bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Archaeoglobus fulgidus couples CO oxidation to sulfate reduction and acetogenesis with transient formate accumulation
Authors: Henstra Anne M. , Dijkema Cor , Stams Alfons J. M. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe genome sequence of Archaeoglobus fulgidus VC16 encodes three CO dehydrogenase genes. Here we explore the capacity of A. fulgidus to use CO as growth substrate. Archaeoglobus fulgidus VC16 was successfully adapted to growth medium that contained sulfate and CO. In the presence of CO and sulfate the culture OD660 increased to 0.41 and sulfide, carbon dioxide, acetate and formate were formed. Accumulation of formate was transient. Similar results, except that no sulfide was formed, were obtained when sulfate was omitted. Hydrogen was never detected. Under the conditions tested, the observed concentrations of acetate (18 mM) and formate (8.2 mM) were highest in cultures without sulfate. Proton NMR spectroscopy indicated that CO2, and not CO, is the precursor of formate and the methyl group of acetate. Methylviologen‐dependent formate dehydrogenase activity (1.4 μmol formate oxidized min−1 mg−1) was detected in cell‐free extracts and expected to have a role in formate reuptake. It is speculated that formate formation proceeds through hydrolysis of formyl‐methanofuran or formyl‐tetrahydromethanopterin. This study demonstrates that A. fulgidus can grow chemolithoautotrophically with CO as acetogen, and is not strictly dependent on the presence of sulfate, thiosulfate or other sulfur compounds as electron acceptor.
Populations related to Alkanindiges, a novel genus containing obligate alkane degraders, are implicated in biological foaming in activated sludge systems
Authors: Klein Adam N. , Frigon Dominic , Raskin Lutgarde 
Published: May 2007

SummaryActivated sludge mixed liquor and biological foam samples were collected from five full‐scale municipal wastewater treatment plants in Illinois, all of which were exhibiting biological foaming at the time of sampling. Oligonucleotide probe hybridization consistently measured higher levels of Gammaproteobacteria rRNA in the foam as compared with the mixed liquor for all treatment plants analysed. Cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons led to the identification of populations which were abundant in each of the treatment plants. These populations were related to the Alkanindiges/Acinetobacter cluster within the Gammaproteobacteria. Further analysis of the 16S rRNA sequences indicated that they clustered in three phylogenetic groups outside the main Alkanindiges/Acinetobacter cluster, suggesting that these groups may represent new taxa. Terminal‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis showed that these populations were enriched in the foam compared with the underlying mixed liquor similar to the enrichment of the Gammaproteobacteria measured by oligonucleotide probe membrane hybridization. The observed enrichment in foam samples is suggestive of a role for these populations in foam formation or stabilization, and their presence in all treatment plants analysed in this study may be indicative of their widespread abundance in foaming plants.
The effects of orlistat and fenofibrate, alone or in combination, on high‐density lipoprotein subfractions and pre‐beta1‐HDL levels in obese patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Filippatos T. D. , Liberopoulos E. N. , Kostapanos M. , Gazi I. F. , Papavasiliou E. C. , Kiortsis D. N. , Tselepis A. D. , Elisaf M. S. 
Published: May 2007

Objective:  We assessed the effect of orlistat and fenofibrate, alone or in combination, on plasma high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions and plasma pre‐beta1‐HDL levels in overweight and obese subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS).Methods:  Patients (n = 89) were prescribed a low‐fat low‐calorie diet and were randomly allocated to receive orlistat 120 mg three times daily (O group), micronized fenofibrate 200 mg/day (F group) or both (OF group) for 6 months. HDL subfractions were determined using a polyacrylamide gel tube electrophoresis method and pre‐beta1‐HDL levels using enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent assay.Results:  We observed a significant change of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels only in the F group (+3%, p < 0.05). Large HDL‐C levels were significantly increased and small HDL‐C levels were significantly reduced with O administration. In F group we observed a significant increase of small HDL‐C levels. No significant change of large or small HDL‐C levels was observed with combination treatment. We observed a significant increase of pre‐beta1‐HDL levels in all groups, which was significantly greater in OF group compared with O or F monotherapy.Conclusion:  OF combination increased the antiatherogenic pre‐beta1‐HDL levels in overweight and obese patients with MetS. Furthermore, OF combination counterbalanced the reduction of small HDL‐C levels observed with orlistat monotherapy.
Molecular insights into the phylogenetic structure of the spider genus Theridion (Araneae, Theridiidae) and the origin of the Hawaiian Theridion‐like fauna
Authors: Arnedo Mquel A. , Agnarsson Ingi , Gillespie Rosemary G. 
Published: May 2007

The Hawaiian happy face spider (Theridion grallator Simon, 1900), named for a remarkable abdominal colour pattern resembling a smiling face, has served as a model organism for understanding the generation of genetic diversity. Theridion grallator is one of 11 endemic Hawaiian species of the genus reported to date. Asserting the origin of island endemics informs on the evolutionary context of diversification, and how diversity has arisen on the islands. Studies on the genus Theridion in Hawaii, as elsewhere, have long been hampered by its large size (> 600 species) and poor definition. Here we report results of phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequences of five genes conducted on five diverse species of Hawaiian Theridion, along with the most intensive sampling of Theridiinae analysed to date. Results indicate that the Hawaiian Islands were colonised by two independent Theridiinae lineages, one of which originated in the Americas. Both lineages have undergone local diversification in the archipelago and have convergently evolved similar bizarre morphs. Our findings confirm para‐ or polyphyletic status of the largest Theridiinae genera: Theridion, Achaearanea and Chrysso. Convergent simplification of the palpal organ has occurred in the Hawaiian Islands and in two continental lineages. The results confirm the convergent evolution of social behaviour and web structure, both already documented within the Theridiidae. Greater understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the Theridiinae is key to understanding of behavioural and morphological evolution in this highly diverse group.
A method for assessing quality of control from glucose profiles
Authors: Hill N. R. , Hindmarsh P. C. , Stevens R. J. , Stratton I. M. , Levy J. C. , Matthews D. R. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim  As the practice of multiple assessments of glucose concentration throughout the day increases for people with diabetes, there is a need for an assessment of glycaemic control weighted for the clinical risks of both hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.Methods  We have developed a methodology to report the degree of risk which a glycaemic profile represents. Fifty diabetes professionals assigned risk values to a range of 40 blood glucose concentrations. Their responses were summarised and a generic function of glycaemic risk was derived. This function was applied to patient glucose profiles to generate an integrated risk score termed the Glycaemic Risk Assessment Diabetes Equation (GRADE). The GRADE score was then reported by use of the mean value and the relative percent contribution to the weighted risk score from the hypoglycaemic, euglycaemic, hyperglycaemic range, respectively, e.g. GRADE (hypoglycaemia%, euglycaemia%, hyperglycaemia%).Results  The GRADE scores of indicative glucose profiles were as follows: continuous glucose monitoring profile non‐diabetic subjects GRADE = 1.1, Type 1 diabetes continuous glucose monitoring GRADE = 8.09 (20%, 8%, 72%), Type 2 diabetes home blood glucose monitoring GRADE = 9.97 (2%, 7%, 91%).Conclusions  The GRADE score of a glucose profile summarises the degree of risk associated with a glucose profile. Values < 5 correspond to euglycaemia. The GRADE score is simple to generate from any blood glucose profile and can be used as an adjunct to HbA1c to report the degree of risk associated with glycaemic variability.
The influence of health threat communication and personality traits on personal models of diabetes in newly diagnosed diabetic patients
Authors: Lawson V. L. , Bundy C. , Harvey J. N. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground  Personal models of diabetes, i.e. patients’ beliefs about symptoms, treatment effectiveness, consequences (impact on life, seriousness) and emotional response to possible short‐ and long‐term complications, have been associated with diabetes self‐care behaviours. Little work has examined potential determinants of personal models.Aims  To examine the influence of health threat communication and personality traits on personal models in newly diagnosed patients.Methods  Newly diagnosed patients (n = 158; 32 Type 1 and 126 Type 2) completed the Big Five Personality Inventory, Diabetes Health Threat Communication Questionnaire (DHTCQ), Personal Models of Diabetes Interview‐Adapted (PMDI) and Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised (IPQ‐R).Results  Emotional responses to diabetes (PMDI) were associated with perceptions of a more threatening health message (22% explained variance), less emotional stability (5%) and the presence of dependent children (3%). Emotional representations (IPQ‐R) were associated with a threatening health message (6%) and less emotional stability (15%). An adverse view of consequences (PMDI) was predicted by a more threatening/less reassuring health message (15%), less emotional stability (6%) and Type 1 diabetes (4%). Consequences (IPQ‐R) were predicted by perceptions of a more threatening health message (20%), being less agreeable/cooperative (7%) and having dependent children (4%). Treatment effectiveness beliefs (PMDI) were associated with perceptions of a more reassuring health message (31%), younger age (3%) and more openness/intellect (2%).Conclusions  Personal models of diabetes are influenced by health threat communication, demographic and personality factors. These findings support the concept of tailoring health messages to the needs of individual patients and provide information on factors to be taken into account in the education process.
Association of erythrocyte indices with glycated haemoglobin in pre‐menopausal women
Authors: Koga M. , Morita S. , Saito H. , Mukai M. , Kasayama S. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAims  Although HbA1c is known to be affected by the lifespan of erythrocytes, any association of erythrocyte indices with HbA1c in subjects without anaemia is poorly understood. Pre‐menopausal women may be relatively iron deficient because of menstruation. In this study, we examined the relationship between HbA1c and erythrocyte indices in pre‐ and post‐menopausal women.Methods  We determined HbA1c, red blood cell (RBC) count, haematocrit, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) in 423 women with normal glucose tolerance who had undergone health checks. In addition, age at menopause was recorded in post‐menopausal subjects.Results  RBC counts of the 180 pre‐menopausal women were positively associated with HbA1c, whereas haemoglobin, MCV and MCH showed a negative association. In contrast, no significant association of any indices with HbA1c was detected in the 243 post‐menopausal women. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis in the pre‐menopausal women identified fasting plasma glucose and age as positively associated and MCH as negatively associated with HbA1c, regardless of whether or not these pre‐menopausal women were anaemic.Conclusions  Erythrocyte indices are associated with HbA1c, independently of plasma glucose levels, in pre‐menopausal women even when they are not anaemic. This should be appreciated when interpreting HbA1c in pre‐menopausal patients with diabetes.
Information Technology and the World Growth Resurgence
Authors: Jorgenson Dale W. , Vu Khuong 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
This paper analyzes the impact of investment in information technology (IT) on the recent resurgence of world economic growth. We describe the growth of the world economy, seven regions, and 14 major economies during the period 1989-2004. We allocate the growth of world output between input growth and productivity and find, surprisingly, that input growth greatly predominates! Moreover, differences in per capita output levels are explained by differences in per capita input, rather than variations in productivity. The contributions of IT investment have increased in all regions, but especially in industrialized economies and Developing Asia.
Information and Communications Technology as a General-Purpose Technology: Evidence from US Industry Data
Authors: Basu Susanto , Fernald John 
Published: May 2007

AbstractMany people point to information and communications technology (ICT) as the key for understanding the acceleration in productivity in the United States since the mid-1990s. Stories of ICT as a ‘general-purpose technology’ suggest that measured total factor productivity (TFP) should rise in ICT-using sectors (reflecting either unobserved accumulation of intangible organizational capital; spillovers; or both), but with a long lag. Contemporaneously, however, investments in ICT may be associated with lower TFP as resources are diverted to reorganization and learning. We find that US industry results are consistent with general-purpose technology (GPT) stories: the acceleration after the mid-1990s was broad-based - located primarily in ICT-using industries rather than ICT-producing industries. Furthermore, industry TFP accelerations in the 2000s are positively correlated with (appropriately weighted) industry ICT capital growth in the 1990s. Indeed, as GPT stories would suggest, after controlling for past ICT investment, industry TFP accelerations are negatively correlated with increases in ICT usage in the 2000s.
Of Yeast and Mushrooms: Patterns of Industry-Level Productivity Growth
Authors: Inklaar Robert 
Published: May 2007

AbstractIn this paper we analyse labour productivity growth in the United States, four European countries (France, Germany, the Netherlands and United Kingdom), Australia and Canada between 1987 and 2003 from an industry perspective. Rather than analysing broad industry groups, we compare the pattern of growth in all industries through Harberger diagrams. We introduce new summary measures, which indicate the pervasiveness of growth patterns. These indicators show that investment in both information and communication technology (ICT) and non-ICT capital is fairly balanced or ‘yeasty’, driven by overall macro-economic conditions. However, growth of total factor productivity (TFP) is much more localized or ‘mushroom-like’. In particular we find a clear distinction between countries in continental Europe, in which TFP is decelerating after 1995 and becoming more localized, and Anglo-Saxon countries in which TFP growth is accelerating and becoming more broad-based, especially after 2000. The increased breadth of Anglo-Saxon TFP growth is consistent with delayed effects of intangible investments that are complementary to ICT investments.
Sectoral Productivity in the United States: Recent Developments and the Role of IT
Authors: Corrado Carol , Lengermann Paul , Beaulieu J. Joseph , Bartelsman Eric J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis paper introduces new estimates of recent productivity developments in the United States, using an appropriate theoretical framework for aggregating industry multi-factor productivity (MFP) to sectors and the total economy. Our work sheds light on the sources of the continued strong performance of US productivity since 2000.We find that the major sectoral players in the late 1990s pickup were not contributors to the more recent surge in productivity. Rather, striking gains in MFP in the finance and business service sector, a resurgence in MFP growth in the industrial sector, and an end to drops elsewhere more than account for the aggregate acceleration in productivity in recent years. Further, some evidence is found for a link between IT intensity and the recent productivity acceleration.
Sources of the German Productivity Demise: Tracing the Effects of Industry-Level Information and Communication Technology Investment
Authors: Eicher Theo S. , Roehn Oliver 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWhile the United States experienced two successive labor productivity surges in 1995 and 2000, Germany’s productivity declined dramatically during the same period. We examine the sources of Germany’s productivity demise using the ifo industry growth accounting database that provides detailed industry-level investment information. While much attention has focused on the reduction in German labor hours, our data show that information and communication technology (ICT) investment in Germany was deeply lacking in the mid-1990s as compared with the United States. The transition to the new economy mitigated the German productivity slowdown, but did not reverse it. After 2000, we find that a recovery in Non-ICT investment was offset by a widespread collapse in German total factor productivity. Over half of the German industries (accounting for almost 50 per cent of German output) experienced negative total factor productivity growth. This second major difference between the United States and German industry performance explains Germany’s secular departure from the technological frontier.
Information Technology and Productivity Growth in the 2000s
Authors: Stiroh Kevin , Botsch Matthew 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
US productivity growth experienced continued productivity growth after 2000 even as investment, particularly in information technology (IT), slowed. This paper uses industry-level data to examine the link between average labor productivity (ALP) growth and IT in the post-2000 period. We use difference-indifference and cross-sectional regressions to show that the link between ALP growth and IT-intensity is weaker after 2000 than before. These results are robust to alternative measures of IT-intensity such as the IT share of capital services, the level of IT capital depth, and the share of IT capital services in total output. We conclude that the post-2000 productivity gains in the United States do not appear to have been driven directly by IT.
Morphological and physiological interactions of NG2‐glia with astrocytes and neurons
Authors: Wigley Rebekah , Hamilton Niki , Nishiyama Akiko , Kirchhoff Frank , Butt Arthur M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractModels of central nervous system (CNS) function have historically been based on neurons and their synaptic contacts – the neuronal doctrine. This doctrine envisages glia as passive supportive cells. However, electrophysiological and imaging studies in brain slices show us that astrocytes, the most numerous cells in the brain, express a wide range of neurotransmitter receptors that are activated in response to synaptic activity. Furthermore, astrocytes communicate via calcium signals that are propagated over long distances by the release of ‘gliotransmitters’, the most abundant being adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This has led to the concept of the neuron–astroglial functional unit as the substrate of integration in the CNS. Recently, a novel glial cell type has been characterized by expression of the proteoglycan NG2. These NG2‐glia receive presynaptic input from neurons and responds to neurotransmitters released at synapses. Now, studies on transgenic mice in which fluorescent proteins are specifically expressed by subclasses of glia are helping to address the question of where NG2‐glia fit in the neuron–astroglial model of integrated brain function. NG2‐glia, as well as astrocytes, have been shown to respond to neuronal and astroglial signals by raised intracellular calcium, which is a potential communications mechanism by which NG2‐glia may be active partners in neuron–glial circuits. Moreover, a current concept of NG2‐glia considers them to be ‘neural stem cells’ and an exciting prospect is that neuron–glial signalling may regulate the differentiation capacity of NG2‐glia and their response to injury.
The effects of muscular dystrophy on the craniofacial shape ofMus musculus
Authors: Jones Donna Carlson , Zelditch Miriam L. , Peake Paula Lightfoot , German Rebecca Z. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractSkeletal anomalies are common in patients with muscular dystrophy, despite an absence of mutations to genes that specifically direct skeletogenesis. In order to understand these anomalies further, we examined two strains of muscular dystrophy (laminin‐ and merosin‐deficient) relative to controls, to determine how the weakened muscle forces affected skull shape in a mouse model. Shape was characterized with geometric morphometric techniques, improving upon the limited analytical power of the standard linear measurements. Through these techniques, we document the specific types of cranial skeletal deformation produced by the two strains, each with individual shape abnormalities. The mice with merosin deficiency (with an earlier age of onset) developed skulls with more deformation, probably related to the earlier ontogenetic timing of disease onset. Future examinations of these mouse models may provide insight regarding the impact of muscular forces and the production and maintenance of craniofacial integration and modularity.
Change and transformation: the impact of an action‐research evaluation on the development of a new service
Authors: Reid Gaynor , Kneafsey Rosie , Long Andrew , Hulme Claire , Wright Hazel 
Published: May 2007

AbstractEvaluation is an essential part of service development and quality management and this is especially pertinent when introducing new initiatives. In 2001 a new countywide assessment and rehabilitation Intermediate Care service, consisting of three care management Rehabilitation Link Teams (RLT), was implemented for older people. To monitor the implementation and impact of the service an evaluation study was conducted. The study centred on evaluating team development, interagency working, outcomes from multiple perspectives (client, carer, clinical and service) and the cost effectiveness of the service. Of particular importance to the study, however, was the action‐research approach that provided the underpinning philosophy to the study. This paper provides insight into the ways that the action‐research approach was used to facilitate learning and change within the organization. To enable this to happen, it was important for the health and social care staff to understand that the researchers’ role was not to judge their role proficiency, but to gather information to facilitate learning and understanding within the organization. It was also vital that the teams being evaluated were provided with regular insight into the emerging study findings and opportunity to address these. Three examples are provided to illustrate how regular information feedback sessions influenced the implementation of the service. Insight is also provided into the participant's views of being evaluated. Although at times, the RLT members found the evaluation burdensome, almost all stated that the action‐research approach allowed opportunity for reflection, catharsis and personal action planning. Overall, the action‐research approach to evaluation fitted well with the organization's need to learn and change simultaneously, allowing emergent data collection to inform decision making and service and team development.