bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social networks in software process improvement
Authors: Nielsen Peter Axel , Tjørnehøj Gitte 
Published: May 2009

AbstractSoftware process improvement in small organisation is often problematic and communication and knowledge sharing is more informal. To improve software processes we need to understand how they communicate and share knowledge. In this article have studied the company SmallSoft through action research. In the action research we have applied the framework of social network analysis and we show this can be used to understand the underlying structures of communication and knowledge sharing between software developers and managers. We show in detail how the analysis can be done and how the management can utilise the findings. From this we conclude that social network analysis was a useful framework together with accompanying tools and techniques. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can prenatal ultrasound detect the effects of in‐utero alcohol exposure? A pilot study
Authors: Kfir M. , Yevtushok L. , Onishchenko S. , Wertelecki W. , Bakhireva L. , Chambers C. D. , Jones K. L. , Hull A. D. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this pilot study was to explore possible ultrasound parameters for the early detection of alcohol‐mediated fetal somatic and central nervous system (CNS) maldevelopment. Maternal alcohol ingestion during pregnancy may lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which encompass a broad range of structural abnormalities including growth impairment, specific craniofacial features and CNS abnormalities. Early detection of fetuses at risk of FASD would support earlier interventions.MethodsWe performed a longitudinal prospective pilot study from 2004 to 2006 at two sites in Ukraine. A sample of pregnant women who reported consuming moderate‐to‐heavy amounts of alcohol participated in a comprehensive maternal interview, and received ultrasound evaluation of fetal growth and specific fetal brain measurements during the second and third trimesters. These measurements were compared with those collected from a group of pregnant women who consumed little‐to‐no alcohol during pregnancy, and who were recruited and followed in the same manner.ResultsFrom 6745 screened women, 84 moderate‐to‐heavy alcohol users and 82 comparison women were identified and ultrasound examinations performed. After controlling for maternal smoking, alcohol‐exposed fetuses had shorter mean femur length, caval–calvarial distance and frontothalamic measurements in the second trimester (P < 0.05), and alcohol‐exposed fetuses also had shorter frontothalamic distance measurements in the third trimester relative to comparison fetuses (P < 0.05). In addition, after controlling for maternal smoking, both mean orbital diameter and biparietal diameter measurements were significantly smaller on average in the alcohol‐exposed group in the third trimester relative to comparison fetuses (P < 0.05).ConclusionsSignificant differences in selected somatic and brain measurements were noted between alcohol‐exposed and comparison fetuses, suggesting these markers may be further explored for clinical utility in prenatal identification of affected children. Further study correlating these findings with alcohol‐related physical features of the newborn and subsequent comparisons of neuro‐developmental outcomes will help define potential uses of prenatal ultrasound for intervention and prevention of FASD. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Size-Selected Ag Nanoparticles with Five-Fold Symmetry
Authors: Gracia-Pinilla MiguelÁngel , Ferrer Domingo , Mejía-Rosales Sergio , Pérez-Tijerina Eduardo 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using the inert gas aggregation technique. We found the optimal experimental conditions to synthesize nanoparticles at different sizes: 1.3 ± 0.2, 1.7 ± 0.3, 2.5 ± 0.4, 3.7 ± 0.4, 4.5 ± 0.9, and 5.5 ± 0.3 nm. We were able to investigate the dependence of the size of the nanoparticles on the synthesis parameters. Our data suggest that the aggregation of clusters (dimers, trimer, etc.) into the active zone of the nanocluster source is the predominant physical mechanism for the formation of the nanoparticles. Our experiments were carried out in conditions that kept the density of nanoparticles low, and the formation of larges nanoparticles by coalescence processes was avoided. In order to preserve the structural and morphological properties, the impact energy of the clusters landing into the substrate was controlled, such that the acceleration energy of the nanoparticles was around 0.1 eV/atom, assuring a soft landing deposition. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images showed that the nanoparticles were icosahedral in shape, preferentially oriented with a five-fold axis perpendicular to the substrate surface. Our results show that the synthesis by inert gas aggregation technique is a very promising alternative to produce metal nanoparticles when the control of both size and shape are critical for the development of practical applications.
Les kystes intraprostatiques: à propos de trois observations
Authors: Hadj Slimen M. , Fakhfakh H. , Charfi W. , Tlijani J. , Ketata H. , Bahloul A. , Mhiri M. N. 
Published: May 2009

Résumé

Introduction
Les kystes intraprostatiques sont considérés comme une affection rare, actuellement de découverte de plus en plus fréquente grace au développement des moyens d’imagerie. Certaines formes peuvent être responsables d’infertilité chez l’homme. Les auteurs se proposent d’étudier les différents aspects cliniques, diagnostiques et thérapeutiques des différents types de kystes intraprostatiques.

Matériel et méthodes
Entre 2002 et 2007, nous avons colligé trois cas de kyste intraprostatique en dehors des kystes utriculaires chez des hommes âgés de 32, 36 et 39 ans.

Résultats
Le motif de consultation était une infertilité primaire (deux cas) et des douleurs pelviennes (deux cas). Le toucher rectal a révélé une masse rénitente de la prostate dans deux cas. Le spermogramme a été perturbé dans deux cas. Le diagnostic a été confirmé par une échographie prostatique. Une ponction de première intention a été réalisée dans un cas avec récidive secondaire. Deux patients ont eu une urétroscopie montrant l’absence de communication entre le kyste et la lumière urétrale. Une résection du dôme saillant a été réalisée. L’évolution a été favorable dans tous les cas, avec amélioration du spermogramme et dissipation de la symptomatologie, sans aucune récidive.

Conclusion
Les kystes intraprostatiques représentent une pathologie bénigne d’origine le plus souvent congénitale. L’imagerie représente un élément capital dans le diagnostic et permet parfois de guider un geste thérapeutique. Le traitement n’est pas encore bien codifié, mais les kystes symptomatiques et/ou compliqués d’une hypofertilité peuvent bénéficier d’un traitement par voie endoscopique efficace et peu invasif.
Le sperme « inflammatoire »: ses relations avec la fertilité
Authors: Zorn B. 
Published: May 2009

Résumé

Objectifs
L’inflammation du sperme résulte d’une infection bactérienne ou virale du tractus urogénital male (TUGM); elle est souvent cliniquement silencieuse. Le dilemme existe quant aux rapports de cause à effet entre leucocytes, marqueurs de l’inflammation et mauvaise qualité du sperme. Nous nous sommes intéressés aux modifications des spermatozoïdes à l’échelon moléculaire en rapport avec l’inflammation.

Matériel et méthodes
Cette étude repose sur une revue de la littérature et des résultats personnels. Chez 200 hommes, partenaires de couples infertiles au spermogramme normal, nous avons étudié la condensation nucléaire et les dérivés actifs de l’oxygène (DAO) déterminés par cytométrie en flux après marquage à l’acridine orange et au dihydroéthidium en fonction des taux d’élastase du plasma séminal.

Résultats
Dans la littérature, on a décrit une relation positive entre infection et exacerbation de l’apoptose des spermatozoïdes avec augmentation de la nécrose et diminution du potentiel de membrane mitochondriale. Nous avons retrouvé une corrélation positive entre le taux de spermatozoïdes avec ADN dénaturé et celui d’élastase. Ce taux passait de 8,6 % à un taux d’élastase entre 0 et 100 μg/l à 15,7 % pour un taux d’élastase entre 100 et 250 μg/l, cette augmentation ne dépendant pas de la sécrétion de DAO. Le taux de spermatozoïdes avec ADN dénaturé se normalisait pour des taux d’élastase supérieurs à 600 μg/l.

Discussion et conclusion
Les modifications de l’ADN ou des membranes des spermatozoïdes n’influencent pas automatiquement les caractéristiques classiques du sperme ni ne réduisent la fertilité male. Elles peuvent cependant retentir négativement sur la capacitation et la réaction acrosomique, avec absence de fécondation ou mauvais développement embryonnaire. Avant de traiter, on tiendra compte du lieu et de la durée de l’inflammation ainsi que des lésions occasionnées sur les spermatozoïdes.
Les conceptions andrologiques de Galien (129–201)
Authors: Karamanou M. , Diamantis A. , Ploumpidis D. , Androutsos G. 
Published: May 2009

Résumé
Galien, après Hippocrate, est le plus grand représentant de la médecine grecque et occidentale. Pendant 15 siècles, l’autorité de la médecine galénique fut incontestable. Dans les Œuvres de Galien, l’andrologie occupe une place considérable.
DNA hypomethylation as Achilles’ heel of tumorigenesis: A working hypothesis
Authors: Shvachko L.P. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThere are at least two findings that show DNA hypomethylation plays a key role in carcinogenesis. The first major evidence is that DNA hypomethylation induces target chromosomal and genomic instability with cancer manifestations. The second reason that cancer progression is associated with deepening DNA hypomethylation. Nevertheless, the evolution of this crucial epigenomic alteration in the somatic cellular malignant transformation remains unclear.From some of the experimental data to be present, a key role of DNA hypomethylation in early development of epigenetic somatic cancer biology is proposed. We have observed the significant increasing of genome ploidy at the level of peripheral blood lymphocytes taken from the patients with different solid carcinomas. Similarly, 5‐azacytidine demethylating DNA treatment of cultured healthy lymphocytes induces increased nuclear DNA content. We argue that somatic lymphocyte ploidy induced by genomic DNA hypomethylation during carcinogenesis is related to global demethylation and decondensation of mitotic constitutive pericentromeric heterochromatin. This results in disturbances of pericentromeric heterochromatin that are expressed in nuclear heterochromatinization on the basis of extrachromosomal chromomerization.On the basis of literature searches and experimental findings, it is proposed that DNA hypomethylation plays the role of an initiator in epigenetic somatic cancer biology.
ON LIE-LIKE COMPLEX FILIFORM LEIBNIZ ALGEBRAS
Authors: OMIROV B. A. , RAKHIMOV I. S. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn this paper we propose an approach to classifying a subclass of filiform Leibniz algebras. This subclass arises from the naturally graded filiform Lie algebras. We reconcile and simplify the structure constants of such a class. In the arbitrary fixed dimension case an effective algorithm to control the behavior of the structure constants under adapted transformations of basis is presented. In one particular case, the precise formulas for less than 10 dimensions are given. We provide a computer program in Maple that can be used in computations as well.
Nitrogen regulates chitinase gene expression in a marine bacterium
Authors: Delpin Marina W , Goodman Amanda E 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Ammonium concentration and nitrogen source regulate promoter activity and use for the transcription of chiA, the major chitinase gene of Pseudoalteromonas sp. S91 and S91CX, an S91 transposon lacZ fusion mutant. The activity of chiA was quantified by β-galactosidase assay of S91CX cultures containing different ammonium concentrations (NH4+; 0, 9.5 or 191 mm) and with different nitrogen sources (N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) or glutamate (glt)). S91 chiA expression was found to depend on both the NH4+ concentration and source of nitrogen in marine minimal medium (MMM). Pseudoalteromonas sp. S91 and S91CX can use either GlcNAc or glt as a sole source of carbon in MMM containing a standard concentration of 9.5 mm NH4+. Adding excess NH4+, 20 times the standard concentration, to MMM significantly reduced chiA activity below that found in the presence of either GlcNAc or glt. When no NH4+ was added to MMM, S91CX was also able to use either GlcNAc or glt as a source of nitrogen; under these conditions chiA activity was significantly increased. Under all conditions tested, GlcNAc induced chiA activity significantly more than glt. Regulation of bacterial chitinases by nitrogen has not been previously reported. Transcriptional start point analysis of S91 chiA, using 5′RACE (ligation-anchored PCR), showed that during growth in MMM supplemented with (1) maltose (solely a carbon source for S91), chiA transcription occurred from only one putative σ70-dependent promoter; (2) the chitin monomer GlcNAc, transcription initiated from two putative σ54-dependent promoters and (3) glt, transcription initiated from all three putative promoters.
TMS, phosphenes and visual mental imagery: A mini-review and a theoretical framework
Authors: Bokkon Istvan , Kirby Matthew , D'Angiulli Amedeo 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe reviewed the existing research linking visual mental imagery and phosphenes induced by TMS. We examined and contrasted conditions (and parameters) under which intensity and amplitude of TMS application at various cortical sites along the ventral and dorsal visual pathways: 1) induces the experience of visual images during perception and mental imagery, 2) interferes with or facilitates perception and/or imagery in concurrent and dual task conditions, 3) correlates with self-reports such as vividness ratings, and 4) reduces or has other selective effects on phosphene threshold in concomitance with perception and imagery. We propose an interpretation of the results of this mini-review within a new biophysical framework for visual mental imagery based on Bokkon’s redox molecular model of explicit optical coding of visual information in early visual areas (V1) and the propagation of conscious visual content at other levels in the stream of visual processing and in other parts of the brain.
Literature Triage and Indexing in the Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI) Group
Authors: Babiuk Randal , Begley Dale , Bello Susan , Bradt Dirck , Burkart Donna , Dene Howard , Diehl Alexander , Drabkin Harold , Finger Jacqueline , Hayamizu Terry , Hill David , Knowlton Michelle , Krupke Debra , Lu Ira , Maltais Lois , McAndrews-Hill Monica , Meehan Terrence , Ni Li , Onda Hiroaki , Sitnikov Dmitry , Smith Constance , Smith Cynthia , Tomczuk Monika 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI; "http://www.informatics.jax.org":http://www.informatics.jax.org) group is comprised of several collaborating projects including the Mouse Genome Database (MGD) Project, the Gene Expression Database (GXD) Project, the Mouse Tumor Biology (MTB) Database Project, and the Gene Ontology (GO) Project. Literature identification and collection is performed cooperatively amongst the groups.In recent years many institutional libraries have transitioned from a focus largely on print holdings to one of electronic access to journals. This change has necessitated adaptation on the part of the MGI curatorial group. Whereas the majority of journals covered by the group used to be surveyed in paper form, those journals are now surveyed electronically. Approximately 160 journals have been identified as those most relevant to the various database groups. Each curator in the group has the responsibility of scanning several journals for articles relevant to any of the database projects. Articles chosen via this process are marked as to their potential significance for various projects. Each article is catalogued in a Master Bibliography section of the MGI database system and annotated to the database sections for which it has been identified as relevant. A secondary triage process allows curators from each group to scan the chosen articles and mark ones desired for their project if such annotation has been missed on the initial scan.Once articles have been identified for each database project a variety of processes are implemented to further categorize and index data from those articles. For example, the Alleles and Phenotype section of the MGD database indexes each article marked for MGD and in this indexing process they identify each mouse gene and allele examined in the article. The GXD database indexing process has a different focus. In this case articles are indexed with regard to the stage of development used in the study as well as the assay technique used. In each case the indexing gives an overview of the data held in the article and assists in the more extensive curation performed in the following step of the curation process. Indexing also provides each group with valuable information used to prioritize and streamline the overall curation process.The MGI projects are supported by NHGRI grants HG000330, HG00273, and HG003622, NICHD grant HD033745, and NCI grant CA089713.
Studying Biocuration Workflows
Authors: Burns Gully , Krallinger Martin , Cohen Kevin , Wu Cathy , Hirschman Lynette 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAs the first phase of a knowledge engineering study of biocuration workflows, we performed a preliminary task-modeling exercise on seven separate bioinformatics systems. This involved constructing UML activity diagrams from detailed interviews with curators in order to understand the organization of the process the biocurators used to populate their system. The objective of this work was to identify common patterns within the workflows where we might apply text mining methods to accelerate curation. We compiled a number of workflows in a common format but were largely unable to consolidate these structures into a formal structure that facilitated comparison across workflows. At present, more work is needed to perform this task.
Lateral organization of membrane proteins: tetraspanins spin their web
Authors: Charrin Stéphanie , le Naour François , Silvie Olivier , Milhiet Pierre-Emmanuel , Boucheix Claude , Rubinstein Eric 
Published: May 2009

Despite high expression levels at the plasma membrane or in intracellular vesicles, tetraspanins remain among the most mysterious transmembrane molecules 20 years after their discovery. Several genetic studies in mammals and invertebrates have demonstrated key physiological roles for some of these tetraspanins, in particular in the immune response, sperm–egg fusion, photoreceptor function and the normal function of certain epithelia. Other studies have highlighted their ability to modulate cell migration and metastasis formation. Their role in the propagation of infectious agents has drawn recent attention, with evidence for HIV budding in tetraspanin-enriched plasma membrane domains. Infection of hepatocytic cells by two major pathogens, the hepatitis C virus and the malaria parasite, also requires the tetraspanin CD81. The function of tetraspanins is thought to be linked to their ability to associate with one another and a wealth of other integral proteins, thereby building up an interacting network or ‘tetraspanin web’. On the basis of the biochemical dissection of the tetraspanin web and recent analysis of the dynamics of some of its constituents, we propose that tetraspanins tightly regulate transient interactions between a variety of molecules and as such favour the efficient assembly of specialized structures upon proper stimulation.
Affecting Life-Long Habits of School-Age Musicians
Authors: Palmer Catherine V. 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
The Musicians' Hearing Center at the University of Pittsburgh was established in 2003 with the purpose of impacting the Western Pennsylvania community of musicians and other noise-exposed individuals. The goal is to provide education empowering individuals of all ages to make choices regarding their noise exposures and to provide hearing protection as part of the overall solution when indicated. Encouraging life-long healthy hearing habits is at the core of the center’s mission. The recent data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicating that school-age children are the fastest growing population of noise-exposed individuals suffering permanent hearing loss motivated the center to create a focus area on school-age children. After examining the likelihood of affecting various groups of children, the center decided to address this issue by targeting the life-long habits of school-age instrumental students and their teachers through an education and hearing protection program. This is a group of individuals who are known to have potentially damaging levels of sound exposure through a school activity and a group of individuals who are using their hearing for a specific purpose (i.e., making music). The program and various aspects of promoting and maintaining the program are described in the following article.
Music and Hearing Protection: A Call to Action
Authors: Federman Jeremy , Picou Erin 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMillions of people are exposed to loud music, either as musicians or as recreational consumers of music. Audiologists are in the best position to address hearing conservation problems for musicians and music listeners. However, the issue of music-induced hearing loss (MIHL) has unique challenges. Specifically, estimates of the size of the populations have likely underestimated the number of musicians at risk for MIHL. In addition, performance levels for musicians have been measured to be as loud as 109 dBA, and both professional and recreational listening devices can deliver sounds as loud as 130 dBA. However, compliance with conservation recommendations remains poor for a variety of reasons, despite increased awareness through educational campaigns. Moreover, methods to mediate exposure have had limited successes for both groups. The purpose of this paper is to assess the scope of the problem and the successes of current conservation strategies with the aim of inspiring renewed interest and solutions to the problems helping musicians and consumers protect their hearing.
In‐session processes in online counselling with young people: An exploratory approach
Authors: Williams Robert , Bambling Matthew , King Robert , Abbott Quentin 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims: The aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory investigation into the in‐session processes and behaviours that occur between therapists and young people in online counseling. Method: The Consensual Qualitative Research method was employed to identify in‐session behaviours and a coding instrument was developed to determine their frequency of use and assess whether nuances carried in the meaning of text messages have an influential effect during sessions. 85 single‐session transcripts were examined in total by two independent coders. Results: Sample statistics revealed that, on average, rapport‐building processes were used more consistently across cases with both types of processes having a moderately strong positive effect on young people. However, closer examination of these processes revealed weaker positive effects for in‐session behaviours that rely more heavily on verbal and non‐verbal cues to be accurately interpreted. Implications for practice: These findings imply that therapists may focus more on building rapport than accomplishing tasks with young people during online counselling sessions due to the absence of verbal and non‐verbal information when communicating via text messages.