bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Warming effects on growth and physiology in the seedlings of the two conifers Picea asperata and Abies faxoniana under two contrasting light conditions
Authors: Yin Hua Jun , Liu Qing , Lai Ting 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe short‐term effects of two levels of air temperature (ambient and warmed) and light (full light and ca. 10% of full light regimes) on the early growth and physiology of Picea asperata and Abies faxoniana seedlings was determined using open‐top chambers (OTC). The OTC manipulation increased mean air temperature and soil surface temperature by 0.51°C and 0.34°C under the 60‐year plantation, and 0.69°C and 0.41°C under the forest opening, respectively. Warming, with either full‐light or low‐light conditions, generally caused a significant increase in plant growth, biomass accumulation, and stimulated photosynthetic performance of P. asperata seedlings. However, the warming of A. faxoniana seedlings only significantly increased their growth under low‐light conditions, possibly as a result of photoinhibition caused by full light, which may shield and/or impair the effects of warming manipulation, per se, on the growth and physiological performance of A. faxoniana seedlings. In response to warming, P. asperata seedlings allocated relatively more biomass to roots and A. faxoniana more to foliage under similar environments. This might provide A. faxoniana with an adaptive advantage when soil moisture was not limiting and an advantage to P. asperata if substantial moisture stress occurred. Warming markedly increased the efficiency of PSII in terms of the increase in Fv/Fm and photosynthetic pigment concentrations for the two conifer seedlings, but the effects of warming were generally more pronounced under low‐light conditions than under full‐light conditions. On balance, this study suggested that warming had a beneficial impact on the early growth and development of conifer seedlings, at least in the short term. Consequently, warming may lead to changes in forest regeneration dynamics and species composition for subalpine coniferous ecosystems under future climate change.
Reactive oxygen species in the paraventricular nucleus mediate the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex in chronic heart failure rats
Authors: Han Ying , Shi Zhen , Zhang Feng , Yu Yang , Zhong Ming‐Kui , Gao Xing‐Ya , Wang Wei , Zhu Guo‐Qing 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) mediate both the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) and angiotensin II‐induced CSAR enhancement in chronic heart failure (CHF) rats. CSAR was evaluated from the responses of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) to epicardial application of bradykinin. In both CHF and sham‐operated rats, PVN microinjection of the superoxide anion scavengers tempol or tiron almost abolished the CSAR, but the superoxide dismutase inhibitor DETC potentiated the CSAR. PVN pretreatment with tempol or tiron abolished, whereas DETC augmented, the angiotensin II‐induced CSAR enhancement. In CHF rats, superoxide anion and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the PVN were increased, but were normalized by the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan. PVN microinjection of tempol decreased superoxide anion and MDA levels, but epicardial application of bradykinin or PVN microinjection of angiotensin II increased superoxide anion and MDA to higher levels in CHF rats than in sham‐operated rats. These results indicate that ROS in the PVN mediates the CSAR and the effect of angiotensin II in the PVN on the CSAR in both CHF and sham‐operated rats. Increased ROS in the PVN are involved in the enhanced CSAR in CHF.
Brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in patients with heart failure
Authors: Vogels Raymond L.C. , van der Flier Wiesje M. , van Harten Barbera , Gouw Alida A. , Scheltens Philip , Schroeder‐Tanka Jutta M. , Weinstein Henry C. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground:Although heart failure (HF) is a common cardiovascular disorder, to date little research has been conducted into possible associations between HF and structural abnormalities of the brain.AimsTo determine the frequency and pattern of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in outpatients with chronic HF, and to identify any demographic and clinical correlates.MethodsBrain MRI scans were compared between a sample of 58 HF patients, 48 controls diagnosed with cardiovascular disease uncomplicated by HF (cardiac controls) and 42 healthy controls. Deep, periventricular and total white matter hyperintensities (WMH), lacunar and cortical infarcts, global and medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) were investigated.Results:Compared to cardiac and healthy controls, HF patients had significantly more WMH, lacunar infarcts and MTA, whereas cardiac controls only had more MTA, compared to healthy controls. Age and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were independently associated with total WMH. Age and systolic hypotension were associated with MTA in HF patients and cardiac controls.Conclusion:Our results suggest that cardiac dysfunction contributes independently to the development of cerebral MRI abnormalities in patients with HF. Age and low LVEF are the principal predictors of cerebral WMH in patients with HF and in cardiac controls.
Integrating learner corpora and natural language processing: A crucial step towards reconciling technological sophistication and pedagogical effectiveness
Authors: Granger Sylviane , Kraif Olivier , Ponton Claude , Antoniadis Georges , Zampa Virginie 
Published: August 2007

AbstractLearner corpora, electronic collections of spoken or written data from foreign language learners, offer unparalleled access to many hitherto uncovered aspects of learner language, particularly in their error-tagged format. This article aims to demonstrate the role that the learner corpus can play in CALL, particularly when used in conjunction with web-based interfaces which provide flexible access to error-tagged corpora that have been enhanced with simple NLP techniques such as POS-tagging or lemmatization and linked to a wide range of learner and task variables such as mother tongue background or activity type. This new resource is of interest to three main types of users: teachers wishing to prepare pedagogical materials that target learners' attested difficulties; learners themselves for editing or language awareness purposes and NLP researchers, for whom it serves as a benchmark for testing automatic error detection systems.
Enhancing a process-oriented approach to literacy and language learning: The role of corpus consultation literacy
Authors: O'Sullivan Íde 
Published: August 2007

AbstractCorpora and concordancing have become much more widely available as researchers recognise that they can significantly enrich the language learning environment. There is still, however, a strong resistance towards corpus use by teachers and learners (Römer, 2006:122). An understanding of the implications and relevance of corpus use for pedagogy may help teachers and learners overcome this resistance, and hence accelerate the process of “percolation” (McEnery & Wilson, 1997:5) or the “trickle down” (Leech, 1997:2) of corpus research to language teaching and learning. The pedagogical context in which learners' consultation of corpora (corpus consultation literacy) can be developed is fundamental in understanding this new literacy and developing it so that it leads to successful language teaching and learning. This paper seeks to investigate the role which corpus consultation literacy plays in enhancing the language learning process and, consequently, aims to establish whether this new literacy can contribute to a process-oriented approach to language learning. Firstly, a theoretical overview of a process-oriented approach to language learning will be outlined, before investigating if corpus consultation can potentially enhance such an approach. This will be supported by evidence from a number of published empirical studies, covering aspects such as learning within a constructivist framework, and the development of cognitive and metacognitive skills through the use of cognitive and developmental tools. Learners' comments from related studies, namely Chambers and O'Sullivan (2004), O'Sullivan (2006), and O'Sullivan and Chambers (2006), which pertain to the learning process and the influence of corpus consultation literacy on this same process, will also be considered. The hypothesis presented here is that corpus consultation literacy can enhance a process-oriented approach to language teaching and learning. It is envisaged that this research will contribute towards the establishment of a sound theoretical and pedagogical foundation for the integration of corpus consultation literacy into language teaching and learning.
Integrating corpus work into secondary education: From data-driven learning to needs-driven corpora
Authors: Braun Sabine 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis paper reports on an empirical case study conducted to investigate the overall conditions and challenges of integrating corpus materials and corpus-based learning activities into English-language classes at a secondary school in Germany. Starting from the observation that in spite of the large amount of research into corpus-based language learning, hands-on work with corpora has remained an exception in secondary schools, the paper starts by outlining a set of pedagogical requirements for corpus integration and the approach which has formed the basis for designing the case study. Then the findings of the study are reported and discussed. As a result of the methodological challenges identified in the study, the author argues for a move from ‘data-driven learning’ to needs-driven corpora, corpus activities and corpus methodologies.
Who switches sickness funds in Israel?
Authors: SHMUELI AMIR , BENDELAC JACQUES , ACHDUT LEAH 
Published: August 2007

Abstract:A competitive national health insurance system was introduced in Israel in 1995. Comsumer mobility has been traditionally a signal of market (managed) competition. However, since 1998, sickness funds’ switching rate has been stable at around 1% of the population. The low switching rate is explained by limited real options and similarity in the sickness funds functioning, and reluctance to change providers. The paper aims to characterize the 1% of the population who switches sickness fund in relation to the stayers, and to examine the implications for public policy. The National Insurance Institute Health Registry was used to conduct two analyses: (i) bivariate comparisons on selected socio-demographic characteristics of the switchers to those of the stayers in the years 1999–2000, and (ii) a multivariate logistic analysis of the propensity to switch for the entire adult (21+) population in the years 2005–2006. The main result is that switching is an inferior good. Both the bivariate and the multivariate analysis show that persons with lower labor-income, receiving income support or unemployment benefits are more likely to switch. Switchers have more children up to age 18. Arabs and Orthodox Jews are more likely to switch sickness funds. The 1% of switchers does not form a random draw from the age–sex-adjusted population. The over-representation of poor persons among switchers is unique to the Israeli scene, which might have resulted from demand-side initiatives, but also from implicit risk-selection strategies exercised by the sickness funds under the Israeli incomplete age-based risk-adjustment system.
Lawsuit activity, defensive medicine, and small area variation: the case of cesarean sections revisited
Authors: BROWN, III H. SHELTON 
Published: August 2007

Abstract:This paper examines whether delivery practice patterns (Cesarean sections or vaginal) are influenced by lawsuits or whether the hypothesized relationship is confounded by small area variation. The analysis uses multilevel analysis to deal with hospital- and Dartmouth Hospital Referral Region-level variation. The model includes patient clinical variables, patient socio-economic status, and hospital characteristics as control variables. The secondary data sources include hospital discharges from the 2002 Texas Health Care Information Council as well as 1988–2001 Texas Department of Insurance Closed Claim File data. After extracting the variation in delivery practice between hospitals and between Dartmouth Hospital Referral Regions in a multilevel model, the effects of lawsuits on defensive medicine are reduced but are still significant.
The ICRC: a unique humanitarian protagonist
Authors: Forsythe David P. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe International Committee of the Red Cross, associated with four Nobel Peace Prizes, is a unique and widely respected humanitarian actor. There were times in its past, however, when it was not as independent, neutral and impartial as is sometimes pictured. Since about 1970 it has made important changes in its structure and functioning so as to improve on the past. In contemporary times the ICRC has carved out an enduring place for neutral humanitarianism in conflicts, but one that is not free from controversies and challenges.
In search of symbiosis: the Security Council in the humanitarian domain
Authors: Viotti Aurélio 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWhile the Security Council's incursion into the protection of individuals or groups could appear necessary – or even praiseworthy – it should be viewed with caution. The author argue that the search for perfect complementarity between the powers of the Security Council and humanitarian action should not overlook the political nature of the Council, the omissions and inconsistencies in its decisions regarding grave offences against human dignity and the effects of coercive action – including armed force – on the provision of neutral and impartial assistance to the victims of an armed conflict.
Non-governmental organizations: an indispensable player of humanitarian aid
Authors: Ryfman Philippe 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAlthough the humanitarian landscape is constantly evolving, one factor which stands out among the players of aid, and particularly non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is the significance of the private, not-for-profit dimension. After tracing the historical origin of those organizations, defining them and stressing how well known and well regarded they are, the article goes on to discuss the main questions they set. It points out that although each one has its own specific characteristics, their operating methods have much in common. In conclusion the role NGOs play on the international stage is also mentioned, as well as their position regarding UN plans to overhaul the international humanitarian system. Faced with a transnational environment and a growing demand for accountability both to beneficiaries and to sponsors, with uncertain times ahead and difficult choices to make, NGOs must be even more humanitarian in the approach they take.
Beyond the Red Cross: the protection of independent humanitarian organizations and their staff in international humanitarian law
Authors: Mackintosh Kate 
Published: August 2007

AbstractMembers of independent humanitarian organizations have less protection, legally speaking, than most of them probably think. Two key features of their work – their neutrality and independence – as well as practical steps they take to implement these principles, actually place them outside much of the protection afforded to either civilians or authorized medical staff. This article examines the international legal protection currently available to independent humanitarian organizations, and considers whether there is scope for improvement of both the content of this framework and respect for the same.
Wordom: a program for efficient analysis of molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Seeber Michele , Cecchini Marco , Rao Francesco , Settanni Giovanni , Caflisch Amedeo 
Published: August 2007

AbstractSummary: Wordom is a versatile program for manipulation of molecular dynamics trajectories and efficient analysis of simulations. Original tools in Wordom include a procedure to evaluate significance of sampling for principal component analysis as well as modules for clustering multiple conformations and evaluation of order parameters for folding and aggregation. The program was developed with special emphasis on user-friendliness, effortless addition of new modules and efficient handling of large sets of trajectories.Availability: The Wordom program is distributed with full source code (in the C language) and documentation for usage and further development as a platform-independent package under a GPL license from http://www.biochem-caflisch.unizh.ch/wordom/Contact: caflisch@bioc.unizh.ch
Sliding MinPD: building evolutionary networks of serial samples via an automated recombination detection approach
Authors: Buendia Patricia , Narasimhan Giri 
Published: August 2007

AbstractMotivation: Traditional phylogenetic methods assume tree-like evolutionary models and are likely to perform poorly when provided with sequence data from fast-evolving, recombining viruses. Furthermore, these methods assume that all the sequence data are from contemporaneous taxa, which is not valid for serially-sampled data. A more general approach is proposed here, referred to as the Sliding MinPD method, that reconstructs evolutionary networks for serially-sampled sequences in the presence of recombination.Results: Sliding MinPD combines distance-based phylogenetic methods with automated recombination detection based on the best-known sliding window approaches to reconstruct serial evolutionary networks. Its performance was evaluated through comprehensive simulation studies and was also applied to a set of serially-sampled HIV sequences from a single patient. The resulting network organizations reveal unique patterns of viral evolution and may help explain the emergence of disease-associated mutants and drug-resistant strains with implications for patient prognosis and treatment strategies.Availability: From website http://biorg.cis.fiu.edu/SlidingMinPDContact: giri@cis.fiu.eduSupplementary information: http://biorg.cis.fiu.edu/SlidingMinPD
Direct Extraction of Volatiles of Rice During Cooking Using Solid‐Phase Microextraction
Authors: Zeng Zhi , Zhang Han , Chen Jie Yu , Zhang Tao , Matsunaga Ryuji 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTAn apparatus that allows extraction and enrichment of flavor volatiles of rice during cooking using solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) was designed and tested in the Japanese rice cultivar Akitakomachi. Because it is a solvent‐free technique, no solvent contaminants were extracted during sampling. This technique enables one to place the fiber of SPME in the effluent of the flavor volatiles of the rice during cooking and it can also be used for simultaneous extraction of those volatiles in the course of the cooking process. Therefore, variations in the composition and amount of volatile compounds of rice during cooking can be determined. The overall flavor volatiles of rice during cooking have been analyzed by using this SPME method. Compounds that have been previously highlighted as flavor volatile markers, such as volatiles from oxidative degradation of lipids, products from thermal decomposition, and fatty acids existing in rice, were extracted directly by SPME in conjunction with this apparatus.
Effect of loss of heterozygosity of the c‐kit gene on prognosis after hepatectomy for metastatic liver gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Kikuchi Hirotoshi , Yamamoto Masayoshi , Hiramatsu Yoshihiro , Baba Megumi , Ohta Manabu , Kamiya Kinji , Tanaka Tatsuo , Suzuki Shohachi , Sugimura Haruhiko , Kitagawa Masatoshi , Kanai Toshikazu , Kitayama Yasuhiko , Kanda Tatsuo , Nishikura Ken , Konno Hiroyuki 
Published: August 2007

The authors have previously reported that loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the c‐kit gene could be responsible for the gain in high proliferative activity in some gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), resulting in enhanced metastatic potential. In the present study, an attempt was made to identify the factors that might predict the postoperative prognosis of patients with metastatic liver GIST. The clinicopathologic or genetic features of resected liver GIST in 14 patients who had undergone a hepatectomy for metachronous liver metastases and who had not received adjuvant imatinib treatment were examined. LOH of the c‐kit gene was observed in seven of 12 metastatic liver GIST (58.3%), of which DNA suitable for testing could be extracted. Ten patients had recurrence after hepatectomy and four had none. The median post‐recurrent disease‐free survival (PRDFS) after hepatectomy was 27.5 months (range 8–104). The tumor‐specific PRDFS was examined using clinicopathologic features, c‐kit mutation and LOH of the c‐kit gene. No single clinicopathologic or genetic finding was significantly associated with PRDFS. However, patients with ‘Ki67 labeling index <5% and LOH(–)’ had a significantly longer PRDFS than those with ‘Ki67 ≥5% or LOH(+)’ (P = 0.032), and there was no correlation between the presence of LOH of the c‐kit gene and the Ki67 labeling index. LOH of the c‐kit gene in metastatic liver seems to be a common event, and LOH of the c‐kit gene in resected liver GIST may be a helpful factor in the prediction of the post‐recurrent prognosis of patients with liver metastasis. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 1734–1739)
Increased risk of larynx cancer in heterozygous carriers of the I171V mutation of the NBS1 gene
Authors: Ziólkowska Iwona , Mosor Maria , Wierzbicka Malgorzata , Rydzanicz Malgorzata , Pernak‐Schwarz Monika , Nowak Jerzy 
Published: August 2007

The high incidence of multiple primary tumors (MPT) is a significant problem in head and neck tumor treatment. Recent studies suggest that carriers of heterozygous mutations in the NBS1 gene have an increased risk of malignant tumor development. The aim of our research was to assess the frequency of NBS1 mutations in patients with larynx cancer only (LC) and with MPT. The MPT group consisted of patients with one cancer localized to the larynx (primary or second) and another at another site. DNA from 175 patients with LC and 93 patients with MPT was analyzed using the single‐strand conformation polymorphism method and direct sequencing. We found nine carriers of the I171V mutation among these 268 cancer patients and only one carrier among 500 population controls (0.2%). Four carriers of the I171V mutation were detected among 175 LC patients (2.3%) and five among 93 patients with MPT (5.4%). The frequencies of the I171V mutation carriers in LC and MPT patients were significantly higher than in controls (odds ratio [OR] = 11.7, confidence interval [CI] 1.3–105.2, P = 0.0175 and OR = 28.35, CI 3.27–245.7, P = 0.0005, respectively). In one individual with LC, a novel molecular variant, c.1222 A > G (p.K408E), was identified. No carriers of R215W or 657del5 NBS1 mutations were found in the present study. These findings imply that heterozygous carriers of the I171V mutation are prone to the development of larynx cancer and may, in addition, display an increased risk of second tumors at other sites. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 1701–1705)