bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large Artery Stiffening With Weight Gain in Humans
Authors: Orr Jeb S. , Gentile Christopher L. , Davy Brenda M. , Davy Kevin P.
Published: May 2008

We tested the hypothesis that weight gain would increase arterial stiffness in healthy nonobese adults. To address this, we overfed 14 nonobese men (age: 23±1 years) ≈1000 kcal/d for 6 to 8 weeks until a 5-kg weight gain was achieved. Carotid diameters (high-resolution ultrasound) and pressures (applanation tonometry), body composition (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), and abdominal fat distribution (computed tomography) were measured at baseline and following 4 weeks of weight stability at each individual’s elevated body weight. Overfeeding increased body weight 5.1±0.1 kg and body fat 3.4±0.4 kg (both
P
<0.001) in 45±7 days. Total abdominal fat increased 46±7 cm
2
with weight gain due to increases in both subcutaneous (30±6 cm
2
) and visceral fat (15±4 cm
2
; all
P
<0.01). As hypothesized, weight gain increased arterial stiffness 13±6% and decreased arterial compliance 21±4% (both
P
<0.05). Furthermore, those individuals above the median increase in abdominal visceral fat demonstrated a significantly greater increase in arterial stiffness (0.97±0.29 versus 0.06±0.36 U;
P
<0.05) compared with those below the median. Consistent with these observations, the only correlates of the changes in arterial stiffness with weight gain were the increases in total abdominal fat (
r
=0.794), abdominal visceral fat (
r
=0.651), and waist circumference (
r
=0.470; all
P
<0.05). Taken together, these findings suggest that modest weight gain is associated with increases arterial stiffness in nonobese men. The degree of large artery stiffening with weight gain seems to be determined, in part, by the amount of abdominal visceral fat gain. Importantly, this relation is independent of the amount of total body fat gained.
Dominant Balances and Exchanges of the Atmospheric Water Cycle in the Reanalysis 2 at Diurnal, Annual, and Intraseasonal Time Scales
Authors: Ruane Alex C. , Roads John O.
Published: May 2008

Output from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–Department of Energy (NCEP–DOE) Reanalysis 2 (R2) is passed through a broadband filter to determine the normalized covariances that describe the variance of the atmospheric water cycle at diurnal, annual, and intraseasonal (∼7–80 days) time scales. Vapor flux convergence is residually defined to close the water cycle between successive 3-hourly output times from 2002 to 2004, resulting in a balance between precipitation, evaporation, precipitable water tendency, and vertically integrated vapor flux convergence. The same balance holds at each time scale, allowing 100% of each variable’s temporal variance to be described by its covariance with other water cycle components in the same variance category. Global maps of these normalized covariances are presented to demonstrate the unique balances and exchanges that govern temporal variations in the water cycle.

The diurnal water cycle is found to be dominated by a land–sea contrast, with continents controlled thermodynamically through evaporation and the oceans following dynamic convergence. The annual time-scale features significant meridional structure, with the low latitudes described mostly through variability in convergence and the extratropics governed by the properties of advected continental and maritime air masses. Intraseasonal transients lack direct solar oscillations at the top of the atmosphere and are characterized by propagating dynamic systems that act to adjust the precipitable water content of unsaturated regions or exchange directly with precipitation in saturated areas.

By substituting the modeled precipitation with observation-based fields, a detailed description of the water cycle’s exchanges relating to the nocturnal precipitation maximum over the Midwest is obtained.
Comparison of Diurnal Variations in Precipitation Systems Observed by TRMM PR, TMI, and VIRS
Authors: Yamamoto Munehisa K. , Furuzawa Fumie A. , Higuchi Atsushi , Nakamura Kenji
Published: May 2008

Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data during June–August 1998–2003 are used to investigate diurnal variations of rain and cloud systems over the tropics and midlatitudes. The peak time of the coldest minimum brightness temperature derived from the Visible and Infrared Scanner (VIRS) and the maximum rain rate derived from the Precipitation Radar (PR) and the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) are compared. Time distributions are generally consistent with previous studies. However, it is found that systematic shifts in peak time relative to each sensor appeared over land, notably over western North America, the Tibetan Plateau, and oceanic regions such as the Gulf of Mexico. The peak time shift among PR, TMI, and VIRS is a few hours.

The relationships among the amplitude of diurnal variation, convective frequency, storm height, and rain amount are further investigated and compared to the systematic peak time shifts. The regions where the systematic shift appears correspond to large amplitude of diurnal variation, high convective frequency, and high storm height. Over land and over ocean near the coast, the relationships are rather clear, but not over open ocean.

The sensors likely detect different stages in the evolution of convective precipitation, which would explain the time shift. The PR directly detects near-surface rain. The TMI observes deep convection and solid hydrometeors, sensing heavy rain during the mature stage. VIRS detects deep convective clouds in mature and decaying stages. The shift in peak time particularly between PR (TMI) and VIRS varies by region.
Observations of Cross-Shelf Flow Driven by Cross-Shelf Winds on the Inner Continental Shelf
Authors: Fewings Melanie , Lentz Steven J. , Fredericks Janet
Published: May 2008

Six-yr-long time series of winds, waves, and water velocity from a cabled coastal observatory in 12 m of water reveal the separate dependence of the cross-shelf velocity profile on cross-shelf and along-shelf winds, waves, and tides. During small waves, cross-shelf wind is the dominant mechanism driving the cross-shelf circulation after tides and tidal residual motions are removed. The along-shelf wind does not drive a substantial cross-shelf circulation. During offshore winds, the cross-shelf circulation is offshore in the upper water column and onshore in the lower water column, with roughly equal and opposite volume transports in the surface and bottom layers. During onshore winds, the circulation is nearly the reverse. The observed profiles and cross-shelf transport in the surface layer during winter agree with a simple two-dimensional unstratified model of cross-shelf wind stress forcing. The cross-shelf velocity profile is more vertically sheared and the surface layer transport is stronger in summer than in winter for a given offshore wind stress.

During large waves, the cross-shelf circulation is no longer roughly symmetric in the wind direction. For onshore winds, the cross-shelf velocity profile is nearly vertically uniform, because the wind- and wave-driven shears cancel; for offshore winds, the profile is strongly vertically sheared because the wind- and wave-driven shears have the same sign. The Lagrangian velocity profile in winter is similar to the part of the Eulerian velocity profile due to cross-shelf wind stress alone, because the contribution of Stokes drift to the Lagrangian velocity approximately cancels the contribution of waves to the Eulerian velocity.
Observation of the Diurnal Cycle in the Low Troposphere of West Africa
Authors: Lothon Marie , Saïd Frédérique , Lohou Fabienne , Campistron Bernard
Published: May 2008

The authors give an overview of the diurnal cycle of the low troposphere during 2006 at two different sites, Niamey (Niger) and Nangatchori (Benin). This study is partly based on the first observations of UHF wind profilers ever made in West Africa in the context of the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) project. Also used are the radiosoundings made in Niamey and ground station observations at Nangatchori, which allow for the study of the impact of the dynamics on the water vapor cycle and the turbulence observed at the ground.

Profiler measurements revealed a very consistent year-round nocturnal low-level jet maximal around 0500 UTC and centered at 400-m above the ground, with wind speed around 15 m s−1. This jet comes either from the northeast during the dry season or from the southwest during the wet season, in relation with the position of the intertropical discontinuity. The radiosoundings made in Niamey highlight both the role of the nocturnal jet in bringing water vapor from the south during the night when the intertropical discontinuity has reached the vicinity of the considered area at the end of the dry season and the role of the daytime planetary boundary layer in mixing this water vapor within a larger depth of the troposphere. The planetary boundary layer processes play a large role in the diurnal cycle of the position of the intertropical discontinuity itself.

The observations of turbulence made at the ground in Nangatchori showed that the best signature of the nocturnal jet close to surface can be seen in the turbulent kinetic energy and skewness of the air vertical velocity, rather than on the mean wind itself. They reveal the downward transport of momentum from the jet core aloft to the surface.
Identification in Organizations: An Examination of Four Fundamental Questions
Authors: Ashforth Blake E. , Harrison Spencer H. , Corley Kevin G.
Published: May 2008

The literature on identification in organizations is surprisingly diverse and large. This article reviews the literature in terms of four fundamental questions. First, under “What is identification?,” it outlines a continuum from narrow to broad formulations and differentiates situated identification from deep identification and organizational identification from organizational commitment. Second, in answer to “Why does identification matter?,” it discusses individual and organizational outcomes as well as several links to mainstream organizational behavior topics. Third, regarding “How does identification occur?,” it describes a process model that involves cycles of sensebreaking and sensegiving, enacting identity and sensemaking, and constructing identity narratives. Finally, under “One or many?,” it discusses team, workgroup, and subunit; relational; occupational and career identifications; and how multiple identifications may conflict, converge, and combine.
Antecedents of Physical Activity Among Family Caregivers
Authors: Etkin Caryn D. , Prohaska Thomas R. , Connell Cathleen M , Edelman Perry , Hughes Susan L.
Published: May 2008

The authors examined exercise behaviors among family caregivers and the degree to which aspects of the caregiving role influenced exercise behaviors. Understanding factors associated with caregiver physical activity provides practitioners the means to design and tailor interventions to be effective for caregivers. Caregivers (N = 208) participating in a self-care intervention to promote caregiving skills were surveyed at baseline, prior to training. Measures included caregiver characteristics, care recipient characteristics, attitudes and intentions toward exercise, and levels of physical activity. Mental health variables and self-efficacy for exercise were significantly related to exercise levels in bivariate analyses. Regression analyses revealed that caregiver and care recipient characteristics accounted for a small percentage of the variance in exercise behavior. Caregiver vitality and self-efficacy for exercise were key variables most significantly related to exercise behaviors. Findings suggest that mental health factors and attitudes about exercise may be more important predictors of exercise than caregiving factors.
Outcome Evaluation of a High-Intensity Inpatient Sex Offender Treatment Program
Authors: Olver Mark E. , Wong Stephen C. P. , Nicholaichuk Terry P.
Published: May 2008

The treatment outcome of a high-intensity inpatient sex offender treatment program was evaluated by comparing the sexual recidivism rates of 472 treated and 282 untreated sex offenders. The program is designed for moderate- to high-risk sex offenders and follows the principles of effective correctional treatment. The current investigation is an extension of an earlier study (Nicholaichuk et al., 2000) with the addition of 176 participants, an extra 4 years follow-up, and the use of Cox regression survival analysis to control for three potentially confounding variables: age of release, sexual offending history, and length of follow-up. Treated offenders sexually recidivated significantly less than the comparison group over nearly 20 years of follow-up, even after controlling for the aforementioned variables. The substantive findings suggest that treatment adhering to the what works principles can reduce long-term sexual recidivism for a moderate- to high-risk group of sex offenders.
Political Attitudes and Ideologies of Multiracial Americans
Authors: Masuoka Natalie
Published: May 2008

A contemporary rise in multiracial self-identification provokes a number of questions about the significance that this racial identity may hold for American politics. This research focuses on the political attitudes of multiracial Americans to determine how multiracial identities may influence individual public opinion. I offer a test of three competing theoretical models of multiracial political attitude formation: Classic Assimilation, Minority Trumping, and New Identity Formation. This research finds that, generally, multiracial individuals who self-identify as such develop political opinions that parallel with their minority counterparts.
Building Confidence in Qualitative Research
Authors: Torrance Harry
Published: May 2008

The quality of qualitative research has been subject to considerable criticism recently, partly driven by the development of an international movement for “evidence-based policy and practice.” In the United States, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are posited by some as the best way of producing reliable research knowledge. Also, responses to criticism of qualitative research is leading to the production of various “standards” and “guidelines” to control the production of qualitative research. This article argues that RCTs do not respond to policy makers' needs and timescales and, furthermore, that producing standards for qualitative research is more likely to restrict quality than enhance it. Rather, what is required of qualitative researchers is to engage with policy makers and research participants to acknowledge the limits of research knowledge while addressing issues of quality collaboratively.
Writing Against Racism
Authors: Vaught Sabina E.
Published: May 2008

This article seeks to define a working methodology for qualitative research on racism and with racist participants. Specifically, the article proposes a principled research relationship built on collective, cultural relationships and accountability, and based on an incorporation of feminist practices and critical race theory conceptual frameworks. This argument suggests that to engage research for radical societal transformation, qualitative scholars must be able to move beyond the dominant frame of the individual participant and adopt the systemic and institutional analyses promoted by critical race theory. This article examines the ways in which the researcher can both honor research participants and analyze their narratives for an understanding of systemic racial oppression.
The Narrative Construction of the Self
Authors: Sermijn Jasmina , Devlieger Patrick , Loots Gerrit
Published: May 2008

In this article, the authors use the metaphor of the rhizome of the French philosophers Deleuze and Guattari as an experimental methodological concept to study the narrative construction of the self. By considering the self as a rhizomatic story, the authors create a story structure that not only offers a useful view on the way in which people narratively construct their selfhood but also stimulates an experiment with alternative, nontraditional presentation forms. The researcher is no longer listening from a distance to the stories of the participant and subsequently represents these stories. She or he becomes a part of the rhizome. The authors illustrate this rhizomatic approach and its research possibilities by presenting story fragments from their research.
The Predictive Brain State: Timing Deficiency in Traumatic Brain Injury?
Authors: Ghajar Jamshid , Ivry Richard B.
Published: May 2008

Attention and memory deficits observed in traumatic brain injury (TBI) are postulated to result from the shearing of white matter connections between the prefrontal cortex, parietal lobe, and cerebellum that are critical in the generation, maintenance, and precise timing of anticipatory neural activity. These fiber tracts are part of a neural network that generates predictions of future states and events, processes that are required for optimal performance on attention and working memory tasks. The authors discuss the role of this anticipatory neural system for understanding the varied symptoms and potential rehabilitation interventions for TBI. Preparatory neural activity normally allows the efficient integration of sensory information with goal-based representations. It is postulated that an impairment in the generation of this activity in traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to performance variability as the brain shifts from a predictive to reactive mode. This dysfunction may constitute a fundamental defect in TBI as well as other attention disorders, causing working memory deficits, distractibility, a loss of goal-oriented behavior, and decreased awareness.
Al as solid solution hardener in steels
Authors: Mintz B. , Gunawardana W. D. , Su H.
Published: May 2008

Aluminium in solution in the ferrite in ferrite/pearlite steels has been found to have little influence on strength of the ferrite probably because up-till recently it has been added in very small amounts (0˙02–0˙08 wt-%Al) as a grain refining addition. There is indeed some doubt in the literature as to whether Al can solid solution harden. This lack of knowledge has not been important while Al additions are small but recently Al has been added in much greater amounts 0˙5–2% in some new grades of transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steels. These steels have often an essentially ferritic structure with retained austenite and bainitic ferrite. The main thrust of the paper has therefore been to determine the solid solution hardening effect of Al in ferritic structures. Steels with varying Al levels from 0˙02 to ∼2% at two C levels, 0˙02 and 0˙1% were tensile tested after hot rolling so as to determine the solid solution hardening effect of Al. It was found in the 0˙1%C steel that some of the pearlite transformed to martensite on raising the Al level to 1% and this resulted in preyielding and lower strength levels than would have been obtained from a ferrite/pearlite structure. However, when the Al level was kept to the maximum allowable before martensite formed a marked solid solution hardening by Al was observed. Hall-Petch plots were also obtained from steels in which martensite was not present and it was found that a 1%Al addition increased the yield strength by 70–80 MPa and this increase was not dependent on the grain size as has been found for Si. It can be concluded that Al is a substantial solid solution hardener of steel but the strengthening effect of Al is often obscured at low additions by its ability to remove nitrogen from solution and at high additions by its tendency to favour martensite formation and cause preyielding of the ferrite.
Synthesis of large scale GaN nanowires by ammoniating Ga2O3/Co thin films deposited on Si(111) substrates
Authors: Qin L. X. , Xue C. S. , Zhuang H. Z. , Yang Z. Z. , Chen J. H. , Li H. , Zhang D. D.
Published: May 2008

Large scale single crystal GaN nanowires were synthesised on Si(111) substrates by ammoniating technology using cobalt metal as the buffer layer. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry were used to characterise the products. The results showed that the products are of hexagonal wurtzite structure. The diameters of the nanowires were in the range of 50–200 nm with lengths up to several tens of micrometres. The growth process of the GaN nanowire is also discussed.
'Blood from Stones': Censorship and the Reading Practices of South African Political Prisoners, 1960–1990
Authors: Dick Archie L
Published: May 2008

This article shows how political prisoners undermined censorship in the apartheid jails of South Africa. The jail diaries, authorized biographies, autobiographies, prison memoirs, interviews, and prison letters of more than fifty political prisoners and two prison censors are analyzed to describe the reading practices of South African political prisoners. The article, demonstrating the ways in which readers regulate their own reading space, concludes that the books that ended up fortuitously or filtered by censors in prison libraries in South Africa and in the possession of political prisoners, profoundly affected their thinking. From information fragments the prisoners reconstructed news and life experiences denied to them by prison authorities. Reading in a way that subverted the intentions of the censors in effect allowed the prisoners to continue their political struggle.
The Origins of Legal Deposit in Turkey
Authors: Fenerci Tülay
Published: May 2008

The emergence of the idea of legal deposit in its cultural context in Turkey can be traced back to the Ottoman era, prior to the Republic. The Ottoman reforms launched to westernize and modernize the state brought striking changes in both the social and cultural spheres. This transformation played an important role in the introduction of legal deposit. Legal deposit was at first considered and utilized for controlling the activities of printing presses and publications within the framework of legal arrangements. Later, the cultural function of legal deposit was more fully recognized and it became an important subject of discussion. The aim of this study is to examine the emergence of legal deposit, its meaning and its conceptual transformation, in light of the introduction of the printing press in the country and subsequent reforms in the areas of education and administration.
History of Modern Librarianship in East Asia
Authors: C Yu Priscilla
Published: May 2008

Contextualizes the historical evolution of modern librarianship in East Asia, encompassing the sub-regions of North-East and South-East Asia, in the societies in which it emerged. Employs the theory of cultural hegemony, conceptualized by Antonio Gramsci (1891–1937), as the foundation for viewing that evolution of East Asian librarianship. Discusses external influences, the role of human agency and technical and cultural heritage. A stated aim of the article is to reveal to practising and aspiring librarians, especially in East Asia, the cultural determinants of their professional history and help them gain a better understanding of the complex roots in the development of libraries globally.
Rapid regulation of protein activity in fission yeast
Authors: Bøe Cathrine A , Garcia Ignacio , Pai Chen-Chun , Sharom Jeffrey R , Skjølberg Henriette C , Boye Erik , Kearsey Stephen , MacNeill Stuart A , Tyers Michael D , Grallert Beáta
Published: May 2008

Background

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is widely-used as a model organism for the study of a broad range of eukaryotic cellular processes such as cell cycle, genome stability and cell morphology. Despite the availability of extensive set of genetic, molecular biological, biochemical and cell biological tools for analysis of protein function in fission yeast, studies are often hampered by the lack of an effective method allowing for the rapid regulation of protein level or protein activity.

Results

In order to be able to regulate protein function, we have made use of a previous finding that the hormone binding domain of steroid receptors can be used as a regulatory cassette to subject the activity of heterologous proteins to hormonal regulation. The approach is based on fusing the protein of interest to the hormone binding domain (HBD) of the estrogen receptor (ER). The HBD tag will attract the Hsp90 complex, which can render the fusion protein inactive. Upon addition of estradiol the protein is quickly released from the Hsp90 complex and thereby activated. We have tagged and characterised the induction of activity of four different HBD-tagged proteins. Here we show that the tag provided the means to effectively regulate the activity of two of these proteins.

Conclusion

The estradiol-regulatable hormone binding domain provides a means to regulate the function of some, though not all, fission yeast proteins. This system may result in very quick and reversible activation of the protein of interest. Therefore it will be a powerful tool and it will open experimental approaches in fission yeast that have previously not been possible. Since fission yeast is a widely-used model organism, this will be valuable in many areas of research.
Analysis of the distribution of functionally relevant rare codons
Authors: Widmann Michael , Clairo Marie , Dippon Jürgen , Pleiss Jürgen
Published: May 2008

Background

The substitution of rare codons with more frequent codons is a commonly applied method in heterologous gene expression to increase protein yields. However, in some cases these substitutions lead to a decrease of protein solubility or activity. To predict these functionally relevant rare codons, a method was developed which is based on an analysis of multisequence alignments of homologous protein families.

Results

The method successfully predicts functionally relevant codons in fatty acid binding protein and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase which had been experimentally determined. However, the analysis of 16 homologous protein families belonging to the α/β hydrolase fold showed that functionally rare codons share no common location in respect to the tertiary and secondary structure.

Conclusion

A systematic analysis of multisequence alignments of homologous protein families can be used to predict rare codons with a potential impact on protein expression. Our analysis showed that most genes contain at least one putative rare codon rich region. Rare codons located near to those regions should be excluded in an approach of improving protein expression by an exchange of rare codons by more frequent codons.
Short-term pacing in the mouse alters cardiac expression of connexin43
Authors: Kontogeorgis Andrianos , Kaba Riyaz A , Kang Eunice , Feig Jonathan E , Gupta Pritha P , Ponzio Marc , Liu Fangyu , Rindler Michael J , Wit Andrew L , Fisher Edward A , Peters Nicholas S , Gutstein David E
Published: May 2008

Background

Cardiac insults such as ischemia, infarction, hypertrophy and dilatation are often accompanied by altered abundance and/or localization of the connexin43 gap junction protein, which may predispose towards arrhythmic complications. Models of chronic dyssynchronous cardiac activation have also been shown to result in redistribution of connexin43 in cardiomyocytes. We hypothesized that alterations in connexin43 expression and localization in the mouse heart might be induced by ventricular pacing over a short period of time.

Results

The subdiaphragmatic approach was used to pace a series of wild type mice for six hours before the hearts were removed for analysis. Mice were paced at 10–15% above their average anesthetized sinus rate and monitored to ensure 1:1 capture. Short-term pacing resulted in a significant reduction in connexin43 mRNA abundance, a partial redistribution of connexin43 from the sarcolemma to a non-sarcolemmal fraction, and accumulation of ubiquitinated connexin43 without a significant change in overall connexin43 protein levels. These early pacing-induced changes in connexin43 expression were not accompanied by decreased cardiac function, prolonged refractoriness or increased inducibility into sustained arrhythmias.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that short-term pacing is associated with incipient changes in the expression of the connexin43 gap junction, possibly including decreased production and a slowed rate of degradation. This murine model may facilitate the study of early molecular changes induced by pacing and may ultimately assist in the development of strategies to prevent gap junction remodeling and the associated arrhythmic complications of cardiac disease.
Kernicterus by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Cossio de Gurrola Gladys , Araúz Juan José , Durán Elfilda , Aguilar-Medina Maribel , Ramos-Payán Rosalío , García-Magallanes Noemí , Pacheco Gerardo Vaca , Arámbula Meraz Eliakym
Published: May 2008

Introduction

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is an X-linked recessive disease that causes acute or chronic hemolytic anemia and potentially leads to severe jaundice in response to oxidative agents. This deficiency is the most common human innate error of metabolism, affecting more than 400 million people worldwide.

Case presentation

Here, we present the first documented case of kernicterus in Panama, in a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient newborn clothed in naphthalene-impregnated garments, resulting in reduced psychomotor development, neurosensory hypoacousia, absence of speech and poor reflex of the pupil to light.

Conclusion

Mutational analysis revealed the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase Mediterranean polymorphic variant, which explained the development of kernicterus after exposition of naphthalene. As the use of naphthalene in stored clothes is a common practice, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase testing in neonatal screening could prevent severe clinical consequences.
The genome sequence of the model ascomycete fungus Podospora anserina
Authors: Espagne Eric , Lespinet Olivier , Malagnac Fabienne , Da Silva Corinne , Jaillon Olivier , Porcel Betina M , Couloux Arnaud , Aury Jean-Marc , Ségurens Béatrice , Poulain Julie , Anthouard Véronique , Grossetete Sandrine , Khalili Hamid , Coppin Evelyne , Déquard-Chablat Michelle , Picard Marguerite , Contamine Véronique , Arnaise Sylvie , Bourdais Anne , Berteaux-Lecellier Véronique , Gautheret Daniel , de Vries Ronald P , Battaglia Evy , Coutinho Pedro M , Danchin Etienne GJ , Henrissat Bernard , Khoury Riyad EL , Sainsard-Chanet Annie , Boivin Antoine , Pinan-Lucarré Bérangère , Sellem Carole H , Debuchy Robert , Wincker Patrick , Weissenbach Jean , Silar Philippe
Published: May 2008

Background

The dung-inhabiting ascomycete fungus Podospora anserina is a model used to study various aspects of eukaryotic and fungal biology, such as ageing, prions and sexual development.

Results

We present a 10X draft sequence of P. anserina genome, linked to the sequences of a large expressed sequence tag collection. Similar to higher eukaryotes, the P. anserina transcription/splicing machinery generates numerous non-conventional transcripts. Comparison of the P. anserina genome and orthologous gene set with the one of its close relatives, Neurospora crassa, shows that synteny is poorly conserved, the main result of evolution being gene shuffling in the same chromosome. The P. anserina genome contains fewer repeated sequences and has evolved new genes by duplication since its separation from N. crassa, despite the presence of the repeat induced point mutation mechanism that mutates duplicated sequences. We also provide evidence that frequent gene loss took place in the lineages leading to P. anserina and N. crassa. P. anserina contains a large and highly specialized set of genes involved in utilization of natural carbon sources commonly found in its natural biotope. It includes genes potentially involved in lignin degradation and efficient cellulose breakdown.

Conclusion

The features of the P. anserina genome indicate a highly dynamic evolution since the divergence of P. anserina and N. crassa, leading to the ability of the former to use specific complex carbon sources that match its needs in its natural biotope.
Finite Element Modeling of the Effects of Delamination Damage on the Natural Frequencies of Composite Panels
Authors: Deshmukh P. V. , Wosu S. N. , Daniel L.
Published: May 2008

This paper describes the analysis and experimental effort undertaken to determine damage detection in composite beams. Finite element analysis of delamination and its effect on the natural frequencies of the composite beam is determined using cohesive zone elements of a commercial finite element software material model ANSYS. Numerical simulations are carried out to analyze typical cases of a delaminated composite beam with different boundary conditions. It is found that an increase in the delaminated region ratio increases the percent deviation in the natural system frequencies. The amount of deviation was different for different types of delamination. The frequency charts of the present study may be useful for engineering design and non-destructive testing analysis. It can be used as a tool for diagnosis, detection, and identification of delaminations in engineering applications by monitoring the frequency change.
Identifikation biochemischer Reaktionsnetzwerke: Ein beobachterbasierter Ansatz (Identification of Biochemical Reaction Networks: An Observer based Approach)
Authors: Bullinger Eric , Fey Dirk , Farina Marcello , Findeisen Rolf
Published: May 2008

Die Basis für viele Untersuchungen im Bereich der Systembiologie bilden mathematische Modelle. Diese hängen jedoch oftmals von einer Vielzahl unbekannter oder nur ungenau bekannter Reaktionsparameter ab. Die direkte Messung dieser Parameter basierend auf Einzelreaktionen ist aufgrund der damit verbundenen hohen Kosten, des notwendigen Zeitaufwands zur Durchführung der Experimente oder der sich ergebenden Komplexität durch die Vielzahl an Einzelreaktionen nicht möglich. Deshalb müssen diese Parameter aus indirekten Messungen an der realen Zelle, zum Beispiel aus Zeitreiheninformationen, gewonnen werden. Existierende Parameteridentifikationsverfahren berücksichtigen meistens nicht die speziellen Strukturen biochemischer Reaktionsnetzwerke. Oftmals liefern sie keine zuverlässigen Parameterschätzungen oder Garantien über die Eindeutigkeit der gefundenen Parameter. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit beschreiben wir ein Parameterschätzverfahren, das einen Zustandsbeobachter verwendet und es erlaubt, die auftretenden Strukturen direkt zu berücksichtigen. Unter der Annahme, dass die auftretenden Reaktionsmechanismen durch polynomiale oder rationale Funktionen beschrieben werden können, stellen wir ein dreistufiges Schätzverfahren vor. In einem ersten Schritt wird ein erweitertes Modell hergeleitet, mit dem die Parameterschätzung von der notwendigen Schätzung der unbekannten Zustände getrennt werden kann. In einem zweiten Schritt wird der erweiterterte Zustand mittels eines geeigneten Beobachters rekonstruktiert. Basierend auf den hieraus erhaltenen Zuständen werden die Reaktionsparameter im letzten Schritt geschätzt. Die Vor- und Nachteile des vorgeschlagenen Verfahrens werden an einem vereinfachten Modell für den zirkadischen Rythmus verdeutlicht.
Immunolocalisation of oestrogen receptors alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) in porcine embryos and fetuses at different stages of gestation
Authors: Knapczyk Katarzyna , Duda Malgorzata , Szafranska Bozena , Wolsza Katarzyna , Panasiewicz Grzegorz , Koziorowski Marek , Slomczynska Maria
Published: May 2008

The sites of oestrogen action can be shown by the localisation of their receptors in the target tissues. The aim of the present study was to show the localisation of oestrogen receptors in porcine embryos and fetuses obtained on days 18, 22, 32, 40, 50, 60, 71 and 90post coitum(p.c.). The visualisation of proteins was conducted in embryos and various fetal organs such as gonads, uterus, lung, kidney, intestine and adrenal gland. Both ERs were observed in the blastocysts on day 18 p.c. In the male, ERβ was detected in the testis and epididymis, whereas ERα was present in the efferent ductules. In the female, ERβ was detected in the ovarian stromal cells investing the oocyte nests, while ERα protein was detected in the surface epithelium. In the uterus, ERs were present in the stromal cells, while ERβ was present in the luminal epithelium. In the non-reproductive fetal porcine tissues ERβ was localised in the lungs, kidneys, adrenal glands and in the umbilical cords. Both ERs were observed in the intestine. It is possible that ERβ may play important roles in the development of the adrenal gland, testis, kidney and lungs, while both ERs are involved in the development of the ovary, uterus, epididymis and intestine of the porcine fetus.
Open-pulled straw (OPS) vitrification of in vitro fertilised mouse embryos at various stages
Authors: Yan Chang-Liang , Yang Qi-En , Zhou Guang-Bin , Hou Yun-Peng , Zhao Xue-Ming , Fan Zhi-Qiang , Liu Man-Qing , Liu Lin , Zhu Shi-En
Published: May 2008

The present study was designed to investigate the cryotolerance of
in vitro
fertilised (IVF) mouse embryos at various preimplantation developmental stages. IVF mouse embryos were vitrified by the open-pulled straw (OPS) method. After warming, embryos were morphologically evaluated and assessed by their development to blastocysts, hatched blastocysts or term. The results showed that a high proportion (93.3–100.0%) of vitrified embryos at all developmental stages were morphologically normal after recovery. The developmental rate of vitrified 1-cell embryos to blastocyst (40.0%) or hatched blastocyst (32.7%) or term (9.3%) was significantly lower than that from other stages (P < 0.05). Vitrified embryos from 2-cell to early blastocyst stage showed similar blastocyst (71.8–89.5%) and hatched blastocyst rates (61.1–69.6%) and could develop to term without a significant loss of survival compared with those of fresh embryos (P > 0.05). Vitrified 2-cell embryos showed the highest survival rate
in vivo
(50.6%, 88/174), compared with that from other stages (9.3–30.5%, P < 0.05). The data demonstrate that the OPS method is suitable for the cryopreservation of IVF mouse embryos from 2-cell stage to early blastocyst stage without a significant loss of survival. Embryos at the 2-cell stage had the best tolerance for cryopreservation in the present study.
The influence of TNFα and IL-8 on secretory action of neutrophils isolated from heifers in the course of bovine respiratory disease
Authors: Wessely-Szponder Joanna
Published: May 2008

The goal of this study was to give insight into the lesser known action of neutrophils in the course of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Neutrophils are principally involved in resistance to infection but under certain conditions these cells participate in lung injury. TNFα and IL-8, primary cytokines which play an essential role in neutrophil activation during the inflammatory process, may lead not only to host defence reaction but also to destructive responses. Neutrophil constituents, such as elastase, myeloperoxidase (MPO), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) and superoxide among others, contribute to tissue destruction. Also, 5-oxo-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxo-ETE), the potent activator of neutrophil chemotaxis and degranulation, can cause lung injury. This study revealed that neutrophils under the influence of TNFα exacerbated the release of elastase, MPO, ALKP and superoxide. IL-8, in turn, triggered those neutrophils which were isolated from heifers suffering from BRD, and released elastase, ALKP and 5-oxo-ETE, but not MPO or superoxide (O2−). The most pronounced degranulative response was observed in the acute form of BRD and a lesser response was seen in the chronic form. The secretory action of neutrophils varied not only depending on the form and phase of the disease but it also diminished successively during recovery.
Evaluation of innovative sprayed-concrete-lined tunnelling
Authors: Jones B. D. , Thomas A. H. , Hsu Y. S. , Hilar M.
Published: May 2008

The front-shunt tunnel was the first tunnel of the Terminal 5 project at Heathrow to be constructed, and was the first section of sprayed-concrete-lined (SCL) tunnel to be constructed using the method known as LaserShell. This innovation represented a significant deviation from the methods previously used in SCL construction. Therefore it was subjected to a careful examination before and during construction using sophisticated 3D numerical modelling and monitoring during construction. The paper presents typical results from surface settlement levelling, inclinometers and extensometers, pressure cells and tunnel lining displacement measurements, and comments on the performance of the methods and instruments used. The paper then presents the methodology and typical results of the numerical modelling, and shows that the predictions of displacements and stresses compared well with the field measurements. In terms of the control of ground deformations and structural safety the tunnel performed well.
Comparison of Unitary and Multidimensional Models of the Whiteley Index in a Nonclinical Sample: Implications for Understanding and Assessing Health Anxiety
Authors: Asmundson Gordon J. R. , Carleton Nicholas R. , Bovell Candice V. , Taylor Steven
Published: May 2008

Health anxiety is an important but poorly assessed phenomenon. Manifesting along a continuum, health anxiety is the result of a catastrophic appraisal of somatic sensations and changes as indicative of disease. The Whiteley Index (WI) is one of the most widely used self-report measures for assessing health anxiety both for research and for clinical practice. It generally exhibits excellent and robust psychometric properties for internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent validity, and concurrent validity; however, both its item content and its factor structure are matters of debate. Moreover, the measure has rarely been assessed in nonclinical samples. For the present study, a sample of 300 participants from the University of Regina completed the WI. If the latent dimensions identified in factor analysis represent etiologic mechanisms, then the elucidation of the WI’s factor structure may enhance our understanding of health anxiety. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine a robust and reliable item content and factor structure, resulting in a six-item two-factor structure that was invariant across gender. The two factors were denoted Somatic Symptoms/Bodily Preoccupation and Disease Worry/Phobia. Previous factor structure solutions were compared to the factor structure derived from this study by means of confirmatory factor analysis. The newly established item content and factor structure resulted in acceptable fit indices that were statistically superior to those found using the previous factor structure solutions. Implications and directions for assessment of health anxiety and future research are discussed.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Multidimensional Inventory of Hypochondriacal Traits: Factor Structure and Relationship to Anxiety Sensitivity
Authors: Stewart Sherry H. , Sherry Simon B. , Watt Margo C. , Grant Valerie V. , Hadjistavropoulos Heather D.
Published: May 2008

The Multidimensional Inventory of Hypochondriacal Traits (MIHT; Longley, Watson, & Noyes, 2005) appears to address shortcomings of other common measures of health anxiety, but further research is required prior to using this measure in treatment planning and outcome assessment. This study was designed to explore the hierarchical structure of this health anxiety measure and relations of the various MIHT health anxiety components to anxiety sensitivity. A sample of 535 university students (362 women) was administered the 31-item MIHT and the 16-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI; Reiss, Peterson, Gursky, & McNally, 1986). Confirmatory factor analyses of participants’ responses on the MIHT showed that this measure may be conceptualized either as involving four correlated factors (i.e., Affective, Cognitive, Behavioral, and Perceptual) or as being hierarchical in nature, with the four lower-order factors loading on a single higher-order global health anxiety factor. Correlational analyses revealed significant relations of anxiety sensitivity to each of the four MIHT subscales and to the MIHT total score. Of the three established anxiety sensitivity components, ASI Physical Concerns were most strongly and consistently related to the various dimensions of health anxiety on the MIHT. Additional analyses revealed that the ASI and MIHT are better represented as two correlated but independent traits as opposed to common manifestations of a single underlying trait. The results have implications for case conceptualization, treatment planning, and assessment of treatment outcome in cognitive psychotherapy with health-anxious populations.
Field Testing, Refinement, and Psychometric Evaluation of a New Measure of Quality of Care for Assisted Living
Authors: Rantz Marilyn J. , Aud Myra A. , Zwygart-Stauffacher Mary , Mehr David R. , Petroski Gregory F. , Owen Steven V. , Madsen Richard W. , Flesner Marcia , Conn Vicki , Maas Meridean
Published: May 2008

Field test results are reported for the Observable Indicators of Nursing Home Care Quality Instrument–Assisted Living Version, an instrument designed to measure the quality of care in assisted living facilities after a brief 30-minute walk-through. The OIQ-AL was tested in 207 assisted-living facilities in two states using classical test theory, generalizability theory, and exploratory factor analysis. The 34-item scale has a coherent six-factor structure that conceptually describes the multidimensional concept of care quality in assisted living. The six factors can be logically clustered into process (Homelike and Caring, 21 items) and structure (Access and Choice; Lighting; Plants and Pets; Outdoor Spaces) subscales and for a total quality score. Classical test theory results indicate most subscales and the total quality score from the OIQ-AL have acceptable interrater, test–retest, and strong internal consistency reliabilities. Generalizability theory analyses reveal that dependability of scores from the instrument are strong, particularly by including a second observer who conducts a site visit and independently completes an instrument, or by a single observer conducting two site visits and completing instruments during each visit. Scoring guidelines based on the total sample of observations (N = 358) help guide those who want to use the measure to interpret both subscale and total scores. Content validity was supported by two expert panels of people experienced in the assisted-living field, and a content validity index calculated for the first version of the scale is high (3.43 on a four-point scale). The OIQ-AL gives reliable and valid scores for researchers, and may be useful for consumers, providers, and others interested in measuring quality of care in assisted-living facilities.