bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hsa_circ_0001615 downregulation inhibits esophageal cancer development through miR-142-5p/β-catenin
Authors: Dai Yukai , Xu Qizhong , Xia Manqi , Chen Caimin , Xiong Xinming , Yang Xin , Wang Wei
Published: March 2024

Background

Recent studies have found that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in tumorigenesis. This study aimed to determine the function and potential mechanisms of hsa_circ_0001615 in esophageal cancer.

Methods

Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate the expression of hsa_circ_0001615 and miR-142-5p. Subsequently, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium salt, flow cytometry, clone formation, and transwell assays were used to assess the function of hsa_circ_0001615. Furthermore, qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to verify cyclin D1, Bcl-2 associated X, B-cell lymphoma/leukemia gene-2, and β-catenin levels. Circular RNA Interactome was used to estimate the binding site between hsa_circ_0001615 and miR-142-5p. Additionally, dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to determine whether miR-142-5p was a direct target of hsa_circ_0001615. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between miR-142-5p and hsa_circ_0001615.

Results

In esophageal cancer, the expressions of hsa_circ_0001615 and miR-142-5p were increased and decreased, respectively. Hsa_circ_0001615 inhibition significantly reduced the proliferation, migration, and invasion but increased the apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. Additionally, hsa_circ_0001615 knockdown increased miR-142-5p expression but decreased β-catenin expression. MiR-142-5p was a direct target of hsa_circ_0001615.

Conclusion

Hsa_circ_0001615 knockdown could mediate antitumor effects through the miR-142-5p/β-catenin pathway.
Maintenance, Care, and Repair of a Communal Architecture in Trouble: The Disassembling
Authors: Morado Candela
Published: March 2024

This paper attempts to ethnographically reflect on how material vulnerability is conceived and considered in practices of communal sustenance of architectures in trouble. Drawing on theories of maintenance, care, and repair, we will dwell on the learnings cultivated during a socio-material process that unfolded in response to the burning of a communal library in the southern periphery of the city of Bogotá. The collective practices of sustenance deployed to take care of the threatened architecture help us bring to the forefront questions of (I) distributed agency and ecology of practices; (II) unanticipated future and alternative temporalities; (III) creative and generative responses to damage or conflict; as well as (V) tentative and (IV) ‘opening of black boxes’ methods. Through the ethnographic analysis of the disassembling process, we will problematize the socio-material ecosystems needed to sustain lives in a ‘broken world’.
Dirt Jumps are Matter Carefully Placed, Maintained, and Governed
Authors: Healy Liam
Published: March 2024

This article draws on research produced with DIY bike trail and dirt jump builders to unpack the forms of repair and care that they employ in maintaining their spaces. I begin by describing the mundane practices involved in keeping bike trails running, such as shoveling, watering, and compacting, and conceptualize these activities as repairing the ‘ruins’ of the often squatted spaces that they occupy. Second, I draw from literature in feminist science and technology studies (STS) and commons to argue for a thickening of care, finding that these spaces alert me to the ways that ‘neglect’, and exclusion from participation-in, and research-on, are often a requirement of their subsistence. In conclusion, I find that in these spaces forms of repair and maintenance are multiple and layered―from mundane practices to their forms of governance—and in recent years, have involved practices to ‘repair’ the pervasive and dominating macho, heteronormative cultures of these social worlds.
Raising the Dead: Repair as Re-appropriation in Critical Design
Authors: Doughty Myf
Published: March 2024

In this article, I examine Dale Hardiman and Stephen Royce’s critical design work Open Garden: Digital Mirror (2020) to explore their approach to the reuse and modification of electronic waste (e-waste) and proprietary software of the iPhone 8. Drawing on Mark Fisher’s theory of the weird, along with Sara Ahmed’s concept of ‘queer use’ and John Scanlan’s cultural theory of garbage, I consider how the designers’ conspicuously clandestine re-appropriation of the effective and affective properties of discarded devices animates the physical and metaphysical possibilities of repair. I demonstrate how re-appropriation as repair can precipitate a form of weird design that provokes reflection on the possibilities and potentialities of deviance and departure within the discipline.
Microscale Thermophoresis Analysis of Membrane Proteins
Authors: Nawaz Nighat , Ali Roshan , Ali Muhammad , Manfield Iain W. , Taj Muhammad Kamran , Mustafa Mohammad Zahid , Patching Simon G.
Published: March 2024

Microscale thermophoresis (MST) is an analytical technique for measuring biomolecular interactions. It is based on the physical phenomenon that particles move within temperature gradients, which is affected by their size, charge, hydration shell and conformation. The MST sample must contain a fluorescent target molecule used to observe the movement of particles, and this can be titrated with an unlabelled binding partner for quantifying the interaction. MST is highly sensitive, using relatively small amounts of sample, and it has no limitations on the size of the target biomolecule, on the affinity of the interaction or on the composition of the buffer and other sample components. This makes MST ideally suited to characterising interactions with membrane proteins, which can be studied in cell lysates, native membranes, solubilised in detergents or reconstituted in lipids. The intrinsic aromatic residues of membrane proteins have been used as the fluorophore for MST (label-free MST) or membrane proteins have been labelled with a range of fluorescent dyes or conjugated with fluorescent proteins (labelled MST). The different types of membrane proteins that have had biomolecular interactions characterised by MST include the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, GPCRs and other receptors, sensor kinases, ion channels, aquaporins, and transport proteins.
Investigation of the Potential of Energy Recovery from Poultry Droppings in a Semi-Industrial Farm in the Sangalkam, Senegal
Authors: Ndiaye Ndeye Aida , Mutnuri Srikanth , Yadav Anant , Maiguizo-Diagne Halima , Gaye Mohamed Lamine , Fall Saliou
Published: March 2024

The poultry sector has grown significantly in the recent years. Certainly, the rise in the global population, particularly in developing nations, has prompted the expansion of the poultry farm sector to fulfill the growing demand for food. The activity produces organic waste and the management of which can pose problems in the farms. Poultry farming requires energy for the production processes. It is in this context this study aims to examine the energy potential of poultry waste depending where it came from (factory farm or domestic farm). The methanogenic potential of these wastes was determined using the Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) test on poultry droppings from factory farms or domestic farms and other wastes as controls, such as cow and horse dung. The tests showed that the poultry droppings from factory farms had higher gas content and methane (CH4) than the controls. The link between biogas production and the chemical composition of the poultry droppings, was also demonstrated. These findings suggested that poultry droppings from factory farms can be used to produce biogas and/or energy. The latter can be reused for the needs of the farm itself.
Awareness on Weather Based Agro-advisory Services among Farmers of Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Doss D. Abila , Asokhan M.
Published: March 2024

The production and productivity of different crops are impacted by the weather. Farmers will be better able to prevent crop failure and obtain high yields with greater financial returns if they are aware of real-time weather factors such temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and rainfall. Farmers may better plan agricultural activities, from crop selection to post-harvest handling, by having the proper weather information at the right time. This helps them reduce crop losses. To study the awareness of weather based agro-advisory services, a random sample survey was conducted from 60 farmers from blocks of Andanallur and Musiri block of Tiruchirappalli district and for this study descriptive research design is used. The findings showed that targeting illiterate farmers is far more crucial, and that it is preferable to disseminate weather forecasts in audio or video format to encourage them to adapt their agricultural methods to the weather. The survey revealed that 72.00 per cent of farmers had medium level of awareness, about 95.00 per cent of the farmers check the weather forecast before going for irrigation and pesticide spray, 60.00 per cent farmers are receiving SMS through District Agro-Met Units. Apart from crops, weather forecasts also help with taking care of livestock, which includes animals reared on farms. Just like plants, animals also need the right weather to stay healthy and give good results. This is why accurateweather forecasts matter a lot for both farming and looking after livestocks. Wise use of weather and climate information can help to make better-informed policy, institutional and community decisions that reduce related risks and enhance opportunities, improve the efficient use of limited resources and increase crop, livestock and fisheries production [1]. Our study revealed that the farmers had medium level of awareness. Additionally, awareness needs to be raised so that people understand that in order to increase production and income, weather forecasts must be followed from the time a crop is chosen until harvest.
Organic Nitrogen Effects on Root Architecture in Rice Seedlings
Authors: Kant Kamal , Patel Hiren V. , Bardhan Kirti , Narwade Ajay V. , Patel P. B.
Published: March 2024

The three land races viz. land races -1 (Lal Kada), land races -2 (Futiyu) and land races -3 (Kala Rata) were sown in organic media to investigate the uptake of nitrogen in the form of amino acid as substitute for inorganic nitrogenous fertilizers in their seedlings.The four concentrations (50%, 75%, 100% and 125%) of amino acid mixture (glycine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid) were applied to growing media and the roots architectural responses of 21 days of old seedlings were measured with the help of 2-D imaging software Ez-Rhizo after scanning of roots. Among four concentrations (50%, 75%, 100% and 125%) of amino acid mixture, the 100% amino acid mixture showed higher number of lateral roots, sum of lateral root length per seedling, lateral root angles, total root system size, mean lateral root length, lateral root density, nitrogen content in leaves and roots, root biomass and shoot biomass as compared to other percentage (50%, 75% and 125%) of amino acid mixtures. Moreover, land races -1 was found more responsive to amino acid mixture among the three land races.
Effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Organic Amendments and Botanicals against Fusarium culmorum on Black Turmeric (Curcuma caesia)
Authors: Pheirim Leiyachui , Simon Sobita
Published: March 2024

Rhizome rot is a soil-borne disease that severely affects black turmeric and is caused by Fusarium culmorum. An experiment was conducted at the Department of Plant Pathology in SHUATS, Prayagraj, to evaluate the effectiveness of Pseudomonas fluorescens, organic amendments, and botanicals against Fusarium culmorum. The experiment was carried out in the kharif season of 2022-2023, and various soil treatments were used, such as farmyard manure (FYM), spent mushroom compost (SMC), mustard cake, and neem cake. Pseudomonas fluorescens was used as a rhizome treatment. The results showed that the combination of all treatments (T9) had the least disease incidence (16.35%) compared to other treatments and the control (T0) (44.27%). To assess the radial growth of Fusarium culmorum on black turmeric, seven different botanicals from Manipur were tested at concentrations of 10% and 30%. These botanicals were Ageratina adenophora, Bidens pilosa, Centella asiatica, Plantago major, Strobilanthes crispus, Saurauia napaulensis, and Artemesia vulgaris. The antagonistic effect of these botanicals was evaluated in vitro, and the results indicate that the most significant reduction in biomass was observed with Ageratina adenophora at a 30% concentration, which showed a 78.5% inhibition rate with a radial growth of 2.66 cm. This was followed by Artemesia vulgaris, which exhibited a 75.3% inhibition rate with a radial growth of 3.16 cm compared to the control and other botanicals tested.
Natural Bioactive Compounds against Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Ouattara Aristide , Soré Harouna , Zida Adama
Published: March 2024

Aim: This documentary review aimed to make a synthesis of bioactive plants or natural compounds on schistosomes. We carried out a review from 2000 to 2022, oriented towards the plants in order to search natural compounds bioactive on schistosomes which can be a great contribution for new drugs discovering.

Terms such as “schistosomiasis and medicinal plants”, “natural anti-schistosome compounds”, “phytochemical screening”, “bioactive compounds on schistosomes” were used for the online literature search through the following sites: PubMed; Google Scholar; ScienceDirect and Hinari.

Results: There are many plants already used for the traditional treatment of schistosomiasis. This review found nearly 72 families of plants belonging to 228 botanical species have been listed. Some of these have been studied in vitro / in vivo and preliminary results have shown their schistosomicidal properties. Moreover, the results of qualitative phytochemical screening and toxicity testing of these natural compounds provide hope for new drug discoveries.

Conclusion: Even if plants efficacy is proven, we need more in-depth investigations to determine their chemical components in order to minimize the undesirable effects and to guarantee their safety by assessing their toxicity.
Evaluation of Acute Oral Toxicity of Ayucee Premix Polyherbal Poultry Formulation Containing Natural Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids
Authors: Hajare Sunil , Tripura Mistu , Belkhede Shubham , Ingole Ranjit , Kamdi Bhupesh , Gupta Shreya
Published: March 2024

A study was conducted for the assessment of acute oral toxicity and safety analysis of Ayucee Premix (M/s Ayurvet Limited Baddi, India) according to OECD-423 guidelines. Six young adult Wistar rats, weighing 126-136 gm, were used for the study. After Oral administration of test compound the animals were observed for manifestation of toxic effect and death. Each animal served as its own control. Evaluation of safety analysis and toxicity was performed on the basis of presence of mortality or any clinical signs like lethargy, tremor, abdominal breathing and piloerection. Results showed no toxic effects or mortality during the experimental period. In blood biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, ALP) and histopathological examination no significant pathological alterations were observed. Thus, Ayucee Premix was found to be safe for oral consumption.
Evaluating the Response of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) to Different Macronutrients and Harvesting Time
Authors: Sohag Md. Abuzar , Mostarin Tahmina , Khatun Khaleda , Reza Shamim , Hoque Sumona , Nira Jarin Jannat , Riad Riazul Islam , Chowdhury Mujibul Hasan , Abhi M. Asaduzzaman , Mathin Tasnia Thanim , Akter Most. Mahmuda
Published: March 2024

The growth and production of carrot influenced by macronutrients and harvesting time, thus a field experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, between December 2020 and March 2021 during the Rabi season to evaluate the response of carrot to different macro nutrients and harvesting time. The experiment consisted of two factors i.e., macro nutrients and harvesting time, and laid out using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Factor A: Different levels of macronutrients (4) i.e., F0= Control, F1= N160P50K120S30 kg ha-1, F2 = N185P70K140S40 kg ha-1, F3 = N210P90K160S50 kg ha-1 and Factor B: A Harvesting time (3) i.e., H1 = 90 days after sowing, H2 = 100 days after sowing and H3 = 110 days after sowing. Experimental results revealed that different levels of macronutrients and harvesting time significantly influenced the growth and yield of carrot. In case of combination treatment (macro nutrients and harvesting time) the highest brix percentage of carrot root (8.20 %), marketable root yield per plot of carrot (6.40 kg) and marketable root yield of carrots per hectare (26.67 t) were observed in the F2H2 treatment combination comparable to others treatment combinations. Therefore, it was suggested that cultivation of carrot through application of fertilizer @ N185P70K140S40 kg ha-1 (F2) and harvesting at 100 days after sowing (H2), appeared to be best for achieving higher growth, yield and quality root of carrot.
Livelihood Restoration Options for Mining Affected Areas in the Kalyana Karnataka Region, India
Authors: Yadava C. G. , Moulasab  , Srinivasulu G. B.  , Achari Raghavendra , Chandan K.  , Santhosh K. M.  , Raghavendra
Published: March 2024

The study was conducted to examine the sources of income and alternative livelihood restoration options in six villages of the Kalyana Karnataka region, which were affected by iron ore mining. The sample size of 226 households was considered for the study. Considering the population size, 16 to 50 respondents were selected randomly from each village. The results of the study explained that the primary source of livelihood was non-agriculture labour (18%), agricultural labour (15%) and farming (32%). The rest were working in private companies (5%), self-employed (12%), and government sector (2%), and the remaining respondents were unemployed or retired.

One third of the families were mainly engaged in unskilled labour-related livelihood sources. Considering these socio-economic statuses, the study focused on identifying alternative sources of livelihood based on the respondents' interests. Around 48 per cent of respondents were interested in taking up alternative sources of income generation. Among alternative sources, 42 per cent of respondents were keen to practice sheep or goat rearing, agroforestry systems (19%), poultry (14%), Backyard dairy (12%), and tailoring (10%). Hence, policymakers may focus on these alternative livelihood options for capacity building and linking to developmental programmes for the mining-affected Kalyana Karnataka region to restore their livelihoods.
Influence of a Dual Axis IoT- Based Off-Grid Solar Tracking System and Wheatstone Bridge on Efficient Energy Harvesting and Management
Authors: Forhad Shamim , Hossen Md Shahadat , Noman Shibly , Diba Iffat Ara , Mahmud Fuad , Ullah Md. Oli , Hossain Suraiya , Shuvo Md. Riazat Kabir
Published: March 2024

Addressing the increasing need for sustainable energy solutions, this study presents an advanced dual-axis solar tracking system tailored for Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh (23.8123° N, 90.3740° E). By integrating Internet of Things (IoT) based intelligent power management and automated panel cleaning, we aim to optimize the efficiency of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Our design significantly outperforms traditional fixed PV setups, achieving an average voltage improvement of about 18.59% throughout the day. Real-time data monitoring showcases the system's adaptability, with Solar Voltage (SV) and Solar Current (SC) standard deviations recorded at 1.059 and 0.058, respectively. This system not only captures sunlight more efficiently but also ensures self-maintenance, reducing manual intervention. The integration of IoT capabilities provides real-time feedback and adaptability. With a small household size of 4-6 members and a basic electricity demand as a prototype version, the study reveals promising results for sustainable energy solutions. In future integrating a Microgrid system for improved energy distribution and storage, alongside implementing a smart fuzzy logic-based tracking system to optimize solar panel orientation for maximum power generation.
Excitatory Effect of Urtica dioica on Locomotor Behaviour of Mice Using the Open Field Maze Task
Authors: Izunwanne DI , Mobisson SK , Nwafor CC , Ifedi IC , Onwukaike CI , Izunwanne HA
Published: March 2024

Introduction: It is generally believed that the presence of some neuroactive phytochemicals such as acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, tannins etc. in Urtica dioica may yet possess the key to the management of certain neurological and behavioral conditions at an easily accessible and affordable rates. The growing acceptance of alternative medicine in Nigeria and the world at large has necessitated this research work so as to ensure that the general/consuming public is properly guided.

Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of administration of Urtica dioica on locomotor behavior. The amount of Urtica dioica reaching the Central Nervous System (CNS) is affected by the extent to which it is converted/stimulates any of the excitatory agents like acetylcholine in the periphery.

Methods: A total of 30 apparently healthy Swiss male albino mice weighing 20-25g were used in the study. After the 14 days of acclimatization, the mice were randomly separated into three (3) groups of ten (10) animals each and were housed in separate cages. The amice in group one (1) serves as the control for the research work and were given water and normal animal feed. Group two (2) of the mice were given feed mixed 400mg/kg of the extract while group three (3) mice were given feed mixed with 800 mg/kg of the extract.  The open field maze was employed for the evaluation of locomotor behavior while the extracts were mixed with the animals’ feed. So, the extracts were administered to the mice orally. The extracts were administered for a duration of 28days (4 weeks).   

Results: The frequency of rearing in the open field was significantly increased in the Urtica dioica fed group compared to control (p<0.05). There is also a significant increase in the frequency of Line Crosses, Centre Square Entry and Rearing in the test groups compared to control (p<0.01). At a higher dosage, the Frequency and Duration of Grooming significantly increased (p<0.05). The Frequency of Defecation also significantly increased (p<0.05).

Conclusion: These results indicate that repeated administration of Urtica dioica enhances locomotory behavior in mice.
Monitoring and Analysis of Coastline Changes in the Coastal Area of Bali Island, Indonesia
Authors: Pujianiki Ni Nyoman , Predana I Made Aryatirta , Airlangga Komang Gede Putra , Simpangan Gede Rai Putra Arya , Osawa Takahiro , Parwata I Nyoman Sudi , Ibrahim Muhammad Shazril Idris Bin
Published: March 2024

Erosion and accretion occuring in coastal areas are indications of changes in the coastline’s position. The beach areas in Bali have high economic value as tourist attractions; yet, the condition of the beaches in several places on the island is very concerning. Monitoring shoreline changes can be accomplished using remote sensing technology which is more efficient than the conventional methods. This paper describes the results of changes in the coastline from 2014 to 2021 with remote sensing for all coastal areas of the island of Bali surveyed in the field. This research has successfully detected changes in coastlines throughout the coastal areas of Bali Island by remote sensing method and verified by field survey. The survey results also show that remote sensing method has met the survey from previous studies specifically in Gianyar Regency and Jembrana Regency. Hence, it is applicable for further use in other areas.
Laboratory Study on Vallejo and Scovazzo’s Methods in Estimating the Rheology Parameters of Bentonite and Kaolinite Muds
Authors: Widjaja Budijanto , Pratama Ignatius Tommy , Hartono Ian , Limowa Boby
Published: March 2024

The mud undrained shear strength and viscosity are the essential parameters in understanding the behavior of mudflow. One of the laboratory test methods to estimate the undrained shear strength and viscosity is Vallejo and Scovazzo’s cylinder strength meter test (CSMT) and flume channel test, respectively. This paper compares the undrained shear strength of kaolin and bentonite muds obtained from the CMST to those obtained using the fall cone and mini vane shear tests and also studies the scale effects in the flume channel test in measuring the mud viscosity at a 20o to 40o slope angles and at various liquidity indexes. The results exhibit that CMST could estimate the undrained strength of mud as low as 0.45 kN/m2 with a liquidity index of up to 5.93. Then, the reduction of the size of the flume channel by half resulted in a mud viscosity of about 2.3 times higher.
Dijital Hikâyelerle Geliştirilen STEM Etkinliklerinin Kullanılması: Bir Karma Yöntem Araştırması
Authors: TAŞ Murat , ÇEVİK Mustafa
Published: March 2024

Bu araştırmada, dijital hikâyelerde kullanılan STEM etkinliklerinin ilkokul 4. sınıf öğrencilerinin 21. yüzyıl becerilerine, dijital okuryazarlıklarına ve Web 2.0 araçlarına yönelik farkındalıklarına etkisinin tespit edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma karma yönteme göre kurgulanmış olup, açıklayıcı desende yürütülmüştür. Araştırmanın nicel boyutunda deneme öncesi modellerden tek grup ön test-son test uygulanmış, nitel boyutunda ise durum çalışması tercih edilmiştir. Nicel verilerin toplanmasında 10-12 yaş grubu öğrencileri için dijital okuryazarlık ölçeği, Web 2.0 araçlarına yönelik farkındalık ölçeği, 21. yüzyıl öğrenme ve yenilenme becerileri ölçeği, nitel veriler için ise yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada dijital hikâyeler kapsamında 4. sınıf fen bilimleri dersi kazanımları odağında geliştirilen 7 STEM etkinliği uygulanmıştır. Araştırmanın sonucunda STEM etkinliklerinin, öğrencilerin 21. yüzyıl becerilerini olumlu yönde etkilediği ve Web 2.0 araçlarına yönelik farkındalıklarının gelişimini desteklediği bulgularına ulaşılmıştır. Nitel bulgular incelendiğinde ise; öğrencilerin dijital teknoloji kullanımlarını olumlu yönde etkilediği görülmüştür. Kullanılan etkinliklerin öğretmenlerin derslerinde ve ders dışı zamanlarda kullanmalarının yararlı olabileceği düşünülmekte ve önerilmektedir.
User search behavior of domain‐specific information retrieval systems: An analysis of the query logs from PsycINFO and ABC‐Clio's Historical Abstracts/America: History and Life
Authors: Yi Kwan , Beheshti Jamshid , Cole Charles , Leide John E. , Large Andrew
Published: May 2006

The authors report the findings of a study that analyzes and compares the query logs of PsycINFO for psychology and the two history databases of ABC‐Clio: Historical Abstracts and America: History and Life to establish the sociological nature of information need, searching, and seeking in history versus psychology. Two problems are addressed: (a) What level of query log analysis—by individual query terms, by co‐occurrence of word pairs, or by multiword terms (MWTs)—best serves as data for categorizing the queries to these two subject‐bound databases; and (b) how can the differences in the nature of the queries to history versus psychology databases aid in our understanding of user search behavior and the information needs of their respective users. The authors conclude that MWTs provide the most effective snapshot of user searching behavior for query categorization. The MWTs to ABC‐Clio indicate specific instances of historical events, people, and regions, whereas the MWTs to PsycINFO indicate concepts roughly equivalent to descriptors used by PsycINFO's own classification scheme. The average length of queries is 3.16 terms for PsycINFO and 3.42 for ABC‐Clio, which breaks from findings for other reference and scholarly search engine studies, bringing query length closer in line to findings for general Web search engines like Excite.
Using sex‐averaged genetic maps in multipoint linkage analysis when identity‐by‐descent status is incompletely known
Authors: Fingerlin Tasha E. , Abecasis Gonçalo R. , Boehnke Michael
Published: May 2006

The ratio of male and female genetic map distances varies dramatically across the human genome. Despite these sex differences in genetic map distances, most multipoint linkage analyses use sex‐averaged genetic maps. We investigated the impact of using a sex‐averaged genetic map instead of sex‐specific maps for multipoint linkage analysis of affected sibling pairs when identity‐by‐descent states are incompletely known due to missing parental genotypes and incomplete marker heterozygosity. If either all or no parental genotypes were available, for intermarker distances of 10, 5, and 1 cM, we found no important differences in the expected maximum lod score (EMLOD) or location estimates of the disease locus between analyses that used the sex‐averaged map and those that used the true sex‐specific maps for female:male genetic map distance ratios 1:10 and 10:1. However, when genotypes for only one parent were available and the recombination rate was higher in females, the EMLOD using the sex‐averaged map was inflated compared to the sex‐specific map analysis if only mothers were genotyped and deflated if only fathers were genotyped. The inflation of the lod score when only mothers were genotyped led to markedly increased false‐positive rates in some cases. The opposite was true when the recombination rate was higher in males; the EMLOD was inflated if only fathers were genotyped, and deflated if only mothers were genotyped. While the effects of missing parental genotypes were mitigated for less extreme cases of missingness, our results suggest that when possible, sex‐specific maps should be used in linkage analyses. Genet. Epidemiol. 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An expedient synthesis of novel, fused pyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine and pyrimido [5,4‐e] [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐c]pyrimidine analogues from 4‐amino‐2,6‐dichloro‐pyrimidine
Authors: Sharma Pratibha , Kumar Ashok , Rane Nilesh
Published: May 2006

A number of potent pyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine have efficiently been synthesized by the condensation of 4‐amino‐2,6‐dichloropyrimidine with various substituted benzaldehyde followed by cyclization with ammonium thiocyanate. Also, these newly synthesized derivatives were utilized for the construction of novel pyrimido[5,4‐e][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐c]pyrimidine analogues via oxidative cyclization involving 1,5‐hydrogen abstraction. Structure of all the newly constructed derivatives was corroborated by the elemental and spectral data. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 17:245–253, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20177
Identification of metabolites of 4,4′‐methylenedianiline in vascular smooth muscle cells by liquid chromatography‐electrospray tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Chen Kan , Dugas Tammy R. , Cole Richard B.
Published: May 2006

A capillary liquid chromatography‐electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐ES‐MS/MS) method was developed for the identification of metabolites of 4,4′‐methylenedianiline (diaminodiphenyl methane, (DAPM)) derived from exposure of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) to this compound. The use of precolumn concentration and column switching techniques prior to reversed‐phase liquid chromatography coupled online to ES‐MS enabled the separation and detection of low‐level DAPM and its metabolites in the exposed cell samples. The employed LC‐ES‐MS method, and further LC‐ES‐MS/MS analysis enabled the structural assignments for two DAPM metabolites from vascular smooth muscle cells: N‐acetyl methylenedianiline (N‐acetyl‐DAPM) and N,N′‐diacetyl methylenedianiline (N,N′‐diacetyl‐DAPM). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The pull test: A history
Authors: Hunt Ann L. , Sethi Kapil D.
Published: May 2006

The pull test (PT) is used as a measure of postural instability in Parkinson's disease (PD) and other movement disorders. In 1987, it was incorporated into the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), a scale used to measure the severity and treatment response in PD both in research studies and in clinical practice. However, the origins of the observation of postural instability in movement disorders and the attempt to quantify it are much older. Here, we trace the history of postural instability first described as a feature of PD by Romberg in 1853. Attempts to evaluate postural instability began with the first measurement by Charcot in the 1880s by pulling the clothes of patients and progressed to the push on the sternum by Hoehn and Yahr in the 1960s. Eventually, this evolved into the formal PT proposed by Fahn in the 1980s. Despite the widespread use of the PT as part of the UPDRS, variability exists in its execution. Recommendations have been made for training of examiners in clinical trials to improve its accuracy in assessing postural instability. We agree with improving PT technique for clinical trials and advocate for its routine use in clinical practice when diagnosing and treating movement disorders. Further, we propose the name “Fahn pull test” for the maneuver based on his significant contribution to its development. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Factors affecting the outcome of peripheral nerve surgery
Authors: Millesi Hanno
Published: May 2006

Over the last 40 years, various factors that influence the outcome of peripheral nerve surgery have been recognized. Some of these factors, such as age of the patient and time interval between injury and surgery, cannot be controlled by the surgeon. On the other hand, other factors related to technical details are the topic of constant debate and improvement. Recently, surgeons have become increasingly aware of issues such as the environment at the site of the nerve repair, compression from an integument that is too tight, or muscle balance. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2006.
Particularities of the formation of radiation defects in silicon with low and high concentrations of oxygen
Authors: Dolgolenko A. P. , Litovchenko P. G. , Varentsov M. D. , Gaidar G. P. , Litovchenko A. P.
Published: May 2006

A comparative study is made on the radiation damage caused by fast‐pile neutrons in n‐Si with low and high concentrations of oxygen by measuring the effective carrier concentrations and energies of defects. The role of clusters in degrading Si parameters was studied both experimentally and theoretically. It has been shown experimentally that the fluence for which the carrier concentration tends to the intrinsic value does not depend on the oxygen concentration. The theoretical calculation has been carried out in the framework of Gossick's corrected model. The additional overlapping of clusters due to introduce of defects is explained. The model of the n → p conversion in n‐Si with various oxygen concentrations is presented. It is shown that divacancy and di‐interstitial congestions are responsible for the Fermi level position near the midgap at high fluences. Analysis of Vξ defect levels gave evidences of increase of level energy in the forbidden band on capture of the first or the second electron on the value ΔE = 0.33/ξ , where 1 ≤ ξ ≤ 5. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The effect of storage temperature and humidity on germination of Irvingia gabonensis var. excelsa
Authors: Nya PJ , Omokaro DN , Nkang AE
Published: May 2006

Seeds of Irvingia gabonensis var. excelsa lost their ability to germinate when stored for even 2 months at 10°C but retained the ability to germinate at ambient temperature and 30°C. The retention of the ability to germinate was best at ambient temperature. Storage at 30% moisture content resulted in better storage potential than 40–45% moisture content at both ambient temperature and 30°C. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Prognostic factors in first‐time care seekers due to acute low back pain
Authors: Grotle Margreth , Brox Jens Ivar , Glomsrød Bredo , Lønn Jan Harald , Vøllestad Nina K.
Published: May 2006

There is limited knowledge on prognostic factors for developing chronic low back pain (LBP) at an early stage of LBP. The objectives of this study were to investigate the clinical course of pain and disability, and prognostic factors for non‐recovery after 1‐year, in patients seeking help for the first time due to acute LBP. An inception cohort study included 123 patients with acute LBP lasting less than 3 weeks and consulting primary care for the first time. Main outcome measures were pain intensity, Roland–Morris disability questionnaire (RMQ), and sickness absence. Eleven patients (9%) did not return for the 12‐month follow‐up. There were large and significant reductions in pain intensity (P<0.001) and RMQ scores (P<0.001) during follow‐up. Patients with neurological signs showed significantly less improvement in pain (P=0.001) and RMQ (P=0.004) compared with those without neurological signs. The proportions with sickness absence due to LBP at 6, 9, and 12 months were 7%, 8%, and 9%, respectively. At 12 months, 17% of patients had not fully recovered. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that high scores on a psychosocial screening (acute low back pain screening questionnaire) and emotional distress (Hopkin's symptom check list) were significantly associated with non‐recovery at 12 months, with odds ratios of 4.4 (95% confidence interval 1.1–17.4) and 3.3 (1.1–10.2), respectively.
Fatty acid control of nitric oxide production by macrophages
Authors: de Lima Thais Martins , de Sa Lima Larissa , Scavone Cristoforo , Curi Rui
Published: May 2006

Modulation of macrophage functions by fatty acids (FA) has been studied by several groups, but the effect of FA on nitric oxide production by macrophages has been poorly examined. In the present study the effect of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, arachidonic, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids on NF‐κB activity and NO production in J774 cells (a murine macrophage cell line) was investigated. All FA tested stimulated NO production at low doses (1–10 μM) and inhibited it at high doses (50–200 μM). An increase of iNOS expression and activity in J774 cells treated with a low concentration of FA (5 μM) was observed. The activity of NF‐κB was time‐dependently enhanced by the FA treatment. The inhibitory effect of FA on NO production may be due to their cytotoxicity, as observed by loss of membrane integrity and/or increase of DNA fragmentation in cells treated for 48 h with high concentrations. The results indicate that, at low concentrations FA increase NO production by J774 cells, whereas at high concentrations they cause cell death.
‘Cheaper than a CD, plus we really mean it’: Bay Area underground hip hop tapes as subcultural artefacts
Authors: HARRISON ANTHONY KWAME
Published: May 2006

This article looks at audiocassette tapes that are produced and circulated within the Bay Area underground hip hop scene as subcultural artefacts through which an understanding of the key activities, ideologies and sensibilities that mark subcultural identity can be grasped. Using du Gay's circuit of culture (1997) as a template for organising ethnographic data, the article demonstrates the ways in which subcultural meanings are encoded into the activities surrounding the commodification of underground hip hop cassettes. Ultimately, it argues for a reading of audiocassette tapes as unique technologies that simultaneously embrace the progressive politics of subcultural inclusion while defending subcultural boundaries against mainstream co-optation.
The role of the music editor and the ‘temp track’ as blueprint for the score, source music, and scource music of films
Authors: SADOFF RONALD H.
Published: May 2006

The ‘temp track’, a temporary mock-up of a film's soundtrack, is assembled from pre-existing music prior to the real, commissioned score being composed. An integral element of the post-production process of American feature films, it survives only in its role for audience previews. Constructed by a music editor, in most cases, it is a blueprint of a film's soundtrack – a musical topography of score, songs, culture and codes in which a balance must obtain between the director's vision, the music's function, underlying requirements of genre, and the spectator's perception. This article demonstrates that the temp track informs compositional practices and the final score, and makes the argument that textual analysis would benefit from the recognition of the role of production practices. Drawing on published sources and interviews with practitioners, this article provides historical context and musical detail, and shows how productive analysis can be when it draws on practitioners' insights as well as textual analysis. Film score analysis must not begin and end with the finished film score but must utilise a more eclectic methodology which takes into account the production process. Film score analysis should reflect the constitutive nature of film and film music.
Toru Mitsui goes into retirement
Authors: Hosokawa Shuhei
Published: May 2006

For the readers of Popular Music, the name of Toru Mitsui is associated with the ‘Booklist’, a column he was in charge of from 1989 to 2002. For many members of the International Association for the Study of Popular Music, the meeting he organised in Kanazawa in 1997 is unforgettable. For scholars and students interested in Japanese popular music, his numerous articles in English are the first references to be read. Last March (2005) Professor Mitsui retired from Kanazawa University, where he had taught since 1969. To commemorate his retirement, a Festschrift entitled Popular Music and Academia (2005b) was published in coordination with a symposium held at the University of Tokyo in May 2004. This is a good opportunity to look back over his prolific career in popular music studies.
The assessment of the aging artery
Authors: Fantin F , Rajkumar C , Bulpitt CJ
Published: May 2006

The elderly population has greatly increased in the last few decades as life expectancy has risen. In 2005 life expectancy at birth for females born in the UK is 80.2 years, compared with 75.2 years for males. This is in contrast to 49 and 45 years respectively in 1901. Cardiovascular disease is still the most important cause of death in the population over the age of 65, causing 40% of deaths in women and 42% in men of this age.
Automatic detection of particle aggregation in particle code simulations of rock deformation
Authors: Durrleman Stanley , Boschetti Fabio , Ord Alison , Regenauer‐Lieb Klaus
Published: May 2006

We explore whether it is possible to determine the initial stages of localization of deformation during a numerical experiment on a “virtual” rock purely through observation and interpretation of geometrical rearrangements of the particles. We study the spatial arrangements of particle via two tools: first, by viewing the virtual rock as a network, we look for local clusters of edges (particle contacts); second, by analyzing the distribution of the directions of motion of the particles, we recognize that the main particle aggregations are characterized by directions which are statistically meaningful. More important, the locations of edge clusters and particle aggregations coincide, suggesting that the tools presented could be routinely used to detect emergent structures in particle assemblages.
Quantifying the North Pacific silica plume
Authors: Johnson H. P. , Hautala S. L. , Bjorklund T. A. , Zarnetske M. R.
Published: May 2006

New hydrostations plus a comprehensive compilation of existing data have allowed us to characterize the dissolved silica plume located at midwater depths in the North Pacific. The North Pacific silica plume is a global‐scale anomaly, extending from the North American continental margin in the east to beyond the Hawaii‐Emperor seamount chain in the west. Inventory of the plume between 2000 and 3000 m depth indicates that it contains 164 Tmols (164 × 1012 mols) of anomalous dissolved silica and is maintained by a horizontal flux of approximately 1.5 Tmols/yr from the east. The source region of this plume has been previously suggested to be Cascadia Basin in the NE Pacific. Biochemical and geothermal processes within this small region can produce approximately one third of the required flux, but the majority of silica contained within the North Pacific plume may originate in crustal fluid venting from the warm upper basement aquifer that underlies the easternmost Pacific plate.
Ulysses observations of very different heliospheric structure during the declining phase of solar activity cycle 23
Authors: McComas D. J. , Elliott H. A. , Gosling J. T. , Skoug R. M.
Published: May 2006

This study examines the most recent observations from the solar wind experiment (SWOOPS) on the Ulysses spacecraft. In contrast to observations over the same locations in the declining phase of the previous solar activity cycle, these data show a more complicated heliospheric structure. Around the start of 2003, a band of slow solar wind resided at ∼20°–25°N latitude at all helio‐longitudes. Subsequently, Ulysses failed to observe a well‐organized corotating stream structure as it headed southward from the ecliptic plane, even though, in the previous solar cycle, Ulysses observed a regularly structured stream pattern. These observations show that the three‐dimensional structure of the heliosphere can differ significantly from one solar cycle to the next. Finally, we show that the solar wind dynamic pressure has been relatively stable throughout 2005, indicating that the termination shock distance will also likely be relatively stable throughout 2006.
Multibeam interferometric illumination as the primary source of resolution in optical microscopy
Authors: Ryu J. , Hong S. S. , Horn B. K. P. , Freeman D. M. , Mermelstein M. S.
Published: May 2006

High-resolution images of a fluorescent target were obtained using a low-resolution optical detector by illuminating the target with interference patterns produced with 31 coherent beams. The beams were arranged in a cone with 78° half angle to produce illumination patterns consistent with a numerical aperture of 0.98. High-resolution images were constructed from low-resolution images taken with 930 different illumination patterns. Results for optical detectors with numerical apertures of 0.1 and 0.2 were similar, demonstrating that the resolution is primarily determined by the illuminator and not by the low-resolution detector. Furthermore, the long working distance, large depth of field, and large field of view of the low-resolution detector are preserved.
Fabrication of freestanding semiconductor multiquantum-well microtubes
Authors: Majumdar A. , Guan Z. P. , Zhao F. , Li D. , Ray D. , Jain S. , Mukherjee S. , Shi Z.
Published: May 2006

We report a freestanding micrometer-size tube structure of molecular beam epitaxy grown lead-salt multiple quantum well (MQW). The MQW microtube maintains a high monocrystalline quality as evidenced by a strong photoluminescence emission from the tube structure. A theoretical model based on residual stress is used to explain the tube formation and matches the experimental results well.