bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome scale transcriptome analysis of shoot organogenesis in Populus
Authors: Bao Yanghuan , Dharmawardhana Palitha , Mockler Todd C , Strauss Steven H
Published: November 2009

Background

Our aim is to improve knowledge of gene regulatory circuits important to dedifferentiation, redifferentiation, and adventitious meristem organization during in vitro regeneration of plants. Regeneration of transgenic cells remains a major obstacle to research and commercial deployment of most taxa of transgenic plants, and woody species are particularly recalcitrant. The model woody species Populus, due to its genome sequence and amenability to in vitro manipulation, is an excellent species for study in this area. The genes recognized may help to guide the development of new tools for improving the efficiency of plant regeneration and transformation.

Results

We analyzed gene expression during poplar in vitro dedifferentiation and shoot regeneration using an Affymetrix array representing over 56,000 poplar transcripts. We focused on callus induction and shoot formation, thus we sampled RNAs from tissues: prior to callus induction, 3 days and 15 days after callus induction, and 3 days and 8 days after the start of shoot induction. We used a female hybrid white poplar clone (INRA 717-1 B4,
Populus tremula × P. alba
) that is used widely as a model transgenic genotype. Approximately 15% of the monitored genes were significantly up-or down-regulated when controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) at 0.01; over 3,000 genes had a 5-fold or greater change in expression. We found a large initial change in expression after the beginning of hormone treatment (at the earliest stage of callus induction), and then a much smaller number of additional differentially expressed genes at subsequent regeneration stages. A total of 588 transcription factors that were distributed in 45 gene families were differentially regulated. Genes that showed strong differential expression included components of auxin and cytokinin signaling, selected cell division genes, and genes related to plastid development and photosynthesis. When compared with data on in vitro callogenesis in Arabidopsis, 25% (1,260) of up-regulated and 22% (748) of down-regulated genes were in common with the genes regulated in poplar during callus induction.

Conclusion

The major regulatory events during plant cell organogenesis occur at early stages of dedifferentiation. The regulatory circuits reflect the combinational effects of transcriptional control and hormone signaling, and associated changes in light environment imposed during dedifferentiation.
Interaktive Exploration und Visualisierung von semantischem Wissen mit SemaPlorerInteractive Exploration and Visualization of Semantic Knowledge with SemaPlorer
Authors: Scherp Ansgar , Schenk Simon , Saathoff Carsten , Staab Steffen
Published: November 2009

SemaPlorer ist eine einfach zu bedienende Anwendung, die es Endanwendern erlaubt, einen verteilten, sehr großen Datensatz gemischter Qualität und von heterogener Semantik in Echtzeit zu explorieren und zu visualisieren. Benutzer können sich damit über eine interessante Region wie eine Stadt oder Ferienregion informieren. Die Visualisierung erfolgt mit Hilfe einer Karte, Medienansicht und verschiedenen kontextuellen Sichten auf die Daten, die es dem Benutzer erlauben, interaktiv mit den Datensätzen zu interagieren. Für SemaPlorer verwenden wir verschiedene semantische Datenquellen wie DBpedia, GeoNames, WordNet und persönliche FOAF-Dateien. Zudem ist ein großer, nach RDF konvertierter Datensatz von Flickr integriert worden. Weitere Datenquellen können sehr einfach in SemaPlorer hinzugefügt werden. Wir haben eine formative Evaluierung der SemaPlorer-Anwendung mit 20 Testpersonen durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse dieser Evaluation werden analysiert und deren Auswirkung auf zukünftige Arbeiten skizziert.
The biology of Canadian weeds. 138. Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.
Authors: Friesen Lyle F , Beckie Hugh J , Warwick Suzanne I , Van Acker Rene C
Published: November 2009

Kochia [Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.] is an annual broadleaf weed species native to Eurasia and introduced as an ornamental to the Americas by immigrants in the mid- to late 1800s. Although sometimes categorized in the genus Bassia, there is no compelling reason for this classification. This naturalized species is a common and economically important weed in crop production systems and ruderal areas in semiarid to arid regions of North America, and has expanded northward in the Canadian Prairies during the past 30 yr. Although primarily self-pollinated, substantial pollen-mediated gene flow and efficient seed dispersal aids both short- and long-distance spread. The weed is morphologically highly variable, and its growth and development are markedly affected by environmental conditions. Kochia, a C4 species, is highly competitive in cropping systems because of its ability to germinate at low soil temperatures and emerge early, grow rapidly, tolerate heat, drought and salinity, and exert allelopathic effects on neighboring species. Moreover, herbicidal control has been compromised to some extent by the widespread evolution of herbicide resistance in the species. Kochia is used as a forage, is palatable to livestock with nutritional value similar to that of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), but can be toxic if it comprises the majority of the diet. Although kochia pollen is an allergen, the seed is a source of phytochemicals including mosquito pheromones and saponins that are potentially beneficial to human health; kochia also is beneficial in phytoremediation of soils contaminated by hydrocarbons or pesticides. Key words: Kochia, Kochia scoparia, Bassia scoparia, herbicide resistance, soil salinity tolerance, weed biology
Finiteness conditions and distributive laws for Boolean algebras
Authors: Erné Marcel
Published: November 2009

We compare diverse degrees of compactness and finiteness in Boolean algebras with each other and investigate the influence of weak choice principles. Our arguments rely on a discussion of infinitary distributive laws and generalized prime elements in Boolean algebras. In ZF set theory without choice, a Boolean algebra is Dedekind finite if and only if it satisfies the ascending chain condition. The Denumerable Subset Axiom (DS) implies finiteness of Boolean algebras with compact top, whereas the converse fails in ZF. Moreover, we derive from DS the atomicity of continuous Boolean algebras. Some of the results extend to more general structures like pseudocomplemented semilattices (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Price stickiness in Portugal evidence from survey data
Authors: Martins Fernando
Published: November 2009

This paper analyses the results of a survey conducted on a sample of Portuguese firms, with the main purpose of investigating their price setting behaviour. The evidence points to a considerable degree of price stickiness: most firms do not change prices more than once a year; time lags in price reactions to shocks are significant; and more than half of the firms follow time‐dependent price reviewing and build their price decisions disregarding any indication of future economic developments. Implicit contracts between firms and their customers under which the former pledge to stabilise their prices as a way to increase customers' loyalty are apparently the main reason preventing firms from changing their prices more frequently. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of antioxidants applied in lubricants
Authors: Kassler Alexander , Pittenauer Ernst , Doerr Nicole , Allmaier Guenter
Published: November 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) in combination with the two desorption/ionization methods, electrospray (ESI) and atmospheric pressure matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP‐MALDI), for the detection of antioxidants which are applied in lubricants. These experiments should form the base for future investigations of antioxidants in tribologically formed thin layers on the surface of frictional systems. Seventeen different antioxidants were selected out of the group of hindered phenolic and aromatic aminic compounds. Practically all antioxidants could be characterized by positive ion ESI‐ and AP‐MALDI‐ITMS, forming various types/species of molecular ions (e.g. [M]+., [M+H]+, [M+Na]+ or [M–2H+H]+). A few compounds could be analyzed by negative ion ESI‐MS, too, but none by negative ion AP‐MALDI‐MS. The influence of target materials in AP‐MALDI‐MS (gold‐ and titanium nitride (TiN)‐covered stainless steel, micro‐diamond‐covered hard metal, hand‐polished and sand‐blasted stainless steel targets) with respect to the molecular ion intensity and type of molecular ion of two selected antioxidants was evaluated. The surface properties are of particular interest because in friction tests different materials with different surface characteristics are used. However, the MS results indicate that optimal target surfaces have to be found for individual antioxidants in AP‐MALDI‐MS but in general smooth surfaces were superior to rough surfaces. Finally the gold‐covered stainless steel MALDI target provided the best mass spectra and was selected for all the antioxidants investigated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some Nematodes met with in a Biological Investigation of Sewage
Authors: Peters B. G.
Published: November 2009

This is the third and final paper of a series which constitutes a report on a biological investigation of sewage, undertaken by the writer as a Research Scholar of the Grocers' Company. Of the previous two papers, the first (1929) describes a colorimeter and the second (1930) is a general report on the work as a whole. Since the nematodes form a neglected and not inconsiderable section of the fauna of most sewage plants, special attention was accorded them, and an account of them is given separately here instead of rendering the general report unbalanced and unwieldy by being included there.
An Observation on Human Resistance to Infection with Ascaris from the Pig
Authors: Buckley J. J. C.
Published: November 2009

The question as to whether Ascaris from the pig may be transmitted to man, and its converse, have long been recognised as being of considerable public health importance. Hitherto the evidence, both epidemiological and experimental, is somewhat in favour of the belief that human Ascaris and Ascaris from the pig are not interchangeable as to their respective hosts. Experimental evidence in support of this was supplied in 1922 by Koino, who swallowed a large number of embryonated eggs from the pig form, and although severe pneumonic symptoms were set up by the migrating larvæ, the latter did not complete their development, and no intestinal infestation followed. A similar negative result was obtained by Payne, Ackert and Hartman (1925), from infection experiments performed on themselves and on a rhesus monkey; they also fed large numbers of human Ascaris eggs to pigs but without success. Some epidemiological evidence has also been furnished by these workers, for they indicated that although in Trinidad and Arouca the circumstances were favourable for reciprocal infection, yet the incidence of Ascaris in man and pigs in these regions in no way suggested that such a condition of affairs obtained.
Note on a Fungus Parasite associated with Heterodera schachtii Infections on Potatoes
Authors: Triffitt Marjorie J.
Published: November 2009

It has been, for some time, a recognised fact that intense eelworm infections are, in some instances, accompanied by only slight damage to the plants, while in other areas where the infection is much less intense, the plants show every symptom of “potato sickness” and the crop is a complete failure.
On a new species of Stephanofilaria causing lesions in the legs of cattle in the Malay Peninsula
Authors: Buckley J. J. C.
Published: November 2009

The nematode genus Stephanofilaria was created to accommodate the species S. dedoesi Ihle and Ihle-Landenberg, 1933, which was found in association with a disease in cattle named “Cascado” in the Dutch East Indies. Two further species have since been described, namely, S. stilesi Chitwood, 1934, from skin lesions in cattle in the United States and S. assamensis Pande, 1936, from “Hump Sore” in cattle in Assam. The disease and its relation to the nematode has been studied in each case by Bubberman and Kranefeld (1933) in the Dutch East Indies, by Dikmans (1934) in the United States and by Pande (1935) in Assam, and the results of their studies leave little doubt as to the authenticity of Stephanofilariasis as an important skin disease in cattle.
Some Polyradiate Specimens of Taenia pisiformis and Dipylidium caninum, with a bibliography of the abnormalities occurring among Cestodes
Authors: Clapham Phyllis A.
Published: November 2009

A brief summary of abnormalities among Cestodes is given.

A new record of melanism in T. pisiformis is made. The pigment was deposited in the vas deferens and cirrus sac in every segment.

18 specimens of tri-radiate and 3 specimens of quadri-radiate T. pisiformis are described from dogs.

A single case of tri-radiate D. caninum is reported.

A bibliography containing records of cestode abnormalities is appended.
The Structure of the Leaf Galls of Plantago lanceolata L. induced by Anguillulina dipsaci (Kühn) Gerv. & v. Ben.
Authors: Goodey J. Basil
Published: November 2009

This investigation was carried out for two reasons, firstly that there would appear to be no detailed description of the changes in the leaf structure in Plantago lanceolata L. under the influence of parasitization by Anguillulina dipsaci (Kühn) Gerv. & v. Ben., and secondly that material for study was readily available.
Helminth Parasites in Lambs on a Scottish Border Farm
Authors: Morgan D. O. , Corner H. H.
Published: November 2009

On farms in the Border Counties of Scotland, the sheep enterprise represents the chief line of production in both upland and lowland districts. Stocks of breeding ewes are run on practically all low-ground farms in the area, and these mainly consist of half-bred ewes (Border Leicester × Cheviot) which are mated with Oxford or Suffolk rams. The larger farms carry, in addition, their own flocks of Cheviot ewes for the production of half-bred ewe lambs for stock purposes. The number of cattle maintained on the pastures is comparatively small, though it is well recognised by farmers that an increase in their numbers would be to the advantage of the sheep.
On the Helminths of Corvid Birds in the British Isles
Authors: Clapham Phyllis A.
Published: November 2009

In 1925 Chapin reviewed the genera Syngamus and Cyathostoma and in the review described a new species of Syngamus which he had obtained from the American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos: this, he called Syngamus gracilis. It had been found in a bird from the Zoological Gardens at Philadelphia. He was of the opinion that this species had probably been recovered before from the American Crow but that its specificity had not been recognised. He assumes, in fact, that some if not all of the records of the occurrence of S. trachea in this species of host, and by inference probably in other Corvidae also, are incorrect and that S. gracilis is the species found. He bases this assumption on the physiological reactions of the parasite. It is a well known fact that S. trachea does not establish itself well in chickens and can in fact only reach maturity in young or very sick birds. The turkey is generally assumed to be the natural host of this helminth and Chapin is of the opinion that if S. trachea cannot establish itself satisfactorily in the chicken, then it is highly improbable that it can do so in the crow. For the chicken and the turkey are closely related phylogenetically, both being gallinaceous birds while the crow belongs to the Corvidae, which has no near kinship with the Galliformes.
The Occurrence of Zinc and Other Metals in the Intestines ofStrongylusspp.
Authors: Rogers W. P.
Published: November 2009

The intestines and their contents taken from several lots ofStrongylus edentatusandS. vulgarishave been analysed and the amounts of certain metals and sulphur present have been estimated.

Zinc was found to be the most plentiful metal present, reaching a maximum of 0·58 mgs. per worm. Copper, silver and iron were the other metals recorded.
The Metabolism of Trichinosed Rats during the Intermediate Phases of the Disease
Authors: Rogers W. P.
Published: November 2009

The action ofTrichinella spiralisinfections in markedly lowering protein digestion in rats is confined to a period 4 to 12 days afier infection. Minor disturbances in protein digestion occurring about 30 days after infection may have been due to adult females leaving the host.

Over the first 12 days of infection the protein digestion was lowered (calculated as the summation of the percentage fall for each of the first 3 periods) approximately 1% for each 100 infective larvae fed. The degree of digestive disorder seemed unrelated to the number of larvae finally recovered from the hosts' tissues.

Inorganic P excretion fell to a very low level 4 to 8 days after infection. Twenty-four days later the rate of excretion rose, the maximum being 2 or 3 times the normal level.

Ca assimilation fell to a very low point during the second period of infection, falling again after a further 9 periods.

As indicated by weight losses the most marked period of the disease occurred from the 8th to the 11th period after infection.
Anguillulina brenani n.sp., a Nematode causing Galls on the Moss, Pottia bryoides Mitt
Authors: Goodey T.
Published: November 2009

Up to the present time, so far as the writer is aware, there has been no previous British record of galls on a moss caused by a nematode although cecidologists have reported galls of nematode origin on 52 species of moss on the continent of Europe (see Goodey, 1940). Except in the case of Hypnum cupressiforme L. and Thuidium delicatulum (L.) Hedw., in which the causal parasite is Anguillulina askenasyi (Bütschli, 1873), the specific identity of the worms affecting the other 50 species has not been determined though it is probable that in all cases they belong to the genus Anguillulina.
A Re-description of Echinostephilla virgula Lebour, 1909
Authors: Shelswell E. Margaret
Published: November 2009

Echinostephilla virgula occupies an isolated position in the Digenea; apparently it does not belong with certainty to any of the existing families and, as the original description is incomplete, it was considered worthy of re-description. This trematode was found frequently at St. Andrews between the months of September, 19–19, and March, 1951, in the intestine of the Turnstone (Arenaria interpres Linn.). There was usually a heavy parasitism, fifty to one hundred worms being found in one host. However, in spite of frequent examinations of birds shot after this period, no further specimens were found.
On a New Acanthocephalan, Echinopardalis lerouxi n.sp., from a Jackal (Canis adustus) in Central Africa
Authors: Bisseru
Published: November 2009

An account is given of the general morphology of Echinopardalis lerouxi n.sp., from the intestine of Canis adustus, in Northern Rhodesia. This new acanthocephalan agrees with the characters of the genus Echinopardalis, and differs from all the other known species included in this genus. The characteristic features of the species are enumerated.
On Two New Species ofLytocestusfrom Burma and the Sudan Respectively
Authors: Lynsdale Jean A.
Published: November 2009

The sub-family Lytocestinae was created by Hunter (1927) to accommodate five genera—LytocestusCohn, 1908 (type genus),BalanotaeniaJohnston, 1924,MonobothrioidesFuhrmann and Baer, 1925,DjombangieBovien, 1926, andLytocestoidesBaylis, 1928. He based the characteristics of the sub-family on the broad characters of the type genus, e.g. “Sub-family Lytocestinae Hunter, 1927. Sub-family diagnosis: Caryophyllaeidae with sexual apertures and ovary situated in the last quarter of the body length. The inner longitudinal muscles lieentirely internalto the vitellaria which are annularly arranged about the muscles in the cortical parenchyma. Uterine glands are present. Type genusLytocestusCohn, 1908.” All the foregoing characteristics are present inLytocestus. Sub-sequently, two more genera,KhawiaHsu, 1935, andStocksiaWoodland, 1937 have been added, making a total of seven genera.

According to Woodland (1926) the genusLytocestusincludes the following species:L. adhaerensCohn, 1908 (type species),L. filiformis(Woodland, 1923),L. chalmersius(Woodland, 1924),L. cunningtoni(Fuhrmann and Baer, 1925),L. indicus(Moghe, 1925), andBalanotaenia bancroftiJohnston, 1924.
On Chandlerella braziliensis n.sp. from a Green-billed Toucan and a Discussion on some Related Genera
Authors: Liang-Sheng Yeh
Published: November 2009

1. Eufilaria sergenti Seurat, 1921 is recorded from the areolar tissue of the legs and neck of the White-crested Jay-Thrush, Garrulax leucolophus from the Himalayas.

2. A new species of filarial worm Chandlerella braziliensis is described from the Green-billed Toucan from Brazil. It differs from other species of Chandlerella in the presence of small preanal papillae.

3. Chandlerella and Splendidofilaria which are considered as synonymous by some recent authors are considered to be valid genera by the present writer.

4. The genus Buckleyfilaria Singh, 1949 is shown to be a synonym of Pseudaprocta Shikhobalova, 1930, and the genotype becomes Pseudaprocta buckleyi (Singh, 1949) n.comb.
On a New Species of the GenusCosmocercaDiesing, 1861 from a Toad,Bufo viridis, in Kashmir
Authors: Fotedar D. N.
Published: November 2009

1. A new species,Cosmocerca kashmirensisn.sp. from the toad,Bufo viridis, in Kashmir, is described. The new species has 19 plectanes in the male tail, of which 3 plectanes are simple rosettes and resemble the compound caudal papillae of the genusCosmocercoides.

2. The existing species of the genusCosmocercaDiesing, 1861 are listed and briefly described.
Immunological Studies on Experimental Infection of Pigs with Ascaris suum Goeze, 1782. IV. The Primary Antibody Response
Authors: Taffs L. F.
Published: November 2009

It was possible to make a more critical study of immunity against A. suum by infecting pathogen-free, colostrum-deprived pigs produced by hysterectomy.

By means of the conglutinating complement absorption test, using a saline extract of worm as antigen, antibodies were first demonstrated in the circulation of three experimentally-infected pigs between the 10th and 13th days of infection, and were detected in the sera of two of them for at least 97 days.

The infections did not become patent, and no acquired immunity was shown by the pigs against a reinfection 97 days later. There was no evidence of an age immunity against migrant larvae.

A rise in serum antibody was observed, within seven days of infection, in six pigs aged between 10 weeks and 11 months, following a test dose of 500,000 eggs. Three suckling pigs, aged three weeks, did not respond serologically within seven days to the same test dose.
OnEuclinostomum heterostomum(Rudolphi, 1809)
Authors: Ukoli F. M. A.
Published: November 2009

The metacercariae ofEuclinostomum helerostomum(Rud., 1809) fromTilapia zilliandT. heudelotiand immature adults recovered from the oesophagus of the African darter and the long-tailed shag, three days eighteen hours after experimental infection with metacercaria are described.

It was found that the number of diverticula from each intestinal caecum varies within species, hence Jaiswal's (1957) three species,E. bhagavantami, E. channaiandE. heptacecumare proposed as synonyms ofE. heterostomum.
The effect of induced moulting in hens on resistance to primary and secondary infections of Raillietina cesticillus Molin, 1858
Authors: Gray J. S.
Published: November 2009

Mature hens were induced to moult and were subsequently found to be resistant to both primary and secondary infections of Raillietina cesticillus, whereas non-moulting birds that continued to lay were susceptible to primary and secondary infections.
Pressure-induced spin reorientation in La1.2Sr1.8(Mn1−yRuy)2O7 (y= and 0.075) single crystals
Authors: Mydeen K. , Arumugam S. , Mandal P. , Murugeswari A. , Sekar C. , Krabbes G. , Jin C. Q.
Published: November 2009

The effect of hydrostatic pressure (P) and external magnetic field on the c-axis resistivity (ρc) and in-plane ac susceptibility (χab) of La1.2Sr1.8(Mn1−yRuy)2O7 (y=0 and 0.075) single crystals have been investigated. The ferromagnetic transition temperature (TC) increases, while the conductivity decreases, with Ru doping. The application of pressure strongly decreases ρc and shifts TC to higher temperature for both the samples. For the undoped (y=0) sample, TC increases almost linearly with P up to 2 GPa, while TC for the Ru-doped sample starts to saturate above 1.0 GPa. In the ferromagnetic state, the nature of P dependence of χab of Ru-doped sample changes dramatically around 1.5 GPa. These results are explained by the pressure-induced spin reorientation from the basal plane to along the c-axis.
The effects of processing of high-electron-mobility transistors on the strain state and the electrical properties of AlGaN/GaN structures
Authors: González-Posada Flores F. , Rivera C. , Muñoz E.
Published: November 2009

The results of x-ray characterization presented in this work show that the strain state of the AlGaN and GaN layers is modified by the Ohmic contact deposition and subsequent annealing, as well as by the SiN passivation. In both cases, the tensile strain for the AlGaN layer decreases whereas the residual compressive strain in the GaN layer is consistently increased in the free-contact area. However, we show that the difference in the chemical composition of the surface is the main factor explaining the reduction of channel carrier concentration observed in capacitance-voltage measurements, with a variation as large as ∼2×1012 cm−2.
Managing graphic information in terminological knowledge bases
Authors: Prieto-Velasco Juan Antonio , López Rodríguez Clara I.
Published: November 2009

The cognitive shift in Linguistics has affected the way linguists, lexicographers and terminologists understand and describe specialized language, and the way they represent scientific and technical concepts. The representation of terminological knowledge, as part of our encyclopaedic knowledge about the world, is crucial in multimedia terminological knowledge bases, where different media coexist to enhance the multidimensional character of knowledge representations. However, so far little attention has been paid in Terminology and Linguistics to graphic information, including visual resources and pictorial material.  Frame-based Terminology (Faber et al. 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) advocates a multimodal conceptual description in which the structured information in terminographic definitions meshes with visual information for a better understanding of specialized concepts. In this article, we explore the relationship between visual and textual information, and search for a principled way to select images that best represent the linguistic, conceptual and contextual information contained in terminological knowledge bases, in order to contribute to a better transfer of specialized knowledge.
Cellular responses and expression profiling of human bone marrow stromal cells stimulated with enamel matrix proteins in vitro
Authors: Song Z. C. , Shu R. , Zhang X. L.
Published: November 2009

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to investigate biological effects and gene expression profiles of enamel matrix proteins (EMPs), on human bone marrow stromal cells (HBMSCs), for preliminary understanding of mechanisms involved in promoting periodontal regeneration by EMPs.

Materials and methods:  EMPs were extracted using the acetic acid method, and HBMSCs from human bone marrow aspirates were cultured. Attachment levels, level of cells morphologically attenuated, cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and staining of HBMSCs were measured in the absence and in the presence of EMPs. Microarray analysis was performed to detect gene profiles of HBMSCs by treatment with 200 μg/ml EMPs, for 5 days. Four differential genes were selected for validation of the microarray data using real‐time PCR.

Results:  EMPs promoted proliferation and ALP activity of HBMSCs in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, and at a concentration of 200 μg/ml significantly enhanced proliferation and ALP expression. However, there were no significant changes between EMP‐treated groups and the control group in cell attachment and cell process attenuation levels. Twenty‐seven genes were differentially expressed by HBMSCs in the presence of EMPs. Expressions of 18 genes were upregulated and expressions of nine genes were found to be downregulated. There was good consistency between data obtained from the validation group and microarray results.

Conclusions:  EMPs promoted cell proliferation and differentiation and gene expression profiles of HBMSCs were affected. This may help elucidation of mechanisms involved in promoting regeneration of periodontal tissues by EMPs.
Treatment of functional constipation with the Yun‐chang capsule: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, dose‐escalation trial
Authors: Jia Guo , Meng Mao‐Bin , Huang Zong‐Wen , Qing Xia , Lei Wang , Yang Xiao‐Nan , Liu Song‐Shan , Diao Jun‐Cheng , Hu Si‐Yuan , Lin Bing‐Hui , Zhang Rui‐Ming
Published: November 2009

Background and Aim:  Functional constipation is a common functional bowel disorder for which there is no reliable medical treatment. This study was designed to determine the therapeutic efficacy and safety of the Yun‐chang capsule, a Chinese herbal formula, in the treatment of patients with functional constipation.

Methods:  In our multi‐center, prospective, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, dose‐escalation trial, patients with functional constipation received 70 mg of Yun‐chang capsule plus 35 mg placebo (group A), 105 mg of Yun‐chang capsule (group B), or 105 mg placebo (group C), three times daily for 2 weeks. The primary end‐points were the changes in main symptom score and cumulative symptom score 2 weeks after the treatment. The secondary end‐points were adverse events.

Results:  A total of 140 patients were recruited and 132 met the inclusion criteria; 44 patients constituted each of the three treatment groups. Compared with patients in group C, patients in groups A and B had significant improvement in the main symptom score, cumulative symptom score, the change from baseline of the main symptom score, and the change from baseline of the cumulative symptom score at week 1 and week 2. The scores showed slight superiority of group B over group A at week 1 and week 2, although these differences were not statistically significant. There were no differences in adverse events.

Conclusions:  The Yun‐chang capsule is efficacious and safe for the treatment of patients with functional constipation. Larger and longer‐term trials are required to fully assess the benefits and safety of this treatment for functional constipation.
Confidence intervals for maximal reliability in tau‐equivalent models
Authors: Lam Kar Yin , Koning Alex , Franses Philip Hans
Published: November 2009

Subjective probabilities play an important role in marketing research, for example where individuals rate the likelihood that they will purchase a new developed product. The tau‐equivalent model can describe the joint behaviour of multiple test items measuring the same subjective probability. In this paper we stress the use of confidence intervals to assess reliability, as this allows for a more critical assessment of the items as measurement instruments. To improve the reliability one can use a weighted sum as the outcome of the test rather than an unweighted sum. In principle, the weights may be chosen so as to obtain maximal reliability. We propose two new confidence intervals for the maximal reliability in the tau‐equivalent model and we compare these two new intervals with intervals derived earlier in Yuan and Bentler (Psychometrika, 67, 2002, 251) and Raykov and Penev (Multivariate Behavioral Research, 41, 2006, 15). The comparison involves coverage curves, a methodology that is new in the field of reliability. The existing Yuan–Bentler and Raykov–Penev intervals are shown to overestimate the maximal reliability, whereas one of our proposed intervals, the stable interval, performs very well. This stable interval hardly shows any bias, and has a coverage for the true value which is approximately equal to the confidence level.
Diagnosis and disengagement: exploring the disjuncture between SEN policy and practice
Authors: McKay Jane , Neal Jayne
Published: November 2009

Special Educational Needs (SEN) policy and practice in England and Wales currently relies on an authoritative and accurate diagnosis of need by professionals working in partnership with parents and children. Our analysis suggests there is a ‘continuum of disengagement’ for children and young people with SEN. This will be used as a central theme to illustrate the disjuncture between SEN policy and practice. The continuum becomes apparent under the scrutiny of issues that arise during the diagnostic process. Identification of problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia and dyspraxia lead to methods of intervention that can be identified as either preventative, counteractive or punitive. The ambiguity of the diagnostic process lies in the overlapping characteristics of these conditions. Referring to our research in the field of SEN provision in North Wales, this article explores the link between hidden disabilities, increasing disengagement and youth offending.
Quantitative Volumetry in Patients With Carotid Disease—Effects of Acetazolamide
Authors: Eicke B. M. , Bähr R. R. , Buss E. , Doberenz C. , Paulus W.
Published: November 2009

The intracranial effects of acetazolamide on flow velocities can be monitored noninvasively by transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography. Extracranial volume flow changes can now reliably be measured with color duplex M‐mode systems. The authors tested the volumetric effects of acetazolamide in patients with high‐grade unilateral carotid disease to quantify the amount of flow changes. Patients in group 1 had a high‐grade > 70% internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis, without collateral flow through the ophthalmic artery (OA). Patients with occluded ICA were included in group 2 (patent OA collateralization) or group 3 (no OA collateralization) (n= 6 per group). In group 1, common carotid artery (CCA) volume flow in the stenotic (normal contralateral) side increased from 271 (388) ml/min by 52 (54)% with 1 g acetazolamide intravenously. Simultaneously, middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow velocities increased from 54 (56) cm/s by 47 (53)%. In group 2, extracranial volume flow increased from 166 (444) ml/min by 19 (52)%. MCA flow velocities increased from 43 (65) cm/s by 13 (30)%. In group 3, volume flow increased from 159 (467) ml/min by 2 (46)%. Intracranial flow velocities rose from 49 (54) cm/s by 27 (41)%. Volume flow data showed the expected decline in patients with high‐grade ICA stenosis and even more pronounced in patients with occlusion of the vessel. Cerebral reserve capacity was less sufficient in patients with a patent OA, despite an additional supply of 30 ml/min, indicating a hemodynamically critical situation.
Extensive Subdural Mass
Authors: Vender John R. , Rupkalvis Richard , Peterson Powers , Little Brian W. , Gennarelli Thomas A.
Published: November 2009

An unusual case of a 62‐year‐old man with focal seizures, tinnitus, and progressive left hemiparesis due to an extensive subdural plasma cell granuloma is presented. Five‐year clinical and radiologic follow‐up demonstrating the chronic yet progressive nature of this granuloma is presented. This is the first report of focal calcification seen in an intracranial plasma cell granuloma. The imaging, neuropathologic, and clinical characteristics of this rare lesion are reviewed.
A Case of Extreme Sexual Self‐Mutilation
Authors: Hendershot Edna , Stutson Alverd C. , Adair Thomas W.
Published: November 2009

Abstract:  We report on a case of extreme sexual self‐mutilation in which the subject inflicted severe trauma to his genitalia and then falsely reported a sexual assault. The 30‐year‐old white male did not report the incident for 10 days and then checked into a hospital. The hospital called the Westminster Police Department after the subject reported that he was the victim of a sexual assault in our city. This case is unusual in that the subject’s initial behavior and story did not indicate deception. It was not until the subject’s computer was searched that investigators determined that the injuries were self‐inflicted. Without this critical information the case might still remain open as a sexual assault. This case is reported to broaden our understanding of this behavior and inform investigators of the potential for this type of self‐inflicted injury.
E‐Clic – easy climate data converter
Authors: Tarroso Pedro , Rebelo Hugo
Published: November 2009

There are an increasing number of studies that are now focussing on the influence of climate change on species’ distributions. However, access to predictive climatic datasets for future scenarios is difficult due to their specific formats and/or the need to be geographically downscaled. The TYN dataset is freely available to users and provides a synthetic format with several climatic models and IPCC future climate scenarios. Moreover, the CRU historical dataset (1901–2000) is also available which allows users to create baseline models for current climatic variables. E‐clic is a free, user‐friendly software package that offers three different ways to convert these two datasets into a spatially explicit raster format which is compatible with the most common geographic information systems and usable on different platforms.
Photophysics and Photochemical Studies of the Vitamin B6 Group and Related Derivatives
Authors: Bueno Claudia , Pavez Paulina , Salazar Ricardo , Encinas María Victoria
Published: November 2009

The photophysics and photochemical properties of vitamin B6 constituents and analogs were studied as function of pH and solvent. The pK of the phenolic oxygen and the pyridine ring nitrogen depends on the electron donor‐acceptor ability of the 4‐substituent, and agrees with the calculated proton affinity. For all studied compounds, the fluorescence properties showed that the phenolic oxygen is 8 units more acidic in the lowest singlet excited state than in the ground state. The pyridine N‐atom is slightly more basic in the excited state. At pH of biological significance, pH 6–8, pyridoxamine and 4‐pyridoxic acid are the more efficient chromophores with higher fluorescence yield and longer lifetime. Spectroscopic studies showed that the tautomeric equilibrium depends on the nature of the 4‐substituent. The quenching of the singlet excited state of pyridoxamine and 4‐pyridoxic acid by amino acids, free or in a peptide, and DNA bases at pH 7 was studied by time‐resolved fluorescence techniques. The quenching rate constants are well correlated with the redox properties of the pyridoxinic compound and amino acids, and are related to the free energy change in the electron transfer process. Guanosine and pyrimidine bases also are efficient quenchers, involving an electron transfer reaction.
Structural Changes in Bacteriorhodopsin in Purple Membranes Induced by Irreversible Photobleaching with Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Stability
Authors: Yokoyama Yasunori , Sonoyama Masashi , Mitaku Shigeki
Published: November 2009

Kinetic studies of irreversible photobleaching of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) in purple membrane (PM) at neutral pH have previously indicated the existence of two kinds of species which differ in their structural stability. bR was shown to have kinetically slow‐ and fast‐decayed components with the faster one increasing with changes in intra‐ and intermolecular structures in darkness. However, our recent work reported that photobleaching kinetics above pH 10 were characterized by a single‐decay component. In order to elucidate the factors responsible for the heterogeneous or homogeneous stability of photobleaching, we conducted investigations into the structural changes in bR in PM induced by photobleaching at pH 7 and 11 by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy. ATR‐FTIR spectra of bR photobleached at pH 7 and 11 showed that an increase in IR peak intensity at 1656 cm−1 occurred simultaneously with decreases at 1666 cm−1, indicating an αII‐to‐αI transition in transmembrane helices during photobleaching. The most significant change in IR spectra occurred at 1626 cm−1 for samples photobleached at pH 7, and was attributed to structures formed between adjacent molecules. The origin of the heterogeneity of photobleaching is discussed on the basis of structural characteristics found in the bleached membranes.
Peripancreatic lymph node gastrinoma
Authors: Jang Si‐Hyong , Jang Se Min , Jun Young Jin , Na Woong , Min Kyueng Whan , Jang Ki‐Seok , Paik Seung Sam
Published: November 2009

Gastrinoma is one of the most symptomatic pancreatic endocrine tumors and is associated with recurrent gastric or duodenal ulcer and an induction of chronic gastric acid hypersecretion. This tumor is commonly involved within the gastrinoma triangle. Herein we report a peripancreatic lymph node gastrinoma in a 56‐year‐old man who was suffered from a recurrent duodenal or jejunal ulcer perforation. Octreotide scan detected a peripancreatic or periduodenal mass and the serum gastrin level was set in upper normal range (107.73 pg/mL). Whipple's procedure was performed. The resected specimen showed multiple duodenal ulcers, hypertrophic gastric body mucosa and an enlarged peripancreatic node, measured 1.5 × 1.0 cm in cross diameter. Microscopic examination revealed a single enlarged lymph node replaced by tumor cell nests with pale eosinophilic cytoplasm and ‘salt‐and‐pepper’ chromatin pattern. On immunohistochemical staining, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for chromogranin, synaptophysin, gastrin and focally positive for CD56. He was finally diagnosed as a primary lymph node gastrinoma. After operation, the patient revisited our hospital due to severe esophageal stricture and he underwent endoscopic esophagoplasty.
Identification of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) Stocks in the Stikine River Based on Egg Size Measurements
Authors: Craig P. C.
Published: November 2009

The Stikine River in southeastern Alaska supports two principal stocks of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). An expedient means of separating these stocks when they enter freshwater is by egg size and egg mass measurements. Eggs of sockeye that spawn in the Tahltan Lake system are smaller than sockeye spawning elsewhere in the Stikine drainage, a difference supported by an independent stock identification method (scale pattern analysis). Tahltan females have only slightly developed ovaries (1–3% of body weight) and small eggs (2.0–3.5 mm) when they enter freshwater; they enter the river earlier (2–3 wk) and travel farther upstream to spawn than non-Tahltan sockeye. The latter group has more developed ovaries (5–16% of body weight) and larger eggs (3.5–6.2 mm) when they enter the river. Thus, an assessment of egg sizes of sockeye caught in the river can provide on-site information about stock composition and run timing. These data and escapement counts at Tahltan Lake indicate that the total escapement to the Stikine in 1983 was 61 000 to 71 000 sockeye of which 45–53% were Tahltan stock and 47–55% spawned eleswhere in the drainage.
Spring Meltwater Mixing in Small Arctic Lakes
Authors: Bergmann Martin A. , Welch Harold E.
Published: November 2009

Meltwater mixing in small arctic lakes at Saqvaqjuac (63°68′N, 90°40′W) was studied in 1980 and 1981 to evaluate the applicability of theoretical lake water renewal times to the modeling of ice-covered lakes. Two 370-GBq tritium additions were made to 7.09-ha P&N Lake. One was mixed with the unfrozen water at the time of maximum lake-ice thickness (May 1980) and the other was mixed with the lake immediately after freezing (October 1980). Dye experiments were also performed at four lakes to define the spatial and temporal distribution of the inflow and icemelt layers. Results from the tritiated water and dye addition experiments, as well as conductance and temperature profiles, showed that during ice-on, the cold low-density meltwater floated in a thin layer 0–100 cm beneath the ice, extended over the entire subice-surface area, and left the lake without mixing with the heavier subice water. These results imply that (1) lake models incorporating a lake flushing rate term need to be reevaluated to accommodate the lack of meltwater mixing beneath spring ice and (2) more attention should be given to the early spring meltwater chemistry and its distribution within the upper lake strata.
Seasonal Patterns in Lipid Content of Lake Michigan Macroinvertebrates
Authors: Gardner Wayne S. , Nalepa Thomas F. , Frez William A. , Cichocki Elizabeth A. , Landrum Peter F.
Published: November 2009

Lipids in several taxa of macroinvertebrates from Lake Michigan were determined seasonally to help define the role of these animals in transferring energy in the lake. Ranges of mean lipid content relative to ash-free dry weight (AFDW) throughout the year were as follows: amphipods (Pontoporeia hoyi), 21–54%; lumbriculid oligochaetes (Stylodrilus heringianus), 12–19%; tubificid oligochaetes, 9–22%; chironomid larvae, 9–39%; and Mysis relicta, 26–37%. A pattern of increasing lipid content during spring was observed for P. hoyi, chironomids, and M. relicta, but seasonal changes were not apparent for oligochaetes. Excluding M. relicta, P. hoyi accounted for about 65% of the biomass and 70% of the energy contained in southern Lake Michigan benthic macroinvertebrates and may assimilate up to 30% of the total bioavailable organic detritus settling into the offshore hypolimnion. Calculation of the predation loss rate (production rate minus nonpredatory death rate) of P. hoyi indicated that about 13 000 cal∙m−2 (2.1 g AFDW∙m−2) of this amphipod may be consumed annually by fish and other predators in southern Lake Michigan.
Sonority and Syllabicity: Acoustic Correlates of Perception
Authors: Price P.J.
Published: November 2009

Evidence is accumulating that native speaker-hearers are not as consistent, confident, or in agreement, on counting the number of syllables in natural utterances as is commonly assumed. There are, however, instances where speaker-hearers give clear, consistent syllable counts. It is the position of this paper that the unclear cases as well as the clear cases are phonetically classifiable in terms of sonority. The experiments presented here are intended to delimit what is meant by sonority in acoustic terms.
Allophonic Backward Masking of Stop Consonants
Authors: Alfonso Peter , Daniloff Raymond
Published: November 2009

During dichotic stimulation with CV [stop + vowel] syllables, 5 subjects reported right ear (RE) targets as the left ear (LE) mask syllable lagged behind RE by 0–200 ms. Seven-step synthetic speech continua for voice (/pa-ba/, /ta-da/) and place (/pa-ta/, /ba-da/) served as stimuli; stimulus 1 and 7 were phonetically ‘optimum’ allophones for the four above-mentioned phoneme contrasts. RE targets were always stimulus 1 or 7 of any given continuum, and masks were all seven allophones of the same continuum. Results showed interference only when target and mask were differing phonemes; as mask stimuli were increasingly further from the phoneme boundary separating them from the target, interference increased in amount and temporal extent, such that stimulus 1–7 pairs showed most interference. Voiceless and alveolar masks were more potent than voiced or labial masks. Results suggest that allophonic information for stops perists and is effective in dichotic interference at a very high level of the phonemic labeling process. The data support models of perception which invoke simultaneous, in-depth allophonic as well as phonemic processing of speech segments.