bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International diffusion of gains from biotechnology and the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy
Authors: van Meijl Hans , van Tongeren Frank
Published: August 2007

This paper analyses the impact of adopting or rejecting genetically modified (GM) crops in the European Union, taking into account the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In this paper the productivity impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) differs across crops, taking factor biased technology change into account. The transfer of knowledge across countries is modelled as a process of endogenous knowledge spill‐overs. Analysis with a multi‐region applied general equilibrium model shows that the CAP protects farm income and production despite non‐adoption of the more productive GM crops in the EU. The EU will forgo substantial benefits in terms of economic welfare if it bans GM imports.
An experimental approach to valuing new differentiated products
Authors: Maynard Leigh J. , Hartell Jason G. , Meyer A. Lee , Hao Jianqiang
Published: August 2007

An experimental store was created to evaluate initial demand for locally produced and guaranteed tender steak products as a more realistic alternative to contingent valuation (CV) and dichotomous‐choice experimental methods. Strengths of the approach are incentive compatibility, a realistic consumption set, and a familiar choice environment. Consumers selected among USDA Choice, premium quality, lean, guaranteed tender and locaily produced strip steaks. A double‐hurdle count data model indicated initial willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for locally produced steak comparable to prior CV results, but demand was highly elastic. Demand for premium quality steak crowded out demand for the guaranteed tender product, contrasting with prior dichotomous‐choice experimental results.
Economic analysis of the impact of adopting herd health control programs on smallholder dairy farms in Central Thailand
Authors: Hall David C. , Ehui Simeon K. , Shapiro Barry I.
Published: August 2007

The economic impact of adopting herd health programs for mastitis and reproduction by small‐scale dairy producers of Central Thailand was assessed using a policy analysis matrix (PAM). Following a reduction in the incidence of bovine disease on adopter farms, an increase in private net profits is observed. More importantly the social costs of supporting dairy farmers is reduced; the PAM effective protection coefficient was reduced by 35% for mastitis program adopters and by 44% for reproductive program adopters, indicating improved social efficiency of dairy policy. Other indicators of efficiency and policy implications are discussed.
Lifetime prevalence of suicide ideation, plan, and attempt in metropolitan China
Authors: Lee S. , Fung S. C. , Tsang A. , Liu Z. R. , Huang Y. Q. , He Y. L. , Zhang M. Y. , Shen Y. C. , Nock M. K. , Kessler R. C.
Published: August 2007

Objective:  This is the first community‐based epidemiological study examining the prevalence of suicidal behaviors, their transitional pathways, and their relationship with mental disorders in metropolitan China.

Method:  Suicidal behaviors, including ideation, plans, and attempts were assessed by face‐to‐face household interviews among 5201 respondents in Beijing and Shanghai in 2001–2002. Lifetime prevalence and risk factors were examined using multivariate discrete‐time survival models.

Results:  The lifetime prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts were 3.1%, 0.9%, and 1.0% respectively. Among suicide ideators, the conditional probability of ever making a plan and an attempt was 29.5% and 32.3% respectively. Progression from ideation to plan and attempt was the highest during the first year after onset. Suicide attempt was predicted by young adulthood, being unmarried, recent onset of ideation and plan, and the presence of mental disorders, especially mood disorder.

Conclusion:  Suicidal behaviors in metropolitan China exhibit a low prevalence and an epidemiological profile resembling that found in Western countries.
MMP‐13 and TIMP‐1 determinations in progressive chronic periodontitis
Authors: Hernández Marcela , Martínez Benjamín , Tejerina José María , Valenzuela María Antonieta , Gamonal Jorge
Published: August 2007

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐13 is a collagenase involved in extracellular matrix degradation either by its direct degradative effects or by processing bioactive substrates. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of MMP‐13 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)‐1 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and gingival biopsies obtained from active and inactive sites during chronic periodontitis progression.

Materials and Methods: This was a longitudinal study in which chronic periodontitis patients with moderate to severe disease were included and followed until they developed progression determined by the tolerance method. GCF samples were obtained from periodontitis, active, inactive and healthy sites and additional gingival biopsies were taken from active and inactive sites. MMP‐13 and TIMP‐1 determinations were carried out by immunodot blots and immunowestern blots.

Results: In progressive periodontitis, MMP‐13 and TIMP‐1 remained unchanged between active and inactive sites, but as the TIMP‐1 relative levels increased together with MMP‐13 elevation in inactive samples, an inverse correlation was observed in active sites. Besides, MMP‐13 was undetectable in healthy controls.

Conclusion: Chronic periodontitis is characterized by increased MMP‐13 expression. During disease progression, active sites tended to decrease TIMP‐1 levels in association with MMP‐13 elevation.
Proliferation of HSP47‐positive skin fibroblasts in dermatofibroma
Authors: Kuroda Kei , Tajima Shingo
Published: August 2007

Background:  The cell origin of dermatofibroma (DF) has not been clarified satisfactorily. This study was undertaken to assess the distribution of fibroblasts and the relationship between fibroblasts and other constituent cells in DF by 47‐kDa heat‐shock protein (HSP47), a cell marker for skin fibroblast.

Methods:  Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of HSP47 and other cell markers in histological variants of DF.

Results:  Almost all spindle‐shaped cells showed strong immunoreactivity for HSP47 in DF. In the fibrocollagenous type, a common type of DF, HSP47‐positive fibroblasts were the major constituent cells. In the cellular and atypical types, many constituent cells were positive for HSP47. Huge cells with bizarre nuclei, which are distinctive of the atypical type, showed immunoreactivity for HSP47, not for CD68 or factor XIIIa (FXIIIa). In the histiocytic and angiomatous types, CD68‐positive histiocytes were the major constituent cells, but many scattered spindle cells were positive for HSP47. FXIIIa‐positive dermal dendritic cells were increased, irrespective of DF variants, whereas the cell number varied from case to case.

Conclusions:  Skin fibroblast is one of the major constituent cells in DF, and DF may be composed chiefly of two types of cell lineages, fibroblasts and bone marrow‐derived monocyte/macrophages (dermal dendritic cells and/or histiocytes).
Drug‐associated histiocytoid Sweet’s syndrome: a true neutrophilic maturation arrest variant
Authors: Wu Angela J. , Rodgers Timothy , Fullen Douglas R.
Published: August 2007

Histiocytoid Sweet’s syndrome is a recently described entity which has clinical features identical to typical Sweet’s syndrome but is distinguished by a dermal cellular infiltrate composed not of mature neutrophils but of immature granulocytes. Herein, we report a case of bone marrow granulocytic maturation arrest and a histological histiocytoid Sweet’s‐like reaction pattern following trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole therapy.
Cutaneous composite hemangioendothelioma with satellitosis and lymph node metastases
Authors: Requena Luis , Luis Díaz José , Manzarbeitia Felix , Carrillo Rosario , Fernández‐Herrera Jesús , Kutzner Heinz
Published: August 2007

The term hemangioendothelioma has been used in recent years to name a heterogeneous group of vascular neoplasms, intermediate in both biological behavior and histopathologic appearance between benign tumors (hemangiomas) and frankly malignant tumors (angiosarcomas). Thus, within the spectrum of hemangioendothelioma have been successively included epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, spindle cell hemangioendothelioma, retiform hemangioendothelioma, kaposiform hemangioendothelioma, polymorphous hemagioendothelioma of the lymph nodes, papillary intralymphatic angioendothelioma (PILA) and composite hemangioendothelioma. The latter is a vascular neoplasm showing varying combinations of benign, low‐grade malignant and malignant vascular components. We herein report a case of composite hemangioendothelioma showing a combination of retiform hemangioendothelioma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, spindle cell hemangioma and PILA. The neoplasm showed a more aggressive behavior than other reported cases of composite hemangioendothelioma and it developed satellitosis and metastases to the inguinal lymph nodes. Neoplastic cells expressed immunoreactivity for Prox‐1, supporting a lymphatic line of differentiation.
Cutaneous epithelioid hemangioendothelioma
Authors: Clarke Loren E. , Lee Robert , Militello Giuseppe , Elenitsas Rosalie , Junkins‐Hopkins Jacqueline
Published: August 2007

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare vascular tumor of endothelial cell origin. We describe an EHE arising on the plantar surface of the foot that was treated as verruca vulgaris for several years before a biopsy showed EHE. We discuss the clinical and histopathologic differential diagnoses for these tumors and review additional cases in which EHE has been mistaken for benign entities clinically.
Antipredator behaviour of naïve Arctic charr young in the presence of predator odours and conspecific alarm cues
Authors: Lautala T. , Hirvonen H.
Published: August 2007

Abstract –  We investigated how Arctic charr young respond behaviourally to olfactory cues from skin‐damaged conspecifics, charr‐fed pikeperch, and the combination of food‐deprived pikeperch and skin‐damaged conspecific cues in a two‐channel Y‐maze fluviarium test arena. Significant antipredator responses were found to skin‐damaged conspecifics in three behavioural traits, to charr‐fed pikeperch in two traits and to the combination of pikeperch and skin‐damaged conspecific cues in all six behaviours investigated. The combination of predator and conspecific cues significantly increased spatial avoidance and cautiousness to approach the source of scent compared with odours from charr‐fed predators. The results suggest that damage‐released alarm cues exist in charr, and they strengthen the antipredator responses in conspecifics. As the charr used different behaviours and levels of response in the presence of different cues, they seem to have sophisticated skills to distinguish between different odour combinations and be able to adjust their behaviour according to the current predation risk level.
Generalist versus specialist: the performances of perch and ruffe in a lake of low productivity
Authors: Schleuter D. , Eckmann R.
Published: August 2007

Abstract –  To elucidate the performances of perch and ruffe in oligotrophic lakes, we carried out a field study in reoligotrophic Upper Lake Constance. Both these percids used the same habitat, albeit with different activity patterns. Interspecific competition for food was relevant only in summer when both species fed on zoobenthos. Even then, niche overlap was low, while intraspecific diet overlap was moderate to high throughout the season. Perch did not perform fixed, ontogenetic diet shifts, but used a wide range of prey. During spring and early summer, all size classes were planktivorous, then switched to benthivory and cannibalism in summer, and part of the population reverted to planktivory in autumn. Ruffe, by contrast, fed mainly on chironomid larvae and pupae throughout the year. It is suggested that in lakes of low productivity the euryphagous characteristics of perch, including cannibalism, provide a clear advantage over the benthivorous specialist ruffe in two ways: (i) it allows perch to switch to alternative prey types if one prey type becomes scarce; and (ii) reduces both intra‐ and interspecific competition for food.
Where Does The God Delusion Come from?
Authors: Lash Nicholas
Published: August 2007

While Richard Dawkins' polemic against religion scores easy points against Christian fundamentalisms, he supposes his target to be much vaster: “I am not attacking any particular version of God or gods. I am attacking God, all gods”. Given The God Delusion's lack of extended argument, historical ignorance and unfamiliarity with the literature, the praise it has received from some distinguished scientists is troubling.

This essay seeks, first, to examine some of the book's chief weaknesses – its ignorance of the grammar of “God” and of “belief in God”; the crudeness of its account of how texts are best read; its lack of interest in ethics – and, second, to address the question of what it is about the climate of the times that enables so ill‐informed and badly argued a tirade to be widely welcomed by many apparently well‐educated people.

The latter issue is addressed, first, by considering the illusion, unique to the English‐speaking world, that there is some single set of procedures which uniquely qualify as “scientific” and give privileged access to truth; second, by examining historical shifts in the senses of “religion”; thirdly, by locating Dawkins' presuppositions concerning both “science” and “religion”, his paradoxical belief in progress, and the reception which the book has received, in relation to tensions in our culture signalled, fifty years ago, by C. P. Snow.
Questions About the Perception of “Christian Truth”: On the Affective Effects of Sin
Authors: Smith James K.A.
Published: August 2007

This article engages David Bentley Hart's critique of coercive “demonstration” in apologetics in favor of Gospel proclamation in the mode of “persuasion.” More specifically, I evaluate Hart's articulation of persuasion as a discourse that is primarily aesthetic and traffics primarily in beauty. After expressing an appreciation for Hart's critique of the traditional apologetics of demonstration, I suggest that Hart's own proposal still has elements of an “apologetic”—a kind of natural “aesthetic” theology, but a natural theology nonetheless. I conclude by extrapolating the Reformed critique of natural theology (based on the “noetic effects of sin”) to include a critique of Hart's aesthetic quasi‐natural theology by providing an account of the “affective” effects of sin.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotype of MD‐1 gene associated with high serum IgE phenotype with mite‐sensitive allergy in Taiwanese children
Authors: Wang J. Y. , Lin C. G. J. , Hsiao Y. H. , Liou Y. H. , Wu L. S. H.
Published: August 2007

MD‐1 (myeloid differentiation 1; also known as Ly86, lymphocyte antigen 86), interacting with RP105, plays an important role in Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) signalling pathway. It has been suggested to be involved in the pathological mechanism of inflammation and atopic diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MD‐1 promoter and coding region and mite‐sensitive allergy in Taiwanese children. We conducted a case‐control study on 237 controls and 281 allergic patients sensitive to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) and Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) by genotyping 35 SNPs in MD‐1 gene region. In the promoter region we identified three SNPs, rs1334710, rs4959389, and rs977785 that are associated with mite‐sensitive allergy in Taiwanese children. The P‐values ranged from 0.0150 to 0.009. The haplotypes including promoter region were also associated with mite‐sensitive allergy. Our results suggested that MD‐1 could be a susceptible gene for mite‐sensitive allergy in Taiwanese children.
Detection of SiO emission from a massive dense cold core
Authors: Lo N. , Cunningham M. , Bains I. , Burton M. G. , Garay G.
Published: August 2007

We report the detection of the SiO (J= 2−1) transition from the massive cold dense core G333.125−0.562. The core remains undetected at wavelengths shorter than 70 μm and has compact 1.2-mm dust continuum. The SiO emission is localized to the core. The observations are part of a continuing multi-molecular line survey of the giant molecular cloud G333. Other detected molecules in the core include 13CO, C18O, CS, HCO+, HCN, HNC, CH3OH, N2H+, SO, HC3N, NH3, and some of their isotopes. In addition, from NH3 (1,1) and (2,2) inversion lines, we obtain a temperature of 13 K. From fitting to the spectral energy distribution we obtain a colour temperature of 18 K and a gas mass of 2 × 103M⊙. We have also detected a 22-GHz water maser in the core, together with methanol maser emission, suggesting that the core will host massive star formation. We hypothesize that the SiO emission arises from shocks associated with an outflow in the cold core.
The origin of the Arches stellar cluster mass function
Authors: Dib Sami , Kim Jongsoo , Shadmehri Mohsen
Published: August 2007

We investigate the time-evolution of the mass distribution of pre-stellar cores (PSCs) and their transition to the initial stellar mass function (IMF) in the central parts of a molecular cloud (MC) under the assumption that the coalescence of cores is important. Our aim is to explain the observed shallow IMF in dense stellar clusters such as the Arches cluster. The initial distributions of PSCs at various distances from the MC centre are those of gravitationally unstable cores resulting from the gravo-turbulent fragmentation of the MC. As time evolves, there is a competition between the rates of coalescence and collapse of the PSCs. Whenever the local rate of collapse is larger than the rate of coalescence in a given mass bin, cores are collapsed into stars. With appropriate parameters, we find that the coalescence–collapse model reproduces very well all the observed characteristics of the Arches stellar cluster IMF: namely, the slopes at high- and low-mass ends and the peculiar bump observed at ∼ 5–6M⊙. Our results suggest that today's IMF of the Arches cluster is very similar to the primordial one and is little affected by the mass segregation due to dynamical effects.
A model of event‐generated dependence in older adults
Authors: Patusky Kathleen L.
Published: August 2007

Aims and objectives.  The proposed model of event‐generated dependence characterizes dependence in older adults as an emergent phenomenon that may arise from interaction between the older adult with compromised health and the social environment, resulting in altered reciprocity.

Background.  Pejorative characterizations of dependence in older adults influence nursing care negatively. Concept analyses recommend the recognition that dependence is interactive in nature, not an inherent trait of the individual, and that dependence involves changes in interpersonal reciprocity.

Conclusions.  The model provides a testable causal path between dependence and psychological outcomes.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The event generated dependence model can sensitize nurses to an alternative view of dependence. It is important for nurses to recognize their role in determining the social environment of care, attend to the promotion of reciprocity with older adults as care is provided, and incorporate changes in their attitudes toward inequitable reciprocity.
A comparative review of the Katz ADL and the Barthel Index in assessing the activities of daily living of older people
Authors: Hartigan Irene
Published: August 2007

Assessment of a patient’s functional ability to perform activities of daily living is an essential part of nursing. Measuring the functional ability of older adults is a potent predictor of a patient’s morbidity and hospital outcome. The information generated from assessment scales is only constructive if the information generated is clinically useful and scientifically reliable. The Katz activities of daily living and the Barthel Index are two of the oldest competing indices for assessing activities of daily living. The Katz activities of daily living and the Barthel Index evaluate a patient’s function in terms of level of independence or dependence when performing certain activities required for daily living. This paper will compare their significance and usefulness to nursing practice of the older adult. As information is gathered and interpreted to complete these assessment scales, the relative merits in specific situations of these two oldest competing indices need to be considered to ensure their appropriateness and sensitivity. Often, with the use of assessment scales for activities of daily living, the results often tend to be subjective and lack a systematic approach. Subjective assessment of patients makes it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, leading to bias and the misinterpretation of data. This may be critical in the care of older adults, where presenting problems are often complex and multi‐dimensional. As assessment of functional ability has become more important to nursing practice, this paper will investigate the Katz activities of daily living and the Barthel Index for reliability and explore the variations that exist between the two indices. Although research on assessment scales has been ongoing since the work of Katz et al. (1963) there remains conceptual issues as to what constitutes activities of daily living and defining terminology associated with the measurement.
Working with volunteers: key issues for gerontological nursing – Literature scan
Authors: Manthorpe Jill
Published: August 2007

This article explores volunteering with older people through a study of the literature, mainly from the UK. The discussion is grouped around five themes: organization, support, sustainability, stereotypes and boundaries. The article discusses nurses’ roles in working with volunteers and volunteer coordinators. It notes that older people are often volunteers themselves. A number of areas for future research are outlined.
Role of the ejaculatory bulb in biosynthesis of the male pheromone cis‐vaccenyl acetate in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: GUIRAUDIE‐CAPRAZ Gaëlle , PHO Dang Ba , JALLON Jean‐Marc
Published: August 2007

In Drosophila melanogaster, the male ejaculatory bulb is the site of synthesis of a male‐specific pheromone, cis‐vaccenyl acetate, which functions as both an attractant and an anti‐aphrodisiac. This long monounsaturated acetate is structurally similar to a number of shorter gland‐synthesized moth pheromones. The cell monolayer that forms the Drosophila male ejaculatory bulb wall is responsible for the production and secretion of cis‐vaccenyl acetate into the seminal fluid. When dissected bulbs were incubated with sodium [14‐C]‐acetate (or deuterated acetate), a labeled acetate ester was synthesized. The labeled acetate ester co‐migrated with cis‐vaccenyl acetate in thin layer chromatography. Incubation of the abdomens of males from which the ejaculatory bulbs had been removed, or the abdomens of females, with radiolabeled acetate did not yield any acetate ester, but did yield other lipid products, including hydrocarbons. When the isolated labeled acetate ester was hydrolyzed, no radioactive vaccenol was formed. This strongly suggests that the acetyl group is incorporated via a transacetylation reaction, but that the vaccenyl moiety is not synthetized in the blub. The transacetylation enzyme activity was localized in the microsomal subfraction of the bulb homogenate, and its affinity for vaccenol was not very different from that reported for monounsaturated alcohol substrates in moths.
Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on Quality of Fresh‐Cut Tomato
Authors: Kim H.‐J. , Fonseca J.M. , Kubota C. , Choi J.‐H.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT:  The effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 M) on selected nutritional quality of fresh‐cut tomato was investigated. Microbial population of tomato slices stored at 10 °C and treated with H2O2 was lower than the control by 1‐(0.2 and 0.4 M) and 5‐log (0.4 M), 3 and 7 d after processing, respectively. Dipping fresh‐cut tomato into H2O2 resulted in reduced phenolic and antioxidant levels after 7 d in storage by at least 5% and 20%, respectively, and produced an initial decline in vitamin C and lycopene. Change in color values in the H2O2 treatments were associated with reduced carotenoid content. Our results confirmed antimicrobial benefits of H2O2 but revealed a compromise in antioxidant and carotenoid contents of fresh‐cut tomatoes.
Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents: obstacles to early diagnosis and future directions
Authors: Cahill Catherine M. , Green Melissa J. , Jairam Rajeev , Malhi Gin S.
Published: August 2007

Aim:  This article reviews research centred around juvenile bipolar disorder with particular reference to diagnostic difficulties. Putative deficits are scrutinized with respect to trait likelihood and the roles of neuropsychology and neuroimaging in enhancing our understanding of juvenile bipolar disorder are discussed.

Methods:  Search terms including childhood, adolescent, youth and juvenile combined with the terms ‘bipolar disorder’, mania, depression and hypomania were used to identify relevant studies in MEDLINE and PsychLit.

Results:  Over recent years research into this relatively new disorder has increased phenomenally. Key issues within the field include diagnostic specificity, the heritability of the disorder, the impact of comorbidity and the implications of neuropsychological and neuroimaging findings.

Conclusion:  Despite concerning controversies in literature the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents as compared with adults, promising future research directions include better neurological characterization of the disorder through the application of findings from clinical populations, neuropsychological and neuroimaging research.
Childhood negative experiences and subclinical psychosis in adolescence: a longitudinal general population study
Authors: De Loore Ellen , Drukker Marjan , Gunther Nicole , Feron Frans , Deboutte Dirk , Sabbe Bernard , Mengelers Ron , Van Os Jim , Myin‐Germeys Inez
Published: August 2007

Background:  Accumulating evidence suggests that experiences of trauma and victimization during childhood are associated with an increased risk to develop clinical and subclinical psychosis in adulthood. A recent cross‐sectional study showed a significant association between trauma and psychotic experiences in adolescents. The current study aimed to extend these findings by investigating the longitudinal effects of negative life experiences on the risk for subclinical psychotic symptoms 2 years later in an adolescent general community sample.

Methods:  Data were derived from the standard health screenings of the Youth Health Care Divisions of the Public Health Services, in the South of the Netherlands. A total of 1129 adolescents filled out a self‐report questionnaire at age 13/14 years and 2 years later (15/16 years), assessing psychotic experiences, as well as experiences of being bullied, sexual trauma, and negative life events.

Results:  Logistic regression analyses revealed that sexual trauma increased the risk for psychotic symptoms 2 years later. Life events contributed to the risk for psychosis over time and psychosis in turn gave rise to new life events. No significant association with bullying was found after controlling for confounders.

Conclusion:  The results provide further evidence for an association between childhood environment and psychosis in the crucial developmental period of early adolescence. Early and later psychological stress, if severe, may impact on the risk for psychosis in adolescence through mechanisms of person–environment interaction and correlation.
Attempting to prevent depression in youth: a systematic review of the evidence
Authors: Merry Sally N. , Spence Susan H.
Published: August 2007

Aim:  The aim of this review was to update the information on prevention and early intervention programmes for depression in adolescents.

Method:  We searched the literature to the end of July 2006 for published randomized controlled trials of psychological interventions specifically designed to prevent the onset of depression among children and adolescents (aged 5 to 19 years) who did not already meet the criteria for a clinical diagnosis of depressive illness.

Results:  Findings have been mixed. Positive results after intervention and at follow‐up have been reported in a number of targeted studies, although an attempt to replicate findings in a school and in a primary care setting were unsuccessful. Most studies of universal interventions have shown a short‐term effect that did not persist at follow‐up. There are a number of methodological problems with studies to date. Issues that have not been addressed include taking into account the placebo effect, measuring the incidence of depressive disorder following intervention and ensuring the quality and fidelity of intervention is adequate. Interventions to date may have been too short to create durable change.

Conclusions:  There is no clear evidence to date that depression prevention is effective and implementation of depression prevention programmes would be premature on current evidence. However, given the positive finding in some studies, and the cost of depressive disorder, further research is warranted. Attempts to reduce depressive disorder in the community should address wider social issues, as well as improving on the narrower interventions focusing on individual protective and risk factors.
Model Development and Calibration of a Saltwater Intrusion Model in Southern California1
Authors: Bray Ben , Tsai Frank T.‐C. , Sim Youn , Yeh William W.‐G.
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  A nine‐layered confined‐unconfined flow and transport model is developed for the Alamitos saltwater intrusion barrier in Southern California. The conceptual model is based on the geological structure of the coastal aquifer system. The key parameters in the flow and transport models are calibrated using a two‐phase procedure which matches the types of data available for calibration. Because of the abundance of point measurements of hydraulic conductivity, the heterogeneous and random hydraulic conductivity field for each of the five aquifers is estimated by the geostatiscal method of natural‐neighbor‐kriging in Phase 1. In Phase 2, the longitudinal and transverse dispersivities in the transport model are estimated by a traditional inverse procedure that minimizes the least‐squares error for concentration (LSE‐CON). The minimum LSE‐CON is achieved near 15.2 and 1.52 m for the longitudinal and transverse dispersivities, respectively. Additional simulations with increasing transport parameter complexity did not yield significant improvements in LSE‐CON. Also, tracking least‐squares error for head while parametrically varying the transport parameters revealed there is a negligible interaction between predicted head and transport parameters.
Effects of Riparian Areas, Stream Order, and Land Use Disturbance on Watershed‐Scale Habitat Potential: An Ecohydrologic Approach to Policy1
Authors: Ekness Paul , Randhir Timothy
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  Spatio‐temporal linkages between hydrologic and ecologic dimensions of watersheds play a critical role in conservation policies. Habitat potential is influenced by variation along longitudinal and lateral gradients and land use disturbance. An assessment of these influences provides critical information for protecting watershed ecosystems and in making spatially explicit, conservation decisions. We use an ecohydrologic approach that focuses on interface between hydrological and ecological processes. This study focuses on changes in watershed habitat potentials along lateral (riparian), and longitudinal (stream order) dimensions and disturbance (land use). The habitat potentials were evaluated for amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds in the Westfield River Watershed of Massachusetts using geographic information systems and multivariate analysis. We use a polynomial model to study nonlinear effects using robust regression. Various spatial policies were modeled and evaluated for influence on species diversity. All habitat potentials showed a strong influence along spatial dimensions and disturbance. The habitat potential for all vertebrate groups studied decreased as the distance from the riparian zone increased. Headwaters and lower order subwatersheds had higher levels of species diversity compared to higher order subwatersheds. It was observed that locations with the least disturbance also had higher habitat potential. The study identifies three policy criteria that could be used to identify critical areas within a watershed to conserve habitat suitable for various species through management and restoration activities. A spatially variable policy that is based on stream order, riparian distance, and land use can be used to maximize watershed ecological benefits. Wider riparian zones with variable widths, protection of headwaters and lower order subwatersheds, and minimizing disturbance in riparian and headwater areas can be used in watershed policy. These management objectives could be achieved using targeted economic incentives, best management practices, zoning laws, and educational programs using a watershed perspective.
Fibulin‐5 is involved in phlebosclerosis of major portal vein branches associated with elastic fiber deposition in idiopathic portal hypertension
Authors: Sato Yasunori , Sawada Seiko , Nakanuma Yasuni
Published: August 2007

Aim:  In cases of idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH), the deposition of elastic fibers in the major portal vein branches and peripheral portal tracts is a common and characteristic histological finding, which may be related to the disease's pathogenesis. This study aimed to clarify the mechanism of this portal fibroelastosis.

Methods:  The expression of fibulin‐5 and fibrillin‐1, proteins essential for elastogenesis, was examined in IPH livers (n = 15) using immunohistochemistry. Liver specimens obtained from patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH)/liver cirrhosis (LC) (n = 12) and normal/subnormal livers (n = 10) were used as controls.

Results:  In IPH livers, immunohistochemical labeling of fibulin‐5 was observed in the major portal vein branches in eight cases (53%), and the distribution corresponded to that of elastic fibers in the vessel walls, while the peripheral portaltracts totally lacked fibulin‐5 in spite of the presence of dense elastic fibers. In CVH/LC and normal livers, fibulin‐5 expression was absent or faint throughout the sections. Fibrillin‐1 was detected in the connective tissue of the hilar region and peripheral portal tracts in IPH, CVH/LC and normal livers, with the expression varying greatly among cases.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that fibulin‐5, rather than fibrillin‐1, expressed in the major portal vein branches of IPH livers is related to phlebosclerosis, leading to an increase in presinusoidal vascular resistance and portal hypertension. In addition, the mechanism of fibroelastosis may differ between the major portal vein branches and peripheral portal tracts of IPH livers.
Twofold seasonal variation in the supposedly constant, species‐specific, ratio of upstroke to downstroke flight muscles in red knotsCalidris canutus
Authors: Piersma Theunis , Dietz Maurine W.
Published: August 2007

We show that in a long‐distance migrant shorebird species with outspoken seasonal changes in body mass and composition, the red knotCalidris canutus, the ratio between the masses of the small flight muscle (musculus supracoracoideus, powering twists and active upstrokes of the wings) and the larger flight muscle (musculus pectoralis, for the downstrokes) is far from constant. During an annual cycle thesupracoracoideus/pectoralisratio varied more than twofold between values of 0.058 (±0.005 SE) in early winter period and of 0.124 (±0.05 SE) on the High Arctic tundra breeding grounds. The ratios thus spanned a range from those typical of soaring raptors and seabirds to those of fast and agile fliers and birds with rapid take‐offs. The overall average ratio was 0.102 (±0.001 SE, for non‐starved knots, and 0.103±0.001 including starved knots) and did not differ between males and females. As predicted from the known functions ofsupracoracoideusandpectoralis, the ratio was a negative function of body mass. However, after arrival on the breeding grounds (0.124) and during winter starvation (0.135) particularly high ratios were reached: these may be times when wing‐manoeuvrability (in flight display and during the evasive ‘rodent run’ away from predators at the nest) and an ability for rapid take‐off and active up‐strokes (from –near– the nest, and in times of depletion of flight muscle mass during winter starvation) may be at premium. The particularly low ratio of 0.06 in early winter is puzzling. Many aspects of avian phenotypes have recently been shown to be intraindividually variable. To a twofold seasonal variation in flight muscle mass (Dietz et al. 2007), we can now add the twofold variation in the ratio between the muscles for the upstroke and the downstroke.
Functional expression of ionotropic purinergic receptors on mouse taste bud cells
Authors: Hayato Ryotaro , Ohtubo Yoshitaka , Yoshii Kiyonori
Published: August 2007

Neurotransmitter receptors on taste bud cells (TBCs) and taste nerve fibres are likely to contribute to taste transduction by mediating the interaction among TBCs and that between TBCs and taste nerve fibres. We investigated the functional expression of P2 receptor subtypes on TBCs of mouse fungiform papillae. Electrophysiological studies showed that 100 μmATP applied to their basolateral membranes either depolarized or hyperpolarized a few cells per taste bud. Ca2+imaging showed that similarly applied 1 μmATP, 30 μmBzATP (a P2X7agonist), or 1 μm2MeSATP (a P2Y1and P2Y11agonist) increased intracellular Ca2+concentration, but 100 μmUTP (a P2Y2and P2Y4agonist) and α,β‐meATP (a P2X agonist except for P2X2, P2X4and P2X7) did not. RT‐PCR suggested the expression of P2X2, P2X4, P2X7, P2Y1, P2Y13and P2Y14among the seven P2X subtypes and seven P2Y subtypes examined. Immunohistostaining confirmed the expression of P2X2. The exposure of the basolateral membranes to 3 mmATP for 30 min caused the uptake of Lucifer Yellow CH in a few TBCs per taste bud. This was antagonized by 100 μmPPADS (a non‐selective P2 blocker) and 1 μmKN‐62 (a P2X7blocker). These results showed for the first time the functional expression of P2X2and P2X7on TBCs. The roles of P2 receptor subtypes in the taste transduction, and the renewal of TBCs, are discussed.
Involvement of an enterocyte renin–angiotensin system in the local control of SGLT1‐dependent glucose uptake across the rat small intestinal brush border membrane
Authors: Wong Tung Po , Debnam Edward S. , Leung Po Sing
Published: August 2007

There is increasing evidence that locally produced angiotensin AII (AII) regulates the function of many tissues, but the involvement of enterocyte‐derived AII in the control of intestinal transport is unknown. This study examined whether there is a local renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in rat villus enterocytes and assessed the effects of AII on SGLT1‐dependent glucose transport across the brush border membrane (BBM). Gene and protein expression of angiotensinogen, ACE, and AT1 and AT2 receptors were studied in jejunal and ileal enterocytes using immunocytochemistry, Western blotting and RT‐PCR. Mucosal uptake of d‐[14C]glucose by everted intestinal sleeves before and after addition of AII (0–100 nm) to the mucosal buffer was measured in the presence or absence of the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan (1 μm). Immunocytochemistry revealed the expression of angiotensinogen, ACE, and AT1 and AT2 receptors in enterocytes; immunoreactivity of AT1 receptor and angiotensinogen proteins was especially pronounced at the BBM. Expression of angiotensinogen and AT1 and AT2 receptors, but not ACE, was greater in the ileum than the jejunum. Addition of AII to mucosal buffer inhibited phlorizin‐sensitive (SGLT1‐dependent) jejunal glucose uptake in a rapid and dose‐dependent manner and reduced the expression of SGLT1 at the BBM. Losartan attenuated the inhibitory action of AII on glucose uptake. AII did not affect jejunal uptake of l‐leucine. The detection of RAS components at the enterocyte BBM, and the rapid inhibition of SGLT1‐dependent glucose uptake by luminal AII suggest that AII secretion exerts autocrine control of intestinal glucose transport.
The δ2 ‘ionotropic’ glutamate receptor functions as a non‐ionotropic receptor to control cerebellar synaptic plasticity
Authors: Kakegawa Wataru , Kohda Kazuhisa , Yuzaki Michisuke
Published: August 2007

The δ2 glutamate receptor (GluRδ2) belongs to the ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) family and plays a crucial role in the induction of cerebellar long‐term depression (LTD), a form of synaptic plasticity underlying motor learning. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which GluRδ2 regulates cerebellar LTD have remained elusive. Because a mutation occurring in lurcher mice causes continuous GluRδ2 channel activity that can be abolished by 1‐naphtylacetylspermine (NASP), a channel blocker for Ca2+‐permeable iGluRs, GluRδ2 is thought to function as an ion channel. Here, we introduced a mutant GluRδ2 transgene, in which the putative channel pore was disrupted, into GluRδ2‐null Purkinje cells using a virus vector. Surprisingly and similar to the effect of the wild‐type GluRδ2 transgene, the mutant GluRδ2 completely rescued the abrogated LTD in GluRδ2‐null mice. Furthermore, NASP did not block LTD induction in wild‐type cerebellar slices. These results indicate that GluRδ2, a member of the iGluR family, does not serve as a channel in the regulation of LTD induction.
α2‐Noradrenergic receptors activation enhances excitability and synaptic integration in rat prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons via inhibition of HCN currents
Authors: Carr David B. , Andrews Glenn D. , Glen William B. , Lavin A.
Published: August 2007

Stimulation of α2‐noradrenergic (NA) receptors within the PFC improves working memory performance. This improvement is accompanied by a selective increase in the activity of PFC neurons during delay periods, although the cellular mechanisms responsible for this enhanced response are largely unknown. Here we used current and voltage clamp recordings to characterize the response of layer V–VI PFC pyramidal neurons to α2‐NA receptor stimulation. α2‐NA receptor activation produced a small hyperpolarization of the resting membrane potential, which was accompanied by an increase in input resistance and evoked firing. Voltage clamp analysis demonstrated that α2‐NA receptor stimulation inhibited a caesium and ZD7288‐sensitive hyperpolarization‐activated (HCN) inward current. Suppression of HCN current by α2‐NA stimulation was not dependent on adenylate cyclase but instead required activation of a PLC–PKC linked signalling pathway. Similar to direct blockade of HCN channels, α2‐NA receptor stimulation produced a significant enhancement in temporal summation during trains of distally evoked EPSPs. These dual effects of α2‐NA receptor stimulation – membrane hyperpolarization and enhanced temporal integration – together produce an increase in the overall gain of the response of PFC pyramidal neurons to excitatory synaptic input. The net effect is the suppression of isolated excitatory inputs while enhancing the response to a coherent burst of synaptic activity.
Systematic Modeling of Workpiece-Fixture Geometric Default and Compliance for the Prediction of Workpiece Machining Error
Authors: Qin Guohua , Zhang Weihong , Wu Zhuxi , Wan Min
Published: August 2007

Control of workpiece machining error (WME) is a key concern in the design of a fixture system. In this paper, source errors, which are categorized into workpiece-fixture geometric default and workpiece-fixture compliance, are systematically investigated to reveal their effects upon the WME. The underlying mechanism is that source errors lead to the workpiece position error (WPE), the workpiece elastic deformations (WED), and the inconsistent datum error (IDE), and all of them will contribute together to the WME. Here, the IDE refers to the dimension deviation of the processing datum from the locating datum once two references do not coincide. An overall quantitative formulation is proposed for the computing of WME in terms of WPE, WED, and IDE for the first time. In detail, the WPE raised in the workpiece-locating and clamping process is evaluated based on the geometric defaults and local deformations of workpiece-fixture in the contact region. The WED relative to the workpiece-clamping process is determined by solving a nonlinear mathematical programming problem of minimizing the total complementary energy of the frictional workpiece-fixture system. Some numerical tests are finally demonstrated to validate the proposed approach on the basis of both theoretical and experimental data given in the references.
Study of the Size Effect on Friction Conditions in Microextrusion—Part I: Microextrusion Experiments and Analysis
Authors: Krishnan Neil , Cao Jian , Dohda Kuniaki
Published: August 2007

Microforming is a relatively new realm of manufacturing technology that addresses the issues involved in the fabrication of metallic microparts, i.e., metallic parts that have at least two characteristic dimensions in the sub-millimeter range. The recent trend towards miniaturization of products and technology has produced a strong demand for such metallic microparts with extremely small geometric features and high tolerances. Conventional forming technologies, such as extrusion, have encountered new challenges at the microscale due to the influence of “size effects” that tend to be predominant at this length scale. One of the factors that of interest is friction. The two companion papers investigate the frictional behavior and size effects observed during microextrusion in Part I and in a stored-energy Kolsky bar test in Part II. In this first paper, a novel experimental setup consisting of forming assembly and a loading stage has been developed to obtain the force-displacement response for the extrusion of pins made of brass (Cu∕Zn: 70∕30). This experimental setup is used to extrude pins with a circular cross section that have a final extruded diameter ranging from 1.33mm down to 570μm. The experimental results are then compared to finite-element simulations and analytical models to quantify the frictional behavior. It was found that the friction condition was nonuniform and showed a dependence on the dimensions (or size) of the micropin under the assumption of a homogeneous material deformation. Such assumption will be eliminated in Part II where the friction coefficient is more directly measured. Part I also investigates the validity of using high-strength/low-friction die coatings to improve the tribological characteristics observed in micro-extrusion. Three different extrusion dies coated with diamondlike carbon with silicon (DLC-Si), chromium nitride (CrN), and titanium nitride (TiN) were used in the microextrusion experiments. All the coatings worked satisfactorily in reducing the friction and, correspondingly, the extrusion force with the DLC-Si coating producing the best results.