bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behavioural evidence for colour vision in an elasmobranch
Authors: Van-Eyk Sarah M. , Siebeck Ulrike E. , Champ Connor M. , Marshall Justin , Hart Nathan S. 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARY
Little is known about the sensory abilities of elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays) compared with other fishes. Despite their role as apex predators in most marine and some freshwater habitats, interspecific variations in visual function are especially poorly studied. Of particular interest is whether they possess colour vision and, if so, the role(s) that colour may play in elasmobranch visual ecology. The recent discovery of three spectrally distinct cone types in three different species of ray suggests that at least some elasmobranchs have the potential for functional trichromatic colour vision. However, in order to confirm that these species possess colour vision, behavioural experiments are required. Here, we present evidence for the presence of colour vision in the giant shovelnose ray (Glaucostegus typus) through the use of a series of behavioural experiments based on visual discrimination tasks. Our results show that these rays are capable of discriminating coloured reward stimuli from other coloured (unrewarded) distracter stimuli of variable brightness with a success rate significantly different from chance. This study represents the first behavioural evidence for colour vision in any elasmobranch, using a paradigm that incorporates extensive controls for relative stimulus brightness. The ability to discriminate colours may have a strong selective advantage for animals living in an aquatic ecosystem, such as rays, as a means of filtering out surface-wave-induced flicker.
Social snails: the effect of social isolation on cognition is dependent on environmental context
Authors: Dalesman Sarah , Lukowiak Ken 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARYSocial isolation is often considered to have negative effects on cognitive function in a wide range of species. Here we assess how environmental context alters the effect of isolation on long-term memory formation (24 h) in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. We operantly trained snails to reduce aerial respiration in hypoxia following exposure to one of three social conditions: (1) maintained and trained in groups; (2) maintained in groups, trained in isolation; or (3) maintained and trained in isolation. In addition, snails also experienced four stress exposure levels: control, exposure to low calcium availability, predator kairomone exposure during training or a combination of low calcium and predator kairomones. Snails isolated during training alone demonstrated no difference in memory formation compared with the snails trained in groups. Maintaining snails in social isolation for 8 days prior to training had a neutral effect on memory in control conditions or in the presence of predator kairomones alone. However, social isolation enhanced long-term memory formation in snails exposed to low calcium conditions, a stress that blocks memory formation in snails maintained in groups. Conversely, when exposed to low calcium and predator kairomones combined, grouped snails normally demonstrate long-term memory, but following maintenance in isolation long-term memory was blocked. Therefore, the effect of social isolation on cognitive function is highly dependent on the environmental context in which it is experienced.
99mTc(CO)3-Ibritumomab tiuxetan; a novel radioimmunoimaging (RII) agent of B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)
Authors: Shah Syed Qaiser , Khan Aakif Ullah , Khan Mohammad Rafiullah 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
To exploit the B-lymphocyte antigen-CD20 binding capa­city of the Ibritumomab tiuxetan (IBTN) monoclonal antibody (mAb) for imaging, the over-expression of B cells in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) (a myeloproliferative disorder of the lymphatic system) was investigated. In the current investigation, we present the labeling of the IBTN with technetium-99m (99mTc) through [99mTc(CO)3]+ precursor for radioimmunoimaging (RII) of the tumor prior to its treatment with 90Y labeled IBTN. Labeled IBTN was radiobiologically characterized in terms of radiochemical purity, in vitro stability in human plasma, immunoreactivity, binding with Raji and Ramos cells and biodistribution in a female nude mouse (FNM) model. It was observed that the reduced IBTN (rIBTN) showed more promising radiobiologic characteristics than the nonreduced IBTN. Significantly higher transchelation was seen in excess cysteine compared with histidine. The radioconjugate showed higher saturated binding affinity with CD20 antigen. Significantly higher target (tumor) to background ratios were observed 1 h post-injection (p.i.). Based on radiochemical purity, in vitro stability, immunoreactivity, binding and biodistrubtion in the FNM model, we recommend the radiolabeling of the rIBTN using tricarbonyl technique as a potential RII agent.
Neuronal Loss in the Rostral Ventromedial Medulla in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Leong Mai Lan , Gu Ming , Speltz-Paiz Rebecca , Stahura Eleanor I. , Mottey Neli , Steer Clifford J. , Wessendorf Martin 
Published: November 2011

Cell death has been reported in the CNS in models of neuropathic pain (Sugimoto et al., 1990; Whiteside and Munglani, 2001; Scholz et al., 2005; Fuccio et al., 2009). In our present study, we examined the effects of spinal nerve ligation (SNL) on the number of neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), a brainstem region involved in modulation of nociception. In rats receiving SNL, we found that the number of RVM neurons decreased by 23% in the side ipsilateral to the surgery. The loss of RVM neurons was also associated with a bilateral increase in the number of glia as well as bilateral activation of both astrocytes and microglia. Administration of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), which reportedly inhibits apoptosis, significantly reduced the loss of neurons, the increase in glia, and the mechanical hypersensitivity induced by SNL.Among RVM neurons, we found that serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) neurons decreased by 35% ipsilateral to SNL. Consistent with these findings, the density of 5-HT-immunoreactive varicosities in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord was 15–30% lower, ipsilateral to SNL. To test the function of the remaining 5-HT neurons, we administered the 5-HT neurotoxin, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). Interestingly, after 5,7-DHT, mechanical withdrawal thresholds increased significantly. We conclude that nerve injury induces death of antinociceptive RVM neurons that can be reduced or abolished by TUDCA. We propose that the loss of RVM neurons shifts the balance of descending control from pain inhibition to pain facilitation.
Owning Up: Exploring the Kickstarter Restaurant
Authors: Goalen Kaitlyn 
Published: November 2011

One of the latest technologies to garner attention from the food world is the Web site Kickstarter, and it has already affected the restaurant industry in a number of ways. The Web site is a crowd-funding platform for “creative projects” in multiple disciplines–several restaurant owners have already used Kickstarter to raise capital toward opening and sustaining restaurants.
The Kickstarter team's definition for a “creative project” is vague at best, and patterns have already emerged that raise questions about whether restaurants are an appropriate type of project to harness this platform. So far, three patterns have taken shape: the neighborhood restaurant, the philanthropic restaurant, and the experimental spot, as evidenced by Colonie in Brooklyn, Mission Chinese Food and Commonwealth in San Francisco, and What Happens When in New York, respectively.
While restaurants use many creative elements, they also are businesses at the core. Thus, the best restaurant-oriented candidates for Kickstarter are those who aim to go beyond the conventional expectations of what a restaurant should provide. Ideally they will use Kickstarter's crowd-sourced funds to bring more to the community than what the charge for on the plate.
Effects of oral and transdermal estrogen on IGF1, IGFBP3, IGFBP1, serum lipids, and glucose in patients with hypopituitarism during GH treatment: a randomized study
Authors: Isotton Ana Lúcia , Wender Maria Celeste Osorio , Casagrande Alessandra , Rollin Guilherme , Czepielewski Mauro Antônio 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of oral estradiol and transdermal 17β-estradiol on serum concentrations of IGF1 and its binding proteins in women with hypopituitarism.DesignProspective, comparative study.MethodsEleven patients with hypopituitarism were randomly allocated to receive 2 mg oral estradiol (n=6) or 50 μg/day of transdermal 17β-estradiol (n=5) for 3 months.ResultsThe oral estrogen group showed a significant reduction in IGF1 levels (mean: 42.7%±41.4,P=0.046); no difference was observed in the transdermal estrogen group. There was a significant increase in IGFBP1 levels (mean: 170.2%±230.9,P=0.028) in the oral group, but not in the transdermal group. There was no significant difference within either group in terms of median IGFBP3 levels. In relation to lipid profiles, there was a significant increase in mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the oral group after 3 months of treatment, (27.8±9.3,P=0.003). We found no differences in the anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, heart rate, glucose, insulin, C-peptide, or the homeostasis model assessment index after treatment.ConclusionsOur preliminary data indicate that different estrogen administration routes can influence IGF1 and IGFBP1 levels. These findings in patients with hypopituitarism have an impact on their response to treatment with GH, since patients receiving oral estrogen require increased GH dosage. These results suggest that oral estrogens may reduce the beneficial effects of GH replacement on fat and protein metabolism, body composition, and quality of life.
N-Tris[(2-aminoethyl)-2-(diphenylphosphoryl) acetamide)] — novel CMPO tripodand: synthesis, extraction studies and luminescent properties of lanthanide complexes
Authors: Sharova Elena , Artyushin Oleg , Turanov Alexander , Karandashev Vasilii , Meshkova Svetlana , Topilova Zoya , Odinets Irina 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
A ligand system containing three carbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) moieties attached to a tripodal platform with a central nitrogen atom has been synthesized for metal complexation and extraction from neutral and nitric acid solutions. Liquid-liquid extractions performed for Ln(III), both from neutral and acidic media, show excellent extraction properties which exceeded those for the known mono- and di-CMPO derivatives as well as the related tripodands. A considerable enhancement of the DLn values was observed in the presence of IL ([bmim][Tf2N]) in the organic phase towards lanthanide ions from 3M HNO3 solutions. The protonation of the central amine nitrogen atom of the ligand 1 in the acidic media provides also the effective extraction of the perrhenate anionic complexes. The europium complexes formed by mono- and tris-CMPO ligands in the solid state, as well as Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes generated in solutions, possess intensive luminescence at 300K
Spectrophotometric studies of the reaction of quercetin with peroxynitrite at different pH
Authors: Gebicka Lidia , Stawowska Katarzyna 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Peroxynitrite (ONOOH/ONOO-) which is formed in vivo under oxidative stress is a strong oxidizing and nitrating agent. It has been reported that several flavonoids, including quercetin, inhibit the peroxynitrite-induced oxidation and/or nitration of several molecules tested; however, the mechanism of their protective action against peroxynitrite is not univocally resolved. The kinetics of the reaction of quercetin with peroxynitrite was studied by stopped-flow as well as by conventional spectrophotometry under acidic, neutral and alkaline pH. The obtained results show that the protective mechanism of quercetin against peroxynitrite toxicity cannot be explained by direct scavenging of peroxynitrite. We propose that quercetin acts via scavenging intermediate radical products of peroxynitrite decomposition (it is an excellent scavenger of ·NO2) and/or via reduction of target radicals formed in the reaction with peroxynitrite.
Ab initio study regarding the evaluation of the antioxidant character of cyanidin, delphinidin and malvidin
Authors: Pop Raluca , Ştefănut Mariana , Căta Adina , Tănasie Cristian , Medeleanu Mihai 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
A theoretical study regarding the evaluation of the antioxidant character of three of the most wide-spread anthocyanidins (cyanidin, delphinidin and malvidin) was carried out at ab initio level. Different parameters (bond dissociation enthalpy, ionization potential, proton affinity, and electron transfer enthalpy) were computed for each OH group of the compounds in order to predict their antioxidant capacity. Several molecular descriptors based on frontier molecular orbital theory (hardness, electrophilicity, frontier charge density) were also calculated, as well as the atomic charges corresponding to the O atoms of the hydroxyl groups.
Determination of lipophilicity for antitumor acridinone derivatives supported by gradient high-performance liquid chromatography method
Authors: Koba Marcin , Belka Mariusz , Ciesielski Tomasz , Bączek Tomasz 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
The lipophilicity values of selected acridinone (imidazoacridinone and triazoloacridinone) derivatives were measured by gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) using a C18 stationary phase with a water/acetonitrile mixture as a mobile phase. The retention times obtained served as input data and appropriate log kw values (i.e., the retention factor log kw extrapolated to 0% organic modifier) as an alternative to log P were calculated using the DryLab program. The relationships between the lipophilicity (log kw) and the chemical structure of the studied compounds, as well as correlation between experimentally determined lipophilicities (log kw) and log P data calculated using some commonly available software, are discussed.
Removal of heavy metals from wastewater using micellar enhanced ultrafiltration technique: a review
Authors: Mungray Alka , Kulkarni Shrirang , Mungray Arvind 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Application of Micellar enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) for the removal of different heavy metals has been reviewed. It is considered an economical alternative available to the conventional membrane separation process, because it reduces the requirement of higher pressure and high membrane costs. MEUF is a separation processes which uses surfactants and ultrafiltration membranes to remove multivalent ions from wastewater with high percent rejection using electrostatic attraction between metals and micelles.
This review seeks to define the effect of the operating parameters, i.e., applied pressure, surfactant concentration, feed temperature, metal ion concentration, feed flow rate, operating time etc. on the removal of metal ions. Emphasis is given to the application of MEUF for the removal of single metal ions, multiple metal ions and different metals along with other organic materials. Also, this review focuses on studies related to micelle formation, attraction between metal ions and micelles, and recovery of surfactants for future research.
Optimization of analytical procedures for the simultaneous voltammetric determination of total Hg(II) in presence of Cu(II) in environmental matrices
Authors: Melucci Dora , Montalbani Simona , Locatelli Clinio 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
The present work reports the critical comparison about the employment of three different supporting electrolytes (0.1 mol L−1 HClO4, 0.01 mol L−1 EDTA-Na2 + 0.06 mol L−1 NaCl + 2.0 mol L−1 HClO4 and 0.1 mol L−1 KSCN + 0.001 mol L−1 HClO4) and their instrumental and chemical optimisation for the simultaneous voltammetric determination of total mercury(II) and copper(II) in sediments and sea water at gold electrode, especially discussing the reciprocal interference problems.
The differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric (DPASV) measurements were carried out using a conventional three-electrode cell: a gold electrode (GE) as working electrode, a platinum wire and an Ag‖AgCl‖KClsat as auxiliary and reference electrodes, respectively.
The analytical procedure was verified by the analysis of standard reference materials: Estuarine Sediment BCR-CRM 277, River Sediment BCR-CRM 320 and Mercury in Water NIST-SRM 1641d.
Once set up on the standard reference materials, the analytical procedure was transferred and applied to sediments and sea waters sampled in a lagoon ecosystem connected with Adriatic Sea (Ravenna area, Italy).
Effects of Tibolone on Markers of Bone Metabolic Activity in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Krejović Snežana , Živanović Aleksandar , Živanović Sandra , Marković Rade 
Published: November 2011

Effects of Tibolone on Markers of Bone Metabolic Activity in Postmenopausal WomenOsteoporosis, a systemic disease of the bones, is a serious health and socio-economic problem because of its consequences, i.e. broken bones. It is believed that 10% of the world's population suffers from osteoporosis and it affects mostly postmenopausal women (postmenopausal osteoporosis). Tibolone is a synthetic steroid that has estrogenic, androgenic, and progestagenic properties. It has been used primarily for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis and treatment of climacteric symptoms. The research included a group of 40 postmenopausal women with osteopenia treated with tibolone. The control group included 40 postmenopausal women who were not taking any medication. Control group patients were older (54.5 ± 9.84) than the patients treated with tibolone (51.6 ± 6.22). Bone metabolic activity was evaluated using osteocalcin (N-MID osteocalcin) for bone formation and CTX I for bone resorption. Blood samples were taken before therapy was introduced and 3 months after its introduction. The average value of osteocalcin after three months of tibolone therapy was 26.32 ± 3.312 ng/mL compared to the average osteocalcin value prior to therapy of 29.6 ± 3.343 ng/mL. The average value of CTX I three months after tibolone therapy of 0.2870 ± 0.0783 ng/mL was lower compared to the average CTX I value before the therapy of 0.4539 ± 0.1144 ng/mL. Our results show the efficacy of tibolone in preventing bone loss, which was highly statistically significant. They also reveal its suppressive effects on bone formation and resorption, but these effects are statistically less significant. Tibolone significantly reduces the level of bone resorption in postmenopausal women with osteopenia. Its effects on bone formation are less expressed. The parameters of bone metabolic activity are a very useful diagnostic means in the evaluation of tibolone effects on bone metabolic activity and in the prognosis of bone mass loss.
Formalization of Evidence: A Comparative Study
Authors: Wang Pei 
Published: November 2011

Formalization of Evidence: A Comparative StudyThis article analyzes and compares several approaches of formalizing the notion of evidence in the context of general-purpose reasoning system. In each of these approaches, the notion of evidence is defined, and the evidence-based degree of belief is represented by a binary value, a number (such as a probability), or two numbers (such as an interval). The binary approaches provide simple ways to represent conclusive evidence, but cannot properly handle inconclusive evidence. The one-number approaches naturally represent inconclusive evidence as a degree of belief, but lack the information needed to revise this degree. It is argued that for systems opening to new evidence, each belief should at least have two numbers attached to indicate its evidential support. A few such approaches are discussed, including the approach used in NARS, which is designed according to the considerations of general-purpose intelligent systems, and provides novel solutions to several traditional problems on evidence.
Modelling Dynamic Decision Making with the ACT-R Cognitive Architecture
Authors: Peebles David , Banks Adrian 
Published: November 2011

Modelling Dynamic Decision Making with the ACT-R Cognitive ArchitectureThis paper describes a model of dynamic decision making in theDynamic Stocks and Flows(DSF) task, developed using the ACT-R cognitive architecture. This task is a simple simulation of a water tank in which the water level must be kept constant whilst the inflow and outflow changes at varying rates. The basic functions of the model are based around three steps. Firstly, the model predicts the water level in the next cycle by adding the current water level to the predicted net inflow of water. Secondly, based on this projection, the net outflow of the water is adjusted to bring the water level back to the target. Thirdly, the predicted net inflow of water is adjusted to improve its accuracy in the future. If the prediction has overestimated net inflow then it is reduced, if it has underestimated net inflow it is increased. The model was entered into a model comparison competition—theDynamic Stocks and Flows Challenge—to model human performance on four conditions of the DSF task and then subject the model to testing on five unseen transfer conditions. The model reproduced the main features of the development data reasonably well but did not reproduce human performance well under the transfer conditions. This suggests that the principles underlying human performance across the different conditions differ considerably despite their apparent similarity. Further lessons for the future development of our model and model comparison challenges are considered.
Testing for Equivalence: A Methodology for Computational Cognitive Modelling
Authors: Stewart Terrence , West Robert 
Published: November 2011

Testing for Equivalence: A Methodology for Computational Cognitive ModellingThe equivalence test (Stewart and West, 2007; Stewart, 2007) is a statistical measure for evaluating the similarity between a model and the system being modelled. It is designed to avoid over-fitting and to generate an easily interpretable summary of the quality of a model. We apply the equivalence test to two tasks: Repeated Binary Choice (Erev et al., 2010) and Dynamic Stocks and Flows (Gonzalez and Dutt, 2007). In the first case, we find a broad range of statistically equivalent models (and win a prediction competition) while identifying particular aspects of the task that are not yet adequately captured. In the second case, we re-evaluate results from the Dynamic Stocks and Flows challenge, demonstrating how our method emphasizes the breadth of coverage of a model and how it can be used for comparing different models. We argue that the explanatory power of models hinges on numerical similarity to empirical data over a broad set of measures.