bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symptomatic Remission in Patients with Bipolar Mania: Results from a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Risperidone Monotherapy
Authors: Gopal Srihari , Beyer John L. , Steffens David C. , Kramer Michelle L.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Background: The purpose of this analysis was to compare symptomatic remission rates between risperidone and placebo in a completed randomized controlled trial. Design and Methods: Two hundred ninety (290) adult patients who met DSM-IV criteria for Bipolar I Disorder Manic or Mixed episode were randomized to flexible doses of risperidone or placebo for 3 weeks. An entry Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score of > 20 was required at trial screening and baseline. Time to first onset of remission (as defined as a YMRS score of < 8) was assessed using Cox proportional hazards. Persence or absence of sustained remission was analyzed using logistic regression. Sustained remission was defined as maintaining a YMRS < 8 for the remainder of the trial or until censor. Results: After adjusting for presence of psychosis, baseline YMRS, gender, number of mood cycles in the previous year and treatment,the odds of sustained remission for subjects on risperidone was 5.6 (p < 0.0001). Similarly the adjusted hazard or remission for subjects on rsiperidone was 4.0 (p < 0.0001). Interpretaion: A statistically significant proportion of manic patients receiving risperidone monotherapy achieved symptomatic remission within 3 weeks as compared to placebo.
Impact of direct radiative forcing of black carbon aerosols on tropical convective precipitation
Authors: Wang Chien
Published: March 2007

The direct radiative forcing of black carbon (BC) aerosols is able to cause a significant change in tropical convective precipitation ranging from the Pacific and Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. This change occurs often well away from emission centers, demonstrating a “remote climate impact.” The detailed mechanism of this change has been analyzed in this study. In the tropical Pacific region, the pattern of BC caused precipitation change is found to be similar to the pattern of precipitation anomaly corresponding to the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) activities. The BC forced changes in the atmospheric circulation are represented by a strengthened Hadley cell in the Northern Hemisphere, a weakened one in the Southern Hemisphere, an enhancement of the Indian summer monsoon circulation, and a reduction of the lower level easterly wind in the central and east equatorial Pacific. The latter dynamic effect of BC is specifically similar to that of an El Niño event.
Modulation of the aerosol absorption and single‐scattering albedo due to synoptic scale and sea breeze circulations: United Arab Emirates experiment perspective
Authors: Remiszewska J. , Flatau P. J. , Markowicz K. M. , Reid E. A. , Reid J. S. , Witek M. L.
Published: March 2007

The spectral aerosol absorption properties in the Arabian Gulf region were observed during the United Arab Emirates Unified Aerosol Experiment (UAE2). Measurements were taken at a coastal region of the Arabian Gulf located 60 km northeast of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, allowing characterization of pollution and dust absorption properties in a highly heterogeneous environment. A large observed change of the diurnal signal during the period under study (27 August through 30 September 2004) was due to (1) strong sea and land breeze and (2) changes in prevailing synoptic‐scale flow. During the night, stagnating air resulted in gradual accumulation of pollution with maximum absorption in the early morning hours. The rising sun increased both the depth of the boundary layer and the temperature of the interior desert, resulting in strong and sudden sea breeze onset which ventilated the polluted air accumulated during the night. Our observations show that the onshore winds brought cleaner air resulting in decreasing values of the absorption coefficient and increasing values of the single‐scattering albedo (SSA). The mean value of the absorption coefficient at 550 nm measured during the sea breeze was 10.2 ± 0.9 Mm−1, while during the land breeze it was 13.8 ± 1.2 Mm−1. Synoptic‐scale transport also strongly influenced particle fine/coarse partition with “northern” flow bringing pollution particles and “southern” flow bringing more dust.
Cytokine upregulation of proteinase‐activated‐receptors 2 and 4 expression mediated by p38 MAP kinase and inhibitory kappa B kinaseβin human endothelial cells
Authors: Ritchie E , Saka M , MacKenzie C , Drummond R , Wheeler‐Jones C , Kanke T , Plevin R
Published: March 2007

Background and purpose:

Up‐regulation of proteinase‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR2) is a factor in a number of disease states and we have therefore examined the signalling pathways involved in the expression of the receptor.

Experimental approach:

We investigated the effects of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), trypsin and the PAR2 activating peptide, 2‐furoyl(2f)‐LIGKV‐OH on both mRNA and functional expression of PAR2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The effect of specific chemical inhibitors and dominant negative adenovirus constructs of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade and the nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) signalling pathway was assessed. Methods included semi‐quantitative and quantitative RT‐PCR, [3H]inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation and Ca2+‐dependent fluorescence.

Key results:

The above agonists induced both mRNA and functional expression of PAR2; PAR4 mRNA, but not that for PAR1 or PAR‐3, also increased following TNFα treatment. Inhibition of p38 MAP kinase reduced PAR2 and PAR4 expression, whilst inhibition of MEK1/ERK/JNK was without effect. A similar dependency upon p38 MAP kinase was observed for the expression of PAR4. TNFα ‐induced enhancement of PAR2 stimulated [3H]‐inositol phosphate accumulation (IP) and Ca2+signalling was abolished following SB203580 pre‐treatment. Infection with adenovirus encoding dominant‐negative IKKβ (Ad.IKKβ+/−) and to a lesser extent dominant‐negative IKKα (Ad.IKKα+/−), substantially reduced both control and IL‐1β‐ induced expression of both PAR2 and PAR4 mRNA and enhancement of PAR2‐stimulated IP accumulation and Ca2+mobilisation.

Conclusions and implications:

These data reveal for the first time the signalling events involved in the upregulation of both PAR2 and PAR4 during pro‐inflammatory challenge.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)150, 1044–1054. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707150
Regulation of the expression of soluble guanylyl cyclase by reactive oxygen species
Authors: Gerassimou C , Kotanidou A , Zhou Z , Simoes D D C , Roussos C , Papapetropoulos A
Published: March 2007

Background and purpose:

Superoxide anions produced during vascular disease scavenge nitric oxide (NO), thereby reducing its biological activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a direct effect on soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) subunit levels and function and to ascertain the mechanism(s) involved.

Experimental approach:

Rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASM) or freshly isolated vessels were exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐generating agents and sGC subunit expression was determined at the mRNA and/or protein level. cGMP accumulation was also determined in RASM exposed to ROS.

Key results:

Incubation of smooth muscle cells with H2O2, xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) or menadione sodium bisulphite (MSB) significantly decreased protein levels of α1 and β1 subunits of sGC and reduced SNP‐induced cGMP formation. Similarly, sGC expression was reduced in freshly isolated vessels exposed to ROS‐generating agents. The ROS‐triggered inhibition of α1 and β1 levels was not blocked by proteasome inhibitors, suggesting that decreased sGC protein was not due to protein degradation through this pathway. Real time RT‐PCR analysis demonstrated a 68% reduction in steady state mRNA levels for the α1 subunit following exposure to H2O2. In addition, α1 promoter‐driven luciferase activity in RASM decreased by 60% after H2O2treatment.

Conclusion and implications:

We conclude that oxidative stress triggers a decrease in sGC expression and activity that results from reduced sGC steady state mRNA levels. Altered sGC expression is expected to contribute to the changes in vascular tone and remodeling observed in diseases associated with ROS overproduction.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)150, 1084–1091. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707179
Characterization of [35S]t‐butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) binding to GABAAreceptors in postmortem human brain
Authors: Atack J R , Ohashi Y , McKernan R M
Published: March 2007

Background and purpose:

The aim of the present study was to determine whether binding of [35S]t‐butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) to the convulsant binding site of GABAAreceptors in human postmortem brain samples can be used as anin vitroindex of the functional activation of these receptors.

Experimental approach:

Postmortem stability of [35S]TBPS binding was assessed in rat brain samples harvested at various times after death and the binding properties of [35S]TBPS binding (KDand Bmax) were determined in human postmortem brain using radioligand binding studies. In addition, the ability of human brain [35S]TBPS binding to be allosterically modulated by compounds that bind at recognition sites distinct from the convulsant binding site was measured.

Key results:

Whereas binding of [3H]Ro 15‐1788 to the benzodiazepine binding site and [3H]muscimol to the agonist (GABA) binding site were retained over a 20 h postmortem interval, there was a significant decrease in the affinity and number of [35S]TBPS binding sites. Nevertheless, [35S]TBPS binding in human brain could be inhibited by TBPS, picrotoxin, loreclezole and pentobarbital and modulated by GABA with potencies comparable to those observed in rats. In addition, the GABA‐induced reduction in human brain [35S]TBPS binding could be modulated by benzodiazepine site ligands in a manner that reflected their intrinsic efficacies.

Conclusions and implications:

These results suggest that allosteric coupling between the [35S]TBPS, GABA and benzodiazepine binding sites is preserved in postmortem human brain and that [35S]TBPS binding in this tissue may be used to study functional characteristics of native human GABAAreceptors.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)150, 1066–1074. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707186
Direct labelling of the human P2X7receptor and identification of positive and negative cooperativity of binding
Authors: Michel A D , Chambers L J , Clay W C , Condreay J P , Walter D S , Chessell I P
Published: March 2007

Background and Purpose:

The P2X7receptor exhibits complex pharmacological properties. In this study, binding of a [3H]‐labelled P2X7receptor antagonist to human P2X7receptors has been examined to further understand ligand interactions with this receptor.

Experimental Approach:

The P2X7receptor antagonist,N‐[2‐({2‐[(2‐hydroxyethyl)amino]ethyl}amino)‐5‐quinolinyl]‐2‐tricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]dec‐1‐ylacetamide (compound‐17), was radiolabelled with tritium and binding studies were performed using membranes prepared from U‐2 OS or HEK293 cells expressing human recombinant P2X7receptors.

Key Results:

Binding of [3H]‐compound‐17 was higher in membranes prepared from cells expressing P2X7receptors than from control cells and was inhibited by ATP suggesting labelled sites represented human P2X7receptors. Binding was reversible, saturable and modulated by P2X7receptor ligands (Brilliant Blue G, KN62, ATP, decavanadate). Furthermore, ATP potency was reduced in the presence of divalent cations or NaCl. Radioligand binding exhibited both positive and negative cooperativity. Positive cooperativity was evident from bell shaped Scatchard plots, reduction in radioligand dissociation rate by unlabelled compound‐17 and enhancement of radioligand binding by KN62 and unlabelled compound‐17. ATP and decavanadate inhibited binding in a negative cooperative manner as they enhanced radioligand dissociation.

Conclusions:

These data demonstrate that human P2X7receptors can be directly labelled and provide novel insights into receptor function. The positive cooperativity observed suggests that binding of compound‐17 to one subunit in the P2X7receptor complex enhances subsequent binding to other P2X7subunits in the same complex. The negative cooperative effects of ATP suggest that ATP and compound‐17 bind at separate, interacting, sites on the P2X7receptor.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)151, 84–95. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707196
Lasing in cholesteric liquid crystal cells: Competition of Bragg and leaky modes
Authors: Blinov Lev M. , Cipparrone Gabriella , Mazzulla Alfredo , Pagliusi Pasquale , Lazarev Vladimir V.
Published: March 2007

Measurements of the angular dependency of luminescence and lasing spectra were carried out for a planar layer of a dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC). In addition to the known Bragg emission mode propagating along the cell normal, we observed that leaky modes also depend on the pump intensity and on the dimension and shape of the transverse cross section of the excitation beam. The leaky modes are valuable as a specific lasing regime but impose serious limitation on the energy of the Bragg lasing modes. This has to be taken into consideration when designing high energy lasing devices based on CLC.
High temperature phase transformation of tantalum nitride films deposited by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition for gate electrode applications
Authors: Sreenivasan Raghavasimhan , Sugawara Takuya , Saraswat Krishna C. , McIntyre Paul C.
Published: March 2007

Tantalum nitride thin films were deposited at 400°C by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition using an amido-based metal organic tantalum precursor. An Ar∕N2∕H2 mixture was flowed upstream of a remote plasma system to produce the reactive species used for the nitridation process. The as-deposited film was amorphous and contained 15at.% oxygen in the bulk of the film. High resolution photoelectron spectroscopy studies of the Ta 4f feature were consistent with the presence of the semiconducting Ta3N5 phase in the as-deposited films. Electron diffraction studies were carried out by annealing the Ta3N5 film in situ in a transmission electron microscope. The high resistivity Ta3N5 phase crystallized into the cubic TaN phase at 850°C. This transformation appeared to coincide with outdiffusion of excess nitrogen from the Ta3N5 film during the anneal. The resistivity of the crystallized film was estimated to be 600μΩcm from four point probe measurements.
Improving the Spatial Coherence of Nature Areas Using Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Loonen Willem , Heuberger Peter S C , Bakema Aldrik H , Schot Paul
Published: March 2007

Habitat fragmentation and habitat loss are causing many species to become locally extinct. The need to restore or conserve biodiversity has initiated plans in Europe—and, more specifically, in the Netherlands—to create networks of nature areas for the improvement of spatial coherence. In this paper spatial coherence is measured by the total boundary length of all nature areas. Spatial optimization is used to optimize the spatial coherence, in order to evaluate the so-called Dutch 2003 plans. The goal of the optimization is therefore to minimize the total sum of boundary lengths for all nature areas, while increasing the total surface area. Potential configurations have been calculated and compared with the 2003 plans, with respect to boundary length and the size of nature areas. The calculations have been performed by allocating increasing amounts of new nature to test if smaller numbers of hectares could yield a comparable perimeter decline. Optimization has been carried out separately (per province) and collectively (for all the Dutch provinces together). So-called genetic algorithms were used to tackle this strongly nonlinear problem. An interesting feature of the method used is its ability to optimize more than half a million variables—that is, potential nature cells. Allocating only half the area allocated in the 2003 plans resulted in a boundary-length decline of 30% compared with the 2003 plans, and yielded many more coherent areas than are found in the 2003 plans. Compared with the optimization per province, the collective optimization resulted nationwide in larger nature areas, across provincial borders. Considering the original aims, we can conclude that carrying out the 2003 plans will not improve the overall spatial coherence in terms either of the boundary length or of the number of areas and total surface area in the largest surface class. An additional advantage of the heuristic method discussed is that slightly different configurations can be found with almost the same characteristics in a relative short time. This will allow the provinces to choose the most suitable configuration.
Exploring the Determinants of Spatial Pattern in Residential Land Markets: Amenities and Disamenities in Charlotte, NC, USA
Authors: Munroe Darla K
Published: March 2007

In this paper I present an empirical analysis of spatial patterns in land markets in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, between 2000 and 2003. It is well known that land markets reflect a variety of spatial factors that collectively influence market value, yet it is empirically difficult to sort out the relative contribution of overall and localized, the spatial and aspatial determinants of sales prices. Some of the classical assumptions about urban form that feed into hedonic analyses of land markets are explored. Then, three analyses are presented: simple visualization of single-family residential sales prices with regard to factors likely to influence land value, univariate and bivariate measures of spatial autocorrelation, and, finally, spatial econometric hedonic modeling.
Organisational Culture: Institutionalisation of GIS for Forest Monitoring in Costa Rica
Authors: de Vos Hugo Jeroen
Published: March 2007

GIS has been welcomed worldwide for its potential production of accessible, timely, and accurate information for decision making. In recent discussions it has been presented as a condition for governance. The implementation of GIS in large and complex institutions like ministries or planning institutes, however, is still problematic. Therefore, attention has shifted from the mere ‘technical factors' to organisational and institutional problems of GIS implementation, looking for the right ‘fit’ of GIS for the organisation in question. This paper will sketch the importance of organisational culture for understanding GIS implementation, and draw some conclusions on the implications for the use of GIS in promoting good governance. The paper discusses a Costa Rican case study on the implementation of GIS for forest monitoring. This case shows the strengths and weaknesses of different organisational cultures in adopting GIS, and illustrates that the (inter)organisational complexity of monitoring forest resources requires more attention to the potential variety in data demands from different organisations.
Bispectral index values during elective rigid bronchoscopy: a prospective observational pilot study
Authors: Bould M. D. , Mahtani D. G. , Davies R. , Roughton M. , Hunter D. N. , Kelleher A.
Published: March 2007

Rigid bronchoscopy is associated with a high incidence of haemodynamic disturbance and awareness under anaesthesia. Anaesthetic agents are given both to attenuate the sympathetic response to bronchoscopy and to prevent awareness. Use of the Bispectral index to guide anaesthesia has shown to reduce awareness and improve recovery times from general anaesthesia. We undertook a prospective observational study of BIS values in 50 patients during routine anaesthesia for rigid bronchoscopy. BIS values were found to be between 40–60 during bronchoscopy for only 0.5% of the time (0–11.5%[0–98.7%]), median (interquartile range [range]). Patients had a BIS < 40 for 99.6% (87.9–100%[0–100%]) of the duration of bronchoscopy. We identified one case of possible awareness. Few of our patients undergoing general anaesthesia for rigid bronchoscopy had BIS scores in the suggested range of between 40 and 60. BIS < 40 was more frequent than in previous studies of different surgical populations. There was no difference in the BIS values of patients anaesthetised with intermittent boluses or target controlled infusions of propofol.
Masculinized dominant females in a cooperatively breeding species
Authors: AUBIN‐HORTH NADIA , DESJARDINS JULIE K. , MARTEI YEHODA M. , BALSHINE SIGAL , HOFMANN HANS A.
Published: March 2007

The molecular mechanisms underlying complex social behaviours such as dominance are largely unknown. Studying the cooperatively breeding African cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher, we show that dominant females were similar to dominant males in dominance behaviour, high testosterone levels and brain arginine vasotocin expression (a neuropeptide involved in vertebrate territorial, reproductive and social behaviours) compared to subordinate helpers, but had lower levels of 11‐ketotestosterone than males. Furthermore, brain gene expression profiles of dominant females were most similar to those of the males (independent of social rank). Dominant breeder females are masculinized at the molecular and hormonal level while being at the same time reproductively competent, suggesting a modular organization of molecular and endocrine functions, allowing for sex‐specific regulation.
crinkled leaves 8 – A mutation in the large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase – leads to defects in leaf development and chloroplast division in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Garton Sarah , Knight Heather , Warren Gareth J. , Knight Marc R. , Thorlby Glenn J.
Published: March 2007

The crinkled leaves8 (cls8) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana displays a developmental phenotype of abnormal leaf and flower morphology, reduced root growth and bleached leaf sections. Map‐based cloning identified the mutation as being within the gene encoding the large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR1), the enzyme that catalyses the rate‐limiting step in the production of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) for DNA synthesis and repair. Levels of dTTP and dATP were significantly reduced in cls8. Two further mutant cls8 alleles and cls8::RNAi plants show similar or more severe phenotypes. The cls8‐1 mutant has fewer copies of the chloroplast genome, and fewer, larger chloroplasts than wild‐type plants. The ultrastructure of the chloroplast, however, appears normal in cls8‐1 leaves. We present evidence that, under conditions of limited dNTP supply, the inhibition of chloroplast DNA replication may be the primary factor in inducing aberrant growth.
Towards a New Logic for Front End Management: From Drug Discovery to Drug Design in Pharmaceutical R&D
Authors: Elmquist Maria , Segrestin Blanche
Published: March 2007

Under pressure to innovate and be cost‐effective at the same time, R&D departments are being challenged to develop new organizations and processes for Front End activities. This is especially true in the pharmaceutical industry. As drug development becomes more risky and costly, the discovery departments of pharmaceutical companies are increasingly being compelled to provide strong drug candidates for efficient development processes and quick market launches. It is argued that the Fuzzy Front End consists less of the discovery or recognition of opportunities than of the building of expanded concepts: the notion of concept generation is revisited, suggesting the need for a new logic for organizing Front End activities in order to support sustainable innovative product development. Based on an in‐depth empirical study at a European pharmaceutical company, this paper contributes to improved understanding of the actual management practices used in the Front End. Using a design reasoning model (the C‐K model), it also adds to the growing body of literature on the management of Front End activities in new product development processes.
Redefining the Toyota Production System: the European side of the story
Authors: Pardi Tommaso
Published: March 2007

Trapped into the sterile opposition between the empowerment and the management by stress approaches, the debate on the Toyota Production System has failed to provide a clear understanding of the social and organisational conditions that make this system viable. By focusing on the work organisation, the market configuration and the industrial infrastructure of the European transplants of Toyota, this paper proposes an alternative approach centred on the notions of ‘contextualisation’ and ‘human agency.’
Slavery and denial
Authors: Holiday Anthony
Published: March 2007

This article is a conceptual examination of the rational status of instances of denials of the truth about slavery and its place in human history, where such denials are not merely revisionary but include gross elisions or distortions of historical fact. Beginning with a discussion of uses and abuses of the negation sign in formal logic, the investigation moves on to consider “thick” examples of an instance of slavery denial in South Africa and Holocaust denial in the case of David Irving. I conclude that such denials are indeed instances of irrationality, although not of insanity in the contemporary clinical sense of that term and that the appropriate response to them is to exclude the deniers from the community of rational discourse.
Response to Occipital Nerve Block is Not Useful in Predicting Efficacy of Occipital Nerve Stimulation
Authors: Schwedt TJ , Dodick DW , Trentman TL , Zimmerman RS
Published: March 2007

Occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) may be effective for the treatment of headaches that are recalcitrant to medical therapy. The objective of this study was to determine if response to occipital nerve block (ONB) predicts response to ONS in patients with chronic, medically intractable headaches. We evaluated 15 patients who underwent placement of occipital nerve stimulators for the treatment of chronic headaches. Data were collected regarding analgesic response to ONB and to ONS. Nine of 15 patients were ONS responders (≥50% reduction in headache frequency or severity). Thirteen patients had ONB prior to stimulator implantation. Ten of 13 who had ONB had significant relief of head pain lasting at least 24 h, and three were ONB non-responders. Of the three ONB non-responders, two were ONS responders. Of the two patients who did not have ONB prior to ONS, one was an ONS responder and one was an ONS non-responder. In conclusion, analgesic response to ONB may not be predictive of the therapeutic effect from ONS in patients with medically refractory chronic headaches.
The Aetiology and Management of Long-Lasting Sixth Nerve Palsy in Ophthalmoplegic Migraine
Authors: Manzouri B , Sainani A , Plant GT , Lee JP , Sloper J
Published: March 2007

The features and management of two adult patients with ophthalmoplegic migraine and longlasting sixth nerve palsies are described. Both had had previous shorter episodes of diplopia following migraine-like headaches. One recovered following an injection of botulinum toxin to the medial rectus of her affected eye 11 months after the onset of diplopia. The other patient had previously had surgery for a consecutive divergent squint and required further squint surgery to realign his eyes 1 year after the onset of his sixth nerve palsy. Both botulinum toxin and squint surgery may be useful in the management of longstanding sixth nerve palsy in patients with ophthalmoplegic migraine. The aetiology of ophthalmoplegic migraine is discussed.
The moon illusion: Kaufman and Rock's (1962) apparent‐distance theory reconsidered1
Authors: SUZUKI KOTARO
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  In the present study, Kaufman and Rock's (1962) well‐known study on the moon illusion was reexamined in light of findings reported after its publication. Kaufman and Rock claimed that the visible terrain is essential for the moon illusion to occur. However, the moon illusion can be obtained in complete darkness, and the viewing angle coupled with binocular viewing was found to have a great contribution to the illusion. Thus, Holway and Boring's (1940) and Taylor and Boring's (1942) findings, which Kaufman and Rock had discredited, were partly supported. A drastic change in the perceived distance of the simulated moon was found to induce only a small change in its apparent size. All of these findings disagree with the apparent‐distance theory for the moon illusion. Several other studies have also suggested an involvement of the oculomotor system in the moon illusion. Even if the visual surround (terrain) contributes to the moon illusion as reported by Kaufman and Rock, this contribution is likely to be mediated by the state of the oculomotor system, not by a size‐distance invariance mechanism, or size constancy scaling.
Differential stimulation‐induced receptor localization in lipid rafts for interleukin‐6 family cytokines signaling through the gp130/leukemia inhibitory factor receptor complex
Authors: Port Martha D. , Gibson Robin M. , Nathanson Neil M.
Published: March 2007

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) are cytokines which signal through receptor complexes that include the receptor subunits glycoprotein 130 (gp130) and the LIF receptor (LIFR), but CNTF also requires the non‐signal transducing CNTF receptor (CNTFR) for binding. We show here that in IMR‐32 neuronal cells endogenously expressing the receptor subunits for LIF and CNTF, CNTFR, but not gp130 or LIFR, is found in detergent‐resistant lipid rafts. In addition, stimulation of these cells with CNTF resulted in a rapid translocation of a portion of gp130 and LIFR into detergent‐resistant lipid rafts while an equivalent stimulation with LIF did not. Disruption of lipid rafts by cholesterol depletion of cell membranes blocked the CNTF‐induced translocation of LIFR and gp130. Interestingly, while cholesterol‐depletion did not inhibit signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation by either CNTF or LIF stimulation, it strongly inhibited both CNTF‐ and LIF‐mediated phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 and Akt. LIF and CNTF generally appear to have redundant effects in cells responsive to both cytokines. Intriguingly, the data presented here suggest a possible mechanism whereby CNTF or other cytokines that signal through CNTFR could generate signals distinct from those elicited by cytokines such as LIF which utilize a LIFR/gp130 heterodimer, via association with or exclusion from lipid rafts.
Relaxing/straightening of Afro‐ethnic hair: historical overview
Authors: De Sá Dias Tania Cristina , Baby André Rolim , Kaneko Telma Mary , Robles Velasco Maria Valéria
Published: March 2007

Afro‐ethnic hair, when compared with naturally straight hair, presents some important variations such as differences in diameter in many points of the thread, ellipsoidal threads, and low trend of hydrating the scalp thus turning the hair drier, because the natural sebum distribution is irregular along the thread. This kind of hair may be straightened through both chemical and thermal methods. Straightening is a chemical process by which excessively curly hair is straightened in an irreversible way. Generally, the products used are formulated in a cosmetic emulsion with high pH. In this review, we present the historical development of hair straightening or relaxing through the evolution of the product categories.
Integrating multi‐scale data to model the relationship between food resources, waterbird distribution and human activities in freshwater systems: preliminary findings and potential uses
Authors: O'CONNELL M. J. , WARD R. M. , ONOUFRIOU C. , WINFIELD I. J. , HARRIS G. , JONES R. , YALLOP M. L. , BROWN A. F.
Published: March 2007

Understanding and predicting the likely consequences of anthropogenic disturbance on species and ecosystems is a major prerequisite of achieving the sustainable use of natural resources. It is also a key element in the management of sites with statutory designation. During planning and decision‐making processes involving potential disturbance issues, land managers and responsible authorities are often required to take account of the needs and views of a diversity of site user groups. The effects and impacts of disturbance can occur over a range of spatial and temporal scales, and research into these consequences must address this problem. This paper provides (1) an overview of the field and analytical methodologies contributing to the development of an integrated method for collecting multi‐scale bird, resource and disturbance data in freshwater systems, and (2) an overview of the drivers and need for such data in sustainable resource management. Whilst the results of the bird–habitat–disturbance modelling arising from these data will be published elsewhere, the types of information that will be generated are illustrated and their potential use within planning and decision‐making processes discussed.
A demographic comparison of two Nordic populations of Greylag GeeseAnser anser
Authors: PISTORIUS PIERRE A. , FOLLESTAD ARNE , NILSSON LEIF , TAYLOR FRANCES E.
Published: March 2007

Greylag GeeseAnser anserhave been neck‐banded on an annual basis in Scania, southern Sweden since 1984 and in Norway since 1986 as part of a Nordic Greylag project. This has yielded a large database of resightings, which we used here to estimate and compare survival rates between the two populations by means of mark–recapture models. Estimated adult survival was sex‐dependent in the Scanian population, probably a result of differential neck band retention rates in this population. Mean juvenile survival was about 12% higher in the Scanian population (0.603 vs. 0.485). Adult survival in the Norwegian population was 0.728 (males 0.733; females 0.725), and in males and females from the Scanian population was 0.711 (0.752 after accounting for higher neck band loss in males) and 0.771, respectively. Over the course of the study, juvenile survival in the Scanian population increased substantially, and adult survival was constant, whereas both these parameters declined in the Norwegian population. This study demonstrates that the two Nordic populations are demographically distinct and gives further support to the notion that they should be treated as separate management units. The decline of 10% in adult survival in the Norwegian population, the cause of which still remains uncertain, is likely to have had a major impact on the growth of this population.
Maximum Potential Preventive Effect of Hip Protectors
Authors: Van Schoor Natasja M. , Smit Johannes H. , Bouter Lex M. , Veenings Bart , Asma Greetje B. , Lips Paul
Published: March 2007

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the maximum potential preventive effect of hip protectors in older persons living in the community or homes for the elderly.

DESIGN: Observational cohort study.

SETTING: Emergency departments in the Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS: Hip fracture patients aged 70 and older who visited the emergency departments of five hospitals in the Netherlands (n=520).

MEASUREMENTS: Using the risk score of the Dutch Guidelines for Osteoporosis, how many patients had a high risk for fractures was retrospectively assessed. In addition, the circumstances of the hip fracture were assessed (n=299). Four factors were specified that might influence the maximum potential preventive effect of hip protectors: (1) hip fracture occurred in persons having a low risk, (2) hip fracture was not the consequence of a fall, (3) hip fracture occurred during circumstances that preclude the use of hip protectors, and (4) hip fracture occurred during the night.

RESULTS: When providing hip protectors to women at high risk of fractures, 48.2% of all hip fractures could have been prevented.

CONCLUSION: Many hip fractures occur in persons with a low risk for hip fracture or under circumstances that preclude the use of hip protectors. It was estimated that the maximum potential preventive effect of hip protectors is approximately 50% in older women living in the community or homes for the elderly. The actual preventive effect will be lower and depends on the acceptance and effectiveness of hip protectors and adherence to wearing them.
Adolescent Siblings' Daily Discussions: Connections to Perceived Academic, Athletic, and Peer Competency
Authors: Tucker Corinna Jenkins , Winzeler Abby
Published: March 2007

First‐ and second‐born adolescent siblings from 21 families completed a daily diary on each of 7 days. The frequency and content of siblings' conversations are described and the relationship between the content of siblings' discussion and their perceived academic, athletic, and peer competency is explored. Siblings most often talked about extracurricular activities, media, and academics. The remaining topics, friends, family, eating, and body image, were the focus of discussion <10% of the time. The extent to which siblings discussed extracurricular activities, media, and academics was connected to perceived competency. Discussion focuses on the sibling relationship as an important context for adolescent development.
Relationship between night myopia and night‐time motor vehicle accidents
Authors: Cohen Yuval , Zadok David , Barkana Yaniv , Shochat Zipora , Ashkenazi Isaac , Avni Isaac , Morad Yair
Published: March 2007

Purpose:  To investigate the relationship between night myopia and the occurrence of night‐time motor vehicle accidents in a group of professional drivers.

Methods:  We examined 136 professional drivers. Refraction was determined in full illumination (100 cd/m2) and after sitting in darkness for 5 mins. The change in refraction, indicative of night myopia, was correlated with the number of motor vehicle accidents in which each driver was involved (detailed in their personal files) and with the results of a visual complaints questionnaire.

Results:  The mean age of the study group was 21.0 years. Mean spherical refraction changed from + 0.11 dioptres (D) in light to − 0.17 D after dark adaptation for 5 mins. Night myopia was found in 34 drivers (25%), at a mean of − 1.2 D (range − 0.75 D to − 3.50 D). There was no statistically significant difference between these drivers and the rest of the group in the results of the visual complaints questionnaire, or in the number of accidents occurring during the day. However, drivers with a myopic shift > 0.75 D were involved in more accidents at night than the rest of the group (p = 0.044).

Conclusions:  In this study population, drivers with night myopia of > 0.75 D were more likely to be involved in night‐time accidents. This may imply that selected groups of drivers should be examined for night myopia.
A monoclonal antibody, PGM34, against 6‐sulfated blood‐group H type 2 antigen, on the carbohydrate moiety of mucin
Authors: Tsubokawa Daigo , Goso Yukinobu , Sawaguchi Akira , Kurihara Makoto , Ichikawa Takafumi , Sato Noriko , Suganuma Tatsuo , Hotta Kyoko , Ishihara Kazuhiko
Published: March 2007

Mucin, a major component of mucus, is a highly O‐glycosylated, high‐molecular‐mass glycoprotein extensively involved in the physiology of gastrointestinal mucosa. To detect and characterize mucins derived from site‐specific mucous cells, we developed a monoclonal antibody, designated PGM34, by immunizing a mouse with purified pig gastric mucin. The reactivity of PGM34 with mucin was inhibited by periodate treatment of the mucin, but not by trypsin digestion. This suggests that PGM34 recognizes the carbohydrate portion of mucin. To determine the epitope, oligosaccharide‐alditols obtained from pig gastric mucin were fractionated by successive gel‐filtration, ion‐exchange, and normal‐phase HPLC, and tested for reactivity with PGM34. Two purified oligosaccharide‐alditols that reacted with PGM34 were obtained. Their structures were determined by NMR spectroscopy as Fucα1–2Galβ1–4GlcNAc(6SO3H)β1–6(Fucα1–2Galβ1–3)GalNAc‐ol and Fucα1–2Galβ1–4GlcNAc(6SO3H)β1–6(Galβ1–3)GalNAc‐ol. None of the defucosylated or desulfated forms of these oligosaccharides reacted with PGM34. Thus, the epitope of PGM34 was determined as the Fucα1–2Galβ1–4GlcNAc(6SO3H)β‐ sequence. Immunohistochemical examination of rat gastrointestinal tract showed that PGM34 stained surface mucous cells close to the generative cell zone in the gastric fundus and goblet cells in the small intestine, but only slightly stained antral mucous cells in the stomach. These data, taken together, show that PGM34 is a very useful tool for elucidating the role of mucins with characteristic sulfated oligosaccharides.
Prostate cancer – presentation, diagnosis and treatment: what does the literature say?
Authors: Templeton Hazel
Published: March 2007

Although previously known as the Cinderella of cancers, in recent years, prostate cancer has become a significant public health problem with considerable social and economic consequences. It is currently the most commonly diagnosed male cancer in the UK and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of male cancer deaths. In this literature review, evidence‐based literature related to the anatomical, diagnostic and therapeutic perspective of prostate cancer is presented. Associated areas of controversy related to prostate cancer are also fully discussed. It is essential that urology nurses have a strong foundation in their knowledge related to these aspects of prostate cancer. Only when they have this knowledge in their armoury are they able to confidently help patients make informed choices and participate in shared decision‐making regarding their care. This should help ensure that urology nurses rise to the challenge of providing patients with prostate cancer with high quality care by helping these patients through the minefield of information associated with prostate cancer.
Sound Survey Designs Can Facilitate Integrating Stream Monitoring Data Across Multiple Programs1
Authors: Larsen David P. , Olsen Anthony R. , Lanigan Steven H. , Moyer Chris , Jones Kim K. , Kincaid Thomas M.
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Multiple agencies in the Pacific Northwest monitor the condition of stream networks or their watersheds. Some agencies use a stream “network” perspective to report on the fraction or length of the network that either meets or violates particular criteria. Other agencies use a “watershed” perspective to report on the health or condition of watersheds. The agencies often use the same indicators and measurement protocols for data collection and often conduct monitoring in overlapping geographic regions. In these situations, agencies would like to combine data across different monitoring studies in a statistically sound manner to make regional estimates of condition. Three statistical survey design principles will facilitate combining such studies: (1) a clearly specified statistical target population of interest, including elements that comprise the population, (2) a consistent representation of that target population (such as a digital map of the stream network and watersheds), and (3) rules that incorporate randomization to guide the selection of the sample of sites on which measurements will be made. A case study illustrates the application of these design principles using two agency monitoring programs interested in combining stream channel data for different purposes: one for making network summaries and the other for evaluating watershed condition.
Use of Bacterial Carpets to Enhance Mixing in Microfluidic Systems
Authors: Kim Min Jun , Breuer Kenneth S.
Published: March 2007

We demonstrate that flagellated bacteria can be utilized in surface arrays (carpets) to achieve mixing in a low-Reynolds number fluidic environment. The mixing performance of the system is quantified by measuring the diffusion of small tracer particles. We show that the mixing performance responds to modifications to the chemical and thermal environment of the system, which affects the metabolic activity of the bacteria. Although the mixing performance can be increased by the addition of glucose (food) to the surrounding buffer or by raising the buffer temperature, the initial augmentation is also accompanied by a faster decay in mixing performance, due to falling pH and oxygen starvation, both induced by the higher metabolic activity of the bacterial system.
Small Scale Modeling of Vertical Surface Jets in Cross-Flow: Reynolds Number and Downwash Effects
Authors: Shahzad K. , Fleck B. A. , Wilson D. J.
Published: March 2007

Jet-crossflow experiments were performed in a water channel to determine the Reynolds number effects on the plume trajectory and entrainment coefficient. The purpose was to establish a lower limit down to which small scale laboratory experiments are accurate models of large scale atmospheric scenarios. Two models of a turbulent vertical surface jet (diameters 3.175mm and 12.7mm) were designed and tested over a range of jet exit Reynolds numbers up to 104. The results show that from Reynolds number 200–4000 there is about a 40% increase in the entrainment coefficient, whereas from Reynolds number 4000–10,000, the increase in entrainment coefficient is only 2%. The conclusion is that Reynolds numbers significantly affect plume trajectories when the model Reynolds numbers are below 4000. Changing the initial turbulence in the exit flow from 12% to 2% without changing its mean velocity profile caused a less than one source diameter increase in the final plume rise.
Breast in vivo dosimetry by a portal ionization chamber
Authors: Grimaldi Luca , D'Onofrio Guido , Cilla Savino , Fidanzio Andrea , Stimato Gerardina , Azario Luigi , Deodato Francesco , Macchia Gabriella , Morganti Alessio , Piermattei Angelo
Published: March 2007

This work reports a practical method for the determination of the in vivo breast middle dose value, , on the beam central axis, using a signal , obtained by a small thimble ion chamber positioned at the center of the electronic portal imaging device, and irradiated by the x‐ray beam transmitted through the patient. The use of a stable ion chamber reduces many of the disadvantages associated with the use of diodes as their periodic recalibration and positioning is time consuming. The method makes use of a set of correlation functions obtained by the ratios , determined by irradiating cylindrical water phantoms with different diameters. The method proposed here is based on the determination of the water‐equivalent thickness of the patient, along the beam central axis, by the treatment planning system that makes use of the electron densities obtained by a computed tomography scanner. The method has been applied for the breast in vivo dosimetry of ten patients treated with a manual intensity modulation with four asymmetric beams. In particular, two tangential rectangular fields were first delivered, thereafter a fraction of the dose (typically less than 10%) was delivered with two multi leaf‐shaped beams which included only the mammarian tissue. Only the two rectangular fields were tested and for every checked field five measurements were carried out. Applying a continuous quality assurance program based on the tests of patient setup, machine settings and dose planning, the proposed method is able to verify agreements between the computed dose and the in vivo dose value , within 4%.