bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HLA‐DP antigens in patients with alopecia areata
Authors: Ødum N. , Morling N. , Georgsen J. , Jakobsen B. K. , Frentz G. , Jensen G. F. , Fugger L. , Svejgaard A. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract: The distribution of HLA‐DP antigens were studied in 41 patients with alopecia areata (AA) and 188 ethnically matched controls. An increase of DR4 and possibly DR5 in 24 of these patients has previously been reported. HLA‐DP typing for DPwl through w6 and the local specificity, CDP HEI, was performed using the primed lymphocyte typing (PLT) technique.The frequencies of DPw4 were 92.9% in AA patients and 71.3% in controls (relative risk, RR = 5.1, p = 0.0019 and p < 0.03 when corrected). DPwl was decreased to 4.9% in patients compared to 14.9% in controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. The frequency of DR4 was 48.8% compared to 31.9% in controls (RR = 2.0) whereas the frequency of DR5 did not differ from that in controls.DPw4 was not associated (in linkage disequilibrium) with DR4 or DR5 in patients or controls. Thus, in AA the association with DP and DR are independent of each other. However, individuals with both the DPw4 and DR4 alleles are at increased risk for AA, indicating that synergism between DP and DR gene products may play a role in the genetic susceptibility to AA.
Life history parameters for Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Het., Miridae) under different temperature regimes
Authors: Sanchez J. A. , Lacasa A. , Arnó J. , Castañé C. , Alomar O. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe development time for eggs and nymphs and female fertility were determined for Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Het., Miridae: Dicyphini) at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 ± 1°C, using tomato, Solanum esculentum (Miller), as substrate and eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller as substitute prey. At 40°C, N. tenuis was unable to develop and barely reproduced. Egg development ranged from 30.8 days at 15°C to 6.3 days at 35°C. The cumulative thermal requirements for the eggs were 148.6 degree days (°d) and the lower thermal threshold, 10.3°C. The duration of the nymphal instar decreased from 55.9 days at 15°C to 8.6 days at 35°C. The thermal constant for the nymphs was 182.3 °d and the lower thermal threshold 11.7°C. No nymphs survived at 40°C, and the highest mortalities were at extreme temperatures (15 and 35°C). Female and male weights were influenced significantly by temperature. The fertility of N. tenuis females was reduced greatly at 15 and 40°C. The highest fertility during an observation period of 18 days following female emergence (79.5–60.0 nymphs per female) was within the temperature range of 20 to 35°C. Fertility was related directly to female weight and temperature (r2 = 0.932). Based on development, reproduction data and thermal requirements, the optimum temperature range for N. tenuis was established as being between 20 and 30°C. Overall, N. tenuis is the most thermophilous of all dicyphines from vegetable crops in the Mediterranean area studied so far.
Plethysmographic lung volumes in children with sighing dyspnea
Authors: Wong Kin‐Sun , Chiu Chih‐Yung , Huang Yu‐Hsuan , Huang Li‐Ju 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground:  This study compared the plethysmographic lung volumes of children with sighing dyspnea with healthy children and tested the hypothesis that sighing children suffer from hyperinflation or gas trapping as a cause of dyspnea.Methods:  From January 2006 to December 2006, pediatric patients with sighing dyspnea presenting to the pulmonary clinic of a tertiary children’s hospital who had no apparent cardiopulmonary diseases were prospectively enrolled; normal healthy children were invited to participate for comparison. Baseline pre‐bronchodilator spirometry and post‐inhaled bronchodilator spirometry were measured for the determination of bronchodilator response. Plethysmographic lung volumes were determined solely for total lung capacity, residual volume (RV) and functional residual capacity (FRC) without the use of inhaled bronchodilator according to standard procedure.Results:  Eighteen sighing children (10 boys) and 10 healthy subjects (six boys) were included in the present study. They had a median age of 13 years (range, 8–15 years) and 13 years (range, 8–17 years), respectively. The mean baseline forced vital capacity (FVC) of subjects with dyspnea was 79.4 ± 16.7% of predicted, while that of the normal control children was 88.4 ± 6.7%, which was not statistically significantly different. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC % of predicted were within normal limits and indicated no bronchodilator response. RV and RV/total lung capacity (TLC) were elevated in children with sighing dyspnea that were not measured by spirometry, but TLC and FRC measured on plethysmography (FRCpleth) were not increased.Conclusions:  RV and RV/TLC were higher in children with sighing dyspnea that were not measured by spirometry, but TLC and FRCpleth were not increased. The causal link between dysfunctional breathing patterns and changes in static lung volumes was not able to be determined in the present study. The possibility of heterogeneity of patients with sighing dyspnea obscures the significance of lung volume discrepancy in this population; further subdivision of children with sighing dyspnea in a larger cohort of patients is required.
Parental stress associated with caring for children with Asperger’s syndrome or autism
Authors: Mori Kyoko , Ujiie Takeshi , Smith Anna , Howlin Patricia 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground:  The levels of parental stress among parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome in comparison with parents of children with autism are unknown in the Japanese population.Methods:  The stress levels in Japanese parents caring for children with Asperger’s syndrome were compared with the stress levels found in Japanese parents caring for children with autism using the Parenting Stress Index/Short Form.Results:  In a sample of 193 families, both groups had a significant increase in parental stress levels. In addition, strong evidence was obtained for the presence of higher levels of parental stress in the Asperger’s group compared with the parents of the autism group after controlling for the impact of confounders, F(5,187) = 9.11, P = 0.003. The elevated levels of parental stress found in the Asperger’s group appeared to be attributable to characteristics associated with the child’s basic behavior. The potential mechanism, implications and strategies for further research are discussed.Conclusion:  There are significantly elevated parental stress levels in Japanese parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome or autism. In addition, the total parental stress levels were significantly higher in parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome than in parents of children with autism.
Fine structure of spermatozoa of Chondrostoma nasus and Rutilus meidingerii (Teleostei, Cyprinidae), as revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Fürböck Sonja , Patzner Robert A. , Lahnsteiner Franz 
Published: October 2008

AbstractFürböck, S., Patzner, R.A. and Lahnsteiner, F. 2008. Fine structure of spermatozoa of Chondrostoma nasus and Rutilus meidingerii (Teleostei, Cyprinidae), as revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. — Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 88–95The fine structure of spermatozoa of sneep or nase, Chondrostoma nasus, and lake chub, Rutilus meidingerii, was investigated by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The uniflagellate spermatozoa of C. nasus lacked an acrosome. The flagellum contained the conventional nine peripheral doublets and one central pair of microtubules (9 + 2 pattern) and lacked lateral fins. The uniflagellate spermatozoa of R. meidingerii were made up of a head, also without an acrosome. For both species the sperm tail was covered by a plasma membrane. The midpiece of C. nasus contained five or six mitochondria on average, vesicles and glycogen granules, whereas the midpiece of R. meidingerii had seven mitochondria of a spherical or ovoid shape. The centriolar complex was located caudolaterally with respect to the nucleus. In C. nasus, the centrioles were orientated at an angle of 125° to each other, whereas the centrioles of R. meidingerii were at an angle of 110°. The fine structure of C. nasus and R. meidingerii spermatozoa showed species‐specific differences in the position of the proximal centriole relative to the distal centriole, the position and number of mitochondria, size of the head and the length of the flagellum. (Correction added on 11 June 2009, after first online publication: The word ‘axoneme’ was deleted from the sentence ‘The flagellum contained the conventional nine peripheral doublets and one central pair of microtubules (9 + 2 pattern) axoneme and lacked lateral fins.’)
Functional and oncological outcomes after orthotopic neobladder reconstruction in women
Authors: Granberg Candace F. , Boorjian Stephen A. , Crispen Paul L. , Tollefson Matthew K. , Farmer Sara A. , Frank Igor , Blute Michael L. 
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVETo review our experience with orthotopic neobladder reconstruction (ONR) in women, highlighting functional and oncological outcomes, as ONR has been used increasingly for urinary diversion in women after radical cystectomy (RC), largely due to a better understanding of the natural history of urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) and of the anatomy underlying the female continence mechanism, but defining the safety and long‐term efficacy of ONR remain important to expanding its use.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe identified 59 women who had RC with ONR between 1995 and 2006 at the Mayo Clinic. Their records were reviewed for clinicopathological demographics, and functional and oncological outcomes.RESULTSThe median (range) age at surgery of the women was 62 (20–82) years, and the median follow‐up was 29.2 (1–141) months. Fifty‐three women had RC for malignant disease, including UCC in 47. Five women (8.5%) required resection of the anterior vaginal wall during surgery, while 39 (66%) had concurrent hysterectomy. One patient had a positive surgical margin, at the left distal ureter, on final pathology. Thirteen (22%) patients had perioperative complications, including two (3%) who required reoperation. In addition, three patients (5%) developed a neobladder‐vaginal fistula after RC with ONR, requiring surgical repair. At the last follow‐up, daytime urinary continence (defined as needing no pads) was reported by 44/49 (90%) patients, while 28/49 (57%) had achieved continence at night. Seventeen (31%) patients required intermittent self‐catheterization to facilitate emptying of the neobladder. Fifteen (28%) women had recurrence of disease, at a median of 8 (2–36) months after ONR, including seven (13%) who developed a pelvic recurrence. Twelve (20%) patients died during the follow‐up, with four (8%) dying from UCC at a median of 14 (11–65) months after surgery.CONCLUSIONONR provides a safe and effective option for urinary diversion in women, with oncological and functional outcomes similar to those for men. Thus, the technique remains a preferred option for urinary diversion in appropriately selected women treated with RC.
Systemic therapy for advancing or metastatic prostate cancer (STAMPEDE): a multi‐arm, multistage randomized controlled trial
Authors: James Nicholas D. , Sydes Matthew R. , Clarke Noel W. , Mason Malcolm D. , Dearnaley David P. , Anderson John , Popert Richard J. , Sanders Karen , Morgan Rachel C. , Stansfeld Jim , Dwyer John , Masters John , Parmar Mahesh K.B. 
Published: October 2008

There is a need to improve the outcomes for men with high‐risk localised, nodal or metastatic prostate cancer, or with aggressively relapsing disease after initial therapy for local disease. This group of men is currently managed with long‐term hormone therapy. Thus we aim to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of three different systemic therapies (docetaxel, zoledronic acid and celecoxib) used alone or combined at the initiation of hormone manipulation for high‐risk prostate cancer. A novel statistical design (multi‐arm, multistage method) simultaneously tests multiple distinct strategies in parallel against a single control arm. The trial has several ‘stages’, from initial confirmation of safety to a phase III assessment of survival, with a series of intervening activity stages. This method provides a means of assessing several agents more quickly and efficiently, and allows inactive treatments to be dropped from further study at an early stage. STAMPEDE has been designed to address in parallel the activity and efficacy of these agents for this patient group. It is a flagship randomized clinical trial for academic research into prostate cancer in the UK. More than 500 patients have been recruited on schedule, confirming the acceptability of this complex trial design to patients and clinicians. The trial targets a population of ≈3000 patients.STAMPEDE is a major new trial with a novel design applicable to the synchronous testing of several agents. It is hoped that the results will improve outcomes for patients with high‐risk prostate cancer. The design could be applicable to the study of new therapies in other cancer types. Continued efforts are required by the urological cancer community to maintain the excellent recruitment shown to date.
Real‐Time Indirect Illumination and Soft Shadows in Dynamic Scenes Using Spherical Lights
Authors: Guerrero P. , Jeschke S. , Wimmer M. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract We present a method for rendering approximate soft shadows and diffuse indirect illumination in dynamic scenes. The proposed method approximates the original scene geometry with a set of tightly fitting spheres. In previous work, such spheres have been used to dynamically evaluate the visibility function to render soft shadows. In this paper, each sphere also acts as a low‐frequency secondary light source, thereby providing diffuse one‐bounce indirect illumination. The method is completely dynamic and proceeds in two passes: In a first pass, the light intensity distribution on each sphere is updated based on sample points on the corresponding object surface and converted into the spherical harmonics basis. In a second pass, this radiance information and the visibility are accumulated to shade final image pixels. The sphere approximation allows us to compute visibility and diffuse reflections of an object at interactive frame rates of over 20 fps for moderately complex scenes.
Shape Context Preserving Deformation of 2D Anatomical Illustrations
Authors: Chen Wei , Liang Xiao , Maciejewski Ross , Ebert David S. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn this paper, we present a novel two‐dimensional (2D) shape context preserving image manipulation approach which constructs and manipulates a 2D mesh with a new differential mesh editing algorithm. We introduce a novel shape context descriptor and integrate it into the deformation framework, facilitating shape‐preserving deformation for 2D anatomical illustrations. Our new scheme utilizes an analogy based shape transfer technique in order to learn shape styles from reference images. Experimental results show that visually plausible deformation can be quickly generated from an existing example at interactive frame rates. An experienced artist has evaluated our approach and his feedback is quite encouraging.
OVERGRAZING IN PASTORAL AREAS
Authors: Gilles Jere Lee , Jamtgaard Keith 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe tragedy of the commons concept as popularized by Garrett Hardin places the blame for desertification and overgrazing in pastoral areas upon the land tenure system. Common ownership of pastureland is seen as the major culprit. Examination of ethnographic literature does not reveal a close relationship between common ownership of pastures and resource depletion. Where large numbers of people share a pasture with low but highly variable yields, common ownership is the most desirable form of land tenure. There are many situations where common pastures have been properly managed. Examples from Switzerland, Peru and Africa are presented. These examples illustrate the basic characteristics of a properly managed common grazing system. Collective ownership of land can under these circumstances facilitate livestock development rather than impede it.RÉSUMÉLa tragédie des terres communales ‐ concept popularisé par Garret Hardin ‐ situe la responsabilité de la désertification et du surpaturage dans les zones pastorales au niveau du système de propriété de la terre. La propriété commune des paturages est considérée comme la cause majeure. Un examen de la littérature ethnographique ne confirme pas une relation évidente entre cette propriété commune et un épuisement des ressources. Aux endroits où un grand nombre de gens partagent un paturage dont les rendements sont bas mais très variables, cette propriété commune apparaît comme la meilleure forme d'utilisation de la terre. Il y a d'ailleurs de nombreux cas où ces paturages communs ont été correctement organisés; des exemples de Suisse, du Pérou et d'Afrique sont décrits. Ils montrent les caractéristiques fondamentales d'un système bien organisé de paturage collectif: dans ces conditions, un usage collectif de la terre peut faciliter la croissance du cheptel plutôt que l'empêcher.ZUSAMMENFASSUNGDas von Garrett Hardin verbreitete Konzept der Tragödie der Gemeinschaftsweiden macht die Bodeneigentumsverhältnisse für Verwüstung und Überweidung von Weidegebieten verantwortlich. Gemeinschaftliches Eigentum an Weideland wird als Hauptursache dafür angesehen. Das Studium ethnographischer Literatur läßt dagegen keine enge Beziehung zwischen gemeinschaftlichem Eigentum und Zerstörung von natürlichen Resourcen erkennen. Dort, wo eine große Zahl von Menschen sich ein Weidegebiet mit niedrigen, aber sehr stark variierenden Erträgen miteinander teilt, ist gemeinschaftliches Eigentum die bestgeeigneteste Bodeneigentumsform. Es gibt viele Gemeinschaftsweiden, die gut geführt werden. Es werden Beispiele dafür aus der Schweiz, aus Peru und Afrika vorgestellt. Diese Beispiele zeigen die grundlegenden Merkmale eines gut geführten gemeinschaftlichen Weidennutzungssystems auf. Gemeinschaftliches Bodeneigentum kann unter diesen Bedingungen die Entwicklung der Viehhaltung eher erleichtern als erschweren.
PARTICIPATORY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Authors: Galjart Benno 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYBased on an analysis of cases culled from the literature and collected in the field, a model of small‐scale participatory development projects is constructed. The article begins with an attempt to anchor participation within development theory. Then critera for what, on this basis, should be considered a successful project are spelled out. Selected problems, connected with the economic, the organizational and the educational aspects of participatory projects arc dealt with in turn.RÉSUMÉCet article propose la construction d'un modèle de projets de développement participatif de petite dimension, à partir de l'analyse d'un certain nombre de cas tirés de la littérature ou observés sur le terrain. Il commence par tenter d'articuler la participation à une théorie du déVeloppement. Il insiste ensuite sur les critères à partir desquels on peut évaluer la réussite d'un projet. Enfin l'article aborde quelques problèmes liés aux aspects économiques, organisationnels ou éducatifs des projets participatifs.ZUSAMMENFASSUNGGestützt auf eine Analyse von Fallbeispielen aus der Literatur und aus Felduntersuchungen wird ein Modell kleinerer, partizipatorischer Projekte aufgestellt. Der Artikel beginnt mit einem Versuch, Partizipation entwicklungstheoretisch zu verankern. Dann werden ausführlich Kriterien erläutert, denen ein Projekt genügen müßte, wenn es danach als erfolgreich angeschen werden soll. Nacheinander werden einzelne ausgewählte Probleme behandelt, die mit den ökonomischen, organisatorischen und Bildungsaspekten partizipatorischer Projekte verbunden sind.
CULTIVATION AND ADAPTATION:
Authors: Box Louk 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYCultivators have provided essential links in the development of ecosystems and social systems, by way of continuous innovative adaptations. Crop cultivation practices can be studied as one such adaptation. Analysis shows that in recent times significant changes have taken place in crop characteristics, due to crop adaptation to market conditions or “mercantication”. Such changes in crop characteristics may be more important than quantitive changes like increased crop yields.The social characteristics of crop cultivation need investigation from a comparative perspective. The sociologist of agriculture needs to involve himself in the study of these characteristics, in particular relating to the division of labor for crop production and reproduction. Moreover, he can provide biological scientists and others with insight into values and interests of different actors involved in crop cultivation and development.RÉSUMÉEn procédant de manière permanente à des adaptations innovatrices, les cultivateurs ont constitué des maillons essentiels dans le développement des systèmes tant écologiques que sociaux. Les pratiques culturales peuvent être considérées comme une de ces adaptations. Et l'analyse montre que des transformations se sont récemment produites dans les systèmes de culture, à cause de l'adaptation aux conditions du marché ou “mercantication”. Ces changements peuvent avour une importance aussi grande que des transformations quantitatives comme la croissance des rendements.Les caractéristiques sociales des modes de culture requièrent unc étude comparative. Le sociologue de l'agriculture doit s'impliquer luimêmc dans leur étude, en particulier au niveau de la division du travail dans la production et la reproduction de ces modes de culture. En outre, il peut éclairer les biologistes et les autres spécialistes à propos des systèmes de valeurs et d'intérêts qui conditionnent les acteurs engageés dans l'agriculture et son développement.ZUSAMMENFASSUNGLandwirte haben durch kontinuierliche innovative Anpassungen wichtige Verbindungen zwischen Ökosystemen und Sozialsystemen geschaffen. Verfahren des Pflanzenbaus können als eine solche Anpassung untersucht werden. Analysen zeigen, daß sich in jüngster Zeit die Eigenschaften von Nutzpflanzen infolge der Anpassung an Markterfordernisse und ihre ≪Handelsfahigkeit≫ erheblich verändert haben. Solche Veränderungen der Eigenschaften von Nutzpflanzen können bedeutender sein als rein quantitative Veränderungen wie z.B. höhere Ernteerträge.Die sozialen Merkmale des Pflanzenbaus erfordern vergleichende Untersuchungen. Der Agrarsoziologe muß sich dabei selbst in die Untersuchung einbeziehen, vor allem aufgrund der Arbeitsteilung bei der pflanzlichen Erzeugung und deren Weitercntwicklung. Mehr noch, er kann Biologen und anderen Wissenschaftlern Einsichten in die Werthaltungen und Intcressen der verschiedenen Akteure liefern, die beim Anbau von Nutzpflanzen und an der Entwicklung im Bereich des Pflanzenbaus beteiligt sind.