bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Life on the edge – to which degree does phreatic water sustain vegetation in the periphery of the Taklamakan Desert?
Authors: Bruelheide Helge , Vonlanthen Beatrix , Jandt Ute , Thomas Frank M. , Foetzki Andrea , Gries Dirk , Wang Gang , Zhang Ximing , Runge Michael 
Published: September 2009

AbstractQuestions: Do the vegetation‐specific patterns in the forelands of river oases of the Taklamakan Desert provide clues to the degree to which a vegetation type depends on unsaturated soil moisture, brought about by extensive floodings, or phreatic water?Location: Foreland of the Qira oasis on the southern rim of the Taklamakan Desert, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.Methods: A vegetation map was prepared using a SPOT satellite image and ground truthing. Measurements of soil water contents were obtained from a flooding experiment and transformed into water potentials. Sum excedance values were calculated as the percentage of days on which different thresholds of soil water potentials were transgressed. Groundwater depth was mapped by drilling 30 groundwater holes and extrapolating the distances to the whole study area.Results: The vegetation was characterized by only six dominant or codominant species: Alhagi sparsifolia, Karelinia caspia, Populus euphratica, Tamarix ramosissima, Calligonum caput‐medusae and Phragmites australis. The vegetation patterns encountered lacked any linear features typical of phreatophytes, thus not allowing direct conclusions on the type of the sustaining water sources. Soil water potentials never transgressed a threshold of pF 5 (−10 MPa) in horizons above the capillary fringe during periods without inundation, thus representing water not accessible for plants. Depth to the groundwater ranged between 2.3 and 17.5 m among plots and varied between 1.7 and 8.0 m within a plot owing to dune relief. The seven main vegetation types showed distinct niches of groundwater depths, corresponding to the observed concentric arrangement of vegetation types around the oasis.Conclusions: Inundation by flooding and unsaturated soil moisture are irrelevant for the foreland vegetation water supply. Although distances to the groundwater table can reach about 20 m, which is exceptionally large for phreatophytes, groundwater is the only water source for all vegetation types in the oasis foreland. In consequence, successful maintenance of oasis foreland vegetation will crucially depend on providing non‐declining ground water tables.
The post‐partum mid‐upper arm circumference of adolescents is reduced by pregnancy in rural Nepal
Authors: Katz Joanne , Khatry Subarna K. , LeClerq Steven C. , West Keith P. , Christian Parul 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine whether changes in the mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) in pregnancy and early post‐partum varied by maternal age. The MUAC of 3359 nulliparous pregnant women ≤25 years of age in rural Nepal was measured in early pregnancy and at 3 months post‐delivery of a live‐born infant. Regression was used to model the change in MUAC and prevalence of MUAC < 20 cm by maternal age, adjusted for confounders. A total of 5.2% of the pregnant women were under 16 years of age. The prevalence of MUAC measurements <20 cm was 11.3% in early pregnancy and did not differ by maternal age. The prevalence of low MUAC was 17.7% at post‐partum, but those <16 years of age had a significantly higher prevalence of low post‐partum MUAC [odds ratio: 2.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49, 4.10] compared with women 20–25 years of age, adjusted for maternal literacy, caste, meat consumption in early pregnancy and timing of measurements. All women reduced their MUAC from early pregnancy through post‐partum. The adjusted loss of the MUAC among those under 16 years of age was 0.97 cm (95% CI: −1.33, −0.60), compared with 0.40 cm (95% CI: −0.70, −0.10) among women 20–25 years of age. In an energy‐restricted environment, girls under 16 years contributed to a half centimetre more loss of MUAC than older women of the same parity. Such a loss of fat, muscle or both may put younger women and their breastfed offspring at greater risk of other adverse health and nutritional outcomes.
The role of parents' romantic relationship warmth and hostility in child feeding practices and children's eating behaviours
Authors: Haycraft Emma , Blissett Jackie 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThis research examined the associations between parents' reports of the quality of their romantic relationships with their partner/spouse, their feeding interactions with their children, and their children's eating behaviours. One hundred and fifty‐six married/cohabiting mothers of young children completed self‐report measures of their romantic relationship quality, child feeding practices and children's eating behaviours. Reports of a less warm, more hostile romantic relationship were associated with children's less adaptive eating behaviours. More hostile relationship quality was also related to greater restriction of their children's food intake. The quality of parents' romantic relationships is associated with parental feeding practices and children's eating behaviours. Further work should examine the emotional tone of mealtimes in order to discover whether this may be the mechanism of the relationship.
Towards Cost‐effective Strategies for Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease‐Mineral and Bone Disorder in Japan
Authors: Komaba Hirotaka , Moriwaki Kensuke , Kamae Isao , Fukagawa Masafumi 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThere is a growing interest worldwide in making a more effective and efficient use of limited health care resources. Dialysis treatment in Japan and other countries is being confronted with increasing expenditure due to an aging population, coverage of new medical technologies, and an increase in the dialysis population. Chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD‐MBD) is an important issue related to the increased expenditure among dialysis patients because it is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality, and results in a high economic burden. In recent years, several economic analyses on the treatment of CKD‐MBD have been reported from Western countries. Given the longer dialysis vintage of Japanese patients, it is very important to conduct economic evaluation from a long‐term viewpoint using clinical data on Japanese patients. This article reviews the recent literature on economic evaluation of CKD‐MBD treatments and discusses the road ahead for cost‐effectiveness analysis in Japanese dialysis patients with CKD‐MBD.
Can Cinacalcet Replace Parathyroid Intervention in Severe Secondary Hyperparathyroidism?
Authors: Kakuta Takatoshi , Tanaka Reika , Kanai Genta , Sawaya Asako , Hirukawa Takashi , Sato Atsuhiro , Saito Akira 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA 6‐month observational study was conducted in 61 patients (33 men and 28 women, mean age 54.8 ± 12.4 years) treated with cinacalcet in whom parathyroid intervention was indicated. Thirty‐seven patients had baseline intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels of >500 pg/mL, but only five still had levels this high after 6‐month cinacalcet therapy. No patients had phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), or iPTH levels within the target range at baseline, but six patients (9.8%) reached all three target ranges after treatment. The stratum with many patients who had 2–4 enlarged parathyroid glands shifted toward the low PTH groups (iPTH < 300 pg/mL) with treatment. There was less of a tendency for patients with more enlarged glands, that is, 10 mm or larger at baseline, to have a higher PTH level after cinacalcet treatment. There was no significant difference in the total volume of parathyroid glands after treatment, since some glands enlarged while others shrank. These findings indicate cinacalcet to be a potentially useful treatment. Our results suggest that 80% of cases indicated for parathyroid intervention could avoid such interventional therapies with cinacalcet administration. However, the variability in the gland‐shrinking effect of cinacalcet on parathyroid glands merits further study.
Newly recorded tribe Eurylabini of subfamily Ichneumoninae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in Korea
Authors: JEONG Jong‐Chul , CHA Jin‐Yeol 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe tribe Eurylabini is included in the Korean fauna for the first time. We report an unrecorded genus and species of the tribe Eurylabini in Korean fauna: Eurylabus quadratusUchida. A description and photographs are provided.
Does Property Right Transformation Improve Township and Village Enterprises Performance?
Authors: Du Zhixiong , Izumida Yoichi 
Published: September 2009

AbstractTo date, few observations have been made about the performance improvement that resulted from the property right transformation of the collective‐owned township and village enterprises (TVE) in the middle of 1990s. Using data collected from a questionnaire survey on the privatized TVE and their employees, the present paper provides some empirical evidence about this topic, and the analysis suggests that property right transformation has had a positive impact on sample enterprises' performance, including business improvement, employment expansion, incremental investment and contributions to government revenues. The present study concludes that, from a transient viewpoint, the property right transformation has not distorted local governments' intentions to establish TVE in earlier years.(Edited by Xinyu Fan)
Prospect for China–Korea Economic Relations
Authors: Lin Justin Yifu 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThis paper briefly reviews the economic performance of China's economic reform starting in 1978, and which it presents personal views on the experiences of Korea's economic development and lessons for China's economic reform. The paper reviews the China‐Korea economic relationship, and explores both the opportunities of China's economic development for Korea and the prospects for Bilateral Economic cooperation. It is estimated that the Chinese economy will maintain dynamic growth for the coming decade. The 2008 Olympic Games and the 2010 World Expo in China will provide further impetuses for Chinese economic development. China's huge market and its rapid economic growth can help the further recovery and development of the Korean economy. At the same time, the further development of the Chinese economy can benefit from financial, technical and managerial support from Korea. The complementarities between the industrial structures of China and Korea will surely push their future economic cooperation into a broader and deeper stage. Bilateral trade will enhance the competitiveness of both nations in the global market and help them achieve mutual prosperity and development.(Edited by Xinyu Fan)
China's New International Financial Strategy amid the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Zhang Ming 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe Chinese Government has stepped up its drive to reconstruct its international financial strategy after the sub‐prime crisis developed into a global financial crisis in 2008. The main aim of the strategy is to reduce the country's dependence on the US dollar in foreign trade, cross‐border capital flows and foreign exchange reserve management. The strategy can be divided into three tiers: renminbi internationalization, regional monetary cooperation and reconstruction of the international monetary regime. So far, the Chinese Government has fared well in the application of all three tiers. We hold that the Chinese Government should continue in the same direction in a coordinated manner despite various challenges it faces.
China's Exchange Rate Movements and Corporate Currency Invoicing Strategies
Authors: Yi Jingtao 
Published: September 2009

AbstractSince China introduced a new managed floating exchange rate regime in 2005, the persistent appreciation of the renminbi against the US dollar has led Chinese firms to reassess their choice of invoice currency among the dollar and other international alternatives to price their exports. The present paper performs a systematic invoice currency analysis by surveying the published literature, summarizing criteria for decision‐making, and evaluating the choices available to Chinese exporters implementing currency invoicing strategies to maximize expected profits. This study finds that the euro could play an increasing role as the invoice currency of Chinese firms, although the US dollar will still play a dominant role. Chinese exporters might shift gradually from the dollar to the euro in the face of the falling dollar, balancing between the two by necessity.
Bank Reforms, Competition and Efficiency in China's Banking System: Are Small City Bank Entrants More Efficient?
Authors: Lin Hui‐Lin , Tsao Chia‐Chi , Yang Chih‐Hai 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThis paper analyzes technical efficiency in China's banking system by large banks and small city banks as well as the pre‐WTO and post‐WTO accession periods. Using an unbalanced panel dataset for 63 banks over 1997–2006 and employing the stochastic frontier function approach, the empirical results reveal that the new entrants, small city banks, experienced a slightly higher efficiency score than incumbent large banks, on average. Compared with the pre‐WTO accession period, the efficiency score is found to have improved significantly after entry into the WTO as a result of the competition effect. This competition effect is particularly relevant for small city banks. Finally, determinants of X‐inefficiency are examined.
Comparing Operational Efficiency of Mobile Operators in Brazil, Russia, India and China
Authors: Liao Chun‐Hsiung , González Diana B. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractUsing partial factor productivity and data envelopment analysis approaches, this study measures and compares the operational efficiency of the 10 dominant mobile operators in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) between 2002 and 2006. The results of data envelopment analysis indicate that the two leading Brazilian mobile operators, Vivo and TIM, are fully efficient throughout the entire period of study; however, Indian mobile operators are the least efficient among BRIC operators. Interestingly, the findings of this study verify that full operational efficiency can be achieved by operators with large revenues, such as China Unicom, and by others with medium and small revenues, such as Vivo, TIM and Oi. Partial factor productivity demonstrates that 3 of the 4 Brazilian mobile operators, Vivo, TIM and Oi, have remarkable productivity ratios, and that the state‐owned operator, China Unicom, has the highest revenue per capital expenditure among BRIC operators. In contrast, Indian mobile operators' productivity ratios are generally low compared to other BRIC mobile carriers.
Mirror Neurons, the Motor System and Language: From the Motor Theory to Embodied Cognition and Beyond
Authors: Venezia Jonathan H. , Hickok Gregory 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe motor theory of speech perception states that phonetic segments in the acoustic speech stream activate stored motor commands in the brain that give rise to perception of discrete speech sounds. The motor theory fell out of favor when growing evidence from lesion and behavioral studies led aspects of the theory to appear untenable. However, with the recent discovery of mirror neurons and their potential role in action understanding, interest in the motor theory of speech perception is renewed. We review the function and properties of mirror neurons in monkeys, and briefly describe the current literature that focuses on the role of a putative human mirror system in cognition and language processing. Further, we describe proposed evidence for the involvement of the motor system in perceptive speech processing, and point out ambiguities in the literature that arise from the tight coupling of sensory and motor processes in speech comprehension. An alternative theory proposing that sensory representations in superior temporal cortex are mapped onto frontal production networks is offered. We cite evidence that confirms the failure of the motor theory to accurately describe perceptive processes in speech, and promote the conclusion that speech representations are fundamentally sensory in nature.
Hyperthermostable acetyl xylan esterase
Authors: Drzewiecki Katharina , Angelov Angel , Ballschmiter Meike , Tiefenbach Klaus‐Jürgen , Sterner Reinhard , Liebl Wolfgang 
Published: September 2009

SummaryAn esterase which is encoded within a Thermotoga maritima chromosomal gene cluster for xylan degradation and utilization was characterized after heterologous expression of the corresponding gene in Escherichia coli and purification of the enzyme. The enzyme, designated AxeA, shares amino acid sequence similarity and its broad substrate specificity with the acetyl xylan esterase from Bacillus pumilus, the cephalosporin C deacetylase from Bacillus subtilis, and other (putative) esterases, allowing its classification as a member of carbohydrate esterase family 7. The recombinant enzyme displayed activity with p‐nitrophenyl‐acetate as well as with various acetylated sugar substrates such as glucose penta‐acetate, acetylated oat spelts xylan and DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide)‐extracted beechwood xylan, and with cephalosporin C. Thermotoga maritima AxeA represents the most thermostable acetyl xylan esterase known to date. In a 10 min assay at its optimum pH of 6.5 the enzyme's activity peaked at 90°C. The inactivation half‐life of AxeA at a protein concentration of 0.3 µg µl−1 in the absence of substrate was about 13 h at 98°C and about 67 h at 90°C. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis of the thermal stability of AxeA corroborated its extreme heat resistance. A multi‐phasic unfolding behaviour was found, with two apparent exothermic peaks at approximately 100–104°C and 107.5°C. In accordance with the crystal structure, gel filtration analysis at ambient temperature revealed that the enzyme has as a homohexameric oligomerization state, but a dimeric form was also found.
Correlation of matrix metalloproteinase levels with the grade of proliferative vitreoretinopathy in the subretinal fluid and vitreous during rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
Authors: Symeonidis Chrysanthos , Papakonstantinou Eleni , Souliou Efimia , Karakiulakis George , Dimitrakos Stavros A. , Diza Eudoxia 
Published: September 2009

Abstract.Purpose:  We investigated the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and ‐9 and their latent pro‐forms (proMMP‐2, ‐9), and protein levels of MMP‐1, ‐3, ‐8 and tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP)‐1 in the subretinal fluid (SRF) and vitreous of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Potential correlations with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) grade were determined.Methods:  Thirty‐seven SRF and 32 vitreous samples from RRD patients and nine vitreous samples from human organ donors (controls), were collected and assayed for MMP‐1, ‐3, ‐8/TIMP‐1 levels using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and for proMMP‐2, ‐9, MMP‐2, ‐9 activity employing gelatine zymography.Results:  ProMMP‐2, ‐9, MMP‐1, ‐3, ‐9, TIMP‐1 were significantly higher in the SRF and vitreous of RRD patients compared to the vitreous of organ donors. MMP‐8 levels were higher in RRD patients’ SRF. Regarding PVR grade, MMPs and TIMP‐1 were differentially present in SRF and vitreous. PVR grade correlated significantly with the levels of MMP‐2 in SRF, while proMMP‐2, MMP‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐8, ‐9 and TIMP‐1 levels correlated with PVR grade in the vitreous.Conclusion:  MMP/TIMP‐1 levels are elevated in SRF and vitreous during RRD. Significant correlations between PVR grade and MMP‐2 in SRF and proMMP‐2, MMP‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐8, ‐9 and TIMP‐1 levels in vitreous were revealed. Investigation of MMP activity in vitreous may provide more valid conclusions compared to SRF pertaining to the role of the MMPs during RRD. The observations of the present study suggest a possible role for MMPs and TIMP‐1 in PVR pathophysiology.
An Analytical Approach to Tooth Friction Losses in Spur and Helical Gears—Influence of Profile Modifications
Authors: Velex P. , Ville F. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
An original displacement-based formulation of tooth friction power losses in spur and helical gears is established, which can account for the influence of tooth profile modifications. Several analytical formulas are derived enabling friction losses to be easily estimated for a wide range of gears at the design stage. Numerous comparisons with both the classic formulas in the literature and the results of numerical simulations are presented, which confirm the accuracy of the proposed approach.
The Z Protein of the New World Arenavirus Tacaribe Virus Has Bona Fide Budding Activity That Does Not Depend on Known Late Domain Motifs
Authors: Urata Shuzo , Yasuda Jiro , de la Torre Juan Carlos 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT
The arenavirus small RING finger Z protein has been shown to be the main driving force of budding for several arenaviruses. This Z budding activity was found to be mediated by the late (L)-domain motifs P(T/S)AP and PPXY, located at the C terminus of Z. Here, we show that the Z protein of Tacaribe virus (TACV), a New World arenavirus, buds efficiently from cells despite lacking the canonical L-domain motifs P(T/S)AP and PPXY. Likewise, potential L-domain motifs ASAP and YLCL present in TACV Z did not exhibit any significant contribution to TACV Z budding activity. Budding of TACV Z was Tsg101 independent but required the activity of Vps4A/B. These results indicate that TACV Z utilizes a budding mechanism distinct from that reported for other arenaviruses.
The CDK Inhibitor p21Cip1/WAF1Is Induced by FcγR Activation and Restricts the Replication of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 and Related Primate Lentiviruses in Human Macrophages
Authors: Bergamaschi Anna , David Annie , Le Rouzic Erwann , Nisole Sébastien , Barré-Sinoussi Françoise , Pancino Gianfranco 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTMacrophages are major targets of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We have previously shown that aggregation of activating immunoglobulin G Fc receptors (FcγR) by immune complexes inhibits reverse transcript accumulation and integration of HIV-1 and related lentiviruses in monocyte-derived macrophages. Here, we show that FcγR-mediated restriction of HIV-1 is not due to enhanced degradation of incoming viral proteins or cDNA and is associated to the induction of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Cip1/WAF1(p21). Small interfering RNA-mediated p21 knockdown rescued viral replication in FcγR-activated macrophages and enhanced HIV-1 infection in unstimulated macrophages by increasing reverse transcript and integrated DNA levels. p21 induction by other stimuli, such as phorbol myristate acetate and the histone deacetylase inhibitor MS-275, was also associated with preintegrative blocks of HIV-1 replication in macrophages. Binding of p21 to reverse transcription/preintegration complex-associated HIV-1 proteins was not detected in yeast two-hybrid, pulldown, or coimmunoprecipitation assays, suggesting that p21 may affect viral replication independently of a specific interaction with an HIV-1 component. Consistently, p21 silencing rescued viral replication from the FcγR-mediated restriction also in simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmac- and HIV-2-infected macrophages. Our results point to a role of p21 as an inhibitory factor of lentiviral infection in macrophages and to its implication in FcγR-mediated restriction.