bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: WALKING THE BOUNDARY
Authors: Foerst Anne
Published: December 2005

Abstract. Theology and science generally conduct research independently, with no interchange. The possibility for mutual enrichment often is thwarted because people working in the two fields have very different worldviews, which are mostly held subconsciously. In this paper I will try to establish a dialogue of mutual enrichment. I have chosen artificial intelligence (AI) as an exemplary scientific discipline and the theology of Paul Tillich as a complement. I reinterpret Tillich's concept of sin to introduce a framework for a dialogue between the two. This framework aims to prevent people from either camp from assuming the existence of absolute truth and thus creating a dogmatism. Paradoxically, it also prevents people from being relativistic. The aim is to overcome mutual indifference and ignorance.
ZYGON'S 1996 EXPEDITION INTO NEUROSCIENCE AND RELIGION
Authors: Albright Carol Rausch
Published: December 2005

Abstract. Neuroscience is in a period of explosive growth. To address the implications of the new findings for religion and science, Zyvon in 1996 published fifteen articles in this field. Although the authors'explorations of neuroscience and religion are various, three issues in particular are addressed repeatedly: (1) the nature of human identity, or hallmarks of humanness; (2) the nature and origin of religious consciousness; and (3) our means of discovering or constructing order and integration in the brain/mind, in the environment, and holistically. With these categories as templates, this article correlates the findings of the Zygon neuroscience contributors of 1996.
Estimating Numbers of Infectious Units from Serial Dilution Assays
Authors: Stallard Nigel , Gravenor Mike B. , Curnow Robert N.
Published: December 2005

The paper concerns the design and analysis of serial dilution assays to estimate the infectivity of a sample of tissue when it is assumed that the sample contains a finite number of indivisible infectious units such that a subsample will be infectious if it contains one or more of these units. The aim of the study is to estimate the number of infectious units in the original sample. The standard approach to the analysis of data from such a study is based on the assumption of independence of aliquots both at the same dilution level and at different dilution levels, so that the numbers of infectious units in the aliquots follow independent Poisson distributions. An alternative approach is based on calculation of the expected value of the total number of samples tested that are not infectious. We derive the likelihood for the data on the basis of the discrete number of infectious units, enabling calculation of the maximum likelihood estimate and likelihood-based confidence intervals. We use the exact probabilities that are obtained to compare the maximum likelihood estimate with those given by the other methods in terms of bias and standard error and to compare the coverage of the confidence intervals. We show that the methods have very similar properties and conclude that for practical use the method that is based on the Poisson assumption is to be recommended, since it can be implemented by using standard statistical software. Finally we consider the design of serial dilution assays, concluding that it is important that neither the dilution factor nor the number of samples that remain untested should be too large.
Fertility and Employment in Italy, France, and the UK
Authors: Boca Daniela Del , Pasqua Silvia , Pronzato Chiara
Published: December 2005

Abstract. According to the agenda for employment set by the European Union in 2000 for the following 10 years, the target for female employment was set at 60 per cent for the year 2010. Although Northern and most Continental countries have achieved this quantitative target, the Mediterranean countries are lagging behind. Labor market policies should be aimed to encourage women's participation and reduce the cost of working. However, the persistence of a negative relationship between participation and fertility in these countries implies that it is important to take fertility into account. We analyse a model of labor supply and fertility, using data from the European Community Household Panel (ECHP) for the period 1994–2000, merged with regional data describing the available labor market opportunities in the households’ environment.
New Mothers’ Labour Force Participation in Italy: The Role of Job Characteristics
Authors: Bratti Massimiliano , Bono Emilia Del , Vuri Daniela
Published: December 2005

Abstract.  In this paper we use newly available individual‐level data from the Longitudinal Survey of Italian Households to investigate the factors associated with female labour force participation after the birth of the first child. We focus on the role of pre‐marital job characteristics and find that new mothers who worked without a contract are less likely to participate, while those who worked in the public sector or in a large private firm have a higher probability of being in the labour force after childbearing. We suggest that these effects could be at least partly attributed to differences in the level of job protection and employment stability enjoyed by workers. This implies that in Italy women with highly protected and stable jobs might find it easier to combine career and family, whereas those who are less sheltered by the legislation might be more likely to be inactive after becoming mothers.
Cost of Childcare and Female Employment in the UK
Authors: Viitanen Tarja K.
Published: December 2005

Abstract.  Mothers of young children may be prevented from working because of the high cost of available, formal childcare. In the UK, the typical cost of a nursery place is more than the average household spends a year on either food or housing. This study examines the extent to which female labour force participation is affected by the cost of formal childcare. The results suggest that childcare price subsidies have a modest impact both on labour force participation and on the use of formal childcare.
Psychopathy, startle blink modulation, and electrodermal reactivity in twin men
Authors: Benning Stephen D. , Patrick Christopher J. , Iacono William G.
Published: December 2005

Psychopathy is a personality disorder with interpersonal–emotional and antisocial deviance facets. This study investigated these facets of psychopathy prospectively using normal‐range personality traits in a community sample of young adult men who completed a picture‐viewing task that included startle blink and skin conductance measures, like tasks used to study psychopathy in incarcerated men. Consistent with prior research, scores on the interpersonal–emotional facet of psychopathy (“fearless dominance”) were associated with deficient fear‐potentiated startle. Conversely, scores on the social deviance facet of psychopathy (“impulsive antisociality”) were associated with smaller overall skin conductance magnitudes. Participants high in fearless dominance also exhibited deficient skin conductance magnitudes specifically to aversive pictures. Findings encourage further investigation of psychopathy and its etiology in community samples.
Effects of aging and working memory demands on prospective memory
Authors: West Robert , Bowry Ritvij
Published: December 2005

The current study used event‐related brain potentials (ERPs) to examine the effects of aging, increasing the working memory demands of the ongoing activity, and a prospective memory load on the neural correlates of prospective remembering and target recognition. The behavioral data revealed that the success of prospective memory was sensitive to working memory load in younger, but not older, adults and that a prospective memory load had a greater effect on the performance of older adults than that of younger adults. The ERP data revealed age‐related differences in the neural correlates of the detection of prospective cues, post‐retrieval processes that support prospective memory, and target recognition. Our results support the hypothesis that there are age‐related differences in the ability to recruit preparatory attentional processes that underlie prospective memory, and demonstrate that younger and older adults may recruit somewhat different neural generators to support prospective memory and working memory.
Differentiation between protective reflexes: Cardiac defense and startle
Authors: Ramírez Isabel , Sánchez María B. , Fernández María Carmen , Lipp Ottmar V. , Vila Jaime
Published: December 2005

Rise time and duration are two parametric characteristics of the eliciting stimulus frequently used to differentiate among psychophysiological reflexes. The present research varied the duration (study 1) and rise time (study 2) of an intense acoustic stimulus to dissociate cardiac defense and cardiac startle using the eyeblink response as the external criterion of startle. In each study, 100 participants were presented with five white noise stimuli of 105 dB under one of five duration (50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 ms) or rise time (0, 24, 48, 96, and 240 ms) conditions. Cardiac defense was affected by stimulus duration, present only in the 500‐ and 1000‐ms conditions, but not by stimulus rise time, present in all rise time conditions. Rise time affected blink startle, but did not selectively alter the short latency accelerative component of the heart rate response, thus questioning whether it reflects startle.
The relationship between hepatic immunoglobulin production and CD154 expression in chronic liver diseases
Authors: Mayo Marlyn J. , Mosby James M. , Jeyarajah Rohan , Combes Burton , Khilnani Smina , Al‐halimi Maha , Handem Iorna , Grammer Amrie C. , Lipsky Peter E.
Published: December 2005

Abstract: Background: CD40–CD154 is a receptor–ligand pair that provides key communication signals between cells of the adaptive immune system in states of inflammation and autoimmunity. The CD40 receptor is expressed constitutively on B lymphocytes, for which it provides important signals regulating clonal expansion and antibody production. CD154 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, which is primarily expressed by activated T cells.

Methods: Because many chronic liver diseases are characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the liver and several have increased immunoglobulin (Ig) production, the role of CD40–CD154 in hepatic Ig production was investigated in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), hepatitis C, hepatitis B, alcoholic and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis, as well as normal controls.

Results: Soluble CD154 levels in the serum were found to be no different in chronic liver diseases vs normal controls. Likewise, CD154 mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells did not differ. However, mRNA for CD154 was significantly increased in the liver of individuals with PBC and AIH as compared with the other groups. The quantity of CD154 mRNA in the liver correlated positively with the quantity of mRNA for secretory Ig.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that CD40–CD154 signals may be involved in Ig production within the liver of autoimmune liver diseases.
Reduced heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity in primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Newton Julia L. , Allen John , Kerr Simon , Jones David E. J.
Published: December 2005

Abstract: Background: Standardized mortality ratio for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is 2.87. Even after accounting for liver and cancer‐related deaths there is an unexplained excess mortality associated with PBC. We have assessed heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) risk factors associated with cardiovascular mortality, in 57 PBC patients and age‐ and sex‐matched normal controls.

Methods: HRV and BRS were measured non‐invasively in subjects and controls. Beat to beat RR interval and ‘Portapres’ blood pressure data were processed using power spectral analysis. Power was calculated in very low frequency (VLF), low‐frequency (LF) and high‐frequency (HF) bands according to international guidelines. BRS (α) was computed using cross‐spectrum analysis. Patients also underwent fatigue severity assessment using a measure validated for use in PBC.

Results: PBC patients had significantly lower total HRV compared with controls (P=0.02), with the reduction occurring predominantly in the LF domain (P=0.03). BRS was also significantly reduced compared with controls (P=0.02). There were no significant differences in HRV or BRS between cirrhotic and non‐cirrhotic patients. Within the PBC patient group HRV was significantly lower in fatigued than in non‐fatigued patients (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Abnormalities of HRV and BRS in PBC are not specific to advanced disease but are associated with fatigue severity. Abnormalities could be associated with increased risk of sudden cardiac death, potentially contributing to the excess mortality seen in PBC.
Accommodating Unmodeled Heterogeneity in Double‐Observer Distance Sampling Surveys
Authors: Borchers D. L. , Laake J. L. , Southwell C. , Paxton C. G. M.
Published: December 2005

SummaryMark‐recapture models applied to double‐observer distance sampling data neglect the information on relative detectability of objects contained in the distribution of observed distances. A difference between the observed distribution and that predicted by the mark‐recapture model is symptomatic of a failure of the assumption of zero correlation between detection probabilities implicit in the mark‐recapture model. We develop a mark‐recapture‐based model that uses the observed distribution to relax this assumption to zero correlation at only one distance. We demonstrate its usefulness in coping with unmodeled heterogeneity using data from an aerial survey of crabeater seals in the Antarctic.
Weight monitoring of breastfed babies in the United Kingdom – interpreting, explaining and intervening
Authors: Sachs Magda , Dykes Fiona , Carter Bernie
Published: December 2005

Weighing infants in their first 6 months is an important aspect of growth monitoring and a common activity of child health care services worldwide. During the same 6 months, support for establishing breastfeeding and the promotion of continued exclusive breastfeeding are important activities of health professionals. Parents and health professionals may perceive conflicts between achieving both robust growth and continuing breastfeeding. In this narrative review, the literature on weighing breastfed babies in the United Kingdom is examined. A companion paper examined issues of growth charts, scales and weighing frequency and accuracy. This paper considers issues of interpretation of the plotted weight values for individual breastfed babies, noting the complexities of growth patterns, which may lead to difficulties of accurate identification of those individuals whose growth merits further investigation. Little attention has been given to issues of explaining the interpreted growth curves to parents and this issue is explored and noted as of importance for further study. Research evidence on choosing appropriate interventions to improve the growth of breastfed babies is reviewed. The paucity of such evidence leads to suggestions for future study. This review gathers together a wide range of literature from many different perspectives, with the hope of informing weight monitoring practice so that this can both identify infants whose weight may be of concern, and who may need appropriate intervention, and support continued breastfeeding.
Mother's reactions to a skills‐based breastfeeding promotion intervention
Authors: Memmott Margaret M. , Bonuck Karen A.
Published: December 2005

We interviewed women who participated in a breast‐feeding promotion intervention study about whether and how participation affected their infant feeding choices, and if they would recommend such an intervention to others. The larger study, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an individualized, pre‐ and post‐natal lactation consultant (LC) intervention, enrolled 382 low‐income primarily Black and Hispanic women in New York City. Twenty‐one women completed qualitative exit interviews for this study (11 from the Intervention group and 10 Controls). Several of the Controls stated that the post‐partum study interviews were a source of support, and made them more conscious of how they fed their infant. The Intervention Group was asked about contacts with the study ‘Mother–Baby specialist’ (i.e. LC), including what was and wasn’t helpful. The Intervention Group participants described the Mother–Baby Specialist as key in their decision to initiate and maintain breastfeeding. They credit her direct skills and positive reinforcement with their confidence and perseverance to breastfeed. The success of the intervention is attributed to technical assistance from a trained lactation consultant within the context of a relationship built on encouragement, guidance and support.
The effect of a silver‐containing Hydrofiber® dressing on superficial wound bed and bacterial balance of chronic wounds
Authors: Pat Coutts  , Gary Sibbald R
Published: December 2005

The treatment of chronic wounds represents a major cost to society and has a profound effect on the participant's quality of life. Chronic wounds may have an increased bacterial burden that can impair healing without all the clinical signs of infection. Silver dressings may provide an alternative topical method to control bacterial burden. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical improvement in chronic wounds through the effect on wound size, maceration, resolution of surface slough and conversion to healthy granulation during a 4‐week application of the silver‐containing Hydrofiber® dressing. This was a single centre, open‐label case series study which included a total of 30 evaluable participants: four with diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers, 13 venous stasis ulcers, four pressure ulcers and nine miscellaneous wounds that did not fit any of the previous categories. All participants had adequate vascular supply, indicating the potential to heal. The wounds were stalled or had the signs and symptoms consistent with critical colonisation. The underlying cause of the ulceration was identified and corrected, or the symptoms and signs were treated. This was followed by the application of silver‐containing Hydrofiber® dressings for a period of 4 weeks. The majority of wounds treated decreased in size (70%) with decreased exudate, decreased purulence and resolution of surface slough (75%). There was an increased quality and quantity of healthy granulation tissue. Unlike some silver dressings, the Hydrofiber® and silver combination dressing was unlikely to cause burning and stinging on application. Peri‐wound maceration was present in 54% of participants at baseline, and 85% of these resolved with this dressing. A desloughing action was seen in those patients with pre‐existing slough at baseline and its removal will lower the bacterial burden of the wound.
Extending the limits of fingertip composite grafting with moist‐exposed dressing
Authors: Son Daegu , Han Kihwan , Chang David W
Published: December 2005

We introduced the concept of moist wound healing to extend the limits of fingertip composite grafting. In this retrospective study, we assessed the success of fingertip composite grafting with moist‐exposed ointment dressing, which has been shown to maintain adequate moisture for optimal healing by frequent ointment application without the need for a secondary overlying dressing. We reviewed the outcome of composite graft replacement of 60 amputated fingertips in 56 consecutive patients over a period of 3 years and 3 months. Forty‐two fingertips had survived completely and 18 had failed. Twelve of 15 fingers among patients younger than 15 years of age and 30 of 45 fingers among those 16 years of age and older had survived completely. We believe that our use of antibiotic ointment to maintain a moist environment was an important factor in improving the survival of composite grafts.
Nursing Diagnoses and Interventions of Japanese Patients with End‐Stage Breast Cancer Admitted for Different Care Purposes
Authors: Ogasawara Chie , Hasegawa Tomoko , Kume Yasuko , Takahashi Ilkuyo , Katayama Yukari , Furuhashi Yoko , Andoh Masayo , Yamamoto Yuko , Okazaki Sumiko , Tanabe Michiko
Published: December 2005

PURPOSE.  To clarify actual nursing diagnoses for and interventions given to patients with end‐stage breast cancer admitted for different care purposes.

METHODS.  Nursing diagnoses, defining characteristics, related/risk factors, and nursing interventions were analyzed in a convenience sample of 150 patient records.

FINDINGS.  A total of 539 nursing diagnoses (96 labels) were documented. Frequently listed diagnoses were chronic pain, risk for infection, and activity intolerance. The most frequently used nursing diagnosis for the chemotherapy group was risk for infection. The nurses in this study rarely report any diagnoses related to death and dying.

CONCLUSIONS.  Nursing diagnoses and interventions differed depending on the purpose of admission.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  Oncology nurses need to consider the reasons for admission when making nursing diagnoses and interventions for patients with end‐stage breast cancer.
The effect of potato variety mixtures on epidemics of late blight in relation to plot size and level of resistance
Authors: Phillips S.L. , Shaw M.W. , Wolfe M.S.
Published: December 2005

Potatoes of a number of varieties of contrasting levels of resistance were planted in pure or mixed stands in four experiments over 3 years. Three experiments compared the late blight severity and progress in mixtures with that in pure stands. Disease on susceptible or moderately resistant varieties typical of those in commercial use was similar in mixtures and pure stands. In 2 of 3 years, there were slight reductions on cv. Sante, which is moderately susceptible, in mixture with cv. Cara, which is moderately resistant. Cara was unaffected by this mixture. Mixtures of an immune or near‐immune partner with Cara or Sante substantially reduced disease on the latter. The effect of the size of plots of individual varieties or mixtures on blight severity was compared in two experiments. Larger plots had a greater area under the disease progress curve, but the average rate of disease progress was greater in smaller plots; this may be because most disease progress took place later, under more favourable conditions, in the smaller plots. In one experiment, two planting densities were used. Density had no effect on disease and did not interact with mixture effects. The overall conclusion is that, while mixtures of potato varieties may be desirable for other reasons, they do not offer any improvement on the average of the disease resistance of the components.
Direct Adsorption of Lipoproteins from Whole Blood by Direct Adsorption of Lipoprotein Apheresis: First Experience in Two Hypercholesterolemic Children
Authors: Bayrakcı Umut Selda , Besbas Nesrin , Ozcebe Osman , Coskun Turgay , Akgul Ergan , Kutluk Tezer , Bakkaloǧlu Aysın
Published: December 2005

Abstract:  Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol apheresis, combined with lipid lowering drugs, provides a safe and effective means of improving the prognosis of patients with homozygote familial hypercholesterolemia, especially if started before the age of seven. The direct adsorption of lipoprotein (DALI) is the first extracorporeal low density lipoprotein removing system compatible with whole blood. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the efficacy and safety of DALI in children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Two boys, aged 9 and 15 years, with familial hypercholesterolemia, who were highly resistant to dietary regimes and to drug therapy, were treated with the low density lipoprotein adsorber DALI apheresis once every 2 weeks for 24 weeks. The treated blood volumes for each procedure were 2911 mL (493 ± SD) and 5982 mL (1129 ± SD), respectively. In our patients, the acute mean LDL cholesterol reductions were 44.7 ± 8.9% and 58.8 ± 4.5%. The corresponding reductions were 42.5 ± 7.2% and 56 ± 4.3% for total cholesterol, and 46.5 ± 17.1% and 55 ± 7.5% for very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL‐C). There were insignificant losses of high density lipoprotein (12.2 ± 5.7%, 8.3 ± 5.5%). Treatment was well tolerated in general, and neither patient suffered from irreversible or long‐lasting adverse effects. Our experience with DALI apheresis is encouraging. The present report is the first on the use of DALI in children. Based on this short‐term evaluation we think that DALI might be safe and effective in children with homozygote familial hypercholesterolemia, however further evaluation of long‐term effects is needed.
DEVELOPMENTAL TRAJECTORY GROUPS: FACT OR A USEFUL STATISTICAL FICTION?*
Authors: NAGIN DANIEL S. , TREMBLAY RICHARD E.
Published: December 2005

A rapidly growing literature in criminology and psychology uses a group‐based methodology to identify and analyze developmental trajectories. Some confusion has arisen about the interpretation of this novel statistical model and with it some degree of cautionary commentary. We begin with a discussion of the role of trajectory groups as a statistical device for approximating population differences in developmental trajectories. We then discuss three misconceptions about group‐based trajectory modeling that stem from misunderstandings about the approximating role of trajectory groups: (1) individuals actually belong to a trajectory group, (2) the number of trajectory groups is immutable, and (3) the trajectories of group members follow the group‐level trajectory in lock step. We also point out that groupbased statistical modeling is not bound at the hip to the testing of taxonomic theories, and can just as well be used to test nontaxonomic theories.
LIFE SPAN OFFENDING TRAJECTORIES OF A DUTCH CONVICTION COHORT*
Authors: BLOKLAND ARJAN A.J. , NAGIN DANIEL , NIEUWBEERTA PAUL
Published: December 2005

The aim of this paper is to describe the development of criminal behavior from early adolescence to late adulthood based on conviction data for a sample of Dutch offenders. Measuring over an age span of 12 to 72, we ask whether there is evidence for (1) criminal trajectories that are distinct in terms of time path, (2) a small group of persistent offenders, (3) criminal trajectories that are distinct in the mix of crimes committed, or, more specifically, persistent offenders disproportionately engaging in violent offences, and (4) different offender groups having different social profiles in life domains other than crime. The analysis is based on the conviction histories of the Dutch offenders in the Criminal Career and Life Course Study. Four trajectory groups were identified using a semi‐parametric, group‐based model: sporadic offenders, low‐rate desisters, moderate‐rate desisters and high‐rate persisters. Analyses show that high‐rate persisters engage in crime at a very substantial rate, even after age 50. Compared to other trajectory groups the high‐rate persistent trajectory group disproportionately engages in property crimes rather than violent crimes. Also, these distinct trajectories are found to be remarkably similar across age cohorts.
AN EXAMINATION OF OFFENSE SPECIALIZATION USING MARGINAL LOGIT MODELS*
Authors: DEANE GLENN , ARMSTRONG DAVID P. , FELSON RICHARD B.
Published: December 2005

Research on offense specialization has concluded that there is a great deal of versatility in offending. Although the preponderance of evidence supports versatility, some research points to a small but significant tendency to specialize. Beyond this observation there is little consensus over the degree of offense specialization, the similarities and differences between people who commit violent acts and those who engage in other criminal behavior, or the extent to which general causal processes are sufficient to explain variation in diverse forms of crime and delinquency. At the heart of the confusion is the fact that criminal behaviors across a wide spectrum are positively correlated with one another. In our opinion, the conclusion that general offending trumps offense specialization is the result of research designs that predetermined such a conclusion. We propose an alternative method, marginal logit modeling, that supports many desirable features suited to the investigation of offense specialization. We analyze nine self‐reported delinquent behaviors (with a tenth category representing “No Offense”) from the Add Health study. We show that violent offenders are more likely to engage in additional violent offenses, nonviolent offenders are more likely to engage in additional nonviolent offenses. For some offense types, we find no evidence of a tendency to commit both violent and nonviolent offending. For others, the offense generalization effect is weak compared to the offense specialization effect.
Inhibition of Amyloid Fibril Formation by Polyphenols: Structural Similarity and Aromatic Interactions as a Common Inhibition Mechanism
Authors: Porat Yair , Abramowitz Adel , Gazit Ehud
Published: December 2005

The formation of well‐ordered fibrillar protein deposits is common to a large group of amyloid‐associated disorders. This group consists of several major human diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, prion diseases, and type II diabetes. Currently, there is no approved therapeutic agent directed towards the formation of fibrillar assemblies, which have been recently shown to have a key role in the cytotoxic nature of amyloidogenic proteins. One important approach in the development of therapeutic agents is the use of small molecules that specifically and efficiently inhibit the aggregation process. Several small polyphenol molecules have been demonstrated to remarkably inhibit the formation of fibrillar assemblies in vitro and their associated cytotoxicity. Yet, the inhibition mechanism was mostly attributed to the antioxidative properties of these polyphenol compounds. Based on several observations demonstrating that polyphenols are capable of inhibiting amyloid fibril formation in vitro, regardless of oxidative conditions, and in view of their structural similarities we suggest an additional mechanism of action. This mechanism is assuming structural constraints and specific aromatic interactions, which direct polyphenol inhibitors to the amyloidogenic core. This proposed mechanism is highly relevant for future de novo inhibitors‘ design as therapeutic agents for the treatment of amyloid‐associated diseases.
Mechanisms of the prostaglandin F2α‐induced rise in [Ca2+]iin rat intrapulmonary arteries
Authors: Snetkov Vladimir A. , Knock Gregory A , Baxter Lynne , Thomas Gavin D. , Ward Jeremy P. T. , Aaronson Philip I.
Published: December 2005

The mechanisms by which prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α) increases intracellular Ca2+concentration [Ca2+]iin vascular smooth muscle remain unclear. We examined the role of store‐, receptor‐ and voltage‐operated Ca2+influx pathways in rat intrapulmonary arteries (IPA) loaded with Fura PE‐3. Low concentrations (0.01–1 μm) of PGF2αcaused a transient followed by a plateau rise in [Ca2+]i. Both responses became maximal at 0.1 μmPGF2α. At higher concentrations of PGF2α, a further slower rise in [Ca2+]iwas superimposed on the plateau. The [Ca2+]iresponse to 0.1 μmPGF2αwas mimicked by the FP receptor agonist fluprostenol, whilst the effect of 10 μmPGF2αwas mimicked by the TP receptor agonist U‐46619. The plateau rise in [Ca2+]iin response to 0.1 μmPGF2αwas insensitive to diltiazem, and was abolished in Ca2+‐free physiological salt solution, and by pretreatment with La3+, 2‐APB, thapsigargin or U‐73122. The rises in [Ca2+]iin response to 10 μmPGF2αand 0.01 μmU‐46619 were partially inhibited by diltiazem. The diltiazem‐resistant components of both of these responses were inhibited by 2‐APB and La3+to an extent which was significantly less than that seen for the response to 0.1 μmPGF2α, and were also much less sensitive to U‐73122. The U‐46619 response was also relatively insensitive to thapsigargin. When Ca2+was replaced with Sr2+, the sustained increase in the Fura PE‐3 signal to 0.1 μmPGF2αwas abolished, whereas 10 μmPGF2αand 0.05 μmU‐46619 still caused substantial increases. These results suggest that low concentrations of PGF2αactviaFP receptors to cause IP3‐dependent Ca2+release and store operated Ca2+entry (SOCE). U‐46619 and 10–100 μmPGF2αcause a TP receptor‐mediated Ca2+influx involving both L‐type Ca2+channels and a receptor operated pathway, which differs from SOCE in its susceptibility to La3+, 2‐APB and thapsigargin, does not require phospholipase C activation, and is Sr2+permeable.
Comparison of contraction and calcium handling between right and left ventricular myocytes from adult mouse heart: a role for repolarization waveform
Authors: Kondo Richard P. , Dederko Dorothy A. , Teutsch Christine , Chrast Jacqueline , Catalucci Daniele , Chien Kenneth R. , Giles Wayne R.
Published: December 2005

In the mammalian heart, the right ventricle (RV) has a distinct structural and electrophysiological profile compared to the left ventricle (LV). However, the possibility that myocytes from the RV and LV have different contractile properties has not been established. In this study, sarcomere shortening, [Ca2+]i transients and Ca2+ and K+ currents in unloaded myocytes isolated from the RV, LV epicardium (LVepi) and LV endocardium (LVendo) of adult mice were evaluated. Maximum sarcomere shortening elicited by field stimulation was graded in the order: LVendo > LVepi > RV. Systolic [Ca2+]i was higher in LVendo myocytes than in RV myocytes. Voltage‐clamp experiments in which action potential (AP) waveforms from RV and LVendo were used as the command signal, demonstrated that total Ca2+ influx and myocyte shortening were larger in response to the LVendo AP, independent of myocyte subtypes. Evaluation of possible regional differences in myocyte Ca2+ handling was based on: (i) the current–voltage relation of the Ca2+ current; (ii) sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake; and (iii) mRNA expression of important components of the Ca2+ handling system. None of these were significantly different between RV and LVendo. In contrast, the Ca2+‐independent K+ current, which modulates AP repolarization, was significantly different between RV, LVepi and LVendo. These results suggest that these differences in K+ currents can alter AP duration and modulate the [Ca2+]i transient and corresponding contraction. In summary, these findings provide an initial description of regional differences in excitation–contraction coupling in the adult mouse heart. Evidence that the AP waveform is an important causative factor for these differences is presented.
Aphid Protected from Pathogen by Endosymbiont
Authors: Scarborough Claire L. , Ferrari Julia , Godfray H. C. J.
Published: December 2005

Aphids are associated with several facultative bacterial endosymbionts that may influence their interactions with other organisms. We show here that one of the three most common facultative symbionts of pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), the bacterium Regiella insecticola, has a major effect on host resistance to a fungal pathogen. Experimental establishment of the bacterium in uninfected aphid clones led to higher survival after fungal attack. The bacteria also increased the aphid's inclusive fitness, because the presence of the symbiont reduced the probability of fungal sporulation on aphid cadavers, hence lowering the rate of transmission of the disease to nearby related aphids.
Ubiquitin-Binding Domains in Y-Family Polymerases Regulate Translesion Synthesis
Authors: Bienko Marzena , Green Catherine M. , Crosetto Nicola , Rudolf Fabian , Zapart Grzegorz , Coull Barry , Kannouche Patricia , Wider Gerhard , Peter Matthias , Lehmann Alan R. , Hofmann Kay , Dikic Ivan
Published: December 2005

Translesion synthesis (TLS) is the major pathway by which mammalian cells replicate across DNA lesions. Upon DNA damage, ubiquitination of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) induces bypass of the lesion by directing the replication machinery into the TLS pathway. Yet, how this modification is recognized and interpreted in the cell remains unclear. Here we describe the identification of two ubiquitin (Ub)–binding domains (UBM and UBZ), which are evolutionarily conserved in all Y-family TLS polymerases (pols). These domains are required for binding of polη and polι to ubiquitin, their accumulation in replication factories, and their interaction with monoubiquitinated PCNA. Moreover, the UBZ domain of polη is essential to efficiently restore a normal response to ultraviolet irradiation in xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XP-V) fibroblasts. Our results indicate that Ub-binding domains of Y-family polymerases play crucial regulatory roles in TLS.
Can strenuous leisure time physical activity prevent psychological complaints in a working population?
Authors: Bernaards C M , Jans M P , van den Heuvel S G , Hendriksen I J , Houtman I L , Bongers P M
Published: December 2005

Aims:To investigate the longitudinal relation between strenuous leisure time physical activity and psychological complaints (depression and emotional exhaustion) in a Dutch working population in order to find evidence for the preventive role of physical activity in the development of psychological complaints.

Methods:All data came from the Study on Musculoskeletal disorders, Absenteeism, Stress, and Health (SMASH), a three year follow up study that started between 1994 and 1995. The study population consisted of 1747 workers from 34 companies. Generalised estimating equation (GEE) analyses were performed to investigate the longitudinal relation between strenuous leisure time physical activity and psychological complaints using models with and without a time lag. Logistic regression analyses were performed to study the relation between physical activity and sickness absence due to psychological complaints during the three year follow up study.

Results:Only in workers with a sedentary job was strenuous leisure time physical activity (1–2 times per week) significantly associated with a reduced risk of future depression and emotional exhaustion. This was not the case for physical activity at higher frequencies (⩾3 times per week). There was a dose-response relation between strenuous leisure time physical activity and poor general health which was strongest in workers with a sedentary job. Strenuous leisure time physical activity (1–2 times per week) was associated with a lower risk of long term absenteeism (>21 days), whereas physical activity at a higher frequency was not.

Conclusions:Results suggest that strenuous leisure time physical activity might play a role in the prevention of future psychological complaints, poor general health, and long term absenteeism in a working population. Workers with a sedentary job seem to benefit more from strenuous leisure time physical activity than workers without a sedentary job.
Occupation and malignant lymphoma: a population based case control study in Germany
Authors: Mester B , Nieters A , Deeg E , Elsner G , Becker N , Seidler A
Published: December 2005

Aims:To identify occupations suspected to be associated with malignant lymphoma and to generate new hypotheses about occupational risks in a multicentre, population based case control study.

Methods:Male and female patients with malignant lymphoma (n = 710) aged 18–80 years of age were prospectively recruited in six study regions in Germany. For each newly recruited lymphoma case, a sex, region, and age matched control was drawn from the population registers. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for major occupations and industries were calculated using conditional logistic regression analysis, adjusted for smoking (in pack-years) and alcohol consumption. Patients with specific lymphoma subentities were additionally compared with the entire control group using unconditional logistic regression analysis.

Results:The following economic/industrial sectors were positively associated with lymphoma: food products, beverages, tobacco; paper products, publishing and printing; and metals. Chemicals; real estate, renting, and business activities were negatively associated with lymphoma diagnosis. The authors observed an increased overall lymphoma risk among architects; maids; farmers; glass formers; and construction workers. Shoemaking and leather goods making was negatively associated with the lymphoma diagnosis (although based on small numbers). In the occupational group analysis of lymphoma subentities, Hodgkin’s lymphoma was significantly associated only with rubber and plastic products making; diffuse large B cell lymphoma risk was considerably increased among metal processors; follicular lymphoma showed highly significant risk increases for several occupational groups (medical, dental, and veterinary workers; sales workers; machinery fitters; and electrical fitters); and multiple myeloma showed a particularly pronounced risk increase for farmers as well as for agriculture and animal husbandry workers.

Conclusions:The results partly confirm previously defined occupational risks. Occupational risk factors for follicular lymphomas might differ from the overall risk factors for malignant lymphoma.
FRACTAL ANALYSIS AS A TOOL FOR STUDYING SPECIALIZATION IN NEURONAL STRUCTURE: THE STUDY OF THE EVOLUTION OF THE PRIMATE CEREBRAL CORTEX AND HUMAN INTELLECT
Authors: ELSTON G. N. , ZIETSCH B.
Published: December 2005

We review recent findings that, using fractal analysis, have demonstrated systematic regional and species differences in the branching complexity of neocortical pyramidal neurons. In particular, attention is focused on how fractal analysis is being applied to the study of specialization in pyramidal cell structure during the evolution of the primate cerebral cortex. These studies reveal variation in pyramidal cell phenotype that cannot be attributed solely to increasing brain volume. Moreover, the results of these studies suggest that the primate cerebral cortex is composed of neurons of different structural complexity. There is growing evidence to suggest that regional and species differences in neuronal structure influence function at both the cellular and circuit levels. These data challenge the prevailing dogma for cortical uniformity.
DISCOVERY OF HIGHLY DIFFERENTIATIVE GENE GROUPS FROM MICROARRAY GENE EXPRESSION DATA USING THE GENE CLUB APPROACH
Authors: MAO SHIHONG , DONG GUOZHU
Published: December 2005

Motivation: It is commonly believed that suitable analysis of microarray gene expression profile data can lead to better understanding of diseases, and better ways to diagnose and treat diseases. To achieve those goals, it is of interest to discover the gene interaction networks, and perhaps even pathways, underlying given diseases from such data. In this paper, we consider methods for efficiently discovering highly differentiative gene groups (HDGG), which may provide insights on gene interaction networks. HDGGs are groups of genes which completely or nearly completely characterize the diseased or normal tissues. Discovering HDGGs is challenging, due to the high dimensionality of the data.

Results: Our methods are based on the novel concept of gene clubs. A gene club consists of a set of genes having high potential to be interactive with each other. The methods can (i) efficiently discover signature HDGGs which completely characterize the diseased and the normal tissues respectively, (ii) find strongest or near strongest HDGGs containing any given gene, and (iii) find much stronger HDGGs than previous methods. As part of the experimental evaluation, the methods are applied to colon, prostate, ovarian, and breast cancer, and leukemia and so on. Some of the genes in the extracted signature HDGGs have known biological functions, and some have attracted little attention in biology and medicine. We hope that appropriate study on them can lead to medical breakthroughs. Some HDGGs for colon and prostate cancers are listed here. The website listed below contains HDGGs for the other cancers.

Availability: HDGG is implemented in C++ and runs on Unix or Windows platform. The code is available at: .
GENE FUNCTION PREDICTION BY A COMBINED ANALYSIS OF GENE EXPRESSION DATA AND PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTION DATA
Authors: XIAO GUANGHUA , PAN WEI
Published: December 2005

Prediction of biological functions of genes is an important issue in basic biology research and has applications in drug discoveries and gene therapies. Previous studies have shown either gene expression data or protein-protein interaction data alone can be used for predicting gene functions. In particular, clustering gene expression profiles has been widely used for gene function prediction. In this paper, we first propose a new method for gene function prediction using protein-protein interaction data, which will facilitate combining prediction results based on clustering gene expression profiles. We then propose a new method to combine the prediction results based on either source of data by weighting on the evidence provided by each. Using protein-protein interaction data downloaded from the GRID database, published gene expression profiles from 300 microarray experiments for the yeast S. cerevisiae, we show that this new combined analysis provides improved predictive performance over that of using either data source alone in a cross-validated analysis of the MIPS gene annotations. Finally, we propose a logistic regression method that is flexible enough to combine information from any number of data sources while maintaining computational feasibility.
A DIMENSIONLESS FIT MEASURE FOR PHYLOGENETIC DISTANCE TREES
Authors: GIL MANUEL , DESSIMOZ CHRISTOPHE , GONNET GASTON H.
Published: December 2005

We present a dimensionless fit index for phylogenetic trees that have been constructed from distance matrices. It is designed to measure the quality of the fit of the data to a tree in absolute terms, independent of linear transformations on the distance matrix. The index can be used as an absolute measure to evaluate how well a set of data fits to a tree, or as a relative measure to compare different methods that are expected to produce the same tree. The usefulness of the index is demonstrated in three examples.
JUNCTION CONDITIONS FOR NULL BOUNDARIES IN ADMISSIBLE COORDINATES
Authors: NOZARI KOUROSH
Published: December 2005

Normal Gaussian prescription breaks down when treating null boundaries since the normal to a null boundary declines into tangency to the boundary. The normal extrinsic curvature is therefore disabled as a carrier of transverse geometrical information for a null boundary. In this paper we will construct a distributional approach based on admissible coordinates to find junction conditions and dynamics of null boundaries. Since a general null boundary can consist of matter and stress-energy distribution, we consider the general case of a null "shell" or "boundary layer". As a simple example, junction conditions and dynamics of a spherical null shell with non-vanishing energy–momentum content are derived.
RECTANGULAR YANG–BAXTER ALGEBRAS AND ALTERNATING A-TYPE INTEGRABLE VERTEX MODELS
Authors: GRILLO S. , MONTANI H.
Published: December 2005

Given a couple of Yang–Baxter operators 𝖱[k] and 𝖱[l] corresponding to integrable anisotropic vertex models of Ak-1 and Al-1 type, respectively, we construct and study a class of related lattice models whose monodromy matrices alternate between the mentioned operators. In order to do that, we use a natural generalization of the idea of coproduct in a bialgebra, that appears in the scenario of non-commutative algebraic geometry, related to the notion of internal homomorphisms of quantum spaces. We build up all eigenstates and eigenvalues of the transfer matrix by means of algebraic Bethe ansatz technics, where not only one vector, but a pseudovacuum subspace is needed for the process of diagonalization.