bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Semiparametric Bayesian Classification with longitudinal Markers
Authors: De la Cruz-Mesía Rolando , Quintana Fernando A. , Müller Peter 
Published: March 2007

SummaryWe analyse data from a study involving 173 pregnant women. The data are observed values of the β human chorionic gonadotropin hormone measured during the first 80 days of gestational age, including from one up to six longitudinal responses for each woman. The main objective in this study is to predict normal versus abnormal pregnancy outcomes from data that are available at the early stages of pregnancy. We achieve the desired classification with a semiparametric hierarchical model. Specifically, we consider a Dirichlet process mixture prior for the distribution of the random effects in each group. The unknown random-effects distributions are allowed to vary across groups but are made dependent by using a design vector to select different features of a single underlying random probability measure. The resulting model is an extension of the dependent Dirichlet process model, with an additional probability model for group classification. The model is shown to perform better than an alternative model which is based on independent Dirichlet processes for the groups. Relevant posterior distributions are summarized by using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods.
Habermas's Theological Turn?
Authors: HARRINGTON AUSTIN 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTSince the turn of the millennium Jürgen Habermas's contributions to social and political theory have been increasingly turning toward matters of religious and theological relevance. This article weighs up the import and coherence of Habermas's recent reflections on religious belief and its relationship to reason and modernity in Western philosophical culture. At the forefront of the analysis stands Habermas's conception of appropriate “limits” and “boundaries” between the domains of knowledge and faith and the possibility and desirability of a process of “discursive translation” of contents of religious language into forms of secularized, universalizing moral argument. The article defends the thesis that Habermas's project of a rapprochement between contents of religious language and norms of scientific thinking founders on its attempt to reconcile too many different, conceptually centrifugal tendencies. However, these difficulties and inconsistencies in Habermas's recent thinking remain instructive and ought to continue to engage the interest of scholars concerned today with the question of how far the philosophy of the social sciences can and cannot accommodate commitments to theism in the practice of research.
Happiness and Virtue in Positive Psychology
Authors: MARTIN MIKE W. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTPositive psychologists aspire to study the moral virtues, as well as positive emotions, while retaining scientific objectivity. Within this framework, Martin Seligman, a founder of positive psychology, offers an empirically‐based argument for an ancient and venerable theme: happiness can be increased by exercising the virtues. Seligman's project is promising, but it needs to pay greater attention to several methodological matters: (1) greater care in defining happiness, so as to avoid smuggling in value assumptions of the sort suggested by the title of his book, Authentic Happiness; (2) more attention to the gap between happiness as overall satisfaction and specific gratifications (enjoyments); (3) the danger of sliding to subjectivism by equating self‐assessments of virtue with objectively‐justified values of the sort Aristotle had in mind; (4) awareness of how “positive” emotions and attitudes presuppose value assumptions.
Molecular regulation of cognitive functions and developmental plasticity: impact of GABAAreceptors
Authors: Möhler Hanns 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBy controlling spike timing and sculpting neuronal rhythms, inhibitory interneurons play a key role in regulating neuronal circuits and behavior. The pronounced diversity of GABAergic (γ‐aminobutyric acid) interneurons is paralleled by an extensive diversity of GABAAreceptor subtypes. The region‐ and domain‐specific location of these receptor subtypes offers the opportunity to gain functional insights into the role of defined neuronal circuits. These developments are reviewed with regard to the regulation of sleep, anxiety, memory, sensorimotor processing and post‐natal developmental plasticity.
Stress‐induced changes in epinephrine expression in the adrenal medulla in vivo
Authors: Tai T. C. , Claycomb Robert , Siddall Brenda J. , Bell Rose Ann , Kvetnansky Richard , Wong Dona L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractImmobilization (IMMO) stress was used to examine how stress alters the stress hormone epinephrine (EPI) in the adrenal medulla in vivo. In rats subjected to IMMO for 30 or 120 min, adrenal corticosterone increased to the same extent. In contrast, EPI changed very little, suggesting that EPI synthesis replenishes adrenal pools and sustains circulating levels for the heightened alertness and physiological responses of the ‘flight or fight’ response. In part, stress activates EPI via the phenylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase (PNMT) gene as single or repeated IMMO elevated PNMT mRNA. The rise in PNMT mRNA was preceded by induction of the PNMT gene activator, Egr‐1, with increases in Egr‐1 mRNA, protein, and protein–DNA binding complex apparent. IMMO also evoked changes in Sp1 mRNA, protein, and Sp1–DNA complex formation, although for chronic IMMO changes were not entirely coincident. In contrast, glucocorticoid receptor and AP‐2 mRNA, protein, and protein–DNA complex were unaltered. Finally, IMMO stress elevated PNMT protein. However, with seven daily IMMOs for 120 min and delayed killing, protein stimulation did not attain the highly elevated levels expected based on mRNA changes. The latter may perhaps suggest initiation of adrenergic desensitization to prolonged and repeated IMMO stress and/or dissociation of transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanisms.
Mutant SOD1‐induced neuronal toxicity is mediated by increased mitochondrial superoxide levels
Authors: Zimmerman Matthew C. , Oberley Larry W. , Flanagan Shawn W. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common motor neuron disease in adults, is characterized by the selective degeneration and death of motor neurons leading to progressive paralysis and eventually death. Approximately 20% of familial ALS cases are associated with mutations in SOD1, the gene encoding Cu/Zn‐superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD). Previously, we reported that overexpression of the mitochondrial antioxidant manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD or SOD2) attenuates cytotoxicity induced by expression of the G37R‐SOD1 mutant in a human neuroblastoma cell culture model of ALS. In the present study, we extended these earlier findings using several different SOD1 mutants (G93C, G85R, and I113T). Additionally, we tested the hypothesis that mutant SOD1 increases mitochondrial‐produced superoxide (O2•−) levels and that SOD2 overexpression protects neurons from mutant SOD1‐induced toxicity by reducing O2•− levels in mitochondria. In the present study, we demonstrate that SOD2 overexpression markedly attenuates the neuronal toxicity induced by adenovirus‐mediated expression of all four SOD1 mutants (G37R, G93C, G85R, or I113T) tested. Utilizing the mitochondrial‐targeted O2•−‐sensitive fluorogenic probe MitoSOX RedTM, we observed a significant increase in mitochondrial O2•− levels in neural cells expressing mutant SOD1. These elevated O2•− levels in mitochondria were significantly diminished by the overexpression of SOD2. These data suggest that mitochondrial‐produced O2•− radicals play a critical role in mutant SOD1‐mediated neuronal toxicity and implicate mitochondrial‐produced free radicals as potential therapeutic targets in ALS.
Antagonistic effects of TrkB and p75NTR on NMDA receptor currents in post‐synaptic densities transplanted into Xenopus oocytes
Authors: Sandoval Mauricio , Sandoval Rodrigo , Thomas Ulrich , Spilker Christina , Smalla Karl‐Heinz , Falcon Romina , Marengo Juan José , Calderón Rodrigo , Saavedra Verónica , Heumann Rolf , Bronfman Francisca , Garner Craig C. , Gundelfinger Eckart D. , Wyneken Ursula 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBrain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB are essential regulators of synaptic function in the adult CNS. A TrkB‐mediated effect at excitatory synapses is enhancement of NMDA receptor (NMDA‐R)‐mediated currents. Recently, opposing effects of TrkB and the pan‐neurotrophin receptor p75NTR on long‐term synaptic depression and long‐term potentiation have been reported in the hippocampus. To further study the regulation of NMDA‐Rs by neurotrophin receptors in their native protein environment, we micro‐transplanted rat forebrain post‐synaptic densities (PSDs) into Xenopus oocytes. One‐minute incubations of oocytes with BDNF led to dual effects on NMDA‐R currents: either TrkB‐dependent potentiation or TrkB‐independent inhibition were observed. Pro‐nerve growth factor, a ligand for p75NTR but not for TrkB, produced a reversible, dose‐dependent, TrkB‐independent and p75NTR‐dependent inhibition of NMDA‐Rs. Fractionation experiments showed that p75NTR is highly enriched in the PSD protein fraction. Immunoprecipitation and pull‐down experiments further revealed that p75NTR is a core component of the PSD, where it interacts with the PDZ3 domain of the scaffolding protein SAP90/PSD‐95. Our data provide striking evidence for a rapid inhibitory effect of p75NTR on NMDA‐R currents that antagonizes TrkB‐mediated NMDA‐R potentiation. These opposing mechanisms might be present in a large proportion of forebrain synapses and may contribute importantly to synaptic plasticity.
Telomere restoration and extension of proliferative lifespan in dyskeratosis congenita fibroblasts
Authors: Westin Erik R. , Chavez Elizabeth , Lee Kimberly M. , Gourronc Francoise A. , Riley Soraya , Lansdorp Peter M. , Goldman Frederick D. , Klingelhutz Aloysius J. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryDyskeratosis congenita (DC), an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome, is caused by defects in telomerase. Somatic cells from DC patients have shortened telomeres and clinical symptoms are most pronounced in organs with a high cell turnover, including those involved in hematopoiesis and skin function. We previously identified an autosomal dominant (AD) form of DC that is caused by mutations in the telomerase RNA component (TER). In this study, we evaluated whether retroviral expression of TER and/or telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic component of telomerase, could extend telomere length and rescue AD DC cells from a phenotype characteristic of early senescence. Exogenous TER expression, without TERT, could not activate telomerase in AD DC skin fibroblasts. Transduction of TERT alone, however, provided AD DC cells with sufficient telomerase activity to extend average telomere length and proliferative capacity. Interestingly, we found that expression of TER and TERT together resulted in extension of lifespan and higher levels of telomerase and longer telomeres than expression of TERT alone in both AD DC and normal cells. Our results provide evidence that AD DC cells can be rescued from defects in telomere maintenance and proliferation, and that coexpression of TERT and TER together provides a more efficient means to elongate telomeres than expression of TERT alone. Similar strategies may be useful for ameliorating the detrimental effects of telomere shortening in AD DC and other diseases associated with telomerase or telomere defects.
Differential Responses of Murine Vaginal and Uterine Epithelial Cells Prior to and Following Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV‐2) Infection
Authors: Fernandez Sherie , Gillgrass Amy , Kaushic Charu 
Published: March 2007

ProblemThis study was undertaken to evaluate the susceptibility of upper and lower reproductive tract epithelial cells (ECs) to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV‐2) infection and examine their cytokine secretion patterns prior to and following infection.Method of studyPrimary EC cultures, grown from murine vaginal and uterine tissue, were inoculated with HSV‐2. Viral shedding was measured in apical and basolateral compartments. Multi‐analyte bead‐based immunoassays run on Luminex, were used to analyse cytokine profiles.ResultsBoth vaginal and uterine ECs became productively infected with HSV‐2, ex‐vivo. Uterine ECs displayed varying degrees of infection, dependent on transepithelial resistance of the monolayers. Co‐culturing stromal cells did not significantly change levels of viral shedding from ECs. Uterine ECs and epithelial‐stromal co‐cultures constitutively secreted interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐6, mouse homologue of human IL‐8 (KC) and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1), while vaginal epithelial‐stromal co‐cultures secreted granulocyte–macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) and KC. Following exposure to HSV‐2, IL‐6 and MCP‐1 levels decreased in uterine EC cultures.ConclusionsThis data shows that ECs from the upper and lower reproductive tract have different cytokine secretion profiles and respond differentially to infection. HSV‐2 may be able to suppress epithelial cytokine secretion as a strategy to evade host immune system.
MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PATHOGENIC CONTAMINANTS OF SEAFOOD IN GREECE
Authors: PAPADOPOULOU C. , ECONOMOU E. , ZAKAS G. , SALAMOURA C. , DONTOROU C. , APOSTOLOU J. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT A total of 360 samples, including 105 marine fish, 25 prawns, 50 squid, 50 octopus, 30 mussels and 100 freshwater fish were examined microbiologically for the presence of microorganisms potentially pathogenic. All samples were examined following standard microbiological procedures. The isolated microorganisms were: Aeromonas hydrophilia (38–93%), Klebsiella ozonae (1–40%), Escherichia coli (14–87%), Yersinia enterocolitica (0–40%), Hafnia alvei (0–36.6%), Enterobacter agglomerans (0–42%), Citrobacter freundii (0–46%), Proteus vulgaris (15–80%), Proteus mirabilis (7–82%), Morganella morganii (0–30%), Pseudomonas fluorescens (0–34%), Pseudomonas putida (0–6%), Plesiomonas shigelloides (0–4%), Listeria innocua (1–3.3%), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (0–2%), Clostridium perfringens (0–1%), Staphylococcus aureus (0–80%) and Candida quillermondi (0–1%), Candida albicans (0–1%), Penicillium oxalicum (0–1%) and Penicillium italicum (0–12%).
SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF EWE MILK CHEESE MADE WITH THREE TYPES OF COAGULANT: CALF RENNET, POWDERED VEGETABLE COAGULANT AND CRUDE AQUEOUS EXTRACT FROM CYNARA CARDUNCULUS
Authors: TEJADA LUIS , GÓMEZ RAFAEL , FERNÁNDEZ‐SALGUERO JOSÉ 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT This article reports on a study of the sensorial characteristics of ewe milk cheese (Los Pedroches) made with animal rennet and two types of coagulant obtained from the cardoon Cynara cardunculus. The cheeses made with rennet displayed a less odor intensity: pungent odor and acid odor; a less acid taste; and a slightly lighter color. They were harder and firmer, but less creamy than those made with the vegetable coagulant (powdered vegetable coagulant [PVC] and crude aqueous extract [CAE] from C. cardunculus). However, the cheeses made with PVC showed organoleptic characteristics very similar to the cheeses made with CAE from C. cardunculus. After 90 days' ripening, the cheeses made with vegetable coagulant displayed a slightly more bitter taste than those made with rennet. In general terms, increased ripening time prompted the increased scores for most of the sensory attributes studied.
Eogenetic Karst Hydrology: Insights from the 2004 Hurricanes, Peninsular Florida
Authors: Florea Lee J. , Vacher H.L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractEogenetic karst lies geographically and temporally close to the depositional environment of limestone in warm marine water at low latitude, in areas marked by midafternoon thunderstorms during a summer rainy season. Spring hydrographs from such an environment in north‐central Florida are characterized by smooth, months‐long, seasonal maxima. The passage of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in September 2004 over three field locations shows how the eogenetic karst of the Upper Floridan Aquifer responds to unequivocal recharge events. Hydrographs at wells in the High Springs area, Rainbow Springs, and at Morris, Briar, and Bat Caves all responded promptly with a similar drawn‐out rise to a maximum that extended long into the winter dry season. The timing indicates that the typical hydrograph of eogenetic karst is not the short‐term fluctuations of springs in epigenic, telogenetic karst, or the smoothed response to all the summer thunderstorms, but rather the protracted response of the system to rainfall that exceeds a threshold. The similarity of cave and noncave hydrographs indicates distributed autogenic recharge and a free communication between secondary porosity and permeable matrix—both of which differ from the hydrology of epigenic, telogenetic karst. At Briar Cave, drip rates lagged behind the water table rise, suggesting that recharge was delivered by fractures, which control the cave’s morphology. At High Springs, hydrographs at the Santa Fe River and a submerged conduit apparently connected to it show sharp maxima after the storms, unlike the other cave hydrographs. Our interpretation is that the caves, in general, are discontinuous.
On the Interpretation of Recharge Estimates from Steady‐State Model Calibrations
Authors: Anderson William P. , Evans David G. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractGround water recharge is often estimated through the calibration of ground water flow models. We examine the nature of calibration errors by considering some simple mathematical and numerical calculations. From these calculations, we conclude that calibrating a steady‐state ground water flow model to water level extremes yields estimates of recharge that have the same value as the time‐varying recharge at the time the water levels are measured. These recharge values, however, are a subdued version of the actual transient recharge signal. In addition, calibrating a steady‐state ground water flow model to data collected during periods of rising water levels will produce recharge values that underestimate the actual transient recharge. Similarly, calibrating during periods of falling water levels will overestimate the actual transient recharge. We also demonstrate that average water levels can be used to estimate the actual average recharge rate provided that water level data have been collected for a sufficient amount of time.
Analytic Element Ground Water Modeling as a Research Program (1980 to 2006)
Authors: Kraemer Stephen R. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractScientists and engineers who use the analytic element method (AEM) for solving problems of regional ground water flow may be considered a community, and this community can be studied from the perspective of history and philosophy of science. Applying the methods of the Hungarian philosopher of science Imre Lakatos (1922 to 1974), the AEM “research program” is distinguished by its hard core (theoretical basis), protective belt (auxiliary assumptions), and heuristic (problem solving machinery). AEM has emerged relatively recently in the scientific literature and has a relatively modest number of developers and practitioners compared to the more established finite‐element and finite‐difference methods. Nonetheless, there is evidence to support the assertion that the AEM research program remains in a progressive phase. The evidence includes an expanding publication record, a growing research strand following Professor Otto Strack’s book Groundwater Mechanics (1989), the continued placement of AEM researchers in academia, and the further development of innovative analytical solutions and computational solvers/models.
Plurals
Authors: Rayo Agustín 
Published: March 2007

AbstractEnglish contains singular terms, quantifiers and predicates (e.g. ‘it’, ‘something’ and ‘. . . is an elephant’). But it also containspluralterms, quantifiers and predicates (e.g. ‘they’, ‘some things’ and ‘. . . are scattered on the floor’).1Philosophers have become increasingly interested in plurals over the past couple of decades. The purpose of this article is to explain why plurals might be thought to have philosophical importance, and why they have led to philosophical debate.
Training primary care nurses in late‐life depression: knowledge, attitude and practice changes
Authors: Butler Mary Pat , Quayle Ethel 
Published: March 2007

Aim.  This paper reports on the uptake of a two‐day late‐life depression training programme with primary care nurses and its impact on knowledge, attitudes and the use of a brief screening protocol following training.Background.  Late‐life depression is a common condition associated with medical illnesses, impaired psychosocial functioning and risk for suicide. Although treatable, it is under recognized in primary care. Nurses have an important contribution to make to its detection, yet few studies have focused on training primary care nurses for this role.Design.  An uncontrolled pre‐ and post‐test design was used. Data were collected using the Late‐Life Depression Quiz, the Depression Attitude Questionnaire (DAQ) and an Impact on Clinical Practice Questionnaire at 1 and 3 months. Seventy‐three nurses commenced training and 66 completed the programme out of a total of 253 invited to participate.Results.  Statistically significant differences were found between pre‐ and post‐training for knowledge about late‐life depression (P < 0.0005). No significant association was found between age, length of experience, level of contact and pre‐training knowledge scores. Attitudes towards depression were more optimistic following training which were significant for nine of the DAQ statements (P < 0.05). However, when the overall level of significance was adjusted for multiple testing of 20 DAQ items, two remained statistically significant (P < 0.0025). Finally, a 77% response rate to the 1‐month practice questionnaire and a 52% at 3 months showed that nurses were using the screening measure (mean 5.0, SD 7.71; mean 5.6, SD 7.71 respectively).Conclusion.  A short training programme on late‐life depression was effective in producing both knowledge and attitude change in primary care nurses. The use of a short two‐item depression screening measure prompted nurses to complete more in‐depth assessment for depression.Relevance to clinical practice.  Training primary care nurses to identify and manage older persons with depression is essential to improve quality of life.
Laboratory Evaluation of Controlled‐release Repellent Treated Pulp Fabric on Human Volunteers Against Mosquito Vectors
Authors: LEE Won‐ Ja , LEE Hoe‐Sun , AHN Young‐ Joon , LEE Dong‐Kyu 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTThree controlled‐release personal‐use pulp fabric impregnated insect repellent formulations of 5% N, N‐diethyl‐3‐methylbenzamide (DEET), and 10% and 15% neem oils were evaluated in an environmental chamber on volunteers for their repellent efficacy against three mosquito species, Culex pipiens pallens, Aedes aegypti and Ochlerotatus togoi. The 5% DEET formulation showed significant repellency in pulp fabric (5 mm in width) against Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes aegypti (P < 0.05), providing an average repellency of 88.0%, 66.3%, and 46.8% of Cx. pipiens pallens, Ae. Aegypti and O. togoi bites, respectively, during the 6 hours of exposure period. Against night‐biting mosquitoes Cx. pipiens pallens, the DEET formulation provided mostly complete protection for at least 4 hours after the application. In pulp fabric of 10 mm in width, the 5% deet formulation showed significantly the highest repellency among the repellents against O. togoi (P<0.05), providing an average repellency of 52.3% during the 6 hours of exposure period. However, the pulp fabrics treated with 10% and 15% neem oil were less effective than 5% DEET against three mosquito species. This study demonstrated the potential of 5% DEET as pulp fabric repellent against both day‐ and night‐biting mosquitoes.