bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The hydrodynamics of the Snorre Field area, offshore Norway
Authors: Caillet G. , Séjourné C. , Grauls D. , Arnaud J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe Snorre Field, in the Norwegian North Sea, contains a 300 m oil column and is characterized by high pressures. The Snorre Field and its satellites are a well‐documented area and it was considered as an excellent case history for documenting hydrocarbon migration and petroleum hydrodynamics in an overpressured regime. The reservoirs are Triassic and Lower Jurassic sandstones overlain by thick shale formations. The overpressure in the acquifer is 14 MPa. The variations of the oil‐water contact levels observed throughout the structure can be correlated with oil density variations. This implies that some faults are partly sealing and suggests that leakage through the cap rock is possible together with a selective input of hydrocarbons within the compartments. The possible mechanisms of pressuring and their consequences on the migration system are discussed in this paper.The origin of abnormal pressures in the reservoir is not directly related to the vertical overburden. Some equivalent overpressures due to the compaction exist further south at the North Alwyn location. An equalization of about 14 MPa overpressure occurs along a SW‐NE structural trend, through the North Alwyn, Brent, Statfjord and Snorre fields. Snorre being at the shallowest depth, the pore pressure at the top of the reservoir reaches the stress limit for fracturing and hydrocarbons leak from the field.The idea that a large structural trend acts as a preferential route for the migration of hydrocarbons is well supported; however, the oils in Snorre have a GOR increasing from the southwest to the northeast part of the field and this feature, supported by organic geochemistry, reflects an input of light hydrocarbons from source areas in the adjacent 34/5 basin to the east where high pressures are generated. Evidence for high pressures in the basin exists on seismic profiles, where velocity anomalies indicate highly pressured deep zones and migration possibilities along fractures or unconformities.The pressure regime and the stress conditions are key points for the exploration in this area, together with the sealing capacity of the main faults.
Prolonged preseasonal treatment phase with Grazax sublingual immunotherapy increases clinical efficacy
Authors: Calderon M. A. , Birk A. O. , Andersen J. S. , Durham S. R. 
Published: July 2007

Background:  Sublingual immunotherapy treatment with grass allergen tablets (Grazax®) is initiated preseasonally without up‐dosing and treatment is continued throughout the entire grass pollen season.Aims of the study:  The influence of the duration of preseasonal treatment on clinical efficacy obtained within the grass pollen season was investigated.Methods:  Data from three randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multi‐centre trials with varying preseasonal treatment periods were analysed. In the grass pollen season, symptom and medication score reductions relative to placebo were calculated and correlated with the duration of the preseasonal treatment period.Results:  The analysis was based on data from 934 patients. A significant reduction in seasonal daily rhinoconjunctivitis symptom and medication scores (17%, CI: 1–33% and 23%, CI: 1–47%, P < 0.05) was observed for patients treated with Grazax® compared with placebo after approximately 8 weeks of pretreatment. The magnitude of the reductions in rhinoconjunctivitis symptom and medication scores increased with longer duration of preseasonal treatment (P < 0.0001).Conclusions:  Sublingual immunotherapy with Grazax® must be initiated at least 8 weeks prior to the grass pollen season to provide a significant clinical efficacy. A longer preseasonal treatment period (>8 weeks) improves the clinical efficacy (relative to placebo) during the grass pollen season.
H1‐antihistamines for the treatment of anaphylaxis: Cochrane systematic review
Authors: Sheikh A. , Ten Broek V. , Brown S. G. A. , Simons F. E. R. 
Published: July 2007

Background:  Anaphylaxis is an acute systemic allergic reaction, which can be life‐threatening. H1‐antihistamines are commonly used as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of anaphylaxis. We sought to assess the benefits and harm of H1‐antihistamines in the treatment of anaphylaxis.Methods:  We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library); MEDLINE (1966 to June 2006); EMBASE (1966 to June 2006); CINAHL (1982 to June 2006) and ISI Web of Science (1945 to July 2006). We also contacted pharmaceutical companies and international experts in anaphylaxis in an attempt to locate unpublished material. Randomized and quasi‐randomized‐controlled trials comparing H1‐antihistamines with placebo or no intervention were eligible for inclusion. Two authors independently assessed articles for inclusion.Results:  We found no studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria.Conclusions:  Based on this review, we are unable to make any recommendations for clinical practice. Randomized‐controlled trials are needed, although these are likely to prove challenging to design and execute.
Genetic differences in omega‐gliadins involved in two different immediate food hypersensitivities to wheat
Authors: Laurière M. , Pecquet C. , Boulenc É. , Bouchez‐Mahiout I. , Snégaroff J. , Choudat D. , Raison‐Peyron N. , Vigan M. , Branlard G. 
Published: July 2007

Background:  Anti‐gliadin IgE are expressed in patients with food allergy associated to skin immediate hypersensitivity to hydrolyzed wheat proteins (IHHWP). It is not known if they react with ω5‐gliadins, the major allergens in wheat dependant exercise‐induced food anaphylaxis (WDEIA), encoded on wheat chromosomes 1B.Methods:  Unmodified gliadins from 14 wheat varieties expressing most of the 1B ω‐gliadin alleles, were immunoprobed after SDS‐PAGE and blotting, with four sera from patients with IHHWP, and two with WDEIA. Gliadins reacting with IgE were visualized using chemiluminescence and identified according to their mobility and typical SDS‐PAGE pattern. The resulting signal was also measured to compare their IgE reactivity.Results:  IHHWP and WDEIA sera exhibited distinct patterns of reactivity. IgE of patients with IHHWP reacted mainly with all ω‐gliadins alleles and one γ‐gliadin encoded respectively on chromosomes 1D and 1B, but not with any ω5‐gliadins alleles as for WDEIA. A few other reactive alleles of ω‐gliadins were encoded on chromosomes 1A. Unassigned additional bands of the whole gliadin pattern were also reactive. The four patients with IHHWP exhibited almost the same pattern of reactivity. Main differences concerned band reactivity which modulated the overall reactivity of each wheat variety.Conclusions:  The IgE epitopes involved in IHHWP and WDEIA are different. This suggests that the protein state and the route of exposure to very similar gluten structures, probably orientate the pattern of epitope reactivity and the wheat food allergy manifestations.
Crash of a population of the marine heterotrophic flagellate Cafeteria roenbergensis by viral infection
Authors: Massana Ramon , Del Campo Javier , Dinter Christian , Sommaruga Ruben 
Published: July 2007

SummaryViruses are known as important mortality agents of marine microorganisms. Most studies focus on bacterial and algal viruses, and few reports exist on viruses infecting marine heterotrophic protists. Here we show results from several incubations initiated with a microbial assemblage from the central Indian Ocean and amended with different amounts of organic matter. Heterotrophic flagellates developed up to 30 000 cells ml−1 in the most enriched incubation. A 18S rDNA clone library and fluorescent in situ hybridization counts with newly designed probes indicated that the peak was formed by Cafeteria roenbergensis and Caecitellus paraparvulus (90% and 10% of the cells respectively). Both taxa were below detection in the original sample, indicating a strong positive selective bias during the enrichment. During the peak, C. roenbergensis cells were observed with virus‐like particles in the cytoplasm, and 4 days later this taxa could not be detected. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the viral nature of these particles, which were large (280 nm), had double‐stranded DNA, and were produced with a burst size of ∼70. This virus was specific of C. roenbergensis as neither C. paraparvulus that was never seen infected, nor other flagellate taxa that developed in later stages of the incubation, appeared attacked. This is one of the few reports on a heterotrophic flagellate virus and the implications of this finding in the Indian Ocean are discussed.
Effects of interpregnancy interval and outcome of the preceding pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes in Matlab, Bangladesh
Authors: DaVanzo J , Hale L , Razzaque A , Rahman M 
Published: July 2007

Objective  To estimate the effects on pregnancy outcomes of the duration of the preceding interpregnancy interval (IPI) and type of pregnancy outcome that began the interval.Design  Observational population‐based study.Setting  The Maternal Child Health–Family Planning (MCH–FP) area of Matlab, Bangladesh.Population  A total of 66 759 pregnancy outcomes that occurred between 1982 and 2002.Methods Bivariate tabulations and multinomial logistic regression analysis.Main outcome measures  Pregnancy outcomes (live birth, stillbirth, miscarriage [spontaneous fetal loss prior to 28 weeks], and induced abortion).Results  When socio‐economic and demographic covariates are controlled, of the IPIs that began with a live birth, those <6 months in duration were associated with a 7.5‐fold increase in the odds of an induced abortion (95% CI 6.0–9.4), a 3.3‐fold increase in the odds of a miscarriage (95% CI 2.8–3.9), and a 1.6‐fold increase in the odds of a stillbirth (95% CI 1.2–2.1) compared with 27‐ to 50‐month IPIs. IPIs of 6–14 months were associated with increased odds of induced abortion (2.0, 95% CI 1.5–2.6). IPIs ≥ 75 months were associated with increased odds of all three types of non‐live‐birth (NLB) outcomes but were not as risky as very short intervals. IPIs that began with a NLB were generally more likely to end with the same type of NLB.Conclusions  Women whose pregnancies are between 15 and 75 months after a preceding pregnancy outcome (regardless of its type) have a lower likelihood of fetal loss than those with shorter or longer IPIs. Those with a preceding NLB outcome deserve special attention in counselling and monitoring.
Italy: A Clean‐up after the Cold War
Authors: Sidoti Franceso 
Published: July 2007

In These Pages We Will Discuss The Thesis That in order to understand the present problems of Italy, one must look back on an era of international politics dominated by the bipolar and conflictual relationship between East and West. This came to an end finally after the failed Moscow coup in mid-1991.From 1946, without interruption, in a Europe divided by the iron curtain, Italy was the frontier country where the cold war was most bitterly fought, because the Italian Communist Party (PCI) was the strongest communist party in the world outside the Soviet empire. From many viewpoints, the Italian Communists were ordinary politicians peacefully involved in cooperatives and in the trade unions. Their management of some important regions and municipalities was judged very favourably by many scholars. In public declarations they stated their preference for a peaceful way to socialism, conversion to liberty, independence from Soviet influence, and acceptance of a democratic system. In fact they shared Moscow's orientations in every international problem where East and West were opposed. Now we understand why: they were heavily financed, directly and indirectly, by the Soviets. But after Yeltsin had thrown out many skeletons from the Kremlin closets, we had the proof that the staunch anti-communists were right. The big lie about Bolshevism concerned Italy also, where the PCI had been helped from Stalin to Gorbachev. This is why still in 1985 the Italian Communists declared the USA to be the only imperialist state in the world.
The Italian Political Class
Authors: Sidoti Francesco 
Published: July 2007

IN MODERN ITALIAN, ‘POLITICAL CLASS’ IS A CONCEPT quite distinct from that of a ruling class. The notion of political class applies to a million people who are in full-time politics. The cream of these professional politicians is part of the ruling class: a term which applies to the people who effectively run the country working in business, finance, administration, politics, and so on.In Italy the history of the changing importance of the political class has always been connected with the weakness of the ruling class, which was evident from the beginning of unification. Italy became a nation-state in 1861, largely thanks to the action of a tiny group of patriots consisting of ambitious aristocrats and romantic intellectuals. While in the same period the Prussian monarchy gave strong leadership to the process of unification in Germany, the Piedmont monarchy led the Italian process of national unification under the discreet partnership, open protection, or direct involvement of other major European states. From 1861 to the present time in Italian history many observers have pointed to the weakness of the ruling class and the interference of foreign powers.
The Development of Telegraphy, 1870–1900: A European Perspective on a World History Challenge
Authors: Wenzlhuemer Roland 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis article puts forward that the study of so‐called information societies and of the interplay of information technology and society in general needs to be amended from a historical perspective. Only by looking back further than the 1960s can the concept of an information revolution be critically evaluated. I argue that the study of information societies must at least go back until the invention and spread of electric telegraphy which has brought about the detachment of telecommunication from transport and thus created a virtual space of information. The essay seeks to provide some initial empirical findings in order to facilitate the identification of regional case studies with different degrees of global connectivity. Statistical data from the ITU archives in Geneva has been collected and indexed in order to illustrate how different regions in Europe and the wider world developed in telegraphic terms between 1870 and 1900. It is hoped and anticipated that these initial findings will be refined and shall eventually provide the structural basis for detailed historical comparisons between regions with different points of connection.
African‐American Committee Chairs in U.S. State Legislatures*
Authors: D'Andra Orey Byron , Overby L. Marvin , Larimer Christopher W. 
Published: July 2007

Objective. In this article, we explore whether African‐American state legislators have been able to translate election to office into positions of power, particularly as committee chairs.Methods. We cull data from all state legislative chambers that contained a black legislator during two time periods, 1989 and 1999. In doing so, we compare the observed numbers of African‐American chairs with their expected numbers. We also examine each state's percentage of black chairs using multiple regression to determine what factors—political, partisan, institutional, cultural—influence the selection of black committee chairs.Results. Overall, our descriptive analysis reveals that blacks are underrepresented as chairs. They are not, however, significantly underrepresented as chairs of the most important committees and they are generally overrepresented as chairs of committees with jurisdiction over social services. Our multivariate analyses show that the prevalence of black chairs is driven primarily by factors related to partisan control of legislative chambers and size of the black legislative delegation, and that these dynamics have changed over time.Conclusion. Although the increase in African‐American state legislators has led to an increase in substantive leadership roles, these positions have been limited almost entirely to chambers where the black caucus is a critical element of a Democratic majority.
Slanted Objectivity? Perceived Media Bias, Cable News Exposure, and Political Attitudes*
Authors: Morris Jonathan S. 
Published: July 2007

Objectives.This research explores the consequences of a fragmented television news audience. The recent proliferation of a wide array of television news sources has influenced the manner in which a large number of Americans get their information about politics and government. The political consequences of media fragmentation and the polarization of the U.S. television news audience are explored.Methods.I analyze data on television news‐gathering habits and political attitudes collected from several surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center during the 2004 presidential election campaign.Results.The Fox News Channel has been the main beneficiary of television news fragmentation by appealing to those individuals who have become disillusioned with what they perceive as a liberally‐biased mainstream media. The findings show that the Fox News audience has a distinct set of political attitudes regarding President Bush and his opposition. Evidence also indicates that the Fox News audience has distinct voting behavior patterns, even when controlling for party identification. Finally, the results illustrate that Fox News watchers have perceptions of political reality that differ from the rest of the television news audience.Conclusions.The television news audience is divided along political lines. This division could contribute toward further political polarization among the U.S. mass public as the content of television news coverage of politics becomes less and less homogenized.
Leveling the Playing Field: Should Student Evaluation Scores be Adjusted?*
Authors: McPherson Michael A. , Jewell R. Todd 
Published: July 2007

Objectives. Colleges and universities routinely use evaluation scores to assess the quality of an instructor's teaching for purposes of promotion and tenure and for merit‐raise allocations. This article attempts to identify the determinants of these scores, and to suggest ways that departments' numerical rankings of instructors might be adjusted.Method. This article applies a feasible generalized least squares model to a panel of data from master's‐level classes.Results. We find that instructors can “buy” better evaluation scores by inflating students' grade expectations. Also, the teaching experience of instructors has an impact on evaluation scores, but this effect is largely seen as an increase after tenure is granted. In addition, we find evidence of a bias against nonwhite faculty.Conclusion. Our results suggest that an adjustment to the usual departmental rankings may be in order.
Imaging Mitochondria in Living Corneal Endothelial Cells Using Autofluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Ramey Nicholas A. , Park Choul Yong , Gehlbach Peter L. , Chuck Roy S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe report noninvasive autofluorescence mitochondrial imaging in cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs). HCECs harvested from eye bank corneas were cultured in thin glass‐bottom plates. Mitochondria were imaged with an autofluorescence microscope using a DAPI filter set (excitation: G365, emission: band pass 445/50) and then, after fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde, cells were stained with MitoTracker™ Green FM (MTG). Both images were aligned using a linear conformal algorithm for image mapping based on manually selected corresponding feature points, and then mathematically compared using two‐dimensional spatial image correlation coefficients. Autofluorescence imaging provided highly resolved mitochondrial signals from living HCECs, comparable to those taken with MTG. Both techniques yielded very similar images at high magnification and high resolution, demonstrating the tubular morphology and cytoplasmic distribution that are characteristic of mitochondria. Image registration using a linear conformal mapping technique and cross‐correlations showed high correlation of overlapping autofluorescence and MTG images. This study validates the novel use of autofluorescence vital imaging as a noninvasive, inexpensive and functional alternative to the mitochondria‐specific dyes in cultured HCEC. This noninvasive mitochondrial imaging technique can be useful in future applications studying mitochondrial biology of ocular cells.
Photodynamic Action of Benzo[a]pyrene in K562 Cells
Authors: De Moraes Vaz Batista Filgueira Daza , Paula Salomão de Freitas Diana , Paula de Souza Votto Ana , Fillmann Gilberto , Maria Monserrat José , Alicia Geracitano Laura , Santos Trindade Gilma 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBenzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is ubiquitously distributed in the environment, being considered the most phototoxic element among polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs). In presence of oxygen, PAHs can act as a photosensitizer by means of promoting photo‐oxidation of biological molecules (photodynamic action, PDA). Thus, the present study analyzed the photodynamic action of BaP under UVA irradiation (BaP + UVA) and its oxidative effects on K562 cells. The evaluation of BaP kinetics showed that the highest intracellular concentration occurred after 18 h of incubation. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage (breaks and DNA–protein cross‐link [DNAPC]) were assessed after exposure to BaP, UVA and BaP plus UVA irradiation (BaP + UVA). Cell viability was decreased just after exposure to BaP + UVA. Lipid peroxidation and DNA breaks increased after BaP + UVA exposure, while the DNAPC increased after BaP, UVA and BaP + UVA exposure, suggesting that BaP + UVA effects were a consequence of both type II (producing mainly singlet oxygen) and type I (producing others ROS) mechanisms of PDA.
Mitochondrial membrane fluidity, potential, and calcium transients in the myocardium from acute diabetic ratsThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled The Cellular and Molecular Basis of Cardiovascular Dysfunction, Dhalla 70th Birthday Tribute.
Authors: Waczulikova Iveta , Habodaszova Dana , Cagalinec Michal , Ferko Miroslav , Ulicna Olga , Mateasik Anton , Sikurova Libusa , Ziegelhöffer Attila 
Published: July 2007

In this study, we report for the first time concurrent measurements of membrane potential and dynamics and respiratory chain activities in rat heart mitochondria, as well as calcium transients in the hearts of rats in an early phase of streptozotocin diabetes, not yet accompanied with diabetes-induced complications. Quantitative relationships among these variables were assessed. The mitochondria from diabetic rats exhibited decreased fluorescence anisotropy values of diphenylhexatriene. This indicates that hydrophobic core of the membranes was more fluid compared with controls (p < 0.05). We discuss the changes in fluidity as having been associated with augmented energy transduction through the diabetic membranes. Reduced ratio of JC-1 fluorescence (aggregates to monomers) in the mitochondria from diabetic hearts reflected descendent transmembrane potential. A significant negative association between membrane fluidity and potential in the diabetic group was found (p < 0.05; r = 0.67). Further, we observed an increase in calcium transient amplitude (CTA) in the diabetic cardiomyocytes (p = 0.048). We conclude that some of the calcium-induced regulatory events that dictate fuel selection and capacity for ATP production in diabetic heart occur at the membrane level. Our findings offer new insight into acute diabetes-induced changes in cardiac mitochondria.