bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of different intervention programmes on the self‐concept and motor proficiency of 7‐ to 9‐year‐old children with DCD
Authors: Peens A. , Pienaar A. E. , Nienaber A. W. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground  The self‐concept of children is influenced by developmental co‐ordination disorder (DCD). The aim was to determine the most effective method in enhancing motor proficiency and self‐concept of 7‐ to 9‐year‐old children with DCD.Methods  Teachers at nine different schools identified 201 possible DCD candidates. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children identified 58 with DCD (36 boys and 22 girls). Self‐concept and anxiety were determined by the Tennessee Self‐Concept Scale (Child Form) and Child Anxiety Scale respectively. The children were randomly grouped into four experimental groups [motor intervention (MI), self‐concept (SC) enhancing intervention, psycho‐motor intervention (P‐MI) and a control group (CG)]. A two‐way analysis of variance (anova) with a group factor and a repeated measures over time followed by a Bonferroni post hoc analysis and separate one‐way anovas followed by a Tukey post hoc analysis were conducted to determine between‐group and within‐group differences at the pre‐, post‐ and re‐tests. Effect sizes (d) were calculated to determine the practical significance of statistical differences (P < 0.05).Results  After completion of the intervention programmes, no significant improvement in motor proficiency was found in the SC group, while the MI, P‐MI and CG groups improved significantly (P < 0.01). No further improvements were found after the retention period in all the groups. From the pre‐test to retest 2, the MI, P‐MI and CG improved (P < 0.01), while the SC showed lower (P > 0.05) motor proficiency. A tendency of lower anxiety (P > 0.05) was found in the SC, while the total self‐concept of the P‐MI showed the biggest improvement (P < 0.05).Conclusion  Motor proficiency and self‐concept of children with DCD benefit from intervention, but both should be addressed for optimal benefits.
A new technique for the long‐term study of the physiology of plant fruit tissue slices
Authors: Parkin K. L. 
Published: February 2008

Parkin, K. L. 1987. A new technique for the long‐term study of the physiology of plant fruit tissue slices.A modified tissue culture medium, devoid of plant growth hormones, was evaluated as a means to allow long‐term study of the physiology of plant fruit tissue slices. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, cvs New Yorker and Caruso) tissue slices, prepared from mature green fruits, were mounted in this medium and examined for their capability to undergo ripening. Over a 30 day period the changes in color, firmness and respiratory activity for the slices appeared to be temporally associated as is the case for the intact fruit. A less distinct respiratory climacteric was noted for the incubated discs compared to the intact fruit. This new technique might be applicable to long‐term study of other plant tissues.
Periodicity of bud bursting in willow (Salix viminalis) as affected by growth regulators
Authors: Saunders Peter F. , Barros Raimundo S. 
Published: February 2008

Saunders, P. F. and Barros, R. S. 1987. Periodicity of bud bursting in willow (Salix viminalis) as affected by growth regulators.Lateral vegetative buds of willow (Salix viminalis L.) were only innately dormant for 3–5 weeks in October; during this time their apices were correlatively inhibited by the bud leaflets. Exogenous gibberellins stimulated the opening of cultured buds when the plants were dormant or entering dormancy. As dormancy was being released, however, cultured buds became more responsive to exogenous cytokinins. Thus the demand for gibberellins and cytokinins for bud opening seemed to be sequential rather than simultaneous. Dormant buds cultured in the presence of abscisic acid remained unopened, but they opened after a chilling treatment. Subsequent growth of such buds as measured by dry matter accumulation, was observed only if a cytokinin was added to the medium.
Benefit of in‐phase chest wall vibration on the pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: NAKAYAMA Hideaki , SHIBUYA Masato , KANEKO Norihiro , YAMADA Minehiko , SUZUKI Hajime , ARAKAWA Masaaki , HOMMA Ikuo 
Published: February 2008

Objective:Chest wall vibration of contracting intercostal muscles (in‐phase vibration, (IPV)) improves O2 saturation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of IPV on the pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with COPD.Methodology:Twelve patients with COPD (FEV,%, 43.7 + 14.4%) underwent pulmonary artery catheterization in the supine position; hemodynamic variables as well as arterial and mixed venous gas tension were measured at baseline and after 15 min of IPV with IPV continued during the measurement.Results:Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa, 21.3 ± 5.0–19.1 ±4.8mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR, 294.6 + 196.0–228.5 + 101.7 dyne.sec.cm‐5) decreased significantly, but there was no change in heart rate, cardiac index or systemic blood pressure. PaO2 increased (66.5 ± 10.3–70.0 ± 9.7 Torr) and PaCO2 decreased (46.6 ± 8.9–45.0 ± 10.1 Torr) significantly. Minute ventilation and tidal volume increased significantly in five out of the eight patients in whom ventilation was monitored throughout the study.Conclusion:IPV improves gas exchange and pulmonary circulation without affecting systemic circulation.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia: Clinical benefits on Three‐Dimensional ultrasound eXtended Imaging (3D‐XI)
Authors: Elwagdy Salah , Samy Elhakim , Sayed Moussa , Gamal A‐Hassan 
Published: February 2008

Objectives:  To prospectively evaluate whether trans‐rectal Three‐Dimensional eXtended Imaging (3D XI) allows characterization of the prostate gland in cases of isolated benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) so as to elucidate the motive for discrepancy of postvoiding residual urine.Methods:  The study was conducted according to the standards of the local ethics committee. Patients gave informed consent. Disclosing the 3D XI display of the prostatic urethra and prostatic gland zones was a preliminary essential. The study included 113 men with a clinical diagnosis of BPH in whom transurethral resection of the prostate was planned. Patients aged from 52 to 75 years (mean 63). Other causes of infravesical obstructive uropathy and prostate neoplastic involvement were excluded. All patients were evaluated by three‐dimensional Trans‐Rectal Ultrasound using 3D XI methods. Patients were grouped according to the postvoiding residual urine volume into three groups, less and more than 100 mL and urine retention.Results:  3D XI provided excellent resolution and diagnostic authority of prostate gland anatomy and for the appraisal of BPH morphology. The balance and type of nodular eruption proved responsible for the severity of symptoms aspires by extra‐axial nodular effect upon the prostate urethra. The 3D XI analysis regarding the nodular stromal to glandular ratio compared to the histopathological results proved effectual in 98.3% of stromal‐dominant, 100% in glandular‐dominant and 93.3% in mixed type hyperplasia.Conclusions:  The severity of symptoms among men with BPH showed an association with the nodular credence, highlighted by 3D XI as a supportive tool in characterizing BPH.
Photoperiodic mechanisms controlling scent marking: interactions of vasopressin and gonadal steroids
Authors: Caldwell Heather K. , Smith Debra A. , Albers H. Elliott 
Published: February 2008

AbstractMicroinjection of arginine vasopressin (Avp) into the rostral hypothalamus of Syrian hamsters induces a form of scent marking known as flank marking. The ability of Avp to stimulate flank marking is mediated by the vasopressin 1a receptor (Avpr1a). In hamsters housed in long ‘summer‐like’ photoperiods, the amount of flank marking and the number of Avpr1a receptors in the rostral hypothalamus are regulated by testosterone. However, hamsters housed in short ‘winter‐like’ photoperiods for 6–8 weeks continue to flank mark at high levels despite significant reductions in the circulating levels of testosterone. In the present study, we compared the effects of gonadal steroids on Avp‐induced flank marking and Avpr1a binding and affinity in hamsters housed in short photoperiods and those housed in long photoperiods. In long‐photoperiod‐housed hamsters, castration significantly reduced the amount of Avp‐induced flank marking; however, in short‐photoperiod‐housed hamsters there were no significant differences between gonadally regressed and castrated hamsters. Surprisingly, Avpr1a receptor binding, but not affinity, in the medial preoptic area and the medial preoptic nucleus was significantly reduced in long‐photoperiod‐housed castrates as well as short‐photoperiod‐housed gonadally regressed and castrated hamsters, compared with long‐photoperiod‐housed gonadally intact hamsters. These data demonstrate that in short photoperiods Avp‐induced flank marking is independent of gonadal hormones, despite gonadal steroid‐dependent reductions in Avpr1a binding.
EVOLUTIONARY THEORY AND THEOLOGY: A MUTUALLY ILLUMINATIVE DIALOGUE
Authors: Schaab Gloria L. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract.Scientific perspectives often are perceived to challenge biblically based cosmologies and theologies. Arthur Peacocke, biochemist and theologian, recognized that this challenge actually represents an opportunity for Christian theology to reenvision and reinterpret its traditions in ways that take into account scientific theories of evolution. In the course of his career, Peacocke offered a new paradigm for the dialogue between theology and science. This paper explores his proposals, in particular his theories of language, the God‐world relation, and the nature of God, and exemplifies the impact these proposals had on his theological insights.
REMEMBERING ARTHUR PEACOCKE: A PERSONAL REFLECTION
Authors: Barbour Ian G. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract.I join others who have expressed profound gratitude for the life and thought of Arthur Peacocke. I recall some high points in my interaction with him during a period of forty years as an intellectual companion and personal friend. Some similarities in our thinking about evolution, emergence, top‐down causality, and continuing creation are indicated. Four points of difference are then discussed: (1) Emergent monism or two‐aspect process events? (2) Panentheism or process theism? (3) Creation ex nihilo and/or continuing creation? (4) Voluntary or necessary limitation of God's power? Even when we differed I have benefited immensely from our ongoing interaction.
IS A COMPLETE BIOCOGNITIVE ACCOUNT OF RELIGION FEASIBLE?
Authors: Oviedo Lluís 
Published: February 2008

Abstract.The biological and cognitive approach to religion has matured somewhat and reveals interesting results. Nevertheless, some questions arise about its foundation and development. The essay offers a review of current research in the cognitive field, focusing on its conclusions, the internal discussions, and the problems that need more study or correction. Emphasis is placed on a more intricate account of the factors involved in religious experience, discussing the proper use of the discoveries of biocognitive research and the limits that should be placed on said conclusions.
ENGAGING SCIENCE IN THE MODE OF TRUST: HANS KÜNG'S THE BEGINNING OF ALL THINGS
Authors: Tilling Chris 
Published: February 2008

Abstract.In 2006 Swiss theologian Hans Küng added his distinctive and important voice to the science/theology discussion in his work Der Anfang aller Dinge. I summarize here the general contours of Küng's argumentation and briefly evaluate his proposals, especially in relation to his earlier publications. English translations are provided for German citations. After summarizing Küng's response to the question of the search for a unified theory of everything, I present his answer to the question of how theology and science should be related. This leads to a summary of his extensive meditation on science and the question of God's existence from a theological‐philosophical perspective. After examining his thesis concerning creation and evolution, I discuss matters more anthropological and trace the final elements of Küng's argument as they relate to eschatology and science. Finally, I evaluate the general thrust of his argumentation with special reference to his previous publications.
A BIOLOGIST'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE FUTURE OF THE SCIENCE‐RELIGION DIALOGUE IN THE TWENTY‐FIRST CENTURY
Authors: Carvalho John J. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract.In recent issues of Zygon, numerous reflections have been published commenting on where the field of science‐and‐religion has been, where it presently stands, and where it should move in the future. These reflections touch on the importance of the dialogue and raise questions as to what audience the dialogue addresses and whom it should address. Some scholars see the dialogue as prospering, while others point out that much work needs to be done to make the dialogue more accessible to a larger audience and more successful at tackling the provocative questions before us. Other academics view the questions themselves as needing further consideration and focus before answers to them can even be explored. In this article I provide a general overview of these essays by outlining some general categories of thought that seem to emerge from the contributors. I then present some of my own opinions concerning the future of the science‐religion field and emphasize that the dialogue, in addition to its traditional roles, must further the philosophical framework that can aid humanity in resolving the most pressing global concerns of our time.
BEYOND BARBOUR OR BACK TO BASICS? THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE‐AND‐RELIGION AND THE QUEST FOR UNITY
Authors: Smedes Taede A. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract.Reflecting on the future of the field of science‐and‐religion, I focus on three aspects. First, I describe the history of the religion‐and‐science dialogue and argue that the emergence of the field was largely contingent on social‐cultural factors in Western theology, especially in the United States. Next, I focus on the enormous influence of science on Western society and on what I call cultural scientism, which influences discussions in science‐and‐religion, especially how theological notions are taken up. I illustrate by sketching the way divine action has been studied in science‐and‐religion. The divine‐action debates may seem irrelevant to theologians because the way divine action is dealt with in science‐and‐religion is theologically problematic. Finally, I analyze the quest for integration and unity of science and religion that underlies much of the contemporary field of science‐and‐religion and was stimulated particularly by the efforts of Ian Barbour. I argue that his quest echoes the logical positivist vision of unification and has a strong bias toward science as the sole source of rationality, which does not take theology fully seriously.
Modelling Price Paths in On-Line Auctions: Smoothing Sparse and Unevenly Sampled Curves by Using Semiparametric Mixed Models
Authors: Reithinger Florian , Jank Wolfgang , Tutz Gerhard , Shmueli Galit 
Published: February 2008

Summary
On-line auctions pose many challenges for the empirical researcher, one of which is the effective and reliable modelling of price paths. We propose a novel way of modelling price paths in eBay's on-line auctions by using functional data analysis. One of the practical challenges is that the functional objects are sampled only very sparsely and unevenly. Most approaches rely on smoothing to recover the underlying functional object from the data, which can be difficult if the data are irregularly distributed. We present a new approach that can overcome this challenge. The approach is based on the ideas of mixed models. Specifically, we propose a semiparametric mixed model with boosting to recover the functional object. As well as being able to handle sparse and unevenly distributed data, the model also results in conceptually more meaningful functional objects. In particular, we motivate our method within the framework of eBay's on-line auctions. On-line auctions produce monotonic increasing price curves that are often correlated across auctions. The semiparametric mixed model accounts for this correlation in a parsimonious way. It also manages to capture the underlying monotonic trend in the data without imposing model constraints. Our application shows that the resulting functional objects are conceptually more appealing. Moreover, when used to forecast the outcome of an on-line auction, our approach also results in more accurate price predictions compared with standard approaches. We illustrate our model on a set of 183 closed auctions for Palm M515 personal digital assistants.
Generalized Monotonic Functional Mixed Models with Application to Modelling Normal Tissue Complications
Authors: Schipper Matthew , Taylor Jeremy M. G. , Lin Xihong 
Published: February 2008

SummaryNormal tissue complications are a common side effect of radiation therapy. They are the consequence of the dose of radiation that is received by the normal tissue surrounding the site of the tumour. Within a specified organ each voxel receives a certain dose of radiation, leading to a distribution of doses over the organ. It is often not known what aspect of the dose distribution drives the presence and severity of the complications. A summary measure of the dose distribution can be obtained by integrating a weighting function of dose (w(d)) over the density of dose. For biological reasons the weight function should be monotonic. We propose a generalized monotonic functional mixed model to study the dose effect on a clinical outcome by estimating this weight function non-parametrically by using splines and subject to the monotonicity constraint, while allowing for overdispersion and correlation of multiple obervations within the same subject. We illustrate our method with data from a head and neck cancer study in which the irradiation of the parotid gland results in loss of saliva flow.
Measuring Firm Performance By Using Linear and Non-Parametric Quantile Regressions
Authors: Landajo Manuel , De Andrés Javier , Lorca Pedro 
Published: February 2008

Summary
Quantile regression models are examined from the standpoint of their suitability to analyse company profitability. Some linear and non-linear (B-spline) structures are proposed. Linear conditional quantile models provide an intuitive framework which permits conventional statistical inference tools to be applied. Non-parametric spline-based quantile regression is a flexible approach, allowing a different grade of curvature for each conditional quantile, thus providing the possibility of capturing certain non-linear effects that are predicted by economic theory. The behaviour of these variants of the quantile framework is tested on a representative database, which was obtained from the Spanish book publishing industry. Our results confirm the usefulness of the quantile regression approach. Linear models seem to provide suitable descriptions for the behaviour of average performing firms, whereas non-parametric estimates provide the best fit for the extreme conditional quantiles (i.e. companies which exhibit the highest and the lowest performance in terms of profitability).
Disruption of GM2/GD2 synthase gene resulted in overt expression of 9‐O‐acetyl GD3 irrespective of Tis211
Authors: Furukawa Keiko , Aixinjueluo Wei , Kasama Takeshi , Ohkawa Yuki , Yoshihara Michiko , Ohmi Yusuke , Tajima Orie , Suzumura Akio , Kittaka Daiji , Furukawa Koichi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractGM2/GD2 synthase gene knockout mice lack all complex gangliosides, which are abundantly expressed in the nervous systems of vertebrates. In turn, they have increased precursor structures GM3 and GD3, probably replacing the roles of the depleted complex gangliosides. In this study, we found that 9‐O‐acetyl GD3 is also highly expressed as one of the major glycosphingolipids accumulating in the nervous tissues of the mutant mice. The identity of the novel component was confirmed by neuraminidase treatment, thin layer chromatography‐immunostaining, two‐dimensional thin layer chromatography with base treatment, and mass spectrometry. All candidate factors reported to be possible inducer of 9‐O‐ acetylation, such as bitamine D binding protein, acetyl CoA transporter, or O‐acetyl ganglioside synthase were not up‐regulated. Tis21 which had been reported to be a 9‐O‐acetylation inducer was partially down‐regulated in the null mutants, suggesting that Tis21 is not involved in the induction of 9‐O‐acetyl‐GD3 and that accumulated high amount of GD3 might be the main factor for the dramatic increase of 9‐O‐acetyl GD3. The ability to acetylate exogenously added GD3 in the normal mouse astrocytes was examined, showing that the wild‐type brain might be able to synthesize very low levels of 9‐O‐acetyl GD3. Increased 9‐O‐acetyl GD3, in addition to GM3 and GD3, may play an important role in the compensation for deleted complex gangliosides in the mutant mice.
Effects of high‐yield thrombocytapheresis on the quality of platelet products
Authors: Julmy Friedgard , Ammann Roland A. , Mansouri Taleghani Behrouz , Fontana Stefano , Hirt Andreas , Leibundgut Kurt 
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: The steadily increasing demands for single‐donor apheresis platelet (PLT) concentrates (APCs) are a challenge to the PLT supply system. Therefore, efforts to improve plateletpheresis yield, allowing apheresis products to be split into 2 or more units, are valuable strategies. No data to demonstrate in vivo transfusion efficacy of these high‐yield split‐APCs are currently available, however.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The transfusion efficacy of APCs produced by two apheresis methods involving different harvest and storing procedures and varying PLT yields was investigated. Efficacy measures were the 1‐hour percent PLT recovery (PPR1h) and the 1‐hour corrected count increment (CCI1h). In total, 400 APCs, produced with either an Amicus device (Baxter) and stored in PLT additive solution (T‐Sol; Amicus method [AM], n = 107) or a Trima device (Gambro) and stored in plasma (Trima method [TM], n = 293), were transfused to 55 children (31 girls; median age, 9.5 years; range, 0.2‐18.5 years) with thrombocytopenia due to chemotherapy or aplastic anemia (median, 4 APCs per child; range, 1‐68).RESULTS: Transfusion efficacy was significantly lower for AM‐APCs than for TM‐APCs (median PPR1h, 17 and 33%; median CCI1h, 7.9 and 15.6, respectively; p < 0.001). Reduced transfusion efficacy correlated in a yield‐dependent manner with high apheresis PLT yields (≥6 × 1011) for AM‐APCs (p < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Although in vitro validation of AM‐ and TM‐APCs has been performed, only by evaluating transfusion efficacy in vivo did the AM turn out to be not suitable for high‐yield thrombocytapheresis. This study recommends the implementation of in vivo transfusion efficacy studies for high‐yield APC apheresis donations.