bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yes, It's about Time: A `Virtual' Letter to Sally Potter from Giuliana Bruno
Authors: Bruno Giuliana
Published: March 2008

This reflection on Sally Potter's film Yes takes the form of a letter to the maker, a vehicle chosen for its capacity to address questions of critical distance and personal engagement between author and filmmaker. The letter has a history as a vital form of intellectual yet intimate exchange among friends, often made public through publication. Here, it becomes a means to work out a `critical' exposure of privacy in the public realm. Not a reading of the film per se but a multi-layered encounter, this text exposes, through direct address, the material fabric of the work: its elaborate visual texture and dense sensory fabric, as well as the rhythm of its language, all of which convey crucial issues of our time. Among these are the conflict between East and West, the borders of science and spirituality, gender difference, the bonds of love, relational time, and the time of mourning. In touching on these issues, the letter reflects on the very fabric of temporality — its residues and layers, grains and coatings, veneers and `films'.
Pornotropes
Authors: Weheliye Alexander G.
Published: March 2008

This article foregrounds the link between slavery and sexuality explored by Hortense Spillers — what she calls pornotroping — which exposes some of the limitations of Giorgio Agamben's ` homo sacer' (sacred man) figure by calling attention to how political violence frequently produces forces that exceed it. This is followed by an analysis of the film Sankofa , ostensibly an uplifting narrative about the horrors of slavery, which nevertheless cannot help but eroticize the brutality that the filmmaker seeks to denounce, and which demonstrates the visual logic of pornotroping. Finally, Agamben's notion of potentiality leads to a discussion of freedom in pornotroping, one that might lead to novel instantiations of humanity.
Using a Participatory Four-Step Protocol to Develop Culturally Targeted Cancer Education Brochures
Authors: Kulukulualani Manny , Braun Kathryn L. , Tsark JoAnn U.
Published: March 2008

Native Hawaiians have a high cancer burden, but few culturally targeted cancer education brochures exist. The authors followed a participatory four-step protocol, involving more than 200 health providers and clients, to develop and test culturally targeted brochures on skin, oral, cervical, prostate, and testicular cancers. The final products featured Hawaiian faces, scenes, words, and activities. They proved more attractive than existing materials, in particular to younger Hawaiians, and posttests suggested good comprehension of intended messages. This protocol may have application in other communities that want to develop brochures that are attractive, acceptable, readable, and useful to minority clients and their providers.
Pigou at the Plate
Authors: Bradbury John Charles , Drinen Douglas J.
Published: March 2008

Past studies estimating the marginal revenue products of baseball players have assumed individual players' hitting performances to be independent of teammate spillovers. However, the baseball community's widely held belief in “protection”—that a good (bad) player can improve (diminish) the hit probability of the batter who precedes him in the batting order—violates the assumption of the independence of batting outcomes. In this paper, the authors identify two possible hitting externalities in baseball. Using play-by-play data the authors find evidence contrary to the protection hypothesis—the quality of the on-deck hitter negatively impacts the preceding hitter—though the magnitude of the effect is very small.
Point Score Systems and Competitive Imbalance in Professional Soccer
Authors: Haugen Kjetil K.
Published: March 2008

This article addresses effects caused by the transition from a 2-1-0 to a 3-1-0 award system in soccer. The first part of the article discusses consequences of the transition on offensive versus defensive play. This part may be seen as a valuable supplement to work by Brocas and Carrillo (2004) as the choice of a different game theoretic framework provides increased insight into the concept offensive/defensive play in soccer. The second and main part of the paper addresses additional effects induced by the award system transition, especially effects on competitive imbalance. It is shown by simple game theory that under a relatively general set of team descriptions, such a transition may affect competitive balance adversely. In the final sections of the paper some empirical examples strengthen the hypothesis on adverse competitive effects.
Mobility Among Employers and Assortative Matching
Authors: Gandelman Néstor
Published: March 2008

Job mobility is an outstanding characteristic of most labor markets. However, most of the economic literature focuses on occupational choice and not whether this mobility implies movements to ``better or worse'' firms. One reason for this research gap is the difficulty in establishing if the new employer is ``better or worse'' than the previous one. In sports markets, there is a natural way to rank firms (clubs) based on performance statistics. Using this simple idea, we study the determinants of promotions and demotions of workers among employers and test empirically the existence of assortative matching. We find that player performance is positively correlated with a player's career. Players with better performance have higher probabilities of being promoted and players with worse performance have higher probabilities of being demoted. Older players and players who have been transferred in the past have higher mobility but not a clear up or down tendency.
Tumor-specific Th17-polarized cells eradicate large established melanoma
Authors: Muranski Pawel , Boni Andrea , Antony Paul A. , Cassard Lydie , Irvine Kari R. , Kaiser Andrew , Paulos Chrystal M. , Palmer Douglas C. , Touloukian Christopher E. , Ptak Krzysztof , Gattinoni Luca , Wrzesinski Claudia , Hinrichs Christian S. , Kerstann Keith W. , Feigenbaum Lionel , Chan Chi-Chao , Restifo Nicholas P.
Published: March 2008

CD4+ T cells can differentiate into multiple effector subsets, but the potential roles of these subsets in anti-tumor immunity have not been fully explored. Seeking to study the impact of CD4+ T cell polarization on tumor rejection in a model mimicking human disease, we generated a new MHC class II-restricted, T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mouse model in which CD4+ T cells recognize a novel epitope in tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), an antigen expressed by normal melanocytes and B16 murine melanoma. Cells could be robustly polarized into Th0, Th1, and Th17 subtypes in vitro, as evidenced by cytokine, chemokine, and adhesion molecule profiles and by surface markers, suggesting the potential for differential effector function in vivo. Contrary to the current view that Th1 cells are most important in tumor rejection, we found that Th17-polarized cells better mediated destruction of advanced B16 melanoma. Their therapeutic effect was critically dependent on interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production, whereas depletion of interleukin (IL)–17A and IL-23 had little impact. Taken together, these data indicate that the appropriate in vitro polarization of effector CD4+ T cells is decisive for successful tumor eradication. This principle should be considered in designing clinical trials involving adoptive transfer–based immunotherapy of human malignancies.
Association of genetic variations in theCSF2andCSF3genes with lung function in smoking-induced COPD
Authors: He J-Q. , Shumansky K. , Connett J. E. , Anthonisen N. R. , Paré P. D. , Sandford A. J.
Published: March 2008

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF), also known as CSF2, and granulocyte CSF, also known as CSF3, are important survival and proliferation factors for neutrophils and macrophages. The objective of the present study was to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) ofCSF2andCSF3are associated with lung function in smoking-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In total, five SNPs ofCSF2andCSF3were studied in 587 non-Hispanic white subjects with the fastest (n = 281) or the slowest (n = 306) decline of lung function selected from among continuous smokers in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Lung Health Study (LHS). These SNPs were also studied in 1,074 non-Hispanic white subjects with the lowest (n = 536) or the highest (n = 538) baseline lung function at the beginning of the LHS.

An increase in the number ofCSF3-1719T alleles was significantly associated with protection against low lung function (odds ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.56–0.95), and was still significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. There was also a significant association of aCSF3haplotype with baseline levels of forced expiratory volume in one second. No association was found forCSF2SNPs and lung function, nor was there evidence of epistasis.

In conclusion, genetic variation in colony-stimulating factor 3 is associated with cross-sectionally measured lung function in smokers.
The effect of adiposity measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry on lung function
Authors: Sutherland T. J. T. , Goulding A. , Grant A. M. , Cowan J. O. , Williamson A. , Williams S. M. , Skinner M. A. , Taylor D. R.
Published: March 2008

Respiratory function is impaired in obesity but there are limitations with body mass index and skin-fold thickness in assessing this effect. The present authors hypothesised that the regional distribution of body fat and lean mass, as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), might be more informative than conventional measurements of total body fat.

In total, 107 subjects (55 female, 51.4%) aged 20–50 yrs with no respiratory disease were recruited. Respiratory function tests, anthropometric measurements and a DXA scan were performed. Partial correlation and linear regression analyses were used to explore the effect of adiposity and lean body mass on respiratory function.

The majority of respiratory function parameters were significantly correlated with DXA and non-DXA measurements of body fat. Neither thoracic nor abdominal fat had a greater effect. There were some differences in the effect of adiposity between the sexes. Respiratory function was negatively associated with lean body mass in females but positively associated in males. This disappeared after adjustment in females but remained in males.

The effects of thoracic and abdominal body fat on respiratory function are comparable but cannot be separated from one another.
Evaluation of a large-scale tuberculosis contact investigation in the Netherlands
Authors: Borgen K. , Koster B. , Meijer H. , Kuyvenhoven V. , van der Sande M. , Cobelens F.
Published: March 2008

The aim of the present study was to evaluate yield and effectiveness of a large-scale contact investigation around a supermarket employee with infectious tuberculosis.

Supermarket customers were screened by tuberculin skin test (TST) and/or radiography, depending on individual characteristics. The number of recent infections was estimated based on historical reference data after correction for false-positive TST results.

TST screening of 15,518 subjects yielded 12 cases of tuberculosis disease as a direct result of the investigation (1,293 screenings per case identified). Radiographical screening of 5,945 subjects yielded no cases. There were 359 (2.6%) positive TSTs; 117 (34%) were estimated to be due to recent exposure. The number of customers screened in order to find one case of recent infection was 114, varying from 43 for customers who visited the supermarket twice per week or more, to 4,148 for customers who visited less than once per month.

In conclusion, although this patient probably transmittedMycobacterium tuberculosisto at least 117 customers, the contact investigation was inefficient, as large numbers of customers had to be screened and the majority of identified tuberculosis infections were probably not related to the index case. The efficiency could have been improved by omitting radiographical screening and limiting tuberculin skin test screening to customers who reported frequent supermarket visits.
Ryanodine receptors decant internal Ca2+store in human and bovine airway smooth muscle
Authors: Tazzeo T. , Zhang Y. , Keshavjee S. , Janssen L. J.
Published: March 2008

Several putative roles for ryanodine receptors (RyR) were investigated in human and bovine airway smooth muscle.

Changes in intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i) and membrane current were investigated in single cells by confocal fluorimetry and patch-clamp electrophysiology, respectively, whereas mechanical activity was monitored in intact strips with force transducers.

RyR released Ca2+from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in a ryanodine- and chloroethyl phenol (CEP)-sensitive fashion. Neither ryanodine nor CEP inhibited responses to KCl, cholinergic agonists or serotonin, indicating no direct role for RyR in contraction; in fact, there was some augmentation of these responses. In tissues pre-contracted with carbachol, the concentration–response relationships for isoproterenol and salmeterol were unaffected by ryanodine; relaxations due to a nitric oxide donor were also largely unaffected. Finally, it was examined whether RyR were involved in regulating [Ca2+]iwithin the subplasmalemmal space using patch-clamp electrophysiology as well as Ca2+fluorimetry: isoproterenol increased [Ca2+]i- and Ca2+-dependent K+current activity in a ryanodine-sensitive fashion.

In conclusion, ryanodine receptors in airway smooth muscle are not important in directly mediating contraction or relaxation. The current authors speculate instead that these allow the sarcoplasmic reticulum to release Ca2+towards the plasmalemma (to unload an overly full Ca2+store and/or increase the Ca2+-buffering capacity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum) without affecting bronchomotor tone.
Functional role of the additional domains in inulosucrase (IslA) from Leuconostoc citreum CW28
Authors: del Moral Sandra , Olvera Clarita , Rodriguez Maria Elena , Munguia Agustin Lopez
Published: March 2008

Background

Inulosucrase (IslA) fromLeuconostoc citreumCW28 belongs to a new subfamily of multidomain fructosyltransferases (FTFs), containing additional domains from glucosyltransferases. It is not known what the function of the additional domains in this subfamily is.

Results

Through construction of truncated versions we demonstrate that the acquired regions are involved in anchoring IslA to the cell wall; they also confer stability to the enzyme, generating a larger structure that affects its kinetic properties and reaction specificity, particularly the hydrolysis and transglycosylase ratio. The accessibility of larger molecules such as EDTA to the catalytic domain (where a Ca2+binding site is located) is also affected as demonstrated by the requirement of 100 times higher EDTA concentrations to inactivate IslA with respect to the smallest truncated form.

Conclusion

The C-terminal domain may have been acquired to anchor inulosucrase to the cell surface. Furthermore, the acquired domains in IslA interact with the catalytic core resulting in a new conformation that renders the enzyme more stable and switch the specificity from a hydrolytic to a transglycosylase mechanism. Based on these results, chimeric constructions may become a strategy to stabilize and modulate biocatalysts based on FTF activity.
Organization and differential expression of the GACA/GATA tagged somatic and spermatozoal transcriptomes in Buffalo Bubalus bubalis
Authors: Srivastava Jyoti , Premi Sanjay , Kumar Sudhir , Ali Sher
Published: March 2008

Background

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) of GACA/GATA have been implicated with differentiation of sex-chromosomes and speciation. However, the organization of these repeats within genomes and transcriptomes, even in the best characterized organisms including human, remains unclear. The main objective of this study was to explore the buffalo transcriptome for its association with GACA/GATA repeats, and study the structural organization and differential expression of the GACA/GATA repeat tagged transcripts. Moreover, the distribution of GACA and GATA repeats in the prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes was studied to highlight their significance in genome evolution.

Results

We explored several genomes and transcriptomes, and observed total absence of these repeats in the prokaryotes, with their gradual accumulation in higher eukaryotes. Further, employing novel microsatellite associated sequence amplification (MASA) approach using varying length oligos based on GACA and GATA repeats; we identified and characterized 44 types of known and novel mRNA transcripts tagged with these repeats from different somatic tissues, gonads and spermatozoa of water buffaloBubalus bubalis. GACA was found to be associated with higher number of transcripts compared to that with GATA. Exclusive presence of several GACA-tagged transcripts in a tissue or spermatozoa, and absence of the GATA-tagged ones in lung/heart highlights their tissue-specific significance. Of all the GACA/GATA tagged transcripts, ~30% demonstrated inter-tissue and/or tissue-spermatozoal sequence polymorphisms. Significantly, ~60% of the GACA-tagged and all the GATA-tagged transcripts showed highest or unique expression in the testis and/or spermatozoa. Moreover, ~75% GACA-tagged and all the GATA-tagged transcripts were found to be conserved across the species.

Conclusion

Present study is a pioneer attempt exploring GACA/GATA tagged transcriptome in any mammalian species highlighting their tissue, stage and species-specific expression profiles. Comparative analysis suggests the gradual accumulation of these repeats in the higher eukaryotes, and establishes the GACA richness of the buffalo transcriptome. This is envisaged to establish the roles of integral simple sequence repeats and tagged transcripts in gene expression or regulation.
Semantically linking and browsing PubMed abstracts with gene ontology
Authors: Vanteru Bhanu C , Shaik Jahangheer S , Yeasin Mohammed
Published: March 2008

Background

The technological advances in the past decade have lead to massive progress in the field of biotechnology. The documentation of the progress made exists in the form of research articles. The PubMed is the current most used repository for bio-literature. PubMed consists of about 17 million abstracts as of 2007 that require methods to efficiently retrieve and browse large volume of relevant information. The State-of-the-art technologies such as GOPubmed use simple keyword-based techniques for retrieving abstracts from the PubMed and linking them to the Gene Ontology (GO). This paper changes the paradigm by introducing semantics enabled technique to link the PubMed to the Gene Ontology, called, SEGOPubmed for ontology-based browsing. Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) framework is used to semantically interface PubMed abstracts to the Gene Ontology.

Results

The Empirical analysis is performed to compare the performance of the SEGOPubmed with the GOPubmed. The analysis is initially performed using a few well-referenced query words. Further, statistical analysis is performed using GO curated dataset as ground truth. The analysis suggests that the SEGOPubmed performs better than the classic GOPubmed as it incorporates semantics.

Conclusions

The LSA technique is applied on the PubMed abstracts obtained based on the user query and the semantic similarity between the query and the abstracts. The analyses using well-referenced keywords show that the proposed semantic-sensitive technique outperformed the string comparison based techniques in associating the relevant abstracts to the GO terms. The SEGOPubmed also extracted the abstracts in which the keywords do not appear in isolation (i.e. they appear in combination with other terms) that could not be retrieved by simple term matching techniques.
An integrative approach to characterize disease-specific pathways and their coordination: a case study in cancer
Authors: Xu Min , Kao Ming-Chih J , Nunez-Iglesias Juan , Nevins Joseph R , West Mike , Zhou Xianghong Jasmine
Published: March 2008

Background

The most common application of microarray technology in disease research is to identify genes differentially expressed in disease versus normal tissues. However, it is known that, in complex diseases, phenotypes are determined not only by genes, but also by the underlying structure of genetic networks. Often, it is the interaction of many genes that causes phenotypic variations.

Results

In this work, using cancer as an example, we develop graph-based methods to integrate multiple microarray datasets to discover disease-related co-expression network modules. We propose an unsupervised method that take into account both co-expression dynamics and network topological information to simultaneously infer network modules and phenotype conditions in which they are activated or de-activated. Using our method, we have discovered network modules specific to cancer or subtypes of cancers. Many of these modules are consistent with or supported by their functional annotations or their previously known involvement in cancer. In particular, we identified a module that is predominately activated in breast cancer and is involved in tumor suppression. While individual components of this module have been suggested to be associated with tumor suppression, their coordinated function has never been elucidated. Here by adopting a network perspective, we have identified their interrelationships and, particularly, a hub gene PDGFRL that may play an important role in this tumor suppressor network.

Conclusion

Using a network-based approach, our method provides new insights into the complex cellular mechanisms that characterize cancer and cancer subtypes. By incorporating co-expression dynamics information, our approach can not only extract more functionally homogeneous modules than those based solely on network topology, but also reveal pathway coordination beyond co-expression.
Functional diversity of HIV-1 envelope proteins expressed by contemporaneous plasma viruses
Authors: Nora Tamara , Bouchonnet Francine , Labrosse Béatrice , Charpentier Charlotte , Mammano Fabrizio , Clavel François , Hance Allan J
Published: March 2008

Background

Numerous studies have shown that viral quasi-species with genetically diverse envelope proteins (Env) replicate simultaneously in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Less information is available concerning the extent that envelope sequence diversity translates into a diversity of phenotypic properties, including infectivity and resistance to entry inhibitors.

Methods

To study these questions, we isolated genetically distinct contemporaneous clonal viral populations from the plasma of 5 HIV-1 infected individuals (n = 70), and evaluated the infectivity of recombinant viruses expressing Env proteins from the clonal viruses in several target cells. The sensitivity to entry inhibitors (enfuvirtide, TAK-799), soluble CD4 and monoclonal antibodies (2G12, 48d, 2F5) was also evaluated for a subset of the recombinant viruses (n = 20).

Results

Even when comparisons were restricted to viruses with similar tropism, the infectivity for a given target cell of viruses carrying different Env proteins from the same patient varied over an approximately 10-fold range, and differences in their relative ability to infect different target cells were also observed. Variable region haplotypes associated with high and low infectivity could be identified for one patient. In addition, clones carrying unique mutations in V3 often displayed low infectivity. No correlation was observed between viral infectivity and sensitivity to inhibition by any of the six entry inhibitors evaluated, indicating that these properties can be dissociated. Significant inter-patient differences, independent of infectivity, were observed for the sensitivity of Env proteins to several entry inhibitors and their ability to infect different target cells.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate the marked functional heterogeneity of HIV-1 Env proteins expressed by contemporaneous circulating viruses, and underscore the advantage of clonal analyses in characterizing the spectrum of functional properties of the genetically diverse viral populations present in a given patient.
Deafness in mice lacking the T-box transcription factor Tbx18 in otic fibrocytes
Authors: Trowe Mark-Oliver , Maier Hannes , Schweizer Michaela , Kispert Andreas
Published: March 2008

In the cochlea, fibrocytes play important physiological roles, including the maintenance of the ionic composition of the endolymph. Human deafness upon fibrocyte alterations witnesses their crucial role for hearing. We demonstrate that differentiation of otic fibrocytes requires the T-box transcription factor gene Tbx18. Tbx18 expression during inner ear development is restricted to the sub-region of otic mesenchyme that is fated to differentiate into fibrocytes. We rescued the somitic defect that underlies the perinatal lethality of Tbx18-mutant mice by a transgenic approach, and measured auditory brainstem responses. Adult Tbx18-deficient mice showed profound deafness and a complete disruption of the endocochlear potential that is essential for the transduction of sound by sensory hair cells. The differentiation of otic fibrocytes of the spiral ligament was severely compromised. Tissue architecture of the stria vascularis of the lateral wall was disrupted, exhibiting an almost complete absence of the basal cell layer,and a reduction and changes of intermediate and marginal cells, respectively. Stria vascularis defects resulted from the failure of Tbx18-mutant otic fibrocytes to generate the basal cell layer by a mesenchymal-epithelial transition. Defects in otic fibrocyte differentiation may be subordinate to a primary role of Tbx18 in early compartmentalization of the otic mesenchyme, as lineage restriction and boundary formation between otic fibrocytes and the surrounding otic capsule were severely affected in the mutant. Our study sheds light on the genetic control of patterning and differentiation of the otic mesenchyme, uncovers distinct steps of stria vascularis formation and illuminates the importance of non-epithelially-derived otic cell types for normal hearing and the etiology of deafness.
Energetic Topography in Adsorption onto Heterogeneous Surfaces
Authors: Ramirez-Pastor A.J. , Bulnes F. , Nazzarro M. , Riccardo J.L. , Zgrablich G.
Published: March 2008

The adsorption of gases onto heterogeneous surfaces has been reviewed, highlighting models capable of taking energetic topography effects into account. The basic ideas are contained in the fundamental Generalized Gaussian Model (GGM) developed to represent mobile adsorption onto heterogeneous surfaces at low coverage, where the energetic topography is considered through an adsorptive energy distribution with a spatial correlation function. Adsorbate molecules interact amongst them via Lennard-Jones interactions. Model predictions have been compared to Monte Carlo simulations of adsorption onto heterogeneous solids obtained by doping a pure crystalline solid with different concentrations of impurities. Energetic topography effects were shown to be important, being predicted correctly by the model at low coverage. In addition, a simplified patchwise model was also considered. The adsorption of particles with nearest-neighbour attractive and repulsive interactions was studied using Monte Carlo simulation on bivariant surfaces characterized by patches of weak and strong adsorbing sites of size “i”. Patches were considered to have either a square or a strip geometry, arranged either in a deterministic ordered structure or in a random way. Quantities have been identified which scale obeying power laws as a function of the scale length “l”. The consequences of this finding for the determination of the energetic topography of a surface from adsorption measurements were discussed.
Rapid HPLC Measurement of Thiamine and Its Phosphate Esters in Whole Blood
Authors: Lu Jun , Frank Elizabeth L
Published: March 2008

Background: Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency is associated with severe diseases such as beriberi and Wernicke encephalopathy. Although most Americans have sufficient dietary intake, thiamine deficiency is observed in the alcohol-dependent and elderly populations. Measurement of thiamine concentration in whole blood provides an assessment of vitamin B1 status in at-risk individuals.

Method: We used TCA to precipitate proteins in whole blood. Thiamine and its phosphate esters were derivatized using potassium ferricyanide to thiochromes, which were separated by gradient elution on a reversed-phase HPLC column and detected by fluorescence. The method was validated for linearity, limit of quantification, imprecision, accuracy, and interference. Results obtained with this method were compared with those produced by the method currently used in our clinical laboratory. Reference values of thiamine and its phosphate esters were determined in samples obtained from self-reported healthy adults who were not taking vitamin supplements. To shorten analysis time, our method used whole blood rather than washed erythrocytes, did not require lengthy enzymatic dephosphorylation, and had a simple mobile phase.

Results: The method was linear to 4000 nmol/L. The lower limit of quantification was 3 nmol/L. The within-run CV was <3.5% and total CV was <9.4%. This method correlated with our current method (r = 0.97). Approximately 90% of the total thiamine content in whole blood was present as thiamine diphosphate (TDP). The means (ranges) for an apparently healthy population were 114 (70–179) nmol/L for TDP and 125 (75–194) nmol/L for total thiamine. Results for separation and measurement of free thiamine and thiamine phosphate esters in whole blood were obtained within 5.5 min.

Conclusion: We developed an HPLC method that allows separation and measurement of free thiamine and thiamine phosphate esters in whole blood and provides more rapid results than other methods.
Direct Shear Testing of a Marginal Material Using a Large Shear Box
Authors: Nakao Tomoyo , Fityus Stephen
Published: March 2008

In Australia, Q181C Test Method of Direct Shear Testing to estimate the Effective Angle of Internal Friction at Constant Volume Conditions for Granular (Coarse Grained) Materials is commonly applied to assess the suitability of backfills for reinforced earth walls. This paper presents a comparison between the results of three series of shear box tests on a typical ripped rock material, of marginal quality, that might be considered as a possible backfill material for a reinforced earth wall. Tests performed used 300 mm and 60 mm shear boxes, soil samples prepared to sub-19 mm and sub-4.75 mm sizes, and a range of shearing rates. The effect of pre-testing samples was also considered. The results show that accurate effective friction parameter measurements for coarse grained, granular backfill soils require the use of fresh soil specimens for each shearing test; the use of a large shear box that can accommodate soils with relatively large particles; and careful selection of shearing rates so that shearing takes place under drained conditions. If the above requirements are compromised, the measured effective friction angle is likely to be a significant under-estimate of the true effective friction angle, increasing the likelihood of the material failing to meet prescribed material quality standards.
A New Technique for Monitoring Movement of Buried Objects Using an Electrode Switching System
Authors: Li Zhihua , Kutter Bruce L.
Published: March 2008

A novel technique for monitoring movement of buried objects using an electrode switching system is developed. The idea is to establish electromagnetic fields in a conductive medium by injecting low-frequency alternating currents through boundary electrodes. The movement of a buried object is related to the electrical potential measured on an electrode attached to it. A closed-form expression for potential distribution in a rectangular container is developed; boundary conditions are accounted for using a method of images. The resolution of spatial location using the proposed electro-location scheme is limited by the electrical noise and the accuracy of potential measurement, which depends on the excitation frequency, measurements per cycle of excitation, and samples per measurement. The tradeoff between spatial and temporal resolution is investigated. With appropriate sampling parameters, spatial and temporal resolutions of 1 mm and 1 ms have been demonstrated. The viability of the electro-location technique is demonstrated by measuring the liquefaction-induced settlements of heavy objects in the geotechnical centrifuge model test using an electrode switching system. The obtained positions agree remarkably with independent measurements. The electro-location method is considered to be a useful technique for monitoring subsurface movements in physical centrifuge models and has practical application potentials in the field.
The Effect of Hydrogen on the Transition Behavior of the Corrosion Rate of Zirconium Alloys
Authors: Harada Makoto , Wakamatsu Ryuji
Published: March 2008

Three zirconium alloys (Zry-4, Zry-2, and NDA) were corrosion tested at 633 K in pure water and in mixed gas of Ar and oxygen. In both environments, their corrosion rate showed cyclic changes. The time and the weight gain at the transition point changed with their corrosion resistance. In the pure water corrosion test, one test cycle was 600 h, and the cumulative total test duration was as much as 7200 h. After each test cycle, the weight changes and the hydrogen contents were analyzed. The hydrogen pick-up ratio was calculated for each test cycle based on the weight change and the increase of the hydrogen content. The calculated hydrogen pick-up ratios were not constant. They showed periodic changes. In the pre-transition region, the corrosion rate showed a gradual decrease; however, the calculated hydrogen pick-up rate gradually increased. After the transition, in contrast to the increase in the corrosion rate, the calculated hydrogen pick-up rate decreased. The changes of the corrosion rate and the calculated hydrogen pick-up rate for the test interval exhibited an inverse relationship. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning TEM, energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and electron diffraction (ED) pattern analysis of the oxide/metal interface showed the existence of an interface layer that consists of distorted ZrO2 and a sub-oxide. Before the transition, the interface layer was clearly observed. On the other hand, the interface layer disappeared after the transition. The cyclic changes in the corrosion rate were closely related to the interface barrier layer at the oxide/metal interface. The interface layer suppresses the corrosion rate, and the degradation of its barrier property increases the corrosion rate. By comparing the morphology of the oxide/metal interface between the water corrosion samples and the mixed gas oxidation samples, it can be seen that the generated hydrogen in the oxide may have two opposite effects. One is to stabilize the interface layer and to suppress the transport of the oxygen ion, and the other is to degrade the interface layer at the transition and accelerate the generation of the uniform oxide. The effect of the chemical composition on the properties of the oxide-metal interface and the mechanism of the corrosion transition will be discussed.
A Study of Thin Coating Wear in High Data Density Tape Heads
Authors: Shi Baogui , Sullivan J. L. , Saied S. O.
Published: March 2008

This paper reports on an investigation of the wear of very thin (20–50 nm) Cr2O3 hard coatings, deposited on the linear tape open (LTO) data tape heads. The differential wear of the magnetic poles on the head and subsequent pole tip recession (PTR) leading to an increase in magnetic spacing is the major factor limiting the performance of high data density data tape heads. In order to reduce or eliminate PTR, very thin Cr2O3 hard coatings were employed to reduce PTR. The coatings were deposited on the LTO heads surface using unbalanced magnetron sputtering deposition techniques. Atomic force microscopy was used to analyze the surface topography of the coated head surface. Wear measurement was carried out by the means X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy combined with argon ion depth profiling. By these means, the very small reduction in coating thickness during the wear and hence the wear rate could be accurately determined. Wear tests were conducted in modified HP LTO Ultrium Generation 1 tape drives, and it is shown that wear rates of below 5.6×10−21m3/N⋅m could be measured. Nano indentation and scratch tests were employed to study the wear of the head materials and coated heads, which indicated that pole materials suffer the greatest wear under the same wear test conditions. The coatings on the pole areas have the lowest anti-abrasive wear resistance. Compared to the uncoated heads, the PTR of LTO heads were significant reduced by Cr2O3 coatings.
Development and Validation of the Self‐Harm Reasons Questionnaire
Authors: Lewis Stephen P. , Santor Darcy A.
Published: March 2008

Understanding the reasons for self‐harm (SH) may be paramount for the identification and treatment of SH behavior. Presently, the psychometric properties for SH reason questionnaires are generally unknown or tested only in non‐inpatient samples. Existing inpatient measures may have limited generalizability and do not examine SH apart from an explicit intent to die. The present study examined a newly developed, self‐report measure of reason for self‐harm. The Self‐Harm Reasons Questionnaire (SHRQ) was administered to 143 undergraduate students. Results indicated that SH reasons covaried in meaningful and internally consistent ways, with subgroups of SH reasons correlating with hypothesized concomitants of SH, such as depressive symptoms. Findings have implications for prevention and intervention and the SHRQ offers a new, albeit preliminary, means by which to examine SH reasons in a non‐inpatient sample.
Suicide Survivors Seeking Mental Health Services: A Preliminary Examination of the Role of an Active Postvention Model
Authors: Cerel Julie , Campbell Frank R.
Published: March 2008

Archival data from suicide survivors presenting for treatment from 1999–2005 at the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center (BRCIC) were used to examine differences in those who received an active model of postvention (APM; n = 150) compared to those who received a traditional passive postvention (PP, n = 206). APM presented sooner for treatment (48 days) than PP (97 days). APM survivors were more likely to have been the survivor of a violent suicide. APM were more likely than PP to attend survivor support group meetings and APM attended more groups. To better understand the efficacy of APM in helping survivors, a prospective evaluation is needed.
ADHD and Aggression as Correlates of Suicidal Behavior in Assaultive Prepubertal Psychiatric Inpatients
Authors: Goodman Geoff , Gerstadt Cherie , Pfeffer Cynthia R. , Stroh Martha , Valdez Adina
Published: March 2008

Forty‐three psychiatrically hospitalized prepubertal children were assessed regarding their assaultive and suicidal behaviors. These children were subsequently classified into two groups, assaultive/suicidal (AS) and assaultive‐only (AO). AS children had higher aggression and suicidal‐scale scores, but not higher depression scores, and were more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. ADHD, child's aggression, and maternal depression and state anger accounted for 33% of the variance in suicidal‐scale scores. Aggression mediated the relation between ADHD and suicidal behavior. Differences in symptom pattern between these two subtypes of assaultive inpatient children are interpreted as a basis for distinctive screening procedures.
Parental Detection of Youth's Self‐Harm Behavior
Authors: Mojtabai Ramin , Olfson Mark
Published: March 2008

The rate and predictors of parental detection of youth self‐harm behavior and relationship with help‐seeking were examined in 7,036 parent‐child dyads from the 1999 and 2004 surveys of Mental Health of Children and Young People in Great Britain. Youth self‐harm behavior was reported by 463 (6.6%) children and adolescents but only 190 (2.7%) of the parents (κ = 0.30). Reports were more accurate if parents were from majority White ethnicity, were mothers of girls, experienced psychological distress themselves, or if children were older or had emotional/behavioral problems. Parental detection of youth self‐harm was associated with increased likelihood of professional help‐seeking.
Modellierung des magnetisch-induktiven Durchflusssensors für niedrig konzentrierte und nichtleitende Flüssigkeiten (Modelling Magnetic-inductive Flow Sensor at Low Concentrations and Non-conducting Liquids)
Authors: Krause Jens , Stange Gerd
Published: March 2008

Durchflusssensoren nach dem magnetisch-induktiven Prinzip werden zur Volumenflussmessung von elektrisch leitenden Flüssigkeiten eingesetzt. Es wird eine Mindestleitfähigkeit gefordert, die hier näher untersucht wird, indem wir numerische Modelle nach dem Drift-Diffusions-Ansatz für die gelösten Ionen betrachten. Es stellt sich heraus, dass die geforderte minimale Konzentration schon durch die auch in reinem Wasser immer vorhandenen Protonen und Hydroxyl-Ionen zustande kommen. Auch nichtleitende polarisierbare Flüssigkeiten zeigen einen magnetisch-induktive Effekt.
Investigating the Prospective Use of Fibre-Optics-based Sensors in Dentistry (Die Untersuchung der Einsatzmöglichkeiten faseroptischer Sensoren in der Zahnmedizin)
Authors: Elsarnagawy Tarek , El-Wakad Mohamed-Tarek
Published: March 2008

This study aims at comparing the technology of fibre optics to that of electrical strain gauges (ESG) when both are used in the field of dentistry. It compares the accuracy and sensitivity of the strain gauges versus that of optical fibres under the same loading conditions. Results showed that the accuracy of strain gauges is slightly better than that of fibre optics sensor (FOS). However, the errors in the fibre readings showed a pattern that was repeatable in every measurement series and therefore could be corrected through a simple calibration procedure. On the other hand the sensitivity of the FOS was much better than the ESG. Results also showed that using optical sources of lower wavelength improved the sensitivity as well as the accuracy of the optical system.
Evaluating the Effect of Stressors on Thiaminase Activity in Alewife
Authors: Lepak Jesse M. , Kraft Clifford E. , Honeyfield Dale C. , Brown Scott B.
Published: March 2008

No consistent explanation has been found for the variability in the thiaminase activity of alewives Alosa pseudoharengus despite the role of alewife thiaminase in large-scale salmonine mortality in the Laurentian Great Lakes. We conducted experiments to evaluate the effect of two stressors, reduced salt content in the water and food limitation, on alewife thiaminase activity. Alewives were subjected to treatments in replicated tanks in which conductivity was lowered (<100 μS/cm) for 8 d and feeding was limited for 39 d. Circulating white blood cells, plasma cortisol, plasma glucose, and whole-body thiaminase were measured in individual alewives to assess their response to these experimental treatments. Alewives from the controls had significantly larger numbers of circulating white blood cells than those in the salt-reduced and food-limited treatments (24,000 and 19,000 cells/μL and 11,000 and 9,000 cells/μL for alewives from the two control and salt-reduced treatment tanks, respectively, and 34,000 and 30,000 cells/μL and 21,000 and 16,000 cells/μL for alewives from the two control and food-limited treatment tanks). No significant differences in alewife thiaminase activity were found between treatment fish and their controls. The mean thiaminase activity in the alewives studied increased from 6,900 to 16,000 pmol·g−1·min−1 from the time of their collection in Cayuga Lake to the start of laboratory experiments 1.5–2.5 years later; the latter value was more than twice that of previously reported levels of thiaminase activity from alewives collected in the wild. These data suggest that the variability in alewife thiaminase is not related to stress from salt reduction or food limitation, but laboratory holding conditions significantly increased thiaminase through a mechanism not evaluated by our experimental treatments.
Severity of Barotrauma Influences the Physiological Status, Postrelease Behavior, and Fate of Tournament-Caught Smallmouth Bass
Authors: Gravel Marie-Ange , Cooke Steven J.
Published: March 2008

Much research on the fish physiological consequences of tournaments has been conducted to date and has provided anglers and tournament organizers with strategies for reducing stress and mortality. However, one aspect of tournaments that has received little attention is barotrauma. At a fall competitive angling event on Rainy Lake in northwestern Ontario, we evaluated the incidence of barotrauma among tournament-caught smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu; we then tagged and released a subset of fish that had severe barotrauma indicators and compared physiology, postrelease behavior, and fate between these fish and those with negligible signs of barotrauma. Overall, 76% of fish had at least one sign of barotrauma (either hemorrhaging or swim bladder distention), but only 32% of fish had two or more indicators and were thus deemed to have severe barotrauma. When telemetered fish were released at a common site, we determined that fish with negligible signs of barotrauma evacuated the release site more rapidly than fish with severe barotrauma did. Some fish with barotrauma floundered at the surface when released, and one of these fish was subsequently hit and killed by a boat. At the end of the monitoring period, 20% of fish with severe barotrauma had died; two additional individuals (20%) that were still at the release site were moribund (failed to respond to diver stimuli). Conversely, we failed to observe any mortality in fish with negligible signs of barotrauma. All tournament fish had elevated levels of blood glucose and lactate. However, stress indices were higher in fish with barotrauma and tended to be highest among fish with barotrauma that died after release. This study revealed that the incidence of barotrauma in tournaments can be high; moreover, outside of a laboratory environment, a significant proportion of fish with severe barotrauma may die after release. Additional research is needed to determine the seasonal variation in incidence and consequences of barotrauma as well as the effectiveness of different depressurization techniques in the field that could be used during fishing tournaments.