bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Delayed rectifier outward K+ current mediates the migration of rat cerebellar granule cells stimulated by melatonin
Authors: Liu Lin‐Yun , Hoffman Gloria E. , Fei Xiao‐Wei , Li Zheng , Zhang Zhi‐Hong , Mei Yan‐Ai 
Published: June 2007

AbstractMelatonin (MT) may work as a neuromodulator through the associated MT receptors in the central nervous system. Previously, our studies have shown that MT increased the IK current via a G protein‐related pathway. In the present study, patch‐clamp whole‐cell recording, transwell migration assays and organotypic cerebellar slice cultures were used to examine the effect of MT on granule cell migration. MT increased the IK current amplitude and migration of granule cells. Meanwhile, TEA, the IK channel blocker, decreased the IK current and slowed the migration of granule cells. Furthermore, the effects of MT on the IK current and cell migration were not abolished by pre‐incubation with P7791, a specific antagonist of MT3R, but were eliminated by the application of the MT2R antagonists K185 and 4‐P‐PDOT. IK current and cell migration were decreased by the application of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP), which was in contrast to the MT effect on the IK current and cell migration. Incubation with dbcAMP essentially blocked the MT‐induced increasing effect. Moreover, incubation of isolated cell cultures in the MT‐containing medium also decreased the cAMP immunoreactivity in the granule cells. It is concluded, therefore, that IK current, downstream of a cAMP transduction pathway, mediates the migration of rat cerebellar granule cells stimulated by MT.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci to DNA fingerprint the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)
Authors: HOGAN FIONA , BURRIDGE CHRISTOPHER , COOKE RAYLENE , NORMAN JANETTE 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAn enriched microsatellite library was constructed for the Powerful Owl (Aves; Strigiformes: Ninox strenua) from which 14 polymorphic microsatellite markers were characterized. Forty individuals (32 unrelated and four pairs of siblings) were genotyped to determine the application of these markers for genetic profiling. The mean observed and expected heterozygosity for unrelated individuals was 0.53 and 0.59, respectively. We demonstrate that this suite of markers is sufficient to unequivocally identify individuals and will be beneficial in assessing the population genetics and reproductive ecology of this species.
Idiopathic Epilepsies with Seizures Precipitated by Fever and SCN1A Abnormalities
Authors: Marini Carla , Mei Davide , Temudo Teresa , Ferrari Anna Rita , Buti Daniela , Dravet Charlotte , Dias Ana I. , Moreira Ana , Calado Eulalia , Seri Stefano , Neville Brian , Narbona Juan , Reid Evan , Michelucci Roberto , Sicca Federico , Cross Helen J. , Guerrini Renzo 
Published: June 2007

Summary:  Purpose: SCN1A is the most clinically relevant epilepsy gene, most mutations lead to severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI) and generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+). We studied 132 patients with epilepsy syndromes with seizures precipitated by fever, and performed phenotype–genotype correlations with SCN1A alterations. Methods: We included patients with SMEI including borderline SMEI (SMEB), GEFS+, febrile seizures (FS), or other seizure types precipitated by fever. We performed a clinical and genetic study focusing on SCN1A, using dHPLC, gene sequencing, and MLPA to detect genomic deletions/duplications on SMEI/SMEB patients. Results: We classified patients as: SMEI/SMEB = 55; GEFS+= 26; and other phenotypes = 51. SCN1A analysis by dHPLC/sequencing revealed 40 mutations in 37 SMEI/SMEB (67%) and 3 GEFS+ (11.5%) probands. MLPA showed genomic deletions in 2 of 18 SMEI/SMEB. Most mutations were de novo (82%). SMEB patients carrying mutations (8) were more likely to have missense mutations (62.5%), conversely SMEI patients (31) had more truncating, splice site or genomic alterations (64.5%). SMEI/SMEB with truncating, splice site or genomic alterations had a significantly earlier age of onset of FS compared to those with missense mutations and without mutations (p = 0.00007, ANOVA test). None of the remaining patients with seizures precipitated by fever carried SCN1A mutations. Conclusion: We obtained a frequency of 71%SCN1A abnormalities in SMEI/SMEB and of 11.5% in GEFS+ probands. MLPA complements DNA sequencing of SCN1A increasing the mutation detection rate. SMEI/SMEB with truncating, splice site or genomic alterations had a significantly earlier age of onset of FS. This study confirms the high sensitivity of SCN1A for SMEI/SMEB phenotypes.
Cortical Epileptogenesis—Hughlings Jackson and His Predecessors
Authors: Eadie Mervyn J. 
Published: June 2007

Summary:  Aim: To trace the concept that the cerebral cortex is the site of epileptogenesis before Hughlings Jackson published the idea in 1870 in the paper “A study of convulsions” which marks the beginning of modern epileptology. Method: Perusal of 19th century English language medical literature. Result: The existence of cortical epileptogenesis was postulated by Richard Bright in 1831 and 1836, touched on by Robert Bentley Todd in 1849, and rediscovered independently by Samuel Wilks in 1866. Wilks's idea probably became known to both John Thompson Dickson and John Hughlings Jackson and was then developed further, particularly by Jackson. Conclusion: The thought of Samuel Wilks probably played a more important role in the origins of modern epileptology than has sometimes been appreciated.
Variability in feeding ecology of a South American cichlid: a reason for successful invasion in mediterranean‐type rivers?
Authors: Ribeiro F. , Orjuela R. L. , Magalhães M. F. , Collares‐Pereira M. J. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract –  Ecological attributes behind the success of the South American cichlid Australoheros facetus in mediterranean‐type rivers remain unclear. This study addresses this issue, by analysing its abundance and feeding patterns in the lower Guadiana drainage (Portugal), during the dry season of 2003. Despite slight spatial variations in abundance and individual size, A. facetus seemed well established in the Guadiana, Vascão and Ardila rivers. No seasonal or size‐related changes in feeding intensity were found, but the diet changed across rivers, over time and throughout ontogeny. Feeding seemed highly generalist, with fish apparently reacting to both spatial and temporal changes in food supply and tending to use the most abundant and easily accessible food items. Overall prey breadth was broad relative to that of other native and non‐native species. It is suggested that a generalist feeding strategy may play a significant role in the establishment of non‐native fish in mediterranean‐type rivers.
The colour selection of distant galaxies in the UKIDSS Ultra Deep Survey Early Data Release
Authors: Lane K. P. , Almaini O. , Foucaud S. , Simpson C. , Smail Ian , McLure R. J. , Conselice C. J. , Cirasuolo M. , Page M. J. , Dunlop J. S. , Hirst P. , Watson M. G. , Sekiguchi K. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
We investigate colour selection techniques for high-redshift galaxies in the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS) Ultra Deep Survey Early Data Release (UDS EDR). Combined with very deep Subaru optical photometry, the depth (KAB= 22.5) and area (0.62 deg2) of the UDS EDR allow us to investigate optical/near-infrared selection using a large sample of over 30 000 objects. By using the B−z′, z′−K colour–colour diagram (the BzK technique) we identify over 7500 candidate galaxies at z &gt; 1.4, which can be further separated into passive and star-forming systems (pBzKs and sBzKs respectively). Our unique sample allows us to identify a new feature not previously seen in BzK diagrams, consistent with the passively evolving track of early-type galaxies at z &lt; 1.4. We also compare the BzK technique with the R−K colour selection of extremely red objects (EROs) and the J−K selection of distant red galaxies (DRGs), and quantify the overlap between these populations. We find that the majority of DRGs at these relatively bright magnitudes are also EROs. Since previous studies have found that DRGs at these magnitudes have redshifts of z∼ 1, we determine that these DRGs/EROs have spectral energy distributions consistent with being dusty star-forming galaxies or active galactic nuclei at z &lt; 2. Finally, we observe a flattening in the number counts of pBzK galaxies, similar to other studies, which may indicate that we are sampling the luminosity function of passive z &gt; 1 galaxies over a narrow redshift range.
The Supply of Dentists and Access to Care in Rural Kansas
Authors: Allison R. Andrew , Manski Richard J. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT:
Context: Rural deficits in dental care and oral health are well documented and are typically attributed to the low number of dentists practicing in rural areas, but the relationships between rural residence, dental supply, and access to care have not been firmly established, impeding the development of effective public policy. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop a conceptual framework for observed variations in dental supply, oral health, and access to dental care in rural versus nonrural areas, and to test key empirical implications of this framework (eg, whether lower levels of utilization are associated with the lack of dentists and/or other aspects of residence in a rural area). Methods: This study employs descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multiple logistic regression to describe the relationship between oral health, access to care, and the supply of dentists in rural versus nonrural populations. Data analyzed includes Kansas' dental licensure records and the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Findings: Bivariate results confirm that dental supply, access to care, and oral health are lower for populations living in rural areas. Multivariate models indicate that dentist supply has a positive and independent association with utilization, but that rurality is not associated with utilization and oral health after controlling for demographics and dentist supply. Conclusions: Findings are consistent with a conceptual framework linking the geography of rural residence, individual preferences for services such as dental care, and the financial disincentives for dentists to locate in rural areas.
Predictors of Colorectal Screening in Rural Colorado: Testing to Prevent Colon Cancer in the High Plains Research Network
Authors: Young Walter F. , McGloin Joe , Zittleman Linda , West David R. , Westfall John M. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT:
Context:

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, yet screening rates are well below target levels. Rural communities may face common and unique barriers to health care, particularly preventive health care.

Purpose:

To establish baseline attitudinal, knowledge, belief, and behavior measures on colorectal cancer screening and to identify barriers to or predictors of colorectal cancer screening.

Methods:

As part of a controlled trial using a quasi‐experimental, pretest, post‐test design, we conducted a baseline telephone survey of 1,050 rural eastern Colorado residents aged 50 years and older. Smaller counties were over‐sampled to ensure a minimum of 30 completed interviews per county.

Findings:

Seventy‐seven percent reported they ever had a colorectal cancer screening test and 59% were up‐to‐date on at least 1 test. The most important independent predictors of being up‐to‐date were having visited a doctor or other health care practitioner for a checkup in the past year, having personal or family history of colon polyps or cancer, and having asked for a colorectal cancer screening test. Financial concerns were reported reasons for not obtaining fecal occult blood testing by 18% and colonoscopy by 21%.

Conclusions:

This study suggests that health care providers should be vigilant in counseling their patients 50 and older to have a colorectal cancer test. Community programs designed to promote colon cancer screening should encourage residents to have regular contact with their primary care physician and ask their doctor for a screening test. Additionally, programs should provide financial assistance for testing for low‐income and uninsured patients.
The Association of Health and Functional Status with Private and Public Religious Practice among Rural, Ethnically Diverse, Older Adults with Diabetes
Authors: Arcury Thomas A. , Stafford Jeanette M. , Bell Ronny A. , Golden Shannon L. , Snively Beverly M. , Quandt Sara A. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT:
Purpose:

This analysis describes the association of health and functional status with private and public religious practice among ethnically diverse (African American, Native American, white) rural older adults with diabetes.

Methods:

Data were collected using a population‐based, cross‐sectional, stratified, random sample survey of 701 community‐dwelling elders with diabetes in two rural North Carolina counties. Outcome measures were private religious practice, church attendance, religious support provided, and religious support received. Correlates included religiosity, health and functional status, and personal characteristics. Statistical significance was assessed using multiple linear regression and logistic regression models.

Findings:

These rural elders had high levels of religious belief, and private and public religious practice. Religiosity was associated with private and public religious practice. Health and functional status were not associated with private religious practice, but they were associated with public religious practice, such that those with limited functional status participated less in public religious practice. Ethnicity was associated with private religious practice: African Americans had higher levels of private religious practice than Native Americans or whites, while Native Americans had higher levels than whites.

Conclusions:

Variation in private religious practice among rural older adults is related to personal characteristics and religiosity, while public religious practice is related to physical health, functional status, and religiosity. Declining health may affect the social integration of rural older adults by limiting their ability to participate in a dominant social institution.
Medicare‐Certified Home Health Care: Urban‐Rural Differences in Utilization
Authors: Hartman Lacey , Jarosek Stephanie L. , Virnig Beth A. , Durham Sara 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT:
Context:

Availability of Medicare‐certified home health care (HHC) to rural elders can prevent more expensive institutional care. To date, utilization of HHC by rural elders has not been studied in detail.

Purpose:

To examine urban‐rural differences in Medicare HHC utilization.

Methods:

The 2002 100% Medicare HHC claims and denominator files were used to estimate use of HHC and to make urban‐rural comparisons on the basis of utilization levels within ZIP codes.

Findings:

Overall, the proportion of Medicare beneficiaries living in areas with little HHC utilization is relatively low. Rural elders, however, are more likely than their urban counterparts to live in such areas. Less than 1% of urban beneficiaries live in ZIP codes with no or low use of HHC, but over 17% of the most rural beneficiaries live in such areas.

Conclusions:

Continued monitoring of rural HHC utilization and access is important, especially as Medicare seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of payment increases to rural home health agencies.
Estimating Uncompensated Care Charges at Rural Hospital Emergency Departments
Authors: Bennett Kevin J. , Moore Charity G. , Probst Janice C. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT:
Context: Rural hospitals face multiple financial burdens. Due to federal law, emergency departments (ED) provide a gateway for uninsured and self‐pay patients to gain access to treatment. It is unknown how much uncompensated care in rural hospitals is due to ED visits.

Purpose: To develop a national estimate of uncompensated care from patients utilizing the ED in rural hospitals.

Methods: Clinical data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey‐ED (NHAMCS‐ED) from 1999 and 2000 were linked to billing data from South Carolina. National estimates of utilization and charges were calculated, with rurality and self‐pay status being the variables of focus.

Findings: Applying South Carolina billing data to national clinical data yields a national estimate for 1999‐2000 of nearly $441 billion in charges being generated through emergency departments, with self‐pay patients representing 9.0% of total charges. Rural self‐pay patients accounted for an estimated $3.5 billion in charges in 1999 and $5.3 billion in 2000. These charges may represent a total financial burden of more than $4 billion to rural hospitals.

Conclusions: Efforts should be made to reduce the uncompensated care burden on rural hospitals to ensure their viability. These efforts may include Medicaid/SCHIP expansions, FQHCs or RHCs, Critical Access Hospital Designation, or other indigent care programs that would reduce the need for self‐pay patients to utilize EDs.
Experience With Polymer Thick Film Technology
Authors: Hulkkonen Raimo , Jarvinen Eero , Sortti Vesa 
Published: June 2007

The paper describes a user′s experiences with polymer thick film resistor technology. The characteristics studied are resistance values and their distributing. Parameters affecting these characteristics are the material of the substrate, and the curing of the polymer resistor paste. The test conditions (temperature cycling, dip soldering, high temperature storaging) were chosen to simulate the environmental conditions, through which the polymer resistor circuits have to go during the assembly process of a typical consumer electronics product. The polymer pastes studied were from commercial paste manufacturers in USA, Europe and Japan.Additional background information, to help in understanding the behaviour of different polymer resistor materials, was obtained through the differential thermo analysis (DTA) of the pastes under investigation.
Guidelines for Finer Lines in Thick Film Circuitry
Authors: Bertrams P. J. B. , Keuper W. , Koch G. , Van Mourik J. H. C. 
Published: June 2007

Screen quality, ink, behaviour, printersettings, substrate surface condition and dry and sinterconditions determine print results. For high density printing the quality of each of those parameters is important. It was found, that ink and screen play the most important part.The metal gauze screen provided with the mask must have a flat surface (roughness < 5/μm) and an even thickness and gauze tension. For a number of inks the viscosity at low shear‐rates defines the fine line capabilities. Some tolerance on printersettings is found to be acceptable. The application of a surfactantson the substrate surface proves to be a solution to gain a better line definition. During levelling the evaporation of solvents at room temperature has to be favoured for an optimum result.
The Influence of Contaminants During the Firing of Inks
Authors: Van Gorp A. J. M. , Van Mourik J. H. C. 
Published: June 2007

During firing of resistor materials the resistance is influenced by gaseous contaminants and by compounds given off by other pastes. Nearly all inorganic salts which are slightly volatile at the firing temperature, and some rather stable organic materials influence the resistor properties. Halogenated materials are the most important and the higher ohmic series the most sensitive.For aluminium conductors a very high sensitivity to fluorinated and chlorinated compounds has been found but in this case organic compounds have no influence.
Temperature Verification of Hybrid Microelectronic Circuit Design
Authors: Širbegović Sedat , Mazalica Milan , Krčmar Ratko 
Published: June 2007

The paper includes temperature measurement results on hybrid microelectronic circuit surfaces carried out by infrared microscope with special attention to critical temperatures (hot spots) which may require hybrid microelectronic circuit redesign. Critical component reliability analysis, as well as the need for replacement with more reliable components is considered. The principle for hybrid microelectronic design verification suggested.The paper is the result of longterm efforts at the Rudi Čajavec Factory in Banja Luka, where we have been investigating the possibilities for very reliable hybrid microelectronic circuit design.
Fine Lines in a Three Dimensional Interconnect
Authors: Scarlett J. A. 
Published: June 2007

The techniques for the generation of fine lines on rigid and flexible printed circuit boards are reviewed, and it is shown how the tracking on the interconnect can be made to match the requirements of chip carriers, TAB chips or beam leaded or wire bonded chips directly mounted.The use of fine line techniques on planar substrates can be adapted to provide a low cost, high density interconnect which offers a truly three dimensional connection capability without the use of a “back wiring panel”. Such a three dimensional interconnect can offer opportunities for improvement in the removal of heat from high dissipation chips, thus offering significantly increased reliability.
Thick‐Film Non‐Reciprocal Ferrite Elements and Gunn Hybrid Oscillators in Modified Thick‐Film Technology
Authors: Gondek Janusz J. , Koprowski Jan , Wójcicki Marek A. 
Published: June 2007

In this paper are presented design and performance data on microwave Y–circulators and Gunn oscillators produced in thick‐film technology. Y–circulators have been designed for central frequencies of 3, 5, and 10 GHz with a satisfactory accuracy. New Polish made ferrite substrates, G–32, G–84 K, and G–175 have been used.The Gunn oscillator was designed and corrected to the resonant frequencies 3, 5 and 6 GHz based on the integrated package diodes CXYP – 43 A and BXYP – 45 C (made in Poland). The results of the investigations are presented in tabular and graphical form.
Model for Reliability Prediction of Thick Film Resistors
Authors: Pranchov R. B. , Campbell D. S. 
Published: June 2007

A model for time‐to‐failure prediction based on component parameter drift is described. The idea for creation of this model is based on the influence of time‐dependent random and non random factors on the distribution of the random variable.The reliability interpretation of the data from thick film resistor ageing tests has been completed with the model developed. Two different drift functions are described for two ruthenium‐based thick film methods with equal resistivity – 10Ω/square. The values of the functional parameters
depend strongly on the storage test temperature. Mean time‐to‐failure decreases approximately 4 times with an increase of storage temperature of 20 deg. C.
Noise Investigations on Thick Film Resistors
Authors: Ambrozy A. , Wollitzer G. 
Published: June 2007

Compared to metallic thin films or wires thick film resistors have a rather complex structure. Transition metal oxide particles are embedded into a glassy matrix. The resistivity depends heavily on the percentage of the constituents in the composition. It is believed that the main part of the resistance stems from the touching areas of conductive grains and that the conduction is by tunneling.To give a better insight a noise spectrum analysis has been developed. A DC current is passed through the sample to be measured. The output noise voltage is analyzed between 1.6 Hz and 25 kHz using a commercial third‐octave analyser.Results are given of an experiment in which the glassy matrix of thick film resistors was etched away step by step and the noise was measured vs. the number of etching steps.