bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fetal growth patterns in fetuses of women with pregestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wong S. F. , Lee‐Tannock A. , Amaraddio D. , Chan F. Y. , McIntyre H. D. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of glucose control on the rate of growth of fetuses in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus (Types 1 and 2).MethodsAll pregestational diabetic women booked at Mater Mothers' Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2002, were included. Pregnancies with congenital fetal anomalies, multiple pregnancies, and pregnancies terminated prior to 20 weeks' gestation were excluded. Dating scans were performed before 14 weeks' gestation and serial scans were performed at 18, 24, 28, 32 and 36 weeks. Fetal parameters, including biparietal diameter, femur length and abdominal circumference, were recorded. The daily growth rates for biparietal diameter, femur length, and fetal abdominal area were calculated and compared with those in a low‐risk (non‐diabetic) population. The growth rates in fetuses of women with satisfactory diabetic control (HbA1c < 6.5%) and unsatisfactory control (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%) in the three trimesters were compared.ResultsA total of 174 diabetic pregnancies were included and a total of 997 ultrasound scans were performed. The growth rates for fetuses of mothers with diabetes mellitus were significantly higher than for those in the low‐risk population. The z‐scores for biparietal diameter, femur length, and fetal abdominal area were 0.18, 0.59 and 1.44, respectively. Fetuses of diabetic mothers with high HbA1c in the first trimester had significantly greater fetal abdominal area growth rate than those with normal HbA1c (fetal abdominal area z‐score of 1.7 vs. 0.75, P = 0.009). Although the fetal abdominal area z‐scores in fetuses of diabetic mothers with high HbA1c in the second or third trimesters were also higher than those with normal HbA1c levels, the differences did not reach statistical significance. Maternal obesity did not influence the fetal growth rate.ConclusionThe rate of growth of fetuses of diabetic mothers differs from that of the normal population. Growth acceleration persists until the late third trimester. Moreover, periconceptional glucose control appears to have a significant effect on accelerated growth of the fetal abdominal area. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combining near infrared spectroscopy and multivariate analysis as a tool to differentiate different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a metabolomic study
Authors: Cozzolino D. , Flood L. , Bellon J. , Gishen M. , De Barros Lopes M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractNear‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has gained wide acceptance within the food and agriculture industries as a rapid analytical tool. NIR spectroscopy offers the advantage of rapid, non‐destructive analysis and routine operation is simple and opens the possibility of using spectra to obtain the ‘fingerprint’ of a sample. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of combining visible (VIS) and near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, together with multivariate analysis, in establishing the function of genes, by investigating the metabolic profiles produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion strains sourced from the EUROSCARF yeast collection. Spectra (400–2500 nm) were acquired with a FOSS NIRSystems6500 (Foss NIRSystems), in transmittance mode. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were used in order to visualize graphically the relative differences and similarities of yeast deletion strains. VIS and NIR spectroscopy showed great promise as a screening tool for both discriminating between yeast strains and grouping strains with deletions in genes that disturb similar metabolic pathways. These results indicate that the methods may be useful in defining the function of genes that produce no obvious phenotype. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time-Lapse Cinematography in LivingDrosophilaTissues: Preparation of Material
Authors: Davis Ilan , Parton Richard M. 
Published: November 2006

INTRODUCTIONThe fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has been an extraordinarily successful model organism for studying the genetic basis of development and evolution. It is arguably the best-understood complex multicellular model system, owing its success to many factors. Recent developments in imaging techniques, in particular sophisticated fluorescence microscopy methods and equipment, now allow cellular events to be studied at high resolution in living material. This ability has enabled the study of features that tend to be lost or damaged by fixation, such as transient or dynamic events. Although many of the techniques of live cell imaging in Drosophila are shared with the greater community of cell biologists working on other model systems, studying living fly tissues presents unique difficulties in keeping the cells alive, introducing fluorescent probes, and imaging through thick hazy cytoplasm. This protocol outlines the preparation of major tissue types amenable to study by time-lapse cinematography and different methods for keeping them alive.
Reciprocal Leaf and Root Expression ofAtAmt1.1and Root Architectural Changes in Response to Nitrogen Starvation
Authors: Engineer Cawas B. , Kranz Robert G. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractNitrogen is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and survival. Here, the temporal and spatial sensing of nitrogen starvation is analyzed in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The promoter for the high-affinity ammonium transporter, AtAmt1.1, is shown to be a valid indicator for nitrogen status in leaves and roots. An AtAmt1.1-Gal4 transgene using three 5× upstream activating sequence-driven reporters (luciferase, green fluorescent protein, and β-glucuronidase) facilitated in vivo profiling at the whole-plant and cellular levels. The effects of nitrogen supply, light duration, light intensity, and carbon on the expression of the AtAmt1.1 gene in the roots and aerial tissues are reported. Under nitrogen starvation, high expression is observed in the roots and, under nitrogen-sufficient conditions, high expression is observed in the leaves. This reciprocal regulation of AtAmt1.1 was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, which was also used to quantitate expression of the five other Amt genes in Arabidopsis. Although some of these show tissue specificity (roots or leaves), none exhibit reciprocal regulation like the AtAmt1.1-encoded high-affinity transporter. This robust reciprocal expression suggests that Arabidopsis undergoes rapid resource reallocation in plants grown under different nitrogen supply regimens. Ultimately, nitrogen starvation-mediated reallocation results in root architectural restructuring. We describe the precise timing and cellular aspects of this nitrogen limitation response.
Manganese Deficiency in Chlamydomonas Results in Loss of Photosystem II and MnSOD Function, Sensitivity to Peroxides, and Secondary Phosphorus and Iron Deficiency
Authors: Allen Michael D. , Kropat Janette , Tottey Stephen , Del Campo José A. , Merchant Sabeeha S. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
For photoheterotrophic growth, a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cell requires at least 1.7 × 107 manganese ions in the medium. At lower manganese ion concentrations (typically &lt;0.5 μ m), cells divide more slowly, accumulate less chlorophyll, and the culture reaches stationary phase at lower cell density. Below 0.1 μ m supplemental manganese ion in the medium, the cells are photosynthetically defective. This is accompanied by decreased abundance of D1, which binds the Mn4Ca cluster, and release of the OEE proteins from the membrane. Assay of Mn superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) indicates loss of activity of two isozymes in proportion to the Mn deficiency. The expression of MSD3 through MSD5, encoding various isoforms of the MnSODs, is up-regulated severalfold in Mn-deficient cells, but neither expression nor activity of the plastid Fe-containing superoxide dismutase is changed, which contrasts with the dramatically increased MSD3 expression and plastid MnSOD activity in Fe-deficient cells. Mn-deficient cells are selectively sensitive to peroxide but not methyl viologen or Rose Bengal, and GPXs, APX, and MSRA2 genes (encoding glutathione peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and methionine sulfoxide reductase 2) are slightly up-regulated. Elemental analysis indicates that the Mn, Fe, and P contents of cells in the Mn-deficient cultures were reduced in proportion to the deficiency. A natural resistance-associated macrophage protein homolog and one of five metal tolerance proteins were induced in Mn-deficient cells but not in Fe-deficient cells, suggesting that the corresponding gene products may be components of a Mn2+-selective assimilation pathway.
One year follow‐up on the SPARC sling system for the treatment of female urodynamic stress incontinence
Authors: PRIMUS GUENTER 
Published: November 2006

Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the SPARC sling in women with urinary incontinence.Methods: Women who presented with urinary incontinence symptoms were included in this prospective study. In total, 103 women underwent evaluation of subjective and objective cure rates, quality of life and urodynamic parameters following the SPARC procedure.Results: The objective cure rate, defined as a pad weight test less than 1 g and negative cough stress test, was 84.4% at 12 months. Subjective cure rates, defined as no usage of pads/no urine loss during daily activities, were also encouraging: 75.0% at 12 months. Quality of life evaluation included asking patients to rate the amount of bother caused by their incontinence symptoms on a scale from 0 to 100. Preoperatively, the average was 76.7, dropping to 15.9 at 12 months. At 6 months, 93.7% (75/79) were ‘very satisfied’ and 5.1% (4/79) were ‘satisfied;’ one patient was ‘dissatisfied’ (1.2%, 1/79). Seventy‐eight of 79 patients (98.7%) would recommend the procedure to a friend and undergo the procedure again. Patients returned to inside work an average of 1.4 days and to outside work 5.4 days after the procedure. The maximum flow rate decreased from a mean of 43.4 mL/s preoperatively to 37.08 mL/s at 12 months postoperatively (P = 0.049). Detrusor pressure at maximum flow and maximal urethral closure at rest increased from 16.94 and 50.85 cmH2O preoperatively to 21.69 and 60.61 cmH2O at 12 months, respectively (P = 0.015; P < 0.001). There were few postoperative complications, with no reported infections, erosions or hematomas.Conclusions: This prospective study demonstrates that the SPARC suprapubic sling is a safe and effective treatment for female stress urinary incontinence. Both objective and subjective measures of success were achieved, with low complication rates. Quality of life and urodynamic parameters were improved. The SPARC method provides safe and highly effective treatment for female stress urinary incontinence at one year.
On Compromise and Coercion*
Authors: COHEN‐ALMAGOR RAPHAEL 
Published: November 2006

Abstract.  This essay addresses the concepts of compromise and coercion. When compromise takes place between two or more parties, reciprocity must be present; that is, the concessions are mutual. A relevant distinction is between principled and tactical compromise. A principled compromise refers to a mutual recognition by each side of the other's rights, which leads them to make concessions to enable them to meet on a middle ground. It is genuinely made in good faith and both sides reconcile themselves to the results. On the other hand, the notion of tactical compromise reflects a temporary arrangement reached as a result of constraints related to time. Here, in fact, agents do not give up any of their aims. They do not act in good faith and do not intend to meet their counterpart on a middle ground. Instead, they simply realize that the end could not be achieved at a given point of time, and they aim to reach it stage by stage. The essential component of compromise, namely, mutuality, is lacking. Next, the paper draws a further distinction between internalized coercion and designated coercion. Internalized coercion relates to the system of manipulation to which members of a certain sub‐culture are subjected, which prevents them from realizing that they are being coerced to follow a certain conception that denies them basic rights. Designated coercion is individualistic in nature, aimed at a certain individual who rebels against the discriminatory norm. Unlike the internalized coercion it is not concerned with machinery aiming to convince the entire cultural group of an irrefutable truth; instead it is designed to exert pressure on uncertain, “confused” individuals so as to bring them back to their community.Ever since I assumed my present office my main purpose has been to work for the pacification of Europe, for the removal of those suspicions and those animosities which have so long poisoned the air. The path which leads to appeasement is long and bristles with obstacles. The question of Czechoslovakia is the latest and perhaps the most dangerous. Now that we have got past it, I feel that it may be possible to make further progress along the road to sanity.(Neville Chamberlain, “Peace in Our Time”, October 3, 1938)**
Portfolio Concentration and Investment Manager Performance*
Authors: BRANDS SIMONE , BROWN STEPHEN J. , GALLAGHER DAVID R. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTThis study examines the relationship between investment performance and concentration in active equity portfolios. Active management is dependent on the success of two important components in the investment process – stock selection skill and portfolio management. Our study documents a positive relationship between fund performance and portfolio concentration. The relationship is stronger for stocks in which active managers hold overweight positions, as well as for stocks outside the largest 50 stocks listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). We find that more concentrated funds tend to be those implementing growth styles, having smaller aggregate assets under management, being institutions that are not affiliated with a bank or life‐office entity, whose funds experience past period outflows, and who are benchmarked to narrower indexes than the S&P/ASX 300.
Effect of Taxation on Equal Access Share Buybacks in Australia*
Authors: BROWN CHRISTINE , EFTHIM KATRINA 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTIn Australia, equal access share buybacks can be structured so that a portion of the buyback price is designated as a fully franked dividend. The tax benefits derived from this structure imply that off‐market buybacks are sometimes offered to shareholders at a discount to the current market price. This is in contrast to the United States, which operates under a classical taxation system, and where off‐market buybacks are generally executed at a premium to the market price. The situation in Australia provides a unique opportunity to add to our understanding of taxation explanations for how and why companies buy back their shares. We find that the size of the discount of the offer price to the current share price is significantly related to the proportion of the buyback price designated a franked dividend. Analysis of the after‐tax benefits to shareholders leads us to conclude that the structure of many equal access buybacks in Australia is advantageous to superannuation funds holding the stock.
Inflammation‐responsive focal constrictors in the mouse ear microcirculation
Authors: Ravnic Dino J. , Konerding Moritz , Pratt Juan P. , Wolloscheck Tanja , Huss Harold T. , Mentzer Steven J. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIn many capillary exchange beds, blood flow is locally regulated by precapillary sphincter‐like activity. In this study, we used intravascular tracers and scanning electron microscopy to investigate precapillary blood flow regulation in the mouse ear. Gelatin ink injections of the normal mouse ear demonstrated 6.8 ± 2.3 axial vessels with a cutoff of detectable tracer in the early branches: 19 ± 11 focal constrictions were observed along the 1st to 5th order branches of the axial vessels. A perfusion tracer consisting of biotinylated anti‐endothelial lectins (Ricinus Communis Agglutin, Lycopersicon Esculentum and Griffonia Simplicifolia) was circulated for 30 min under physiological conditions. Subsequent enzyme histochemistry demonstrated no significant change in distal perfusion or in the number of focal constrictions (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the focal constrictions were unresponsive to vasodilators such as organic nitrates and prostaglandin E1. By contrast, the presence of oxazolone‐induced inflammation resulted in significant and sustained vasodilatation for more than 96 h (P > 0.001). Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated discrete constricting bands morphologically distinct from known precapillary sphincters. These results suggest that these previously unappreciated inflammation‐responsive precapillary constrictors regulate capillary recruitment in the mouse ear microcirculation.
Patient handling: student nurses’ views
Authors: Smallwood Jane A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPatient handling presents considerable challenges to those employed in health care. Despite significant emphasis on training over the past decade, evidence suggests poor compliance with recommended principles. Consensus currently promotes ergonomic approaches, yet the need to address social and behavioural factors is also emerging. Experience of teaching student nurses in this field suggested that taught techniques are not always transferred into practice yet few studies have focused on their explanations. This paper reports on a study of factors that influence patient‐handling practices from the perspectives of student nurses, and discusses the implications for educational strategies in the UK. Data collection comprised of a self‐report questionnaire to a purposive sample of students, followed by discussions about its findings with the 51 respondents, to clarify understanding and gain further insights. Notes of these discussions were analysed thematically and linked with the descriptive data from the questionnaire. The results indicated that most students believed that ‘safe’ patient handling is achievable, yet approximately half did not use recommended techniques despite having the requisite knowledge. Disparity was also evident regarding the impact of clinical culture, conflict between personal and patient well‐being and transferability of classroom skills. The significance of clinical placement areas in influencing students’ patient‐handling behaviour was revealed in both stages of data collection. The study contributes to evidence indicating poor compliance with patient‐handling directives and suggests a need to address potential barriers through educational strategies.
Activation of the Mitf promoter by lipid‐stimulated activation of p38‐stress signalling to CREB
Authors: Saha Bidisha , Singh Suman Kumar , Sarkar Chinmoy , Bera Rabindranath , Ratha Jagnyeswar , Tobin Desmond J. , Bhadra Ranjan 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor Mitf plays a critical role in regulating many aspects of melanocyte biology. It is required for melanoblast and postnatal melanocyte survival, regulates proliferation, and activates genes associated with differentiation such as tyrosinase and related genes involved in melanogenesis. Identifying the signals that regulate Mitf expression is crucial if we are to understand how cells of the melanocyte lineage respond to environmental cues. Here we show that the Mitf promoter is induced by lipid signalling via the p38 stress‐activated kinase pathway that is also activated by a wide range of receptors as well as UV irradiation. Signalling via p38 leads to increased phosphorylation and activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element‐binding (CREB) that binds and activates the Mitf promoter via the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element. Moreover, we also show that activation of p38 mediated by lipids is potentiated by inhibition of the PI3kinase pathway but not by inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA). The results identify a mechanism in which stress signalling via p38 leads to activation of CREB, enhanced Mitf expression and consequently increased tyrosinase expression. The results are relevant for the regulation of melanocytes by Mitf, but also raise the possibility that lipid mediated activation of p38 signalling may represent a potential therapy for vitiligo.
Willingness to Pay for Reduced Risk of Foodborne Illness: A Nonhypothetical Field Experiment
Authors: Nayga Rodolfo M. , Woodward Richard , Aiew Wipon 
Published: November 2006

This paper focuses on estimating willingness to pay for reducing risk of getting foodborne illness using a nonhypothetical field experiment utilizing real food products (i.e., ground beef ), real cash, and actual exchange in a market setting. Respondents were given information about the nature of food irradiation. Single‐bounded and one and one‐half bounded models are developed using dichotomous choice experiments. Our results indicate that individuals are willing to pay for a reduction in the risk of foodborne illness once informed about the nature of food irradiation. Our respondents are willing to pay a premium of about $0.77 for a pound of irradiated ground beef, which is higher than the cost to irradiate the product. Le présent article porte sur l'estimation de la volonté de payer des consommateurs pour diminuer le risque de contracter une maladie d'origine alimentaire. L'étude a été réalisée en effectuant une expérience sur le terrain à l'aide de vrais produits alimentaires (à savoir du bœuf haché), d'argent réel et d'échange réel en situation de marché. Les répondants avaient reçu de l'information sur l'irradiation des aliments. Nous avons mis au point des modèles à une limite et à une limite et demie utilisant la méthode des choix dichotomiques. Nos résultats ont montré que les consommateurs étaient prêts à payer pour diminuer le risque de contracter une maladie d'origine alimentaire, une fois informés sur l'irradiation des aliments. Nos répondants étaient prêts à payer une prime d'environ 0,77$ la livre pour obtenir du bœuf haché irradié, soit une somme supplémentaire supérieure au coût de l'irradiation du produit.
Meat Demand under Rational Habit Persistence
Authors: Zhen Chen , Wohlgenant Michael K. 
Published: November 2006

The objective of this paper is to explore the theoretical implications of a meat demand model with rational habit formation. The impact of food safety information on meat consumption is systematically analyzed. Important differences between myopic habits and rational habits are underscored. Both the adjustment path to the new equilibrium and new level of consumption are affected by consumers' perceptions of changes in meat quality. The analysis has implications for empirical demand estimation by incorporating consumers' expectations and use of event dummy variables rather than index measures of food safety. Le présent article vise à explorer les implications théoriques d'un modèle de demande de viande avec formation d'habitudes rationnelles. Les répercussions de l'information concernant la sécurité alimentaire sur la consommation de viande ont été systématiquement analysées. Les différences importantes entre les habitudes rationnelles et les habitudes myopes ont été soulignées. Le chemin de rajustement du nouvel équilibre et du nouveau degré de consommation est affecté par la façon dont les consommateurs perçoivent les changements dans la qualité de la viande. L'analyse a des implications pour l'estimation empirique de la demande en raison de l'intégration des attentes des consommateurs et de l'utilisation de variables fictives plutôt que de mesures indicielles de la sécurité alimentaire.