bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Convergence and divergence among multiple methods for assessing adolescent romantic relationships
Authors: Galliher Renee V. , Enno Angela M. , Wright Robert 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTThe problem solving conversations of 92 adolescent romantic couples were analyzed using two innovative techniques for capturing the meaning‐making processes in couples’ interactions. Couples were coded using the narrative coding system developed by the Family Narrative Consortium [Fiese, B. H. & Sameroff, A. J. (Eds.), (1999). The stories that families tell: Narrative coherence, narrative interaction, and relationship beliefs. With commentary from Philip A. Cowan.Monographs of the Society for Research on Child Development, 64(2, serial no. 257)], yielding measures of narrative coherence for each couple member and an assessment of couples’ capacity to engage in the interaction in a coordinated and mutually respectful manner. In addition, a video‐recall procedure captured couple members’ own subjective understanding of their own and their partners’ behaviors during the interaction. Moderate associations were observed between trained coders’, boyfriends’, and girlfriends’ perspectives, with more consistent links in some domains between girlfriends’ ratings and observers’ codes. In addition, indices of the quality of the interaction were linked to couple member global self reports of both positive and negative relationship quality, with many associations between observed interaction and global self reports of relationship quality achieving moderate effect sizes.
A subpopulation of capsaicin‐sensitive porcine dorsal root ganglion neurons is lacking hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated channels
Authors: Obreja Otilia , Klusch Andreas , Ponelies Norbert , Schmelz Martin , Petersen Marlen 
Published: January 2008

AbstractHyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channels contribute to stabilizing resting membrane potential, thus controlling neuron excitability. Subclasses of nociceptive neurons differ in their excitability, therefore, these channels could be a distinguishing marker.We investigated isolated dorsal root ganglion neurons from a non‐rodent species, the pig, Sus scrofa domesticus. Single labeling revealed capsaicin‐induced cobalt‐uptake in 54.3% and transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1) immunoreactivity in 55.1% of all neurons. Ruthenium red and capsazepine suppressed capsaicin‐induced cobalt‐uptake. HCN‐1 and HCN‐2 channel isoform immunoreactivity was detected in 82.6% and 88.3%, respectively, and binding of IB4 in 29.4% of all neurons. Double labeling revealed that out of the capsaicin‐positive neurons, 42.3% were IB4‐positive, 80.0% immunoreactive for the HCN‐1, and 77.3% for the HCN‐2 channel isoform, respectively. Neurons lacking HCN‐1 or HCN‐2 channel isoforms were mostly capsaicin‐positive and IB4‐negative. The soma size of neurons lacking HCN‐1 and/or HCN‐2 channels was small to medium.Western blot analysis showed protein products of sizes similar to those of HCN‐1 and HCN‐2 channel isoforms. Functionally, in patch‐clamp experiments, some neurons were unresponsive to membrane hyperpolarization, thus, probably lacking HCN channels.In conclusion, in porcine dorsal root ganglion neurons there is a subset of capsaicin‐positive, IB4‐negative neurons lacking HCN‐1 and/or HCN‐2 channel isoforms.
Inter-specific parasite competition: mixed infections ofSchistosoma mansoniandS. rodhainiin the definitive host
Authors: NORTON A. J. , WEBSTER J. P. , KANE R. A. , ROLLINSON D. 
Published: January 2008

SUMMARYCompetition between parasite species has been predicted to be an important force shaping parasite and host ecology and evolution, although empirical data are often lacking. Using theMus musculus-Schistosoma mansoniandSchistosoma rodhainihost-parasite systems we characterized mate choice and inter-specific competition between these two schistosome species. Simultaneous infections revealed species-specific mate preferences for both species as well as suggesting mating competition, with maleS. rodhainiappearing dominant over maleS. mansoni.S. rodhainihomologous pairs were also shown to have increased reproduction per paired female in the presence of a competitor in simultaneous infections. Overall total reproductive success was, however, similar between the two species under conditions of direct competition due to the greater initial infectivity ofS. mansoniin comparison toS. rodhaini. Inter-specific competition was also implicated as increased parasite virulence to the host. The potential effects of such interactions on parasite and host ecology and evolution in nature are discussed.
Wastewater treatment in Antarctica
Authors: Connor M. A. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTSince the exploration of Antarctica began, procedures for dealing with human wastes have changed considerably. The establishment of research stations made it necessary to provide for sewage disposal. However, the introduction of advanced wastewater treatment processes has been driven largely by an intensifying concern to protect the Antarctic environment. A key step was the adoption by Antarctic Treaty nations of the so-called Madrid Protocol, in which minimum standards for sewage treatment and disposal are prescribed. The provisions of this protocol are not particularly onerous and some countries have elected to go beyond them, and to treat Antarctic research station wastewater as they would at home. Transferring treatment technologies to Antarctica is not simple because the remoteness, isolation, weather and other local conditions impose a variety of unusual constraints on plant design. The evolution of advanced treatment plant designs is examined. Most countries have opted for biofilm-based processes, with Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC) favoured initially while more recently contact aeration systems have been preferred. Sludges are now generally repatriated, with a diversity of sludge dewatering techniques being used. The evolution of treatment process designs is expected to continue, with growing use, especially at inland stations, of sophisticated processes such as membrane technologies and thermally efficient evaporative techniques.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of the introduction of a quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in France
Authors: Bergeron Christine , Largeron Nathalie , McAllister Ruth , Mathevet Patrice , Remy Vanessa 
Published: January 2008

Objectives:A vaccine to prevent diseases due to human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, and 18 is now available in France. The objective of this study was to assess the health and economic impact in France of implementing a quadrivalent HPV vaccine alongside existing screening practices versus screening alone.Methods:A Markov model of the natural history of HPV infection incorporating screening and vaccination, was adapted to the French context. A vaccine that would prevent 100 percent of HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18-associated diseases, with lifetime duration and 80 percent coverage, given to girls at age 14 in conjunction with current screening was compared with screening alone. Results were analyzed from both a direct healthcare cost perspective (DCP) and a third-party payer perspective (TPP). Indirect costs such as productivity loss were not taken into account in this analysis.Results:The incremental cost per life-year gained from vaccination was €12,429 (TPP) and €20,455 (DCP). The incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) for the introduction of HPV vaccination alongside the French cervical cancer screening program was €8,408 (TPP) and €13,809 (DCP). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that cost-effectiveness was stable, but was most sensitive to the discount rate used for costs and benefits.Conclusions:Considering the commonly accepted threshold of €50,000 per QALY, these analyses support the fact that adding a quadrivalent HPV vaccine to the current screening program in France is a cost-effective strategy for reducing the burden of cervical cancer, precancerous lesions, and genital warts caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
Early technology assessment of new medical devices
Authors: Pietzsch Jan B. , Paté-Cornell M. Elisabeth 
Published: January 2008

Objectives:In the United States, medical devices represent an eighty-billion dollar a year market. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejects a significant number of applications of devices that reach the investigational stage. The prospects of improving patient condition, as well as firms' profits, are thus substantial, but fraught with uncertainties at the time when investments and design decisions are made. This study presents a quantitative model focused on the risk aspects of early technology assessment, designed to support the decisions of medical device firms in the investment and development stages.Methods:The model is based on the engineering risk analysis method involving systems analysis and probability. It assumes use of all evidence available (both direct and indirect) and integrates the information through a linear formula of aggregation of probability distributions. The model is illustrated by a schematic version of the case of the AtrialShaper, a device for the reduction of stroke risk that is currently in the preprototype stage.Results:The results of the modeling provide a more complete description of the evidence base available to support early-stage decisions, thus allowing comparison of alternative designs and management alternatives.Conclusions:The model presented here provides early-stage decision-support to industry, but also benefits regulators and payers in their later assessment of new devices and associated procedures.
Adoption of cost consciousness: Attitudes, practices, and knowledge among Israeli physicians
Authors: Wilf-Miron Rachel , Uziel Liad , Aviram Alexander , Carmeli Abraham , Shani Mordechai , Shemer Joshua 
Published: January 2008

Objectives:In a resource-constrained reality, physicians are facing polar demands—those of healthcare managements to adopt cost-conscious behaviors and those of ethical standards that obligate physicians to consider only their patients' best interests. In our study, we aimed to determine the attitudes, practices, and knowledge of healthcare costs among Israeli physicians.Methods:A questionnaire was developed and mailed to a representative sample of physicians in Israel. The overall response rate was 51 percent. The study reviewed self-reported levels of cost consciousness in practice, attitudes, obstacles related to cost containment, and knowledge of the costs of medical resources.Results:Forty-two percent of the physicians reported high levels of cost consciousness in their daily practice; 70 percent reported greater current cost consciousness in comparison to 5 years ago; 76 percent of the responses legitimized institutional demands for cost containment. Although 83 percent of the physicians that responded expressed the belief that economic thinking was inherently the role of management, only 39 percent thought it was part of the physician's role. It was found that predominant predictors of agreement to cost consciousness concepts were employment by a community health plan, a managerial position, participation in health economics seminars, and male gender.Conclusions:Cost consciousness among physicians is related to a broad array of parameters. Interventions must emphasize the benefits of evidence-based medicine as an anchor for both cost containment and quality care, as well as providing assistance to physicians in accepting economic decision-making as part of their professional role.
Value of Information of a clinical prediction rule: Informing the efficient use of healthcare and health research resources
Authors: Singh Sonia , Nosyk Bohdan , Sun Huiying , Christenson James Malcolm , Innes Grant , Anis Aslam Hayat 
Published: January 2008

Objectives:The aim of this study was to estimate the potential cost-effectiveness and expected value of perfect information of a recently derived clinical prediction rule for patients presenting to emergency departments with chest discomfort.Methods:A decision analytic model was constructed to compare the Early Disposition Prediction Rule (EDPR) with the current standard of care. Results were used to calculate the potential cost-effectiveness of the EDPR, as well as the Value of Information in conducting further research. Study subjects were adults presenting with chest discomfort to two urban emergency departments in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The clinical prediction rule identifies patients who are eligible for early discharge within 3 hours of presentation to the emergency department. The outcome measure used was inappropriate emergency department discharge of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Results:The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of the EDPR in comparison to usual care was (negative) $2,999 per inappropriate ACS discharge prevented, indicating a potential cost-savings in introducing the intervention. The expected value of perfect information was $16.3 million in the first year of implementation, suggesting a high benefit from conducting further research to validate the decision rule.Conclusions:The EDPR is likely to be cost-effective; however, given the high degree of uncertainty in the estimates of costs and patient outcomes, further research is required to inform the decision to implement the intervention. The potential health and monetary benefits of this clinical prediction rule outweigh the costs of doing further research.
Bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection: immunopathogenic mechanisms
Authors: Gershwin Laurel J. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) causes severe respiratory disease in young cattle. Much like the human respiratory syncytial virus, BRSV induces immunomodulation in the infected host, favoring a Th2 response. Several groups have demonstrated IgE responses to BRSV proteins during infection and particularly in response to vaccination with formalin-inactivated vaccine in the field and experimentally. Newer vaccine modalities that favor a shift to Th1 cytokine production have provided promising results. Infection with BRSV is a major contributor to the multi-pathogen disease, bovine respiratory disease complex. This review stresses the unique immunomodulatory aspects of BRSV infection, vaccination and its interaction with the host's immune system.
FabG Mediates Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production from Both Related and Nonrelated Carbon Sources in Recombinant Escherichia coli LS5218
Authors: Nomura Christopher T. , Tanaka Tomoyo , Eguen Tenai E. , Appah Alexandria S. , Matsumoto Ken'ichiro , Taguchi Seiichi , Ortiz C. Leo , Doi Yoshiharu 
Published: January 2008

AbstractPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) composed of a mixture of short‐chain‐length‐medium‐chain‐length (SCL‐MCL) hydroxyacyl monomers are biologically produced polyesters that have properties ranging from thermoplastic to elastomeric, dependent on the molar ratio of SCL to MCL monomers incorporated into the copolymer. Because of the potential wide range of properties and applications for SCL‐MCL PHA copolymers, it is important to develop and characterize novel metabolic pathways for SCL‐MCL PHA production. The current study shows that coexpression of fabG genes from either E. coli or Pseudomonas sp. 61–3 with fabH(F87T) and PHA synthase genes enhances the production of SCL‐MCL PHA copolymer from both related and nonrelated carbon sources in Escherichia coli LS5218, indicating the flexibility of FabG as a monomer‐supplying enzyme for biological PHA production.
Temporal evolution of methane cycling and phylogenetic diversity of archaea in sediments from a deep-sea whale-fall in Monterey Canyon, California
Authors: Goffredi Shana K , Wilpiszeski Regina , Lee Ray , Orphan Victoria J 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Whale-falls represent localized areas of extreme organic enrichment in an otherwise oligotrophic deep-sea environment. Anaerobic remineralization within these habitats is typically portrayed as sulfidogenic; however, we demonstrate that these systems are also favorable for diverse methane-producing archaeal assemblages, representing up to 40% of total cell counts. Chemical analyses revealed elevated methane and depleted sulfate concentrations in sediments under the whale-fall, as compared to surrounding sediments. Carbon was enriched (up to 3.5%) in whale-fall sediments, as well as the surrounding sea floor to at least 10 m, forming a ‘bulls eye’ of elevated carbon. The diversity of sedimentary archaea associated with the 2893 m whale-fall in Monterey Canyon (California) varied both spatially and temporally. 16S rRNA diversity, determined by both sequencing and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, as well as quantitative PCR of the methyl-coenzyme M reductase gene, revealed that methanogens, including members of the Methanomicrobiales and Methanosarcinales, were the dominant archaea (up to 98%) in sediments immediately beneath the whale-fall. Temporal changes in this archaeal community included the early establishment of methylotrophic methanogens followed by development of methanogens thought to be hydrogenotrophic, as well as members related to the newly described methanotrophic lineage, ANME-3. In comparison, archaeal assemblages in ‘reference’ sediments collected 10 m from the whale-fall primarily consisted of Crenarchaeota affiliated with marine group I and marine benthic group B. Overall, these results indicate that whale-falls can favor the establishment of metabolically and phylogenetically diverse methanogen assemblages, resulting in an active near-seafloor methane cycle in the deep sea.
Critical Depth of Cut and Specific Cutting Energy of a Microscribing Process for Hard and Brittle Materials
Authors: Wang Jiunn-Jyh Junz , Liao Yong-Yuan 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
This paper investigated the scribing process characteristics of the hard and brittle materials including single crystal silicon, STV glass, and sapphire substrate. Under various cutting angles, major process characteristics are examined including the groove geometry, specific cutting energy, and critical depth of cut at the onset of ductile-to-brittle cutting transition. As the cutting depth increases, groove geometry clearly reveals the ductile-to-brittle transition from the plastic deformation to a brittle fracture state. The material size effect in the ductile region as well as the transition in scribing behavior is well reflected by change in the specific cutting energy. Further, it is shown that the change of specific cutting energy as a function of the cutting depth can serve as a criterion for estimating the critical depth of cut. Such estimated critical depth of cut is confirmed by measurement from a 3D confocal microscope. The critical depths of cut for these hard materials are found to be between 0.1μm and 0.5μm depending on the materials and cutting angles.
Bacteria of Dental Caries in Primary and Permanent Teeth in Children and Young Adults
Authors: Aas Jørn A. , Griffen Ann L. , Dardis Sara R. , Lee Alice M. , Olsen Ingar , Dewhirst Floyd E. , Leys Eugene J. , Paster Bruce J. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

Although
Streptococcus mutans
has been implicated as a major etiological agent of dental caries, our cross-sectional preliminary study indicated that 10% of subjects with rampant caries in permanent teeth do not have detectable levels of
S. mutans
. Our aims were to use molecular methods to detect all bacterial species associated with caries in primary and permanent teeth and to determine the bacterial profiles associated with different disease states. Plaque was collected from 39 healthy controls and from intact enamel and white-spot lesions, dentin lesions, and deep-dentin lesions in each of 51 subjects with severe caries. 16S rRNA genes were PCR amplified, cloned, and sequenced to determine species identities. In a reverse-capture checkerboard assay, 243 samples were analyzed for 110 prevalent bacterial species. A sequencing analysis of 1,285 16S rRNA clones detected 197 bacterial species/phylotypes, of which 50% were not cultivable. Twenty-two new phylotypes were identified. PROC MIXED tests revealed health- and disease-associated species. In subjects with
S. mutans
, additional species, e.g., species of the genera
Atopobium
,
Propionibacterium
, and
Lactobacillus
, were present at significantly higher levels than those of
S. mutans
.
Lactobacillus
spp.,
Bifidobacterium dentium
, and low-pH non-
S. mutans
streptococci were predominant in subjects with no detectable
S. mutans
.
Actinomyces
spp. and non-
S. mutans
streptococci were predominant in white-spot lesions, while known acid producers were found at their highest levels later in disease. Bacterial profiles change with disease states and differ between primary and secondary dentitions. Bacterial species other than
S. mutans
, e.g., species of the genera
Veillonella
,
Lactobacillus
,
Bifidobacterium
, and
Propionibacterium
, low-pH non-
S. mutans
streptococci,
Actinomyces
spp., and
Atopobium
spp., likely play important roles in caries progression.
Diagnostic Evaluation of Multiplexed Reverse Transcription-PCR Microsphere Array Assay for Detection of Foot-and-Mouth and Look-Alike Disease Viruses
Authors: Hindson Benjamin J. , Reid Scott M. , Baker Brian R. , Ebert Katja , Ferris Nigel P. , Tammero Lance F. Bentley , Lenhoff Raymond J. , Naraghi-Arani Pejman , Vitalis Elizabeth A. , Slezak Thomas R. , Hullinger Pamela J. , King Donald P. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

A high-throughput multiplexed assay was developed for the differential laboratory detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) from viruses that cause clinically similar diseases of livestock. This assay simultaneously screens for five RNA and two DNA viruses by using multiplexed reverse transcription-PCR (mRT-PCR) amplification coupled with a microsphere hybridization array and flow-cytometric detection. Two of the 17 primer-probe sets included in this multiplex assay were adopted from previously characterized real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) assays for FMDV. The diagnostic accuracy of the mRT-PCR assay was evaluated using 287 field samples, including 247 samples (213 true-positive samples and 35 true-negative samples) from suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease collected from 65 countries between 1965 and 2006 and 39 true-negative samples collected from healthy animals. The mRT-PCR assay results were compared to those of two singleplex rRT-PCR assays, using virus isolation with antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays as the reference method. The diagnostic sensitivity of the mRT-PCR assay for FMDV was 93.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.8 to 96.4%), and the sensitivity was 98.1% (95% CI, 95.3 to 99.3%) for the two singleplex rRT-PCR assays used in combination. In addition, the assay could reliably differentiate between FMDV and other vesicular viruses, such as swine vesicular disease virus and vesicular exanthema of swine virus. Interestingly, the mRT-PCR detected parapoxvirus (
n
= 2) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (
n
= 2) in clinical samples, demonstrating the screening potential of this mRT-PCR assay to identify viruses in FMDV-negative material not previously recognized by using focused single-target rRT-PCR assays.