bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac expression of adenine nucleotide translocase-1 in transgenic mice overexpressing bovine GH
Authors: Bogazzi Fausto , Raggi Francesco , Ultimieri Federica , Russo Dania , Manariti Antonella , D’Alessio Aldo , Viacava Paolo , Fanelli Giovanni , Gasperi Maurizio , Bartalena Luigi , Martino Enio
Published: August 2007

Heart hypertrophy is a common finding of acromegaly, a syndrome due to GH excess. Impairment of adenine nucleotide translocase-1 (ANT-1) gene, the main mitochondrial ADP/ATP exchanger, leads to cardiac hypertrophy. The aim of the study was to evaluate cardiac expression and the functional role of ANT-1 in 1- to 12-month-old transgenic mice overexpressing bovine GH (acromegalic mice, Acro) and littermate controls (wild-type mice, Wt). GH specificity of protein degree variation was assessed treating Acro with pegvisomant, a GH receptor competitor. Tissue levels of ANT-1, NF-κB, ATP, and lactic acid were evaluated by western blot, bioluminescence, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy respectively. The degree of ANT-1 expression was higher in 1-month-old Acro than in Wt (47±5% OD vs 33±4% OD, P<0 01). On the contrary, ANT-1 expression was lower in 3- to 12-month-old Acro than in Wt (P<0 03). Changes in ANT-1 expression were associated with consistent changes of cellular ATP content, increasing at 1 month (P<0 05) and reducing thereafter in Acro when compared with Wt (P<0 04). Treatment with pegvisomant abolished ANT-1 and ATP changes observed in 1- and 3-month-old Acro, thus supporting a GH-dependent mechanism. Reduced ATP generation in hypertrophied hearts of older Acro was associated with increased lactic acid levels suggesting that part of energy was due to glycolysis. Variations in ANT-1 expression were linked to GH through changes in NF-κB, the levels of which changed accordingly. In conclusion, 1-month-old acromegalic mice had increased ANT-1 expression and higher degree of ATP production. Long-standing disease was associated with a consistent reduction of ANT-1 and ATP tissue levels, which became GH-independent in older animals. This study demonstrated a direct effect of GH on key proteins involved in energy metabolism of acromegalic hearts.
Inactivation of the IGF-I receptor gene in primary Sertoli cells highlights the autocrine effects of IGF-I
Authors: Froment P , Vigier M , Nègre D , Fontaine I , Beghelli J , Cosset F L , Holzenberger M , Durand P
Published: August 2007

IGF-I regulates pituitaryand gonadal functions, and is pivotal for sexual development and fertility in mammalian species. To better understand the function of autocrine IGF-I in Sertoli cell physiology, we established a system for Cre-mediated conditional inactivation of the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) in cultured Sertoli cells. We show here that loss of IGF-IR decreased the number of viable Sertoli cells as a consequence of diminished Sertoli cell proliferation and increased Sertoli cell death. Furthermore, the lack of IGF-IR altered the morphology of cultured Sertoli cells and decreased lactate and transferrin secretions. Collectively, our data indicate that autocrine IGF-I contributes significantly to Sertoli cell homeostasis. The described in vitro system for loss-of-function analysis of the IGF-IR can be readily transposed to study the role of other intratesticular growth factors involved in spermatogenesis.
Melatonin administration prevents cardiac and diaphragmatic mitochondrial oxidative damage in senescence-accelerated mice
Authors: Rodriguez M I , Escames G , López L C , García J A , Ortiz F , López A , Acuña-Castroviejo D
Published: August 2007

Cardiac and diaphragmatic mitochondria from male SAMP8 (senescent) and SAMR1 (resistant) mice of 5 or 10 months of age were studied. Levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), GSH disulfide (GSSG), and GSH peroxidase and GSH reductase (GRd) activities were measured. In addition, the effect of chronic treatment with the antioxidant melatonin from 1 to 10 months of age was evaluated. Cardiac and diaphragmatic mitochondria show an age-dependent increase in LPO levels and a reduction in GSH:GSSG ratios. Chronic treatment with melatonin counteracted the age-dependent LPO increase and GSH:GSSG ratio reduction in these mitochondria. Melatonin also increased GRd activity, an effect that may account for the maintenance of the mitochondrial GSH pool. Total mitochondrial content of GSH increased after melatonin treatment. In general, the effects of age and melatonin treatment were similar in senescence-resistant mice (SAMR1) and SAMP8 cardiac and diaphragmatic mitochondria, suggesting that these mice strains display similar mitochondrial oxidative damage at the age of 10 months. The results also support the efficacy of long-term melatonin treatment in preventing the age-dependent mitochondrial oxidative stress.
Effective partnering—remediating the former Avenue coking works
Authors: Turner J. H. W. , Pearce S. , Fenton M. J. , Sims B.
Published: August 2007

Over the past seven years a number of organisations have been working in close partnership to find acceptable and sustainable solutions to the highly complex task of remediating and regenerating the former Avenue coking works, one of the largest in Europe, at a cost of over £100 million. The Avenue has provided a significant opportunity for true partnership working between the public and private sectors. Considerable consultation with the public, community organisations and regulatory and planning authorities is helping shape the vision for the future of the site. The final landform will include community leisure and recreational facilities, opportunities for commercial and residential development, restoration of the river floodplain, creation of wetlands and a flood-balancing reservoir. Previous attempts to find a solution have run into regulatory and legal difficulties. However, partner organisations have worked closely together to develop solutions. These include working on a risk-based approach and arranging trans-frontier shipment of waste material samples for trial remediation in Europe; this has helped to derive an on-site treatment solution, thus avoiding difficult, disruptive and costly off-site waste transfer and disposal processes. Over 1 million cubic metres of soil will be moved and treated. A design and build contract has been negotiated, with early involvement of the contractor, and work is about to start on the four-year remediation contract.
The attenuation and treatment of runoff using sand tanks
Authors: Mansell M. , Tingle S.
Published: August 2007

This paper describes how the runoff from roads and other paved surfaces can be attenuated and treated by a sand/gravel filter tank. It proposes a design for such a tank and gives details of tests carried out on a two-dimensional (2D) section of the tank. These tests showed that significant reductions were achieved in suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and concentrations of road salt, although there was little effect on the levels of metals. This work also shows how the hydraulic performance of such a tank can be represented by a double-reservoir model using both design storm events and historic rainfall data. A 2D finite difference model of the tank is also described.
Association of Education and the Occurrence of Low Birthweight in Rural Southern China During the Early and Late 1990s
Authors: Liu Yinghui , Liu Jianmeng , Ye Rongwei , Ren Aiguo , Li Song , Li Zhu
Published: August 2007

Objectives. We examined whether education-related inequalities were associated with the occurrence of low birthweight in 6 counties in southern China in the early and late 1990s.

Methods. The study population consisted of 111181 women (65669 in the early 1990s and 45482 in the late 1990s) in a population-based Perinatal Health Care Surveillance System. We used the χ2 test, logistic regression, and concentration index for our analyses.

Results. From the early to late 1990s, the mean maternal education level increased significantly, and the percentage of low-birthweight births declined among all groups, for both male and female births, and at all levels of the mother’s education. Relative to those with less than 9 years of formal education, there was a decreasing risk of low birthweight among those with 9 to 11 years of formal education (range in adjusted odds ratio=0.69–0.82) and with 12 or more years of formal education (range in adjusted odds ratio=0.51–0.74). Between the early and late 1990s, the concentration index changed from −0.0778 to −0.0656 for male births and from −0.0717 to −0.0813 for female births.

Conclusions. Education-related inequalities associated with low birthweight persisted from the early to the late 1990s in surveyed areas.
Cocaine Use and Educational Achievement: Understanding a Changing Association Over the Past 2 Decades
Authors: Harder Valerie S. , Chilcoat Howard D.
Published: August 2007

Trends in cocaine use over the past 2 decades were compared across levels of education in a population-based US sample of adults. Significant inverse associations between educational achievement and cocaine use after 1990 were driven by dramatic decreases in persistent cocaine use among more highly educated adults, whereas persistent cocaine use remained relatively unchanged among those who did not finish high school. This emerging health disparity highlights the need for improved interventions that target persistent cocaine users with low educational achievement.
The Effect of Migration to the United States on Substance Use Disorders Among Returned Mexican Migrants and Families of Migrants
Authors: Borges Guilherme , Medina-Mora Maria Elena , Breslau Joshua , Aguilar-Gaxiola Sergio
Published: August 2007

Objectives. We examined the association between substance use disorders and migration to the United States in a nationally representative sample of the Mexican population.

Methods. We used the World Mental Health version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview to conduct structured, computer-assisted, face-to-face interviews with a cross-sectional sample of household residents aged 18 to 65 years who lived in Mexico in cities with a population of at least 2500 people in 2001 and 2002. The response rate was 76.6%, with 5826 respondents interviewed.

Results. Respondents who had migrated to the United States and respondents who had family members who migrated in the United States were more likely to have used alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine at least once in their lifetime; to develop a substance use disorder; and to have a current (in the past 12 months) substance use disorder than were other Mexicans.

Conclusions. International migration appears to play a large role in transforming substance use norms and pathology in Mexico. Future studies should examine how networks extending over international boundaries influence substance use.
Contraceptive Equity
Authors: Temkin Elizabeth
Published: August 2007

The Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act, introduced in Congress in 1997 and still unpassed, seeks to redress health insurers’ failure to pay for birth control as they pay for other prescription drugs, most paradoxically Viagra.

In 1936 the International Workers Order (IWO), a fraternal society, became the first insurer to include contraception in its benefits package. A forerunner in the movement for prepaid medical care, the IWO offered its members primary care and contraceptive services for annual flat fees. Founded at a time when the legal status of contraception was in flux, the IWO’s Birth Control Center was the only such clinic to operate on an insurance system.

Recent state laws and judicial actions have revived the IWO’s groundbreaking view of contraception as a basic preventive service deserving of insurance coverage.
Kooperation im Luzerner Privatwald (Essay) | Cooperation in Lucerne's private forests (Essay)
Authors: Röösli-Brun Bruno
Published: August 2007

In canton Lucerne, where there are many private forests, the forest owners have voluntarily pooled together for a cooperative management of their forests. The so called «regional organisations» (RO) are managed professionally and plan the overall forest maintenance and timber use. The timber is sold collectively. At the same time, the ownership is not transferred to the RO and joining the RO is voluntary. Thereby, as well as thanks to short-term start-up help of the canton and federation, the chances are high that establishing the RO will be successful and that the timber use of private forests can be increased.
Physical Vapor Deposition of Molecular Glass Photoresists: A New Route to Chemically Amplified Patterning
Authors: Pfeiffer F. , Felix N. M. , Neuber C. , Ober C. K. , Schmidt H.‐W.
Published: August 2007

A negative tone photoresist film, consisting of a molecular glass, a photoacid generator, and an acid labile crosslinker, was prepared by physical vapor deposition, a solvent‐free process. Subsequent to deposition, the coevaporated monomers were exposed using 365 nm radiation, subjected to a post exposure bake step, and developed in aqueous base to produce sub‐micron patterns. Combinatorial techniques were used to aid optimization of the photoresist by systematic variations in composition and exposure dose. Development factors such as concentration and time were also optimized.
Spatially Localized Formation of InAs Quantum Dots on Shallow Patterns Regardless of Crystallographic Directions
Authors: Lee J. H. , Wang Z. M. , Black W. T. , Kunets V. P. , Mazur Y. I. , Salamo G. J.
Published: August 2007

We report on the ability to grow InAs quantum dots into patterns of any shape. We specifically demonstrate the spatial localization of InAs quantum dots on mesa and trench patterns varying from line, square and triangle patterns on GaAs (100) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. Based on the underlying science, this growth approach enables the localization of InAs QDs on GaAs (100) by controlling the sidewall facets and InAs monolayer coverage.
Temporally‐resolved inkjet drop impaction on surfaces
Authors: Dong Hongming , Carr Wallace W. , Bucknall David G. , Morris Jeffrey F.
Published: August 2007

Impaction on smooth solid substrates of drops formed by the drop‐on‐demand (DOD) method was investigated over a wide range of impaction speeds (U0 = 2.21–12.2 m/s), surface contact angles (θ = 6–107°), and drop diameters (D0 = 40.8–50.5 μm). The experimental results were compared with several existing equations for predicting maximum spreading. The dimensionless time to reach maximum spreading ratio, scaled by D0/U0, ranged from 0.6 to 2.99, depending on Weber number and contact angle. Micron and millimeter drop impactions were compared, and the results indicate that scaling based on three dimensionless numbers (We, Re or Oh, and cos θ) is valid, but spreading ratios of millimeter drops are usually slightly larger during the whole process. The difference is ascribed mainly to the effect of gravity. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
Modified wheat gluten as a binder in particleboard made from reed
Authors: El‐Wakil Nahla A. , Abou‐Zeid Ragab E. , Fahmy Yehia , Mohamed A. Y.
Published: August 2007

To evaluate the utilization of reed in environmental friendly high‐density particleboard, modified wheat gluten was used with urea‐formaldehyde as a binder in different ratios, applying the optimum conditions obtained on using UF resin alone. The scanning electron microscopy of the reed fibers showed that the fibers are cylindrical in shape, which helps in enhancing the adhesion between the binder and the inner and outer surfaces of the fibers. The dependence of the mechanical properties (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and the internal bond) and the physical properties (water absorption and thickness swelling) on the urea‐formaldehyde/modified gluten ratios was studied. Addition of 1% and 2% boric acid as a fungicide to the binder mixture resulted in no significant change in the mechanical properties and slight improvement in the physical properties of the produced particleboard. Thermogravimetric analyses of selected samples were done to study the thermal stability of the particleboard bonded with the modified binder with and without boric acid. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Experimental study on dielectric relaxation in alfa fiber reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Arous M. , Amor I. Ben , Boufi S. , Kallel A.
Published: August 2007

Investigation on dielectric properties and behavior of thermoset epoxy composite based on cellulosic fibers has been carried on. Dielectric spectra were measured in the frequency range 0.1 Hz–100 kHz and at temperature intervals from ambient to 200°C. For the composite, four relaxations processes were identified, namely the orientation polarization imputed to the presence of polar water molecules in Alfa fiber, the α mode relaxation associated with the glass transition of the epoxy resin matrix, the relaxation process associated with conductivity occurring as a result the carriers charges diffusion noted for high temperature above glass transition and low frequencies, and interfacial or Maxwell‐Wagner‐Sillars relaxation that is attributable to the accumulation of charges at the Alfa fibers/epoxy resin interfaces. Dielectric relaxation analysis revealed evolution in water relaxation and it is thus concluded that the chemical treatment of the fiber can strongly influence the dielectrical properties and interfacial polarization processes in composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Epoxylsilane crosslinking of rigid poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Li Lanjun , He Bobing , Chen Xian
Published: August 2007

Crosslinking is an effective way to improve the qualities of poly(vinyl chloride). A crosslinking system consisting of R‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH560) has been first used to introduce crosslinking into rigid poly(vinyl chloride). Different thermal stabilizers (organotin, Ca/Zn stearate, and Ba/Zn stearate) as well as sodium bisulfite additive were tried to promote the grafting of epoxyl group and enhance the degree of crosslinking. FTIR spectra showed that grafting and crosslinking of KH560 with poly(vinyl chloride) could take place, and a gel content of 40% could be obtained when more than 10 phr epoxylsilanes were used in the condition of 2 : 1 (parts by weight) ratio of BaSt2/ZnSt2 and 1 : 1M ratio of NaHSO3/KH560, while the premature crosslinking was avoided. Thermal properties had been studied. The results showed that the Vicat softening temperature of crosslinked PVC could be improved about 10°C when 5 phr epoxylsilane was added, and thermal degradation could be delayed with increase in gel content. Therefore, epoxylsilane‐crosslinked PVC will have the potential for extensive applications © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Biologic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and the risk of malignancy: Analyses from a large US observational study
Authors: Wolfe Frederick , Michaud Kaleb
Published: August 2007

Objective

Induction of malignancy is a major concern when rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is treated with biologic therapy. A meta‐analysis of RA biologic clinical trials found a general increased risk of malignancy, but this risk was not found in a large observational study. We undertook this study to assess the risk of malignancy among biologic‐treated patients in a large US observational database.

Methods

We studied incident cases of cancer among 13,001 patients during ∼49,000 patient‐years of observation in the years 1998–2005. Cancer rates were compared with population rates using the US National Cancer Institute SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End‐Results) database. Assessment of the risk of biologic therapy utilized conditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) as estimates of the relative risk, further adjusted for 6 confounders: age, sex, education level, smoking history, RA severity, and prednisone use.

Results

Biologic exposure was 49%. There were 623 incident cases of nonmelanotic skin cancer and 537 other cancers. The standardized incidence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) compared with SEER data were as follows: all cancers 1.0 (1.0–1.1), breast 0.8 (0.6–0.9), colon 0.5 (0.4–0.6), lung 1.2 (1.0–1.4), lymphoma 1.7 (1.3–2.2). Biologics were associated with an increased risk of nonmelanotic skin cancer (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–1.8) and melanoma (OR 2.3, 95% CI 0.9–5.4). No other malignancy was associated with biologic use; the OR (overall risk) of any cancer was 1.0 (95% CI 0.8–1.2).

Conclusion

Biologic therapy is associated with increased risk for skin cancers, but not for solid tumors or lymphoproliferative malignancies. These associations were consistent across different biologic therapies.
Comparison of ROC Umbrella Volumes with an Application to the Assessment of Lung Cancer Diagnostic Markers
Authors: Alonzo Todd A. , Nakas Christos T.
Published: August 2007

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis is widely used to assess the ability of diagnostic markers to correctly classify into one of two disease classes. ROC surfaces and umbrella surfaces generalize the utility of ROC analysis when there are three disease classes. Identification of lung cancer diagnostic markers is an active area of research since prognosis for those diagnosed with lung cancer is so poor and there is not an accurate method for early detection of lung cancer. A study conducted for the assessment of DNA methylation markers motivated the comparison of ROC umbrella surfaces which is developed in this article using U‐statistics and bootstrap methodology. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Blinded Sample Size Reestimation in Non‐Inferiority Trials with Binary Endpoints
Authors: Friede Tim , Mitchell Charles , Müller‐Velten Günther
Published: August 2007

Sample size calculations in the planning of clinical trials depend on good estimates of the model parameters involved. When the estimates of these parameters have a high degree of uncertainty attached to them, it is advantageous to reestimate the sample size after an internal pilot study. For non‐inferiority trials with binary outcome we compare the performance of Type I error rate and power between fixed‐size designs and designs with sample size reestimation. The latter design shows itself to be effective in correcting sample size and power of the tests when misspecification of nuisance parameters occurs with the former design. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Testing and Estimating the Non‐Disjunction Fraction in Meiosis I using Reference Priors
Authors: Loschi Rosangela H. , Monteiro João V. D. , Rocha Gustavo H. M. A. , Mayrink Vinicius D.
Published: August 2007

In this paper we analyze the fraction of non‐disjunction in Meiosis I assuming reference (non‐informative) priors. We consider Jeffreys's approach to built a non‐informative prior (Jeffreys's prior) for the fraction of non‐disjunction in Meiosis I. We prove that Jeffreys's prior is a proper distribution. We perform Monte Carlo studies in order to compare Bayes estimates obtained assuming Jeffreys's and uniform priors. We consider full Bayesian significance test (FBST) and Bayes factor (BF) for testing precise hypothesis on the fraction of non‐disjunction in Meiosis I. The ultimate goal of this paper is to compare these two test procedures through simulation studies using both prior specifications. An application to Down Syndrome data is also presented. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
High Pressure for Dispersing and Deagglomerating Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Sauter C. , Schuchmann H. P.
Published: August 2007

Dispersing particles in a solution is a key requirement for a great variety of industrial products and processes, including pigments in coating applications or fillers in polymers. To be highly functional in the finished product, nanoparticles are required to be finely and homogeneously dispersed. As nanoparticles are often highly aggregated due to van der Waals interactions and sintering bonds, high stresses must be exerted on the constituent particles. High pressure dispersion is a promising new technology for deagglomerating and reducing process time and energy. Taking account of the influence of different mechanisms causing aggregate disruption, homogenizing pressure and nozzle geometry are the key process parameters. Therefore, adapting the nozzle geometry can lead to a targeted improvement of dispersion efficiency.
α‐Phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone‐Type Derivatives Bound to β‐Cyclodextrins: Syntheses, Thermokinetics of Self‐Inclusion and Application to Superoxide Spin‐Trapping
Authors: Bardelang David , Charles Laurence , Finet Jean‐Pierre , Jicsinszky Laszlo , Karoui Hakim , Marque Sylvain R. A. , Monnier Valérie , Rockenbauer Antal , Rosas Roseline , Tordo Paul
Published: August 2007

α‐Phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone (PBN) derivatives bound to β‐cyclodextrin derivatives have been synthesized. Inclusion of the PBN group into the β‐cyclodextrin moiety is host‐ and temperature‐dependent. In the case of the nitrone linked to permethylated cyclodextrin (Me3CD‐PBN), the thermokinetic parameters are in favour of a slow chemical exchange between a tight and a loose complex. In contrast, 2,6‐di‐O‐Me‐β‐cyclodextrin‐grafted PBN (Me2CD‐PBN) exists either in a fast exchange or as a strongly self‐associated complex. The covalent cyclodextrin–PBN compounds have been used to trap carbon and oxygen‐centred free radicals. The self‐associated forms of the β‐CD‐spin‐traps are compatible with effective spin‐trapping, affording spin‐adducts with enhanced EPR signal intensities relative to noncovalent CD–nitrone systems or the nitrone alone. This kind of cyclodextrin‐bound nitrone is the first type of covalent supramolecular spin‐trap and should open new possibilities for the study of biological free radicals in vivo.
Expression of the homeodomain transcription factor Meis2 in the embryonic and postnatal retina
Authors: Bumsted‐O'Brien Keely M. , Hendrickson Anita , Haverkamp Silke , Ashery‐Padan Ruth , Schulte Dorothea
Published: August 2007

Members of the Meis subfamily of homeodomain‐containing transcription factors play important roles during development and disease. Here we report that the Meis family protein Meis2 is expressed by a subpopulation of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic amacrine (AM) cells in the adult and embryonic retina of different vertebrate species. In mice, Meis2‐expressing (Meis2+) AM cells are not cholinergic or dopaminergic, but some are immunoreactive for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (bNOS). About 50% of the mouse Meis2+ AM cell population expresses the calcium‐binding protein calretinin, and some Meis2+ AM cells show characteristics of Type II CD‐15+ cells. AM cell expression of Meis2 is lost in a conditional knockout mouse model for Pax6, indicating a dependency upon Pax6. Bromodeoxyuridine pulse labeling experiments and immunohistochemical staining for the neuronal marker NeuN in embryonic mouse retinae indicate that Meis2 is an early marker for newly postmitotic AM cells. In addition, taking advantage of the protracted retinal development in humans, we show that newly generated AM cells express Meis2 before adopting the GABAergic or glycinergic neurotransmitter phenotype. As development proceeds, some AM cells lose Meis2 expression concomitantly with the appearance of glycine, while other AM cells retain Meis2 expression after they express GABA. These data identify Meis2 as a suitable marker for the study of AM cell diversity and development in addition to providing evidence for the stepwise specification of the glycinergic and GABAergic neurotransmitter phenotypes during AM cell differentiation. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:58–72, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glutamate and its metabotropic receptor in Drosophila clock neuron circuits
Authors: Hamasaka Yasutaka , Rieger Dirk , Parmentier Marie‐Laure , Grau Yves , Helfrich‐Förster Charlotte , Nässel Dick R.
Published: August 2007

Identification of the neurotransmitters in clock neurons is critical for understanding the circuitry of the neuronal network that controls the daily behavioral rhythms in Drosophila. Except for the neuropeptide pigment‐dispersing factor, no neurotransmitters have been clearly identified in the Drosophila clock neurons. Here we show that glutamate and its metabotropic receptor, DmGluRA, are components of the clock circuitry and modulate the rhythmic behavior pattern of Drosophila. The dorsal clock neurons, DN1s in the larval brain and some DN1s and DN3s in the adult brain, were immunolabeled with antibodies against Drosophila vesicular glutamate transporter (DvGluT), suggesting that they are glutamatergic. Because the DN1s may communicate with the primary pacemaker neurons, s‐LNvs, we tested glutamate responses of dissociated larval s‐LNvs by means of calcium imaging. Application of glutamate dose dependently decreased intracellular calcium in the s‐LNvs. Pharmacology of the response suggests the presence of DmGluRA on the s‐LNvs. Antibodies against DmGluRA labeled dissociated s‐LNvs and the LNv dendrites in the intact larval and adult brain. The role of metabotropic glutamate signaling was tested in behavior assays in transgenic larvae and flies with altered DmGluRA expression in the LNvs and other clock neurons. Larval photophobic behavior was enhanced in DmGluRA mutants. For adults, we could induce altered activity patterns in the dark phase under LD conditions and increase the period during constant darkness by knockdown of DmGluRA expression in LNvs. Our results suggest that a glutamate signal from some of the DNs modulates the rhythmic behavior pattern via DmGluRA on the LNvs in Drosophila. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:32–45, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling components in Drosophila: Immunocytochemical localization of GABAB receptors in relation to the GABAA receptor subunit RDL and a vesicular GABA transporter
Authors: Enell Lina , Hamasaka Yasutaka , Kolodziejczyk Agata , Nässel Dick R.
Published: August 2007

γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in insects and is widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS). GABA acts on ion channel receptors (GABAAR) for fast inhibitory transmission and on G‐protein‐coupled ones (GABABR) for slow and modulatory action. We used immunocytochemistry to map GABABR sites in the Drosophila CNS and compared the distribution with that of the GABAAR subunit RDL. To identify GABAergic synapses, we raised an antiserum to the vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT). For general GABA distribution, we utilized an antiserum to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD1) and a gad1‐GAL4 to drive green fluorescent protein. GABABR‐immunoreactive (IR) punctates were seen in specific patterns in all major neuropils of the brain. Most abundant labeling was seen in the mushroom body calyces, ellipsoid body, optic lobe neuropils, and antennal lobes. The RDL distribution is very similar to that of GABABR‐IR punctates. However, the mushroom body lobes displayed RDL‐IR but not GABABR‐IR material, and there were subtle differences in other areas. The vGAT antiserum labeled punctates in the same areas as the GABABR and appeared to display presynaptic sites of GABAergic neurons. Various GAL4 drivers were used to analyze the relation between GABABR distribution and identified neurons in adults and larvae. Our findings suggest that slow GABA transmission is very widespread in the Drosophila CNS and that fast RDL‐mediated transmission generally occurs at the same sites. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:18–31, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Numerical analysis for dynamic transmissibility of a mixed nonlinear shock absorber
Authors: Yang Ping
Published: August 2007

The objective of this paper is to present a systematic numerical analysis for a mixed nonlinear model of shock absorber under vibration excitation. The mixed nonlinear model is presented for attenuating vibration by considering the coupling of quadratic damping, viscosity damping, Coulomb damping and nonlinear spring forces. An approximate computational analytical solution for the dynamic transmissibility of the shock absorber was deduced by combining Fourier transforms and the harmonic balance method with deterministic excitation. The mathematical characteristics of the dynamic transmissibility were analyzed to illustrate the dynamic performance of the shock absorber. The results show multiple solutions, especially the low‐frequency attenuation characteristics below the resonance frequency. The results
provide a theoretical basis for the design of nonlinear shock absorbers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A definition of and linguistic support for partial quiescence
Authors: Man Billy Yan‐Kit , Chan Hiu Ning (Angela) , Gallagher Andrew J. , Goundan Appu S. , Keen Aaron W. , Olsson Ronald A.
Published: August 2007

The global quiescence (GQ) of a distributed computation (or distributed termination detection) is an important problem. Some concurrent programming languages and systems provide GQ detection as a built‐in feature so that programmers do not need to write special synchronization code to detect quiescence. This paper introducespartial quiescence(PQ), which generalizes quiescence detection to a specified part of a distributed computation. PQ is useful, for example, when two independent concurrent computations that both rely on GQ need to be combined into a single program. The paper describes how we have designed and implemented a PQ mechanism within an experimental version of the JR concurrent programming language, and have gained experience with several representative applications. Our early results are promising qualitatively and quantitatively. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hemivannusal and Prevannusadials – New Sesquiterpenoids from the Marine Ciliate Protist Euplotes vannus: The Putative Biogenetic Precursors of Dimeric Terpenoid Vannusals
Authors: Guella Graziano , Callone Emanuela , Di Giuseppe Graziano , Frassanito Rita , Frontini Francesco P. , Mancini Ines , Dini Fernando
Published: August 2007

Hemivannusal (6), a bicyclic sesquiterpenoid with an unprecedented skeleton, has been isolated from the marine ciliate Euplotes vannus (strain TB6). The relative configuration of 6 has been established through an extended conformational search performed by molecular mechanics and refined through ab initio quantum chemical calculations. Another strain (CM1) of the same morphospecies has been found to produce the linear prevannusadial A (7) and the monocyclic prevannusadial B (8), which could represent key intermediates for the biosynthesis both of hemivannusal (6) and of the C30 terpenoids vannusals A and B (5a and 5b), the latter pair being metabolites isolated from conspecific strains (Sil21 and BUN3) of the same E. vannus morphospecies. The occurrence of hemivannusal (6) in mass cell cultures both of an E. vannus endosymbiont‐free strain and of a penicillin‐treated E. vannus bacteria‐infected strain strongly suggests that its biosynthesis is coded by the ciliates and not by prokaryotic endosymbiont genes. The pattern of the secondary metabolites isolated so far from different strains of E. vannus allows us not only to assign them a chemotaxonomic significance, but also to propose a unifying picture of their biogenesis.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Efficient, Rhodium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of α‐Dehydroamino Acid Esters with Chiral Monodentate Aminophosphanes Bearing Two Binaphthyl Groups
Authors: Eberhardt Luc , Armspach Dominique , Matt Dominique , Toupet Loic , Oswald Benoît
Published: August 2007

All four stereoisomers of 4‐{4,5‐dihydro‐3H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]azepin‐4‐yl}dinaphtho[2,1‐d:1′,2′‐f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepine have been prepared from (R or S)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diyl chlorophosphite and the appropriate dinaphtho‐azepine. When reacted with [Rh(1,5‐cyclooctadiene)2]BF4, highly active catalysts for the hydrogenation of α‐dehydroamino acid esters were obtained. The highest enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee) were achieved with the phosphoramidites having two chiral binaphthyl groups with opposite configurations. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Power system harmonics research: a survey
Authors: Singh G. K.
Published: August 2007

The increased use of power electronic controlled equipment, such as variable speed drives, automated production lines, personal computers and non‐linear electronic devices in power systems has given rise to a type of voltage and current waveform distortion called as ‘harmonics’. Harmonic can be defined as the undesirable components of a distorted periodic waveform whose frequencies are the integer multiples (non‐integer multiples in case of inter‐harmonics, and the frequency less than fundamental frequency in case of sub‐harmonics) of the fundamental frequency. Presence of these harmonics results in increased losses, equipment heating and loss‐of‐life, and interference with protection, control and communication circuits as well as customer loads. The research has been underway since very beginning for control of power system harmonics and to supply consumers with reliable and ‘clean’ fundamental‐frequency sinusoidal electric power that does not represent a damaging threat to their equipment. This paper, therefore, reviews the progress made in power system harmonics research and development since its inception. Attempts are also made to highlight the current and future issues involved in the development of quality and reliable electric power technology for future applications. A list of 145 research publications on the subject is also appended for a quick reference. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A divergence‐free interpolation scheme for the immersed boundary method
Authors: Muldoon Frank , Acharya Sumanta
Published: August 2007

The immersed boundary approach for the modeling of complex geometries in incompressible flows is examined critically from the perspective of satisfying boundary conditions and mass conservation. It is shown that the system of discretized equations for mass and momentum can be inconsistent, if the velocity is used in defining the force density to satisfy the boundary conditions. As a result, the velocity is generally not divergence free and the pressure at locations in the vicinity of the immersed boundary is not physical. However, the use of the pseudo‐velocities in defining the force density, as frequently done when the governing equations are solved using a fractional step or projection method, combined with the use of the specified velocity on the immersed boundary, is shown to result in a consistent set of equations which allows a divergence‐free velocity but, depending on the time step, is shown to have the undesirable effects of inaccurately satisfying the boundary conditions and allowing a significant permeability of the immersed boundary. If the time step is reduced sufficiently, the boundary conditions on the immersed boundary can be satisfied. However, this entails an unacceptable increase in computational expense. Two new methods that satisfy the boundary conditions and allow a divergence‐free velocity while avoiding the increased computational expense are presented and shown to be second‐order accurate in space. The first new method is based on local time step reduction. This method is suitable for problems where the immersed boundary does not move. For these problems, the first new method is shown to be closely related to the second new method. The second new method uses an optimization scheme to minimize the deviation from the interpolation stencil used to represent the immersed boundary while ensuring a divergence‐free velocity. This method performs well for all problems, including those where the immersed boundary moves relative to the grid. Additional results include showing that the force density that is added to satisfy the boundary conditions at the immersed boundary is unbounded as the time step is reduced and that the pressure in the vicinity of the immersed boundary is unphysical, being strongly a function of the time step. A method of computing the total force on an immersed boundary which takes into account the specifics of the numerical solver used in the iterative process and correctly computes the total force irrespective of the residual level is also presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preserving bounded and conservative solutions of transport in one‐dimensional shallow‐water flow with upwind numerical schemes: Application to fertigation and solute transport in rivers
Authors: Burguete J. , García‐Navarro P. , Murillo J.
Published: August 2007

This work intends to show that conservative upwind schemes based on a separate discretization of the scalar solute transport from the shallow‐water equations are unable to preserve uniform solute profiles in situations of one‐dimensional unsteady subcritical flow. However, the coupled discretization of the system is proved to lead to the correct solution in first‐order approximations. This work is also devoted to show that, when using a coupled discretization, a careful definition of the flux limiter function in second‐order TVD schemes is required in order to preserve uniform solute profiles. The work shows that, in cases of subcritical irregular flow, the coupled discretization is necessary but nevertheless not sufficient to ensure concentration distributions free from oscillations and a method to avoid these oscillations is proposed. Examples of steady and unsteady flows in test cases, river and irrigation are presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discontinuous Galerkin method for a class of elliptic multi‐scale problems
Authors: Yuan Ling , Shu Chi‐Wang
Published: August 2007

In this paper we develop a discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method for solving a class of second‐order elliptic multi‐scale problems. The main ingredient of this method is to use a non‐polynomial multi‐scale approximation space in the DG method to capture the multi‐scale solutions using coarse meshes without resolving the fine‐scale structure of the solution. We perform analysis on the approximation, stability and error estimates, and provide numerical results to demonstrate the proposed method. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of burnt schist outcrops in the alps: Relation to historical archaeology and Hannibal's crossing in 218 B.C.
Authors: Mahaney William C. , Milner Michael W. , Sodhi Rana , Dorn Ronald I. , Boccia Sal , Beukens Roelf P. , Tricart Pierre , Schwartz Stéphane , Chamorro‐Perrez Eva , Barendregt René W. , Kalm Volli , Dirszowsky Randy W.
Published: August 2007

Identification of the exact route followed by Hannibal during his invasion of Italia in the Second Punic War is one of the major questions of antiquity and one that historians/archaeologists have long studied. One of the many clues in the ancient literature that can help answer this question is the mention of fired rock, the result of a conflagration Hannibal is reputed to have employed to reduce the size of boulders in a blocking rockslide some distance down from the high col on the Italian side. The only route with evidence of fired rock along the roadway leading into Italia follows the Col du Clapier, one of the possible northern routes discussed by historians. Radiocarbon dating of calcined rocks is not possible, but whereas Time‐of‐Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM‐EDS), backscatter electron scanning microscopy (BSE), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM), and Raman Spectroscopic data do not provide an age for the burnt rock, compositional evidence of the conflagration derived from these analyses may shed light on Hannibal's actual route. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correlates of knowledge and beliefs about depression among long‐term care staff
Authors: Ayalon Liat , Arean Patricia , Bornfeld Heather
Published: August 2007

Context

Despite the high prevalence of depression in long‐term care (LTC), it often is unrecognized and inadequately treated. Thus, the goals of the present study were to evaluate LTC staff characteristics that are associated with knowledge and beliefs about depression.

Methods

A cross sectional study of 371 LTC staff members completed a knowledge and beliefs about depression questionnaire, a short demographic questionnaire, a burden measure, and a questionnaire about attitudes associated with working with depressed residents.

Results

Relative to nurses, social workers, and activity staff, paraprofessional caregivers had a lower score on the depression measure and a higher score on the burden measure. Paraprofessional caregivers were more likely to view depression as a normal phenomenon, held less accurate beliefs about signs and symptoms of depression, and were less familiar with the effectiveness of specific treatments of depression.

Conclusions

Educational interventions about depression should be specifically geared to meet the needs of paraprofessional caregivers who provide the majority of care to LTC residents, yet possess less knowledge about depression and its treatments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Practice style in the nursing home: dimensions for assessment and quality improvement
Authors: Cohen‐Mansfield Jiska , Parpura‐Gill Aleksandra
Published: August 2007

Objective

Based on research staff observations during several studies in nursing homes and the findings of other studies, we propose a nomenclature of components of care for the elderly in nursing homes. The paper seeks thereby to operationalize those aspects of the nursing home practice style that can be improved.

Methods

This operationalization examines two main components (staff and institutional components) of practice style of care in nursing homes. Four domains characterize staff conduct (knowledge, practice style proficiency, flexibility and individualization of care and communication) and three domains define institutional conduct (staff support, resources and flexibility/rigidity of policies).

Results

The paper addresses critical aspects of staff conduct, and by extension, key features that require training, monitoring, and systemic change. Examples for each domain of practice style are provided.

Conclusions

After systematically reviewing the observations and findings it was concluded that enhancing practice styles in the nursing home requires knowledge, communication, flexibility, understanding, and genuine concern on the part of nursing home staff and administrators at all levels. We acknowledge and understand, of course, that changing practice styles in nursing homes is a difficult and time‐consuming process. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The specificity of neuropsychological impairment in predicting antidepressant non‐response in the very old depressed
Authors: Sneed Joel R. , Keilp John G. , Brickman Adam M. , Roose Steven P.
Published: August 2007

Objective

In an earlier report, response inhibition predict antidepressant non‐response in late‐life depression (Sneed et al., 2007). The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether this effect is specific to response inhibition or whether impairment in other cognitive domains also predicts non‐response.

Method

Older depressed patients (n = 84) enrolled in an 8‐week trial of citalopram were classified as impaired or non‐impaired relative to the sample on mental status, psychomotor speed, reaction time, spatial judgment, and memory, and contrasted with regard to antidepressant response.

Results

Patients who were impaired relative to the sample on digit symbol performance did not respond as quickly to citalopram as those who were unimpaired. By the end of the 8‐week trial, however, both groups reached the same level of response. Impairment in other domains had no impact on antidepressant response.

Conclusions

Non‐response was not attributable to impairment on any of the neuropsychological tests suggesting that antidepressant non‐response is specific to impaired response inhibition. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.