bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polarographic Electrode Measures of Cerebral Tissue Oxygenation: Implications for Functional Brain Imaging
Authors: Bartlett Kate , Saka Mohamad , Jones Myles
Published: December 2008

The changes in blood flow, blood volume and oxygenation that accompany focal increases in neural activity are collectively referred to as the hemodynamic response and form the basis of non-invasive neuroimaging techniques such as blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging. A principle factor influencing blood oxygenation, the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption is poorly understood and as such, data from imaging techniques are difficult to interpret in terms of the underlying neural activity. In particular how neurometabolic changes vary temporally, spatially and in magnitude remains uncertain. Furthermore knowledge of which aspects of neural activity are closely reflected by metabolic changes is essential for the correct interpretation of cognitive neuroscience studies in terms of information processing. Polarographic electrode measurements of cerebral tissue oxygenation in animal models following presentation of sensory stimuli have started to address these issues. Early studies demonstrated both increases and decreases in tissue oxygenation following neural activation. However a recent series of elegant studies in the cat visual system demonstrated a tight spatial and temporal coupling between evoked peri-synaptic activity and oxygen consumption following presentation of visual stimuli.
A Novel Sensor System for Measuring Wheel Loads of Vehicles on Highways
Authors: Zhang Wenbin , Suo Chunguang , Wang Qi
Published: December 2008

With the development of the highway transportation and business trade, vehicle Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) technology has become a key technology for measuring traffic loads. In this paper a novel WIM system based on monitoring of pavement strain responses in rigid pavement was investigated. In this WIM system multiple low cost, light weight, small volume and high accuracy embedded concrete strain sensors were used as WIM sensors to measure rigid pavement strain responses. In order to verify the feasibility of the method, a system prototype based on multiple sensors was designed and deployed on a relatively busy freeway. Field calibration and tests were performed with known two-axle truck wheel loads and the measurement errors were calculated based on the static weights measured with a static weighbridge. This enables the weights of other vehicles to be calculated from the calibration constant. Calibration and test results for individual sensors or three-sensor fusions are both provided. Repeatability, sources of error, and weight accuracy are discussed. Successful results showed that the proposed method was feasible and proven to have a high accuracy. Furthermore, a sample mean approach using multiple fused individual sensors could provide better performance compared to individual sensors.
Intervention and Education in Diabetes: A Pilot Project Comparing Usual Care with Pharmacist-Directed Collaborative Primary Care
Authors: Rosin Jade , Townsend Kendra
Published: December 2008

Background:

Prior to this project, patients were required to drive up to 2 hours to a diabetes education centre. As a result, many patients were not receiving diabetes education, and there was little or no follow-up of patients. Significant opportunity exists for pharmacists to fill such gaps in chronic disease management services.

Methods:

Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention or usual care arm. Laboratory data (glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, lipid panel, microalbumin, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and Diabetes Empowerment Scale short form (DES-SF) score were collected at baseline and at 6 months. Intervention patients received a medication review, 3 one-on-one education sessions with one of the study pharmacists and follow-up phone calls. Usual care patients did not receive medication reviews or education sessions, and received follow-up phone calls only if drug-related problems were detected. Drug-related problems were tracked for all patients. Referrals to other health care professionals (dietitian, homecare, public health) were made as required. Paired-sample t-tests were used to compare baseline and 6-month data.

Results:

Forty-five patients were enrolled in the study (intervention: 23; usual care: 17). Five patients were lost to follow-up (intervention: 2; usual care: 3). There was a statistically significant improvement in DES-SF score in the intervention group ( p < 0.001) and a decline in DES-SF score in the usual care group ( p < 0.04). There was a significant decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin in the usual care group ( p < 0.04). Referrals to other health care professionals were higher in the intervention group (I: 36; UC: 0). The number of drug-related problems detected was also greater in the intervention group (I: 83; UC: 8). The overall acceptance rate of pharmacist recommendations for drug-related problems was high in both arms (I: 81%; UC: 100%).

Conclusions:

Most outcome measures were not statistically significant. Further study is needed to evaluate the change in clinical outcomes. However, greater involvement of a pharmacist in diabetes management resulted in greater detection of drug-related problems and referral to other health care professionals, and promoted diabetes-related self-efficacy and appropriate self-care behaviour. Pharmacists can play an important role in the management of diabetic patients.
Alteración supergénica de sulfuros en algunos yacimientos del SE de Espana. Nota preliminar
Authors: López Aguayo F. , Arana R.
Published: December 2008

Se seleccionaron dos áreas, S. Almagrera (Almería) y “Cabezo S. Cristobal” (Mazarrón, Murcia), explotadas en el pasado para la obtención de Pb, Zn, Fe y Ag y subsecuentemente barita (S. Almagrera), en la actualidad las labores mineras están abandonadas.
En ambas áreas la mineralización es similar, destacando por su interés económico la paragénesis galena argentifera, esfalerita y pirita, con otros sulfuros y sulfosales como componentes menores. El contexto geológico en ambas áreas es diferente. Así, en S. Almagrera las rocas encajantes son esquisitos y micasquistos del Complejo Alpujarride (dominio Bético s.s.), mientras que en el área de Mazarrón la mineralización arma en rocas volcánicas calcoalcalinas del Terciario.
Los procesos de alteración en estas dos áreas no están bien conocidos, tanto desde el punto de vista mineralógico como del geoquímico. Consecuentemente, en este trabajo, de carácter preliminar, se estudiaran algunos de ellos. Se pueden considerar dos grupos de alteraciones, las desarrolladas en filones y rocas encajantes y las observadas en las escombreras.
El segundo grupo corresponde a los procesos de alteración terminales, convergentes en ambas áreas. La asociación mineralógica es similar y las fases más importantes representadas son: jarosita, alunogeno, halotrichita, melanterita, coquimbita y otros sulfatos solubles.
Un avance de la composición química de estos productos de alteración pone de manifiesto la presencia sistemática de un gran número de elementos químicos, tales como: Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn, Al, Mg, Ag, Cu, Cd, As, Ge, Sb y Bi entre otros.
Enclaves con espinela-corindon·sillimanita en rocas andesítico-dacíticas (Noguera, sierra de Albarracin. Teruel)
Authors: Auque L. F. , Sánchez Cela V. , Aparicio A.
Published: December 2008

En un afloramiento intrusivo, constituído por rocas dacítico-andesíticas, al W de Noguera de Albarracín, existen enclaves de rocas metamórficas con espinela, corindón, sillimanita y otros minerales.
Los estudios petrológicos indican que estos enclaves fueron originados en un proceso polifásico donde varias secuencias mineralógicas prógradas y retrógradas son reconocidas. Muchas de la paragénesis indican condiciones físicas de formación alrededor de los 800° C y los 5 Kb.
Se plantea la posibilidad de la existencia de una relación entre el proceso metamórfico y el volcánico, y ambos asociados con el abombamiento cortical, posiblemente en relación con granitoides, que tuvo lugar en la Sierra de Albarracín durante el Paleozoico Superior.
Aplicación de los métodos de pirólisis Rock-Eval y Fischer al estudio de la materia orgánica contenida en rocas sedimentarias de Guipúzcoa
Authors: Dorronsoro Urrutia C. , González G. A.
Published: December 2008

Se estudian geoquímicamente rocas sedimentarias a lo largo de la historia geológica de las provincias de Guipúzcoa y Vizcaya.
Se realiza la pirólisis según el método modificado de Fischer sobre un total de ciento ochenta y cinco muestras.
No se han encontrado rocas bituminosas, salvo en Garay (Durango-Vizcaya) donde se han llegado a destilar de las muestras, cantidades apreciables de aceite, que oscilan entre 1,5 l/Tm. y 28 l/Tm.
De éstas, hemos escogido veinte que presentaban un contenido mayor de materia orgánica que el resto. Hemos realizado la pirólisis Rock-Eval de ellas con el fin de contrastar el método modificado de Fischer.
Hemos llegado a definir que el potencial petrolífero es variable.
En cuanto al tipo de materia orgánica y su grado de evolución (madurez), hemos concluido que se trata de un tipo II (origen marino), con un grado de evolución que nos coloca en la ventana de generación de aceite.
Revisión de la zonación metamórfica y los procesos de blastesis-deformación de la región de Somosierra (Sistema Central Español)
Authors: González Casado J. M.
Published: December 2008

En un área comprendida entre el plutón de La Cabrera y el macizo de Honrubia, se han estudiado las asociaciones minerales en metapelitas y venas de segregación de cuarzo, las zonaciones metamórficas propuestas se relacionan espacialmente con una importante estructura tectónica hercínica, la zona de Cizalla dúctil de Berzosa.
Se analizan las relaciones espacio-temporales entre la blastesis mineral y el proceso de deformación. Estableciéndose la existencia de una etapa principal de blastesis sincrónica con la segunda fase Hercínica (F2).
Relaciones entre la fracturación y el Karst en el macizo de la Piedra de San Martín (Pirineo Occidental)
Authors: López Martínez J.
Published: December 2008

A partir del mapa de fracturación del macizo kárstico de la Piedra de San Martín, confeccionado mediante fotointerpretación, se ha efectuado el análisis de la orientación y longitud de 2.149 fracturas. Los resultados han sido comparados con los relativos al análisis de 1.244 conductos subterráneos. De este modo, se pone de manifiesto la importancia de las orientaciones Este-Oeste y ESE tanto para las fracturas en superficie como para las cavidades, siendo las orientaciones NNE y NE mucho más destacadas en el caso de las fracturas que en el de los conductos subterráneos. Ello apoya la mayor influencia en el desarrollo del endokarst de las fracturas más largas que, en la mayoría de los casos, corresponden a fallas, las cuales condicionan además los rasgos mayores del relieve del macizo. Se comenta también la influencia de la fracturación en las formas exokársticas desde los lapiaces hasta las grandes depresiones.
Evolución geomorfológica de las Lagunas de Ruidera (Albacete-Ciudad Real)
Authors: González Martín J. A. , Ordóñez S. , García del Cura Mª A.
Published: December 2008

Las Lagunas de Ruidera pueden considerarse un sistema fluvio-Iacustre de represas travertínicas asociadas a exurgencia kársticas.
Se describen los elementos geomorfológicos de estos depósitos travertínicos: edificios de barrera, terrazas travertínicas, depósitos carbonáticos detríticos, así como los elementos geomorfológicos detríticos existentes: acumulaciones de ladera, de fondo de valle, etc. A partir de ambos se establece un esquema de evolución geomorfológica del sistema fluviolacustre de Ruidera.
Análisis correlatorio y espectral de los caudales del manantial de Iturriotz (Vizcaya): El sistema del barranco de Peñalba como ejemplo de un tipo de Karst de caraclerísticas mixtas
Authors: Ibarra-Lozano V. , Cruz-Sanjulián J. , García-Latorre F.
Published: December 2008

Con objeto de definir la estructura de las series cronológicas de lluvias y caudales, así como para mejorar el conocimiento del sistema kárstico del barranco de Peñalba, se ha aplicado el análisis de correlación y espectral a los datos del manantial de Iturriotz y del pluviómetro del Juncal, del período 6 de Agosto de 1983 a 12 de Octubre de 1985. Dicho análisis revela un efecto memoria relativamente importante y un tiempo de regulación de 23,5 días; sin embargo, se pone de manifiesto un efecto de filtro muy reducido, con una banda espectral de 0.30-0.32; el correlograma cruzado evidencia un desfase muy corto entre las señales de entrada y salida, a pesar de que existe un cierto poder regulador al final de la respuesta impulsional. Estos resultados no corresponden exactamente a ninguno de los modelos-tipo definidos por Mangin (1982), sino que sugieren un sistema de características mixtas. Los rasgos aparentemente contradictorios que se deducen de este análisis pueden ser atribuidos a la heterogeneidad del material acuífero y a la complejidad de los mecanismos de recarga.
Mineralogía y Geotermometría de los diques ácidos con grafito asociados a rocas ultramáficas de la Serranía de Ronda. Málaga
Authors: Luque del Villar F. J. , Rodas M. , Velasco F. , Galán E.
Published: December 2008

Se ha realizado un estudio geológico, mineralógico y geotermométrico de un grupo de diques ácidos con grafito localizados en peridotitas serpentinizadas del macizo ultrabásico de Ronda (Málaga). Estos diques presentan distintos estados de alteración hidrotermal. En los diques inalterados, la paragénesis está compuesta por cordierita, granate, cuarzo, biotita, grafito, ilmenita, rutilo, sulfuros y pequeñas cantidades de plagioclasa, sillimanita, hercinita y circón, fundamentalmente. En los diques alterados hidrotermalmente, esta paragénesis original está en mayor o menor grado destruida, produciéndose la pinitización de la cordierita, la cloritización de biotita y granate y la transformación a "Ieueoxeno" de la ilmenita. El grafito es un constituyente principal tanto de los diques inalterados como de los alterados, oscilando su proporción en torno al 15%. El estudio geotermométrieo se ha realizado a partir del par biotita-granate y del valor del parámetro "c" del grafito. Las temperaturas obtenidas son de unos 800° C, estimación que concuerda con la propuesta por diversos autores para la temperatura de emplazamiento del macizo ultramáfico.
Considerando todos estos datos, se propone que la formación de estos diques es el resultado de la fusión anatéctica de los materiales sedimentarios encajantes (pertenecientes a la Unidad de Blanca), en presencia de un fluido rico en CO2 y CH4, que migró desde los sedimentos metamorfizados hacia zonas fracturadas de menor presión en el interior del macizo peridotítieo.
Determinación e incidencia del fondo geoquímico de las pizarras areniscosas del Tremadociense sobre las concentraciones minerales. Zócalo de la rama sur de la Ibérica. (Prov. de Soria y Zaragoza)
Authors: Gutiérrez A. , Monseur J. , Guijarro J. , Alvarez J. B. , Moreno A.
Published: December 2008

El estudio metalogénico realizado en las formaciones superiores dcl Tremadociense, pertenecientes a la rama occidental del zócalo de la Cordillera Ibérica, ha permitido clasificar, como sinsedimentarios-epigenéticos a muchos de los indicios minerales de Pb, Cu, Zn, Ag y Sb. Al ir ligados cstos últimos a pizarras areniscosas (micropsammofilitas-psammitas) se ha determinado el fondo geoquímico (en Pb, Cu, Zn, Ag y Sb) en ellas y la incidencia que tiene sobre las concentraciones minerales. Se analizan estos elementos en más de 240 pizarras arcniscosas procedentes de: La Alameda (Soria); Embid de Ariza, Bubierca y Pardos (Zaragoza).
El fondo obtenido para estos elementos es superior al que corresponde a las areniscas; respecto a las pizarras. el fondo es ligeramente superior para el Pb (16-25 p.p.m.) y el Zn (92-115 p.p.m.); muy superior para la Ag (0.31-0.77 p.p.m.) y el Sb (6-15 p.p.m.) y ligeramente del mismo orden para el Cu.
Las rectas de regresión confirman los estudios metalogénicos. El metalotecto geoquímico, junto con los metaloctectos tectónico y litoestratigráfico, constitiyen condiciones necesarias para justificar las concentraciones minerales en La Alameda y Bubierca pero no suficientes. debiendo invocar además el metalotecto paleogeográfico relacionado con la formación de un alta fondo.
Caracterización de rocas calcáreas sobre las que se desarrollan suelos forestales de la Reserva de Grazalema (Cádiz)
Authors: González J. L. , Mérida J. , Corral L. , Paneque G.
Published: December 2008

Continuando con trabajos anteriores, se estudian las características químicas y mineralógicas de cuatro tipos de rocas liásicas calcáreas (calcarenitas, calizas tableadas, calizas masivas y margas), sobre las que se desarrollan suelos forestales de la Reserva de Grazalema (Cádiz, España). En todas ellas se presentan calcita, cuarzo y mica, aunque en distintas proporciones. Además, existe dolomita en las calizas masivas y calcarenitas, caolinita en las calizas tableadas y masivas y, por último, esmectitas en las margas.
Geología y Metalogenia de la Puna
Authors: Alonso R. N. , Viramonte J. G.
Published: December 2008

En este trabajo se puntualizan una serie de conceptos sobre las relaciones existentes entre evolución geológica y metalogénesis de la Puna. El análisis de la sedimentación, magmatismo y metamorfismo de la provincia geológica Puna, permite diferenciarla en dos subprovincias con historia geológica y metalogenia propia que son: Puna Austral y Puna Septentrional. Ambas subprovincias están separadas por una megafractura regional de rumbo ONO-ESE, el lineamiento de Olacapato o Transpuneño. La región en estudio se considera como una pieza clave en el desarrollo del orógeno andino.
Estudio geológico-estructural de las mineralizaciones de arsenopirita de Viandar de la Vera (Sierra de Gredos. Cáceres)
Authors: Fernández Rodríguez C. , Castaño Castaño S. , Luque del Villar F. J.
Published: December 2008

Se ha realizado un estudio geológico-estructural y mineralógico de un grupo de diques hidrotermales con arsenopirita, localizados en el sector central de la Sierra de Gredos. Dichas mineralizaciones muestran un mayor desarrollo de las asociaciones de alta temperatura (arsenopirita, pirita y pirrotina) sobre las de temperatura intermedia y baja. Estructuralmente. es posible diferenciar cuatro etapas deformativas que evolucionan desde comportamientos predominantemente dúctiles a marcadamente frágiles. Las estructuras generadas en estas etapas son de escala sucesivamente menor y corresponden a una misma fase de deformación progresiva, cuyo eje de máximo acortamiento finito es horizontal y de dirección E-W.
Sobre la base de los datos obtenidos se han establecido las relaciones existentes entre los procesos deformativos y el desarrollo de la mineralización, que se ve condicionado por la naturaleza y escalas de las estructuras tectónicas resultantes.
Sobre la generación de sismogramas sintéticos en un medio semiinfinito
Authors: Batllo J. , Correig A. M.
Published: December 2008

En base a un estudio sobre el modelado de la generación, transmisión y registro de seismos se ha construido un paquete de programas que permite la generación de sismogramas sintéticos en un medio semiinfinito a partir de cuatro tipos principales de fuentes canónicas. válidas para simular un amplio espectro de mecanismos focales.
El Lias Superior y el Dogger inferior en Gorgo a Cerbara (Apenino Central): Aspectos bioestratigráficos y sedimentológicos
Authors: Kälin O. , Ureta S.
Published: December 2008

En un punto cercano a la localidad de Gorgo a Cerbara (Apenino Umbro-Marchigiano, Italia) se ha efectuado el levantamiento de una columna estratigráfica correspondiente al intervalo. de tiempo Pliensbachiense superior-Dogger medio dentro del ciclo de profundización jurásico. La sucesión estudiada -en la que se han distinguido 4 tramos litológicos- comprende materiales incluidos, de muro a techo, en las unidades litoestratigráficas "Corniola" (parte terminal) y "Formazione del Bosso" que incluye los Miembros "Rosso Ammonitico" y "Calcari e Marne a Posidonia". Se trata de una secuencia formada en un ambiente de pié de talud ligado a un alto fondo submarino, presentándose el registro sedimentario notablemente expandido debido a la alta proporción de materiales alóctonos. En las hemipelagitas de la parte superior de la "Corniola" (tramos 1 y 2), se ha registrado una sucesión de ammonites representativa del Domeriense superior y de la base del Toarciense. En las calizas nodulosas de la parte inferior de la "Fm. del Bosso" (tramo 3), los ammonoideos registrados han permitido reconocer el Toarciense superior y Aaleniense p.p. y efectuar divisiones a nivel de subzona. A partir del Aaleniense medio (tramo 4), como consecuencia de la creciente intensidad de disolución en ambiente deposicional y diagenético temprano, desaparecen del registro estratigráfico los restos de organismos con esqueleto aragonítico, no siendo por tanto posible la datación de los materiales suprayacentes mediante ammonoideos.
Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian "Aspidoceras" in the Mediterranean. A methodological approach
Authors: Checa A. , Olóriz F.
Published: December 2008

En el presente trabajo se lleva a cabo un análisis contrastador de la Hipótesis Nula establecida como base metodológica para la investigación evolutiva de los"Aspidoceras" mediterráneos (Checa & Olóriz, 1985). Esta contrastación se lleva a cabo integrando nuevos datos y forma parte de un programa de investigación cuidadosamente planificado. Las diversas consideraciones paleogeográficas, sedimentológicas, estratigráficas y paleobiológicas han proporcionado nuevos modelos evolutivos que suponen una sustancial reorganización estructural de la Hipótesis Nula. En esta estructuración, las Configuraciones Evolutivas Básicas no son consideradas como meros grupos morfológicos, resultado de una lectura del registro fósil, sino que constituyen unidades evolutivas que pueden, por tanto, relacionarse entre sí.
Sobre la identidad del fragmento craneal atribuido a Homo sp. en Venta Mlcena (Orce Granada)
Authors: Agustí J. , Moyá-Solá S.
Published: December 2008

Se analiza la morfología de la cara interna del fragmento craneal de Venta Micena atribuido inicialmente al género Homo. Se detecta la presencia de la sutura coronal a cuatro centímetros del punto lambda. Ello, conjuntamente a las fuertes impresiones digitales del endocraneo y la presencia de una cresta del proceso oseo tentoríal hacen imposible la adscripción de esta pieza al género Homo., atribuyendose a Equus stenonis.
Corrosion rate of steel embedded in blended Portland and fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FC3R) cement mortars
Authors: Zornoza E. , Garcés P. , Payá J.
Published: December 2008

This paper reports on a study of the corrosion levels in steel bars embedded in mortars made with a blend of Portland cement and (0-20%) spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FC3R), with a variable (0.3-0.7) water/binder (w/b) ratio. The specimens were stored in the following conditions: relative humidity of 40, 80 or 100% and CO2 concentrations of 5 and 100%. The steel corrosion rate was measured with polarization resistance techniques. In the absence of aggressive agents, the steel was found to remain duly passivated in mortars with an FC3R content of up to 15% under all the conditions of relative humidity tested. The reinforcement corrosion level in mortars with a w/b ratio of 0.3 and 15% FC3R subjected to accelerated carbonation was similar to the level observed in the unblended Portland cement control mortar.
Study of the shear behaviour of fibre reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Turmo J. , Banthia N. , Gettu R. , Barragán B.
Published: December 2008

This study presents a series of tests for characterizing the structural behaviour of fibre reinforced concrete beams subjected to shear loading. The experimental program involves three types of fibres; two steel fibres and a polypropylene fibre. As a reference, plain concrete and conventionally reinforced concrete specimens have also been tested. The ultimate shear capacity of the beams is calculated and these values compared with those predicted by existing formulations. The study confirms that the toughness and shear crack resistance of the material is greatly enhanced by the fibres. However, the incorporation of 1% of fibres yielded lower shear strength than conventionally reinforced beams with the same amount of steel in the form of transversal stirrups. Existing design methods seem sufficiently robust to estimate the maximum shear load, even when using material properties (toughness, tensile strength) extrapolated from code formulae.
Effect of ZnO, ZrO2 and B2O3 on clinkerization process. Part I. Clinkerization reactions and clinker composition
Authors: García-Díaz I. , Puertas F. , Gazulla M. F. , Palacios M.
Published: December 2008

The use of clay-based product waste as an alternative prime material in Portland cement raw mixes raises the ZnO, ZrO2 and B2O3 content in the clinker. These compounds are found in the enamelled surface of the tile added to the raw mix. The present study explores the effect of adding 0.5 and 2% ZnO, ZrO2 and B2O3 to the raw mix, separately and jointly, on clinkerization and the distribution and morphology of the mineral phases in the clinker. The findings showed that while ZnO and ZrO2 are fixed in the clinker, B2O3 is partially volatized. Zinc oxide acted as a flux, while neither ZrO2 nor B2O3 increased the molten phase. The addition of the oxides to the raw mix changed the content of the main mineral phases in the clinker. Zinc oxide lowered the C3S and C3A contents, ZrO2 reduced the ferritic phase and B2O3 stabilized C2S. New mineral phases, namely 3CaO·ZnO·2Al2O3 and CaZrO3, were identified in the clinkers obtained when 2% ZnO and ZrO2 were added to the raw mix.
Neural Signal Manager: a collection of classical and innovative tools for multi‐channel spike train analysis
Authors: Novellino Antonio , Chiappalone Michela , Maccione Alessandro , Martinoia Sergio
Published: December 2008

Recent developments in the neuroengineering field and the widespread use of the micro electrode arrays (MEAs) for electrophysiological investigations made available new approaches for studying the dynamics of dissociated neuronal networks as well as acute/organotypic slices maintained ex vivo. Importantly, the extraction of relevant parameters from these neural populations is likely to involve long‐term measurements, lasting from a few hours to entire days. The processing of huge amounts of electrophysiological data, in terms of computational time and automation of the procedures, is actually one of the major bottlenecks for both in vivo and in vitro recordings. In this paper we present a collection of algorithms implemented within a new software package, named the Neural Signal Manager (NSM), aimed at analyzing a huge quantity of data recorded by means of MEAs in a fast and efficient way. The NSM offers different approaches for both spike and burst analysis, and integrates state‐of‐the‐art statistical algorithms, such as the inter‐spike interval histogram or the post stimulus time histogram, with some recent ones, such as the burst detection and its related statistics. In order to show the potentialities of the software, the application of the developed algorithms to a set of spontaneous activity recordings from dissociated cultures at different ages is presented in the Results section. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Influence of Alkyl‐Chain Length on Beta‐Phase Formation in Polyfluorenes
Authors: Bright Daniel W. , Dias Fernando B. , Galbrecht Frank , Scherf Ulli , Monkman Andrew P.
Published: December 2008

Di‐n‐alkyl substituted polyfluorenes with alkyl chain lengths of 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 carbon atoms (PF6, PF7, PF8, PF9, and PF10) are studied in dilute solution in MCH using optical spectroscopy. Beta‐phase is formed upon cooling in solutions (∼ 7 µg mL−1) of PF7, PF8, and PF9 only, which is observed as an equilibrium absorption peak at ∼ 437 nm and strong changes in the emission spectra. Beta‐phase is formed upon thermal cycling to low temperature in solutions (∼7 µg mL−1) of PF7, PF8, and PF9, which is observed as an equilibrium absorption peak at ∼ 437 nm and strong changes in the emission spectra. Beta phase is found to occur more favorably in PF8 than in PF7 or PF9, which is attributed to a balance between two factors. The first is the dimer/aggregate formation efficiency, which is poorer for longer (more disordered) alkyl chain lengths, and the second is the Van der Waals bond energy available to overcome the steric repulsion and planarize the conjugated backbone, which is insufficient in the PF6 with a shorter alkyl chain. Beta phase formation is shown to be a result of aggregation, not a precursor to it. A tentative value of the energy required to planarize the fluorene backbone of (15.6 ± 2.5) kJ mol−1 monomer is suggested. Excitation spectra of PF6, PF7, PF8, and PF9 in extremely dilute (∼ 10 ng mL−1) solution show that beta phase can form reversibly in dilute solutions of PF7, PF8 and PF9, which is believed to be a result of chain collapse or well dispersed aggregates being present in solution from dilution of more concentrated solutions. PF7, PF8, and PF9 also form beta phase in thermally cycled solid films spin‐cast from MCH. However, in the films the PF7 formed a larger fraction of beta phase than the PF9, in contrast to the case in solutions, because it is less likely that the close‐packed chains in the solid state will allow the formation of planarized chains with the longer PF9 side chains.
Efficacy and safety of rituximab in adults' warm antibody autoimmune haemolytic anemia: Retrospective analysis of 27 cases
Authors: Bussone Guillaume , Ribeiro Emmanuel , Dechartres Agnès , Viallard Jean‐François , Bonnotte Bernard , Fain Olivier , Godeau Bertrand , Michel Marc
Published: December 2008

To better assess the efficacy and safety of rituximab in adults' warm antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA), we conducted a retrospective study including 27 adults (mean age 49.7 ± 21 years) with either primary (n = 17) or secondary (n = 10) wAIHA. On average, the patients received 2.1 ± 1.4 treatment lines before rituximab and six had undergone splenectomy. Five patients were resistant to corticosteroids, 16 had a corticosteroid‐dependent wAIHA and six had relapsed after an initial remission. Overall, 25/27 (93%) patients achieved an initial response from rituximab (eight complete responses and 17 partial responses). During a mean follow‐up of 20.9 months after rituximab, five of the responders relapsed, three of whom were successfully retreated with rituximab. Two mild infusion‐related‐reactions occurred, one patient had a rituximab‐related severe neutropenia and one case of pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia occurred in a severely immunocompromized patient. In conclusion, rituximab seems highly effective and relatively safe in adults with steroid‐resistant or steroid‐dependent wAIHA. Am. J. Hematol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Survival in young patients with intermediate‐/high‐risk myelofibrosis: Estimates derived from databases for non transplant patients
Authors: Siragusa Sergio , Passamonti Francesco , Cervantes Francisco , Tefferi Ayalew
Published: December 2008

Recent studies have suggested that allogenic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT) might be a better treatment option, compared to drug therapy, for young patients with high‐/intermediate‐risk primary myelofibrosis (PMF). However, there are no controlled studies that validate this contention and allo‐SCT is associated with a substantial risk of procedure‐related mortality and morbidity. In a retrospective analysis of nontransplant PMF patients, who were both young (age <60 years) and with high‐/intermediate‐risk disease, 1‐ and 3‐year survival estimates were 87% and 55%, 95% and 77%, 71% and 58%, respectively, involving patients seen at three different centers with expertise in PMF; these data did not appear to be inferior to those published in the context of either myeloablative or reduced‐intensity conditioning allo‐SCT. These observations underscore the need for controlled studies to accurately assess the value of allo‐SCT in PMF. AM. J. Hematol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Urinary cysteinyl leukotriene E4 is associated with increased risk for pain and acute chest syndrome in adults with sickle cell disease
Authors: Field Joshua J. , Krings James , White Nicole L. , Yan Yan , Blinder Morey A. , Strunk Robert C. , DeBaun Michael R.
Published: December 2008

Leukotriene E4 (LTE4) levels are associated with rate of pain episodes in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Because complications of SCD manifest differently in adults than children, we examined a cohort of adults with SCD to determine the relationship between baseline LTE4 and SCD‐related morbidity. Baseline LTE4 levels were associated with increased rates of pain and acute chest syndrome (ACS) episodes, when those with LTE4 values in the highest tertile were compared with those in the lowest tertile (pain: risk ratio 7.1, 95% CI 1.8–27.5, P = 0.005; ACS: risk ratio 12.2, 95% CI 2.1–69.8, P = 0.005). Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphisms and childhood adversity are associated with depression: New evidence for a gene–environment interaction
Authors: Bet Pierre M. , Penninx Brenda W.J.H. , Bochdanovits Zoltan , Uitterlinden André G. , Beekman Aartjan T.F. , van Schoor Natasja M. , Deeg Dorly J.H. , Hoogendijk Witte J.G.
Published: December 2008

The hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA)‐axis regulates the response to stressful events and is expected to be involved in the pathogenesis of depression. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) regulates the activity of the HPA‐axis. Both GR gene polymorphisms and childhood adversity are known to be associated with increased risk for depression. In the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, a large population based sample of older men and women, 906 subjects were genotyped. An association study was performed to determine the relationship between GR gene polymorphisms, childhood adversity, HPA‐axis markers and depressive symptoms. A gene–environment interaction between the GR polymorphisms 22/23EK and 9beta and childhood adversity resulted in an increased risk of clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Without childhood adversity no increased risk was present. The 22/23EK variant was also associated with a lower Free Cortisol Index in the presence of childhood adversity. Persons that are heterozygous for the BclI variant, in contrast with wild‐type and BclI‐homozygotes, had lower serum levels of cortisol binding globulin and had no increased risk of recurrent depressive symptoms in the presence of childhood adversity. We found a gene–environment (G × E) interaction between common variants of the GR gene and childhood adversity, demonstrating a vulnerable phenotype for developing clinically relevant depressive symptoms at old age. This G × E interaction also influenced HPA‐axis markers providing support for the involvement of the HPA‐axis in both stress regulation and the pathogenesis of depression. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of AKT1 with verbal learning, verbal memory, and regional cortical gray matter density in twins
Authors: Pietiläinen Olli P.H. , Paunio Tiina , Loukola Anu , Tuulio‐Henriksson Annamari , Kieseppä Tuula , Thompson Paul , Toga Arthur W. , van Erp Theo G.M. , Silventoinen Karri , Soronen Pia , Hennah William , Turunen Joni A. , Wedenoja Juho , Palo Outi M. , Silander Kaisa , Lönnqvist Jouko , Kaprio Jaakko , Cannon Tyrone D. , Peltonen Leena
Published: December 2008

AKT1, encoding the protein kinase B, has been associated with the genetic etiology of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, minuscule data exist on the role of different alleles of AKT1 in measurable quantitative endophenotypes, such as cognitive abilities and neuroanatomical features, showing deviations in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. We evaluated the contribution of AKT1 to quantitative cognitive traits and 3D high‐resolution neuroanatomical images in a Finnish twin sample consisting of 298 twins: 61 pairs with schizophrenia (8 concordant), 31 pairs with bipolar disorder (5 concordant) and 65 control pairs matched for age, sex and demographics. An AKT1 allele defined by the SNP rs1130214 located in the UTR of the gene revealed association with cognitive traits related to verbal learning and memory (P = 0.0005 for a composite index). This association was further fortified by a higher degree of resemblance of verbal memory capacity in pairs sharing the rs1130214 genotype compared to pairs not sharing the genotype. Furthermore, the same allele was also associated with decreased gray matter density in medial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (P < 0.05). Our findings support the role of AKT1 in the genetic background of cognitive and anatomical features, known to be affected by psychotic disorders. The established association of the same allelic variant of AKT1 with both cognitive and neuroanatomical aberrations could suggest that AKT1 exerts its effect on verbal learning and memory via neural networks involving prefrontal cortex. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sapap3 and pathological grooming in humans: Results from the OCD collaborative genetics study
Authors: Bienvenu O.J. , Wang Y. , Shugart Y.Y. , Welch J.M. , Grados M.A. , Fyer A.J. , Rauch S.L. , McCracken J.T. , Rasmussen S.A. , Murphy D.L. , Cullen B. , Valle D. , Hoehn‐Saric R. , Greenberg B.D. , Pinto A. , Knowles J.A. , Piacentini J. , Pauls D.L. , Liang K.Y. , Willour V.L. , Riddle M. , Samuels J.F. , Feng G. , Nestadt G.
Published: December 2008

SAP90/PSD95‐associated protein (SAPAP) family proteins are post‐synaptic density (PSD) components that interact with other proteins to form a key scaffolding complex at excitatory (glutamatergic) synapses. A recent study found that mice with a deletion of the Sapap3 gene groomed themselves excessively, exhibited increased anxiety‐like behaviors, and had cortico‐striatal synaptic defects, all of which were preventable with lentiviral‐mediated expression of Sapap3 in the striatum; the behavioral abnormalities were also reversible with fluoxetine. In the current study, we sought to determine whether variation within the human Sapap3 gene was associated with grooming disorders (GDs: pathologic nail biting, pathologic skin picking, and/or trichotillomania) and/or obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) in 383 families thoroughly phenotyped for OCD genetic studies. We conducted family‐based association analyses using the FBAT and GenAssoc statistical packages. Thirty‐two percent of the 1,618 participants met criteria for a GD, and 65% met criteria for OCD. Four of six SNPs were nominally associated (P < 0.05) with at least one GD (genotypic relative risks: 1.6–3.3), and all three haplotypes were nominally associated with at least one GD (permuted P < 0.05). None of the SNPs or haplotypes were significantly associated with OCD itself. We conclude that Sapap3 is a promising functional candidate gene for human GDs, though further work is necessary to confirm this preliminary evidence of association. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peripheral gene expression profiling of CCK‐4‐induced panic in healthy subjects
Authors: Maron Eduard , Kallassalu Kristi , Tammiste Anu , Kolde Raivo , Vilo Jaak , Tõru Innar , Vasar Veiko , Shlik Jakov , Metspalu Andres
Published: December 2008

Progress in understanding the genetic basis of panic attacks may extend current knowledge on susceptibility to panic and pathogenesis of panic disorder. In the present study we applied the microarray Illumina platform for whole genome expression profiling in healthy subjects participating in the CCK‐4‐induced panic test. The study sample consisted of 31 male and female healthy volunteers, who were categorized according to predefined criteria as “panickers” or “non‐panickers” to a CCK‐4 challenge. The gene expression profiles were measured on peripheral blood cells at baseline and at 120 min post‐CCK‐4 injection using Illumina Human‐6 v2 BeadChips. The fold change was used to demonstrate rate of changes in average gene expressions between studied groups. Statistical analyses were performed using the false discovery rate (FDR). Gene expression profiling 2 hr post‐CCK‐4 challenge showed changes in transcriptional levels of 226 genes. A total of 61 genes were differentially expressed between panickers and non‐panickers with most of them related to immune, enzymatic or stress regulation systems. Other distinctive mRNA transcripts were from the genes known to be related to phenotypes associated with increased occurrence of panic attacks, such as asthma, diabetes, or myocardial ischemia. Our findings provide preliminary evidence for genetic substrates of panic attacks on the transcriptional level and indicate potential biological proximity between acute panicogenesis and several somatic conditions. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic and epigenetic analysis of SSAT gene dysregulation in suicidal behavior
Authors: Guipponi Michel , Deutsch Samuel , Kohler Karine , Perroud Nader , Le Gal François , Vessaz Monique , Laforge Térèse , Petit Brice , Jollant Fabrice , Guillaume Sébastien , Baud Patrick , Courtet Philippe , La Harpe Romano , Malafosse Alain
Published: December 2008

It has recently been proposed that the SSAT gene plays a role in the predisposition to suicidal behavior. SSAT expression was found to be down‐regulated in the brain of suicide completers. In addition, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6526342 was associated both with variation in SSAT expression and with suicidal behavior. In this study, we aimed to characterize the relationship between SSAT dysregulation and suicide behavior. To this end, we measured SSAT expression levels in the ventral prefrontal cortex (VPFC) of suicide completers (n = 20) and controls (n = 20) and found them to be significantly down‐regulated in suicide victims (P = 0.007). To identify the basis of the regulation of SSAT expression, we performed an association analysis of 309 SNPs with SSAT transcript levels in 53 lymphoblastoid cell lines from the CEPH collection. We then examined the methylation status of the SSAT promoter region in males and females suicide completers and control subjects whose SSAT brain expression had been measured. We found no evidence to support a role for SNPs in controlling the level of SSAT expression. SSAT promoter methylation levels were not different between suicide completers and controls and did not correlate with SSAT expression levels. In addition, we found no indication of a genetic association between suicidal behavior and SNPs located within the SSAT gene. Our study provides new results which show that dysregulation of SSAT expression does play a role in suicide behavior. However, our data do not support any association between rs6526342 and variation in SSAT expression or suicidal behavior. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of day length, ambient temperature, and seasonality on daily travel distance in the Yunnan snub‐nosed monkey at Jinsichang, Yunnan, China
Authors: Baoping Ren , Ming Li , Yongcheng Long , Fuwen Wei
Published: December 2008

This article examines the effect of ambient temperature, day length, weather conditions, and seasonality on daily path length (DPL) of a free‐ranging group of Yunnan snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) using an auto‐released GPS collar. Data were collected from December 17, 2003 to October 22, 2004 at Laojunshan in northwestern Yunnan province, China. The average DPL of the monkey group was 909±472 m (n=291), with the shortest distance being 180 m and the longest distance 3,626 m. Ambient temperature and day length were found to affect DPL. Both factors were positively correlated with DPL, which means that the monkey group traveled greater distances on longer and warmer days. At the study site, three distinct seasons were identified, and DPL did not vary significantly across these periods. The time of sunrise was not correlated with DPL. Nevertheless, we sometimes observed the group starting its daily trip later on cloudy days than on sunny days. Furthermore, weather conditions (e.g. rainy, cloudy, and sunny) did not influence the average DPL of the study group. Overall we found that the primary factors affecting DPL in R. bieti were day length and ambient temperature, especially daily highest temperature. Am. J. Primatol. 71:233–241, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coat condition of ringtailed lemurs, Lemur catta, at Berenty Reserve, Madagascar: II. Coat and tail alopecia associated with Leucaena leucocepahala, 2001–2006
Authors: Jolly Alison
Published: December 2008

Fur condition in wild ringtailed lemurs, Lemur catta, was recorded during September–November birth seasons 2001–2006 at Berenty Reserve, Madagascar. Body coat condition was scored on a scale from BS 0: full, smooth coat with guard hairs, to BS5: half or more of back and limbs hairless. Tail condition was scored from TS 0: full, to TS 5: half or more hairless. Where troop core areas included stands of Leucaena leucocephala, alopecia was dramatically more frequent than in similar areas without leucaena, including many animals with score BS5 or TS5, “bald lemur syndrome.” Female coats were worse than males,' possibly related to female dominance and access to this preferred food. Tails in non‐leucaena‐feeding females tend to remain full, even if coats deteriorate, but with leucaena‐feeding female tails are highly correlated with coat condition and equally bare. Coat and tail condition in L. catta reflected not only the dietary toxin but individual differences as well as differences between adjacent troops that may result from territorially mediated access to the environment. Leucaena contains the non‐protein amino acid mimosine, a known cause of alopecia, wasting, and organ damage in livestock, although the effects are usually reversible. This is the first case of its effect in wildlife. Leucaena is an agroforestry tree introduced throughout the tropics. In high dietary concentrations leucaena might potentially affect any browsing mammal. Am. J. Primatol. 71:199–205, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multimodal signaling in wild Lemur catta: Economic design and territorial function of urine marking
Authors: Palagi Elisabetta , Norscia Ivan
Published: December 2008

Urine marking has been neglected in prosimian primates. Captive studies showed that the Malagasy prosimian Lemur catta scent marks with urine, as well as via specialized depositions. L. catta urine mark, a multimodal signal, differs from simple urination in terms of different design features, including tail configuration: the tail is held up during marking (UT‐up) and down during urination (UT‐down). We explore economy and function of UT‐up in the female dominant L. catta. We collected 240 h of observations on one group at Berenty (south Madagascar) during the nonmating period via all occurrences sampling. We gathered behavioral bouts/contexts (marking, traveling, feeding, resting, and fights) and recorded 191 UT‐ups and 79 UT‐downs. Via Global Positioning System we established the location of the places frequented i) by extragroup individuals and ii) by group members, in this case recording also behavioral context and time spent in each place. We found that L. catta UT‐up is not an artifact of captivity. Moreover, UT‐up in the nonmating period plays a role in territorial defense, which is mostly performed by females in L. catta society. Female UT‐ups were the most investigated and UT‐ups were performed/investigated more by females. Finally, signal use is parsimonious, in that urine is economically placed where and when detection probability by competitors is higher. UT‐ups were performed in places most frequented by extragroup individuals and in presence of extragroup competitors (nonrandom topography and timing). In conclusion, we suggest that UT‐up is an economical signal with a primarily territorial function. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.