bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A POST‐KEYNESIAN STOCK‐FLOW CONSISTENT MODEL FOR DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF MONETARY POLICY SHOCK ON BANKING BEHAVIOUR
Authors: Le Heron Edwin , Mouakil Tarik
Published: June 2008

We try to make Keynes' approach compatible with an endogenous theory of the money supply. For that purpose, the principle of liquidity preference is generalized within a competitive banking framework. Private banks can impose a monetary rationing independently of the central bank. Then, we analyse the consequences of a monetary policy shock on the financial behaviour of banks. We clarify the dynamic process between the monetary policy and net investment within a Minskyan approach. First, we build a Post‐Keynesian stock‐flow consistent model with a private‐bank sector introducing more realistic features. Second, we perform some simulations.
IS THE MACROSCOPIC CLASSIFICATION OF FLINT USEFUL? A PETROARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FLINT RAW MATERIALS FROM THE IBERIAN NEOLITHIC MINE OF CASA MONTERO*
Authors: BUSTILLO M. A. , CASTAÑEDA N. , CAPOTE M. , CONSUEGRA S. , CRIADO C. , DÍAZ‐DEL‐RÍO P. , OROZCO T. , PÉREZ‐JIMÉNEZ J. L. , TERRADAS X.
Published: June 2008

Casa Montero is a mining complex located outside Madrid (Spain), dated from the Early Neolithic (c. 5400–5000 cal bc). An area of some 4 ha has been investigated and some 4000 shafts recorded, of which 324 have been excavated. The characterization of its raw flint materials and the establishment of its diagnostic features are indispensable in the reconstruction of the distribution of the mine's products beyond the immediate site. This work reports the geological study of the mine's Miocene flint layers and their petrological characterization. Archaeological samples from the mine's shafts were classified according to macroscopic features and petrological characteristics.
Photofading of azo dyes: a theoretical study
Authors: Tripathi Sandeep , Vasudev Iqbal , Ray Arabinda
Published: June 2008

The light fastness of a number of azo dyes has been investigated using all‐valence molecular orbital methods, AM1 and PM3. The results of molecular orbital calculations are used to obtain both highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital frontier electron density, which, respectively, can account for the propensity of the electrophilic and nucleophilic attack at a particular atom in a molecule. The highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital superdelocalisability have also been obtained to explain the order of light fastness values in different dyes of a particular series. In addition, attempts have been made to correlate the light fastness values with the difference in energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital of the dye and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the singlet oxygen.
Effects of Family History of Alcohol Use Disorders on Spatial Working Memory BOLD Response in Adolescents
Authors: Spadoni Andrea D. , Norman Andria L. , Schweinsburg Alecia D. , Tapert Susan F
Published: June 2008

Background: A positive family history (FH) of alcohol use disorders (AUD) has been linked to increased risk for the development of AUD, and neurocognitive factors have been postulated as important underlying mechanisms of familial alcoholism transmission.

Methods: We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a spatial working memory (SWM) and vigilance paradigm to investigate potential neurodevelopmental differences linked to familial density of AUD in 72 adolescents aged 12 to 14 years.

Results: Youth with denser family histories of AUD showed less activation during a simple vigilance condition relative to SWM in cingulate and medial frontal gyri (β = 0.28,p = 0.03), and a trend for more relative activity during rest (β = −0.25,p = 0.07) in this cluster.

Conclusions: Youth with greater familial densities of AUD may be less successful at modulating activity of the default network, potentially indicating a greater propensity for task‐independent thought or reduced inhibition of task‐irrelevant processing. Failure to moderate activation of the default network may have implications for cognitive efficiency and goal directed behavior in youth with dense FH. Further, aberrant activation in cingulate regions may be linked to genetic variation in GABA receptor units, suggesting a useful endophenotype for risk associated with alcohol dependence.
Inhibition of the Activity of Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 4 Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes After Chronic Exposure to Ethanol
Authors: Yoo Seung‐Yeon , Kim Jin‐Hee , Do Sang‐Hwan , Zuo Zhiyi
Published: June 2008

Background:  The extracellular glutamate concentration is tightly controlled by excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs). EAAT4 is the predominant EAAT in the cerebellar Purkinje cells. Purkinje cells play a critical role in motor coordination and may be an important target for ethanol to cause motor impairments. We designed this study to determine the effects of chronic ethanol exposure on the activity of EAAT4 and evaluate the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) in these effects.

Methods:  EAAT4 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes following injection of EAAT4 mRNA. Oocytes were incubated with ethanol‐containing solution for 24 to 96 hours. Membrane currents induced by l‐aspartate were recorded using 2‐electrode voltage clamps. Responses were quantified by integration of the current trace and reported in microCoulombs (μC).

Results:  Ethanol dose‐ and time‐dependently reduced EAAT4 activity. EAAT4 activity after a 96‐hour exposure was significantly decreased compared to the control values at all concentrations tested (10 to 100 mM). Ethanol (50 mM) significantly decreased the Vmax (2.2 ± 0.2 μC for control vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 μC for ethanol, n = 18, p < 0.05) of EAAT4 for l‐aspartate. Preincubation of ethanol‐treated (50 mM for 96 hours) oocytes with phorbol‐12‐myrisate‐13‐acetate (100 nM for 10 minutes) abolished the ethanol‐induced decrease in EAAT4 activity. While staurosporine (2 μM for 1 hour) or chelerythrine (100 μM for 1 hour) significantly decreased EAAT4 activity, no difference was observed in EAAT4 activity among the staurosporine, ethanol, or ethanol plus staurosporine groups. Similarly, EAAT4 activity did not differ among the chelerythrine, ethanol, or ethanol plus chelerythrine groups. Pretreatment of the oocytes with wortmannin (1 μM for 1 hour) also significantly decreased EAAT4 activity. However, no difference was observed in the wortmannin, ethanol, or ethanol plus wortmannin groups.

Conclusions:  The results of this study suggest that chronic ethanol exposure decreases EAAT4 activity and that PKC and PI3K may be involved in these effects. These effects of ethanol on EAAT4 may cause an increase in peri‐Purkinje cellular glutamate concentration, and may be involved in cerebellar dysfunction and motor impairment after chronic ethanol ingestion.
A Placebo‐Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial of Naltrexone in the Context of Different Levels of Psychosocial Intervention
Authors: Oslin David W. , Lynch Kevin G. , Pettinati Helen M. , Kampman Kyle M. , Gariti Peter , Gelfand Lois , Ten Have Thomas , Wortman Shoshana , Dundon William , Dackis Charles , Volpicelli Joseph R. , O’Brien Charles P.
Published: June 2008

Background: Naltrexone is approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence when used in conjunction with a psychosocial intervention. This study was undertaken to examine the impact of 3 types of psychosocial treatment combined with either naltrexone or placebo treatment on alcohol dependency over 24 weeks of treatment: (1) Cognitive‐Behavioral Therapy (CBT) + medication clinic, (2) BRENDA (an intervention promoting pharmacotherapy) + medication clinic, and (3) a medication clinic model with limited therapeutic content.

Methods: Two hundred and forty alcohol‐dependent subjects were enrolled in a 24‐week double‐blind placebo‐controlled study of naltrexone (100 mg/d). Subjects were also randomly assigned to 1 of 3 psychosocial interventions. All patients were assessed for alcohol use, medication adherence, and adverse events at regularly scheduled research visits.

Results: There was a modest main treatment effect for the psychosocial condition favoring those subjects randomized to CBT. Intent‐to‐treat analyses suggested that there was no overall efficacy of naltrexone and no medication by psychosocial intervention interaction. There was a relatively low level of medication adherence (50% adhered) across conditions, and this was associated with poor outcome.

Conclusions: Results from this 24‐week treatment study demonstrate the importance of the psychosocial component in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Moreover, results demonstrate a substantial association between medication adherence and treatment outcomes. The findings suggest that further research is needed to determine the appropriate use of pharmacotherapy in maximizing treatment response.
Effects of Chronic Ethanol Feeding on Murine Dendritic Cell Numbers, Turnover Rate, and Dendropoiesis
Authors: Edsen‐Moore Michelle R. , Fan Ji , Ness Kristin J. , Marietta Jacquie R. , Cook Robert T. , Schlueter Annette J.
Published: June 2008

Background:  Chronic alcoholics have increased susceptibility to and severity of infection, which are likely to be a result of impaired immune defense mechanisms. The contribution of dendritic cells (DC) to these immune defense changes is not well understood. Alterations in DC numbers, dendropoiesis, and lifespan have not been specifically studied in vivo in chronic ethanol (EtOH) exposure models. As DC play an essential role in initiating immune responses, alterations in these DC characteristics would help explain changes observed in adaptive immune responses.

Methods:  Mice received 20% EtOH (w/v) in the drinking water for up to 28 weeks, with mouse chow ad libitum. In EtOH‐fed and water control mice, DC were enumerated by flow cytometry. The effect of EtOH on DC precursor numbers was determined by differentiation in vitro in the presence of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and interleukin‐4, and the effect of an EtOH environment on untreated DC differentiation was measured following bone marrow transfer to irradiated hosts. DC turnover rate was also examined by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and loss.

Results:  The percentage and absolute numbers of DC were decreased in spleen and increased in thymus beginning as early as 4 weeks of EtOH feeding. In addition, the overall cellularity of spleen and thymus were altered by this regimen. However, chronic EtOH consumption did not adversely affect DC precursor numbers, differentiation abilities, or turnover rates.

Conclusions:  Decreased splenic DC numbers observed following chronic murine EtOH consumption are not because of altered DC precursor numbers or differentiation, nor increased DC turnover rate. Similarly, increased thymic DC numbers are not the result of alterations in DC precursor differentiation or turnover rate. Compartment size plays a role in determining splenic and thymic DC numbers following chronic EtOH feeding. EtOH‐induced alterations in total DC numbers provide several mechanisms to partially explain why chronic alcoholics have increased susceptibility to infections.
Factors Associated With Alcohol Use, Depression, and Their Co‐occurrence During Pregnancy
Authors: Rubio Doris McGartland , Kraemer Kevin L. , Farrell Max H. , Day Nancy L.
Published: June 2008

Background:  Alcohol use and depression each adversely affect birth outcomes, but the impact of their co‐occurrence among pregnant women is not well understood. In this study, we examined factors associated with alcohol use, depression, and their co‐occurrence during pregnancy.

Methods:  We analyzed datasets from 2 longitudinal studies conducted nearly 20 years apart in the same outpatient prenatal clinic of an urban women’s hospital. Participants included 278 women recruited from 1982 to 1985 for the Maternal Health Practices and Child Development (MHPCD) Study and 209 women recruited from 2000 to 2002 for the Health Outcomes from Prenatal Education (HOPE) Study. Both studies selected women on the basis of their level of alcohol use early in pregnancy. We used multinomial logistic regression models to test multiclassification prediction of alcohol use, depression, and their co‐occurrence during pregnancy.

Results:  In the second and third trimesters, more MHPCD participants than HOPE participants consumed alcohol (67% vs. 20%), experienced depression (85% vs. 34%), and had co‐occurring drinking and depression (56% vs. 10%) (p < 0.001 for each). For the MHPCD cohort, smoking predicted alcohol use. There were no significant predictors for depression alone or the co‐occurrence. For the HOPE cohort, older age and smoking were predictors of alcohol use, smoking and less education were predictors of depression, and illicit drug use was a predictor of the co‐occurrence of alcohol use and depression (p < 0.05 for all relationships).

Conclusions:  Smoking, older age, lower education, and illicit substance use predicted alcohol and/or probable depression in the second and third trimesters among women who drank in the first trimester.
Dose‐Dependent Effects of Astaxanthin on Cortical Spreading Depression in Chronically Ethanol‐Treated Adult Rats
Authors: Abadie‐Guedes Ricardo , Santos Suzan Diniz , Cahú Thiago Barbosa , Guedes Rubem Carlos Araújo , De Souza Bezerra Ranilson
Published: June 2008

Background:  The consumption of alcoholic drinks is a frequent drug‐abuse situation, which is associated to a wide variety of pathological disturbances affecting several organs, including the brain. We have previously shown in the developing rat brain that ethanol intake facilitates the propagation of cortical spreading depression (CSD), an excitability‐related neural phenomenon present in several animal species. This electrophysiological effect was attenuated by a shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) carotenoids extract. Here we investigated the effects of pure astaxanthin, the main carotenoid found in shrimp, on CSD.

Methods:  Adult Wistar rats were treated per gavage, during 18 days, with 2.5, 10 or 90 μg/kg/d astaxanthin dissolved in ethanol (3 g/kg) and CSD was recorded on the cortical surface 1 to 3 days thereafter. Four groups, treated respectively with ethanol, distilled water and soybean oil with‐ and without astaxanthin were also studied for comparison with the ethanol + astaxanthin groups.

Results:  Ethanol‐treated rats displayed higher CSD‐velocities (mean values, in mm/min, per hour of recording ranging from 4.08 ± 0.09 to 4.12 ± 0.16), compared to the distilled water‐group (from 3.19 ± 0.13 to 3.27 ± 0.06). Addition of astaxanthin to ethanol lead to lower CSD‐velocities in a dose‐dependent manner, ranging from 3.68 ± 0.09 to 3.97 ± 0.22 for the 2.5 μg/kg/d‐dose, from 3.29 ± 0.09 to 3.32 ± 0.07 for the 10 μg/kg/d‐dose, and from 2.89 ± 0.13 to 2.92 ± 0.11 for the 90 μg/kg/d‐dose. The velocities of the soybean oil groups (with and without astaxanthin) were not statistically different from the 10 μg/kg/d astaxanthin + ethanol and distilled water groups.

Conclusion:  The results demonstrate the antagonistic effect of astaxanthin against the ethanol‐induced facilitation of CSD propagation. Probably carotenoid antioxidant properties are involved in such effects.
A Forensic Laboratory Tests the Berkeley Microfabricated Capillary Array Electrophoresis Device*
Authors: Greenspoon Susan A. , Yeung Stephanie H.I. , Johnson Kelly R. , Chu Wai K. , Rhee Han N. , McGuckian Amy B. , Crouse Cecelia A. , Chiesl Thomas N. , Barron Annelise E. , Scherer James R. , Ban Jeffrey D. , Mathies Richard A.
Published: June 2008

Abstract:  Miniaturization of capillary electrophoresis onto a microchip for forensic short tandem repeat analysis is the initial step in the process of producing a fully integrated and automated analysis system. A prototype of the Berkeley microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis device was installed at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science for testing. Instrument performance was verified by PowerPlex® 16 System profiling of single source, sensitivity series, mixture, and casework samples. Mock sexual assault samples were successfully analyzed using the PowerPlex® Y System. Resolution was assessed using the TH01, CSF1PO, TPOX, and Amelogenin loci and demonstrated to be comparable with commercial systems along with the instrument precision. Successful replacement of the Hjerten capillary coating method with a dynamic coating polymer was performed. The accurate and rapid typing of forensic samples demonstrates the successful technology transfer of this device into a practitioner laboratory and its potential for advancing high‐throughput forensic typing.
Morphometric Analysis of Third Molar Root Development by an Experimental Method Using Digital Orthopantomographs
Authors: Santoro Valeria , Lozito Piercarlo , Mastrorocco Nunzio , Introna Francesco
Published: June 2008

Abstract:  The aim of the study was to conduct a morphometric analysis of the root development of the third molar, with the purpose of overcoming the limits of an exclusively morphological analysis. The study was divided in two phases. The first one was the verification of the existence of a constant crown‐root (C/R) ratio on a sample of 100 third molars, characterized by a complete root development. The value obtained was used in the second phase to predict the final root's length, knowing the crown height. So we have calculated, on a sample of 322 third molars with developing roots, the final ratios between incomplete roots and complete roots. Statistical analysis was then made with 90%, 95%, and 99% confidence intervals. The results showed a significant difference according to the age of the subject and the limit values, lower and upper, for subjects aged 16 and 17 years versus those aged 18 and 19. For each analysis, the width of the class of tolerance and other statistical indicators were calculated. The results we obtained support the advantage of a morphometric study as opposed to an exclusively morphological study, but all the techniques used to determine the age of a living subject can provide only indications of the biological age, but no certainties as regards chronological age.
A longitudinal study of quality of life of elderly with mandibular implant‐supported fixed prostheses
Authors: Berretin‐Felix Giédre , Nary Filho Hugo , Padovani Carlos Roberto , Machado Wellington Monteiro
Published: June 2008

Objectives: To verify the consequences of implant‐supported fixed oral rehabilitation on the quality of life (QL) of elderly individuals.

Material and methods: Fifteen patients were studied, being 10 females and five males; all were aged >60 years, were completely edentulous, wore removable dentures on both arches, and were treated with implant‐supported fixed dentures. Three QL questionnaires were applied, two related to the oral conditions (Oral Impact on Daily Performance – OIDP – and Oral Health Impact Profile, short version – OHIP‐14) and one dealing with global aspects (World Health Organization Quality of Life – WHOQOL‐BREF), before 3, 6, and 18 months after surgical placement of implants.

Results: Scores in the OIDP and OHIP‐14 questionnaires were better after dental treatment. The WHOQOL‐BREF was less sensitive, confirming the higher reliability of specific questionnaires (focal) compared with general questions in such situations.

Conclusion: Treatment with implant‐supported fixed prostheses improved QL in the elderly; these effects are better detected by specific instruments focused on the subject.
The impact of individual room on rehospitalization and health service utilization in preterms after discharge
Authors: Erdeve O , Arsan S , Yigit S , Armangil D , Atasay B , Korkmaz A
Published: June 2008

Aim: To compare individual room implemented family‐centred care to classical designed neonatal intensive care unit and find out its effect on rehospitalization and application to health services in preterm infants after discharge.

Methods: Mothers whose infants were born before 34 gestational weeks and hospitalized for at least one week in the NICU were enrolled in the study. Mothers who were hospitalized with their preterm infants in individual rooms (Group I) were compared with mothers who were not hospitalized with their preterm infants (Group II). After the third postdischarge month, groups were compared for their rates of phone consultations to physician/hospital, acute care applications, rehospitalization and parent's perception of child's vulnerability.

Results: Although demographic and medical information did not indicate any differences between the groups, the mean number of acute care visits (p = 0.046), the median number of phone consultations (p = 0.001) and rehospitalization rate (12.9% vs. 34.5%, p < 0.05) were significantly higher in Group II. The anatomical problems, such as inguinal hernia and retinopathy of prematurity, were the main recorded causes in Group I whereas problems related to prematurity like feeding difficulties were dominating in Group II.

Conclusion: The availability of individual rooms that allows maternal presence and participation during the hospitalization of the mother's preterm infant, is correlated with lower rates of rehospitalization and healthcare applications.
Epidemiology of malpractice lawsuits in paediatrics
Authors: Najaf‐Zadeh A , Dubos F , Aurel M , Martinot A
Published: June 2008

A systematic review of malpractice lawsuits involving children identified six articles and 227 cumulative paediatric published cases. The prevalence of medical lawsuits resulting in payment to plaintiff was found to be 50% less frequent than that in adults. The most frequent and severe errors were among infants, including diagnostic errors of meningitis, gastroenteritis and pneumonia. The most implied unit was emergency department (58%). The patients and/or families were compensated in 23– 68% of cases.

Conclusion: These data can increase physicians' awareness of disorders and age groups at high risk of medical errors. This could lead to minimize the risk of medical malpractices and to improve patient safety.
Adenosine–oligoarginine conjugate, a novel bisubstrate inhibitor, effectively dissociates the actin cytoskeleton
Authors: Räägel Helin , Lust Marje , Uri Asko , Pooga Margus
Published: June 2008

Aberrant regulation of protein kinases impairs normal cellular functioning and may lead to disease. The protein kinase involved in the regulation of the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton, Rho‐kinase (ROCK), phosphorylates various substrates (e.g. myosin light chain, myosin phosphatase), causing the formation of actin fibers and tension inside cells. Hyperactivation of ROCK, for example, causes hypertension and cardiovascular disorders. Thus, the design of highly specific protein kinase inhibitors is of the utmost importance. To date, the majority of inhibitors investigated have been found to mimic and compete with ATP. However, in the present study we characterized the cellular effects of a novel bisubstrate inhibitor – adenosine–oligoarginine conjugate (ARC) – designed to interfere simultaneously with the ATP site and the substrate‐binding pocket of basophilic kinases. ARC effectively pulled down ROCK from cell lysates, showed no cytotoxicity and suppressed the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton (especially central actin bundles) as the result of interference with the activity of the kinase. Combination of ARC with chloroquine yielded a stronger inhibitory effect and gave results similar to treatment with Y‐27632. However, treatment with ARC produced more actin fragments and yielded a longer‐lasting effect than treatment with Y‐27632. Additionally, quantification of phosphorylated myosin light chain levels in ARC‐treated or Y‐27632‐treated cells implies that ARC is more effective than Y‐27632 in suppressing the phosphorylation of at least one of the substrates of ROCK. We believe that the described bisubstrate strategy could be a useful lead for designing novel, highly specific inhibitors for different protein kinases.
Functional foods: An Australian perspective
Authors: TAPSELL Linda
Published: June 2008

There are many definitions of functional foods, although with a common element of providing some functional advantage to consumers, and they are almost universally associated with food innovation. In Australia, the National Centre of Excellence in Functional Foods (NCEFF) was established with five‐year federal innovation funding to help build capability in functional food research and development. This review sets the context for the NCEFF science program, by first outlining global concepts of functional foods and the nature of the scientific enterprise associated with it. The review provides a working definition of functional foods, describes the types of research reported in Medline in the last year and compares this with the NCEFF program of research. The ‘working space’ for functional foods was found to relate to the nutritional and food sciences, regulatory conditions, consumer/market and health concerns and industry opportunity. The term is appearing increasingly in Medline, mostly under review articles, but also with respect to in vitro and animal model studies, human clinical trials and consumer research. The spectrum of research undertaken in the NCEFF science program was consistent with this pattern. The review found that Australian researchers and practitioners have the capacity to deliver on major fronts in the functional foods domain and to be part of the challenges for food and nutrition research that have been exposed through the functional food phenomenon.
Effect of protein intake, hyperglycaemia and micronutrients on DNA damage and mitogen responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes
Authors: FENECH Michael , NOAKES Manny , BOWEN Jane , CLIFTON Peter
Published: June 2008

The aim of the study was to comprehensively assess foods differing in protein type (whey vs casein) relative to a low glycaemic index (GI) and high GI carbohydrate (CHO) food for their effects on DNA damage, DNA repair and mitogen response in peripheral blood lymphocytes using the cytokinesis‐block micronucleus assay two hours after consumption. We also studied the relationship of these parameters with plasma folate, vitamin B12, zinc, magnesium and selenium immediately before the intervention and change in plasma glucose and plasma insulin during the two‐hour period after consumption. There was no effect of protein, CHO or GI on genome damage or immune responsiveness except for a small but significant improvement in resistance to radiation‐induced DNA damage in the high‐GI CHO food relative to the casein food. Mitogen response was significantly and positively correlated with plasma zinc, magnesium, selenium and folate and baseline genome damage significantly negatively correlated with plasma folate and vitamin B12. There was no significant correlation between plasma micronutrients and change in plasma glucose or insulin except for a positive and significant correlation between change in plasma insulin and plasma selenium. The correlation between change in plasma insulin and change in plasma glucose was weaker. It is apparent from these preliminary data that micronutrient status may have a profound effect on genome stability and immune responsiveness while the effects of short‐term changes in glycemia and dietary intake of carbohydrate or protein may have only minor effects on these parameters.
Influence of selenised dairy proteins on biomarkers of colon cancer risk
Authors: MCINTOSH Graeme H.
Published: June 2008

Selenium is an essential trace element for mammals, and a component of at least 25 selenoproteins which incorporate the amino acid selenocysteine (Sec). These proteins include a number with oxidoreductase functions. An examination of the selenoproteins and their influence on carcinogenesis in an animal model may assist in determining their relevance in chemoprevention.

Food sources offer a number of organic forms of selenium, with selenomethionine a common component, as in selenised yeasts. A selenium‐rich dairy protein product has been developed (TaturaBioSe, Tatura Milk Industries, Tatura, Victoria) which could improve selenium status in populations considered marginal or deficient. It could also provide higher intakes (e.g. several fold above recommended dietary intake recommendations) of potential benefit as chemopreventive to those at greater risk of some selenium‐responsive diseases, such as some sporadic colorectal cancers. Clinical studies are showing it to be a safe, palatable product for consumption in the form provided.

Dairy protein selenium at 1 ppm in diet had a significant chemopreventive effect compared with control (0.05 ppm Se) in an azoxymethane model of colon cancer. Colon tumour incidence in rats was down by 29%, and tumour burden (colon tumours/rat) was halved, effects not observed when an equivalent Se concentration was provided as yeast selenium. When assessed by plasma Se concentration, this dairy protein form of selenium showed greater bioavailability (as assessed by plasma selenium) as well as efficacy in chemoprevention. Programmed cell death (apoptosis) was increased in colonic crypts and crypt height significantly diminished. The influence on early changes in carcinogenesis provides an insight into possible mechanism(s) of action. Histological and biochemical assays (e.g. monitoring oxidoreductase enzymes) could potentially provide early biomarkers with clinical relevance.
Bioavailability of selenium from selenium‐enriched milk assessed in the artificially reared neonatal pig
Authors: UGLIETTA Raffaele , DOYLE Peter T. , WALKER Glen P. , HEARD Joanna W. , LEDDIN Clare M. , STOCKDALE C. Richard , MCINTOSH Graeme H. , YOUNG Graeme P. , DUNSHEA Frank R.
Published: June 2008

There is interest in pre‐farm gate fortification of the diet with highly bioavailable selenium (Se) to improve public health, so the aim of the present study was to determine the bioavailabilities of Se from Se‐enriched whole milk and milk replacers supplemented with exogenous Se in neonatal pigs. Milk enriched with Se (1070 μg Se/kg dry matter (DM); HSeM) was obtained from cows supplemented with selenised yeast while the control milk diet (135 μg Se/kg DM; LSeM) was made using milk powder from non‐supplemented cows. Additional diets were formulated by adding selenised yeast (HSP) or selenate (HSN) to the LSeM diet to give final Se concentrations of 1070 μg Se/kg DM. Neonatal pigs were trained to drink milk and then randomly allocated to their four respective diets and slaughter times (0, 7, 14, 28 and 42 days of feeding). Plasma Se increased over the first 21 days in pigs consuming HSeM, reaching a value over three times higher than the LSeM pigs. Plasma Se concentrations plateaued at 45, 125, 122 and 170 μg/mL for LSeM, HSN, HSP and HSeM pigs, respectively (P < 0.001). After 28 days, muscle Se plateaued at 47, 106, 237 and 486 μg/kg for LSeM, HSN, HSP and HSeM pigs, respectively (P < 0.001). Colonic selenoprotein P gene expression was greater (P = 0.024) in pigs fed HSeM compared with LSeM while the HSP and HSN were intermediate. These data suggest that Se in milk from cows fed selenised yeast is highly bioavailable and may offer a means of delivering supplemental Se to humans.
Effect of dietary protein on body composition and insulin resistance using a pig model of the child and adolescent
Authors: DUNSHEA Frank R. , COX Maree L.
Published: June 2008

There has been an increase in the incidence of obesity and related metabolic disorders in children and adolescents, so effective dietary and exercise interventions are needed. Over the past decade, there has been growing scientific evidence and public acceptance of the role that dietary protein plays in regulation of satiety, feed intake and obesity‐related disorders. Dietary protein appears to suppress food intake and delay the return of hunger more than fats or carbohydrates in a manner not due to energy content alone. Some protein sources, particularly dairy, contain specific peptides or proteins that may elicit direct effects upon satiety. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of level and type of dietary protein using the pig to model the important growth and developmental stages of human life. Increasing dietary protein intake reduced feed intake and fat and weight gain with the response being most pronounced in pigs consuming diets containing soy protein isolate (SPI) rather than whey protein isolate (WPI). However, in female pigs consuming diets rich in SPI from infancy to adolescence, there was a catch‐up growth that resulted in increased food intake and weight and fat gain. Insulin sensitivity was negatively related to the rate of fat deposition and was improved in pigs consuming WPI compared with SPI. While high‐protein diets may decrease calcium balance and bone strength, it appears that these effects are attenuated by WPI. These findings suggest that high‐protein diets may reduce hunger and food intake, thereby reducing fat deposition and improving insulin sensitivity.
Multipartite Entanglement Among Single Spins in Diamond
Authors: Neumann P. , Mizuochi N. , Rempp F. , Hemmer P. , Watanabe H. , Yamasaki S. , Jacques V. , Gaebel T. , Jelezko F. , Wrachtrup J.
Published: June 2008

Robust entanglement at room temperature is a necessary requirement for practical applications in quantum technology. We demonstrate the creation of bipartite- and tripartite-entangled quantum states in a small quantum register consisting of individual
13
C nuclei in a diamond lattice. Individual nuclear spins are controlled via their hyperfine coupling to a single electron at a nitrogen-vacancy defect center. Quantum correlations are of high quality and persist on a millisecond time scale even at room temperature, which is adequate for sophisticated quantum operations.
Acute Psychological Responses to Qigong Exercise of Varying Durations
Authors: Johansson Mattias , Hassmén Peter
Published: June 2008

Qigong exercise has been shown to induce acute psychological changes of a positive nature; but whether longer durations have greater effects than shorter ones is not known. Forty-one regular qigong practitioners therefore engaged in either 30 or 60 min of qigong exercise within a randomized cross-over design. Measures of mood, anxiety, activation, and hedonic tone were obtained pre- and post-exercise. Results showed benefits of the same magnitude in the two conditions: more positive mood states, reduced state anxiety, and enhanced perceived pleasure. Thirty minutes of qigong exercise thereby seems to be sufficient to provide psychological benefits, and with no additional benefits detected after 60 min. This finding is important for those having little time or motivation to engage in activities of longer durations. In addition, health professionals prescribing exercise for health benefits can prescribe shorter exercise sessions with confidence knowing that positive psychological effects can also occur after a shorter exercise bout.
Quantification of Electroacupuncture-Induced Neural Activity by Analysis of Functional Neural Imaging with Monocrystalline Iron Oxide Nanocolloid Enhancement
Authors: Ho Shao-Chang , Chiu Jen-Hwey , Yeh Tzu-Cheng , Hsieh Jen-Chuen , Cheng Hui-Cheng , Cheng Henrich , Ho Low-Tone
Published: June 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the neural activity of electroacupuncture (EA) quantitatively. The responses of Sprague–Dawley rats' brain to EA on acupoints — Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6) — were detected by monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticle (MION)-enhanced functional magnetic resonance imaging (MION-fMRI), which is a 1.5 T horizontal spectrometer equipped with a circular polarized extremity coil. During EA at LI 4, neural activities were analyzed by analysis of functional neural images (AFNI). Neural activation was detected at the structures of hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, and the cortex, while neural deactivation existed at the areas adjacent to the activated sites. EA on PC 6 activated the structures of thalamus and the cortex but deactivated the structures of hypothalamus and hippocampus. The brain responses to EA existed in different areas of activation and deactivation despite stimulating the same acupoint. Additionally, distinct brain neuroimages were produced through stimulating different acupoints. This study suggests that fMRI with AFNI is a good approach to quantifying brain activities. This innovative method brings new perspective into the mechanisms of acupuncture.
Scutellaria baicalensis Enhances the Anti-Diabetic Activity of Metformin in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats
Authors: Waisundara Viduranga Y. , Hsu Annie , Huang Dejian , Tan Benny Kwong-Huat
Published: June 2008

Oxidative stress is the root cause of diabetic macro- and microvascular complications. Biochemical and epidemiological studies indicate that current treatments for diabetes do not reduce risks of developing complications, suggesting their inability to alleviate the levels of oxidative stress. This study in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was carried out to investigate the effect of combining the antidiabetic drug, metformin, with an ethanolic extract of Scutellaria baicalensis, a plant whose root is known for its radical scavenging activity. Three groups of STZ-induced diabetic rats were given the following treatments for 30 days: (1) metformin 500 mg/kg, (2) S. baicalensis 400 mg/kg, (3) metformin 500 mg/kg + S. baicalensis extract 400 mg/kg. In addition, vehicle-treated diabetic and nondiabetic controls were used in the experiment. The rats treated with S. baicalensis and metformin + S. baicalensis had elevated hepatic activities of the antioxidant enzymes — superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) compared to the vehicle- and metformin-treated diabetic groups ( p < 0.05). Plasma and hepatic lipid peroxide concentrations in the herb-treated and herb + metformin-treated groups were also significantly reduced ( p < 0.05). In addition, the combined treatment caused significant elevations of plasma and pancreatic insulin levels and reductions of plasma and hepatic triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol levels. The study thus showed that S. baicalensis enhanced the antidiabetic effect of metformin in STZ-induced diabetic rats by improving the antioxidant status. It also increased pancreatic insulin content as well as improved the lipid profile in these rats.
Effect of Tianma Gouteng Decoction with Subtractive Ingredients and Its Active Constituents on Memory Acquisition
Authors: Ho Shih-Ching , Ho Yueh-Feng , Lai Tzung-Hsien , Liu Tsu-Hwie , Su Shu-Yin , Wu Rey-Yuh
Published: June 2008

Accumulating evidence indicates that the high blood pressure (BP) is a potent risk factor for dementia in the elderly. In line with this theory, we had found the mixture of Chinese herbs (TGD) which were traditionally used to treat hypertension, could enhance the cognitive function. The aim of this study was to decrease the number of herbs used from 11 (TGD) to 4 herbs (TGDS) and further to search the active constituents. After administering a dose of 10 g/kg of TGDS0 to ICR mice, no cholinergic symptoms of lacrimation, salivation, emesis, eyeclosure, increased respiration and fibrillation were observed. All the mice survived without any deaths after 24 hours and 7 days. No changes were observed in control and experimental groups on locomotor activity (no stimulant or sedative effects). It was also revealed that TGDS could prolong the step-through latency at the dose of 1.0 and 2.5 g/kg on passive avoidance tasks in mice. This result was the same as the previous study. The active constituents which enhanced the memory acquisition were discovered in the butanol layer and ethyl acetate layer after the extraction.
Anti-Tumor Effects of Water-Soluble Propolis on a Mouse Sarcoma Cell Line In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Inoue Kohei , Saito Masayoshi , Kanai Takao , Kawata Tetsuya , Shigematsu Naoyuki , Uno Takashi , Isobe Kouichi , Liu Cui-Hua , Ito Hisao
Published: June 2008

The honeybee product propolis and its extracts are known to have biological effects such as antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. This study was designed to investigate whether water-soluble propolis (WSP) inhibits tumor growth. The tumor cell line used was mouse sarcoma 180 (S-180), and its growth was determined in vitro and in vivo with exposure to different concentrations of WSP.

The effects of WSP on tumor cells in vitro were evaluated by measuring the intracellular uptake of 3 H -thymidine. 3 H -thymidine uptake was inhibited in accordance with the concentration of WSP. The minimum concentration of WSP necessary for 3 H -thymidine uptake inhibition was 1.0 μg/ml and uptake was suppressed to 88% of the level in non-treated cells at this concentration.

In an experiment using tumor-bearing mice, oral administration of WSP was begun 24 hours after transplantation of S-180 cells. WSP was administered to the mice 5 times, every other day for 10 days. The doses were 320 mg/kg (10 mg/mouse) or 960 mg/kg (30 mg/mouse) of body weight. All mice were sacrificed 10 days after transplantation, and tumor growth was evaluated. The orally administered WSP significantly inhibited the growth of transplanted tumors ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, histological findings revealed a significant reduction in mitotic cells and tumor invasion of the muscular tissue at both dose-levels of WSP.
IMPACT OF LEVEL OF CONTINGENCIES ON WELLBEING STATES OF GENERATING SYSTEM – A PROBABILISTIC AND FUZZY APPROACH
Authors: BHATKAR M. V. , VERMA A. K. , KARKI NAVA RAJ
Published: June 2008

The required level of operating reserve to be maintained by an electric power system can be determined by deterministic and probabilistic techniques. The power system parameters such as failure and repair rates used in the probabilistic models basically come from historical operation records, which are necessarily limited and subject to errors. There is considerable data uncertainty that exists in these parameters. This paper presents the application of fuzzy sets, which is recognized as a potential tool to include data uncertainty in normal calculations, for evaluation of spinning reserve is illustrated. In conventional reliability evaluation method, loads are deterministic values. The failure rate of the generating units is represented as triangular fuzzy number. The fuzzy set is used to represent consumer's demand, which is the deterministic load, as fuzzy loads. The concept is extended for evaluating the fuzzy based well-being indices using different criterion for the generating system. The fz-forced outage rate (FOR) and fz-availability of a unit in service are evaluated using fuzzy Sets and fuzzy interval arithmetic to find the fuzzy well-being states, which are designated as healthy, marginal and at risk. The concept is illustrated for a Roy Billinton's Test System (RBTS) and IEEE RTS. Impact of outage level and deterministic criteria is also illustrated. The proposed method can be applied to the operation of deregulated power system in which operating reserve is served as an important issue with respect to stable and reliable operation.
QUALITY OF SERVICE PREDICTION USING FUZZY LOGIC AND RUP IMPLEMENTATION FOR PROCESS ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
Authors: MOHAN K. KRISHNA , SRIVIDYA A. , GEDELA RAVI KUMAR
Published: June 2008

In a competitive business landscape, large organizations such as insurance companies and banks are under high pressure to innovate, improvise and differentiate their products and services while continuing to reduce the time-to market for new product introductions. Generating a single view of the customer is critical from different perspectives of the systems developer over a period of time because of the existence of disconnected systems within an enterprise. Therefore, to increase revenues and cost optimization, it is important build enterprise systems more closely with the business requirements by reusing the existing systems. While building distributed based applications, it is important to take into account the proven processes like Rational Unified Process (RUP) to mitigate the risks and increase the reliability of systems. Experiences in developing applications in Java Enterprise Edition (JEE) with customized RUP have been presented in this paper. RUP is adopted into an onsite-offshore development model along with ISO 9001 and SEI CMM Level 5 standards. This paper provides an RUP approach to achieve increased reliability with higher productivity and lower defect density along with competitiveness through cost effective custom software solutions. Early qualitative software reliability prediction is done using fuzzy expert systems, using which the expected number of defects in the software prior to the experimental testing is obtained. The predicted results are then compared with the practical values obtained during the actual testing procedure.
CONFIGURABLE WORKFLOW MODELS
Authors: GOTTSCHALK FLORIAN , VAN DER AALST WIL M. P. , JANSEN-VULLERS MONIQUE H. , LA ROSA MARCELLO
Published: June 2008

Workflow modeling languages allow for the specification of executable business processes. They, however, typically do not provide any guidance for the adaptation of workflow models, i.e. they do not offer any methods or tools explaining and highlighting which adaptations of the models are feasible and which are not. Therefore, an approach to identify so-called configurable elements of a workflow modeling language and to add configuration opportunities to workflow models is presented in this paper. Configurable elements are the elements of a workflow model that can be modified such that the behavior represented by the model is restricted. More precisely, a configurable element can be either set to enabled, to blocked, or to hidden. To ensure that such configurations lead only to desirable models, our approach allows for imposing so-called requirements on the model's configuration. They have to be fulfilled by any configuration, and limit therefore the freedom of configuration choices. The identification of configurable elements within the workflow modeling language of YAWL and the derivation of the new "configurable YAWL" language provide a concrete example for a rather generic approach. A transformation of configured models into lawful YAWL models demonstrates its applicability.
Exploring the glycemic response to food intake with undergraduate students at the University of La Réunion
Authors: Tarnus Evelyne , Bourdon Emmanuel
Published: June 2008

Diabetes constitutes an increasingly prevalent disease, dramatically associated with an enhanced mortality risk in the developed world. A high prevalence of diabetes has recently been described at Réunion Island, a French department located in the Indian Ocean. At the University of La Réunion, a laboratory course involving students was designed to teach them blood glucose measurements and to examine the influence of food intake on their glycemic response. Using glucose meters, test strips, lancet devices, and sterile lancets, students determined their basal and postprandial glycemia. After plotting the variation over time of their glycemia, students calculated their glycemic response to a meal as the area under the curve. First, students observed that their glycemia had increased rapidly after food intake to values of <1.4 g/l and then decreased to normal values, proving the existence of a physiological regulatory system for glycemia. Using impedance balances, students then determined their body mass index and fat mass percentages. Positive and significant correlations were established between students' fat mass percentages and the glycemic response to the meal. A higher postprandial response was indeed noticed for students having higher fat percentages. Therefore, this laboratory allows students to observe the regulation of glycemia. It also alerts them to the correlation between higher body fat content and a higher glycemic response, which can be related to diabetic disorders. This laboratory constitutes an active illustration of their plenary lesson in endocrinology and particularly for the session dealing with glucose regulation.