bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increase in the concentration of cytosolic‐free calcium induced by human follicular fluid was decreased in single human spermatozoon with abnormal morphology
Authors: SHIMIZU YASUFUMI , MINAGUCHI REIKO , ISHIKAWA TOMONORI , HARADA TATSUYA , YOSHIKI NAOYUKI , KUBOTA TOSHIRO
Published: August 2008

Aim:  The increase in the concentration of cytosolic‐free calcium ([Ca2+]i) induced by follicular fluid or progesterone has been reported to promote an acrosome reaction and alternation in several motion parameters in human sperm (hyperactivation). We previously reported that populations of sperm in cell suspension obtained from infertile men with abnormal morphology exhibited lower mean peak progesterone‐evoked [Ca2+]i compared with morphologically normal sperm using cell‐suspension methods. In the present study, the change in [Ca2+]i in individual normally and abnormally shaped spermatozoa was compared.

Methods:  The change in [Ca2+]i induced by human follicular fluid in individual spermatozoa with normal and abnormal morphology was compared using the fluorescent calcium‐sensitive dye fluo‐3/AM. The spatial distribution of the increase in [Ca2+]i in single sperm was also investigated.

Results:  The [Ca2+]i of normally shaped spermatozoa increased rapidly after the administration of human follicular fluid. The response reached a peak within 2–3 s and then slowly declined to a plateau phase. The baseline and peak fluorescence in spermatozoa with abnormal morphology was lower when compared with normal spermatozoa. The follicular‐fluid‐induced increase in [Ca2+]i (expressed as a percentage increase in [Ca2+]i over basal) in morphologically abnormal sperm was 39.2 ± 5.3% (n = 107, mean ± standard error), which was smaller than that of morphologically normal sperm (61.6 ± 5.7%, n = 100, P < 0.005) from seven healthy donors. The follicular‐fluid‐induced [Ca2+]i increases observed in sperm with morphologically abnormal mid‐pieces (20.9 ± 4.3%, n = 12, P < 0.05) or tails (40.7 ± 6.0%, n = 92, P < 0.05) were lower than those of morphologically normal spermatozoa (61.6 ± 5.3%, n = 101). The follicular‐fluid‐induced [Ca2+]i increase of morphologically normal spermatozoa from infertile couples (35.1 ± 6.3%, n = 25, P < 0.05) was also found to be lower than that of morphologically normal spermatozoa from healthy donors.

Conclusion:  The present study shows that spermatozoa with abnormal morphology in healthy donors have disorders of signal transduction, as do normally shaped sperm in men from infertile couples. (Reprod Med Biol 2008; 7: 143–149)
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour in the ischio‐rectal fossa
Authors: Teoh K. H. , Reddy S. , Beggs I. , Al‐Nafussi A. , Mander B. J. , Porter D. E.
Published: August 2008

Primary sarcomas in the ischiorectal fossa are occasionally reported and represent a significant challenge due to the proximity of rectum, levator muscles and pudendal neurovascular structures. We report a case in which the diagnosis changed between biopsy (desmoid tumour) and resection (malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour), requiring a multidisciplinary surgical approach involving different sub‐specialties. It also illustrates the importance of undertaking sarcoma surgery in a recognized sarcoma centre with sarcoma expertise available across a range of disciplines.
International Diabetes Federation guideline for management of postmeal glucose: a review of recommendations
Authors: Ceriello A. , Colagiuri S.
Published: August 2008

Diabetes is a significant and growing concern, with over 246 million people around the world living with the disease and another 308 million with impaired glucose tolerance. Depending on the resources of different nations, intervention has generally focused on optimizing overall glycaemic control as assessed by glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) values. Nevertheless, increasing evidence supports the importance of controlling all three members of the glucose triad, namely HbA1c, FPG and postmeal glucose (PMG) in order to improve outcome in diabetes. As part of its global mission to promote diabetes care and prevention and to find a cure, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) recently developed a guideline that reviews evidence to date on PMG and the development of diabetic complications. Based on an extensive database search of the literature, and guided by a Steering and Development Committee including experts from around the world, the IDF Guideline for Management of Postmeal Glucose offers recommendations for appropriate clinical management of PMG. These recommendations are intended to help clinicians and organizations in developing strategies for effective management of PMG in individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The following review highlights the recommendations of the guideline, the supporting evidence provided and the major conclusions drawn. The full guideline is available for download at http://www.idf.org.
Psychosocial factors are independent risk factors for the development of Type 2 diabetes in Japanese workers with impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance1
Authors: Toshihiro M. , Saito K. , Takikawa S. , Takebe N. , Onoda T. , Satoh J.
Published: August 2008

Aims  We prospectively studied Japanese workers with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and analysed possible risk factors for diabetes, including psychosocial factors such as stress.

Methods  The participants were 128 male Japanese company employees (mean age, 49.3 ± 5.9 years) with IFG and/or IGT diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Participants were prospectively studied for 5 years with annual OGTTs. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox's proportional hazard model were used to analyse the incidence of diabetes and the factors affecting glucose tolerance, including anthropometric, biochemical and social–psychological factors.

Results  Of 128 participants, 36 (28.1%) developed diabetes and 39 (30.5%) returned to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) during a mean follow‐up of 3.2 years. Independent risk factors for diabetes were night duty [hazard ratio (HR) = 5.48, P = 0.002], higher fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels within 6.1–6.9 mmol/l (HR = 1.05, P = 0.031), stress (HR = 3.81, P = 0.037) and administrative position (HR = 12.70, P = 0.045), while independent factors associated with recovery were lower FPG levels (HR = 0.94, P = 0.017), being a white‐collar worker (HR = 0.34, P = 0.033), non‐smoking (HR = 0.31, P = 0.040) and lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (HR = 0.97, P = 0.042).

Conclusions  In addition to FPG levels at baseline, psychosocial factors (night duty, stress and administrative position) are risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, while being a white‐collar worker, a non‐smoker and lower serum ALT levels are factors associated with return to NGT in Japanese workers with IFG and/or IGT.
A TWO‐LAYER AGENT‐BASED SYSTEM FOR LARGE‐SCALE DISTRIBUTED COMPUTATION
Authors: Uhruski Piotr , Grochowski Marek , Schaefer Robert
Published: August 2008

The paper is devoted to a two‐layered, agent‐based system that can support and manage large‐scale distributed computation. Each managing agent, being a part of the lower layer, carries individual computational tasks and examines the environment to find the best place of execution for it. Effective scheduling policies based on the molecular diffusion phenomena may be applied. They only utilize local information about the computing node characteristics, which saves communication time. The lower level of the system constitutes the software platform that implements the information, communication and migration policies for managing agents. The architecture and a formal description of the platform and the managing agent, as well as scheduling algorithms (especially agent diffusion rules involving inter‐task communication), are presented. A sample Java implementation called OCTOPUS/SmartSolid and test results are also reported.
Oxidative stress increases levels of endogenous amyloid‐β peptides secreted from primary chick brain neurons
Authors: Goldsbury Claire , Whiteman Ineka T. , Jeong Erica V. , Lim Yun‐An
Published: August 2008

Oxidative damage is associated with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment, but its relationship to the development of neuropathological lesions involving accumulation of amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides and hyperphosphorylated tau protein remains poorly understood. We show that inducing oxidative stress in primary chick brain neurons by exposure to sublethal doses of H2O2 increases levels of total secreted endogenous Aβ by 2.4‐fold after 20 h. This occurs in the absence of changes to intracellular amyloid precursor protein or tau protein levels, while heat‐shock protein 90 is elevated 2.5‐fold. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that aging‐associated oxidative stress contributes to increasing Aβ generation and up‐regulation of molecular chaperones in Alzheimer's disease.
A NEW PICTURE OF SWEDISH EARNINGS INEQUALITY: PERSISTENT AND TRANSITORY COMPONENTS, 1960–1990
Authors: Gustavsson Magnus
Published: August 2008

Using a large individual longitudinal database, I decompose the cross‐sectional variance of male annual earnings in Sweden between 1960 and 1990 into persistent and transitory components. The persistent variance displays a downward trend during the whole sample period, but with the rate of decline more rapid up until the early 1980s than afterwards. The transitory variance has increased from 1960 until the early 1970s, decreased slightly until the late 1970s, and then risen again during the second half of the 1980s. An important lesson from these results concern the interpretation of the rise in cross‐sectional inequality observed after the 1983 breakdown of centralized bargaining in Sweden. While it has often been presumed that this growth reflected increased returns to skills, this study shows that it was in fact due to increased transitory earnings fluctuations.
A HEDONIC PRICE INDEX FOR AIRLINE TRAVEL
Authors: Good David H. , Sickles Robin C. , Weiher Jesse C.
Published: August 2008

Our research takes an exhaustive approach to measurement issues in price index construction for the BLS airfare index. We pursue a number of the objectives for dealing with the biases that the 1997 CPI Commission recommended and detail a protocol for data collection and analysis that can be replicated and can be enhanced by availability of additional data sources. We find an upward bias in the BLS airfare index over the period considered. However, because of issues of practicality and implementability of the methods we utilize in our analysis, the goals of the Commission recommendations remain illusive and problematic in being more broadly applied to other components of the CPI.
PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH IN SERVICE INDUSTRIES: ARE THE TRANSATLANTIC DIFFERENCES MEASUREMENT‐DRIVEN?
Authors: Hartwig Jochen
Published: August 2008

Since the mid‐nineties, U.S. labor productivity outgrows its European counterpart by a wide margin.van Arket al.(2003) have found three service industries where productivity growth has accelerated in the U.S., but not in Europe, to account for most of the difference. These three industries are wholesale and retail trade, and trade in financial securities. However, since measurement methods differ on both sides of the Atlantic, Europe's shortfall in productivity growth could be a statistical artifact. This paper tries to answer the question whether this is indeed the case by quantifying the extent to which the U.S. growth rates in trade and banking are pulled upward by measurement methods that are unusual in Europe. In addition, some observations are offered on whether the recent upswing in productivity growth in the U.S. services sector has cured “Baumol's Cost Disease.”
Combating the Illegal Trade in African Elephant Ivory with DNA Forensics
Authors: WASSER SAMUEL K. , JOSEPH CLARK WILLIAM , DRORI OFIR , STEPHEN KISAMO EMILY , MAILAND CELIA , MUTAYOBA BENEZETH , STEPHENS MATTHEW
Published: August 2008

Abstract: International wildlife crime is burgeoning in this climate of global trade. We contend that the most effective way to contain this illegal trade is to determine where the wildlife is being removed. This allows authorities to direct law enforcement to poaching hot spots, potentially stops trade before the wildlife is actually killed, prevents countries from denying their poaching problems at home, and thwarts trade before it enters into an increasingly complex web of international criminal activity. Forensic tools have been limited in their ability to determine product origin because the information they can provide typically begins only at the point of shipment. DNA assignment analyses can determine product origin, but its use has been limited by the inability to assign samples to locations where reference samples do not exist. We applied new DNA assignment methods that can determine the geographic origin(s) of wildlife products from anywhere within its range. We used these methods to examine the geographic origin(s) of 2 strings of seizures involving large volumes of elephant ivory, 1 string seized in Singapore and Malawi and the other in Hong Kong and Cameroon. These ivory traffickers may comprise 2 of the largest poaching rings in Africa. In both cases all ivory seized in the string had common origins, which indicates that crime syndicates are targeting specific populations for intense exploitation. This result contradicts the dominant belief that dealers are using a decentralized plan of procuring ivory stocks as they became available across Africa. Large quantities of ivory were then moved, in multiple shipments, through an intermediate country prior to shipment to Asia, as a risk‐reduction strategy that distances the dealer from the poaching locale. These smuggling strategies could not have been detected by forensic information, which typically begins only at the shipping source.
Very low hepatitis C antibody levels predict false‐positive results and avoid supplemental testing
Authors: Contreras Ana M. , Tornero‐Romo Claudia M. , Toribio José G. , Celis Alfredo , Orozco‐Hernández Axel , Rivera P. Kristian , Méndez Claudia , Hernández‐Lugo M. Isabel , Olivares Laura , Alvarado Martha A.
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND:False‐positive results for hepatitis C virus antibody (anti‐HCV) occur with unacceptable frequency in low‐prevalence populations. The purpose of the study was to determine whether signal‐to‐cutoff (S/CO) ratios of anti‐HCV assay–reactive samples could be used to discriminate false‐positive from true‐positive anti‐HCV results and avoid the need for supplemental testing.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:Using receiver‐operating characteristic curve, the cutoff point that identifies the major proportion (≥95%) of false‐positive results, with a minor proportion (<5%) of true‐positive anti‐HCV results, was determined. An anti‐HCV assay (VITROS, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics) was used to detect the antibodies. The third‐generation recombinant immunoblot assay and HCV RNA tests were performed on all included donors. Third‐generation RIBA is the gold standard for identifying false‐positive antibody results.

RESULTS:A total of 649 anti‐HCV–positive blood donors were identified. A S/CO ratio of less than 4.5, defining very low levels in this value, was the optimal cutoff point to identify false‐positive results; 315 of 322 samples with very low levels were false‐positive anti‐HCV results (97.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 95.8%‐99.0%) and 7 were true‐positive (2.2%; 95% CI, 1.0%‐4.3%). Viremia was detected in none of them. A direct relationship was observed between positive supplemental testing and increased antibody levels in the other 327 samples.

CONCLUSION:The high prediction rate of false‐positive anti‐HCV results using very low levels by the Ortho VITROS anti‐HCV assay safely avoids the need for supplemental testing.
Age and Gender Effects on Auto Liability Insurance Payouts
Authors: Doerpinghaus Helen I. , Schmit Joan T. , Yeh Jason Jia‐Hsing
Published: August 2008

Abstract

We examine the relationship between claimant demographic characteristics (specifically, gender, age, and marital status) and the relative size of automobile third‐party settlements. We present three possible theories to explain differences in payouts associated with gender and age: variations in risk attitudes, variations in negotiating costs, and discrimination. Results of empirical testing are consistent with differences in settlement amounts, particularly with respect to gender. These differences are examined and discussed along with suggestions for future research.
An Empirical Analysis of the Effects of Increasing Deductibles on Moral Hazard
Authors: Wang Jennifer L. , Chung Ching‐Fan , Tzeng Larry Y.
Published: August 2008

Abstract

Using information on timing and number of claims in a unique data set pertaining to comprehensive automobile insurance with the increasing deductible provision in Taiwan, the authors provide new evidence for moral hazard. Time‐varying correlations between the choice of the insurance coverage and claim occurrence are significantly positive and exhibit a smirk pattern across policy months. This empirical finding supports the existence of asymmetric information. A subsample estimation depicts insured drivers' significant responses to increasing deductibles, which implies the existence of moral hazard. According to the probit regression results, the increasing deductible makes policyholders who have ever filed claims less likely to file additional claims later in the policy year. The empirical findings strongly support the notion that the increasing deductible provision helps control moral hazard.
APRA's Expert Judgment Ratings and Solvency Cover of Australian General Insurers
Authors: Sharpe Ian G. , Stadnik Andrei
Published: August 2008

Abstract

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority's (APRA's) supervisors use expert judgment to rate the risk of failure of general insurers (GIs). Using statistical data, we model the determinants of GI ratings and solvency cover and find: (1) sufficient predictive power in statistical data to identify GIs for earlier review and assist in quality assurance of APRA's ratings and (2) that profitability, solvency cover, investment, and underwriting risk play different roles in rating foreign branch and Australian‐incorporated GIs. We conclude that supervisors generally correctly incorporate our a priori expectations of the effects of risk indicators on GI risk into their ratings.
Integrating Neural Networks for Risk‐Adjustment Models
Authors: Hsu Shuofen , Lin Chaohsin , Yang Yaling
Published: August 2008

Abstract

This article demonstrates the possibility of an alternative approach for risk‐adjustment models. In the proposed model the risk characteristics of the beneficiary's health within the same cohort classified by Self‐Organizing Map network are highly homogeneous, whereas the numbers of individuals within each cohort remain sufficient to allow further investigation of the causal effect from clustered data. A comparison of different models by the 10‐fold cross‐validation reveals that the performance improvement in the proposed integration model is both significant and stable across the estimation and validation sampling.
Empirical Risk Analysis of Pension Insurance: The Case of Germany
Authors: Gerke Wolfgang , Mager Ferdinand , Reinschmidt Timo , Schmieder Christian
Published: August 2008

Abstract

The book reserve system is the most widespread method of financing occupational pension plans in Germany. The pension liabilities are mutually insured by the Pensions‐Sicherungs‐Verein VVaG (PSVaG) against bankruptcy. The PSVaG recently stated that the insurance system needed to be reformed. In the future, risk‐adjusted premiums as foreseen for the newly established Pension Protection Fund in the United Kingdom could become feasible. We perform a credit portfolio analysis to determine the risk profile of the PSVaG. The magnitude of a tail risk event suggests that under the current financing system it can only be smoothed out over decades. Under an expected loss pricing plan insurance premiums would vary greatly. In a marginal risk contribution approach the variation of the premiums would be less pronounced.
In vitro analysis of integrin expression in stem cells from bone marrow and cord blood during chondrogenic differentiation
Authors: Goessler Ulrich Reinhart , Bugert Peter , Bieback Karen , Stern‐Straeter Jens , Bran Gregor , Sadick Haneen , Hbrmann Karl , Riedel Frank
Published: August 2008

The use of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in cartilage tissue engineering has been implemented in the field of regenerative medicine and offers new perspectives in the generation of transplants for reconstructive surgery. The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a key role in modulating function and phenotype of the embedded cells and contains the integrins as adhesion receptors mediating cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. In our study, characteristic changes in integrin expression during the course of chondrogenic differentiation of MSC from bone marrow and foetal cord blood were compared. MSC were isolated from bone marrow biopsies and cord blood. During cell culture, chondrogenic differentiation was performed. The expression of integrins and their signalling components were analysed with microarray and immunohistochemistry in freshly isolated MSC and after chondrogenic differentiation. The fibronectin‐receptor (integrin a5b1) was expressed by undifferentiated MSC, expression rose during chondrogenic differentiation in both types of MSC. The components of the vitronectin/osteopontin‐receptors (avb5) were not expressed by freshly isolated MSC, expression rose with ongoing differentiation. Receptors for collagens (a1b1, a2b1, a3b1) were weakly expressed by undifferentiated MSC and were activated during differentiation. As intracellular signalling components integrin linked kinase (ILK) and CD47 showed increasing expression with ongoing differentiation. For all integrins, no significant differences could be found in the two types of MSC. Integrin‐mediated signalling seems to play an important role in the generation and maintenance of the chondrocytic phenotype during chondrogenic differentiation. Especially the receptors for fibronectin, vitronectin, osteopontin and collagens might be involved in the generation of the ECM. Intracellularly, their signals might be transduced by ILK and CD47. To fully harness the potential of these cells, future studies should be directed to ascertain their cellular and molecular characteristics for optimal identification, isolation and expansion.
Loss of asymmetry in D2 receptors of putamen in unaffected family members at increased genetic risk for schizophrenia
Authors: Lee K. J. , Lee J. S. , Kim S. J. , Correll C. U. , Wee H. , Yoo S. Y. , Jeong J. M. , Lee D. S. , Lee S. I. , Kwon J. S.
Published: August 2008

Objective:  Dopamine dysregulation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The present study was performed to examine whether unaffected relatives at high genetic risk of schizophrenia have dopamine dysregulation in comparison with healthy controls.

Method:  Eleven unaffected relatives from families with two or more first‐ or second‐degree relatives with schizophrenia (n = 9) or with a monozygotic schizophrenic twin (n = 2) and 11 age‐ and sex‐matched controls were examined using positron emission tomography (PET) with [11C] raclopride. Subjects also underwent extensive neuropsychological testing.

Results:  Subjects with high genetic risk showed a loss of asymmetry of D2 receptors in the putamen in comparison with healthy controls. In addition, they showed significantly poorer performance on neuropsychological tests than controls.

Conclusion:  Our results suggest that dopamine dysregulation and neuropsychological dysfunction may be present in subjects at high genetic risk of schizophrenia. However, further studies are required to confirm these findings.
Cutaneous lymphocyte antigen expression in benign and neoplastic cutaneous B‐ and T‐cell lymphoid infiltrates
Authors: Magro Cynthia M. , Dyrsen Molly E.
Published: August 2008

Background:  Cutaneous lymphocyte‐associated antigen (CLA) is expressed in resident cutaneous T lymphocytes, high endothelial venules, peripheral monocytes, granulocytes and a small percentage of memory B cells. It has been postulated to be an important factor in homing of lymphocytes to the skin because of its function as a ligand for E‐selectin expressed on cutaneous endothelial cells.

Design:  We investigated the expression of CLA using the HECA‐452 antibody on paraffin‐embedded, formalin‐fixed tissue in a variety of reactive, neoplastic and preneoplastic cutaneous lymphoid infiltrates of T‐ and B‐cell derivation.

Results:  CLA was expressed at high levels in various types of inflammatory dermatoses with the exception of lupus erythematosus. High levels of CLA expression were seen in epidermotropic T‐cell dyscrasias and epidermotropic T‐cell lymphomas including mycosis fungoides (MF) and adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATCLL). A loss of CLA in tumors normally positive for CLA was a feature of disease progression best exemplified by tumor‐stage MF and acute ATCLL. There was a lack of CLA expression in those lymphocytic infiltrates manifesting subcutaneous localization including lupus profundus, panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma and atypical lymphocytic lobular panniculitis. CLA expression was not only observed in primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma but also seen in cases of nodal anaplastic large cell lymphoma secondarily involving the skin and was negative in cases of nodal anaplastic large cell lymphoma without any established skin involvement. An oligodot pattern defined a novel reaction pattern in those aggressive systemic dyscrasias with a proclivity to involve the skin. CLA was negative in the majority of B‐cell lymphomas.

Conclusions:  CLA plays a role in the pattern of T‐cell lymphocyte migration in the skin and subcutis in both reactive and neoplastic states. An alteration in the expression of this marker, whether it is in the context of the acquisition of expression in a cell that is normally CLA negative or its loss of expression, may define a key event in determining cutaneous and extracutaneous hematopoietic cell distribution.
Amphetamine‐induced locomotion and gene expression are altered in BDNF heterozygous mice
Authors: Saylor A. J. , McGinty J. F.
Published: August 2008

Administration of amphetamine overstimulates medium spiny neurons (MSNs) by releasing dopamine and glutamate from afferents in the striatum. However, these afferents also release brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that protects striatal MSNs from overstimulation. Intriguingly, all three neurochemicals increase opioid gene expression in MSNs. In contrast, striatal opioid expression is less in naive BDNF heterozygous (BDNF+/−) vs. wild‐type (WT) mice. This study was designed to determine whether partial genetic depletion of BDNF influences the behavioral and molecular response to an acute amphetamine injection. An acute injection of amphetamine [5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)] or saline was administered to WT and BDNF+/−mice. WT and BDNF+/−mice exhibited similar locomotor activity during habituation, whereas BDNF+/−mice exhibited more prolonged locomotor activation during the third hour after injection of amphetamine. Three hours after amphetamine injection, there was an increase of preprodynorphin mRNA in the caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens (Acb) and dopamine D3receptor mRNA levels were increased in the Acb of BDNF+/−and WT mice. Striatal/cortical trkB and BDNF, and mesencephalic tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels were only increased in WT mice. These results indicate that BDNF modifies the locomotor responses of mice to acute amphetamine and differentially regulates amphetamine‐induced gene expression.
Specified critical period of different congenital abnormalities: A new approach for human teratological studies
Authors: Czeizel Andrew E.
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT  The first trimester has been evaluated at different exposures as the critical period of congenital abnormalities. However, the first trimester concept has no scientific basis because environmental agents (teratogens) cannot induce congenital abnormalities during the first gestational month calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period. In addition, the critical period of some congenital abnormalities, for example, hypospadias occurs after the first trimester). Different congenital abnormalities have different critical periods and computer‐based evaluation programs help to evaluate different specified congenital abnormalities according to their specific critical periods separately. Thus, this new and feasible approach is recommended for epidemiological and clinical studies in the future after an international consensus in the specified critical periods of different congenital abnormalities. The author of this Commentary proposes a detailed database for this approach for discussion because a consensus may be achieved only after the confirmation or modification of these critical periods.
Effect of an Educational Intervention on Attitudes Toward and Implementation of Evidence‐Based Practice
Authors: Varnell Gayle , Haas Barbara , Duke Gloria , Hudson Kathy
Published: August 2008

Purpose: Transitioning to an evidence‐based practice (EBP) environment is a new and often overwhelming challenge for many organisations. The most effective strategies to implement EBP have yet to be determined. In this study an accelerated development EBP program, which was administered to nurses from five hospitals was evaluated. At each hospital, nurses were selected as an “EBP champion” whose role would be to help facilitate the transition within that organisation.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an accelerated educational program on the attitudes toward and implementation of EBP among nurses employed in acute‐care facilities.

Methods: Forty‐nine nurses from five acute‐care facilities participated in an 8‐week program to develop into EBP champions. Participants attended a 2‐hour class each week conducted by four faculty members of a local university. Pre‐ and post‐test mean scores of the EBP barriers (EBPB) and EBP implementation (EBPI) scales were compared using paired t tests to determine the effect of the accelerated development program.

Results: Respondents reported higher scores on both the beliefs and implementation scales at the end of the program. Paired t tests indicated a significant difference in means for both the EBPB (p < .01) and EBPI (p < .01).

Conclusions: Nurses who attend an accelerated educational program have the potential to significantly improve beliefs and attitudes about EBP. Administrative support and collaboration between academia and service are essential for successful intervention.
Homologous Comparisons of Photosynthetic System I Genes among Cyanobacteria and Chloroplasts
Authors: Yu Jie , Ma Pei‐Jun , Shi Ding‐Ji , Li Shi‐Ming , Wang Chang‐Lu
Published: August 2008

It has now believed that chloroplasts arose from cyanobacteria, however, during endosymbiosis, the photosynthetic genes in chloroplasts have been reduced. How these changes occurred during plant evolution was the focus of the present study. Beginning with photosystem I (PSI) genes, a homologous comparison of amino acid sequences of 18 subunits of PSI from 10 species of cyanobacteria, chloroplasts in 12 species of eucaryotic algae, and 28 species of plants (including bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnospermae, dicotyledon and monocotyledon) was undertaken. The data showed that 18 genes of PSI can be divided into two groups: Part I including seven genes (psaA, psaB, psaC, psaI, psaJ, ycf3 and ycf4) shared both by cyanobacteria and plant chloroplasts; Part II containing another 11 genes (psaD, psaE, psaF, psaK, psaL, psaM, btpA, ycf37, psaG, psaH and psaN) appeared to have diversified in different plant groups. Among Part I genes, psaC, psaA and psaB had higher homology in all species of cyanobacteria and chloroplasts. Among Part II genes, only psaG, psaH and psaN emerged in seed plants.
Increased Maleness at Flowering Stage and Femaleness at Fruiting Stage with Size in an Andromonoecious Perennial,Veratrum nigrum
Authors: Liao Wan‐Jin , Zhang Da‐Yong
Published: August 2008

Theory predicts that cosexual plants should adjust their resource investment in male and female functions according to their size if female and male fitness are differentially affected by size. However, few empirical studies have been carried out at both the flowering and fruiting stages to adequately address size‐dependent sex allocation in cosexual plants. In this paper, we investigated resource investment between female and male reproduction, and their size‐dependence in a perennial andromonoecious herb,Veratrum nigrumL. We sampled 192 flowering plants, estimated their standardized phenotypic gender, and assessed the resource investment in male and female functions in terms of absolute dry biomass. At the flowering stage, male investment increased with plant size more rapidly than female investment, and the standardized phenotypic femaleness (ranging from 0.267 to 0.776) was negatively correlated with plant size. By contrast, female biased allocation was found at the fruiting stage, although both flower biomass and fruit biomass were positively correlated with plant size. We propose that increased maleness with plant size at the flowering stage may represent an adaptive strategy for andromonoecious plants, because male flowers promote both male and female fertility by increasing pollinator attraction without aggravating pollen discounting.
Resistance of stored bean varieties to Acanthoscelides obtectus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)
Authors: Baldin Edson L.L. , Lara Fernando M.
Published: August 2008

During bean seed storage, yield can be lost due to infestations of Acanthoscelides obtectus Say, the bean weevil. The use of resistant varieties has shown promising results in fighting these insects, reducing infestation levels and eliminating chemical residues from the beans. The expression of resistance to A. obtectus in bean varieties is frequently attributed to the presence of phytohemagglutinins, protease inhibitors and alpha‐amylase, and especially to variants of the protein arcelin, which reduce the larval viability of these insects. To evaluate the effect of bean seed storage time on the resistance expression of bean varieties to A. obtectus, tests with seeds of three ages (freshly‐harvested, 4‐month‐old, and 8‐month‐old) were conducted in the laboratory, using four commercial varieties: Carioca Pitoco, Ipa 6, Porrillo 70, ônix; four improved varieties containing arcelin protein: Arc.1, Arc.2, Arc. 3, Arc.4; and three wild varieties also containing arcelin protein: Arc.1S, Arc.3S, and Arc. 5S. The Arc.5S, Arc.1S, and Arc.2 varieties expressed high antibiosis levels against the weevil; Arc.1 and Arcs expressed the same mechanism, but at lower levels. The occurrence of oviposition non‐preference was also observed in Arc.5S and Arc.1S. The Arc.3 and Arc. 4 varieties expressed low feeding non‐preference levels against A. obtectus. The expression of resistance in arcelin‐bearing, wild or improved varieties was affected during the storage of seeds, and was high under some parameters but low in others. The results showed that addition of chemical resistance factors such as protein arcelin via genetic breeding may be beneficial in improving the performance of bean crops.
Divergence in the ovipositional behavior of the Papilio glaucus group
Authors: Mercader Rodrigo J. , Scriber J. Mark
Published: August 2008

This study contrasts the ovipositional profiles of four members of the Papilio glaucus group, P. glaucus, P. multicaudatus, P. canadensis, and P. rutulus. We used seven choice oviposition bioassays containing leaves from hosts in seven plant families utilized by members of the P. glaucus group. Specifically, we contrast the overall ovipositional profiles of these species and their acceptance of a host in a novel plant family (Populus tremuloides: Salicaceae) and a host in a putatively ancestral host plant family (Liriodendron tulipifera: Magnoliaceae). Significant differences were observed between the ovipositional profiles of P. glaucus and P. multicaudatus relative to each other and to P. canadensis and P. rutulus. In contrast, no significant differences were observed between the ovipositional profiles of P. canadensis and P. rutulus, which were also the only species that accepted P. tremuloides. Unlike the acceptance of P. tremuloides, the acceptance of L. tulipifera was present throughout the group despite the inability of the larvae of most species in the group to utilize this host. These results support the prediction of the “hierarchical threshold model” that ancestral host plants are likely to be retained in the ovipositional hierarchy while novel hosts should only be accepted by derived populations.
Large-scale modulation of star formation in void walls
Authors: Ceccarelli L. , Padilla N. , Lambas D. G.
Published: August 2008

We perform a statistical study of the characteristics of galaxies in voids and void walls in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey catalogues. We investigate dependencies of the distribution of galaxy spectral types and colours as a function position to void centres for different luminosity and local density ranges. We find a trend towards bluer, star-forming galaxies in void walls beyond the local density dependence. These results indicate that luminosity and local density do not entirely determine the distribution of galaxy properties such as colours and spectral types, and point towards a large-scale modulation of star formation. We argue that this effect is due to the lower accretion rate and merger histories of galaxies that arriving at void walls from the emptier inner void regions.
Text as It Happens: Literary Geography
Authors: Hones Sheila
Published: August 2008

This article reviews the current situation in geographical work with fiction in the context of an explicitly spatial view of the writing–reading nexus as a contextualized and always emerging geographical event. It argues that this way of conceptualizing the text events of both narrative fiction and academic knowledge production provides a way of understanding and dealing with incompatible literary interpretations and also with irreconcilable approaches to literary geography. This openness to multiplicity develops from the point that text events are not only relational by nature and generated within social contexts in the initial encounter of author, text, and reader, but also only become publicly accessible when subsequently articulated within the mediating context of a particular social situation. The article proposes that literary geography as a collective endeavor can be developed and consolidated through an appreciation of the varying contexts within which geographically oriented work with fiction is performed and articulated.
Epidemiological study of influenza virus infections in young adult outpatients from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Santamaría Cecilia , Urueña Analía , Videla Cristina , Suarez Ariel , Ganduglia Cecilia , Carballal Guadalupe , Bonvehi Pablo , Echavarría Marcela
Published: August 2008

Background  Influenza virus is the most common cause of influenza‐like illness (ILI) in adults. In Argentina, studies on influenza and other respiratory viruses were performed mostly in pediatric populations.

Objectives  To determine: (1) the frequency of influenza virus and other common respiratory viruses in adult outpatients with ILI, (2) whether the signs and symptoms predict viral etiology, (3) whether viral diagnosis changes clinical management or infection control measures and (4) to characterize the influenza strains circulating in the community.

Population and methods  Nasal and pharyngeal swabs from adult outpatients with ILI attending the emergency room during the winter seasons of 2004 and 2005 in Argentina were evaluated by immunofluorescence and RT‐PCR.

Results  Of 151 samples analyzed, 39 (26%) were influenza A positive, 5 (3·3%) influenza B positive and 4 (2·6%) respiratory syncytial virus positive by immunofluorescence. Two samples (1·3%) were human metapneumovirus positive by RT PCR. Cell culture detected six additional influenza viruses and one adenovirus positive sample. The sensitivity of immunofluorescence for influenza compared with culture was 70%. Symptoms did not predict etiology.

Conclusions  In this study, 40% of the patients with ILI had a specific viral infection and 83% were influenza viruses. Viral detection was necessary to determine the etiology as signs and symptoms were not different between patients with or without viral infection. Viral diagnosis was important to implement infectious control measures. Circulating influenza strains in this study were similar to the correspondent vaccine strains selected for the Southern hemisphere.
A Thermostable Chitinase with Chitin‐Binding Activity from Phaseolus limensis
Authors: Wang S.Y. , Zhou J.J. , Shao B. , Lu Y.J. , Rao P.F.
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT:  A 28.6‐kDa chitinase with chitin‐binding activity was isolated from the large lima bean (Phaseolus limensis) seeds. The procedure entailed extraction, ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity chromatography on Affi‐gel blue gel, and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on SP‐Toyopearl. There was an almost 108‐fold increase in specific activity of the purified chitinase compared with that of the crude extract. The enzyme exhibited a pI of 7.8 by isoelectric focusing electrophoresis. The optimum pH and the optimum temperature for activity toward N‐acetyld‐glucosamine were 5.4 and 40 to 50 °C, respectively. The enzyme was stable up to 55 °C. It exerted a potent inhibitory action toward fungal species, including Fusarium solani, Pythium aphanidermatum, and Sclerotium rolfsii.
Public or Private Management? A Comparative Analysis of Social Policies in Europe
Authors: Gran Brian
Published: August 2008

Across the world, political leaders and policy experts frequently use the labels ‘public’ and ‘private’ to organize social policies. A line seemingly separates public from private efforts, with social policies publicly organized in some countries and privately organized in others. According to this perspective, a public social policy is undertaken by government or deals with a public matter. When a social policy is private, non‐public actors and institutions, like employers, undertake it or it deals with a private matter, like body control. This article examines whether public or private approaches to managing social policies are currently emphasized in European countries. I begin by defining social policy and then provide an overview of the public–private dichotomy in managing social policy. I review predominant typological frameworks of public–private organization of social policies and examine three welfare social policies and three social policies dealing with body control by comparing public–private organization of these six policy areas across 21 European countries. I conclude by discussing the limited diversity of public–private organizations of social policies in Europe.
Interplay Between Inertia and Elasticity in Film Casting
Authors: German Radoslav , Khayat Roger E.
Published: August 2008

The influence of inertia and boundary conditions on the steady state and stability of isothermal film casting of viscoelastic fluids is examined using a Phan-Thien–Tanner rheological model. The elongational flow between the die exit and the take-up point is investigated. In general, the steady-state film tends to contract for low-inertia flow; this contraction, however, is significantly diminished by inertia. The polymeric normal stresses and primary normal stress difference decrease in the most of the air gap as inertia increases. In contrast, the stress and stress difference increase considerably near the take-up point due to a dramatic increase in the elongation rate. The linear stability analysis for two-dimensional disturbances is carried out. For a polymer with no degradation, and in the absence of inertia (Re=0), the analysis predicts critical draw ratios that form an envelope to an unstable region. This region of unstable conditions reduces as inertia increases. Two branches of neutral stability curve are observed for higher-inertia flow as opposed to a single curve for Re=0. The unstable region expands as α increases, where α is a measure of polymer degradation. When α becomes sufficiently large, the elasticity tends to destabilize the flow. It is also found that boundary conditions have an important influence on the steady-state profiles and stability region, particularly for high-elasticity fluids.
Flow Induced Unstable Structure of Liquid Crystalline Polymer Solution in L-Shaped Slit Channels
Authors: Narumi Takatsune , Fukada Jun , Kiryu Satoru , Toga Shinji , Hasegawa Tomiichi
Published: August 2008

An experimental study has been conducted on unstable structures induced in two-dimensional slit flows of liquid crystalline polymer solution. 50wt% aqueous solution of hydroxyl-propylcellulose (HPC) was utilized as a test fluid and its flow behavior in L-shaped slit channels with a cross section of 1mm height and 16mm width was measured optically. The inner corner of the L-shaped channel was rounded off in order to clarify the influence of the radius of curvature on the unstable behavior. A conversing curved channel was also tested. The flow patterns of the HPC solution in the channels were visualized with two crossed polarizers and we observed that typical wavy textures generated in the upstream of the corner almost disappeared after the corner flow. However, an unstable texture was developed again only from the inner corner in downstream flow. The fluctuation of the orientation angle and dichroism were also measured with a laser opto-rheometric system and it was found that the unstable behaviors of the HPC solution have periodic oscillatory characteristics at a typical frequency. In the inner side flow after the corner, the periodic motion became larger toward the downstream and then higher harmonic oscillations were superimposed. Larger rounding off of the inner corner suppressed the redevelopment of unstable behavior, and it is considered that the rapid regrowth of unstable behavior was caused by rapid deceleration at the corner flow. Moreover, the unstable structure was stabilized with an accelerated (elongated) region in the corner flow and the converging channel was helpful to obtain a stable structure in the downstream region.
Dense Particulate Flow in a Cold Gas Dynamic Spray System
Authors: Samareh B. , Dolatabadi A.
Published: August 2008

The effect of particle-gas and particle-particle interactions in a cold spray process is studied when the particle loading is high. To examine the effect of the presence of a dense particulate flow on the supersonic gas, an Eulerian-Eulerian approach is used. It is found that when the volume fraction of the injected particles is increased, the turbulence of the gas phase will be augmented by the motion of particles and consequently, the shape, the strength, and the location of the compression and expansion waves will be altered. Shock-particle interactions are demonstrated for various volume fractions. Another important parameter, which will affect the spraying deposition efficiency, is the substrate stand-off distance. It is found that the stagnation pressure alternates for different stand-off distances because of the formation of compression and expansion waves outside the nozzle exit. The particle normal velocity on impact is a strong function of the stagnation pressure on the substrate as particles must pierce through the bow shock formed on that region. The effect of the particle size and number density are also studied for different loading conditions. It is found that small and large particles behave differently as they pass through shock diamonds and the bow shock, i.e., in the case of very small particles, as the loading increases, the impact velocity increases, while, for the large particles, the trend is reversed.