bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of adiponectin on bovine granulosa cell steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation and embryo development
Authors: Maillard Virginie , Uzbekova Svetlana , Guignot Florence , Perreau Christine , Ramé Christelle , Coyral-Castel Stéphanie , Dupont Joëlle 
Published: March 2010

Abstract

Background
Adiponectin is an adipokine, mainly produced by adipose tissue. It regulates several reproductive processes. The protein expression of the adiponectin system (adiponectin, its receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 and the APPL1 adaptor) in bovine ovary and its role on ovarian cells and embryo, remain however to be determined.

Methods
Here, we identified the adiponectin system in bovine ovarian cells and embryo using RT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we investigated in vitro the effects of recombinant human adiponectin (10 micro g/mL) on proliferation of granulosa cells (GC) measured by [3H] thymidine incorporation, progesterone and estradiol secretions measured by radioimmunoassay in the culture medium of GC, nuclear oocyte maturation and early embryo development.

Results
We show that the mRNAs and proteins for the adiponectin system are present in bovine ovary (small and large follicles and corpus luteum) and embryo. Adiponectin, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were more precisely localized in oocyte, GC and theca cells. Adiponectin increased IGF-1 10(-8) M-induced GC proliferation (P < 0.01) but not basal or insulin 10(-8) M-induced proliferation. Additionally, adiponectin decreased insulin 10(-8) M-induced, but not basal or IGF-1 10(-8) M-induced secretions of progesterone (P < 0.01) and estradiol (P < 0.05) by GC. This decrease in insulin-induced steroidogenesis was associated with a decrease in ERK1/2 MAPK phosphorylation in GC pre-treated with adiponectin. Finally, addition of adiponectin during in vitro maturation affected neither the percentage of oocyte in metaphase-II nor 48-h cleavage and blastocyst day 8 rates.

Conclusions
In bovine species, adiponectin decreased insulin-induced steroidogenesis and increased IGF-1-induced proliferation of cultured GC through a potential involvement of ERK1/2 MAPK pathway, whereas it did not modify oocyte maturation and embryo development in vitro.
Symptomatic Bradycardia with Oral Aripiprazole and Oral Ziprasidone
Authors: Snarr Brian S , Phan Stephanie V , Garner Amy , Vandenberg Amy M , Barth Kelly S 
Published: March 2010

Objective To describe the case of a patient who developed symptomatic bradycardia upon initiation of oral ziprasidone and later with oral aripiprazole, both of which resolved shortly after discontinuation of therapy. Case summary An 18-year-old female with bipolar disorder was started on oral ziprasidone 80 mg at night and the dose was subsequently increased to 120 mg for management of acute mania and delusions. The patient developed symptomatic bradycardia (heart rate 31–35 beats/min), which resolved after ziprasidone was decreased to 80 mg. Three months later, the patient was readmitted for treatment of bipolar mania with psychotic features in the context of medication nonadherence. She was started on oral aripiprazole 15 mg daily (subsequently increased to 20 mg) in conjunction with 600 mg lithium carbonate twice daily. The patient again developed symptomatic bradycardia that resolved after discontinuation of aripiprazole. Discussion This is the first case report of symptomatic bradycardia associated with the use of ziprasidone or aripiprazole. The Naranjo probability scale suggests that the likelihood of the atypical antipsychotic as the cause of bradycardia is probable for both ziprasidone and aripiprazole. Symptomatic bradycardia with the use of other atypical antipsychotics has been reported in the literature. Little is known about the mechanisms that contribute to the antipsychotic-associated bradycardia response. Conclusions Further studies are needed to better determine the relationship between antipsychotics and reflex bradycardia. Although bradycardia remains a relatively uncommon phenomenon seen with the use of these medications, the severity of this potential adverse effect warrants consideration when initiating antipsychotic therapy.
Prichard, Falk, and the End of Deliberation
Authors: Johnson Robert N. 
Published: March 2010

In moral deliberations we must be acquainted beforehand with all the objects, and all their relations to each other; and from a comparison of the whole, fix our choice or approbation. No new fact to be ascertained; no new relation to be discovered …. If any material circumstance be yet unknown or doubtful, we must first employ our inquiry or intellectual faculties to assure us of it; and must suspend for a time a moral decision or sentiment. - David HumeAlthough many associate the terms with Bernard Williams’ work on practical reason, the terms ‘intemalism’ and ‘externalism,’ along with the general contours of debates in ethical theory between views so dubbed, were originally introduced by W.O. Falk in a response to H.A. Prichard's intuitionist account of ‘ought.’
Subjectivism and Blame
Authors: Sobel David 
Published: March 2010

My own conclusion is that “One ought to be moral” makes no sense at all unless the “ought” has the moral subscript, giving a tautology, or else relates morality to some other system such as prudence or etiquette. I am, therefore putting forward quite seriously a theory that disallows the possibility of saying that a man ought (free unsubscripted “ought“) to have ends other than those he does have.- Philippa FootH.A. Prichard's “Does Moral Philosophy Rest on a Mistake?”, like Descartes Meditations, is remembered better for the skeptical moment in the author's thinking than for its unskeptical conclusions. Prichard's paper is complicated, but the lore about its message is simple. The lore is that Prichard pointed out that in trying to vindicate the reason-giving power of morality we might do so by appealing to moral norms or to non-moral norms. If we appeal to moral norms, then we are only justifying a standard in terms of that standard and just about any old standard could survive such a test.
Deflationary Normative Pluralism
Authors: Tiffany Evan 
Published: March 2010

Let us give voice to this new demand: we need a critique of moral values, the value of these values should itself, for once, be examined. -Friedrich NietzscheAnyone who, stimulated by education, has come to feel the force of the various obligations in life, at some time or other comes to feel the irksomeness of carrying them out, and to recognize the sacrifice of interest involved; and, if thoughtful, he inevitably puts to himself the question: “Is there really a reason why I should act in the ways in which hitherto I have thought I ought to act? … Should I not really be justified in simply trying to have a good time?” -H.A. Prichard
The Wrong Answer to an Improper Question?
Authors: Copp David 
Published: March 2010

A person who sees that she morally ought to do something might wonder whether it would make sense for her to do it. Perhaps Aurelia is on a crowded bus, standing next to an old man whose wallet is almost falling out of his pocket. She says, “I see that the morally right thing would be to warn this man to take care of his wallet. But why should I do the right thing? In fact, why shouldn't I steal his wallet? It would be wrong of me to do this, but so what? No one is looking. I won't get caught. What's to fear?“We can imagine different scenarios of this kind. In one scenario, Aurelia is on the verge of deciding to steal the old man's wallet. She believes it would be wrong to do this, and she is asking whether there is any (further) reason not to go ahead.
The Relationship of Low Distress Tolerance to Excessive Worrying and Cognitive Avoidance
Authors: Huang Katherine , Szabó Marianna , Han Jennifer 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThis study explored the relationships between individuals' ability to tolerate emotional distress to their tendency to worry excessively, the amount of imagery they experience during worrying, and the concreteness of their worrisome thought. A group of 119 university students completed a thought-listing task recording their most severe current worry, estimated the amount of imagery and verbal thought during this worry episode, and completed questionnaires assessing their worry proneness, negative effect, and ability to tolerate emotional distress. The concreteness of thought-listed worry episodes was rated by independent judges. Consistent with expectations, lower distress tolerance was associated with more worrying, even when levels of negative affect were statistically controlled for. Excessive worriers also reported lower levels of imagery, but imagery and distress tolerance were unrelated. The findings concerning concreteness were in the opposite direction to those expected: more excessive worrying and lower distress tolerance were associated with more concreteness of worrisome thought. The results are consistent with avoidance theory, but future research is needed to investigate the mechanisms by which low distress tolerance may contribute to excessive worrying.
Online CBT II: A Phase I Trial of a Standalone, Online CBT Treatment Program for Social Anxiety in Stuttering
Authors: Helgadóttir Fjóla Dögg , Menzies Ross G. , Onslow Mark , Packman Ann , O'Brian Sue 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThis paper introduces a novel approach to internet treatment for social anxiety. The goal of this treatment was to address key limitations of current standalone treatments (Helgadottir, Menzies, Onslow, Packman, & O'Brian, 2009). The ‘computer psychologist’ designed for this study used fully automated, prewritten individualised sample answers in order to simulate a human–human interaction through a human–computer interface. Two males who sought treatment for stuttering and met the diagnosis for social phobia according to the DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria were selected for this study. After receiving the treatment, both users no longer met criteria for social phobia. Also, significant improvements were observed on other psychometric tests, including measures of unhelpful cognitions, behavioural avoidance, quality of life, and low mood. The quality of the interaction appeared to be similar to face-to-face therapy, indicating that the ‘computer psychologist’ established an effective therapeutic relationship, and the automated techniques used were sufficiently engaging to prompt users to log on regularly and complete the treatment program.
On the volume of inner parallel bodies
Authors: Cifre M. A. Hernández , Saorín E. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Motivated by a conjecture of Matheron, we provide bounds for the volume of the inner parallel body of a convex body K involving the alternating Steiner polynomial of K. As a consequence we get that this conjecture is not true since, in fact, we prove it is not possible to bound the volume of the inner parallel body in terms of just the alternating Steiner polynomial itself.
On the extendability of the Kneser–Poulsen conjecture to Riemannian manifolds
Authors: Csikós Balázs , Kunszenti-Kovács Dávid 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The Kneser–Poulsen conjecture claims that if some balls of the Euclidean space are rearranged in such a way that the distances between the centers do not increase, then the volume of the union of the balls does not increase. Though the conjecture is still open in dimensions ≥ 3, important special cases of it have been verified not only in the Euclidean space but also in the hyperbolic and spherical spaces, raising the question about the widest class of Riemannian manifolds in which the conjecture can hold. Our main result is that if the conjecture is true for 3 balls in a complete Riemannian manifold, then the manifold must be of constant curvature, and if, furthermore, the manifold is connected, then it must be simply connected.
On the isotropic constant of random polytopes
Authors: Dafnis N. , Giannopoulos A. , Guédon O. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Let K be an isotropic 1-unconditional convex body in ℝ
n
. For every N > n consider N independent random points x
1, . . . , x

N
uniformly distributed in K. We prove that, with probability greater than 1 – C
1 exp(–cn) if N ≥ c
1
n and greater than 1 – C
1 exp(–cn/ log n) if n < N < c
1
n, the random polytopes KN
≔ conv{±x
1, . . . , ±x

N
} and SN
≔ conv{x
1, . . . , x

N
} have isotropic constant bounded by an absolute constant C > 0.
Tropical and ordinary convexity combined
Authors: Joswig Michael , Kulas Katja 
Published: March 2010

AbstractA polytrope is a tropical polytope which at the same time is convex in the ordinary sense. Ad-dimensional polytrope turns out to be a tropical simplex, that is, it is the tropical convex hull ofd+ 1 points. This statement is equivalent to the known fact that the Segre product of two full polynomial rings (over some fieldK) has the Gorenstein property if and only if the factors are generated by the same number of indeterminates. The combinatorial types of polytropes up to dimension three are classified.
Grammatical weight and relative clause extraposition in English
Authors: Francis Elaine J. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
In relative clause extraposition (RCE) in English, a noun is modified by a non-adjacent RC, resulting in a discontinuous dependency, as in: Three people arrived here yesterday who were from Chicago. Although discourse focus is known to influence the choice of RCE over truth-conditionally equivalent sentences with canonical structure (Rochemont and Culicover, English focus constructions and the theory of grammar, Cambridge University Press, 1990; Takami, A functional constraint on Extraposition from NP, John Benjamins, 1999), Hawkins (Efficiency and complexity in grammars, Oxford University Press, 2004) and Wasow (Postverbal behavior, CSLI Publications, 2002) have proposed in addition that RCE should be preferred when the relative clause is long (or ‘heavy’) relative to the VP because such structures are processed more efficiently in comprehension and production. The current study tested this hypothesis based on Hawkins' (Efficiency and complexity in grammars, Oxford University Press, 2004) domain minimization principles. In an acceptability judgment task, canonical sentences were rated significantly higher than extraposition sentences when the RC was light, but this difference disappeared when the RC was heavy. In a self-paced reading task, extraposition sentences were read significantly faster than canonical sentences when the RC was heavy, but there was no difference when the RC was light. In an analysis of RCE in the ICE-GB corpus, extraposed RCs were significantly longer than the VP on average, whereas canonical RCs were significantly shorter, and the proportion of sentences with extraposition decreased as the ratio of VP-to-RC length increased. These findings support Hawkins' (Efficiency and complexity in grammars, Oxford University Press, 2004) domain minimization principles and help explain why a discontinuous dependency is allowed and sometimes preferred even in a language with relatively fixed word order.
Magari
Authors: Masini Francesca , Pietrandrea Paola 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
We propose a constructionist approach to the polyfunctionality of the Italian focus particle magari (roughly corresponding to ‘maybe’, but also ‘I wish’). The sheer syntactic versatility of this word leads us to detect its formal regularities at the level of discourse configurations. This level of analysis, identified within the French linguistic tradition, is defined by the maintenance of a predicate-argument-adjunct structure in discourse. The salient feature of discourse configurations is their shape, which can be described by referring to a number of topological patterns: lists of elements in the same syntactic position, repetition of syntactic structures, shifting of elements from a post-verbal to a pre-verbal position and so on. These topological patterns are meaningful to an extent and they are eligible to be regarded as constructions. Magari is shown to be regularly associated with a general topological pattern, namely a list of items that occupy the same syntactic position as the item focused by magari. Each semantic function of magari correlates with one particular kind of list. These associations of a form (the different types of lists) and a meaning (the functions of magari) are shown to be related to one another by means of inheritance links.
A Comparison of 2-part and 3-part Nanoparticle-Based Sensors
Authors: Chavez Jorge , Lyon Wanda J. , Kelley-Loughnane Nancy , Chushak Yaroslav G. , Stone Morley O. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThere has long been a drive to produce sensors with ever-increasing sensitivity and selectivity, while also achieving robustness and ease of use. Nanoparticle-based sensing approaches have generated a great deal of attention and excitement, because they possess such qualities. For these assays to function properly, it requires the integration of molecular recognition motifs and materials with outstanding optical properties. Aptamers are DNA or RNA sequences that bind analytes with high specificity, which makes them a suitable choice as recognition elements. Changes in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of gold nanoparticles (AuNPS) as a function of interparticle distance, has been used as an optical signal to detect the presence of different species in solution by the naked eye. In this work, we coated gold nanoparticles with short oligonucleotides and aptamers for the design of sensors that can be used under different conditions, including salt concentration, pH and temperatures. Three aptamer sensors were developed using this approach 1) riboflavin, as a general indicator of biological activity, 2) ricin, a toxin that is of broad interest, and 3) theophylline, an adenosine antagonist. Our designs are based on two approaches, the first method consisted of the use of two sets of AuNPs, each coated with a short oligonucleotide complementary to a different part of the sequence of the aptamer of interest. Hybridization of the DNA-coated particles (DNA-AuNPs) with the free aptamer produced aggregates, i.e. 3-part design. The second approach consisted of the use of only two sets of DNA-AuNPs, one coated with an aptamer that contains a thiol group in its 5′ end, and the second set of AuNPs coated with a sequence complementary to part of the aptamer. Hybridization of these two sets of particles produced aggregates, i.e. 2-part design. In both cases, the presence of the analyte promoted a change in the conformation of the aptamer, which caused the dehybridization of the complementary sequences. This conformational change of the aptamer upon binding of the analyte produced the dissociation of the nanoparticle aggregates, which is translated into a change in the color of the suspensions from blue to red. In this presentation, we will compare the advantages and disadvantages associated with a 3-part versus a 2-part nanoparticle-oligonucleotide reporting assay.
Microelectrodes-Assisted Micropatterning on Nanofiber
Authors: Zeng Hansong , Wang Feng , Guan Jianjun , Zhao Yi 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThis paper reports a novel and cost-effective approach which enables the integration of nanostructures and micropatterns. In this work nanofibers are selectively patterned in defined micropatterns via a collector chip. The driving momentum of the micropattern formation, namely the non-uniform electrical field, is studied by finite element method. Micropatterned nanofiber mats are successfully fabricated. The SEM characterization demonstrates that the microstructures are manifested by distinct porosities and thicknesses. This work opens a door for a broad array of applications such as nanoelectronics and tissue engineering, where the fibrous materials with the characteristic features sizes over several order of magnitudes are required.
CeO2 thin film for mediator-less glucose biosensors
Authors: Saha Shibu , Arya S. K. , Singh S. P. , Malhotra B. D. , Sreenivas K. , Gupta Vinay 
Published: March 2010

AbstractPulsed laser deposited cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoporous thin film on platinum (Pt) coated glass has been used for immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) by electrostatic interaction. Atomic force microscopy studies reveal the formation of nanoporous surface morphology of CeO2 thin film. Differential pulse voltammetric and optical measurements show that the GOx/CeO2/Pt bioelectrode is sensitive to the detection of glucose over the concentration upto 300 mg/dl. A low value of enzyme's kinetic parameter (Michaelis-Menten constant∼1.01 mM) indicates enhanced enzyme affinity of GOx to glucose.
Integrated Tribo-Chemical Modeling of Copper CMP
Authors: Tripathi Shantanu , Choi Seungchoun , Doyle Fiona M. , Dornfeld David A. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractCopper CMP is a corrosion-wear process, in which mechanical and chemical-electrochemical phenomena interact synergistically. Existing models generally treat copper CMP as a corrosion enhanced wear process. However, the underlying mechanisms suggest that copper CMP would be better modeled as a wear enhanced corrosion process, where intermittent asperity/abrasive action enhances the local oxidation rate, and is followed by time-dependent passivation of copper. In this work an integrated tribo-chemical model of material removal at the asperity/abrasive scale was developed. Abrasive and pad properties, process parameters, and slurry chemistry are all considered. Three important components of this model are the passivation kinetics of copper in CMP slurry chemicals; the mechanical response of protective films on copper; and the interaction frequency of copper with abrasives/pad asperities. The material removal rate during copper CMP was simulated using the tribo-chemical model, using input parameters obtained experimentally in accompanying research or from the literature.
Platelet Rich Plasma to Facilitate Wound Healing Following Tooth Extraction
Authors: Rutkowski James L. , Johnson David A. , Radio Nicholas M. , Fennell James W. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Following tooth removal bone formation normally takes 16 weeks and may result in less than adequate volume for the necessary reconstruction. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been promoted as an effective method for improving bone formation. Its use is often expensive, time consuming, or not clinically convenient for the patient and/or clinician. This study examines a simple method for obtaining a “Buffy Coat”-PRP (BC-PRP) and its effect on bone healing following the removal of bilateral mandibular 3rd molars. Subtraction digital radiography and CT scan analysis were used to track changes in radiographic density at PRP treated sites in comparison to ipsilateral non-PRP treated sites. PRP treated sites demonstrated early and significant increased radiographic density over baseline measurements following tooth removal. The greatest benefit of PRP is during the initial 2-week postoperative healing time period (P &lt; .001). During weeks 3 though 12, BC-PRP treatment resulted in significant (P &lt; .0001) increases in bone density compared to control, but there was no significant interaction between time and treatment (P &gt; .05). For the entire time period (0–25 weeks) PRP treatment was significant (P &lt; .0001) and time was significant (P &lt; .0001) but there was no significant interaction (P &gt; .05) between the effect of PRP treatment and time. It required 6 weeks for control extraction sites to reach comparable bone density that PRP treated sites achieved at week 1. Postoperative pain, bleeding, and numbness were not significantly affected by BC-PRP application. Results suggest that this simple technique may be of value to clinicians performing oral surgery by facilitating bone regeneration following tooth extraction.