bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood safety strategies for human T‐cell lymphotropic virus in Europe
Authors: Laperche S. , Worms B. , Pillonel J. ,   for the European Network of Transfusion Medecine Societies and the Steering Committee of the Epidemiological Surveillance of Blood Donors in France
Published: December 2008

Background  To prevent the blood transmission of human T‐cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), different countries have introduced anti‐HTLV blood screening. Furthermore, leucoreduction of blood components has been implemented to preclude the transmission of infectious agents present in white blood cells.

Study Design and Methods  To evaluate the current European strategies adopted to ensure the blood safety for HTLV, a European investigation spanning a period from 2003 to 2008 was carried out.

Results  In 2003, of the 23 included countries, 11 performed anti‐HTLV screening, four of which (Scandinavian countries) only did it on first‐time donors. Norway and Finland stopped it in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Two groups may be defined according to increasing prevalence rates per 10 000 donations in first‐time donors: Scandinavia and Ireland (0 to 0·17), France, the Netherlands and UK (0·45 to 0·48); Romania was clearly apart from all other participating countries (5·33). HTLV‐positive donors (88·6%) either come from endemic areas (82·3%) or declare to have a sexual partner coming from endemic areas (6·3%). Of the 283 HTLV‐positive donations that could be characterized, 6·6% were HTLV‐II. Fourteen of 22 countries currently use systematic leucoreduction, at least in cellular blood components. Six countries perform both universal anti‐HTLV screening and blood cell leucoreduction.

Conclusion  The implementation of leucoreduction did not modify the blood HTLV‐screening policy, except for Norway and Finland. Several screening strategies in low endemic countries performing leucoreduction were discussed. However, the withdrawal of anti‐HTLV screening should be decided after assessing the remaining HTLV transfusion risk.
CONFIDENCE INTERVALS UTILIZING PRIOR INFORMATION IN THE BEHRENS–FISHER PROBLEM
Authors: Kabaila Paul , Tuck Jarrod
Published: December 2008

Consider two independent random samples of size f + 1, one from an N (μ1, σ21) distribution and the other from an N (μ2, σ22) distribution, where σ21/σ22∈ (0, ∞). The Welch ‘approximate degrees of freedom’ (‘approximate t‐solution’) confidence interval for μ1−μ2 is commonly used when it cannot be guaranteed that σ21/σ22= 1. Kabaila (2005, Comm. Statist. Theory and Methods 34, 291–302) multiplied the half‐width of this interval by a positive constant so that the resulting interval, denoted by J0, has minimum coverage probability 1 −α. Now suppose that we have uncertain prior information that σ21/σ22= 1. We consider a broad class of confidence intervals for μ1−μ2 with minimum coverage probability 1 −α. This class includes the interval J0, which we use as the standard against which other members of will be judged. A confidence interval utilizes the prior information substantially better than J0 if (expected length of J)/(expected length of J0) is (a) substantially less than 1 (less than 0.96, say) for σ21/σ22= 1, and (b) not too much larger than 1 for all other values of σ21/σ22. For a given f, does there exist a confidence interval that satisfies these conditions? We focus on the question of whether condition (a) can be satisfied. For each given f, we compute a lower bound to the minimum over of (expected length of J)/(expected length of J0) when σ21/σ22= 1. For 1 −α= 0.95, this lower bound is not substantially less than 1. Thus, there does not exist any confidence interval belonging to that utilizes the prior information substantially better than J0.
A REGRESSION APPROACH TO THE ESTIMATION OF THE FINITE POPULATION MEAN IN THE PRESENCE OF NON‐RESPONSE
Authors: Singh Housila P. , Kumar Sunil
Published: December 2008

This paper presents various estimators for estimating the population mean of the study variable y using information on the auxiliary variable x in the presence of non‐response. Properties of the suggested estimators are studied and compared with those of existing estimators. It is shown that the estimators suggested in this paper are among the best of all the estimators considered. An empirical study is carried out to demonstrate the performance of the suggested estimators and of others, and it is found that the empirical results support the theoretical study.
Statistical Analysis of Randomized Experiments with Non-Ignorable Missing Binary Outcomes: An Application to a Voting Experiment
Authors: Imai Kosuke
Published: December 2008

Missing data are frequently encountered in the statistical analysis of randomized experiments. I propose statistical methods that can be used to analyse randomized experiments with a non-ignorable missing binary outcome where the missing data mechanism may depend on the unobserved values of the outcome variable itself even after taking into account the information in the fully observed variables. The motivating empirical example is a German election experiment where researchers are worried that the act of voting may increase the probability of participation in the post-election survey through which the outcome variable, turnout, was measured. To address this problem, I first introduce an identification strategy for the average treatment effect under the non-ignorability assumption and compare it with the existing alternative approaches in the literature. I then derive the maximum likelihood estimator and its asymptotic distribution and discuss possible estimation methods. Furthermore, since the identification assumption proposed is not directly verifiable from the data, I show how to conduct a sensitivity analysis based on the parameterization that links the key identification assumption with the causal quantities of interest. Finally, the methodology proposed is extended to the analysis of randomized experiments with non-compliance. In addition, although the method that is introduced may not directly apply to randomized experiments with non-binary outcomes, I briefly discuss possible identification strategies in more general situations.
The Rehabilitation of Common Sense: Social Representations, Science and Cognitive Polyphasia
Authors: JOVCHELOVITCH SANDRA
Published: December 2008

In Psychoanalysis, its image and its public (PIP) Moscovici introduced the theory of social representations and took further the project of rehabilitating common sense. In this paper I examine this project through a consideration of the problem of cognitive polyphasia, and the continuity and discontinuity between different systems of knowing. Focusing on the relations between science and common sense. I ask why, despite considerable evidence to the contrary, the scientific imagination tends to deny its relation to common sense and believe that can displace it. I argue that the psychosocial dynamic between common sense and science is revealing of how heavily they are entangled in, and indeed indebted to each other. Even more, this dynamic allows for a full appreciation of what the theory of social representations calls states of cognitive polyphasia. Different systems of thinking and knowing do not displace each other but live side by side, co‐existing in a variety of ways, fulfilling different functions and answering different needs in social life.
The Epistemological Significance of the Theory of Social Representations
Authors: MARKOVÁ IVANA
Published: December 2008

The theory of social representations must be understood in terms of its proper epistemology so that it can accomplish its full potential in social sciences. This is often difficult to achieve because researchers comprehend it in terms of concepts that are part of static and individualistic Newtonian epistemology rather than in terms of dynamic and relational Einsteinian epistemology. This article considers three signposts that Moscovici identifies and analyses in the theory of relativity, namely the relation between epistemology and science, theory and method, and the argument against the explanation of effects by their causes. The following question is posed: are these signposts also characteristic of the theory of social representations? This question is examined focusing on interactional epistemology, theory and method and the diversity of natural thinking and communication. Moscovici'sPsychoanalysisshows that natural thinking appears in a plurality of modes according to the situation in which it takes place and according to social groups towards which it is directed. Natural thinking is controversial and communication‐centred. Different professionals, groups and lay people use different kinds of speaking and different communicative genres when they try to resolve “the same” problem. The article suggests that bringing together dialogicality, dialogical linguistics and the theory of social representations may open up new possibilities for theoretical developments in social psychology.
Social Actors and Social Groups: A Return to Heterogeneity in Social Psychology
Authors: DUVEEN GERARD
Published: December 2008

For the contemporary reader ofPsychoanalysis: Its Image and Its Publicthe analyses of communicative systems in the book provides a challenging occasion for reconsidering current social psychological thinking about the character of social groups. In Moscovici's careful delineation of the communicative systems of diffusion, propagation and propaganda through his content analysis of the French press, one can also see the description of different types of group structured through distinctive social psychological organisations. Moscovici himself suggests that the genres of diffusion, propagation and propaganda are each linked to the construction of a specific type of social‐psychological object, opinion, attitude and stereotype respectively. But one can also identify different forms of affiliation corresponding to each communicative genre, and consequently also different representations of the people who constitute both the in‐group and the out‐group in each instance. The affiliative bonds might be described as forms ofsympathy, communionandsolidarity.
Children’s responses to daily social stressors: relations with parenting, children’s effortful control, and adjustment
Authors: Valiente Carlos , Lemery‐Chalfant Kathryn , Swanson Jodi
Published: December 2008

Background:  We examined children’s coping and involuntary stress responses as mediators of the relations between parenting or children’s effortful control (EC) and adjustment.

Method:  Two hundred and forty primarily Mexican American 7‐ to 12‐year‐old children reported on their EC, coping, involuntary stress responses, and problem behaviors. Teachers reported on children’s academic competence. Parents reported on their reactions to children’s negative emotions and on children’s EC, problem behaviors, and academic competence.

Results:  There were significant zero‐order relations between parents’ affective responses to children’s negative emotions, children’s EC, engagement coping, disengagement coping, involuntary stress responses, and adjustment. Consistent evidence emerged that children’s engagement coping and involuntary stress‐responses mediate the relations between parenting or EC and adjustment.

Conclusions:  Results highlight the utility of assessing stress responses in a multidimensional manner and have implications for intervention programs.
Role of Lon1 protease in post‐germinative growth and maintenance of mitochondrial function in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Rigas Stamatis , Daras Gerasimos , Laxa Miriam , Marathias Nikolas , Fasseas Constantinos , Sweetlove Lee J. , Hatzopoulos Polydefkis
Published: December 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.02731.xCommentary p 505
Gregarious bamboo flowering opens a window of opportunity for regeneration in a temperate forest of Patagonia
Authors: Giordano Carla V. , Sánchez Rodolfo A. , Austin Amy T.
Published: December 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.02757.xCommentary p 749
Evaluation of consensus methods in predictive species distribution modelling
Authors: Marmion Mathieu , Parviainen Miia , Luoto Miska , Heikkinen Risto K. , Thuiller Wilfried
Published: December 2008

Aim  Spatial modelling techniques are increasingly used in species distribution modelling. However, the implemented techniques differ in their modelling performance, and some consensus methods are needed to reduce the uncertainty of predictions. In this study, we tested the predictive accuracies of five consensus methods, namely Weighted Average (WA), Mean(All), Median(All), Median(PCA), and Best, for 28 threatened plant species.

Location  North‐eastern Finland, Europe.

Methods  The spatial distributions of the plant species were forecasted using eight state‐of‐the‐art single‐modelling techniques providing an ensemble of predictions. The probability values of occurrence were then combined using five consensus algorithms. The predictive accuracies of the single‐model and consensus methods were assessed by computing the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver‐operating characteristic plot.

Results  The mean AUC values varied between 0.697 (classification tree analysis) and 0.813 (random forest) for the single‐models, and from 0.757 to 0.850 for the consensus methods. WA and Mean(All) consensus methods provided significantly more robust predictions than all the single‐models and the other consensus methods.

Main conclusions  Consensus methods based on average function algorithms may increase significantly the accuracy of species distribution forecasts, and thus they show considerable promise for different conservation biological and biogeographical applications.
Population structure and introduction history of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella, in China
Authors: Liu Yu‐Di , Wu Kong‐Ming , Guo Yu‐Yuan
Published: December 2008

The pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a cotton pest probably native to Indo‐Pakistan, invaded China at the beginning of the 20th century. Chinese P. gossypiella have been assumed to be the result of indiscriminate introductions from Pakistan and America by transport of cotton seed. We tested this long‐held hypothesis and genotyped a total of 527 individuals from 14 sites at 13 microsatellite loci. We analyzed these data with traditional statistics as well as with Bayesian methods. The loci were, for the most part, highly polymorphic. The allelic richness of Chinese populations at six loci was greater than those of the Pakistani and American populations. Significant deficits of heterozygotes were recorded for all 14 populations, and null alleles were the most probable factor contributing to these deficits. Pairwise FST estimates showed that there was significant differentiation among the pooled Chinese, Pakistani, and American populations, and there was structure within most of the Chinese populations. The Bayesian analysis revealed that the combined Chinese, American, and Pakistani populations formed separate clusters, and the nine Chinese populations were divided into two clusters. Allelic frequency distributions showed that private and shared alleles within Chinese P. gossypiella were derived only partly from the Pakistani and American populations. The microsatellite‐based genetic analyses suggested that the Chinese P. gossypiella populations originated from multiple sources.
The metabolic syndrome and schizophrenia
Authors: Meyer J. M. , Stahl S. M.
Published: December 2008

Objective:  To summarize the accumulated data on metabolic syndrome prevalence in patients with schizophrenia, examine evidence for a biological contribution of the mental illness to metabolic risk and review novel options available for management of prediabetic states.

Method:  A Medline search using metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity cross‐referenced with schizophrenia was performed on articles published between 1990 and May 2008.

Results:  Recent evidence indicates that schizophrenia increases predisposition towards metabolic dysfunction independent of environmental exposure. Both fasting and non‐fasting triglycerides have emerged as important indicators of cardiometabolic risk, while metformin, thiazolidinediones and GLP‐1 modulators may prove promising tools for managing insulin resistance.

Conclusion:  Because of lifestyle, disease and medication effects, schizophrenia patients have significant risk for cardiometabolic disease. Routine monitoring, preferential use of metabolically neutral antipsychotics and lifestyle education are critical to minimizing risk, with a possible role for antidiabetic medications for management of insulin resistant states that do not respond to other treatment strategies.
Lycanthropy alive in Babylon: the existence of archetype
Authors: Younis A. A. , Moselhy H. F.
Published: December 2008

Objective:  Lycanthropy is the belief in the capacity of human metamorphosis into animal form. It has been recorded in many cultures. Apart from historic description of lycanthropy, there has been several case reports described in the medical literature over the past 30 years.

Method:  We identified eight cases of lycanthropy in 20 years, mainly in the area of Babylon, Iraq.

Results:  The most commonly reported diagnosis was severe depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms. The type of animal that the patients changed into were mainly dogs (seven cases) and only one case changed into a cow for the first time to report.

Conclusion:  Lycanthropy delusion is a rare delusion but appears to have survived into modern times with possible archetypal existence.
Anti‐interleukin‐31‐antibodies ameliorate scratching behaviour in NC/Nga mice: a model of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Grimstad Øystein , Sawanobori Yasushi , Vestergaard Christian , Bilsborough Janine , Olsen Uffe Bang , Grønhøj‐Larsen Christian , Matsushima Kouji
Published: December 2008

Background:  Interleukin‐31 (IL‐31), a novel cytokine, is upregulated in atopic dermatitis skin lesions in humans and skin lesions in the NC/Nga mice, a murine model for atopic dermatitis.

Objective:  Here, we investigated the effect of a monoclonal IL‐31 antibody on scratching behaviour, weight gain and dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

Methods:  Mice were divided into three groups, n = 10 in each group. Mice were given monoclonal IL‐31 rat‐anti‐mouse antibody 10 mg/kg or albumin intraperitoneally every fifth day for seven weeks. In addition, the mice in one group were not exposed to any form of intervention. The dermatitis score was clinically assessed twice a week. The scratching behaviour was automatically detected and objectively evaluated.

Results:  Intervention with IL‐31 antibody 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally every fifth day in NC/Nga mice from age 7 weeks reduced the scratching behaviour, but did not have any impact on weight gain or dermatitis.

Conclusion:  IL‐31 antibody reduces scratching behaviour in an atopic dermatitis‐like murine model during the onset of clinical skin manifestations. Our findings suggest IL‐31 antibody as a new potential therapeutic approach for pruritus in atopic dermatitis and other pruritic diseases.
Soft Tissue Cone‐Beam Computed Tomography: A Novel Method for the Measurement of Gingival Tissue and the Dimensions of the Dentogingival Unit
Authors: JANUÁRIO ALESSANDRO LOURENÇO , BARRIVIERA MAURÍCIO , DUARTE WAGNER RODRIGUES
Published: December 2008

The dimensions and relationships of the structures of the dentogingival unit have been greatly overlooked because of the inability to easily and precisely determine them. The purpose of the present study was to develop a soft tissue cone‐beam computed tomography (ST‐CBCT) to improve soft tissue image quality and allow the determination of the dimensions and relationships of the structures of the dentogingival unit. Two separate CBCT scans were obtained from three patients with different periodontal biotypes. The first was a scan following standard methods; however, for the ST‐CBCT the patients wore a plastic lip retractor and retracted their tongues toward the floor of their mouths. With the first scan, only measurements of the distance of the cementoenamel junctional (CEJ) to the facial bone crest, and the width of the facial alveolar bone were possible. In contrast, ST‐CBCT allowed measurements of the distance of the gingival margin to the facial bone crest, the gingival margin to the CEJ, and width of the facial gingiva. ST‐CBCT scans allowed a clear visualization, measurement of the dimensions, and analysis of the relationship of the structures of the periodontium and dentogingival attachment apparatus.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The dimensions and relationships of the structures of the dentogingival attachment apparatus are essential aspects in many fields of dentistry and this report describes a simple, novel, and noninvasive technique to determine them. This technique may aid clinicians in the planning and execution of procedures in several dental specialties.
Bleaching Agents with Varying Concentrations of Carbamide and/or Hydrogen Peroxides: Effect on Dental Microhardness and Roughness
Authors: FARAONI‐ROMANO JULIANA JENDIROBA , DA SILVEIRA ALESSANDRA GONÇALVES , TURSSI CECILIA PEDROSO , SERRA MÔNICA CAMPOS
Published: December 2008

Purpose:  To evaluate the effect of low and highly concentrated bleaching agents on microhardness and surface roughness of bovine enamel and root dentin.

Methods:  According to a randomized complete block design, 100 specimens of each substrate were assigned into five groups to be treated with bleaching agents containing carbamide peroxide (CP) at 10% (CP10); hydrogen peroxide (HP) at 7.5% (HP7.5) or 38% (HP38), or the combination of 18% of HP and 22% of CP (HP18/CP22), for 3 weeks. The control group was left untreated. Specimens were immersed in artificial saliva between bleaching treatments. Knoop surface microhardness (SMH) and average surface roughness (Ra) were measured at baseline and post‐bleaching conditions.

Results:  For enamel, there were differences between bleaching treatments for both SMH and Ra measurements (p = 0.4009 and p = 0.7650, respectively). SMH significantly increased (p < 0.0001), whereas Ra decreased (p = 0.0207) from baseline to post‐bleaching condition. For root dentin, the group treated with CP10 exhibited the significantly highest SMH value differing from those groups bleached with HP18/CP22, HP7.5, which did not differ from each other. Application of HP38 resulted in intermediate SMH values. No significant differences were found for Ra (p = 0.5975). Comparing the baseline and post‐bleaching conditions, a decrease was observed in SMH (p < 0.0001) and an increase in Ra (p = 0.0063).

Conclusion:  Bleaching agents with varying concentrations of CP and/or HP are capable of causing mineral loss in root dentin. Enamel does not perform in such bleaching agent‐dependent fashion when one considers either hardness or surface roughness evaluations.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Bleaching did not alter the enamel microhardness and surface roughness, but in root dentin, microhardness seems to be dependent on the bleaching agent used.
PROTOCOL FOR THE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF ROOT CARIES
Authors: Donovan Terry , Swift, Jr. Edward J.
Published: December 2008

This critical appraisal deviates from our standard format to address a timely topic of particular interest to clinicians.
Florence Nightingale: A Lady with more than a Lamp
Authors: Joyce Helen
Published: December 2008

Florence Nightingale was the first modern nurse. She was also a statistician—the first woman to be elected to the Statistical Society of London, in fact—and, as Helen Joyce tells us, the chart she devised to show that soldiers in the Crimea were dying of neglect rather than wounds was a thing of wonder.
Association of aphid life stages using DNA sequences: A case study of tribe Eriosomatini (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Pemphiginae)
Authors: Zhang He‐Cai , Zhang Dong , Qiao Ge‐Xia
Published: December 2008

Association of aphid life stages based on a portion of COI sequence was applied in Eriosomatini. Three aphid specimens, nos. 17496, 19265a, and 19265b collected on Gramineae roots all clustered with Tetraneura chinensis Mordvilko with strong support. The average pairwise p‐distance among the four taxa was 0.001 (range, 0.000–0.002), and that among all the ingroup taxa was 0.065 (range, 0.000–0.141). This indicated that nos. 17496 and 19265 b were the secondary‐host morphs of T. chinensis. In this paper the secondary host morph of T. chinensis is described for the first time. With the identification of more species' secondary‐host morphs, aphids identification based on this morph will be made easily.
Variations in body melanisation, ovariole number and fecundity in highland and lowland populations of Drosophila melanogaster from the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Rajpurohit Subhash , Parkash Ravi , Ramniwas Seema , Singh Shama
Published: December 2008

We investigated geographical variations in three fitness‐related traits (body melanisation, ovariole number and fecundity) in laboratory‐reared offspring of 10 populations of Drosophila melanogaster. The populations were collected from adjacent lowland and highland localities (∼80–100 km apart) in the tropical as well as subtropical regions (11.15–31.06 °N) covering a linear distance about 3 000 kilometers from south to north on the Indian subcontinent. Persistence of within‐as well as between‐population differences at 21 °C suggest that observed variations in fitness‐related traits have a genetic basis. Populations from higher altitudes showed consistently higher trait values (1.4‐fold increase) as compared with their corresponding lowland populations. By contrast, latitudinal variations were about two‐fold higher across the entire continent. Along latitude as well as altitude, population means showed higher correlation values (r > 0.98) between all the three fitness traits. However, on the basis of within‐population analysis (assorted darker and lighter flies), changes in body melanisation were significantly correlated with fecundity but not with ovariole number. Thus, analysis of within‐population trait variability should be preferred as compared with data on population means for adaptive significance of fitness‐related traits. In the present study, the role of climatic selection is evident from regression analysis with changes in annual average temperature of the sites of origin of populations along latitude as well as altitude.
THE EARLY TO “MIDDLE” CRETACEOUS LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE CENTRAL NORTH SEA (UK SECTOR)
Authors: Crittenden S. , Cole J. , Harlow C.
Published: December 2008

A revised lithostratigraphical framework of the Early to “Middle” Cretaceous strata of the Central North Sea (UK sector) derived from the rigorous examination of more than 100 commercial boreholes is presented. Previously published frameworks have tended toward oversimplification of the Early to “Middle” Cretaceous, as the interval was considered initially to be of minor importance with regard to prospectivity. However, there is a general feeling in the industry that the Early to “Middle” Cretaceous is prospective, particularly with regard to subtle stratigraphical traps like theKilda/BosunandScapafields. It is inevitable that as more attention, due to hydrocarbon exploration, is paid to an interval that the stratigraphical models used progress from the simplistic to the complex. The framework presented here is the result of a pragmatic approach in that it is based upon the integration of previously published schemes, with the erection of new units derived from new analyses and interpretation. The complete lithostratigraphical framework is defined, explained and discussed with reference to borehole examples in the Central North Sea.
ALPINE GEOWARPINGS IN THE ZAGROS‐TAURUS RANGE: INFLUENCE ON HYDROCARBON GENERATION, MIGRATION AND ACCUMULATION
Authors: Ameen M. S.
Published: December 2008

Megascale monoclinal flexures (“geowarpings”) with maximum angles of dip ranging from 5° to 13° occur in the Zagros‐Taurus range of Iraq and Iran. They face south and SW, with amplitudes of 1.4 to 14.44 kms and axial lengths of 43 to 230 kms. Their axes are parallel to the host mountain range and lie in an en échelon configuration, and many are located in the high mountain zone, at or close to the mountain front (i.e. the border with the foothills zone).

Neotectonic and stratigraphic evidence suggests the contemporaneous development of these flexures with their host fold‐belt during the collision of the Eurasian and Afro‐Arabian Plates, which culminated during Upper Miocene‐Pliocene time. Differential vertical movements caused greater shortening and thickening in the upwarded regions (10–33%), which lie closer to the plate suture zones, compared to the downwarped regions (3–17%).

Development of the geowarpings resulted in circumstances favourable for hydrocarbon generation in downwarped regions, where source rocks were buried sufficiently deeply to produce oil and gas; this then migrated upwards to be trapped in the growing folds, and was sealed by Miocene evaporites. On the other hand, upwarped regions were elevated, and suffered extensive erosion, leading to a reduction in the depth of burial of potential source rocks, and consequently limited possibilities of hydrocarbon generation. Furthermore, the non‐deposition and/or erosion of Miocene evaporites in upwarped regions led to the dissipation of considerable volumes of the hydrocarbons which might have been generated. The effect of geowarpings on oil and gas reserves is evident from the distribution of oil‐ and gasfields, which are almost exclusively located in the downwarped foothills zone.

Geowarpings may be located in the Taurus Range of E Turkey and NE Syria, but a lack of accurate data makes this difficult to investigate. Further studies are needed to develop an efficient exploration plan for oil and gas in that area.
SCALES OF PERMEABILITY HETEROGENEITY WITHIN THE BRENT GROUP
Authors: Daws J. A. , Prosser D. J.
Published: December 2008

A selection of Brent Group reservoir sequences from the Murchison field were chosen to study the nature of permeability variation within the Brent Group, with particular emphasis on the Etive Formation, which forms one of the main reservoirs in the field.

Preliminary core examination of potential permeability barriers, as identified using wireline log response, has indicated that permeability heterogeneities can be placed into a five‐fold hierarchy. Permeability heterogeneities resulting from depositional or syndepositional processes comprise the first four orders of heterogeneity and include formations, facies transitions, bedding surfaces and laminations. Permeability heterogeneities which are the product of diagenetic processes are classified as fifth‐order heteorgeneities.

Two major types of permeability barrier have been identified in core and on wireline logs within the Etive Formation. They include permeability heterogeneities associated with a transition between the two major facies associations (tidal channel and beach/foreshore sandstones); and heterogeneities associated with the development of inactive channel‐fill sandstones and siltstones within the tidal‐channel facies association.

A detailed sedimentological model has been developed which demonstrates the complexity of reservoir zonation in the Etive Formation within the Murchison field.
THE CAUSE AND MECHANISM OF VITRINITE REFLECTANCE ANOMALIES
Authors: Fang Hao , Jianyu Chen
Published: December 2008

The unexpected phenomena that measured vitrinite reflectance (Ro) values are lower (suppression) or higher (enhancement) than expected values at a given regional rank are defined as vitrinite reflectance anomalies. Such phenomena have been found in many basins in China, both in coal seams and in oil source rocks, and representative examples are presented in this paper. The cause and mechanism of vitrinite reflectance anomalies have been investigated by comparing the hydrogen contents and chemical structure of vitrinite macerals from immature Type I, Type II and Type III kerogens, and by studying the effects of early diagenetic oxidation on the thermostability of humic organic matter (OM). The results demonstrate: (1) depending on the anoxic or oxic nature of the depositional conditions, that lignocellulosic tissues can form a series of vitrinite macerals with different initial hydrogen contents and slightly different initial reflectivities; (2) that vitrinite macerals with different initial hydrogen contents have different reaction kinetics, with hydrogen‐poor, oxygen‐rich vitrinite maturing at an enhanced rate compared to vitrinite with a higher hydrogen content and a lower oxygen content; (3) that variations in the hydrogen content and the thermostability of vitrinite macerals are the main causes of Ro suppression and enhancement.
GEOLOGY OF THE PERMIAN “SUPER‐GIANT” GAS RESERVOIRS IN THE GREATER PERSIAN GULF AREA
Authors: Kashfi M. S.
Published: December 2008

The Permian Dalan and Khuff Formations contain extensive gas reservoirs in the Greater Persian Gulf area. The Permian transgressive sea covered a vast area in the Middle East, and deposited a fairly thick sequence of shallow, epicontinental carbonates. These carbonates were deposited unconformably on Lower Paleozoic rocks in western Iran and on the basement in Central Arabia. The term “Khuff Formation” has been widely used by oil companies in the region, but its equivalent, the Dalan Formation, is a new name currently being used in Iran.

The Permian Basin was an elongate trough, trending NW‐SE, parallel to the Cretaceous‐Tertiary Zagros geosyncline. The deepest part of the Permian Basin was in the extreme SE portion of the trough, in the vicinity of the present Oman Mountains, in which nearly 6,000 ft (1,830 m) of Permian sediments were deposited.

Porosity and permeability are generally low in these carbonates. However, secondary fracture porosity and dolomitization are commonly developed throughout these rocks. Permian reservoirs are capped by impervious strata, and the gas seems to be sourced from within the Permian section.
Rate of Penetration of Ions through the Capillary Wall
Authors: HAHN L. , HEVESY G.
Published: December 2008

Solutions of labelled chloride, bromide, sodium, potassium, phosphate and deuterium oxyde were injected into the circulation of rabbits and the speed of the escape of the labelled ions from the plasma was determined. Potassium was found to penetrate at a much faster rate through the capillary wall than any other ion investigated.

Information on the permeability of the muscle and brain capillaries were obtained by comparing the labelled sodium, phosphate and heavy water content of muscle and plasma, respectively brain and plasma. The muscle endothelium was found to be more permeable to sodium and to phospate than the endothelium of the brain. The partition ratio of labelled sodium between plasma and the chloride space of the brain amounts after the lapse of 11 min. only to 1/10 of the equilibrium value; during that time a proportional partition of labelled sodium between plasma and the chloride space of the muscle was obtained.

In the course of an hour, somewhat less than 1/3 of the proportional partition of bromine between plasma and the grey brain substance was reached. Proportional partition of labelled water between plasma and the muscle water was reached after about half an hour.

We wish to express our hearty thanks to Professor Niels Bohr for kindly putting numerous facilities at our disposal.
The Plasma Prothrombin Level in Cats and Rabbits after Excluding the Liver from the Circulation, after Stimulation of the Splanchnic Nerve and after Intravenous Injection of Adrenalin.
Authors: UVNÄS BÖRJE
Published: December 2008

The plasma prothrombin level was studied in cats and rabbits after occlusion of the liver from the circulation with special care taken to avoid traumatization of the liver.

The occlusion of the liver was performed in two ways, either by ligating the hepatic vessels in cats and rabbits or by applicating a modified Eck's fistula in cats. A rapid fall in plasma prothrombin was observed in all cases.

After removing the intestines in cats the prothrombin level remained unchanged during 6–8 hours whereupon a quick fall in prothrombin ensued. If the spleen was left intact even a transient, but considerable increase in prothrombin, accompanied by an augmented coagulation tendency was found.

In experiments in vitro with citrated blood, the prothrombin decreased at a higher rate than in experiments in vivo, where the liver was excluded from the circulation.

Increased plasma prothrombin levels were observed in cats under slight ether anesthesia, after intravenous injections of adrenalin and after electric stimulation of the splanchnic nerve.
Contributions to the Chemistry of Prothrombin
Authors: ASTRUP TAGE , DARLING SVEN
Published: December 2008

1. A unit for prothrombin (P. T. U.) is defined as the amount of prothrombin which by total activation yields one unit of thrombin.

2. Prothrombin is prepared from ox plasma. It seems to be a protein of globulin character.

3. The transformation of prothrombin into thrombin seems to be a conversion of a globulin into an albumin.
The Absorption of Calcium as a Function of the Body Saturation with Calcium
Authors: NICOLAYSEN RAGNAR
Published: December 2008

1. The speed of absorption of calcium in rats is influenced by the levels of calcium in the diet; but only as long as the skeleton is kept unsaturated with calcium salts from an early age.

2. Calcium starvation in adult rats and in pregnancy does not increase the speed of absorption of calcium.

3. Thymus and the gonads do not appear to influence the absorption of Ca.
On the Effect and Toxicity of Dimethyl Sulfide, Dimethyl Disulfide and Methyl Mercaptan.
Authors: LJUNGGREN GUSTAF , NORBERG BO
Published: December 2008

A number of experiments on the effects and toxicity of dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide and methyl mercaptan on rats are described. The effects of these sulfides are mainly the same as those of hydrogen sulfide. The toxicity, estimated from the concentration necessary to kill a rat in about 15 minutes, decreases in the order hydrogen sulfide ‐ dimethyl disulfide ‐ methylmercaptan ‐ dimethyl sulfide.
Computation of Results from Experiments with Indirect Calorimetry
Authors: ABRAMSON ERNST.
Published: December 2008

A simple method for computing results from experiments with indirect calorimetry is described.

The formulae mentioned are not only applicable to the normal metabolism of protein, fat and carbohydrate, but also when other substances, e. g. alcohol, are burned or when pathological final products appear in the urine. For practical use two nomograms are presented.
Cortical or Reflex Control of Respiration dnring Muscular Work?
Authors: ASMUSSEN ERLING , NIELSEN MARIUS , WIETH‐PEDERSEN G.
Published: December 2008

In experiments with voluntary and electrically induced work on a normal subject and on a patient (tabes dorsalis) in whom all the ordinary kinesthetic sensations were completely extinguished, the pulmonary ventilation increased during both kinds of work in the normal way i.e. corresponding to the oxygen consumption, in spite of the fact, that the cortical innervation during the electrically induced work was substituted by the apparatus for electrical stimulation.

Prom these experiments it is concluded, that the nervous impulses which increase the excitability of the respiratory centre, thus causing the rise in the ventilation during work, are not of cortical origin, but most probably must be brought about reflexly from the working muscles.

The experiments with the patient suffering from tabes dorsalis show further, that the reflex impulses must be carried to the centre through nerve paths outside the posterior fascicles, which are known to be destroyed in this disease.
The Renal Excretion of Fructose
Authors: HANSEN FOUL GADE , JACOBSEN ERLING ASCANIUS , PETERSEN MANFRED FROM
Published: December 2008

The renal excretion of fructose is studied in dogs under different conditions. It is shown that the fructose is reabsorbed in the kidneys to some degree. The reabsorption is not influenced by alterations of the glucose concentration in the filtrate or by a considerable increase in the urine flow produced by the infusion of sulphate. On the other hand the excretion of fructose depends upon the concentration in the blood, a greater part of the filtered fructose being excreted at a higher plasma concentration.

It is concluded, that a part of the filtered fructose is actively reabsorbed in the proximal part of the tubules by a process, the faculty of which to convey the fructose is not influenced by the amount of glucose which is simultaneously to be reabsorbed.
The Influence on Growth and Metabolism of the Relation between the Proportion of Proteins and of Aneurin and Lactoflavin in Food.
Authors: BORGSTRÖM STIG , HAMMARSTEN GRETA
Published: December 2008

Growth experiments have been performed on two series (A and B) of 100 and 50 albino rats (females). In each series the animals have been distributed on 5 groups with a varied supply of aneurin and lactoflavin in 4 groups and an extra supply of 5 % casein in the 5th group. Other B vitamins have been given in sufficient amounts. The diets have contained a high percentage of A and D vitamins

The following results have been obtained: Lactoflavin is as important R growth factor as aneurin and stimulates the food consumption of the animals to the same degree. Both vitamins are necessary not only for the carbohydrate metabolism but also for the protein metabolism. If the protein supply is increased from 20 to 25 % at a relatively low‐ standard of lactoflavin supply, growth decreases. A high protein standard necessitates a high B vitamin supply. An optimal and mutually balanced supply of aneurin and lactoflavin is more important for growth than a high protein standard. A sufficient and well balanced supply of aneurin and lactoflavin together with a sufficient but not too great supply of proteins gives the best growth and the best economical utilization of the food.
Further Investigations on the Effect of Tyrosine and Related Substances on the Ripening of the Reticulocytes.
Authors: GAD INGER , JACOBSEN ERIK , PLUM CLAUS MUNK
Published: December 2008

By means of tyrosinase from meal‐worms, indoline derivatives are formed from tyrosine, adrenaline and other related substances.

It is shown that the effect on reticulocyte ripening of tyrosine. adrenaline, βp‐oxyphenylisopropylaniine and tyramiae is only 10 to 1 % of the effect of the corresponding indoline derivatives: hallachrome, adrenochrome etc. Dioxyindole and dioxyindole‐carbonic acid have no ripening effect.

Tyrosine is decomposed by red blood corpuscles and from red blood corpuscles we have prepared enzymes able to convert tyrosine and dioxyphenylaniine into substances more active towards reticulocyte ripening. The same enzyme preparation is able to form melanine from tyrosine and dioxyphenylalanine, and to give rise to the oxygen consumption in solutions of these substances.

This makes it possible that hallachrome can be formed from tyrosine in the erythrocytes and a calculation shows that the enzyme concentration inside the erythrocytes is sufficient to support the assumption that the effect of tyrosine on the reti‐culocytes is due to its conversion into liallachrome with the corpuscles.
Elasticity, Viscosity and Plasticity in the Cross Striated Muscle Fibre.
Authors: BUCHTHAL FRITZ , KAISER E. , KNAPPEIS G. G.
Published: December 2008

A new method is devised for continuous measurement of stiffness at rest and during contraction.

Tension increase in tetanic contraction is limited by a plastic lengthening of equilibrium length in the contracted fibre (yielding), the occurrence of which is most marked in the first 0.5 see of tetanic contraction. Yielding is characterised by a change in the gradient of static length‐tension diagrams and dynamically by a sudden decrease in stiffness occurring at a critical tension value. This tension may be due either to contraction or to tension induced externally in the contracted fibre.

Comparative determinations of stiffness with low and high frequencies of periodic length alterations show that stiffness proper is masked by yielding when low frequencies are applied while a frequency of 100 cycles per sec is well suited to measurements of actual stiffness.

In physiological muscular activity yielding ensures constant contraction tension over a large range of stretch.

Apart from yielding the increasing stiffness with increasing frequency is due to viscosity, not uniformly distributed over the fibre.

In the resting fibre no measurable dependence of stiffness on temperature can be observed at different frequencies (3–25°C). During contraction stiffness decreases essentially with increasing temperature.

Evidence is given that this frequency dependence of stiffness is due to “linkage modifications” in contractile elements and that intrinsic friction is quantitatively of minor importance.

The difference in temperature dependence of stiffness at rest and during contraction is probably due to the chain reaction occurring during contraction, the propagation of which is highly dependent on temperature.

At all degrees of stretch, tension in the resting muscle fibre increases with increasing temperature. The temperature dependence is highest at medium elongations and is always less than proportional with absolute temperature.
On the Presence of n laccase‐like Enzyme in Nerum and its Relation to the Copper in Serum.
Authors: HOLMBERG CARL G.
Published: December 2008

The assumption of Eisler, Rosdahl and Theorell (1936) that all serum copper is bound to the albumin does not prove quite true. A small amount of the total serum copper is to be found in the euglobulin fraction, which Green has called PI.

Keilin and Mann's suggestion that the haemocuprein is enzy‐matically inactive does not refer to all the protein‐bound copper in the blood. In Green's PI‐globulin there is a fraction which catalyzes the oxidation of paraphenylendiamine. The proteine component necessary for the formation of this enzyme seems normally to be present in surplus, so that the addition of copper is able to increase the activity.

The blue colour of the active globulin fraction has no importance for its catalytic function. It may possibly be due to some oxidation product with great affinity for the enzyme.
The Phytin Contents of Norwegian Flour and Bread Types I.: The Phytin Contents in the Usual Flour Types and the Rate of Deconiposition in Flour Suspensions.
Authors: SCHULERUD ARNE
Published: December 2008

Phytin has been determined in a number of commercial flours with tho following results: With few exceptions, there is a very near relation between ash and phytin contents of the flours. The results indicate that the phytin contents will be reduced to nought in flours with an ash content about 0.30 g/100 g, or the lowest ash content practically obtainable, flours derived from the inner part of the wheat kernel. The total phosphorus in such flours averages 0.065 g/100 g, which is of the same dimension as the “non‐phytin P” in most of the flours examined. This part of the total P is supposed to be bound in proteins, lipoids and in the amylopectin of the starch. In some whole meal types the non‐phytin P is a little higher, but greater deviations indicate that the flour is abnormal, for instance damaged by germination.

The phytin P is accumulated in the outer layers of the grain, bran and germ, and it will increase both absolutely and as percent of the total with increasing degree of extraction.

The phytase activity is far greater in rye flours than in wheat and barley. No activity was found in oat meal. The deconiposition is very retarded at lower temperatures. In suspensions, the phosphorus in solution consists of inorganic phosphates from phytin decomposition, dissolved phytin, and small amounts of phosphorus from non‐phytin compounds, going slowly into solution. A little rest of the total phosphorus is always left undissolved, least by sour reaction. In oat meal, this insoluble phosphorus makes a greater part of the total than in other flours. Part of this is brought into solution in mixtures of rye and oat meal, probably due to some enzymatic process. The phytase of rye whole meal is so powerful that it can split the phytin of oat meal in suspensions completely in a short time. even if the rye makes but 25 % of the flour mixture.