bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deleterious effects of a pycnogonid on the sea anemone Bartholomea annulata
Authors: Mercier Annie , Hamel Jean-François
Published: May 2008

Pycnogonids (Pigrogromitus timsanus) were discovered among a population of sea anemones (Bartholomea annulata) collected from the east coast of Florida. The predatory behavior of these sea spiders was investigated in the laboratory and its effects on the health of the sea anemones was detailed. In comparison with a reference group of noninfested sea anemones, the deterioration of the infested individuals was characterized by abundant mucus secretion, retraction of the tentacles, and difficulty in attaching to the substrate, eventually leading to death. As for the predators, they seemed undisturbed by the acontial filaments and nematocysts discharged by their prey. This is the first evidence of possible deleterious effects inflicted on actiniarians by pycnogonid predators.
MASSIVE GRAVITATIONAL WAVES FROM THE R2 THEORY OF GRAVITY: PRODUCTION AND RESPONSE OF INTERFEROMETERS
Authors: CORDA CHRISTIAN
Published: May 2008

We show that from the R2 high order gravity theory it is possible to produce, in the linearized approach, particles which can be seen as massive modes of gravitational waves (GW's). The presence of the mass generates a longitudinal force in addition of the transverse one which is proper of the massless gravitational waves and the response an interferometer to the effect is computed. This could be, in principle, important to discriminate among the gravity theories. The presence of the mass could also have important applications in cosmology because the fact that gravitational waves can have mass could give a contribution to the dark matter of the Universe.
NEW INFINITE-DIMENSIONAL DOUBLE SYMMETRY GROUPS FOR THE EINSTEIN–KALB–RAMOND THEORY
Authors: GAO YA-JUN
Published: May 2008

The symmetry structures of the dimensionally reduced Einstein–Kalb–Ramond (EKR) theory is further studied. By using a so-called extended double (ED)-complex method, the usual Riemann–Hilbert (RH) problem is extended to an ED-complex formulation. A pair of ED RH transformations are constructed and they are verified to give infinite-dimensional double symmetry groups of the EKR theory, each of these symmetry groups has the structure of semidirect product of Kac–Moody group [Formula: see text] and Virasoro group. Moreover, the infinitesimal forms of these RH transformations are calculated out and they are found to give exactly the same results as previous, these demonstrate that the pair of ED RH transformations in this paper provide exponentiations of all the infinitesimal symmetries in our previous paper. The finite forms of symmetry transformations given in the present paper are more important and useful for theoretic studies and new solution generation, etc.
SECTOR DECOMPOSITION
Authors: HEINRICH GUDRUN
Published: May 2008

Sector decomposition is a constructive method to isolate divergences from parameter integrals occurring in perturbative quantum field theory. We explain the general algorithm in detail and review its application to multiloop Feynman parameter integrals as well as infrared divergent phase-space integrals over real radiation matrix elements.
Web searching in a multilingual world
Authors: Chung Wingyan
Published: May 2008

Studies of three prototype Web search portals---in Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic---reveal how to best support non-English Web searching.
How intuitive is object-oriented design?
Authors: Hadar Irit , Leron Uri
Published: May 2008

Intuition is a powerful tool that helps us navigate through life, but it can get in the way of more formal processes.
Taming heterogeneous agent architectures
Authors: Garcia Alessandro , Lucena Carlos
Published: May 2008

Using aspect-oriented techniques to construct high-quality multi-agent systems.
Reducing internet auction fraud
Authors: Gavish Bezalel , Tucci Christopher L.
Published: May 2008

When it comes to online auctions, "caveat emptor" is an understatement.
Automatic annotation of Web services based on workflow definitions
Authors: Belhajjame Khalid , Embury Suzanne M. , Paton Norman W. , Stevens Robert , Goble Carole A.
Published: May 2008

Semantic annotations of web services can support the effective and efficient discovery of services, and guide their composition into workflows. At present, however, the practical utility of such annotations is limited by the small number of service annotations available for general use. Manual annotation of services is a time consuming and thus expensive task, so some means are required by which services can be automatically (or semi-automatically) annotated. In this paper, we show how information can be inferred about the semantics of operation parameters based on their connections to other (annotated) operation parameters within tried-and-tested workflows. Because the data links in the workflows do not necessarily contain every possible connection of compatible parameters, we can infer only constraints on the semantics of parameters. We show that despite their imprecise nature these so-called
loose annotations
are still of value in supporting the manual annotation task, inspecting workflows and discovering services. We also show that derived annotations for already annotated parameters are useful. By comparing existing and newly derived annotations of operation parameters, we can support the detection of errors in existing annotations, the ontology used for annotation and in workflows. The derivation mechanism has been implemented, and its practical applicability for inferring new annotations has been established through an experimental evaluation. The usefulness of the derived annotations is also demonstrated.
Supporting the dynamic evolution of Web service protocols in service-oriented architectures
Authors: Ryu Seung Hwan , Casati Fabio , Skogsrud Halvard , Benatallah Boualem , Saint-Paul Régis
Published: May 2008

In service-oriented architectures, everything is a service and everyone is a service provider. Web services (or simply services) are loosely coupled software components that are published, discovered, and invoked across the Web. As the use of Web service grows, in order to correctly interact with them, it is important to understand the business protocols that provide clients with the information on how to interact with services. In dynamic Web service environments, service providers need to constantly adapt their business protocols for reflecting the restrictions and requirements proposed by new applications, new business strategies, and new laws, or for fixing problems found in the protocol definition. However, the effective management of such a protocol evolution raises critical problems: one of the most critical issues is how to handle instances running under the old protocol when it has been changed. Simple solutions, such as aborting them or allowing them to continue to run according to the old protocol, can be considered, but they are inapplicable for many reasons (for example, the loss of work already done and the critical nature of work). In this article, we present a framework that supports service managers in managing the business protocol evolution by providing several features, such as a variety of protocol change impact analyses automatically determining which ongoing instances can be migrated to the new version of protocol, and data mining techniques inferring interaction patterns used for classifying ongoing instances migrateable to the new protocol. To support the protocol evolution process, we have also developed database-backed GUI tools on top of our existing system. The proposed approach and tools can help service managers in managing the evolution of ongoing instances when the business protocols of services with which they are interacting have changed.
Queuing Network Modeling of Transcription Typing
Authors: Wu Changxu , Liu Yili
Published: May 2008

Transcription typing is one of the basic and common activities in human-machine interaction and 34 transcription typing phenomena have been discovered involving many aspects of human performance including interkey time, typing units and spans, typing errors, concurrent task performance, eye movements, and skill effects. Based on the queuing network theory of human performance [Liu 1996; 1997] and current discoveries in cognitive and neural science, this article extends and applies the Queuing Network-Model Human Processor (QN-MHP [Liu et al. 2006]) to model 32 transcription typing phenomena. The queuing network model of transcription typing offers new insights into the mechanisms of cognition and human-computer interaction. Its value in proactive ergonomics design of user interfaces is illustrated and discussed.
A hybrid framework for resource verification in executable model-based embedded system development
Authors: Woo Honguk , Mok Aloysius K. , Browne James C.
Published: May 2008

In this work, we consider the integration of resource safety verification into a design methodology for development of verified and robust real-time embedded systems. Resource-related concerns are not closely linked with current xUML model-based software development although they are critical for embedded systems. Our work employs the hybrid verification framework combining static resource analysis and run-time monitoring schemes.
Exploring chip-multiprocessors in deeply-embedded real-time computing
Authors: Qi Xuan
Published: May 2008

As an energy efficient high-performance architecture, chip multiprocessor (CMP) can be deployed in deeply-embedded real-time computing. In this essay, I propose the application of CMP in deeply-embedded real-time system. I discuss the issues to be addressed such as effective resource modeling, efficient scheduling algorithms, and energy efficient design. And the system and experiment setup to evaluate our model and algorithms will be proposed.
Towards predictable wireless cyber-physical applications
Authors: Chipara Octav , Lu Chenyang
Published: May 2008

Making wireless cyber-physical applications a reality hinges upon understanding how to build applications with predictable performance. A key challange is to develop communication protocols that enable application components to communicate predictably. We plan on developing a framework that brides wireless communication and real-time schedulability theory under a realistic communication and inference model.
Challenges and opportunities in deeply embedded systems security
Authors: Anand Madhukar , Lee Insup
Published: May 2008

Deeply embedded systems present a number of new challenges and opportunities in security. In this essay, we introduce some of them and explore potential ideas for addressing them.
A fingerprint and timing-based snooping attack on residential sensor systems
Authors: Srinivasan Vijay , Stankovic John , Whitehouse Kamin
Published: May 2008

We demonstrate a Fingerprint and Timing-based Snooping (FATS) attack in which private resident information is inferred from the wireless transmissions of sensors in a home, even when all of the transmissions are encrypted. This attack can already be carried out on millions of homes today, and will become more important as ubiquitous computing environments become more prevalent. We address this problem using a suite of privacy solutions and argue that privacy of monitored individuals must be addressed in all design layers in future cyber-physical systems.
UML&AADL '2007 grand challenges
Authors: Gérard Sébastien , Feiler Peter , Rolland Jean-Francois , Filali Mamoun , Reiser Mark-Oliver , Delanote Didier , Berbers Yolande , Pautet Laurent , Perseil Isabelle
Published: May 2008

On today's sharply competitive industrial market, engineers must focus on their core competencies to produce ever more innovative products, while also reducing development times and costs. This has further heightened the complexity of the development process. At the same time, industrial systems, and specifically real-time embedded systems, have become increasingly software-intensive. New software development approaches and methods must therefore be found to free engineers from the even more complex technical constraints of development and to enable them to concentrate on their core business specialties. One emerging solution is to foster model-based development by defining modeling artifacts well-suited to their domain concerns instead of asking them to write code. However, model-driven approaches will be solutions to the previous issues only if models evolves from a contemplative role to a productive role within the development processes. In this context, model transformation is a key design paradigm that will foster this revolution. This paper is the result of discussions and exchanges that took place within the second edition of the workshop "UML&AADL" (http://www.artist-embedded.org/artist/Topics.html) that-was hold in 2007 in Auckland, New Zealand, in conjunction with the ICECCS07 conference. The purpose of this workshop was to gather people of both communities from UML (including its domain specific extensions, with a focus on MARTE) and AADL (including its annexes) in order to foster sharing of results and experiments. More specially this year, the focus was on how both standards do subscribe to the model driven engineering paradigm, or to be more precise, how MDE may ease and foster the usage of both sets of standards for developing real-time embedded systems. This paper will show that, even if the work is not yet finished, the current results seems to be already very promising.
Current Guidelines for Dyspepsia Management
Authors: Ford Alexander C. , Moayyedi Paul
Published: May 2008

Background: Dyspepsia is a global problem and the management of the condition remains a considerable burden on health care resources. Many countries have adopted evidence-based guidelines for the management of the condition, in an attempt to reduce health care expenditure. This article compares and contrasts dyspepsia management guidelines from several geographical regions. Methods: We obtained current guidelines from five regions and examined composition of guideline development groups, methodology involved, definition of dyspepsia utilized, and recommendations in terms of first-line approach, age cutoff for prompt upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, and subsequent role of endoscopy. Results: All guidelines carried out extensive reviews of the literature to inform their recommendations. The majority used a definition of dyspepsia in line with the Rome criteria. All agreed that alarm symptoms at any age warranted prompt endoscopy, and most recommended an age cutoff of between 50 and 55 years for endoscopy as an initial management strategy. In young patients without alarm symptoms, either ‘test and treat’ or empirical acid suppression were the initial management strategies of choice in all cases, with only one guideline recommending mandatory endoscopy in those whose symptoms failed to settle after this approach. Conclusions: Despite varying composition of guideline development groups and the different geographical regions, the recommendation of all the guidelines were remarkably similar, reflecting the quality of research conducted by the GI community as a whole.
An International Primary Care Survey of GERD Terminology and Guidelines
Authors: Vakil Nimish , Malfertheiner Peter , Salis Graciela , Flook Nigel , Hongo Michio
Published: May 2008

Background: Terminology used to describe upper gastrointestinal disorders differs by country and language. However, the extent of variation in physician understanding of GERD and associated conditions and symptoms is not known. Aim: To determine the knowledge of primary care physicians with regard to: terminology related to GERD, their understanding of related complications and extra-esophageal symptoms/conditions, and their use of guidelines relating to GERD. Methods: Gastroenterologists from 17 countries asked primary care physician colleagues to complete a one-page online survey on GERD. Results: 352 primary care physicians, (77% community-based, 23% hospital-based) completed the questionnaire. Gastroesophageal reflux disease/GERD (84%) or reflux/reflux disease (47%) were the terms mostly often used to record a diagnosis for patients with reflux-related symptoms or clinical manifestations; dyspepsia (15%), epigastric pain (10%), and gastritis (9%) were infrequently used. Erosive esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, stricture, and esophageal adenocarinoma were recognized as being associated with GERD by 88, 71, 61 and 51% of physicians, respectively. Extra-esophageal problems of cough, sleep-related disorders, laryngitis and asthma were recognized to be associated with GERD by 74, 50, 48 and 47% of respondents. Thirty-nine percent of physicians stated that they did not use a specific definition of GERD; 33% used an international and 14% used a national guideline in managing patients. Conclusions: (1) GERD is well recognized, but its related terminology is variable throughout the world. (2) There was variable and incomplete recognition of extra-esophageal manifestations GERD. (3) Recognition of extra-esophageal diseases caused by GERD is variable. (4) Current GERD guidelines are infrequently used by primary care physicians.
Vitamin D Deficiency in the Absence of Enteropathy in Three Cases with Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Authors: Ardeniz Ömür , Avcı Çığır Biray , Sin Aytul , Özgen Gökhan , Gunsar Fulya , Mete Nihal , Gulbahar Okan , Kokuludag Ali
Published: May 2008

Background: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and a defect in antibody production. Herein we describe 3 patients diagnosed with CVID in whom vitamin D deficiency was detected in the absence of enteropathy. Methods: Biochemical and immunological analysis, serum osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone, 25-OH vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin E, urinary calcium, and deoxypyridinoline measurements were carried out. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression was examined in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and hair follicles by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. VDR gene polymorphism was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: None of the patients presented nutrient deficiencies other than vitamin D. Two of them were free of osteomalacia-related symptoms. VDR expression was found to be lower in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and hair follicles when compared to the control group. Conclusions: Patients with CVID may present asymptomatic vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D and VDRs play an important role in the innate immune system and modulate Toll-like receptor-related responses. Delay in diagnosis may predispose these patients not only to irreparable bone loss but also to infections, and autoimmune and malignant disorders, thus emphasizing the importance of prompt intervention.
Benefit Evaluation in Vitiligo Treatment: Development and Validation of a Patient-Defined Outcome Questionnaire
Authors: Augustin M. , Gajur A.I. , Reich C. , Rustenbach S.J. , Schaefer I.
Published: May 2008

Background: In addition to clinical efficacy, patient-defined benefit assessment has become an important outcome parameter. Thus far, no such instrument has been developed for vitiligo. Objectives: Development and validation of a patient-defined benefit questionnaire in the therapy of vitiligo. Methods: Open questioning of 50 vitiligo patients generated 110 benefit items, which were converted into a 26-item questionnaire by a panel of dermatologists, psychologists and patients. This was used to record patient-defined needs prior to therapy and to evaluate patient benefit attained after therapy. A ‘patient benefit index’ (PBI) was formed on the basis of both. Validation was based on data of n = 1,023 vitiligo patients. Results: The questionnaires were feasible in clinical practice, Cronbach’s α (patient need questionnaire) was 0.94. The PBI showed convergent and discriminant validity with respect to quality of life and patient satisfaction. Conclusion: The PBI for vitiligo is a valid instrument, which is highly accepted in practice for recording patient-reported benefit.
A Metabonomic and Proteomic Analysis of Changes in IMCD3 Cells Chronically Adapted to Hypertonicity
Authors: Klawitter Jost , Rivard Christopher J. , Brown Lewis M. , Capasso Juan M. , Almeida Nestor E. , Maunsbach Arvid B. , Pihakaski-Maunsbach Kaarina , Berl Tomas , Leibfritz Dieter , Christians Uwe , Chan Laurence
Published: May 2008

Background: The genomic response to adaptation of IMCD3 cells to hypertonicity results in both upregulation and downregulation of a variety of genes. Method: The present study was undertaken to assess the metabonomic and proteomic response of IMCD3 cells that have been chronically adapted to hypertonicity (600 and 900 mosm/kg H2O) as compared to cells under isotonic conditions. Results: Adaptation of IMCD3 cells to hypertonic conditions resulted in a change of a wide range of organic osmolytes, including sorbitol (+8,291%), betaine (+1,099%), myo-inositol (+669%), taurine (+113%) and glycerophosphorylcholine (+61%). Evaluation of the polyol pathway for sorbitol production revealed a reduction in sorbitol dehydrogenase and an increase in aldose reductase mRNA in adapted cells. Proteome analysis revealed increased expression of six glycolytic proteins, including malic enzyme and pyruvate carboxylase, indicating the activation of the pyruvate shunt and changes in glucose metabolism. This study showed that the observed reduction in cell replication could possibly reflect a redirection of cellular energy from cell growth and replication to maintenance of intracellular ion levels in chronically adapted cells. Conclusion: The combined metabonomic and proteomic analysis was shown to be a very helpful tool for the analysis of the effects caused by chronic adaptation to hypertonicity. It made it possible to better evaluate the importance of certain changes that occur in the process of adaptation.
Rubidium, Salami and Depression
Authors: Canavese Caterina , DeCostanzi Ester , Bergamo Daniela , Sabbioni Enrico , Stratta Piero
Published: May 2008

Background: Depression may induce malnutrition, but, as a paradoxical hypothesis, malnutrition may induce depression. This relationship, of course, depends on how we define malnutrition. Current Knowledge: Rubidium is a trace element strongly linked with depression, and is deficient in uremia sufferers. However, in uremic patients, rubidium deficiency is more evident during predialysis, as it is at least partially corrected during dialysis and after transplantation. It seems that diet restrictions might be the main cause of rubidium deficiency, as it is mainly found in red meat. Conclusion: If rubidium is found in salami, then the occasional slice could be more beneficial for people suffering from depression than taking a lot of medication.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation over the Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Disrupts Digit Span Task Performance
Authors: Aleman André , van’t Wout Mascha
Published: May 2008

The digit span task measures the maintenance of information in short-term memory, and is one of the most widely used tests in clinical and experimental neuropsychology. Functional imaging studies have suggested a role of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in digit span performance. It remains unclear however, whether activation of this area is critical for task performance. Using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the right DLPFC in a sham-controlled design, we tested the hypothesis of the involvement of the right DLPFC in digit span task performance. We observed a significant disruption of digit span performance in healthy subjects in the real rTMS condition as compared to the sham condition. This effect of rTMS did not differ between digits forward and digits backward. Our results suggest that the right DLPFC is critical for central executive processes utilized by the digits forward and backward tasks.
Neuroglobin in the Rat Brain: Localization
Authors: Hundahl Christian Ansgar , Allen Gregg C. , Nyengaard Jens Randel , Dewilde Sylvia , Carter Bruce Douglas , Kelsen Jesper , Hay-Schmidt Anders
Published: May 2008

Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a neuronal hemeprotein similar to myoglobin and hemoglobin and shares their capability for oxygen binding. It has thus been proposed that Ngb acts as an oxygen reservoir or combats reactive oxygen species. In the present study, we investigated the Ngb expression pattern in the rat brain using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). This revealed the interesting finding that Ngb expression is restricted to a few neurone populations, many of which are involved in the sleep-wake cycle, circadian regulation or food regulation. In the forebrain we found intense Ngb expression in neurones in the piriform cortex, the central and medial amygdala, the medial preoptic area, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, the perifornical nucleus, the lateral hypothalamus. Within the mid- and hindbrain Ngb expressing neurones were found in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, the pedunculo pontine tegmental nucleus, the locus coeruleus, and the lateral parabrachial nucleus. In the medulla oblongata Ngb expressing neurones were found in the nucleus of the solitary tract. The qRT-PCR data showed a diurnal variation of Ngb mRNA in the SCN, having a peak in the day time (light-period) and nadir during night (dark-period).
Physical Fitness and Cognitive Function in an 85-Year-Old Community-Dwelling Population
Authors: Takata Y. , Ansai T. , Soh I. , Kimura Y. , Yoshitake Y. , Sonoki K. , Awano S. , Kagiyama S. , Yoshida A. , Nakamichi I. , Hamasaki T. , Torisu T. , Toyoshima K. , Takehara T.
Published: May 2008

Background: Little is known about the association between physical fitness and cognitive function in very elderly people (over 80 years of age). Objectives: To evaluate that relationship in 85-year-old community-dwelling individuals. Methods: Out of 207 participants (90 males, 117 females) who were 85 years old and community-dwelling, 205 completed the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for evaluating cognitive function. The numbers of subjects who completed physical fitness measurements such as hand-grip strength, isometric leg extensor strength, one-leg standing time, stepping rate, and walking speed were 198, 159, 169, 168, and 151, respectively. Results: There were significant associations in MMSE with hand-grip strength (right or left hand), isometric leg extensor strength, stepping rate, and walking speed by simple regression analysis. MMSE was still significantly associated with hand-grip strength (β = 0.305, p = 0.005 for right side; β = 0.309, p = 0.004 for left side), stepping rate (β = 0.183, p = 0.046), and walking speed (β = –0.222, p = 0.014) by multiple regression analysis after adjustments for the amount of education, gender, smoking, drinking, complication of stroke, body weight, body height, regular medical care, serum albumin, blood HbA1c, and marital status. By logistic regression analysis, the prevalence of a normal MMSE score (MMSE ≧24) was increased by 9% with each 1-kg increase in hand-grip strength of the left hand (OR 1.087, 95% CI 1.003–1.179, p = 0.042), and was increased by 6% with each step per 10 s in stepping rate (OR 1.060, 95% CI 1.000–1.122, p = 0.048). Conclusion: In a very elderly population of 85-year-olds, cognitive function was associated with some physical fitness measurements, independent of confounding factors.
Characteristics of Hospital Inpatient Falls across Clinical Departments
Authors: Schwendimann René , Bühler Hugo , De Geest Sabina , Milisen Koen
Published: May 2008

Background: Hospital inpatient falls are common and may lead to injuries and prolonged hospitalization. Although hospital studies have reported overall fall rates and injuries associated with falls, few have addressed population characteristics and circumstances of falls across clinical departments within a hospital setting. Objective: To determine inpatient fall rates in an urban public hospital and to explore associated characteristics across clinical departments. Methods: The study was conducted in a 300-bed urban public hospital in Switzerland from 1999 to 2003. Patient data and data from the hospital’s standardized fall reporting system on hospital inpatients’ first falls, along with associated characteristics, across the departments of internal medicine, geriatrics and surgery, were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and statistical tests: χ2 and ANOVA tests with multiple comparisons tests (post-hoc analysis) were used. Results: Over this 5-year period, 34,972 patients were hospitalized (female 53.6%; mean age 67.3 ± 19.3 years; mean length of stay 11.9 ± 13.2 days) including 2,512 patients (7.5%) who experienced at least one fall during their hospitalization (geriatrics 24.8%; internal medicine 8.8%; surgery 1.9%). The fall rates per 1,000 patient (adjusted for age) days differed significantly between all of the departments (geriatrics 10.7; internal medicine 9.6; surgery: 3.2) (p < 0.001). Overall, 30.1% of the patients who fell experienced minor injuries and 5.1% major injuries. In geriatrics, fall-related circumstances such as transferring were more common (40.4%) than in medicine (33%) or surgery (30.4%) (p < 0.001), whereas falling out of bed was rarer (16.4%) (surgery 27.1%; internal medicine 20.5%) (p < 0.001). In addition, the prevalence of risk factors among patients who fell varied significantly among clinical departments, except for impaired cognition and narcotic use. Conclusion: In the hospital studied, inpatient falls are significantly more common in departments of geriatrics and internal medicine than in surgical departments. Fall rates, related injuries and circumstances of inpatient falls varied significantly among clinical departments, probably due to differences in patient characteristics. When monitoring falls, hospitals should therefore consider differences in characteristics associated with patient falls across clinical departments. High priorities should be allocated in view of identifying patients at risk of falling and implementing fall prevention strategies and interventions.
Chromosome banding pattern homology and its phylogenetic implications in the bat genera Carolliaand Choeroniscus
Authors: Stock Dean
Published: May 2008

A comparison of the chromosome banding patterns of the mitotic chromosomes of three species of bats of the genus Carollia and Choeroniscus intermedius revealed considerable banding pattern homology between the Carollia species but not between Carollia and Choeroniscus The G-band patterns of the chromosomes of the Carollia species were similar, but the C-band (heterochromatin) pattern of C. castanea (Peru) lacked much of the heterochromatin common to the other two species. C. castanea also lacked the X-autosome translocation possessed by the other two species. A system for denoting such sex-chromosome translocations is presented rather than presenting the chromosomes involved as multiple sex chromosomes. The G- and C-banding patterns of Choeroniscus intermedius did not resemble those of Carollia, and the placement of these bat genera into different subfamilies is supported.
Systematic approach to the study of trisomy in the mouse. II
Authors: Gropp A. , Kolbus U. , Giers D.
Published: May 2008

In pursuit of attempts at a systematic study of autosomal trisomy in the mouse, an experimental model is presented which permits the induction of specific trisomic conditions. It is based on (1) the occurrence of considerable rates of meiotic anaphase I malsegregation of double metacentric heterozygotes with monobrachial homology, (2) the expectation that trisomics may be found among the unbalanced conditions in the progeny of crosses of the double heterozygotes with “all acrocentric” mice, and (3) the observation that trisomy, in contrast to monosomy or combined monosomy plus trisomy, is the only unbalanced condition surviving beyond day 10. In this design, the specific nature of the trisomy is predetermined by the choice of the double metacentric heterozygote combination and recognized by such criteria as chromosome arm number and the presence of both metacentrics. All trisomic conditions of the mouse so far studied inevitably lead to early or late fetal death. Although the possibility of a systematic survey of all 19 possible autosomal trisomies in the mouse can be anticipated, this report is limited to a study of trisomies (Ts) 1, 8, 11, 12, and 17. Ts 8, 11, and 17 cause severe developmental inhibition at an early stage of development. Death occurs about day 11 or 12. Ts 1 displays a syndrome of moderate to marked developmental retardation and slight to more distinctly disproportionate hypoplasia. These embryos may survive until day 15. In contrast, a lesser extent of hypoplasia and retardation is observed in Ts 12, which, however, almost regularly shows exencephaly and microphtalmia. Obviously, variation of the severity of phenotypic manifestation of the trisomic conditions is due to genie heterogeneity of the animals used in the present study. Current attempts are directed to introduce a sufficient number of metacentrics in a defined background, thus providing the means for future systematic studies of the phenotypic expression of gross genomic imbalance.
Incidence and origin of heteroploidy, especially haploidy, in chick embryos from intraline and interline matings
Authors: Snyder M.D. , Fechheimer N.S , Jaap R.G.
Published: May 2008

Preparations for chromosomal analysis were made from 2107 chick embryos at 16 hours of incubation. The embryos resulted from intraline and reciprocal interline matings of two genetically different stocks (AG and D6). The two stocks had been previously characterized as producers of high (AG) and low (D6) frequencies of chromosomally aberrant embryos. The overall frequency of aberrant embryos was 4.0 ± 0.42 %. The types and frequencies of abnormalities were: haploidy and haploid-euploid mosaics, 57 %; polyploidy and polyploid-diploid mosaics, 19%; aneuploidy, 17%; aneuploid-diploid mosaics, 5%; and structural aberrations, 2 %. Although there were no significant differences among the four types of matings in the overall frequency of heteroploid embryos (P > 0.1), a significant difference (P < 0.01) in the frequency of haploid and haploid-euploid mosaic embryos was found. The difference was entirely attributable to the line of dam; D6 dams had 1.2% and AG dams had 2.7 % haploid and haploid-euploid mosaic embryos. The difference between lines of sires was not significant. In addition, there was evidence of nonrandom distribution, among dams of both lines, of haploid and haploid-euploid mosaic embryos. It was concluded that the genotype of dam is an important influencing factor in the production of haploid cell lines in embryos. The superfluous genome in triploid embryos is usually maternal in origin, resulting from retention of the second polar body in the ovum. Sex-chromosome aneuploidy in chick embryos apparently derives from nondisjunction at meiosis I of oogenesis. The sex proportion of 2023 chromosomally sexed, diploid embryos was 50.2 ± 1.1 % male. No significant heterogeneity was observed among the types of matings. Sex proportion was not significantly influenced by any of a number of nongenetic variables.
Cytological assessment of meiotic exchange in a human male with a pericentric inversion of chromosome No. 4
Authors: van der Linden A.G.J.M. , Pearson P.L. , van de Kamp J.J.P.
Published: May 2008

Mitotic chromosome studies carried out on a newborn male infant with congenital abnormalities and on his family members showed that the father and paternal grandmother were heterozygotes for an unequal pericentric inversion. The child appeared to have inherited a recombinant duplication/deletion chromosome. The results of meiotic studies carried out on a testicular biopsy from the father were used to ascertain the risk of recurrence of chromosomal abnormalities in future pregnancies. A model is presented which permits the analysis of C-banded diakinetic chromosomes as to whether crossing-over has occurred within the inversion segment or not. In the present study, it was estimated that either one or two cross-overs had occurred in 52 % of the cells within the inversion segment. This would result in approximately 26% of the spermatozoa carrying either one of two types of duplication/deficiencies of chromosome No. 4.
Is late replication of the inactive X chromosome irreversible in all cells of mammals?
Authors: Rao S.R.V. , Jhanwar S.C.
Published: May 2008

The X chromosomes of the female bandicoot rat (Nesokia indica) were 3H-thymidine labeled during two consecutive cell divisions to determine if all of the same segments of the “triplicate-type” X chromosome of these animals always replicated late. In 87 % of metaphases examined the findings were as expected. One entire X chromosome (Xi) and the long arm of the other X (X2) synthesized DNA late in the S phase in both divisions. However, in the other 13 % of the metaphases, the late-replicating and presumably genetically inactive short-arm segments of the Xi chromosome had completed DNA synthesis by the time it entered the late-S phase of the second cycle. Thus, in this species, some cells appear to have an X chromosome of which the facultative heteropycnotic segment condenses in one cell cycle but becomes euchromatic in the subsequent cell cycle. Although this appears at first to be inconsistent with the generally accepted pattern of X-chromosome condensation and genetic inactivation, it may represent an instance of evolutionary specialization for an as yet unexplained reason. It is also possible that closer analysis of other mammalian species with composite sex chromosomes or methods equally suitable for this type of analysis will reveal other instances where a minority of the somatic cells of females do not follow the predictions of the Lyon hypothesis completely.
Heavy shoulder DNA in snakes
Authors: Comings D.E. , Avelino E. , Beçak W.
Published: May 2008

Previous studies have suggested that the microchromosomes of birds may contain a distinct type of DNA termed heavy shoulder DNA. To examine whether a similar relationship might hold for the microchromosomes in snakes, Boa constrictor, Cieiia occipitolutea, and Liophis miliaris were examined. Although these possess 20, 36, and 0 microchromosomes respectively, only Boa constrictor had significant amounts of heavy shoulder DNA.
Y/22 translocation in a YY male
Authors: Lundsteen C. , Philip J.
Published: May 2008

A male individual with two fluorescent Y-chromatin bodies in a buccal smear taken from him and 46 chromosomes in his dividing lymphocytes was shown by banding techniques to carry a Y/22 translocation.
X-Y chromosome dissociation and sterility in the mouse
Authors: Beechey C.V.
Published: May 2008

A sterile male mouse with absence of the normal X-Y chromosome association at meiotic metaphase I is described. The X and Y chromosomes were seen together in the sex vesicle at pachytene, but they became separated soon after this stage. No secondary spermatocytes were found in air-dried testicular chromosome preparations, and no spermatozoa were seen in the epididymes. The mitotic chromosomes of the sterile mouse were normal. The father and a fertile brother of the sterile male had a higher-than-normal proportion of spermatocytes with failure of X-Y chromosome association at metaphase I. The ratios of the length of the X to the length of the Y chromosome in the sterile male, the fertile brother, and a chromosomally normal male of the same stock were not significantly different. Seventeen other tested sibs of the sterile male proved to be fully fertile. The mating in which the sterile male was found gave small litters with an excess of males (31 males:14 females). Some possible causes of the sterility are discussed.
Structural basis of banding pattern of human chromosomes
Authors: Cervenka J. , Thorn Hattie L. , Gorlin R.J.
Published: May 2008

Human chromosomes treated to demonstrate centromeric heterochromatin and trypsin-induced bands were observed under the scanning electron microscope and by Nomarski phase-contrast optics. The bulging appearance of the bands suggests that extracting the DNA with the proper agents will result in an alteration of the three-dimensional structure of the chromosome. The bands take up more Giemsa stain simply because of the higher density of the remaining chromatin in particular areas.
A microculture technique for chick leukocytes
Authors: Zartman D.L.
Published: May 2008

A technique for producing a microculture of chicken leukocytes for chromosome analysis is presented. The technique is simple, reliable, and efficient. It is unique in its application to small birds and its allowance for repeated successful sampling of cells from a single bird without contingent chemical effects.
A quantitative analysis of Colcemid-induced chromosomal nondisjunction in Chinese hamster cells in vitro
Authors: Cox D.M.
Published: May 2008

A quantitative analysis of Colcemid-induced chromosomal nondisjunction in cultured Chinese hamster cells is presented. Chromosome counts were made immediately following nondisjunction and also determined for colonies arising after treatment. Nondisjunction of a single chromosome occurred randomly. When two or more chromosomes were involved, the process was nonrandom and appeared to be independent of chromosome size. The frequency distribution of the extra chromosomes in single and multiple trisomic clones which survived Colcemid treatment was nonrandom, although every group could be involved. Monosomy appeared in 0.8 % of the surviving clones. Although monosomy for each chromosome grouping was observed immediately after nondisjunction, only monosomics involving the smaller chromosomes proliferated beyond this stage to form a colony.
Giant satellites or translocation?
Authors: Wilson Miriam G. , Fujimoto A. , Shinno Nancy W. , Towner J.W.
Published: May 2008

An infant with craniostenosis and retardation was found to have giant satellites on chromosome No. 13. Trypsin-Giemsa banding studies demonstrated, in addition, a partially deleted short arm of chromosome No. 7. The chromosome analysis from the child was tentatively interpreted as 46,XX,t(7p–;13s+). The parents showed normal results from chromosome analysis, including normal Giemsa banding patterns and no giant satellites. The relationship of the karyotype to the child’s abnormalities is unknown. This study indicates the advisability of routine Giemsa banding techniques for the evaluation of karyotypes interpreted as normal or unresolved in the instance of pheno-typically abnormal patients and for the evaluation of karyotypes with “minor” chromosome variants.
Contribution of mathematical analysis to the comparative cytogenetic study of hybrid cell clones
Authors: Berebbi Monique , LePoint P. , Fondarai J. , Meyer G.
Published: May 2008

In a previous work, we showed that various clones derived from an intra-species hybrid of Chinese hamster cells could differ in certain characteristics, particularly in that of transplantability. We performed a statistical analysis of the mode and variation in chromosome pairs with the aim of correlating these differences with the chromosomal constitution of these clones. The analysis of simple variance using chi square allowed us to follow the variations on different chromosome pairs within the same cell population and to test for significant differences between the clones. However, although the analysis of principal components allowed us to show a difference between two clones, we were not able to pin down the cancer factor on any particular chromosome. Nevertheless, we have been able to show that after passage in animals there is a selection of the tumor cells of low chromosome mode. This selection can also occur in vitro, but in this case subsequent passage in vivo does not produce any modification in the chromosome mode of the inoculated cells.
Pericentric inversion, inv(10), in a mother and aneusomy by recombination, inv(10),rec(10), in her son
Authors: Dutrillaux B. , Laurent C. , Robert J.M. , Lejeune J.
Published: May 2008

Cytogenetic analysis by R-banding and T-banding techniques demonstrated a pericentric inversion of chromosome No. 10 in a woman and a duplication-deficiency in her abnormal son. This “aneusomy by recombination,” which was compatible with a brief survival, is explained by the relatively distal position of the break points. Crossingover inside the large inverted segment produced an important duplication and a small deficiency.
Nondisjunction and reduced fertility caused by the tobacco mouse metacentric chromosomes
Authors: Cattanach B.M. , Moseley H.
Published: May 2008

Each of the seven tobacco mouse metacentric chromosomes has been found to lead to nondisjunction when carried heterozygously with the house mouse acro-centrics, but the frequency is not the same for each chromosome. This was observed by screening metaphase II cells of males for aneuploidy and scoring zygotic loss among the progeny. The nondisjunction frequencies did not appear to be correlated either with chromosome size or centromere position. Considerable heterogeneity existed between individuals heterozygous for any one metacentric. Other abnormalities also were detected: some evidence of nondisjunction in metacentric homozygotes, small testis size and reduced sperm production among homozygotes, and crossover suppression between the metacentrics and the homologous acrocentrics in heterozygotes. It is concluded from these observations that a large part of the nondisjunction observed when the tobacco mouse metacentrics are carried heterozygously with the house mouse acrocentrics may result not from the structural heterozygosity per se but rather from other genie or minor chromosomal differences which reflect the fact that the chromosomes are derived from two different species. Linkage data which permit the assignment of linkage group (LG) VII to chromosome 11 and LG XVI to chromosome 12 are also presented. The location of the centromere in each LG is identified.
Karyotype analysis of Xenopus tropicalis Gray, Pipidae
Authors: Tymowska Janina
Published: May 2008

A cytological analysis of the anuran species Xenopus tropicalis was performed. The diploid chromosome number is 2n = 20, whereas two other Xenopus species previously analyzed, laevis and muelleri, have 2n = 36. In X. tropicalis the morphology of the various chromosome groups differs from the other two species. The karyotype arranged according to size of chromosomes and centromere position falls into six morphological groups of chromosomes. Two distinct pairs bear secondary constrictions. Neither of these is similar to the constriction-bearing chromosomes of X. laevis (nucleolar organizer) or X. muelleri. The aspect of their association is also different. There is no evidence for sex-chromosome hetero-morphism. The karyotype analysis suggests that X. tropicalis is systematically quite separate from the two other species mentioned above.
Do homologous chromosomes differ?
Authors: Moore II D.H.
Published: May 2008

Two statistics are derived for testing whether measurements on otherwise indistinguishable chromosome pairs differ. The power of these tests is shown as well as a method for estimating the true homolog means. The tests and estimation procedures are simple to compute, and their use is illustrated on chromosome data. Results of applying the methods indicate that they are useful in discovering heretofore undetectable differences between homologous chromosomes.
Chromosomal banding patterns of two paracentric inversions in mice
Authors: Davisson Muriel T. , Roderick T.H.
Published: May 2008

We have used banding techniques to study the chromosomes of mice heterozygous for two genetically defined paracentric inversions, In(l)lRk and In(2)5Rk. The banding patterns of each inversion-carrying chromosome had an inverted region, and the relative lengths of the genetically and cytologically defined segments were comparable.