bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commentary—Managing Channel Profits
Authors: Jeuland Abel P. , Shugan Steven M.
Published: March 2008

Channel coordination and, more generally, coordination of activities between interdependent economic agents is even more important today than when the paper was published more than 20 years ago. One reason is the trend toward globalization and outsourcing caused, in part, by the development of increasingly complex products and services that integrate many different competencies. Coordination today involves all the aspects of the marketing mix: product design coordination, price and service coordination (the focus of “Managing Channel Profits”), coordination of availability in highly hybrid distribution systems to better reach an increasingly complex and fragmented market, and coordination of communication with the target market. “Managing Channel Profits” argues a tendency toward a lack of coordination without explicit institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms such as quantity discounts and contracts to solve the problem. The price and service coordination ideas of “Managing Channel Profits” have been successfully applied for 25 years of developments in marketing of revenue- and cost-sharing arrangements between increasingly interdependent market participants.
Commentary—Optimal Pricing and Return Policies for Perishable Commodities
Authors: Pasternack Barry Alan
Published: March 2008

The paper discusses the genesis of the 1985 paper “Optimal Pricing and Return Policies for Perishable Commodities,” as well as the critical ideas presented in that research. A brief review of the literature that cited and expanded the results of the paper is also presented.
The DEA Game Cross-Efficiency Model and Its Nash Equilibrium
Authors: Liang Liang , Wu Jie , Cook Wade D. , Zhu Joe
Published: March 2008

In this paper, we examine the cross-efficiency concept in data envelopment analysis (DEA). Cross efficiency links one decision-making unit's (DMU) performance with others and has the appeal that scores arise from peer evaluation. However, a number of the current cross-efficiency approaches are flawed because they use scores that are arbitrary in that they depend on a particular set of optimal DEA weights generated by the computer code in use at the time. One set of optimal DEA weights (possibly out of many alternate optima) may improve the cross efficiency of some DMUs, but at the expense of others. While models have been developed that incorporate secondary goals aimed at being more selective in the choice of optimal multipliers, the alternate optima issue remains. In cases where there is competition among DMUs, this situation may be seen as undesirable and unfair. To address this issue, this paper generalizes the original DEA cross-efficiency concept to game cross efficiency. Specifically, each DMU is viewed as a player that seeks to maximize its own efficiency, under the condition that the cross efficiency of each of the other DMUs does not deteriorate. The average game cross-efficiency score is obtained when the DMU's own maximized efficiency scores are averaged. To implement the DEA game cross-efficiency model, an algorithm for deriving the best (game cross-efficiency) scores is presented. We show that the optimal game cross-efficiency scores constitute a Nash equilibrium point.
Appetitive Motivation Predicts the Neural Response to Facial Signals of Aggression
Authors: Beaver John D. , Lawrence Andrew D. , Passamonti Luca , Calder Andrew J.
Published: March 2008

The “behavioral approach system” (BAS) (Gray, 1990) has been primarily associated with reward processing and positive affect. However, additional research has demonstrated that the BAS plays a role in aggressive behavior, heightened experience of anger, and increased attention to facial signals of aggression. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we show that variation in the BAS trait in healthy participants predicts activation in neural regions implicated in aggression when participants view facial signals of aggression in others. Increased BAS drive (appetitive motivation) was associated with increased amygdala activation and decreased ventral anterior cingulate and ventral striatal activation to facial signals of aggression, relative to sad and neutral expressions. In contrast, increased behavioral inhibition was associated with increased activation in the dorsal anterior cingulate, a region involved in the perception of fear and threat. Our results provide the first demonstration that appetitive motivation constitutes a significant factor governing the function of neural regions implicated in aggression, and have implications for understanding clinical disorders of aggression.
Structural Organization of the Corpus Callosum Predicts the Extent and Impact of Cortical Activity in the Nondominant Hemisphere
Authors: Putnam Mary Colvin , Wig Gagan S. , Grafton Scott T. , Kelley William M. , Gazzaniga Michael S.
Published: March 2008

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were combined to examine the relationship between callosal organization and cortical activity across hemispheres. Healthy young adults performed an incidental verbal encoding task (semantic judgments on words) while undergoing fMRI. Consistent with previous studies, the verbal encoding task was associated with left-lateralized activity in the inferior prefrontal cortex (LIPFC). When subjects were divided into two groups based on fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the anterior corpus callosum (DTI), individuals with low anterior callosal FA were found to exhibit greater activity in a homologous region within the right inferior prefrontal cortex (RIPFC) relative to those with high anterior callosal FA. Interestingly, whereas the magnitude of RIPFC activity did not negatively impact subsequent verbal memory performance for individuals with low anterior callosal FA, greater RIPFC activity during verbal encoding was associated with poorer subsequent memory performance for individuals with high anterior callosal FA. Together, these findings provide novel evidence that individual differences in callosal organization are related to the extent of nondominant cortical activity during performance during a lateralized task, and further, that this relationship has consequences on behavior.
NMDA Receptor Plasticity in the Perirhinal and Prefrontal Cortices Is Crucial for the Acquisition of Long-Term Object-in-Place Associative Memory
Authors: Barker Gareth R. I. , Warburton E. Clea
Published: March 2008

A key process for recognition memory is the formation of associations between an object and the place in which it was encountered, a process that has been shown to require the perirhinal (PRH) and medial prefrontal (mPFC) cortices. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, the importance of glutamatergic neurotransmission, within the PRH and mPFC, for object-in-place associative recognition memory. Unilateral blockade of AMPA receptors (by CNQX) in the PRH and mPFC in opposite hemispheres impaired an object-in-place task in rats, confirming that these cortical regions operate within a neural network for object-in-place recognition memory. Intra-mPFC infusions of AP5 (NMDA receptor antagonist) impaired short-term memory and the acquisition of long-term memory, but had no effect on retrieval. AP5 infusions into the PRH disrupted acquisition of long-term memory, but not short-term memory or retrieval. Significantly, crossed AP5 infusions into both the PRH and mPFC disrupted acquisition of long-term memory but were without effect on short-term memory. Finally a unilateral infusion of the selective kainate (GLUK5) receptor antagonist UBP302 [(S)-1-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-3-(2-carboxybenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4-dione] into the PRH combined with a unilateral infusion of AP5 into the contralateral mPFC significantly impaired short-term object-in-place associative memory. These data show that the PRH and mPFC make distinct contributions to object-in-place associative memory and that the encoding of long-term but not short-term memory requires concurrent NMDA receptor activation in both cortical regions. In contrast, short-term object-in-place memory appears to be dependent on kainate receptor activation in the PRH and NMDA receptor activation in the mPFC.
The Mitochondrial Protease AFG3L2 Is Essential for Axonal Development
Authors: Maltecca Francesca , Aghaie Asadollah , Schroeder David G. , Cassina Laura , Taylor Benjamin A. , Phillips Sandra J. , Malaguti Mariachiara , Previtali Stefano , Guénet Jean-Louis , Quattrini Angelo , Cox Gregory A. , Casari Giorgio
Published: March 2008

The mitochondrial metalloprotease AFG3L2 assembles with the homologous protein paraplegin to form a supracomplex in charge of the essential protein quality control within mitochondria. Mutations of paraplegin cause a specific axonal degeneration of the upper motoneuron and, therefore, hereditary spastic paraplegia. Here we present twoAfg3l2murine models: a newly developed null and a spontaneous mutant that we found carrier of a missense mutation. Contrasting with the mild and late onset axonal degeneration of paraplegin-deficient mouse,Afg3l2models display a marked impairment of axonal development with delayed myelination and poor axonal radial growth leading to lethality at P16. The increased severity of theAfg3l2mutants is explained by two main molecular features that differentiate AFG3L2 from paraplegin: its higher neuronal expression and its versatile ability to support both hetero-oligomerization and homo-oligomerization. Our data assign to AFG3L2 a crucial role by linking mitochondrial metabolism and axonal development. Moreover, we propose AFG3L2 as an excellent candidate for motoneuron and cerebellar diseases with early onset unknown etiology.
Synaptic Function for the Nogo-66 Receptor NgR1: Regulation of Dendritic Spine Morphology and Activity-Dependent Synaptic Strength
Authors: Lee Hakjoo , Raiker Stephen J. , Venkatesh Karthik , Geary Rebecca , Robak Laurie A. , Zhang Yu , Yeh Hermes H. , Shrager Peter , Giger Roman J.
Published: March 2008

In the mature nervous system, changes in synaptic strength correlate with changes in neuronal structure. Members of the Nogo-66 receptor family have been implicated in regulating neuronal morphology. Nogo-66 receptor 1 (NgR1) supports binding of the myelin inhibitors Nogo-A, MAG (myelin-associated glycoprotein), and OMgp (oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein), and is important for growth cone collapse in response to acutely presented inhibitorsin vitro. After injury to the corticospinal tract,NgR1limits axon collateral sprouting but is not important for blocking long-distance regenerative growthin vivo. Here, we report on a novel interaction between NgR1 and select members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF1 and FGF2 bind directly and with high affinity to NgR1 but not to NgR2 or NgR3. In primary cortical neurons, ectopic NgR1 inhibits FGF2-elicited axonal branching. Loss ofNgR1results in altered spine morphologies along apical dendrites of hippocampal CA1 neuronsin vivo. Analysis of synaptosomal fractions revealed that NgR1 is enriched synaptically in the hippocampus. Physiological studies at Schaffer collateral–CA1 synapses uncovered a synaptic function for NgR1. Loss ofNgR1leads to FGF2-dependent enhancement of long-term potentiation (LTP) without altering basal synaptic transmission or short-term plasticity. NgR1 and FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) are colocalized to synapses, and mechanistic studies revealed that FGFR kinase activity is necessary for FGF2-elicited enhancement of hippocampal LTP inNgR1mutants. In addition, loss ofNgR1attenuates long-term depression of synaptic transmission at Schaffer collateral–CA1 synapses. Together, our findings establish that physiological NgR1 signaling regulates activity-dependent synaptic strength and uncover neuronal NgR1 as a regulator of synaptic plasticity.
Broca's aphemia: an illustrated account of its clinico-anatomic validity
Authors: Oliveira-Souza Ricardo de , Moll Jorge , Caparelli-Dáquer Egas M.A.
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE: To present the case of a 54-year-old man with loss of speech, but with preservation of voluntary facio-lingual motility, language and other cognitive abilities (Broca's aphemia). METHOD: Observation of patient oral communicative abilities and general behavior, neuropsychological assessment and cranial computed tomography. RESULTS: Computed tomography showed a hyperdense lesion in the subcortex of the left precentral gyrus corresponding to Brodmann's area 6 and 44. Neuropsychological assessment confirmed that the major cognitive domains were intact. CONCLUSION: Our patient reiterates the validity of Broca's aphemia as a clinico-anatomic entity allowing us to portray it for the first time in pictures. From a neurobehavioral perspective, aphemia is related to apraxia rather than to aphasia, a fact that may have hampered the full grasp of its far-reaching implications for neurology and aphasiology.
Bilateral cortical atrophy after severe brain trauma and extradural homatoma
Authors: Louzada Paulo Roberto , Vaitsman Rafael Pereira , Souza Arthur Borges Martins de , Coutinho Pedro de Oliveira , Lengruber Renata Teixeira , Neves Francisco Weldes Brito das , Missaka Herbert , Lima Marco Aurélio Albuquerque , Salame José Massoud
Published: March 2008

We report the case of a severe head injured 43-year old male patient with a large extradural hematoma, Glasgow Coma Scale 3 and dilated fixed pupils. Patient was promptly submitted to surgical evacuation of the lesion, but remained in persistent vegetative state in the post-operative time. Head computed tomography scans performed before surgery, and at early and late post-operative periods comparatively revealed extreme bilateral cortical atrophy. Late consequences of severe head trauma drastically affect the prognosis of patients, being its prevention, and neuroprotection against secondary injury still a therapeutical challenge for neurosurgeons.
Dom João VI's death: convulsions and coma
Authors: Gomes Marleide da Mota , Reimão Rubens , Maranhão-Filho Péricles
Published: March 2008

Dom João VI's death occurred in adverse political conditions that led to the regicide hypothesis. The main aim of this paper is to mention life style and conditions of the death of the king by means of narrative review based on primary and secondary sources. Dom João VI died in the way of convulsions and gastrointestinal symptoms. This could be the result of the pathological chain of genetic determination, accentuated by the inappropriate life style, obesity and sedentary habits, and/or poisoning. The finding of arsenic in high doses in his viscera favors the last hypothesis as the basic cause of death, but one can not discard the atherosclerosis predisposing risk factors for a final stroke.
Características físicas e nutricionais da matriz de encapsulamento na produção de sementes sintéticas de pimenta-longa (Piper hispidinervum C. DC.)
Authors: Guedes Rodrigo da Silva , Costa Frederico Henrique da Silva , Pereira Jonny Everson Scherwinski
Published: March 2008

A pimenta-longa (Piper hispidinervum C. DC.) é um arbusto da família Piperaceae, nativa da região amazônica, que vem despertando o interesse das indústrias de cosméticos e bioinseticidas pelo alto teor de safrol, óleo essencial extraído das folhas e talos. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência de características físicas e nutricionais da matriz de encapsulamento durante a produção de sementes sintéticas de pimenta-longa. Sementes germinadas de pimenta-longa foram utilizadas como material de encapsulamento. Em ambos os experimentos, a influência da constituição (água ou meio Murashige e Skoog) e consistência da cápsula (alginato de sódio 1% ou 2%) e do tempo de complexação (10, 20 e 30 min) em CaCl2, na abertura das cápsulas, foi avaliada. Depois de encapsulados, os materiais foram transferidos para frascos com meio de MS e mantidos em sala de crescimento, onde, quinzenalmente, foi avaliada a taxa de emergência e crescimento das plântulas encapsuladas. Verificou-se que o emprego de um endosperma artificial composto por 1% de alginato de sódio em meio de MS foi o tratamento que promoveu os melhores resultados para a emergência e posterior crescimento de plântulas oriundas de sementes sintéticas aos 30 dias da semeadura em meio MS sólido, independentemente do tempo de complexação utilizado.
Reprodução e alimentação de Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) em rios do Núcleo Santa Virgínia, Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, São Paulo, SP
Authors: Gomiero Leandro Muller , Souza Ursulla Pereira , Braga Francisco Manoel de Souza
Published: March 2008

O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar a época de reprodução, a fecundidade, o tipo de desova e os aspectos alimentares de Rhamdia quelen em rios da Mata Atlântica no Núcleo Santa Virgínia, Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, estado de São Paulo. Foram realizadas amostragens mensais de janeiro a dezembro de 2004 em dois rios, Paraibuna e Grande, da bacia do rio Paraíba do Sul. A atividade alimentar, o acúmulo de gordura na cavidade visceral e a época reprodutiva ocorreram ao longo de praticamente todo o período de coleta, possivelmente pela falta de sazonalidade na região. Os itens alimentares foram muito diversos e a dieta foi caracterizada como sendo onívora, com tendência ao consumo de insetos. A desova de R. quelen foi do tipo parcelada. A fecundidade média foi de 27.759,7 e de 29.757,3 nos rios Paraibuna e Grande, respectivamente.
Practical Methods to Sustain Production after Hydraulic Fracturing Treatment in Marginal Wells—Case History from Western Desert Egypt
Authors: Yassine R. , Amr M. , Salem M. , Ibrahim H. , Shehata M. M. , Abdel Aziz W. , Nagia K. F.
Published: March 2008

The Bahariya formation of the Western Desert is characterized as dirty sandstone with high clay content. It is highly laminated (streaks of 20 to 50 ft spread over a 200-to 300-ft column), has poor permeability in most cases, and has low to normal reservoir pressure variance. Many of the wells are shutin because of very poor productivity, and those that do produce with artificial lift do so with very little recovery. In general terms, these are considered to be marginal wells and not worthy of particular attention.

A careful review of the field suggested a possible benefit from implementing hydraulic fracturing treatments. It was, however, not a simple case of just applying hydraulic fracturing treatment to every well, but required proper well screening, thorough log analysis, calculating and validating mechanical rock properties, and enhanced 3D fracture modeling for a successful campaign. Maintaining sustained production was equally essential to the project because damage to fracture conductivity and proppant flowback after a fracturing treatment can easily erode the financial benefits. One of the enhancements implemented was a proprietary liquid resin coating (LRC) of the proppants to control proppant flowback and to act as a fracture conductivity endurance agent.

This paper discusses such treatments and the methodology applied on a recent 14-well fracturing campaign. The production results have been impressive and will serve as good guidelines for other operators who may be facing similar challenges in the North Africa region and elsewhere.
Innovative Solution for Selective Testing of Horizontal Well Saves Seven Days Rig Time
Authors: Scherwitzel Klaus , Whittaker Alun
Published: March 2008

The Ufuq field, operated by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), is located in Oman in close proximity to the Lekhwair field, the discovery well being drilled in early 2006. An appraisal well was subsequently drilled with the objective of further evaluating the discovery and delineating its’ extent so that early commercial development decisions could be made. This second well was drilled with an extended horizontal section which identified a second zone of reservoir quality rock above the main zone of interest.

As a consequence a second horizontal section was drilled to optimize the intersection of the two reservoir units and plans were made for evaluation testing. The first part of the test was planned to evaluate commingled flow while the second was to plug off the additional zone and flow test the main zone. To achieve these objectives, a unique combination of a 92° well inclination and an open hole scab liner were used with the scab liner providing a seat for an inflatable bridge plug to be set to isolate the upper zone once commingled testing was complete. Following testing of the main or lower zone the plug was retrieved thru-tubing and the well returned to commingled flow.

In this paper the authors will review in detail the planning and execution of this procedure which avoided a workover, thereby saving 7 days of rig time, and was a "first" for both Operator and supplier.
Basin Evolution from Integrated Seismic, Gravity, and Magnetic Data Interpretation in North Africa
Authors: Witte Susanne
Published: March 2008

This paper shows the approach and first results of integrating land and airborne high-resolution potential field data (gravity and magnetics) with new, deep penetrating seismic data to understand the deep basin evolution in Libya and Algeria. Although long offset seismic data acquisition has enabled a better seismic image at depth, due to the complex structuration of old rift systems, the interpretation in the Libya Sirte basin and Shell's Algeria blocks remains a challenge. Gravity data helps to understand crustal thickness variation, magnetic data enables mapping of basement depth and composition and presence of intra-sedimentary volcanics. The remaining gravity anomalies enable a better understanding of the lateral lithology variation in the shallow overburden.
The Omar Field (N. E. Syria) is Overcoming Its Mid-Life Crisis
Authors: Neidhardt J. , Farran H. , Gonzalez I. , Vledder P. , Doughry Y.
Published: March 2008

With an approximate STOIIP of 760 MMbbls, the Omar field is the largest field in Al Furat Petroleum Company's portfolio. The field – located in the Euphrates Graben 45km SE of DeirEzZor - was discovered in 1987 and holds a maximum undersaturated oil column of more than 500m with two original oil-water contacts of 3750 and 3778 meters subsea. The oil production almost exclusively originates from two sandstone formations: the Cretaceous sheet-like shallow marine Lower Rutbah (RUL) and the Triassic coastal fluvial plane Mulussa F (MUF) formation. The Omar Field is formed by an elongated, high relief tilted horst block, which is internally compartmentalised.

Originally, the field produced naturally at a peak net oil rate of some 80kbpd but production declined rapidly because of the lack of any pressure support. Following the implementation of water injection from 1991 onwards a plateau production of around 60-70kbopd was achieved for some five years (1994-1997) declining to the current net oil production of 20 kbopd.

Despite the structural complications, the injector-producer connectivity in the laterally extensive RUL sands could be established rather confidently and recoveries in excess of 55% should eventually be achievable. Predicting water-flood efficiency in the Mulussa F 3D sand channel labyrinth turned out more complicated. As a matter of fact, it was demonstrated that the resolution achievable by static reservoir modelling was not sufficient to predict the water-flood efficiency meaningfully. As a consequence a statistical infill campaign was launched with a focus to infill the existing major gaps between the MUF wells and secondly to establish a line drive waterflood pattern while investigating the merits of a dense five spot.

The results of this infill drilling campaign (executed in 2005-2006) and a new 600-fold high-resolution seismic survey gave a multi-disciplinary team the challenge to improve in identifying more attractive targets while reducing the downside drilling results observed during the infill campaign. A combination of the new structural data with a regional geological well correlation fully and iteratively integrated with dynamic well information and production data, indicates that the recovery in the MUF formation could well be optimized through a more deterministic instead of the previously adopted statistical infill drilling approach.
From Lean to Extreme-Lean Well Profile: Field Experience in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Donati F. , Ferrara P. , Maestrami Michele , Oppelt J. , Krüeger S.
Published: March 2008

The main subject of this paper will be to outline the field experience achieved with a new type of well profile and directional drilling system. Reducing the cost of well construction has been a driver for many new technologies. The lean casing profile introduced by Eni about a decade ago was a successful step towards lowering the drilling and completion cost in the vertical, top hole section. Automated vertical drilling tools have been the technical enabler of such concept. Recently Eni has moved further towards an even more radical "Extreme Lean Well Profile". This paper gives a brief insight into the well design concept and the enabling technology behind it. The drilling technology is based on the well-known automated vertical drilling system, which has been enhanced by the capability to drill an enlarged hole size below a casing, without compromising the verticality and hole quality. In the main part of the paper two field applications, in the Mediterannean Sea offshore Egypt, are described. The paper will also cover the lessons learned especially from the second of the first two field applications. The extreme lean well profile and automated vertical reaming technology can provide value to several drilling campaigns not only through the reduction of well construction cost. Another major benefit is the ability to run an intermediate casing string, if required because of difficult well conditions, and still arrive at the same diameter of casing in the reservoir. The completion concept as well the enabling tool technology is very unique and has not been available to the industry until recently.
Well-Testing Planning in Deepwater Wells in High-Pressure, High-Temperature Environments – The Brazil Experience
Authors: Salguero Alejandro , Almanza Edgar , Nivens Harold
Published: March 2008

High-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) deepwater areas continue to challenge performance of well testing, especially when considering wells defined as "deepwater." This definition is applied to wells that are at least 15,000 feet deep. Also, these wells are considered HP/HT when they have bottomhole pressures of approximately 10,000 psi and bottomhole temperatures in excess of 300°F. Several wells under these extreme environmental conditions have recently been tested in Brazil, and these attempts have confirmed the importance of the proper preliminary analysis of test parameters according to the specifications of the prospect, the requirements at surface, and the possible impact of testing at bottomhole conditions. Typical variables such as high hydrostatic pressures and high temperatures are usually considered, but it is also important to assess the types of operations involved in performing the tests that could increase the value of the different physical variables in such a way that the tool string could be damaged. Often, combined variables can surpass the design characteristics of the test tools, and if this occurs, the test data or even the well could be lost. Thus, it is critical that design specifications of the necessary equipment and operational limitations be considered with a detailed analysis of operations and alternatives in a HAZID/HAZOP.

This paper will focus on the steps that must be followed to enable successful well-testing evaluations in HP/HT environmental conditions. With the planning suggested, it is possible to minimize the risks that can negatively impact testing operations. The planning, design criteria and tools required to perform successful well-testing evaluation in severe well conditions will be discussed in detail. The steps discussed here for designing deepwater well-tests can provide a safety envelope for equipment and help ensure that the operations will be successfully performed.
Voice or Choice? Patient and Public Involvement in the National Health Service in England under New Labour
Authors: Forster Rudolf , Gabe Jonathan
Published: March 2008

Involving patients, caregivers, and citizens in health care and health policy has been recommended by international organizations for over a decade. This article focuses on developments in England under New Labour, places them in the context of broader health policy, and assesses them in the light of the limited empirical evidence. The authors consider a range of possible explanations for these developments. They suggest that we need to distinguish between individual and collective forms of patient involvement, and they chart patient and public involvement in England before New Labour and in three distinct phases under New Labour. There has been a significant extension of opportunities for individual patients and the public to communicate their views, albeit with twists and turns in the policy over time. The authors explain these developments in terms of New Labour's ideological attachment to pragmatism and the Third Way, political calculations about the need to reinvigorate political culture, and attempts to enhance cost-effectiveness. Patient and public involvement seems to be here to stay, but whether this will result in greater equity and a real shift in power away from professionals to citizens and patients is another matter.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Question of Money at St. Petersburg Women's Clinics
Authors: Larivaara Meri , Dubikaytis Tatiana , Kuznetsova Olga , Hemminki Elina
Published: March 2008

The new financing mechanisms introduced into the Russian health care system since the beginning of the 1990s have not resolved its severe financial problems. This article examines the consequences for outpatient services and the daily work of individual doctors in St. Petersburg, using women's reproductive health services as a case example. Interview and observational data reveal a constant opposition between formal rules and informal practices at both the administrative and polyclinic levels. Polyclinics for women's reproductive health services have developed various strategies as a response to insufficient financing, but many of these strategies are questionable within the current mandatory health insurance system. Ordinary doctors perceive the development as mainly negative. The results raise the question of increasing arbitrariness, from patients' perspective, in the health services provided. The study illustrates how in a post-socialist context, the past constantly permeates the present in the form of novel adaptations to the new social context.
Bolivia's Economy—An Update
Authors: Weisbrot Mark , Sandoval Luis
Published: March 2008

This report looks at Bolivia's main economic indicators over the past year (mid-2006 to mid-2007), noting improvements in growth, fiscal balances, balance of payments, and international reserves. These improvements were largely due to government policies and choices, such as increased hydrocarbons royalties and control over the hydrocarbons sector, and have allowed the government to embark on a number of programs targeting the poor and landless. The report also notes that Bolivia faces many challenges: expansion of land reform, more rapid growth and poverty reduction, the reduction of regional and demographic disparities, and an accelerated diversification of the economy away from hydrocarbons and minerals.
β-Cell Replication Is the Primary Mechanism Subserving the Postnatal Expansion of β-Cell Mass in Humans
Authors: Meier Juris J. , Butler Alexandra E. , Saisho Yoshifumi , Monchamp Travis , Galasso Ryan , Bhushan Anil , Rizza Robert A. , Butler Peter C.
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE— Little is known about the capacity, mechanisms, or timing of growth in β-cell mass in humans. We sought to establish if the predominant expansion of β-cell mass in humans occurs in early childhood and if, as in rodents, this coincides with relatively abundant β-cell replication. We also sought to establish if there is a secondary growth in β-cell mass coincident with the accelerated somatic growth in adolescence.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— To address these questions, pancreas volume was determined from abdominal computer tomographies in 135 children aged 4 weeks to 20 years, and morphometric analyses were performed in human pancreatic tissue obtained at autopsy from 46 children aged 2 weeks to 21 years.

RESULTS— We report that 1) β-cell mass expands by severalfold from birth to adulthood, 2) islets grow in size rather than in number during this transition, 3) the relative rate of β-cell growth is highest in infancy and gradually declines thereafter to adulthood with no secondary accelerated growth phase during adolescence, 4) β-cell mass (and presumably growth) is highly variable between individuals, and 5) a high rate of β-cell replication is coincident with the major postnatal expansion of β-cell mass.

CONCLUSIONS— These data imply that regulation of β-cell replication during infancy plays a major role in β-cell mass in adult humans.
An open access database for Himalayan environmental management
Authors: Sarkar Sahotra
Published: March 2008

Environmental management in the Himalayas requires creation of a database with collaborative public sharing of data

Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.4(6) 2007 p.7-8
Plant species richness and composition in a trans-Himalayan inner valley of Manang district, central Nepal
Authors: Panthi Mohan P , Chaudhary Ram P , Vetaas Ole R
Published: March 2008

Species richness normally decreases with increasing elevation. However, a hump and a plateau have been documented in species richness curves in the Nepal Himalaya. We sampled species richness and composition in 80 plots located in the north and south aspects of the dry valley of Manang, a trans-Himalayan inner valley of Nepal, between 3000 and 4000 masl. We used regression and ordination to relate species richness and composition to the physical environment. Pinus wallichiana, Juniperus indica, Abies spectabilis, Betula utilis and Salix species are the dominant tree species. B. utilis is found only in the moist north aspect and Juniperus species are more common in the dry south aspect. Moisture is the most important determinant of species richness and composition. At the local level, our results show a plateau in species richness at the elevation range of 3000–4000 masl. There were significantly more species on the north aspect than on the south.

Key words: aspect, altitude, beta-diversity, ordination, species richness, soil moisture

Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.4(6) 2007 p.57-64
Distribution pattern and habitat preference of barking deer (Muntiacus muntjac Zimmermann) in Nagarjun forest, Kathmandu
Authors: Nagarkoti Ajaya , Thapa Tej Bahadur
Published: March 2008

The distribution pattern and habitat preference of barking deer (Muntiacus muntjac Zimmermann) were analyzed during spring and rainy seasons of 2005 in Nagarjun Forest, Kathmandu. A total of 14 observations (seven males and seven females), 247 pellets and 118 footprints of barking deer were recorded in the spring and 14 observations (nine males and five females), 151 pellets and 140 footprints were recorded during the rainy season. The result showed uneven or clumped distribution patterns for deer in both spring (S2√X = 331.03 > 1; Χ² = 331.02, p = 0.01) and rainy season (S2√X = 233.48 > 1; Χ² = 233.48, p = 0.01). Among four types of habitats (Schima wallichii forest, mixed broadleaved forest, pine forest and dry oak forest), the mixed broadleaved forest was much preferred in spring (RPI = 0.81) and pine forest during the rainy season (RPI = 0.15).

Key words: Barking deer, Muntiacus muntjac, distribution, habitat preference, Nagarjun forest, Nepal

Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.4(6) 2007 p.70-74
The usability of (sodium alginate/acrylamide) semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks on removal of some textile dyes
Authors: Şolpan Dilek , Torun Murat , Güven Olgun
Published: March 2008

In this study, (sodium alginate/acrylamide) interpenetrating polymer networks ((NaAlg/AAm)IPN) have been prepared at definite composition. The aqueous solution of 3% (w/v) sodium alginate and 50% (w/v) acrylamide was irradiated with 60Co‐γ rays at a dose rate of 0.07 kGy/h up to 5 kGy. The percent conversion was determined gravimetrically and 100% gelation was achieved at 5 kGy dose. To understand whether the semi‐interpenetrating polymer network of sodium alginate is performed, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of polyacrylamide (PAAm), sodium alginate, and the semi‐interpenetrating polymer network were recorded. It is found that the FTIR spectra of PAAm, NaAlg, and the semi‐interpenetrating polymer network are different. The thermograms of PAAm, sodium alginate, and the semi‐interpenetrating polymer network were recorded for investigating their thermal character. (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels were immersed to swell in a solution of pH 7, at a temperature of 25°C. The swelling results at pH 7.0 indicated that (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogel, containing 3% NaAlg showed maximum % swelling in water but swelling increased in the order of water > Magenta > Methylene Blue > Safranine‐O > Methyl Violet. Diffusion of water and aqueous solution of dyes within (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels was found to be of Fickian character at the initial stage of swelling with regard to values calculated for diffusion coefficient of (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels in water and aqueous solution of dyes. Some diffusion parameters were calculated from swelling of (NaAlg/AAm)IPN in water and dyes and their adsorption isotherms were plotted. In the adsorption experiments, the efficiency of (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels to adsorb Magenta, Safranine‐O, Methylene Blue, and Methyl Violet dyes from water was studied. (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels showed different adsorption for different aqueous solution of dyes at pH 7.0. Adsorption isotherms were constructed for (NaAlg/AAm)IPN‐dye systems. S type adsorption in the Giles classification system was found. Thermal and spectroscopic characterization of semi‐interpenetrating polymer network of sodium alginate and acrylamide and dye adsorbed semi‐interpenetrating polymer network of sodium alginate and acrylamide was recorded. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Solid state structure and mechanical properties of melt mixed poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/polycarbonate blends
Authors: González I. , Eguiazábal J. I. , Nazábal J.
Published: March 2008

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/poly (carbonate of bisphenol A) (PC) blends were obtained in the melt state by direct injection molding and also by extrusion followed by injection molding. The blends rich in PTT were monophasic, while the blends rich in PC were biphasic with the two components of the blends present in both phases. Both the monophasic and biphasic blends were partially miscibilized, and also partially reacted, as observed by FTIR. The extent of the reaction was greater in previously mixed blends. The observed synergism in the modulus of elasticity was attributed to the increased orientation of the blend components upon blending. Although decreases in elongation at break were observed and attributed to degradation of PTT, the blends were clearly ductile and compatible. This was a consequence of either their monophasic structure, or of the presence of the two components in the two phases of the blends. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Emulsion‐induced ordered microporous films using amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(n‐butyl isocyanate) block copolymers
Authors: Ishizu Koji , Makino Masataka , Hatoyama Naomasa , Uchida Satoshi
Published: March 2008

Well‐defined poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(n‐butyl isocyanate) (PEO‐block‐PBIC; AB) diblock copolymers were prepared with trichloropentadienyl titanium (IV) (CpTiCl3) catalyst. Ordered microporous films (hexagonal pattern) were constructed by emulsion micelles of A110B230 diblock copolymer (the subscript indicates the degree of polymerization of each block component) formed from CHCl3/H2O/tetrahydrofuran (THF) = 100/5/10 (v/v) solution. The addition of THF promoted uniform micelles in immiscible CHCl3/H2O mixed solvent as well as the effect of phase transfer catalyst. Diblock copolymers formed spherical micelles, consisting of a PEO core and a PBIC corona. At some concentration, interaction between micelles forced a disorder–order transition, resulting in freezing of micelles in some superlattice. Subsequently, the leaving gaps among micelles were filled by PBIC block chains on a corona through the evaporation of organic solvents. At last, water within hydrophilic PEO core was vomited through the film matrix. We also constructed the microporous films using A110B230 diblock copolymer by the current water‐assisted method. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Real‐time measurement of cytosolic free calcium concentration in HL‐60 cells during static magnetic field exposure and activation by ATP
Authors: Belton Michelle , Commerford Kristy , Hall Justin , Prato Frank S. , Carson Jeffrey J.L.
Published: March 2008

Calcium ions are involved in a number of important signal transduction pathways in cells. Cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) can be affected by the activation of Ca2+ channels through the action of ligands such as ATP. The response of [Ca2+]c to ligands may be affected by external factors like magnetic fields. The purpose of this study was to determine if exposure to a static magnetic field (SMF) for 800 s altered the [Ca2+]c response to ATP in undifferentiated HL‐60 cells. We sham exposed or field exposed fura‐2 loaded HL‐60 cells to a SMF of 1, 10, and 100 mT. Cells were activated with ATP 300 s into the exposure. The level of [Ca2+]c was followed before, during, and after field or sham exposure with a ratiometric fluorescence spectroscopy system. It was found that high concentrations of ATP resulted in greater [Ca2+]c responses, but faster recovery to near basal levels. The application of 1, 10, or 100 mT SMF did not affect the [Ca2+]c response to ATP. Future work could examine the effect of a longer SMF exposure on the [Ca2+]c response to ATP. Longer exposures might provide sufficient time for morphological changes in the plasma membrane to occur. Bioelectromagnetics 29:439–446, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quaternary protein mimetics of gp41 elicit neutralizing antibodies against HIV fusion‐active intermediate state
Authors: Sadler Kristen , Zhang Ying , Xu Jiaxi , Yu Qitao , Tam James P.
Published: March 2008

During viral entry, the fusogenic state of human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 (HIV‐1) envelope protein gp41 is a quaternary structure consisting of three gp41 glycoproteins, each with two conserved helical domains (N‐HR and C‐HR). Thus far, the examination of monomeric gp41 peptides as an immunologically focused approach to vaccine design has not been successful. Here we report an approach using quaternary protein mimetics (called 3α mimetics) that are based on the gp41 N‐HR and C‐HR domains to closely mimic the fusogenic state and overcome the deficiencies of the monomeric peptide approach for synthetic vaccine design. The 3α mimetics are conveniently prepared by chemoselective ligation of unprotected monomeric peptides to an interstrand linker, and display enhanced conformational stability compared to the corresponding monomers. The 3α mimetics with or without a covalently attached T‐helper epitope were immunogenic and elicited antisera that bound both recombinant gp160, which contains gp41, and HIV‐1 virions and immunoprecipitated recombinant gp41. Anti‐3α mimetic antisera neutralized viral infectivity against R5‐ and X4‐tropic strains of HIV‐1 at 31.5°C. The results suggest that a quaternary protein approach to mimic conserved and functional domains of viral envelope proteins is desirable for HIV vaccine development as such antigens are more likely to produce immunologically‐focused and broadly neutralizing antibody responses. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 90: 320–329, 2008.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Role of methoxypolyethylene glycol on the hydration, activity, conformation and dynamic properties of a lipase in a dry film
Authors: Secundo Francesco , Barletta Gabriel , Mazzola Giorgio
Published: March 2008

A combined approach based on the use of ATR‐FT/IR and steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy allowed to shed light on the effects of the additive methoxypolyethylene glycol (MePEG) on the hydration, conformation and dynamic properties of lipase from Burkholderia cepacia dehydrated to form a film. Spectroscopic data show that the additive has little effect on the structure of the protein; however, H/D exchange kinetic and fluorescence anisotropy suggest a more flexible enzyme molecule when in the presence of MePEG. By infrared spectroscopy, we estimated that, after conditioning the films at water activity of 1, the water content in the lipase dehydrated with MePEG is 5.4‐ and 4.7‐fold higher than in the absence of the additive and the additive alone, respectively. Additionally, our infrared data suggest that MePEG acts by hindering intermolecular protein–protein interactions and contributing to increase the accessibility and flexibility of the lipase in the dehydrated solid film. These factors also explain the enhancement of the enzyme catalytic activity (i.e., up to 3.7‐fold in neat organic solvent) when in the presence of MePEG. The method and results presented might better address the use of additives for the preparation of enzymes employed in non‐aqueous media or of proteins used in a dry form in different fields of biotechnology. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 255–262. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
3‐Substituted BINOL Schiff bases and their reductive products for catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes
Authors: Liu Bing , Dong Zhi‐Bing , Fang Cao , Song Hai‐Bin , Li Jin‐Shan
Published: March 2008

Three new chiral 3‐substituted BINOL Schiff bases and their reductive 3‐arylaminomethyl BINOL products have been synthesized and used for the asymmetric addition reaction of diethylzinc to aldehydes in the presence of titanium tetraisopropoxide. The reaction provided optically active secondary alcohols in high yield (86–100%) and good enantioselectivity (up to 92% ee). Chirality, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.