bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inverse dynamics of the 6-dof out-parallel manipulator by means of the principle of virtual work
Authors: Zhao Yongjie , Gao Feng 
Published: May 2008

SUMMARYIn this paper, the inverse dynamics of the 6-dof out-parallel manipulator is formulated by means of the principle of virtual work and the concept of link Jacobian matrices. The dynamical equations of motion include the rotation inertia of motor–coupler–screw and the term caused by the external force and moment exerted at the moving platform. The approach described here leads to efficient algorithms since the constraint forces and moments of the robot system have been eliminated from the equations of motion and there is no differential equation for the whole procedure. Numerical simulation for the inverse dynamics of a 6-dof out-parallel manipulator is illustrated. The whole actuating torques and the torques caused by gravity, velocity, acceleration, moving platform, strut, carriage, and the rotation inertia of the lead screw, motor rotor and coupler have been computed.
A Pilot Study to Explore the Effect of Symptom Monitoring in Children and Adolescents with Posttraumatic Stress Reactions following Road Traffic Accidents
Authors: Hardy Emma , Stallard Paul 
Published: May 2008

AbstractEach year a large number of children and adolescents develop significant posttraumatic symptoms after being involved in road traffic accidents (RTA). Consequently there is a need to develop effective interventions to prevent or minimize such reactions. The use of symptom monitoring with adults has found promising results. This pilot study explores the use of symptom monitoring with children and young people involved in RTAs. Twelve young people who met criteria on screening questionnaires for significant posttraumatic symptoms completed symptom monitoring diaries. Following completion of a diary once a day for 3 weeks, 3/12 children (25%) fell below criteria, suggesting significant posttraumatic symptoms. Feedback about self-monitoring was generally positive and suggests that symptom monitoring may be a helpful yet simple intervention for use with child trauma victims.
Consumption of fruit, vegetables, sweets and soft drinks are associated with psychological dimensions of eating behaviour in parents and their 12-year-old children
Authors: Elfhag Kristina , Tholin Sanna , Rasmussen Finn 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjectiveWe investigated associations between consumption of fruits, vegetables, sweets and soft drinks and the psychological dimensions of eating in parents and their children. The role of the parent’s characteristics for their children’s food intake was also explored.DesignFood intake patterns were assessed by self-reported consumption of the respective foods. Eating behaviour was measured by the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and self-esteem by Harter self-perception scale. The participants were 1441 families (mother, father and their 12-year-old child), and additionally 354 mothers and thirty fathers.ResultsAmong parents, reported intake of fruit and vegetables were associated with restrained eating, higher self-esteem, and higher education and age. Intake of sweets was related to more external and less restrained eating, and for mothers also emotional eating. Parent’s intake of soft drink was foremost related to a younger age, and also weakly associated with psychological characteristics. The food intake of parents was more important for the children’s food intake than any other characteristics. However, children’s intake of sweets showed clear-cut positive associations with external eating.ConclusionsPsychological dimensions of eating behaviour are associated with patterns of food intake, in particular for consumption of sweets, and are most prominent in the parents. The children’s food intake mirrored their parents’ intake. Being sensitive to external food cues may increase unhealthy food consumption in our society, whereas more restrained eating may indicate proneness or intention to healthier food choices among parents. Emotional eating may imply a proneness to consume sweets for comfort, in particular among mothers.
Valuation of pension liabilities in incomplete markets
Authors: DE JONG FRANK 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis paper discusses the valuation of wage-indexed pension liabilities. Valuation of these contingent claims by replication is typically not possible as the wage index cannot be hedged perfectly with financial market instruments. This paper discusses several methods to find a value in such incomplete markets and advocates utility-based valuation. This approach implies a simple adjustment on the discount factor.
Developing a renal supportive care team from the voices of patients, families, and palliative care staff
Authors: Berzoff Joan , Swantkowski Jennifer , Cohen Lewis M. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTObjective:Although half a million Americans suffer from end stage renal disease (ESRD), their quality of end-of-life care has been woefully inadequate. The Renal Supportive Care Team is a demonstration project that is designed to elicit and provide for the needs of dialysis patients and their families throughout the trajectory of their illnesses.Method:Six focus groups, including medical health professionals, dialysis patients, family members, and bereaved family members, discussed how to promote improved palliative care and encourage hospice referral for patients with ESRD.Results:Respondents agreed that there needed to be greater education of both patients and families regarding all aspects of the disease process, open communication, on-going support between patients, families, and the staff, continuity of care, pain control, and assistance with advance care planning.Significance of results:Palliative and supportive care issues in ESRD need greater attention.
An update on the use of antipsychotics in the treatment of delirium
Authors: Alici-Evcimen Yesne , Breitbart William 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTObjective:Delirium is the most common neuropsychiatric complication of medical illness, a medical emergency that needs to be identified and treated vigorously. Delirium is too frequently underdiagnosed and untreated in the medical setting, which leads to increased morbidity and mortality, interference in the management of symptoms such as pain, an increased length of hospitalization, increased health care costs, and distress for patients and their caregivers (Inouye, 2006; Breitbart et al., 2002a, 2002b). In this article, we present an update of the use of antipsychotics in management of delirium based on the available literature and our own clinical experience.Methods:We reviewed the current literature on the role of antipsychotics in the management of delirium using standard computer-based search methods (e.g., PubMed).Results:Antipsychotic medications, including the new atypical antipsychotics, have been demonstrated to effectively manage a wide spectrum of the symptoms of delirium and are an essential component in the multimodal approach to managing delirium.Significance of results:The standard approach to managing delirium includes identification and elimination of factors contributing to the delirium in addition to pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment interventions (Trzepacz et al., 1999). Newer atypical antipsychotics can play an important role in the management of the symptoms of delirium.
The Sleipnir library for computational functional genomics
Authors: Huttenhower Curtis , Schroeder Mark , Chikina Maria D , Troyanskaya Olga G. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Biological data generation has accelerated to the point where hundreds or thousands of whole-genome datasets of various types are available for many model organisms. This wealth of data can lead to valuable biological insights when analyzed in an integrated manner, but the computational challenge of managing such large data collections is substantial. In order to mine these data efficiently, it is necessary to develop methods that use storage, memory and processing resources carefully.
Results: The Sleipnir C++ library implements a variety of machine learning and data manipulation algorithms with a focus on heterogeneous data integration and efficiency for very large biological data collections. Sleipnir allows microarray processing, functional ontology mining, clustering, Bayesian learning and inference and support vector machine tasks to be performed for heterogeneous data on scales not previously practical. In addition to the library, which can easily be integrated into new computational systems, prebuilt tools are provided to perform a variety of common tasks. Many tools are multithreaded for parallelization in desktop or high-throughput computing environments, and most tasks can be performed in minutes for hundreds of datasets using a standard personal computer.
Availability: Source code (C++) and documentation are available at http://function.princeton.edu/sleipnir and compiled binaries are available from the authors on request.
Contact: ogt@princeton.edu
Airway epithelium‐derived transforming growth factor‐β is a regulator of fibroblast proliferation in both fibrotic and normal subjects
Authors: Hostettler K. E. , Roth M. , Burgess J. K. , Gencay M. M. , Gambazzi F. , Black J. L. , Tamm M. , Borger P. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryBackground
In the healthy lung, airway epithelial cells (AEC) regulate fibroblast proliferation through release of soluble factors, such as prostaglandins and proteins. Fibroproliferative diseases and airway remodelling may result from an inadequate generation of suppressive factors by AEC or the inability of fibroblasts to respond to them appropriately.Objective
The aim of this study was to study the effect of primary human AEC on the proliferation of fibroblasts obtained from healthy and fibrotic lungs in an interactive cell culture model.Results
Conditioned medium (CM) from 14 out of 16 AEC lines significantly inhibited proliferation of normal human lung fibroblasts by 51.2±6.0%. The proliferation of fibroblasts derived from patients with lung fibrosis was equally inhibited by CM of AEC. The inhibitory effect of AEC‐CM was completely reversed when fibroblasts were pre‐incubated with 2.5 μm indomethacin. Furthermore, primary human AEC, but not fibroblasts, secrete TGF‐β, and the inhibitory effect of the AEC‐CM was blocked by neutralizing anti‐TGF‐β antibodies.Conclusion
These results demonstrate that AEC actively inhibit the proliferation of both normal and fibrotic fibroblasts via TGF‐β, which induces the prostaglandin E2 synthesis in fibroblasts. The data indicate that proliferative lung diseases may be treated using the epithelial cell as the target of medication.
Exercise training improves autonomic function and inflammatory pattern in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Authors: Giallauria Francesco , Palomba Stefano , Maresca Luigi , Vuolo Laura , Tafuri Domenico , Lombardi Gaetano , Colao Annamaria , Vigorito Carlo ,   Francesco Orio
Published: May 2008

SummaryBackground  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common female reproductive‐age endocrine disease predominantly characterized by chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, insulin‐resistance and low‐grade inflammatory status. Exercise training (ET) favourably modulates cardiopulmonary function and insulin‐sensitivity markers in PCOS women. The present study investigated the effects of ET on autonomic function and inflammatory pattern in PCOS women.Study design  Prospective baseline uncontrolled clinical study.Methods  One‐hundred and eighty five PCOS women referred to our department were screened for the inclusion into the study protocol from March 2004 to July 2007. One‐hundred and twenty four PCOS women met the criteria for the inclusion into the study protocol and were subdivided into two groups each composed of 62 patients: PCOS‐T (trained) group underwent 3‐month ET program, whereas PCOS‐UnT (untrained) group did not. At baseline and at 3‐month follow‐up, hormonal and metabolic profile, cardiopulmonary parameters, autonomic function (as expressed by heart rate recovery, HRR) and inflammatory pattern [as expressed by C‐reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells (WBCs) count] were evaluated.Results  PCOS‐T showed a significant (P < 0·05) improvement in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and in post‐exercise HRR, and a significant (P < 0·001) decrease in CRP and WBCs; whereas no statistically significant changes of the same parameters were observed in PCOS‐UnT. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that 3‐month HRR is linearly related to the inclusion in training group (β = 0·316, P < 0·001), VO2max (β = 0·151, P = 0·032) and the ratio between glucose and insulin area under curve (AUC) (β = 0·207, P = 0·003), and inversely related to body mass index (β = –0·146, P = 0·046), insulin AUC (β = –0·152, P = 0·032), CRP (β = –0·165, P < 0·021), and WBCs count (β = –0·175, P = 0·039).Conclusions  Exercise training improves autonomic function and inflammatory pattern in PCOS women.
High plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP) is related to low paraoxonase‐I (PON‐I) activity independently of high leptin and low adiponectin in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Dullaart Robin P. F. , De Vries Rindert , Sluiter Wim J. , Voorbij Hieronymus A. M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryObjectives  In type 2 diabetes mellitus, circulating C‐reactive protein (CRP) is increased, whereas the high density lipoprotein (HDL)‐associated, anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory enzyme, paraoxonase‐I, is decreased. Both high CRP and low paraoxonase‐I activity may predict cardiovascular disease. It is unknown whether lower paraoxonase‐I activity contributes to higher CRP levels in diabetes. In type 2 diabetic and control subjects, we determined the relationship of CRP with paraoxonase‐I when taking account of plasma levels of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory adipokines.Design and patients  In 81 type 2 diabetic patients and 89 control subjects, plasma high‐sensitive CRP, serum paraoxonase‐I activity (arylesterase activity, assayed as the rate of hydrolysis of phenyl acetate into phenol), plasma leptin, adiponectin, resistin and lipids were determined.Results  Body mass index (BMI), waist, insulin resistance, triglycerides, CRP, leptin and resistin levels were higher (P < 0·05 to P < 0·001), whereas HDL cholesterol, paraoxonase‐I activity and adiponectin levels were lower (P = 0·02 to P < 0·001) in diabetic compared to control subjects. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that, after controlling for age and gender, CRP was inversely related to paraoxonase‐I activity (β = –0·15, P = 0·028) and adiponectin (β = –0·18, P = 0·009), and positively to leptin (β = 0·33, P < 0·001) and BMI (β = 0·22, P = 0·007), independently of the diabetic state (or of fasting glucose or HbA1c), insulin resistance and lipids (P > 0·20 for all).Conclusions  low paraoxonase‐I activity is related to higher CRP, independently of adipokines, as well as of obesity and lipids. Low paraoxonase‐I activity in type 2 diabetes mellitus may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk via an effect on enhanced systemic low‐grade inflammation.
Acid properties of fulvic and humic acids isolated from two acid forest soils under different vegetation cover and soil depth
Authors: López R. , Gondar D. , Iglesias A. , Fiol S. , Antelo J. , Arce F. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryWe studied the acid‐base properties of 16 fulvic acids and 16 humic acids isolated from the surface (3–15 cm) and subsurface (> 45 cm) horizons of two types of acid forest soils, derived respectively from amphibolite and granite rocks, under five different types of vegetation. The observed differences between the contents of humic substances in the two types of soils were related to the degree of Al‐saturation of the soil organic matter, as indicated by the molar ratio between pyrophosphate extractable Al and C. Humic fractions were characterized in terms of elemental composition, and CPMAS 13C NMR spectrometry. The contents of carboxylic and phenolic groups were estimated by potentiometric titrations conducted in 0.1 m KNO3 in a nitrogen atmosphere. The fulvic acids contained more carboxylic groups but less phenolic groups than the humic acids: the ratio of phenolic to carboxylic groups in the humic acids was 0.48 ± 0.10 and in the fulvic acids 0.23 ± 0.05. The mean values of the protonation constants of each of the humic substance fractions can be used as generic parameters for describing the proton binding properties. The fulvic acids isolated from the subsurface horizon of the soil contained between 2.6 and 23% more carboxylic groups, and the humic acids between 8 and 43% more carboxylic groups than those isolated from the surface horizon of the same soil.
Experimental study and modelling of the water phase change kinetics in soils
Authors: Lozano A.‐L. , Cherblanc F. , Cousin B. , Bénet J.‐C. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryWhen dealing with porous media, the liquid‐gas phase‐change is generally considered instantaneous, while a retardation time is observed in the case of hygroscopic soils. So far, little research has been done to characterize the non‐equilibrium behaviour of water phase change. Therefore, we propose a macroscopic model of the liquid‐gas phase‐change rate in porous media, based on the difference of chemical potentials between the liquid and its vapour, which is taken as the driving force. It introduces a phenomenological coefficient that must be determined experimentally. An original experiment able to create a macroscopic non‐equilibrium between the liquid and its vapour is described. Analysing the return to equilibrium leads to the determination of the phenomenological phase‐change coefficient. Depending on the range of partial vapour pressure, two different behaviours are observed: a linear domain close to equilibrium and a non‐linear one far from equilibrium. The results emphasize the relation between water retention properties in hygroscopic porous media and these phase‐change characteristics.
Simulating infiltration into stony soils with a dual‐porosity model
Authors: Ma Donghao , Shao Mingan 
Published: May 2008

SummarySoils containing rock fragments are widely distributed in the world. However, literature on the dynamic simulation of water movement in stony soils is scarce. In this paper, a dual‐porosity model was used to simulate water infiltration into soils containing rock fragments. Sensitivity analysis of the dual‐porosity model parameters demonstrates that the increase of rock fragment content clearly decreased infiltration into stony soils. Big stones hampered infiltration more than small stones. Spherical stones accelerated infiltration compared with solid, cylindrical stones and rectangular, slab‐like stones. Numerical analysis was also performed to test and compare a non‐equilibrium dual‐porosity model (NDPM) with an equilibrium dual‐porosity model (EDPM) and an equilibrium single‐pore model (ESPM). Infiltration experiments on disturbed soils were carried out to verify the ability of the NDPM to simulate infiltration into stony soils. Based on hydraulic parameters of soils without rock fragments and mass transfer coefficients obtained independently, the extrapolated cumulative infiltrations calculated by the NDPM were in good agreement with the observed data. Fitted model parameters of the NDPM indicate that rock fragments not only act as a source or sink to affect infiltration but also change the pore structure of the fine earth, apart from reducing the cross‐sectional area for water flow. Though further studies are required to improve the dual‐porosity model, it already describes more characteristics of infiltration into stony soils and explains more phenomena than does the single‐porosity model.
Dynamic changes in the mitochondrial electron transport chain underpinning cold acclimation of leaf respiration
Authors: ARMSTRONG ANNA F. , BADGER MURRAY R. , DAY DAVID A. , BARTHET MICHELLE M. , SMITH PENELOPE M. C. , MILLAR A. HARVEY , WHELAN JIM , ATKIN OWEN K. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTWe examined the effect of short‐ and long‐term changes in temperature on gene expression, protein abundance, and the activity of the alternative oxidase and cytochrome oxidase pathways (AOP and COP, respectively) in Arabidopsis thaliana. The AOP was more sensitive to short‐term changes in temperature than the COP, with partitioning to the AOP decreasing significantly below a threshold temperature of 20 °C. AOP activity was increased in leaves, which had been shifted to the cold for several days, but this response was transient, with AOP activity subsiding (and COP activity increasing) following the development of leaves in the cold. The transient increase in AOP activity in 10‐d cold‐shifted leaves was not associated with an increase in alternative oxidase (AOX) protein or AOX1a transcript abundance. By contrast, the amount of uncoupling protein was significantly increased in cold‐developed leaves. In conjunction with this, transcript levels of the uncoupling protein‐encoding gene UCP1 and the external NAD(P)H dehydrogenase‐encoding gene NDB2 exhibited sustained increases following growth in the cold. The data suggest a role for each of these alternative non‐phosphorylating bypasses of mitochondrial electron transport at different points in time following exposure to cold, with increased AOP activity being important only in the early stages of cold treatment.
Light and scanning microscopic studies of integument differentiation in the grass snake Natrix natrix L. (Lepidosauria, Serpentes) during embryogenesis
Authors: Swadźba Elwira , Maślak Robert , Rupik Weronika 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe analysed the differentiation of body cover in the grass snake (Natrix natrix L.) over the full length of the embryo's body at each developmental stage. Based on investigations using both light and scanning electron microscopes, we divided the embryonic development of the grass snake integument into four phases. The shape of the epidermal cells changes first on the caudal and ventral parts of the embryo, then gradually towards the rostral and dorsal areas. In stage V on the ventral side of the embryo the gastrosteges are formed from single primordia, but on the dorsal side the epidermis forms the scale primordia in stage VII. This indicates that scalation begins on the ventral body surface, and spreads dorsally. The appearance of melanocytes between the cells of the stratum germinativum in stage VII coincides with changes in embryo colouration. The first dermal melanocytes were detected in stage XI so in this stage the definitive skin pattern is formed. In the same stage the epidermis forms the first embryonic shedding complex and the periderm layer begins to detach in small, individual flakes. This process coincides with rapid growth of the embryos.
A hidden cost of happiness in children
Authors: Schnall Simone , Jaswal Vikram K. , Rowe Christina 
Published: May 2008

AbstractHappiness is generally considered an emotion with only beneficial effects, particularly in childhood. However, there are some situations where the style of information processing triggered by happiness could be a liability. In particular, happiness seems to motivate a top‐down processing style, which could impair performance when attention to detail is required. Indeed, inExperiment 1, 10‐ to 11‐year‐old children (N= 30) induced to feel a happy mood were slower to locate a simple shape embedded in a complex figure than those induced to feel a sad mood. InExperiment 2, 6‐ to 7‐year‐old children (N= 61) induced to feel a happy mood found fewer embedded shapes than those induced to feel a sad or neutral mood. Happiness may have unintended and possibly undesirable cognitive consequences, even in childhood.