bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of off‐farm work and its effects on farm performance: the case of Norwegian grain farmers
Authors: Lien Gudbrand , Kumbhakar Subal C. , Hardaker J. Brian 
Published: June 2010

AbstractLimited attention has been given in the literature to the impact of off‐farm work on farm performance. More knowledge about the determinants of part‐time farming and its effects on farm performance could help policymakers to introduce better targeted rural development policies. The aim in this article is to fill part of the above‐mentioned gaps by analyzing factors that influence the choices of off‐farm work by either the farmer alone or jointly by both the farmer and partner; and simultaneously examining how off‐farm work influences farm performance. These analyses were based on an unbalanced panel data set from Norwegian grain farms during 1991 to 2005. Among the determinants of off‐farm work hours, we found that, in addition to demographic, time trend, and some regional effects, there was a significant negative effect of farm output on farmers' off‐farm work hours. The production function results revealed that off‐farm work had a positive effect on farm output, at first increasing but then decreasing with increase in hours spent in off‐farm work. Furthermore, our analysis revealed no systematic effect of off‐farm work on farm technical efficiency.
The impact of auction characteristics on prices of agricultural products traded online: evidence from cherries
Authors: Sun Chia‐Hung 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis article provides an empirical study on the relationship between auction characteristics and prices using a data set on cherry sales from the online auction site Yahoo! Kimo. Using three alternative measures of the dependent variable, results indicate that reputation variables have a statistically important association with auction prices. The extent of reputation's impact on prices varies substantially depending on the model specification and estimation technique. The article highlights the effectiveness of a nonlinear specification for both measuring and interpreting the underlying reputation variables. The use of a “Buy It Now” option, size, and country of the origin is correlated with prices at statistically significant levels. Several econometric concerns regarding the empirical modeling strategy are discussed.
Real‐time telemetric monitoring in whole‐body 60Co gamma‐photon irradiated rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Carrier C.A. , Elliott T.B. , Ledney G.D. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground  Animals undergoing experimental manipulations, such as exposure to radiation, may exhibit physiologic and behavioral signs of pain and distress. Telemetry permits close monitoring of these parameters for early and effective management during procedures.Methods  Radiotelemetric units were surgically implanted into 24 Macaca mulatta before 6.5‐Gy cobalt‐60 γ‐photon irradiation. Each unit transmitted electrocardiogram, intrathoracic pressure, and body temperature leads. Primate irradiation‐restraint boxes and housing cages were modified to collect telemetric signals before, during, and after irradiation.Results  Differences in respiratory rate, heart rate, or body temperature in telemetric‐collected recordings, which were observed during non‐irradiation and irradiation sessions, were statistically insignificant.Conclusions  Insignificant changes in the physiological parameters during monitoring suggest that the animals experienced no detectable pain or distress during irradiation.
Acute myeloid leukemia, the 3q21q26 syndrome and diabetes insipidus: A case presentation
Authors: CURLEY Cameron , KENNEDY Glen , HAUGHTON Anne , LOVE Amanda , MCCARTHY Catherine , BOYD Andrew 
Published: June 2010

AbstractDiabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare presenting complication of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Typically, the combination of DI and AML is associated with structural abnormalities of the neurohypophysis. We present a case of AML and DI presenting without any abnormalities of the neurohypophysis on radiological scanning and with normal cerebrospinal fluid examination. The AML karyotype at presentation was characterized by the presence of a t(3; 3)(q21; q26) translocation and monosomy 7. After treatment with induction chemotherapy, the patient achieved a complete remission and his DI resolved. At subsequent AML relapse, characterized by a complex karyotype without the t(3; 3)(q21; q26) translocation or monosomy 7, DI did not recur. Our case provides clinical support to the hypothesis that the t(3; 3)(q21; q26) translocation and/or monosomy 7 in AML may directly result in dysregulation of transcription factors resulting in development of DI in AML patients.
Hepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: SHAO Yu‐Yun , HUANG Chun‐Chieh , LIANG Po‐Chin , LIN Zhong‐Zhe 
Published: June 2010

AbstractTreatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant problem for clinicians. Sorafenib, the only approved agent, improves survival rate, but is associated with a low tumor response rate. Alternative approaches for the treatment of advanced HCC are urgently needed. Hepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapy (HAIC) is a promising modality for the treatment of advanced HCC. Since its introduction, there have been improvements in implantable pumps, in catheter implantation and in the convenience and safety of HAIC in general. Numerous clinical studies have shown that HAIC provides moderate therapeutic efficacy with substantially favorable toxicity profiles in selected patient groups with advanced HCC. However, the lack of large randomized studies means that HAIC is not yet a well‐established treatment for advanced HCC. We believe there is an urgent need for the further investigation of HAIC for the treatment of advanced HCC.
Prognostic value of lymph node ratio in poor prognosis node‐positive breast cancer patients in Saudi Arabia
Authors: IBRAHIM Ezzeldin M , ELKHODARY Tawfik R , ZEKRI Jamal M , BAHADUR Yasir , EL‐SAYED Mohamed E , AL‐GAHMI Aboelkhair M , RIZVI Syed Azhar J , HASSOUNA Ashraf H , FAWZY Ehab E , AWADALLA Said S 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAim: Women in Saudi Arabia develop breast cancer at a young age with high prevalence of poor prognostic features. Because of such features, it is necessary to examine prognostic factors in this population. One such factor is the prognostic role of lymph node ratio (LNR).Methods: We performed retrospective analyses of patients with invasive non‐metastatic breast cancer who underwent axillary lymph node dissection and had one or more positive axillary lymph nodes.Results: Two hundred and seventeen patients were considered eligible for the analysis. The median age was 46 years. At a median follow‐up of 39.8 months, the median disease‐free survival (DFS) was 67.3 months (95% CI, 50.4 to 84.3 months). Neither the classification of patients based on positive lymph node (pN) staging system, nor the absolute number of pN prognosticated DFS. Conversely, age ≤ 35 years at diagnosis, grade 3 tumors and the intermediate (>0.20 to ≤0.65) and high (>0.65) LNR categories were the only variables that were independently associated with adverse DFS. Using these variables in a prognostic model allowed the classification of patients into three distinctive risk strata. The overall survival (OS) in this series was 92.5 months (95% CI, 92.1–92.6). Only ER negative tumor adversely influenced OS.Conclusion: Analysis of survival outcome of mostly young patients with early breast cancer identified adverse prognostic variables affecting DFS. If the utility of the derived model including LNR is proven in a larger patient population, it may replace the use of absolute number of positive axillary lymph nodes.
MOISTURE‐SORPTION ISOTHERMS OF IRISH AND SWEET POTATOES
Authors: SOPADE P.A. , AJISEGIRI E.S.A. , CHUKWU O. , ABASS A.B. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT The sorption properties of dried white varieties of Irish and sweet potatoes were studied at 34C over a range of water activity, 0.10–0.98. A static gravimetric procedure was employed and five sorption models – Bradley; Brunauer, Emmet and Teller (BET); Oswin; Henderson; and Guggenheim, Anderson and de Boer (GAB) – were used in the analysis. For the entire isotherm, both Bradley and Henderson models were suitable for the Irish potato, while Oswin and Bradley models better described the behavior of the sweet potato. Monolayer moisture contents (Mo) for the two potato varieties were calculated using both the BET and GAB equations, and it was found that both crops exhibited the BET type II pattern. The Mo for the two varieties were recommended as the least moisture required for stable storage.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSInformation on moisture sorption regime is required for the storage and the enhancement of stability of stored potatoes both in raw and processed forms. Moisture sorption isotherm is also needed for the prediction and practice of drying, frying and other thermo‐related processing of potatoes. It is also required in the determination of critical values for processing such asequilibrium moisture content, critical moisture content and other moisture regimes. It is, in addition, required for the determination of the minimum moisture required for stability of the processed potatoes and therefore necessary information during packaging, and the determination/selection of packaging materials.
Raised Plasma Urotensin II in Type 2 Diabetes Patients Is Associated With the Metabolic Syndrome Phenotype
Authors: Gruson Damien , Rousseau Michel F. , Ketelslegers Jean‐Marie , Hermans Michel P. 
Published: June 2010

J Clin Hypertens(Greenwich). 2010;12:653–660. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Urotensin II (UII) exerts multiple effects on the cardiovascular system, acts as a diabetogenic agent, and may also contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to determine circulating UII in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its relationship with MetS. A total of 360 consecutive patients with T2DM were included. MetS presence/absence (MetS [+]/[−]) was defined according to American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute criteria. Plasma concentrations of UII were determined by radioimmunoassay. UII levels were significantly higher in MetS (+) than in MetS (−) T2DM patients (0.97 pg/mL [0.93–1.01], n=294 vs 0.82 pg/mL [0.75–0.88] pg/mL, n=66, respectively; P<.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that UII was significantly associated with MetS (+) (odds ratio, 6.41 [95% confidence interval, 1.21–16.04]; P=.02). UII plasma concentrations are significantly higher in T2DM patients presenting with MetS. Therefore, circulating UII may participate in the worsening course of some T2DM patients and may provide novel therapeutic perspectives.
Tracking Cholera in Coastal Regions Using Satellite Observations1
Authors: Jutla Antarpreet S. , Akanda Ali S. , Islam Shafiqul 
Published: June 2010

Jutla, Antarpreet S., Ali S. Akanda, and Shafiqul Islam, 2010. Tracking Cholera in Coastal Regions Using Satellite Observations. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(4): 651‐662. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2010.00448.xAbstract:  Cholera remains a significant health threat across the globe. The pattern and magnitude of the seven global pandemics suggest that cholera outbreaks primarily originate in coastal regions and then spread inland through secondary means. Cholera bacteria show strong association with plankton abundance in coastal ecosystems. This review study investigates the relationship(s) between cholera incidence and coastal processes and explores utility of using remote sensing data to track coastal plankton blooms, using chlorophyll as a surrogate variable for plankton abundance, and subsequent cholera outbreaks. Most studies over the last several decades have primarily focused on the microbiological and epidemiological understanding of cholera outbreaks. Accurate identification and mechanistic understanding of large scale climatic, geophysical, and oceanic processes governing cholera‐chlorophyll relationship is important for developing cholera prediction models. Development of a holistic understanding of these processes requires long and reliable chlorophyll datasets, which are beginning to be available through satellites. We have presented a schematic pathway and a modeling framework that relate cholera with various hydroclimatic and oceanic variables for understanding disease dynamics using the latest advances in remote sensing. Satellite data, with its unprecedented spatial and temporal coverage, have potentials to monitor coastal processes and track cholera outbreaks in endemic regions.
Chronotropic Incompentence and Functional Capacity in Chronic Heart Failure: No Role of β‐Blockers and β‐Blocker Dose
Authors: Magrì Damiano , Palermo Pietro , Cauti Filippo M. , Contini Mauro , Farina Stefania , Cattadori Gaia , Apostolo Anna , Salvioni Elisabetta , Magini Alessandra , Vignati Carlo , Alimento Marina , Sciomer Susanna , Bussotti Maurizio , Agostoni Piergiuseppe 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYAim: To assess the effect of chronotropic incompetence on functional capacity in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, as evaluated as NYHA and peak oxygen consumption (pVO2), focusing on the presence and dose of β‐blocker treatment. Methods: Nine hundred and sixty‐seven consecutive CHF patients were evaluated, 328 of whom were discarded because they failed to meet the study criteria. Of the 639 analyzed, 90 were not treated with β‐blockers whereas the other 549 were. The latter were further subdivided in high (n = 184) and low (n = 365) β‐blockers daily dose group in accordance with an arbitrary cut‐off of 25 mg for carvedilol and of 5 mg for bisoprolol. Failure to achieve 80% of the percentage of maximum age predicted peak heart rate (%Max PHR) or of HR reserve (%HRR) constituted chronotropic incompetence. Results: No differences were found in NYHA or pVO2 between patients with and without β‐blockers and, similarly, between high and low β‐blocker dose groups. Twenty and sixty‐nine percent of not β‐blocked patients showed chronotropic incompetence according to %Max PHR and %HRR, respectively, whereas this prevalence rose to 61% and 84% in those on β‐blocker therapy. Patients taking β‐blockers without chronotropic incompetence, as inferable from both %Max PHR and %HRR, showed higher NYHA and pVO2 regardless of drug dose, whereas, in not β‐blocked patients, only %HRR revealed a difference in functional capacity. At multivariable analysis, HR increase during exercise (ΔHR) was the variable most strongly associated to pVO2 (β: 0.572; SE: 0.008; P < 0.0001) and NYHA class (β: −0.499; SE: 0.001; P < 0.0001). Conclusions: ΔHR is a powerful predictor of CHF severity regardless of the presence of β‐blocker therapy and of β‐blocker daily dose.
The Role of Inflammation in the Pathogenesis of Delirium and Dementia in Older Adults: A Review
Authors: Simone Mark J. , Tan Zaldy S. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYAims: To review recent evidence that suggests inflammation plays a similar role in the pathogenesis of delirium and dementia. Methods: We performed a literature search of original research and review articles in PubMed using the keywords: delirium, dementia, and inflammation. We summarized the evidence linking inflammation to the pathogenesis of delirium and dementia. Discussion: Delirium and dementia share similarities in clinical and pathogenic features, leading to the speculation that instead of being distinct clinical entities, the two age‐related conditions may be linked by a common pathogenic mechanism. Inflammatory markers have been shown to be elevated in both delirium and dementia, thereby implicating inflammation as a possible mediating factor in their genesis. There is evidence in both basic science and clinical research literature that elevated cytokines play a crucial role in the development of cognitive dysfunction observed in both dementia and delirium. Conclusion: Mounting evidence supports the role of inflammation in the development of both dementia and delirium. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these relationships.
Attachment of Mouse Hepatitis Virus to O-Acetylated Sialic Acid Is Mediated by Hemagglutinin-Esterase and Not by the Spike Protein
Authors: Langereis Martijn A. , van Vliet Arno L. W. , Boot Willemijn , de Groot Raoul J. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

The members of
Betacoronavirus
phylocluster A possess two types of surface projections, one comprised of the spike protein (S) and the other of hemagglutinin-esterase (HE). Purportedly, these viruses bind to O-acetylated sialic acids (O-Ac-Sias) primarily through S, with HE serving merely as receptor-destroying enzyme. Here, we show that, in apparent contrast to human and ungulate host range variants of
Betacoronavirus-1
, murine coronaviruses actually bind to O-Ac-Sias via HE exclusively. Apparently, expansion of group A betacoronaviruses into new hosts and niches was accompanied by changes in HE ligand and substrate preference and in the roles of HE and S in Sia receptor usage.
Controlling Order in Block Copolymer Thin Films for Nanopatterning Applications
Authors: Marencic Andrew P. , Register Richard A. 
Published: June 2010

An attractive “unconventional” lithographic technique to pattern periodic, sub-100 nm features uses self-assembled block copolymer thin films as etch masks. Unfortunately, as-cast films lack the orientational and positional order of the microphase-separated domains that are necessary for many desired applications. Reviewed herein are techniques developed to guide the self-assembly process in thin films, which permit varying degrees of control over the patterns formed by the microdomains. Techniques that can control the out-of-plane order of the microdomains are first summarized. Then, techniques that control the lateral ordering are reviewed, beginning with those that generate large defect-free grains, then those that impart orientational order to the microdomains, and finally those that can control both the orientation and position of individual microdomains. Each technique is summarized with experimental examples and discussions regarding the mechanism of the guided self-assembly process.
Targeted Gene Silencing Using RGD-Labeled Chitosan Nanoparticles
Authors: Han Hee Dong , Mangala Lingegowda S. , Lee Jeong Won , Shahzad Mian M.K. , Kim Hye Sun , Shen Deyu , Nam Eun Ji , Mora Edna M. , Stone Rebecca L. , Lu Chunhua , Lee Sun Joo , Roh Ju Won , Nick Alpa M. , Lopez-Berestein Gabriel , Sood Anil K. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to develop an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide-labeled chitosan nanoparticle (RGD-CH-NP) as a novel tumor targeted delivery system for short interfering RNA (siRNA).
Experimental Design: RGD peptide conjugated with chitosan by thiolation reaction was confirmed by proton-NMR (H-NMR). Binding of RGD-CH-NP with ανβ3 integrin was examined by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Antitumor efficacy was examined in orthotopic mouse models of ovarian carcinoma.
Results: We show that RGD-CH-NP loaded with siRNA significantly increased selective intratumoral delivery in orthotopic animal models of ovarian cancer. In addition, we show targeted silencing of multiple growth-promoting genes (POSTN, FAK, and PLXDC1) along with therapeutic efficacy in the SKOV3ip1, HeyA8, and A2780 models using siRNA incorporated into RGD-CH-NP (siRNA/RGD-CH-NP). Furthermore, we show in vivo tumor vascular targeting using RGD-CH-NP by delivering PLXDC1-targeted siRNA into the ανβ3 integrin–positive tumor endothelial cells in the A2780 tumor-bearing mice. This approach resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth compared with controls.
Conclusions: This study shows that RGD-CH-NP is a novel and highly selective delivery system for siRNA with the potential for broad applications in human disease. Clin Cancer Res; 16(15); 3910–22. ©2010 AACR.
The mechanism of stem cell differentiation into smooth muscle cells
Authors: Wang Gang , Luo Zhenling , Xu Qingbo , Xiao Qingzhong 
Published: June 2010

SummaryStem cells represent one of the most promising areas in biological and medical research. All stem cells are defined as having two basic properties: unlimited self-renewal and the broad potential to differentiate in vitro, via ″progenitor cells″, into somatic cells of many tissue types, in which smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation is a complicated and not well defined process. It is known that serum response factors (SRF) and co-activator myocardin are essential transcription factors in SMC differentiation. Upstream activators or regulators for the transcription factors have been recently identified, such as reactive oxygen species, histone deacetylases, microRNAs and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and integrins. In this review we, therefore, aim to briefly summarise recent progress in the mechanism of stem cell differentiation into SMCs to highlight the potential targets for promoting/inhibiting SMC differentiation useful for vessel-tissue engineering and treatment of vascular disease.
Variability and Trends of High Temperature, High Humidity, and Sultry Weather in the Warm Season in China during the Period 1961–2004
Authors: Shi Xiaohui , Lu Chungu , Xu Xiangde 
Published: June 2010

AbstractUsing the daily maximum air temperature and mean humidity observations at 394 surface weather stations across China, the changes in the annual number of days of high temperature weather (HTW), high humidity weather (HHW), and sultry weather (STW) in China over the period 1961–2004 are studied. The results indicate that there were considerable spatial differences and temporal variability of HTW, HHW, and STW across China. Under a climatic mean condition, a notable feature is that southeastern China is the region of collocation of high values of the annual number of days of HTW, HHW, and STW, as well as the region of the most significant variabilities of these parameters. About 55% of the stations in China have increasing trends of the annual number of days of HTW. Most stations in China show decreasing trends of the annual number of days of HHW and are mainly located either in the area south of 30°N or in northern and northeastern China. The stations with increasing trends of the annual number of days of STW are mainly located in northern China, while the stations that have decreasing trends are primarily located in southern China. The analysis results suggest that the variability of the annual number of days of STW corresponds mainly to HTW, and less to HHW. The change in the East Asian monsoon may be responsible for the changes of these statistics in extreme weather in China.