bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The concept of hydrological connectivity and its contribution to understanding runoff‐dominated geomorphic systems
Authors: Bracken Louise J. , Croke Jacky
Published: February 2007

The term ‘connectivity’ is increasingly being applied in hydrological and geomorphological studies. Relevant research encompasses aspects of landscape connectivity, hydrological connectivity and sedimentological connectivity. Unlike other disciplines, notably ecology, published studies show no consensus on a standard definition. This paper provides an overview of how existing research relates to the concept of connectivity in both ecology and hydrology by proposing and evaluating a conceptual model of hydrological connectivity that includes five major components: climate; hillslope runoff potential; landscape position; delivery pathway and lateral connectivity. We also evaluate a proposed measure of connectivity called the volume to breakthrough to quantify changing connectivity between different environments and catchments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pollinex® Quattro Ragweed: safety evaluation of a new allergy vaccine adjuvanted with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL®) for the treatment of ragweed pollen allergy
Authors: Baldrick Paul , Richardson Derek , Woroniecki Stefan R. , Lees Beverley
Published: February 2007

A novel allergy vaccine (Pollinex® Quattro Ragweed) has been developed for the prevention or relief of allergic symptoms caused by pollen from Ambrosia spp. (ragweed). An extract from the pollen (chemically modified by glutaraldehyde) is adsorbed onto l‐tyrosine with addition of the immunostimulatory adjuvant, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL®). A specific preclinical safety testing strategy was developed to support clinical use and comprised reference to preclinical data available for the marketed non‐MPL® adjuvanted form of the ragweed vaccine (Pollinex® R) and a new repeat dose toxicity study in the rat. Studies with Pollinex® R comprised single dose subcutaneous toxicity studies in mice and rats, repeat dose (10 injections over 20 days) parenteral toxicity studies in rats and dogs, an in vitro gene mutation assay along with single and multiple injection local tolerance studies in rats and dogs. The repeat dose subcutaneous toxicity study with Pollinex® Quattro Ragweed involved seven injections over 3 weeks (which was more aggressive than the four weekly doses used in the clinic) with dose levels of up to 0.5 ml per animal used. Overall, the product showed no toxicological findings of significance at levels greatly in excess of those proposed for clinical use. As is a feature with vaccination, some dose site irritation was seen. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Angiotensin II type 1 and bradykinin B2 receptors expressed in early stage epithelial cells derived from human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Huang Zhenhua , Yu Jun , Toselli Paul , Bhawan Jag , Sudireddy Vasanthi , Taylor Linda , Polgar Peter
Published: February 2007

When human embryonic stem (hES) cells were placed into suspension culture followed by culture on BD matrigel™ coated plates in the presence of medium conditioned by NIH‐3T3 cells, they differentiated into cells of which more than 95% stained positive for keratin 8 by day 14, demonstrating that the hES cells had committed to an epithelial lineage. Approximately 50% of the keratin 8 staining cells became positive for cytokeratin 14 after 26 days. Binding experiments supported by real time PCR showed that the expression of bradykinin B2 (BKB2) and angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors accompanied this differentiation. Neither receptor was expressed in the pluripotent H9 stem cells. However, transduction of the hES cells with lentivirus containing BKB2 or AT1R cDNA resulted in ligand binding and ERK1/2 activation but not in Gαi or Gαq coupled signaling. In the differentiated cells, both BKB2R and AT1R were expressed constitutively and effected typical Gαi and Gαq coupled signaling characterized by the release of arachidonate, generation of inositol phosphates, and Ca2+ mobilization. These signals were abolished by the receptor antagonists, losartan, and HOE 140. Angiotensin II and bradykinin also stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p70S6 in the differentiated cells. Our results demonstrate that human embryonic stem cells can be differentiated effectively into the epithelial lineage and that when differentiated express functional, signaling AT1 and BKB2 receptors. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 816–825, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
T cell exosomes induce cholesterol accumulation in human monocytes via phosphatidylserine receptor
Authors: Zakharova Liudmila , Svetlova Maria , Fomina Alla F.
Published: February 2007

Activated T lymphocytes release vesicles, termed exosomes, enriched in cholesterol and exposing phosphatidylserine (PS) at their outer membrane leaflet. Although CD4+ activated T lymphocytes infiltrate an atherosclerotic plaque, the effects of T cell exosomes on the atheroma‐associated cells are not known. We report here that exosomes isolated from the supernatants of activated human CD4+ T cells enhance cholesterol accumulation in cultured human monocytes and THP‐1 cells. Lipid droplets found in the cytosol of exosome‐treated monocytes contained both cholesterol ester and free cholesterol. Anti‐phosphatidylserine receptor antibodies recognized surface protein on the monocyte plasma membrane and prevented exosome‐induced cholesterol accumulation, indicating that exosome internalization is mediated via endogenous phosphatidylserine receptor. The production of proinflammatory cytokine TNF‐α enhanced in parallel with monocyte cholesterol accumulation. Our data strongly indicate that exosomes released by activated T cells may represent a powerful, previously unknown, atherogenic factor. J. Cell. Physiol. 212: 174–181, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide regulates matrix metalloproteinase, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase, and plasminogen activator production by human gingival fibroblasts: A potential role in connective tissue destruction
Authors: Bodet Charles , Andrian Elisoa , Tanabe Shin‐ichi , Grenier Daniel
Published: February 2007

Fibroblasts, a major constituent of gingival connective tissue, can produce immunoregulatory cytokines and proteolytic enzymes that may contribute to tissue destruction. In this study, we evaluated the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs), and plasminogen activators by gingival fibroblasts stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) produced by periodontopathogens, including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. In addition, changes in the expression and phosphorylation state of fibroblast intracellular signaling proteins induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS were characterized using antibody microarrays. We showed that A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS induced the production of a 50 kDa plasminogen activator, MMP‐2 and, to a lesser extent, MMP‐3 by fibroblasts. The stimulation of fibroblasts with A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS also resulted in the overproduction of TIMP‐1, but had no effect on the production of TIMP‐2. Comparable responses were also obtained with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum LPS. The results of the microarray analyses showed that A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS induced changes in the phosphorylation state and expression of gingival fibroblast intracellular signaling proteins. More specifically, they suggested that A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS may induce both Jun N‐terminus protein‐serine kinases (JNK) and mitogen‐activated protein‐serine kinase p38 alpha (p38α MAPK) pathway activation, leading to increased activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) and nuclear factor kappa‐B (NFκB) activities, which in turn can stimulate MMP‐2, MMP‐3, TIMP‐1, and urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) expression. This may contribute to periodontal connective tissue destruction. J. Cell. Physiol. 212: 189–194, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oscillating fluid flow activation of gap junction hemichannels induces atp release from MLO‐Y4 osteocytes
Authors: Genetos Damian C. , Kephart Curtis J. , Zhang Yue , Yellowley Clare E. , Donahue Henry J.
Published: February 2007

Mechanical loads are required for optimal bone mass. One mechanism whereby mechanical loads are transduced into localized cellular signals is strain‐induced fluid flow through lacunae and canaliculi of bone. Gap junctions (GJs) between osteocytes and osteoblasts provides a mechanism whereby flow‐induced signals are detected by osteocytes and transduced to osteoblasts. We have demonstrated the importance of GJ and gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in intracellular calcium and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) increases in response to flow. Unapposed connexons, or hemichannels, are themselves functional and may constitute a novel mechanotransduction mechanism. Using MC3T3‐E1 osteoblasts and MLO‐Y4 osteocytes, we examined the time course and mechanism of hemichannel activation in response to fluid flow, the composition of the hemichannels, and the role of hemichannels in flow‐induced ATP release. We demonstrate that fluid flow activates hemichannels in MLO‐Y4, but not MC3T3‐E1, through a mechanism involving protein kinase C, which induces ATP and PGE2 release.. J. Cell. Physiol. 212: 207–214, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tripartite Ramsey numbers for paths
Authors: Gyárfás András , Ruszinkó Miklós , Sárközy Gábor N. , Szemerédi Endre
Published: February 2007

In this article, we study the tripartite Ramsey numbers of paths. We show that in any two‐coloring of the edges of the complete tripartite graph K(n, n, n) there is a monochromatic path of length (1 − o(1))2n. Since R(P2n+1,P2n+1)=3n, this means that the length of the longest monochromatic path is about the same when two‐colorings of K3n and K(n, n, n) are considered. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 55: 164–174, 2007
Non‐invasive probing of pharmaceutical capsules using transmission Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Matousek P. , Parker A. W.
Published: February 2007

We demonstrate how transmission Raman geometry can be effectively used for non‐invasive probing of the content of pharmaceutical capsules. This approach is particularly beneficial in situations where the conventional Raman backscattering method is hampered or fails because of excessive surface Raman or fluorescence signals emanating from the capsule shell material, which pollute the much weaker subsurface Raman signals with undesired noise. It is demonstrated that such interfering signals can be effectively suppressed by the transmission geometry. The ability to avoid surface fluorescence and Raman signals in conjunction with the superior, bulk‐probing properties of the transmission Raman geometry provides an analytical technique ideally suited for fast on‐line process control monitoring applications in pharmaceutical industry where rapid, chemically specific bulk analysis is required. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Single‐molecule detection of thionine on aggregated gold nanoparticles by surface enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Ruan Chuanmin , Wang Wei , Gu Baohua
Published: February 2007

We report observations of single‐molecule detection of thionine and its dynamic interactions on aggregated gold nanoparticle clusters using surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Spectral intensities were found to be independent of the size of Au nanoparticles studied (from 17 to 80 nm) at thionine concentration below 10−12 M or at single‐molecule concentration levels. Raman line separations and, in particular, spectral fluctuations and blinking were also observed, suggesting temporal changes in single molecular motion and/or arrangements of thionine on Au nanoparticle surfaces. In contrast, by using dispersed Au nanoparticles, only ensemble SERS spectra could be observed at relatively high concentrations (> 10−8 M thionine), and spectral intensities varied with the size of Au nanoparticles. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser Micro Sintering – a Versatile Instrument for the Generation of Microparts
Authors: Regenfuß Peter , Ebert Robby , Exner Horst
Published: February 2007

Miniaturization is one of the main imperatives in high‐tech development and therefore a persistent challenge for mechanical engineering. Recently a freeform technique – Laser Micro Sintering – has been developed by which micro parts with an overall resolution of 30 μm can be produced from powder materials. The technique is a generative freeform fabrication method based on selective laser sintering; it can produce hollows and undercuts and does not afford shape‐specific tools. Functional micro bodies can be generated from metals and ceramics.
Laser Sources for Ultrashort Pulses – Oscillators and Amplifiers for Various Applications
Authors: Paschotta Rüdiger
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Femtosecond time‐resolved spectroscopy on biological photoreceptor chromophores
Authors: Schmitt M. , Dietzek B. , Hermann G. , Popp J.
Published: February 2007

This paper reviews our results on femtosecond time‐resolved spectroscopy (transient absorption, transient‐grating and fluorescence spectroscopy) to study the photophysics and photochemistry of the two very important biological photoreceptor chromophores phycocyanobilin (PCB) and protochlorophyllide a (PChla). The compound PCB serves as a model chromophore for the photoreceptor phytochrome. By means of transient‐grating spectroscopy where the excitation wavelength was varied ove
r the spectral region of the S0→ S1‐absorption the ultrafast processes were studied upon excitation with varying excess energy delivered to the system. On the basis of the results obtained, both the rate of the photoreaction in PCB and the rate of the decay of different excited‐state species via different decay channels depend on the excitation wavelength. Furthermore, transient absorption experiments illuminating the excited‐state dynamics of PChla, a porphyrin‐like compound and, as substrate of
the NADPH/protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR), a precursor of the chlorophyll biosynthesis are presented. In addition to pump‐energy‐dependent measurements performed with PChla dissolved in methanol, the excited‐state dynamics of PChla was interrogated in different solvents that were chosen to mimic different environmental conditions. In addition to the femtosecond time‐resolved absorption experiments the picosecond time‐resolved fluorescence of the system was studied. The transient absorption and tim
e‐resolved fluorescence data allow suggesting a detailed model for the excited‐state relaxation of PChla describing the excited‐state processes in terms of a branching of the initially excited state population into a reactive and nonreactive path. Thus, the excited‐state potential energy surface exhibits two distinct S1 and Sx minima separated from the Franck–Condon region along two most likely orthogonal reaction coordinates. Finally, the model derived is related to models suggested to acco
unt for the reduction of PChla to chlorophyllide a within the natural enzymatic environment of POR.
Gender‐related neuronal and smooth muscle damage of guinea pig isolated urinary bladder from anoxia‐glucopenia and reperfusion injury and its relationship to glycogen content
Authors: Pessina Federica , Valeri Aurora , Dragoni Stefania , Valoti Massimo , Sgaragli Giampietro
Published: February 2007

Aims

To investigate the effects of anoxia and glucopenia (A‐G) on both male and female guinea pig urinary bladder.

Methods

In whole bladders superfused with oxygenated Krebs' solution, intrinsic nerves underwent electrical field stimulation (EFS) and smooth muscle stimulated with carbachol, ATP, and high potassium. The effect of 1, 2, or 3 hr A‐G on the contractile response and the ensuing recovery in Krebs' solution, was monitored. Glycogen content in male and female urinary bladders was also measured.

Results

Under different stimuli male urinary bladder proved to contract more efficiently than female organ. After 1 hr A‐G the EFS response of male urinary bladder was virtually abolished and returned to 60% of control response in the recovery phase; in female bladder the EFS responses fully recovered during the reperfusion phase. Full recovery of the response to carbachol, ATP, and high potassium stimulations was observed in both genders. A‐G had to be extended to 2 hr to cause smooth muscle impairment (higher in male than in female) and a neuronal impairment in female urinary bladders. When 2‐deoxyglucose (2‐DG), an inhibitor of glycolysis, was added during 1 hr A‐G, both neuronal and smooth muscle damages were significantly enhanced in male, as well as, though to a lesser extent, in female bladder. A significantly higher glycogen content was observed in female as compared to male bladders, which was inversely related with the duration of exposure to A‐G.

Conclusions

The higher resistance of female urinary bladder to A‐G/reperfusion, can be partly ascribed to the higher glycogen content. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:416–423, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A remark on model reduction for singular systems
Authors: Liu Chao , Zhang Qingling , Duan Xiaodong
Published: February 2007

This note comments on the results of the following two papers, ‘model reduction problem for singular systemsviacovariance approximation’ (Optim. Contr. Appl. Meth.2004;25:263–278) and ‘A remark on model reduction for singular systemsviacovariance approximation’ (Optim. Contr. Appl. Meth.2006;27:293–298), which all studied the model reduction for singular systems. In this note the model reduction for singular systems is investigated based on particle swarm optimization and the error criterionviacovariance approximation. The reduced model for singular systems obtained in this note is stable and impulse controllable. Furthermore, compared with the above two papers, the reduced‐order system approximates the original system better. Finally, an example is provided to show the effectiveness and improvement of the proposed algorithm. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transient and dynamic control of a variable speed wind turbine with synchronous generator
Authors: Jauch Clemens
Published: February 2007

In this article, a controller for dynamic and transient control of a variable speed wind turbine with a full‐scale converter‐connected high‐speed synchronous generator is presented. First, the phenomenon of drive train oscillations in wind turbines with full‐scale converter‐connected generators is discussed. Based on this discussion, a controller is presented that dampens these oscillations without impacting on the power that the wind turbine injects into the grid. Since wind turbines are increasingly demanded to take over power system stabilizing and control tasks, the presented wind turbine design is further enhanced to support the grid in transient grid events. A controller is designed that allows the wind turbine to ride through transient grid faults. Since such faults often cause power system oscillations, another controller is added that enables the turbine to participate in the damping of such oscillations. It is concluded that the controllers presented keep the wind turbine stable under any operating conditions, and that they are capable of adding substantial damping to the power system. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Housing for the aging population
Authors: Demirkan Halime
Published: February 2007

Based on the concept of ‘aging in place,’ design of houses in the past years are explored. Design features in the built environment become barriers for aging people with functional limitations. Initially, houses were designed according to the required needs of the user with the physical limitations. Later, adaptable house design was introduced that allows the house to meet the specific needs of the user, while maintaining the appearance of the house until more obvious accessibility features are needed. Today, ‘design for all’ is recognised as a tool for ensuring physical accessibility for aging people. The holistic perspective embedded in the universal design theory should be systematically and consistently developed during the design process.
Influence of thyroid hormones on maturation of rat cerebellar astrocytes
Authors: Manzano Jimena , Bernal Juan , Morte Beatriz
Published: February 2007

Thyroid hormone influences brain maturation through interaction with nuclear receptors and regulation of gene expression. Their role on astrocyte maturation remains unclear. We have analyzed the role of thyroid hormone in rat cerebellar astrocyte maturation by comparing the sequential patterns of intermediate filament expression in normal and hypothyroid animals. During normal development astroglial cells sequentially express nestin, vimentin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Differentiated astrocytes appeared in the superior medullary vellum by postnatal day 2 and reached the white mater and internal granular layer by postnatal day 4. Intermediate filament marker expression was transiently lost from postnatal days 6 to 8 in anterior lobes, without an increased apoptosis. Vimentin expression was replaced by glial fibrillary acidic protein between postnatal days 10 and 32. The differentiated astrocytes were evenly distributed throughout the cerebellar slices, including the internal granular layer. Differences between normal and hypothyroid rats were observed starting from postnatal day 4, with lack of differentiated astrocytes in the internal granular layer. The transient decrease of astrocyte markers immunoreactivity in the anterior lobe did not take place in hypothyroid rats. The vimentin–glial fibrillary acidic protein transition was delayed and most differentiated astrocytes remained confined to the white matter. The results indicate that thyroid hormone deficiency induces a delay and a partial arrest of astrocyte differentiation. Astrocytes express thyroid hormone receptor α and β subtypes suggesting that astrocytes are direct target cells of thyroid hormones.
Reduction of erythroid progenitors in protein–energy malnutrition
Authors: Borelli Primavera , Blatt Solange , Pereira Juliana , Beutler de Maurino Beatriz , Tsujita Maristela , Cristina de Souza Ana , Guilherme Xavier José , Ambrósio Fock Ricardo
Published: February 2007

Protein–energy malnutrition is a syndrome in which anaemia together with multivitamin and mineral deficiency may be present. The pathophysiological mechanisms involved have not, however, yet been completely elucidated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pathophysiological processes that occur in this anaemia in animals that were submitted to protein–energy malnutrition, in particular with respect to Fe concentration and the proliferative activity of haemopoietic cells. For this, histological, histochemical, cell culture and immunophenotyping techniques were used. Two-month-old male Swiss mice were submitted to protein–energy malnutrition with a low-protein diet (20 g/kg) compared with control diet (400 g/kg). When the experimental group had attained a 20 % loss of their original body weight, the animals from both groups received, intravenously, 20 IU erythropoietin every other day for 14 d. Malnourished animals showed a decrease in red blood cells, Hb concentration and reticulocytopenia, as well as severe bone marrow and splenic atrophy. The results for serum Fe, total Fe-binding capacity, transferrin and erythropoietin in malnourished animals were no different from those of the control animals. Fe reserves in the spleen, liver and bone marrow were found to be greater in the malnourished animals. The mixed colony-forming unit assays revealed a smaller production of granulocyte–macrophage colony-forming units, erythroid burst-forming units, erythroid colony-forming units and CD45, CD117, CD119 and CD71 expression in the bone marrow and spleen cells of malnourished animals. These findings suggest that, in this protein–energy malnutrition model, anaemia is not caused by Fe deficiency or erythropoietin deficiency, but is a result of ineffective erythropoiesis.
Effects of plant extracts on antioxidant status and oxidant-induced stress in Caco-2 cells
Authors: Aherne S. Aisling , Kerry Joseph P. , O'Brien Nora M.
Published: February 2007

Experimental evidence suggests that most herbs and spices possess a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities that may protect tissues against O2-induced damage. The objectives of the present study were: first, to determine the effects of plant extracts on the viability, membrane integrity, antioxidant status and DNA integrity of Caco-2 cells and second, to investigate the cytoprotective and genoprotective effects of these plant extracts against oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells. The plant extracts examined were rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalisL.), oregano (Origanum vulgareL.), sage (Salvia officinalisL.) and echinacea (Echinacea purpureaL.). Cell membrane integrity was assessed by the lactate dehydrogenase release assay. Viability was determined by the neutral red uptake assay (NRUA) and the concentration of compound that resulted in 50 % cell death (IC50) was calculated. Antioxidant status of the cells was assessed by measuring GSH content, catalase activity and superoxide dismutase activity. To examine their cytoprotective and genoprotective effects, Caco-2 cells were pre-treated with each plant extract for 24 h followed by exposure to H2O2. DNA damage was assessed by the comet assay and cell injury was determined by the NRUA. Rosemary was the most toxic (IC50123 μg/ml) and echinacea the least toxic (IC501421 μg/ml). Sage was the only plant extract to affect the antioxidant status of the cells by increasing GSH content. Sage, oregano and rosemary protected against H2O2-induced DNA damage (olive tail moment and percentage tail DNA), whereas protection against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity was afforded by sage only.
Breast milk sodium concentration, sodium intake and weight loss in breast-feeding newborn infants
Authors: Manganaro Rosa , Marseglia Lucia , Mamì Carmelo , Palmara Antonella , Paolata Antonina , Loddo Saverio , Gargano Romana , Mondello Maurizio , Gemelli Marina
Published: February 2007

Elevated breast milk (BM) Na concentration is regarded as responsible for elevated Na intake. To verify the clinical significance of milk Na concentration, we studied the relationship between BM Na+concentration and infants' daily Na+intake, infants' daily BM intake (DBMI) and percentage weight loss (%WL) in healthy newborn infants. All mothers who gave birth to a single healthy infant, between February and March 2004 at the Obstetric Clinic of University of Messina (Italy), were invited to participate if they were willing to attempt to breastfeed exclusively. BM Na+concentration, DBMI, Na+intake and %WL were determined on the third day after delivery. Statistical analysis was performed by Spearman's correlation test, classification and regression trees and the generalised linear model. Of the 270 eligible mothers, 208 participated in the study. The results showed that on the third day postpartum BM Na+concentration was 23·05 (sd1·10) mmol/l, mean DBMI was 202 (sd68·9) g/d, and mean Na+intake was 4·36 (sd0·22) mmol/d and 1·36 (sd0·07) mmol/kg per d. BM Na+concentration was inversely related to infant DBMI, and Na+intake was directly related to infant DBMI and not to BM Na+concentration. %WL was significantly correlated only to DBMI. In conclusion, the present data demonstrate, for the first time, that when lactogenesis is suboptimal, BM Na+concentration is higher, but infants' Na+intake is lower. Finally, the present data probably suggest that for the clinical assessment of breast-feeding, evaluation of milk intake remains the best method.
Better dietary adherence and weight maintenance achieved by a long-term moderate-fat diet
Authors: Azadbakht Leila , Mirmiran Parvin , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: February 2007

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of a long-term moderate-fat diet (30 % energy from fat)v.a low-fat one (20 % energy from fat) on metabolic risks. The study was a randomised, prospective 14-month trial on overweight and obese patients (eighty-nine overweight and obese men and women). The intervention was a moderate-fat diet (30 % energy) or a low-fat diet (20 % energy). The main outcome measurements were change in body weight, waist circumference, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, TAG, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Forty-five subjects on the moderate-fat diet and forty-four subjects on the low-fat one were studied. Characteristics of all randomised participants were similar in both groups. After 7 months, the moderate- and low-fat diets had similar effects on cardiovascular risks. The moderate-fat diet was more successful after 14 months in reducing weight ( − 5·0 (sd2·5) kg in the moderate-fat groupv.− 1·2 (sd1·1) kg in the low-fat one;P < 0·0001), waist circumference ( − 5·5 (sd2·4) cm in the moderate-fat groupv.− 2·3 (sd1·3) cm in the low-fat one;P < 0·0001), and other cardiovascular risk factors as well (LDL, TAG, total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure). In conclusion, a moderate-fat energy-restricted diet in the long term might have more beneficial effects on weight maintenance and cardiovascular risk factors compared with a low-fat diet. Better dietary adherence with the moderate-fat diet may be the reason for its successful effects.
Effects of oligofructose-enriched inulin on intestinal absorption of calcium and magnesium and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women
Authors: Holloway Leah , Moynihan Sharon , Abrams Steven A. , Kent Kyla , Hsu Andrew R. , Friedlander Anne L.
Published: February 2007

Deficiency of oestrogen at menopause decreases intestinal Ca absorption, contributing to a negative Ca balance and bone loss. Mg deficiency has also been associated with bone loss. The purpose of the present investigation was to test the hypothesis that treatment with a spray-dried mixture of chicory oligofructose and long-chain inulin (Synergy1; SYN1) would increase the absorption of both Ca and Mg and alter markers of bone turnover. Fifteen postmenopausal women (72·2 (sd6·4) years) were treated with SYN1 or placebo for 6 weeks using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Fractional Ca and Mg absorption were measured using dual-tracer stable isotopes before and after treatment. Bone turnover markers were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks. Fractional absorption of Ca and Mg increased following SYN1 compared with placebo (P < 0·05). Bone resorption (by urinary deoxypyridinoline cross-links) was greater than baseline at 6 weeks of active treatment (P < 0·05). Bone formation (by serum osteocalcin) showed an upward trend at 3 weeks and an increase following 6 weeks of SYN1 (P < 0·05). Closer examination revealed a variation in response, with two-thirds of the subjects showing increased absorption with SYN1.Post hocanalyses demonstrated that positive responders had significantly lower lumbar spine bone mineral density than non-responders (dual X-ray absorptiometry 0·887 ± 0·102v.1·104 ± 0·121 g/cm2;P < 0·01), and changes in bone turnover markers occurred only in responders. These results suggest that 6 weeks of SYN1 can improve mineral absorption and impact markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women. Further research is needed to determine why a greater response was found in women with lower initial spine bone mineral density.
Comparison of composition and absorption of sugarcane policosanols
Authors: Marinangeli Christopher P. F. , Kassis Amira N. , Jain Deepak , Ebine Naoyuki , Cunnane Stephen C. , Jones Peter J. H.
Published: February 2007

Policosanols (PC) exist as very-long-chain alcohols derived from sugarcane currently used in many countries as a cholesterol-lowering therapy. PC purity and relative percentage composition have been suggested as primary reasons why the original Cuban PC (OPC) supplements possess lipid-lowering efficacy. The purpose of the present study was, first, to compare the relative percentage purity and PC composition of both OPC and alternative sources of PC (APC). A second objective was to feed Syrian hamsters a diet containing 0·275 mg PC/g of either the OPC or an APC product (APC1) and compare subsequent tissue, plasma and faecal PC levels. Five animals from the APC1 dietary group received a diet containing ten times the original amount of PC. Results indicate that the APC formulations have a composition that is highly consistent with the OPC supplement, with octacosanol being present within the cited 60–70 % range. PC were undetectable in the small intestine, liver, adipose or plasma in animals fed either source. Hamsters fed OPC excreted octacosanol (C28) more rapidly (P < 0·05) than hamsters receiving APC1. If the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of PC mixtures is dependent on their purity and composition, then sugarcane-derived APC products should possess similar therapeutic properties as the OPC supplement.
Fine-scale abundance and distribution of wild silk moth pupae
Authors: Veldtman R. , McGeoch M.A. , Scholtz C.H.
Published: February 2007

Although several factors influence herbivore insect distributions at any particular scale, the most important determinants are likely to differ between species with different life histories. Identifying what these factors are and how they relate to life history forms an important component of understanding the population dynamics of species, and the habitat requirements necessary for their conservation. The pupal stage of two wild silk moth species, Gonometa postica Walker and G. rufobrunnea Aurivillius (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), is the target of harvesting practices that are totally dependent on the availability of pupae from natural populations. Consequently, and partly due to poor knowledge of the species' biology, there is substantial interest in the distribution of pupae among and within trees for both these species. It was investigated whether between- and within-tree pupal distributions in these two species are non-random, and if so, whether there are relationships between pupation site use and tree characteristics such as tree size, available pupation space and branch position. Between-tree patterns in pupal abundance were random in terms of absolute spatial position, but markedly non-random with respect to tree characteristics. The apparent G. postica pupae were aggregated on large larval host plants, whereas the cryptic G. rufobrunnea pupae were aggregated on non-host plants. These patterns reflect the life history differences of the two species. In contrast, at the within-tree scale, branch position, aspect and tree shape influenced pupation site choice similarly for both species. These patterns might be related to microclimate. Documenting between-tree and within-tree patterns in Gonometa pupal distributions is the first step towards explaining pupation site selection, as well as identifying possible evolutionarily selective factors in the species, and generating testable hypotheses from these.
Spatio-temporal distribution and emergence of beetles in arable fields in relation to soil moisture
Authors: Holland J.M. , Thomas C.F.G. , Birkett T. , Southway S.
Published: February 2007

Predatory beetles contribute to the control of crop pests and are an important food resource for farmland birds. Many of these beetle species overwinter as larvae within agricultural soils, however, their spatio-temporal emergence patterns are poorly understood, even though such knowledge can assist with their management for biocontrol. Soil moisture is considered to be a key factor influencing oviposition site selection and larval survival. The time, density and spatial pattern of Carabidae and Staphylidae emergence was therefore measured across two fields and compared to soil moisture levels in the previous winter and adult distribution in the previous July. The mean density of Carabidae and Staphylidae that emerged between April and harvest within each field was 157 and 86 m−2, indicating that soils are an important over-wintering habitat for beneficial invertebrates and should be managed sympathetically if numbers are to be increased. Of the species that were sufficiently numerous to allow their spatial pattern to be analysed, all showed a heterogeneous emergence pattern, although patches with high emergence were stable over the sampling period. The distribution of eight species was influenced by soil moisture levels in the previous winter and eight species, although not the same, were spatially associated with the distribution of adults in the previous summer suggesting that the females selected oviposition areas with the appropriate soil wetness.
Rethinking Race and Culture in Brazil's First Afro-Brazilian Congress of 1934
Authors: ROMO ANADELIA A.
Published: February 2007

Bringing together diverse scholars such as Arthur Ramos, Édison Carneiro and Gilberto Freyre, Brazil's First Afro-Brazilian Congress of 1934 encapsulated a pivotal transition in the history of the social sciences and race in Brazil. The Congress, organised by Freyre, represented an attempt by many scholars to break with racial determinism and to emphasise the importance of culture rather than race. This approach seemed to offer increased potential for social equality. However, the new focus on culture reproduced the same hierarchies that scholars were trying to escape. As this article demonstrates, scholars at the Congress redeemed the black race through the use of a new cultural framework, but the role ascribed to African culture was still bound by the same concepts of superiority and inferiority.
Adaptive force reflecting teleoperation with local force compensators
Authors: Cheung Yushing , Chung Jae H. , Hong Daehie
Published: February 2007

This paper addresses problems to achieve transparency and contact stability for teleoperation that consists of unconstrained and constrained motions. The adaptive bilateral control with a local force compensator is developed, based on adaptive impedance control and contact force driven compensation with auto-switching functions. Without any knowledge about robotic and environment dynamics and with a communication delay, the developed method guarantees good adaptive tracking performance in unconstrained motion and reduction of oscillating contacts in constrained motion. Based on an actual haptic device and a virtual manipulator, haptic simulations are presented to demonstrate adaptive transparency and contact stability in the presence of communication delay.
A control architecture for a mobile heavy-lift precision manipulator with limited sensory information
Authors: Becker William , DiCicco Matthew , Garretson Justin , Dubowsky Steven
Published: February 2007

Mobile robotic manipulators can augment the strength and dexterity of human operators in unstructured environments. Here, the control system for a six degree-of-freedom heavy-lift mobile manipulator for lifting and inserting payloads on the deck of a ship is described. The robotic hardware and the application present several control challenges, including structural resonances, high joint friction that varies with time, limited sensors for measuring the joint friction, complex interaction with the environment, tight tolerances for the insertion tasks, lack of bilateral force feedback of the contact forces, and ship motions. The control system enables an operator to perform insertion tasks using feedback of tactile clues of the manipulator position, and reduces the effects of friction with a combination of sensor-based, adaptive, and model-based methods of friction compensation. The control architecture is validated in simulation and on a laboratory manipulator.
Sensor-based global planning for mobile robot navigation
Authors: Garrido S. , Moreno L. , Blanco D. , Munoz M. L.
Published: February 2007

The proposed algorithm integrates in a single planner the global motion planning and local obstacle avoidance capabilities. It efficiently guides the robot in a dynamic environment. This eliminates some of the traditional problems of planned architectures (model-plan-act scheme) while obtaining many of the qualities of behavior-based architectures. The computational efficiency of the method allows the planner to operate at high-rate sensor frequencies. This avoids the need for using both a collision-avoidance algorithm and a global motion planner for navigation in a cluttered environment. The method combines map-based and sensor-based planning operations to provide a smooth and reliable motion plan. Operating on a simple grid-based world model, the method uses a fast marching technique to determine a motion plan on a Voronoi extended transform extracted from the environment model. In addition to this real-time response ability, the method produces smooth and safe robot trajectories.
Poor evidence-base for assessment of windfarm impacts on birds
Authors: STEWART GAVIN B. , PULLIN ANDREW S. , COLES CHRISTOPHER F.
Published: February 2007

Concerns about anthropogenic climate change have resulted in promotion of renewable energy sources, especially wind energy. A concern raised against widespread windfarm development is that it may negatively impact bird populations as a result of bird collision with turbines, habitat loss and disturbance. Using systematic review methodology bird abundance data were synthesized from 19 globally-distributed windfarms using meta-analysis. The effects of bird taxon, turbine number, power, location, latitude, habitat type, size of area, time since operation, migratory status of the species and quality of evidence were analysed using meta-regression. Although the synthesized data suggest a significant negative impact of windfarms on bird abundance, there is considerable variation in the impact of individual windfarm sites on individual bird species, and it is unclear if the negative impact is a decline in population abundance or a decline in use owing to avoidance. Anseriformes experienced greater declines in abundance than other taxa, followed by Charadriiformes, Falconiformes and Accipitriformes, and Passeriformes. Time since windfarms commenced operation also had a significant impact on bird abundance, with longer operating times resulting in greater declines in abundance than short operating times. Other variables, including turbine number and turbine power either had very weak but statistically significant effects or did not have a significant effect on bird abundance. Windfarms may have significant biological impacts, especially over longer time scales, but the evidence-base is poor, with many studies being methodologically weak, and more long-term impact assessments are required. There is clear evidence that Anseriformes (wildfowl) and Charadriiformes (waders) experience declines in abundance, suggesting that a precautionary approach should be adopted to windfarm development near aggregations of these taxa in offshore and coastal locations. The impact of windfarm developments on bird populations must also be viewed in the context of the possible impact of climate change in the absence of windfarms.
Therapie anorektaler Erkrankungen
Authors: Herold
Published: February 2007

Hämorrhoidalleiden: Eine stadienorientierte Therapie des Hämorrhoidalleidens mit konservativen und operativen Massnahmen bietet eine hohe Heilungschance mit niedrigem Komplikations- und Rezidivrisiko. Während die neuen Lokaltherapeutika und die HAL-Technik noch weiter evaluiert werden müssen, hat die Staplermethode einen festen Platz im Therapiespektrum des Hämorrhoidalleidens mit Hilfe guter Resultate hoher Evidenz erreicht. Analfissur: Muskelrelaxierende Lokaltherapeutika (Nitropräparate, Ca-Antagonisten) stellen derzeit die Therapie erster Wahl bei chronischer Analfissur dar. Bei unzureichendem Erfolg hat eine Fissurektomie eine hohe Heilungsrate. Abszess und Fistel: Symptomatische Fisteln werden entsprechend ihres Bezugs zur Sphinktermuskulatur behandelt mit dem Ziel der Fistelsanierung bei Erhalt der Kontinenz. Distale Fisteln werden so in aller Regel komplett gespalten (hohe Heilungsrate), während proximale Fisteln mit plastischen Verfahren verschlossen werden (Heilungsrate je nach Verlauf 50–80%). Anale Inkontinenz: Die Therapie der Stuhlinkontinenz orientiert sich zum einen an der Schwere, zum anderen an der Ätiologie der Erkrankung. Neben konservativen Massnahmen stehen vor allem operative Eingriffe zur Verfügung. Konservativ: Stuhlregulation, Beckenbodengymnastik, Elektrostimulation, Biofeedback-Training Operativ: Sphinkterrekonstruktion, Pre-anal Repair, Post-anal Repair, Total Pelvic Floor Repair, Dynamische Graciloplastik, Artificial Anal Sphincter, Sakralnervenstimulation, Stomaanlage.
An unexpected pattern of distinct weekly periodicities in climatological variables in Germany
Authors: Bäumer Dominique , Vogel Bernhard
Published: February 2007

Statistical analyses of data from 12 German meteorological stations meeting WMO standards in the period 1991–2005 are presented. These stations represent different local climate conditions in terms of both meteorology and pollution situation. For the average over data of all stations, we identified significant weekly periodicities in many variables such as temperature, daily temperature range, sunshine duration, cloud amount, precipitation, and precipitation frequency. Not only data of stations situated in congested urban areas, but also data of remote stations as e.g. on Mount Zugspitze 2960 m above sea level in the Alps showed significant in‐phase weekly cycles. These weekly periodicities cannot be explained completely by local pollution effects or local heat emissions. We tend towards the hypothesis that the anthropogenic weekly emission cycle and the subsequent aerosol cycle interact with the atmospheric dynamics on a larger scale which leads to a forcing of a naturally existing 7‐day period among the spectrum of atmospheric periods.
Critical energy release rates of weak snowpack layers determined in field experiments
Authors: Sigrist Christian , Schweizer Jürg
Published: February 2007

A field experiment was developed to measure the critical energy release rate for fracture propagation in a weak snowpack layer. A snow block was isolated on a slope and tested in‐situ by cutting along the weak layer. Critical cut lengths of about 25 cm were required to start fracture propagation along the weak layer. The critical energy release rate was determined numerically from the critical cut length with a finite element simulation. The mean critical energy release rate for the tested weak layers was about 70 mJ m−2. Numerical simulations showed that slope normal bending of the slab, in addition to the slope parallel shear deformation, contributed considerably to the energy release rate in our experimental setup.
Three‐dimensional source inversion of self‐potential data
Authors: Minsley Burke J. , Sogade John , Morgan Frank Dale
Published: February 2007

The self‐potential (SP) method has long been used for a variety of geophysical applications because of its ease of acquisition, but has suffered from difficulty in interpretation of the data. Self‐potential signals result from a source term that is coupled with the earth resistivity and appropriate boundary conditions. This work describes an inversion methodology for determining the self‐potential sources from measured SP and resistivity data. The SP source inversion is a linear problem, though it is complicated by nonuniqueness that is common to potential‐field problems. The linear operator is also poorly conditioned because of the limited set of measurements, which are often constrained to the earth's surface. Our approach utilizes model regularization that selects a class of solutions which fit the data with sources that are spatially compact. Large variations in sensitivity due to distance and resistivity structure throughout the model are addressed through the use of a scaling term derived from the Green's functions that define the linear operator. A significant benefit of these methods is the resolution of targets at depth from surface measurements alone. This inversion technique is first illustrated with a simple synthetic data set. In a second example we apply this approach to a field data set taken from previously published literature and investigate the effects of different resistivity structure assumptions on the inversion results. The spatial distribution of sources provides useful information that can subsequently be interpreted in terms of physical processes that generate the SP data.