bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bridge over a philosophical divide
Authors: Higgins Paul A.T. , Chan Kai M.A. , Porder Stephen 
Published: May 2006

English
A deep philosophical divide exists between ‘strictly objective’ scientists, who believe that engaging in civic debates undermines objectivity, and ‘citizen scientists’, who believe scientists can – and at times should – help decision makers incorporate sound scientific knowledge. Here we suggest that the threat posed to scientific objectivity by the escalating politicisation of science provides a limited bridge between these competing philosophical views: a commitment to scientific objectivity requires a greater civic presence.
Insufficient filling of vacuum tubes as a cause of microhemolysis and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase levels. Use of a data-mining technique in evaluation of questionable laboratory test results
Authors: Tamechika Yoshie , Iwatani Yoshinori , Tohyama Kaoru , Ichihara Kiyoshi 
Published: May 2006

AbstractExperienced physicians noted unexpectedly elevated concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase in some patient samples, but quality control specimens showed no bias. To evaluate this problem, we used a “latent reference individual extraction method”, designed to obtain reference intervals from a laboratory database by excluding individuals who have abnormal results for basic analytes other than the analyte in question, in this case lactate dehydrogenase. The reference interval derived for the suspected year was 264–530U/L, while that of the previous year was 248–495U/L. The only change we found was the introduction of an order entry system, which requests precise sampling volumes rather than complete filling of vacuum tubes. The effect of vacuum persistence was tested using ten freshly drawn blood samples. Compared with complete filling, 1/5 filling resulted in average elevations of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartic aminotransferase, and potassium levels of 8.0%, 3.8%, and 3.4%, respectively (all p<0.01). Microhemolysis was confirmed using a urine stick method. The length of time before centrifugation determined the degree of hemolysis, while vacuum during centrifugation did not affect it. Microhemolysis is the probable cause of the suspected pseudo-elevation noted by the physicians. Data-mining methodology represents a valuable tool for monitoring long-term bias in laboratory results.
Improvement in Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance in Overweight Youth Who Are Treated With Lifestyle Intervention
Authors: Monzavi Roshanak , Dreimane Daina , Geffner Mitchell E. , Braun Sharon , Conrad Barry , Klier Mary , Kaufman Francine R. 
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the prevalence of risk factors that are associated with the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in overweight youth and to determine the effect of a short-term, family-centered, lifestyle intervention on various associated anthropometric and metabolic measures.METHODS. Overweight youth who were between 8 and 16 years of age participated in a 12-week, family-centered, lifestyle intervention program. Anthropometric and metabolic measures were assessed before the program in all participants (n = 109) and after the program in a subset of the participants (n = 43).RESULTS. At baseline, 49.5% of youth had multiple risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome, based on a modified definition of the National Cholesterol Education Program, and 10% had impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance. Measures of insulin resistance correlated significantly with the risk factors of the metabolic syndrome. Forty-three youth had pre- and postintervention evaluations that showed statistically significant improvements in body mass index, systolic blood pressure, lipids (total, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides), postprandial glucose, and leptin levels.CONCLUSION. Overweight youth have multiple risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome. A 12-week lifestyle program may have a positive effect on reducing risk factors for the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in overweight youth.
Scenario modeling for conservation management in the En Afeq Nature Reserve, Israel
Authors: Olsvig‐Whittaker Linda , Schipper Piet , Heitkonig Ignas , Magal Yonat , Ortal Reuven , Shy Eyal , Sýkora Karle 
Published: May 2006

Abstract. Conservation management has significant gaps between (1) collection and storage of biological data, (2) data analysis, and (3) application of results. In order to improve management decision‐making, it is necessary to bridge these gaps. One of the most promising approaches uses computer‐based decision support systems (DSS): interactive models of the system in question—for example, a nature reserve. One kind of DSS is scenario modeling: spatially‐based models which (1) use expert opinion and data on vegetation, geology, hydrology, and management, (2) to project changes in landscape through time, (3) on the basis of changes in driving environmental factors. Scenario models are essentially graphic hypotheses, predicting changes in landscape with a specified change in driving factors, which can then be verified or falsified by monitoring.This paper presents an application of this approach to an Israeli nature reserve, the En Afeq Reserve in western Galilee. Our project tests the possibility of improving Israeli conservation management by using methods now standard for nature reserves in the Netherlands.
Potential replacement vegetation: an approach to vegetation mapping of cultural landscapes
Authors: Chytrý Milan 
Published: May 2006

Abstract. The concept of mapping potential replacement vegetation (PRV) is proposed as a parallel to potential natural vegetation (PNV). Potential replacement vegetation (PRV) is an abstract and hypothetical vegetation which is in balance with climatic and soil factors currently affecting a given habitat, with environmental factors influencing the habitat from outside such as air pollution, and with an abstract anthropogenic influence (management) of given type, frequency and intensity. For every habitat, there is a series of possible PRV‐types corresponding to the different anthropogenic influences, e.g. grazing, mowing, trampling or growing cereals.The PRV‐concept is especially useful in large‐scale mapping (scales > 1 : 25 000) of small areas where replacement vegetation is the focus of attention for managers and land‐use planners, for example in nature reserves where the aim is conservation of replacement vegetation managed in a traditional way, or in restoration ecology where the concept may be used for defining restoration goals and evaluating the success of restoration efforts. At smaller scales, PRV‐mapping may be useful for revealing the biogeographical patterns of larger areas which may be different from the corresponding PNV patterns, because replacement vegetation and natural vegetation may respond to environmental gradients at different scales. An example of medium‐scale PRV‐mapping through the coincidence of diagnostic species of vegetation types, based on species distribution grid data, is presented.In cultural landscapes, the advantage of using the PRV‐concept instead of PNV is its direct relationship to the replacement vegetation. In the habitat mapping with respect to the replacement vegetation, the PRV concept yields more valuable results than the mapping of actual vegetation, as the latter is strongly affected by spatially variable anthropogenic influences which may be largely independent from climatic and soil factors.
Environmental controls of NDVI and sheep production in the Tierra del Fuego steppe of Argentina
Authors: Posse Gabriela , Cingolani Ana María 
Published: May 2006

Abstract. We analysed vegetation dynamics in Tierra del Fuego steppes using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data provided by advanced very high‐resolution radiometer (AVHRR) on board the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) polar satellite. Our objective, at a regional scale, was to analyse the spatial variability of NDVI dynamics in relation to parent material and geographic location, representing the fertility and climate gradients respectively; at a local scale, it was to analyse the inter‐annual variability associated with climate and its relation with sheep production indices. The general pattern of NDVI dynamics was analysed with Principal Component Analysis. We found that the geographic location was more important than landscape type in explaining NDVI dynamics despite the fact that the variation in landscape type reflects a fertility gradient strongly associated with floristic composition and secondary productivity.Discriminant Analysis was performed to identify the variables that better distinguish geographic units. The Northern region (with the lowest precipitation and the highest temperatures) had lower NDVI values over the year. In the Central region, NDVI reached the highest value of the season, surpassing both other regions. The Southern region (the coldest and moistest) had its growth pattern displaced towards the summer. For the Central region we analysed 10 years of monthly NDVI data with PCA. We found that precipitation from August to December and winter temperature are the most important determinants of overall NDVI values. Lamb production was correlated with spring and early summer NDVI values. Sheep mortality is affected by low NDVI values in late summer and high annual amplitude. Satellite information allowed us to characterize the vegetation dynamics of three ecological areas across the Fuegian steppe.
Mediators reveal their essential techniques for successful settlements
Authors: Goldberg Stephen B. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractWhat makes for mediation success? In the first of two parts, Stephen B. Goldberg, of Chicago, who surveyed dozens of mediators, recounts the neutrals' tales of how they were able to get parties to come to terms and avoid prolonging disputes. The techniques discussed in the interviews will act as a guide for neutrals to use in establishing rapport among mediation participants
Properties of the n‐overlap vector and n‐overlap similarity theory
Authors: Egghe L. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractIn the first part of this article the author defines the n‐overlap vector whose coordinates consist of the fraction of the objects (e.g., books, N‐grams, etc.) that belong to 1, 2, …, n sets (more generally: families) (e.g., libraries, databases, etc.). With the aid of the Lorenz concentration theory, a theory of n‐overlap similarity is conceived together with corresponding measures, such as the generalized Jaccard index (generalizing the well‐known Jaccard index in case n 5 2). Next, the distributional form of the n‐overlap vector is determined assuming certain distributions of the object's and of the set (family) sizes. In this section the decreasing power law and decreasing exponential distribution is explained for the n‐overlap vector. Both item (token) n‐overlap and source (type) n‐overlap are studied. The n‐overlap properties of objects indexed by a hierarchical system (e.g., books indexed by numbers from a UDC or Dewey system or by N‐grams) are presented in the final section. The author shows how the results given in the previous section can be applied as well as how the Lorenz order of the n‐overlap vector is respected by an increase or a decrease of the level of refinement in the hierarchical system (e.g., the value N in N‐grams).
Memex at 60: Internet or iPod?
Authors: Veith Richard H. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractIt has been 61 years since the 1945 Memex article, and so much has changed since then that we might well wonder whether the article is still worth looking at. It certainly inspired some of the leading figures in information technology, but now it seems to be cited either for things it did not really say, or because everything it proposed has been pretty much accomplished, albeit with alternate technology. If we take another look at the Memex description, though, there are a few key ideas that can still be goals in terms of an easy‐to‐use personal collection that is a supplement to one's own memory. Perhaps in today's terms, the device would be a combination of the iPod design and a tablet computer. As such, it could function as a handy information pod, with certain Memex features, serving as an extended personal memory.
“Head‐to‐head comparison between sirolimus‐eluting and paclitaxel‐eluting stents in patients with complex coronary artery disease: An intravascular ultrasound study”
Authors: Červinka Pavel , Costa Marco A. , Angiolillo Dominick J. , Špaček Radim , Bystroň Marian , Kvašňák Martin , Veselka Josef , Nanda Hitesh , Futamatsu Hideki , Futamatsu Kino 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:The aim of this study was to assess neointimal hyperplasia following sirolimus‐eluting (SES) and paclitaxel‐eluting stents (PES) implantation in a patients with complex coronary disease.Method:Between January to December 2004, 70 patients were enrolled in this study (SES = 37; PES = 33. The primary objective was to assess the efficacy of SES and PES on neointimal proliferation inhibition in patients with complex coronary lesions by volumetric 3D intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) assessment at six‐month follow‐up.Results:Baseline clinical, demographic or angiographic characteristics were well balanced in both groups. All procedures as well as hospitalisation were uneventful. The percentage of B2/C lesions in our study was >90% in both groups. The IVUS‐assessed in‐stent mean neointimal hyperplasia volume was significantly lower in lesions treated with SES compared to PES (4.1 ± 11 mm3 vs. 17.4 ± 23 mm3, p < 0.002) at 6 month follow‐up. No difference in both MACE (3.0 versus 6.0%, p = NS) and restenosis (5.4 versus 9.1%, p = NS) were found. The in‐segment late loss at six month was 0.26 mm in the SES and 0.48 mm in the PES group (p = NS).Conclusions:The present study showed reduced neointimal proliferation after sirolimuseluting as compared to paclitaxel‐eluting stents in patients with complex coronary artery disease. Both SES and PES were associated with low rate of angiographic restenosis or major adverse cardiovascular events. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparison of several methods for haplotype frequency estimation and haplotype reconstruction for tightly linked markers from general pedigrees
Authors: Zhang Kui , Zhao Hongyu 
Published: May 2006

AbstractHaplotype inference for tightly linked markers from general pedigrees remains a challenging problem. Only a few methods are available to efficiently and accurately estimate haplotype frequencies and reconstruct haplotypes for a large number of tightly linked markers from general pedigrees in the presence of missing data, and their performance has not been carefully and extensively evaluated. In this paper, we compare four published methods for haplotype reconstruction and frequency estimation for tightly linked markers from general pedigrees, including HAPLORE, GENEHUNTER, PedPhase, and MERLIN. We review these methods and discuss the differences between them in terms of the models and computational strategies employed. We assess their performance based on simulations using pedigrees and haplotypes on tightly linked single nucleotide polymorphisms from real studies. We investigate the effect of several factors, including the missing rate, the departure from Hardy‐Weinberg Equilibrium, and the sample size, on the accuracy for haplotype inference. We also compare these methods with a widely used method for haplotype inference from unrelated individuals, PHASE, by treating individuals within a pedigree as unrelated samples. This comparison allows us to investigate the relative efficiency in haplotype inference using pedigree data. Our results indicate that incorporation of pedigree information can improve the precision for haplotype frequency estimation and the accuracy for haplotype reconstruction. Among four haplotyping methods capable of analyzing general pedigrees, HAPLORE and MERLIN have comparable performance and outperform the other two methods in almost all situations. Genet. Epidemiol. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A review of metal release in the food industry
Authors: Jellesen M. S. , Rasmussen A. A. , Hilbert L. R. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe objective of this review is to outline literature on metal release in the food industry. Key results are reviewed from publications with high scientific level as well as papers with focus on industrial aspects. Examples of food products with a corrosive effect are given, and cases concerning processes, storing equipment as well as cleaning and sanitising procedures are reviewed. Stainless steel is the most widely used metallic material in the food industry; however other metals and their alloys are also briefly treated. The review deals with phenomena mainly relating to electrochemical corrosion, but also examples of material degradation as a consequence of wear and corrosive wear are presented.
Locking and hourglass phenomena in an element‐free Galerkin context: the B‐bar method with stabilization and an enhanced strain method
Authors: Recio D. P. , Jorge R. M. Natal , Dinis L. M. S. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe meshless methods, namely the element‐free Galerkin method (EFGM), when they first appeared claimed that volumetric locking and hourglass were avoided. This was not the case and both phenomena occur in the EFGM. In the context of the finite element method (FEM) these phenomena were widely studied. In this work, forms of avoiding the locking phenomenon will be presented; a formulation based on the enhanced strain method will be introduced in the EFGM and the B‐bar method will be implemented under the scope of the EFGM. Secondly, to render this method more robust, a stabilization technique will be implemented avoiding hourglass. Several examples are solved to probe the efficiency of these techniques. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Original crosslinking of poly(vinylidene fluoride) via trialkoxysilane‐containing cure‐site monomers
Authors: Guiot J. , Ameduri B. , Boutevin B. , Lannuzel T. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe synthesis of fluorinated monomers bearing an ω‐trialkoxysilane function (4,5,5‐trifluoropent‐4‐ene‐1‐trimethoxysilane and 4,5,5‐trifluoropent‐4‐ene‐1‐triethoxysilane), their radical copolymerization with vinylidene fluoride (VDF), and the crosslinking of resulting copolymers are presented. The silicon‐containing fluoromonomers were prepared from a three step‐reaction from ClCF2CFClI, last step being the hydrosilylation of 1,1,2‐trifluoro‐1,4‐pentadiene with trialkoxysilane. The copolymerizations of these silicon‐containing fluoromonomers with VDF led to original PVDF bearing pendant trialkoxysilane functions. Their microstructures, characterized by NMR showed that VDF was the more incorporated. These latter ones were crosslinked in the presence of moisture at 200 °C leading to insoluble materials stable in solvents, oils, water, and to acids. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3896–3910, 2006
Dimethacrylate derivatives of dimer acid
Authors: Trujillo‐Lemon Marianela , Ge Junhao , Lu Hui , Tanaka Jiro , Stansbury Jeffrey W. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractDimethacrylate monomers are used in a wide variety of crosslinked polymer applications, including adhesives, coatings, dental restoratives, and stereolithography. The advantages of rapid curing and good mechanical properties offered by these materials are countered by problems with dimensional changes during polymerization and long‐term physical instability resulting from water sorption and loss of residual unreacted monomer. In this work, several examples of hydrophobic monomers based on a dimer acid structure were synthesized, and their monomeric and homopolymer properties were evaluated. The photopolymerization reactivity and conversion were investigated with near‐infrared spectroscopy. Studies of the volumetric shrinkage, water sorption, and water contact angle and three‐point‐bend testing of the homopolymers were also carried out, with the results compared with those of commonly used dimethacrylate monomers. The new monomers produced higher degrees of conversion combined with lower polymerization shrinkage and water sorption values in comparison with conventional monomers. The relatively low crosslink density of dimethacrylates constructed from dimer acid produced polymers with high flexibility and low modulus, as expected; however, changes in the functionality of the group linking the dimer acid core with the methacrylate end groups induced significant property differences. On the basis of the properties demonstrated by the dimer acid monomers and their homopolymers, these new materials appear well suited for applications such as coatings and adhesives. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3921–3929, 2006
Variation Mode and Effect Analysis: a Practical Tool for Quality Improvement
Authors: Johansson Per , Chakhunashvili Alexander , Barone Stefano , Bergman Bo 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThis paper describes a statistically based engineering method, variation mode and effect analysis (VMEA), that facilitates an understanding of variation and highlights the product/process areas in which improvement efforts should be targeted. An industrial application is also described to illustrate how the VMEA can be used for quality improvement purposes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationships Among Control Charts Used with Feedback Control
Authors: Runger George , Testik Murat Caner , Tsung Fugee 
Published: May 2006

AbstractFeedback control is common in modern manufacturing processes and there is a need to combine statistical process control in such systems. Typical types of assignable causes are described and fault signatures are calculated. A fault signature can be attenuated by the controller and an implicit confounding among faults of different types is discussed. Furthermore, the relationships between various control statistics are developed. Control charts have been proposed previously for deviations from target and for control adjustments. We describe why one or the other can be effective in some cases, but that neither directly incorporates the magnitude (or signature) of an assignable cause. Various disturbance models and control schemes, both optimal and non‐optimal, are included in a mathematically simple model that obtains results through properties of linear filters. We provide analytical results for a widely‐used model of feedback control. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermosensitive Y‐Shaped Micelles of Poly(oleic acid‐Y‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) for Drug Delivery
Authors: Li Yong‐Yong , Zhang Xian‐Zheng , Kim Gwang‐Chol , Cheng Han , Cheng Si‐Xue , Zhuo Ren‐Xi 
Published: May 2006

AbstractA novel thermosensitive amphiphilic copolymer comprised of two hydrophobic poly(oleic acid) (POA) segments and one hydrophilic poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) segment was designed and synthesized. The structure of the copolymer was confirmed as Y‐shaped by FTIR, 1H NMR, and SEC‐MALLS analysis. A cytotoxicity study shows that the P(OA‐Y‐NIPAAm) copolymer exhibits good biocompatibility. The copolymer may self‐assemble into micelles in water, with the hydrophobic POA segments at the cores of micelles and the hydrophilic PNIPAAm segments as the outer shells. The resulting micelles demonstrate temperature sensitivity with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 31.5 °C and a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 12.6 mg L−1. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that the micelles exhibit a nanospheric morphology within a narrow size range of ≈10–30 nm. A study of controlled release reveals that the self‐assembled micelles have great potential as drug carriers.