bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of deformation timing on the prospectivity of the Middle Magdalena sub-thrust, Colombia
Authors: Sassi William , Graham Rod , Gillcrist Ralph , Adams Mike , Gomez Ramon 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Once deeply buried rocks are elevated in thrust belts, the resulting effects on reservoir evolution, source-rock maturity, hydrocarbon phase and charge history pose major problems for thrust belt exploration. To understand the geometrical evolution and burial history of thrust belts, successive structural restorations and dynamic basin modelling are needed. The forward modelling program ‘Thrustpack’ provides a semi-quantitative way forward, and this paper presents a ‘Thrustpack’ case study. The area considered is Rio Horta in the western foothills of the Colombian Eastern Cordillera, where westward-directed frontal structures break out onto the foreland basin of the Middle Magdalena Valley. A large sub-thrust anticline underlies the frontal thrusts and provides a substantial exploration lead. Following conventional models of back-thrusting and ‘fish-tailing’, the structure can be interpreted as entirely late, post-dating the overlying thrusts and once buried by the entire sedimentary megasequence of the Magdalena foreland basin. This would imply that the prospective section had been buried to a depth of about 12 km before uplift, and suggest a hydrocarbon graveyard, or, at best, dry gas in fractured, tight rock and potential overpressure. If the structure formed early, there is a chance of preserving both original porosity and liquid hydrocarbon in the structure, and charge risk is lessened because hydrocarbons were able to migrate into a structure that already existed. Hints from geological maps and the (generally poor quality) seismic data suggest that this is the more likely situation. It is consistent with the idea of an evolving palaeo-landscape and a mountain front with a very long history, where the structure remained relatively elevated during later sedimentation and thrusting. The modelling of these two alternative possible structural histories in ‘Thrustpack’ tests their viability and quantifies the hydrocarbon maturation, migration history and porosity evolution. The model in which the structure develops early presents real exploration opportunity whereas the alternative presents unacceptable exploration risk.
Structural geometry and development of the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa
Authors: Beach Alastair , Smith Roric 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

The Witwatersrand Basin is an Archaean basin situated on the Kaapvaal Craton of Southern Africa. The results presented here focus on the structural geometry and development of the basin. Detailed structural sections across the western and northwestern parts of the basin are presented, using seismic data integrated with borehole, mine and outcrop information. The structural development of the basin can be expressed in simple terms, and in a manner that is standard practice within the oil industry. There are several clearly identified stages in basin evolution. The basin was initiated as a rift during Dominion Group times (
c.
3074 Ma), with post-rift thermal subsidence during the early part of West Rand Group times. Thermal subsidence would have been completed by late West Rand Group times (
c.
2900 Ma). Minor volcanic interludes within the West Rand Group sequence may testify to the existence of phases of extension during West Rand Group times. Onset of compression and thrusting outside the thermal basin generated a flexural load and clastic input into the basin as it evolved from thermal sag to foreland basin during late West Rand Group times (
c.
2950 Ma). Foreland basin development culminated in Central Rand Group times, with an increasingly coarse-grained clastic input, and thrust systems that progressively encroached on the basin margins, profoundly influencing structural styles. Thrusting was interrupted during Klipriviersberg Group times (2714 Ma) by the accumulation of basic volcanic rocks. Further thrusting occurred at the end of Klipriviersberg Group times. The basin then returned to an extensional tectonic setting during the Platberg Group rifting (2709 Ma), a major rift event across much of the area. Thermal subsidence related to this rift phase occurred during late Platberg Group times. The overprint of Platberg Group extensional faults breaks up the structural continuity of the Central and West Rand Group sediments within, and adjacent to, the basin, and it is difficult to elucidate the earlier compressional thrust-fold structures. Careful integration of seismic, borehole, mine and outcrop data allows structures from the thrusting event be recognized and more complete sections drawn. These present a larger-scale view of the structure of the basin than has previously been obtained.
Apoptosis Induction in Human Melanoma Cells by Inhibition of MEK Is Caspase-Independent and Mediated by the Bcl-2 Family Members PUMA, Bim, and Mcl-1
Authors: Wang Yu Fang , Jiang Chen Chen , Kiejda Kelly Anne , Gillespie Susan , Zhang Xu Dong , Hersey Peter 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Purpose: Given that inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein (MAP)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK) are being introduced into treatment for melanoma, the present study was carried out to better understand the mechanism by which they may induce apoptosis of melanoma cells.
Experimental Design: A panel of human melanoma cell lines and fresh melanoma isolates was assessed for their sensitivity to apoptosis induced by the MEK inhibitor U0126. The apoptotic pathways and regulatory mechanisms involved were examined by use of the inhibitor and small interfering RNA (siRNA) techniques.
Results: Inhibition of MEK induced apoptosis in the majority of melanoma cell lines through a mitochondrial pathway that was associated with the activation of Bax and Bak, release of mitochondrial apoptogenic proteins, and activation of caspase-3. However, apoptosis was independent of caspases and instead was associated with mitochondrial release of AIF as shown by the inhibition of apoptosis when AIF was knocked down by siRNA. Inhibition of MEK resulted in the up-regulation of the BH3-only proteins PUMA and Bim and down-regulation of the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1. These changes were critical for the induction of apoptosis by U0126 as siRNA knockdown of PUMA or Bim inhibited apoptosis, whereas siRNA knockdown of Mcl-1 increased apoptosis particularly in the apoptosis-resistant cell lines.
Conclusions: Apoptosis of melanoma cells induced by the inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway is mediated by the up-regulation/activation of PUMA and Bim and down-regulation of Mcl-1. Release of AIF rather than the activation of caspases seems to be the mediator of apoptosis. Our results suggest that cotargeting Mcl-1 and the MEK/ERK pathway may further improve treatment results in melanoma.
The Politics of Citizenship Formation: Political Participation of Mental Health Service Users in Hong Kong
Authors: Chiu Marcus , Chan Kenneth 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn Hong Kong as elsewhere, there have been calls for an active and inclusive notion of citizenship to empower people affected by mental illness service users (hereinafter users) in addition to conventional altruistic or non-discrimination principles in policy initiatives. In this paper we take a somewhat different perspective to consider how the users may contribute individually and collectively to empower themselves, and how political participation might help to re-assert the status and practice of citizenship. It shows that participation matters in the formation of citizenship for the users. We further assume that political participation is attributable to individual resources, motivations for getting involved and the presence of advocacy agencies to facilitate participation. We then proceed to analyse the level of political participation by the users and the general public based on data from two comparable surveys. We argue that voter empowerment is the most essential factor in bringing about a stronger sense of citizenship among the users. The findings will be discussed in the light of the practice of citizenship and the implications for public policy development.
Spatial characterization of a foraging area for immature hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Yucatan, Mexico
Authors: Cuevas Eduardo , de los Ángeles Liceaga-Correa María , Garduño-Andrade Mauricio 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
The submarine habitats in the Rio Lagartos Sea Turtle Sanctuary, Mexico, are
an important feeding and development area for juvenile Hawksbill turtles
(Eretmochelys imbricata). The characterization of these critical habitats is
an important and urgent issue to attend for the conservation of this species
in Mexico. The objective of this study is to identify, locate and describe
the marine benthic habitats in this area, and explain the distribution of
the juvenile Hawksbill turtles in the study area. We used submarine
techniques such as videotransects and spot checks to characterize the bottom
types in the area, and geostatistic techniques to elaborate thematic maps of
the different benthic components, integrating all of them into a GIS. We
obtained the bottom type map with eight submarine habitats at different
depth ranges. We found juvenile Hawksbill turtles distributed mainly on hard
bottom sites covered by octocorals, such as Pseudopterogorgia, and sponges
of the genera Chondrilla and Spheciospongia. We estimated habitat ranges for
the captured turtles and the bottom types occupied by them, then we
calculated the distribution densities of juvenile Hawksbill turtles by
bottom type. We concluded that the combination of spatial techniques and
multivariate statistics is efficient for mapping the marine bottom types in
the area, and recommend the generation of specific conservation strategies
to protect this area because of the natural marine resources and process
ocurring in it.
The effect of funnel trap type and size of pitfall trap on trap success: implications for ecological field studies
Authors: Maritz Bryan , Masterson Gavin , Mackay Darian , Alexander Graham 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Funnel and pitfall traps that are set in association with drift fences are
powerful tools for field herpetologists. Innovations in trapping techniques
continue to improve capture rates, portability and affordability of trap
materials, and to decrease construction and installation time. In this paper
we test a new design for funnel traps and test the effect of pitfall trap
size on trap success. Our new funnel trap design was significantly easier
and quicker to construct, but captured fewer specimens than the traditional
design. There was no significant difference in the capture rates of the two
sizes of pitfall trap that we tested. This finding was confirmed by a
second, more extensive field survey. The implications of trap efficacy on
ecological investigations are discussed.
Population genetics of the Amazonian tortoises, Chelonoidis denticulata and C. carbonaria, (Cryptodira: Testudinidae) in an area of sympatry
Authors: Farias Izeni Pires , Jerozolimski Adriano , Melo Afrânio , das Neves Viana Maria , Martins Marcio , dos Santos Monjeló Luis Alberto 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe conducted a population genetic analysis of the two Amazonian tortoises, Chelonoidis denticulata (n = 40) and Chelonoidis carbonaria (n = 39) in a region of sympatry within the Xingú River basin. High levels of gene flow among sampled localities indicated lack of population structure for both species. Genetic parameters indicated a moderate level of genetic diversity in C. denticulata and neutrality tests suggested that populations of this species were in demographic equilibrium with respect to mitochondrial DNA. On the other hand, C. carbonaria presented low levels of genetic diversity and a signal of population expansion. Most records of C. denticulata are from areas of humid forest while those for C. carbonaria are from areas of semi-deciduous forests and transitional areas between humid and semi-deciduous forests. Therefore, the demographic expansion observed in C. carbonaria population could reflect an increase in the availability of suitable habitats for this species due to anthropogenic or natural processes. Additionally, we observed haplotype sharing between these two tortoise species indicating hybridization or incomplete lineage sorting.
Elevated tongue-flicking rate to cricket surface chemicals by the arthropodivorous rough green snake Opheodrys aestivus
Authors: Cooper William 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe rough green snake Opheodrys aestivus is a dietary specialist on insects and other arthropods. In a laboratory experiment, I tested chemosensory responses to chemical cues from several taxa palatable to other snakes and two control stimuli presented on cotton swabs. The snakes tongue-flicked at significantly higher rates in response to cues from crickets than from any of the other stimuli, and none of the other potential prey types elicited more tongue-flicks than cologne, the control for response to an odorous substance irrelevant to feeding. These findings are consistent with existing data for a few other species of snakes that are prey specialists, suggesting that correlated evolution may occur between diet specialization and chemosensory responsiveness to cues from the specialized prey. Tests of additional species of prey specialists are needed to establish whether this hypothesis is correct.
Was Dust Their Food and Clay Their Bread? Grave Goods, the Mesopotamian Afterlife, and the Liminal Role of Inana/Ishtar
Authors: Barrett Caitlín 
Published: July 2007

AbstractMany literary texts portray the Mesopotamian netherworld as unrelievedly bleak, yet the archaeological evidence of grave goods suggests that there may also have existed an alternative way of thinking about the afterlife. An analysis of the types of objects found in burials indicates that many people may have anticipated a less harsh form of existence after death. Furthermore, iconographic allusions to the goddess Inana/Ishtar in certain burials raise the possibility that this deity may have been associated with the descent of human dead to the netherworld. The occasional presence of her image and iconography in funerary contexts does not necessarily imply a belief that Inana/Ishtar would personally grant the deceased a happy afterlife, but it may provide an allusion to her own escape from the undesirable netherworld of literary narrative. Inana/Ishtar's status as a liminal figure and breaker of boundaries also may have encouraged Mesopotamians to associate her with the transition between life and death.
The safety of quetiapine: results of a post-marketing surveillance study on 1728 patients in England
Authors: Twaites Beverley R. , Wilton Lynda V. , Shakir Saad A. W. 
Published: July 2007

The safety of the atypical antipsychotic quetiapine as used in general practice in England was examined by prescription-event monitoring (PEM). Patients were identified from dispensed National Health Service (NHS) prescriptions issued by general practitioners (GPs) for quetiapine between October 1997 and July 1999. The outcome data were event reports obtained by sending questionnaires (`green forms') to the prescribing doctor at Least 6 months after the first prescription for an individual patient. Green forms with clinically usefuL information on 1728 patients (median age 39 years (IQR 30—56); 53% female) were received. The most frequently reported event during the first month of treatment was `drowsiness/sedation' (47; 3% cohort). This was also the most frequently reported specified adverse drug reaction (ADR) to quetiapine (7; 11% of 65 reported ADRs) and the highest reported clinical reason for stopping quetiapine (51; 6% of the 734 reported reasons for stopping). There was a Low incidence of extrapyramidal disease (21 during treatment, 1% of cohort) and hyperprolactinaemia (three during treatment, 0.2%) in this study. Three cases of diabetes mellitus in this cohort were reported to be a new diagnosis. Six pregnancies were reported during treatment with quetiapine, five of which were exposed during the first trimester only. There were four Live births with no reported congenital abnormaLities. Fifty-six deaths were reported during this study (3% cohort). The most frequently reported causes of death reLated to the cardiovascular (18) and respiratory (15) systems. The results of this post-marketing surveillance study demonstrated that quetiapine is generally well-tolerated when used in general practice.
The cross-talk between dendritic and regulatory T cells: good or evil?
Authors: Hubert Pascale , Jacobs Nathalie , Caberg Jean-Hubert , Boniver Jacques , Delvenne Philippe 
Published: July 2007

AbstractImmune responses against pathogens require fine regulation to avoid excessive inflammation, which could be harmful to the host. Moreover, the immune system must be tolerant to nonpathogenic antigens to prevent allergy, autoimmunity, and transplant rejection. There is accumulating evidence that interactions between dendritic cells (DC) and regulatory T (Treg) cells play a crucial role in the balance between immune response and tolerance. Communications between these cells are complex, bidirectional, and mediated by soluble or cell surface molecules. The maturation status of DC, which may be influenced by different microenvironmental factors, is considered as an important checkpoint for the induction of peripheral tolerance through modifications of the activation status of T cells. Moreover, several lines of experimental evidence suggest that different subsets or the functional status of DC are also involved in the promotion of Treg cell differentiation. A better knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms of the immune response induced or inhibited by DC via their interactions with Treg cells could be relevant for the development of new, immunotherapeutic approaches.
The increase in abdominal subcutaneous fat depot is an independent factor to determine the glycemic control after rosiglitazone treatment
Authors: Kim Soo-Kyung , Hur Kyu-Yeon , Kim Hae-Jin , Shim Wan-Sub , Ahn Chul-Woo , Park Seok-Won , Cho Yong-Wook , Lim Sung-Kil , Lee Hyun-Chul , Cha Bong-Soo 
Published: July 2007

Objective: The goal was to investigate the interrelationships between the hypoglycemic effects of rosiglitazone and the changes in the regional adiposity of type 2 diabetic patients.
Design and methods: We added rosiglitazone (4 mg/day) to 173 diabetic patients (111 males and 62 females) already taking a stable dose of conventional antidiabetic medications except for thiazolidinediones. The abdominal fat distribution was assessed by ultrasonography at baseline and 12 weeks later. Using ultrasonographic images, the s.c. and visceral fat thickness (SFT and VFT respectively) were measured.
Results: Rosiglitazone treatment for 3 months improved the glycemic control. However, the response to rosiglitazone was no more than 36.4%; the deterioration of the glycemic control was found in 16.8% of subjects. In addition, rosiglitazone treatment significantly increased the body fat mass, especially the s.c. fat. However that did not alter the visceral fat content. The percentage changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations after treatment were inversely correlated with the increase in SFT (r=−0.327 and −0.353, P<0.001 respectively) and/or body weight (r=−0.316 and −0.327, P<0.001 respectively). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the improvement in the FPG after rosiglitazone treatment was correlated with the baseline FPG (P<0.001) and the change in the SFT (P=0.019), and the reduction in the HbA1c was related with the baseline FPG (P=0.003) and HbA1c (P<0.001) and the changes in the SFT (P=0.010) or VFT (P=0.013).
Conclusions: The increase in the s.c. fat depot after rosiglitazone treatment may be an independent factor that determines the hypoglycemic efficacy.
Differences and similarities regarding adiponectin investigated in African and Caucasian women
Authors: Schutte Aletta E , Huisman Hugo W , Schutte Rudolph , Malan Leoné , van Rooyen Johannes M , Malan Nico T , Schwarz Peter E H 
Published: July 2007

Objective: Concentrations of adiponectin, an adipocytokine with insulin-sensitizing actions, may vary according to ethnic group. This study aimed to determine whether fasting adiponectin levels of Caucasian and African women differ. A second objective was to determine which components of the metabolic syndrome are more closely related to adiponectinemia in both groups.
Design: A cross-sectional study including 102 urban African and 115 Caucasian women with a wide range of obesity aged 20–55 years.
Methods: Anthropometric measurements were taken, namely weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference, and hip circumference. Cardiovascular measurements included blood pressure and arterial compliance. Fasting blood samples were taken to determine glucose, insulin, C-peptide, leptin, adiponectin, and lipid levels.
Results: Mean adiponectin levels of the whole groups did not differ, but normal weight African women (N = 38) showed marginally lower adiponectin levels than their Caucasian counterparts (N = 41; P = 0.047). No differences in adiponectin were shown for overweight and obese women. Separate multiple regression analyses for ethnic groups showed that only homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) significantly contributed to the variance in adiponectin levels of African women, whereas leptin, triacylglycerol levels and HOMA-IR contributed significantly to adiponectin variance in Caucasian women. An additional multiple regression analysis in a combined ethnic group (N = 217) showed ethnicity to be a significant contributor to variances in adiponectin levels.
Conclusions: Even though adiponectin levels of these ethnic groups are similar, different associations of adiponectin with leptin and triacylglycerol levels might indicate that there are ethnic differences regarding the mechanistic functions of adiponectin within the scope of the metabolic syndrome.
Laboratory Transmission of the Monogenean Acolpenteron ureteroecetes Infecting the Posterior Kidneys of Largemouth Bass: Time Course and Pathology
Authors: Gieseker Charles M. , Serfling Stanley G. , Poynton Sarah L. , Reimschuessel Renate 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Acolpenteron ureteroecetes infections in the kidneys of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides have been reported, but the time course of infection and progression of pathology in experimentally infected fish remain unknown. We exposed 299 naïve juvenile largemouth bass at 19.8°C to A. ureteroecetes–infected largemouth bass via recirculating water without direct contact. For 7 months, prevalence and density were determined monthly in squashes of posterior kidney (20 exposed fish, 20 nonexposed fish), and histopathology was assessed in 5 fish from each group. Prevalence increased steadily from months 1 (5%) to 4 (85%), thereafter remaining relatively stable. Mean density of infection doubled monthly (month 1, 0.1 individuals/2 cm2 squash; month 7, 15.1 individuals/2 cm2 squash). Eggs were first observed at month 3, and mean density increased markedly from month 4 to month 5 (2.9–15.3 eggs/2 cm2 squash). Histopathology showed damage in renal collecting ducts that got progressively worse between 5 and 7 months. The infected ducts were dilated, had a hyperplastic epithelium, and were surrounded by chronic inflammation, including eosinophilic granular cells and varying degrees of fibrosis. Eggs within granulomas were present in the interstitium; this response is newly reported. The infection system developed in this study provides a reproducible and consistent source of infected individuals that will facilitate further study of the parasite and potential treatments.