bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Buyer Beware: Some Words of Caution on the Use of Severe Wind Reports in Postevent Assessment and Research
Authors: Trapp Robert J. , Wheatley Dustan M. , Atkins Nolan T. , Przybylinski Ronald W. , Wolf Ray 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Postevent damage surveys conducted during the Bow Echo and Mesoscale Convective Vortex Experiment demonstrate that the severe thunderstorm wind reports in Storm Data served as a poor characterization of the actual scope and magnitude of the surveyed damage. Contrasting examples are presented in which a few reports grossly underrepresented a significant event (in terms of property damage and actual areal coverage of damage), while a large number of reports overrepresented a relatively less significant event. Explanations and further discussion of this problem are provided, as are some of the implications, which may include a skewed understanding of how and when systems of thunderstorms cause damage. A number of recommendations pertaining to severe wind reporting are offered.
A Method for Eliciting, Preserving, and Sharing the Knowledge of Forecasters
Authors: Hoffman Robert R. , Coffey John W. , Ford Kenneth M. , Novak Joseph D. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAs in many domains of modern work, a concern in weather forecasting is the loss of expertise, due either to reassignment or retirement. This note reports upon a project that demonstrates a procedure that can be used to capture forecasters' knowledge of weather concepts. The System To Organize Representations in Meteorology-Local Knowledge (STORM-LK) focuses on weather phenomena in the Gulf Coast region. Forecasters and aerographers at Whiting Field, Naval Air Station, in Pensacola, Florida, participated in a knowledge elicitation procedure that yielded diagrammatic models of their knowledge in the form of “concept maps.” The demonstration suggests the following: 1) the feasibility of using the approach to elicit knowledge so that it might be preserved and shared and 2) the use of concept maps to integrate and navigate through the various instructional and data resources that are used in forecasting. It is envisioned that a knowledge model patterned after STORM-LK could be created for other regions, and for many other topics. Throughout the weather forecasting community, the approach presented here could support the processes of knowledge capture and preservation at the organizational level, with the ultimate goal of fostering active learning and the achievement of local expertise.
Sorting of cells of the same size, shape, and cell cycle stage for a single cell level assay without staining
Authors: Ohnuma Kiyoshi , Yomo Tetsuya , Asashima Makoto , Kaneko Kunihiko 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
Single-cell level studies are being used increasingly to measure cell properties not directly observable in a cell population. High-performance data acquisition systems for such studies have, by necessity, developed in synchrony. However, improvements in sample purification techniques are also required to reveal new phenomena. Here we assessed a cell sorter as a sample-pretreatment tool for a single-cell level assay. A cell sorter is routinely used for selecting one type of cells from a heterogeneous mixture of cells using specific fluorescence labels. In this case, we wanted to select cells of exactly the same size, shape, and cell-cycle stage from a population, without using a specific fluorescence label.

Results
We used four light scatter parameters: the peak height and area of the forward scatter (FSheight and FSarea) and side scatter (SSheight and SSarea). The rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line, a neuronal cell line, was used for all experiments. The living cells concentrated in the high FSarea and middle SSheight/SSarea fractions. Single cells without cell clumps were concentrated in the low SS and middle FS fractions, and in the higher FSheight/FSarea and SSheight/SSarea fractions. The cell populations from these viable, single-cell-rich fractions were divided into twelve subfractions based on their FSarea-SSarea profiles, for more detailed analysis. We found that SSarea was proportional to the cell volume and the FSarea correlated with cell roundness and elongation, as well as with the level of DNA in the cell. To test the method and to characterize the basic properties of the isolated single cells, sorted cells were cultured in separate wells. The cells in all subfractions survived, proliferated and differentiated normally, suggesting that there was no serious damage. The smallest, roundest, and smoothest cells had the highest viability. There was no correlation between proliferation and differentiation. NGF increases cell viability but decreases the proliferative ability of the PC12 cells.

Conclusion
We demonstrated a pretreatment method to collect well-characterized, viable, single cells without using fluorescent labels and without significant damage to the cells. This method is quantitative, rapid, single-step, and yields cells of high purity, making it applicable for a variety of single-cell level analyses.
PHOG-BLAST – a new generation tool for fast similarity search of protein families
Authors: Merkeev Igor V , Mironov Andrey A 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
The need to compare protein profiles frequently arises in various protein research areas: comparison of protein families, domain searches, resolution of orthology and paralogy. The existing fast algorithms can only compare a protein sequence with a protein sequence and a profile with a sequence. Algorithms to compare profiles use dynamic programming and complex scoring functions.

Results
We developed a new algorithm called PHOG-BLAST for fast similarity search of profiles. This algorithm uses profile discretization to convert a profile to a finite alphabet and utilizes hashing for fast search. To determine the optimal alphabet, we analyzed columns in reliable multiple alignments and obtained column clusters in the 20-dimensional profile space by applying a special clustering procedure. We show that the clustering procedure works best if its parameters are chosen so that 20 profile clusters are obtained which can be interpreted as ancestral amino acid residues. With these clusters, only less than 2% of columns in multiple alignments are out of clusters. We tested the performance of PHOG-BLAST vs. PSI-BLAST on three well-known databases of multiple alignments: COG, PFAM and BALIBASE. On the COG database both algorithms showed the same performance, on PFAM and BALIBASE PHOG-BLAST was much superior to PSI-BLAST. PHOG-BLAST required 10–20 times less computer memory and computation time than PSI-BLAST.

Conclusion
Since PHOG-BLAST can compare multiple alignments of protein families, it can be used in different areas of comparative proteomics and protein evolution. For example, PHOG-BLAST helped to build the PHOG database of phylogenetic orthologous groups. An essential step in building this database was comparing protein complements of different species and orthologous groups of different taxons on a personal computer in reasonable time. When it is applied to detect weak similarity between protein families, PHOG-BLAST is less precise than rigorous profile-profile comparison method, though it runs much faster and can be used as a hit pre-selecting tool.
Blood donors' motivation and attitude to non-remunerated blood donation in Lithuania
Authors: Buciuniene Ilona , Stonienë Laimutë , Blazeviciene Aurelija , Kazlauskaite Ruta , Skudiene Vida 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
In the Soviet period, the blood donation system operated in Lithuania exclusively on a remunerative basis. After joining the EU, Lithuania committed itself to meeting the EU requirements to provide all consumers within its boundaries with safe blood products made from voluntary unpaid blood donations. However, the introduction of a non-remunerated donation system may considerably affect donors' motivation and retention. Thus the aim of the current research was to determine blood donation motives among the present donors and investigate their attitude towards non-remunerated donation.

Methods
A questionnaire survey of 400 blood donors. Survey data processed using SPSS statistical analysis package. Statistical data reliability checked using Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05).

Results
Paid donors comprised 89.9%, while non-paid ones made 10.1% of the respondents. Research findings show that 93 per cent of the paid donors give blood on a regular basis; while among the non-remunerated donors the same figure amounted merely to 20.6 per cent. The idea of the remuneration necessity is supported by 78.3 per cent of the paid donors, while 64.7 per cent of the non-remunerated respondents believe that remuneration is not necessary. The absolute majority of the paid donors (92%) think they should be offered a monetary compensation for blood donation, while more than half of the non-remunerated donors (55.9) claim they would be content with a mere appreciation of the act. Provided no remuneration were offered, 28.44 per cent of the respondents would carry on doing it, 29.6 per cent would do it only in emergency, 29.6 per cent would donate blood merely for their family or friends, and 12.3 per cent would quit it completely.

Conclusion
Most respondents admitted having donated blood for the following reasons: willingness to help the ill or monetary compensation. Majority would consent to free blood donation only in case of emergency or as a family replacement, which leads to a conclusion that provided monetary remuneration is completely terminated part of the currently active paid donors would withdraw from this activity, which might seriously affect the national supply of blood and its products.
Family planning services quality as a determinant of use of IUD in Egypt
Authors: Hong Rathavuth , Montana Livia , Mishra Vinod 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
Both availability and quality of family planning services are believed to have contributed to increasing contraceptive use and declining fertility rates in developing countries. Yet, there is limited empirical evidence to show the relationship between the quality of family planning services and the population based prevalence of contraceptive methods. This study examined the relationship between quality of family planning services and use of intrauterine devices (IUD) in Egypt.

Methods
The analysis used data from the 2003 Egypt Interim Demographic and Health Survey (EIDHS) that included 8,445 married women aged 15–49, and the 2002 Egypt Service Provision Assessment (ESPA) survey that included 602 facilities offering family planning services. The EIDHS collected latitude and longitude coordinates of all sampled clusters, and the ESPA collected these coordinates for all sampled facilities. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) methods, individual women were linked to a facility located within 10 km of their community. A facility-level index was constructed to reflect the quality of family planning services. Four dimensions of quality of care were examined: counseling, examination room, supply of contraceptive methods, and management. Effects of quality of family planning services on the use of IUD and other contraceptive methods were estimated using multinomial logistic regression. Results are presented as relative risk ratios (RRR) with significance levels (p-values).

Results
IUD use among women who obtained their method from public sources was significantly positively associated with quality of family planning services (RRR = 1.36, p < 0.01), independent of distance to the facility, facility type, age, number of living children, education level, household wealth status, and residence. Quality of services related to counseling and examination room had strong positive effects on use of IUD (RRR = 1.61 for counseling and RRR = 1.46 for examination room). Obtaining IUD from a private source or using other contraceptive methods was not associated with quality of services.

Conclusion
This study is one among the few that used geographic information to link data from a population-based survey with an independently sampled health facility survey. The findings demonstrate that service quality is an important determinant of use of clinical contraceptive methods in Egypt. Improving quality of family planning services may help further increase use of clinical contraceptive methods and reduce fertility.
Reduced CD4 T cell activation and in vitro susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in exposed uninfected Central Africans
Authors: Bégaud Evélyne , Chartier Loïc , Marechal Valéry , Ipero Julienne , Léal Josianne , Versmisse Pierre , Breton Guillaume , Fontanet Arnaud , Capoulade-Metay Corinne , Fleury Hervé , Barré-Sinoussi Françoise , Scott-Algara Daniel , Pancino Gianfranco 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
Environmentally driven immune activation was suggested to contribute to high rates of HIV-1 infection in Africa. We report here a study of immune activation markers and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in vitro of forty-five highly exposed uninfected partners (EUs) of HIV-1 infected individuals in Central African Republic, in comparison with forty-four low-risk blood donors (UCs).

Results
Analysis of T lymphocyte subsets and activation markers in whole blood showed that the absolute values and the percentage of HLA-DR+CD4 T cells and of CCR5+CD4 T cells were lower in the EUs than in the UCs (p = 0.0001). Mutations in the CCR5 coding region were not found in either group. Susceptibility to in vitro infection of unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, prior of PHA activation, was decreased in EUs compared to UCs, either using a CXCR4-tropic or a CCR5-tropic HIV-1 strain (p = 0.02 and p = 0.05, respectively). Levels of MIP-1β, but not of MIP-1α or RANTES, in the supernatants of PHA-activated PBMC, were higher in the EUs than in the UCs (p = 0.007).

Conclusion
We found low levels of CD4 T cell activation and reduced PBMC susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in Central African EUs, indicating that both may contribute to the resistance to HIV-1 infection.
Robot-assisted reaching exercise promotes arm movement recovery in chronic hemiparetic stroke: a randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Kahn Leonard E , Zygman Michele L , Rymer W Zev , Reinkensmeyer David J 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground and purposeProviding active assistance to complete desired arm movements is a common technique in upper extremity rehabilitation after stroke. Such active assistance may improve recovery by affecting somatosensory input, motor planning, spasticity or soft tissue properties, but it is labor intensive and has not been validated in controlled trials. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of robotically administered active-assistive exercise and compare those with free reaching voluntary exercise in improving arm movement ability after chronic stroke.MethodsNineteen individuals at least one year post-stroke were randomized into one of two groups. One group performed 24 sessions of active-assistive reaching exercise with a simple robotic device, while a second group performed a task-matched amount of unassisted reaching. The main outcome measures were range and speed of supported arm movement, range, straightness and smoothness of unsupported reaching, and the Rancho Los Amigos Functional Test of Upper Extremity Function.Results and discussionThere were significant improvements with training for range of motion and velocity of supported reaching, straightness of unsupported reaching, and functional movement ability. These improvements were not significantly different between the two training groups. The group that performed unassisted reaching exercise improved the smoothness of their reaching movements more than the robot-assisted group.ConclusionImprovements with both forms of exercise confirmed that repeated, task-related voluntary activation of the damaged motor system is a key stimulus to motor recovery following chronic stroke. Robotically assisting in reaching successfully improved arm movement ability, although it did not provide any detectable, additional value beyond the movement practice that occurred concurrently with it. The inability to detect any additional value of robot-assisted reaching may have been due to this pilot study's limited sample size, the specific diagnoses of the participants, or the inclusion of only individuals with chronic stroke.
The Structures and Bonding of Hyperlithiated Molecules
Authors: Kudo Hiroshi , Yokoyama Keiichi 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
This article describes the nature of bonding in hyperlithiated molecules with stoichiometries exceeding normal valence expectations. The existence of such hyperlithiated or hypervalent molecules as CLi6, Li3O, Li4O, Li5O, Li3S, Li4S, Li4P, Li2CN, Na2CN, and K2CN has already been experimentally confirmed by means of Knudsen-effusion mass spectrometry in our laboratory. These molecules have nine or more valence electrons, violating, at least formally, the octet rule. However, these molecules are thermodynamically more stable than the corresponding octet molecules. Results of ab initio MO calculations reveal that the extra valence electrons beyond the usual octet are in singly occupied orbitals (SOMO) or highest occupied orbitals (HOMO) in the LinA (A = C, O, P, S) molecules. The SOMO as well as HOMO forms the Li–Li bonds between all pairs of lithium atoms and contribute to stabilization of these molecules. The bonding situation of the M2CN (M = Li, Na, K) species is apparently different from that of LinA. The favored structure has Cs symmetry and is best described as a complex of the CN− anion with the M2+ cation. The extra valence electron is in SOMO, which corresponds to the radical cation SOMO and contributions to M–M bonding. The presence of the M2+ unit is a typical example of justifying the term hypervalent.
Structure of Concentrated Aqueous Sodium Formate Solutions
Authors: Kameda Yasuo , Mori Takahiro , Nishiyama Takashi , Usuki Takeshi , Uemura Osamu 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Time-of-flight neutron and X-ray diffraction as well as Raman spectroscopic measurements were carried out on an aqueous 15 mol% HCOONa solution in order to investigate the hydration structure of both the formate and sodium ions in the concentrated aqueous solution. The intramolecular bond distances of DCOO− (rCD = 1.07 ± 0.01 Å, rCO = 1.272 ± 0.007 Å and rOO = 2.18 ± 0.02 Å) were determined through a least-squares fit of the observed neutron interference term in the high-Q region. The average hydrogen-bond distances between the D2O molecules in the solution (r(O···D) = 1.92 ± 0.02 Å and r(D···D) = 2.42 ± 0.02 Å) were also obtained. The hydration parameters on the formate ion were estimated to be rOformate···H2O = 2.82 ± 0.01 Å and nOformate···H2O = 4.4 ± 0.2 from a least-squares fit of the X-ray intermolecular interference term. A preferred orientation between the formate ion and hydrated water molecules was suggested from the present X-ray data. The hydration number of Na+ in the solution was given to be 4.6 ± 0.2, besides the intermolecular distance (rNa+···H2O = 2.37 ± 0.01 Å). The symmetrical stretching vibrational band of the hydrated sodium ion, Na+(H2O)n, in a 15 mol% HCOONa solution was observed at 225 cm−1 in the present isotropic Raman spectrum.
Kinetics and Mechanism of the Oxidation of Hydrogen Peroxide by Gold(III) in an Aqueous Hydrochloric Acid Medium
Authors: Sen Pratik K , Sanyal Ankan , Sen Gupta Kalyan K 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
The kinetics of the reaction between hydrogen peroxide and gold(III) in a hydrochloric acid medium has been studied. The reaction is first order with respect to [AuIII] as well as [H2O2]. The reaction rate has an inverse dependence on [H+] and [Cl−]. AuCl4−, AuCl3(OH2), and AuCl3(OH)− are the reactive species of Au(III). A rate expression consistent with the experimental findings has been proposed.
Potentiometric Response Properties of Sensor Membranes Based on Cobalt Phthalocyanine Conjugate-Polymer in Nonaqueous Solutions
Authors: Nakamura Toshio , Hayashi Chiharu , Ogawara Tetsushi 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Some experiments are carried out in order to clarify the reason why the electrode prepared by coating a platinum disk with a non-plasticized membrane of polyacrylaminde polymer (PAA) coupled to cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) shows such a Nernstian response and a special selectivity for fluoride and cyanide ions in acetonitrile (AN). Special interactions between the ions and CoPc are observed spectrophotometrically. A complexing ability of the CoPc with only fluoride and cyanide ions works to respond in a Nernstian way for the ions at the electrode. Since the electrode shows quite poor response to chloride and bromide ions it can be understood that an ion exchange reaction of the ions in the solution at CoPc does not function to the response of the electrode. Furthermore, the PAA matrix of the membrane is found to produce the electrochemical masking effect on chloride and bromide ions. The PAA–CoPc electrode is confirmed as available for use of determining the solubility product constant of sodium fluoride in AN.
Study on the Conformation of an Isopropyl-Substituted Furylfulgide. Photochromic Coloring Reaction and Thermal Racemization
Authors: Yokoyama Yayoi , Ogawa Keiichiro , Iwai Takeshi , Shimazaki Kazuko , Kajihara Yasuhiro , Goto Takakazu , Yokoyama Yasushi , Kurita Yukio 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
The conformations of the E-forms of photochromic furylfulgides with a methyl substituent (1E) and an isopropyl substituent (2E) were investigated by X-ray crystallographic analyses, NMR measurements, and molecular orbital (MO) calculations in relation to the large quantum yield of the coloring reaction of 2E upon the irradiation of UV light. The conformations of 1E and 2E obtained by X-ray crystallographic analyses are the photocyclization-possible ones (Eα), in which the distances of the bond-forming carbon atoms of 1E and 2E are essentially the same. NOESY of 1H NMR measurements of 1E and 2E showed that they take both the Eα and cyclization-impossible Eβ conformations in solution. Although MO calculations of 2E proved that the population of 2Eα is dominant when the entropy contributions of the rotation of substituents are considered, the large difference in the quantum yields was not fully elucidated. The difference may have come from a difference in the nature of the excited states of 1E and 2E, which is evidenced by the large difference in the molar absorption coefficient (1E: 6700, 2E: 4250 mol−1 dm3 cm−1 in toluene).
The thermodynamic parameters of the enantiotopomerization process of 2E were determined by variable-temperature 1H NMR measurements. The mechanism of enantiotopomerization was specified by MO calculations.
Influence of Calcium Ions on the Mechanism of Oxime Formation from Acetoin
Authors: Fett Roseane , Brighente Inês Maria Costa , Yunes Rosendo Augusto 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
The effect of calcium ions on the reaction of acetoin with hydroxylamine was studied. This reaction proceeds by a two-step mechanism: the attack of hydroxylamine on the carbonyl compound to give a tetrahedral addition intermediate, and the dehydration of this intermediate to form the oxime. The presence of calcium ions decreases the value of the equilibrium constant of the tetrahedral addition intermediate formation, but increases the overall rate constant of the reaction when dehydration is the rate-determining step. Evidence suggests that the effect of calcium ions is through the formation of a complex with the hydroxyl groups of the tetrahedral addition intermediate, facilitating the dehydration step of the reaction.