bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hazard Map, Risk Assessment, Planning of Mitigation Measures and their Realization in Alpine Regions – Case Study of Cortaccia, South Tyrol
Authors: Willerich Sebastian , Mair Volkmar , Thuro Kurosch 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAs part of a pilot‐scheme that was initialised by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, the municipality of Cortaccia was one of the first regions of South Tyrol to receive an area wide hazard map (HM). In 2007 the gradual elaboration of HM for all municipalities started after the completion of all pilot‐schemes in several parts of South Tyrol. The experiences made in Cortaccia are taken into account for all these new and definite HM. During the past few years HM have established as a cartographic basis for clear‐sighted urban and infrastructural planning in alpine areas. For the elaboration of HM the local risk must not be considered, i.e. without respect of the potential material damage in the wake of occurrence of natural hazards. But later on, the local management of the urban and infrastructural development as well as the planning of particular precautionary measures and targeted technical actions have to be carried out taking into account each location's specific risk. Almost three years after handing over the HM to the mayor of Cortaccia urban consequences for the municipality are described and the first precautionary measures and technical actions that were taken are presented.
A new vibrator to stimulate muscle proprioceptors in fMRI
Authors: Montant Marie , Romaiguère Patricia , Roll Jean‐Pierre 
Published: April 2008

AbstractStudying cognitive brain functions by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) requires appropriate stimulation devices that do not interfere with the magnetic fields. Since the emergence of fMRI in the 90s, a number of stimulation devices have been developed for the visual and auditory modalities. Only few devices, however, have been developed for the somesthesic modality. Here, we present a vibration device for studying somesthesia that is compatible with high magnetic field environments and that can be used in fMRI machines. This device consists of a poly vinyl chloride (PVC) vibrator containing a wind turbine and of a pneumatic apparatus that controls 1–6 vibrators simultaneously. Just like classical electromagnetic vibrators, our device stimulates muscle mechanoreceptors (muscle spindles) and generates reliable illusions of movement. We provide the fMRI compatibility data (phantom test), the calibration curve (vibration frequency as a function of air flow), as well as the results of a kinesthetic test (perceived speed of the illusory movement as a function of vibration frequency). This device was used successfully in several brain imaging studies using both fMRI and magnetoencephalography. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
TNF‐α‐inducing protein, a carcinogenic factor secreted from H. pylori, enters gastric cancer cells
Authors: Suganuma Masami , Yamaguchi Kensei , Ono Yoshie , Matsumoto Haruo , Hayashi Tomonori , Ogawa Takahiko , Imai Kazue , Kuzuhara Takashi , Nishizono Akira , Fujiki Hirota 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTNF‐α inducing protein (Tipα) is secreted from Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): it is a potent inducer of TNF‐α and chemokine genes, mediated through NF‐κB activation, and it also induces tumor‐promoting activity in Bhas 42 cells. To investigate the carcinogenic mechanisms of H. pylori with Tipα, we first examined how Tipα acts on gastric epithelial cells. We found that fluorescent‐Tipα specifically bound to, and then entered, the cells in a dose‐ and temperature‐dependent manner, whereas deletion mutant of Tipα (del‐Tipα), an inactive form, neither bound to nor entered the cells, suggesting the presence of a specific binding molecule. Mutagenesis analysis of Tipα revealed that a dimer formation of Tipα with a disulfide bond is required for both specific binding and induction of TNF‐α gene expression. A confocal laser scanning microscope revealed some Tipα in the nuclei, but del‐Tipα was not present, which indicated that an active form of Tipα can penetrate the nucleus and may be involved in the induction of TNF‐α gene expression. Examination of Tipα production and secretion in 28 clinical isolates revealed that H. pylori obtained from gastric cancer patients secreted Tipα in significantly higher amounts than did H. pylori from patients with chronic gastritis, suggesting that Tipα is an essential factor in H. pylori inflammation and cancer microenvironment in the human stomach. Tipα is thus a new carcinogenic factor of H. pylori that can enter the nucleus through a specific binding molecule, and its mechanism of action is completely different from that of CagA. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fetal growth and the risk of childhood CNS tumors and lymphomas in Western Australia
Authors: Milne Elizabeth , Laurvick Crystal L. , Blair Eve , de Klerk Nicholas , Charles Adrian K. , Bower Carol 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe etiology of childhood cancers is largely unknown, although the early age at diagnosis has led to particular interest in in utero and perinatal factors. Birth weight is the most frequently studied perinatal factor in relation to risk of childhood cancers, and results have been inconsistent. We investigated whether the risk of CNS tumors and lymphomas in children was associated with three measures of the appropriateness of intra‐uterine growth: proportion of optimal birth weight (POBW), birth length (POBL) and weight for length (POWFL). A cohort of 576,633 infants born in Western Australia in 1980–2004 were followed from birth to diagnosis of a CNS tumor (n = 183) or lymphoma (n = 84) before age 15, death, or December 31, 2005, and analyzed with Cox regression. Overall, there was little evidence of any association between fetal growth and risk of CNS tumors, although risk of ependymoma/choroid plexus tumors was positively associated with POBL and negatively associated with POWFL. The risk of Hodgkin and Burkitt lymphoma increased with increasing fetal growth among boys only, whereas the increased risk observed with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma was only in girls. These associations between fetal growth and disease risk were also observed among children not classified as high birth weight, suggesting that accelerated growth is more important than birth weight per se. Results were similar when cases were compared with their unaffected siblings, suggesting that the increased growth associated with cancer risk was not general to the family. The associations we observed are consistent with causal pathways involving fetal growth factors. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
“Severe” wear challenge to 36 mm mechanically enhanced highly crosslinked polyethylene hip liners
Authors: Bowsher J. G. , Williams P. A. , Clarke I. C. , Green D. D. , Donaldson T. K. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractOur purpose was to compare the wear performance of mechanically enhanced 5Mrad highly crosslinked polyethylene (MEP, ArComXL®) hip liners to (control) 3Mrad UHMWPE liners (ArCom®) in 36 mm head size. As a more severe synergy of clinically relevant test models, we contrasted wear with custom roughened Co–Cr surfaces (Ra 500 nm) to the standard pristine Co–Cr heads (Ra < 20 nm) using a severe microseparation test mode in our hip simulator. We adopted a previously published model to estimate potential biological activity. On new Co–Cr heads, the MEP liners showed a 47% reduction in volumetric wear a 13% reduction in wear particle size and a 27% reduction in Functional Biological Activity (FBA) compared to our control. On rough Co–Cr heads, the MEP liners showed little advantage in terms of volumetric wear compared with the control. However, the MEP liners overall showed a 38% reduction in FBA compared to the control owing to a larger volume fraction of larger particles. Thus overall the MEP liners appeared to offer advantages in terms of reduced FBA indices. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
An integrated biodesulfurization process, including inoculum preparation, desulfurization and sulfate removal in a single step, for removing sulfur from oils
Authors: Tangaromsuk Jantana , Borole Abhijeet P. , Kruatrachue Maleeya , Pokethitiyook Prayad 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: A single‐stage reactor, in which the growth of bacterial culture, induction of desulfurizing enzymes, and desulfurization reaction are carried out in a single step, was adopted to investigate desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) at high cell densities. Rhodococcus erythropolis, IGTS8 was used as the biocatalyst. Optimal conditions for bacterial growth and DBT desulfurization were investigated.RESULTS: Optimization of fermentation conditions was necessary to obtain high cell densities including controlling accumulation of acetate. Under optimal operating conditions, the maximum optical density at 600 nm (OD600) was measured to be 26.6 at 118 h of cultivation. When biodesulfurization of DBT in model oil with a high cell density culture of IGTS8 was investigated, accumulation of sulfate was found to limit the extent of desulfurization. A sulfate removal step was added to obtain a single‐stage integrated biodesulfurization process. Sulfate removal was achieved via an aqueous bleed stream and use of a separation unit to recycle the organic phase.CONCLUSION: A proof of principle of a complete system capable of biocatalyst growth, induction, desulfurization and by‐product separation was demonstrated. This system enables simplification of the biodesulfurization process and has potential to lower the operating cost of the bioprocess. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Pleurocutaneous fistula after tube thoracostomy: Sonographic findings
Authors: Lin Ming‐Tzer , Shih Jin‐Yuan , Lee Yung‐Chie , Yang Pan‐Chyr 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPleurocutaneous fistula is defined as a pathologic communication between the pleural space and the subcutaneous tissues. It can occur as a complication of an infectious process, neoplasm, foreign body aspiration, or iatrogenic procedures. Diagnosis is usually made on imaging studies, such as CT. We describe a 72‐year‐old woman with esophageal cancer who underwent chest tube placement for postesophagectomy drainage. After removal of the chest tube, a right chest wall mass was noted. Transcutaneous sonographic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of pleurocutaneous fistula. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Changes in germ cells population and in vitro oocyte maturation in female mice with imperforated vagina
Authors: Lenartowicz Małgorzata , Brzęk Barbara , Polański Zbigniew , Sierpniowska Aleksandra , Galas Jerzy , Bilińska Barbara 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis study characterized female mice with a congenital defect in their reproductive tract. In females derived from an outbred colony maintained in the Department of Genetics and Evolution, the frequency of the imperforated vaginae was approximately 2%. A consequence of this defect is infertility. Affected animals developed hydrometrocolpos (the uterus and vagina were greatly distended by fluid). Morphology of the ovary and oviduct was normal and similar to that of control mice. In the females with an imperforated vagina numerous corpora lutea were observed. Accordingly, we have found that both spontaneous as well as exogenous gonadotrophin‐induced ovulation occurs in such females. Nevertheless, oocytes derived from ovaries of occluded females exhibited a partial block during in vitro maturation. Histological analysis of ovarian tissue revealed an increase in the number of primary follicles (type I follicles) and a decrease in the number of secondary and antral follicles (type IV and type VI follicles) when compared with control mice. The concentration of androgens in the ovarian tissue was higher in the affected females. Our data show that females with an imperforated vagina can be a useful model for studying the mechanism of genetic control of the development of the urogenital tract in mammals. J. Exp. Zool. 309A:269–277, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On minimum sets of 1‐factors covering a complete multipartite graph
Authors: Cariolaro David , Fu Hung‐Lin 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe determine necessary and sufficient conditions for a complete multipartite graph to admit a set of 1‐factors whose union is the whole graph and, when these conditions are satisfied, we determine the minimum size of such a set. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 58:239‐250, 2008
The use of SST and SOI anomalies as indicators of crop yield variability
Authors: Travasso Maria I. , Magrin Graciela O. , Grondona Martin O. , Rodriguez Gabriel R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractInterannual climate variability accounts for most of the observed crop yield fluctuations in the main agricultural region of Argentina. Moreover, in this region climatic variations are related to sea surface temperatures (SST) and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). In the present study, we aimed to obtain indicators of crop yield variability based on these drivers. For this purpose, monthly anomalies corresponding to SSTs from the Equatorial Pacific (SSTN3) and South Atlantic (SSTSA) Oceans and the SOI were related to maize, sunflower and soybean grain yield anomalies. Historical data (1923–2000 for maize, 1934–2000 for sunflower and 1969–2000 for soybean) were used to obtain grain yield anomalies at the county level after removing technology trends by smoothing techniques. By means of correlation analysis, we obtained the counties presenting significant association (p < 0.05) between monthly SST/SOI anomalies and yield anomalies, for the period 1950–1997. Those indicators showing spatial consistency were classified in percentiles, and the values corresponding to the upper and lower terciles showed to be useful to discriminate between positive and negative yield anomalies (high and low yields). In general, SOI for maize and SSTSA for soybean and sunflower were the best indicators of crop yield variability. SOI corresponding to September and May were useful in counties contributing to 71% of maize production. SSTa_SA (June) was the best for soybean in the main producing region, which includes 72% of the total production. SSTa_SA (March) could be useful for sunflower in the northern part of the region, which accounts for 27% of the regional production. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Accelerated leadership development tops the talent management menu at McDonald's
Authors: Williams‐Lee Audrey 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe fast‐food giant played catch‐up after unprecedented top management turnover drew down its pool of high‐potential “ready now” leaders. By aggressively focusing on talent management and leadership development, the company now has a tempting selection of accelerated leadership development programs for high potentials, and is rapidly building bench strength around the globe. The evolution of its efforts began with its first leadership competency model and the integration of key talent processes. Regional, functional, and global leadership development initiatives soon followed, along with a rigorous companywide talent planning process. The company is now turning its attention to high potential talent at lower organizational levels. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microsubthalamotomy: An immediate predictor of long‐term subthalamic stimulation efficacy in Parkinson disease
Authors: Maltête David , Derrey Stéphane , Chastan Nathalie , Debono Bertrand , Gérardin Emmanuel , Fréger Pierre , Mihout Bruno , Menard Jean François , Hannequin Didier 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA microsubthalamotomy (mSTN) effect is commonly described after implantation that improves Parkinson's motor disability and is considered to be an obvious sign of good placement of the definitive electrode within the subthalamic nucleus (STN). There has been no formal study, however, demonstrating whether this mSTN effect can predict the long‐term efficacy of STN stimulation in Parkinson Disease. The mSTN effect was defined by the percentage improvement of unified parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS III) baseline score assessed the third day morning following STN implantation, after at least a 12 hour withdrawal of dopaminergic treatment and before the programmable pulse generator was switched on. It was assessed in 30 consecutive patients with PD submitted for STN stimulation. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that mSTN effect (P = 0.005) and global mean intensity of stimulation (P = 0.004) were accurate independent predictors of the 6‐month postoperative UPDRS III motor score improvement in the off‐drug/on‐stimulation condition. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
PET study of brain acetylcholinesterase in cerebellar degenerative disorders
Authors: Hirano Shigeki , Shinotoh Hitoshi , Arai Kimihito , Aotsuka Akiyo , Yasuno Fumihiko , Tanaka Noriko , Ota Tsuneyoshi , Sato Koichi , Fukushi Kiyoshi , Tanada Shuji , Hattori Takamichi , Irie Toshiaki 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTo elucidate characteristic changes of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in cerebellar degenerative disorders. Eight patients with the cerebellar variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA‐C), 7 patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type‐3 (SCA‐3), 3 patients with SCA‐6, and 13 healthy age‐matched volunteers participated in this study. Brain AChE activity was measured by [11C] N‐methylpiperidin‐4‐yl propionate PET in all subjects. Brain AChE activities were significantly decreased in the thalamus (−27%) and the posterior lobe of cerebellar cortex (−36%) in patients with MSA‐C and in the thalamus (−23%) in patients with SCA‐3 compared with healthy controls (P < 0.01). Thalamic AChE activities of SCA‐3 patients were negatively correlated with the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale motor subscore (P < 0.001). AChE activities were not significantly altered in the cerebral cortex in any disease group. Reduction of AChE activities in the thalamus and cerebellum in MSA and in the thalamus in SCA‐3 suggest that cholinergic modulating drugs may have a role in the treatment of ataxia and other symptoms in these disorders. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Extreme structural response analysis of truss structures under material uncertainty via linear mixed 0–1 programming
Authors: Guo Xu , Bai Wei , Zhang Weisheng 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis paper concerns the extreme structural response analysis of truss structures taking the possible uncertainties of Young's moduli of the bars into consideration. The uncertainty of Young's modulus is described by a non‐probability but bounded interval model. With the use of this uncertain model, it is shown that the structural responses such as nodal displacement and bar stress will attain their extreme values when Young's moduli of the bars take either their upper or lower bound value. Based on this conclusion and simultaneous analysis and design formulation, a linear mixed 0–1 programming problem can be constructed to find the extreme values of the structural response by the well‐established branch‐and‐bound approach with global optimality. The proposed approach is applied to several test problems for the demonstration of its validity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An adhesive interphase element for structural analyses
Authors: Salomonsson Kent , Stigh Ulf 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA special purpose finite element is developed for structural simulations of complex adhesively bonded structures. In the interphase element, the adhesive is explicitly regarded as a material phase between two substrates. The element considers large rotations. Furthermore, it considers in‐plane straining of the adhesive due to large curvatures of the bonded shells. This feature appears especially important when considering bonding of thin plastically deforming metallic shell structures. Simulations are made on specimens where the adherends deform both elastically and plastically. The results are in good agreement with previously performed experiments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Management of women with epilepsy before and during pregnancy
Authors: Hart Yvonne 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn pregnancy is a series of reviews focusing on the management of women with psychiatric and neurological conditions during pregnancy.In this article,Dr Hart discusses the special precautions that need to be taken when caring for women with epilepsy before and during pregnancy, including preconception counselling, adjustment of antiepileptic drugs and monitoring of the mother and fetus. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Alzheimer's Society
Authors: Evers Clive 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and those who care for them. Its vision is of a radically improved world for people with dementia, in which their needs are fully met, their rights are recognised and they are free from discrimination. Here, Clive Evers, director of information, describes some of the work the society is currently doing towards achieving these aims. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Antiperoxidative, antithyroidal, antihyperglycemic and cardioprotective role of Citrus sinensis peel extract in male mice
Authors: Parmar H. S. , Kar A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAn extract of Citrus sinensis (CS) peel was evaluated for its efficacy in ameliorating L‐thyroxine (L‐T4) induced tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO), hyperthyroidism and hyperglycemia in mice. In a preliminary investigation, of the three different doses of CS (12.5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg and 50.0 mg/kg) peel extract, 25 mg/kg was found to be the most effective and antiperoxidative, while 50 mg/kg was proved to be hepatotoxic. Therefore in the pilot experiment the effects of 25 mg/kg/day of CS for 10 days were studied in L‐T4 induced hyperthyroid animals. L‐T4 (500 µg/kg/day for 10 days) increased the levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) with a concomitant increase in serum glucose concentration, alpha‐amylase activity, heart/body weight ratio (HW/BW), kidney/body weight ratio (KW/BW) and cardiac as well as hepatic LPO. However, it decreased the concentration of different serum lipids such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL‐C). Administration of CS extract (25 mg/kg/day) in hyperthyroid animals reversed most of these observations revealing the ameliorating potential of CS extract against various adverse effects of hyperthyroidism. It appears that the test extract primarily acts through its antioxidative/free radical‐scavenging, antithyroidal and HDL‐C stimulating properties. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
QSAR Analysis of Platelet‐derived Growth Inhibitors Using GA‐ANN and Shuffling Crossvalidation
Authors: Jalali‐Heravi Mehdi , Asadollahi‐Baboli Mohammad 
Published: April 2008

AbstractQuantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) models for the inhibition action of some 1‐phenylbenzimidazoles on platelet‐derived growth are constructed using Genetic Algorithm and Artificial Neural Network (GA‐ANN) method. The statistical parameters of R2 and root‐mean‐square error are 0.82 and 0.21, respectively using this method. These parameters show a considerable improvement compared to the stepwise multiple linear regression combined with ANN (stepwise MLR‐ANN). Ten‐fold shuffling crossvalidations are carried out to select the most important descriptors. Five descriptors of index of Balaban (J), average molecular weight (AMW), 3D‐Wiener index (W3D), mean atomic van der Waals volume (Sv), and total charge (Qtotal) appear in most of the models. The results of GA‐ANN are superior compared with those of GA‐MLR and GA‐PLS, which indicate that the inhibition behavior has nonlinear characteristics. The ability of GA‐ANN model in predicting inhibition behavior of 1‐phenylbenzimidazoles [log(1/IC50)] and its robustness is illustrated by validation techniques of leave‐one‐out and leave‐multiple‐out crossvalidations and also by Y‐randomization technique.