bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A randomised, controlled study on the effects of a short-term endurance training programme in patients with major depression
Authors: Knubben K , Reischies F M , Adli M , Schlattmann P , Bauer M , Dimeo F
Published: October 2006

Objective:To evaluate the short-term effects of exercise in patients with major depression.

Design:Prospective, randomised, controlled study.

Setting:A university hospital.

Patients:A consecutive series of 38 inpatients with a major depression episode undergoing standard clinical antidepressant drug treatment.

Interventions:Patients were randomly assigned to an exercise (walking, n = 20) or placebo (low-intensity stretching and relaxation exercises, n = 18) group. Training was carried out for 10 days.

Main outcome measurements:Severity of depression assessed with the Bech-Rafaelsen Melancholy Scale (BRMS) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D).

Results:After 10 days, reduction of depression scores in the exercise group was significantly larger than in the placebo group (BRMS: 36%v18%; CES-D: 41%v21%; p for both  = 0.01); the proportion of patients with a clinical response (reduction in the BRMS scores by more than six points) was also larger for the exercise group (65%v22%, p<0.01).

Conclusions:Endurance exercise may help to achieve substantial improvement in the mood of selected patients with major depression in a short time.
Imaging the upper part of the Red Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Ontario, with 3-D traveltime tomography
Authors: Zeng Fafu , Calvert Andrew J
Published: October 2006

Seismic reflection line 2B was shot across the Archean Red Lake greenstone belt and Sydney Lake fault zone that marks the northern boundary of the English River metasedimentary belt, as part of the Western Superior Lithoprobe transect. Three-dimensional tomographic inversion of first arrival traveltimes recorded in this survey delineate the subsurface to depths as great as 1.5 km around this crooked two-dimensional seismic line. Within the Red Lake greenstone belt, P-wave velocities of 6.2–7.0 km s–1 occur at 500 m depth in the Mesoarchean Balmer assemblage, clearly distinguishable from the lower velocities of 5.1–6.1 km s–1 of the Neoarchean Confederation assemblage. Although the overall range of velocities in the metasedimentary rocks of the English River subprovince is similar to that found in the Confederation assemblage, lower velocities of 5.1–5.4 km s–1 are found in the upper 300 m of the metasedimentary rocks. In particular, two 2–3 km wide, east-northeast-striking zones of low velocity are associated with the Sydney Lake fault zone and the Pakwash Lake fault zone. Correlation of the velocities with the coincident reflection section suggests that these two faults delineate a fault-bounded block in the hanging wall of a more northerly fault zone that crops out within the Uchi subprovince. Anomalous regions of low velocity, which occur at the boundary between the Confederation and Balmer assemblages, and within the Balmer assemblage, may also be related to shear zones that have minimal near-surface expression, felsic lithologies, or hydrothermal alteration of the basalts.
UPb ages constraining structural development of an Archean terrane boundary in the Lake of the Woods area, western Superior Province, Canada
Authors: Melnyk M , Davis D W , Cruden A R , Stern R A
Published: October 2006

Layered gneisses in the Winnipeg River subprovince contain magmatic zircon with UPb ages of 3317 ± 9 and 3055 ± 4 Ma at Tannis Lake, and ~3170 and 3255 ± 5 Ma at Cedar Lake, indicating widespread occurrence of Mesoarchean crust. This is in contrast to the well-documented Neoarchean age of the western Wabigoon subprovince. Further geochronology using both SHRIMP (sensitive high resolution ion microprobe) and ID-TIMS (isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry), combined with structural observations, in the Kenora area and Lake of the Woods greenstone belt show the effects of juxtaposition of these two terranes. Isoclinally folded gneiss north of the subprovince boundary zone near Kenora gives a magmatic age of 2882 ± 2 Ma with 3051 ± 6 Ma inheritance. Ages of syntectonic dykes show that asymmetric refolding of these gneisses occurred between 2717 ± 2 and about 2713 ± 1 Ma. Subsequent regional vertical flattening and horizontal extension are dated at 2708 ± 2 Ma by syntectonic tonalite sheets. These events are broadly coeval with deposition of orogenic sediments in the Warclub Group and a first stage of regional folding (age brackets of 27162709 Ma) in the Lake of the Woods greenstone belt to the south. A second stage of folding and regional faulting in the greenstone belt occurred about 2695 ± 4 Ma and is approximately coeval with open upright folding in the Winnipeg River subprovince. These observations are consistent with overthrusting and collapse of a Mesoarchean continental terrane by a juvenile Neoarchean arc terrane over the time span 27172695 Ma.
Marine feeding patterns of anadromous brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) inhabiting an estuarine river fjord
Authors: Morinville Geneviève R , Rasmussen Joseph B
Published: October 2006

This study describes the ontogenetic and seasonal feeding patterns of anadromous brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis, also known as sea trout) inhabiting the estuarine Saguenay River (Quebec, Canada) using both stomach content and stable isotope analyses. Sea trout of the Ste. Marguerite River (Quebec, Canada) entered the saline waters of the Ste. Marguerite Bay in early May before venturing into the Saguenay River fjord for the remainder of the summer period. Upon their arrival, first-year migrants stayed relatively close to river mouths and initially fed on freshwater aquatic invertebrates. However, they quickly shifted their diet to marine prey items such as amphipods and mysids for the rest of their first summer at sea. These prey items were generally larger than freshwater prey; the prey spectrum at sea was both larger and wider than that found in freshwater and, as such, likely contributed to the trout's rapid growth rates at sea. The diet of migrants in subsequent years at sea (second-year migrants) consisted primarily of marine crustaceans and fish, the latter being most important when feeding in the upper Saguenay River. Trout shifted to piscivory at all marine sites at a size of 25 cm, regardless of time spent at sea, although the importance of piscivory varied with season and site.
Consumption and distribution of salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) nutrients and energy by terrestrial flies
Authors: Hocking Morgan D , Reimchen Thomas E
Published: October 2006

Anadromous Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) subsidize terrestrial food webs with their nutrients and carcasses, a process driven largely by selective foraging by bears (Ursus spp.). We quantify wildlife transfer of salmon carcasses to riparian zones on two watersheds in coastal British Columbia and estimate total terrestrial fly production from remnant carcasses. Large-bodied chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) were transferred into the forest at a greater rate than were pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) (chum salmon mass = 6089–11 031 kg, 16%–48% of salmon run; pink salmon mass = 2266–2808 kg, 4%–6% of salmon run). Blow flies (genus Calliphora) and other Diptera dominated colonization (>90% of salmon carcasses). Between the two watersheds, 196 and 265 g of Calliphora larvae per metre of spawning length (4 and 7 million larvae for whole watersheds) were generated from salmon carcass transfer. Stable isotope analysis of δ15N and δ13C of spring-emerging adult Calliphora revealed that >80% of individuals had salmon-based signatures. Flies are a dominant consumer and vector of salmon nutrients in terrestrial habitats and supplement the diet of at least 16 vertebrate and 22 invertebrate species. Anticipated further declines of salmon in the North Pacific can be expected to further erode the complex associations coupling marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Could increased cyanobacterial biomass following forest harvesting cause a reduction in zooplankton body size structure?
Authors: Ghadouani Anas , Pinel-Alloul Bernadette , Prepas Ellie E
Published: October 2006

Changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton communities were studied in 16 lake-years during a large-scale experimental before–after study as part of the Terrestrial Riparian Organisms Lakes and Streams (TROLS) project. After forest harvesting, phytoplankton biomass and especially cyanobacterial biomass increased in some of the experimental lakes, up to an order of magnitude. Although the response of phytoplankton was not directly related to the intensity of forest harvesting, this large-scale experiment provided a unique opportunity for studying the effects of an increasing gradient in cyanobacterial biomass on zooplankton communities. Cladoceran size structure and biomass were negatively correlated with cyanobacterial biomass, suggesting that large cladocerans and especially daphnids were inhibited by the increase in cyanobacterial biomass. The increase in cyanobacterial biomass seems to have caused a significant reduction in the size structure of zooplankton communities. As no correlation was found between cladocerans and cyanotoxins, our results point more towards feeding inhibition by filamentous and colonial cyanobacteria as a possible cause for the decline in the size structure and biomass of zooplankton communities. These results suggest that the increase in cyanobacterial biomass is likely to cause a shift in the size of zooplankton communities, which will lead to a profound change in functioning of lake systems.
Altered growth and related physiological responses in juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from dietary exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Authors: Meador J P , Sommers F C , Ylitalo G M , Sloan C A
Published: October 2006

A dietary feeding study with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was conducted with juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to mimic exposure from urban estuaries during their transition from freshwater to seawater. A significant reduction in mean fish dry weight was observed only for the highest doses; however, analysis of variance (ANOVA) using standard deviations and examination of the cumulative frequency plots revealed high variability among all treatments. The skewed fish weight distribution revealed a large number of small fish in several treatments compared with control fish. Analyses of whole-body lipids and several parameters in blood plasma related to growth and metabolism indicated alterations for most treatments. These results and trends in growth, plasma chemistry, and lipids as a consequence of PAH exposure were similar to those in fish exhibiting starvation, which we have termed "toxicant-induced starvation". Based on these results, we conclude that PAHs are toxic to salmonids at this life stage and the reduction in biomass and lipid stores observed here would have the potential to cause increased mortality for individuals during their first winter.
Impaired detection of chemical alarm cues by juvenile wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in a weakly acidic environment
Authors: Leduc Antoine Olivier Henri Claude , Roh Ellie , Harvey Mark Charles , Brown Grant Edwin
Published: October 2006

Many prey fishes rely on damage-released chemical alarm cues to detect and avoid predators. The ability to use these cues has been shown to confer considerable survival benefits to individuals. While several laboratory studies and a single field study have demonstrated that an ambient pH of 6.0 impairs fishes in their ability to detect these alarm cues, no study had yet compared the response to alarm cue exposures across populations residing in multiple streams of a different acidity level. In our study, we conducted live behavioural observations in five nursery streams, ranging in pH from 5.71 to 7.49 on two age classes (young of the year and parr) of wild juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). We aimed to assess if the detection of these chemical alarm cues was constantly dependant on the ambient pH or if variations in the detection occurred among populations of the different streams regardless of the ambient acidity level. Our results demonstrated that salmon present in any acidic stream did not respond to alarm cues, while those in neutral streams exhibited typical alarm responses.
Overstory influences on light attenuation patterns and understory plant community diversity and composition in southern boreal forests of Quebec
Authors: Bartemucci Paula , Messier Christian , Canham Charles D
Published: October 2006

We have characterized overstory light transmission, understory light levels, and plant communities in mixed wood boreal forests of northwestern Quebec with the objective of understanding how overstory light transmission interacts with composition and time since disturbance to influence the diversity and composition of understory vegetation, and, in turn, the further attenuation of light to the forest floor by the understory. Overstory light transmission differed among three forest types (aspen, mixed deciduous–conifer, and old cedar-dominated), with old forests having higher proportions of high light levels than aspen and mixed forests, which were characterized by intermediate light levels. The composition of the understory plant communities in old forests showed the weakest correlation to overstory light transmission, although those forests had the largest range of light transmission. The strongest correlation between characteristics of overstory light transmission and understory communities was found in aspen forests. Species diversity indices were consistently higher in aspen forests but showed weak relationships with overstory light transmission. Light attenuation by the understory vegetation and total height of the understory vegetation were strongly and positively related to overstory light transmission but not forest type. Therefore, light transmission through the overstory influenced the structure and function of understory plants more than their diversity and composition. This is likely due to the strong effect of the upper understory layers, which tend to homogenize light levels at the forest floor regardless of forest type. The understory plant community acts as a filter, thereby reducing light levels at the forest floor to uniformly low levels.
Simulations of the influence of clear-cutting on the risk of wind damage on a regional scale over a 20-year period
Authors: Zeng Hongcheng , Peltola Heli , Talkkari Ari , Strandman Harri , Venäläinen Ari , Wang Kaiyun , Kellomäki Seppo
Published: October 2006

The aim of this study was to integrate component models for tree growth, wind damage, and airflow to assess the consequences of alternative forest-management options on the long-term risk of wind damage on a regional scale. This work could help forest managers to identify possible vulnerable edges and determine the probability of risk for alternative management plans. This new, integrated system was applied to assessing the risk of wind damage over a 20-year period on three alternative management choices. The risk was compared for the current forest edges without creating new edges (case study I) and situations where new edges were created through different clear-cut options (case studies II and III). Case study II represented more intensive cuttings compared with case study III (over four times more timber was cut). It was found that despite intensive cuttings in case study II, only 15% and 7% fewer vulnerable edges were found on average (risk probability class ≥0.1%) in case studies I and III, respectively. Therefore, forest managers must consider the possible risk of wind damage when harvesting timber.
FINDING ALL SOLUTIONS OF PIECEWISE-LINEAR RESISTIVE CIRCUITS WITH HIGH APPROXIMATION ACCURACY
Authors: YAMAMURA KIYOTAKA , MACHIDA AKINORI
Published: October 2006

An efficient algorithm is proposed for finding all solutions of piecewise-linear (PWL) resistive circuits with high approximation accuracy, namely, circuits where the characteristics of PWL resistors are approximated by PWL functions with a very large number of segments. This algorithm is based on the LP test using the dual simplex method, the contraction method, and a special technique that makes the algorithm not require large memory space and not require copying tableaus. By numerical examples, it is shown that the proposed algorithm could find all solutions of a circuit where the number of PWL resistors is 4000 and the number of linear regions is 10 0004000.
CATEGORICAL DESCRIPTION OF SOME DIFFERENTIATION ALGORITHMS
Authors: CAÑADAS AGUSTIN MORENO , ZAVADSKIJ ALEXANDER G.
Published: October 2006

It is presented a complete categorical description of one of the main differentiation algorithms for representations of posets with involution — Differentiation II — constructed originally by the second author at the end of the 80's on the base of the matrix approach. A similar categorical description of some simpler additional differentiations is given as well.
ON PRIME AND SEMIPRIME MODULES AND COMODULES
Authors: FERRERO MIGUEL , RODRIGUES VIRGINIA
Published: October 2006

In this paper we describe the structure of prime and semiprime R-modules M such that R/AnnR(M) is artinian. The obtained results are then applied to describe the structure of prime and semiprime right comodules over a coring C under some assumption, where a right comodule M is said to be prime (semiprime) if the corresponding left *C-module is prime (semiprime). Finally we apply the results to coalgebras over commutative rings.
Nutrient Sensing and Signaling: NPKS
Authors: Schachtman Daniel P. , Shin Ryoung
Published: October 2006

Plants often grow in soils that contain very low concentrations of the macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. To adapt and grow in nutrient-deprived environments plants must sense changes in external and internal mineral nutrient concentrations and adjust growth to match resource availability. The sensing and signal transduction networks that control plant responses to nutrient deprivation are not well characterized for nitrogen, potassium, and sulfur deprivation. One branch of the signal transduction cascade related to phosphorus-deprivation response has been defined through the identification of a transcription factor that is regulated by sumoylation. Two different microRNAs play roles in regulating gene expression under phosphorus and sulfur deprivation. Reactive oxygen species increase rapidly after mineral nutrient deprivation and may be one upstream mediator of nutrient signaling. A number of molecular analyses suggest that both short-term and longer-term responses will be important in understanding the progression of signaling events when the external, then internal, supplies of nutrients become depleted.
Flying Under the Radar: The Immunobiology of Hepatitis C
Authors: Dustin Lynn B. , Rice Charles M.
Published: October 2006

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a remarkably successful pathogen, establishing persistent infection in more than two-thirds of those who contract it. Its success is related to its abilities to blunt innate antiviral pathways and to evade adaptive immune responses. These two themes may be related. We propose that HCV takes advantage of the impaired innate response to delay the organization of an effective adaptive immune attack. The tolerogenic liver environment may provide cover, prolonging this delay. HCV's error-prone replication strategy permits rapid evolution under immune pressure. Persistent high levels of viral antigens may contribute to immune exhaustion. Finally, the virus may benefit from the efficient enlistment of memory T and B cells in the pursuit of a moving target.
Theory of Structural Glasses and Supercooled Liquids
Authors: Lubchenko Vassiliy , Wolynes Peter G.
Published: October 2006

We review the random first-order transition theory of the glass transition, emphasizing the experimental tests of the theory. Many distinct phenomena are quantitatively predicted or explained by the theory, both above and below the glass transition temperature Tg. These include the following: the viscosity catastrophe and heat-capacity jump at Tg, and their connection; the nonexponentiality of relaxations and their correlation with the fragility; dynamic heterogeneity in supercooled liquids owing to the mosaic structure; deviations from the Vogel-Fulcher law, connected with strings or fractal cooperative rearrangements; deviations from the Stokes-Einstein relation close to Tg; aging and its correlation with fragility; and the excess density of states at cryogenic temperatures owing to two-level tunneling systems and the Boson peak.
Troglitazone and pioglitazone interactions via PPAR-γ-independent and -dependent pathways in regulating physiological responses in renal tubule-derived cell lines
Authors: Turturro Francesco , Oliver Robert , Friday Ellen , Nissim Itzhak , Welbourne Tomas
Published: October 2006

Troglitazone (Tro) and pioglitazone (Pio) activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ and PPAR-γ-independent pathways was studied in cell lines derived from porcine renal tubules. PPAR-γ-dependent activation of PPAR response element-driven luciferase gene expression was observed with Pio at 1 μM but not Tro at 1 μM. On the other hand, PPAR-γ-independent P-ERK activation was observed with 5 μM Tro but not with Pio (5–20 μM). In addition, Pio (1–10 μM) increased metabolic acid production and activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) associated with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, whereas Tro (1–20 μM) did not. These results are consistent with three pathways through which glitazones may act in effecting metabolic processes (ammoniagenesis and gluconeogenesis) as well as cellular growth: 1) PPAR-γ-dependent and PPAR-γ-independent pathways, 2) P-ERK activation, and 3) mitochondrial AMPK activation. The pathways influence cellular acidosis and glucose and glutamine metabolism in a manner favoring reduced plasma glucose in vivo. In addition, significant interactions can be demonstrated that enhance some physiological processes (ammoniagenesis) and suppress others (ligand-mediated PPAR-γ gene expression). Our findings provide a model both for understanding seemingly opposite biological effects and for enhancing therapeutic potency of these agents.
Acute growth hormone administration induces antidiuretic and antinatriuretic effects and increases phosphorylation of NKCC2
Authors: Dimke Henrik , Flyvbjerg Allan , Bourgeois Soline , Thomsen Klaus , Frøkiær Jørgen , Houillier Pascal , Nielsen Søren , Frische Sebastian
Published: October 2006

Growth hormone (GH) has antidiuretic and antinatriuretic effects in rats and humans, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms behind the acute renal effects of GH in rats. Female rats received rat (r)GH (2.8 mg/kg sc) or saline and were placed in metabolic cages for 5 h. Urinary excretion of electrolytes and urinary volume were reduced after rGH injection, while urine osmolality was increased. Creatinine and lithium clearance remained unchanged, suggesting that rGH increases reabsorption in segments distal to the proximal tubule. Total plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels did not change, while cortical IGF-I mRNA abundance was increased. The relative abundance of total and Ser256-phosphorylated aquaporin 2 was found to be unchanged by immunoblotting, whereas a significant increase of Thr96and Thr101-phosphorylated NKCC2 (renal Na+, K+, 2Cl−cotransporter) was found in the inner stripe of outer medulla thick ascending limbs (mTAL). Additionally, an increased NKCC2 expression was observed in the cortical region. Immunohistochemistry confirmed these findings. The density of NKCC2 molecules in the apical membrane of mTAL cells appeared to be unchanged after rGH injection evaluated by immunoelectron microscopy. Basolateral addition of rGH or IGF-I to microperfused rat mTAL segments did not change transepithelial voltage. In conclusion, GH appears to exert its acute antinatriuretic and antidiuretic effects through indirect activation of NKCC2 in the mTAL.
Intensity- and muscle-specific fascicle behavior during human drop jumps
Authors: Sousa F. , Ishikawa M. , Vilas-Boas J. P. , Komi P. V.
Published: October 2006

The present study was designed to examine fascicle-tendon interaction in the synergistic medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (Sol) muscles during drop jumps (DJ) performed from different drop heights (DH). Eight subjects performed unilateral DJ with maximal rebounds on a sledge apparatus from different DH. During the exercises, fascicle lengths (using ultrasonography) and electromyographic activities were recorded. The results showed that the fascicles of the MG and Sol muscles behaved differently during the contact phase, but the whole muscle-tendon unit and its tendinous tissue lengthened before shortening in both muscles. The Sol fascicles also lengthened before shortening during the ground contact in all conditions. During the braking phase, the Sol activation increased with increasing DH. However, the amplitude of Sol fascicle lengthening was not dependent on DH during the same phase. In the MG muscle, the fascicles primarily shortened during the braking phase in the lower DH condition. However, in the higher DH conditions, the MG fascicles either behaved isometrically or were lengthened during the braking phase. These results suggest that the fascicles of synergistic muscles (MG and Sol) can behave differently during DJ and that, with increasing DH, there may be specific length change patterns of the fascicles of MG but not of Sol.
Sensitivity of the cross-correlaton between simulated surface EMGs for two muscles to detect motor unit synchronization
Authors: Keenan Kevin G. , Farina Dario , Meyer François G. , Merletti Roberto , Enoka Roger M.
Published: October 2006

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of cross-correlation analysis between simulated surface electromyograms (EMGs) of two muscles to quantify motor unit synchronization. The volume conductor simulated a cylindrical limb with two muscles and bone, fat, and skin tissues. Models of two motor neuron pools were used to simulate 120 s of surface EMG that were detected over both muscles. Short-term synchrony was established using a phenomenological model that aligned the discharge times of selected motor units within and across muscles to simulate physiological levels of motor unit synchrony. The correlation between pairs of surface EMGs was estimated as the maximum of the normalized cross-correlation function. After imposing four levels of motor unit synchrony across muscles, five parameters were varied concurrently in the two muscles to examine their influence on the correlation between the surface EMGs: 1) excitation level (5, 10, 15, and 50% of maximum); 2) muscle size (350 and 500 motor units); 3) fat thickness (1 and 4 mm); 4) skin conductivity (0.1 and 1 S/m); and 5) mean motor unit conduction velocity (2.5 and 4 m/s). Despite a constant and high level of motor unit synchronization among pairs of motor units across the two muscles, the cross-correlation index ranged from 0.08 to 0.56, with variation in the five parameters. For example, cross-correlation of EMGs from pairs of hand muscles, each having thin layers of subcutaneous fat and mean motor unit conduction velocities of 4 m/s, may be relatively insensitive to the level of synchronization across muscles. In contrast, cross-correlation of EMGs from pairs of leg muscles, with larger fat thickness, may exhibit a different sensitivity. These results indicate that cross correlation of the surface EMGs from two muscles provides a limited measure of the level of synchronization between motor units in the two muscles.
Regulation of middle cerebral artery blood velocity during recovery from dynamic exercise in humans
Authors: Ogoh Shigehiko , Fisher James P. , Purkayastha Sushmita , Dawson Ellen A. , Fadel Paul J. , White Michael J. , Zhang Rong , Secher Niels H. , Raven Peter B.
Published: October 2006

We sought to examine the regulation of cerebral blood flow during 10 min of recovery from mild, moderate, and heavy cycling exercise by measuring middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCA V). Transfer function analyses between changes in arterial blood pressure and MCA V were used to assess the frequency components of dynamic cerebral autoregulation (CA). After mild and moderate exercise, the decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and mean MCA V (MCA Vm) were small. However, following heavy exercise, MAP was rapidly and markedly reduced, whereas MCA Vm decreased slowly (−23 ± 4 mmHg and −4 ± 1 cm/s after 1 min for MAP and MCA Vm, respectively; means ± SE). Importantly, for each workload, the normalized low-frequency transfer function gain between MAP and MCA Vm remained unchanged from rest to exercise and during recovery, indicating a maintained dynamic CA. Similar results were found for the systolic blood pressure and systolic MCA V relationship. In contrast, the normalized low-frequency transfer function gain between diastolic blood pressure and diastolic MCA V (MCA Vd) increased from rest to exercise and remained elevated in the recovery period ( P < 0.05). However, MCA Vd was quite stable on the cessation of exercise. These findings suggest that MCA V is well maintained following mild to heavy dynamic exercise. However, the increased transfer function gain between diastolic blood pressure and MCA Vd suggests that dynamic CA becomes less effective in response to rapid decreases in blood pressure during the initial 10 min of recovery from dynamic exercise.
Contribution of the Frontal Eye Field to Gaze Shifts in the Head-Unrestrained Monkey: Effects of Microstimulation
Authors: Knight Thomas A. , Fuchs Albert F.
Published: October 2006

The role of the primate frontal eye field (FEF) has been inferred primarily from experiments investigating saccadic eye movements with the head restrained. Three recent reports investigating head-unrestrained gaze shifts disagree on whether head movements are evoked with FEF stimulation and thus whether the FEF participates in gaze movement commands. We therefore examined the eye, head, and overall gaze movement evoked by low-intensity microstimulation of the low-threshold region of the FEF in two head-unrestrained monkeys. Microstimulation applied at 200 or 350 Hz for 200 ms evoked large gaze shifts with substantial head movement components from most sites in the dorsomedial FEF, but evoked small, predominantly eye-only gaze shifts from ventrolateral sites. The size and direction of gaze and eye movements were strongly affected by the eye position before stimulation. Head movements exhibited little position dependency, but at some sites and initial eye positions, head-only movements were evoked. Stimulus-evoked gaze shifts and their eye and head components resembled those elicited naturally by visual targets. With stimulus train durations >200 ms, the evoked gaze shifts were more likely to be accomplished with a substantial head movement, which often continued for the entire stimulus duration. The amplitude, duration and peak velocity of the evoked head movement were more strongly correlated with stimulus duration than were those of the gaze or eye movements. We conclude that the dorsomedial FEF generates a gaze command signal that can produce eye, head, or combined eye–head movement depending on the initial orbital position of the eye.
Modulation of Rhythmic Motor Activity by Pyrokinin Peptides
Authors: Saideman Shari R. , Ma Mingming , Kutz-Naber Kimberly K. , Cook Aaron , Torfs Pieter , Schoofs Liliane , Li Lingjun , Nusbaum Michael P.
Published: October 2006

Pyrokinin (PK) peptides localize to the central and peripheral nervous systems of arthropods, but their actions in the CNS have yet to be studied in any species. Here, we identify PK peptide family members in the crab Cancer borealis and characterize their actions on the gastric mill (chewing) and pyloric (filtering) motor circuits in the stomatogastric ganglion (STG). We identified PK-like immunolabeling in the STG neuropil, in projection neuron inputs to this ganglion, and in the neuroendocrine pericardial organs. By combining MALDI mass spectrometry (MS) and ESI tandem MS techniques, we identified the amino acid sequences of two C. borealis pyrokinins (CabPK-I, CabPK-II). Both CabPKs contain the PK family-specific carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence (FXPRLamide). PK superfusion to the isolated STG had little influence on the pyloric rhythm but excited many gastric mill neurons and consistently activated the gastric mill rhythm. Both CabPKs had comparable actions in the STG and these actions were equivalent to those of Pevpyrokinin (shrimp) and Leucopyrokinin (cockroach). The PK-elicited gastric mill rhythm usually occurred without activation of the projection neuron MCN1. MCN1, which does not contain CabPKs, effectively drives the gastric mill rhythm and at such times is also a gastric mill central pattern generator (CPG) neuron. Because the PK-elicited gastric mill rhythm is independent of MCN1, the underlying core CPG of this rhythm is different from the one responsible for the MCN1-elicited rhythm. Thus neuromodulation, which commonly alters motor circuit output without changing the core CPG, can also change the composition of this core circuit.
Pharmacokinetics of Cetuximab After Administration of Escalating Single Dosing and Weekly Fixed Dosing in Patients with Solid Tumors
Authors: Tan Antoinette R. , Moore Dirk F. , Hidalgo Manuel , Doroshow James H. , Poplin Elizabeth A. , Goodin Susan , Mauro David , Rubin Eric H.
Published: October 2006

Purpose: Previous studies of cetuximab pharmacokinetics did not fully characterize its elimination phase. The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of cetuximab given as a single dose followed by weekly fixed repeated dosing in patients with solid tumors.

Experimental Design: Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with a single 2-hour infusion of cetuximab at doses of 50, 100, 250, 400, or 500 mg/m2 followed 3 weeks later by weekly 1-hour infusions of cetuximab at a fixed dose of 250 mg/m2. Extended pharmacokinetic sampling was collected through 504 hours after the first drug administration. Trough samples were obtained before each fixed weekly dose. Single and multidose pharmacokinetic variables were correlated with clinical outcomes.

Results: Forty patients were enrolled. Pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed previous reports of nonlinear pharmacokinetics for cetuximab. Modeling studies predicted a 90% saturation of clearance at a dose of 260 mg/m2. Analyses of weekly trough concentrations indicated a slight accumulation of drug concentrations following repeated weekly dosing. Correlative studies indicated a significant association between cetuximab clearance and both body surface area (P = 0.002) and weight (P = 0.002). The occurrence of rash was significantly associated with disease stability (P < 0.002) but not with cetuximab pharmacokinetic variables.

Conclusions: Pharmacokinetic results support using body surface area or weight in calculating individual cetuximab doses. A weekly dose of 250 mg/m2 is predicted to nearly fully saturate cetuximab clearance and, by inference, epidermal growth factor receptors. The association between rash and disease stability supports further prospective studies of this relationship.
Teacher Education and Trainee Learning Style
Authors: Hadfield Jill
Published: October 2006

This article offers an overview of learning styles theories, selects seven to consider in more detail on the basis of recent research into validity and reliability, and synthesises these theories into a framework to aid task design in Teacher Education.
The Structure of Violent Behavior
Authors: Michie Christine , Cooke David J.
Published: October 2006

Common difficulties in measures of violent behavior are their multidimensional nature, the nonempirical ordering of violent acts, the inclusion of undiscriminating items, and differential precision of measurement across the range of seriousness. Data collected on a sample of 250 male Scottish prisoners, using the MacArthur Community Violence Screening Instrument, are examined using confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory (IRT) analysis. A hierarchical model with a coherent superordinate factor overarching two lower order factors—violence based on weapon use and violence without weapon use—provide the best fit to the data. The ordering of the items on the scale does not conform to the order indicated by IRT analysis. Items vary considerably in the amount of information they provide, with the precision of measurement of the total scale being poor at high levels of the scale. Ways of improving the measurement of violence are discussed.
The Poisonwood Bible: An Antidote for What Ails International Relations?
Authors: Morgan April
Published: October 2006

To examine the heuristic value of a work of fiction in an international relations classroom, students in an upper-level political science course were asked what stood out to them about international political economy in the Barbara Kingsolver novel, The Poisonwood Bible. Student papers were analyzed in a phenomenologically informed hermeneutic study, for which they received no extra credit. Collective thematic analysis of responses identified three meanings common to student experiences of the book. These themes included the relative power of international political economy theories to explain the Congo’s underdevelopment during the period covered in the novel, the salience of interpersonal skills in international relations, and holism in knowledge and politics. Underlying theoretical implications and study results are discussed in terms of the pedagogical implications for the ongoing debate within international relations as a discipline of explaining versus understanding.
The effects of balance training on gait late after stroke: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yavuzer Gunes , Eser Filiz , Karakus Dilek , Karaoglan Belgin , Stam Henk J
Published: October 2006

Objective: To investigate the effects of balance training, using force platform biofeedback, on quantitative gait characteristics of hemiparetic patients late after stroke.

Design: Randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial.

Setting: Rehabilitation ward and gait laboratory of a university hospital.

Subjects: Forty-one patients (mean (standard deviation; SD) age of 60.9 (11.7) years) with hemiparesis late after stroke (median time since stroke six months) were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group.

Interventions: The control group ( n = 19) participated in a conventional stroke inpatient rehabilitation programme, whereas the experimental group ( n = 22) received 15 sessions of balance training (using force platform biofeedback) in addition to the conventional programme.

Main outcome measures: Selected paretic side time-distance, kinematic and kinetic gait parameters in sagittal, frontal and transverse planes were measured using a three-dimensional computerized gait analysis system, one week before and after the experimental treatment programme.

Results: The control group did not show any statistically significant difference regarding gait characteristics. Pelvic excursion in frontal plane improved significantly ( P = 0.021) in the experimental group. The difference between before-after change scores of the groups was significant for pelvic excursion in frontal plane ( P = 0.039) and vertical ground reaction force ( P = 0.030) in favour of experimental group.

Conclusion: Balance training using force platform biofeedback in addition to a conventional inpatient stroke rehabilitation programme is beneficial in improving postural control and weight-bearing on the paretic side while walking late after stroke.
Maternal Cigarette Smoking During Pregnancy and Criminal/Deviant Behavior
Authors: Pratt Travis C. , McGloin Jean Marie , Fearn Noelle E.
Published: October 2006

A growing body of empirical literature has emerged examining the somewhat inconsistent relationship between maternal cigarette smoking (MCS) during pregnancy and children’s subsequent antisocial behavior. To systematically assess what existing studies reveal regarding MCS as a criminogenic risk factor for offspring, the authors subjected this body of literature to a meta-analysis. The analysis reveals a statistically significant—yet rather small—overall mean “effect size” of the relationship between MCS and the likelihood children will engage in deviant/criminal behavior. In addition to being rather moderate in size, the MCS-crime/deviance relationship is sensitive to a number of methodological specifications across empirical studies—particularly those associated with sample characteristics. The implications of this modest, and somewhat unstable, relationship are discussed in terms of guidelines for future research on this subject and how existing theoretical perspectives may be integrated to explain the MCS-crime/deviance link.
The Infallibility, Impeccability and Indestructibility of Synderesis
Authors: Somme Luc-Thomas
Published: October 2006

In contemporary reflection on the foundations of ethics, natural law theory continues to play an important role despite opposing objections. In an approach to moral issues, paying attention to cultural differences and historical changes is appropriate, but it is also important to take a stance on the existence of basic moral common sense shared by diverse times, places, and cultures. As defined by medieval thinkers, synderesis represents the core of this moral common sense that cannot err, incline towards error, or be corrupted.
Predicting Restaurant Bankruptcy: A Logit Model in Comparison with a Discriminant Model
Authors: Kim Hyunjoon , Gu Zheng
Published: October 2006

This article follows up on a previous study that developed a multiple discriminant model for predicting restaurant firm bankruptcy. Using the same data set, this study developed a logit model and compared its prediction accuracy with that of the discriminant model. The two-variable logit model, resulting from a forward stepwise selection procedure, correctly predicted 94% of the in-sample restaurant companies and 93% of the out-of-sample firms 1 year prior to bankruptcy. Although the results show that the two models are equally effective in predicting restaurant bankruptcy, the logit model is preferred for restaurant bankruptcy prediction because of its theoretical soundness. Our estimated logit model suggests that restaurant firms with low earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and high total liabilities are more likely to go bankrupt. To reduce bankruptcy risk, restaurant operators should not only adopt a prudent financing policy but also have tight operating cost control to increase EBIT.
Evaluation of Usability: A Study of Hotel Web Sites in Hong Kong
Authors: Yeung Tom Au , Law Rob
Published: October 2006

In spite of the increasing popularity of Internet applications to the hotel industry, and the large number of published Internet-related articles in the hospitality and tourism literature, the topic of the usability of Web sites has been largely overlooked by hospitality and tourism researchers. In other words, the ease of use of hotel Web sites remains largely unknown to hotel customers, practitioners, researchers, and policy makers. This article presents an exploratory study in which a modified heuristic technique for evaluation was developed to measure the usability of hotel Web sites. The research evaluated the Web sites of all members of the Hong Kong Hotels Association. Empirical evidence showed that minor problems of usability existed on the Web sites of Hong Kong hotels, and no significant difference was found among luxury, mid-priced, and economy hotels.
Recovered Memory and the Daubert Criteria
Authors: Dalenberg Constance
Published: October 2006

Research during the past two decades has firmly established the reliability of the phenomenon of recovered memory. This review first highlights the strongest evidence for the phenomenon itself and discusses the survey, experimental, and biological evidence for the varying mechanisms that may underlie the phenomenon. Routes to traumatic amnesia from dissociative detachment (loss of emotional content leading to loss of factual content) and from dissociative compartmentalization (failure in integration) are discussed. Next, an argument is made that false memory is a largely orthogonal concept to recovered memory; the possibility of one phenomena is largely irrelevant to the potential for the other. Furthermore, some aspects of the false memory research offer supportive data for the recovered memory researcher. Finally, the issue of error rates in making the Daubert case is explored. It is concluded that the weight of the evidence should allow the recovered memory victim to come before the court.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors suppress IFNα-induced up-regulation of promyelocytic leukemia protein
Authors: Vlasáková Jana , Nováková Zora , Rossmeislová Lenka , Kahle Michal , Hozák Pavel , Hodný Zdenĕk
Published: October 2006

Promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML NBs), the structural domains of the eukaryotic cell nucleus, play a role in cancer and apoptosis, and their involvement in antiviral mechanisms mediated by interferons (IFNs) is proposed. IFNs dramatically increase the transcription of the PML gene. In this study, we have shown that the response of 2 structural PML NB components, PML and Sp100, to interferon-α (IFNα) was suppressed in cells simultaneously treated with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (trichostatin A, sodium butyrate, MS-275, SAHA, and valproic acid). Trichostatin A (TSA) blocked the increase of PML NB number and suppressed up-regulation of PML mRNA and protein levels in several human cell lines and in normal diploid skin fibroblasts. Moreover, IFNα induction of IRF-1 was also inhibited by TSA, although incompletely. Analysis of cellular fractions did not show any defects in cytoplasmic-nuclear transport of STAT2, a component of transcription factor ISGF3 responsible for IFNα/β-dependent gene transcription. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that after IFNα stimulation STAT2 binds to ISRE element of PML promoter even in the presence of TSA and thus excluded STAT2-dependent mechanism of TSA effect. These results indicate that the action of histone deacetylases is necessary for the full transcriptional activation of IFNα-stimulated genes.
In vitro calibration of a system for measurement of in vivo convective heat transfer coefficient in animals
Authors: Tangwongsan Chanchana , Chachati Louay , Webster John G , Farrell Patrick V
Published: October 2006

Background

We need a sensor to measure the convective heat transfer coefficient during ablation of the heart or liver.

Methods

We built a minimally invasive instrument to measure the in vivo convective heat transfer coefficient, h in animals, using a Wheatstone-bridge circuit, similar to a hot-wire anemometer circuit. One arm is connected to a steerable catheter sensor whose tip is a 1.9 mm × 3.2 mm thin film resistive temperature detector (RTD) sensor. We used a circulation system to simulate different flow rates at 39°C for in vitro experiments using distilled water, tap water and saline. We heated the sensor approximately 5°C above the fluid temperature. We measured the power consumed by the sensor and the resistance of the sensor during the experiments and analyzed these data to determine the value of the convective heat transfer coefficient at various flow rates.

Results

From 0 to 5 L/min, experimental values of h in W/(m2·K) were for distilled water 5100 to 13000, for tap water 5500 to 12300, and for saline 5400 to 13600. Theoretical values were 1900 to 10700.

Conclusion

We believe this system is the smallest, most accurate method of minimally invasive measurement of in vivo h in animals and provides the least disturbance of flow.