bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of GPR54 Signaling by GRK2 and β-Arrestin
Authors: Pampillo Macarena , Camuso Natasha , Taylor Jay E. , Szereszewski Jacob M. , Ahow Maryse R. , Zajac Mateusz , Millar Robert P. , Bhattacharya Moshmi , Babwah Andy V. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractKisspeptin and its receptor, GPR54, are major regulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis as well as regulators of human placentation and tumor metastases. GPR54 is a Gq/11-coupled G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), and activation by kisspeptin stimulates phosphatidy linositol 4, 5-biphosphate hydrolysis, Ca2+ mobilization, arachidonic acid release, and ERK1/2 MAPK phosphorylation. Physiological evidence suggests that GPR54 undergoes agonist-dependent desensitization, but underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Furthermore, very little has been reported on the early events that regulate GPR54 signaling. The lack of information in these important areas led to this study. Here we report for the first time on the role of GPCR serine/threonine kinase (GRK)2 and β-arrestin in regulating GPR54 signaling in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, a model cell system for studying the molecular regulation of GPCRs, and genetically modified MDA MB-231 cells, an invasive breast cancer cell line expressing about 75% less β-arrestin-2 than the control cell line. Our study reveals that in HEK 293 cells, GPR54 is expressed both at the plasma membrane and intracellularly and also that plasma membrane expression is regulated by cytoplasmic tail sequences. We also demonstrate that GPR54 exhibits constitutive activity, internalization, and association with GRK2 and β- arrestins-1 and 2 through sequences in the second intracellular loop and cytoplasmic tail of the receptor. We also show that GRK2 stimulates the desensitization of GPR54 in HEK 293 cells and that β-arrestin-2 mediates GPR54 activation of ERK1/2 in MDA-MB-231 cells. The significance of these findings in developing molecular-based therapies for treating certain endocrine-related disorders is discussed.
The effectiveness of routinely delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for obsessive‐compulsive disorder: A benchmarking study
Authors: Houghton Simon. , Saxon Dave. , Bradburn Mike. , Ricketts Tom. , Hardy Gillian. 
Published: October 2009

Objectives. There is often difficulty in generalizing the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to routine clinical practice given the rigid design features of such studies. The purpose of this study is to describe the effectiveness of routinely delivered, formulation‐based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) within a publicly funded clinic for adults with obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) and offer a comparison against the outcomes achieved in efficacy studies for the same population.Method. Practice‐based prospective study. Routine data collected from a National Health Service out‐patient clinic for adult clients with OCD is benchmarked against the findings of RCTs. The comparison RCTs were identified using a systematic review methodology.Results. The mean (95% confidence interval) change in Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale score pre‐ to post‐therapy in the Sheffield clinic was 10.2 (7.1 – 13.3), which compares well with changes of 11.4 (10.5 – 12.2) for exposure and response prevention trials, 12.9 (11.2 – 14.7) for cognitive therapy trials, and 10.6 (8.5 – 12.8) for CBT trials. The Sheffield results fell within the benchmarks derived from the included RCTs.Conclusion. These results indicate that CBT for adults with OCD delivered outside the constraints of a clinical trial is equivalently effective but that this conclusion should be tested further on a larger group of patients.
Crossover and stability of victim type in child molesters
Authors: Sim Daphne J. , Proeve Michael 
Published: October 2009

Purpose. This study examined the degree to which child sex offenders demonstrated crossover in victim choice, as defined by age, gender, and relationship to the offender. It also aimed to explore the direction of the shift in victim type with repeated offending within each of the three domains and to identify variables predictive of crossover behaviour.Method. The sample comprised 128 adult male child sexual offenders. All had offended against multiple victims and were attending a community‐based assessment and treatment service for sexual offenders at the time of data collection. Variables were gathered, coded, and de‐identified from a manual search through clinical casenotes, from client assessment reports as well as from supplementary information consisting of sentencing remarks or other professional reports.Results. More than half of the sample (63.3%, N = 81) demonstrated crossover in victim type across at least one domain. Crossover was 48.0% (N = 59) in the age domain, 22.0% (N = 28) in the gender domain, and 25.8% (N = 33) in the relationship to victim domain. Crossover offending was associated with number of victims but unrelated to frequency of offending or to recidivism risk as assessed by a standard risk assessment instrument. Transitional matrices showed general stability in victim type across offences within the gender and relationship domains, but lower stability within the age domain.Conclusions. Crossover offending behaviour was found to be frequent in the age domain, but the high frequency of crossover in this domain may be artifactual. Crossover offending was less frequent in the gender and relationship domains, but should be taken into account in risk assessment. Victim type shows stability across multiple offences in the gender and relationship to victim domains. Analysis of victim type across multiple offences should be replicated under conditions where disclosure of offending is maximized.
Preliminary Proficiency Testing Results for Succinylacetone in Dried Blood Spots for Newborn Screening for Tyrosinemia Type I
Authors: Adam Barbara W , Lim Timothy H , Hall Elizabeth M , Hannon W Harry 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Background: Succinylacetone (SUAC) is the primary metabolite accumulated in tyrosinemia type I—an inborn error of metabolism that, if untreated, can cause death from liver failure during the first months of life. Newborn screening laboratories measure SUAC in dried blood spot (DBS) samples to detect asymptomatic tyrosinemia type I. We used panels of SUAC-enriched DBSs to compare and evaluate the performance of these screening tests.
Methods: We prepared sets of DBS materials enriched with predetermined SUAC concentrations and distributed samples of these materials, along with a screening practices questionnaire, to laboratories that perform SUAC tests. We compared their reported SUAC concentrations and questionnaire responses to identify screening practices that affect SUAC test outcomes.
Results: Data from 2 pilot surveys showed large differences among laboratories in SUAC recoveries, reproducible within-laboratory recoveries, and stable performance of the DBS materials. Results from 257 proficiency test analyses contained a total of 6 false-negative misclassifications. Reported recoveries of added SUAC ranged from 0 to &gt;200%. Low-biased SUAC recoveries were associated with 1 method used by 5 laboratories. All laboratories that reported SUAC recoveries ≥100% used DBS matrix calibrators.
Conclusions: The wide ranges of SUAC concentrations reported for pilot and proficiency testing specimens demonstrate a need to harmonize quantitative results among laboratories. Although DBS matrix calibrators are important for optimizing SUAC recoveries, the preparation of these calibrators is not standardized among laboratories. Certified DBS-based SUAC calibrators are needed for accuracy and harmonization.
The Present Status of the Disk Pressure Test for Hydrogen Embrittlement
Authors: Fidelle Jean-Pierre 
Published: October 2009

This paper is an update of an enormous amount of work done since STP 543. Accept/reject criteria are illustrated as well as numerous parameters examined such as: (1) strain rate, (2) interfacial and geometrical factors, (3) metallurgical factors, and prior embrittlement from other sources or combined mechanisms, for example, gaseous hydrogen embrittlement on previously embrittled titanium or steel.
Applications to sustained load, rising load, cyclic loads and small alternating loads on sustained loads are illustrated.
A large amount of new test results on a variety of material is presented, including welded Inconel 718.
In Situ Measurement of Hydrogen in Weld Heat Affected Zones Thru Mass Spectrometry and Computer Analysis
Authors: Pressouyre Gerard M. , Lemoine Veronique , Dubois Daniel J. M. , Leblond Jean-Baptiste , Saillard Patrick R. , Faure Francois M. 
Published: October 2009

This paper proposes a new mass spectrometry technique to measure hydrogen evolution in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of a welded material while welding. Square block specimens are used, with a small-diameter hole drilled parallel to the surface to be overlaid at such a depth that the hole will be seated in the future HAZ. This hole is connected to a mass spectrometer that will detect hydrogen evolution in the HAZ during welding; also recorded are the evolutions of temperature in the HAZ and bead deposit advance. Parallel to such experiments, hydrogen diffusion and solubility characteristics have been determined versus temperature using mass spectrometry on base metal and HAZ microstructures.
Results show that hydrogen evolves in the HAZ during welding with characteristic humps and maxima, which may be attributed to variations in diffusion coefficients with temperature and phase changes in the HAZ. These observations were confirmed by computer modelling. Thus, this technique, together with the numerical simulation, is powerful in qualitatively and/or quantitatively evaluating various welding parameters such as: nature of the welding material, the welding process, preheating, and postheating.
Testing of Welding Electrodes for Diffusible Hydrogen and Coating Moisture
Authors: Siewert Thomas A. 
Published: October 2009

For the last 35 years the American welding industry has placed limits on electrode coating moisture to control the hydrogen content of shielded metal arc (SMA) welds in order to minimize weld cracking in steels. Within the past several years, however, various tests have been proposed or developed for the direct measurement of diffusible hydrogen in welds. This report compares many of these tests with each other and with the coating moisture test.
The methods of measuring diffusible hydrogen that were compared were the International Institute of Welding (IIW) test (collection over mercury), the American Bureau of Shipping test (collection over glycerin), collection over silicone oil, a gas chromatographic technique, and several variations of the above. The gas chromatographic technique produced results that agreed within 15% with the IIW method, while the other test methods produced results that were often 50% smaller than the IIW value. The lower values were attributed to solubility of hydrogen in the collection media. It was therefore concluded that these two methods also produced the most reliable measure of the diffusible hydrogen content. The coating moisture was measured in the electrodes used and had a poor correlation with the diffusible hydrogen content.
The Effect of Weld Metal Diffusible Hydrogen on the Cracking Susceptibility of HY-80 Steel
Authors: Wong Richard J. 
Published: October 2009

An investigation was conducted to characterize the influence of welding variables, such as weld metal diffusible hydrogen content, on the hydrogen cracking resistance of HY-80 steel. The moisture pickup characteristics of several shielded metal-arc welding products were measured by the standard combustion technique. The weld metal diffusible hydrogen level corresponding to the electrode coating moisture was measured by gas chromatography.
Implant weldability tests were performed to quantify the cracking resistance of HY-80 steel under different combinations of weld metal diffusible hydrogen level and welding preheat/inter-pass temperature. Implant lower critical stress values were found to increase with a decrease in weld metal diffusible hydrogen content.
Self-restrained weldability tests (rigidly restrained cracking specimens) were performed at selected conditions determined on the basis of implant testing. The dimensions of rigidly restrained cracking specimens were varied between different tests in order to produce restraint levels that would result in cracking or no cracking situations based on implant lower critical stress values. The results of rigidly restrained cracking tests at reduced preheat temperatures (that is, 0° and 16°C) agreed with anticipated critical stress levels required for cracking as determined by implant lower critical stress values.
Hydrogen Embrittlement and Relief Treatment Study of Zinc Phosphate-Coated Submunitions
Authors: Voorhis Gerard P. 
Published: October 2009

The effect of various zinc phosphating treatments on the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of high-strength steel artillery submunitions and the effect of subsequent thermal relief treatments were evaluated in this study.
The submunitions were two types of grenade bodies fabricated from AISI 4140 steel and AISI 15B41 steel. The first type of grenade body contained an embossed inside wall and was heat treated to a hardness Rockwell “C” (HRC) range of 38 to 45 HRC. The second type of grenade body contained a smooth inside wall and was heat treated to a hardness range of 44 to 50 HRC.
Test specimens, machined from the heat treated and zinc phosphate-coated components, were in the form of rings that were stressed to 65% of the nominal breaking load for 200 h. Specimens that failed the 200-h test were considered embrittled; specimens that did not fail were considered nonembrittled. Failed specimens were examined with a scanning electron microscope for the evidence of intergranular fracture, which substantiated that hydrogen embrittlement had occurred.
It was shown that the zinc-phosphated material was susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. The susceptibility increased when the exposure time and the acid concentration of the zinc phosphate process increased. Thermal bake-out treatments at ambient and at elevated temperatures were effective in reducing the embrittlement effect. Thirty days at ambient temperature or 3 h at 93°C (200°F) were found to be adequate in eliminating hydrogen embrittlement. These relief treatments are not effective when the acid concentrations in the zinc phosphate-coating process are abnormally high.
Population Density and Instream Habitat Suitability of the Endangered Cape Fear Shiner
Authors: Hewitt Amanda H. , Kwak Thomas J. , Cope W. Gregory , Pollock Kenneth H. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe Cape Fear shinerNotropis mekistocholasis an endangered minnow endemic to the Cape Fear River basin of North Carolina; only five populations remain, all of which are declining. Determining the population densities and habitat requirements of the species is critical to its survival and restoration planning. We conducted population surveys (four sites) and instream microhabitat suitability analyses (six sites) on the Rocky and Deep rivers to (1) estimate the population density of Cape Fear shiners, (2) quantify the use, availability, and suitability of microhabitats, and (3) determine whether physical habitat alterations were a likely cause of local extirpations and whether instream habitat limits the occurrence and density of this species. Density ranged from 795 fish/ha to 1,393 fish/ha (4,768–7,392 fish/km) at three of the sites surveyed and was too low to be estimated at the fourth site. The fish most frequently occupied riffles and velocity breaks at moderate depths over gravel substrates. It occupied microhabitats nonrandomly with respect to availability; the microhabitats occupied were similar between spawning and postspawning seasons but shallower during spawning. Comparisons of suitable habitat among sites where the fish is extant, rare, or extirpated suggest that suitable substrate (gravel) is lacking where the fish is rare and that suitable microhabitat combinations, especially with respect to water velocity, are rare at all sites. Potential reintroduction sites where the species is rare or extirpated were shallower than extant sites, and one site where the fish is extirpated contained suitable physical habitat but lacked adequate water quality. Another site where the species is rare would require substrate alteration to improve conditions. The survival and recovery of the Cape Fear shiner is dependent on the protection of remaining suitable physical habitat with approaches that consider instream habitat, water quality, and biotic interactions as well as human uses and alterations of the river, riparian zone, and watershed.
Quantifying Predation on Galaxiids and Other Native Organisms by Introduced Rainbow Trout in an Ultraoligotrophic Lake in Northern Patagonia, Argentina: A Bioenergetics Modeling Approach
Authors: Vigliano Pablo H. , Beauchamp David A. , Milano Daniela , Macchi Patricio J. , Alonso Marcelo F. , Asorey Martín I. García , Denegri María A. , Ciancio Javier E. , Lippolt Gustavo , Rechencq Magali , Barriga Juan P. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractExotic rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss support an economically valuable recreational fishery in Patagonia but also create concern for impacts on native organisms. These concerns are intensified by the possibility of hatchery release programs in this region. We estimated losses of different prey from predation by rainbow trout in Lake Moreno, Río Negro Province, Argentina, using a bioenergetics model combined with input data from directed sampling on growth, seasonal diet, distribution, and thermal experience. The fish community was sampled seasonally using gill nets, hydroacoustics, and ichthyoplankton nets. Pelagic galaxiid larvae and benthic juvenile and adult small puyen Galaxias maculatus were the most important components of the diet. Bioenergetics simulations showed that over a 6‐year life span in the lake (ages 1–7), rainbow trout attained a body mass of 2.3 kg and consumed 74.7 kg of food, of which 20% consisted of galaxiid larvae and 16% consisted of adult small puyen. Based on an estimated abundance of 29,000 rainbow trout of ages 1–7, this predator exerted significant but sustainable mortality on the native prey populations, consuming 44 metric tons or an estimated 23% of the annual larval galaxiid production and 35 metric tons of adult small puyen, which represented an unknown fraction of the postlarval population. Galaxiids supported the estimated predation demand under current conditions. However, simulations of stocking strategies normally proposed for this region showed that consumption demands on prey would increase to unsustainable levels, reducing native fish populations and likely reducing growth of rainbow trout. It is also probable that the fish community composition would shift further in response to the increased demand for prey by stocked predators. This implies that in some cases, stocking could jeopardize sport fisheries; stocking strategies should be evaluated on a case‐by‐case basis to be consistent with specific objectives for native fish conservation and sustainable food web interactions.
Spawning Site Selection and Potential Implications of Modified Flow Regimes on Viability of Gulf Sturgeon Populations
Authors: Flowers H. Jared , Pine W. E. , Dutterer A. C. , Johnson K. G. , Ziewitz J. W. , Allen M. S. , Parauka Frank M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractRapid human population growth and an associated increase in consumptive water demands within the ecologically diverse Apalachicola–Chattahoochee–Flint (ACF) River basin of the southeastern United States have led to a series of highly publicized water wars, exacerbated by recent drought conditions, between the states of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. A key issue is how managing riverine flows to meet human water needs will affect the viability of species that are federally listed as threatened or endangered, including the Gulf of Mexico sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi. Our present understanding of Gulf sturgeon ecology within the Apalachicola River basin indicates that altered riverine flow regimes may affect spawning success and possibly the recruitment patterns of the population. Through intensive field work, we documented Gulf sturgeon spawning site selection in the Apalachicola River and then evaluated the relationship between river stage and the available spawning habitat at these sites. We then used an age‐structured simulation model to assess the effects of changes in recruitment patterns on population viability using hypothetical scenarios based on changes in flow regime and its effect on available spawning habitat. Over 3 years we were able to collect almost 500 Gulf sturgeon eggs in the Apalachicola River at three different spawning sites. We observed that the depths and flows where eggs were found were similar across years and sites despite varying river conditions. River discharges of less than 142 m3/s at Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam significantly reduced the spawning habitat available to Gulf sturgeon at all known spawning sites, potentially affecting recruitment. Gulf sturgeon populations are probably sensitive to changes in recruitment, and if extreme low‐flow events occur with increasing frequency owing to water management policy choices or climatic events, population recovery could be impaired and the risk of extirpation could increase. Managers should consider the potential effects on Gulf sturgeon recruitment when determining future flow regime policies within the ACF.
Fish Use of Intermittent Watercourses Draining Agricultural Lands in the Upper Willamette River Valley, Oregon
Authors: Colvin Randall , Giannico Guillermo R. , Li Judith , Boyer Kathryn L. , Gerth William J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractHistorically, the upper Willamette River valley in western Oregon was characterized by seasonal floods and large expansions of its stream network. During the past century, human activities have altered or eliminated many intermittent stream and floodplain habitats in the valley. As a result, the remaining intermittent streams and ditches, referred to as watercourses, may still provide habitat that is critical for native fish. Our objectives were to determine (1) fish presence, (2) the spatial gradients of fish distribution (including species identity, native versus nonnative status, and numbers), (3) fish use of the intermittent streams as spawning and nursery habitats, and (4) the main factors that influence the numbers of fish and fish species. In the winter and spring of 2002–2003, we examined the distributions of fish species in five subbasins within the Willamette River valley. The sampling sites were in intermittent watercourses that drained grass seed–producing fields. We collected water samples and sampled fish from December to May with minnow traps and an electrofishing unit and collected data on the standard fish habitat variables at all sites in spring. Thirteen fish species were found and only three of them were exotic. The presence of recently hatched and juvenile fish shows that intermittent watercourses offer conditions suitable for spawning and juvenile rearing. The two watershed‐scale variables with the most influence on fish species richness were the percentage of the watershed covered by forest and the distance to perennial water, the first of which had a direct relationship to species diversity and the second an inverse relationship. In turn, fish abundance had a negative, albeit modest, relationship with the distance to perennial water. Among local‐scale variables, water velocity and conductivity were inversely related to species richness and fish numbers. Our results highlight the relevance of intermittent agricultural watercourses for native fish species in the Willamette River valley and call for the promotion of agricultural conservation practices that benefit farmers while maintaining aquatic biodiversity in floodplain habitats.