milk of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows grouped according to somatic cell count thresholds (< 100,000 < 400,000 < 400,000 cells/ml) in composite milk samples. The SCC was assessed quantitatively by FOSSOMATIC 90 analyser; serum and milk Hp and SAA concentrations were determined using commercial ELISA kits (Tridelta Development, Ltd., Wicklow, Ireland). We have found a significantly higher Hp and SAA concentrations in the group with SCC > 400,000 cells/ml compared to groups with lower SCC thresholds in composite milk samples. In contrast, significant differences were not demonstrated between the groups in Hp and SAA concentrations determined in serum. The concentrations of Hp in serum and milk were found to be correlated (r = 0.69, P = 0.0003), whereas there was a lower correlation trend in the case of serum versus milk concentrations of SAA (r = 0.43, P = 0.0478). High significant correlations were observed either between milk haptoglobin values and SCC or milk serum amyloid A concentrations and SCC (r = 0.83, r = 0.81, P < 0.0001; respectively). An increase in SCC in cows suffering from mastitis has been accompanied by strong elevation of the milk Hp and SAA, significantly correlated with serum Hp (r = 0.64, P = 0.0014) and poorly correlated with SAA values determined in serum (r = 0.43, P = 0.0478). According to the results obtained in this study we can conclude that measurements of the acute phase proteins, haptoglobin and serum amyloid A predominantly in milk, may be a useful tool in diagnosing mastitis and may be a useful marker of milk quality.
Detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae by Polymerase Chain Reaction in Jordanian Sheep and Goat Herds
Authors: Zendulková D. , Madanat A. , Lány P. , Rosenbergová K. , Pospíšil Z.
Published: May 2007

The aim of the study was to ascertain whether sheep and goats from selected Jordanian herds were infected with Mycoplasma agalactiae, the most common aetiological agent of contagious agalactia of sheep and goats. All examined animals showed clinical signs of disease at the time of sample collection. The group included 35 animals, 15 sheep and 20 goats. For microbiological examination, a total of 107 swabs were taken from conjunctival, nasal, vaginal or preputial mucosae and from the external auditory canal. Identification of the species isolated was carried out by a polymerase chain reaction. Of the 35 animals, 21 (4 sheep and 17 goats) tested positive for Mycoplasma agalactiae. These results confirmed our assumption that this mycoplasma species is present in Jordanian herds and, for the first time, provided evidence that contagious agalactia of sheep and goats occurs in Jordan.
Oxfendazole Resistance in Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Beetal Goats at Livestock Farms of Punjab (Pakistan)
Authors: Saeed M. , Iqbal Z. , Jabbar A.
Published: May 2007

This study was carried out to screen goat farms for anthelmintic resistance (AR) against oxfendazole (OXF) and to determine contributory factors for its development. For this purpose, Beetal goat farms (n = 18) were randomly selected, with natural mixed gastrointestinal nematodosis infection. In vivo (faecal egg count reduction test) and in vitro (egg hatch assay) tests were used to ascertain the presence of AR while a scorecard was used to determine the role of possible contributory factors for oxfendazole resistance. For in vivo test, the experimental animals were divided into two groups of 10 animals each; one group received OXF treatment, while the other served as control. Pre- and post-treatment coproculture was performed to identify the species and genera of nematodes. Egg hatch assay (EHA) was used to confirm the results of FECRT. Fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) revealed the development of resistance on six farms and post-treatment larval cultures indicated Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Cooperia curticei, Teladorsagia circumcincta and Oesophagostomum spp. as dominant species with resistance. Furthermore, EHA confirmed the results of FECRT. Among the presumptive factors for AR, the highest composite score was for rotation of anthelmintics followed by treatment frequency, dose rate and nature of medication. The scorecard for the development of AR, used in this study, may be helpful for the assessment of contributory factors of AR.
First reported case of intrachromosomal cryptic inv dup del Xp in a boy with developmental retardation
Authors: Dupont Celine , Lebbar Aziza , Teinturier Cecile , Baverel Françoise , Viot Geraldine , Le Tessier Dominique , Le Bozec Jerome , Cuisset Laurence , Dupont Jean‐Michel
Published: May 2007

We report here on a 6‐year‐old boy referred to the laboratory for karyotyping and SHOX microdeletion testing. The most significant clinical findings in this boy were small stature, Madelung deformity, facial dysmorphism, mild mental retardation and behavioral problems. R‐, G‐ and RTBG‐banding chromosome analysis showed a normal male karyotype. Fine molecular characterization, by FISH, of terminal Xp microdeletion revealed an associated partial duplication. Further refinement of the molecular analysis indicated an inverted duplication of the Xp22.31–Xp22.32 (13.7 Mb) region including the STS, VCX‐A and KAL1 genes, associated with a terminal Xp deletion Xp22.33‐Xpter (3.6 Mb) encompassing the SHOX and ARSE genes. Such rearrangements have been characterized for other chromosomal pairs, but this is the first reported male patient involving the short arm of the X chromosome. Molecular analysis of the maternal and patient's microsatellite markers showed interchromatid mispairing leading to non‐allelic homologous recombination to be the most likely mechanism underlying this rearrangement. This case highlights the importance of clinically driven FISH investigations in order to uncover cryptic micro‐rearrangements. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and characterization of magnetorheological elastomers
Authors: Fuchs A. , Zhang Q. , Elkins J. , Gordaninejad F. , Evrensel C.
Published: May 2007

A new class of materials termed magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are developed that respond to externally imposed magnetic fields. Magnetic particles are embedded in viscoelastic solids or liquid elastomeric precursors. This kind of composite demonstrates a unique combination of good magnetic controllability and elastic properties. Polybutadiene (hydrocarbon based) based polyurethane MREs are developed because of their thermooxidative, hydrolytic, and chemical resistance. The structure–property relationships of polyurethane–MREs are investigated using several characterization techniques. Morphological features such as interdomains of soft and hard segments are identified with tapping‐mode atomic force microscopy. The thermal and mechanical behavior is evaluated with dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and stress–strain tests. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Synthesis and characterization of high solid content aqueous polyurethane dispersion
Authors: Li Qing‐An , Sun Dong‐Cheng
Published: May 2007

Aqueous polyurethane (APU) dispersions having a solid content of 50% were synthesized using dimethyol propionic acid (DMPA) as the stabilizing moiety. The principal diols used were poly‐1,4‐butylene adipate glycol (PBA). The diisocyanates used in this study were a 30:70 blend of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI). All these samples were neutralized using triethylamine (TEA) and chain‐extended using ethylene diamine (EDA). The effects of the COOH content, NCO/OH molar ratio, and molecular weight (Mn) of PBA on the properties of APU dispersion and its cast film were studied. Dynamic light scattering results revealed that these high solid content dispersions shown broad particle size distributions as well as bimodal. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMA) results showed that as the hard segment content increased, the melting point (Tm) of the APU cast film increased, but the glass transition temperature (Tg) did not show significant alteration, when a PBA lower than 1000 Mn was used, the APU exhibited faint soft‐segment crystallization and tended to form amorphous polymer. Tensile and T‐peel strength tests attained excellent mechanical properties, such as a maximum Young's modulus of 166 MPa and the elongation at break reached to 2000%. T‐peel strength test (PVC/PVC) yielded a maximum peel strength value of 8.8 N/mm. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Mechanical properties of HDPE/bark flour composites
Authors: Sewda Kamini , Maiti S. N.
Published: May 2007

Tensile and impact properties of Neem bark flour (BF) containing high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were studied at 0–0.26 volume fraction of filler. Tensile modulus and strength and breaking elongation decreased with increase in BF concentration. The decrease in tensile modulus and strength was attributed to the decrease in crystallinity of the polymer compared to the imposed mechanical restraint by the BF. Analysis of tensile strength data indicated formation of stress concentration in the interphase. Because of this stress concentration and the mechanical restraint, the elongation‐at‐break and Izod impact strength decreased. Use of a coupling agent, HDPE‐g‐MAH, brings about enhanced phase adhesion, increasing the tensile modulus and strength. Enhanced adhesion marginally lowers composite ductility at higher filler contents and aids stress transfer increasing the Izod impact strength inappreciably. Scanning electron microscopic studies indicated better dispersion of BF particles and enhanced interphase adhesion in presence of the coupling agent. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Reaction kinetics, thermal properties of tetramethyl biphenyl epoxy resin cured with aromatic diamine
Authors: Fu Tiezhu , Zhang Gang , Zhong Shuangling , Zhao Chengji , Shao Ke , Wang Lifeng , Na Hui
Published: May 2007

Epoxy resins, 4, 4′‐diglycidyl (3, 3′, 5, 5′‐tetramethylbiphenyl) epoxy resin (TMBP) containing rigid rod structure as a class of high performance polymers has been researched. The investigation of cure kinetics of TMBP and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A epoxy resin (DGEBA) cured with p‐phenylenediamine (PDA) was performed by differential scanning calorimeter using an isoconversional method with dynamic conditions. The effect of the molar ratios of TMBP to PDA on the cure reaction kinetics was studied. The results showed that the curing of epoxy resins contains different stages. The activation energy was dependent of the degree of conversion. At the early of curing stages, the activation energy showed the activation energy took as maximum value. The effects of rigid rod groups and molar ratios of TMBP to PDA for the thermal properties were investigated by the DSC, DMA and TGA. The cured 2/1 TMBP/PDA system with rigid rod groups and high crosslink density had shown highest Tg and thermal degradation temperature. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007