bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paeoniflorin ameliorates schistosomiasis liver fibrosis through regulating IL-13 and its signalling molecules in mice
Authors: LI XIAOYUE , SHEN JILONG , ZHONG ZHENGRONG , PENG JUN , WEN HUIQIN , LI JING , LUO QINGLI , WEI WEI 
Published: April 2010

SUMMARYTreatment of liver fibrosis associated withSchistosoma japonicumova-induced granulomas remains a challenging proposition. Paeoniflorin (PAE, C23H28O11) has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and immunoregulatory effects and it is commonly used in Chinese Herbal prescriptions to treat hepatic disorders. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of PAE on hepatic fibrosis of mice infected withS. japonicumand to explore its possible mechanism. Upon pathological examination of PAE-treated mice, the size of egg granuloma, fibrosis scores, the concentration of IL-13 and hydroxyproline in liver were significantly reduced compared with the model mice. In the primary culture of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), PAE inhibited IL-13-induced collagen synthesis. These results suggested that PAE might alleviate the hepatic granulomas and fibrosis caused byS. japonicumand the inhibitory effect of PAE on hepatic fibrosis might be associated with its ability to decrease the level of IL-13 and to interfere with the IL-13 signalling molecule in HSCs.
Cycling Off and On Welfare in Canada
Authors: LIGHTMAN ERNIE , MITCHELL ANDREW , HERD DEAN 
Published: April 2010

AbstractInternationally, traditional approaches to social assistance (welfare) have increasingly been replaced with ‘active’ labour market policies. Alongside other industrialised countries, Canada embraced this shift, with its emphasis on the ‘shortest route’ to paid employment.There has been little research on the outcomes of these dramatic changes in Canada, especially longer term. This article explores the post-welfare labour market experiences of people who were on social assistance in Canada in 1996. It uses the longitudinal micro-data files of the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID) from Statistics Canada, which tracks a panel of recipients over five years. We examine the mixing of work and welfare, the transition from welfare to work, and selected labour market indicators – primarily hours of work and wages – that those in receipt of social assistance face in assuming paid work.Those leaving welfare for work face precarious employment opportunities. Leavers earn lower wages, work fewer hours and consequently have lower annual earnings than non-recipients. Over time the gap narrows but remains significant, even after six years. Returns to welfare are frequent. Overall, even after six years most social assistance recipients remained marginalised in the periphery of the labour market.
Movements of birds among natural vegetation patches in the Pantanal, Brazil
Authors: YABE REGINA DE SOUZA , MARQUES ELIÉZER JOSÉ , MARINI MIGUEL ÂNGELO 
Published: April 2010

SummaryThe ability of birds to move through the landscape is a key parameter for ecological and conservation studies. We studied bird movements among natural vegetation patches surrounded by native grassland and tested the effect of inter-patch distance on bird movements/hour and assessed the distances travelled for species of different body mass. We made observations of 1,138 bird movements among 11 forest patches and banded 368 birds obtaining 69 recaptures (42 recaptures in the same patch where the birds were banded and 27 recaptures in other patches). We used seven patches as observation points and capture sites in the Pantanal wetland, Brazil during one year. Movements/hour decreased significantly with inter-patch distance. Median or maximum distance travelled increased significantly with body mass. Small-bodied Passeriformes, however, did not increase the distance travelled with body mass, since they seldom moved more than 286 m. The majority of forest dependent or semi-dependent birds seem able to adapt to natural fragmented landscapes. However, small forest patches may be inappropriate habitat for many large-bodied species, and it is more difficult for small-bodied species to use more isolated forest patches. Thus, size and spatial arrangement of habitat patches may act as a filter in which large and close fragments seem to protect the highest number of bird species. The findings of this study indicate that stepping stones provide a viable alternative to continuous biological corridors if the latter are not available. However, the type of species in an area and the size and distance between vegetation patches are all critical factors that must be considered in projects that aim to use forest patches as stepping stones to increase or maintain local bird biodiversity.
Did Bush Voters Cause Obama's Victory?
Authors: Lupia Arthur 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIn the 2008 election, Barack Obama's campaign brought many new voters to the polls. Were these new voters necessary for Obama's victory? In this study, I find that they were not. The basis of this finding is an examination of decisions made by people who voted for George W. Bush in 2004. I show that Bush voters' decisions not to vote or to support Obama were a sufficient condition for Obama's victory.
The Effect of Nomination Divisiveness on the 2008 Presidential Election
Authors: Southwell Priscilla L. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis research examines the effect of disgruntlement among primary and caucus voters who supported U.S. presidential nomination losers—a potentially divisive nomination process. I analyze the general election voting behavior of primary and caucus voters in the 2008 presidential election to determine if differences exist between supporters of the winning nominee in each party and backers of other candidates who also sought the nomination. A multivariate analysis of the determinants of “loyal party vote” suggests that Clinton and Edwards supporters showed a significantly higher degree of defection in the general election, although this behavior did not occur among people who voted for Romney or Huckabee in their state's primary or caucus.
Subfield Hockey: A Reaction to Matthew Moore's National Survey of Political Theorists
Authors: Ferguson Kennan 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis survey's importance comes not from what it informs us about political theory as a field, but rather from the function it serves within debates over the component areas of the field of political science. Rather than answering whether political theory “belongs” within political science (an unanswerable question), the survey uses quantification of qualitative experience and data collection to consolidate political theory as a subfield. Thus success of this project relies upon and reinforces disciplinary norms, operating as a process that attempts to bring a normative political theory into existence. The rank ordering of departments, journals, and individual theorists proves appealing not only for the competitive, horse-race valuation of those people and institutions, but also for how they ultimately resist this project by showing the anti-normative heart of political theory: an important and useful survey indeed.
Trends in Funding for Dissertation Field Research: Why Do Political Science and Sociology Students Win So Few Awards?
Authors: Agarwala Rina , Teitelbaum Emmanuel 
Published: April 2010

AbstractDespite the size and growth of political science and sociology relative to other disciplines, political science and sociology graduate students have received a declining share of funding for dissertation field research in recent years. Specifically, political science and sociology students are losing out to competitive applicants from humanities-oriented fields that provide strong training in area studies and language. These trends are explained by multiple factors. On the funding demand side, changes in graduate training within political science and sociology are undermining students' ability to conduct contextual work, thus leading to lower quality applications. On the funding supply side, the structure of selection committees may be privileging certain disciplines and approaches. We offer suggestions on how to begin reversing these worrisome trends in dissertation funding. Doing so is crucial to ensuring the continued participation of political scientists and sociologists in international comparative research.
The Representation of Women in Publication: An Analysis of Political Communication and the International Journal of Press/Politics
Authors: Evans Heather K. , Bucy Erik P. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractScholarly publication in peer-reviewed journals is widely regarded as the road to scholarly success. However, in a diversity of fields such as sociology, economics, and political science, it has been shown that the rate of publication is much lower for women than for men. The question of whether a systematic relationship exists between gender and research methods has also frequently been debated. In this paper, we explore patterns of authorship and scholarship in two influential interdisciplinary journals, Political Communication and the International Journal of Press/Politics, over the last decade. A systematic content analysis was conducted to determine the gender ratio of authors, the methods and theories employed, and the ratio of quantitative to qualitative research studies. In addition, we tracked the use of primary or secondary data sources and the prevalence of research funding by gender. Overall, we find that while women are publishing less than men, their rate of publication is somewhat higher than their representation in the field.
The University and Student Political Engagement
Authors: Simmons James R. , Lilly Bryan 
Published: April 2010

AbstractPrior research has identified a substantial positive relationship between college attendance and civic engagement. This article examines student experiences with university academics and ancillary programs to determine which of these, if any, motivate increased student engagement. Various student characteristics were evaluated to determine their impact on student engagement. Data was obtained from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and the Current Population Survey (CPS). Results indicated that engagement is related positively to some student college experiences, unrelated to some experiences, and even negatively related to other experiences. Few individual characteristics relate to engagement, ACT scores and gender both impact engagement, and, surprisingly, engagement was higher among men than women.
Utility of an abbreviated version of the executive and social cognition battery in the detection of executive deficits in early behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia patients
Authors: GLEICHGERRCHT EZEQUIEL , TORRALVA TERESA , ROCA MARÍA , MANES FACUNDO 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe detection of executive deficits in early behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is crucial, as impairments in the executive domain constitute an important diagnostic feature of the newly proposed diagnostic criteria for bvFTD. Our group has recently demonstrated that classical executive tests fail to detect the executive deficits of a subgroup of early bvFTD patients. When administered an executive and social cognition battery (ESCB) that includes tasks that mimic everyday scenarios (e.g., affective decision-making, planning and organization, theory of mind), however, the performance of those bvFTD patients differed significantly from that of controls. One limitation of the ESCB is its lengthy nature (approximately 90 min). For this reason, the present study analyzes the usefulness of alternative shorter versions of this battery. We propose one particular two-task combination that demands approximately 30 min for its administration and scoring, and which presents similar discriminatory accuracy as that of the complete ESCB, while maintaining its significantly superior capacity to detect subtle executive deficits in bvFTD patients relative to classical executive tests. We suggest that, in clinical settings where tools, time, or human resources are scarce, this abbreviated ESCB may be useful in the detection of subtle yet impairing executive impairments of patients with bvFTD. (JINS, 2010,16, 687–694.)
ITERATED LAVRENTIEV REGULARIZATION FOR NONLINEAR ILL-POSED PROBLEMS
Authors: MAHALE P. , NAIR M. T. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractWe consider an iterated form of Lavrentiev regularization, using a null sequence (αk) of positive real numbers to obtain a stable approximate solution for ill-posed nonlinear equations of the form F(x)=y, where F:D(F)⊆X→X is a nonlinear operator and X is a Hilbert space. Recently, Bakushinsky and Smirnova [“Iterative regularization and generalized discrepancy principle for monotone operator equations”, Numer. Funct. Anal. Optim.28 (2007) 13–25] considered an a posteriori strategy to find a stopping index kδ corresponding to inexact data yδ with $\|y-y^\d \|\leq \d $ resulting in the convergence of the method as δ→0. However, they provided no error estimates. We consider an alternate strategy to find a stopping index which not only leads to the convergence of the method, but also provides an order optimal error estimate under a general source condition. Moreover, the condition that we impose on (αk) is weaker than that considered by Bakushinsky and Smirnova.
GaN-based amplifiers for wideband applications
Authors: Schuh Patrick , Sledzik Hardy , Reber Rolf , Widmer Kristina , Oppermann Martin , Mußer Markus , Seelmann-Eggebert Matthias , Kiefer Rudolf 
Published: April 2010

Different wideband amplifiers, hybrid designs at lower frequencies, and monolithically integrated circuits (MMIC) at higher frequencies were designed, fabricated, and measured. These amplifiers are all based on AlGaN/GaN HEMT technology. The future applications for these types of amplifiers are mainly electronic warfare (EW) applications. Novel communication jammers and especially active electronically scanned array EW systems have a high demand for wideband high power amplifiers. The second application also needs high robust low noise amplifiers for its receive path. Output power levels of 38 W for hybrid amplifiers at lower frequencies up to 6 GHz and 15 W for the MMIC power amplifiers at higher frequencies are measured. With these building blocks, novel EW system approaches can be investigated.
Exact determination of electrical properties of wurtzite Al1−xInxN/(AlN)/GaN heterostructures (0.07 ≤ x ≤ 0.21) by means of a detailed charge balance equation
Authors: Gonschorek Marcus , Carlin Jean-Francois , Feltin Eric , Py Marcel , Grandjean Nicolas 
Published: April 2010

This paper discusses the determination of key electrical parameters of AlInN/(AlN)/GaN heterostructures from capacitance–voltage (CV) measurements. These heterostructures gained recently importance since they allow for high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) devices with several remarkable records: densities of the 2D electron gas (2DEG) of 2.6 × 1013 cm−2 for lattice-matched (LM) heterostructures and barrier thickness of 14 nm, beyond 2 A/mm saturation currents, above 100 GHz operation for heterostructures grown on Si (111) with gate length of 0.1 µm. Despite these striking experimental results, a consistent determination of the most important electrical parameters, namely polarization sheet charge density, surface potential, and dielectric constant of the alloy are still missing. By setting up the correct charge balance equation, these parameters can unambiguously be determined. For instance, in the case of nearly LM Al0.85In0.15N these parameters amount to σAl0.85In0.15N/GaN ~ 3.7 × 1017 m−2, eΦS ~ 3 eV and ɛAl0.85In0.15N ~11.2, for the charge density, the surface barrier potential, and the dielectric constant, respectively.
GaN devices for communication applications: evolution of amplifier architectures
Authors: Schmid Ulf , Reber Rolf , Chartier Sébastien , Widmer Kristina , Oppermann Martin , Heinrich Wolfgang , Meliani Chafik , Quay Rüdiger , Maroldt Stephan 
Published: April 2010

This paper presents the design and implementation of power amplifiers using high-power gallium nitride (GaN) high electronic mobility transistor (HEMT) powerbars and monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs). The first amplifier is a class AB implementation for worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) applications with emphasis on a low temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC) packaging solution. The second amplifier is a class S power amplifier using a high power GaN HEMT MMIC. For a 450 MHz continuous wave (CW) signal, the measured output power is 5.8 W and drain efficiency is 18.5%. Based on time domain simulations, loss mechanisms are identified and optimization steps are discussed.
Quantitative Analysis and Molecular Fingerprinting of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusNasal Colonization in Different Patient Populations: A Prospective, Multicenter Study
Authors: Mermel L. A. , Eells S. J. , Acharya M. K. , Cartony J. M. , Dacus D. , Fadem S. , Gay E. A. , Gordon S. , Lonks J. R. , Perl T. M. , McDougal L. K. , McGowan J. E. , Maxey G. , Morse D. , Tenover F. C. 
Published: April 2010

Objectives.To better understand the prevalence of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) colonization or infection in different patient populations, to perform quantitative analysis of MRSA in nasal cultures, and to characterize strains using molecular fingerprinting.Design.Prospective, multicenter study.Setting.Eleven different inpatient and outpatient healthcare facilities.Participants.MRSA-positive inpatients identified in an active surveillance program; inpatients and outpatients receiving hemodialysis; inpatients and outpatients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; patients requiring cardiac surgery; and elderly patients requiring long-term care.Methods.Nasal swab samples were obtained from January 23, 2006, through July 27, 2007; MRSA strains were quantified and characterized by molecular fingerprinting.Results.A total of 444 nares swab specimens yielded MRSA (geometric mean quantity, 794 CFU per swab; range, 3-15,000,000 CFU per swab). MRSA prevalence was 20% for elderly residents of long-term care facilities (25 of 125 residents), 16% for HIV-infected outpatients (78 of 494 outpatients), 15% for outpatients receiving hemodialysis (31 of 208 outpatients), 14% for inpatients receiving hemodialysis (86 of 623 inpatients), 3% for HIV-infected inpatients (5 of 161 inpatients), and 3% for inpatients requiring cardiac surgery (6 of 199 inpatients). The highest geometric mean quantity of MRSA was for inpatients requiring cardiac surgery (11,500 CFU per swab). An association was found between HIV infection and colonization with the USA300 or USA500 strain of MRSA (P≤ .001). The Brazilian clone was found for the first time in the United States. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns for 11 isolates were not compatible with known USA types or clones.Conclusion.Nasal swab specimens positive for MRSA had a geometric mean quantity of 794 CFU per swab, with great diversity in the quantity of MRSA at this anatomic site. Outpatient populations at high risk for MRSA carriage were elderly residents of long-term care facilities, HIV-infected outpatients, and outpatients receiving hemodialysis.
Recent and future warm extreme events and high-mountain slope stability
Authors: Huggel C. , Salzmann N. , Allen S. , Caplan-Auerbach J. , Fischer L. , Haeberli W. , Larsen C. , Schneider D. , Wessels R. 
Published: April 2010

The number of large slope failures in some high-mountain regions such as the European Alps has increased during the past two to three decades. There is concern that recent climate change is driving this increase in slope failures, thus possibly further exacerbating the hazard in the future. Although the effects of a gradual temperature rise on glaciers and permafrost have been extensively studied, the impacts of short-term, unusually warm temperature increases on slope stability in high mountains remain largely unexplored.
We describe several large slope failures in rock and ice in recent years in Alaska, New Zealand and the European Alps, and analyse weather patterns in the days and weeks before the failures. Although we did not find one general temperature pattern, all the failures were preceded by unusually warm periods; some happened immediately after temperatures suddenly dropped to freezing.
We assessed the frequency of warm extremes in the future by analysing eight regional climate models from the recently completed European Union programme ENSEMBLES for the central Swiss Alps. The models show an increase in the higher frequency of high-temperature events for the period 2001–2050 compared with a 1951–2000 reference period. Warm events lasting 5, 10 and 30 days are projected to increase by about 1.5–4 times by 2050 and in some models by up to 10 times.
Warm extremes can trigger large landslides in temperature-sensitive high mountains by enhancing the production of water by melt of snow and ice, and by rapid thaw. Although these processes reduce slope strength, they must be considered within the local geological, glaciological and topographic context of a slope.
Differences between bispectral index and spectral entropy during xenon anaesthesia: a comparison with propofol anaesthesia
Authors: Höcker J. , Raitschew B. , Meybohm P. , Broch O. , Stapelfeldt C. , Gruenewald M. , Cavus E. , Steinfath M. , Bein B. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryWe enrolled 114 patients, aged 65–83 years, undergoing elective surgery (duration > 2h) into a randomised, controlled study to evaluate the performance of bispectral index and spectral entropy for monitoring depth of xenon versus propofol anaesthesia. In the propofol group, bispectral index and state entropy values were comparable. In the xenon group, bispectral index values resembled those in the propofol group, but spectral entropy levels were significantly lower. Mean arterial blood pressure was higher and heart rate was lower in the xenon group than in the propofol group. Bispectral index and spectral entropy considerably diverged during xenon but not during propofol anaesthesia. We therefore conclude that these measures are not interchangeable for the assessment of depth of hypnosis and that bispectral index is likely to reflect actual depth of anaesthesia more precisely compared with spectral entropy.
Carbon 13 discrimination during lipid biosynthesis varies with dietary concentration of stable isotopes: implications for stable isotope analyses
Authors: Wessels Frank J. , Hahn Daniel A. 
Published: April 2010

Summary 1. Carbon stable isotopes are commonly used as a research tool in physiological ecology. When elements are consumed, they are naturally enriched or depleted as the consumer processes them. The difference in isotopic composition between the consumer and the diet is known as the discrimination factor (Δ13C). 2. Mixing models are used to estimate the contribution of multiple dietary components to a consumer’s tissues and discrimination must be estimated in the model. Often, discrimination factors vary depending on multiple factors, yet in many models the discrimination factor is assumed to be constant for each dietary component. 3. Few studies have evaluated the mechanistic basis of stable isotope metabolism and discrimination during macromolecule biosynthesis, despite the potential to improve estimations of discrimination factors. We tested whether 13C discrimination depends on the dietary concentration of 13C by culturing the bacterium Bacillus subtilis in a gradient of broths ranging from a δ13C of −11·8‰ to −25·3‰. We found an increase in discrimination in whole bacterial tissue, bulk lipid, and lipid‐extracted fractions as dietary the concentration of 13C increased, with lipids showing the greatest discrimination ranging from 2·72‰ in the low 13C broths to 15·5‰ in the high13C broths. 4. These findings contrast with the majority of isotopic ecology data that typically show a moderate enrichment of 13C as trophic level increases. This discrepancy is attributed to the de novo biosynthesis of the majority of cellular components in this study as opposed to the effects of isotopic routing seen in more metabolically complex taxa.