bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Motor Unit Number Estimation Using Reversible Jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods
Authors: Ridall P. G. , Pettitt A. N. , Friel N. , McCombe P. A. , Henderson R. D. 
Published: May 2007

Summary
We present an application of reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling from the field of neurophysiology where we seek to estimate the number of motor units within a single muscle. Such an estimate is needed for monitoring the progression of neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Our data consist of action potentials that were recorded from the surface of a muscle in response to stimuli of different intensities applied to the nerve supplying the muscle. During the gradual increase in intensity of the stimulus from the threshold to supramaximal, all motor units are progressively excited. However, at any given submaximal intensity of stimulus, the number of units that are excited is variable, because of random fluctuations in axonal excitability. Furthermore, the individual motor unit action potentials exhibit variability. To account for these biological properties, Ridall and co-workers developed a model of motor unit activation that is capable of describing the response where the number of motor units, N, is fixed. The purpose of this paper is to extend that model so that the possible number of motor units, N, is a stochastic variable. We illustrate the elements of our model, show that the results are reproducible and show that our model can measure the decline in motor unit numbers during the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Our method holds promise of being useful in the study of neurogenic diseases.
Adaptive Gaussian Markov Random Fields with Applications in Human Brain Mapping
Authors: Brezger A. , Fahrmeir L. , Hennerfeind A. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryFunctional magnetic resonance imaging has become a standard technology in human brain mapping. Analyses of the massive spatiotemporal functional magnetic resonance imaging data sets often focus on parametric or non-parametric modelling of the temporal component, whereas spatial smoothing is based on Gaussian kernels or random fields. A weakness of Gaussian spatial smoothing is underestimation of activation peaks or blurring of high curvature transitions between activated and non-activated regions of the brain. To improve spatial adaptivity, we introduce a class of inhomogeneous Markov random fields with stochastic interaction weights in a space-varying coefficient model. For given weights, the random field is conditionally Gaussian, but marginally it is non-Gaussian. Fully Bayesian inference, including estimation of weights and variance parameters, can be carried out through efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation. Although motivated by the analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging data, the methodological development is general and can also be used for spatial smoothing and regression analysis of areal data on irregular lattices. An application to stylized artificial data and to real functional magnetic resonance imaging data from a visual stimulation experiment demonstrates the performance of our approach in comparison with Gaussian and robustified non-Gaussian Markov random-field models.
Do Enlargements Make the European Union Less Cohesive? An Analysis of Trust between EU Nationalities*
Authors: DELHEY JAN 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis article analyses the impact enlargements have had on the social cohesion of the European Union (EU), measured as generalized interpersonal trust between EU nationalities. Based on a quantitative‐dyadic approach, Eurobarometer surveys from 1976 to 1997 are utilized. The key result is that enlargements do not necessarily weaken cohesion, but southern enlargement and the recent eastern enlargement did. The integrative effect of enlargement depends on the extent to which acceding nations differ from existing club members in three main dimensions: the level of modernization (mechanisms: prestige), cultural characteristics (mechanisms: similarity) and their power in the international system (mechanisms: perceived threat).
Hydraulic conductivity and porosity under conventional and no‐tillage and the effect of three species of cover crop in northern France
Authors: Carof M. , De Tourdonnet S. , Coquet Y. , Hallaire V. , Roger‐Estrade J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe studied soil hydraulic conductivity (K) and porosity in five combinations of soil tillage and cover crop management systems. Treatments were winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown on a conventionally tilled soil (CT), on a no‐till soil (NT), and on an NT with three different cover crops: red fescue (Festuca rubra L.; Fr), bird's‐foot‐trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.; Lc) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; Ms). Measurements were made on a loamy soil in Grignon, France, in November 2004, May 2005 and October 2005. K and mean size of hydraulically active pores were measured in situ at three water potentials (−0.6, −0.2 and −0.05 kPa) at the soil surface and at 10 cm depth. In November 2004 and May 2005, pore space was described using 2D image analysis of pores on undisturbed soil samples in the 0–10 cm layer and in the 10–20 cm layer. The major differences were caused by soil tillage that created two heterogeneous soil layers and increased K in the 0–10 cm layer relative to NT. The effects of cover crop on K and porosity were not affected by the root type: there were no major differences between the grass cover crop (fibrous‐root type) and the leguminous ones (tap‐root type). However, we recorded larger functional pores and more tubules in the no‐till treatments with a cover crop, compared with the no‐till treatment without cover crop; this was probably the result of root activity. Although these changes generally did not result in larger values of K, they participated in the maintenance of soil structure and K over time.
Phosphorus losses in surface run‐off from grazed permanent pastures on a volcanic soil from Chile
Authors: Alfaro M. A. , Salazar F. J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractReactive (RP) and organic phosphorus (OP) losses from grazed paddocks were determined on a volcanic soil during 2004 and 2005. Paddocks were grazed by Holstein Friesian steers (3.5 steers ha−1) and received N (67.5 kg ha−1) and P fertilizer (30 kg P ha−1). Total losses ranged between 4 and 15 g P ha−1 year−1 and were greatly affected by incidental P losses associated with spring P fertilizer application. Reactive P constituted 90% of the total losses on average. Due to the high water infiltration capacity of the soil, run‐off was <1% of total drainage, therefore, phosphorus losses in run‐off were small.
Effects of compaction on soil surface water repellency
Authors: Bryant R. , Doerr S. H. , Hunt G. , Conan S. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWater repellency can reduce the infiltration capacity of soils over timescales similar to those of precipitation events. Compaction can also reduce infiltration capacity by decreasing soil hydraulic conductivity, but the effect of compaction on soil water repellency is unknown. This study explores the effect of compaction on the wettability of water repellent soil. Three air‐dry (water content ∼4 g 100 g−1) silt loam samples of contrasting wettability (non‐repellent, strongly and severely water repellent) were homogenized and subjected to various pressures in the range 0–1570 kPa in an odeometer for 24 h. Following removal, sample surface water repellency was reassessed using the water drop penetration time method and surface roughness using white light interferometry. An increase in compaction pressure caused a significant reduction in soil surface water repellency, which in turn increases the soil's initial infiltration capacity. The difference in surface roughness of soils compacted at the lowest and highest pressures was significant (at P > 0.2) suggesting an increase in the contact area between sessile water drops and soil surfaces was providing increased opportunities for surface wetting mechanisms to proceed. This suggests that compaction of a water repellent soil may lead to an increased rate of surface wetting, which is a precursor to successful infiltration of water into bulk soil. Although there may be a reduction in soil conductivity upon compaction, the more rapid initiation of infiltration may, in some circumstances, lead to an overall increase in the proportion of rain or irrigation water infiltrating water repellent soil, rather than contributing to surface run‐off or evaporation.
Effect of Telephone Counseling on Physical Activity for Low‐Active Older People in Primary Care: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Kolt Gregory S. , Schofield Grant M. , Kerse Ngaire , Garrett Nick , Oliver Melody 
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVES: To assess the long‐term effectiveness of a telephone counseling intervention on physical activity and health‐related quality of life in low‐active older adults recruited through their primary care physician.DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial.SETTING: Three primary care practices from different socioeconomic regions of Auckland, New Zealand.PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and eighty‐six low‐active adults (aged 65) recruited from their primary care physicians' patient databases.INTERVENTION: Eight telephone counseling sessions over 12 weeks based on increasing physical activity. Control patients received usual care.MEASUREMENTS: Change in physical activity (as measured using the Auckland Heart Study Physical Activity Questionnaire) and quality of life (as measured using the Short Form‐36 Health Survey (SF‐36)) over a 12‐month period.RESULTS: Moderate leisure physical activity increased by 86.8 min/wk more in the intervention group than in the control group (P=.007). More participants in the intervention group reached 2.5 hours of moderate or vigorous leisure physical activity per week after 12 months (42% vs 23%, odds ratio=2.9, 95% confidence interval=1.33–6.32, P=.007). No differences on SF‐36 measures were observed between the groups at 12 months.CONCLUSION: Telephone‐based physical activity counseling is effective at increasing physical activity over 12 months in previously low‐active older adults.
An Electronic Medical Record Intervention Increased Nursing Home Advance Directive Orders and Documentation
Authors: Lindner Serge A. , Ben Davoren J. , Vollmer Andrew , Williams Brie , Seth Landefeld C. 
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVES: To develop an electronic medical record intervention to improve documentation of patient preferences about life‐sustaining care, detail of resuscitation and treatment‐limiting orders, and concordance between these orders and patient preferences.DESIGN: Prospective before–after intervention trial.SETTING: Veterans Affairs nursing home with an electronic medical record for all clinical information, including clinician orders.PARTICIPANTS: All 224 nursing home admissions from May 1 to October 31, 2004.MEASUREMENTS: Completion of an advance directive discussion note by the primary clinician, clinician orders about resuscitation and other life‐sustaining treatments, and concordance between these orders and documented patient preferences.INTERVENTION: The electronic medical record was modified so that an admission order would specify resuscitation status. Additionally, the intervention alerted the primary clinician to complete a templated advance directive discussion note for documentation of life‐sustaining treatment preferences.RESULTS: Primary clinicians completed an advance directive discussion note for five of 117 (4%) admissions pre‐intervention and 67 of 107 (63%) admissions post‐intervention (P<.001). In multivariate analysis, the intervention was independently associated with advance directive discussion note completion (odds ratio=42, 95% confidence interval=15–120). Of patients who preferred do‐not‐resuscitate (DNR) status, a DNR order was written for 86% pre‐intervention versus 98% post‐intervention (P=.07); orders to limit other life‐sustaining treatments were written for 16% and 40%, respectively (P=.01).CONCLUSIONS: A targeted electronic medical record intervention increased completion of advance directive discussion notes in seriously ill patients. For patients who preferred DNR status, the intervention also increased the frequency of DNR orders and of orders to limit other life‐sustaining treatments.
Periodontal tissue regeneration by recombinant human transforming growth factor‐β3 in Papio ursinus
Authors: Teare J. A. , Ramoshebi L. N. , Ripamonti U. 
Published: May 2007

Background and Objective:  Osteogenic proteins of the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily induce periodontal tissue regeneration in animal models, including primates. To our knowledge, no studies have been performed in periodontal regeneration using the transforming growth factor‐β3 isoform. In the present study, recombinant human transforming growth factor‐β3 was examined for its ability to induce periodontal tissue regeneration in the nonhuman primate, Papio ursinus.Material and Methods:  Class II furcation defects were surgically created bilaterally in the maxillary and mandibular molars of four adult baboons. Heterotopic ossicles, for transplantation to selected furcation defects, were induced within the rectus abdominis muscle by recombinant human transforming growth factor‐β3. Forty days later, the periodontal defects were implanted with recombinant human transforming growth factor‐β3 in Matrigel® as the delivery system, with recombinant human transforming growth factor‐β3 plus minced muscle tissue in Matrigel®, or with the harvested recombinant human transforming growth factor‐β3‐induced ossicles. Sixty days after periodontal implantation, the animals were killed and the specimens harvested. Histological analysis on undecalcified sections measured the area and volume of new alveolar bone and the coronal extension of newly formed alveolar bone and cementum.Results:  Morphometric analyses showed pronounced periodontal regeneration in experimental defects compared with controls. Substantial regeneration was observed in defects implanted with fragments of heterotopically induced ossicles and with recombinant human transforming growth factor‐β3 plus minced muscle tissue.Conclusion:  Recombinant human transforming growth factor‐β3 in Matrigel® significantly enhanced periodontal tissue regeneration in the nonhuman primate, P. ursinus.
Esthetic and Functional Rehabilitation of a Patient with Nonsyndromic Oligodontia: A Case Report from China
Authors: He Xiangyi , Shu Weina , Kang Yanli , Li Zhiqiang , Zhang Jing , Kari Kirsti , Meurman Jukka H. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTStatement of the Problem:  Oligodontia (severe partial anodontia) is a developmental dental anomaly. It is either an isolated trait or part of a syndrome. Oligodontia is characterized by the congenital absence of more than six permanent teeth except the third molars. Treatment often calls for facilitated surgical techniques, but less severe cases can be treated conventionally in a normally equipped dental office.Case Presentation:  A case of oligodontia treated with prosthetic rehabilitation is presented in this article to remind clinicians of the anomaly. A medical history was taken and clinical and radiographic examinations were made. It is emphasized that conventional prosthetic treatment can lead to a satisfactory result. The patient was treated with fully extending denture prostheses. An overdenture was designed in the maxillary arch, while a removable partial denture was made in the mandibular arch.Results:  The patient’s speech and masticatory function improved greatly. He was also pleased with better facial esthetics. Observed temporomandibular joint dysfunction also ameliorated after the treatment.Conclusion:  Dental clinicians should keep in mind that there are good possibilities with conventional prosthodontic techniques to help patients with dental anomalies. Treatment not only improves speech and masticatory function but also has psychological implications that may greatly help in regaining self‐confidence.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEPatients suffering from oligodontia may have severe psychological, esthetic, and functional problems. Thus, early diagnosis and treatment of these patients are necessary.
Predictive Medical Information and Underwriting
Authors: Dodge John H. 
Published: May 2007

Predictive medical information is used by underwriters to assess the future risk of a claim in medically based insurance products such as health, life, and disability insurance. Medical underwriting involves the science of evaluating medical information to determine the risk for groups of individuals with various medical conditions. In disability insurance, this involves an evaluation of medical information to predict the risk of becoming disabled.Before discussing medical underwriting, an understanding of certain terms used by disability insurance companies and the products that are available is required. The first is the definition of disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines disability as the following:A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities; or has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment even when no impairment exists, no substantial limitation results from the impairment, or the impairment is only substantially limiting because of the attitudes of others.
Workers' Compensation, Social Security Disability, SSI, and Genetic Testing
Authors: Sedo Kathryn J. 
Published: May 2007

In addition to disability insurance purchased privately by individuals or employers, three other major types of disability insurance are available: Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI). The first two, Workers’ Compensation and SSDI, are available to individuals with work connections. The third, SSI, does not require a work connection.Workers’ Compensation laws were initially passed to provide economic protection for workers and their families when a worker suffered an accident on the job resulting in an injury. The first laws passed were subject to court challenges based on their constitutionality. Ultimately courts approved the constitutionality of the Workers’ Compensation laws rationalizing that the laws created a compromise whereby an employee gave up her right to sue for a tort recovery in exchange for the employer's agreement to pay benefits without regard to the cause of the accident.
Rapid Engineering of Bacterial Reporter Gene Fusions by Using Red Recombination
Authors: Gerlach Roman G. , Hölzer Stefanie U. , Jäckel Daniela , Hensel Michael 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT
Reporter gene fusions are essential tools for the investigation of gene regulation. Such fusions are traditionally generated by transposon mutagenesis and identified by a suitable selection procedure. Alternatively, specific reporter fusions can be generated by cloning of DNA fragments containing promoters or other regulatory elements in reporter plasmids. Here, we describe a novel approach for the rapid generation of reporter gene fusions in single copies at defined positions in bacterial genomes. This technique utilizes the Red recombinase for the homologous recombination of PCR-generated cassettes containing various currently used reporter genes, such as those for β-galactosidase, luciferase, and green fluorescent protein. The approach allows the generation of transcriptional or translational reporter fusions in a single step without the requirement for recombinant DNA constructs and is applicable to various enterobacterial species. Generation of reporter fusions by Red recombination is rapid, overcomes the current limitations of transposon mutagenesis or reporter plasmids, and offers new options for the study of bacterial gene regulation.
Metabolic Characterization of
Escherichia coli
Strains Adapted to Growth on Lactate
Authors: Hua Qiang , Joyce Andrew R. , Palsson Bernhard Ø. , Fong Stephen S. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

In comparison with intensive studies of genetic mechanisms related to biological evolutionary systems, much less analysis has been conducted on metabolic network responses to adaptive evolution that are directly associated with evolved metabolic phenotypes. Metabolic mechanisms involved in laboratory evolution of
Escherichia coli
on gluconeogenic carbon sources, such as lactate, were studied based on intracellular flux states determined from
13
C tracer experiments and
13
C-constrained flux analysis. At the end point of laboratory evolution, strains exhibited a more than doubling of the average growth rate and a 50% increase in the average biomass yield. Despite different evolutionary trajectories among parallel evolved populations, most improvements were obtained within the first 250 generations of evolution and were generally characterized by a significant increase in pathway capacity. Partitioning between gluconeogenic and pyruvate catabolic flux at the pyruvate node remained almost unchanged, while flux distributions around the key metabolites phosphoenolpyruvate, oxaloacetate, and acetyl-coenzyme A were relatively flexible over the course of evolution on lactate to meet energetic and anabolic demands during rapid growth on this gluconeogenic carbon substrate. There were no clear qualitative correlations between most transcriptional expression and metabolic flux changes, suggesting complex regulatory mechanisms at multiple levels of genetics and molecular biology. Moreover, higher fitness gains for cell growth on both evolutionary and alternative carbon sources were found for strains that adaptively evolved on gluconeogenic carbon sources compared to those that evolved on glucose. These results provide a novel systematic view of the mechanisms underlying microbial adaptation to growth on a gluconeogenic substrate.
Source Tracking Aerosols Released from Land-Applied Class B Biosolids during High-Wind Events
Authors: Baertsch Carolina , Paez-Rubio Tania , Viau Emily , Peccia Jordan 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

DNA-based microbial source tracking (MST) methods were developed and used to specifically and sensitively track the unintended aerosolization of land-applied, anaerobically digested sewage sludge (biosolids) during high-wind events. Culture and phylogenetic analyses of bulk biosolids provided a basis for the development of three different MST methods. They included (i) culture- and 16S rRNA gene-based identification of
Clostridium bifermentans
, (ii) direct PCR amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for an uncultured bacterium of the class
Chloroflexi
that is commonly present in anaerobically digested biosolids, and (iii) direct PCR amplification of a 16S rRNA gene of the phylum
Euryarchaeota
coupled with terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism to distinguish terminal fragments that are unique to biosolid-specific microorganisms. Each method was first validated with a broad group of bulk biosolids and soil samples to confirm the target's exclusive presence in biosolids and absence in soils. Positive responses were observed in 100% of bulk biosolid samples and in less than 11% of the bulk soils tested. Next, a sampling campaign was conducted in which all three methods were applied to aerosol samples taken upwind and downwind of fields that had recently been land applied with biosolids. When average wind speeds were greater than 5 m/s, source tracking results confirmed the presence of biosolids in 56% of the downwind samples versus 3% of the upwind samples. During these high-wind events, the biosolid concentration in downwind aerosols was between 0.1 and 2 μg/m
3
. The application of DNA-based source tracking to aerosol samples has confirmed that wind is a possible mechanism for the aerosolization and off-site transport of land-applied biosolids.