bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association of psychological stress and health related quality of life among patients with stroke and hypertension in Gaza Strip
Authors: Baune BT , Aljeesh Y 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Background
The study was performed to investigate the association of psychological stress and quality of life (QOL) among patients with the cardiovascular disease (CVD) of hypertension plus stroke or hypertension only.

Methods
The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was applied to 112 hypertensive patients with hypertension plus stroke and 224 hypertensive patients without stroke. Psychological stress was assessed with SCL-90. Means scale scores were compared using student-t-test and predictors of QOL were calculated with covariance analysis.

Results
Patients with stroke had a significant lower QOL than patients without stroke and a significantly higher level of stress (p < 0.01). In analyses of covariance psychological stress was significantly correlated to all domains of QOL among non-stroke patients. The same psychological and sociodemographic factors showed little impact on the stroke patients in these multivariable analyses. In these models psychological stress had a significant impact on the global domain of QOL among stroke patients. Income and gender were the only sociodemographic factors being significantly associated with the physical (education) and social (gender) domains of QOL in stroke patients.

Conclusion
Psychological stress was strongly correlated with all domains of QOL in patients without stroke and was only partly associated with QOL among patients with stroke. Future studies should investigate if psychological stress is a factor suitable for educational and psychological interventions aiming at stress reduction in CVD patients which might substantially contribute to better health related quality of life in these patients.
The Recognition of Phonologically Assimilated Words Does Not Depend on Specific Language Experience
Authors: Mitterer Holger , Csépe Valéria , Honbolygo Ferenc , Blomert Leo 
Published: May 2006

AbstractIn a series of 5 experiments, we investigated whether the processing of phonologically assimilated utterances is influenced by language learning. Previous experiments had shown that phonological assimilations, such as /lean#bacon/→ [leam bacon], are compensated for in perception. In this article, we investigated whether compensation for assimilation can occur without experience with an assimilation rule using automatic event‐related potentials. Our first experiment indicated that Dutch listeners compensate for a Hungarian assimilation rule. Two subsequent experiments, however, failed to show compensation for assimilation by both Dutch and Hungarian listeners. Two additional experiments showed that this was due to the acoustic properties of the assimilated utterance, confirming earlier reports that phonetic detail is important in compensation for assimilation. Our data indicate that compensation for assimilation can occur without experience with an assimilation rule, in line with phonetic‐phonological theories that assume that speech production is influenced by speech‐perception abilities.
With the Future Behind Them: Convergent Evidence From Aymara Language and Gesture in the Crosslinguistic Comparison of Spatial Construals of Time
Authors: Núñez Rafael E. , Sweetser Eve 
Published: May 2006

AbstractCognitive research on metaphoric concepts of time has focused on differences between moving Ego and moving time models, but even more basic is the contrast between Ego‐ and temporal‐reference‐point models. Dynamic models appear to be quasi‐universal cross‐culturally, as does the generalization that in Ego‐reference‐point models, FUTURE IS IN FRONT OF EGO and PAST IS IN BACK OF EGO. The Aymara language instead has a major static model of time wherein FUTURE IS BEHIND EGO and PAST IS IN FRONT OF EGO; linguistic and gestural data give strong confirmation of this unusual culture‐specific cognitive pattern. Gestural data provide crucial information unavailable to purely linguistic analysis, suggesting that when investigating conceptual systems both forms of expression should be analyzed complementarily. Important issues in embodied cognition are raised: how fully shared are bodily grounded motivations for universal cognitive patterns, what makes a rare pattern emerge, and what are the cultural entailments of such patterns?
The Coordinated Interplay of Scene, Utterance, and World Knowledge: Evidence From Eye Tracking
Authors: Knoeferle Pia , Crocker Matthew W. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractTwo studies investigated the interaction between utterance and scene processing by monitoring eye movements in agent–action–patient events, while participants listened to related utterances. The aim of Experiment 1 was to determine if and when depicted events are used for thematic role assignment and structural disambiguation of temporarily ambiguous English sentences. Shortly after the verb identified relevant depicted actions, eye movements in the event scenes revealed disambiguation. Experiment 2 investigated the relative importance of linguistic/world knowledge and scene information. When the verb identified either only the stereotypical agent of a (nondepicted) action, or the (nonstereotypical) agent of a depicted action as relevant, verb‐based thematic knowledge and depicted action each rapidly influenced comprehension. In contrast, when the verb identified both of these agents as relevant, the gaze pattern suggested a preferred reliance of comprehension on depicted events over stereotypical thematic knowledge for thematic interpretation. We relate our findings to language comprehension and acquisition theories.
Memory and Mystery: The Cultural Selection of Minimally Counterintuitive Narratives
Authors: Norenzayan Ara , Atran Scott , Faulkner Jason , Schaller Mark 
Published: May 2006

AbstractWe hypothesize that cultural narratives such as myths and folktales are more likely to achieve cultural stability if they correspond to a minimally counterintuitive (MCI) cognitive template that includes mostly intuitive concepts combined with a minority of counterintuitive ones. Two studies tested this hypothesis, examining whether this template produces a memory advantage, and whether this memory advantage explains the cultural success of folktales. In a controlled laboratory setting, Study 1 found that an MCI template produces a memory advantage after a 1‐week delay, relative to entirely intuitive or maximally counterintuitive cognitive templates. Using archival methods, Study 2 examined the cognitive structure of Grimm Brothers folktales. Compared to culturally unsuccessful folktales, those that were demonstrably successful were especially likely to fit an MCI template. These findings highlight the role of human memory processes in cultural evolution.
A Hierarchical Bayesian Model of Human Decision‐Making on an Optimal Stopping Problem
Authors: Lee Michael D. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractWe consider human performance on an optimal stopping problem where people are presented with a list of numbers independently chosen from a uniform distribution. People are told how many numbers are in the list, and how they were chosen. People are then shown the numbers one at a time, and are instructed to choose the maximum, subject to the constraint that they must choose a number at the time it is presented, and any choice below the maximum is incorrect. We present empirical evidence that suggests people use threshold‐based models to make decisions, choosing the first currently maximal number that exceeds a fixed threshold for that position in the list. We then develop a hierarchical generative account of this model family, and use Bayesian methods to learn about the parameters of the generative process, making inferences about the threshold decision models people use. We discuss the interesting aspects of human performance on the task, including the lack of learning, and the presence of large individual differences, and consider the possibility of extending the modeling framework to account for individual differences. We also use the modeling results to discuss the merits of hierarchical, generative and Bayesian models of cognitive processes more generally.
Arrows in Comprehending and Producing Mechanical Diagrams
Authors: Heiser Julie , Tversky Barbara 
Published: May 2006

AbstractMechanical systems have structural organizations—parts, and their relations—and functional organizations—temporal, dynamic, and causal processes—which can be explained using text or diagrams. Two experiments illustrate the role of arrows in diagrams of mechanical systems. In Experiment 1, people described diagrams with or without arrows, interpreting diagrams without arrows as conveying structural information and diagrams with arrows as conveying functional information. In Experiment 2, people produced sketches of mechanical systems from structural or functional descriptions. People spontaneously used arrows to indicate functional processes in diagrams. Arrows can play a powerful role in augmenting structural diagrams to convey dynamic, causal, or functional information.
Role and Regulation of Nodal/Activin Receptor-Like Kinase 7 Signaling Pathway in the Control of Ovarian Follicular Atresia
Authors: Wang Hongmei , Jiang Jin-Yi , Zhu Cheng , Peng Chun , Tsang Benjamin K. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAlthough the role of the TGF β superfamily members in the regulation of ovarian folliculogenesis has been extensively studied, their involvement in follicular atresia is not well understood. In the present study, we have demonstrated for the first time that Nodal, a member of the TGF β superfamily, is involved in promoting follicular atresia as evidenced by the following: 1) colocalization of Nodal and its type I receptor Activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7) proteins in the granulosa cells was only observed in atretic antral follicles, whereas they were present in theca cells and granulosa cells of healthy follicles, respectively; 2) addition of recombinant Nodal or overexpression of Nodal by adenoviral infection induced apoptosis of otherwise healthy granulosa cells; 3) constitutively active ALK7 (ALK7-ca) overexpression mimicked the function of Nodal in the induction of granulosa cell apoptosis. Furthermore, overexpression of Nodal or ALK7-ca increased phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2, decreased X-linked inhibitor of apoptotic proteins (Xiap) expression at both mRNA and protein level and phospho-Akt content, as well as triggered mitochondrial release of death proteins Smac/DIABLO, Omi/HtrA2, and cytochrome c in the granulosa cells. Dominant-negative Smad2 significantly attenuated ALK7-ca-induced down-regulation of Xiap and thus rescued granulosa cells from undergoing apoptosis. In addition, whereas up-regulation of Xiap significantly attenuated ALK7-ca-induced apoptosis, down-regulation of Xiap sensitized granulosa cells to ALK7-ca-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, ALK7-ca-induced apoptosis was significantly attenuated by forced expression of activated Akt, and Akt rescued granulosa cells from undergoing apoptosis via proteasome-mediated ALK7 degradation. Taken together, Nodal plays an atretogenic role in the ovary where it induces granulosa cell apoptosis through activation of Smad2, down-regulation of the key survival molecules Xiap and phospho-Akt, as well as the activation of mitochondrial death pathway.
Gc-Globulin: Roles in Response to Injury
Authors: Meier Ursula , Gressner Olav , Lammert Frank , Gressner Axel M 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground: Gc-globulin (vitamin D–binding protein) appears to have important functions in addition to its role as a carrier of vitamin D.Approach: We reviewed recent studies focusing on the pathophysiologic functions and clinical significance of Gc-globulin.Results: Serum concentrations of Gc-globulin, as determined by immunoassay techniques, are decreased in severe injury. The extent of the decrease may have prognostic significance for patient outcomes. Clinical studies and animal models have shown that Gc-globulin has an important role in the clearance of procoagulant actin from the circulation after its release during cell necrosis and tissue injury. Gc-globulin has other potential roles in responses to acute tissue injury through conversion to a macrophage-activating factor, neutrophil chemotactic activity, and enhancement of C5a-mediated signaling.Conclusion: Considering the important physiologic roles of Gc-globulin in responses to tissue injury, such as clearance of actin, measurement of Gc-globulin may have value in directing the care of patients in many clinical disorders.
Nanodiagnostics: A New Frontier for Clinical Laboratory Medicine
Authors: Azzazy Hassan ME , Mansour Mai MH , Kazmierczak Steven C 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground: The use of nanotechnologies for diagnostic applications shows great promise to meet the rigorous demands of the clinical laboratory for sensitivity and cost-effectiveness. New nanodiagnostic tools include quantum dots (QDs), gold nanoparticles, and cantilevers. QDs, which are the most promising nanostructures for diagnostic applications, are semiconductor nanocrystals characterized by high photostability, single-wavelength excitation, and size-tunable emission. QDs and magnetic nanoparticles can be used for barcoding of specific analytes. Gold and magnetic nanoparticles are key components of the bio-barcode assay, which has been proposed as a future alternative to the PCR.Methods: We examined articles published over the past 10 years investigating the use of QDs, gold nanoparticles, cantilevers, and other nanotechnologies in promising diagnostic applications.Results: Several nanodiagnostic assays have been developed, including a QD-based assay capable of detecting biotinylated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at 0.38 ng/L, a bio-barcode assay capable of detecting 30 amol/L PSA in a 10-μL sample, and another able to detect 50 molecules of the Alzheimer marker amyloid β-derived diffusible ligand in 10 μL of cerebrospinal fluid.Conclusions: Nanodiagnostics promise increased sensitivity, multiplexing capabilities, and reduced cost for many diagnostic applications as well as intracellular imaging. Further work is needed to fully optimize these diagnostic nanotechnologies for clinical laboratory setting and to address the potential health and environmental risks related to QDs.
Material Behavior of Dredged Contaminated Sediments from Simple Laboratory and Oedometer Tests
Authors: Holme JK , Dokter L , Eek E , Jensen TG , Loken T , Breedveld GD 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Contaminated sediments, near urbanized areas, usually have a high content of organic matter and therefore a high water content and low shear strength. During dredging, additional water is mixed with the sediment, increasing the water content even further. The resulting dredged material that has to be disposed will be very soft with a very low shear strength. As a result, capping of a disposal site with clean sediments will be a challenge and put restrictions on the thickness of the cap and the used placement technique. Simple laboratory tests have been conducted to evaluate the transition of newly dredged material from being a fluid to behaving like a continuum. The performed tests show that it is possible to put a sand layer on top of dredged material after a short initial consolidation phase. This indicates that dredged material at this stage is by definition a continuum. Results from special oedometer tests revealed that the time needed for primary consolidation for contaminated clay from the Bjørvika area in Oslo (Norway), was approximately 30 h. The undrained shear strength of dredged material after consolidation under the influence of a thin sand layer is difficult to measure using traditional methods. A simple laboratory test with a transparent cylinder and a tilting table was conducted to force a failure mechanism. From these results, the undrained shear strength can be back calculated. For Bjørvika clay, test results, using a 2–3 cm sand cap, indicated a shear strength of approximately 0.10–0.15 kPa after three days of consolidation. Thin sand layers will increase the shear strength of the dredged material and act as draining layers of excess pore pressure during disposal site operation. This will improve the stability of the final cap after site closure.
Seawater Quality, Suspended Solids, and Settling Particles in the Wood Pool Area of Shimizu Port, Japan
Authors: Sato Y , Fukue M , Yasuda K , Kita K , Sawamoto S , Miyata Y 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The transport and contamination of suspended solids in a wood pool were quantitatively studied as a case study for the environmental assessment of an enclosed sea area. To assess the present contamination of Shimizu Port (Japan), seawater, suspended solids, and settling particles were collected from three rivers, the wood pool, and Shimizu Port. Physical and chemical properties of the samples were analyzed. In addition, tidal currents were observed to investigate the transport process of chemical substances by suspended solids. The results showed that the amount of lithogenic particles discharged into Shimizu Port was approximately 12 000 kg/day. Suspended solids discharged from rivers and the biological particles produced in the port caused a reduction in seawater transparency and an increase in chemical oxygen demand. Trace metals, such as Mn, Co, and Pb, were highly concentrated in suspended solids. Tributyltin adsorbed onto settling particles was approximately 300 µg/kg. Concentration factors for Mn, Fe, Cd, and Pb from water and settling particles are comparable to those of plankton. Hydroxides were found in suspended solids from the wood pool, which locates in the inner part of Shimizu Port. The results showed that these suspended particles could accumulate metals from seawater as effectively as biogenic particles. After particle deposition, trace metals are regenerated into seawater under anaerobic conditions. This process plays an important role in the accumulation of chemicals in seawater and sediments, especially in enclosed sea areas.
Applicability of Cement-Stabilized Mud Soil as Embankment Material
Authors: Tani S , Fukushima S , Kitajima A , Nishimoto K 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Although conventional improved soil using cement has high strength, a maximum strength can be induced by a small strain, causing cracks. Thus, such improved soil is not considered to be fit for core materials (i.e., impervious materials) for earth dam embankments. We have developed a method to repair embankments with crushed and compacted soil utilizing earth dam mud soil. This method enables embankments which rarely crack to be constructed. The improved soil was produced in the following manner. First, the stabilized soil was cured for a few days. The soil was then crushed, plowed, compacted, and re-stabilized, resulting in an improved soil that, although it had lower strength, at the maximum strength can only be generated by a large strain. In this paper, mechanical tests for soil specimens prepared in a laboratory and obtained from actual embankments were used to obtain the curing times till crushing, and the strength and deformation characteristics of the crushed-compacted soil. In addition, we carried out a dry-wet cycling test for endurance for the crushed-compacted soil, and examined the mechanical characteristics. Finally, we describe some actual examples where the present method has been applied.
Sedimentation
Authors: Svarovsky Ladislav 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Sedimentation as it applies to gravitational settling of solid particles or liquid droplets is discussed. Other aspects included are the pretreatment of slurries to improve settling rates and the enhancement of settling by slow cyclonic action or by electrosettling. The fundamental principles of sedimentation are reviewed for free, hindered, and zone settling of solids. The effects of coagulation and flocculation are also presented in terms of how these affect the gravity sedimentation process. A discussion of the batch settling tests on real suspension and the way industrial settlers are sized, as well as a review of clarifiers and thickeners, is included.
Separations Process Synthesis
Authors: Barnicki Scott D. , Hoyme Craig A. , Siirola Jeffrey J. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Separations process synthesis is the invention of conceptual flowsheets for the separation of multicomponent mixtures. Systematic methods are now available to aid in the generation of separations schemes for analysis and evaluation. For fluid systems, distillation remains the separation method of choice. This article describes heuristic methods for generating alternative distillation schemes for nonazeotropic mixtures, thermal coupled distillations, as well as a more general method for generating separation schemes for nonideal liquid mixtures including systems involving azeotropes. This latter method makes use of the residue curve map representation for vapor–liquid equilibria and introduces the concepts of strategic and opportunistic operations to systematically overcome difficulties introduced by azeotropes and other nonidealities. Mention is also given to separation synthesis methods for reactive separations.
Semiconductors, Silicon Based
Authors: Rose Kenneth , Devarajan Siddharth 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Their unique properties have allowed silicon‐based semiconductor devices, especially metal/oxide/semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs), to dominate the electronics industry. Exponentially increasing numbers of transistors on single chips of silicon have led to exponential improvements in chip performance. The properties of silicon as an electronic material, the dependence of carrier statistics on doping, and carrier transport are reviewed because they determine device behavior. The characteristics of transistors, both bipolar and MOSFET, depend on the properties of
p
‐
n
junctions. An abrupt
p
‐
n
junction places acceptor‐doped,
p
‐type silicon next to donor‐doped
n
‐type silicon. The performance of
n
‐
p
‐
n
bipolar transistors depends on minority electrons injected into the
p
‐type base by the forward‐biased base‐emitter
p
‐
n
junction reaching the reverse‐biased base‐collector
p
‐
n
junction.
n
‐Channel MOSFETs depend on electrons traveling between
n
+
source and drain junctions through an
n
‐type surface channel. This surface channel is induced by a voltage applied across the MOS capacitor formed by a polysilicon metal gate over an oxidized silicon surface. The unique low concentration of surface states, which can be achieved at a thermally oxidized Si–SiO
2
boundary, is the basis of MOSFET technology. The ability to shrink the dimensions of these devices without radically altering their behavior (scaling) has allowed the microelectronics industry to place exponentially increasing numbers of MOSFETs on a single chip. Generally speaking, the growth of the microelectronics industry has been the result of device scaling rather than fundamental changes in device physics. Variations of silicon technology are leading to devices with deep submicrometer dimensions or new applications such as thin‐film transistors for flat‐panel displays, flash memories, or power devices. Variations in silicon technology, eg, silicon on insulator, silicon–germanium alloys, or silicon carbide are briefly reviewed.