bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accountability and Independence of International Election Observers
Authors: van Aaken Anne , Chambers Richard 
Published: April 2010

AbstractInternational election monitoring has become ever more important in the national as well as the international context. Plenty of (regional) International Organizations (and NGOs) send Election Observers Missions (EOMs) to countries in order to assess the quality of their democratic process and elections. Whereas the influence of EOMs is largely undisputed, their independence, impartiality and accountability have been less discussed. This paper describes the legal set-up of EOMs in order to assess their independence and accountability. It also uses accountability mechanisms as discussed in international law scholarship (ILA Report and the Global Administrative Law project) in order to analyze the accountability mechanisms currently in place for EOMs.
The Administration of Arms Control: Ensuring Accountability and Legitimacy of Field Operations
Authors: Marschik Axel 
Published: April 2010

AbstractInternational arms control operations are based on a foundation of global programs and instruments. An analysis of these operations gives an indication of the many challenges they face in practice and what administrative means have been developed to address them. Special attention is devoted to the secondary norms of accountability and to the relationship between the internal legal system of the field operation, often conceived as a largely autonomous self-contained regime, and the legal system of its higher authority and general international law. Finally, the increasingly relevant participatory role of civil society in arms control and its conformity with basic principles of international administrative law will also be examined.
The signals of FGFs on the neurogenesis of embryonic stem cells
Authors: Chen Ching-Wen , Liu Chin-San , Chiu Ing-Ming , Shen Shih-Cheng , Pan Hung-Chuan , Lee Kun-Hsiung , Lin Shinn-Zong , Su Hong-Lin 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
Neural induction is a complex process and the detailed mechanism of FGF-induced neurogenesis remains unclear.

Methods
By using a serum-free neural induction method, we showed that FGF1 dose-dependently promoted the induction of Sox1/N-cadherin/nestin triple positive cells, which represent primitive neuroblasts, from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells.

Results
We demonstrated that FGF1, FGF2, and FGF4, but not FGF8b, enhanced this neurogenesis. Especially, FGF-enhanced neurogenesis is not mediated through the rescue of the apoptosis or the enhancement of the proliferation of Sox1+ cells. We further indicated that the inactivation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK-1) and extracellular signal-related kinase-2 (ERK-2), but not p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), inhibited the neural formation through the inhibition of ES differentiation, but not through the formation of endomesodermal cells.

Conclusions
These lines of evidence delineated the roles of FGF downstream signals in the early neural differentiation of ES cells.
Multiple source genes of HAmo SINE actively expanded and ongoing retroposition in cyprinid genomes relying on its partner LINE
Authors: Tong Chaobo , Gan Xiaoni , He Shunping 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
We recently characterized HAmo SINE and its partner LINE in silver carp and bighead carp based on hybridization capture of repetitive elements from digested genomic DNA in solution using a bead-probe [1]. To reveal the distribution and evolutionary history of SINEs and LINEs in cyprinid genomes, we performed a multi-species search for HAmo SINE and its partner LINE using the bead-probe capture and internal-primer-SINE polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques.

Results
Sixty-seven full-size and 125 internal-SINE sequences (as well as 34 full-size and 9 internal sequences previously reported in bighead carp and silver carp) from 17 species of the family Cyprinidae were aligned as well as 14 new isolated HAmoL2 sequences. Four subfamilies (type I, II, III and IV), which were divided based on diagnostic nucleotides in the tRNA-unrelated region, expanded preferentially within a certain lineage or within the whole family of Cyprinidae as multiple active source genes. The copy numbers of HAmo SINEs were estimated to vary from 104 to 106 in cyprinid genomes by quantitative RT-PCR. Over one hundred type IV members were identified and characterized in the primitive cyprinid Danio rerio genome but only tens of sequences were found to be similar with type I, II and III since the type IV was the oldest subfamily and its members dispersed in almost all investigated cyprinid fishes. For determining the taxonomic distribution of HAmo SINE, inter-primer SINE PCR was conducted in other non-cyprinid fishes, the results shows that HAmo SINE- related sequences may disperse in other families of order Cypriniforms but absent in other orders of bony fishes: Siluriformes, Polypteriformes, Lepidosteiformes, Acipenseriformes and Osteoglossiforms.

Conclusions
Depending on HAmo LINE2, multiple source genes (subfamilies) of HAmo SINE actively expanded and underwent retroposition in a certain lineage or within the whole family of Cyprinidae. From this perspective, HAmo SINE should provide useful phylogenetic makers for future analyses of the evolutionary relationships among species in the family Cyprinidae.
MicroRNA expression profiling to identify and validate reference genes for relative quantification in colorectal cancer
Authors: Chang Kah Hoong , Mestdagh Pieter , Vandesompele Jo , Kerin Michael J , Miller Nicola 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
Advances in high-throughput technologies and bioinformatics have transformed gene expression profiling methodologies. The results of microarray experiments are often validated using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), which is the most sensitive and reproducible method to quantify gene expression. Appropriate normalisation of RT-qPCR data using stably expressed reference genes is critical to ensure accurate and reliable results. Mi(cro)RNA expression profiles have been shown to be more accurate in disease classification than mRNA expression profiles. However, few reports detailed a robust identification and validation strategy for suitable reference genes for normalisation in miRNA RT-qPCR studies.

Methods
We adopt and report a systematic approach to identify the most stable reference genes for miRNA expression studies by RT-qPCR in colorectal cancer (CRC). High-throughput miRNA profiling was performed on ten pairs of CRC and normal tissues. By using the mean expression value of all expressed miRNAs, we identified the most stable candidate reference genes for subsequent validation. As such the stability of a panel of miRNAs was examined on 35 tumour and 39 normal tissues. The effects of normalisers on the relative quantity of established oncogenic (miR-21 and miR-31) and tumour suppressor (miR-143 and miR-145) target miRNAs were assessed.

Results
In the array experiment, miR-26a, miR-345, miR-425 and miR-454 were identified as having expression profiles closest to the global mean. From a panel of six miRNAs (let-7a, miR-16, miR-26a, miR-345, miR-425 and miR-454) and two small nucleolar RNA genes (RNU48 and Z30), miR-16 and miR-345 were identified as the most stably expressed reference genes. The combined use of miR-16 and miR-345 to normalise expression data enabled detection of a significant dysregulation of all four target miRNAs between tumour and normal colorectal tissue.

Conclusions
Our study demonstrates that the top six most stably expressed miRNAs (let-7a, miR-16, miR-26a, miR-345, miR-425 and miR-454) described herein should be validated as suitable reference genes in both high-throughput and lower throughput RT-qPCR colorectal miRNA studies.
Polyclonal antibody against the DPV UL46M protein can be a diagnostic candidate
Authors: Lu Liting , Cheng Anchun , Wang Mingshu , Jiang Jinfeng , Zhu Dekang , Jia Renyong , Luo Qihui , Liu Fei , Chen Zhengli , Chen Xiaoyue , Yang Jinlong 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
The duck plague virus (DPV) UL46 protein (VP11/12) is a 739-amino acid tegument protein encoded by the UL46 gene. We analyzed the amino acid sequence of UL46 using bioinformatics tools and defined the main antigenic domains to be between nucleotides 700-2,220 in the UL46 sequence. This region was designated UL46M. The DPV UL46 and UL46M genes were both expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3) induced by isopropy1-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) following polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and subcloning into the prokaryotic expression vector pET32a(+). The recombinant proteins were purified using a Ni-NTA spin column and used to generate the polyclonal antibody against UL46 and UL46M in New Zealand white rabbits. The titer was then tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and agar diffusion reaction, and the specificity was tested by western blot analysis. Subsequently, we established Dot-ELISA using the polyclonal antibody and applied it to DPV detection.

Results
In our study, the DPV UL46M fusion protein, with a relative molecular mass of 79 kDa, was expressed in E. coli Rosetta (DE3). Expression of the full UL46 gene failed, which was consistent with the results from the bioinformatic analysis. The expressed product was directly purified using Ni-NTA spin column to prepare the polyclonal antibody against UL46M. The titer of the anti-UL46M antisera was over 1:819,200 as determined by ELISA and 1:8 by agar diffusion reaction. Dot-ELISA was used to detect DPV using a 1:60 dilution of anti-UL46M IgG and a 1:5,000 dilution of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG.

Conclusions
The anti-UL46M polyclonal antibody reported here specifically identifies DPV, and therefore, it is a promising diagnostic tool for DPV detection in animals. UL46M and the anti-UL46M antibody can be used for further clinical examination and research of DPV.
ChroPac-Trial: Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection versus pancreatoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis. Trial protocol of a randomised controlled multicentre trial
Authors: Diener Markus K , Bruckner Thomas , Contin Pietro , Halloran Christopher , Glanemann Matthias , Schlitt Hans Jürgen , Mössner Joachim , Kieser Meinhard , Werner Jens , Büchler Markus W , Seiler Christoph M 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
A recently published systematic review indicated superiority of duodenum-preserving techniques when compared with pancreatoduodenectomy, for the treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis in the head of the gland. A multicentre randomised trial to confirm these results is needed.

Methods/Design
ChroPac aims to investigate differences in quality of life, mortality and morbidity during 24 months after surgery (duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection versus pancreatoduodenectomy) in patients with chronic pancreatitis of the pancreatic head.
ChroPac is a randomised, controlled, observer and patient blinded multicentre surgical trial with two parallel comparison groups. The primary outcome measure will be the average quality of life during 24 months after surgery. Statistical analysis is based on the intention-to-treat population. Analysis of covariance will be applied for the intervention group comparison adjusting for age, centre and quality of life before surgery. Level of significance is set at 5% (two-sided) and sample size (n = 100 per group) is determined to assure a power of 90%.

Discussion
The ChroPac trial will explore important outcomes from different perspectives (e.g. surgeon, patient, health care system). Its pragmatic approach promises high external validity allowing a comprehensive evaluation of the surgical strategy for treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Trial registration
Controlled-trials.com ISRCTN38973832
Thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly: an unusual presentation of congenital hepatic fibrosis
Authors: Poala Serena Botto , Bisogno Gianni , Colombatti Raffaella 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is a rare autosomal recessive disease that primarily affects the hepatobiliary and renal systems. It is characterized by hepatic fibrosis, portal hypertension, and renal cystic disease. Firm or hard hepatomegaly is present nearly in all patients, often with a prominent left lobe, and this is usually one of the presenting signs. The haematological manifestations due to hypersplenism generally arise when the other gastrointestinal manifestations are clearly developed. We describe the first case of CHF presenting in an otherwise healthy child, with thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly as the only manifestations of the disease.
Hydrophobic Modification of Ti-Containing Zeolite (TS-1) and Their Applications in Liquid-Phase Selective Catalytic Reactions
Authors: Sonoda Joji , Kamegawa Takashi , Kuwahara Yasutaka , Mori Kohsuke , Yamashita Hiromi 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Hydrophobic modification of Ti-containing zeolite (TS-1) was performed by using triethoxyfluorosilane (TEFS). TS-1 after modification with TEFS (w = 1%) showed higher catalytic activity for the ammoximation of cyclohexanone than those on unmodified and modified TS-1 with TEFS (w = 5%) due to effective modification without covering the underlying catalytically active Ti-oxide species.
Synthesis of Biaryls and Oligoarenes Using Aryl[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]dimethylsilanes
Authors: Chen Jinshui , Tanaka Masaaki , Sahoo Akhila K , Takeda Masahide , Yada Akira , Nakao Yoshiaki , Hiyama Tamejiro 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Through intramolecular activation, highly stable aryl[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]dimethylsilanes can selectively transfer their aryl groups to effect a cross-coupling reaction with various aryl bromides and chlorides in the presence of a weak non-fluoride base and a palladium/copper catalyst. This reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups, producing the corresponding functionalized biaryls in high yields with excellent chemoselectivity. Newly disclosed reaction conditions allow the recovery of a cyclic silyl ether in modest-to-good yields and reuse for the synthesis of the arylsilanes. The introduction of two isopropyl groups on the silicon center instead of methyl groups improves the stability and allows quantitative recovery of the silicon residue. Finally, aryl halides having an O-protected [2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]dimethylsilyl group cross-couple with the arylsilane reagents to give silyl-functionalized biaryls. Upon deprotection, the biaryls further react with the silylated electrophiles. The iterative cross-coupling–deprotection sequences allow rapid assembly of silylated oligoarenes. Syntheses of di- and trisilyloligoarenes are also achieved by use of orthogonal O-protecting groups.
Review of Key Research Efforts to Make Algae Fuels Sustainable
Authors: Parkavi K. , Mathumitha B. 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Algae, a third generation biofuel feedstock, present one of the most attractive renewable fuel opportunities. Algae’s potential arises from its high biomass yield, ability to grow in a range of environments and its effectiveness as a bioremediation agent for CO2 sequestration and waste water treatment. Studies suggest that algae are the only biofeedstock that has the potential to completely replace world’s fossil transportation fuels. As a result, interest in algae as a source of fuel is high, but the fact remains that no one has yet shown that they can economically and reliably transform algae into fuel that significantly reduces our dependence on petroleum-based fuels. While a number of hurdles contribute to this scenario, based on our evaluation of this industry and processes, we have determined the three key hurdles to be: (a) Sub-optimal choice of algae strains/species; (b) cost of photobioreactor (specialized equipment in which algae are cultivated); and (c) cost of harvesting algae from the growth medium. In this review we identify various research efforts attempted to find solutions for the above three problems, evaluate each effort, and present our inferences on the efforts with the highest potential. We believe further improvements in these research efforts could make algae fuels commercially viable.
A stability metric for typological features
Authors: Wichmann Søren , Kamholz David 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
In this paper we propose a method to measure the stability of typological features given a data set such as HASPELMATH et al. (2005). We determine the frequency with which one and the same value of a feature occurs in shallow genealogical groupings ('genus′ level). If the languages within such a group tend to show the same value, there is reason to believe that the feature is inherently more stable than if much variation is found within such groups. The proposed metric may be used to evaluate the utility of linguistic features when employing typological data for inferring genealogical relationships among languages.
Prostitution und Emanzipation. Die Schließung der staatlich lizensierten Bordelle Italiens 1958
Authors: König Malte 
Published: April 2010

Vorspann
Staatlich lizenzierte Bordelle gab es in Italien seit der Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts. Man hatte sich so sehr an die professionellen „Lehrmeisterinnen der Liebe“ gewöhnt, dass die Schließung der Bordelle ein Politikum ersten Ranges wurde. Menschen- und frauenrechtliche Argumente blieben gegen solche tief verwurzelten Gewohnheiten und Mentalitäten lange stumpf. Letztlich, so der Saarbrücker Historiker Malte König, waren es internationale Verpflichtungen, die Italien zum Einlenken veranlassten.
Fortschrittsoptimismus oder Kulturpessimismus? Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland in den 70er und 80er Jahren
Authors: Maier Hans 
Published: April 2010

Vorspann
Mit dem Ende des „Goldenen Zeitalters“ Mitte der siebziger Jahre veränderten sich Politik und Gefühlshaushalt in der Bundesrepublik. Der lange dominierende Fortschrittsoptimismus vermischte sich zunächst mit pessimistischen Zukunftsprospekten und düsterer Verfallsprophetie, ehe er sich zeitweise fast ganz verlor – um dann schließlich in der Wiedervereinigung doch wieder etwas Nahrung zu finden. Hans Maier, Politiker und Gelehrter von hohem Rang, spürt diesen verwirrenden Prozessen nach und achtet dabei auch auf sonst oft vernachlässigte „weiche‘‘ Themen wie Sprache und Zeitgefühl..
Detection and Prevalence of the Nonsyncytial American Grass Carp Reovirus Aquareovirus G by Quantitative Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Goodwin Andrew E. , Merry Gwenn E. , Attoui Houssam 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
The American grass carp reovirus (AGCRV) Aquareovirus G is not strongly associated with disease in fish, but it is often detected by cell culture during routine inspections of healthy fish. The cytopathic effect of AGCRV does not involve the typical syncytia associated with most aquareoviruses. Instead, the AGCRV produces a pattern of cell rounding that is very similar to that produced by rhabdoviruses, including those that are highly regulated. We have developed a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay that can be used to identify AGCRV in cell cultures or directly on fish tissues. The assay detects as few as two copies of the plasmid template, has a coefficient of variation of 15% among assays performed on different days, and does not cross-react with any other aquareoviruses tested. Assays performed on tissues of cultured golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas and fathead minnow Pimephales promelas revealed a high prevalence of infection among healthy fish but no association with disease.
Comparison of Quantitative RT-PCR with Cell Culture to Detect Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (VHSV) IVb Infections in the Great Lakes
Authors: Hope Kristine M. , Casey Rufina N. , Groocock Geoffrey H. , Getchell Rodman G. , Bowser Paul R. , Casey James W. 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) is an important pathogen of cultured and wild fish in marine and freshwater environments. A new genotype, VHSV IVb, was isolated from a fish collected from the Great Lakes in 2003. Since the first isolation, VHSV IVb has been confirmed in 28 species, signaling the early invasion and continued spread of this Office International des Epizooties–reportable agent. For surveillance of this virus in both wild and experimental settings, we have developed a rapid and sensitive one-step quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay that amplifies a 100-base-pair conserved segment from both the genomic negative strand and the mRNA positive strand of the nucleoprotein (N) gene of VHSV IVb. This assay is linear over seven orders of magnitude, with an analytical capability of detecting a single copy of viral RNA and reproducibility at 100 copies. The assay is approximately linear with RNA input from 50 to 1,000 ng per assay and works equally well with RNA prepared from a column-based or phenol-chloroform-based method. In wild-caught fish, 97% of the cases were found to be more than three orders of magnitude more sensitive using qRT-PCR than using cell culture. Of the 1,428 fish from the Great Lakes region tested in 2006 and 2007, 24% were positive by qRT-PCR whereas only 5% were positive by cell culture. All of the fish that were positive by cell culture were also positive by qRT-PCR. Importantly, qRT-PCR sensitivity is comparable to that of cell culture detection when comparing VHSV viral RNA levels with viral titer stocks, confirming that the high qRT-PCR signals obtained with diagnostic samples are due to the accumulation of N gene mRNA by transcriptional attenuation. The qRT-PCR assay is particularly valuable for rapid and high-throughput prescreening of fish before confirmatory testing by cell culture or sequencing tissue-derived amplicons and especially in detecting infection in fish that do not show clinical signs of VHS.
Evaluation of different culture techniques of osteoblasts on 3D scaffolds
Authors: Wu Ying-ying , Ban Yu , Geng Ning , Wang Yong-yue , Liu Xiao-guang , Yu Tao , Gong Ping 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Bones adjust their structure to withstand the mechanical demands they experience. It is suggested that flow-derived shear stress may be the most significant and primary mediator of mechanical stimulation. In this study, we designed and fabricated a fluid flow cell culture system that can load shear stress onto cells cultured on 3D scaffolds. We evaluated the effect of different culture techniques, namely, (1) continuous perfusion fluid flow, (2) intermittent perfusion fluid flow, and (3) static condition, on the proliferation of osteoblasts seeded on partially deproteinized bones. The flow rate was set at 1 ml/min for all the cells cultured using flow perfusion and the experiment was conducted for 12 days. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated an increase in cell proliferation for scaffolds subjected to fluid shear stress. In addition, the long axes of these cells lengthened along the flowing fluid direction. Continuous perfusion significantly enhanced cell proliferation compared to either intermittent perfusion or static condition. All the results demonstrated that fluid shear stress is able to enhance the proliferation of cells and change the form of cells.