bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Hidden‐picture Puzzles Generator
Authors: Yoon Jong‐Chul , Lee In‐Kwon , Kang Henry 
Published: January 2009

AbstractA hidden‐picture puzzle contains objects hidden in a background image, in such a way that each object fits closely into a local region of the background. Our system converts image of the background and objects into line drawing, and then finds places in which to hide transformed versions of the objects using rotation‐invariant shape context matching. During the hiding process, each object is subjected to a slight deformation to enhance its similarity to the background. The results were assessed by a panel of puzzle‐solvers.
Real‐time Animation of Sand‐Water Interaction
Authors: Rungjiratananon Witawat , Szego Zoltan , Kanamori Yoshihiro , Nishita Tomoyuki 
Published: January 2009

AbstractRecent advances in physically‐based simulations have made it possible to generate realistic animations. However, in the case of solid‐fluid coupling, wetting effects have rarely been noticed despite their visual importance especially in interactions between fluids and granular materials.This paper presents a simple particle‐based method to model the physical mechanism of wetness propagating through granular materials; Fluid particles are absorbed in the spaces between the granular particles and these wetted granular particles then stick together due toliquid bridgesthat are caused by surface tension and which will subsequently disappear when over‐wetting occurs. Our method can handle these phenomena by introducing awetness valuefor each granular particle and by integrating those aspects of behavior that are dependent on wetness into the simulation framework. Using this method, a GPU‐based simulator can achieve highly dynamic animations that include wetting effects in real time.
Interactive Glossy Reflections using GPU‐based Ray Tracing with Adaptive LOD
Authors: Yu Xuan , Wang Rui , Yu Jingyi 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWe present an interactive GPU‐based algorithm for accurately rendering high‐quality, dynamic glossy reflection effects from both HDR environment maps and local scene objects. Our method uses hardware rasterization to produce primary pixels, and GPU‐based BRDF importance sampling [CK07] to quickly generate reflected rays. We utilize a fast GPU ray tracer proposed by Carr et al. [CHCH06] to compute reflection hits. Our main contribution is an adaptive level‐of‐detail (LOD) control algorithm that greatly improves ray tracing performance during reflection shading. Specifically, we use the solid angle represented by each reflected ray to adaptively pick the level of termination in the BVH traversal step during ray tracing. This leads to 2 ∼ 3x speedup over an unmodified implementation of [CHCH06]. Based on the same solid angle measure, we derive a texture filtering formula to reduce reflection aliasing artifacts, taking advantage of hardware MIP mapping. This extends the filtering algorithm presented in [CK07] from environment mapping to local scene reflection. Using our algorithm, we demonstrate interactive rendering rates for several scenes featuring dynamic lighting and material changes, spatially varying BRDF parameters, and rigid‐body object movement.
Exploring the Determinants of CAP Reform: A Delphi Survey of Key Decision‐Makers*
Authors: CUNHA ARLINDO , SWINBANK ALAN 
Published: January 2009

AbstractA panel of key decision‐makers, closely involved in the 1992, 1999 and 2003 CAP reforms, participated in a Delphi survey designed to ascertain what had prompted the European Commission to launch these reform initiatives and what factors were relevant in determining the reform packages subsequently decided by the Council.
The Choices for Europe: National Preferences in New and Old Member States*
Authors: COPSEY NATHANIEL , HAUGHTON TIM 
Published: January 2009

AbstractDrawing on the existing body of literature that deals with national preference formation and building on the role played by vulnerability and deficits in shaping policy choices at the European level, this article provides a synthetic framework to explain the stances of the Older Member States (OMS) and New Member States (NMS). We subsequently apply the model to NMS, focusing largely, although not exclusively, on Poland. We argue that although many of the policy preferences can be explained by the framework, the size of states, especially with regard to ambition and capacity, and the nature of the country's post‐communist transition appear significant for the NMS and need to be incorporated into future theory‐building. We conclude by highlighting areas in need of further empirical research.
The Myths of Turkish Influence in the European Union*
Authors: PAHRE ROBERT , UÇARAY‐MANGITLI BURCU 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAmong the many objections to Turkish membership of the European Union lie claims that Turkey will be a powerful actor in the future EU, with a population as large as or larger than Germany. Many also claim that this power will have negative effects on the EU. We examine such claims analytically, influenced strongly by spatial models of EU policy‐making. We find that Turkey's preferences lie sufficiently outside the EU mainstream that it will have little influence in day‐to‐day policy‐making under the assent, co‐decision, consultation and co‐operation procedures (or the common procedure in the Constitutional Treaty). Its influence may be more evident in areas such as the CFSP or JHA, where unanimity remains the normal procedure. Still, Turkey's veto power here is no different from that of other, much smaller countries. Furthermore, veto power can only block changes and cannot be used to pull the EU in undesirable new directions. Even this veto power can be avoided if the EU‐27 establish whatever policies they desire prior to Turkish membership, forcing Turkey to accept a fait accompli. Despite these limitations to its power, Turkey may have some influence in purely intergovernmental settings such as negotiations over new treaties that might occur some decades hence.
Exercise and osteoarthritis
Authors: Hunter David J. , Eckstein Felix 
Published: January 2009

AbstractExercise remains an extremely popular leisure time activity in many countries throughout the western world. It is widely promoted in the lay press as having salutory benefits for weight control, disease management advantages for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, in addition to improving psychological well‐being amongst an array of other benefits. In contrast, however, the lay press and community perception is also that exercise is potentially deleterious to one's joints. The purpose of this review is to consider what osteoarthritis (OA) is and provide an overview of the epidemiology of OA focusing on validated risk factors for its development. In particular the role of both exercise and occupational activity in OA will be described as well as the role of exercise to the joints’ tissues (particularly cartilage) and the role of exercise in disease management. Despite the common misconception that exercise is deleterious to one's joints, in the absence of joint injury there is no evidence to support this notion. Rather it would appear that exercise has positive salutory benefits for joint tissues in addition to its other health benefits.
Morphometric variability of minicolumns in the striate cortex of Homo sapiens, Macaca mulatta, and Pan troglodytes
Authors: Casanova Manuel F. , Trippe II Juan , Tillquist Christopher , Switala Andrew E. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractRadially oriented ensembles of neurons and their projections, termed minicolumns, are hypothesized to be the basic microcircuit of mammalian cerebral cortex. Minicolumns can be divided into a core and a peripheral neuropil space compartment. The core of minicolumns is constrained by the migratory path of pyramidal cells and their attendant radially oriented projections. Variation in minicolumnar morphometry and density is observed both within and across species. Using a scale‐independent measure of variability in minicolumnar width (VCW), we demonstrated a significant increase in VCW in layers III–V of striate cortex in humans relative to macaques and chimpanzees. Despite changes in minicolumnar width (CW) across species, their core space (w) remained the same. Given that cellular elements and processes within the peripheral neuropil space of minicolumns are derived from assorted sources, cross‐species differences in VCW may result from genetic and epigenetic influences acting primarily on this compartment of the minicolumn.
Effects of feeding on medicinal leech swimming performance
Authors: Claflin S. B. , Pien C. L. , Rangel E. N. , Utz K. E. , Walther H. V. , Wright A. N. , Ellerby D. J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe locomotor system of sanguivorous leeches is presented with a unique challenge: how to maintain mobility while coping with a >500% increase in body mass during feeding. A meal of this size is likely to disrupt the function of the muscular hydrostat during swimming, reducing speed and increasing predation risks. We quantified the effects of feeding to satiety on swimming kinematics, and the time course of recovery of swimming performance post‐feeding in the medicinal leech Hirudo verbana. There was a 5.07 ± 0.04‐fold increase in mass during feeding (mean ±sem, n=7). Despite this, leeches were able to swim immediately after feeding, reaching 27% of their pre‐feeding speed. Reduced speed was a consequence of a reduction in both swimming cycle frequency and stride length to 69 and 42% of the pre‐feeding values, respectively. Recovery of swimming ability was rapid, despite a prolonged increase in body mass. Fifty per cent restoration of swimming speed was achieved in c. 1 h while body mass was still 4.2‐fold greater than before feeding. Rapid mass and volume reduction immediately post‐feeding, and the properties of the obliquely striated swimming muscles appear to aid recovery of swimming performance. Such features that aid post‐feeding recovery of mobility may have been important in the evolution of leech sanguivory.
Marked differences in cholesterol synthesis between neurons and glial cells from postnatal rats
Authors: Nieweg Katja , Schaller Hubert , Pfrieger Frank W. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractNeurons have a high demand for cholesterol to develop and maintain membrane‐rich structures like axons, dendrites and synapses, but it remains unclear, whether they can satisfy their need by costly de novo synthesis. To address this, we compared cholesterol synthesis in serum‐free cultures of highly purified CNS neurons and glial cells from postnatal rats. We observed marked cell‐specific differences: Compared with glial cells, neurons showed different profiles of biosynthetic enzymes, post‐squalene precursors and cholesterol metabolites, and they produced cholesterol less efficiently, possibly because of very low levels of lanosterol‐converting enzymes. Astrocytes responded to inhibition of cholesterol synthesis with a much stronger up‐regulation of biosynthetic enzymes than neurons. Our results support the idea that neurons cannot produce cholesterol efficiently and that they depend on an external source of this lipid.
Selectivity and functional consequences of interactions of family A G protein‐coupled receptors with neurochondrin and periplakin
Authors: Ward Richard J. , Jenkins Laura , Milligan Graeme 
Published: January 2009

AbstractA wide range of intracellular proteins have been demonstrated to interact with individual G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) and, in certain cases, to modulate their function or trafficking. However, in only a few cases have the GPCR selectivity of such interactions been investigated. Interactions between the intracellular C‐terminal tails of 44 GPCRs and both neurochondrin and periplakin were assessed in pull‐down studies. 23 of these interacted with neurochondrin and periplakin, 10 interacted with neither whilst nine interacted with only neurochondrin and two with only periplakin. When appropriate GIP‐interacting Gq/G11‐coupled GPCRs were expressed in cells inducibly expressing neurochondrin or periplakin this resulted in a reduction in the increase in intracellular [Ca2+] in response to agonist. However, induction of neurochondrin or periplakin was without functional consequences for GPCRs with which they did not interact. Unlike intracellular [Ca2+] signals, induction of expression of either interacting protein did not inhibit agonist‐mediated ERK1/2 MAPK phosphorylation. These data indicate that both periplakin and neurochondrin can interact with a wide range of GPCRs and modulate function selectively. Details of the structure of the intracellular C‐terminal tail of individual receptors will be required to fully understand the basis of such selectivity.
Neural precursor cell cultures from GM2 gangliosidosis animal models recapitulate the biochemical and molecular hallmarks of the brain pathology
Authors: Martino Sabata , Di Girolamo Ilaria , Cavazzin Chiara , Tiribuzi Roberto , Galli Rossella , Rivaroli Anna , Valsecchi Manuela , Sandhoff Konrad , Sonnino Sandro , Vescovi Angelo , Gritti Angela , Orlacchio Aldo 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn this work we showed that genotype‐related patterns of hexosaminidase activity, isoenzyme composition, gene expression and ganglioside metabolism observed during embryonic and postnatal brain development are recapitulated during the progressive stages of neural precursor cell (NPC) differentiation to mature glia and neurons in vitro. Further, by comparing NPCs and their differentiated progeny established from Tay‐Sachs (TS) and Sandhoff (SD) animal models with the wild‐type counterparts, we studied the events linking the accumulation of undegraded substrates to hexosaminidase activity. We showed that similarly to what observed in brain tissues in TS NPCs and progeny, the stored GM2 was partially converted by sialidase to GA2, which can be then degraded in the lysosomes to its components. The latter can be used in a salvage pathway for the formation of GM3. Interestingly, results obtained from ganglioside feeding assays and from measurement of lysosomal sialidase activity suggest that a similar pathway might work also in the SD model.
Essential roles of dopamine D4receptors and the type 1 adenylyl cyclase in photic control of cyclic AMP in photoreceptor cells
Authors: Jackson Chad R. , Chaurasia Shyam S. , Zhou Hong , Haque Rashidul , Storm Daniel R. , Iuvone P. Michael 
Published: January 2009

AbstractLight and dopamine regulate many physiological functions in the vertebrate retina. Light exposure decreases cyclic AMP formation in photoreceptor cells. Dopamine D4receptor (D4R) activation promotes light adaptation and suppresses the light‐sensitive pool of cyclic AMP in photoreceptor cells. The key signaling pathways involved in regulating cyclic AMP in photoreceptor cells have not been identified. In the present study, we show that the light‐ and D4R‐signaling pathways converge on the type 1 Ca2+/calmodulin‐stimulated adenylyl cyclase (AC1) to regulate cyclic AMP synthesis in photoreceptor cells. In addition, we present evidence that D4R activation tonically regulates the expression of AC1 in photoreceptors. In retinas of mice with targeted deletion of the gene (Adcy1) encoding AC1, cyclic AMP levels and Ca2+/calmodulin‐stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity are markedly reduced, and cyclic AMP accumulation is unaffected by either light or D4R activation. Similarly, in mice with disruption of the gene (Drd4) encoding D4R, cyclic AMP levels in the dark‐adapted retina are significantly lower compared to wild‐type retina and are unresponsive to light. These changes inDrd4−/−mice were accompanied by significantly lowerAdcy1mRNA levels in photoreceptor cells and lower Ca2+/calmodulin‐stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in retinal membranes compared with wild‐type controls. Reduced levels ofAdcy1mRNA were also observed in retinas of wild‐type mice treated chronically with a D4R antagonist, L‐745870. Thus, activation of D4R is required for normal expression of AC1 and for the regulation of its catalytic activity by light. These observations illustrate a novel mechanism for cross‐talk between dopamine and photic signaling pathways regulating cyclic AMP in photoreceptor cells.
Ontogenic changes of the control by phosphodiesterase‐3 and ‐4 of 5‐HT responses in porcine heart and relevance to human atrial 5‐HT4receptors
Authors: Galindo‐Tovar Alejandro , Vargas Maria Luisa , Escudero Elisa , Kaumann Alberto J. 
Published: January 2009

Background and purpose: Atrial inotropic responses to 5‐HT mediated through 5‐HT4receptors fade, presumably through phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. We investigated the influence of a selective inhibitor of PDE3 (cilostamide) or of PDE4 (rolipram) on the fade of 5‐HT responses in atrial muscle.Experimental approach: 5‐HT responses were compared,ex vivo, on sinoatrial beating rate of newborn piglets, porcine atrial and ventricular force, and human atrial force. cAMP levels were assessed in piglet atrium.Key results: 5‐HT‐evoked sinoatrial tachycardia did not fade and was not potentiated by cilostamide (300 nmol·L−1) or rolipram (1 µmol·L−1). Inotropic responses to 5‐HT faded in atria from piglets, adolescent pigs and humans. Cilostamide reduced atrial fade of 5‐HT responses in adolescent pigs and humans but not in newborn piglets. Cilostamide disclosed 5‐HT ventricular responses in newborn, but not adolescent pigs. Rolipram reduced fade of atrial 5‐HT responses in newborn and adolescent pigs but not in humans. Concurrent cilostamide + rolipram abolished fade of 5‐HT responses in porcine left atria and facilitated ventricular 5‐HT responses, but did not reduce residual fade in human atrium in the presence of cilostamide. 5‐HT‐evoked increases in cAMP faded; fade was abolished by concurrent cilostamide + rolipram.Conclusions and implications: PDE3‐induced control of porcine 5‐HT responses differed in atrium and ventricle and changed with age. PDE3 and PDE4 jointly prevented fade of inotropic and cAMP responses to 5‐HT in porcine atrium. Unlike porcine atria, only PDE3 induced fade of 5‐HT responses in human atria.
Prostaglandin E2 couples through EP4 prostanoid receptors to induce IL‐8 production in human colonic epithelial cell lines
Authors: Dey I , Giembycz MA , Chadee K 
Published: January 2009

Mandarin translation of abstractBackground and purpose:  Prostaglandin (PG) E2 and interleukin (IL)‐8 are simultaneously increased during the inflammation that characterizes numerous pathologies such as inflammatory bowel disease. IL‐8 is a potent neutrophil chemo‐attractant and activator, and can initiate and/or exacerbate tissue injury. PGE2 signals principally through prostanoid receptors of the EP2 and/or EP4 subtypes to promote cAMP‐dependent cellular functions. The aim of this study was to identify the role of the EP2 and EP4 receptor subtype(s) on two human colonic epithelial cell lines (Caco‐2 and T84), in regulating PGE2‐induced IL‐8 production.Experimental approach:  To identify the causative receptor, we knocked‐down and over‐expressed EP2 and EP4 receptor subtypes in colonic epithelial cells and studied the effect of several selective EP2/EP4 receptor agonists and antagonists. The inductions of IL‐8 and EP receptor mRNA and protein expression were determined by real‐time PCR and western blot analysis. The affinity of PGE2 and Bmax values for the EP2 and EP4 receptor on colonic epithelial cells were determined by radioligand‐binding assays with [3H]PGE2.Key results:  PGE2 had the highest affinity for the EP4 receptor subtype and promoted a robust stimulation of cAMP‐dependent IL‐8 synthesis. This effect was mimicked by a selective EP4 receptor agonist, ONO‐AE1‐329, and abolished by silencing the EP4 receptor gene by using siRNA techniques, a selective EP4 receptor antagonist (ONO‐AE3‐208) and a selective inhibitor (Rp‐cAMP) of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase.Conclusions and implications:  These findings suggest that initiation and progression of colonic inflammation induced by IL‐8 could be mediated, at least in part, by PGE2 acting via the EP4 receptor subtype. British Journal of Pharmacology (2009) 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2008.00056.x Mandarin translation of abstract
Control of Oxidative Reactions of Hemoglobin in the Design of Blood Substitutes: Role of the Ascorbate–Glutathione Antioxidant System
Authors: Simoni Jan , Villanueva‐Meyer Javier , Simoni Grace , Moeller John F. , Wesson Donald E. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractUncontrolled oxidative reactions of hemoglobin (Hb) are still the main unresolved problem for Hb‐based blood substitute developers. Spontaneous oxidation of acellular ferrous Hb into a nonfunctional ferric Hb generates superoxide anion. Hydrogen peroxide, formed after superoxide anion dismutation, may react with ferrous/ferric Hb to produce toxic ferryl Hb, fluorescent heme degradation products, and/or protein‐based free radicals. In the presence of free iron released from heme, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide might react via the Haber–Weiss and Fenton reactions to generate the hydroxyl radical. These highly reactive oxygen and heme species may not only be involved in shifting the cellular redox balance to the oxidized state that facilitates signal transduction and pro‐inflammatory gene expression, but could also be involved in cellular and organ injury, and generation of vasoactive compounds such as isoprostanes and angiotensins. It is believed that these toxic species may be formed after administration of Hb‐based blood substitutes, particularly in ischemic patients with a diminished ability to control oxidative reactions. Although varieties of antioxidant strategies have been suggested, this in vitro study examined the ability of the ascorbate–glutathione antioxidant system in preventing Hb oxidation and formation of its ferryl intermediate. The results suggest that although ascorbate is effective in reducing the formation of ferryl Hb, glutathione protects heme against excessive oxidation. Ascorbate without glutathione failed to protect the red blood cell membranes against Hb/hydrogen peroxide‐mediated peroxidation. This study provides evidence that the ascorbate–glutathione antioxidant system is essential in attenuation of the pro‐oxidant potential of redox active acellular Hbs, and superior to either ascorbate or glutathione alone.
Possible Role of Artificial Oxygen Carriers in Transfusion Medicine: A Retrospective Analysis on the Current Transfusion Practice
Authors: Yoshiba Fumiaki , Kawaguchi Akira T. , Hyodo Osamu , Kinoue Takaaki , Inokuchi Sadaki , Kato Shunichi 
Published: January 2009

AbstractArtificial oxygen carriers (AOC) are under development as a substitute for red blood cells (RBC) in homologous transfusion (Tx). The lack of surface antigen in AOC makes ABO‐typing and antibody‐screening (T/S) unnecessary. Pathogen elimination renders it much safer, and long‐term stability allows ubiquitous storage for emergency use. To delineate the utility of AOC, we retrospectively examined current Tx practices in Tokai University and the Japanese Red Cross Society. The emergency department of Tokai University Hospital has been using O(+)Rh(+) RBC in patients with hemorrhagic shock before Tx becomes available. Those who received the RBCs within 60 min of injury had a significantly higher survival rate than those who received it later (≥60 min). The Red Cross Blood Center provided 411 units of RBC for 138 urgent requests for rare blood types. Our analysis suggests that if an AOC were available for the initial six units, 96% of such requests could have been covered to avoid urgent donor allocation, preparation, and Tx. Among 2079 surgical cases who ordered T/S, only 29% actually required Tx, rendering >70% of the T/S unnecessary. Because only 7.4% required nine units or more, more than 92% of T/S and Tx could have been avoided in retrospect if an AOC were available for the initial eight units. The results suggest that an AOC might be useful in various situations to alleviate problems, concerns, and technical burden in the current Tx practices. Because the expected utility is based mainly on physical characteristics, AOC may remain advantageous even when biogenetically derived RBC becomes available.