bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecología y gestión pastoral en el Pirineo. Una perspectiva de medio siglo
Authors: Montserrat P. , Villar L.
Published: October 2008

Los autores han estudiado y seguido la evolución de la ganadería extensiva o el aprovechamiento de los pastos pirenaicos en los últimos 50 años. Aunque el sistema trashumante se ha debilitado mucho, persiste en buena medida la capacidad productiva del pasto, y la reciente declaración de Parque Natural de los Valles Occidentales abre nuevas perspectivas para renovar la cultura tradicional. Revisando las aportaciones previas, insistimos en el papel ecológico de los herbívoros que -tras una selección etológica- mejoran el pasto y pueden facilitar su gestión. Para mantener las estivas o pastos de verano, también parece necesario utilizar las dehesas boyales o boalares cercanos a los pueblos, campos abandonados y pardinas o fincas prepirenaicas, como se aprecia en el caso concreto de los valles jacetanos de Aísa-Borau. En la actualidad hay suficientes conocimientos, pero para revitalizar el sistema y animar a los jóvenes pastores urge la coordinación de iniciativas entre las escuelas, facultades, centros de investigación y los espacios naturales protegidos.
Comunidades nidificantes de aves en pastos supraforestales pirenaicos. Su evolución a lo largo del año
Authors: Pedrocchi-Renault C. , Moreno-Mateos D. , Cervantes-Vallejos J.
Published: October 2008

Se han estudiado en parcelas de distintas características las densidades de aves en los pastos supraforestales de dos localidades del Pirineo Centro Occidental, los puertos de Aisa y de Borau (Huesca). Los censos, realizados a lo largo del año, nos informan de la composición de las comunidades de aves nidificantes y de las que, fuera de la época de nidificación, explotan tróficamente los medios estudiados. Se detecta una mayor estabilidad en las parcelas de altitud superior a los 2000 m s.n.m., donde las especies nidificantes son en mayoría montanas y donde la falta de grandes fluctuaciones en las poblaciones de artrópodos no permiten la invasión de consumidores en la época postnupcial. Todo lo contrario sucede en las parcelas de escasa altitud, donde las aves de borde de bosque o de áreas desforestadas, dominan a las montanas, con la excepción de los grandes canchales activos, donde las aves montanas incluyen al factor mediterráneo montano (paleoxeromontanas).
Site‐specific and Spatially Controlled Addressability of a New Viral Nanobuilding Block: Sulfolobus islandicus Rod‐shaped Virus 2
Authors: Steinmetz Nicole F. , Bize Ariane , Findlay Kim C. , Lomonossoff George P. , Manchester Marianne , Evans David J. , Prangishvili David
Published: October 2008

Nanotechnology seeks to mimic what nature has achieved: self‐assembly at the nanometer scale. Viral nanoparticles (VNPs) provide natural examples of self‐assembled architectures with unique structural and chemical properties. Here, the utilization of an archaeal virus, Sulfolobus islandicus rod‐shaped virus 2 (SIRV2), as a template for site‐selective and spatially controlled bioconjugation is described. SIRV2 is a virus of a hyperthermophilic and acidophilic host, the archaeon S. islandicus growing optimally at 80 °C and pH 3, and is thus, by its nature, an extremely stable VNP. The stability of SIRV2 in different solvent/water mixtures is monitored, and it is found that in other, non‐natural harsh conditions the VNPs also remained intact. Further, the question of whether the particles offer attachment sites allowing for selective chemical modification and decoration with functional ligands using biotin as a probe is addressed. It is found that carboxylate‐, carbohydrate‐ and amine‐selective chemistries are applicable and various biotinylated SIRV2 formulations can be fabricated. Depending on the chemistry and hence attachment site used, the display of the biotin labels can be spatially controlled at the virus body and at the ends. Labeling studies also provide novel insights into the structural properties of SIRV2, indicating that the major coat protein (CP) forms the virus body while the minor CP is located in the tail fibers at the end of the particles. Overall, SIRV2 represents an extremely stable and structurally interesting VNP with the potential for novel nanobiotechnological applications.
Growth of infants' length, weight, head and arm circumferences in relation to low levels of blood lead measured serially
Authors: Schell Lawrence M. , Denham Melinda , Stark Alice D. , Parsons Patrick J. , Schulte Elaine E.
Published: November 2008

To determine whether levels of blood lead during gestation and infancy that are below the CDC action level of 10 μg/dl affect infant growth, we studied 211 disadvantaged mother–infant pairs from Albany, NY. Mothers' lead levels were low (second trimester $\bar{x}$ = 2.8 μg/dl) as were infants' ($\bar{x}$ = 3.3 μg/dl at 6 months; 6.4 μg/dl at 12 months). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that second trimester lead levels were related to reduced head circumference at 6 and 12 months. Infants of mothers with second trimester lead at or above the median (≥3 μg/dl) exhibited negative associations between blood lead and head circumference at 6 and 12 months, and with weight‐for‐age, weight‐for‐length, and upper arm circumference at 6 months, but those below the median did not. Infants' 6‐month lead level was related to head circumference at 12 months in the total sample, and in the subsample of infants whose blood lead was above the infants' 6‐month blood lead median. Infants were also grouped by changes in their relative blood lead status, that is, above vs. below the median, from second trimester to 12 months of age. Infants whose lead levels changed from above to below the median were larger than infants whose lead levels went from below to above the median. The results suggest that lead may affect some dimensions of infant growth at levels below 10 μg/dl, but effects of lead levels less than 3 μg/dl are not evident in this sample. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Altered dendritic cells with tolerizing phenotype in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Berkun Yackov , Verbovetski Inna , Ben‐Ami Anat , Paran Daphna , Caspi Dan , Krispin Alon , Trahtemberg Uriel , Gill Oranit , Naparstek Yaakov , Mevorach Dror
Published: October 2008

Earlier we showed the generation of tolerizing human monocyte‐derived DC following interaction with iC3b‐opsonized apoptotic cells. In this study we examine the generation of DC with our previously described tolerogenic phenotype in patients with the systemic autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Monocyte‐derived DC were generated in 71 SLE patients, characterized, and then tested for clearance of iC3b‐opsonized 1,1′‐dioctadecyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethyl‐indocarbocyanineperchlorate‐stained apoptotic cells using flow cytometry, and for autologous T‐cell activation using autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR), at the same time as controls. Compared with healthy, age‐ and gender‐matched controls, SLE patients showed upregulation of MHC class II, with a mean expression of 130.5%±36.8% (p<0.007); CD86 in immature DC from SLE patients, generated in autologous human or control plasma, were also upregulated, with mean expression 106.6%±18.0% (p<0.03). A significant (>20%) reduction in iC3b‐apoptotic cell uptake, together with increased autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction, was seen in 75% of SLE patients. Mean 1,1′‐dioctadecyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethyl‐indocarbocyanineperchlorate‐stained apoptotic cell acquisition was 70.0%±24% (p<0.0001) compared with healthy controls. Altered generation of a tolerizing DC phenotype was seen in at least one third of SLE patients following interaction with iC3b‐opsonized apoptotic cells. These results suggest that a substantial portion of SLE patients fail to generate DC with a tolerizing phenotype.
Inheritance and alteration of genome methylation in F1 hybrid rice
Authors: Takamiya Tomoko , Hosobuchi Saeko , Noguchi Tomotsugu , Asai Kenji , Nakamura Eiji , Habu Yoshiki , Paterson Andrew H. , Iijima Hiroshi , Murakami Yasufumi , Okuizumi Hisato
Published: October 2008

We analyzed the inheritance of DNA methylation in the first filial generation(F1) hybrid of Oryza sativa L. (“Nipponbare”×“Kasalath”) by restriction landmark genome scanning (RLGS). Most parental RLGS spots were found in the F1, but eight spots (4%) showed abnormal inheritance: seven of the eight spots were missing in the F1, and one was newly detected in the F1. Here we show demethylation at restriction enzyme sites in the F1. We also found a candidate site of stable heterozygous methylation in the genome. These results show the applicability of the RLGS method for analysis of the inheritance and alteration of methylation in F1 hybrid plants.
Independent component analysis of 2‐D electrophoresis gels
Authors: Safavi Haleh , Correa Nicolle , Xiong Wei , Roy Anindya , Adali Tülay , Korostyshevskiy Valeriy R. , Whisnant Carol C. , Seillier‐Moiseiwitsch Françoise
Published: October 2008

We present a novel application of independent component analysis (ICA), an exploratory data analysis technique, to two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) gels, which have been used to analyze differentially expressed proteins across groups. Unlike currently used pixel‐wise statistical tests, ICA is a data‐driven approach that utilizes the information contained in the entire gel data. We also apply ICA on wavelet‐transformed 2‐DE gels to address the high dimensionality and noise problems typically found in 2‐DE gels. Also, we use an analysis‐of‐variance (ANOVA) approach as a benchmark for comparison. Using simulated data, we show that ICA detects the group differences accurately in both the spatial and wavelet domains. We also apply these techniques to real 2‐DE gels. ICA proves to be much faster than ANOVA, and unlike ANOVA it does not depend on the selection of a threshold. Application of principal component analysis reduces the dimensionality and tends to improve the performance by reducing the noise.
Chromatographic evaluation and comparison of three β‐cyclodextrin‐based stationary phases by capillary liquid chromatography and pressure‐assisted capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Lin Bo , Ng Siu‐Choon , Feng Yu‐Qi
Published: October 2008

Enantiomer separations were performed on three β‐cyclodextrin‐based chiral stationary phases (CSP) containing the pernaphthylcarbamoylated β‐cyclodextrin (CSP 1), peracetylated β‐cyclodextrin (CSP 2) and permethylated β‐cyclodextrin (CSP 3) as chiral selectors by capillary liquid chromatography and pressure‐assisted capillary electrochromatography in this study. Triethylammonium acetate/MeOH or phosphate buffer/MeOH was used as the mobile phase. The experimental factors affecting chiral separations have been examined for each CSP, including pH of the buffers, methanol content and applied voltage. Under optimal separation conditions, a number of racemic compounds were resolved into their enantiomers on three cyclodextrin‐based CSP. A comparative study on the performance of three CSP revealed the presence of carbonyl functional groups as well as aromatic rings in the cyclodextrin derivatives, enhanced the interaction between the analytes and CSP, and thus improved enantioselectivity of the CSP.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa in a young adult with history of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for childhood acute leukemia
Authors: Tomihara Kei , Dehari Hironari , Yamaguchi Akira , Abe Masato , Miyazaki Akihiro , Nakamori Kenji , Hareyama Masato , Hiratsuka Hiroyoshi
Published: October 2008

Background.

Secondary cancers are severe complications in patients who have had allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for childhood leukemia. We describe here a case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the buccal mucosa in a young adult patient who had had allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for childhood acute leukemia.

Methods and Results.

The primary tumor was treated with interstitial brachytherapy, and lymph node metastasis was treated by supraomohyoid neck dissection. The patient had a history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at 11 years of age and had received an allogeneic bone marrow transplant from a female donor. Further investigation of the tissue specimens by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed that an XX chromosome pattern was dominant in the tumor region, and this suggested that donor‐derived cells might affect carcinogenesis in the recipient.

Conclusions.

This case presents an incidence of secondary oral cancer associated with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009
Cartilaginous tumors of the larynx: Endoscopic laser management using YAG/KTP
Authors: Merrot Olivier , Gleizal Arnaud , Poupart Marc , Pignat Jean‐Christian
Published: October 2008

Background.

The objective of this study was to analyze results of endoscopic YAG laser management as a treatment of chondroma and/or low‐grade laryngeal chondrosarcoma.

Methods.

Between 1996 and 2006, 13 patients were included, 11 men and 2 women with a median age of 69.7 years at diagnosis. Primary treatment included endoscopic laser resection in all cases. All tumors were diagnosed as cricoid cartilaginous tumor by histopathologic examination: 6 chondromas and 7 chondrosarcomas grade 1.

Results.

The global actuarial survival rate was 95% for 5 years. The 5‐year Kaplan‐Meier disease‐free survival and overall recurrence rate estimates were 72% and 54%, respectively. With a median follow‐up time of 5 years, 12 of 13 patients were without recurrence. Nine were alive and 4 died during follow‐up, and only 1 patient died from disease. Three patients required definitive tracheotomy. None had required it for endoscopic laser complications.

Conclusion.

Laser endoscopic surgery is 1 of the conservative surgical ways to manage laryngeal chondroma especially in cases of elderly patients with poor health status. It permits adequate removal of the tumor and still maintains structural and functional integrity and preserves possibilities of subtotal or total salvage surgery. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009
Patient perception of risk factors in head and neck cancer
Authors: Sommer Leeor , Sommer Doron D. , Goldstein David P. , Irish Jonathan C.
Published: October 2008

Background.

A previous study at our institution noted that only 15% of newly diagnosed patients with oral cancer could identify smoking or alcohol abuse as major risk factors for the development of their cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a simple educational intervention in 189 consecutively identified patients with head and neck malignancy.

Methods.

Patients were interviewed prior to and immediately following reading a written educational pamphlet. The patients were then interviewed 5 weeks later to determine longer‐term recall. Recall success was correlated to patient demographic parameters including level of education, occupation, sex, age, and place of residence.

Results.

Immediate recall success increased, on average, 27% from preintervention knowledge, with the largest increase for the risk factor of alcohol abuse. Five‐week postintervention recall success decreased on average 10.5% for all risk factors with the largest decrease being seen for smokeless tobacco use (12%). The immediate and 5‐week recall success increases were both statistically significant when compared to the preintervention recall success (p < .05). Patient education level had the greatest impact on recall success at all time points (ANOVA, p < .001). Long‐term recall for patients over the age of 60 was also statistically poorer.

Conclusions.

An educational intervention can have significant impact on patient knowledge of cancer risk. More effective educational interventions for poorly educated patients and the elderly may have to be devised to increase intervention success. Whether this knowledge translates into behavior change still needs to be studied. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009
Iterative active deformational methodology for tumor delineation: Evaluation across radiation treatment stage and volume
Authors: Wu D.H. , Shaffer A.D. , Thompson D.M. , Yang Z. , Magnotta V.A. , Alam R. , Suri J. , Yuh W.T.C. , Mayr N.A.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

To introduce, implement, and assess an iterative modification to the active deformational image segmentation method as applied to cervical cancer tumors.

Materials and Methods

A comparison by Jaccard similarity (JS) between this active deformational method and manual segmentation was performed on tumors of various sizes across preradiation, 3 weeks postradiation, and 6 weeks postradiation using a General Linear Mixed Model across 121 studies from 52 patients with Stage IIB‐IV cervical cancers.

Results

The deformable segmentation method produced promising levels of agreement including JSfactors of 0.71 ± 0.11 in the preradiation studies. The analysis illustrated a rate of improvement in JSwith increasing tumor volume that differed between the preradiation and 6 weeks postradiation stage (P= 0.0474). In the large preradiated tumors each additional cm3of volume was associated with an increase or improvement in JSof 0.0008 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0003, 0.0014). In the smaller postradiation tumors, each additional cm3of volume was associated with a more robust improvement in JSof 0.0046 (95% CI: 0.0009, 0.0082).

Conclusion

Agreement was strongly affected by tumor volume, and its performance was most impacted across volume in the later stages of radiation therapy. The deformation‐based segmentation method appears to demonstrate utility for delineating cervical cancer tumors, particularly in the earliest stages of radiation treatment, where agreement is greatest. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:1188–1194. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Measurement of liver stiffness with two imaging techniques: Magnetic resonance elastography and ultrasound elastometry
Authors: Bensamoun Sabine F. , Wang Lu , Robert Ludovic , Charleux Fabrice , Latrive Jean‐Paul , Ho Ba Tho Marie‐Christine
Published: October 2008

Purpose

To cross‐validate the magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) technique with a clinical device, based on an ultrasound elastometry system called Fibroscan.

Materials and Methods

Ten healthy subjects underwent an MRE and a Fibroscan test. The MRE technique used a round pneumatic driver at 60 Hz to generate shear waves inside the liver. An elastogram representing a map of the liver stiffness was generated allowing for the measurement of the average liver stiffness inside a region of interest. The Fibroscan technique used an ultrasound probe (3.5 MHz) composed of a vibrator that sent low‐frequency (50 Hz) shear waves inside the right liver lobe. The probe acts as an emitter‐receptor that measures the velocity of the waves propagated inside the liver tissue.

Results

The mean shear stiffness measured with the MRE and Fibroscan techniques were 1.95 ± 0.06 kPa and 1.79 ± 0.30 kPa, respectively. A higher standard deviation was found for the same subject with Fibroscan.

Conclusion

This study shows why MRE should be investigated beyond the Fibroscan. The MRE technique provided elasticity of the entire liver, meanwhile the Fibroscan provided values of elasticity locally. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:1287–1292. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
T1‐weighted functional imaging based on a contrast agent in presurgical mapping
Authors: Ben Bashat Dafna , Sivan Ida , Ziv Michal , Aizenstein Orna , Pianka Pazit , Malach Rafael , Graif Moshe , Hendler Talma , Navon Gil
Published: October 2008

Purpose

To assess the applicability of T1‐weighted images in the presence of a contrast agent for functional mapping free of susceptibility artifacts, in comparison to the blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) imaging.

Materials and Methods

Six patients and five control subjects were scanned using BOLD and T1‐weighted functional imaging, in the presence of a Gd‐DTPA contrast‐agent (TOFICA). In the control group, low‐ and high‐resolution BOLD images were performed. Functional stimuli included motor and language activations.

Results

Both BOLD and TOFICA methods resulted in activations in the expected anatomical regions. The TOFICA mapping gave less distributed and with higher percent signal changes in comparison with the BOLD images. Gd‐DTPA remained almost constant in the blood for at least 15 min post injection. In one patient with surgical clips, no signal was detected in the left cerebral hemisphere using BOLD imaging, but activation could be mapped using the TOFICA method.

Conclusion

T1‐weighted imaging in the presence of a contrast agent can be used for functional mapping. This method is insensitive to susceptibility artifacts, and is therefore advantageous in the evaluation of presurgical cases and in areas of the brain close to cavities in which the BOLD method cannot reliably be applied. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:1245–1250. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of human fetal neural stem/progenitor cells as a source for cell replacement therapy for neurological disorders: Properties and tumorigenicity after long‐term in vitro maintenance
Authors: Ogawa Daisuke , Okada Yohei , Nakamura Masaya , Kanemura Yonehiro , Okano Hirotaka James , Matsuzaki Yumi , Shimazaki Takuya , Ito Mamoru , Ikeda Eiji , Tamiya Takashi , Nagao Seigo , Okano Hideyuki
Published: October 2008

It is expected that human neural stem/progenitor cells (hNS/PCs) will some day be used in cell replacement therapies. However, their availability is limited because of ethical issues, so they have to be expanded to obtain sufficient amounts for clinical application. Moreover, in‐vitro‐maintained hNS/PCs may have a potential for tumorigenicity that could be manifested after transplantation in vivo. In the present study, we demonstrate the in vitro and in vivo properties of long‐term‐expanded hNS/PCs, including a 6‐month bioluminescence imaging (BLI) study of their in vivo tumorigenicity. hNS/PCs cultured for approximately 250 days in vitro (hNS/PCs‐250) exhibited a higher growth rate and greater neurogenic potential than those cultured for approximately 500 days in vitro (hNS/PCs‐500), which showed greater gliogenic potential. In vivo, both hNS/PCs‐250 and ‐500 differentiated into neurons and astrocytes 4 weeks after being transplanted into the striatum of immunodeficient mice, and hNS/PCs‐250 exhibited better survival than hNS/PCs‐500 at this time point. We also found that the grafted hNS/PCs‐250 survived stably and differentiated properly into neurons and astrocytes even 6 months after the surgery. Moreover, during the 6‐month observation period by BLI, we did not detect any evidence of rapid tumorigenic growth of the grafted hNS/PCs, and neither PCNA/Ki67‐positive proliferating cells nor significant malignant invasive features were detected histologically. These findings support the idea that hNS/PCs may represent a nontumorigenic, safe, and appropriate cell source for regenerative therapies for neurological disorders. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Separation and purification of harmine and harmaline from Peganum harmala using pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography
Authors: Wang Xiao , Geng Yanling , Wang Daijie , Shi Xingang , Liu Jianhua
Published: October 2008

pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography was successfully applied to the separation of alkaloids from a crude extract of Peganum harmala L. using a multilayer coil planet centrifuge. The experiment was performed with a two‐phase solvent system composed of methyl tert‐butyl ether/THF/water (2:2:3 by volume) where triethylamine (10 mM) was added to the upper organic stationary phase as a retainer and hydrochloric acid (5 mM) to the aqueous mobile phase as an eluter. From 1.2 g of the crude extract, 554 mg harmine and 325 mg harmaline were obtained each with a purity of over 96% as determined by HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified by electron ionization MS (EI‐MS), 1H NMR, and 13C NMR.
Evidence based guidelines and current practice for physiotherapy management of knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Walsh Nicola E. , Hurley Michael V.
Published: October 2008

Objectives: To document physiotherapy provision for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in relation to the United Kingdom (UK) recently published National Institute of health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for osteoarthritis.

Design: Questionnaire survey of chartered physiotherapists.

Method: 300 postal questionnaires were distributed to Physiotherapy Departments requesting information regarding source of referrals, treatment aims, preferred methods of treatment and service delivery.

Results: Responses were received from 83 physiotherapists (28 %), predominantly working in the UK National Health Service. Approximately equal numbers of referrals came from primary and secondary care. Aims of physiotherapy management were to; encourage self‐management; increase strength and range of movement; reduce pain; and improve function. To achieve these, exercise was utilised by 100% of practitioners, often supplemented with electrotherapeutic modalities (66%), manual therapy (64%) and acupuncture (60%). The majority of patients received individual treatment for a total contact time of 1–2 hours, whilst most group interventions lasted 5–6 hours. Approximately half (54%) of respondents reported using outcome measures to determine treatment efficacy.

Conclusions: Although knee OA is usually managed in primary care, the similar number of referrals from primary and secondary care may suggest a deviation from evidence‐based management guidelines. The guidelines' recommendations of exercise, patient education and self‐management are observed by physiotherapists, but other modalities are often used despite poor or no research evidence supporting their efficacy. Whether any of these interventions are clinically beneficial is speculative as treatment outcomes were frequently under‐evaluated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physical association of polymers with nanotubes
Authors: Srebnik Simcha
Published: November 2008

We use a coarse‐grained Monte Carlo model to further investigate the association of polymers with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Previous studies have shown ordered helical wrapping conformations for a range of investigated parameters. Such adsorbed conformations allow the polymers to spiral up and down the surface of the nanotube, retaining their helical state. We analyze the helical pitch of such conformations, and relate it to nanotube radius and chain stiffness using a simple model. The model reveals that the helical pitch is approximately determined by the matching between the radius of curvature of the helix with the average bending angle of the polymer, determined by its persistence length. In addition, we simulate adsorption of block and triblock copolymers (BCPs) whose different blocks are differentiated by their degree of association with the nanotube (hydrophobic or polar). The hydrophobic blocks of the copolymers initially adsorb in both helical and random conformations of the hydrophobic block, depending on which part of the chain (center or ends) adsorbs first on the CNTs surface. In both configurations, however, the polar block extends away from the nanotube, forming loops and tails for triblock and diBCPs, respectively. Such configurations may improve the interfacial adhesion in polymer–CNTs composites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2711–2718, 2008
Experimental study of effective water spray curtain application in dispersing liquefied natural gas vapor clouds
Authors: Rana Morshed A. , Cormier Benjamin R. , Suardin Jaffee A. , Zhang Yingchun , Mannan M. Sam
Published: October 2008

The installation of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities in the United States to meet the demand of natural gas has brought increasing attention to LNG safety issues. Because of its highly flammable nature, one of the major hazards LNG poses is the formation of a flammable vapor cloud from any accidental release, which may result in a massive fire. The safety measures to prevent and mitigate an accidental LNG release are critical to protect employees and the public from injury or harm. The water spray curtain is currently a recognized technique to control and mitigate many toxic and flammable vapors. Much theoretical and experimental work has been carried out to determine the effectiveness of the water spray curtain in dispersing heavier vapor. However, LNG vapor dispersion behaves differently from other dense gases due to its low molecular weight and extremely low temperature. Previous studies show that water spray curtains can enhance LNG vapor dispersion from small spills. However, to develop comprehensive and structured engineering guidelines for the design of an effective water spray curtain for controlling LNG vapor many key questions still remain unanswered. In this context, it is essential to carry out research to understand the effects of water curtain on LNG vapor clouds. An experimental methodology to study the LNG vapor dispersion behaviors with the application of water spray curtain is presented in this article. This field experiment involved the fundamental study of forced dispersion, dilution due to air entrainment, and heat exchange to determine the effectiveness of water spray in reducing the LNG vapor “exclusion zone.” This article discusses and outlines the experimental method and some results based on gas concentration data analysis to emphasize the observed effectiveness of water spray curtain on LNG vapor dispersion. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 2008
Health-related quality of life in patients with anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency undergoing arthroscopic reconstruction: a practice-based Italian normative group in comorbid-free patients
Authors: Calvisi V. , De Vincentiis B. , Palumbo P. , Padua R. , Lupparelli S.
Published: October 2008

Background

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency has not been assessed in comorbid-free patients to date. An observational study was therefore conducted on a practice-based sample to test the hypothesis that SF-36 scoring in patients with chronic ACL insufficiency differs from the age- and gender-matched Italian norm.

Materials and methods

Chronically ACL-insufficient patients with or without meniscal and/or focal chondral lesions were enrolled in the study. Exclusion criteria were acute ACL tear, severe and diffuse chondral lesions, concomitant knee major ligamentous injuries and/or fractures requiring surgery, previous ACL surgery and infectious, neoplastic and inflammatory disease. Knee function was evaluated by International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form, HRQoL with the SF-36 questionnaire, and associated medical comorbidities by a Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (SCQ).

Results

A total of 316 consecutive patients, 265 males and 51 females (median age 25 years, range 15-22 years) met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. SF-36 norm-based scoring showed that the Physical Functioning, Role Physical, Bodily Pain, and Social Functioning domains were significantly lower than the Italian norm; the Role Emotional domain was also lower than the norm, but the difference was not significant. Conversely, the General Health and Mental Health domains scored significantly higher than the norm; the Vitality domain also exceeded, albeit not significantly, the norm.

Conclusions

The decision-making process leading to ACL reconstruction currently emphasises the evaluation of knee function and patients-level of activity. The findings in our study, by showing that chronic ACL insufficiency significantly affects HRQoL in otherwise healthy patients, suggest that a multidimensional evaluation including HRQoL in addition to knee function might be integrated into outcome assessment.
Effect of hypoxic treatment on bone marrow cells that are able to migrate to the injured liver
Authors: Ju Sun‐Young , Cho Kyung‐Ah , Cho Su Jin , Jung Yun‐Jae , Woo So‐Youn , Seoh Ju‐Young , Han Ho‐Seong , Ryu Kyung‐Ha
Published: October 2008

Restricted numbers and poor regenerative properties limit the use of adult stem cells. We tested the effect of hypoxic treatment as a method by which to increase cell migration. Bone marrow cells (BMCs) were cultured under oxygen saturations of 0.1, 3, and 20% for 24 h. After hypoxic treatment, BMCs of apoptotic fraction were decreased. The expression of CXCR4 was noticeably increased in the hypoxia‐treated BMCs and their migration in response to SDF‐1α was enhanced compared with cells cultured under normoxic condition. Hypoxic BMCs had a higher degree of engraftment to the CCl4‐injured liver than the normoxic cells. Hypoxic treatment of BMCs may have merits in decreasing apoptosis of those cells as well as in enhancing cellular migration to SDF‐1α, the chemokine which binds to BMCs expressed CXCR4 and to the injured tissue, such as CCl4 damaged liver.
Plant antigens cross‐react with rat polyclonal antibodies against KLH‐conjugated peptides
Authors: Oulehlová Denisa , Hála Michal , Potocký Martin , Žárský Viktor , Cvrčková Fatima
Published: October 2008

Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)‐conjugated peptides are routinely used to raise polyclonal antibodies for biochemical or immunolocalization studies. Rats are suitable for producing antisera against plant antigens as they often lack non‐specific response towards plant materials. We attempted to obtain rat antisera against peptides derived from several plant proteins. However, most antisera recognized the same background KLH‐related plant antigen (KRAP) in Arabidopsis and tobacco. We characterized KRAP with respect to size and cellular localization and examined possible antigen‐specific reasons for the failure of most immunizations. We also found no reports of successful use of rat anti‐KLH‐peptide antibodies in plant studies. We thus believe that the rat‐KLH:peptide system is poorly suited for production of antibodies, especially against plant antigens, and should be used with caution, if at all.
Psychosocial predictors and correlates for chronic post‐surgical pain (CPSP) – A systematic review
Authors: Hinrichs‐Rocker Anke , Schulz Kerstin , Järvinen Imke , Lefering Rolf , Simanski Christian , Neugebauer Edmund A.M.
Published: October 2008

Chronic post‐surgical pain (CPSP) is a serious problem. Incidence as high as 50% has been reported, depending on type of surgery undergone. Because the etiology of chronic pain is grounded in the bio‐psychosocial model, physical, psychological, and social factors are implicated in the development of CPSP. Biomedical factors such as pre‐operative pain, severe acute post‐operative pain, modes of anesthesia, and surgical approaches have been extensively examined, therefore this systematic review focuses on psychosocial elements.

A systematic search was performed using the PubMed, PsychINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Databases. Fifty relevant publications were selected from this search, in which psychosocial predictors for and correlates to CPSP were identified. The level of evidence was assessed for each study, and corresponding score points were awarded for ease of comparison. The grade of association with CPSP for each predictor/correlate was then determined.

Depression, psychological vulnerability, stress, and late return to work showed likely correlation with CPSP (grade of association=1). Other factors were determined to have either unlikely (grade of association=3) or inconclusive (grade of association=2) correlations. In addition, results were examined in light of the type of surgery undergone.

This review is intended as a first step to develop an instrument for identifying patients at high risk for CPSP, to optimize clinical pain management.
Shoulder dystocia in a Jamaican cohort
Authors: Christie Loxley R. , Harriott John A. , Mitchell Sharmaine Y. , Fletcher Horace M. , Bambury Ian G.
Published: October 2008

Objective

To assess the risk factors for shoulder dystocia in Jamaica.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis of all cases of shoulder dystocia, and birth weight‐matched controls identified from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2004. Multiple factors were analyzed individually and in combination to identify risk factors.

Results

The incidence of shoulder dystocia was 0.83%. Nulliparity, a first stage of labor greater than 7 hours, a second stage lasting more than 1 hour, and use of oxytocin augmentation were found to be statistically significant factors with unadjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 1.78 (0.86–3.34), 1.89 (0.91–3.94), 2.78 (0.24–31.47), and 1.56 (0.77–3.15), respectively. The incidence of shoulder dystocia decreased as parity increased when adjusted for age.

Conclusion

Individual risk factors for shoulder dystocia remain obscure. The nulliparous pelvis, when controlled for neonatal weight, was associated with a statistically increased risk of shoulder dystocia; this risk decreased with increasing parity.
Visual and verbal processing strategies in comprehension and judgment
Authors: Wyer Robert S. , Hung Iris W. , Jiang Yuwei
Published: October 2008

The information we receive in the course of daily life experience is often transmitted both verbally and visually. Two different processing strategies are postulated to underlie the integration of this information, the activation of which may be influenced by (a) chronic individual differences in the disposition to process information visually vs. verbally, (b) situational factors that influence the relative accessibility of these strategies in memory, and (c) characteristics of the information to be processed. Research in both social and consumer psychology is discussed in terms of the conceptual framework we propose.
Some insights on visual and verbal processing strategies
Authors: Bagozzi Richard P.
Published: October 2008

After briefly describing Wyer's general conceptual framework, the information system, and Barsalou's related perspective, a summary of many of the contributions made by Wyer, Hung, and Jiang (in press) is done. Next shortcomings of the style of processing scale are mentioned, as this is the primary way that chronic processing styles are implemented in the studies discussed in Wyer et al. (in press). Following this, a number of philosophical and neuroscience issues are raised. Finally, the commentary closes with questions concerning the role of visual and verbal processing strategies and styles in persuasive communication, the role of affect and sensory processes in social comprehension and judgment, and the need to consider comprehension, judgment, and other cognitive processes in post‐decision phases of goal striving.
Reasserting the public in public service delivery: The de-privatization and de-marketization of education in China
Authors: Painter Martin , Mok Ka Ho
Published: October 2008

In the last two decades, China has experienced significant economic transformations and social changes. The economic reforms started in the late 1970s have unquestionably enabled some social groups to become wealthy but the same processes have also widened the gap between the rich and the poor and intensified regional disparities in China. Most significant of all, embracing the market economy has inevitably challenged the way socialism is practiced in China, especially through the growing prominence of neo-liberal ideas and strategies in reforms, not only in the economic sector but also in public sector management and social policy delivery. After pursuing marketization of public service delivery in the last few decades, a process of re-appraisal has begun, with new thinking evident concerning the role of government in financing and provision of public services. This has been prompted in large part by growing social unrest over the financial burdens experienced in accessing user-pays services in education, health and housing. While market principles and a low level of state investment in public services are now deeply entrenched, the Chinese leadership has called for a new social policy paradigm by reasserting the public in public service delivery. This paper explores current reforms in education and discusses the coping strategies and the policy implications for launching a new public service delivery model in the next few years.
Calibration of mammoth (Mammuthus) dispersal into North America using rare earth elements of Plio-Pleistocene mammals from Florida
Authors: MacFadden Bruce J. , Hulbert Richard C.
Published: October 2008

The first appearance of mammoth (Mammuthus) is currently used to define the beginning of the Irvingtonian North American Land Mammal Age at about 1.4 Ma. Thereafter, mammoth fossils are common and widespread in North America until the end of the Pleistocene. In contrast to this generally accepted biochronology, recent reports have asserted that mammoth occurs in late Pliocene (ca. 2.5 Ma) alluvium from the Santa Fe River of northern Florida. The supposedly contemporaneous late Pliocene fossil assemblage from the Santa Fe River that produced the mammoth specimens actually consists of a mixture of diagnostic Blancan (late Pliocene) and late Rancholabrean (latest Pleistocene) species. Fossil bones and teeth of the two mammalian faunas mixed together along the Santa Fe River have significantly different rare earth element (REE) signatures. The REE signatures of mammoth are indistinguishable from those of Rancholabrean mammals, yet they are different from those of diagnostic Blancan vertebrates from these same temporally mixed faunas of the Santa Fe River. Thus, no evidence for late Pliocene mammoth exists in Florida, and mammoth fossils remain reliable biochronological indicators for Irvingtonian and Rancholabrean terrestrial sequences throughout mid- and lower-latitude North America.
Climate deterioration in the Eastern Mediterranean as revealed by ion microprobe analysis of a speleothem that grew from 2.2 to 0.9 ka in Soreq Cave, Israel
Authors: Orland Ian J. , Bar-Matthews Miryam , Kita Noriko T. , Ayalon Avner , Matthews Alan , Valley John W.
Published: October 2008

Analysis of oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O) by ion microprobe resolves a sub-annual climate record for the Eastern Mediterranean from a Soreq Cave stalagmite that grew between 2.2 and 0.9 ka. In contrast to conventional drill-sampling methods that yield a total variation of 1.0‰ in δ18Ocalcite values across our sample, the methods described here reveal up to 2.15‰ variation within single annual growth bands. Values of δ18O measured by ion microprobe vary in a regular saw-tooth pattern that correlates with annual, fluorescent growth banding where calcite grades from light to dark fluorescence. Modern records of precipitation and of cave dripwater indicate that variable δ18Ocalcite values record regular seasonal differences in δ18Orainfall modified by mixing in the vadose zone. Large differences in δ18O values measured across a single band (i.e., between the dark and light fluorescent calcite, or Δ18Odark-light) are interpreted to indicate wetter years, while smaller differences represent drier years. Oxygen isotopes record: 1) month-scale growth increments, 2) changes in Δ18Odark-light that represent seasonality, 3) a systematic, long-term decrease in maximum Δ18Odark-light values, and 4) an overall increase in average δ18Ocalcite values through time. These results suggest a drying of regional climate that coincides with the decline of the Roman and Byzantine Empires in the Levant region.
Late PleistoceneBison antiquusfrom Orcas Island, Washington, and the biogeographic importance of an early postglacial land mammal dispersal corridor from the mainland to Vancouver Island
Authors: Wilson Michael C. , Kenady Stephen M. , Schalk Randall F.
Published: October 2008

ABison antiquuscranium and partial skeleton from Ayer Pond wetland on Orcas Island, San Juan Islands, Washington, date to 11,760 ± 7014C yr BP. They lay in lacustrine sediments below peat, unconformably above emergent Everson Glaciomarine Drift (> 12,00014C yr BP). Several bison finds in similar contexts on Orcas and Vancouver Islands dating between 11,750 and 10,80014C yr BP indicate an early postglacial land mammal dispersal corridor with reduced water barriers between mainland and islands. New bison dates and published shell dates allow estimation of early postglacial relative sea-level trends for the San Juans, with a drop below modern datum ∼ 12,00014C yr BP, and assist in evaluation of marine reservoir corrections. Emergence by ∼ 60 m is suggested by data from nearby areas. A tundra-like or meadow community and succeeding open pine parkland before 11,00014C yr BP supported bison but horn-core reduction suggests suboptimal forage or restricted habitat. Expanding mixed-conifer forests after 11,00014C yr BP contributed to bison extirpation. Dispersing ungulates such as bison must have influenced island vegetation establishment and early succession. Possible evidence for butchering by early coastal people adds significance to the Ayer Pond discovery, given its pre-Clovis age.
Sentence Processing by L2 Learners
Authors: Gass Susan
Published: November 2008

This paper presents the results of an experiment which investigated the syntactic parsing strategies used by L2 learners at different stages of acquisition. This represents a shift in emphasis from most studies in the field of language learning which deal almost exclusively with production data. The goal of acquisition studies is to understand both the nature of the linguistic system that a learner has acquired and the processes involved in the acquisition of that system. This linguistic knowledge is generally inferred from the perceptive or productive behavior of the learner. There are several reasons why production has been emphasized over perception in second language acquisition research: 1) Research in this area has been greatly affected by studies on child language acquisition in which traditional perception experiments are inappropriate due to a child's lack of cognitive maturity and verbal abilities. 2) Many perception experiments require a paraphrasing ability beyond that of L2 learners in the early stages of acquisition. 3) Problems involving production are more apparent in most pedagogical encounters and, therefore, are of more immediate concern to researchers. Yet, the investigation of perceptual strategies of L2 learners is important, if only because it affords us the possibility of viewing a different corpus of L2 data, thereby giving us additional insight into the nature of the acquisition process.
Lexical-Grammatical Pragmatic Indicators
Authors: Blum-Kulka Shoshana , Levenston Edward A.
Published: November 2008

Our main aim in this paper is to explore the interlanguage pragmatics of learners of Hebrew and English. We focus on the use of pragmatic indicators, both lexical (please/bevaqaŝa; perhaps/ulay) and grammatical (e.g., the difference between could I borrow and could you lend), with particular reference to deviations from native-speaker norms in the speech of non-native speakers. The analysis follows the analytical framework developed for the Cross-Cultural Speech Act Realization Project (CCSARP). Data from two sets are analyzed: (a) native and non-native Hebrew, and (b) native and non-native English (with occasional reference to other CCSARP data sets). The results suggest that non-native speakers' misuse of pragmatic indicators can have serious interactional consequences, ranging from inappropriateness to pragmatic failure.
Synthese de discussion
Authors: Holec H.
Published: November 2008

(Les lignes qui suivent représentent une synthèse partielle subjective de la séance de clôture du colloque. Ont participé à cette séance, entièrement consacrée à une discussion ‘à bâtons rompus’ animée par l'auteur: S.P. Corder – D. Coste – A. Ellegard – C. Gutknecht – E. Ingram – R. Richterich – E. Roulet – M. Sharwood-Smith – A. Valdman – H.G. Widdowson).