bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Money does not bring well‐being, but it does help! The relationship between financial resources and life satisfaction of the chronically ill mediated by social deprivation and loneliness
Authors: Rijken Mieke , Groenewegen Peter P.
Published: November 2007

Chronically ill people have lower incomes and higher illness‐related costs than the general population. Therefore, their financial situation can be considered vulnerable, like their health. The aims of this study were (1) to assess the strength of the relationship between financial resources and life satisfaction of patients with chronic physical illness and (2) to investigate the mediating roles of social deprivation and loneliness in this relationship. Data were used of 1265 patients diagnosed with one or more somatic chronic disease(s), aged 25 years and older, who were recruited from 56 general practices in The Netherlands. GPs provided data on diagnoses and illness duration; chronically ill patients provided data on their functional status, financial situation, social deprivation, loneliness and life satisfaction. Data were analysed by means of correlation and linear regression analyses as well as LISREL path analysis. Available income correlates 0.13 with life satisfaction, which is similar to correlations found in general Western populations. The effect of available income on life satisfaction is mainly an indirect effect that can be explained by the mediating roles of social deprivation and loneliness. Policy should pay specific attention to income support of the chronically ill and disabled in order to improve their opportunities for social participation and increase the quality of their life. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
‘But everyone else is doing it’: a closer look at the occupational taxpaying culture of one business sector
Authors: Ashby Julie S. , Webley Paul
Published: November 2007

When individuals embark on their careers they not only become acculturated into their occupational sectors' day‐to‐day norms and practices, but also their taxpaying ones. Although the research on taxpaying cultures is still in its infancy, understanding more about taxpaying cultures could improve our understanding of the processes underlying tax compliance. To this end, this study aimed to build a detailed picture of the taxpaying culture (i.e. the norms and values) of one business sector—the hairdressing/beauty industry. Nineteen small business and self‐employed hairdressers/beauticians were interviewed and a variant of Grounded theory was used to uncover the main themes that ran through the interviews as a whole. The main themes that emerged—which appear to characterize this sector's culture—include a reliance on accountants/tax advisors, the notion of an acceptable level of cash‐in‐hand payments, and the use of different mental accounts for different types of income. Although some of these themes have already arisen in the small business literature they have often been couched in individualistic terms. We build a case that these issues are more cultural than individual—they are tied to occupational group membership as they are socially constructed within occupational groups and are a key component of the group's taxpaying culture. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
To have and to be: towards the social representation of quality of life in China
Authors: Liu Li
Published: November 2007

This study explores the social representation of quality of life (QOL) in the Chinese socio‐cultural context. The data were collected by 16 open‐ended individual interviews. The study shows that the social representation of QOL embedded deeply in the collective memory of Chinese society is generated from, and organized around, the central thema of ‘having’/‘being’. ‘Having’ and ‘being’ are both antinomic and dialogically interdependent. ‘Having’ gives priority to how subject instrumentalizes object as resources to be possessed and consumed. It is manifested in the possessions of money, food, housing and car. The possessions are not only simply the material things but also the objects of symbolic significance. ‘Being’ prioritizes the authentic relationship between subject and object. It is manifested in rootedness, connectedness, participation and freedom. These provide a sense of belonging, commitment, direction and purpose and involve the establishment and maintenance of the union between the self and others, and between the individual and the outside world. On the other hand, neither ‘having’ nor ‘being’ exists in its pure form. Rather, they co‐exist dynamically, in rival or complementary ways, and each calls the possibility of the other into play. It is the synthesis of opposites between ‘having’ and ‘being’ that the social representation of QOL is generated and structured. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bullying in school and adolescent sense of empowerment: an analysis of relationships with parents, friends, and teachers
Authors: Nation Maury , Vieno Alessio , Perkins Douglas D. , Santinello Massimo
Published: November 2007

We explore the development of bullying and victimization in school by investigating 11‐, 13‐ and 15‐year‐olds' sense of interpersonal empowerment with parents, friends and teachers. A national sample of 4386 male and female students from 243 middle and secondary schools in Italy were surveyed. Boys were more likely than girls to be bullies and more likely to have been a bully/victim. Victimization and the likelihood of being both a bully and a victim declined with age. Bullying increased with age among boys whereas for girls it was slightly more prevalent at age 13 than ages 11 or 15. The sense of empowerment students experience with their teachers decreased in the older cohorts. Disempowered relationships with teachers consistently predicted bullying behaviour. Higher social competence was reported by 13‐ and 15‐year‐old bullies. Chronically bullied students had lower social competence in all age cohorts. Otherwise, predictors of victimization varied by age: 11‐year‐old victims felt less empowered by their teachers; 15‐year‐old victims reported more difficulties in negotiating cooperative relationships with parents. Bullies in all cohorts and younger bully/victims feel less empowered by their teachers. These findings suggest that students who are disempowered by teachers may either compensate by oppressing (bullying) peers or generalize the power differential with peers (become a victim). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The moderating and mediating role of group identification in observers' reactions to intragroup disrespect
Authors: Okimoto Tyler G.
Published: November 2007

The current research examines observer reactions to disrespectful treatment of another ingroup member by an ingroup authority. In an empirical study which identifies both the moderating and mediating role of group identification in tandem, specifically with regard to the observed intragroup disrespect, relational motives appeared to underlie subsequent observer evaluations of the group as a whole. Respondents' pre‐transgression identification with the group in which the injustice occurred moderated reactions to intragroup disrespect; only when group members identified strongly with the group did they react to more severe disrespect with worse evaluations. Group identification also mediated the impact of disrespect on subsequent reactions toward the group. Additionally, the relationship between observed disrespect severity and post‐transgression identification with the group was further mediated by perceptions of membership value in the group. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Losing more than gaining from overall stable prices: the differential perception of increasing versus decreasing prices made the Euro look like a price booster
Authors: Greitemeyer Tobias , Greifeneder Rainer
Published: November 2007

The present research examined whether price trend misperceptions can be explained by the differential perception of increasing versus decreasing prices. We expected price increases (losses to consumers) to be perceived as being more intense than price decreases (gains to consumers) of the same magnitude. This tendency, in turn, should be positively associated with how people perceive the overall price trend. To test this reasoning, participants in the first two studies were asked to compare German Mark (DM) and Euro prices. First, participants received a menu containing 21 dishes with DM prices, and their price trend expectations were assessed. Then, participants indicated for each dish to what extent the price had changed. Finally, participants' overall price trend judgments were assessed. In both studies, results indicate that price trend judgments were biased toward rising prices. In addition, price increases were perceived as rising more than price decreases of the same magnitude were perceived as falling. This tendency was positively associated with overall price trend judgments, even after controlling for expectations. Study 3 was to replicate these findings in a different domain to demonstrate the general nature and impact of the hypothesized effect. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ protects against chemically induced liver toxicity in mice
Authors: Shan Weiwei , Nicol Christopher J. , Ito Shinji , Bility Moses T. , Kennett Mary J. , Ward Jerrold M. , Gonzalez Frank J. , Peters Jeffrey M.
Published: November 2007

Potential functional roles for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) in skeletal muscle fatty acid catabolism and epithelial carcinogenesis have recently been described. Whereas PPARβ/δ is expressed in liver, its function in this tissue is less clear. To determine the role of PPARβ/δ in chemically induced liver toxicity, wild-type and PPARβ/δ-null mice were treated with azoxymethane (AOM) and markers of liver toxicity examined. Bile duct hyperplasia, regenerative hyperplasia, and increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were found in AOM-treated PPARβ/δ-null mice, and these effects were not observed in similarly treated wild-type mice. Exacerbated carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) hepatoxicity was also observed in PPARβ/δ-null as compared with wild-type mice. No differences in messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding cytochrome2E1 required for the metabolic activation of AOM and CCl4 were observed between wild-type or PPARβ/δ-null mice in response to CCl4. Significant differences in the expression of genes reflecting enhanced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity were noted in PPARβ/δ-null mice.

Conclusion:

Results from these studies show that PPARβ/δ is protective against liver toxicity induced by AOM and CCl4, suggesting that this receptor is hepatoprotective against environmental chemicals that are metabolized in this tissue. (Hepatology 2007.)
Stabilization of β-catenin affects mouse embryonic liver growth and hepatoblast fate
Authors: Decaens Thomas , Godard Cécile , de Reyniès Aurélien , Rickman David S. , Tronche François , Couty Jean-Pierre , Perret Christine , Colnot Sabine
Published: November 2007

During hepatogenesis, after the liver has budded out of the endoderm, the hepatoblasts quickly expand and differentiate into either hepatocytes or biliary cells, the latter of which arise only within the ductal plate surrounding the portal vein. Because the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is involved in liver homeostasis and regeneration and in liver carcinogenesis, we investigated here a role for Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the embryonic liver. A cyclization recombination (Cre)/locus of X-over P1 (loxP) strategy was chosen to perform adenomatous polyposis coli (

Apc

) invalidation in order to activate ectopic β-catenin signaling in hepatoblasts; an appropriate transgenic model expressing the Cre recombinase was used. Phenotypic and immunolocalization studies, together with messenger RNA analyses, by microarray and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction approaches were performed on this model during normal hepatogenesis. The loss of Apc allowed β-catenin activation in the hepatoblasts after the formation of the liver bud and led to embryonic lethality. In this model, the liver became hypoplastic, and hepatocyte differentiation failed, whereas β-catenin–activated ducts developed and gave rise to fully differentiated bile ducts when transplanted into adult recipient livers. Microarray analyses suggested that β-catenin plays a role in repressing the hepatocyte genetic program and remodeling the ductal plate. According to these data, in normal embryonic livers, β-catenin was transiently activated in the nascent bile ducts.

Conclusion:

We demonstrated a key role for the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in liver embryonic growth and in controlling the fate of hepatoblasts, preventing them from differentiating toward the hepatocyte lineage, and guiding them to biliary ductal morphogenesis. (Hepatology 2007.)
Ethanol induces oxidative stress in primary rat hepatocytes through the early involvement of lipid raft clustering
Authors: Nourissat Philippe , Travert Marion , Chevanne Martine , Tekpli Xavier , Rebillard Amélie , Moigne-Müller Gwenaelle Le , Rissel Mary , Cillard Josiane , Dimanche-Boitrel Marie-Thérèse , Lagadic-Gossmann Dominique , Sergent Odile
Published: November 2007

The role of the hepatocyte plasma membrane structure in the development of oxidative stress during alcoholic liver diseases is not yet fully understood. Previously, we have established the pivotal role of membrane fluidity in ethanol-induced oxidative stress, but no study has so far tested the involvement of lipid rafts. In this study, methyl-β-cyclodextrin or cholesterol oxidase, which were found to disrupt lipid rafts in hepatocytes, inhibited both reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation, and this suggested a role for these microstructures in oxidative stress. By immunostaining of lipid raft components, a raft clustering was detected in ethanol-treated hepatocytes. In addition, we found that rafts were modified by formation of malondialdehyde adducts and disulfide bridges. Interestingly, pretreatment of cells by 4-methyl-pyrazole (to inhibit ethanol metabolism) and various antioxidants prevented the ethanol-induced raft aggregation. In addition, treatment of hepatocytes by a stabilizing agent (ursodeoxycholic acid) or a fluidizing compound [2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl 8-(

cis

-2-
n

-octylcyclopropyl)octanoate] led to inhibition or enhancement of raft clustering, respectively, which pointed to a relationship between membrane fluidity and lipid rafts during ethanol-induced oxidative stress. We finally investigated the involvement of phospholipase C in raft-induced oxidative stress upon ethanol exposure. Phospholipase C was shown to be translocated into rafts and to participate in oxidative stress by controlling hepatocyte iron content.

Conclusion:

Membrane structure, depicted as membrane fluidity and lipid rafts, plays a key role in ethanol-induced oxidative stress of the liver, and its modulation may be of therapeutic relevance. (Hepatology 2007.)
Noninvasive markers of fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Validating the European Liver Fibrosis Panel and exploring simple markers
Authors: Guha Indra Neil , Parkes Julie , Roderick Paul , Chattopadhyay Dipanker , Cross Richard , Harris Scott , Kaye Philip , Burt Alastair D. , Ryder Steve D. , Aithal Guruprasad P. , Day Christopher P. , Rosenberg William M.
Published: November 2007

The detection of fibrosis within nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is important for ascertaining prognosis and the stratification of patients for emerging therapeutic intervention. We validated the Original European Liver Fibrosis panel (OELF) and a simplified algorithm not containing age, the Enhanced Liver fibrosis panel (ELF), in an independent cohort of patients with NAFLD. Furthermore, we explored whether the addition of simple markers to the existing panel test could improve diagnostic performance. One hundred ninety-six consecutively recruited patients from 2 centers were included in the validation study. The diagnostic accuracy of the discriminant scores of the ELF panel, simple markers, and a combined panel were compared using receiver operator curves, predictive values, and a clinical utility model. The ELF panel had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.90 for distinguishing severe fibrosis, 0.82 for moderate fibrosis, and 0.76 for no fibrosis. Simplification of the algorithm by removing age did not alter diagnostic performance. Addition of simple markers to the panel improved diagnostic performance with AUCs of 0.98, 0.93, and 0.84 for the detection of severe fibrosis, moderate fibrosis, and no fibrosis, respectively. The clinical utility model showed that 82% and 88% of liver biopsies could be potentially avoided for the diagnosis of severe fibrosis using ELF and the combined panel, respectively. The ELF panel has good diagnostic accuracy in an independent validation cohort of patients with NAFLD. The addition of established simple markers augments the diagnostic performance across different stages of fibrosis, which will potentially allow superior stratification of patients with NAFLD for emerging therapeutic strategies. (Hepatology 2007.)
A study of the tetrabromide method of estimating linoleic acid in fatty acid mixtures
Authors: White Mary F. , Brown J. B.
Published: November 2007

When linoleic acid is brominated in cold petroleum ether, the yield of insoluble tetrabromides is empirical; it is affected by the composition of the petroleum ether and by the amounts of linoleic acid and of other fatty acids which may be in a given mixture.

The tetrabromide number of pure linoleic acid ranges from 103.7 when a 2‐gram sample is brominated to practically zero with 10 mg. of the acid.

Data are presented describing the tetrabromide yields of linoleic acid alone and in various mixtures with oleic acid, when brominated at the 2.0‐, 1.0‐, and 0.5‐g. levels of sample. From these data curves can be drawn by which it is possible to ascertain by interpolation the per cent of linoleic acid in a mixture.

Seventeen concentrates of linoleic acid from corn oil, safflower oil, and butter fat have been assayed from the curves, and the results compared with values calculated from the iodine number.

Several linoleic acid concentrates from corn oil were shown to contain appreciable amounts of isomeric dienoic acids.

Examination of two linoleic acid concentrates from butter fat shows for the first time the indubitable presence of linoleic acid in this fat.
Continuous vacuum bleaching of vegetable oils
Authors: King R. R. , Wharton F. W.
Published: November 2007

A continuous vacuum bleaching process which has been in operation on a plant scale for eight years is described, and plant scale results are compared with atmospheric batch bleaching. Advantages of the continuous vacuum bleaching process are shown to be greater color reduction, better stability against oxidation, no free fatty acid rise, greater reduction in soap content, use of less adsorbent, less subsequent catalyst poisoning in hydrogenation, and better flavor stability of subsequently deodorized oils.

No comparison between batch vacuum and continucus vacuum bleaching is presented, but the probable advantages of the continuous process are deducted.
Methods of sampling tank cars at destination and a proposed method which overcomes the geometric error
Authors: Freyer Egbert
Published: November 2007

The general problem of taking a representative sample from a tank car containing foots is discussed, and the shortcomings of various methods in wide use are noted. A new method based upon a clear recognition of the difficulties involved and the application of simple geometry to the problem has been proposed.
Deodorizer catch basin sludges and the metallic soaps found therein
Authors: Gulino E. A. , Newby Wales
Published: November 2007

A method of determining and recovering the metallic soaps present in deodorizer catch basin sludges has been described. It is based on the apparent low solubility of calcium and iron soaps in a commercial solvent known as Skellysolve‐F. Using the method evolved, six samples representing material from four refineries were examined. It was found that the metallic soaps varied all the way from 0.51% to 28.02%. The recovered soaps were analyzed for both mineral and fatty acid content. In five of the six soaps examined above 90% of the metal present was found to be calcium, but in one sample about 27% of the metal was iron. In all cases, less than the theoretical amount of fatty acid was obtained from the soaps and the loss was attributed to solubility of some of the acids in water. The fatty acids obtained by hydrolysis of the soaps were all much more saturated than would be predicted from the iodine values of the sludge oils from which they were formed. It is postulated that the free fatty acids found in deodorizer distillates are disproportionally more saturated than are the combined fatty acids. In the course of other work the free fatty acid contents of the various sludges examined were determined. They were found to run usually from 9.5% to 19.9% although one sample ran 53.7%.
The determination of the rate of extraction of crude lipids from oil seeds with solvents
Authors: Wingard M. R. , Shand W. C.
Published: November 2007

Two basic methods have been presented for measuring the rate of extraction of crude lipids from “oil”‐bearing materials with solvent. In the Percolation Method the extraction is carried out by percolating fresh solvent through the sample and measuring the “oil” recovered at succeeding time intervals. In the Batch Co‐current Method samples of miscella are withdrawn periodically from an agitated batch of known quantities of oil‐seed and solvent and analyzed for lipids to check the progress of the extraction.

These methods have been used successfully in the Blaw‐Knox laboratories over the last four years in making studies of factors influencing equipment design and plant operation as well as fundamental studies contributing to a general understanding of extraction. Some of the “oil”‐bearing materials which have been studied using these methods include: soybeans, cottonseed, peanuts, flaxseed, corn germ, castor beans, wheat germ, rice bran, mowrah seeds, tung nuts, grain sorghum, and various expeller and press cakes. Special studies include methods of preparation, temperature effect, moisture content, nature of solvent, varieties of seed, and particle size.
Fixed oils of Mexico. II. Caoba (Swietenia macrophylla kina)
Authors: Munguia Rodolfo Ruiz , Millares Ricardo , Gurley N. F. , Lloyd W. R.
Published: November 2007

The physical and chemical characteristics of the oil of the caoba seed (S. macrophylla Kina) have been reported. The composition of the oil has been calculated.
Fixed oils of Mexico. III. Habilla de san ignacio (Hura polyandra Baill)
Authors: Munguia Rodolfo Ruiz , Millares Ricardo , Gurley N. F. , LLoyd W. R.
Published: November 2007

The physical and chemical characteristics of the oil of the seed of habilla de San Ignacio (Hura polyandra, Baill.) have been reported.

The composition of the oil has been calculated.
Modification of the laboratory centrifuge method for the determination of refining loss of soybean oil
Authors: Johnson J. F. , Bauer S. T.
Published: November 2007

A centrifugal method is presented for the determination of refining loss of extracted soybean oils, entailing modifications of a procedure first introduced by the Swift and Company Research Laboratories and later improved by the Regional Soybean Laboratory. The method using glass cups in the International Centrifuge permits speed and accuracy in the laboratory refining of extracted soybean oils.
The flavor problem of soybean oil. V. Some considerations in the use of metal scavengers in commercial operations
Authors: Dutton H. J. , Schwab A. W. , Moser Helen A. , Cowan J. C.
Published: November 2007

Citric acid and sorbitol were tested on a commercial scale and their use was found to improve the oxidative and flavor stability of soybean oil.

The optimal concentration for the addition of citric acid and sorbitol is of the order of 0.01%, 0.001% being insufficient, and 0.1% giving no significant increase in flavor stability over 0.01%.

Heating is not necessary for the activation of citric acid; however, it is advantageous to add the citric acid at the beginning of the deodorization in commercial operations because of the protection imparted to the oils during deodorization. Since citric acid is destroyed during deodorization, it appears desirable, on the basis of laboratory experiments, to introduce additional citric acid during the cooling phase of deodorization.

Phosphatides added to the deodorizer increase the oxidative and flavor stability of soybean oil and counteract the pro‐oxidant effect of added iron. Phosphatides are thus considered to comprise a fat‐soluble form of phosphoric acid and to perform the function of a metal scavenger. The value of the second degumming step of the German process is dubious. In neither the laboratory experiments nor in a commercial run were the differences due to this operation found to be significant.
Predictors and Outcome of Readmission after Laparoscopic Intestinal Surgery
Authors: O’Brien David Patrick , Senagore Anthony , Merlino James , Brady Karen , Delaney Conor
Published: November 2007

Erratum to: World J Surg DOI 10.1007/s00268‐007‐9236‐7

The original version of this article, published online on September 25, 2007 and in print in the November 2007 issue (vol 31/no 11, pp 2138–2143), did not include the full list of authors’ names. The correct list of authors and their affiliations are shown below.

The article is reprinted in its entirety.

Background

Previous studies have failed to identify predictors of early readmission after major intestinal operations. The objectives of this study were to determine readmission rates, outcomes, and predictors of readmission for patients undergoing laparoscopic colon and rectal operations.

Methods

Patients readmitted (PR) to the hospital within 30 days of discharge after laparoscopic colon and rectal operations were identified from a prospectively maintained database. The PR group was compared with patients that were not readmitted (NR). Outcomes and variables related to readmission were evaluated.

Results

There were 820 consecutive elective laparoscopic colon and rectal operations performed over a 5‐year period, with adequate follow‐up data for 787 cases. Seventy‐nine (10%) patients were readmitted. There was no difference in the age, sex, surgeon, or type of operation between the PR and NR groups. The most common causes for readmission were bowel obstruction (19%), ileus (18%), intra‐abdominal abscess (14%), and anastomotic leak (9%). Overall mean (median) length of stay (LOS) for the index admission was 3.7 ± 4.3 (3.0) days. Patients in the PR group had a trend toward a longer index admission LOS than the NR group (5.4 ± 8.8 [3.0] versus 3.5 ± 3.3 [3.0], p = 0.068). Univariate analysis demonstrated that patients with inflammatory bowel disease, pulmonary comorbidities, and steroid use were more likely to be readmitted. Multivariate analysis confirmed that inflammatory bowel disease and pulmonary comorbidity are independent risk factors for readmission.

Conclusions

Early readmission after laparoscopic colon and rectal operations is not associated with early discharge. Identification of specific patient characteristics indicating risk for early readmission may allow for selective changes in perioperative care or discharge criteria to avoid unexpected readmission.
Introducing mungbean as a preceding crop to enhance nitrogen uptake and yield of rainfed rice in the north-east of Thailand
Authors: Suriyakup P. , Polthanee A. , Pannangpetch K. , Katawatin R. , Mouret J. C. , Clermont-Dauphin C.
Published: November 2007

One possible management option for farmers to improve the soil nitrogen (N) supply for rice production is the cultivation of a prior legume. The objective of this study was to investigate the value of such an option in the lowland of the north-east of Thailand. Two experiments were established in 2 typical locations in a split-plot design with 4 replicates. The main plots included 3 nitrogen levels (0, 30, and 60 kg N/ha) and the subplots, 4 pre-rice managements: (i) fallow with weeds removed (FW–); (ii) with weeds incorporated before the rice crop (FW+); (iii) mungbean incorporated at flowering as green manure (MGM); or (iv) incorporated after grains harvest (MR+). In both experiments the difference in rice yield between MGM and MR+ was not significant. In Expt 1, in contrast to Expt 2, the rice yield increase due to MR+ was significant and significantly higher than that due to application of 60 kg N/ha. Moreover, significantly higher apparent recovery of N (ANRm, kg N uptake increase/kg N supplied by residues), probably due to the continuous flooding of the soil surface, was achieved in this experiment. The low values of internal efficiency of N (IEN, kg total grains/kg total N uptake), ANRf (Δ kg N uptake/kg N supplied by fertiliser), and of ANUEf (Δ kg grains/kg applied N fertiliser) recorded in the MR+ treatment of Expt 1, suggest that no application of N fertiliser is needed where the soil water conditions allow high recovery of the N supplied by a preceding mungbean crop.
Quantitative relationships of leaf nitrogen status to canopy spectral reflectance in rice
Authors: Zhu Yan , Zhou Dongqin , Yao Xia , Tian Yongchao , Cao Weixing
Published: November 2007

Non-destructive and quick methods for assessing leaf nitrogen (N) status are helpful for precision N management in field crops. The present study was conducted to determine the quantitative relationships of leaf N concentration on a leaf dry weight basis (LNC) and leaf N accumulation per unit soil area (LNA) to ground-based canopy spectral reflectance in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Time-course measurements were taken on canopy spectral reflectance, LNC, and leaf dry weights, with 4 field experiments under different N application rates and rice cultivars across 4 growing seasons. All possible ratio vegetation indices (RVI), difference vegetation indices (DVI), and normalised difference vegetation indices (NDVI) of key wavebands from the MSR16 radiometer were calculated. The results showed that LNC, LNA, and canopy reflectance spectra all markedly varied with N rates, with consistent change patterns among different rice cultivars and experiment years. There were highly significant linear correlations between LNC and canopy reflectance in the visible region from 560 to 710 nm (|r| > 0.85), between LNA and canopy reflectance from 760 to 1100 nm (|r| > 0.79), and from 460 to 710 nm wavelengths (|r| > 0.70). Among all possible RVI, DVI, and NDVI of key wavebands from the MSR16 radiometer, NDVI of 1220 and 710 nm was most highly correlated to LNC, and RVI of 950 and 660 nm and RVI of 950 and 680 nm were the best spectral indices for quantitative monitoring of LNA in rice. The average relative root mean square errors (RRMSE) between the predicted LNC and LNA and the observed values with independent data were no more than 11% and 25%, respectively. These results indicated that the canopy spectral reflectance can be potentially used for non-destructive and real-time monitoring of leaf N status in rice.
Forty years on: Uta Frith's Contribution to Research on Autism and Dyslexia, 1966–2006
Authors: Bishop Dorothy V. M.
Published: November 2007

Uta Frith has made a major contribution to our understanding of developmental disorders, especially autism and dyslexia. She has studied the cognitive and neurobiological bases of both disorders and demonstrated distinctive impairments in social cognition and central coherence in autism, and in phonological processing in dyslexia. In this enterprise she has encouraged psychologists to work in a theoretical framework that distinguishes between observed behaviour and the underlying cognitive and neurobiological processes that mediate that behaviour.
Precursors to a Theory of Mind in infancy: Perspectives for Research on Autism
Authors: Sodian Beate , Thoermer Claudia
Published: November 2007

There is ample evidence for a conceptual deficit in normally developing 3-year-olds’ and autistic children's understanding of the mind. Recent research using nonverbal tasks has challenged this view since even 15-month-old infants appear to base their action predictions on a representation of the agent's beliefs (Onishi & Baillargeon, 2005). Our own findings from looking-time experiments indicate, however, that 16-month-olds’ action predictions depend on behavioural and situational cues, rather than on a person's access to information. Further research is reviewed that indicates that 14-month-olds understand what another person can and cannot see, and that 18-month-olds predict a person's action from what she previously saw, when supported by behavioural cues. These findings support a constructivist view of a gradual understanding of conditions for knowing during the second year. The relevance of such findings for research on autism is discussed.
Development of the Social Brain during Adolescence
Authors: Blakemore Sarah-Jayne
Published: November 2007

Adolescence is usually defined as the period of psychological and social transition between childhood and adulthood. The beginning of adolescence, around the onset of puberty, is characterized by large hormonal and physical changes. The transition from childhood to adulthood is also characterized by psychological changes in terms of identity, self-consciousness, and cognitive flexibility. In the past decade, it has been demonstrated that various regions of the human brain undergo development during adolescence and beyond. Some of the brain regions that undergo particularly protracted development are involved in social cognitive function in adults. In the first section of this paper, I briefly describe evidence for a circumscribed network of brain regions involved in understanding other people. Next, I describe evidence that some of these brain regions undergo structural development during adolescence. Finally, I discuss recent studies that have investigated social cognitive development during adolescence.
What can Autism and Dyslexia Tell us about Intelligence?
Authors: Anderson Mike
Published: November 2007

This paper argues that understanding developmental disorders requires developing theories and models that explicitly represent the role of general intelligence in the cognitive phenotype of the disorder. In the case of autism it is argued that the low-IQ scores of people with autism are not likely to be due to a deficit in the cognitive process that is arguably the major cause of mental retardation—namely, speed of processing—but rather low IQ reflects the pervasive and cascading effects of the deficit in the information-processing module that causes autism. In the case of dyslexia, two radically different models of reading disorder (ability = disability and a modular deficit model) are likely to be influenced by the effect of general intelligence on reading performance in ways that will remain unclear without an explicit model of how general intelligence influences reading.
What Phonological Deficit?
Authors: Ramus Franck , Szenkovits Gayaneh
Published: November 2007

We review a series of experiments aimed at understanding the nature of the phonological deficit in developmental dyslexia. These experiments investigate input and output phonological representations, phonological grammar, foreign speech perception and production, and unconscious speech processing and lexical access. Our results converge on the observation that the phonological representations of people with dyslexia may be intact, and that the phonological deficit surfaces only as a function of certain task requirements, notably short-term memory, conscious awareness, and time constraints. In an attempt to reformulate those task requirements more economically, we propose that individuals with dyslexia have a deficit in access to phonological representations. We discuss the explanatory power of this concept and we speculate that a similar notion might also adequately describe the nature of other associated cognitive deficits when present.
Fine Cuts of Empathy and the Amygdala: Dissociable Deficits in Psychopathy and Autism
Authors: Blair R. J. R.
Published: November 2007

In the current paper, the “fine cuts” approach advocated by Uta Frith is applied to our understanding of empathy and amygdala dysfunction in two disorders, psychopathy and autism. A fine cut is made between cognitive (i.e., Theory of Mind) and emotional empathy. The literature with respect to psychopathy and autism and these two functions is then considered. A fine cut is also made between the amygdala's role in stimulus–reinforcement association and specific aspects of social cognition. Again the literature with respect to psychopathy and autism and these two functions of the amygdala is considered. It is concluded that while both conditions can be considered disorders of social cognition, fine cuts can be made dissociating the impairments associated with each.
Automatic synchronization and distribution of biological databases and software over low-bandwidth networks among developing countries
Authors: Sangket Unitsa , Phongdara Amornrat , Chotigeat Wilaiwan , Nathan Darran , Kim Woo-Yeon , Bhak Jong , Ngamphiw Chumpol , Tongsima Sissades , Khan Asif M. , Lin Honghuang , Tan Tin Wee
Published: November 2007

Summary: Bioinformatics involves the collection, organization and analysis of large amounts of biological data, using networks of computers and databases. Developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region are just moving into this new field of information-based biotechnology. However, the computational infrastructure and network bandwidths available in these countries are still at a basic level compared to that in developed countries. In this study, we assessed the utility of a BitTorrent-based Peer-to-Peer (btP2P) file distribution model for automatic synchronization and distribution of large amounts of biological data among developing countries. The initial country-level nodes in the Asia-Pacific region comprised Thailand, Korea and Singapore. The results showed a significant improvement in download performance using btP2P—three times faster overall download performance than conventional File Transfer Protocol (FTP). This study demonstrated the reliability of btP2P in the dissemination of continuously growing multi-gigabyte biological databases across the three Asia-Pacific countries. The download performance for btP2P can be further improved by including more nodes from other countries into the network. This suggests that the btP2P technology is appropriate for automatic synchronization and distribution of biological databases and software over low-bandwidth networks among developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Availability:  http://everest.bic.nus.edu.sg/p2p/

Contact:  usangket@yahoo.com
Identification of phylogenetically conserved microRNA cis-regulatory elements across 12 Drosophila species
Authors: Wang Xiaowo , Gu Jin , Zhang Michael Q. , Li Yanda
Published: November 2007

Motivation: MicroRNAs are a class of endogenous small RNAs that play regulatory roles. Intergenic miRNAs are believed to be transcribed independently, but the transcriptional control of these crucial regulators is still poorly understood.

Results: In this work, phylogenetic footprinting is used to identify conserved cis-regulatory elements (CCEs) surrounding intergenic miRNAs in Drosophila. With a two-step strategy that takes advantage of both alignment-based and motif-based methods, we identified CCEs that are conserved across the 12 fly species. When compared with TRANSFAC database, these CCEs are significantly enriched in known transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs). Moreover, several TFs that play essential roles in Drosophila development (e.g. Adf-1, Abd-B, Sd, Prd, Ubx, Zen and En) are found to be preferentially regulating the miRNA genes. Further analysis revealed many over-represented cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) composed of multiple known TFBSs, motif pairs with significant distance constraints and a number of novel motifs, many of which preferentially occur near the transcription start site of protein-coding genes. Additionally, a number of putative miRNA-TF regulatory feedback loops were also detected.

Availability: Supplementary Material and the Perl scripts performing two-step phylogenetic footprinting are available at http://bioinfo.au.tsinghua.edu.cn/member/xwwang/mircisreg

Contact:  daulyd@tsinghua.edu.cn

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Genome scale enzyme–metabolite and drug–target interaction predictions using the signature molecular descriptor
Authors: Faulon Jean-Loup , Misra Milind , Martin Shawn , Sale Ken , Sapra Rajat
Published: November 2007

Motivation: Identifying protein enzymatic or pharmacological activities are important areas of research in biology and chemistry. Biological and chemical databases are increasingly being populated with linkages between protein sequences and chemical structures. There is now sufficient information to apply machine-learning techniques to predict interactions between chemicals and proteins at a genome scale. Current machine-learning techniques use as input either protein sequences and structures or chemical information. We propose here a method to infer protein–chemical interactions using heterogeneous input consisting of both protein sequence and chemical information.

Results: Our method relies on expressing proteins and chemicals with a common cheminformatics representation. We demonstrate our approach by predicting whether proteins can catalyze reactions not present in training sets. We also predict whether a given drug can bind a target, in the absence of prior binding information for that drug and target. Such predictions cannot be made with current machine-learning techniques requiring binding information for individual reactions or individual targets.

Availability and Contact: For questions, paper reprints, please contact Jean-Loup Faulon at jfaulon@sandia.gov. Additional information on the signature molecular descriptor and codes can be downloaded at: http://www.cs.sandia.gov/~jfaulon/publication-signature.html

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Potential Use of Plectranthus amboinicus in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Chang Jia-Ming , Cheng Chun-Ming , Hung Le-Mei , Chung Yuh-Shan , Wu Rey-Yuh
Published: November 2007

Plectranthus amboinicus (P. amboinicus) is a folk herb that is used to treat inflammatory diseases or swelling symptoms in Taiwan. We investigated therapeutic efficacy of P. amboinicus in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) using collagen‐induced arthritis animal model. Arthritis was induced in Lewis rats by immunization with bovine type II collagen. Serum anti‐collagen IgG, IgM and C‐reactive protein (CRP) were analyzed. To understand the inflammation condition of treated animals, production of TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β from peritoneal exudates cells (PEC) were also analyzed. P. amboinicus significantly inhibited the footpad swelling and arthritic symptoms in collagen‐induced arthritic rats, while the serum anti‐collagen IgM and CRP levels were consistently decreased. The production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β were also decreased in the high dosage of P. amboinicus group. Here, we demonstrate the potential anti‐arthritic effect of P. amboinicus for treating RA, which might confer its anti‐rheumatic activity. This differs the pharmacological action mode of indomethacin.
What do faculty and students really think about e‐books?
Authors: Rowlands Ian , Nicholas David , Jamali Hamid R. , Huntington Paul
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to report on a large‐scale survey that was carried out to assess academic users' awareness, perceptions and existing levels of use of e‐books. The survey also seeks to find out about the purposes to which electronic books were put, and to obtain an understanding of the most effective library marketing and communication channels.

Design/methodology/approach

An e‐mail invitation to participate in the survey was distributed to all UCL staff and students (approximately 27,000) in November 2006, and 1,818 completions were received, an effective response rate of at least 6.7 per cent. Statistical analyses were carried out on the data using Software Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Findings

The survey findings point to various ways in which user uptake and acceptance of e‐books may be encouraged. Book discovery behaviour, a key issue for publishers and librarians in both print and electronic environments, emerges as a critical focus for service delivery and enhancement.

Originality/value

The survey is part of an action research project, CIBER's SuperBook, that will further investigate the issues raised in this initial benchmarking survey using deep log analysis and qualitative methods. The paper partly fills the gap in the literature on e‐books which has mainly focused on usage and not the users.
Integration of the research library service into the editorial process
Authors: Brown Deborah , Leith Dean
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and outline changing paradigms in information management in the context of the modern media organisation and to realign and decentralise library services according to such paradigms.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology was to review literature and international best practice in newsroom library, research and reference services and apply results to a restructuring process whereby librarians were “embedded” into newsroom operations.

Findings

The new “embedded” structure resulted in librarians playing a more active role in the editorial process, and establishing closer, more collaborative, relationships with library clients. Six months after the restructure, a 15 per cent increase in research and reference work was recorded with a corresponding enhancement in the profile of the library service.

Practical implications

Opportunities emerged to use the restructure as a chance to re‐brand the library and, when publicising the changes to users, to increase the library's client base by marketing to staff previously unaware of library services.

Originality/value

The paper applies a range of trends in traditional information management literature and practice to the specific context of the newspaper newsroom, accounts of which have not hitherto been reported.
MPs online: an evaluative study of MPs' use of web sites
Authors: Goodchild Lauren , Oppenheim Charles , Cleeve Marigold
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the content and usability of a sample of 50 UK MPs' web sites.

Design/methodology/approach

Score sheets were developed for the evaluation of web sites based on an extensive review of the relevant literature. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to all MPs who had a web site at the time of the research.

Findings

The web sites in general scored poorly in terms of content and usability. Liberal Democrats' web sites scored the highest overall. The main reason why MPs set up web sites was to improve communications with their constituents. However, many MPs had problems finding the time and funds to set up and maintain their web sites. There is a growing interest in interactive web sites.

Research limitations/implications

Not every MP's web site was evaluated, nor was every MP approached regarding their attitude to web sites.

Practical implications

A series of recommendations on how MPs can improve their web sites is provided. It is clear that MPs' web sites are a long way from being ideal. Funding issues need to be addressed.

Originality/value

This is the latest such survey for a number of years.